January 12, 2024
Read Genesis 12, Psalm 12, John 12
In Genesis 11 we find the people trying to make a name for themselves. Their attempt is without God and full of pride. In Genesis 12 we find the Narrative of Abram beginning with a call from the Lord. God tells Abram, if he will obey and follow His leading “I will make your name great” v. 2. What a contrast we find in these two chapters. God not only promises to make a great name for Abram, but he also promises that He will become a great nation that will be a blessing to all the other nations. Are there things in our life we attempt to do on our own and in our own power? If God is our creator, He knows us best, why do we fight Him and following his ways for our lives?
After Abram moves with his family to the land of the Canaanites, God also makes another promise to Abram. “To your offspring I will give this land” v. 7. Think about this promise, it was not one that Abram would enjoy himself, but one his “offspring” would see down the future. Hundred of years later, God would keep his promise and the Israelites would come to inherit the land. The idea of “paying it forward” comes to mind here. Abram’s obedience would not benefit anything to him personally in this promise but He was wise enough to follow through for the sake of his family far into the future.
The last part of Genesis 12 we find Abram being not so concerned with others, especially his wife Sarai, and he tells Sarai to lie about his relationship with him in order to save his own life. God acts to protect the promise and strikes the Egyptians with serious diseases. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. We may be strong in a particular area of life but weak in another. When are you tempted to not trust the Lord most often? If you can identify your weaknesses this will go a long way in guarding against them and learning to lean more on the Lord.
Speaking of lying, Psalm 12 is a psalm of David. He speaks about those who lie to each other. “Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception” v. 2. David desires people to not be taking advantage of by a lying tongue. He asks for God to act and stop those who would lie. The Lord responds, “’I will now arise’, says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them’” v. 5. David speaks about how the vile act of lying is “honored among men.” Lying is often seen as the smallest of sins committed by people. Humanity makes little of it. “Who does it hurt if someone lies?” many will ask. A great many people have been put in jail for lying and many honest people imprisoned for the lies of others. We must learn to love the truth and speak it to others. Truth honors God.
In John 12 we have two stories of honoring Jesus. First Mary takes some “pure nard, an expensive perfume” v. 3 and pours it on Jesus’ feet to anoint Him. Going further she takes her hair, which was considered a woman’s glory and wipes Jesus’ feet with it to clean them. What can you and I give, our best, to worship and honor Jesus with? This act is so moving Jesus proclaims, “’Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me’” vv. 7-8. We should seek to honor Jesus when we can with what we have.
The second story in John 12 of honor Jesus comes with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rides the donkey as prophecy tells us into the city and the people shout “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes I the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” v. 13. But not everyone there was pleased to see Jesus come into the city like that. The last part of John 12 is a commentary of the rejection of Jesus by many of the Jews. John quotes Isaiah 6:10 which speaks of those in Israel that would reject the message. Why would the Jews, specifically the religious leaders who knew the Scripture reject Jesus as the Christ. The answer is found in verse 43, John writes, “for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” We can either seek to elevate ourselves or have God be the one to make us into who He wants. We can either honor and worship the Lord or we can honor and praise ourselves.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Add your comments below.
DId God Really Say... 