Imagine the looks on both Esau and Isaac’s faces. Esau asks for the blessing and Isaac says, ‘Who are you? I’ve already blessed my son, Esau.’ Esau cried bitterly and begged his father for a blessing. When Isaac says he cannot give him the firstborn blessing he cries about Jacob twice supplanting him and taking his birthright and his blessing. Isaac does bless Esau and it is a prospering blessing but says he will live by the sword and will serve his brother, but from time to time would assert their independence. Continue reading Jacob – Supplanter to Israel Part 2
Tag Archives: return to god
Jacob – Supplanter to Israel Part 1
From birth, Jacob was in direct competition with his brother Esau for leadership of the family. He was constantly trying to usurp his brother as the first born. When they were coming out of their mother’s womb, Esau was first. As he emerged Jacob was grabbing his heel as if he was trying to pull him back into the womb. Hence his name, Jacob meaning supplanter. Throughout much of their lives this would be the relationship between the two brothers. Continue reading Jacob – Supplanter to Israel Part 1
Joseph – Broken Child to Exalted Ruler
“When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.”
~ Oswald Chambers
The Bible: Book of the Broken
The Bible is full of the life stories of broken people. From Adam and Eve introducing the curse, through the story of Noah and his family surviving God’s cleansing the earth of corruption, to Abraham’s fear, lying, and disobedience. Jacob was a liar and a deceiver who cheated and lied his way into the blessing and the birthright. Joseph was an entitled braggart as the favored son of His father Jacob. Continue reading The Bible: Book of the Broken
And A Little Child Shall Lead Them
I’ve mentioned now and again that I take care of a little boy right now in exchange for room and board. I had no idea why God opened this door for me, but He did and it was the only door open. For nearly two months I’ve lived here with my own room and bathroom, and a great deal of privacy. I’m pretty much left to myself when I’m not watching my “Little Buddy”. It’s a short term position that ends at the end of April. After that I have no idea what God has for me. For now, my assignment is watching him and being a Godly influence on him. Or so I thought. Continue reading And A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Sifted Like Wheat: The Trying of Our Faith
This morning while reading the word and trying to see past the jungle of worries that obstruct my view of the goodness and faithfulness of God, Holy Spirit gave me a revelation. Now, this revelation is probably no surprise to many or even most people. However, to me and maybe a few others it means a world of difference in our current situations. Granted, it does not alleviate or remove our current difficulties, but it does give us hope for a better future. Continue reading Sifted Like Wheat: The Trying of Our Faith
The Dedication and Purification – Rebuilding God’s Temple
The Temple had finally been completed 21 years after it was begun. Many times the enemy stopped the work, but never completely and now it was time for its dedication to God. It was smaller and less grand than Solomon’s temple, but it was God’s house none the less. The people were ready and He could now tabernacle among them again. Just as He did so long ago in the Garden. Relationship has always been His ultimate goal. Continue reading The Dedication and Purification – Rebuilding God’s Temple
A New Creation after the Passing of the Old
The Passing
The passing of a spouse is not just the death of the spouse, but also the death of the life you created together. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And again in Mark 10:6-8, “But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.” The two God brought together become one creature entwined with God in a three strand chord call marriage. Continue reading A New Creation after the Passing of the Old
The Accuser – Rebuilding God’s Temple
The first attempt by the accuser to thwart the rebuilding God’s temple was to come as a friend and try to destroy the work from within as in Ezra 4:1-3 (see Spiritual Warfare). When that failed they harassed them and attempted to slow the work as best they could Ezra 4:4-5. The next phase was to complain to the authorities and accuse them of their past behavior. Continue reading The Accuser – Rebuilding God’s Temple
Consider Your Ways – Rebuilding the Temple of God
God, through the prophet, tells the people to consider their ways. That’s something we don’t even do today. We are more impulsive and singularly focused on the goals we have for ourselves than we are on the will and purposes of God. Continue reading Consider Your Ways – Rebuilding the Temple of God
Return to God 