Monday:Genesis 29:1-15 God begins to carry out the promise to watch over Jacob.
- Last week we read God’s promise to Jacob: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” (Genesis 28:15) How does today’s reading show God fulfilling that vow? What makes it important for Jacob (and us) to know that his journey works out well not just due to his talent and skill, but also to God’s blessing?
- So far, we’ve mainly seen the dark side of Jacob. Like all of us, he had another side. He showed gallantry, kindness and a certain amount of courage in helping Rachel and making contact with his uncle’s family. Who do you know whose “dark side” dominates your view of them? Look for and name some “bright spots” in that person.
Tuesday:Genesis 29:16-30 Jacob got married—twice!
- In that time, the norm was, as Laban said, to marry an older daughter first. In not being candid about this from the first, Laban duped Jacob. Have you ever dealt like Laban? Have you ever felt like Jacob, hurt and angry? How can God’s wisdom help you see below the surface at such times, and lead toward healing and peace?
- Laban gave his daughters lavish dowries, but also an example of deceit in his personal dealings. From verse 30 we can see that he set them up for a home filled with sorrow and conflict. What are you working hard to pass on to your children? Will your main legacy be a quantity of “stuff,” or a life filled with integrity and love?
Wednesday:Genesis 29:31 – 30:24 Leah and Rachel battled bitterly
- This is Israel’s own story of how God kept the covenant promise to make Abraham’s family a great nation. No glitzy fake heroics here! If God worked through the envy and pain of Jacob’s family, what may God do as you face hard situations? When has God bent an “evil” in your life to create a “good” for you and God’s kingdom?
- Jacob, his wives and the writer of Genesis all held notions about God and childbearing that we don’t share. God loved and worked with them despite their faulty ideas. Can you see where God worked in your life when you held ideas that you no longer hold? What makes loving God perhaps even more vital than knowing all about God?
Thursday:Genesis 30:25 – 31:21 Jacob asked to go home
- One minute Jacob praised God for giving him success, the next he plotted how best to advance himself. Jacob was—well, a lot like us. When has God worked for you and others through something you planned and initiated? When has God done something startling, which left you feeling “Wow—I’m just along for the ride”?
- Laban said he’d learned about God’s blessing “by divination” (later banned in Lev. 19 and Deut. 18). Then Rachel stole her father’s “household gods”! What does it tell you about Israel’s God that God did not just give up on these idol-worshipping, “irrational” people in horror? How wide is your understanding of God’s love?
Friday:Genesis 31:22-55 Laban pursued Jacob, and accused him of stealing flocks, daughters and the household gods.
- After twenty years of deals made and broken, rubbing sharp elbows daily, Jacob and Laban had many grievances. But God led them to set aside their complaints and make peace. In what relationships would setting up a “Mizpah pillar” (verses 49-53) improve your life? What kind of help with your feelings would you need to do that?
- The first part of Jacob and Laban’s talk is a classic Middle Eastern bazaar scene. The words twist and turn, sliding easily from compliments to condemnation. What are some ways you are tempted to use slippery speech in today’s world? How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:34-37 challenge you?
Saturday: All of us carry with us the scars of other people’s words. These scars can shape the way we view ourselves. Watch this video: http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk
- In what ways do you identify with this video? How do you think God would describe you?
- As we cling to the promise that we are of sacred worship how does leading on God allow us to see ourselves and our story as fearfully and wonderfully made?
- This week you are continued to be encouraged to think about and share your story as you partner with God. Here is a helpful tool to help you write your testimony: https://faithpointum.org/?p=1015