2/26 Genesis 27 and Beyond

Brothers and Sisters,

Continue from last week, we are getting to the end of Isaac and the beginning of Jacob.

The story of Genesis 27 is hard to understand by any moral standard. The footnote of New American Bible gives a good explanation:
"What Jacob did in deceiving his father and thereby cheating Esau out of Isaac's deathbed blessing is condemned as blameworthy, not only by Hosea (Hosea 12:4) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:3), but also, indirectly, by the Yahwist narrator of the present story, who makes the reader sympathize with Esau as the innocent victim of a cruel plot, and shows that Jacob and his mother, the instigator of the plot, paid for it by a lifelong separation from each other. The story was told because it was part of the mystery of God's ways in salvation history--his use of weak, sinful men to achieve his own ultimate purpose."

The purpose of this passage is clear. God made good use of his people regardless who they are. Things are not possible for us are possible for God. The real justice is not done through any form of man made enforcement. Not judge but be judged through Christ our Lord.

Genesis 28 is well know bed time story for the kid. How God is protecting his people and guarding them during their sleep. In return, Jacob setup the memorial stone and made his vow. How many time we have been under God's wing and received thy projection? But how many time we have been done something in return even symbolically? Let's take a moment to look back how God had saved us in the past. May God have mercy on us and lead us to the right path.

in Christ,
Dan

2/19 - Genesis 創世紀 Chapter 25 and beyond

Dear Friends and Families,

How are you? Happy New Year. Wish everyone have a good time during the Chinese New Year.

Tonight (2/19 Friday) we are going to discuss Genesis 創世紀 Chapter 25 and beyond. Bettina is going to lead the discussion and prepare the snacks.

For the earlier reminder on next Friday (2/26), Sherry will lead.

See you all tonight.

God Bless us all.

2/12 - No meeting on this Friday. Happy New Year.

2/5 Genesis 23

Brothers and Sisters,

As we continue the journey on book of Genesis, we are getting close to the end of Abraham's life.

Chapter 23 describes the end of Sarah's life. And how Abraham arranged her burial. One important thing is Abraham bought the land from Hittites. It was the first land Abraham owned in Canaan. Since God had promised Abraham this land, Abraham was confident his descendants will return this place.

Chapter 24 describes how Abraham arranged the marriages for Issac. We can reason why Abraham prefer none-Canaanite due to Hebrew custom. But more important, Abraham wanted Issac's wife to be a woman who would help Issac to serve God.

In this chapter, we also learn how Abra hm's servants trusted in him and his God. For we are the servants of the Lord, this sets an example for us to follow. May we all be the faithful servants of the Lord our God.

in Christ,
Dan