Thursday, January 16 Genesis 26-27; Mark 10

Genesis 26: Like father like son! What happened to the wells that were dug by Abraham’s servants? (v. 15)  Why did Abimelek tell Isaac to move away and why did Abimelek reach out to Isaac later?

Genesis 27: Why did Rebekah trick Isaac?

Mark 10:  What does Jesus teach about gender and marriage?  What made Jesus indignant in verse 13?  What did Jesus teach the disciples for the third time?  What was Bartimaeus’ response to having his sight restored?

Journal Prompt:  Re-read Mark 10:23-27. In what ways doe Jesus show that we cannot save ourselves? Do you agree with this statement: “You are only a Christian if you believe that your salvation is impossible for you?

Genesis 26: Isaac prospered and the Philistines envied him, so they filled up all the wells with earth. Abimilek sent Isaac away, because Isaac had become so powerful (v. 16).  He met with him to sign a peace treaty, because they realized the Lord was with them. (v.28)

Genesis 27: Rebekah preferred Jacob over Esau, and so she schemed for Jacob to appear to be Esau so he would receive Isaac’s blessing. She prepared a meal on Jacob’s behalf, she dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and she even covered his hands and neck with goat skins (because Esau was hairy!).

Mark 10:  Jesus was asked about divorce, and he quoted scripture from Genesis 2:24 where it states that God created male and female and that marriage was to be between man and woman – they were to join and become one flesh.  Jesus taught the disciples for the third time that He would be killed and He would rise again.  When Bartimaeus’ sight was restored, he followed Jesus.