Daily Power-up: Genesis 27:13-15, Genesis 27:25-27a
Genesis 27:13-15:
13 But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” 14 And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
Genesis 27:25-27a:
25 He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, so that my soul may bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.” 27 And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him
Personal Reflection: Rebekah
On the eve of Meadow Hays's 9th birthday, it feels appropriate to team-write this devotional with her. Meadow and I come to you with our thoughts on Rebekah as a mother.
Meadow: "I think Rebekah was kind of bad because she didn't love the other son, Esau, as much as her son, Jacob. She overheard Isaac asking for food from Esau so he could give him his birthright and she told Jacob instead. I think that was very mean, actually. I think it was mean, because she didn't love Esau and a mother is supposed to love both of her children the same. I think maybe she loved Jacob because he was in the kitchen with her more and helped her more than Esau did."
Megan: "I Love You the Purplest" is a children's book about how a mother loves her children equal, but differently. As a mother, I love my children equal, but differently. Where my daughter read this as a mother who did not love her son, I read this as a mother who may have seen different strengths in her children. Perhaps, it was God's will that Jacob was destined for this birthright and the future implications that accompanied this birthright. At first glance, it is easy to rebuke Rebekah as a "bad mama", but maybe we're only hearing one side of the story. Maybe her influence shaped the future of generations? Perhaps this mother's love was The Purplest, different for each child, but equal in strength? Or best yet, perhaps God had a GREAT plan for BOTH of Rebekah's children, as He does for mine.
Meadow and Megan Hays
Meadow Hays was 8 years old when this devotion was written, but is now 9 years old, as her birthday is 5/21. Meadow hums or sings sweet little songs every second that words are not coming out of her mouth. She is a constant fireball of spunk and tenacity. To know her is to love her.
Megan Hays is a mother of three awesome kids and currently counting the days till working from home full-time and teaching e-learning to her three kids (and an extra) will end. It's 11. 11 days and this crazy period of our lives will temporarily come to an end. She requests daily prayers for her sanity and that mama-mean voice is only used sparingly.
Bible in a Year: Psalms 95, 97-99
This Bible reading plan explores The Word based on the chronological order in which it was written, and is unrelated to the daily character devotions.
The Word of Promise audio Bible is used by permission. For more information and to purchase the complete audio Bible go to https://www.wordofpromiseapp.com/.
Psalm 95
A Call to Worship and Obedience
1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
5 The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 When your fathers tested Me;
They tried Me, though they saw My work.
10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation,
And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,
And they do not know My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”
Psalm 97
A Song of Praise to the Sovereign Lord
1 The Lord reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
2 Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
4 His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
7 Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9 For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Psalm 98
A Song of Praise to the Lord for His Salvation and Judgment
A Psalm.
1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell in it;
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together
9 before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity.
Psalm 99
Praise to the Lord for His Holiness
1 The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
2 The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy.
4 The King’s strength also loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God,
And worship at His footstool—
He is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
8 You answered them, O Lord our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
9 Exalt the Lord our God,
And worship at His holy hill;
For the Lord our God is holy.