Tag: Jacob

Posted in Advent devotions

Running towards God

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Cesar Cid on Unsplash

What a nightmare! Jacob pretends to be his brother Esau so his father will give him the blessing of the first born son. Esau is steamed, plotting to kill his brother. Mom tells Jacob to run away to his uncle’s house.

What a dream! With nothing but a rock for a pillow, Jacob goes to sleep under the stars. In his dream, he sees a ladder stretching up to heaven, crowded with angels going up and down. At the top of the ladder, he sees the Lord, who connects the covenant promise of a Savior to Jacob and his offspring (Genesis 28:13,14).

When he wakes up, Jacob says, “The Lord is here!” He thought he was running away. But he was actually running towards the plans and promises of God.

There are plenty of things in life we’d like to run away from. Who wants to be around angry people, dangerous places, past mistakes, and hurtful words?

But in stead of running away, let’s think of it as running towards our Lord. After all, God’s always a step ahead of us with protection, provision, and powerful promises. (How’s that for alliteration?)

Jacob gets an ornament on the Jesse Tree, heir of God’s promise of a Savior.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Playing favorites

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the Bible devotion” from Genesis 37.

Sibling rivalry. It’s real. It’s a challenge. Even among God’s chosen ones.

Jacob had twelve sons, but he also had a favorite.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons” (Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭3).

You don’t have to be a genius to know that’s going to be a problem.

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. They had nothing nice to say about him. They hated him enough to kill him.

They almost did. Instead, they sold him. They sold their brother! When the passing caravan leaves, Joseph is with them, on his way to Egypt.

The family is a good place to practice for life. In a real world, some win, some lose. Some have, some go without. Some succeed, others fail. Not everyone gets a trophy. Some go home empty handed.

How do you feel when someone else succeeds? What goes on in your mind when someone else wins, gets promoted, or takes yet another fantastic trip. It’s not fair, is it?

Does it make you jealous? Do you hate them? Do you start planning a murder? I hope not. But you’re never going to treat them the same. Not if they’re blessed and you get nothing.

Sibling rivalry exists among God’s children. Why? I don’t know. I guess that’s just the ways families work. When that happens, put your blinders on. Keep your eye on Jesus, not someone else. It makes life a lot easier.

Posted in Devotions, neighbor, neighborhood, Through the Bible Devotions

The new neighbor

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 34 and 35.

We try to be good neighbors. You know, friendly, keep an eye on each other’s houses, keep the yard looking nice, and pick up trash. Smile.

Most of our neighbors are like that. But not all. Some yards are kind of trashy. Some throw garbage into vacant lots. Some don’t seem to know how to smile. a few are kind of scary looking.

Jacob’s neighbors weren’t fond of him when he brought his family back to Canaan. After Simeon and Levi avenged the abuse of their sister Dinah, Jacob feared attacks from the locals (34:30). But the locals were afraid of them and avoided them (Genesis 35:5).

I guess that’s ok. But I’d rather the neighbors bring me a plate of cookies. I’d want to introduce myself (and my dogs) and get to know them (and their dogs). Let’s exchange smiles rather than scowls.

If kid’s won’t even knock on your door at Halloween, you might want to give a wave or crack a smile once in a while.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Wrestling with God

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 32.

I vividly remember wrestling with all of my three children. They were toddlers, and I would lie on the floor, hug them to my chest, and roll back and forth saying, “Wrestlin’, wrestlin’, wrestlin’!” Of course, I didn’t use even a fraction of my strength. I wasn’t in it to win, but to enjoy some silly dad time with them. The giggles were the best part.

“Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” 

In the heat of the moment, Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

When it was all over, “Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.'” (Genesis 32:24-30)

I think it’s fascinating that Jacob tries to wrestle a blessing out of God. Jacob’s life is filled with God’s blessing. He ran away from home with nothing, and returns with all kinds of family and flocks, plus the same covenant promises of God given to his grandfather Abraham.

The Almighty doesn’t use a fraction of his strength, and lets Jacob hold on all night. In the morning, Jacob realizes he’s been wrestling with God, and he lived to tell about it. That in itself is a pretty great blessing!

How often do I try to wrestle a blessing out of God rather than recognizing all the things he’s already given?

Posted in Devotions, family, Through the Bible Devotions

Reach out sooner than later

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dave Phillips on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion” from Genesis 32.

A few months ago, I had to call our HVAC company because the air conditioning wasn’t keeping up with the hot and humid late spring weather. I did what I could. I changed out the filter. I made sure the drain line was clear. I changed the batteries in the thermostat. But I learned a long time ago that you call sooner than later, because you need someone to come out who knows what they’re doing.

By the time Jacob decides it’s time to go home, he’s got a large family and lots of sheep. He’s had eleven sons and a daughter with his two wives and their servants. He’s skillfully bred the sheep so that he ends up with most of Laban’s herd.

The next hurdle is his older brother. What if Esau is still mad after twenty years? Jacob arranges to send generous gifts ahead to smooth over the reunion.

And then Jacob prays, “Save me from the hand of my brother” (Genesis 32:11). This is the first time we read of Jacob praying. He knew God was around. He was aware of God’s covenant promises. But now he needs God’s help. Up until this point, Jacob has been able to work the system and do well. But now he’s afraid. Now his back is against the wall. “Please save me, God.”

I learned a long time ago to ask God for help sooner than later, too. Again, you need someone who knows what they’re doing. We like to think we’ve got life all figured out. But let’s be honest. We don’t.

Thankfully, we know someone who does.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

The deceiver is deceived

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by nikki gibson on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 28-29.

If you’re like me, you’re tickled to read how Jacob the deceiver is deceived!

“Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him; and Jacob had relations with her…So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah!” (Genesis 29:23,25)

Jacob works seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. But on their wedding night, Laban pulls a fast one and has his older daughter Leah consummate the marriage. Jacob doesn’t realize it until the morning? That must have been one heck of a feast! It sounds more like a fraternity party where one of the brothers is so drunk he doesn’t even know the name of the girl he spent the night with.

We live in a world where we must be ever vigilant against scams. My spam folder is filled with emails from unknown sources who want me to click something or call a number so I can give up some personal information. Is that guy at your door peddling alarm systems legit? Is that really a piece of grilled grouper on your plate? How about that “American made” product assembled from parts imported from other countries?

Just be careful. Ask around. Do your homework. Read the fine print. Run it by a friend. Get some references.

At least make sure your best man is looking out for you!

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

“What are you doing here?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sam Solomon on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27 and 28.

“The Lord is certainly in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

I think it’s interesting that Jacob thought that he was leaving God behind when he ran away from home. After disguising himself as his Esau get his father’s blessing, his older brother is ready to kill him. Mom says, “Why don’t you go away until he cools off. You can go visit your uncle Laban.” (Genesis 27:43,44)

When Jacob wakes up from a vivid dream about angels, a ladder, and God himself, he’s amazed. “How about that? I never expected to find God out here in the middle of nowhere.”

When someone mentions a “house of God” I immediately think of a church building. But sometimes I talk to him while I’m out walking the dog. Yes, the dog will sometimes glance up at me like I’m crazy. I have to assure her, “Just keep walking; I’m not talking to you.”

I’ll chat with God in the car, imagining him riding shotgun. With the way other people are driving, I’ll often ask for a couple of extra angels to get me safely to my destination.

I’ve heard folks comment that they feel close to God when they are out walking through the woods or sitting out on the beach watching the ocean, or looking up into the night sky.

Jacob, however, wonders, “What are you doing here?” Rather than feeling blessed, Jacob’s deception has made a mess of his life. In moments like that, you might think that God really doesn’t want anything to do with you. But that’s never the case. Rather, he’s the one we can be certain will never abandon us.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Dressing up for a blessing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27.

On any given day, one of my granddaughters will be dressed as Cinderella or another Disney princess. Another will have her legs wrapped in a mermaid tail. With an apron around his or her waist, another will be my waiter at a pretend food diner or ice cream shop.

Who doesn’t like to dress up?

I chuckle when the bible tells us of the time Jacob pretended to be his brother Esau. Esau was a hairy guy who smelled like a field. So Jacob puts on his older brother’s clothes and ties goat skins to his hands and neck so that his father, Isaac, whose eyes are failing, will think he is Esau. Amazingly, it works! Isaac blesses Jacob with the words Esau should have received. (Genesis 27:15-29)

How many of us pretend to be someone else to get approval or recognition? Social media makes this very easy to do. If you post pictures of the happy, fun, and adventurous moments of your life, everyone will like and envy your adventurous, fun, and happy life.

How’s that working out for you? Are you feeling blessed? Are you happier? Is your life an amazing adventure? Maybe for a moment or two. Then it’s back to reality. Back to real life.

Why don’t we want to be ourselves? That’s easy. Someone else is happier, having more fun, and is better liked. I want to be like them.

We’ve just learned that artificial sweeteners are actually much worse for us than sugar. The real thing, sugar, in moderation, is OK after all.

What if the real you is better than anything you could pretend to be? After all, no one can be you better than you.

Posted in children, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Let’s make a deal

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Artur Kornakov on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 25.

When Rebekah gives birth to twins boys, she and Isaac give them names to fit the situation. The oldest has a lot of red hair, so they name him Esau, which means “hairy.” The younger twin is born holding onto his older brother’s heel, so of course they name him Jacob, which either means “follower” or “deceiver,” and sounds a lot like the word for “heel.”

The boys obviously weren’t identical twins. Esau liked to hunt and be out in the field. Jacob could most often be found around their tents, a homebody, I guess.

One day, when Esau comes home exhausted, he asks for some of the red lentil stew that Jacob is cooking. Jacob seizes the opportunity and says, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll trade you a bowl of stew for your birthright.” I’m not sure if they could legally do that, but Esau couldn’t care less about his status as the primary heir. He’s hungry. He takes an oath and gets the stew. The punchline: “Esau despised his birthright.“ (Genesis 25:34)

“Despised” is a strong word. Esau and Jacob were doing what brothers do. As kids they no doubt argued, wrestled, and tried to get each other in trouble. It’s quite entertaining to watch my grandchildren try to manipulate and take advantage of each other. We don’t teach our kids how to do that. It just comes naturally.

Paul would write about those who forget who they are, who set their minds on earthly things, “whose god is their appetite” (Philippians 3:18-20). We’re guilty of that when we focus on this life and lose sight of eternity. In a sense we despise our inheritance in heaven. And you know what? It just comes naturally.

So God keeps reminding us that we are his children. “See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are!” (1 John 3:1)