January 14th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 30:1-31:16 ~ Matthew 10:1-23 ~ Psalm 12:1-8 ~ Proverbs 3:13-15
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Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 30 readings bring us the account of several of Jacob's sons and a daughter being born to Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, and Rachel.  We also read about Jacob gaining wealth and wanting to leave his father-in-law Laban’s house to go back home in Genesis chapter 30. In verse 37 we read: "Now Jacob took fresh shoots from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of the bark to make white streaks on them."  It seems in this verse and the ones that follow that Jacob is getting a bit superstitious - and not really asking God for help.  Later Jacob does admit that God did do the work of increasing his wealth, and that he didn't do it on his own with his superstitions, as we see in Chapter 31 verse 9 when Jacob is speaking to his wives Rachel & Leah: "In this way, God has made me wealthy at your father's expense."  I think it's great to see that Jacob starts to realize more and more that God is in control.  I wonder for us, today, do we sometimes act like Jacob with the sticks - and rely on superstition or our own power, when we should be relying solely on God?  Are there maybe areas in our work life or personal life where we think we are running the show?  Are we really?  Or is God?  Will we let our superstitions go, and embrace the reality that God is in control?   And - who better is there to be in control, really?  :)  Actually - I'll share with you a quote someone shared with me once when I was really trying to micromanage a situation - and was worrying and fretting way too much about the situation.  The quote is simply this: "Let go and Let God." Let us let go of what we are hanging on so tightly to if it is not of God - and let us instead let God run the show.  Are there areas in your life where you need to "Let go and let God"?  Below is a painting by Spanish painter Jusepe de Ribera from the year 1632 of "Jacob and Laban's Flock":

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 30 titled "The Battle of the Brides" is at this link and commentary on chapter 31 titled "Jacob gets Laban's Goat" is at this link.

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus sends out the twelve disciples!  Verse 7 stands out: "Jesus sent the twelve disciples out with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel--God's lost sheep."  Gentiles are anyone who is not a Jew.  Samaritans are a race that resulted in intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles after the Old Testament exiles and captivities - as we see in 2 Kings 17:24 - "The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns." The Matthew 10 verse 7 above does indicate that Jesus' disciple's ministry was first to the Jews, but soon thereafter the ministry and the gospel message clearly was for all people.  As we see in Acts 10:34-35 - "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." And certainly as we see in the Great Commission at the end of Matthew, in chapter 28 verses 19 & 20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  Below is a Spanish wood panel painting by an unknown artist from the early 12th century of Jesus and the twelve disciples:

One interesting note on the listing of names of the 12 disciples in Matthew.  Peter is listed first and Judas Iscariot last.  We'll read various listings of the 12 disciples throughout the New Testament.  And numbers 2 through 11 always vary in order of how the disciples are listed.  But in all of the listings, Peter is first.  And Judas Iscariot is always listed last.  Below is a painting titled " The Sending of the Twelve" by Duccio di Buoninsegna from the early 14th century - (looks to me like Duccio only painted in 11 here... )

Matthew 10 verse 16 stands out: ""Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves."  This is good advice for us today as well.  Jesus is still sending us out today as his followers.  And I do think this teaching is wise - for us to be wary and harmless at the same time.  It's an interesting line to walk, but I believe a very wise one.  I believe the only way to really walk this line well is through the blessing of the Holy Spirit.  I don't think we can do it on our own...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 10 titled "Wise as Serpents" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 12 verses 1 & 2 are intriguing verses for me - "Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts." Are there days when you feel like this?   I think there are some days when I do... but not too many.  I guess I sometimes wonder about the state of my heart - or if I've gotten enough sleep the night before :) - when I feel like this Psalmist does.  It is interesting how this verse goes into people talking with "flattering lips and insincere hearts".  I do notice right away when that's happening... particularly the insincerity.  Maybe this is something we should ask of ourselves - do we talk at times with flattering lips or insincere hearts?  Or are we sincere people?  I like that thought... being a sincere person.  I pray that we all are and can become more and more "sincere" in our dealings with each other and that we would just simply be sincere people.  Are you a sincere person?  Do you want to be sincere?  Was Jesus a sincere person?

Proverbs - Proverbs 3:13-15 are amazing truths for each of us to learn!  I think these Proverbs are so different from what our world often preaches...  "Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."  Where are your true wages coming from in our life?  Wisdom or money?  Are you investing in things eternal - or things material?  Which will give you ultimately a better return on investment?  Do you believe that wisdom = happiness?  Are you happy?

Worship God: Psalm 12 reminded me of the fantastic Casting Crowns song "The Voice of Truth."  This is such a beautiful song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLFOtBP1KU

Do you know the Voice of Truth?  Click here for Truth!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3:13-15 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for wisdom in your life. Pray that you would value wisdom much much more than money. Pray for wisdom in your family life.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Just curious if anyone has any Biblical fiction books that you might be willing to recommend?  Sometimes I find Biblical fiction books can augment our imaginations and understanding of our readings in the Bible.  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

Genesis 30:1-31:16

I think today’s Old Testament reading is not only funny, but also shows us how human nature is the same yesterday and today. And boy or boy isn’t Jacob a wimp! And the goings on between Leah and Rachael, with a dash of two hand-maidens would probably fill up a years worth of programming for Jerry Springer, Oprah and Judge Judy, something for everyone. I think the reason we find this episode funny is that we recognize their behavior in either ourselves or other folk that shall remain nameless to protect the innocent and the guilty. Woman for ages have been trying to secure the love, affection and support of a man by way of children. It did not work then and it sure aint’ working today.

On my first read-though this morning I had wanted to post up about Jacob and how exemplary of husband he was, taking responsibility for his actions, NOT! But, when I read this through a second, then a third time something else caught my eye that totally sobered my train of thought. Both Rachael and Leah were bitter about how they were married off. The writer of Proverbs stats in the 30th chapter that there are four things that make the earth tremble, one is an unloved woman when she marries or an unloved married woman [Prov. 30 21-23 (depends on the translation)]. So you have a woman that was given as a “Booby” prize by her father (who wants to be second choice, you have another woman who was the first choice but became the second choice in the marriage ceremony. She did not even get a party. Neither were happy campers and resented what their father did. This is documented by the last couple of verses in today’s passage:

14Rachel and Leah said, "That's fine with us! There is nothing for us here--none of our father's wealth will come to us anyway. 15He has reduced our rights to those of foreign women. He sold us, and what he received for us has disappeared. 16The riches God has given you from our father are legally ours and our children's to begin with. So go ahead and do whatever God has told you."

There father had sold them for his benefit. Abraham and Isaac had offered up their wives out of a perceived fear that a ruling king would desire them for their beauty and kill them. Although not as overt as Abraham and Isaac, Laban married off his daughters in a sale that benefited him financially, what a lovely man. Unlike us, God gave His Son to bring us back to Him. We have this tendency to give up the ones we proclaim we love to benefit self. God love, so He gives. We lust so we can get. Love desire to benefit others at the expense of self. Lust desires to benefit self at the expense of others.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Janice Davey]

I think what jumped out at me today is that I have been struggling with giving everything over to God lately, and what a perfect time this is for me to read this scripture! I truly need to remember that quote: "Let go and let God!" Thank you so much for your insight as it really spoke to my heart!

I also appreciated the reading of Proverbs 3:13-15. I have been unemployed for the past few years. Currently I am living with my daughter so that I can watch my grandsons while she goes to culinary school. It has really made me appreciate what I do have and not think so much on what I don't.

I have much to pray on today and ask for your prayers as well.

God bless,
Janice

[Dee Dee Manville]

Hi all! Like Ramona said, what a read! However racey it is, its one of my fave reads in OT! It keeps you on your toes, and you are like what??!! for one, falling in love with your mothers-brothers daughter..kind of ewww! if it were this day and age, but however being said, loving one and marrying (by tradeoff) the other! It is a pity that these girls have no mother figure..(guess she might have died at child birth like Rachel did..hmmm) and then their own father didn't love them enough to treat them as heirs to the throne or to their inheritance. It is really said..No wonder when good looking Jacob came into town that they didn't jump at the chance for love and all this terrible triangle conspired and then the baby making contest, I'm having his baby, no I am! Well, I can't have anymore so take my handmaiden..(sounds a bit like sara/hagar..spell) LIke Ramona said, kinda crazy!! Oh well, still good read.

books, fictional: like I mentioned yesterday, good reads are by author Liz Curtis Higgs, and Francine Rivers does a good series too, based off of Hosea, called: Redeeming Love, and somemore called Mark of the Lion..very good reads!!

[Pam]

Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are must-reads!

Pam

[Michelle]

A really good read is The Shack by Young, reaches deep inside and opens up ideas of how easy it really is to follow the Lord. Also made me realise that God is not only who I think He is, He is much more than that!
So take a few hours and read this book, it will really make you think!

[Pam]

The Red Tent!