Devotionals

Daily readings to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory.

  • Hamor’s Dubious Offer

    Genesis 34:8–12

    There are all sorts of good things promised to us by the Lord, and there are just as many wrong ways to go about obtaining them. We must wait patiently for God to bring these good things to us. This ...Read More

  • Jacob’s Sin of Omission

    Genesis 34:5–7

    Dr. R.C. Sproul writes, “When we sin against God, we do violence to his holiness. When we sin against our neighbor, we violate his or her humanity” (Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, p. 144). Transgression is not only ...Read More

  • Dinah’s Humiliation

    Genesis 34:1–4

    John Calvin writes in his commentary that Shechem, on the one hand, “loved her [Dinah] as a wife; and did not even object to be circumcised that he might have her.” Nevertheless, the “fervor of lust had so prevailed, that ...Read More

  • Jacob Settles in Shechem

    Genesis 33:18–20

    Jacob has many faults, but he is committed to serving the Lord. He does set up a place of worship as soon as he enters Canaan, thereby showing his commitment to make God the center of his home. It is ...Read More

  • A Parting Of Ways

    Genesis 33:12–17

    Our struggle to be sanctified can leave us discouraged at times, but we should not lose heart, for the Lord will indeed make us holy (Rev. 19:6–8). As long as we are, by faith, making use of the means of ...Read More

  • Reconciled Brothers

    Genesis 33:4–11

    Jesus said that all people would know His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35). The most tangible expression of this love is our forgiveness of others. If pagans like Esau can forgive, our readiness to pardon others ...Read More

  • A New Man

    Genesis 33:1–3

    As we will see, Esau too has been blessed (33:9), and Jacob remains God’s chosen man. Jacob further shows his reliance on the Father and fidelity to His ways by acknowledging his sinful theft of the paternal blessing and making ...Read More

  • Jacob’s Deliverance

    Genesis 32:29–32

    John Calvin comments on Jacob’s wrestling with the Lord, saying, “This passage teaches us always to expect the blessing of God, although we may have experienced his presence to be harsh and grievous, even to the disjointing of our members.” ...Read More

  • From Jacob to Israel

    Genesis 32:27–28

    When God sends trials our way, He is not working against us. He also delivers us from the travails He permits (Pss. 18:2; 74; 79; 1 Cor. 10:13). Calvin writes that “inasmuch as he supplies us with more strength to ...Read More

  • The Touch of the Lord

    Genesis 32:25–26

    Augustine reminds us that “the touch of the Lord is the hand of the Lord, chastising and giving life” (Works of St. Augustine, 31:223). Too many Christians today run after the abundant, life-giving touch of God without being willing to ...Read More

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