Lessons from Genesis 25-26

Was studying the scriptures from Genesis 25-26 with my cell group at Shalom Church last sunday. As with all bible-in-1-year schedule, we are currently on the book of Genesis. Being back in sushi-land only a few days, my Japanese was rusty and I wasn`t really concentrating on the sharing. After all, we all know the story of Abraham and Sarah and how they got a kid because they trusted in God right?

Wrong.

God is gracious. He opened my mind with new revelations as shared by my cell mates.

1) Turn to God. First thing.

Gen 25:22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.

Whenever we feel pain or confused, we tend to run to humans first. I know i am guilty of this. But this scripture reminds us that we ought to turn to God, for He is the one who can explain the mystery to us! Godly counsel is good as well, but we should always ask God first, before turning to our leaders or church friends for advice.

2) Cling on to your birthright: You are a child of God, armed with authority! Remember that!

Gen 25:31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."
32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"
33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

I have read this passage many times and I always thought that Esau was foolish to give up his birthright so easily for something as trivial as food!

But during the sharing, we were asked this question: `Are we like Esau? Do we give up our birthright (children of God), choosing instead to indulge in worldly desires?`

It struck me at that moment that there were times when I acted like Esau, eager for instant gratification (food in his case) and choosing to abandon his birthright that was so precious.

It seems much easier to point at Esau and laugh at him when actually there are many opportunities when we ourselves are tested.

But God left us with His amazing grace. The forgiveness whenever we come back to the cross and repent. So, remember! All is not lost because our hope and strength is in God whose mercies never fail! Amen!

3) The Abrahamic promise

Gen 26:3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws."

God kept repeating His promise to Abraham in Genesis, which is such a great encouragment to me. This Abrahamic promise is also FCBC`s vision: as we seek Him and do His will, He is faithful and will release His blessings on us and let us multiply over the nations on earth. Amen to this!