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“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33

Today’s Bible Reading

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.… 

Heaven is opened wide to sinners through faith in Christ Jesus our Savior. Knowing Christ by faith, also means we have the Lord’s promise that He will be with us and will bless us throughout our earthly pilgrimage, even during our loneliest of times.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 28 ESV Text: Genesis 28 KJV Text: Genesis 28:1-22 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 28:      1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not… 

The family’s dysfunction boils over when Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac. They seem to be successful. But it all blows up in their faces when Esau has murder on his mind, forcing Jacob to run for his life. Yet God’s grace is still at work as we shall see in the next chapter.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 27 ESV Text: Genesis 27 KJV Text: Genesis 27:1-46 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 27:      1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that… 

Rebekah prays about the struggle going on within her womb. The LORD tells her that she is carrying two nations, and that the older son will serve the younger. We soon see that this is a family with problems. But God loves families with problems as much as any family.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 26 ESV Text: Genesis 26 KJV Text: Genesis 26:1-35 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 26:      1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days…