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Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 37-40

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve studied about the reunion of Esau and Jacob and how this was a lesson on handling conflict. We face conflict every day. Maybe it is the driver who is in a hurry and cuts you off trying to get advantage in traffic. Maybe it is the fellow employee who is aggressively trying to beat you out of the promotion. Maybe it is a spouse who left this morning in anger after a disagreement.

It takes humility and kindness to resolve conflict. We all face situations at work or home in which our impulse is to react with anger but it is always best to let God have input into the best course of action. He helps plan the right things for our day and our days run much smoother when we go to Him for direction.

Jacob was influenced by others who were going down the wrong path. He went through years of struggle; working for his father-in-law who was not a believer and forcing Jacob to work as a servant for seven years before he could marry his daughter. Then being tricked by his father-in-law who gave a different daughter to him in marriage. Jacob gained wealth through God’s providence but this wealth made his brother-in-laws jealous.

Then things changed for Jacob when he was directed by God to go down the right path. In our lives today, the same can happen for us. Remember, God’s promises will be fulfilled because our Father can make the impossible possible. The world wants to tell us that God is not real but the ONE who created it all can change and restore a life through Christ; changing anybody, anytime, and anywhere.

A disciplined life with attitudes or actions that honor and praise God leads to a bright future so pray for discipline in obeying His way because He cares about our future even more than we do. He understands our needs but it is up to us to have the discipline to follow His way so that our needs are met.

The actions of today can have long-term, far-reaching implications in our living for the future. Regular Bible study and application of our faith do effect our future in a positive way. The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The below questions for reflection for the upcoming study are laid out below to help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

Genesis 37
How is Joseph tactless in his relations with people? What are the problems of Jacob’s other sons? To what extent are you responsible for the effect in your life of other people’s sins against you? In what ways is Jacob at fault in the whole situation?

Genesis 38
What kind of man was Judah? What kind of person is usually severest in his treatment of a sinner? How is Tamar more righteous than Judah?

Genesis 39
What kind of man is Joseph becoming? In what areas of his life is God with him? What do you do when you are wrongly accused of something? The Lord was with Joseph so that there was success in everything he was in charge of. How can we do likewise?

Genesis 40
How does Joseph make use of his circumstances? How does Joseph act towards those who do not know God? How is Joseph an example for us today?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
Image Source

Posted in Genesis, Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Conflict, Discipline, Genesis, God, Humanity, Jacob, Jesus, Kindness, Lesson, Life, Reflection, Spiritual Growth | 1 Comment

Connecting the Power of God to His People

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Mark Shields

As writers about faith, we have the opportunity to offer words of encouragement. We can be the link that connects the power of God to His people. This poem has these thoughts in mind: Just Being a Friend.

Posted in Genesis, Poems | Tagged Encouragement, Faith, Friend, God, poem | 1 Comment

Commitment to Spiritual Growth

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Mark Shields

The actions of today can have long-term, far-reaching implications in our living for the future. Below are a few actions we can take that effect our future in a positive way:

Be decisive and accept Christ as Savior
Stay focused on His ways
Write out plans or a road map for spiritual growth
Take the steps needed to get to where you want to go
Take a look at the roadmap of your journey to measure how you are doing and where you are at
Involve others who will hold you accountable and help you maintain integrity
Learn from mistakes that get you off track
Take corrective action that will get you back on track when needed
Make it interesting, fun, and rewarding as you reach the destination

Here is an inspirational video as we seek to be committed to spiritual growth: Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsongs.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3

Index of devotionals

Posted in Discipline, Genesis, Music | Tagged Accountability, Christ, Discipline, Family, Generations, God, Inspiration, Life, Lord, Music, Plans, Savior, Spiritual Growth, Video | Leave a comment

Actions of the Present Have Implications for the Future

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Mark Shields

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Recorded in Genesis 36 are the descendants of Esau who settled further east from the household of Jacob. Both Jacob and Esau were wealthy with livestock and other possessions so the families could not live in the same area because their livestock needed pasture land to graze.

Jacob who later was named Israel was the progenitor of the Israelites. The household of Jacob was led towards following the ways of God. They were not perfect but did admit their wrongdoing and tried to get right with God. They acquired many possessions even through the seven-year famine.

Esau was also known as Edom, the progenitor of the Edomites who established the land in the hill country south of the Israelites. They became the enemy nation of Israel. Many say that the Edomites participated in the destruction of the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. There is no mention that the household of Esau put God in high regard.

The actions of our present can have long-term, far-reaching implications in our living for the future. A picture of this can be found when comparing the lives of Esau and Jacob. Those that realize their wrongdoings and try to correct their attitudes or actions end up being blessed in the long-term. Wrong living by one family member can result in the household going through present and future struggles.

Bitterness and Jealousy can wreck a family not only in the current generation but for future generations. A disciplined life with attitudes or actions that honor and praise God leads to a bright future. Lord, we pray for discipline in obeying Your way because we know that You care about our future even more than we do. Lord, You understand our needs and we ask for the discipline needed in following Your way. Amen!

Posted in Discipline, Genesis | Tagged Discipline, Edomites, Esau, Family, Generations, God, Israelites, Jacob | 2 Comments

Make sure the Path is Clear

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Mark Shields

From the first encounter with God at Bethel to the second encounter, Jacob got off the path and those around him had gotten off the path. Sometimes along our journey, we can lose our focus on God because of His rivals, idols that take our attention away from Him like cars, houses, and other material things.

Jacob and his family had gotten off the path but after the second encounter with God at Bethel, he made a stand and decided to bury the idols that his family had accumulated. This allowed him to make a stand for the ONE and only God that had helped him through the crisis.

At this point along the journey, he surrendered it all and built an altar to the ONE who gives all much like what this video is about: The Stand – Hillsong.