Reading: Genesis 32:1-12 and 22-32 Jacob’s trip to Canaan is very dramatic. He meets angels, he fears Esau who is coming; Jacob prays fervently, wrestles with God and becomes lame. What is happening?   Jacob is sinful. Instead of trusting the Lord, he always takes control of his own life, even using deception. Instead of… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 32

Reading: Genesis 31:1-3, 17-24. Jacob’s family (the church at that time) has grown. But it faces dangers. Jacob was in Padan Aran for over 14 years and is very wealthy. It is appealing to stay. But living in a heathen environment is dangerous; Laban’s family, including Rachel, serve idols (vs 30). Soon the church will… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 31

Reading: Genesis 29:15-30 and 30:17-24 In the story about Laban, Jacob, Lea and Rachel we can lose all confidence in people. There is deceit, fighting and jealousy, which eventually results in Jacob’s departure from Laban. It is a very sorry picture, especially because Jacob’s family is the church. How weak is their faith. Can the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 29 and 30

Reading: Genesis 28:1-5 and 10-17 Esau threatens to kill Jacob; the future of the church, represented by Jacob, is in danger. So Jacob is sent away. He feels very uneasy. His deception is so sinful. Is his father’s blessing, received through deception, really for him? Should he first make peace with his father? Can he… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 28

Reading: Genesis 27:1-29 Here Moses describes events which do not seem very useful. In summary we learn that Isaac commands Esau, his first born son, to hunt a wild animal, provide a meal and receive the first-born blessing. However, Rebecca and Jacob deceive Isaac to bless Jacob instead. It even seems like child’s play for… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 27

Reading: Genesis 26:1-5 God blessed Isaac with the same covenant promises as Abraham. However Isaac had a very unsettled and troubled life. He suffered famine; had conflict with the Philistines about the wells, had to move from place to place. He was a stranger in the Promised Land. Esau married heathen wives which grieved Isaac… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 26

Reading: Genesis 25:12-34 Moses here records the genealogies of Ismael and Isaac. However, God gathers his church in Isaac’s generations. Therefore the focus is on Isaac and his family.   Ishmael, Isaac’s half-brother, has twelve sons. The Lord had earlier promised to make Ishmael a great nation.   God had also promised that Isaac would… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 25:12-24

Reading: Genesis 25:1-11 Abraham dies when he was 175 years old.  When God made His covenant He promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Gen 12) and kings; the land of Canaan would be an everlasting possession (Gen 17). Other blessings were also promised. However, Abraham did not receive all these blessings… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 25:1-11

Reading: Genesis 23 Sarah is 127 years old and the Lord takes her away.  Abraham mourns and weeps. His long time wife and close companion leaves a big empty place in his life. Death is a sad reality. However, Sarah and Abraham did not despair thinking about death. Indeed they prepared for it. Hebrews 11:13… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 23

Reading: Genesis 22 God says in Genesis 15:1 “Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Does Abraham really believe and trust in God? God decides to test Abraham’s faith.   God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac; it is an extremely severe test. Abraham loves and trusts God; but he also loves Isaac. Furthermore… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 22

Reading: Genesis 21 Vs 1 says “the LORD visited Sarah”. We believe the birth of children is natural, so we seldom stop to consider that the LORD is the giver of life. The words ‘the LORD visited Sarah” remind us that He intervened in Sarah’s life and caused Isaac’s birth. But the LORD’s power and… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 21

Reading: Genesis 20 Abraham moves south to Gerar. But this brings the family, and the future of the church, in danger.   Abraham and Sarah have an agreement to pretend she is his sister if a man, stronger the Abraham, takes her. On that understanding Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah into his house. But… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 20

Reading: Genesis 19 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding places is mentioned in the Bible at least 15 times as a very serious warning against sin. God wants to ensure we understand the seriousness of the people’s corruption in Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore God gives us more details in Genesis 19. Through the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 19

Reading: Genesis 18 In chapter 17:19 God promises to Abraham that “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son”. But how is this possible? Abraham was almost 100 years old; Sarah was 90 and past the age of child bearing. The Lord sees their struggle and straightaway returns to encourage them with the news that… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 18

Reading: Genesis 17 God here reveals some important elements of the covenant. The covenant is initiated by one party (God); but it functions between two parties (God and His people). Sinful man rejects God, therefore God takes the initiative. What grace: holy God reaches out to sinners! When we consider God’s covenant promises, grace becomes… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 17

Reading: Genesis 16 Sarai is impatient about the long delay in the fulfilment of God’s promise for a son. So she takes unjustified action. Instead of honouring God’s ways and waiting for the Lord’s time, she persuades Abram to take Hagar and have the promised son by her. Abram, who did not take Hager because… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 16

Reading: Genesis 15 Abram is struggling. He has fears and doubts (vs 1); he lives among ungodly, hostile people. He still does not have children as God promised, and he is getting older. Other nations occupy the land that was promised to Abram. Therefore God reassures Abram: you will have a son; your descendants will… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 15

Reading: Genesis 14 From this chapter we see how dangerous Abram’s new land is. There is war, 12 years of oppression and another war. Abram’s nephew Lot and people from Sodom and Gomorrah and all their goods are taken captive by a strong enemy. When people leave the way of the Lord there is violence… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 14

Reading: Genesis 13 Earlier Abram had moved to Egypt due to a famine. He remembers God had originally commanded him to live in Canaan, so returns there. O the way God protects him from dangers. He arrives safely in Canaan and thankfully worships the LORD Yahweh.   Abram settles in Canaan and God blesses him… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 13