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January
14
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Reading
1 - Genesis 25 & 26
Click
here to Listen
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25v.23.
It was this revelation by God to Rebekah surely which gave her the courage
to perpetrate the little deception when it came to the time of the blessing.
This time God allowed it. When Abraham and Sarah tried to do it their own
way because they knew God's will, and Abraham and Hagar had Ishmael, this
was not God's way to do it. Is there any way to know whether we are furthering
God's purpose? At least Rebekah was in no doubt. Rom.9:10-13.
Peter Cresswell |
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26:3
- The word used for 'oath' here (sh@buw'ah - 07621)
is used in Hebrew in the context of 'attesting innocence'. This gives a
whole extra depth of meaning to the verse, giving Abraham the chance to
recognise that by the promise made to him, all people on the earth would
be able to be attested innocent - sinless and righteous in the sight of
God.
Peter Cresswell |
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| 25:13
the 12 sons of Ishmael is a fulfilment of the promise Genesis
17:20. We should not forget that God has a purpose with the sons of
Ishmael.
26:6-10
The behaviour of Isaac in attempting to pass off his wife as his sister
- just like his father Abraham had [Genesis
20] shows that we tend not to learn from the mistakes of others -
even our own close family. This is a sad fact. We seem to have to make
the mistakes ourselves before we learn.
Peter
Forbes
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25:7
Another time marker. Abraham left Haran when he was 75 and died when he
was 175 - so we are 100 years on from that time.
26:17
Isaac, in digging wells and not fighting for them when the inhabitants
of the land took them truly was a consciences objector! See 'Dwelling
As A Sojourner' Christadelphian Tidings February 2000 or visit this
link to read the article
Peter
Forbes
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Reading
2 - Psalm 31
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here to Listen
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v.16.
The word 'face' simply means 'presence'. Adam and Eve hid themselves from
the 'face' of the Lord. Gen
3:8. We need
to remember the ever-present quality of God's 'face'. It may shine on us
(as here) and as it did on Israel as they took the land Ps.44:3,
but it can also signify anger, justice, severity: Ps.68:1,
Rev.6:16. We hope to live our lives such that his presence is of great
comfort: Ps.17:15
because we actively want that Ps.27:8
Peter Cresswell |
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v.24
- Strongs gives the following meanings for the word here translated courage
(chazaq - 02388) - to strengthen,
prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow
firm, be resolute, be sore. I find this quite helpful. It shows that
becoming courageous is an ongoing process, something that we need to work
on.
Peter Cresswell
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The first
part of verse
5 was said by Jesus just as he died on the cross - Luke
23:46. We might imagine the second part of the verse being on the lips
of Jesus on the resurrection morning!
Peter
Forbes |
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Reading
3 - Matthew 16
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here to Listen
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v.1-4.
This is the second time Matthew records this speech, so presumably Jesus
used it on at least 2 occasions - Matt.12:38-39.
Here we have an example of 'cast not your pearls before swine.'
When the disciples ask the same thing - they are given a long answer: Matt.24:3-31.
The word translated 'sign' (semeion)
is also translated 'miracle' and 'wonder'. We have a whole book from God
full of these. Let us keep watchful then for the 'signs of the times'
and not stand accused along with Jesus' listeners in v.3
of our reading.
Peter Cresswell |
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:1
We read of Pharisees and Sadducees together a number of times in the gospels.
We should not think that this was a normal feature. They were at opposite
ends of the religious and political spectrum in Israel. Their union was
to attempt to undermine their common enemy - Jesus.
Peter
Forbes |
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:24-27
This warning to the disciples is taken up again by Jesus in a parable
specifically given to the disciples (25:31)
where he quotes his own words from 16:27.
Jesus repeated his message to his disciples a umber of time because they
were 'dull of hearing' - we should realise that we are just the same. This
provides a good reason for making notes of the things which we read or hear
lest we forget them.
Peter
Forbes |
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PUTTING
JESUS FIRST
Paul put life into perspective when he said, "I consider everything
a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may
gain Christ." (Phil
3 v 8)
The AV. puts it this way, that Paul counts all things "but dung that
I may win Christ.".
This puts Jesus at the very forefront of everything in our lives. It means
that we must live for him with all our heart and soul and not place any
importance on the things of this life now. They are like dung, rubbish,
something we don't want. It is a loss to us when it comes to achieving eternal
glory.
Jesus said, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his own soul?" The answer is that it is no good. We will
only be rich for a few years, and with it we will have stress and worry,
but at death we will take nothing with us. However, if we live now for Christ
and put our energies and time into eternal things, we will be guaranteed
of our resurrection and eternal life in glory. The reward God gives surpasses
all we could ever gain in this life.
Put Jesus first today.
Robert
Prins |
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