Jesus actually showed the people that he had the ability to raise the dead so that they would understand once he raised himself from the dead. Both Lazarus and Jesus spent three days in the tomb. When Lazarus emerges he’s still bound and needs help, it’s clear that Jesus with the power of the Father did this. When Jesus was gone from the tomb his cloths were neatly folded. The power was in him. While Lazarus was risen to the world, he would still die again. Jesus was resurrected to heaven forever!
I loved reading about how “human” Jesus was in John 11. He was angry and He wept, even though He already knew that Lazarus was not truly dead. Jesus cares deeply about us and our pain and is always there for us!
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were counted among Jesus’ friends. “Jesus wept.” He wept for his friend Lazarus. I never realized they were friends – just though Lazarus was his next miracle on the list. As an adult, it is fun to read about His personal relationships when He walked the earth. Just so cool
42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I used to think that reading through the bible in a year would be too much, and that I would miss so much. The opposite has actually been true. I’m starting to notice so many more connections, and am starting so see the story come alive, rather than fragmented pieces. It’s been really beautiful.
I love the humanity that is shown in this passage about Jesus weeping because the death of his friend Lazarus and the empathy he felt when he witnessed everyone weeping for him. Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, which makes his reaction more significant and relatable.
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15
Jesus is human. Jesus knew grief. And Jesus knew suffering. It helps me wrap my brain around the fact that He knows all about my pain. There is also a plan in that pain.
Also, I recently read a post on IG that said something along the lines of taking God’s name in vain isn’t just about using his name as a curse word but is also about using His name when doing things that cause harm to people (I.e. using the Bible to justify slavery). Seeing how Jacob used His name when pretending to be Esau made me think of this!
I thank the LORD he gave promises to me and works through me in-spite of when I am deceitful and unworthy. I love the picture of how God brought his plan to fruition saving the lost …. through The lives of the sinners that he came to save! It is so easy for us to get caught up in our own guilt and feelings of unworthiness that we don’t even step out in faith that God can use us anyway. Yet his word is full of example after example of imperfect people being used and blessed by our perfect Lord and Savior!
I love the story of Lazarus. I remember them talking about it on the podcast several weeks ago how Jesus wept for him and grieved, even though he knew he could raise him. It really has touched me.
Something about the story of Jesus raising Lazarus really hit me today. I am struck with the image of our Lord weeping, not only as our Savior, but also as a human who lost a loved one and was grieving with other loved ones. How wonderful to know how fully He is with us when we mourn.
Struck me for the first time that God dealt with Jacob’s deception in one way by the deception of Laban in giving him Leah instead of Rachel. Leah was a firstborn who would not be denied her right to be the first to be settled in marriage.
In the NT reading, I love that Martha gets it right (mostly) this time. She rushes to Jesus first, leaving a house full of guests behind, she says, “even now, Jesus, you can change things…”, she professes hope in the resurrection and faith in Christ. It seems to me, she’s figured out the “first importance” thing.
I truly felt for Esau, because Jacob and Rebecca were only thinking of themselves. I loved when Isaac told him when he got tired he would break the yoke. Esau would be taken care of. Lazarus’ story is a great example of faith. He’s been dead for four days, but Jesus tells him to wake up and walk. He does! There is no one like Jesus!
It’s such a simple reminder, but today’s reading just reminded to truly trust that God will do what he says. Our faith really plays a big part in our life.
The character of God is in full display in these passages. He is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), compassionate, and concerned with even the small details of our lives. He is also working good and bringing salvation out of what we would consider wicked deeds (stealing from a brother and deceiving a father). Even in that, there is a bigger picture going on, moving history forward in the redemption story. He is sovereign. He is worthy of praise!
I think it’s beautiful that when Jesus saw his children in pain he was deeply moved. When we are in pain Jesus is an up in heaven laughing at us and saying that we deserve it, he is weeping with us he is hurting with us and he is planning to come and heal us and rescue us if we call out to him
There are so many gems in there. From Isaacs word to Esau that once he’s had enough he will break the yoke. Jesus words unbind him and let him go speaks of the moment of our deliverance. God is so good and His Word has so many gems
I love the Lord’s promise to Jacob:
15‘Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.” Spoke to me. Glad I’m continuing on.
When Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb, I got goosebumps. What an incredible picture of our salvation! We weren’t just blind before he saved us. We were dead in sin. Praise be to God for His amazing grace!
The story of Jacob is so grace drenched, when I read it I am reminded of the heart of God- that even in Jacob’s sin God shows up in a dream and pours out covenant words over Jacob’s life. How crazy beautiful is that..
The story of Jacob is so grace drenched, when I read it I am reminded of the heart of God- that even in Jacob’s sin God shows up in a dream and pours out covenant words over Jacob’s life. How crazy beautiful is that..
God knows when you’re being deceitful and when your intentions are good. We learn that we should not envy anyone else because it can turn out bad. God continues to love us through out the good and the bad.
I have such a hard time not being judgmental at parts of the Old Testament, and people’s actions. It is such a good reminder that God has used some of the people that I think in my human mind were so wrong, for the greatest purpose. He has always loved me and shown me grace, when I could never earn it. A good reminder that I am still valuable to Him.
God knows when your being deceitful and when your intentions are good. We learn that we should not envy anyone else because it can turn out bad. God will love us through the good and the bad. ❤️
I see a huge juxtaposition between the relationship between Jacob and God and Lazarus and Jesus. Jacob is in this for himself. He wants the birthrights and the blessings. Even though the chapter does not discuss Lazarus’ direct relationship with Jesus, he is described as Jesus’ friend (11:3). Lazarus dies to give Jesus glory. He does not beg to be kept alive (even though his sisters seem that way). Jesus in return for the sacrifice resurrects Lazarus. There is a difference between giving glory to yourself through God and giving the glory to God and then experiencing God’s blessings.
16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 19He called the name of that place Bethel;
51Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
Two revelations to men from God: Jacob about Bethel-an important spot in the Bible
Caiaphas -The significance of Jesus’ death to many
Nothing is impossible for God!
Jesus wept. It’s so simple, but hits my heart every time. Even though Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he still weeps outside the tomb. It shows me how much love Jesus has in him for all of us.
I hate the story is Jacob and Esau… Jacob and Rebecca are so devious…
We always think of Jacob as this righteous, God following man.. but he was so devious at the beginning. I wanted him to stand up to his mom and say, “No I am not taking it away from Esau”
In Genesis 27 Jacob clearly says “the Lord YOUR God”. He doesn’t claim any sort of relationship with or allegiance to his father’s God. But God is not done with Jacob. He pursues him and speaks to him. At this point Jacob is mainly interested in what is in it for Him. He says that God will be his God too … as long as he gets what he wants! Nevertheless, it is a first step towards acknowledging God as his God.
I am a few days behind. Trying to catch up. Not sure this will come out right. In Genesis with Jacob and Esau since Jacob already had the birthright shouldn’t he have gotten the first blessing anyways? It kinda was Jacobs from the beginning anyways…Or are those two different things..
You’re right! Because Esau “despised” his birthright, by giving it to his brother he gave him the blessing as well. It would be Esau’s birthright to be blessed because he was born first, and as is tradition it was meant to be the firstborn son who received his father’s blessing, like Isaac did because he was the firstborn of Sarah. Just that Esau was Isaac’s favourite, he was going to bless him, but rightfully since it was sold to Jacob, he should have always received it.
At the risk of sounding stupid but is this Mary, Jesus’ mother? If so, why do they seem so formal. It doesn’t seem as if he has been reunited with his mother.
Hey Ashley! Not a stupid question at all. This is not Jesus’ mother Mary. This is Mary the sister of Martha—the one who cleaned Jesus feet with her tears and expensive perfume.
Every time we see Mary, she is at the feet of Jesus. When Martha is busy with preparations and Mary chooses “what is better” and sits at the feet of Jesus listening, when she anoints His feet with oil and dries them with her hair in a moment of worship, and then here, in a time of despair, she runs and falls at His feet. What an amazing example to us!
I LOVE the priests plot to deny Jesus as the Lord to protect their nation by killing Him. When in reality this plot leads to the fulfillment of Christ’s death and resurrection! John 12:50 “Nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.”
It’s interesting that Jesus says Lazarus I just asleep as opposed to ‘has died.’ He only says he has died when he needs to convey what he means to his disciple. I think this might be because with Jesus there is no more death!
I love the relationship Jesus had w this family. They were some of His closest friends and He loved them. And from their responses to Him, they loved Him too. They completely believed in His power and weren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. But even with how close to Him they were, He could still surprise them with greater things!!
It really struck me how the Pharisees valued their power and their country more than God in today’s passage from John. I think there is an important word and warning for religious people of our own time there. Is your temporal power and control what matters most? Or is it God that holds your highest allegiance?
I have found this to be a parallel to today in the US. So many who claim the name of Jesus are more concerned with pledging allegiance to a flag than they are to Him and his teachings. Thank you for mentioning this! I also think this shows how relevant the Bible still is to this day to nonbelievers!
I love this point! I think that so often we get wrapped up in what our pastors and Decans say or believe that we forget we don’t serve them we serve Christ. Man. That’s something I gotta remind myself some times. Just like the children of Israel wanted a king even through they had the king of kings as their King we don’t serve man we serve Christ.
It’s so great to be reminded that Jesus has emotions just like us. I know I tend to forget that our Lord is the creator of emotions, so He also has them. It reminds me that Jesus cared and was deeply moved by the death of Lazarus.
John 11:37 – the people expected that Jesus would prevent Lazarus from dying, but Jesus doesn’t stop him from dying. Instead, he does something greater, an even more miraculous demonstration of God’s power. Helps to remind me that when something I wanted or expected isn’t how I thought it should be, God has something better in store.
I like that it mentions his death is for the glory of God too! Often a picture we only see a tiny portion of. When I started going to church I met a woman whose husband passed suddenly (he was only 34), and for a while she struggled with why that would happen because he was a faithful man. Until the daughter of her neighbor started coming to church with her so “she doesn’t have to go alone.” That led to the entire family coming to church and becoming believers from previously being atheists. So neat how God uses circumstances to his glory ❤️
I love that the high priest – even though evil and hard of heart- unknowingly prophesied that Jesus dying would save all people and God was clearly orchestrating his will even thru seemingly evil people and evil intentions. Even when we don’t understand why evil is happening, God is still in control and his good purposes are still coming to pass. What a sovereign, mighty, God we serve worthy of our trust and praise.
A key point here is to Listen and Obey the voice of the ones God has placed in authority in your life. Jacob and Esau both, even Martha and Mary all believed.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how Jacob is like ‘if God does this and that for me THEN he will be my God and I’ll give his some of my stuff’. Seems odd that this man of God said he’d only worship God if God made all things go well for him ….
It sounds rude to us because of the translation but he’s actually praising God for the vision and saying that since he was given this vision he is putting his trust that God will fulfill it for him. He’s making a promise to God that he will tithe.
Amazing to me the hardness of the Pharisee’s hearts. Jesus had just raised a man from the dead and yet they still seek to kill Him, and don’t understand how utterly useless it will be ! Even though He died, He
lives! Even though we were once dead, we live! What an amazing savior we serve!
One of my favorite verses!
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
I’m always amazed at the fact that Jesus wept because of Lazarus’ death, especially since he knew He would raise him from the dead. It demonstrates Jesus’ complete grasp of human suffering, and the unnatural evil of death. Death is worth mourning and grieving, because we weren’t created to die. This passage should give us reason to pause when we’re tempted to offer platitudes of hope to those around us who are suffering. Yes, there is hope in Christ, but even Jesus himself took a moment to acknowledge the sadness around Him. Beautiful!
I appreciate your comments. I was just trying to understand why Jesus wept, as you said, knowing that Lazarus would rise up. Of course this makes total sense now. Jesus came to us because of his great compassion in the first place. It would be logical that he would feel the pain of the people he loved. We cannot forget that he knows our pain and mourns with us just as he rejoices with us. What a mighty God we serve!
So interesting that both Mary and Martha know that Jesus could have easily prevented Lazarus’ death, but their following actions differ: Martha tells Jesus that she knows he can still change everything. Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and weeps. And Jesus weeps with her. I think that so often, Christians feel that they need to respond like Martha, keeping their heads held high, claiming an unwavering trust in Jesus, remaining ever hopeful. Yet it is Mary’s response that moves Jesus. Of course, it is not bad to recognize the ultimate hope that we have in Jesus, but how beautiful is it that in Jesus, we have a safe place to weep and mourn, and that Jesus will even enter into that mourning with us? I’m so grateful that my God is so empathetic and compassionate to allow us to experience real human emotion and enter into it with us.
Everything is done for the glory of God! How remarkable! And look at how many believed and how the Pharisees knew that his death would bring many to know him! Amazing! And the words Isaac told Jacob in his blessing foreshadow many of the things Isaac said Jacobs offspring would do! The Messiah comes from him! I love the dream Jacob had bc it’s another illustration of Gods intimacy with us! ❤️
There is something so powerful about John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” I love the purity of this verse. It’s hard to describe, but something feels clean, almost, when i read that Jesus wept. It reminds me that Jesus really was in our shoes. He really was a man on earth. Jesus was altogether perfect, yet he still wept. Crying is not a weakness, Jesus the perfect man cried too. What a good reminder isn’t it, y’all?
The story of Larazus teaches us that even when things get SO bad that we think it’s time to give up hope…. We need to step back and watch God work. Step back and allow ourselves to see the string of events that happen.
He intentionally waited and made them go through the pain of losing their brother, so that many other Jews would believe once he brought Lazarus back from the dead.
This also connected with some Jews going to the Pharisees and then the High Priest unknowingly prophesying about Jesus dying for the people.
Wow!
As trials pop up all around us I pray that we stay strong and lean on God. And remember that He is all-knowing. May we be comforted with knowing that through our suffering He brings both us and others closer to Him.
The story of Lazarus is encouraging to me today. He was raised from death to life. Jesus also did the same with us. While we were yet sinners, living in darkness and headed toward death, he saved us. He gave us new life and now we are to walk in newness. Our lives should look different and we must throw off anything that hinders us from our pursuit of him. We’ve been given new life from the life giver himself. How is that going to impact your walk with him this very day? I know how it will impact mine! I’ve been struggling with showing grace and mercy to a friend. After reading this today I realize that Jesus has given me new life and I am to walk in the light, following his decrees and matching his character. I no long walk in darkness. Praying the Lord softens my heart even more today
Marty and Mary’s faith is so awesome. Even though they said ‘if you had come sooner he would not have died’ they were not upset, but sad. They did not give up their faith that Jesus was the messiah because their wishes were not answered instead they said ‘we know we will see him again.’ I am moved by this statement of faith!
Genesis 27 reminds me that there is a right way and a deceitful way to do things, even to do things God promised. The best way is to wait for God to move and follow in obedience, not take matters into my own hands. I also learned that even people closest can encourage wrong doing and that I must out each request through the test of truth and love from above. Jacob was promised to rule over his brother and he took matters into his own hands as oppose to waiting for God to provide- he paid dearly for this. Rebekah encouraged her son to deceive, out of impatience as well.
Also genesis 27 reminds me that God is faithful even in our wrongness- through our choices He will always provide lessons to strengthen us to move for Him.
Loved this insight! I too was dwelling upon Genesis 27 and blown away by God’s grace with Jacob even in the midst of him deceitful! And it didn’t cross my mind that God is able to redeem our wrongfulness by Him allowing us to learn from our mistakes, thus strengthening us, as he did with Jacob. Once again, thanks for sharing Victoria!
Yes there is. Click on Plan List to the left of the screen and then on ‘my progress’ to the right of the pop up screen (the one with your % read). This will give you an option to reset :)
just like her mother in law before her, she took the matter of God blessing the younger greater than the older into her own hands instead of waiting to see how God would do it. her mother in law didn’t believe that she would have a child and Hagar and Ishmael became part of the story because of her.
This story of Esau and Jacob has me asking several questions: Why is the deceitful one (Jacob) continuously receiving the blessings even after Isaac (and God) knows his ill will?
It is similar to how the nation of Israel throughout its history, has still been God’s chosen nation even when they reject Him and don’t do the things that He wanted them to do and has told them to do. I believe it has to do with God’s grace for all people
Part of it, though not all of it (the exegesis of that chapter could fill a book!) is about how God upends the “natural” order of things — the bratty kid is greater than his older brother; the last shall be first; the humble (well, not so humble in Jacob’s case but you get the idea!) shall be exalted.
Another part of it is about the way Jacob lets himself be transformed by God. Jacob’s holiness, like the holiness of all of us, resides not in his ethical “goodness” but in the degree to which he submits himself to God. We see this culminate chapters later, when he wrestles with the Angel, and then reconciles with his brother Esau, saying in that moment that in his brother’s face that he sees the love of God. It’s that change in Jacob, from entirely self-centered to more aligned with the will of God, that in part makes him the hero of the story. Because you’re right, he’s totally a little brat at the beginning. ;-)
Clearly I have a lot to say on this topic! I think it’s because the issue you pointed out has been a huge stumbling block for me in the past, and working through it was a spiritual turning point for me. Basically I think that the Bible systematically resists our best efforts to make tidy moral parables out of it. The heroes are almost always seriously flawed. The righteous very rarely get their just reward, and the just plain unpleasant annoying ones (omg Joseph) seem unfairly exalted. It sort of tries to shake up all of our ideas about what is fair (God doesn’t seem to care much about fairness AT ALL — think about the laborers in Jesus’s parable where the ones who worked an hour were paid the same as those who worked a day) and refuses to let us out anyone into boxes of “good” and “bad.” Scripture makes it really, really hard for us to root for the good guys and boo for the villains, and I think that this difficulty is obliquely trying to teach us some important lessons about compassion for the unlikeable, among other things. I’ll shut up now!
Rosemary! I thoroughly enjoyed commentary and insight! I never thought about how the bible, in a sense, makes us uncomfortable in terms of fitting into our own box of good and bad people. I found myself being very upset at Jacob and annoyed because I couldn’t believe a liar would receive the blessing ultimately from the Lord. But then, I had to stop and remember that me, also sin-stained by deceit was giving the blessing of salvation from the Lord even though I did not deserve it. God’s kingdom is very, very “backwards” in relation to how our natural minds and the ways of this world! Thanks again for sharing!
I don’t know that Jacob is deceitful or that he had an ill will . It happened as someone stated above as a fulfillment of prophecy when G-d told Rebecca that her elder child would serve the younger. Even if Esau had received the blessing is appears his heart was not in the place G-d needed it to be for His plan to prevail. Esau was clearly not a humble man. He was quick to anger and action. And it appears before he was born G-d had a different plan for him anyway.
So true, and Esau had ‘despised his birthright’ but flat out giving it to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of stew! I guess Esau didn’t value his inheritance and so didn’t deserve it. There’s so much that can be drawn from these chapters! :)
Esau married Hitties women which went again God’s plan. The. He married Ishmael daughter Ishmael was the son Hagar had with Abraham. God knows the end from the beginning. Remember he told Rebekah that the younger son would have the browsing from the womb. Read previous day reading. Sometimes I have to do the same when I don’t understand something.
Hope this helps! Stay Blessed
Thank you all so much for the replies. I understand it now. JJ, I appreciate your perspective. That is the way my mind was trying to go but my human morals were arguing against it! Fairness! Rosemary, thank you for all of your insight! I loved every word and the more I read your thoughts, the more I understood. Our human minds sometimes have a hard time comprehending God’s great plan and this is one of those events in the bible where we have to just say, it His will. He always has a reason. And the more I read Jacob and Esaus story, the more I understand.
I agree, Esau was a little prideful and quick to anger. Both brothers had faults just as we ALL do!
The thing is, Jacob being a deceiver, gets deceived himself after working for Laban for 7 years for his one daughter, yet Laban Decieives him and gives him his other daughter and makes him work another 7 years…..possibly a consequence for his deceitfulness. He even asks his father in law “why have you decieved me??? Interesting
In John when Jesus weeps, he isn’t weeping for Lazarus because it was his plan all along to bring him to life. Jesus is weeping because of the unbelief in his dear friends Mary and Martha.
Maybe someone can give me a fresh perspective on this – what was the point of the deception? Esau had already given his birthright to Jacob earlier in the passage. And why was it recorded that he traded his birthright for food if Jacob still had to deceive him to get it? Maybe it’s that God could have made it happen through other means, but Jacob took things into his own hands and God blessed him regardless. Thoughts please?!
I think it’s also to show that Gods plan is going to come about no matter what human mistake is made. From the time Rebekah gave birth, God told her she would give birth to two nations. Then he told them that the younger would rule over the oldest. I think this story shows that even when we try to go about making Gods plan happen on our own, there will be consequences (the deception). But no matter what Gods divine plan will take place!
Oh! To not miss the Grace of God. Living in the present not doing penance. Doing what’s right. Alive. Gen 28:16 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” John 11:44 Someone take off the grave clothes. We are alive.
The passage in John has just brought me to tears, with Jesus’ genuine love and compassion for this family, his friends. Also how he meets each person they are at- Martha came running out but Mary was called. In the next chapter (sorry I did read ahead a little!) Mary finds her own unique way to worship Jesus which is just fine with him too. Love it!
Y’all. I just love the Old Testament! Love reading all your comments, sisters. So glad to be here. I never attempted to read the whole bible before because I feared failing and giving up, but here I am. I am still behind but here I am!
I’m behind too! But really enjoying it so far. I don’t think it matters if it takes a year or ten really, but all the comments and encouragement here do really help!
Jesus didn’t do these miracles for himself. He did them so that his disciples (and others) would BELIEVE! It goes to show how far back our lack of faith goes. Our God is great and mighty and he will go to extreme lengths to show us how much he loves us and how much he wants us to believe in him.
I wonder if Jesus wept because He knew that He was taking Lazarus from Heaven. A place a peace and free of suffering. True paradise. If I were to die and go to Heaven, only to be sent back to earth, I’d be a bit sad.
That’s what Colton Burpo of The book Heaven is For Teal said. He said it isn’t a place you ever want to leave. He said he was upset going in but soon felt total joy and peace and didn’t want to come back but Jesus was answering his dad’s prayer.
“Let’s go too- and die with Jesus.” John 11:16…. Let’s go and DIE with Jesus. Even Thomas the doubter had faith so strong he was willing to die with Jesus. Not just die for Him, but share in His burden. Though it was only for Jesus to bear, he was ready and willing to join Him. Oh Lord, for a faith like that!!
What jumped out to me in today’s reading was about Mary. I tend to closely identify with Mary, though I am in the hospitality business and try to keep my day filled with things to do, but when I want my time with the Lord, I want to sit at his feet and be still.
The thing that jumped out at me were the ( ) between v.2&3 : “was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wipes his feet with her hair” How interesting that the Bible helps us “place” Mary by this act, that though she’s going through excruciating circumstances, in the next chapter, John 12, she annoits the Lord with a costly gift. That through the pain, grief and sorrow, she endures to find joy and wants to bless Jesus as he blessed her by his miraculous healing of her brother being raised from the dead!
Oh praise God for his wonderous love for us!
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” This has been a conviction of mine throughout my day lately. So much of my day, the Lord is there and I’m not aware! Praying that I can be aware of his presence!
So many of us are mothers, and what wouldn’t we do for our children, but Rebekah shows us that all deceit has a price. Because of her false plan, Jacob must leave home or be killed. She would die before his return over 20 years later and she’d live those 20 years with a husband who lost a little faith in her after she lied and with a son she’d not favored and his wives who didn’t follow her Faith
There are always consequences and no one gets away with lies. This story is a great reminder. Rebekah, one of the heroines of our Faith, struggled with waiting on God to bring about the promise He made that the older would serve the younger and took it upon herself. Another valuable lesson…God has a plan. We don’t need to seek results on our own “by any means possible”…if He planned it, He’ll bring it to happen.
I kept asking myself… How could the deceit be successful?! Your comment was a great reminder that it did not come without consequences!!! They didn’t come out free and clear on this… There were indeed negative repercussions!
This was the verse I bookmarked today. The entire verse is just … Jesus wept. I feel like that signifies how important it is that He wept. Yes, He knew He would raise Lazarus but He still felt the pain and sorrow of the loss.
To me, this shows us that in our darkest hour, even when the Lord sees how it will all be made or used for good, He is literally right beside us feeling our pain and He hurts for us. I think this is a beautiful way for the Word to show us an important part of who Christ is.
Reminds me of times when I was younger and sick or hurting. My dad used to always say, “I wish I could be sick/hurt/going through that for you.” We are God’s previous children, and I think it genuinely hurts him to see us go through difficult times. How real…
“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
This is a hard but good reminder for me right now. Ask struggle with health issues. To not let doubt and worry weight down my countenance but to glorify God through all things. I know I struggle with it and fall so often. But hearing this reminds me to do better.
I love how Jesus says, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Such a great reminder for me to start of or end my prayers with that. Lord, I know you hear me. He bends down His ear to listen to us specifically while we prayer. He is our greatest love.
The family dynamics, of mother against own son, father against own son, brother against brother, and so forth is pretty sad… And yet, it is so common. There are many points to ponder on, and one point that stood out greatly, it is the ~heart of man~ and in the end, the “obedience” aspect.
After everything was done, Esau is hearing that Jacob was told to go marry a woman based on the mother/father likings… Bible says “…that Jacob had ~obeyed~ his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram”. Esau does exactly the opposite…to be spiteful.
As much as I hate the deceitfulness taking place in the son “blessings”… and the heart breaking moment of Esau’s cry, I just have to sit and ponder on this point… Seems to me both brothers were not faithfully walking with God, but Jacob’s heart seems more in tune in the “obedience” aspect than Esau’s… I wonder what a whole generation was spared in the process… What we see is not what God sees, and not just short-term but also long-term!
My version says angry rather than troubled I am thinking troubled is a better rendition. Can’t imagine why He would be angry unless just at sin itself and how it causes suffering to those He loves.
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
I thought this was interesting. I had never read that before.
Hey, Allie, do you have any insight into the next verse, “so from that day forwards they plotted to take his life.” Is it just referring to those who killed Jesus? I’m confused about the placement of the verse as it seems like this high priest is in favor of Jesus and believes he is the Son of God, but then this verse seems contradicting.
Breanna, it seems to me that although Caiphas was the high priest he isn’t the godliest of men. He probably made that prophecy bc he was in that role but he may not have known who he was referring to or have fully understood it. Later on we see him paying Judas 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal of Jesus.
I found myself reflecting on the moment when Jesus asks Martha “do you believe?” I spent some time reflecting and praying on the fact that our/my actions don’t always reflect our belief. Lord, I believe..help me to show that in all of my actions, thoughts and deeds. Amen.
My thought exactly! And I don’t understand why he would run out of blessings for his other son. Couldn’t he bless both? Or is this blessing an analogy of their inheritance?
I was also thinking about how Jacob said YOUR God when he was deceiving Isaac, and while in his parents home- but when he begins his own journey and God appears to him in a vision, he makes this vow-
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God…
‘The Lord will be MY God.’ Even though this vow essential depends on his receiving a blessing from the Lord (always looking to get something apparently!!) it’s still a major milestone in his faith journey, and a major piece of the passing on of the covenant with Abraham to his descendants.
Great points. I thought the same… and I like your comment “major milestone in his faith journey”… Seems we all have different milestones to conquer, in this faith journey. And each person’s journey is different.
Thank you for letting me see the importance of his deceiving. I found myself getting frustrated that Jacob was still blessed despite his constant deception towards his father and brother. This is just a part of his before story. Before he sees who God really is.
Very true. His vow depends on receiving something. I think a lot of us do this too and not even notice it. We pray to have something we want and would love to have and that is sometimes when we pray the most. Or sometimes like bargaining. I’ll believe more “if” I get this. But we forget to pray in the good times too even to just say thank you or remember that He is always with us.
I love reading how God is speaking to others through His Word.
A few things I got from the readings today:
1) God has a purpose and a Plan. Esau and Jacob (and their parents, Isaac and Rebekah) manipulated and deceived each other to get what they wanted. But God is sovereign and despite their sin and wrongdoing, He carried out and remained faithful to His covenant to Abraham.
2) God hates sin and death and mourns it just like we do. Jesus wept at the loss of his friend Lazarus and sight of his friends mourning. He doesn’t just sit on His throne and turn a blind eye to the things happening on his Earth. He is grieved over it. How great will the day be when there is no more sin, death or tears!
Jesus wept…that’s amazing to me. HE knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead but He still wept with the people…what compassion and love has the Son for us
“Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me” (27:10).
Two things.
1. Jacob says “the Lord YOUR God”. Not, “the Lord OUR/MY God”. He had grown up in what we would call a “godly home”. But He had not yet made his own peace with God. But he does! His story is not over. God is still ready to do a great thing in and through him.
2. Isn’t it interesting how he credits his “success & skill” to God?!?! You would expect him to say something like “because I’m a great hunter”. But he tries to manipulate his father further by pulling God into the matter. Hmmmm.
Very interesting first point you made! I never realized that he was repeating what his father wanted to hear. That’s why I was always kind of surprised when he makes a full conversion and gives his life to God at 28:11-20
It’s kind of how we are all at times, making lip service just so our point/point of view/argument can pass by and be accepted.
Thank you for sharing!
I think it’s interesting that Jesus cries before Lazaros is alive again. I mean he knew that Lazaros wouldn’t be dead for much longer. It really shows that God can relate to our pain, and that he knows how it feels to lose someone.
The last few months I have become very burdened and discouraged because of dysfunction in my family. Despite the fact that we are Christians, there is often underlying hostility and problems between them and I often take on the role of peacemaker. It is so disheartening for me. I wonder if God is displeased and weary of us. But reading the OT has really opened my eyes to see countless generations of families who struggled with this. And I have the privilege of tracing God’s goodness and faithfulness to them despite all this. It is so encouraging! We see so much dysfunction and yet God still loves them, cares for them, and uses them for His mighty purposes. Dysfunctional families is just one result of the fall. We should mourn it and seek to make amends and bring about change where we can, but we can also be assured of His love and grace where our families fall short. And when He returns He will take away the pain and hostility that we live in. His will be a reign of peace and unity. Oh praise God!
Amen! I was once told that we should always be mindful that God used one of the most dysfunctional families ever to bless a whole nation and bring us towards salvation! There is hope for all
This is just what I needed to hear today. Discord in my own family has been weighing heavily on me for some time now. Praise the Lord that he still loves and uses imperfect families.
Does anyone else find it so intriguing that throughout Jesus’s time on earth he had to remind and challenge and prove to the people around him, including his disciples, that he really was the Son of God? Even Mary and Martha here they need a reminder from him and they tell JESUS that Lazarus would still be alive if only he had been there. It gives me hope that when my faith seems shaky, that God will be relentless in His pursuit of me. And it gives me hope that the people who physically saw and heard Jesus had trouble at times.
Thank you for pointing this out. It is comforting to know that when my faith seems shaky, I’m not alone. But rather than listening to the doubts, I need to look around and realize that He and His blessings are all around.
Thank you for pointing this out. Lately my faith has been weak, I have even made questions about Jesus that I never used to do, but He is faithful still.
Yes! I needed to read this today as I am worried about being able to support my family. Now I see that Jesus is always there and we need to trust in his grace and love for us & that he will provide and will always be there in the good and bad.
Jesus actually showed the people that he had the ability to raise the dead so that they would understand once he raised himself from the dead. Both Lazarus and Jesus spent three days in the tomb. When Lazarus emerges he’s still bound and needs help, it’s clear that Jesus with the power of the Father did this. When Jesus was gone from the tomb his cloths were neatly folded. The power was in him. While Lazarus was risen to the world, he would still die again. Jesus was resurrected to heaven forever!
The lord is full of compassion. He felt pain and sadness. He is a testimony of so much Love
Something cool too is that Lazarus was also risen within 3 days being laid in the tomb
I loved reading about how “human” Jesus was in John 11. He was angry and He wept, even though He already knew that Lazarus was not truly dead. Jesus cares deeply about us and our pain and is always there for us!
i made a note about that too! i love reading about how deeply he cares for us as well
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15
I love that Martha knew that all she needed to do was ask Jesus to receive his mercy for her brother.
“Take off your grave cloths” COME ON, let’s take off our grave cloths and live with Jesus!
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were counted among Jesus’ friends. “Jesus wept.” He wept for his friend Lazarus. I never realized they were friends – just though Lazarus was his next miracle on the list. As an adult, it is fun to read about His personal relationships when He walked the earth. Just so cool
“I am the resurrection and the life”
And
Jesus wept.
We see His divinity and His humanity!
“I am the resurrection and the life”
And
Jesus wept.
“I am the resurrection and the life”
And
“I am the resurrection and the life”
Amén i love so much what we read today it was beautiful
42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. – John 11:41
there was a lot in these chapters we read and i’m being reminded how the Lord knows how we feel and He truly does love us so much.
I used to think that reading through the bible in a year would be too much, and that I would miss so much. The opposite has actually been true. I’m starting to notice so many more connections, and am starting so see the story come alive, rather than fragmented pieces. It’s been really beautiful.
I feel the same way. It’s like I’m being told all these stories by Jesus Himself
I love the humanity that is shown in this passage about Jesus weeping because the death of his friend Lazarus and the empathy he felt when he witnessed everyone weeping for him. Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, which makes his reaction more significant and relatable.
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15
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Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
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Jesus crying is a reminder to me, that pain is not normal… we live in a fallen world. In human form he experiences this with us
Jesus is human. Jesus knew grief. And Jesus knew suffering. It helps me wrap my brain around the fact that He knows all about my pain. There is also a plan in that pain.
It’s so comforting to know Jesus knows grief.
Also, I recently read a post on IG that said something along the lines of taking God’s name in vain isn’t just about using his name as a curse word but is also about using His name when doing things that cause harm to people (I.e. using the Bible to justify slavery). Seeing how Jacob used His name when pretending to be Esau made me think of this!
This story of Jesus weeping for Lazarus always touches me, because I know that’s how He feels about you and me
This is a good reminder how if we have faith all things are possible but we need to believe.
I thank the LORD he gave promises to me and works through me in-spite of when I am deceitful and unworthy. I love the picture of how God brought his plan to fruition saving the lost …. through The lives of the sinners that he came to save! It is so easy for us to get caught up in our own guilt and feelings of unworthiness that we don’t even step out in faith that God can use us anyway. Yet his word is full of example after example of imperfect people being used and blessed by our perfect Lord and Savior!
Thank you for explaining
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I love the story of Lazarus. I remember them talking about it on the podcast several weeks ago how Jesus wept for him and grieved, even though he knew he could raise him. It really has touched me.
I truly felt bad for Esau and dot understand how a mother could make such difference between her children. I love Lazarus’ story
Give me faith like Martha!! Ahh so good!
Something about the story of Jesus raising Lazarus really hit me today. I am struck with the image of our Lord weeping, not only as our Savior, but also as a human who lost a loved one and was grieving with other loved ones. How wonderful to know how fully He is with us when we mourn.
Struck me for the first time that God dealt with Jacob’s deception in one way by the deception of Laban in giving him Leah instead of Rachel. Leah was a firstborn who would not be denied her right to be the first to be settled in marriage.
In the NT reading, I love that Martha gets it right (mostly) this time. She rushes to Jesus first, leaving a house full of guests behind, she says, “even now, Jesus, you can change things…”, she professes hope in the resurrection and faith in Christ. It seems to me, she’s figured out the “first importance” thing.
I truly felt for Esau, because Jacob and Rebecca were only thinking of themselves. I loved when Isaac told him when he got tired he would break the yoke. Esau would be taken care of. Lazarus’ story is a great example of faith. He’s been dead for four days, but Jesus tells him to wake up and walk. He does! There is no one like Jesus!
It’s such a simple reminder, but today’s reading just reminded to truly trust that God will do what he says. Our faith really plays a big part in our life.
The words I read all week bring me comfort.
The character of God is in full display in these passages. He is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), compassionate, and concerned with even the small details of our lives. He is also working good and bringing salvation out of what we would consider wicked deeds (stealing from a brother and deceiving a father). Even in that, there is a bigger picture going on, moving history forward in the redemption story. He is sovereign. He is worthy of praise!
I think it’s beautiful that when Jesus saw his children in pain he was deeply moved. When we are in pain Jesus is an up in heaven laughing at us and saying that we deserve it, he is weeping with us he is hurting with us and he is planning to come and heal us and rescue us if we call out to him
26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
I will bless those who bless you
Day 13 is done! Incredible reading today. ❤️
There are so many gems in there. From Isaacs word to Esau that once he’s had enough he will break the yoke. Jesus words unbind him and let him go speaks of the moment of our deliverance. God is so good and His Word has so many gems
Day 13 done-
I love the Lord’s promise to Jacob:
15‘Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
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9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.” Spoke to me. Glad I’m continuing on.
When Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb, I got goosebumps. What an incredible picture of our salvation! We weren’t just blind before he saved us. We were dead in sin. Praise be to God for His amazing grace!
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The story of Jacob is so grace drenched, when I read it I am reminded of the heart of God- that even in Jacob’s sin God shows up in a dream and pours out covenant words over Jacob’s life. How crazy beautiful is that..
The story of Jacob is so grace drenched, when I read it I am reminded of the heart of God- that even in Jacob’s sin God shows up in a dream and pours out covenant words over Jacob’s life. How crazy beautiful is that..
This is so fun !!
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God knows when you’re being deceitful and when your intentions are good. We learn that we should not envy anyone else because it can turn out bad. God continues to love us through out the good and the bad.
Day 13 ✔️
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I have such a hard time not being judgmental at parts of the Old Testament, and people’s actions. It is such a good reminder that God has used some of the people that I think in my human mind were so wrong, for the greatest purpose. He has always loved me and shown me grace, when I could never earn it. A good reminder that I am still valuable to Him.
God knows when your being deceitful and when your intentions are good. We learn that we should not envy anyone else because it can turn out bad. God will love us through the good and the bad. ❤️
I see a huge juxtaposition between the relationship between Jacob and God and Lazarus and Jesus. Jacob is in this for himself. He wants the birthrights and the blessings. Even though the chapter does not discuss Lazarus’ direct relationship with Jesus, he is described as Jesus’ friend (11:3). Lazarus dies to give Jesus glory. He does not beg to be kept alive (even though his sisters seem that way). Jesus in return for the sacrifice resurrects Lazarus. There is a difference between giving glory to yourself through God and giving the glory to God and then experiencing God’s blessings.
Amen!
16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 19He called the name of that place Bethel;
51Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
Two revelations to men from God: Jacob about Bethel-an important spot in the Bible
Caiaphas -The significance of Jesus’ death to many
Nothing is impossible for God!
Jesus wept. It’s so simple, but hits my heart every time. Even though Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he still weeps outside the tomb. It shows me how much love Jesus has in him for all of us.
I hate the story is Jacob and Esau… Jacob and Rebecca are so devious…
We always think of Jacob as this righteous, God following man.. but he was so devious at the beginning. I wanted him to stand up to his mom and say, “No I am not taking it away from Esau”
In Genesis 27 Jacob clearly says “the Lord YOUR God”. He doesn’t claim any sort of relationship with or allegiance to his father’s God. But God is not done with Jacob. He pursues him and speaks to him. At this point Jacob is mainly interested in what is in it for Him. He says that God will be his God too … as long as he gets what he wants! Nevertheless, it is a first step towards acknowledging God as his God.
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I am a few days behind. Trying to catch up. Not sure this will come out right. In Genesis with Jacob and Esau since Jacob already had the birthright shouldn’t he have gotten the first blessing anyways? It kinda was Jacobs from the beginning anyways…Or are those two different things..
You’re right! Because Esau “despised” his birthright, by giving it to his brother he gave him the blessing as well. It would be Esau’s birthright to be blessed because he was born first, and as is tradition it was meant to be the firstborn son who received his father’s blessing, like Isaac did because he was the firstborn of Sarah. Just that Esau was Isaac’s favourite, he was going to bless him, but rightfully since it was sold to Jacob, he should have always received it.
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At the risk of sounding stupid but is this Mary, Jesus’ mother? If so, why do they seem so formal. It doesn’t seem as if he has been reunited with his mother.
Hey Ashley! Not a stupid question at all. This is not Jesus’ mother Mary. This is Mary the sister of Martha—the one who cleaned Jesus feet with her tears and expensive perfume.
“How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and it is the gate of heaven.”
Praise God that those who believe will see His glory. Lord we long to see you with unveiled face and worship in your courts.
“Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” -ellie
Every time we see Mary, she is at the feet of Jesus. When Martha is busy with preparations and Mary chooses “what is better” and sits at the feet of Jesus listening, when she anoints His feet with oil and dries them with her hair in a moment of worship, and then here, in a time of despair, she runs and falls at His feet. What an amazing example to us!
I love that you pointed this out! We are called to be obedient and listen to Jesus.
God is so good. He continues to use imperfect people and imperfect people’s transgressions to serve great purpose.
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I LOVE the priests plot to deny Jesus as the Lord to protect their nation by killing Him. When in reality this plot leads to the fulfillment of Christ’s death and resurrection! John 12:50 “Nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.”
It’s interesting that Jesus says Lazarus I just asleep as opposed to ‘has died.’ He only says he has died when he needs to convey what he means to his disciple. I think this might be because with Jesus there is no more death!
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I love the relationship Jesus had w this family. They were some of His closest friends and He loved them. And from their responses to Him, they loved Him too. They completely believed in His power and weren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. But even with how close to Him they were, He could still surprise them with greater things!!
It really struck me how the Pharisees valued their power and their country more than God in today’s passage from John. I think there is an important word and warning for religious people of our own time there. Is your temporal power and control what matters most? Or is it God that holds your highest allegiance?
I love this thought! Amen.
This really caught my attention as well!
I have found this to be a parallel to today in the US. So many who claim the name of Jesus are more concerned with pledging allegiance to a flag than they are to Him and his teachings. Thank you for mentioning this! I also think this shows how relevant the Bible still is to this day to nonbelievers!
I love this point! I think that so often we get wrapped up in what our pastors and Decans say or believe that we forget we don’t serve them we serve Christ. Man. That’s something I gotta remind myself some times. Just like the children of Israel wanted a king even through they had the king of kings as their King we don’t serve man we serve Christ.
It’s so great to be reminded that Jesus has emotions just like us. I know I tend to forget that our Lord is the creator of emotions, so He also has them. It reminds me that Jesus cared and was deeply moved by the death of Lazarus.
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John 11:37 – the people expected that Jesus would prevent Lazarus from dying, but Jesus doesn’t stop him from dying. Instead, he does something greater, an even more miraculous demonstration of God’s power. Helps to remind me that when something I wanted or expected isn’t how I thought it should be, God has something better in store.
I like that it mentions his death is for the glory of God too! Often a picture we only see a tiny portion of. When I started going to church I met a woman whose husband passed suddenly (he was only 34), and for a while she struggled with why that would happen because he was a faithful man. Until the daughter of her neighbor started coming to church with her so “she doesn’t have to go alone.” That led to the entire family coming to church and becoming believers from previously being atheists. So neat how God uses circumstances to his glory ❤️
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Jesus constantly shows empathy and compassion towards people and that is an example of how we need to be with our neighbors.
I love the story of Lazarus!
I love that the high priest – even though evil and hard of heart- unknowingly prophesied that Jesus dying would save all people and God was clearly orchestrating his will even thru seemingly evil people and evil intentions. Even when we don’t understand why evil is happening, God is still in control and his good purposes are still coming to pass. What a sovereign, mighty, God we serve worthy of our trust and praise.
A key point here is to Listen and Obey the voice of the ones God has placed in authority in your life. Jacob and Esau both, even Martha and Mary all believed.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how Jacob is like ‘if God does this and that for me THEN he will be my God and I’ll give his some of my stuff’. Seems odd that this man of God said he’d only worship God if God made all things go well for him ….
Some of these Old Testament stories are so weird
It sounds rude to us because of the translation but he’s actually praising God for the vision and saying that since he was given this vision he is putting his trust that God will fulfill it for him. He’s making a promise to God that he will tithe.
Both of those passages are truly amazing. I can’t get enough of them!
Amazing to me the hardness of the Pharisee’s hearts. Jesus had just raised a man from the dead and yet they still seek to kill Him, and don’t understand how utterly useless it will be ! Even though He died, He
lives! Even though we were once dead, we live! What an amazing savior we serve!
One of my favorite verses!
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
One of my favorite verses too! I love the faith Mary and Martha show in Jesus
I’m always amazed at the fact that Jesus wept because of Lazarus’ death, especially since he knew He would raise him from the dead. It demonstrates Jesus’ complete grasp of human suffering, and the unnatural evil of death. Death is worth mourning and grieving, because we weren’t created to die. This passage should give us reason to pause when we’re tempted to offer platitudes of hope to those around us who are suffering. Yes, there is hope in Christ, but even Jesus himself took a moment to acknowledge the sadness around Him. Beautiful!
I appreciate your comments. I was just trying to understand why Jesus wept, as you said, knowing that Lazarus would rise up. Of course this makes total sense now. Jesus came to us because of his great compassion in the first place. It would be logical that he would feel the pain of the people he loved. We cannot forget that he knows our pain and mourns with us just as he rejoices with us. What a mighty God we serve!
So interesting that both Mary and Martha know that Jesus could have easily prevented Lazarus’ death, but their following actions differ: Martha tells Jesus that she knows he can still change everything. Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and weeps. And Jesus weeps with her. I think that so often, Christians feel that they need to respond like Martha, keeping their heads held high, claiming an unwavering trust in Jesus, remaining ever hopeful. Yet it is Mary’s response that moves Jesus. Of course, it is not bad to recognize the ultimate hope that we have in Jesus, but how beautiful is it that in Jesus, we have a safe place to weep and mourn, and that Jesus will even enter into that mourning with us? I’m so grateful that my God is so empathetic and compassionate to allow us to experience real human emotion and enter into it with us.
Amen to that!
Amen!
Everything is done for the glory of God! How remarkable! And look at how many believed and how the Pharisees knew that his death would bring many to know him! Amazing! And the words Isaac told Jacob in his blessing foreshadow many of the things Isaac said Jacobs offspring would do! The Messiah comes from him! I love the dream Jacob had bc it’s another illustration of Gods intimacy with us! ❤️
There is something so powerful about John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” I love the purity of this verse. It’s hard to describe, but something feels clean, almost, when i read that Jesus wept. It reminds me that Jesus really was in our shoes. He really was a man on earth. Jesus was altogether perfect, yet he still wept. Crying is not a weakness, Jesus the perfect man cried too. What a good reminder isn’t it, y’all?
Yes indeed!!! Amen
The story of Larazus teaches us that even when things get SO bad that we think it’s time to give up hope…. We need to step back and watch God work. Step back and allow ourselves to see the string of events that happen.
He intentionally waited and made them go through the pain of losing their brother, so that many other Jews would believe once he brought Lazarus back from the dead.
This also connected with some Jews going to the Pharisees and then the High Priest unknowingly prophesying about Jesus dying for the people.
Wow!
As trials pop up all around us I pray that we stay strong and lean on God. And remember that He is all-knowing. May we be comforted with knowing that through our suffering He brings both us and others closer to Him.
Yes!
The story of Lazarus is encouraging to me today. He was raised from death to life. Jesus also did the same with us. While we were yet sinners, living in darkness and headed toward death, he saved us. He gave us new life and now we are to walk in newness. Our lives should look different and we must throw off anything that hinders us from our pursuit of him. We’ve been given new life from the life giver himself. How is that going to impact your walk with him this very day? I know how it will impact mine! I’ve been struggling with showing grace and mercy to a friend. After reading this today I realize that Jesus has given me new life and I am to walk in the light, following his decrees and matching his character. I no long walk in darkness. Praying the Lord softens my heart even more today
Marty and Mary’s faith is so awesome. Even though they said ‘if you had come sooner he would not have died’ they were not upset, but sad. They did not give up their faith that Jesus was the messiah because their wishes were not answered instead they said ‘we know we will see him again.’ I am moved by this statement of faith!
Genesis 27 reminds me that there is a right way and a deceitful way to do things, even to do things God promised. The best way is to wait for God to move and follow in obedience, not take matters into my own hands. I also learned that even people closest can encourage wrong doing and that I must out each request through the test of truth and love from above. Jacob was promised to rule over his brother and he took matters into his own hands as oppose to waiting for God to provide- he paid dearly for this. Rebekah encouraged her son to deceive, out of impatience as well.
Also genesis 27 reminds me that God is faithful even in our wrongness- through our choices He will always provide lessons to strengthen us to move for Him.
Loved this insight! I too was dwelling upon Genesis 27 and blown away by God’s grace with Jacob even in the midst of him deceitful! And it didn’t cross my mind that God is able to redeem our wrongfulness by Him allowing us to learn from our mistakes, thus strengthening us, as he did with Jacob. Once again, thanks for sharing Victoria!
Ok, I have to ask. Victoria, Lakeside?
Your words are so very beautiful! Thank you for this!
Wow I really enjoyed this thought! This was a good message God bless!!
Is there a way to reset this app so it will mark as read after Inused it last year?
“I used”
I think right above the progress % is a refresh symbol.
Yes there is. Click on Plan List to the left of the screen and then on ‘my progress’ to the right of the pop up screen (the one with your % read). This will give you an option to reset :)
Why did Rebekah, Jacob instigate him to steal his brothers birthright?
Jacobs mother
just like her mother in law before her, she took the matter of God blessing the younger greater than the older into her own hands instead of waiting to see how God would do it. her mother in law didn’t believe that she would have a child and Hagar and Ishmael became part of the story because of her.
This story of Esau and Jacob has me asking several questions: Why is the deceitful one (Jacob) continuously receiving the blessings even after Isaac (and God) knows his ill will?
It is similar to how the nation of Israel throughout its history, has still been God’s chosen nation even when they reject Him and don’t do the things that He wanted them to do and has told them to do. I believe it has to do with God’s grace for all people
Part of it, though not all of it (the exegesis of that chapter could fill a book!) is about how God upends the “natural” order of things — the bratty kid is greater than his older brother; the last shall be first; the humble (well, not so humble in Jacob’s case but you get the idea!) shall be exalted.
Another part of it is about the way Jacob lets himself be transformed by God. Jacob’s holiness, like the holiness of all of us, resides not in his ethical “goodness” but in the degree to which he submits himself to God. We see this culminate chapters later, when he wrestles with the Angel, and then reconciles with his brother Esau, saying in that moment that in his brother’s face that he sees the love of God. It’s that change in Jacob, from entirely self-centered to more aligned with the will of God, that in part makes him the hero of the story. Because you’re right, he’s totally a little brat at the beginning. ;-)
Clearly I have a lot to say on this topic! I think it’s because the issue you pointed out has been a huge stumbling block for me in the past, and working through it was a spiritual turning point for me. Basically I think that the Bible systematically resists our best efforts to make tidy moral parables out of it. The heroes are almost always seriously flawed. The righteous very rarely get their just reward, and the just plain unpleasant annoying ones (omg Joseph) seem unfairly exalted. It sort of tries to shake up all of our ideas about what is fair (God doesn’t seem to care much about fairness AT ALL — think about the laborers in Jesus’s parable where the ones who worked an hour were paid the same as those who worked a day) and refuses to let us out anyone into boxes of “good” and “bad.” Scripture makes it really, really hard for us to root for the good guys and boo for the villains, and I think that this difficulty is obliquely trying to teach us some important lessons about compassion for the unlikeable, among other things. I’ll shut up now!
Rosemary! I thoroughly enjoyed commentary and insight! I never thought about how the bible, in a sense, makes us uncomfortable in terms of fitting into our own box of good and bad people. I found myself being very upset at Jacob and annoyed because I couldn’t believe a liar would receive the blessing ultimately from the Lord. But then, I had to stop and remember that me, also sin-stained by deceit was giving the blessing of salvation from the Lord even though I did not deserve it. God’s kingdom is very, very “backwards” in relation to how our natural minds and the ways of this world! Thanks again for sharing!
I love this perspective. Thank you so much for sharing! sharing!
It’s relieving, in a sense, to know that God can use the the worst of anything for good. good.
I don’t know that Jacob is deceitful or that he had an ill will . It happened as someone stated above as a fulfillment of prophecy when G-d told Rebecca that her elder child would serve the younger. Even if Esau had received the blessing is appears his heart was not in the place G-d needed it to be for His plan to prevail. Esau was clearly not a humble man. He was quick to anger and action. And it appears before he was born G-d had a different plan for him anyway.
So true, and Esau had ‘despised his birthright’ but flat out giving it to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of stew! I guess Esau didn’t value his inheritance and so didn’t deserve it. There’s so much that can be drawn from these chapters! :)
Esau married Hitties women which went again God’s plan. The. He married Ishmael daughter Ishmael was the son Hagar had with Abraham. God knows the end from the beginning. Remember he told Rebekah that the younger son would have the browsing from the womb. Read previous day reading. Sometimes I have to do the same when I don’t understand something.
Hope this helps! Stay Blessed
Thank you all so much for the replies. I understand it now. JJ, I appreciate your perspective. That is the way my mind was trying to go but my human morals were arguing against it! Fairness! Rosemary, thank you for all of your insight! I loved every word and the more I read your thoughts, the more I understood. Our human minds sometimes have a hard time comprehending God’s great plan and this is one of those events in the bible where we have to just say, it His will. He always has a reason. And the more I read Jacob and Esaus story, the more I understand.
I agree, Esau was a little prideful and quick to anger. Both brothers had faults just as we ALL do!
The thing is, Jacob being a deceiver, gets deceived himself after working for Laban for 7 years for his one daughter, yet Laban Decieives him and gives him his other daughter and makes him work another 7 years…..possibly a consequence for his deceitfulness. He even asks his father in law “why have you decieved me??? Interesting
In John when Jesus weeps, he isn’t weeping for Lazarus because it was his plan all along to bring him to life. Jesus is weeping because of the unbelief in his dear friends Mary and Martha.
I just learned this personally and it gave me a completely different perspective on the story so I wanted to share :)
I wonder how many knew that Jesus would die.
Did John the Baptist?
Maybe someone can give me a fresh perspective on this – what was the point of the deception? Esau had already given his birthright to Jacob earlier in the passage. And why was it recorded that he traded his birthright for food if Jacob still had to deceive him to get it? Maybe it’s that God could have made it happen through other means, but Jacob took things into his own hands and God blessed him regardless. Thoughts please?!
If you continúe to read on in the book of Genesis you’ll see that later Jacob is deceived twice as well!
I think it’s also to show that Gods plan is going to come about no matter what human mistake is made. From the time Rebekah gave birth, God told her she would give birth to two nations. Then he told them that the younger would rule over the oldest. I think this story shows that even when we try to go about making Gods plan happen on our own, there will be consequences (the deception). But no matter what Gods divine plan will take place!
also, the birthright and the blessing were separate things, which is why Esau is so distraught – he lost both family blessings.
Oh! To not miss the Grace of God. Living in the present not doing penance. Doing what’s right. Alive. Gen 28:16 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” John 11:44 Someone take off the grave clothes. We are alive.
Genesis 27:28 – Isn’t this how we respond to the Lord– surely I deserve to be blessed by my father.
The passage in John has just brought me to tears, with Jesus’ genuine love and compassion for this family, his friends. Also how he meets each person they are at- Martha came running out but Mary was called. In the next chapter (sorry I did read ahead a little!) Mary finds her own unique way to worship Jesus which is just fine with him too. Love it!
I love your comment and tears. And your delight to read ahead.
Y’all. I just love the Old Testament! Love reading all your comments, sisters. So glad to be here. I never attempted to read the whole bible before because I feared failing and giving up, but here I am. I am still behind but here I am!
I’m behind too! But really enjoying it so far. I don’t think it matters if it takes a year or ten really, but all the comments and encouragement here do really help!
So thankful for the insight that you ladies give. I will never look at the Old Testament the same. Glory to God.
40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? ”
Wow! Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Jesus didn’t do these miracles for himself. He did them so that his disciples (and others) would BELIEVE! It goes to show how far back our lack of faith goes. Our God is great and mighty and he will go to extreme lengths to show us how much he loves us and how much he wants us to believe in him.
I wonder if Jesus wept because He knew that He was taking Lazarus from Heaven. A place a peace and free of suffering. True paradise. If I were to die and go to Heaven, only to be sent back to earth, I’d be a bit sad.
That’s what Colton Burpo of The book Heaven is For Teal said. He said it isn’t a place you ever want to leave. He said he was upset going in but soon felt total joy and peace and didn’t want to come back but Jesus was answering his dad’s prayer.
“Let’s go too- and die with Jesus.” John 11:16…. Let’s go and DIE with Jesus. Even Thomas the doubter had faith so strong he was willing to die with Jesus. Not just die for Him, but share in His burden. Though it was only for Jesus to bear, he was ready and willing to join Him. Oh Lord, for a faith like that!!
What jumped out to me in today’s reading was about Mary. I tend to closely identify with Mary, though I am in the hospitality business and try to keep my day filled with things to do, but when I want my time with the Lord, I want to sit at his feet and be still.
The thing that jumped out at me were the ( ) between v.2&3 : “was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wipes his feet with her hair” How interesting that the Bible helps us “place” Mary by this act, that though she’s going through excruciating circumstances, in the next chapter, John 12, she annoits the Lord with a costly gift. That through the pain, grief and sorrow, she endures to find joy and wants to bless Jesus as he blessed her by his miraculous healing of her brother being raised from the dead!
Oh praise God for his wonderous love for us!
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” This has been a conviction of mine throughout my day lately. So much of my day, the Lord is there and I’m not aware! Praying that I can be aware of his presence!
Wow… That didn’t stick out to me until I read your comment!!
What does Issac mean by “so my soul will bless you” when talking to who he thinks is Esau?
Never mind!! I asked before I read the rest of it :)
So many of us are mothers, and what wouldn’t we do for our children, but Rebekah shows us that all deceit has a price. Because of her false plan, Jacob must leave home or be killed. She would die before his return over 20 years later and she’d live those 20 years with a husband who lost a little faith in her after she lied and with a son she’d not favored and his wives who didn’t follow her Faith
There are always consequences and no one gets away with lies. This story is a great reminder. Rebekah, one of the heroines of our Faith, struggled with waiting on God to bring about the promise He made that the older would serve the younger and took it upon herself. Another valuable lesson…God has a plan. We don’t need to seek results on our own “by any means possible”…if He planned it, He’ll bring it to happen.
I kept asking myself… How could the deceit be successful?! Your comment was a great reminder that it did not come without consequences!!! They didn’t come out free and clear on this… There were indeed negative repercussions!
Why did Jesus cry when he knew he would raise him from the dead?
This was the verse I bookmarked today. The entire verse is just … Jesus wept. I feel like that signifies how important it is that He wept. Yes, He knew He would raise Lazarus but He still felt the pain and sorrow of the loss.
To me, this shows us that in our darkest hour, even when the Lord sees how it will all be made or used for good, He is literally right beside us feeling our pain and He hurts for us. I think this is a beautiful way for the Word to show us an important part of who Christ is.
This definitely speaks to my heart, thank you!
Of course, saying a prayer for you!
I was wondering the same thing!
Reminds me of times when I was younger and sick or hurting. My dad used to always say, “I wish I could be sick/hurt/going through that for you.” We are God’s previous children, and I think it genuinely hurts him to see us go through difficult times. How real…
I’d love to know more about how the blessings that the father gave out in OT worked. Any thought?
“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
This is a hard but good reminder for me right now. Ask struggle with health issues. To not let doubt and worry weight down my countenance but to glorify God through all things. I know I struggle with it and fall so often. But hearing this reminds me to do better.
I love how Jesus says, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Such a great reminder for me to start of or end my prayers with that. Lord, I know you hear me. He bends down His ear to listen to us specifically while we prayer. He is our greatest love.
The family dynamics, of mother against own son, father against own son, brother against brother, and so forth is pretty sad… And yet, it is so common. There are many points to ponder on, and one point that stood out greatly, it is the ~heart of man~ and in the end, the “obedience” aspect.
After everything was done, Esau is hearing that Jacob was told to go marry a woman based on the mother/father likings… Bible says “…that Jacob had ~obeyed~ his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram”. Esau does exactly the opposite…to be spiteful.
As much as I hate the deceitfulness taking place in the son “blessings”… and the heart breaking moment of Esau’s cry, I just have to sit and ponder on this point… Seems to me both brothers were not faithfully walking with God, but Jacob’s heart seems more in tune in the “obedience” aspect than Esau’s… I wonder what a whole generation was spared in the process… What we see is not what God sees, and not just short-term but also long-term!
Very interesting and well said! Thanks for sharing :)
Wow, very on point! And definitely clarifying- thank you!
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
A lot of stuff in this chapter of John today but I was especially touched by this!
Jesus is affected by our human sadness.
Wow. What a thought. What love he has for us.
My version says angry rather than troubled I am thinking troubled is a better rendition. Can’t imagine why He would be angry unless just at sin itself and how it causes suffering to those He loves.
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
I thought this was interesting. I had never read that before.
I thought that was interesting too! They aren’t even listening correctly to their high priest!
Likewise. This year I’m being very intentional about study time and reading a little slower so I don’t miss these insights!
Hey, Allie, do you have any insight into the next verse, “so from that day forwards they plotted to take his life.” Is it just referring to those who killed Jesus? I’m confused about the placement of the verse as it seems like this high priest is in favor of Jesus and believes he is the Son of God, but then this verse seems contradicting.
Breanna, it seems to me that although Caiphas was the high priest he isn’t the godliest of men. He probably made that prophecy bc he was in that role but he may not have known who he was referring to or have fully understood it. Later on we see him paying Judas 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal of Jesus.
Me too! Cool to think how this was all a part of Gods plan
I found myself reflecting on the moment when Jesus asks Martha “do you believe?” I spent some time reflecting and praying on the fact that our/my actions don’t always reflect our belief. Lord, I believe..help me to show that in all of my actions, thoughts and deeds. Amen.
Amen!
I find it interesting and confusing that Jacob could lie and deceive his father to get a blessing. Seems like it would be void.
My thought exactly! And I don’t understand why he would run out of blessings for his other son. Couldn’t he bless both? Or is this blessing an analogy of their inheritance?
I was also thinking about how Jacob said YOUR God when he was deceiving Isaac, and while in his parents home- but when he begins his own journey and God appears to him in a vision, he makes this vow-
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God…
‘The Lord will be MY God.’ Even though this vow essential depends on his receiving a blessing from the Lord (always looking to get something apparently!!) it’s still a major milestone in his faith journey, and a major piece of the passing on of the covenant with Abraham to his descendants.
Great points. I thought the same… and I like your comment “major milestone in his faith journey”… Seems we all have different milestones to conquer, in this faith journey. And each person’s journey is different.
Thank you for letting me see the importance of his deceiving. I found myself getting frustrated that Jacob was still blessed despite his constant deception towards his father and brother. This is just a part of his before story. Before he sees who God really is.
Very true. His vow depends on receiving something. I think a lot of us do this too and not even notice it. We pray to have something we want and would love to have and that is sometimes when we pray the most. Or sometimes like bargaining. I’ll believe more “if” I get this. But we forget to pray in the good times too even to just say thank you or remember that He is always with us.
I love reading how God is speaking to others through His Word.
A few things I got from the readings today:
1) God has a purpose and a Plan. Esau and Jacob (and their parents, Isaac and Rebekah) manipulated and deceived each other to get what they wanted. But God is sovereign and despite their sin and wrongdoing, He carried out and remained faithful to His covenant to Abraham.
2) God hates sin and death and mourns it just like we do. Jesus wept at the loss of his friend Lazarus and sight of his friends mourning. He doesn’t just sit on His throne and turn a blind eye to the things happening on his Earth. He is grieved over it. How great will the day be when there is no more sin, death or tears!
Great points! I love that we can be imperfect in our actions and in our faith, but still are worthy of God’s love and blessings.
Jesus wept…that’s amazing to me. HE knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead but He still wept with the people…what compassion and love has the Son for us
Isn’t it awesome that we don’t serve a distant, cold hearted God, but rather Immanuel – God right down in the middle of our mess?
“Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me” (27:10).
Two things.
1. Jacob says “the Lord YOUR God”. Not, “the Lord OUR/MY God”. He had grown up in what we would call a “godly home”. But He had not yet made his own peace with God. But he does! His story is not over. God is still ready to do a great thing in and through him.
2. Isn’t it interesting how he credits his “success & skill” to God?!?! You would expect him to say something like “because I’m a great hunter”. But he tries to manipulate his father further by pulling God into the matter. Hmmmm.
Very interesting first point you made! I never realized that he was repeating what his father wanted to hear. That’s why I was always kind of surprised when he makes a full conversion and gives his life to God at 28:11-20
It’s kind of how we are all at times, making lip service just so our point/point of view/argument can pass by and be accepted.
Thank you for sharing!
I think it’s interesting that Jesus cries before Lazaros is alive again. I mean he knew that Lazaros wouldn’t be dead for much longer. It really shows that God can relate to our pain, and that he knows how it feels to lose someone.
I’ve never thought about it like that before. Thanks for pointing it out!
The last few months I have become very burdened and discouraged because of dysfunction in my family. Despite the fact that we are Christians, there is often underlying hostility and problems between them and I often take on the role of peacemaker. It is so disheartening for me. I wonder if God is displeased and weary of us. But reading the OT has really opened my eyes to see countless generations of families who struggled with this. And I have the privilege of tracing God’s goodness and faithfulness to them despite all this. It is so encouraging! We see so much dysfunction and yet God still loves them, cares for them, and uses them for His mighty purposes. Dysfunctional families is just one result of the fall. We should mourn it and seek to make amends and bring about change where we can, but we can also be assured of His love and grace where our families fall short. And when He returns He will take away the pain and hostility that we live in. His will be a reign of peace and unity. Oh praise God!
Amen! I was once told that we should always be mindful that God used one of the most dysfunctional families ever to bless a whole nation and bring us towards salvation! There is hope for all
Thank you for posting this – it brought tears to my eyes as I thought about my own in-law family situation.
That was beautifully said! Amen!
This is just what I needed to hear today. Discord in my own family has been weighing heavily on me for some time now. Praise the Lord that he still loves and uses imperfect families.
Beautiful! You articulated my thoughts perfectly, when I could not.
Does anyone else find it so intriguing that throughout Jesus’s time on earth he had to remind and challenge and prove to the people around him, including his disciples, that he really was the Son of God? Even Mary and Martha here they need a reminder from him and they tell JESUS that Lazarus would still be alive if only he had been there. It gives me hope that when my faith seems shaky, that God will be relentless in His pursuit of me. And it gives me hope that the people who physically saw and heard Jesus had trouble at times.
Thank you for pointing this out…just what I needed today.
Thank you for pointing this out. It is comforting to know that when my faith seems shaky, I’m not alone. But rather than listening to the doubts, I need to look around and realize that He and His blessings are all around.
Thank you for pointing this out. Lately my faith has been weak, I have even made questions about Jesus that I never used to do, but He is faithful still.
I couldn’t agree more! It also encourages me that Jesus miracles – then and now – aren’t the result of my perfect faith, but His power.
I love this … Thank you. Not because of our perfect faith but because of His power. Amen.
Yes! I needed to read this today as I am worried about being able to support my family. Now I see that Jesus is always there and we need to trust in his grace and love for us & that he will provide and will always be there in the good and bad.