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Archive for February, 2026

A New Name

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 32-34, We finally see Jacob beginning to get it. In chapter 32 for the first time he calls God by His personal name – the LORD or YHWH as it’s written in the Hebrew Scriptures. Years of striving and manipulation have come down to this watershed moment. We know from the text that the LORD has begun speaking to Jacob personally. He told Jacob to return to the land he had fled 20 years earlier. Jacob’s faith was big enough to step out, but not big enough to eliminate the fear of his brother. It may have been 20 years, but his brother, the experienced hunter and killer of game, was angry enough to kill him when he left. So, Jacob does what Jacob has always done, he makes a plan to protect and benefit himself. God may have told him to head back home, but Jacob still can’t help but attempt to control the situation.

Jacob wrestled with God. This is not a metaphor. This represents the seismic shift in his relationship with the LORD. Previous to this God had been “the God of his father” while Jacob has schemed and wrestled with man – first Esau, then his father to steal the patriarchal blessing, then Laban. Here he finally calls God by his personal name and he meets Him… alone… at night…. at a point of heightened fear… and he wrestles with God. God takes him to the limit of his strength. We know God could immediately win but He allows Jacob to wrestle with Him and hold onto Him. That is the point. When Jacob (and us) commits to hold onto the LORD no matter what, things change. God gives Jacob a new name to signify this transformation.

LORD, you are our God. You have done great things on our behalf. Like Jacob, we want to hold onto you. You are our help. You are our hope. We put our trust in you today knowing you love us with a steadfast love. We desire to reciprocate and the only way to do that is to allow your Holy Spirit to do your deep work in us. So, we say yes today. Change our heart, our mind, and even our name if you so choose. We just want to be wholly yours.

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Dysfunction and the Grace of God

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 30-31, It is important to put Jacob’s story in context. He was living in the ancient near east before the Law was given. There were obviously some generally accepted aspects of a moral code, but a written standard of behavior doesn’t seem to exist. Yet even given this context, we see all manner of greed, manipulation, and deceit at work in Jacob’s family. In today’s reading we get some 15 years compressed into 2 chapters, but it’s easy to picture a contentious household based upon the few stories captured here. Into this maelstrom we see God’s plan weaving through to bless Jacob and lead him back to the land of promise.

Stories like this make it essential to remember the inspired Word of God consists of various forms of literature. In the Old Testament in particular it is often DESCRIPTIVE of situations rather than PRESCRIPTIVE. The description of less-than-optimal family dynamics likely mirror dysfunction that can be found in many homes today. Yet, through the 20 years Jacob lived under the yoke of obligation to Laban, God’s grace would show up in little ways.  My mind went back to Jacob’s departure from Isaac and how he referred to “Isaac’s God” rather than “the LORD.” God is working in Jacob’s heart through the years of hard work, dysfunction in his family, pressure from his uncle / father-in-law, and separation from the land God, through Isaac, promised him. In leaving Laban, Jacob is taking a big risk. One, his father-in-law won’t like it and might bring harm to his family. Two, his brother who he cheated 20 years before might still want to kill him. And three, the arduous trip itself would be difficult for his family. This is a very intense situation. We’ll see how Jacob handles this soon.

LORD, life is often tumultuous. Pressure from various sources threaten us and seek to push and pull us away from you. But you are there even when we don’t see you… when we don’t feel you. Thank you for your grace that often comes in small glimpses. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to know that you are present at all times. You are so good, so faithful, so amazing, so worthy of all our praise which we give to you today. Be exalted O LORD, our God!

Addendum: As I started to write out this prayer, the flight attendant asked me to put up my laptop for take-off. I folded my computer and then let the prayer just flow for 10 minutes or so as we went down the runway and into the air. During that prayer the LORD made this very personal for me. We have a child who dutifully went to church with us until he went off to college. Since then, he has charted his own course. I can see his approach towards the LORD would be similar to Jacob’s. A personal relationship with the Lord has not been a priority for him. At best, he would refer to God as “my parent’s God”. He is right at 20 years since going off to college. I believe the Lord brought that to mind, not just for me, but for everyone reading this who has a loved one who does not yet have a personal relationship with the LORD. It is His desire and our most blessed relationship to be joined with the Father who loves us more than we can know. God’s message to me and to you is: “Don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep hoping. I am at work and I will bring my children home.”

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Trickster Becomes the Tricked

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials, tagged , , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 27-29, We’ll follow Jacob for several chapters and one thing that fascinates me is the arc of Jacob’s life from scheming trickster to the beloved patriarch of twelve sons and one daughter. Jacob’s early life is spent in the shadow of the tribe’s tents. Isaac was wealthy, so there wasn’t a need for the sons to venture far afield for game. Esau couldn’t help himself. It was what he loved. Jacob stayed close to home. As such he was positioned to steal his brother’s rightful blessing. The degree of planning and deceit woven into Jacob’s and Rebekah’s tricking of Jacob is stunning. It seems tremendously important that Jacob refers to God as “Isaac’s God” rather than as the LORD. He doesn’t yet know God personally. We’ll keep our eye on the arc of Jacob’s life to see this change.

That Jacob lands in the perfect location to begin a new life with Laban and his family shows God’s favor despite Jacob’s flaws. But God is not finished with lessons for Jacob. Imagine on the morning after your wedding you find someone other than the woman you thought you had just married lying beside you. For us, it is horror and humor mixed together. For Jacob, it was to feel a little of what his brother Esau must have felt. God’s desire is that we all grow and mature in faith in Him. It is a little less painful if we choose to learn from the Word and the wisdom of others. But in His wisdom, grace, and love, He often gives us experiences that open our eyes to seeing from a whole new perspective… even if it’s a little painful.

Father, thank you for leading and teaching us all our lives. My receptivity to your life lessons is variable at times, but you are always faithful to provide those opportunities, nonetheless. We say yes to your lessons, and we will strive to be open to learning and applying what we learn as we go forward. May our lives reflect your grace as we allow you to transform us. May we live immersed in your Word and intentionally seeking to walk closely with you all our days. To you be the glory, O LORD, our God!

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Christophany

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Jesus Christ, Trials, worldview, tagged , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 22-24, So many deep and rich nuggets embedded in today’s stories. What stood out was the moment when Abraham raised the knife over his son, his only son Isaac, and The Angel of the LORD stayed his hand. Scholars tell us that this phrase “the angel of the LORD” is much more than a messenger angel. They say this is a Christophany, an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ in human form.

Understanding this I can’t help but think about the Son of God, who will one day hang on a cross as a sacrifice, in this day interceding for Isaac. What He did for Isaac, He will one day do for all humanity. But instead of a ram caught in a thicket it will be Him willingly offering Himself at the behest of His heavenly Father. 

Holy Lord, you did for us what we could not do for ourselves. You are the Holy Lamb of God and we worship you!

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Faith and Faults

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, tagged , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 19-21, Abraham’s life is a perfect example that it is not our righteousness that gains God’s favor. While we see Abraham move promptly in response to God’s directions multiple times, he also acts in less than honorable ways when he doesn’t get clear direction from the Lord. Abraham again uses the “she’s my sister” half truth to seemingly protect himself with Abimelech. God intervenes and Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham which initiates a delicate political dance between Abraham and king Abimelech. 

Abraham’s tendency to protect his own interests in lieu of God’s specific direction hits close to home. I can see this in myself, particularly when I’m not regularly reading the Word and in a healthy, prayerful place. God’s desire, what He is calling us to is intimacy with Him. The closer we are to Him; His heart and His ways become our ways. It is faith that brings us into His family. It is walking with Him that changes us. I’m so thankful the Lord saves and sanctifies.

Father, you are so good. You lead us into faith. You draw us close. You do what we can’t do. You fill in what we lack. And in your grace and in your timing, you mold and shape is into your children of grace. Thank you, Holy Lord. 

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A Pretty Poor Trade

Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Priorities, tagged , , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 25-26, I’ve marveled at Esau’s short-sightedness every time I read the story of him selling his birthright to his younger brother Jacob. There’s hungry and really wanting some food, but to give up your birthright as the oldest son is a pretty high price to pay. There are a lot of things in play here. First off, Esau’s mind was in the moment not the long-term ramifications. Second, his value system was skewed. That which was truly important, he valued too lightly while placing undue value on that which was both fleeting and common. Third, God who exists outside of time, knew the outcomes these two brothers would walk in. He had foretold it to Rebekah when she prayed to the Lord about the struggling twins inside her womb. That struggle continued through their birth and into their adulthood.

My takeaways are not necessarily to be like Jacob. He was not “righteous” in all this. But we can learn from Esau. I will not be ruled by my stomach nor by short-term benefit for long-term loss. I will prioritize that which is truly important, even the seemingly lesser things that are truly valuable like morning coffee with my beloved when I am in town. And I will seek the LORD with all that I am, seeking to walk in the path He has laid out for me to bless and serve wherever He takes me.

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you, trusting you with the big picture. Help us to value things rightly, making the things of God, whether big or small, our priority. And lead us in the way of righteousness, loving and serving from a heart that is daily being shaped more and more to be like yours. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us today. Amen.

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From One Family

Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Prayer, Worship, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 12-15, Today’s reading is bookended with God speaking great and mighty promises to Abram. The first is that through Abram’s family, a great nation will come that will bless all the families of the earth. In chapter 15 the LORD repeats the promise that it will be through Abram’s very own son that a great nation will be brought forth who will be the blessing to all nations. This is an amazing promise in its own right but considering that Abram was75 years old when we first meet him and the second promise comes some time later as he and his family sojourn in the land of Canaan, it will require a miracle to occur. Fortunately, no promise of God will go unfulfilled AND God is in the miracle business. Being the Creator and Sustainer of all life, it is no big deal for God to create life through Abram and Sarai. It is the timing that often trips us up.

We are four thousand years later, and we know how true these promises are and how they have been, and are being, fulfilled. First came the nation of Israel which still exists today. Second came Jesus, the Messiah for all mankind. God’s promises to Abram fulfilled. But God hasn’t stopped making promises and He is still fulfilling promises. You and I are recipients of so many promises from God. A foundational promise for me is a universal promise to everyone who bends the knee in surrender to Jesus as Lord. He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I can bank on that because He is faithful and true. He was to Abram. He is to you and He is to me.

O Lord God Almighty, you are faithful and your promises are true. We give you all the faith we can muster knowing that you are able to take our offerings and do what we can’t with it. You are building and shaping us into a nation of priests to minister to all nations. Lord, we say yes. Use our words, our actions, our giving to further your kingdom. May the Good News of Jesus transform us in such a way that it flows to everyone we meet and everywhere we go. Be glorified O LORD our God. Be glorified!

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Mis-taking God’s Promise

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Marriage, Prayer, tagged , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 16-18, Today’s reading is full of God showing up and making promises. When God shows up in visible form it’s called a theophany. God had Abraham and Sarah in the center of His grand plan. Changing their names was a major event that creates a bonding and a sense of ownership that demonstrates God’s Lordship in their lives.

My conscience was pricked as I read Sarai’s attempt to fulfill God’s promise on her own. How many times have I taken a clear promise or prompting of the Lord and ran with it without waiting upon the Lord. Too many. But this is the beautiful thing, God still fulfilled His promise to Sarai, in His timing. While it would be better to obey perfectly, the Lord still works with us through our mistakes to bring about a maturing of our faith and obedience. Which is just another reason He is worthy of our worship.

Father, thank you that you play the long game in training us in faith. That you continue to work with us through our mistakes and impatience is so wonderful. Your grace is truly amazing. We submit to your loving correction anew today. We desire to live faithful and we know you are bringing this about day by day. To you be the glory.

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Restoration

Posted in Bible Study, God, job, Prayer, tagged , , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 40-42, Job’s long requested interview with God ends today and to say it went differently than Job had in mind would be a significant understatement. The LORD’s response to Job is exactly what Job needed to hear. God lovingly puts Job in his place by articulating His place. Job “the Righteous” is properly humbled. There was nothing wrong with Job’s actions before calamity befell him. The only area where Job needed correction was in his heart where pride had taken root. Like an undiagnosed disease, Job’s pride had to be brought to the surface and dealt with. And God did.

Look at the amazing ripple effect of Job’s calamity. Job had a personal encounter with the LORD and it changed him. Job had his pride brought into view and he was humbled and repented. Job’s friends were rebuked by God, they were humbled, and they repented and apologized to Job. Job forgave and then Job interceded for them. If we stopped right there with right relations between God, Job, and Job’s friends restored, it would be a win, win, win. But God, in His overflowing generosity, restores Job’s family line and restores material blessings upon him. The author emphasizes how over the top this is by pointing out the blessings upon Job’s daughters. Within the intensely patriarchal society of the day, this shouts of God’s goodness and generosity. God sees the big picture. And in His wise and loving way, He always draws those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose, into closer fellowship with Himself and with His family.

LORD, I thank you for Job and the picture you give us of this man and his journey into deeper fellowship with you. I can’t help but marvel at the transformation in Job through these 42 chapters. It seems Job knew about you and tried hard to honor you at first, but by the end, Job came to truly know you and that made all the difference. LORD, help us to know you, to learn from you, to grow to be like you, following the leading of your Holy Spirit more and more. Do what you need to do to crush pride and whatever else might be present in our heart that hinders our relationship with you and others. We love you LORD and we give ourselves to you this day.

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