Old Testament - FDREL 301 Week 2

There is a lot of information to take in from the events of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. This week it was a joy to learn new principles as I studied the Old Testament.  The study skill I used this week was finding principles and doctrines as I studied in Genesis. Below are the scriptures and principles from this week I would like to share.

Finding Principles Genesis 12-23

1. Scripture: Genesis 13:8

And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Principle: I admire Abram for saying and encouraging Lot that there be no strife or contention between them. Abram understood family and what was important, and he recognized something needed to be done to end the strife. I looked up the meaning of strife in the dictionary and found the following definitions:

·      angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.

·      exertion or contention for superiority

The principle that impressed me is we need to seek to have harmony in our relationships with others. Like Abram, we need to be the ones to seek for “no strife” to eliminate contention and do what is necessary to have a feeling of contentment and unity. For Abram, he allowed Lot to select the land he desired. How commendable to think of the relationship first instead of his own interests. Abram’s humility and obedience to follow the Lord’s will is an example I would like to follow. This means following the admonition given by President Monson when he said, “May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” Choices, May 2016

This quote by President Monson changed my life that conference. I was able to put off hurt feelings of betrayal, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost to make amends with a family member who was terminal. I knew it would be difficult, and I knew the Lord wanted me to act. I felt His strength, and His healing power as I followed the prompting. Following the prophet, and the Holy Ghost helped me to eliminate the strife, and heal my relationship. I am forever grateful for the many chances we receive to become more Savior-like, and for the gift of Christ’s Atonement.

2. Scripture: Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Principle: Last week I tried the substitution study skill, and this week’s reading gave me the opportunity to see where I could place my own name, and feel the love of my Heavenly Father for me by doing it. The words “Fear not…Echo…I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

I do worry excessively about life, my future, and about family. Pondering the phrase, Fear not, has a power to feel the love our Savior has for each of us, and to trust in Him. I think of the covenants I have made, and when I am blessed, which is every day, it is a witness to me that the Lord, Jesus Christ keeps His covenants. When I keep my covenants, the Lord is my shield and my covenants shield me from the evils of the world. The Lord himself is my reward. I have a testimony that the Savior, Jesus Christ, provided a way, the Atonement, for us to return to our Heavenly Father, repent, be healed and forgiven, and live with our families again as resurrected beings. When I take a step back and look at the eternal perspective, I know there is no reason to fear.

3. Scripture: Genesis 18:14

 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Principle: I love this question because I reflect on all the challenges I have had and how the Lord has strengthened me through it all. The hymn “When Faith Endures” comes to my mind when I pondered this scripture:

I will not doubt, I will not fear;

God’s love and strength are always near.

His promised gift helps me to find

An inner strength and peace of mind.

I give the Father willingly

My trust, my prayers, humility.

His Spirit guides; his love assures

That fear departs when faith endures.

I know there is nothing that is too hard for the Lord. What is essential is that we ask for His help when we feel overwhelmed or when we are confused and don’t know what to do. Jesus Christ provides peace in all circumstances and I have felt that in my life. I know I struggle sometimes more than I have to because I forget that nothing is too hard for the Lord so what don’t I approach Him? When the impossible stares you in the eye or when you feel beaten, remember the answer to the question, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” The answer…No. He understands us perfectly, and comprehends our circumstance perfectly. We have a friend in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Finding Principles Genesis 24-50

1. Scripture: Genesis25: 30-33

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Principle:
In Genesis chapter 25, Jacob takes Esau‘s birth right by cunning measure and it reminds me of the scripture in Mosiah 3:19

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

King Benjamin warns us of how the “natural man” is susceptible to temptation and weakness. I reflected upon this principle that teaches us to be aware of how we act and feel as our choices can lead us to be tempted to get gain. Jacob takes advantage of his brother when he was hungry and asked for the birthright hardly a fair transaction.

2. Scripture: Genesis 27:24

24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Principle: Again, this scripture shows the weakness of the natural man. Jacob had the opportunity to be honest and chose to deceive his father for the birthright. I pondered the importance of honesty in the small and big things in life. There is a strong desire to please people or to get a head in life without thought of the consequences. The principle of honesty is that we might be honest in all things. It is important to the Lord that we be honest as we are asked this question in our temple recommend interviews. Honesty is a attribute of the Saviour, Jesus Christ and we should work to be honest in the small and large things of life.

Elder Neil L. Andersen said in August 2017, “For a disciple of Christ, honesty is at the very heart of spirituality.” The Divine Standard Of Honesty

3. Scripture: Genesis 33:3-4

 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

Principle: This event was a wonderful moment of reconciliation. I feel that this principle is something we all need in our personal relationships and in our families. We all make choices of regret and there are people who have made mistakes that hurt us. Jacob through time came to know that he made mistakes and wanted to do all he could to reconcile himself with his brother. Esau also do a wonderful thing and that was to forgive Jacob. What Jacob did changed the course of Esau’s life, and yet Esau forgave Jacob. From this scripture account I learn that it is important to do all we can to reconcile our relationships that are in turmoil, and to reconcile ourselves to our Heavenly Father through the Atonement. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the way to reconcile, and we will be forgiven. I also felt the importance of forgiving others freely when we have been wronged as Esau did. How beautiful that they embraced, and wept together. I feel my meeting with the Savior will be like that