Standard Podcast [ 55 min 32 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (122)

Jesus Christ is the unique , only begotten Son of God / human – Divine, born of the Virgin Mary, who was not a perfect , sinless person, but rather was a chosen vessel to provide a body for the Savior.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Heb 10:5 When He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come — In the volume of the book it is written of Me —To do Your will, O God.’” NKJV

To understand who Jesus Christ of Nazareth really is and what He has accomplished for us , we must study : His Life, His Teachings, His Person, and His Work.

Jesus‘ birth and upbringing

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, Continue reading →

Standard Podcast [ 15 min 47 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (130)

An overview of the life of Jesus Christ

THEOPHANY [the AHF ih knee] — any direct, visual manifestation of the presence of God. The key word is visual, since God makes His presence and power known throughout the Bible in a variety of ways. But even in a theophany a person does not actually see God Himself. This is an impossibility, according to Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy 6:16; and 1 John 4:12. What a person sees are the effects of God’s unmediated presence.

Theophanies proper are limited to the Old Testament. They are most common in the books of Genesis and Exodus; but they also occur in the writings of the prophets, especially in connection with the calling of a prophet. The most frequent visible manifestation of God’s presence in the Old Testament is the “Angel of the Lord.” Other theophanies are the burning bush (Ex. 3:1–6), the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21–22), the cloud and fire of Sinai (Ex. 24:16–18), and the cloud of the glory of the Lord (Ex. 40:34–38).

Continue reading →

Standard Podcast [ 57 min 46 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (110)

Our relationship with the Lord has a long involved history. The first man Adam, had a perfect relationship with the Lord until sin entered the human race , which broke the relationship.

God began to restore the relationship by allowing Adam to approach Him with an animal sacrifice.

Gen 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. NIV

Continue reading →

Standard Podcast [ 43 min 41 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (106)

Jesus and Zacchaeus personal encounter

Luke 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore‑fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Continue reading →

Standard Podcast [ 54 min 26 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (114)

The Book of Ezekiel was written in Babylon during the 70 year captivity about 600 years before Christ.

The theme was for Ezekiel to rebuke Israel for their many sins and rebellion and for rejecting His written Word. Ezekiel’s call was directly from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave outstanding visions and dreams

Ezekiel saw visions of God Himself and angels and watchers. Many of Ezekiel’s revelation were acted out in pantomime form.

His prophesies fall into 4 general categories

Continue reading →

Standard Podcast [ 44 min 31 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (158)

Today we will look into the life of Mordecai the Jew. He was one of the people taken in the Babylonian captive . Jeremiah the prophet prophesied that Jerusalem would be destroyed and the people would be in captivity for 70 years. Daniel the prophet served Cyrus the king and Mordecai served Ahasuerus the son of Cyrus.

King Ahasuerus had 180 days of feasting in his capital city Shushan in honor and appreciation of his high officials which ruled 127 provinces . In those days Queen Vasti was on the throne.

Esther 1-4

After the feast for the high officials, Ahasuerus gave a feast for the common people.

Esther1: 5-8

In addition to feasts sponsored by the king , Queen Vashti gave a special feast just for the women.

Esther 1: 9

The King commands the Queen to display her beauty to his officials, but she refuses to do so.

Ester 1:10-12

The king and his high officials were offended. The Officials complained her conduct would upset the entire kingdom and husbands would loose respect in the family. In retaliation the king commands all wives to be in subjection to their husbands. He divorced Vashti and she was banned from his court.

Esther 1:16-24

The King puts on a national beauty contest and Esther, Modecai’s adopted daughter is chosen by the king and she becomes the new queen.

Esther2 1:20

Modecai providentially saves the King from being assassinated proving his loyalty to the king.

Esther 2:21-23

Haman, a high official in King Ahasuerus’ service was promoted to Prime minister. The King says other officials should bow to him but Mordecai believes it would violate the 10 commandments

so he refuses. This starts a hate vendetta between Mordecai and Haman.

Esther 3:1-5

Haman sees an opportunity to not only kill Mordecai but the entire Jewish race within the 127 provinces.

Esther3: 6-15

Haman plot is approved by the King. Mordecai goes into mourning and Esther learns of the plan to destroy all Jews.

Esther4:1-9

Esther takes her life in her hands to approach the king.

Esther 4:10-17

Esther devises a plan of deliverance to put before the King. The first part is to deceive Haman into thinking that he is now in a position of power and authority and respect with the King.

Esther 5: 1-12

Haman accepts advice from his wife to build a gallows with which to hang Mordecai.

Esther 5:13-14

Devine intervention causes Mordecai to be promoted and exalted for saving the King’s life. Haman is humiliated and his own wife predicts his death.

Esther 6 :1-14

Esther’s plan of deliverance is successful , the king accepts Esther’s plan and Haman is hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

Esther 7:1-10

King Ahasuerus makes a decree that the Jews may defend themselves and spoil their enemies.

Copies of the decree were sent to all 127 provinces in their own languages.

Esther 8:1- 17

The Jews were victorious over their enemies, the ten sons of Haman were hanged. Because of this deliverance the Jews commemorate this victory with the Feast of Purim, which means lots.

Ester 9:1-32

Mordecai was promoted to next in authority to the King and was greatly beloved of the Jews.

Esther 10: 1-3

Let’s consider the power of loyalty . Loyalty is of great price in the eyes of the Lord, it can save your life.

Isa 38:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord:’Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’”

2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said,”Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. 6 I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.”‘ NKJV

Jesus said that we will be loyal to the one we love.

Matt 6: 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. NLT

The Virtues of loyalty.

Prov 31:10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

NLT

How to be loyal to God and others.

Mic 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly,

To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? NKJV

Standard Podcast [ 44 min 58 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (167)

Today we will look into the life of a courageous young woman whose name is Ruth the Moabitess.

The journey begins with a famine in the Israel. Elimelech , Naomi, and their two sons leave Israel

to live in Moab.

Ruth 1:1-2

Over the process of the next ten years the sons married Moabite women. Sadly during this period the father and both sons died of unknown causes. This tragedy left three widow women, Naomi. Ophah, and Ruth. Naomi hears that the Lord has sent rain to the land of Israel, so she prepares to return to her husband’s inheritance of land near Bethlehem.

Ruth 1: 3-13

Ruth’s Consecration to the Lord

Ruth 1:14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother‑in‑law good‑bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. 15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister‑in‑law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. NLT

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem during the barley harvest.

Ruth 1:19-22

Ruth takes heed to Naomi and Boaz’ advise and gleans only with the women in Boaz’ fields.

Ruth 2; 1-23

Naomi’s plan for the kinsman redeemer to purchase her husband’s inheritance of land and marry her daughter-in-law Ruth.

Ruth 3: 1-18

Naomi’s plan was based on the law of Moses.

Deut 25:5 “If two brothers are living together on the same property and one of them dies without a son, his widow may not be married to anyone from outside the family. Instead, her husband’s brother should marry her and have intercourse with her to fulfill the duties of a brother‑in‑law. 6 The first son she bears to him will be considered the son of the dead brother, so that his name will not be forgotten in Israel.

7 “But if the man refuses to marry his brother’s widow, she must go to the town gate and say to the elders assembled there, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel—he refuses to fulfill the duties of a brother‑in‑law by marrying me.’ 8 The elders of the town will then summon him and talk with him. If he still refuses and says, ‘I don’t want to marry her,’ 9 the widow must walk over to him in the presence of the elders, pull his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. Then she must declare, ‘This is what happens to a man who refuses to provide his brother with children.’ 10 Ever afterward in Israel his family will be referred to as ‘the family of the man whose sandal was pulled off’! NLT

Boaz becomes the Kinsman Redeemer and marries Ruth and redeems the land. The Lord blesses Ruth and Boaz with a son named Obed. Naomi cares for the child which becomes the great grandfather of King David.

Ruth 4: 1-22

Why did Naomi encourage Ruth to stay in Moab rather than going with her to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and son?

First, Naomi was concerned for Ruth’s safety . Because Ruth was a Moabitess she might have faced a hostile reception in Israel.. The Moabites were related to the Patriarch Abraham through his nephew Lot , his brother’s son . The nation of Moab began by an incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. They seem to have departed from Jehovah worship into idolatry of fertility sex gods and goddesses. They also offered up children as human sacrifices to their god Moloch by passing them through the fire.

Second, Moabite women caused the Lord to kill thousands of Israelites when they came up out of Egypt

because of the advise of Balaam the prophet.

Num 25:1 While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. 2 These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. 3 In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the Lord’s anger to blaze against his people.

4 The Lord issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the Lord in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.”

5 So Moses ordered Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death the men under your authority who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

6 Just then one of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman into his tent, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people, as everyone was weeping at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest saw this, he jumped up and left the assembly. He took a spear 8 and rushed after the man into his tent. Phinehas thrust the spear all the way through the man’s body and into the woman’s stomach. So the plague against the Israelites was stopped, 9 but not before 24,000 people had died. NLT

Third, No dealings with Ammonites or Moabites for 10 generations.

Deut 23:3 “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the Lord. 4 These nations did not welcome you with food and water when you came out of Egypt. Instead, they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in distant Aram‑naharaim to curse you. 5 But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the Lord your God loves you. 6 As long as you live, you must never promote the welfare and prosperity of the Ammonites or Moabites.

7 “Do not detest the Edomites or the Egyptians, because the Edomites are your relatives and you lived as foreigners among the Egyptians. 8 The third generation of Edomites and Egyptians may enter the assembly of the Lord. NLT

Regardless of all the bad luck, trials, tribulations, and difficulties Ruth remained faithfull to the Lord. She was a person of integrity, and inner beauty . Her faith and obedience caused her to overcome. She is a perfect example of overcoming by what you believe in your heart and say with your mouth.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. NKJV

Standard Podcast [ 33 min 12 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (77)

In today’s world fatherhood has become distorted. Men who are heads of families, role models, and examples, many times fall far short of what God intended for fathers to be. Even in the church Priests , Pastors, and other members of the five-fold ministry have been weighted in the balance and found as child abusers and sexually perverse. Men in leadership positions in government who should exhibit moral excellence have failed miserably. We must go back to God’s Word for the true pattern for Fatherhood.

The Heavenly Father is the true pattern.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Heb 12:9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

The Heavenly Father is seeking for fathers who will follow His example.

Gen 18:17‑19 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,

18 “since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19 “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

Mal 2:15 But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

Fathers who will teach their children to follow the ways of the Lord , not just turn them over to the Children’s Church, or the Youth Pastor, but to accept their responsibility and be faithful with it.

Deut 11:18‑21 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

19 “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

20 “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

21 “that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

Being good in ministry is no excuse for being a poor father.

* The Lord first * The family second * The ministry third

1 Sam 2:22‑25 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.

24 “No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD’S people transgress.

25 “If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.

1 Sam 3:13 “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.

What makes a good father in the eyes of the Lord? A father is the priest over his household, he takes the spiritual lead.

Eph 5:23‑28 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Eph 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Fathers are to provide for the needs of their families .

1 Tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Fathers should provide a spiritual covering for their family. Don’t just send your family to church , bring them. Fathers are spiritual gatekeepers over their families.

Acts 16:30‑34 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Good fathers are always willing to forgive and restore prodigal sons and daughters.

Luke 15:11‑24 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.

12 “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

13 “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

14 “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

15 “Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 “And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

23 ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

24 ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Standard Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (81)

The Life of Joseph is a good example of how relationships can be very painful, dangerous, satisfying, rewarding, surprising, sometimes even prophetic.

Joseph is one of the youngest sons of Jacob his father. Joseph was a favorite son because he was born when Jacob was old. Gen 37:1-3

His bothers hated him because his father loved him more than the others, and because of his prophetic dreams concerning his family. Gen 37:4-11

Joseph was sent to find his bothers by his father. When they saw him coming they plotted first to kill him but later sold him to Ishmeelite traders going down to Egypt. Gen 37 18 -28

Jacob’s sons deceive their father with a composed lie saying he was killed by a wild animal. Gen 37: 29- 35

Joseph is sold to Potiphar captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Gen 37: 36

Once Joseph was sold to Potiphar , the Lord began to prosper him. The Egyptian put everything under his authority. Gen 39:1-6

Joseph might be about 20 years old at this time. Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph but he rejects her. She tries again but Joseph got away by running out of the house, but she kept his outer garment. Gen 39:7-13

Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of attempted rape . Joseph is thrown into prison but God was with him. Gen 39:14-23

Joseph spent some time in prison and while he was there he gave the interpretation of dreams for the king’s butler and baker. Gen 40

Joseph was called on while he was in prison, to give the interpretation of a dream for Pharaoh.

Pharaoh’s dream was prophetic , it reveal 7 years of plenty which would be followed by 7 years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him Prime Minister of Egypt second only to Pharaoh. Joseph is given a wife and two sons are born to them.

Gen 41

Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food because the famine was severe. When Joseph saw his bothers he accused them of being spies. Joseph used a series of deceptions to hide his identity from his brothers, he also spoke to them through an interpreter. Joseph put his brothers in jail for three days and kept one brother jailed as a guarantee that they would bring back the youngest brother to prove that they were not spies. Their father Jacob was very hurt because of the tragedy in Egypt and horrified of sending his youngest son back to prove they were not spies. Gen 42

Jacob’s sons return to Egypt to buy more food and they take with them their youngest brother. Joseph tricks them by giving their money back to them and then hiding a silver cup in their sacks of grain. The brothers are finally forced to confess their sins against Joseph and Ruben the oldest accepts blame for all of them. In the end Joseph reveals himself to them and they are reconciled. Jacob is invited to bring the entire family to Egypt. Gen 43

Let us look at the relationship issues that Joseph had to deal with.

First, he was hated and despised by his brothers and resented because of his relation with the Lord by dreams and visions. He was tempted to hold a grudge against them but he overcame it.

Rom 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. NLT

Heb 10:30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge.I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NLT

Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph to have sex with her.

Gen 39:9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. NIV

Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape.

Gen 39:13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. NIV

These are the principles that Joseph lived by.

Heb 2:18 Because he himself { Jesus Christ} suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. NIV

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, NIV

2 Peter 2:9 the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, NIV

Standard Podcast [ 46 min 10 s ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (79)

Covenant people have relationship issues just like anyone else. Abraham and Sarah and Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac . Isaac and Rebecca , Jacob and Esau. Today we will look at Isaac and Rebecca and their twin boys Jacob and Esau.

First , Rebecca favored Jacob and Isaac favored Esau. Gen 25: 23 -28

Esau was a skilled hunter but Jacob was shepherd. Gen 25: 27-28

Jacob was a man that valued the family covenant with the Lord but Esau was not inclined toward spiritual things. Esau came in from the field after hunting and was very hungry. Jacob was cooking a stew and Esau sold the birth- right of the first born for a bowl of stew.

Gen 25: 29-34 , Heb 12 :16 

Years had passed and Isaac was old and ready to die. Isaac called in Esau his first-born and told him to kill his favorite game and prepare him a meal so that he could bless him before he died. Rebecca over heard the conversation and devised a plan to deceive her husband so that Jacob would receive the double portion of the inheritance.

Gen 27: 1

Esau hated Jacob because he had cheated him twice. And waited for his father’s death and then he planned to kill Jacob. His mother learned of his plan and helped Jacob escape to his uncle Laban who lived in Haran.

Gen 27: 43-46

Scholars believe that Rebecca turned on Esau because he married Canaaniite women who were idolaters.

Gen27:46 & 28:1-2

Esau saw that Isaac & Rebecca blessed Jacob for taking a wife from among their family of believers and so He took wives from his uncle Ishmael’s family.

Gen 28: 6-9

Jacob set out for Haran and spent the night at a place called Bethel, where he dreamed of seeing angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder from earth to heaven.. There he made a vow to serve the Lord and to pay tithes unto Him provide God would keep the covenant promises He made to Abraham and Isaac.

Gen 28 : 10-22

Upon arriving at Haran Jacob married his cousin Rachel and her sister Leah working 7 years for each one. His uncle Laban deceived him concerning his wives and changed his wages 10 times.

But after 20 years of hard labor Jacob left with his wives and children because the angel of the Lord spoke to him in a dream to return to the land of Cannan.

Gen 29-31

Laban chases Jacob’s family and has a confrontation with him , however God intervenes for Jacob and rebukes Laban.

Gen 31

Jacob finally makes a peace treaty between their families and has a celebration with Laban .

Gen 31

Facing his offended brother which he cheated twice ,once for the birth of the first born. And second for the double portion of the inheritance. Jacob divides his family into two camps for safety. Then Jacob prays for protection and mercy. That night Jacob literally wrestled with the angel of the Lord and gained a blessing and favor in the eyes of his brother Esau.

Gen 32

Jacob meets Esau face to face along with 400 armed men. Jacob confesses his sins of deceiving his brother and makes a token gift of livestock in appreciation of his forgiveness and reconciliation.

Gen 33

We see a generational curse working in his family which started with Abraham and Sarah,, which came down to Isaac and Rebecca, and then to Jacob. The sin of deception caused Abraham and Sarah problems with the king, the same with Isaac and Rebecca. Jacob conspired with his mother to deceive his brother Esau .

To delude or misled on purpose: Deceit, deception

Examples:

Eve and Satan

Gen 3:13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” NLT

Annias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”

“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”

9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”

10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened. NLT