Tag: blessings

The Study of Genesis: Post Nine

***Note – We have completed the book of Job. Now, as we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our ninth devotion in Genesis. Though we’re in Week 21 overall, we’ll be in Genesis for the next several weeks.

Focus: Genesis 22 – 24

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 22 – “God Tests the Heart”

Chapter 23 – “This is Home”

Chapter 24 – “I Will Go”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — “And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” Genesis 24:58

Genesis Chapter 22

“God Tests the Heart”

(Read Genesis Chapter 22 First) 

Genesis 22 opens by telling us that after Abraham had lived in the land of the Philistines for a long time, God decided to test him. God asked him to take his son, Isaac, whom he loved, and go to the land of Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering.

I had to remind myself what a burnt offering meant to God. It symbolized complete worship and devotion. The entire sacrifice was burned up and nothing was held back. It was also offered as atonement for sin, but most importantly, it showed that the worshiper belonged wholly to the Lord.

In other words, God was testing whether Abraham truly loved Him above everything, even the son he had waited so long for.

Abraham obeyed without hesitation. He got up early the next morning, gathered everything needed, and set out to do what God commanded. When he saw the place in the distance, he told the two young men traveling with him to stay behind while he and Isaac went on to worship.

That detail of the two young men made me curious. Why did he bring them? Maybe for help with the supplies or the journey, but then I thought it could have a deeper meaning…it shows Abraham’s faith. He told them, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you” (v. 5). Even before climbing the mountain, Abraham believed somehow that both he and Isaac would return. (Hebrews 11:19 later tells us that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead.)  After all, it was through Isaac that God had promised to bless and multiply Abraham’s seed, and Abraham had faith that God would keep His word.

Then came the part that always touches my heart. Isaac carried the wood for the offering, while Abraham carried the fire and the knife. As they climbed, Isaac asked, “Father, where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

And Abraham replied with one of the most beautiful foreshadowing lines in all of Scripture:

“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:8)

And He did. First for Abraham when he provided a ram caught in the thicket, and later for all of us, when He gave His Son Jesus, the Lamb of God, to die in our place.

When they reached the place, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, tied Isaac, and laid him upon it. Just as he raised the knife, the angel of the Lord called out from heaven, telling him not to harm the boy. Abraham had proven that he feared and trusted God fully.

This moment reveals so much about God and our relationship with Him. God doesn’t desire our pain; He desires our hearts. He wants to know that nothing, not even the dearest blessing, comes before Him.

It made me stop and ask: Is God truly first in my life? Do I love Him more than anything or anyone else? In any healthy relationship, you spend time together, talk, and get to know each other deeply. If we aren’t doing that with God, we can’t say He’s first.

Let’s look at some practical ways to put God first in our lives: 

1. Start your day with Him.

Before checking your phone or starting your to-do list, pause to pray and read the Bible. Just a few quiet moments with God can set the tone for your whole day.

2. Seek His will before making decisions.

Ask, “Lord, what would You have me do?” It keeps your heart aligned with His.

3. Tithe and give with trust.

Like Abraham offering his best, give to God first, not from what’s left. It reminds us that everything we have belongs to Him.

4. Obey even when it’s uncomfortable.

Sometimes putting God first means saying “yes” when it’s hard, or letting go of something we want.

5. Keep worship and prayer at the center.

Whether at church or in your kitchen, take time to worship.

6. Guard your heart and mind.

Be careful what you allow in. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on what is true, pure, lovely, and good.

7. Love others intentionally.

Show God’s love through kindness, patience, and forgiveness

8. Rest in Him.

Sometimes putting God first means slowing down, trusting that He’s in control even when you’re not doing it all.

9. Keep a thankful heart.

Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what God’s already done. Try ending each day with three things you’re thankful for.

10. Stay rooted in His Word.

The more we know Scripture, the more our choices align with His word. The Bible becomes our compass.

After Abraham’s test, he looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket. He offered it instead of Isaac and then the angel of the Lord spoke again, declaring that because Abraham obeyed and was willing to give up his only son, God would bless him and multiply his descendants.

Did you notice that? Willingness brings blessing.

Verse 18 says it beautifully:

“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

Abraham’s story reminds us that obedience and faith open the door to blessing and not just for us but for generations to come.

Reflection: 

Is there something God is asking you to surrender? Maybe it’s a dream you’ve been holding onto, or a plan for your life that’s taken first place in your heart. God doesn’t ask us to let go to hurt us. He does it to draw us closer, to remind us that He alone can take first place again.

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Genesis Chapter 23

“This is Home”

(Read Genesis Chapter 23 First) 

We come now to the death of Sarah. She was 127 years old when she died.

In verse 2, we read:

“And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba (the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan): and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.”

I’ve never noticed this before, but that phrase “Abraham came to mourn for Sarah” makes me wonder if they were living apart at the time of her death. The previous chapter ended with Abraham dwelling in Beersheba (Genesis 22:19), while Sarah died in Hebron. Scripture doesn’t tell us why, but it’s an interesting detail. They were a real husband and wife who had gone through trials, tests, and moves for decades.

Even in Abraham’s grief, he shows deep honor and faith. He rises up, speaks respectfully to the people of the land, and negotiates a permanent burial site for Sarah. The Hittites call him a “mighty prince” among them, showing how much his integrity and faith had earned their respect.

Abraham asks for the cave of Machpelah, owned by Ephron the son of Zohar. Though Ephron initially offers to give it as a gift, Abraham insists on paying full price which was four hundred shekels of silver. He doesn’t want to owe anyone or receive the land by favor. He wants it legally his.

That’s significant because this becomes the first recorded piece of land Abraham ever owned in Canaan… the very land God had promised to give him and his descendants. Even though he still lived as a foreigner, Abraham planted his faith right there in that field. By burying Sarah in Canaan, I think he was thinking..’This is home. This is the land God promised us.’ We will see later that Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were all buried here in the same cave as well.

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Genesis Chapter 24

“I Will Go”

(Read Genesis Chapter 24 First) 

Now Abraham was old, and the LORD had kept His promise to bless him. I love how verse one says, “The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.”

Abraham called his eldest servant, the one who ruled over all that he had, and asked him to put his hand under his thigh, which was how they made a serious oath in those days. This kind of vow was deeply personal and sacred. Abraham wanted his servant to swear that he would not take a wife for Isaac from among the Canaanites but instead go to Abraham’s homeland and find a wife from his kindred.

The servant asked a reasonable question: what if the woman would not be willing to come back? Should he then take Isaac back to Abraham’s country? But Abraham was adamant that Isaac should not go. The LORD had brought Abraham out of that land and promised Canaan to his descendants, so Isaac was to stay in the land of promise.

After they made the oath, the servant gathered his camels and men and set out for the city of Nahor. When he arrived, he stopped by a well at evening time, knowing the women would come to draw water. There, he prayed. I love that he didn’t rush ahead or rely on his own wisdom, but paused and sought the LORD’s help. He asked God to show kindness to his master Abraham and to give him success in his task.

He even asked specifically that the chosen girl would say, “Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also.” That would be the sign that God had appointed her. Before he even finished praying, Rebekah came to the well and said those very words. I love that God is so good at answering prayers before we’ve even finished speaking them?

Rebekah was beautiful, kind, and hardworking. She was also from Abraham’s own family line. After she finished watering his camels, the servant gave her a golden earring and two bracelets and asked if there was room for them to stay at her home. When she said yes, the servant bowed his head and worshipped the LORD.

I had to stop and think…How often do I move from one blessing to the next without pausing to bow my head and worship the LORD? His faithfulness deserves our daily gratitude.

Rebekah ran home to tell her family, and her brother Laban came out to greet the servant, calling him “thou blessed of the LORD.” I love their hospitality! They gave water for the camels, water for washing, and food for the men. Such a simple, generous welcome. It reminded me how meaningful it is to make our homes warm and ready for others. Also to be quick to offer comfort, food, or a listening ear. Hospitality doesn’t have to be fancy just full of love.

The servant told Rebekah’s family the whole story of how Abraham sent him, how he prayed, and how the LORD answered in such perfect detail. Laban and Bethuel responded, “The thing proceedeth from the LORD.” They recognized that this was God’s doing, and they agreed to let Rebekah go. Once again, the servant bowed down to the ground and worshipped the LORD.

He gave Rebekah gifts of gold, silver, and fine clothing and also gave precious things to her family. They all ate, drank, and rejoiced together. The next morning, when the servant asked to leave, Rebekah’s family wanted her to stay a few more days, and who could blame them? They must have loved her dearly. But they said, “Let us call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.” When Rebekah was asked if she would go, she said simply, “I will go.”

Before she left, her family blessed her with beautiful words:

“Be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.”

It’s the same blessing God gave Abraham in Genesis 22. I love that this was a sign that His covenant promises were unfolding right before their eyes.

As they traveled, Isaac went out into the field to meditate in the evening. When he looked up, he saw the camels coming. Rebekah lifted her eyes, saw Isaac, and quickly got down from her camel. When she learned it was him, she took her veil and covered herself. This tells us that she was modest and reverent. 

Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife, and he loved her. What a beautiful ending to this story of faith and obedience.

Reflections and Life Applications:

• Pray with purpose. Like Abraham’s servant, bring your specific requests to God. He cares about the details. 

• Pause to worship. Don’t rush past God’s blessings. Take time to bow  your head and thank Him. 

• Be ready to go when God calls. Rebekah’s willingness to say “I will go” challenges us to obey God quickly, even when the future is unknown.

• Practice hospitality. Open your heart and home to others. Small acts of kindness can reflect the heart of Christ in a powerful way.

• Prepare yourself for your Bridegroom. Rebekah’s story is a picture of the Church’s relationship with Christ. We are called to leave our old life, follow where He leads, and clothe ourselves in humility as we await His return.

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for giving Your Son Jesus, the Lamb of God, to die in our place. I’m so glad that You desire our hearts. We were reminded that You want to know that we put nothing before You. Help us to remember to apply the practical ways to put You first in our lives. Lord, we want to be willing to do what you want us to do. We know that willingness brings blessing. Bring to our minds things in our lives that we need to surrender. Help remind us not to rush ahead or rely on our own wisdom, but to pause and seek Your help. You are so good at answering prayers before we’ve even finished speaking them. Thank you so much for each and every blessing You’ve given me. Help us to be hospitable and make our homes warm and ready for others and be quick to offer comfort, food, a listening ear, and most of all…love.

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen