readings January 8th
(Genesis 15, 16; Psalm 18; Matthew 10)
Abram's spurning of the powerful king of Sodom meant that he now had a mighty foe. The Almighty encouraged Abram with the comfort that He was Abram's protector and in Yahweh he would be recompensed for his faithfulness. Abram's age has advanced by about 10 years since the promise of chapter 12 and as yet he has no "seed", "heir". His faithful steward, Eliezer from Damascus was his nominated heir. The LORD says, this man cannot be your heir - it must be a son born from you. Abram is brought out into the brilliant night sky and told that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars. We are told a great truth about how God counts belief as righteousness (verse 6). It should be read, "Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness". Believing God vastly exceeds mere belief IN God - see James 2:18-26). Yahweh then cut a covenant with Abram as proof that the Almighty had vouchsafed the covenant that would be sealed by the offering of the Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years after the death of Abram. Abram was told that his descendants would be afflicted for 400 years as strangers in a land that was not theirs. This culminated in their deliverance from Egypt at precisely the time predicted, even on the same day that the LORD had spoken to Abram (Exodus 12:40-41; the 430 years refers to the time of the promise the difference in years refers to 30 years prior to the affliction commencing). Genesis 16 speaks of Abram and Sarai's attempt to circumvent the Almighty's way to fulfill the promise. It involved Abram taking a concubine, Sarai's maid (most likely acquired in Egypt) to produce an heir to Abram. The situation led to Hagar vaunting herself against her mistress Sarai. The disruption brought to Abram's household caused the divine command for Abram to cast out the bondswoman and her son (the literal event being a parable explained by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4:21-31). Hagar together with her son were rescued by the angel of the LORD; and she was told to humbly submit to her mistress. There will be some material blessings to Ishmael, as he is Abram's son. The chapter concludes by telling us that Abram is now 86 years old.
Psalm 18 is a Psalm in which David exalts and celebrates the deliverance from Saul he has received from his majestic and dependable deliverer - Yahweh. It is Yahweh's consistency as the Father, the Rock that anchors our lives. David uses wonderful poetry and figurative language in which he describes his God. This language is inspiring. Yahweh is described as riding upon the storm clouds, which serve as His cherubic chariot. Yahweh is described as David's "Rock", meaning a large, unmoving rock. Moses had ascribed this characteristic to his God in his great song in Deuteronomy 32:4 - stop for a moment to read this. Then pause and contemplate. The reason his Omnipotent Sovereign has wrought mercy, faithfulness and deliverance for David was David's steadfast love of and faithfulness to his God; and the kindness and mercy demonstrated to his fellow humans. Jesus taught us to ask for forgiveness, insofar as we have been prepared to forgive others. If you want to be froward (that is, to be tricky, or and wrestle with God); you will be dealt with according to the same measure; and will find that when wrestling against God's values. When we enter into a contest with the Almighty that will be one contest which we can never win. A divine principle is that we reap what we sow: Galatians 6:6-9. The greatest key to living an acceptable and godly life is "meekness", or "teachableness" - note our Lord Jesus' words in Matthew 5:5 (quoting the entire context of Psalm 37; particularly verses 9-11); and James' comments 1:22-27; 3:17-18. Without humbleness of mind we are bound to always fail (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-11. Please stop and read aloud Psalm 18 verses 20-30. With these values guiding our life we will eventually emerge victorious. Pause and ponder.
In Matthew 10 the twelve Apostles are instructed and commissioned to heal and proclaim the gospel within Israel. They are warned of persecution and opposition, but urged to courageously fulfil their charge. The Gospel will polarise people's responses, even within families. Finally they are told that a reward awaits those who support the preaching of the "good news". Matthew 10 teaches us that if we love the present life more than the future life we will be disappointed; by contrast, God will reward present sacrifice with eternal life. This important principle of - "love life you will lose it: lose life and you will find it" is stated in 5 places in the Gospels, corresponding to 3 separate occasions! It must be important!
https://christadelphianvideo.org/bible-readings-for-january-8th-genesis-15-16-psalm-18-matthew-10/?feed_id=81869&_unique_id=677e5a607aa8c
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
Bible readings for January 8th (Genesis 15, 16; Psalm 18; Matthew 10)
readings January 8th
(Genesis 15, 16; Psalm 18; Matthew 10)
Abram's spurning of the powerful king of Sodom meant that he now had a mighty foe. The Almighty encouraged Abram with the comfort that He was Abram's protector and in Yahweh he would be recompensed for his faithfulness. Abram's age has advanced by about 10 years since the promise of chapter 12 and as yet he has no "seed", "heir". His faithful steward, Eliezer from Damascus was his nominated heir. The LORD says, this man cannot be your heir - it must be a son born from you. Abram is brought out into the brilliant night sky and told that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars. We are told a great truth about how God counts belief as righteousness (verse 6). It should be read, "Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness". Believing God vastly exceeds mere belief IN God - see James 2:18-26). Yahweh then cut a covenant with Abram as proof that the Almighty had vouchsafed the covenant that would be sealed by the offering of the Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years after the death of Abram. Abram was told that his descendants would be afflicted for 400 years as strangers in a land that was not theirs. This culminated in their deliverance from Egypt at precisely the time predicted, even on the same day that the LORD had spoken to Abram (Exodus 12:40-41; the 430 years refers to the time of the promise the difference in years refers to 30 years prior to the affliction commencing). Genesis 16 speaks of Abram and Sarai's attempt to circumvent the Almighty's way to fulfill the promise. It involved Abram taking a concubine, Sarai's maid (most likely acquired in Egypt) to produce an heir to Abram. The situation led to Hagar vaunting herself against her mistress Sarai. The disruption brought to Abram's household caused the divine command for Abram to cast out the bondswoman and her son (the literal event being a parable explained by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4:21-31). Hagar together with her son were rescued by the angel of the LORD; and she was told to humbly submit to her mistress. There will be some material blessings to Ishmael, as he is Abram's son. The chapter concludes by telling us that Abram is now 86 years old.
Psalm 18 is a Psalm in which David exalts and celebrates the deliverance from Saul he has received from his majestic and dependable deliverer - Yahweh. It is Yahweh's consistency as the Father, the Rock that anchors our lives. David uses wonderful poetry and figurative language in which he describes his God. This language is inspiring. Yahweh is described as riding upon the storm clouds, which serve as His cherubic chariot. Yahweh is described as David's "Rock", meaning a large, unmoving rock. Moses had ascribed this characteristic to his God in his great song in Deuteronomy 32:4 - stop for a moment to read this. Then pause and contemplate. The reason his Omnipotent Sovereign has wrought mercy, faithfulness and deliverance for David was David's steadfast love of and faithfulness to his God; and the kindness and mercy demonstrated to his fellow humans. Jesus taught us to ask for forgiveness, insofar as we have been prepared to forgive others. If you want to be froward (that is, to be tricky, or and wrestle with God); you will be dealt with according to the same measure; and will find that when wrestling against God's values. When we enter into a contest with the Almighty that will be one contest which we can never win. A divine principle is that we reap what we sow: Galatians 6:6-9. The greatest key to living an acceptable and godly life is "meekness", or "teachableness" - note our Lord Jesus' words in Matthew 5:5 (quoting the entire context of Psalm 37; particularly verses 9-11); and James' comments 1:22-27; 3:17-18. Without humbleness of mind we are bound to always fail (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-11. Please stop and read aloud Psalm 18 verses 20-30. With these values guiding our life we will eventually emerge victorious. Pause and ponder.
In Matthew 10 the twelve Apostles are instructed and commissioned to heal and proclaim the gospel within Israel. They are warned of persecution and opposition, but urged to courageously fulfil their charge. The Gospel will polarise people's responses, even within families. Finally they are told that a reward awaits those who support the preaching of the "good news". Matthew 10 teaches us that if we love the present life more than the future life we will be disappointed; by contrast, God will reward present sacrifice with eternal life. This important principle of - "love life you will lose it: lose life and you will find it" is stated in 5 places in the Gospels, corresponding to 3 separate occasions! It must be important!
https://christadelphianvideo.org/bible-readings-for-january-8th-genesis-15-16-psalm-18-matthew-10/?feed_id=81869&_unique_id=677e5a607aa8c
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