God’s word provides clear instruction to His children. As we meditate on His Word, we find exactly what we need to continue our journey through this life.
This week, our passage for meditation is Genesis 31:3-13.
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.”
4 So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock. 5 He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know how hard I have worked for your father, 7 but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm. 8 For if he said, ‘The speckled animals will be your wages,’ the whole flock began to produce speckled young. And when he changed his mind and said, ‘The striped animals will be your wages,’ then the whole flock produced striped young. 9 In this way, God has taken your father’s animals and given them to me.
10 “One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 11 Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Yes, here I am.’
12 “The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. 13 I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’”
Genesis 31:3-13 NLT
PAUSE
Approaching the word of God for meditation requires us to pause (the creation of space).
- Create an environment to reduce interruption of thought.
- Grab some resources, like different bible versions or commentaries.
- Quiet your thoughts in order to receive God’s wisdom and instruction.
How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked
or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
PRAY
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of God-inspired scripture. It is through Your word that I am able to gain heavenly instruction. God, use this meditation time to impart Your wisdom into my spirit. Teach me more about who You are, Lord. Show me how to become a better image bearer and shine Your light into this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*This is a prayer starter. Feel free to modify as the Spirit leads you.
PONDER
- Review the passage.
- Explore the context.
- Who was the author? Who was the original audience?
- When was it written? Are there any historical events taking place?
- What is the overall message of this book of the bible?
- Explore the language.
- Review different translations.
- Are there any themes in the language?
- Review cross-references from different areas of the bible.
- Explore further.
- Review trusted commentaries.
- Where does this story fit into the bigger story of redemption?
- What principles are found in the passage?
- Explore the context.
- Listen for God’s wisdom.
- Examine your takeaways.
- Look for ways to apply what you have learned.
PRAY(SE)
As your meditation time begins to wrap up, honor God through prayer and praise for new insights and wisdom from His Heavenly Kingdom.
