January 16
January 16
One Year Bible Readings:
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
Supplemental Reading For The One Year Bible
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog
Genesis:
In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again! I found verses 5 through 7 interesting. Jacob presents his concubines and sons first - then Leah and sons - and then Rachel and Joseph. I read a commentary that he was keeping his favorite wife and son back, as the last presentation to Esau - just in case anything should go wrong with Esau and the introductions of his family... Meaning, if any violence erupted - Rachel and Joseph would hopefully be removed from it. In verse 14 of this chapter we see Jacob likely being deceitful again: "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." He did not follow Esau and meet him at Seir, as we will see in the next chapter. And commentaries suggest Jacob never intended to go to Seir. Genesis chapter 34 is a chapter where we see a lot of violence... It is interesting to note that the name of God ends chapter 33 and begins chapter 35, but is completely absent from this chapter! The NIV Study Bible has this note about this chapter: "Jacob is now confronted in the promised land with the danger of being absorbed by the native Canaanites (verses 9 & 16), and then with the threat of their hostility after his sons' vengeful act (verse 30). These were dangers Israel constantly faced from the peoples around them - either absorption or hostility, both of which are perpetual threats to God's people."
Matthew:
Matthew chapter 11 opens up with Jesus teaching about the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the transitioning from the old covenant to the new covenant, which can be seen in verse 13: "For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time." Basically, this could be rephrased that all of the Old Testament was prophesying about the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Q: Do you believe this to be true about the Old Testament?
Verse 20 is a convicting one! "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God." This is something for each of us to really examine ourselves on.
Q: Have we heard Jesus' teachings? Do we believe in his miracles? And in light of these things - have we turned from our sins? And have we turned to God?
Today we read Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, which are amazing verses for each of us to consider, particularly if we are struggling with the burden of sin or the burden of worry or the burden of regrets (and the list could go on - you can fill in the blank for your life): "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
Q: Have you ever experienced the power of these verses? Have you ever come to Jesus weary and carrying heavy burdens and found rest? Is there anything in your life today that is heavy that you can give to Jesus?
Psalm:
Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm...Particularly as we look at verse 3: "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we're "good" and others around us are not...). But also I think it's good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was perfect. And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: "Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice." Q: Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us? Are you shouting for joy for this salvation? Are you rejoicing!?
Proverbs:
Proverbs chapter 3 verses 19 & 20 are so truthful. If you look at the amazing way in which nature works, I don't see how you cannot believe in God.
Q: Could all of this majesty around us be just random chance? Do you believe as verse 19 teaches us: "By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens"?
Copyright © 2004-2012 One Year Bible Blog
One Year Bible Readings:
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
Supplemental Reading For The One Year Bible
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog
Genesis:
In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again! I found verses 5 through 7 interesting. Jacob presents his concubines and sons first - then Leah and sons - and then Rachel and Joseph. I read a commentary that he was keeping his favorite wife and son back, as the last presentation to Esau - just in case anything should go wrong with Esau and the introductions of his family... Meaning, if any violence erupted - Rachel and Joseph would hopefully be removed from it. In verse 14 of this chapter we see Jacob likely being deceitful again: "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." He did not follow Esau and meet him at Seir, as we will see in the next chapter. And commentaries suggest Jacob never intended to go to Seir. Genesis chapter 34 is a chapter where we see a lot of violence... It is interesting to note that the name of God ends chapter 33 and begins chapter 35, but is completely absent from this chapter! The NIV Study Bible has this note about this chapter: "Jacob is now confronted in the promised land with the danger of being absorbed by the native Canaanites (verses 9 & 16), and then with the threat of their hostility after his sons' vengeful act (verse 30). These were dangers Israel constantly faced from the peoples around them - either absorption or hostility, both of which are perpetual threats to God's people."
Matthew:
Matthew chapter 11 opens up with Jesus teaching about the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the transitioning from the old covenant to the new covenant, which can be seen in verse 13: "For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time." Basically, this could be rephrased that all of the Old Testament was prophesying about the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Q: Do you believe this to be true about the Old Testament?
Verse 20 is a convicting one! "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God." This is something for each of us to really examine ourselves on.
Q: Have we heard Jesus' teachings? Do we believe in his miracles? And in light of these things - have we turned from our sins? And have we turned to God?
Today we read Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, which are amazing verses for each of us to consider, particularly if we are struggling with the burden of sin or the burden of worry or the burden of regrets (and the list could go on - you can fill in the blank for your life): "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
Q: Have you ever experienced the power of these verses? Have you ever come to Jesus weary and carrying heavy burdens and found rest? Is there anything in your life today that is heavy that you can give to Jesus?
Psalm:
Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm...Particularly as we look at verse 3: "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we're "good" and others around us are not...). But also I think it's good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was perfect. And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: "Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice." Q: Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us? Are you shouting for joy for this salvation? Are you rejoicing!?
Proverbs:
Proverbs chapter 3 verses 19 & 20 are so truthful. If you look at the amazing way in which nature works, I don't see how you cannot believe in God.
Q: Could all of this majesty around us be just random chance? Do you believe as verse 19 teaches us: "By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens"?
Copyright © 2004-2012 One Year Bible Blog
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