January 17

Genesis 18; Matthew 17

Genesis 18

Ready:
Lord lead me through your story and let me see the beauty of the King as I search and consider what you are revealing here.  Cause me to hunger for your truth and may you revive my soul with it.  I pickup now after Abraham has circumcised his family, including the foreigners who belonged to the house by purchase.  Isaac has now been explicitly promised to Sarah within the year.

Reading thoughts:
I see Abraham meet with three men and one of them seems to be God.  This is likely a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus (theophany) since it does not indicate that it was the angel of the Lord.  Abraham extends a welcome of hospitality and he is allowed to prepare a meal and arrangements for the four of them.  This visit seems to be in follow-up to Abraham’s faithful circumcision that creates the distinct people of God and there is a simple reiteration of the promise to bear a son by Sarah and Sarah laughs here at the prospect since she is barren and quite old and no longer has any evidence of being able to conceive.  God does not seem overly bothered by her laughter but he does point it out and correct her by making sure that they know the truth that there is noting that is too hard for him to accomplish.   He next moves on to what must be the second reason for their coming by revealing to Abraham what was to come of Sodom.  A discussion among the three results in God sharing with Abraham his intention to investigate the spiritual state of Sodom with an implied intention to judge them.  No comes the quite infamous conversation where Abraham makes a case for mercy upon a city based upon some righteous remnant remaining there.  He goes back over and again and there is a reduction in the number of righteous needed for God to pass over the city and relent from its destruction.

Key Verses:

“14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”” (Genesis 18:14, ESV)

“19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”” (Genesis 18:19, ESV)

“32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”” (Genesis 18:32, ESV)

I see the theme here as- God dwells with the newly established people of God by eating with Abraham, sharing secrets with him regarding his dealings with mankind and teaching him that he may have a voice before the king because Abraham will be the commander of the people of God for the sake of righteousness and justice.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-2.  The Lord appears again here to Abraham but this time there are two angels with him (see Gen 19:1).  This is something different than the previous meeting between God and Abraham.
    v3-5.  Here Abraham offers to make arrangements for them to stay and eat and they give him approval to make preparations.  This is very different and it appears that there will be a meal shared with Abraham.  Abraham also appears to wash their feet in preparation for the meal.
    v6-8.  Here we see what is likely Jesus and a couple of angels having a meal with Abraham standing under an Oak tree.  Very interesting that they take a meal together and that it is standing under a tree.  It could be that Abraham served them and did not eat but either way he was excessively hospitable and treated his guests with the honor due to them.  The meal surely indicates a new degree of communion between God and Abraham that I would imagine is directly related to the circumcision.
    v9-15.  Here there is a reiteration of the promise to bear Isaac by Sarah and there is a clarification that Sarah no longer menstruates and the impossibility of the natural occurrence of bearing a child is clear- so clear that Sarah laughs at the prospect.  God points out that Sarah should not be laughing because there is nothing too hard for the Lord.  Abraham also laughed in chapter 17 when Isaac’s birth was promised but it appears Sarah’s laughter may have been a bit more in disbelief than Abraham’s laughter, which was likely in enjoyment of the impossibility of what God was about to do.  Sarah even lies to God in denying her laughter from fear.  Interesting that there is no dealing with her sin here and that it seems to be barely considered.  Zechariah was made mute due to his disbelief when an angel told him that his wife would give birth to John the Baptist, yet Sarah seems to skate with the exception of a stern acknowledgment of her sin.  Perhaps we see in Sarah a common reaction that God tolerates here to give us come comfort in the instances where we too behave like her?
    v16-21.  Now the story turns and there is a new focus.  The three are going to head to Sodom and it appears that God is investigating the state of corruption there to determine how it shall be judged.  This is quite the insider’s view of the inner working of God as he deals with mankind here!  The Lord makes it plain that the reason he is letting Abraham in on this and perhaps the whole purpose of their visit to him was to let him know that in fathering the nation of Israel and in becoming a blessing to the nations of the world (Rom 11:12) he is to command his children and all his household (foreigners who belong to him are included) to “keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.  It is further stated that doing this is a condition of the covenant!  So Abraham is essentially advised here that he is expected to command that his family keep the way of the Lord if he will receive the blessings promised by God.  Recalling that the covenant will indeed by kept at the cost of God’s harm and recalling that God told him in chapter 17 that it was already a done deal, we know that Abraham will be successful at this endeavor…at least with the elect remnant (which are the true offspring of promise).
    v22-33.  Abraham here is making himself a mediator and intercessor for the people of earth here and his voice is heard by the Lord.  This is a priestly service that Abraham serves here.  We now see in this chapter a revelation that Abraham is carrying the offices of patriarch of the people of God (king) and commanding messenger of God (prophet) and mediator between God and man (priest).  These are three important offices of Christ that are foreshadowed here.  In this account there is no means to take away sins revealed and Abraham can only plead the merits of the very righteousness of the people of Sodom…which doesn’t exist, unfortunately.  Abraham is one of a very few people who bear the only true righteousness of God and this was by faith that God is true and that he is sending a promised offspring.  Abraham quite bodily intercedes and offers to God a request that he defends with the very character of God.  This is striking that Abraham seems to imply that God would be doing wrong to condemn the righteous for the wickedness of others.  This is not contested by God and it seems established that he would not and will not cause condemnation of judgement due to one person to fall on another (Ezekiel 18:20).  Abraham is most likely worried for Lot and he mediates and agreement that God will spare the entire city on behalf of 10 righteous, if they can be found.  Here is a principle also implied that God, while he will not punish the innocent, will indeed spare the wicked for the sake of the innocent…at least on the earth.  This is already a fulfilling of the promise that all families of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3) in Abraham and it is a common grace that brings rain upon the wicked as well as the righteous (Matt 5:45).  In Abraham’s negotiating with God he offers no appeasement for the wrath of God but merely looks for mercy, which we learn later is based upon the finished work of Christ (Rom 3:20-26).  

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
    1.  I hear the message that God has a special relationship with his people that is intimate and where he reveals himself to them.  An implication is that even today God desires to be in communication with me and to share with me a view of his dealings with man.  The significance for me is that I should seek to commune with God and to know him and to seek out a right view of the world.
    2.  I hear the message that God allows human mediators to petition him and he gives attention to our pleas.  The implication is that today God will listen to our prayers and he will grant approval based upon the merit of our request and its alignment with his intentions and the upholding of his attributes.  The significance is that I should make intercession for my family and for others and I should keep in mind that he hears and desires to have this relationship where I intercede on the behalf of others with a compassionate heart.
    3.  I hear the message that a human mediator is flawed and does not make perfect intercession and does not know the mind of God.  The implication is that there is a better mediator who does know the mind of God and this is Jesus.  By extension this can also be said to be the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers (Rom 8:34, Heb 9, Rom 8:26-27).  The significance for me is that I do not rely on an earthly priest or intercessor but I rely of Jesus and on the Holy Spirit himself as I come before the Father with my petitions and even when I don't.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 17

Ready:
I left off with Jesus informing his disciples, and me, that it takes death and forfeit of the world to follow Christ.  I can live unto the world and the things I see or I can live unto Christ and hope in the things unseen.  I am called to lose my life that I may save it and so I head into the next chapter.

Reading thoughts:
Jesus continues to reveal his identity as the divine/human Messiah by showing a glimpse of his glorified form to three apostles and by demonstrating power beyond what the disciples bear in dealing with demons and by demonstrating his power of the fish of the sea and the myriad of circumstances that it would take to put a shekel in the mouth of this fish.  Jesus describes his coming death in humble submission despite the fact that he actually has all authority and that all of creation owes him honor and praise.

Key Verses:

“1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1–3, ESV)

“5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.” (Matthew 17:5–6, ESV)

“20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”” (Matthew 17:20, ESV)

“27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”” (Matthew 17:27, ESV)

I see the theme as- Jesus’ identity and authority is declared by God himself and this supreme power and authority is displayed to contrast with the humility that Jesus puts upon himself for the good of others.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-8.  Here Jesus selects his three closest disciples and they ascended a mountain together alone.  The nine others were left to themselves and it could be that like Aaron in the wilderness while Moses went up to meet with God that things got a little out of sorts in the absence of the leader.  Back to the description at hand- Matthew (who was down below at this point) tells us that these three saw Jesus “transfigured” before their eyes and it seems that Jesus gave them a glimpse of a glorified form of himself that clearly highlights his divinity nature.  Then Moses and Elijah show up!  What’s up with Moses and Elijah popping in?  Moses died and Elijah was caught up in the sky.  Moses is the primary prophet of God who delivers the law and Elijah was a mighty prophet who was declared to be a forerunner of the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:4-5).  So it appears that there is a display here of the ways in which God used to communicate to his people and the new way God communicates with his people through his incarnate Word, which is Jesus.  A voice that scares the three disciples comes from Heaven and announces as much to them.  I take the message from God to be 1. his declaration of the divine nature of Jesus, 2. his declaration that he is pleased with the perfectly righteous obedience of the human nature of Jesus and 3. he declares that Jesus is to be heeded henceforth as speaking with the authority of God in a more profound way than the law and the prophets (standing there to bear witness) ever could.  Here is the clearest illustration if the transition from the OT to the NT that I have seen in Matthew.  See Hebrews 1:1-2 for a clear statement regarding what is shown here at the transfiguration.  Also remember Jesus’ description in Matthew 11:12-19 about the law and the prophets concluding with John the Baptist.
    v9-13.  Recognizing the significance and wondering about the meaning of the prophesy by Malachi that Elijah must come Jesus explains that John the Baptist was the one Malachi was speaking of and he came fulfilling this prophecy that one would come in the spirit of Elijah.
    v14-21/21.  Here is a rather sad tale of Jesus and the three coming down the mountain to find that the nine left behind are failing at the task of maintaining their faith.  There are people seeking help with a demon possession and Jesus laments that lack of faith on the part of the nine disciples (including the narrator here).  It seems in his reference to the mustard seed that Jesus is telling them that a lack of complete reliance upon God to do a work with their faith as he raises up a strong tree from the simple planting of a seed.  Man is powerless to grow a seed but only God can do it and similarly only God can exorcise a demon but if these nine disciples were beginning to trust in themselves rather than rely solely on God in faith then this could explain their failure. Some suggest that they may have been distraught over being left behind when Jesus chose the three to go up the mountain and this is somewhat validated because soon after this the disciples end up in a discussion on who will be the greatest in the kingdom.
    v22-23.  Jesus here gives a straightforward statement of his coming death and resurrection but it distresses the disciples who do not yet understand that this is necessary.
    v24-27.  Here there is an irony that the creator is being asked to pay a temple tax and Jesus chooses to comply, although it is not required of him, because he does not want the issue to become a source of stumbling for others who question it.  This illustrates what Paul teaches in Romans 14.  However, the way Jesus goes about removing what would be the stumbling block exhibits for the disciples the very reason that he is not required to pay this temple tax.  This is because he is the very Son of God to whom this temple is devoted and it is all of creation that owes him honor and praise and devotion.  He demonstrates his divinity in the way he orchestrates the delivery of his temple tax payment by a fish carrying a coin.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
No time!

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

January 16

Genesis 17; Matthew 16

Genesis 17

Ready:
I pickup after Abram and Sarai decide to tweak what they know to be right in order to help along what God has promised.  Hagar has given birth to Ishmael and not the women are not getting along.  Lord please teach me by your Spirit as I read and let me understand the implications for today and more specifically the significance for my own life.

Reading thoughts:
    I see Abram waiting 13 years after the birth of Ishmael to hear anything specific from God again.  Time must have been eating at him and maybe he was assuming that Ishmael was the offspring despite the trouble their sin brought.  God speaks again and he come this time with a strong assertion to his power and declares that Abram is to live in communion with God and to be blameless or totally obedient.  He follows this up by changing Abram’s name to Abraham (father of many nations) and he presents another element of the covenant to Abraham that is about being the God of Abraham and his offspring after him.  There seems to be an implication that this group of descendants who bear the sign of the covenant are a “people” since those that do not bear the sign are to be "cut off from his people”.
    I see God clarify his promised offspring to be from Sarai and he changes her name to Sarah and then God and Abraham have a dialogue about Ishmael and God makes clear his intentions to give him a specific child named Isaac through whom the covenant promise of God will extend.  Abraham then follows God’s instruction regarding circumcision that day and all of Israel is circumcised…and the separate people of God are established!

Key Verses:

“1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”” (Genesis 17:1–2, ESV)

“3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” (Genesis 17:3–5, ESV)

“7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” (Genesis 17:7, ESV)

“9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.” (Genesis 17:9–11, ESV)

“12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,” (Genesis 17:12, ESV)

 “15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”” (Genesis 17:15–16, ESV)

“18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.” (Genesis 17:18–19, ESV)

“21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”” (Genesis 17:21, ESV)

“26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.” (Genesis 17:26–27, ESV)

I see the theme as- The people of God are born by taking the sign of the covenant of God to be true to his promise of 1. a particular offspring (Savior and conquerer of the serpent) and 2. nations to come (multitudes of burning lights attesting to the glory of God) and 3. a land (kingdom) and 4. ultimately that God himself would be their God (King).

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-3.  It has been 13 years and the story went silent until now.  Perhaps Abram was settled that Ishmael was the promised offspring and suddenly now God appears with a command that Abram “walk before him” and “be blameless”.  I take this to mean commune with God or live in humble relationship with God or rely on him or maybe have intimacy with God.  And the second part to be obey him and do not sin in your heart toward him.  This is the first thing Abram has heard since Ishmael was conceived and born 13 years earlier (so it seems by the silence of the text).  Abram’s response suggests that he is fully submissive to this command and perhaps there is a sudden realization that he may have done wrong.  Why is God suddenly telling him to do what he must have thought he was doing already?  And now God declares that Abram must do this as a condition for God to “make” the covenant between them and to multiply him…Wait a minute! What about the smoking fire pot passing through the carcasses and the unilateral covenant?  Perhaps now the nature of what God has done, and is doing, becomes a little more clear.  This is the way God progresses his revelation throughout the Bible.  So there is yet a condition to this unilateral covenant but we certainly know that the only one to bear the penalty of not keeping the covenant is God himself.  Therefore, Abram plays a role in keeping the covenant somehow but God bears the penalty.  Interesting.
    v4-5.  Here God give yet more detail to how this works because he declares that indeed his covenant is with him in the next breath that he speaks and he changes his name in acknowledgment of what he says next.  Which is a remarkable declaration that he has already accomplished the fulfillment of the covenant!  He tells “Abraham” that has has already made him the father of many nations!  Talk about a head spinner.  OK, so God makes a covenant that nay he bears the penalty for and it says some things I detailed above and he makes it clear that Abraham bears some responsibility to walk with God and to be blameless but God also declares that it is done or “it is finished” maybe.  Here we see the explicit introduction of what is know as the “already-not yet” theme of the Bible.  So I take this as an explanation of how it is that God is responsible for my salvation and how it is his work and yet I play a role and yet he is responsible and yet I can’t stop it from happening and yet I must walk blameless with him and yet its already a done deal…this is sounding like a beautiful and not fully comprehendible explanation for predestination and free will being married in the mind of God and expressed though the hearts of man.  Praise the Lord that he creates in me what he requires of me!
    v6-8.  Here God announces that he will be the God of this multitude of nations.  Interesting here how he will be God not just of the Jews but I take it to be of all the nations that come from Abraham..referring to the burning lights of all the saints of eternity past and future who have the obedience of faith.  This is a big verse where God establishes that he will be their God or “king” you might take it since he describes a kingdom with a realm or land and a people and a ruler.  He speaks of the land being an everlasting possession which can be seen ahead in revelation with the new Jerusalem (heaven).
    v9-14.  Here God speaks more of Abraham’s responsibility.  He tells Abraham that there will be a sign to mark this people to whom Almighty God will be their God.  Abraham is to circumcise all the men of his house and this is to include foreigners who are from outside his offspring but who are brought into his house by purchase…interesting.  Jesus purchased me from outside the people of God and I was adopted into the family of Abraham (1 Cor 6:19-20, Eph 2:11-14, Eph 1:5, Gal 3:7)!  I have a circumcised heart (Rom 2:28-29, Deut 30:6)!  Even this physical circumcision was only a sign of a spiritual circumcision of the heart that had to occur by the Spirit of God in order for any individual to actually be part of the remnant to be saved (Rom 2:28-29, Rom 11:5-8) and so we know that outward profession or belonging to a people group is not the matter but it is transformation of the heart by the Spirit of God that makes anyone a child of God (Rom 9:6-8).  Further there is some significance to the sign that God chose to separate his people from the world.  It is a sign given to the men only but that the women partake of in marriage through physical intimacy.  The sin nature is passed down by the man and yet it impacts the women. The part of a man that will procreate (give offspring though intimacy) and that will mark his devotion to his marriage covenant (blamelessness) or else his adultery and rebellion against this covenant will carry the mark of the covenant of God to accomplish what he has promised to accomplish through the very walking with God and blamelessness of the man of God.  This covenant will be kept to the hurt of the one bound to the promise and it shall be accomplished!
    v15-21.  Here God changes Sarai’s name to Sarah and declares with certainty that is will be her who bears the promised offspring who will be named Isaac.  He also refers to her here as his wife twice.  God does not acknowledge Hagar as a wife to Abraham in this text.  There is a teaching on marriage and divorce here that there is not time to get into.  God describes how Ishmael will receive some blessing of God due to his relation to Abraham and we see a picture of God keeping the promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham.  A picture of common grace perhaps.  Here in verse 21 is the promise that Sarah will bear a son this time next year!  This is the very promise that Paul refers to in Romans 9:9 and it seems to be related to the children of God coming by the promise of God and the keeping of that promise rather than by human actions like taken by Abram and Sarai with Hagar.  They are now the people of God and known as Abraham and Sarah and now Abraham will be intimate with his newly named wife bearing now for the first time the seal of the covenant of God upon himself (circumcision) and they will conceive miraculously the promised child!!!  We are children of promise and not children of the flesh!  God is good.
    v22-27.  Now Abraham here follows though and does as God has required in circumcision…and then probably hurried off to his tent with Sarah!  The chapter closes with the refreshing statement that Abraham circumcised the foreigners of his house.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
No time!

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 16

Ready:
The previous chapter was about human traditions vs the purposes of God and about salvation reaching outside the Israelites and about the power of God.

Reading thoughts:
In this chapter I see Jesus explaining that there are signs already given and to come that have been specifically designed to reveal the promised offspring to the world and that we need to not request our own personal signs that simply announce our arrogance and ignoring of the intended signs.  I also see Jesus teach that the disciples are to be careful about to letting the teaching of the Pharisees to get mixed in with his message that they will carry.  I see a pivotal point where Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, or the promised offspring to save God’s people…the Messiah.  Things seem to change here because then Jesus starts telling them about the plan of his death and resurrection and he makes it clear that his purpose is to suffer and die in order that the many may live and escape the coming judgement.

Key Verses:

“1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.” (Matthew 16:1, ESV)

“4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.” (Matthew 16:4, ESV)

“11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11–12, ESV)

“13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”” (Matthew 16:13, ESV)

“15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15–17, ESV)

“21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21, ESV)

“23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Matthew 16:23, ESV)

“24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24–25, ESV)

I see the them as- Those who look and listen will see him but indeed it will be God who convinces us of the truth and brings us into union with Christ in his suffering and death and resurrection unto life.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1.  Here the Pharisees do not come with sincerity to seek God but they come to challenge Jesus.
    v2-4.  Jesus responds by educating them that they already have signs that they are ignoring and that there will be one sign to come that is ultimate.  He refers of course to his resurrection from the dead after three days as Jonah came from the great fish after three days.  Jonah, of course felt that it was wrong for God to forgive the people of Nineveh because they were wicked and Jonah tried to avoid being the messenger of God to lead them to repentance.  Jonah wanted God’s justice to be manifested and he did not desire mercy.  Jesus, however, desired both.  He desired that the perfect justice of God be executed and that this be the very vessel to bring the mercy of God upon the world.  Jesus wants us to repent.  Jesus wants us to be forgiven and he died to make that happen.  Jonah was taken into the belly of the fish for three days against his will but Jesus went to he belly of death for three days in perfect obedience.  Jonah brought one message to Nineveh and it was a message of coming judgement.  This message was the message that John the Baptist prepared and Jesus continued.  The bridegroom is here and we are an unclean bride.  Judgement is upon us!  For the one who is looking to the signs of the scriptures and the promised Messiah the answer is clear…trust in the offspring and repent of your sins.  See the four chapters of the book of Jonah.
    v5-12.  Here Jesus warns of the teaching of the Pharisees which is an external righteousness based on outward appearances and what enters the body.  Jesus has been teaching that what matters is the heart and what comes out of us.  Jesus warns them to not mix the teaching of the pharisees or else it contaminates the entire message and makes it unclean and unworthy and powerless to save (Gal 1:6-9, 15-16).  Jesus also teaches that the feeding of the multitudes (both instances) was not about bread but about the teaching of God.  He helps us see that indeed he was teaching about the apostles delivering the message of God to the multitudes to feed their souls.
    v13-20.  Here is a specific location Jesus inquires of his disciples regarding their opinion of who he is.  Peter hits it on the head and pegs Jesus as the Messiah.  This is a more specific confession that was made by the group in chapter 14 where they said “truly you are the Son of God”.  What is better about this confession is that he is recognized as the promised offspring and therefore he has a specific purpose.  Sometimes the term “son of God” may be used to refer more generally to a believer or someone sent by God and although I have not studied that last confession at depth I can tell that this one is more absolute.  In this passage is also the controversial stamens about Peter and what the Catholic church takes to be the establishment of Peter as the first Pope.  However, Peter was not only corrected by Paul but also reported under James and was only one voice on the council and there is zero evidence of his total authority over the early church.  Perhaps it is on the rock of the confession of faith that the church will be built upon?  Perhaps it is on the witness of the apostles that the church will be built upon and Peter is the first to make this confession?  Options abound for exactly how to interpret this but the establishment of the Papency does not fit.  The phrase about binding on heaven and earth is used again shortly in the next chapter and it is speaking of church discipline which again is not such an easy thing to figure.  Not only Peter but other apostles as well were binding the enemy and loosing people from their sins and their bondage not by their own initiative or innate authority but only in following the lead of God as messengers.
    v21-23.  Here Jesus begins to give specific revelation to the disciples that they understand to mean that his is going to suffer and die.  Peter speaks up and his flesh immediately says no to this idea.  He does not want to loose Jesus and like Abram and Sarai warning to help accomplish the promise of the offspring now Peter, who just confessed Jesus to be the offspring, wants to protect him and help to bring about the promise of deliverance by this offspring.  Peter, like Abram and Sarai do not realize that God is in control and it is he who will do the work in his own way that will leave no glory to be had by man but only glory to God alone.  Man cannot fathom what God will do in the keeping of this covenant he made with Abram by passing through the carcasses alone.  The author of life will indeed be offered up on a cross for the sins of his people (people by promise, not by the flesh) and he will pay for their failure to keep the covenant with death and judgement and the full wrath of God to vindicate the justice of God and provide a righteous ground for his mercy.  Peter thinks it is right to stop this sacrifice…because he is looking at the situation from the flesh.  Jesus rebukes him and tells him essentially that the lie of the devil has contaminated his thinking.  He will not turn the rock into bread, he will not jump form the mountain top, he will not bow to the devil and he will not detour from his walk up the calvary road.  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is the promised offspring and he is on mission and he will not be stopped.  The sky will darken, the earth will shake, the curtain will tear, hell will be raised and heaven opened before he fails to fulfill the mission given to him by his Father.
    v24-28.  Now Jesus re-orients Peter and the other disciples to the right view of the world and to suffering.  He explains to them that it is only the one who bears this cross and who follows Jesus into a death that will ever know life.  He explains that we can either life for this life in the world or we can die to his life in order to live for the sake of Christ.  Gain the world and death and judgment along with it or instead gain communion with God.  There will be a judgement where we are judged for our actions…and the context here is our actions regarding living for self or dying to self for the sake of the Christ.  He concludes with another hotly contested statement about some of these disciples not dying until they see the “Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”  I take this to be Jesus transfigured, crucified, resurrected, ascended, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Judas for sure is dead before all of this transpires and these things surely mark the Kingdom of God being firmly established on the earth, as promised in the curse of the garden by the crushing of the head of the devil and the establishment of the church by the indwelling Spirit of God unifying his people in a way more powerful than circumcision of the flesh.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
No time!

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Soli Deo Gloria!

January 15

Genesis 16; Matthew 15

Genesis 16

Ready:
The previous chapter is one of the most foundational in the whole Bible as I saw the unilateral covenant of God with Abram and the counting of faith as righteousness to Abram before he was circumcised and made to be the first Jew.  This chapter was a turning point in the history of salvation and a revelation of great significance.  Now moving on in the drama there is a shift to look at his wife.  This character shift marks a new message or thought.  Lord please give me eyes to see your story well and ears to receive the implications and a heart to value and apply your Word in my life.

Reading thoughts:
I see here Lord that Sarai is barren and that she doubts that indeed she will bear a child to Abram.  Although they recognized that a man and wife become one flesh (Gen 2:24) Sarai’s doubting brought Abram to the poor decision of taking a second wife and bearing a son by her.  Now Abram knows that the hinge pin is Sarai’s womb and then there is some friction between Hagar and Sarai that causes trouble in the marriage and in the community of Abram’s people.

Key Verses:

“1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” (Genesis 16:1–2, ESV)

“5 And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!”” (Genesis 16:5, ESV)

“15 And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.” (Genesis 16:15–16, ESV)

I see the theme here as- Abram falls into error with Sarai and he bears a son outside of the clear intent of God for them.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-3.  Here Sarai and Abram blow it and think again that they will need to help God accomplish his will by doing something artificial and knowingly wrong.  Like Adam who listened to Eve when she was deceived by the serpent here Abram listens to Sarai and makes a poor decision.
    v4-14.  Here is the conflict building in the storyline and the introduction of a new character in Ishmael.  Hagar and Sarai are at odds and perhaps Hagar looks down on Sarai because of her barrenness.  Sarai realizes their error and blames Abram…as she should.  Abram failed to be the man he is called to be and he took ill advice from his bride.
    v15-16.  Here is a summary that points out the error of Abram.  He bears a son, but not the promised son.  Abram did not pass through the carcasses and this covenant rests on the faithfulness of the Lord so this event will not put the promise into question but it illustrates our tendency to try to manipulate what we think God is doing and to not simply rest in his promises.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
    1.  I hear Moses teaching that Abram and Sarai were wrong to take this into their own hands.  The implication here is that we must be patient and allow God to work in his timing and in his way.  I find the significance in my life to be that I must trust that God will bring about his purposes even through the struggles of life and that I need not be fearful that it relies on me figuring out how to accomplish what God has set forth to do.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 15

Ready:
Picking up from the last cheater where John the Baptist died and the torch was officially passed to the NT times of Jesus carrying the message of God’s revelation to humanity.

Reading thoughts:
I see Jesus come against the traditions of men that would hinder obedience to God and love for others.  I see Jesus refer to a vain worship that does not come from the heart.  I see Jesus correct a false teaching of man with a truth very deep that establishes where defilement and guilt before God come from. I also see Jesus work right through his revealed focus on the lost sheep of Israel to heal a Caananite woman’s daughter due to an amazing faith that she displays that reminds me of the Roman Centurion.  Jesus again heals many and then again feeds a multitude.


Key Verses:

“3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3, ESV)

“7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”” (Matthew 15:7–9, ESV)

“10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”” (Matthew 15:10–11, ESV)

“13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”” (Matthew 15:13–14, ESV) 

“18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18, ESV)

“27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:27–28, ESV)

I see the theme as- Jesus announces that it is a heart that delights in God and therefore honors God above all selfish motives and pride.  This heart can be had be Jew or Gentile.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-6.  Here Jesus destroys the Pharisees who try to tell him they are doing wrong by not following a tradition invented by man in their worship.  Jesus goes straight to the heart and reverses this on them because he indicates that their hearts are far from God.  They prefer human tradition over serving the Lord according to his word because they benefit this way.  He cites the example that they withhold taking care of their parents because they devote their belongings to God so and then claim that they cannot sell or give these things to help their aging parents.  This is carnal and wrong and Jesus announces them to be hypocrites who would use supposed religious piety to serve themselves.  He tells them that they make void the word of God by their selfish use of it.  This is the same as not healing or helping another on the Sabbath.
    v7-9.  Here Jesus makes clear that there are many religious things we can do that would have an appearance of worship and spiritual service and goodness but if we do these good things with wrong motives or with hearts that are not sincere and lifted to God is submission, then we worship in vain and we are hypocrites.  There is a way to sing songs to the Lord and attend church and read my Bible and pray that dishonors God.  Worship is a matter of the heart and not a matter of my actions.
    v10-20.  So Jesus makes it plain here that following traditions of men will not keep me from being defiled because defilement comes from within.  There is not something I can do that will introduce defilement, but it is what I do that demonstrates the defilement within me.  Failing to have the obedience of faith defiles me but there is no obedience to man made traditions required of me.
    v21-28.  Next Jesus shows that a person who keeps no traditions or customs of the Jewish faith can have a heart that seeks God and a faith that saves.  Here Jesus breaks his announced purpose of seeking out the lost sheep of Israel for the sake of a woman demonstrating the obedience of faith.  He seems to have been “taking a break” or something by coming into this Gentile area where he encounters this woman.  He has purpose for all he does!  She knows that the blessing of God to Abraham is meant to bless more than just the physical family and she suggests that others can feed off of the blessings to Abraham.  Jesus gives a hearty approval to this faith and he grants her request with joy.  He clear tested her faith and her understanding here and shows us a reality in it.  The children of Abraham are those with the obedience of faith, not those who are direct descendants or “children of the flesh” but rather “children of the promise” (Rom 9:8).
    v29-39.  Jesus continues to heal and many glorify God as they see him at work and then he again feeds a multitude before leaving the region.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
    1.  Matthew records Jesus teaching the implication to never use supposed religious requirements to disguise evil intentions.  The significance to me is that I cannot leave my family in the lurch because God “requires” me to do such and such in humble service to him…while they feel left in the cold.  Hmmm…maybe there is a message in this text for me?
    2.  Jesus teaches that there is such a thing as vain worship and the implication is that true worship involves the heart that is devoted to God above all and that the actions are a response to this.  The significance for me is that I need to check my motives always and seek heart change more than change in my outward worship.
    3.  Jesus teaches that the Gentiles who trust in the God of the Jews for salvation may be healed.  The implication is that anyone who would trust in God may be saved (Rom 10:13).  Anyone may receive the blessings of Abraham (Rom 4:9-12).  When I say anyone I mean that God has planned for the multitudes and we know not all of his sheep until they come in (Rom 11:25).  All whom he calls recognize his voice and respond to his call (John 10:3, Rom 8:30) and he calls some sheep that are not from the same flock (John 10:16).

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Soli Deo Gloria!

January 14

Genesis 15; Matthew 14

Genesis 15

Ready:
The last chapter showed me Abram going after Lot when he was taken captive in the battle between the kings.  Abram was successful in rescuing him by the hand of the Lord and Abram then tithed and was blessed by the Melchizedek king of Salem.  Let me hear your message here Lord and may you grant me understanding and submission to the authority of your Word.

Reading thoughts:
I see in this chapter the amazing unilateral covenant of God with Abram.  I see Abram’s trust in God’s spoken Word counted to him as righteousness.

Key Verses:

“3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”” (Genesis 15:3, ESV)

“5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5–6, ESV)

“7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”” (Genesis 15:7–8, ESV)

“12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.” (Genesis 15:12–13, ESV)

“17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,” (Genesis 15:17–18, ESV)

I see the theme as- God declares that it will be for his own sake that he will keep his promises and that he will be faithful and it will not rest on the faithfulness of Abram that he shall do this thing that he has declared first to Adam and Eve and then to Noah and now to Abram.  He will indeed deliver a people from sin and death by the offspring of Eve as he has spoken because he is the unstoppable God of all creation who has set his love upon us.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-3.  Here Abram asks the Lord to keep his promise.  Abram is told by God that his reward shall be great for his selfless actions of faith in rescuing Lot and Abram’s response is to see if God would consider the reward to be the offspring he is waiting for.  Abraham basically says that all he sees now is that a member of his “household” would be the closest thing to a descendant so far.
    v4-6.  Here God makes a double statement to Abram by asking him to look to the sky and count the stars.  He illustrates that just as he created the multitude of stars in the sky by the power of his Word so too can he give Abram an offspring with no more than the thought of his infinite and unstoppable mind.  He says “So shall your offspring be” and this refers to the quantity and the quality.  I hear God promising that it will be him that brings the offspring, not Abram’s manipulations (like with telling lies to Pharaoh about who Sarai is to him).  I also hear God promising Abram that his offspring will be numerous and as brilliant lights that declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1, Rev 7:9-12).  And I take this vast multitude of offspring to be the inheritance of Jesus (choir of burring lights) that he looks at from the cross and brings him joy in and satisfaction in the seeing (Eph 1:18, Isaiah 53:10-11, Heb 12:2).  These are promises that he will keep through many future actions of God and through many actions of men in the coming drama of the story of redemption that we are reading.  Here God counts Abram righteous and this means that it is not his own righteousness since it is “counted” to him.  Here God tells the world that anyone who trusts him can and will be declared righteous before God with God's own righteousness, which we will lean to be his Son (Rom 10:3-4, Rom 3:22) despite their sin and despite their not being part of some special family by birth (Rom 3:23-24, 4:11, 20-25, Rom 9:8, Gal 3:7).  Note that God declared Abram righteous before he changed his name and before he told him to circumcise himself…before Abram became the first Jew.  Yes salvation is from the Jews but is is for all who would become a Jew by faith (Rom 2:28-29, Gal 3:26-29)!
    v7-8.  God reminds Abram of what he has already done for him and Abram, trusting God- I believe, asks now how he can know that he will possess it.  I take this perhaps to be Abram questing himself and his ability to do what God is saying because God’s response is not one of curse like the angel had for Zechariah when he doubted the prophecy concerning his own son.  Instead God’s response is to declare to Abraham that it will be him alone who accomplishes this mighty thing that is never meant to be a celebration of the faith of the one loved but a celebration of the glory of the one who loves.  Salvation is about the glory of God and not the value of man.  If God’s choice to save is about my value then I am tore up and without hope when I consider my sin and my weakness and my heart that is inclined to evil. But when I understand God’s choice to save to be about the glory of God he lifts my head and he conquers my sin to the praise of his glorious name!
    v9-11.  Here God has Abram prepare a common covenant ritual where both parties would walk between the torn carcasses in agreement that each will keep their end or else they would be sawn in two like these animals.  This would be a binding covenant resulting in death to the party that did not perform.
    v12-16.  Here God interrupts as Abram waits for God to direct him now that the ritual has been set-up.  God puts a sleep upon Abram and gives him a vision with a declaration that there is certainty of the things to come.  He describes the future of the people of Israel and even indicates their captivity in Egypt (which will require unborn descendants to sin against their brother to bring about and then the sin of Pharaoh in holding the Israelites so that God judges Egypt).  So God declares that these things are certain even though they include the many choices and actions of people.
    v17-21.  Here God wakes Abram from the vision of the future to now see what God is doing for him in the present.  He wakes to see God, in the form of a smoking fire pot (foreshadowing how he will show his presence to the Israelites in a column of smoke or fire) passing between the carcasses without him!  God was supposed to bring Abram through with him so that both parties are bound to the agreement!  "I will be their God and they will be my people”…we are supposed to be bound to be his people!  Why does God leave Abram on the sidelines as he himself establishes this covenant alone?  Moses narrates for us and tells us that on this day God made a covenant with Abram to give his offspring this land.  This covenant does not rest in any sense upon Abram but solely upon God to keep.  This helps us know why God declares over and over as he deals with the unfaithful Israelites things like “for my own sake I will do it” (Isaiah 48:11).  How then does his promise rely on my decision to have faith?  (See Eph 2:8, Acts 11:18, 2 Tim 2:25, Rom 4:16-17).  God gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist!  What was the context of this statement there in Romans 4…search for it.  What is he talking about with this life to the dead and making things exist by a call (Rom 11:28-30, Acts 2:39, Rom 1:5-7)?  And then- Am I saved for my sake or for the glory of God in keeping his promise in order to show the sinfulness of the sin committed in the garden and the glory of his holy name to a multitude of nations and tongues who will live and be saved by his mighty hand?  Is this a story about me or about our amazing God?  Is the question “why does he let good people that he loves go to hell” or “why does he slay his Son to save some of the God haters who defile his name with every breath and thought until he would mercifully give some a new heart?”  Is hell an injustice and heaven fair and right?  Or is hell fair and right and heaven the glorious riches of the mercy of God upon those whom he freely chooses from the pagan idol worshipers in the plains of Haran?  This is the epic story of God’s revelation of himself to us!!

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
    1.  I hear God declare that he puts his own truth on the line and his own name on the line and his own glory on the line with regard to keeping his promise to Abram.  The implication of this is that God intends to do a work and he will do it.  The significance is that I can trust that God will work in me to kill sin and to love others and to give me hope and to be my strength and that I can trust that he will complete the work he has begun in me.  I can trust that my faith is a gift and he will bring me across the finish line.  I, like Abram, can step forward in faith that the promise is a done deal and I can walk as one victorious.
    2.  I hear Moses teach that the righteousness of God is counted to him in the same manner that he declares me righteous by faith in the truthfulness of God in his promise of offspring.  The implication is that righteousness does not come from self accomplishment or religious duty but it comes by trusting God through the person and work of his Son.  The implication for me is that I do not need to work for my salvation but I need to trust God to have clothed me in the righteousness of his Son and trust that he will bring the fruit in my life as I walk in the obedience of faith.
    3.  I hear Moses teach that it is the people of faith that are sons of Abraham and therefore sons of God.  The implication is that Christ is available to save all who will trust in his name.  Will I trust?  Will I have faith?  Who is the one who trusts in God?  The significance for me is that I am in the family of God and I am part of his choir of burning lights to the glory of his name and not to the value of mine.  I rejoice that my salvation rests not upon me but upon the covenant of God to hold true to his Word.  This is not a weak Word that leaves me to muddle and toil in sin with some empty guarantee that my living and my desires and my thoughts and my actions do not matter…nope.  He gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.  He will make me like his Son and he will do much of that work here and now because that is what grace does (Titus 2:11-15, 1 Thess 5:23-24)!

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 14

Ready:
In this chapter we are coming from a series of parables by Jesus and now there is a shift in the setting and the characters to indicate something different being taught.

Reading thoughts:
I see the death of the last of the OT prophets and the striking symbolism given by Jesus to his disciples to teach that they will deliver his Word to mankind and they will indeed feed his sheep (John 21:17).  He further helps them to see that this word they deliver is the very Word of God.

Key Verses:

“9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,” (Matthew 14:9–10, ESV)

“19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” (Matthew 14:19, ESV)

I see the theme as -The new revelation from God has arrived and it will go forth at the hand of the apostles with the very power of God.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-12.  It looks like Herod the tetrarch believed that John was Elijah come from the dead (close but a little off) but because of an oath he took he sorrowfully orders the beheading of this prophet of God as a result of John calling all out of this sin and Herodias being offended.  The law of God offends those who want to justify themselves and the OT here comes to a full close with the death of the final prophet (Luke 11:49, Acts 7:52).  But John’s job is complete!
    v13-21.  Here I take this miracle to be the transition of how God spoke in the OT through prophets and angels but now through his Son and his Son is only here teaching for 3 years and then the Word will go through the apostles to the ends of the earth.  Here the Word or the “bread of life” is blessed by Jesus, handed to the apostles, and distributed to all who hunger.  There is a message there.
    v22-33.  Then Jesus shows them a miracle that results in their perception that he is the Son of God without question.  The Word that they are given comes not from a prophet but from God himself, come among us as a man.  Their power is not their own but it comes by the command of God and his call to step onto the water.  When they rely on self or believe the lie that God does not reign over their circumstances then they start to sink.  Jesus reaches out and is their rescue and the one who will keep them afloat.  He will not allow their faith to fail for it is his gift to them (Luke 22:31-32).
    v34-36.  I take the final paragraph here in closing this passage to be the display of the power of God extending beyond the flesh of Jesus.  His very clothing carries his power and so certainly his people can.  Only those who touched his garment were healed.  It took faith in action…obedience of faith for the sick to be healed.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance:
    1.  I hear Matthew teaching that the transition from the OT to the NT is complete.  The implications is that from here the proclamation of God relies on the God-man Jesus and his followers.  The significance is that I carry this message and it is up to me to be a proclaimer of the truth.  Jesus is in heaven and the prophets are all dead and the apostles are all dead…who is left?
    2.  I hear Matthew teach that Jesus has power over creation and over sin and illness and he gives this power to his apostles when they will trust him and put their focus on him.  The implication is that the power of God goes with the messengers of God.  The significance to me is that I can manifest the power of God here on earth when I trust Jesus and carry the message of the gospel.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Soli Deo Gloria!

January 13

Genesis 14; Matthew 13

Genesis 14

Ready:
Lord please bless this time in your Word.  Let me seek and find and may you cause me to search like for silver and gold and may you incline my ears to wisdom and my heart to understanding.  Teach me the fear of the Lord and let me find the knowledge of God.  I recall that Abram and Lot separated in the last chapter and Abram was trusting in you and he was remembering you even in his prosperity.

Reading thoughts:
I see Abram bringing salvation to a remnant among the sinners of Sodom in the way that Jesus comes to rescue us out of the world.  Lot is as an adopted son to Abram as I am an adopted Son to God.  I see Abram giving a tithe to the somewhat mysterious priest king known as Melchizedek.

Key Verses:

“14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.” (Genesis 14:14–15, ESV)

“18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:18–20, ESV)

I see the theme as- Abram remembers his family and risks his life to rescue them in the end to be blessed with success and with an encounter with Melchizedek.

Rumination thoughts:
v1-12.  There seems to be a battle breaking out that may have little or nothing to do with Lot or Abram but the bottom line is that it is impacting them.  Lot and his family and their belongings are all captured by the five Kings who invade Sodom.
v13-16.  Abram finds out and gathers his allies and his army and they make pursuit of the 5 kings and their armies.  In the night Abram attacks and by the grace and power of God he rescues Lot and all his family and belongings.
v17-20.  Here Abram encounters a mysterious figure in the Bible.  Some say this priest King had no parents but most agree that he simply did not have any noteworthy heritage (Hebrews 6:20-7:28).  Jesus comes later as a priest King in a similar way as this Melchizedek.  What is special about this priesthood is that it pre-dates the establishment of the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood under Moses.  The high priest will be the person who makes the offering of atonement each year for the people of God but this has not been established yet.  So this priest is somehow more transcendent and of a higher nature than the earthly ones to come.  Abram here makes offering to the priest-king and this establishes that the Melchizedek is greater than Abram.  This becomes important later because Jesus will tell the Pharisees that "before Abraham was, I am” and this establishes that he pre-dated Abram and is greater than Abram similar to the Melchizedek (John 8:56-59).  This priesthood is also royal and held by a king whereas the Levitical and Aaronic priesthoods are not that way.  All this sets up a different type of priest-king as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ role.
v21-24.  Here there is a contrast where the other King who comes to Abram, after being rescued by him, and he does not bring blessing and praise for God but he simply offers Abram stuff.  The first king feared God and was a righteous man whereas this king rules a land of wickedness and what he values are goods and money.  Abram was gracious with the first King and he even tithed to him 10 percent of all he had, but to this king Abram is discerning.  Abram denies the offer from the King of Sodom in favor of keeping his commitment to God.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
     1.  I hear Moses teaching that Abram valued family and he loved them at risk to himself even though they were unwisely living in the city of sin.  The implication I take is that we are expected to risk for the kingdom and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and we are to not love our life so much that we are unwilling to risk it for others.  The significance for me would be that I need to watch for scenarios in my life where I need to take action that may risk my well being or my livelihood or my resources when there is a need.
     2.  I Hear Moses teaching that there is a priesthood that was before the priesthood that God will reveal to Moses.  The implication is that Jesus is this type of priestly king who comes not with an authority based on a lineage (Jesus was from the line of Judah and these were not the priests) but based on the authority of an indestructible life (Heb 7:15-17).  The significance for me is that I have a huh priest who never tires and who never dies and who ever lives to intercede for me!!  This means I have security and hope and joy and access to God always.
     3.  I hear Moses teaching that Abram sought after God and not after wealth or recognition.  I take the implication to be that a proper response to the miraculous provision of God in my life is to give back to him and to worship him and to honor him.  The significance for my life is that I receive from his hand every two weeks and I should be tithing from this blessing and honoring him in this way of worship to express that I value him over wealth and over the blessings he gives.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 13

Ready:
Picking up now where Jesus has just corrected the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath and has established that the church is a family in an even greater sense than our physical family.

Reading thoughts:
I see parables stacked on parables here and it begins with one that teaches a primary purpose of parables by reference to Isaiah and his call to be a mouthpiece for God.  I see Jesus teach about the impact of his Word upon the one who would hear it and on what God does with small things and how righteousness and wickedness dwell together in this life and how to loo at the world and how a judgement is clearly coming and how the revelation from the OT and the NT come together in the person of Jesus.

Key Verses:

“11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11, ESV)

“22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22, ESV)

“41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:41–42, ESV)

“44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, ESV)

I see the theme as- Jesus teaches those who will hear and he teaches about the way God works and how we are to understand the world and how to view Jesus as the culmination of all of the revelation of God.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-9.  Here is the parable of the sower that Jesus himself will explain later.  The teaching here as Matthew gives it to us would seem to be for the purpose of knowing how a parable works and the purpose of it.  This comes in the next passage.
    v10-17.  Here Jesus explains that parables can be just as much for hiding the truth as they can be for revealing it.  SPOILER ALERT!- (there are different views here so please do not take offense if you disagree with me…but its my blog!  He he…) Jesus makes reference to the passage in Isaiah 6 where Isaiah is commissioned by God to be a prophet.  Comparing the citation with the actual text there are some subtle differences (partially due to the citations in the NT usually being from the Greek Septuagint) but it seems cleat that God is determining that in a broad sense that he will make the Israelites NOT understand the message of the prophet and that for a certain period of time this will be the case.  Paul clarifies for us in Rom 11 that this is until the fullness of the gentiles has come in since the Jews were to reject Jesus in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles.  Paul also makes it clear that this was not the case for every individual since there has always been a remnant that was not hardened but were elected to believe (Rom 11:7).  Some will place this election in response to God’s foreknowledge of their choice and I accept this view as Christian but I don’t believe it follows the revelation of God’s plan seen in Romans 9-11 and arguably throughout the Bible.  No doubt there is surely personal responsibility in rejecting God just as he held Pharaoh accountable from an earlier post but I think the belief requires God’s intention upon us to believe for the sake of his glory rather than something worthy he sees in us.  This topic can divide so we must ensure that we offer grace both directions and love one another regardless of how we take this.  
    v18-23.  Here Jesus explains how different people will react to he message of the gospel and it seems that there are various ways in which the word is kept from bringing about salvation.  Some will interpret some of the people (soil) as saved and others only the good soil as representing someone who is saved.  Either way, if we are in the thorns…we need to get out!
    v24-30.  Here is seems clear that there will be a co-mingling of sin and righteousness until the end when a judgment comes.  This has been taken by some to speak about people within the church who are not saved and others take it to more simply mean that in this present age there are both.  In both cases there is an understanding that Jesus will bring judgment and in the end the unbelievers will be separated from the believers just as Psalm 1 says that the sinners will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.
    v31-33.  These two quick parables seem to teach that God does huge and amazing things with very little resources.  We can bank on that in a ton of ways…
    v34-35.  Jesus declares that he is fulfilling God’s plan and he is revealing things that have been a mystery since the dawn of creation.  
    v36-43.  This is the explanation to the parable of the weeds that I already addressed.
    v44-46.  These are probably my favorite parables in the Bible and they give us an understanding of how to view life.  This life is to be about getting God and not about getting other things!
    v47-50.  This seems to be a restatement of the weeds parable and I have no time to inquire further today.
    v51-58.  I take this last parable together with Jesus being rejected because it seems very related.  He says that the old treasure and the new treasure are to be brought out and then he explains that his new revelation is not being received.  It seems clear that he is saying that his message is one with the old message and that they go together.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance:
No more time today...

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Soli Deo Gloria!

January 12

Genesis 13; Matthew 12

Genesis 13

Ready:
In the previous chapter you called Abram and you are now establishing a certain people with whom you will dwell and through whom you will bless all families of the earth Lord and you will be keeping promises to Abram for all time to come and this will result in many more covenants and promises and in action and in mission.  Let me see again how your plan unfolds Lord and may you cause me to be humble and submissive to your Word today that I do not bring in biases or preconceptions without checking all against you Word.  Teach me Lord I pray.

Reading thoughts:
This chapter describes how Abram and Lot parted ways after they left Egypt with great possessions.  They had been blessed by God and now the great deal of possessions caused trouble between them.  Abram shows faith and love and humility in allowing Lot to make his choice of the land and determine where he will settle and then God speaks again to Abram reiterating the promise to give the land of Canaan to the offspring of Abraham.

Key Verses:

“2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” (Genesis 13:2, ESV)

“4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:4, ESV)

“8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”” (Genesis 13:8–9, ESV)

“12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.” (Genesis 13:12–13, ESV)

“14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.” (Genesis 13:14–16, ESV)

“18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.” (Genesis 13:18, ESV)

I see the theme as- The blessings of God are also a test of our love for God and for others and our possessions should not become a distraction from our trust in God alone.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-4.  Here Abram leaved Egypt pretty much expelled by Pharaoh for the trouble he brought them…again just like the Israelites will leave 400 years from this point and they also take a plunder of wealth with them.  Exodus records that they Israelites took silver and gold and much livestock just as Abram does here in Genesis.  Abram does not forget the Lord in the enjoyment of his wealth and prosperity but he goes back to an altar he had previously built where she lived before and he called upon the Lord.  I take this to mean that he asked God to direct him in his next actions in anticipation of God keeping the promises he had made to Abram.
    v5-7.  I take the reason for this conflict being the next thing perhaps to be God’s answer to Abram’s call.  Just as I do not know how to pray for myself as I ought to pray and so the Holy Spirit intercedes for me according to the will of God (Rom 8:26-27) so God here seems to bring about what would be a negative scenario in order to do good and to further his purpose in something Abram would never know or want to pray for (Rome 8:28-29).
    v8-13.  Here Abram and Lot settle their conflict well no doubt due to Abram’s humility and trust in God for his future.  Lot makes a choice based on what he sees rather than hoping in what is not seen like Abram (Rom 8:24-25).  We are given a clue by Moses of the trouble to come since he says that the land Lot is choosing is full of great sinners against the Lord.
    v14-18.  Here God speaks to Abram again and it follows this faithful and loving response that Abram had to the conflict.  God again gives confidence to Abram that his hop is in the right place and he reminds him that in all directions the land of Canaan shell belong to his offspring.  But those born after the flood in chapter 11 were fathering children at about the age of 29-70 years old and Abram was more than 75 years old (Gen 12:4) at this point with no offspring.  God tells Abram to travel through the land so that he can survey it and rejoice in what will belong to his family.  Then, settling at Hebron, Abram builds another Altar to the Lord and worships the God in whom he trusts.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance:
    1.  I hear Moses saying that God blessed Abram with riches but Abram kept his original focus of relying on God.  The implication is that it is honoring to God when we are more in love with him than with the gifts that he gives.  The significance for me is that I need to continue to go to God with my devotion and praise even during times of prosperity.
    2.  I hear Moses saying that trust, action, and worship was the response that Abram had to God speaking promises to him.  Since this is consistent with the rest of scripture I take the implication here is that trust in God does not lead to sitting on my butt but on getting going in the direction he leads.  The significance for me is that I should act upon what God promises and I should do so with confidence in his goodness and I should be grateful for his faithfulness to his own name.  Now to see the promises and understand them as intended is another thing!  Lord let me hear your promises well and know how they apply to me.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Matthew 12

Ready:
In the last chapter Jesus responded to the messengers sent by John the Baptist and he addressed the crowd to explain the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament for those with ears to hear.  I also consider this morning how I make observations with my eyes but I hear messages with my ears.  I think it is helpful to approach text of the Bible with that tough that I need to see the plain things stated and the story unfolding but then I need to try to hear what message or meaning is intended by the author..as Jesus says there to those listening “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”.  Lord let me not only observe the story and see what is said but let me hear your message and may you change me in this hearing.

Reading thoughts:
I see teaching here on the Sabbath about how to honor it and how to dishonor it.  I see that by the Spirit of God leading Jesus he comes and goes and chooses where he will teach and heal and he works toward the goal of the cross as primary.  I see Jesus teaching on the seriousness of calling God’s work by his Holy Spirit evil.  Jesus relates this to how our actions come from within us and suggests that evil brings forth evil and good brings forth good.  Jesus speaks of a universal sign to be given as his death and resurrection like Jonah in the great fish that they would know about.  He speaks of a couple instances where the people reacted to messengers but notes the irony that now the incarnate message himself speaks and this evil generation does not react.  I also see him teach about how a demon removed is a job incomplete that will only invite him back with friends.  He closes the chapter announcing that it is the family of God, the church united by the Spirit of God, that is our enduring and true family.  Abraham is our father!

Key Verses:

“8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”” (Matthew 12:8, ESV)

“12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”” (Matthew 12:12, ESV)

“20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”” (Matthew 12:20–21, ESV)

“30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30, ESV)

“35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”” (Matthew 12:35–37, ESV)

“40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40, ESV)

“50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:50, ESV)

I see the theme here as- Surface level law keeping and power wielding is different than the obedience of faith and the one who knows God will bear good fruit that will testify to their standing with God and their faith in him and their love for one another.

Rumination thoughts:
    v1-14.  Here Jesus corrects the Pharisees and simultaneously rebukes them for not reading the scriptures that they claim to live by.  He cites and instance where David sustained himself and his men with the holy bread from the temple that is meant only for priests who indeed do labor on the Sabbath.  Two things stated here at once is that there indeed is work to be done on the Sabbath…the work of God!  Priests are to labor at the work of the Lord and so shall we!  Here David is assuming a priestly role in taking this bread and looking at the reference to 2 Samuel where this occurred I see that the priest also gave David Goliath’s sword which he had used to cut the head off Goliath years earlier.  Very cool providence of God to give David a sign of victory at this moment when he and his men are lacking food and need help!  Jesus also seems to be saying that gathering and eating is also a valid use of the Sabbath.  David had no other option…it was necessary for him to do this on the Sabbath for the sustaining of himself and his men.  Similarly I may need to go to work on the Sabbath in order to provide for the basic necessities of my family and because my employment requires it.  Jesus makes clear that the Sabbath is not intended as an excuse for not working for the Lord and for not doing good to others and for not helping one another and for not meeting our basic needs of provision.  This is making the Sabbath about man’s convenience rather than about honoring the Lord with our time.  Besides, Jesus created the Sabbath and they need to let him explain it to them instead of the other way around.  The pharisees despised this teaching and sought to destroy Jesus who would turn their religious observances upside down, stripping them of their pride and accusing them of doing wrong.
    v15- 21.  Here Matthew narrates here giving the inside scoop about how Jesus is the servant of God that is referenced in Isaiah 42 and therefore also in Isaiah 53 and it is his sacrifice that vindicates the justice (righteousness) of God.  Jesus fixes a huge problem for God in that his mercy given for ages past to mankind who is allowed to live in spite of our sin is an attack on his justice.  Verse 21 makes clear that Jesus came to make God’s justice victorious.  Jesus came to show exactly how it is that God’s mercy is not set against his justice…because the price is fully paid in the blood of Jesus for all who trust in an offspring of old and for the present time for those who hope in the offspring himself, Jesus (Rom 3:24-26)!  So it seems here that Jesus tries to not cause excessive eruptions in order to continue on his main purpose of heading to the cross of Calvary.
    v22-32.  Here is a difficult passage about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.  I think the main teaching here is directly related to the next passage so to say that the Holy Spirit, being goodness, brings forth good fruit in Jesus and in anyone person.  To claim that the good work of someone who works by the power of the Holy Spirit is evil is to claim ascribe God’s good work to the devil and it not only makes no sense but that is a wicked refusal to accept the work of God.  Jesus basically says you can question my identity and my authority because I am here as a man and it takes some illumination by the Holy Spirit for you to perceive me as God in the flesh, but never…never question the identity of the Spirit of God.  Indeed test the spirits (1 John 4:1) but when you see God working in perfect agreement with his Word then you dare not accuse it to be the devil’s work.  This is to deny God working in the world that he created.  Jesus declares that whoever is not with me is against me and so do not set yourself against the Holy Spirit or against the Word of God.  Most people say that if you are worried whether you may have blasphemed the Holy Spirit at some point…that very thought of humble submission is evidence that you have not!
    v33-36.  Here Jesus tells them to stop hiding the truth about themselves.  Stop dressing up the ugly fruit on the rotten tree to make it seem good.  Jesus declares that our words spring forth from our hearts or our inner person and the real desires of our soul.  This makes out words very indicative of our real self and there are no words we speak that are meaningless.  He says that we will be justified or condemned by our words.  This can sound like a contradiction to Rom 10:9-10 that says belief in the heart justifies.  I take this as complimentary and it helps me understand that the truth of that belief in my heart will in fact come forth from my mouth as clear evidence of the reality of what is unseen within me.  So my trust in God will be known even to me (since I cannot see the justification of my heart) by what comes forth through my mouth.  My words are meaningful.  Do I speak life and peace and do I build up?  Do I evidence a trust in God with my words or something else?
    v38-42.  Here the pharisees ask for a sign from Jesus and I learn that there are two ways to ask for a sign.  Here the Pharisees seek to make Jesus prove something they do not believe.  They do not trust him and want him to provide them with a reason to trust him.  This is wicked.  Abraham, however, asks for a sign (Gen 15:8) of God’s intention not from distrust but from joy and from wanting something tangible to help him focus his remembrance and he knows that his flesh is weak and will later wonder about spoken words.  God then displays before Abraham the amazing covenant that is made only by God on behalf of Abraham.  Zechariah is an example of the wrong motive in asking for a sign (Luke 1:18) because he did not trust that God could do what was being said (it seems, but the angel’s reaction).  Jesus declares that his resurrection will be the true sign of his authority and identity (Rom 1:4) and he condemns those who do not see and believe this sign.  The Bible regularly speaks of people condemning other people by their responses (Rom 2:26-28) because what is possible to see and to understand or to accomplish is evidenced by one person to the discredit of the other.  The perfect man, Jesus, is the standard we are judged by and we are thus condemned by his perfect obedience (Rom 2:16).
    v43-45.  I take Jesus to be teaching here that the Pharisees may cast out demons but if they are not bringing a message of trust in God and reliance upon God rather than empty external religion, then the demons will return.  I figure this speaks of the exorcisms performed by unbelievers (professing believers who are not trusting in God and bearing real fruit- The Pharisees) because Jesus adds “So also it will be with this evil generation”.  I don’t see him using this term to refer to the work being done by the Apostles who preach the arrival of the Kingdom or God (the bridegroom or offspring).  The evil generation simply preaches to be good and to keep rituals and to impress God.      v46-50.  Here I think Jesus is making the point that the eternal bond of the Holy Spirit forming the body of Christ (the church) is deeper and more real than the fleshly bond of bloodlines and family.  He knows some will be divided from their families by his message and some will need to choose him over family.  Jesus also knows that our eternal marriage is to him and not to our earthly spouse.  We recognize our church family because they are the ones doing the will of God.

Meaning, Implications, and Significance:
I have included some of this above and will focus on the following.
    1.  I hear Jesus teaching concerning the Sabbath that it is better to love mercy than religious observances.  I take the significance to be that I am not to use some religious excuse to avoid helping the needy around me.  I take the significance to be that I should not look for reasons to make it right to ignore the needy and to not help anyone but I should instead seek to have mercy on those in need and I should carry the message of loving kindness wherever I go.
    2.  I hear Jesus teaching that my words matter and are an evidence of my heart.  I take the implication to be that I can know my heart by my words.  The significance for me is that I should reflect upon my speech and the use of my words and this will help me to know the ever changing condition of my heart and help me to pray better and to seek God’s help to mold me better.  This would not just apply to specific word choices but conversations and the total of what I use my speech all day long to accomplish.  Do I speak the Word of God to anyone?  Do I speak about Jeff?  About Jesus?  About cars and luxury?  About the needs of others?  About global missions?  About what do I speak?
    3.  I hear Jesus teaching that the church is our family in a way that is bigger than our blood relatives.  I take the implication to be that I need to consider my relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ to be pretty important (including within my physical family).  A significance for me here can be to ensure that I am not ignoring needs among my brothers and sisters and that I am loving them like I love my physical family.  My physical family is still the standard to compare to and I am certainly not do discard them or think less of them because of this teaching but I am simply called to elevate my understanding of the family of God.

Response:
“Private”

Reaction:
“Private”

Soli Deo Gloria!

January 11

Genesis 12; Matthew 11

Genesis 12

Ready:
The previous chapter left off with the sons of Noah being dispersed over the earth in multiple languages and nations and Terah moving his family from Ur of the Chaldeans into Haran (stopping short of Canaan).  So thus far the lineage of interest is Adam to Seth to Noah to Terah to Abram, with others in between (like Enoch) but these are the main characters leading to Abram.  At this point the person that will be known as Abraham is still named Abram and he lives with his father Terah and it may have only been a few hundred years since the flood.  Lord let me see the wonder of your story here and give me ears to here the significance to my life and eyes to see your plan unfold as I know that Jesus is foreshadowed in all of the law and the prophets by the words of Jesus himself.

Reading thoughts:
I see in this chapter two main parts.  I see Abraham being chosen or “Adopted” by God from among offspring of Adam and Eve to be made into a select and unique people of God.  There had been a promise of an offspring from Eve that would crush the head of the serpent and it seems here now to be narrowed to Abram as he is called out from among the people of the earth, from among the descendants of Noah.  Lamech’s naming of Noah and believing that the curse would be relieved by Noah is coming further along now in God’s calling of Abram.  Abram responds to this call positively and he does as the Lord commands him.  Then I see a second part of this chapter where I get detail of Abram’s journey and his decision and his way of thinking is shown to me.  I see Abram choosing to protect himself in a rather unbecoming manner by giving up his wife to be as a wife to Pharaoh to save his own hide.  Interesting that Sarai goes along with this according to her husband’s will.  Here I remember that as a narrative story Moses is not writing prescriptively so as to tell me that everything recorded is being taught as good and for my instruction, but he write descriptively so as to relay a story to me that will include acts both good and evil by all characters so I can’t assume that what a “good guy” does is always good and recommended for me.

Key Verses:

“1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV)

“7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:7, ESV)

“10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” (Genesis 12:10, ESV)
“13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”” (Genesis 12:13, ESV)

“17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17, ESV)

“20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.” (Genesis 12:20, ESV)

I see the theme here as- God chooses and adopts Abram from among idol worshipers and makes a verbal covenant with him in keeping of his promise to Adam and Eve of an offspring that will conquer the enemy who brought sin and death upon them.

Rumination thoughts:
     v1-3.  Here there are a number of nations and languages on the earth that are all from the line of Noah and any of them could fulfill the promise of an offspring at this point.  But God specifically selects from among them Abram.  He is called out from a land and from a family where idol worship is practiced and most likely by Abram as well (Josh 24:2).  God give him the command to “go” to an unknown land that God will lead him to.  God also makes a promise to Abram involving him  1. becoming a great nation 2. being blessed 3.  having a great name 4. being protected by God by blessing and cursing of his allies and enemies 5.  becoming a blessing to all families of the earth.  So I take it that I should watch for these 5 things to be fulfilled from this point forward in the story up to and including in my lifetime and unto the great day of the Lord where Jesus returns.  These things may come in steps of fulfillment along the way but here God, who is truth, promises something to Abram.  He included the command so there is a sense here that this promise is dependent upon Abram obeying the command to “go”.
     v4-9.  Here Abram responds to the call of God and he goes and he takes his wife and the “people” that are with them (I assume servants and other family members) and specifically mentioned is his nephew Lot.  God again speaks to Abram and now he promises 6.  his offspring will have the land in Canaan.  Abram reacts by building an altar and worshiping God there where God spoke to him again.  He decides to pass through and settle toward a place called Negeb where he builds another altar and worships.  He seems to have a clear picture that he is not yet to go into the land but that he knows it is now given to his offspring.  At that point Abram was 75 years old.
     v10-20.  Here now the story shifts significantly so I know that there is something else that Moses wants me to get or to follow.  The message changes as the plot thickens and more characters are introduced.  There is a conflict of a famine that drives Abram and his bride into Egypt.  This is beginning to play out as a parallel to his descendants who will also end up in Egypt due to a famine.  But here we see something interesting in Abram.  Though he seems convinced that God will deliver what he has promised Abram still interprets that he must lie to protect himself.  It can be debated as to whether this was a lack of faith or if Abram simply figured that he was working toward making God’s promise a reality.  Like when he “went” to fulfill the promise so here maybe he wants to keep alive because he knows that God is doing a work and it seems to involve Abram making choices and taking actions toward that promise.  Like Josephs’s brothers years from now Abram is favored because of Sarai being in tight with Pharaoh just as Joseph was in Pharaoh’s court and offered protection and help to his brothers who arrived seeking relief from the famine (Gen 47).  But also like the Egyptian captivity of Israel where they were eventually abused as slaves Sarai is abused in the sense of being taken as a bride to another man to whom she does not belong.  Then the Lord afflicts Pharaoh with plagues very much foreshadowing what will come upon another Pharaoh in the future when Moses comes to bring the bride of the Lord out from the captivity of Egypt.  Pharaoh ends up sending them off with orders to his men, presumably to provide them with provisions just like the Israelites leave Egypt with gold and provisions when they leave with Moses about 400 years in the future.  So God works with error through Abram’s choice to lie and to treat his wife without the kind of regard that God would have expected but this becomes a visible pattern in the Bible that God uses our imperfect actions and even through the evil of the world he brings his good purpose and cause to fruition.  

Response:
Thank you Lord for the foreshadowing of your plan for your chosen people and for the establishment here of this people.  Thank you for the promises you have made to Abram and I pray that you would allow me to see clearly throughout this entire Bible how you keep these promises because you are truth and your word is authoritative and powerful.

Reaction:
Let me trust the circumstances and outcomes in my life to be under your control Lord and may I understand how my actions and choices play into your work and may I learn that you can and will accomplish your work in my life without my extra helping.  Yet when I blow it and sin and error Lord I know that this does not derail your plan nor does it put me outside of your promises.  Let me worship and rejoice as Abram did when you spoke and when you promised and when you gave him confidence.

Matthew 11

Ready:
Jesus has sent his apostles on mission and he has explained to them how to proceed and what to expect and it is not a rosy picture.  Now He moves on to other cities to teach and preach.

Reading thoughts:
I see Jesus calling attention to a passing of the torch from the prophets of the old testament to Jesus and his pronouncement of condemnation on those who reject God’s speaking through both the prophets and now Jesus.  I also see that Jesus calls those who would set aside the world’s wisdom and come to him like children and take the yoke of his grace rather than the heavy yoke of the law.  These who come to him will be given rest.

Key Verses:

“10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:10–11, ESV)

“24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”” (Matthew 11:24, ESV)

“25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Matthew 11:25–26, ESV)

“28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)

I see the theme as- Jesus announces the transition of revelation from the law and prophets to the incarnate Word among them and he declares woe to those who did not and who will not either now receive the message, but rest to those who will receive it.

Rumination thoughts:
        v1-6.  Here is an interesting account that sounds like the mighty John the Baptist as he sits imprisoned may have doubts or at least is looking for further confirmation that he has been right in his assessment of who Jesus is.  I recall that John kept in the womb of Elizabeth when pregnant Mary come into her presence and the two “met” for the first time in-utero.  But now John, like all of us, is thinking to himself and is hoping for confirmation.  Jesus here responds with amazing love for this man.  Jesus first sends word back to him citing prophecies concerning the Messiah and therefore makes plain to John that he is who John has expected.  Then the story gets better as we see how Jesus speaks of John to those that heard this doubt or question coming from him.
        v7-15.  Jesus here defends John and declares to the world and all future reader of this book that John the Baptist is the greatest man ever to have lived on the earth!  My paraphrase of his comments..."Careful there you who would cast stones at John!!  This man is the last of the old testament prophets and he has prepared the way for me like nobody before him.  He came like Elijah and he has done the work of God among you.”  In verse 12 he says “from the days of John the Baptist until now” as if to designate some transition.  Well John is still alive so this is a unique transition and I take it to mean that John was indeed the final prophet of the Old Testament and now God will speak through his Son as described in Hebrews 1:1.  The prophet Malachi spoke of one who would come like Elijah and there was a common question as to whether John was actually Elijah come again but John himself refutes this and he clearly just came with a similar purpose.
        v16-19.  I take this paragraph to mean that there is no pleasing the one who is dead set to reject the message.  Like children who can’t find the right tune at either extreme to please their friends, God has given Israel a prophet who was very set apart and did not commune with sinners and they did not listen to the message.  Then God sent his Son who did commune with sinners and express the same message with compassion and mercy but still the majority of Israel does not listen.  There is no pleasing the one who wants to reject God.  I take the implication to be just that.  There is no arguing someone into trusting God, rather it is a work that the Holy Spirit does on their heart and our job is merely to give the message as faithfully as we can with joy and compassion.    
        v20-24.  I take this paragraph to be Jesus making it clear that knowledge brings accountability.  There can be an error here to watch out for however.  Seeing that someone who knows more about something is held to a higher standard in their response than the ignorant person does not mean that the ignorant person is not still guilty.  I take the context of the clear judgement of God falling upon cities that were known to be God haters to make it clear here that Jesus is not saying that these cities were not condemned as well (Gen 13:13, Gen 19:24-25).  We are talking about degrees of punishment being commensurate with knowledge. This makes sense with Rom 5:20 that says the law came it increase the trespass (knowledge of sin) and Rom 7:13 says that the law made sin more sinful.  Therefore, there remains an urgency to global missions.  Yes, the punishment will be worse for someone who has rejected Jesus outright with a full gospel presentation being made to them, but the truth is that what sets us on a course of judgment is not what we do with Jesus.  It is our sin nature and our rebellion before we ever heard the name of Jesus.  It is the completely free and radically undeserved mercy of God that I ever heard the gospel.  Now I owe it to every other human on the planet to extend that mercy to them because even without the gospel proclaimed to them they are accountable to God and remain under his wrath (Rom 1:18-21, John 3:36, Eph 2:1-4).  The great commission is real and the call to missions and evangelism is directed at me as much as to a missionary in India.  Before I am tempted to judge God or to doubt the plain meaning of this text I need to consider the additional context of Paul’s teaching in Romans (Rom 9:8-29, Rom 11:32-33, & Rom 4:13-25).  These texts help me see that it is the mercy of God alone and God does not owe redemption to a single person.  The way to become a child of Abraham is now through faith in Christ specifically, not just trusting God to send an offspring to deliver us like it was in the Old Testament…now we need to give our lives to the child born in Bethlehem because the offspring has arrived!  “It will be counted to us who believe in the one who was raised form the dead, Jesus our Lord…” so we need to spread this message.  Every New Testament scripture referring to Jesus being the only name and the need for the Son applies to those hearing this message (people alive after the death and resurrection of Christ) and not to the Old Testament saints who did not know who Jesus was and who did not confess his name... but they did trust in an offspring to come and they took God at his word.  How wonderful that the OT saints Simeon and Anna in Luke chapter 2 got to lay eyes on their salvation!!  Most OT saints were not this fortunate to see the source of their salvation (Luke 2:25-38).  These texts help me see that OT saints were saved by the blood of Jesus just like I am.  
        v25-30.  An interesting blending of concepts here in this paragraph where Jesus simultaneously says that only those who he chooses can know the Father and the Son but then immediately makes a broad invitation to anyone to come and take his yoke for deliverance from what oppresses them, namely the law.  Somehow hiding his will from the proud and independent (like Babel) and revealing it to the dependent and submissive is a gracious act of God.  This is gracious to the proud because 1. They are still alive and 2.  The salvation of the Gentiles comes back around and leads to the salvation of Israel as well (Rom 11).

Response:
    I have decided to make these last two sections private from now on in order to preserve the effectiveness and sincerity of my own devotion because I find too much mental distraction related to the fact that this is becoming public.  I recommend that you continue with these steps and I will therefore keep them on the posts but they will simply say “Private”.
    I may begin to post at the end of the rumination section the headings Meaning, Implications, and Significance where I can plainly list what I am taking away from the reading rather than it coming out partially in what I am making private now.

Reaction:
"Private"

Soli Deo Gloria!