February 24, 2026 by areliablefaith
Genesis 43-45, God’s Sovereignty and Changed Lives. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, particularly what this demonstrates about God’s overarching sovereignty and how He changes lives for the good. Joseph says more than once that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. His riches to rags to riches story did an amazing work in his life. I cannot imagine that He could easily see an outcome this good as he served his master Potipher or while he sat in prison. We get a sense that he had a hopeful perspective simply from the fact that his actions stood out even in these dark places such that he was elevated to leading roles. But nothing but the dreams God had given him could have prepared him for the dramatic turn of events that placed his brothers squarely under his control. Yet, after making his brothers squirm for a relatively short period, Joseph rescues them. Forgiveness and rescue by the one who had been wronged. A foreshadowing of Jesus.
But we see a similar transformation in Judah. In Genesis 38 Judah is shown to be less than honorable. And in Genesis 37:26, it was Judah who suggested that they get rid of Joseph and make a profit from him by selling him as a slave. Yet 22 years later, it is Judah who offers himself as a substitute for his little brother, Benjamin. He is willing to face slavery or possibly even death in the place of another. Did guilt and remorse drive him to this? I’m sure they played a part. The real point is that his heart had changed and instead of putting himself first, he was more concerned for the welfare of his father and brother. A drastic change of heart indeed. Judah’s willingness to suffer in the place of another is yet another foreshadowing of the One who offered to suffer in our place on a cross many years later.
Father, whether we experience a dramatic turnaround like Joseph or we simply enjoy your presence in calmer ways, the reality is you are in control and you are at work changing us to be like you. We want this, Lord. Help us to desire it so deeply that the old manner of thinking and living dies away and the new life of living for you and for others becomes totally natural. Blessed be the Name of the LORD who loves us into new life.
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Responsibility, The Father, Trials | Tagged bible, faith, Genesis, god, Jesus, Transformation | Leave a Comment »
February 24, 2026 by areliablefaith
Genesis 41-42, Time and Waiting. Being a person inclined to activity, I have not always appreciated waiting. In fact, choosing between waiting quietly or finding something TO DO while I am forced to wait is not really a choice. The term “killing time” was invented for people like me. Yet, I recognize that I have not exactly aligned with God’s best in this. While God exists outside of time, He was intentional in placing us into the context of time. Much of what God desires to do in us is framed by time. In fact, much of His most consequential work is a product of His grace experienced over time. In today’s reading we see God’s use of time in the lives of Joseph, his brother’s, and even for the people in the ancient near East in Joseph’s day.
If God had not given the dream to Pharoah, had Joseph interpret the dream, and given seven years of abundance to prepare for the seven years of famine, the entire region would have suffered. As it was, there was grain enough for Egypt and the surrounding areas because the seven years of abundance was wisely used thanks to Joseph. This theme of using time wisely is subtle but important in Joseph’s story. Joseph had been separated from his birth family for at least 20 years by the time his brothers came seeking to buy grain. In that time God had raised and blessed Joseph to the second highest official in the land of Egypt. We must remember that for 13 years of that time he was either a slave or a prisoner. That would be waiting of a rather mean and challenging sort. But God’s work in the intervening years also did a work in Joseph’s brothers. There seems to be real remorse on their part for what they did to their brother.
As I ponder and pray this morning, my mind goes to many wonderful things God has done in my life over time. Thankfulness flows naturally. Then I consider the things I am still waiting for. Joseph’s story helps me to recognize that God is at work even when I don’t see immediate results. He is there in the midst of my waiting. He is ever present and He is at work. My faith is stretched in waiting. Knowing He has heard my prayers and met my needs before, I know I can trust Him with those that are still to be seen. And for this, I can wait.
Thank you, faithful LORD. We wait on you today.
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis | Tagged bible, faith, faith building, Genesis, god, Jesus, joseph, Transformation | Leave a Comment »
February 24, 2026 by areliablefaith
Genesis 38-40, The LORD Was With Him. It would have been easy for Joseph to give up and throw the towel in at numerous points along the way. In yesterday’s reading his brothers first sought to kill him but were turned away at the last minute by the oldest brother, Reuben, and they sold him into slavery instead. Today we see him serving as a slave for a decade before he is lied about and thrown into prison. He had taken the high moral ground with his master’s wife only to have her turn on him when he wouldn’t have sex with her. Talk about being punished for doing the right thing. And then in prison, he interprets the dreams of two of the king’s servants only to have them forget him when they have a chance to put in a good word for him. (I guess we can give the baker a pass since the interpretation he got coming true wasn’t exactly memorable in a positive way!)
Jacob / Israel, Joseph’s father, had a number of occasions through the years where the LORD spoke to him to direct his steps. We don’t get that kind of insight into Joseph. Scripture doesn’t describe God speaking to him in the same way. What we do see is the phrase “the LORD was with him” four times in today’s reading and then we see both natural and supernatural gifting that sets Joseph apart from others. Joseph’s actions are primarily on the up and up. We don’t see the deception and manipulation that characterized his father’s life as a young man. Instead, he is the recipient of “harm” because of deception and manipulation. What is beautiful to see, and a character trait to emulate, is that he did not stop trusting in the LORD who was with him. Even in the “unfair” situations he kept finding himself, he continued to rely on the LORD who was with him. And in the readings thus far, God has already used him to bless others. I can’t wait to see what the LORD does next with this kind of faith.
LORD, Joseph’s faith is impressive. I can only imagine the times he was mistreated and the temptation to despair. Yet you remained with him and he continued to put his trust in you. I can picture the head jailer remembering Joseph’s comments about you leading him to bring the cupbearer and baker to Joseph so that you could provide the interpretation of their dreams. LORD, help us to have such faith. A faith that endures adversity. A faith that paints a picture of you because of how we live and the words we speak. And may others be blessed in coming to know you because we freely shared the LORD who is with us.
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, Prayer, Responsibility, The Father, Trials | Tagged bible, faith, god, Jesus, joseph, Prayer | Leave a Comment »
February 24, 2026 by areliablefaith
Genesis 35-37, The Wisdom to Stay Silent. I have come to realize, through painful lessons of opening my mouth when it would have been best left shut, that there is great wisdom to staying silent and only speaking when it is appropriate. Mark Twain is credited with the saying, “best to be quiet and thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” There are a few times when this might have applied for me, but I am speaking of something a bit different. Having walked with the LORD for many years now and having experienced His grace and gifts in some pretty amazing ways, I have not always been as wise in talking and sharing about those gifts as I should. In fact, God’s blessings are wonderful to receive, but they do not all fall on us equally or at the same time. There is common grace which is available to every living being. But God will bless us beyond common grace, and it is often gifting to support our calling. The problem is that God’s gifts are received by us while we are still in the process of being sanctified. I don’t know about everyone else, but I know that I still have areas where pride, impatience, and greed have somewhat of a hold. And like Joseph, sometimes we can talk about things in a way or at a time that is not the wisest choice.
God gives Joseph two prophetic dreams. As the next to youngest son, he is very low in the pecking order of a house full of boys. Yet his dreams suggest superiority over his brothers (and even his parents!) Right there is when the alarm bells of pride should go off, and silence and contemplative prayer would be a good response. Instead, Joseph blurts out his dreams in the middle of the family meal (okay, I added the family meal part, but he makes sure everyone knows how special he is). His dad had already made Joseph a bit of a pariah among the boys by treating him with special affection. By bragging about his dream, Joseph unwittingly sets the stage for a being kidnapped and trafficked by his brothers. God, being sovereign and outside of time, knows all this is going down and He will work through it to bring those prophetic dreams to pass. I can’t help but think that silence and waiting on God’s timing would have resulted in a much less painful ascension for Joseph.
Father, our prayer is simple today. Help us to be silent when that is called for. Help us to speak when that is appropriate. And LORD, give us the wisdom to know the difference between the two.
Posted in Genesis, Holy Spirit, Prayer | Tagged bible, faith, faith building, god, Jesus, joseph, Prayer | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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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February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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.”
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials | Tagged bible, Genesis, god, jacob, Jesus, Transformation | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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!
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials | Tagged bible, Genesis, god, jacob, Jesus, justice, Transformation | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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!
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Jesus Christ, Trials, worldview | Tagged faith, faith building, hearing God, Jesus | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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.
Posted in Bible Study, Genesis | Tagged faith, Transformation | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2026 by areliablefaith
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.
Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Priorities | Tagged bible, Deception, esau, Genesis, god, jacob, poor decisions | Leave a Comment »
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