Genesis 24:52-26:16
Today we start with Rebekah making the journey back to become the wife of Isaac. God blesses Isaac and Rebekah with twins, but the babies are already fighting in the womb (Genesis 25:22). I think we get just small glimpse of Rebekah’s relationship with the Lord … her immediate response is to ask the Lord, “Why is this happening to me?” Sometimes I think that’s exactly the place God wants us … turning to Him immediately asking, “Why is this happening?”
The twins were born, and it seems their rivalry continues through their life. Esau, the older twin, sells his birthright as the first born son for a bowl of soup made by Jacob, the youngest son!! (Remember the Seinfeld episode with the Soup Guy … “No soup for you!”) We might have a hard time understanding the significance of the birthright in our culture, but (if I understand it correctly … please … someone comment and give us more information!) the eldest son would receive a double portion of the family inheritance. So, if there were two sons, the eldest would receive 2/3 of the inheritance, and youngest 1/3. There were also some other important associations with the birthright, which we’ll see in a few days as we continue the story of Jacob and Esau.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Isaac gets caught in the SAME lie by the SAME king … He tells King Abimelech Rebekah is his sister … this is exactly the same stunt Abraham tried to pull!
Matthew 8:18-34
Ok … before you read any further, let me challenge you to go back and read this passage again … slowly. Imagine yourself as a disciple…
WOW … can you imagine the disciples’ amazement and realization that this Teacher they have been following around can control the weather! But wait … back up a second. When the storm picked up out on the lake, the disciples “went to Him and wok him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown.’” Do you see this? Why would they wake Jesus up, unless they thought He could do something about the storm? They are calling on Him for deliverance … “Lord, save us!” yet when Jesus does exactly that, they are shocked and in awe. Aren’t we like this so many times when we pray! We sort of half-heartedly mutter a prayer, not necessarily thinking it will be heard, let alone answered, so we are completely awed and amazed when it is answered! One of the ideas I loved from the Experiencing God study is this: When you pray, pay attention to the next thing that happens … it’s often God’s answer. Expect an answer! (I heard a great story about this just today … I hope Erin will share in the comments!! 
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Psalm 10:1-15
Two quick things I liked in this Psalm … the first is verse 1:
O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?
Can you relate? Oh my … that strikes home in my heart! Sometimes I don’t always put it to words, but that’s often how I feel … like God is standing far away, just watching the world sort of spin out of control. By the way, that’s one of the best reasons to use the Psalms as guides to pray … they put words to thoughts and emotions we have that we can’t seem to express!
The other thing I liked is verse 14:
But you do see the trouble and grie they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans.
I underlined that part, because I think the Psalmist realizes that even when God seems to be far off, He really still knows what’s happening, and He is involved in the process.
Proverbs 3:7-8
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom …” – can I get an “Amen!”
