Day 024- The Bible Recap

Jacob's relationship with God became more evident as he obeyed when He asked Jacob to go to Bethel and make an altar (replacing the pagan pillar he placed there earlier in 28:22). Jacob acknowledged it was God who went with him wherever he went and helped him in times of distress. Jacob told his household to get rid of all the idols and purify themselves. 35:2-4 God faithfully continued to protect them. 35:5

God's promises to Abraham continued through Jacob. 35:9-12 Tara Leigh gave several possible explanations for Jacob being renamed again. The one that really had an impact on me was: Jacob was the old man (who looked to himself), but Israel was the new man (who looked to God).

Rachel tragically died in childbirth and Isaac also passed away at the age of 180 years.  

Chapter 36 is one of those chapters I recommend listening to so you don't get caught up in trying to pronounce all the names.  That helped me tremendously to focus as I was listening. 36:2 stood out to me because both Abraham and Issac warned of marrying Canaanite women. I love how in her podcast Tara Leigh stressed the significance of genealogies and reading every word. She brought up that they are packed with timelines, bloodlines and even foreshadowing. God included them for a reason, and it wasn't to be skipped over.

While I certainly don't condone their response or actions, you can understand how the animosity would arise between Joseph and his brothers. His father gave Joseph exclusive gifts and Joseph was telling his brothers they are bowing down to him in his dreams. But then the jealousy turned to hatred and the hatred to a murder plot. Reuben stepped in and spared Jospeh's life and instead he was sold to Potiphar. And now we get to see the Lord orchestrate His plan!

And one last thing I thought it was very interesting how Tara Leigh brought up that Jacob was fooled by animal fur and blood just like he fooled his father Isaac with animal fur and a slaughter of an animal.

~Ann Mays