Thurs.’s Devo - Getting the Blessing

Read: Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10 Isaac reopened the wells that Abraham had dug plus he dug a new well of fresh water in the Gerar Valley. The Philistines argued that it was in their land. Isaac named the well Esek (argument) and moved on. He dug another which the Philistines argued over also. He named it Sitnah (hostility) and moved on and dug another. This time they didn’t argue over it and he named it Rehoboth (open space). Isaac moved to Beersheba where the Lord appeared to him and told him not to be afraid that the Lord would bless you. He said he would multiply his descendants and they would become a great nation. Isaac built an altar and worshiped the Lord. One day, Isaac got a visit from King Abimelech’s army commander and adviser. Isaac asked them why they had come since they had kicked him out of their land. They wanted to make a treaty with Isaac since he was becoming so big and powerful. They wanted to make sure he was on their side. Isaac prepared a feast to celebrate the covenant they were making. Then they parted ways. That very day, Isaac’s men told him they had dug a new well and named it Shibah meaning “oath”. Meanwhile, Esau married two Hittite wives that made life for Isaac and Rekekah miserable. When Isaac realized he was close to death he called for Esau to bless him. He asked that he kill some game and cook it. After he ate he would bless him. Rebekah heard it and told Jacob to go get two goats from the flock and she would cook the meal. She put animal skins on Jacob’s arms so he would feel like Esau then he sent him in to Isaac. Isaac recognized Jacob’s voice and three times Jacob had to lie to get his blessing. Isaac blessed him with many nations becoming his servants and all of his brothers bowing down to him. All who cursed him would be cursed and all who blessed him would be blessed. As soon as he had finished blessing Jacob, Esau returned from hunting. He prepared his meal and took it to his father, Isaac. Isaac shook when he realized what had happened. Esau begged his father for a blessing and finally Isaac told him that he would live away from the goodness of the earth and live by the sword. He would serve his brother but the he decided to break free he would shake his yoke from his neck. Esau hated Jacob so much he planned to kill him once Isaac died. Rebekah heard of his plan and sent Jacob away to Haran and his uncle Laban’s house. In Matthew, Jesus went back to his home town and was brought a paralyzed man. He told the man that his sins were forgiven and the teacher of religion were so upset. They called “blasphemy”. Jesus asked them which was easier to tell someone their sins were forgiven or to tell a paralyzed man to stand and walk. To prove that the Son of Man had the authority on earth to forgive sins he turned to the paralyzed man and told him to stand, pick up his mat and go home. He did. As Jesus was walking by a tax collector’s booth, he saw the tax collector, Matthew and told him to come and follow him. He did. Matthew invited Jesus and the disciples to his home as dinner guests along with his friends. Among them were other tax collectors and disreputable sinners. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with sinners. Jesus told them that healthy people didn’t need a doctor, sick people did. He came to show mercy and to call the sinners to righteousness. One of John the Baptist’s followers came and asked Jesus why his disciples didn’t fast like John’s did. Jesus told him that it was because they had the bride groom with them. One day he would be taken away and then they would fast. Then he gave him an example of mixing the Old Testament way with the New way. It wouldn’t mix. New wine that Jesus was bringing had to go into new hearts and a new system. Lord, give us new hearts for your new system. May we welcome the new and understand the authority you have given us to forgive and heal.