January 20

Reading 1 - Genesis 34 & 35

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35v.4 - the 'oak' tree here is the hebrew 'elah, which is a terebinth tree. No less than 4 different hebrew words are translated 'oak', but the other occasion that an oak is mentioned at Shechem (Jos.24:26), it is a direct derivative of the same word as is used here. The context in Joshua is just the same too (24:22-27). [Notice also it is the passage we referred to a day or two ago about the stones being a witness too]. The oak under which Deborah was buried in v. 8 of Gen 35 is different. This word just means 'a big tree'.
Peter Cresswell

34 v.15 - This was deception, and yet it followed a principle of truth. It was necessary for the person Dinah married to be circumcised, as that was a requirement of being part of the family of Israel. And yet, this truth was used in deceiving them. The same thing seems to happen in the speeches of Job's three friends - the things they say are in correct, as far as they go. I think there must be a lesson here for us. We have a tendency, being human, to get the emphasis wrong. Let us pray today that we might truly discern those things which God would have us do with His word in our lives.
Peter Cresswell

ch 34 - The whole incident of Dinah and Shechem is most unpleasant. It highlights the dangers of investigating what the world has to offer. The behaviour of Simeon and Levi is appalling also.. It seems that Shechem had, by the world's standards, high principles. Of course this would not justify Dinah marrying him. From the way that the men of the land speak it is clear to see how the 'world' thinks - it is self seeking.

ch 35 - Jacob owned a parcel of ground at Shechem - Abraham had bought it. So the gold was buried on his own land.
Peter Forbes

ch 34 - The behaviour of Simeon and Levi is as deceitful as their father had been often in his life - so the way that we behave is learnt by our children.

35:21 The 'tower of Edar' at Bethlehem is the 'tower of the flock' of Micah 4:8
Peter Forbes

Genesis 34-35 - These two chapters contain, among many other things, an insight into the dynamics of Jacob's family. Dinah, Jacob's only [recorded] daughter, whose name means "Justice or Right" appears to have sought the company of friends in the world to [perhaps] alleviate the loneliness she felt within the compound, where there was most likely a dearth of girls around her age. Her adventures led her to Shechem, a [honourable?] young man of the world it seems [in his willingness to redress his wrongdoing with Dinah, by submitting to circumcision] and for Shechem it seems as though he has found his "Miss Right." Simeon and Levi are revealed as scheming and as treacherous as any "Syrian," and their readiness to "cheat" to gain their revenge becomes a reflection on Jacob ["The Cheat"] himself. Jacob is revealed as being ready to wait on God in the matter of Dinah v5, whereas earlier in life his reactions would have been redress the situation in his own strength, just as Simeon and Levi now do. Rachel dies tragically in childbirth, bringing forth young Benjamin into the world. Rueben, Jacob's firstborn son, who should have been the "priest in waiting" for the family, reveals his passion for the "here and now," by sleeping immorally with Bilhah, his mothers handmaiden. What great comfort we derive once again from the fact that though this patriarchal family is so dysfunctional, God continues to work with it to forward His purpose and fulfil His plans.
Cliff York

Reading 2 - Psalm 37

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v.7 - 'rest' - heb damam - has the overtone of the power of God to overrule man's thinking and desires. Look at these other occurrences of damam - Ex.15:16(still), Jos.10:12,13(still), 1Sam 2:9(silent), Ps.31:17(silent) This 'rest' is one imposed by God, but we submit to it willingly, with reverent awe. Ps.4:4(still).
Peter Cresswell

v.6 is a picture of the part of the saints in the kingdom - Matt:13:43
Peter Cresswell

Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:5 'blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth' has Old Testament support :11, 22 34
Peter Forbes

Psalm 37 - Just as we are about to launch into the record of Joseph in our first reading, we find here a Psalm, the sentiments of which, though not yet formally composed as we have it here, must have greatly strengthened that godly man whilst he was isolated in Egypt, which was then the richest dynasty in the world. 21 times this Psalm states the surety and the certainty of the destinies of two classes of people described at length in 40 short verses. For example, v2 "the workers of iniquity, shall soon be cut down," but v11 "the meek shall inherit the earth." The principles discussed and revealed in this Psalm, are as universal and as timeless as the Father Himself. The struggles of mind revealed by the Psalmist surrounding the apparent contradiction between wrong doing and present wealth and ease, are also universal and timeless. The true Sons of God will find themselves struggling, especially in this materialistic day and age, with all the issues contained within this Psalm. Don't just read Psalm 37 today - bookmark it, and read it often - for its counsels are timeless and ever needful.
Cliff York

Reading 3 - Matthew 22

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v.31,32. This is such a simple thing that Jesus chooses to use to prove the resurrection. Why should God continue to mention dead people in this way if there were no hope of resurrection. The actual event referred to here is the burning bush Mark 12:26,27 Exo.3:6,15,16. In that list of famous faithful, Hebrews 11 says .. v.16
Peter Cresswell

22:16 In the gospels there are from time to time 'unholy' alliances. These are the occasions when we find a tie up between the Pharisees and Herodians. The Pharisees and Herodians had diametrically opposing views about the state. The Pharisees [from Hebrew Perez / divided] were separate from the state as they viewed it as corrupt. The Herodians, on the other hand, supported the current political situation with the Herod family as rulers. Matthew 22:16, Mark 3:6 8:15 12:13
Peter Forbes

22:12 The absence of the wedding garment quotes Zephaniah 1:8 where the prophet reproves those who are not prepared. We should be clothed with the garments of salvation (Isaiah 61:10) That is the wedding garment.
Peter Forbes

Matthew 22 - A record of Christ shutting the mouths of His opposition - see v12 "and he was speechless," v22 "they marvelled, and left Him and went their way" [by implication - He shut down their argument], v33 "they were astonished at His Doctrine" [by implication - they were "knocked flat" by His reasoning], v34 "He had put the Sadducees to silence," v46 "And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither did any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions." We have in this chapter an illustrious specimen of the wisdom of Jesus. He successfully met the snares of His mighty and crafty foes, and with infinite ease confounded them all - Scribes, Chief Priests, Sadducees, Herodians, Pharisees, and the multitude alike. No art of man could confound Him. Never was teaching more clear, never was wisdom more triumphant. The lesson of this chapter? - Do not reject the "stone" of God's providing, the head or key stone of the building. For in rejecting what Jesus Christ stands for, is to invite Him to grind us to powder v44, like the chaff of the summer threshing floors Daniel 2:35, and to be removed forever, along with the entire system that makes up the present "Kingdom of Men."
Cliff York