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Chapter 38 briefly steps away from Joseph to the sordid account of his brother Judah. Judah was a great-grandson of Abraham, the father of believers. But your family pedigree doesn’t save you. Each new generation needs to believe in the Savior for itself. But what a testament to God’s condescending love, that he would include Judah and Tamar in the Savior’s family tree. (Cf. Matthew 1:3)

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BibleGateway: Genesis 38 ESV Text: Genesis 38 KJV Text: Genesis 38:1-30 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 38:      1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned… 

Beginning with chapter 37, most of the rest of Genesis concerns Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph. It’s a sad chapter, warning us that sins of the heart, if not handled with repentance and God’s forgiveness, can explode into awful things, like murder. But as we read in coming chapters, God even causes great evil to work for the good of His people.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 37 ESV Text: Genesis 37 KJV Text: Genesis 37:1-36 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 37:      1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.… 

We might be tempted to gloss over chapter 36. It’s one of those long genealogy chapters in the Bible; and this family tree isn’t even one that relates directly to Jesus. Yet it’s a reminder that God cares for all peoples. Truly He wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 36 ESV Text: Genesis 36 KJV Text: Genesis 36:1-43 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 36:      1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. 2 Esau took his wives of the… 

Jacob calls upon his family to put away their foreign gods, and to purify themselves before the Lord. What gods might we need to put away from our hearts and lives? May God give us eyes to see our own personal idols. But may we also see God’s forgiving mercy, which tenderly calls us back to His side.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 35 ESV Text: Genesis 35 KJV Text: Genesis 35:1-29 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 35:      1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an… 

Scripture records the good, the bad, and the ugly, but often it’s a lot more of the bad and the ugly. The murderous deceit of Levi and Simeon shows the great evil of which humankind is capable. Lord, help us to see our own wretched sin, and daily flee to You for forgiveness.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 34 ESV Text: Genesis 34 KJV Text: Genesis 34:1-31 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 34:      1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters… 

Even after twenty years, Jacob can’t be sure that Esau is ready to let bygones be bygones. But Christian humility and kindness can go a long way in diffusing a potentially hostile situation. Then let’s not forget God’s mighty angels, whom He sends to watch over us every day. However, ultimately we put all our trust in God to guard and guide our way.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 33 ESV Text: Genesis 33 KJV Text: Genesis 33:1-20 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 33:      1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred… 

A wrestling match for the ages! Jacob goes head to head with God and comes out the winner! How so? The Lord loves it when we wrestle with Him in prayer. He’s always sure to let us win, which is to say He will answer our every prayer in a way that best serves our spiritual and eternal good. Take your Lord to the mat, dear Christian. You’ll win every time!

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BibleGateway: Genesis 32 ESV Text: Genesis 32 KJV Text: Genesis 32:1-32 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 32:      1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob… 

It’s time to escape the clutches of deceitful Uncle Laban. But Laban isn’t the only one hauling around spiritual baggage. Within Jacob’s own family there is a thief, and possible idol worshipper. Jacob and crew have enough baggage of their own. Let’s recognize our own baggage, bringing it to the cross, where Jesus carried the full weight of all our sins.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 31 ESV Text: Genesis 31 KJV Text: Genesis 31:1-55 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 31:      1 And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our… 

Despite a less than godly atmosphere in this growing family, the Lord, as He had promised, continues to be with Jacob and to bless him. But while Jacob’s flocks experience rapid growth, it’s obvious that his faith has much room for grow. But he’s not alone, is he? “Lord, increase our faith!”

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BibleGateway: Genesis 30 ESV Text: Genesis 30 KJV Text: Genesis 30:1-43 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 30:      1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto… 

It’s a dysfunctional family right from the start. In coming chapters Jacobs’ family will experience one self-created problem after another. Yet God has grace even for a family like this. “Lord, give our families the grace and wisdom to avoid the pitfalls of this family; but may You also supply the soothing balm of Your merciful Word to all our family flaws and shortcomings”

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BibleGateway: Genesis 29 ESV Text: Genesis 29 KJV Text: Genesis 29:1-35 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 29:      1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.…