大光讀經日程1/17/2013雅各和約瑟的晚年

1/17/2013

English

雅各和約瑟的晚年

經文:

創世記48－50章

中心思想:

創世記50章

提要

        四十八章到五十章以記載雅各和約瑟的臨終事蹟、以及去世、埋葬，作為創世記的結束。雅各的祝福臨到約瑟的兩個兒子，宣告年幼的比年長的受到更大的尊榮，如此延續了創世記中所建立的模式（以撒取代以實瑪利、雅各取代以掃、約瑟取代流便）。雅各臨終前的最後一件事是：一一的祝福了他十二個兒子，並對他們的未來給予從神而來的宣告。雅各的遺體薰了香料之後，就送回迦南地埋葬了，而約瑟的遺體則留在埃及，直到以色列國被釋放為止。

第48章	第49章		第50章
祝福			去世及安葬
約瑟之子		雅各之子	1   雅各    21	22   約瑟   26
臨終之言			安葬之處

每日與主同行

        有時候你是不是希望自己的生命能多奉獻一點給上帝？能對周遭的人有更多積極正面的影響？但生活使你只能忠心卻是腳步沉重的往前挪移，看起來一事無成，其實，有時候你還真想豎起白旗宣布失敗，就此從人生的戰場退下去！
        上帝的計畫始終大過任何人！祂會以出人意料的方式，把許多不同的人的生命編織在一起，好完成祂的旨意。約瑟就是一個典型的例子硬被逐出了家庭，飽嘗不公平和牢獄的苦楚之後，竟展露頭角成為埃及的宰相。為什麼呢？「上帝的意思原是好的，要保全許多人的性命，成就今日的光景」（創50：20），約瑟全家和整個埃及很快的就知道他們之所以存活，多虧約瑟的領導。
        每一天你要接觸多少人？列一個單子，數目之多令你大感驚訝！你的配偶、父母、孩子、上司、老師之外，不要忘了鄰居、同事、郵差、還有店員。選出一個人和一種上帝能使用你的方法去接觸這個生命，可能是一個微笑、一句親切的話，一個體貼的舉止，讓上帝使用你，直到永遠！

默想

埃及人的停屍儀式
        用香料薰遺體需耗時四十天，有三種不同的價格，當一切大功告成，棺木就留在停屍間裏，靠牆豎立！

金言

基督一切的祝福都像祂一樣，不但屬靈而且屬天！

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English

Final Days of Jacob

Scriptures:

Genesis 48-50

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 50

Overview

        Chapters 48-50 conclude-the hook of Genesis by recording the final acts of Jacob and Joseph, along with their deaths and burials. Jacob's blessing upon Joseph's two sons, announcing that the younger would be more honored than the older,'is in keeping with the pattern established in Genesis (Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Joseph instead of Reuben). As his final earthly act, Jacob blesses each of his 12 sons, giving a divinely guided pronouncement of their future history. Jacob's body is embalmed and taken back to Canaan for burial, while Joseph's body remains in Egypt until the release of the newly born nation of Israel.

Chapter 48 | Chapter 49	Chapter 50
Blessing the Sons of Joseph | Jacob	Death and Burial of 1 Jacob 21  22 Joseph 26
Last Words	Last Resting Place

Your Daily Walk

        Do you sometimes wish your life could count more for God .., that you could have more of an impact for good in the lives of those around you? You plod along faithfully, but nothing much ever seems to come of it. In fact, you're tempted to throw in the spiritual towel.
        God's plan is larger than any one person. In an amazing way He weaves together the lives of many different people to accomplish His will. Joseph is a good example. Torn from his family, ill-treated and imprisoned, he later emerges as ruler in Egypt. And why? "God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (50;20), Joseph's family and the entire nation of Egypt soon owed their survival to Joseph's leadership.
        How many lives do you touch every day? Make a mental list. The number might surprise you! Your spouse, your parents, the kids, the boss, the teacher. Don't forget the neighbors, the people in your office, the mailman, the cashier.
        Select one name and one way God could use you to touch that life with a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act. Then allow God to use you today ... for good.

Insight

Egyptian Mortuary Service —
        Embalming usually took 40 days and was available in several different price ranges. When completed, the coffin was left standing upright against the wall of the burial chamber.

Adage

All Christ's blessings are like Him, spiritual and heavenly.

大光讀經日程~1/16/2013約瑟一家埃及享尊榮

1/16/2013

English

約瑟一家埃及享尊榮

經文:

創世記45－47章

中心思想:

創世記47章

提要

        約瑟再也不能偽裝下去了，遂向那些膽顫心驚的哥哥們揭露他真實的身份。他對種種事件的解釋（創45：5－8），足以顯示多年來支撐他度過這些痛苦的屬靈透視力。為了遵守上帝給亞伯蘭的預言（創15：13），祂要雅各留在埃及，所以以色列全部的人口（共七十人）都遷往歌珊定居，在那裏成家立業，往後四百年中，漸漸形成大國。

第45章	第46章	第47章
約瑟宣佈令人震驚的消息	雅各遷到埃及	雅各揚名埃及
全家團員	約瑟全家倍受禮遇

每日與主同行

        這個對比顯然是極明顯的！一位裝束樸實世居帳蓬的老牧人，蹣跚的走進世上最有權勢國王的宮中，法老願意接見雅各，當然是尊重約瑟的緣故，而雅各這位看似微不足道的老人，卻為國王祝福（創47：7~10）。
        法老顯然不知道，這位祝福他的以色列不是別人，而是上帝的王子！雖然法老自以為了不起，最後還是漸漸消聲匿跡，甚至被人遺忘，連名字也不曾留在歷史上！但這位老牧羊人卻一直受到尊崇，歷久不衰。上帝的百姓都被稱為「以色列之子」，日後上帝稱自己為「雅各的上帝」，而那位「要統治雅各的家到永遠」的萬王之王，也是從雅各家系而出的。
        外表能夠欺騙人。像雅各一樣，在世人的眼中你也許不像個舉足輕重的人物，但事實上你是的！你的重要性不是因為你自己做了什麼，而是由於基督在你身上所施行的作為（就像雅各一樣）。在一張紙上，看看能不能以十個方式完成這句話：「因為我是上帝的孩子，所以我是。」然後今天就活出君王後嗣的身份來吧！

默想

你做這個……祂做那個！
        「把我賣到這裏……上帝差我……。」（創45：5），從這句話可以看到上帝的國度，回顧過去，約瑟可以很清楚看到兩種力量－人類的與上帝的－在上帝的計畫裹互相交織。

金言

上帝衡量一個人是否偉大的時候，量的是他的心，而不是他的頭。

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English

Joseph's Family Honored

Scriptures:

Genesis 45-47

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 47

Overview

        Joseph, no longer able to maintain the masquerade, reveals his true identity to his terrified brothers. His explanation of recent events (45:5-8) reveals the spiritual perspective that sustained him through years of heartache and uncertainty. In keeping with the prophecy given to Abram (15:13), God assures Jacob that a sojourn in Egypt is divinely approved. And so the entire Jewish population (70 in number) moves to Goshen, which will become home for the fledging nation for the next 400 years.

Chapter 45	Chapter 46	Chapter 47
Joseph's Surprise Announcement	Jacob's Move to Egypt	Jacob's Exaltation in Egypt
Joseph's Family Reunited	Joseph's Family Treated Kindly

Your Daily Walk

        The contrast must have been striking. Into the court of the most powerful king on earth hobbled an old man dressed in the rough garb of a Bedouin tent dweller. Pharaoh was granting an audience to Jacob out of respect for Joseph. And Jacob, the seemingly insignificant old man, blessed the king (47:7-10)!
        Pharaoh didn't know it, but he was being blessed by none other than Israel, the Prince of God. For all his supposed importance. Pharaoh would subsequently fade into oblivion. Even his name would disappear from historical records. Yet this old shepherd would continue to occupy a place of honor throughout the centuries. God's people would be called the "children of Israel," and God would identify Himself henceforth as "the God of Jacob." From Jacob's line would come the King of Kings, who "shall reign over the house of Jacob forever."
        Appearances can be deceiving. You. like Jacob, may not look like a V.I.P. in the eyes of the world. But you are. Your importance, like Jacob's, does not stem from what you have made of yourself, but what Christ has made of you. On a sheet of paper, see if you can complete this sentence 10 ways: "Because 1 am a child of God, I am _____." Then live out your identity today as a child of the King!

Insight

"You Did It ... He Did Itl" —
        The words "ye sold me ... God did send me" (45:5) form a classic statement of God's providence. Looking backward, Joseph could clearly see both elements—human and divine—at work in God's plan.

Adage

When God measures the greatness of an individual, He puts the tape measure around the heart, not the head.

大光讀經日程1/15/2013 約瑟治理埃及

Chinese

1/15/2013

English

約瑟治理埃及

經文:

創世記41－44章

中心思想:

創世記43－44章

提要

        上帝讓法老作了一個難以理解的夢，這倒使酒政想起了約瑟，由於天賦異稟，約瑟從階下囚一下晉升為宰相。法老的夢十分確實的預測了數年後的豐年與饑荒。雅各看到全球性的大饑荒便差派十個兒子去埃及糴糧，在那裏約瑟立刻認出他們，繼而給他們上了痛苦的一課，一連串的對質使得四十四章高潮迭起，到了這個地步，哥哥們對約瑟少年時代的夢境還渾然不覺呢！

第41章	第42章	第43章	第44章
約瑟的晉升	雅各的困境	便雅憫受邀	約瑟復仇
信實	飢荒	恐懼	表白

每日與主同行

        世上其實沒有所謂「秘密的罪」。
        多年以來，約瑟的哥哥們仗著自己的聰明欺騙雅各，這個秘密瞞得天衣無縫，以致於雅各可能為了失去心愛的兒子不斷自責，而哥哥們雖然目睹父親備受心靈痛苦的煎熬，為了保守陰謀也不肯吐露實情。
        但他們忘了有一位親眼看到他們的罪行，那就是上帝，猶大發現這個事實時，說：「上帝已經查出僕人的罪孽了」（創44：16）。上帝曾經給他們時間彌補錯誤，然後才動用壓力，結果這一班膽戰心驚的人，似乎也飽嘗「失去弟弟」這個記憶的折磨。罪惡感、焦躁、不安始終圍繞著他們，直到他們坦承過失並修復關係之後，這些感覺才算過去。
        當一個罪人站在上帝面前，可以做兩個選擇，其一是帶著你「秘密」之罪的焦慮，直到上帝將它們曝光：或是向上帝承認這罪，結果就能得到赦免與平安。因為基督代死，今天你可以按著步驟和弟兄或姐妹、牧師或鄰舍、配偶或室友做合宜的事，你願這麼做嗎？

默想

約瑟支派的結果如何？
        約瑟的兩個兒子瑪拿西和以法蓮日後被雅各「認養」(創48：5)，果然約瑟的後裔後來成了以色列中的兩個支派，這兩支派分別以兩個兒子的名字命名。

金言

人會遮掩罪惡，上帝卻不註銷罪惡。

上一篇      下一篇

English

Joseph's Egyptian Rule

Scriptures:

Genesis 41-44

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 43，44

Overview

        A difficult dream sent by God to Pharaoh jars the memory of the chief butler, and Joseph is promoted from prisoner to prime minister because of his God-given insight. The dream is a reliable forecast of the prosperity and famine in the years ahead. The worldwide famine prompts Jacob to send 10 sons to Egypt for grain, where Joseph, recognizing them immediately, proceeds to teach them a painful lesson. A series of confrontations builds up to the climax in chapter 44, where the brothers unknowingly fulfill the boyhood dreams of Joseph.

Chapter 41	Chapter 42	Chapter 43	Chapter 44
Joseph's Promotion	Jacob's Problem	Benjamin's Visit	Joseph's Vengeance
Faithfulness	Famine	Fear	Confession

Your Daily Walk

        There has yet to be a truly "secret sin." For years, Joseph's brothers had lived with their cunning deception of Jacob. The secret was so complete that Jacob probably blamed himself for the loss of his favorite son. And the other sons, though seeing the agony of soul experienced by their father, maintained their conspiracy of silence at his expense.
        But they overlooked one witness to their crime—God. As Judah discovered, "God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants" (44:16). God gave them time to set things right on their own. Then He applied pressure. The result was a band of frightened men who seemed to be haunted by the memory of their lost brother. Guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty were their constant companions until their wrong was set right through confession and restoration.
        As a sinner in the presence of God, you have two choices. You can carry the anxiety of your "secret" sins until God chooses to expose them. Or you can confess those sins to God and to those you've wronged, and as a result find forgiveness and peace. Because of Christ's death, you can take steps today to make things right with a brother or sister, pastor or neighbor, spouse or roommate. Will you do it?

Insight

Whatever Happened to the Tribe of Joseph? —
        Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were later "adopted" by Jacob (48:5). Consequently, the descendants of Joseph would later comprise two tribes of Israel, named respectively for his two sons.

Adage

Sins concealed by man are never canceled by God.

大光讀經日程1/14/2013 約瑟為奴與被囚

Chinese

1/14/2013

English

約瑟為奴與被囚

經文:

創世記37－40章

中心思想:

創世記37、39章

提要

        三十七章一開始，故事的重心就落在雅各的下一代約瑟身上，約瑟是一個愛作夢的人，雖然是父親最寵愛的兒子，但約瑟卻因自己的坦白遭到哥哥們的疏遠，因妒成恨，最後竟被哥哥們出賣為奴。約瑟被帶到埃及，繼續忍受不公平的待遇，首先是波提乏的妻子，接著是健忘的酒政。正當約瑟嚴拒敗德的試探，哥哥猶大卻深陷在這樣的罪惡之中，由此可見，在接下去的四百年間，正當他們生養眾多成為大國之際，需要某些外力，使這個蒙上帝揀選的家族與敗壞淫亂完全隔絕。

第37章	第38章	第39章	第40章
約瑟為奴	猶大之恥	約瑟的正直	約瑟入獄
雅各家族的生活		約瑟在法老監獄生活

每日與主同行

        「我知道和朋友同流合污是不對的，但我若不一起去，他們就會笑我！」
        約瑟對這話必有深刻的了解。他直接從正直不阿學到結果，如果他決定違背父親或向波提乏的太太屈服，就能免去許多的不愉快，他為了對他的信仰忠誠，付出極大的代價。
        但是忠誠也有得到補償的時候，請注意三十九章一再重覆的經文：「耶和華與他同在。」現在請你選擇你要做那一種人：一個被罪轄制，企圖編造約瑟失蹤原因的哥哥？或是企圖以毫無自制力的能耐排除困境的猶大？或是波提乏那個令人氣結的妻子？還是約瑟？他們中間只有一個擁有真正的自由。（那一個？）
        究竟在什麼地方妥協會使你受到信心動搖的威脅？求上帝給你勇氣，懷著慈愛與機智忠實的站在祂這一邊，然後在下一個機會裏，坦白的記下結果，讓認識你的人都知道你的信仰。

默想

服裝凸顯其人
        約瑟有名的「彩衣」可能是一件華美、長袖、及踝的外套，這樣的服飾表明穿它的人是一個最受寵的兒子，也可能表示雅各有意要立約瑟為家產的第一繼承人。

金言

最高貴的聖徒是從最嚴酷的痛苦中誕生的。

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English

Joseph's Enslavement

Scriptures:

Genesis 37-40

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 37,39

Overview

        Beginning with chapter 37, the narrative focuses on the next generation; Joseph, dreamer of dreams. Though the favorite son of his father, Jacob, Joseph alienates himself from his brothers by his fort brightness. Envy grows into hatred, until finally the'brothers sell him into slavery. Taken to Egypt, Joseph continues to suffer injustices, first at the hands of Potiphar's wife, and later from the forgetful chief butler. While Joseph is resisting the temptation of immorality, his brother Judah falls prey to the same sin. Clearly something is needed to insulate the chosen family from moral corruption for the next four centuries while it multiplies into a mighty nation.

Chapter 37	Chapter 38	Chapter 39	Chapter 40
Joseph's Slavery	Judah's Shame	Joseph's Integrity	Joseph's Imprisonment
Life in Jacob's Family		Life in Pharaoh's Dungeon

Your Daily Walk

        "I know some of the things I do to be accepted by my friends are wrong. But if I don't go along, they'll laugh at me!"
        Joseph could relate to that statement. He learned firsthand the consequences of doing what was right. He could have avoided much discomfort by deciding to disobey his father or give in to Mrs. Potiphar. Loyalty to his convictions carried a price tag.
        But faithfulness had its compensations too. Note the repeated expression in chapter 39: "The LORD was with Joseph." Now, which would you rather be: a guilt-ridden brother trying to explain Joseph's disappearance, Judah trying to untangle the mess created by his lack of restraint, Potiphar's frustrated wife, or Joseph? Only one of those individuals was truly free. (Which one?)
        Where is compromise threatening to dull the cutting edge of your faith? Ask God to give you the courage to stand true to Him with love and tact. Then take the next opportunity to set the record straight and make your convictions known to all parties involved.

Insight

Clothes Mark the Man —
        Joseph's famous "coat of many colors" was probably an ornamented, ankle-length coat with long sleeves. It identified the wearer as a favorite son and perhaps indicated Jacob's intent to make Joseph chief heir of the family fortune.

Adage

The best of saints have borne the worst of sufferings.

大光讀經日程1/13/2013雅各以掃之爭

1/13/2013

雅各以掃之爭

經文:

創世記32－36章

中心思想:

創世記32章

提要

        三十二章到三十六章中，陰謀家雅各蛻變為上帝的僕人。離開舅舅拉班之後，雅各對勢必將與疏離日久的哥哥以掃重逢，感到十分害怕，但在與以掃團圓之前，他必須先與上帝和好才行。在雅博渡口，他與耶和華的天使較力，雅各堅持要得到祝福才讓天使離去，天使向他保證，上帝永遠同在，並給他一個新名字－以色列（「與上帝較力」之意），從此雅各就成了跛子。經過一場激動的重逢之後，雅各回到了迦南，在那裏上帝重申對亞伯拉罕和以撒的應許－應許他子孫眾多，同時也要賜他們一個新的國家。

第32章	第33章	第34章	第35章	第36章
與上帝 相遇	與以掃 重逢	為底拿 復仇	重返 伯特利	細數 以掃後裔
雅各與上帝及兄長合好		雅各再奉獻自己

每日與主同行

        成為一個富有的基督徒，在上帝的旨意裏是否可能？
        這個問題一定會惹來亞伯拉罕或雅各一陣暗笑，因為這兩個人在他們的時代都是富甲一方的財主，尤其是雅各，很明顯的看出是個蒙上帝祝福的人，可以得到龐大的產業，三十二章十節就是他個人的見證：「你向僕人所施的一切慈愛和誠實，我一點也不配得，我先前只拿著我的杖過這約旦河，如今我卻成了兩隊了。」雅各第一次渡約且河的時候，所有的只是手裏的杖和背上的衣服而已，二十年後，卻領著兩隊人馬帶著上帝全部的祝福回來。
        看看上帝給你的一切，上帝使你成功順利，會下會是要你成為別人的祝福來回報祂呢？如果的確如此，誰是那個上帝帶到你生命中的「別人」呢？如果上帝要你想到某人，請把他的名字寫在本頁的空白處，願耶穌在使徒行傳二十章三十五節的話敦促你在今天就付諸行動吧！

默想

上帝使人成功的時候，注意！
        起先雅各一無所有，後來在二十年中積蓄那樣龐大的財富，以致於當他回迦南的時候，可以送給哥哥以掃五百八十頭牲口作為禮物，而且他的家庭預算絲毫不受影響。

金言

管家是一個一無所有，卻負責每一件事的人。

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English

Struggles of Jacob and Esau

Scriptures:

Genesis 32-36

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 32

Overview

        In chapters 32-36 Jacob the scVianer becomes Jacob the servant of God. After leaving his uncle Laban, Jacob fears the inevitable reunion with his estranged brother, Esau. But before he can be reconciled to Esau, he must first be reconciled to God. At the Jabbok River he wrestles with the angel of Jehovah, insisting on a blessing before he will release him. The angel assures him of God's continued presence, and leaves him with a new name (Israel, "God strives") and a permanent limp. After an emotional reunion with Esau, Jacob returns to Canaan, where God confirms His promises to Abraham and Isaac— promises of a large posterity and a new homeland.

Chapter 32	Chapter 33	Chapter 34	Chapter 35	Chapter 36
Meeting God	Meeting Esau	Avenging Dinah	Returning to Bethel	Recounting Esau's Line
Jacob's Reconciliation		Jacob's Rededication

Your Daily Walk

        Is it possible to be a rich Christian in the will of God?
        That question would have brought a chuckle from Abraham or Jacob. Both men were fabulously wealthy in their day. Jacob in particular shows how a person, blessed by God, can gain great amounts of earthly goods. His own personal testimony is found in 32:10: "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I become two bands [caravans]." When he first crossed the Jordan, all Jacob owned was the staff in his hand and the clothes on his back. Now, some 20 years later, it takes two companies of men to carry all of God's blessings back across.
        Reflect on the material possessions God has given you. Could it be that God has prospered you so that you in turn might be a blessing to others? And if so, who are the "others" God has brought into your life for that purpose? If God brings someone to mind, write that individual's name in the margin. Then let Jesus' own words in Acts 20:35 spur you to action today!

Insight

When God Prospers Someone, Look Out! —
        Beginning with nothing, Jacob amassed such wealth over 20 years that when he left for Canaan he could afford a gift of 580 animals to his brother. Esau, without straining the family budget!

Adage

A steward is one who owns nothing, yet is responsible for everything.

大光讀經日程 1/11/2013 雅各的繼承與夢想

Chinese

1/11/2013

English

雅各的繼承與夢想

經文:

創世記27－31章

中心思想:

創世記27，29

提要

        二十七章到三十一章描述的是族長時代的第三位主要人物：雅各（意為「欺騙」），他是一個名副其實的人！竊取原屬於孿生哥哥以掃的福分，顯示出他詭計多端的性格。藉著雅各，上帝的應許開始有更明確的實現──一比一百五十年前更多。雅各在哈蘭羈留的二十年間，為著一個妻子奮力工作，後來又多了三名妻子，育有十一個兒子和一個女兒，以及為數龐大的牲口和家僕－這是上帝要建立一個新的國家的開始。

第27章	第28章	第29、30章	第31章
雅各奪走祝福	雅各在伯特利得夢	雅各成家	雅各攜眷潛逃
離家出走		思鄉情切

每日與主同行

        你會發現一個事實：只要有一個雅各，必有一個拉班，因為每一個堅持己見行事，老想給上帝出主意的人，結果常常會痛苦不堪的撞上另一個與他旗鼓相當的陰謀家！
        在雅各的生命中，拉班成為教訓雅各的上帝之杖。不管他多麼頑固任性（創28：15），上帝確實要用雅各完成祂的計畫，但雅各卻無法免去二十年痛苦的煎熬，如果他在迦南就學會服事上帝，情況斷不會如此。
        你曾注意到「拉班原理」在你屬靈的生命中佔有一席之地嗎？上帝允許的打擊也許來自家人、同事或債主，但那都是操練，目標永遠一致：促使你的屬靈生命更成熟！
        現在很明確的描寫下次當你發覺自己跑在上帝前面的時候，你決定怎麼辦的一段話。這個決定多半在一個星期還沒有結束之前就派得上用場，放心的用吧！

默想

婚姻之誦或婚姻之毒？
        上帝制定一夫一妻制的智慧，在雅各家令人扼腕的婚姻裏得到明證，利亞和拉結在家中經常發生嫉妒、爭執和暗中較勁。為了提醒你對上帝所期許的家庭生活，請你再讀一次創世記二章二十三到二十四節，然後再翻到列王紀上十一章一到八節，就會發現還有一個「多妻、多悽」的人！

金言

禱告後的等候，通常是回答的一部分。

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English

Jacob's Birthright and Dream

Scriptures:

Genesis 27-31

Heart of the Passage:

Genesis 27，29

Overview

        Chapters 27-31 introduce the third major character of the patriarchal period: Jacob ("deceiver"), a man who truly lives up to his name! The theft of the family blessing intended for his twin brother, Esau, demonstrates his scheming character. But it is through Jacob that God's promises—made more than a century and a half earlier—begin to be fulfilled in greater degree. During a 20-year stay in Haran, Jacob works for one wife and gets three more in the bargain, fathers eleven sons and a daughter, and amasses huge quantities of livestock and servants—the nucleus from which God will fashion a new nation.

Chapter 27	Chapter 28	Chapters 29-30	Chapter 31
Jacob's Stolen Blessing	Jacob's Dream at Bethel	Jacob's Family	Jacob's Flight
Leaving Home		Longing for Home

Your Daily Walk

        For every Jacob, you'll usually find a Laban. For every individual who insists on doing things his own way, giving God a helping hand, there is often a painful head-on collision with someone who is at least his equal as a schemer.
        Laban became God's rod of discipline in Jacob's life. There's no doubt God was accomplishing His purpose with Jacob despite his stubbornness and conniving (28:15), but Jacob could have spared himself 20 years of grief if he had learned to wait on God in Canaan.
        Have you noticed "The Laban Principle" at work in your own spiritual life? God's stroke of discipline may be applied by a family member, a fellow employee, a creditor. But the goal is always the same: to help you develop spiritual maturity.
        Write out a one-paragraph description of exactly what you are going to do the next time you feel like rushing ahead of God. Chances are, before the week is out you'll need it... and use it!

Insight

Marital Bliss ... or Marital Blisters? —
        The wisdom of God's original one man/one woman blueprint for marriage is illustrated in the sad example of Jacob's household, where jealousy, bickering, and scheming between Leah and Rachel were regular occurrences. Refresh your memory of family life God's way by rereading Genesis 2:23-24. Then look up 1 Kings 11:1-8 to discover another man for whom multiple wives meant multiplied woes.

Adage

Waiting for an answer to prayer is often part of the answer.