Jan 26th

Genesis 27     Esther 3     Matthew 26     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Genesis 27

Isaac is on his death bed and asks to see his elder son Esau. Esau and his younger brother Jacob have had a turbulent relationship since before birth (25 v 22). Whilst Isaac favours Esau, his wife Rebekah favours Jacob.

The Lord predicts to Rebekah that Jacob will serve Esau (25 v23) the reverse of the usual family order in OT times. This prophecy is partly fulfilled when Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.(25 v33) As Rebekah favours Jacob, she takes advantage of Isaac’s diminished sight, disguising Jacob as Esau. Isaac blesses Jacob before Esau (27v 29)  - a blessing that takes full legal weight.

Although this situation may seem unfair to us, as Jacob tricked Esau out of his inheritance, it happened to fulfil the Lord’s prophesy. God had chosen Jacob over Esau to continue the line of inheritance and he used Rebekah’s favouritism to enable this.

Response

Are there any situations in your life at the moment where you are struggling to understand God’s purpose? Pray God will reveal his will in these situations. Alternatively, do you believe that God has a particular mission for you but you are finding it hard to work out how it will be fulfilled? Pray that God will guide you there.

(Member of a homegroup)

Jan 25th

Genesis 26     Esther 2     Matthew 25     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Esther 2

‘.....and Esther won the favour of anyone who saw her’   v 15

Esther was a Jew in exile in Persia. The Jews were hated by some including a very powerful man, the second ranked man in the empire. He intended and was planning genocide of the Jews.

Nothing but divine intervention could prevent this. Esther was the agent chosen by God. Her inner beauty won the love and respect of all she met.

She has faith in God’s hand in her life.  This is shown by her not fighting a very difficult and worrying experience.   By her presence and who she is, she wins over the people, enabling God’s work to be done through her. They are changed from despised, subjugated people to triumphant people.

We do not read a detailed analysis of Esther’s character.  There are, however, clues or indications. She is told she can have anything and yet asks for nothing. This tells us she has no greed. Esther is chosen above all other women; possibly thousands who are all beautiful. There was something unique about her. We know she was of God’s people, the Jews.  There seemed a purity about her.

Pray

Lord we pray you would use us as you did with Esther, to be agents of your will.

(Member of a homegroup)