A Peculiar People

Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Peculiar People
Date: Wednesday January 11, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 36-38
Preview of Today's Message: Being peculiar is not something that we should try to overcome, it is something to embrace, to be thankful for, and most of all, it pleases God. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.

Hello My Friend,

Growing up I was always the peculiar one in the family, not only was I the only girl, I did not like the typical things of a normal girl. While most girls would be playing with dolls I would be taking things apart, trying to figure out how they were made. I am still peculiar, while most women would jump at the opportunity to shop I want no part of shopping. I use to think being peculiar, even before I was a Christian, was something to try and overcome. We all want to fit in, right? Well, after spending some time in the world I realized why I am the peculiar one and why I never fit in with them in the first place. God's people certainly do not fit in with the world, that is why we are to separate ourselves from it.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” -2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Esau and Jacob were twins, both of them grew up in a godly home, both followed all the commands of God during their youth. However, Esau chose his own path, while Jacob chose the godly path, while they were reconciled, they knew their families needed to be separated. Esau's descendants, known as the Edomite's, dwelt in Seir, while Jacob's descendants, known as the Israelite's, dwelt in Canaan. While Esau was not the blessed son who would become the father of God's nations it was important that God address them here as later on we will see what part they played in the Israelite's lives centuries later. The word Edom means, red pottage, it was in remembrance of the foolish bargain that Esau made with Jacob when he sold his birth right over a bowl of red pottage. “And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle...And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” -Genesis 36:6,7, 37:1.

God always tries to separate His people from those who live in the world, yet time and time again people forsake God's warnings for their flesh and end up in a big mess years later. We must learn, while being cordial, to separate ourselves from those who insist upon living in the world. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1:1-3.

Out of the twelve sons that Jacob had, the one who was the peculiar one of them all was Joseph, he was not like his half-brothers, he stayed to himself, did not get into trouble, and had Jacob's favor. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.” - Genesis 37:3-8.

Joseph's dream was a vision that his brothers would one day bow down to him as they would a king, now, you can imagine why they were angry. They must have truly believed that his dreams were, in fact, prophetic since they did not disregard them and youthful nonsense. When God gives you a vision, it is usually one that others can not imagine, but if they have been around you for a while and know that you live your life for God they will not disregard them as nonsense, but will mock you. However, you can be sure that God is with you and it will come to pass, no matter how many obstacles you face in the process. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2.

Their hatred and jealousy over Joseph caused them to plot and evil scheme to get rid of him. They had thought to kill him, but sold him instead, but made it look like he was killed. “Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt...And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.” - Genesis 37:27,28,31-33.

Now, you can imagine what Joseph must have been going through, wondering how his brothers could have done such at thing, perhaps relieved that he was sold rather than killed, wondering where his life was heading. Maybe he talked to God along the way, asking Him why this was happening to him. When people hurt us, especially family, I imagine we all question why God allows it to happen. However, God has a plan and purpose for all that we go through, every obstacle prepares us for that dream coming true. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.

The word peculiar means to be singular; odd, extraordinary; differing from what is usual, being a child of God makes us extraordinary, different from the world, it separates us from the heathens. If you have received Christ as your Savior than you are a child of God, that means that you have God's favor and that you are extraordinary, it's okay to be the peculiar one, you are one of God's peculiar people. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” -1 Peter 2:9,10.

Today's Psalm: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalm 139:14.

Today's Proverb: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” -Proverbs 8:35.

Today's Prayer: God, there is nothing that we can do to obtain Your favor on our own, only by applying the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ upon my soul can I obtain Your favor. Not only am I redeemed, I am one of Your children, a peculiar person, set apart from everyone else. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for pulling me day by day our of the darkness and in to Your marvelous light. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional? Visit: The King James Bible Study Blog
Subscribe To This Devotional Through Google Groups: King James Bible Study
Visit The Official Site Of: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus