January 31, 2024
January 31, 2024
Read Genesis 49-50, Exodus 1, Psalm 31
Have you ever had someone tell you that they were going to do you a favor and it ended up not being a favor? Maybe it ended up costing you money, time, or something worse. Maybe you were called into a meeting that you assumed would be a good meeting and it turned out the exact opposite. In Genesis 49 Israel realizes he is about to die. He calls for all twelve of his sons to gather. “Gather round so that I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come” v. 1. This is usually the tie when a father would bless his children and give them some final instructions and encouragement. This is not the case with Israel here. One by one, Israel tells each son what will happen with them in the future in a prophetic manner. It starts with Rueben the oldest and sounds good until he tells him “Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it” v. 4. If you remember, from Genesis 35 Reuben slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah. Next come Simeon and Levi, they are chastised for their violence and actions they took against Shechem and the men of his village. Judah is the first to receive praise from his father. Judah acted noble toward his brothers and especially with how they treated Joseph. On it goes down the list, some good and some bad. The brothers face the consequences of their previous actions from years ago. Right or wrong, Israel remembered the things that each of them did. Let this serve as a warning to all of us that our actions carry weight, and they are not often forgotten. We may receive forgiveness and move on in life, but some things are hard to forget.
What else do you see in these chapters? What repeated words, phrases, themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 30, 2024
January 30, 2024
Read Genesis 46-48, Psalm 30
When’s the last time you had a good cry? I’m not talking about a time when you were really upset and cleared out all your sinus cavities. I mean a good cry where something you experienced brought you tears of joy so much that you were teared up emotionally with good tears. That is a little bit of what we have here in Genesis 46-48. Jacob has long believed his son was gone for over 26 years and now all of a sudden, he finds out that Joseph is alive. He is not only alive but doing quite well in the land of Egypt. Genesis 46:29-30 says, “As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. 30 Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.’” What are some things in your life that you might have lost all hope for? What things maybe you are tempted to give up on? The reunion of Joseph with Jacob tells us to hold out hope yet.
In Psalm 30 we find a familiar verse with the same message. The subheading to this psalm says it was written for the dedication of the temple by David. In verse 5 David writes, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Other translations say that “His joy comes in the morning.” We may all experience difficult times and circumstances, we may face many things throughout our life, but for the Christian we can be assured that His joy will come in the morning. That Joy might be over several years like Jacob. It may even be something we have to wait until we enter heaven to experience but know that God’s joy will come to those who hope in him.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? Add your thoughts below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 28, 2024
January 28, 2024
Read Genesis 40-42, Psalm 28
Dreams are interesting to say the least. Sometimes they can be enjoyable, frightening, or just plain weird. Do you remember some of the dreams I had as a child? Were they traumatic or caused you to call into question something? Here in these chapters of Genesis we find that Joseph the dreamer is at it again. Except this time, it’s not his dreams, he is the interpreter of them.
In Genesis 40 we find a rather inconsequential story of two of the king’s officials, the cupbearer, and the chief baker. A cupbearer was someone who tasted or sampled a person’s food to make sure that it was not poisoned. The king decides to send these two men to the jail for a time out and while they are there, they both have a dream that troubles them. Joseph is there and offers to interpret the dreams for them. Joseph pleads with the chief cupbearer to please remember him when he is restored, but the last verse of the chapter leaves us hanging on. “The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him” v.23. While the chief cupbearer may have forgotten Jospeh, God did not. Eventually the cupbearer remembers the error of his ways and in a time of need from the Pharoah Jospeh is called out the prison two years later. Do we understand that the small and seemingly inconsequential meetings, conversations, and little things done may lead to something big and important. Jospeh could have said, forget it, I’m not helping you guys, but he chooses to help them, and it turned back on himself into something good. I’m reminded of the saying’ “It’s always the right time to do the right thing.” If we sow good seeds into the lives of others it just might produce a harvest of good things for us later in life.
What else do you see in these chapters as you read? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 27, 2024
January 27, 2024
Read Genesis 37-39, Psalm 27
What’s your family like? Is it fun, loving, normal, quiet, crazy, unusual, or a challenge? Does it bring good thoughts, bad thoughts, or maybe some of both. There are no perfect families because there are no perfect people. That goes for children, parents, grandparents and anyone else. When you read these next chapters in Genesis you may be thankful for the family you do have. Jacob and his sons had a very dysfunctional family to say the least. There was favoritism, brothers that plotted to murder their own brother, and brothers who refused to get their brother’s wife pregnant! Yes, I said that. We will discuss that shortly. The good news is that no matter how crazy your family is, we can see through these chapters in Genesis that God is sovereign and His plans can not be stopped.
The narrative of Joseph is the longest of the family stories in Genesis stretching from chapters 37-50 with only a quick sidebar to Judah and Tamar in chapter 38. Everything that Jospeh will face in these chapters goes from bad to worse. Joseph will be thrown down a cistern (a natural well), being sold in slavery in Egypt, and being falsely accused of rape and put in prison. Despite all this, the Scripture repeats several times, “The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered” v. 2, 21. No matter what we go through with our families or in life, we can trust that God is with us too.
In Genesis 38 we find the narrative of Judah and Tamar. After Tamar’s husband dies, Judah, the father-in-law should have help provide a Tamar an heir through the Jewish practice of Leverite Marriage. The Scriptures mention the practice of Leverite marriages in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. In this practice, if a man dies without leaving a male heir, it was the duty of his brother to marry the widow and produce offspring on behalf of the deceased brother. This was done to ensure the continuation of the deceased brother’s lineage and inheritance. The purpose of this practice was to protect the family name and inheritance within the community. Apparently this law was already understood and given by God before Moses wrote the law down. Tamar takes matters in her own hands when Judah refuses to act. She disguises herself and tricks Judah into sleeping with her in order to maintain the family line. A deal is bartered and Judah gives her an agreement to give her a goat but uses his personal staff, seal, and cord. This is the Old Testament equivalent of giving someone your drivers license, since they were often personalized for identification. Judah hears that Tamar becomes pregnant and he quickly jumps to condemn her for her act until he learns that he was the one that got her pregnant. He exclaims, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah” v. 26. Judah called her more righteous because she sought after an heir from the family when he did not. No matter what our families do or do not do. We can always seek to do the right thing.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Deuteronomy 25, Dysfunctional Families, Genesis, JAcob, Joseph, Judah, Judah and Tamar, Leverite Marriage, Psalm 27, Tamar | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
January 26, 2024
January 26, 2024
Read Genesis 34-36, Psalm 26
Are you someone who thinks through things before you act or do you tend to react to things quickly or with more emotions than careful thought? In Genesis 34 we have some of this going on with Jacob’s family. The lone female born to Jacob from his 4 wives is Dinah. Dinah is raped by Shechem, but also falls in love with her afterward. Shechem’s father Hamor seeks out Jacob for a marriage arrangement between the two. About this time the eleven sons of Jacob find out what has happened, and they devise a plan. Jacob’s sons tell Hamor that it would not be proper to wed Shechem with Dinah because none of the Shechemites have been circumcised. Hamor convinces all the men of their town to circumcise themselves so that they can possibly intermarry with Jacob and their family. While the men are still recovering Simeon and Levi take their opportunity and go to the town and kill all the men for retribution against their sister. In this narrative Jacob seems rather neutral and cares little about his daughter Dinah. This is not the case for her brothers. They take the opposite approach and turn this evil deed into a mass killing of the Shechemites. Only then does Jacob seem to care about what the boys have done, because it may fall back on him. “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed’” v. 30.
God gives us our emotions, they are not wrong to have, but sometimes they can get the better of us. Sometimes we do not act on them when we should. We should learn not to act on all the emotions we have. If we did that, we might find ourselves in trouble. Like Jacob, if he had acted in some way to what happened to Dinah maybe his sons would not have overreacted. If you struggle with making emotional decisions maybe you should come up with a plan to slow down before you act. Give yourself a 10-minute rule to respond to a text if you are tempted to reply in anger or maybe you sleep on a decision before you make an impulsive one that could cost you dearly.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 25, 2024
January 25, 2024
Read Genesis 31-33, Psalm 25
What are some of the hardest things you have ever had to face? Was it a difficult course in school, a circumstance or relationship you had to endure? Maybe it was something physical like competing in a race or competition. As you read these three chapters in Genesis you pick up the theme of conflict. The tension between Jacob and Laban and again between Jacob and his brother Esau were probably not the most fun things that Jacob looked forward to. Jacob had served Laban for 20 years and apparently Laban was not the nice uncle that everyone loves at family gatherings. God told Jacob it was time to go and that’s what he did. He may not have handled it in the best way, but we do not know all the details that Jacob faced. God intervened and stopped Laban from taking matters in his own hands. “I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” v. 29.
In Genesis 32 this whole idea of struggling comes to a head when Jacob wrestles with God. All his life has been surrounded with fighting and struggle. His struggle from birth with Esau, His struggle with Laban, and now he wrestles with a man we later discovery is God. In the struggle, God changes his name from Jacob to Israel. “Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” v. 28. The name Israel means he struggles with God. After this point Israel over comes the struggle and his life is much different than it was before. Finally meeting his brother Esau again, there is no more strife between the brothers even though Israel has his doubts.
What else do you see in these chapters? What repeated words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Write your thoughts below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 24, 2024
January 24, 2024
Read Genesis 28-30, Psalm 24
What are some special places for you that hold a special place in your mind or heart with a spiritual connection? Maybe it was a church or a time away at a camp. Maybe it was somewhere out in nature where you felt the presence of God with you. In Genesis 28 we find such a place for Jacob. On the run from his brother Esau Rebekah suggests that Jacob should head to the land of her family to find a wife for himself. Along the way Jacob stops at Bethel. Jacob has a dream and sees a staircase going up to the heavens and then God speaks to Him in his dream. “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying” v. 13. God confirms with Jacob the same promise that He gave to his father Issac and his grandfather Abraham. Jacob will return to this place later and God is not through with him yet.
In chapter 29 Jacob makes it to Paddan Aram and much like his father Isaac secured a wife it centers around watering animals at a well. Jacob meets Rachel and asks for her as a wife and is willing to work for her father Laban for seven years. I love the summarization of Jacob’s work time for the seven years. “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her” v. 29. Chapter 29 is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. This is for a reason to draw the reader to the main story of the book. God has blessed Jacob with children that will become the twelve tribes of Israel. In this chapter we can also see the problems that arise from having multiple wives that fight over the love of Jacob. It is an interesting thought to think that no where in these verses does God command Jacob take more than one wife, but despite human choice God brings forth the 12 tribes of Israel.
In chapter 30 not only do Jacob’s wives and children increase but so do his flocks. Jacob and Laban make an agreement to split the flocks between them because Laban recognizes the blessing that have come from Jacob. In a stripes or solids game of division Jacob uses some sort of plan to increase the numbers of striped animals that he will keep for himself. What are we to make of Jacob’s strange breeding practices? “He took fresh-cut branches… made white stripes on them by pealing the bark and exposing the white inner wood” v. 37, “placed them in all the watering troughs” v. 38, and “they mated in front of the branches” v. 39. There are 4 different thoughts from various opinions on this. 1. He was engaging in superstitious magic or as a rouse to appear so. 2. Some scientific explanations have to do with some medicinal properties we are unaware of. 3. They had no effect – Only God prospered Jacob. 4. Jacob was following God’s instructions (see verses 10-13).
Psalm 24 starts with a declaration of David. “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters” vv. 1-2. We might have a certain place that is special to us, but the whole of creation belongs to the Lord. David declares that for all seek the Lord, the “God of Jacob” v. 6 they will receive a blessing. There is a repeated question in this chapter, “Who is this King of Glory?” Each time David response with the answer “The Lord strong and mighty” or the “Lord Almighty.” No matter if we are in or near our special place, we can take comfort knowing that the whole earth is the Lord’s.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? What do you notice about the relationships within families in these chapters? Add your thoughts below?
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: 12 Tribes, A Certain Place, Bethel, Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Esau, Genesis, JAcob, Psalm 24, Rachel, Rebekah | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
January 23, 2024
January 23, 2024
Read Genesis 25-27, Psalm 23
What kind of childhood did you have growing up with your family? Chances are that if you had at least one brother or sister you had your fair share of squabbles as a child. Hopefully those will go away as you became an adult. There is a lot of ground covered in these three chapters of Genesis. Genesis 25 starts with Abraham passing away at the ripe old age of 175. The chapter gives us some background on Abraham’s wives that he took after Sarah died and the children that each bore. Apparently, Ismael comes back and both he and Isaac bury their father, Abraham.
The latter part of Genesis 25 describes the birth of Isaac and Rebekah’s twins, Jacob and Esau. These two boys fight from the very start, even from the womb, “The babies jostled each other within her” v. 22. And as it came time to give birth to them, “After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel” v. 26. The boys continue to fight over food and birthrights and ultimately over their father’s blessing when Isaac is about to die. An interesting discussion in these chapters is the revelation to Rebekah that Jacob the younger will be stronger and “the older will serve the younger” v. 23. Are Rebekah’s actions right, to help her son Jacob steal the birthright from Esau? Did she believe she was helping Jacob take his rightful place or were they sinful in deceiving her husband and other son Esau? There is plenty of blame to go on the whole family. Each of the parents showed favoritism toward a child and the children often acted impulsively with each other making careless choices with consequences.
Genesis 26 tells a familiar story but with different characters. We find Isaac moves south to the land ruled by Abimelech because of a famine. Are we shocked at what takes place? Isaac apparently has picked up some bad habits from growing up around his father, namely covering your own rear. Isaac too lies to Abimelech for the same reason as his wife Rebekah. This time Sarah is not his sister, but his cousin. Some critics have suggested that this repeat in Genesis is just an error that occurred in copying the manuscripts over time, but a careful read of the texts shows nothing like this. The accounts are far different to be just a simple copyist error.
Psalm 23 is probably the most well-known chapters in the Bible. This psalm of David is beloved and memorized by so many. I would encourage you to slow down and read it carefully. You may know it and can quote it for memory, but take the time to meditate on each phrase and what it means. Shepherding was the most common occupation of the Israelites, and they would have easily identified with the theme. One thing I would point out to you is the personal nature of this psalm. The Lord is “my” shepherd, he makes “me” lie down, for you are with “me.” Often the slant against the Old Testament is that character of God is not very personal in nature. This just comes from a incomplete few of Scripture. Psalm 23 shows us that God is our shepherd.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, themes do you see? What words repeat and bring attention to you? Add your thoughts below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 22, 2024
January 22, 2024
Read Genesis 21-24, Psalm 22
When have you had a really big test in your life? I remember in college as a music major, my final exams on my cello were before 3-4 instructors and how I did in the final performance test of the semester determined if I passed or failed. I used to get ulcers in my mouth about 2 weeks after finals were over from the stress. Not many people look forward to a test. Knowing we will be tested keeps us on our toes and prepared to learn the material. Even if we fail a test, we can still learn from it and adapt for the next time.
In Genesis 21 we find Abraham sending his son Ismael away. In Genesis 22 we find God testing Abraham with his son Isaac. The descriptive instructions from the Lord remind us of how badly Abraham had wanted a son. “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” v. 2. The son he had waited 25 years for was now being asked to become a sacrifice to the Lord. This reminds me of the rich man who came to Jesus in Matthew 19 who Jesus challenged to take all he had and sell it and give it to the poor, then come and follow Jesus.
There are several allusions to Jesus and the cross in this passage. The same area where Abraham took his son Isaac is very close to where Jerusalem is today. It’s been noted that Isaac the supposed sacrifice carried the wood just as Jesus carried the cross. Abraham took the fire and knife a symbol of judgment from God on his Son on the cross. As Isaac and his father are walking up the mountain, unaware Isaac asks his father “where is the lamb for the burnt offering” v. 7. Abaham’s response of faith is one that foreshadows to the New Testament, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” v. 8. The journey up the mountain takes three days or part of the three different days which we can relate to Jesus in the tomb. Many of these are allegorical comparisons and we must be careful to say this is intentional by God. At the very least, it does make you think.
Some may struggle with the idea that God would demand a human sacrifice such as this and that Abraham would almost go through with it. First, we should note that Abraham did not sacrifice his son, it was stopped by God beforehand. God knew that he would also put a stop to it. Human sacrifice was more prevalent in Old Testament times. Many other Canaanite and other religious commonly practiced this. To the reader in the twenty-first century, no doubt this seems so strange. Abraham’s statement to Isaac can be seen as a great statement of faith. He had confidence that God would provide a lamb.
Proponents of a theology called “open theism” will point to a passage like this as proof that God does not know what the human response will be until it is in play. Open Theism is defined as though omniscient; God does not know what we will freely do in the future. Likewise, God is not bound to a set behavior or will because His will interacts with creation. This is a heresy. So how should we take the statement, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” v. 12 God’s knowing is relayed in human language as to experience something. God already knew that Abraham would be obedient, but until Abraham followed through with it, Abraham did not experience the test that God had given.
Psalm 22, is a psalm of David that is a messianic psalm. The very first words of the psalm are quoted my Jesus on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” v. 1. As you read through the rest of the psalm you will notice many other descriptions that really connect to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. They hurl insults and mock him, they have pierced his hands and feet, divide his garments among them and cast lots for his clothing.
Do you think God would test you like He did Abraham? What tests might God put you through in order for you to learn what He desires you to learn? What else do you see in these chapters? What words and phrases, and themes stand out to you? Write your answers below.
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Posted by John Weldon
January 21, 2024
January 21, 2024
Read Genesis 21, Psalm 21, John 21
What’s the longest you have ever waited for something? Maybe as a kid you counted down the days until summer or graduation. Maybe you waited for a upcoming family vacation or time to retire from a job. There is no good way around it, waiting can be tough. Here in Genesis 21 we finally have the birth of Isaac that was promised 25 years ago. “Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised” v. 1. God keeps his promises and was gracious to Sarah. “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me’” v. 6. Laughter from before from Sarah was steeped in disbelief, now Sarah’s laughter was full of joy. The name Isaac means “he laughs.”
The later part of Genesis 21 can seem rather to harsh. Sarah wishes to send Hagar and Ismael away and then God confirms it to Abraham. We might question, “What kind of God would do this to people like Hagar and her son?” God’s response, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” v. 12. Abraham did not know the fate of his son Ismael, but God did. We only have to read a few verses more to see how God would take care of Hagar and Ismael too. God provided water and the ability for Hagar and Ismael to become part of a family. The pain of sending a person away might seem harsh, but if it has a greater good of protecting the promise to Abraham through Isaac then it was the right thing to do.
In Psalm 21 we have another psalm of David. He rejoices in God’s strength and protection over him. David recognized that God had delivered him from his enemies. God’s plan had come to pass. The last verses are a theme of judgment for David’s enemies. “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. 9 At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace” vv. 8-9. Fire, is a image of judgment often in the Bible. Fire refines and purifies things that pass through it or it will burn up the things that are not of value or that will last.
John 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Like many final chapters in a book, John 21 offers some much needed resolution, especially to Peter. In John 18, you remember Peter denies Jesus three times in Jesus’ trails. Jesus told Peter he would do it. Three times Jesus asks, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” v. 15. Peter’s feelings are hurt because Jesus seems to repeat the question over. Many have pointed out that there is forgiveness for each denial that Peter spoke of earlier.
The four Gospels are book-ended at the beginning of Matthew and the end of John with a similar scene. John 21 opens with the disciples returning to shore after being out all-night fishing. They had caught nothing the Scripture says, “So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” vv. 3-4. Keep in mind that the disciples had not recognized Jesus yet. Now go to Matthew 4 and you will find the narrative of Jesus calling the first disciples, specifically Peter and Andrew. This is where they meet Jesus for the first time, and it was while they had attempted to cast their nets for fish. Both times, Jesus does the miraculous and helps them bring in the biggest haul of fish. This is when they realized who Jesus was when he told them again where to cast their nets and catch fish. How has Jesus returned to you again and again and shown himself faithful and forgiving? Is there anything in your life you need to confront the Savior about?
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Write your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Abraham, Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Christianity, David, Disciples, Faith, Genesis, Genesis 21, Isaac, Jesus, John 21, PEter, Promise, Psalm 21, Reinstates, Restore, SArah, Waiting | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
DId God Really Say... 