As a refugee in Egypt, in a world decimated by famine, Jacob lay on his deathbed and blessed his sons and their families.

He said to Joseph, I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.

Just where this extra ridge lay is unclear. Some scholars believe it refers to the ancient city of Shechem, where Jacob son’s massacred the men of the city in revenge for the abduction and rape of their sister. Jacob, however, condemned their actions, so likely he’s not referring to that particular incident. But at some point he took control of that area.

Four hundred and thirty years later, as Jacob’s descendents left Egypt, they dug up the bones of Joseph to rebury them in this promised location. Jacob’s promise of an extra ridge of land was handed down from generation to generation during the captivity in Egypt. His words were neither forgotten nor passed into legend.

I’m not nearly so patient. Of course, the children of Israel lived in slavery, so patience was enforced. But keeping a promise alive for so long took intentionality. Elders taught the next generation, who repeated the process. Over and over.

Those of us long in faith have the same responsibility, to teach those younger than us to follow Jesus and live in his ways. We possess the promise of new life in Christ, but the end results are often hard to see. Persevere in teaching and promoting. Eventually we’ll come in sight of that ridge of land and it will be ours to keep.

Genesis 48 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Patrick Hendry

My wife and I have one grandchild, so it’s easy to know who’s the favorite. When another comes along, we’ll play our cards close to the vest. Favoritism comes natural, as we like being around certain people more than others. Those of us with overly active self esteem assume we’re favored. But we all experience the sting of less-favored status at times.

So I find it encouraging when Paul writes, God does not show favoritism. The Lord carries none of our capriciousness into relationships. He loves us immensely, each one of us. He keeps track whether we’re spicy famous or vanilla bland.

In reality all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We read that God wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance. Just because God doesn’t pick favorites doesn’t mean he fails to care for each of us as individuals.

We are not ignored—just the opposite. Unbelievably, we weak, mortal creatures have God’s undivided attention. Regardless of who you are or what you’ve done, you inhabit a most favored status.

Galatians 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Rob Curran

No one is too far gone for the Lord.

The apostle Paul wrote about his calling from God in a letter to the church in Galatia. Rumors of his dramatic conversion preceded him as he began to communicate his newly discovered faith. He wrote:

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.

Paul bulldozed lives and tormented the faithful. Then Jesus slammed him to the ground, blinded him by his light, and reversed his trajectory. The oppressor went on to write most of our New Testament.

No one is too far gone for the Lord.

The life of Paul is a great testimony to the power of God. Even those most opposed to the faith convert. No one is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit.

Who am I praying for who seems lost beyond hope? Who vehemently hates the things of God? Whose humble conversion would make waves? Who in my world needs a bolt from the blue?

We all know people like this, either loud and proud as they voice their complaints about God, or silent, brooding and angry. Pray the light of Jesus blinds them, rolls them on the ground, and pulls them in. Pray for a few more “Pauls” to walk among us today.

Galatians 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Matt Seymour

Basketball takes place on a court with clearly marked boundaries. If you’re dibbling the ball and your foot crosses the out-of-bounds line, you turn the ball over to the other team. The game only takes place within the lines.

In life, the Lord places boundary lines for our good. I made a vow to my wife to stay faithful to her, a boundary in marriage sanctioned by God. The 10 Commandments form boundaries, as well as the Sermon on the Mount. Flourishing takes place within the lines.

While life is best lived within God’s boundaries, the Lord reacts—like a thunderbolt—against those who flaunt the lines.

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.

There’s not much that God hates with a passion. His anger is generally reserved for overweening pride. But in this case those who promote violence, build on injustice and harm the innocent appear in his sights. It’s rather shocking to read.

Those who love violence use various tools. Some amass weapons and launch wars. Others take to the internet to mob those they disagree with. Violence comes in many forms, but it’s always willful and corrupt.

While it seems that often the violent skate away consequence-free, in reality flaunting God’s lines leads to disaster. It’s comforting to know that the Lord keeps his eye on those outrageously opposed to him. We may not live to see it, but the wicked will eventually reap what they sow.

Psalm 11 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Andrew Krasilnikov