CCI Opelika One Year Bible Reading 2010

1.12.10

Genesis 26:17-27:46

27³³ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”

John – It is interesting that even though there was deception involved, the blessing is irrevocable. God blessing are based on His attributes and His will not our actions alone.

Matthew 9:1-17

9¹⁰ Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

John – Jesus chose to spend time with those people that the religious leaders of the time would not, today we still have the same option, spend time with only those like us or reach out to the hurting. One someone who has their own basic needs (spiritually) met reaches out to others.

Psalm 10:16-18

Proverbs 3:9-10

3⁹ Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

John – Brother E told me the other day, “the most failed of all test is the test of giving” When someone is trying to decide whether to give or not there is always TONS of questions. When they with an open heart ask what the Lord what to do, ,there is no more confusion it is clear, all they have left to do is obey what He says.

HOPE HERE: JANUARY 12, 2010

On Genesis 26:17-25 - THERE IS A LOT OF WELL DIGGIN' GOIN' ON HERE!
- I'm not sure what all is here for me in this but I was very intrigued by two things: the order of events of Isaac looking for wells and his dialogue and history with King Abimilech of Gerar. I'm still sorting it out but would like to note:
The Order of Events: - King Abimilech sends Isaac away because he is too prosperous and the King's servants kept stopping up Isaac's wells. - Isaac keeps looking for wells (life source) and there is dispute and hostility each time he finds a fresh well - Isaac keeps looking and finally finds a well that is open and without strife -

Yet, Isaac keeps looking and moves to Beersheba (Did he not find what he was looking for in the physical life source of the well?) (Why did he move again if he had actually found what he was looking for?) -

THEN, God appears to him at Beersheba and gives him a blessing and a promise - Isaac then built an altar and worshipped the Lord - Then, he pitches his tent and digs another well. - hmmmm?
THEN: - King Abimilech (supposed enemy) comes to make a covenant of peace with Isaac - The day the king left after a big covenant banquet party, Isaac's servants found ANOTHER well at the place he built an altar and worshipped the Lord. hmmmm?

As to the Dialogue with King Abimilech: Genesis 26:26-29
Isaac: - "You obviously hate me since you kicked me off your land."

Abimilech - "We can see plainly that the Lord is with you ... We have always treated you well, and we sent you away in peace. And now look @ how the Lord has blessed you!"

HOPE'S OBSERVATION: Jacob appears to be wrong about how Abimelech felt about him. Abimelech was smart to make a treaty and probably smart for sending him away but I don't think he ever HATED Isaac. Isaac couldn't see that it was all a part of God's plan for him to leave Gerar. He could only see that he was "hated" by Abimilech. In Abimelech's history with Isaac and his father Abraham, the king always showed wisdom and favor and justice toward them.

ONE MORE THING FROM HOPE:
Genesis 27:40 - . . . But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.
Isaac was talking with Esau here giving him the only blessing he could find to give him after Jacob stole his true blessing as first born son.
HOW DID ESAU FINALLY "BREAK FREE"?
I think it was when he forgave Jacob. There is no scripture that says he actually forgave Jacob but his actions show it later when he meets with Jacob after MANY years apart. Esau went from hating Jacob and planning to kill him even consoling himself with plots of revenge ... TO ... Gen 33:4 running to meet him, embracing him, falling on his neck, kissing him, crying with him, and being pleased with Jacob and asking for his favor.