GOD'S COVENANT AND PROMISE

Proclamation:

“And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty, be fruitful and increase in number.  A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.  The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.’”  Genesis 35:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Jacob sent his servants and his flocks ahead of him to serve as gifts to his brother Esau, (Genesis 32:19-21) he sent his two wives and their servants along with his children ahead of him. (Genesis 32:22)  That night while he was alone, Jacob wrestled with an angel of The Lord and would not let him go until he blessed him. (Genesis 32:23-26)  The Lord God then changed his name from Jacob to Israel. (Genesis 32:28 and 35:10)  When Esau and his four hundred men got to Jacob, now called Israel, Esau hugged him instead of killing him. (Genesis 33:4)  While Jacob was living in his brother’s land, his only daughter, Dinah, was raped by Shechem, the son of the ruler of the land, who claimed that he loved her and had to have her. (Genesis 34:1-4)  Jacob’s sons killed Shechem and all of his men, and took their wives and property. (Genesis 34:13-29)  Then The Lord God spoke to him and Jacob left the area and went to Bethel. (Genesis 35:1-5)  There The Lord God Almighty made a promise to him.

Application:

When we are obedient to The Word of God, He will bless us.  When He makes us a promise, He keeps His word.  He will keep us and protect us no matter what storms in life we go through.  He will also provide for us.  We can stand on the promises of God knowing that His word will never fail. (Deuteronomy 31:8 and Matthew 24:35)  All we have to do is be obedient to His Holy Word.