Genesis 37

Here begins the story of Joseph. I know of the general story already and how it has a happy ending, but this first chapter of the story has a good lesson: "think before you speak". Joseph probably shouldn't have boasted and shared the dreams of how he rules over his brothers and parents. It could definitely be taken as Joseph being rude or egotistical. Actions such as that can cause jealousy and bitterness, like how his brothers ended up feeling towards him.

Genesis 36

Interesting fact: hot springs were first discovered by Esau's family.

This chapter may be boring to read all the names and descendants but it shows how God diversified His people and how they were able to live peacefully among themselves to sustain one another. As long as they worshipped God, He provided for them and made nations and kings out of them. Today, instead of making us a king/queen of a nation, He gives us provisions and blessings needed to go through life. Things that we may want or desire could be given as a gift to us, depending on how we will use it.

Genesis 35

God makes up fruitful in different ways. He blesses us with spiritual gifts that can be used in ministry and serving. How are we honouring God with what He has blessed us with?

God mentions to Jacob that He will make nations out of him. I think it's food for thought to think about what would happen if we were in that position. I'm not at the life stage to have children yet, but if so how am I going to bring them up in a way that they honour and love God as well?

Genesis 34

If a loved one of yours or even yoruself has been wronged or hurt, it is likely that you would feel anger and bitterness against the one who did harm and would think about getting revenge. It's portrayed like that in movies and it sometimes happens in reality as well. However, revenge is always fueled by the very emotions that lead us into sin. Revenge is never the way out, rather forgiveness is the key. It's difficult but necessary.

Jesus never thought about getting revenge for what his persecutors did to him, yet he chose to forgive them as a way for them to experience what God's unconditional love can be like. If Jesus could do it for the people who voted and wanted to kill and torture him, then we can definitely do it for those who've hurt us or your loved ones. Things that have been done against us cannot ever compare to what we've done to our Lord.

Genesis 33

This chapter showed the outcome to Jacob's faithfulness in the Lord from the previous chapter. Since Jacob did what God would've wanted him to do (blessing Esau with his possessions that God graciously gave him), Esau was happy to see Jacob despite the gifts and the relationship that was once tainted by jealousy and bitterness was restored to a  happy and peaceful one. God makes all things right.

Genesis 32

One of the things that was illustrated in this chapter was a way to handle tough situations... and clearly it is to turn to God for our help and pray. Praying is a form of worship as you are surrendering yourself to God's power, knowing that He is powerful and can do many things. When Jacob heard that Esau was bringing four hundred men along to see him, He was scared and turned to the Lord. God will never forsake us and He will do whatever He needs to bring about the consequences and outcomes that He wants. We just need to believe that He will do what's right, despite what we may think ourselves.

In addition, aligning yourself to God's mindset will help you overcome tough situations as well. Really thinking about what Jesus would do in your shoes will help you make the right decisions in life. Jacob thought that blessing Esau with gifts would show his humility and love towards his brother. Jesus would have probably done something along the same lines.

Genesis 31

When you are in danger, God protects you. When you are in need, God provides for you. When you are scammed, God stands up for you. Our God is an awesome God.

Genesis 30

Not everything has to be a competition. Sometimes compromises bring out the best outcome. Leah and Rachel didn't have to compete. It led to bitter feelings and jealousy, sins of the world that wrecks our relationship with God. Jacob and Laban didn't have to try and manipulate one another with their flocks if only Laban wasn't so selfish. Jacob uses apparently tricky moves in order to help the deal move more towards his favour. God doesn't bless people who succumb to such actions. Such sin causes havoc in relationships.

Genesis 29

One of the verses that stood out to me really showed how love can make things seem better and easier.

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Love can really do that. Upon skimming through a commentary on this chapter, they mentioned how our love for another person can be translated to our love for Jesus. If we love Jesus deeply and genuinely, then we can always look forward to spending the rest of our life in heaven and the suffering and endurance that we must go through on earth in this life will pass by fast and be easier to overcome.... what a great parallel to Jacob's example in the Scriptures.

This chapter also shows devotion though. Jacob in total served Laban 14 years before he was able to marry Rachel. This is not likely to happen in today's society but how much are we willing to give up and serve for our loved ones, and most importantly God?Are you devoted enough to always glorify Him and make Him known wherever you go? My devotion needs to continue growing for sure, but God really uses mysterious ways to help me do so. Even giving me time to do my Scripture reading everyday at my workplace is a blessing in disguise.

Genesis 28

When God is good to you and blesses you abundantly, how do you return that love? Back then it was tithing, and in this chapter Jacob offers a tenth of his possessions to the Lord.

Nowadays, tithing can be one component of worship but it's not the only one. It's important not to neglect prayer, devotions, fellowship, and discipleship because all that helps us foster the characteristics of a good Christ follower and child of God.

Upon my own reflection, I think prayer and discipleship and areas that I can improve on. I tend to pray before meals or intentionally with others, but very rarely do I pray and have a conversation with the Lord and me alone. Discipleship is done with the intention of becoming more like Christ by maturing in the knowledge of the Word and also through one's actions in everyday life. I would say that I'm a passive Christian, not really being intentional in my actions so it's something I need to improve upon.

Genesis 27

This chapter illustrates something that should not be done in a family. A family is built upon trust and love. If none of that is present then the family will break and bitterness will be present. Esau and Jacob lie to each other and so the grudge that Esau carries is very real to him. We need to show trust and love to not only our immediate family but also to everyone who's part of God's family as well. This is a mark of Christian that should be visible to everyone.

Genesis 26

A simple message from this chapter: live a lifestyle that's glorifying to God. It may not be extravagant or exciting to others but when they experience the kindness and love that they give which stems from God's love for them, it makes it easier for them to see and feel the Lord's presence. It gives them the opportunity to turn and give their lives to the Lord.

Genesis 25

*Birthright: a particular right of possession or privilege one has from birth, especially as an eldest child.

The story has yet to unfold, but the prophecy that God has given seems to be coming true. The younger Jacob seems to be dominating the older Esau, which God had said that the "older would serve the younger".

God has ordained everything according to His will. He will make His plans happen.

Genesis 24

This chapter demonstrates the trust the servant has in the Lord. For the entire duration of his trip to find a wife for Isaac, he continuously relied on the Lord for provision. He trusted that God will make his trip successful for Abraham and that is how it turned out.

There are so many reminders and lessons about trust throughout the Word and it really hits home everytime for me. No matter what challenge or thing these characters are going through, God helps them pull through at the end and He blesses them. Everything they did led to where God wanted them to be. I'm fully at peace now of where I am as well, even after all the waitlist notices for graduate schools several months earlier. God still has a door open for me so I should take advantage and see how He will make the best plan for me.

Genesis 23

This was a chapter where I was a bit stumped as to what the Lord wanted to tell me. This chapter spoke of the death of Sarah and how Abraham wanted to find a burial site for her among the Hittite land. Abraham wa a good man and leader. He was well known by nations and because of his good works they are very generous and kind to him.

This can extend to today. Yes, there are many people out there who are super friendly and caring but are not Christians. There are similar people who are Christians. What matters is that we don't taint this image of being a kind and caring person. Christians ought to be those people but when others see the opposite then they'll it pushes them further away from our faith. We need to have a character like Abraham and be able to reflect these acts and thoughts of love to others always.

Others observe your kind behaviour, they would want to reciprocate in the same way, and this gives an opening for God to work in their hearts. 

Genesis 22

An important step in growth is learning from the challenges and obstacles that you face. God uses those times to test your faithfulness and trust in Him. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it can be hard. For Abraham he must've felt despair and sadness hearing that God wanted him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham is a man of God though, he obeyed with no doubt. He feared God and wanted to listen and do as He says. It may not be sacrificing your own son, but today God may be calling you to do things that seem impossible or crazy. When those times happen to me I find it so hard to listen and follow because it doesn't seem logical or right. However, what gives us the authority to judge and make these decisions for ourselves? We are tainted by sin and God is a pure, loving, and almighty. Whatever He commands will come to a great, good conclusion that we may not understand... and that's ok. The important thing is to trust Him, have faith, and watch to see how God will use you to help others or even yourselves.

Genesis 21

God will never forsake His people. He will protect them and provide, just like how he provided Hagar with the well of water in the desert. This will continue as long as we treasure the Lord in our hearts and follow Him to the best of our abilities.

The long term kindness and friendship between brothers and friends can lead to great things. Working together for the Lord and ensuring that one or the other doesn't stumble will help them grow in the Lord's favour. Just like Abraham and Abimelech, the treaties and oaths that were established in Beersheeba will last. There will be peace between them without grudges or bitterness to one another.

Genesis 20

There are several different concepts of our faith that is illustrated in this passage.

The first is all of us being a part of God's family. God calls us His sons and daughters, and so we would call one another brothers and sisters in Christ. The first account of this title as people being brothers and sisters is found in this chapter when Abraham explains to Abimelech that Sarah, his wife, is still considered his sister too as they are adopted into God's family with God as our Heavenly Father.

Genesis 20:12
Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.

Another concept is of God's justice to those who sin. We have been saved by the power of Christ, and so even when we sin, we can repent and learn from our mistakes and God will not punish us. When we clearly have made an innocent mistake or have done something by accident, we can be assured that God knows and would not pass on the consequences to us. This is illustrated when Abimelech speaks to God in his dream regarding his capture of Sarah, believing she wasn't married at first. God is fair. Knowing that Abimelech only took her thinking she was Abraham's sister but not his wife, God gave Abimelech the chance to right his actions by returning Sarah to Abraham. He did that and was blessed. This is the same for us: if we do something wrong (mistake or intentional), God always gives us a chance to do the right thing to correct what you did and through that God continues to help you grow into a maturing disciple.