Bible Study & Devotional
🎧 (Christianity Can Be Intellectually Challenging: Hebrews 7)
Guiding Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11 “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”
Faith can stretch our mental muscles.
Have you ever struggled with the idea of faith? Let’s be completely honest; we can sound crazy when we’re talking to unbelievers about the miracles that happened for us to be saved. Sometimes even I can get lost in the intellectual aspects of all that faith requires. Exactly how did the resurrection happen? How is that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross became the atonement for me?
God has a plan for everything.
Thankfully, we’re not alone with this intellectual struggle! In the book of Hebrews, the Hebrew Christians also had to overcome some challenges that kept them from living in the fullness of Christ. That wasn’t a surprise to God, and He had prepared for this conversation well in advance.
Way back in Genesis 14:17-24, Melchizedek enters the scene. He only gets a couple of verses in the Genesis scriptures. Still, his role on this earth not only had a significant impact on the time he was living (he blessed Abram, which caused the first tithe to happen!), but he also had a huge impact on the future of Christianity. Because his life helped explain how Jesus could be our Great High Priest, even though he didn’t fit the Jewish Law requirements.
You may never know the impact your walk with Christ will have on the coming generations. Live boldly for Christ, knowing He has a purpose for you.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for the examples of faith You have given us in Your Word. Thank you for knowing all of my needs and meeting them, even when I’m not aware. I pray that I will walk by faith, even when it’s not easy. And I pray that You will use me to further Your kingdom here on earth. In the name of Jesus, I pray this, Amen.
~Magan Martin
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This devotional was submitted by Magan Martin, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible in a Year (Day 12)
I summed up today’s reading with two words: Scandalous deceit.
In Genesis 27, we read the continued plot to secure Jacob’s superiority over Esau and become head of their tribe.
Am I acting with divine authority? That was the question I asked of Rebekah and what we can ask ourselves daily.
Three critical moral & spiritual takeaways occurred in Genesis chapters 25-27. (Study these chapters and list the tension you feel.)
Division: In Genesis 25:23, the Lord tells Rebekah that two nations fight within her womb, and the elder will serve the younger.
Selfishness: Esau’s choice of brides causes misery (adversity, distress) within the family. Gen. 26:34-35
Status: Finally, in Gen:27:13, Rebekah’s covering of Jacob and assuming the curse from willful deceit is an act we could argue as ‘good intention.’
Like Sarah, Rebekah was getting ahead of God’s plan. Acting by leaning into her understanding of the older serving the younger could have cost Jacob his life.
Betrayal kills trust and is the root of failure. Fear, division, self-indulgence, and position played a role in these passages. Are we acting with divine authority or scandalous deception? How are we to measure our deeds?
To avoid scandal and not damage our Christian testimony, we may need to use all our senses. While Issac could not see very well, the voices of Jacob and Esau were distinctly different. Issac wondered (Gen.27:22). Can you trust what you observe? (Gen 27:1) Is the smell familiar? (Gen:27:27) Do the body features fool you? (Gen 27:21)
Jesus said we would know Him by His voice (John 10:27). Be aware of your motives and listen earnestly for our God. We can break free of anger and hatred (Gen. 27:40), which causes spiritual blindness. We can glorify God through our work when we follow Christ (Matt. 9:9)