January 16

Reading 1 - Genesis 28 & 29

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28 v.12 - The word translated 'ladder' here is cullam. It only occurs here but comes from the root calal, which occurs in 10 verses in scripture. If we observe the context of some of these 10, we gain an insight into the idea portrayed by the ladder in the dream. Ps.68:4(extol) Prov.4:7-9(exalt) 15:9(plain) Isa.57:13-16(cast ye up [both times] - also 62:10)
Peter Cresswell

29 v.9 - There are other references to female shepherds: Exo.2:16, Song 1:7,8
Peter Cresswell

ch 28:8 The way that Esau behaved when he realised that the daughters of Canaan would not provide a suitable wives for Jacob gives us another insight into Esau's mind. He clearly took account of Isaac's preference in avoiding the daughters of the land of Canaan. However he did not understand why - hence he went to take a wife from the daughters of Ishmael. Clearly a man who wished to please his father - but did not understand how to do it.

ch 29 - Jacob had practised deceit in his life already. In meeting Laban the tables were turned. Now Jacob was the one who was deceived. In taking Jacob 'home' to find a wife the Lord also used circumstances and people there to mould his character as well - though Jacob probably thought he was simply getting a wife. Likewise the Father works in our life using people and circumstances to mould our characters. We should be alert to the signs.
Peter Forbes

28:3 In speaking of 'God Almighty' we see a title which is rare in Scripture It is only found in Genesis 17:1 here 35:11 48:13.

29:30-31 In saying that Leah was hated because Jacob loved Rachel more than he loved Leah provides an explanation of 'Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated' (Malachi 1:2-3)
Peter Forbes

CLOSE TO GOD

I wonder if Jacob felt particularly "spiritual" as he lay down to sleep at Bethel with his head on a rock. He was running for his life from his angry brother. He had deceived Esau twice by taking his birthright and blessing. If I was Jacob, I would not have felt particularly close to God. I would have felt alone, scared and maybe even rejected. But it was at this low point in his life that Jacob found himself in the presence of God. As he slept the LORD appeared to Jacob to confirm the promises he had given to Abraham and Isaac and to reassure Jacob that God would be with him. "I am with you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you."

There may be times in our lives when things are going well that we think we are close to God, but really it is when we are alone, scared, running or rejected that we are often most close to God, and our God is close to us. It is when God strips us of all we put our faith in and brings us to our knees before him that we really learn that he will never leave us and that he is with us all the way.

So let us put our confidence in the LORD and go on in the strength of his promise.
Robert Prins

Genesis 28:3 - "that thou mayest be a multitude of people" - The Septuagint version translates "multitude" with the Greek word "Ecclesia." The work of the Father has always been to call out of the nations a people for His Name.

Genesis 28:12 - "angels of God ascending and descending" - Notice the language here and how carefully we are being told that the angels went from Jacob to Heaven's Throne Room, then returned to Jacob. God has promised His children that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Genesis 29 - The one whose name means "supplanter or cheat" is now himself cheated by the grand master of cheats, Uncle Laban - a true Syrian. As a result, Jacob ends up with two wives and two concubines. Note that there is no punishment mentioned in the Bible for polygamy... for multiple wives must be deemed by God to be punishment enough!! Just ask Abraham, Jacob, David, Elkanah and Solomon. Have you ever wondered just how God was able to use such dysfunctional families to head up Heaven's great Family of Faith? It gives us hope, doesn't it, that even when our own lives seem to be a mess, God can still work mightily in us to His Glory.
Cliff York

Reading 2 - Psalm 33

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v.13-18 - God looks from heaven (v.13) - the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him (v.18). This is quite a theme of the Psalms. The purpose of it is to assess and test and see who is worthy. Ps.11:4, 14:2, 102:19. See also Prov.15:3
Peter Cresswell

v.5 - We often talk of a time when the earth will be filled with the glory of God (Isa.11:9, Hab.2:14) but we must not forget that it is only man that is stopping the glory of God showing in the earth now, and it is there in potential in His great creative work (Psa.104:24, 119:64, Acts 14:17)
Peter Cresswell

In this Psalm we are called upon to realise that we should praise God because he is the creator and that because he is the creator He is able to save us.
Peter Forbes

Psalm 33:9 - "For He spake, and it was done" - The word "done," introduced here by the translators, enfeebles the message of this Psalm. It would be made more expressive and sublime as it is in the original: "He spake, and it was." That is, its existence depended on His word; the universe sprang into being at His command; He had only to speak, and it arose in all its grandeur where before there was nothing. There is here an undoubted allusion to the account in Genesis of the work of creation - where the statement is that all depended on the command or the word of God: Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26. Nothing more sublime can be conceived than the language employed in the Scriptures in describing that work. No more elevated conception can enter the human mind than that which is implied when it is said, God "spoke" and all this vast and wonderful universe rose into being. In other words, it was absolutely no effort to Him at all. "He commanded" - He gave order; He required the universe to appear. "And it stood fast" - or rather, "it stood." That is, it stood forth; it appeared; it rose into being. The idea of its "standing fast" is not in the original, and also greatly enfeebles the expression.
Cliff York

Reading 3 - Matthew 18

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v.1-6. The child was just an illustration. By the time we reach verse 5 (&6) the child referred to is no longer the one set in the midst of them from v.2 but the believer, who has become as a little child and humbled himself. These are they that we are exhorted to receive (v.5) Mat.10:40-42, 25:33-44 Gal.4:14 and not to offend (v.6) Ps.105:15, Rom.14:13, 15:1-3
Peter Cresswell

:21 When Peter asked how often he should forgive his brother we have to question who Peter was speaking about. Clearly he was speaking about his own brother Andrew. This instruction from Jesus has it's prime application to the problems that existed between the disciples. Any application to our experiences must take account of this.
Peter Forbes

18:1 In saying 'at the same time' Matthew is causing us to realise that the dispute about greatness in the kingdom was related to the transfiguration.
Peter Forbes

FORGIVEN ... AS WE FORGIVE

We all like to be on the receiving end of nice things, we like receiving gifts, money, affection, love, compliments, help and encouragement, among other things. At times, perhaps even more than anything else we like to receive, we like to be given forgiveness. This is especially true when it comes to being forgiven by God. It is an amazing peace and relief that comes over you after praying for forgiveness by God. It leaves you feeling clean and pure, loved and harmless and ready to meet our God.

But as much as we like to receive it, we must also give it. The Lord's Prayer says, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," and the parable of the unforgiving creditor in Matthew 18, graphically illustrates that principle. In the parable we are the servant, God is the king and our friends are the fellow servants. If you read it now with this in mind it will really pack a punch if we have not forgiven as we should have. In today's money we owe about $6000 million to God for our sins and our friends owe us about $10,000 for their sins against us.

Let us be forgiving so that God will be forgiving to us.
Robert Prins

Matthew 18:1 - "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" - The RV. inserts then after who. "Who then? Who, as things stand"... Since one of our number has been doubly honoured in being called "the rock," and in being appointed to take part in a special miracle, who then is greatest? Answer - Jesus was the Greatest... but they were too caught up with idea that the Kingdom was to be set up straight away to notice their pride puffing themselves up enormously.

Matthew 18:2 - "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them" - Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter His kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.

Matthew 18:17 - "let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" - Oh what trouble these words have wrought down through the ages.. and what trouble might have been stifled if Brethren had only followed the spirit of the words as they are found in context here from v12-17. How much strife might have been avoided if only men [and women too] had kept their thoughts about the sins of others between the parties involved, instead of trying out those juicy gossipy bits on others first. And to "count one as a heathen man and a publican?" Why... are not "heathen men and publicans " the very candidates for conversion that Jesus spent so much time with? The message here must surely be that we individually need to redouble our efforts and help effect that desired conversion which often comes long after the baptism has taken place.
Cliff York