The Appointment of Judges

This chapter focuses on how we can delegate our responsibilities to others so that they can grow and also a system is established. Moses’ father in law came to know about Lord’s work through Moses and after coming to know the greatness of Moses’ Lord a burnt offering was sacrificed to God by him (father in law). Thus, we witness that when God’s work is spoken off the ones who have not even experienced them also believe and rejoice and acknowledge the mightiness of God.

We are the generation where everything is changing and evolving every day. Believing in God however, has gone stagnant for us. Our faith, hopes, love and devotion however hasn’t evolved. We all live a godless life and such an existence is worthless. We all have a choice today to rejoice in our Lord and ask for his forgiveness. We need to dust off that Bible which we haven’t opened for a very long time and also need to prioritize our soul cleansing. We need to include daily scripture reading and prayers in our busy schedules. We need God and we need Him to guide us.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
9 Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the Egyptians.
10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh.
11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from the Egyptians, when they dealt arrogantly with them.”

Let’s Pray: Lord, Heavenly King, and our Savior, take away all our inhibitions and shortcomings. End our sinful existence and make us your beloved, obedient children. Make us your faithful and loving followers. Change our hearts from selfish, stubborn and unkindness to giving, peaceful, merciful and prayerful beings. In the most precious name of our Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen

Chapter 18: The Appointment of Judges
1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro took her back,
3 along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been an alien in a foreign land”),
4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”).
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came into the wilderness where Moses was encamped at the mountain of God, bringing Moses’ sons and wife to him.
6 He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, with your wife and her two sons.”
7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed down and kissed him; each asked after the other’s welfare, and they went into the tent.
8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had beset them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.
9 Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the Egyptians.
10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh.
11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from the Egyptians, when they dealt arrogantly with them.”
12 And Jethro, Moses’ fatherin- law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
13 The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening.
14 When Moses’ fatherin- law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”
15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
16 When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.
19 Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God;
20 teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do.
21 You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
23 If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.”
24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
25 Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
26 And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves.
27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went off to his own country.

 

God Gives the People Water

Again the people complained about their problem instead of praying. Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayers. We should make determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining because complaining only raises our level of stress. A prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” God defeats the Amalekites.
13 And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.
15 And Moses built an altar and called it, The LORD is my banner.

Let’s Pray: Lord, we believe in your mercies and care. You are all sovereign; please help us trust you in your timing. We try to get impatient and tend to take matters in our hands. We know that this is a weakness of ours, we are sorry. Holy Spirit please transforms this part of us. Help us to trust in you Lord and trust that your timing is best. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Chapter 17: God Gives the People Water
1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?”
3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?”
4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5 The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” God defeats the Amalekites
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
9 Moses sai to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and
Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set.
13 And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a reminder in a book and recite it in the hearing of Joshua: I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”
15 And Moses built an altar and called it, The LORD is my banner.
16 He said, “A hand upon the banner of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

 

God Renews His Promise to Israel

Small problems need only small answers. But when we face great problems, God has an opportunity to exercise his great power. As the Hebrew’s troubles grew steadily worse, God planned to intervene with his mighty power and perform great miracles to deliver them. How big are your problems? Big problems put you in a perfect position to watch God give big answers.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.”
2 God also spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the LORD.
3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The LORD’ I did not make myself known to them.
6 Say therefore to the Israelites, ‘I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
7 I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians.

Let’s Pray: Lord, through this chapter we have come to know that we need to focus on you rather on the results to be achieved, see beyond temporary setbacks and reversals. Also, that only those with persistent faith can obey when the task seems impossible. Almighty God we pray for our salvation and your mercy in our lives and the lives of all the people who seek you. Amen.

Chapter 6: God Renews His Promise to Israel

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.”
God repeats the call of Moses and the appointment of Aaron
2 God also spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the LORD.
3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The LORD’ I did not make myself known to them.
4 I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens.
5 I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians are holding as slaves,
and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Say therefore to the Israelites, ‘I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
7 I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.'”
9 Moses told this to the Israelites; but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and their cruel slavery.
10 Then the LORD spoke to Moses,
11 “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.” 12 But Moses spoke to the LORD, “The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?”
13 Thus the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them orders regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, charging them to free the Israelites from the land of Egypt.
The genealogy of Moses and Aaron
14 The following are the heads of their ancestral houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.
15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.
16 The following are the names of the sons of Levi according to their genealogies: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and the length of Levi’s life was one hundred thirty-seven years.
17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their families.
18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, and the length of Kohath’s life was one hundred thirty-three years.
19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their genealogies.
20 Amram married Jochebed his father’s sister and she bore him Aaron and Moses, and the length of Amram’s life was one hundred thirty-seven years.
21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.
22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23 Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
25 Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the ancestral houses of the Levites by their families.
26 It was this same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, company by company.”
27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, the same Moses and Aaron.
28 On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 he said to him, “I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I am speaking to you.” 30 But Moses said in the LORD’s presence, “Since I am a poor speaker, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

 

Joseph is Governor of Egypt

The faithfulness of Joseph affected his entire family. When he was in the pit and prison Joseph must have wondered about his future. Instead of despairing, he faithfully obeyed God and did what was right. Here we see one of the exciting results. We may not always see the effects of our faith but we can be sure that God will honor faithfulness.

Putting a hand under the thigh was a sign of making a promise just like our hand shaking today. Jacob has Joseph promise to bury him in his homeland. Few things were written in this culture, so person’s words then carried as much force as a written contract today. People today seem to find it easy to say, “I didn’t mean that.” God’s people however, are to speak the truth and live the truth. Let your words be as binding as a written contract.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
29 When the time of Israel’s death drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor with you, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal loyally and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt.
30 When I lie down with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.”
31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed.

Let’s Pray: In today’s world where speaking lies are easier and saves our skins, we the children of God forget the value of truth in God’s eye. It’s not just hard to be truthful to others; it is seemingly tiresome task to be truthful to ourselves. We pray to our Lord and refuge to let truth be our way of living and we are to honor every word and promise made to our Lord and others. Amen

Chapter 47: Joseph is Governor of Egypt

1 So Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; they are now in the land of Goshen.”
2 From among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh.
3 Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, as our ancestors were.”
4 They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to reside as aliens in the land; for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, we ask you, let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.”
5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you.
6 The land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land; let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know that there are capable men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”
7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob, and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the years of your life?”
9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my earthly sojourn are one hundred thirty; few and hard have been the years of my life. They do not compare with the years of the life of my ancestors during their long sojourn.”
10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.
11 Joseph settled his father and his brothers, and granted them a holding in the land of Egypt, in the best part of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had instructed.
12 And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their dependents.
13 Now there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine.
14 Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, in exchange for the grain that they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
15 When the money from the land of Egypt and from the land of Canaan was spent, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, “Give us food! Why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone.” 16 And Joseph answered, “Give me your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock, if your money is gone.”
17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph; and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the donkeys. That year he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock.
18 When that year was ended, they came to him the following year, and said to him, “We cannot hide from my lord that our money is all spent; and the herds of cattle are my lord’s. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands.
19 Shall we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food. We with our land will become slaves to Pharaoh; just give us seed, so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”
20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe upon them; and the land became Pharaoh’s.
21 As for the people, he made slaves of them from one end of Egypt to the other.
22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh, and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land.
23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh, here is seed for you; sow the land.
24 And at the harvests you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.”
25 They said, “You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be slaves to Pharaoh.”
26 So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. The land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh’s.
27 Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen; and they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly.
28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years.
Jacob’s preparations for death, including the adoption and blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh
29 When the time of Israel’s death drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor with you, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal loyally and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt.
30 When I lie down with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.”
31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed.

 

Judah Pleads for His Brother Benjamin

Jacob moved his whole family to Egypt, but they wanted to live apart from Egyptians. To ensure this Joseph told them to let Pharaoh know they were shepherds. Although Pharaoh may have been sympathetic to shepherds, Egyptian culture would not willingly accept shepherds among them. The strategy worked and Jacob’s family was able to benefit from Pharaoh’s generosity as well as Egyptian’s prejudice.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”
3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.

Let’s Pray: Today we pray specially for our departed. Lord, they have been your followers and believers. They have passed on their faith, belief and love for you to us and we now carry forward this love and belief. Help us see your love and blessings in our daily pursuits. Guide us and love us dear Lord. We also pray for those who have started to associate with us on daily basis. Lord, each one us are going through our life struggles; where we can’t cope- give us the strength to endure; where we can’t bear- provide us the understanding and where we falter- forgive us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

Chapter 46: Judah Pleads for his Brother Benjamin

1 When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”
3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.
4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.”
5 Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6 They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him,
7 his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.
8 Now these are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his offspring, who came to Egypt. Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn,
9 and the children of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
10 The children of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.
11 The children of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12 The children of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan); and the children of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
13 The children of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Jashub, and Shimron.
14 The children of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel
15 (these are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, together with his daughter Dinah; in all his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three).
16 The children of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
17 The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The children of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel
18 (these are the children of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and these she bore to Jacob — sixteen persons).
19 The children of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
20 To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
21 The children of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard 22 (these are the children of Rachel, who were born to Jacob — fourteen persons in all).
23 The children of Dan: Hashum.
24 The children of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem
25 (these are the children of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel, and these she bore to Jacob — seven persons in all).
26 All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own offspring, not including the wives of his sons, were sixty-six persons in all.
27 The children of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy. Jacob’s family settles in Egypt
28 Israel sent Judah ahead to Joseph to lead the way before him into Goshen. When they came to the land of Goshen,
29 Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet his father Israel in Goshen. He presented himself to him, fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
30 Israel said to Joseph, “I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive.”
31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
32 The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.’
33 When Pharaoh calls you, and says, ‘What is your occupation?’
34 you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our ancestors’ — in order that you may settle in the land of Goshen, because all shepherds are abhorrent to the Egyptians.”

 

The Family of Esau

God had blessed Esau’s household and Esau’s sons were too blessed. God had blessed Esau too with riches as Jacob.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
These are the descendants of Esau (that is, Edom).

Magdiel, and Iram; these are the clans of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of Edom), according to their settlements in the land that they held.

Let’s Pray: God blesses those who follow and obey him. We all falter many a times in our lives. We get angry and frustrated easily. We look down upon people and even indulge in gossiping. Our Christian life demands absolute submission to God. Our riches does not lie in this transient world but we have been promised eternity in heaven. Let us remove all the pretences, sinful living and materialistic pursuits from our daily lives. Now is the time to submit ourselves to God. Make prayers part of our daily lives and include God in all our pursuits. May the God almighty bless us all. Amen.

Chapter 36: The Family of Esau

1 These are the descendants of Esau (that is, Edom).
2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah son of Zibeon the Hivite,
3 and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau; Basemath bore Reuel;
5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his cattle, all his livestock, and all the property he had acquired in the land of Canaan; and he moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob.
7 For their possessions were too great for them to live together; the land where they were staying could not support them because of their livestock.
8 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom.
9 These are the descendants of Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, in the hill country of Seir.
10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Adah the wife of Esau; Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.
11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
12 (Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.) These were the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife.
13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Esau’s wife, Basemath.
14 These were the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah son of Zibeon: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
15 These are the clans of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the clans Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the clans of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah.
17 These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: the clans Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the clans of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.
18 These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: the clans Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the clans born of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. 19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their clans.
20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the clans of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom.
22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon.
25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.
26 These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
29 These are the clans of the Horites: the clans Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the clans of the Horites, clan by clan in the land of Seir.
31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites.
32 Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. 33 Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah succeeded him as king.
34 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35 Husham died, and Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king, the name of his city being Avith. 36 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah succeeded him as king. 37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates succeeded him as king.
38 Shaul died, and Baal-hanan son of Achbor succeeded him as king.
39 Baalhanan son of Achbor died, and Hadar succeeded him as king, the name of his city being Pau; his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-zahab.
40 These are the names of the clans of Esau, according to their families and their localities by their names: the clans Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
43 Magdiel, and Iram; these are the clans of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of Edom), according to their settlements in the land that they held.

 

Isaac is Born

Who could believe that Abraham would have a son at 100 years of age- and live to raise him to adulthood? But doing the impossible is everyday business for God. Our big problems won’t seem so impossible if we let God handle them.

Sarah cried out with surprise and joy at the birth of her son after repeated promises, a visit by two angels, and the appearance of Lord himself. Because of her fear, she had forfeited the peace she could have felt in God’s wonderful promise to her. The way to bring peace to a troubled heart is to focus on God’s promises. Trust him to do what he says.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.

As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.”

And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Let’s Pray: Lord, nothing is impossible for you. You can make the mountains move with just faith minutest as the mustard seed. We all are having problems in our lives and instead of surrendering them to you; we try to solve it in our own capacity. Thus, we fail Lord, help that we can see beyond our problems and believe in your decisions for us. Guide us and ever increase our faith. Amen

Chapter 21: Isaac is Born

1 The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised.
2 Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.
3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him.
4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
7 And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
8 The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.
10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.”
11 The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son.
12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you.
13 As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.”
14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes.
16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
18 Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.”
19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow.
21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Abraham’s dispute with Abimelech
22 At that time Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do;
23 now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien.”
24 And Abraham said, “I swear it.”
25 When Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.”
27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock.
29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?”
30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you shall accept from my hand, in order that you may be a witness for me that I dug this well.”
31 Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there both of them swore an oath.
32 When they had made a covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.
34 And Abraham resided as an alien many days in the land of the Philistines.

 

A Son is Promised

Abraham was eager to show hospitality to these three visitors. Meeting another’s need for food or shelter was and still is one of the most immediate and practical ways to obey God.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” the obvious answer is, “Of course not!” this question reveals much about God. Ask questions like these to God: Is this day in my life too hard for the Lord? Is this habit that I am trying to break from too hard for Him? Is this relationship problem that I am having is too hard fro Him? Asking the question in this way reminds you that God is personally involved in your life and nudges you to ask for His power to help you.

We see a lot of things in this chapter, such as:
Sarah lied because she was afraid of being discovered.
God let Abraham question His justice and intercede for a wicked city.
God gave the men of Sodom one last chance to repent.

Thus, the three things bring out the aspect of fear, love and forgiveness. We are afraid that our inner thoughts and emotions will be exposed. If God can’t be trusted with our innermost thoughts and fear, we are in great trouble than we first imagined. Abraham knew that God must punish sin, but he also knew from experience that God is merciful to sinners. God gave the people of Sodom a fair test.
God is still waiting, giving people the opportunity to turn to him. Those who are wise will turn to him before his patience wears out.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season and Sarah shall have a son.”

Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

Let’s Pray: We surrender our fears, shortcomings and every evil though to you Lord. Take them away, cleanse us, and provide us with pure thoughts, dedication, faith and a prayerful life O Lord. Amen

Chapter 18: A Son is Promised

1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.
2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground.
3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant.
4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.”
7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.
8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.”
10 Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”
13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”

Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah
16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way.
17 The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
18 seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
20 Then the LORD said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!
21 I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.”
22 So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
23 Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
26 And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.”
27 Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 Again he spoke to him, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.”
30 Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.”
31 He said, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
33 And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

 

The Sign of God’s Promise to Abraham

The Lord told Abram, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.” God has the same message for us today. We are to obey the Lord in every respect because he is God- that is reason enough. If you don’t think the benefits of obedience are worth it, consider who God is- the only one with the power and ability to meet your every need.
Also, God did not forget Ishmael. Although he was not to be Abraham’s heir, he would also be the father of a great nation. Regardless of your circumstances God has not forgotten you, obey and trust in his plan.

The verses that have touched our hearts while reading the chapter are as follows:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.”

God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.

Let’s Pray: Our faith pleases God and God credits our righteousness. Help us to be ever faithful to You O Lord. There is nothing impossible for you, thus we submit all our desires, wishes and wants in Your hands. We will wait patiently for your guidance and decisions for our life. Amen.

Chapter 17: The Sign of God’s Promise to Abraham

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.”
3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,
4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
8 And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.”
9 God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
11 You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
12 Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.
13 Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.
14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
15 God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”
18 And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!”
19 God said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and will make him a great nation.
21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.” 22 And when he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
23 Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all the slaves born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised;
27 and all the men of his house, slaves born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

 

Hagar and Ishmael

Here we witness that like Abram, Sarai had trouble believing God’s promise and she took matters in her own hands by giving Hagar to Abram. Out of this lack of faith came a series of problems. This invariably happens when we take over for God trying to make his promise come true through efforts that are not in line with his specific directions. In this case, time was greatest test of Abram and Sarai’s willingness to let God work in their lives. Sometimes we too must simply wait. When we ask God for something and have to wait, it is a temptation to take matters into our own hands and interfere with God’s plan.

The verse that has touched our hearts while reading the chapter is as follows:
So she named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?”

Let’s Pray: Lord my refuge, encourage us to serve You wholeheartedly. It stands true that we are to live for God and we are likely to be at the right place at the right time. Father, help us be patient and kind and loving. Amen.

Chapter 16: Hagar and Ishmael
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave-girl whose name was Hagar, 2 and Sarai said to Abram, “You see that the LORD has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my
-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
3 So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my slave-girl to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!”
6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her.
7 The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slavegirl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.”
9 The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.”
10 The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.”
11 And the angel of the LORD said to her, “Now you have conceived and shall bear a son; you shall call him Ishmael, for the LORD has given heed to your affliction.
12 He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”
13 So she named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?”
14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.
15 Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.