January 24th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 48:1-49:33 ~ Matthew 15:29-16:12 ~ Psalm 20:1-9 ~ Proverbs 4:20-27
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Genesis Chapter 48 we read about Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh!  One thing I thought about when reading this chapter and the next chapter was how interesting it is that blessings had so much importance and significance back in the days of the patriarchs.  And I wonder - do we have blessings today that are as significant?  Do fathers bless kids or grandkids these days?  Maybe so...  I guess I just haven't noticed it in my family...  :)  I do think there are still some "blessings" today that hold some incredible significance today.  Wedding vows come to mind and the blessings that come from the pastor/priest/minister during this time.  Church ceremonies or rituals come to mind - Communion, Baptism, Funerals, etc.  And then certainly above all else, there is the amazing and eternal blessing we receive from Jesus himself - the free blessing and free gift of salvation.  What else is there today that I'm missing?  Have you been "blessed" by others in some way, like we read about in today's 2 chapters?  Have you "blessed" others?  Please share in the Comments section below.  Below is a painting by the American artist Benjamin West from the early 19th century of Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh - and with his arms appropriately crossed as per the text :) -

In Genesis chapter 49 we read about Jacob blessing his sons - and these are some very accurate blessings he gives as we will see as we continue through the Bible this year.  Perhaps Predictions or Prophecies might be the better term for Jacob's blessings in this chapter.   Verse 10 is awesome: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will obey."  This verse can apply to 2 descendants of Judah - King David and then ultimately and eternally to Jesus.  In verse 22 we read this about Joseph: "Joseph is a fruitful tree,"  And this is certainly true, as his descendants will include Joshua, Deborah & Gideon & Jephthah (3 judges of Israel), and Samuel the prophet.  Below is an image of Jacob blessing his 12 sons:

Below is a map that should be helpful to review based on today's blessing from Jacob of his sons.  Obviously we still need to get through the Exodus and a few other things before the twelve tribes have this land below :), but this is a nice overview for now of where things are going and correlate with Jacob's blessing in today's readings:

Bible.org's commentary on Genesis chapter 48 titled "The View from the Graveyard" is at this link and commentary on chapter 49 titled "The Purpose of Prophecy" is at this link. 

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 16 verses 11 & 12 stood out to me today: "So again I say, `Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.' " Then at last they understood that he wasn't speaking about yeast or bread but about the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  And I wonder today - are there false teachings that we should beware of today?   I believe there are...  and there have been times in my life where I have bought into false teaching's.  How can we know if a teacher is false?  That is a great question.  I would say that each of you are doing an amazing thing to help discern whether a teacher is false by reading the entire Bible.  I believe the Bible to be the ultimate Truthful teaching that we can read - and thus, if you come across teachers that differ radically or go against the teachings of the Bible, you need to be wary.  Don't get me wrong - every pastor / minister / priest is going to have some different takes or views or interpretations of the Bible.  By slight degrees...  If there are major differences, then you should be worried.  In addition to knowing the Bible relatively well, the key to discerning false teachers will be the Holy Spirit.  If you are getting bad "gut feelings" (hopefully coming from the Holy Spirit) over and over again about a teacher, there might be an issue.  Pray to God about this and ask for his guidance.  I realize this can be a sensitive issue!  I'd say don't freak out about this and start wondering if your pastor is a false teacher....  :)  But, be aware.  I do believe there are still false teachers out and about today unfortunately.  If you ever feel like you are being confused by someone today, keep your eye on the way out of confusion through God's Word!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 15 titled "A Lesson in Hermeneutics" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 20 is a prayer for a king as he goes out into battle - check out verses 1 through 5 again and you can imagine a group of people saying these words to the king.  Maybe another way to read this Psalm, personally, is as a prayer for yourself as you go out into battle against a sin or a struggle in your life.  And this verse 5 then is for you as you go into this battle: "May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers."  Amen! Let the banners fly soon in your life!

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 4 verse 23 holds so much truth... "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."  Check out yesterday's posting below for tons more reflections on why it is so critical for us to guard our hearts.  How are you doing on guarding your heart these days?

We would do well to obey the teaching of verse 24: "Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech." I have found it sometimes far too easy to be pulled into perverse talk - even if I didn't start it. (look at me - blaming others here! :) I do think we really need to be aware of situations where talk amongst our peers or friends is going in the wrong direction and to realize that we need to get ourselves out of these situations as quickly as possible.  Sure, try to do it gracefully.  Try to change the subject if you can.  But if not, just excuse yourself and get out of Dodge...

YouTube:  Today's readings in Psalm 20 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "King of Glory:"

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Proverbs verses 25 & 26 are powerful and bring up a question I'd love feedback on: "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe."  One thing that stood out to me in these verses is the ideas of setting goals.  Are you a goal setter?  I honestly am not really.  I mean, I kind of set short-term goals - work projects, ministry projects, etc.  But I don't really sit down and write down any big lifetime type goals.  Part of my thinking on this is that I want to be as flexible as possible - if Jesus calls me to do something, I don't want to be hung up on some other goal...  :)   But, I'm not sure if this is the best thinking.  This Proverb verse kind of makes me wonder if setting goals helps us keep looking straight ahead?  If goals help us mark out a straight path for our feet?  And to stay on it?   So, let me know in the Comments section below if you are a goal-setter?  And to the extent you can share how you set goals?  How often?  In writing?  How often do you check back in on your goals?  Do they make a difference in your life?  In your spiritual life?  I am really curious on this one...  I am thinking I might need to be setting some goals here!  :)  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

[Lisa]

I just saw at another website "Simple Truths" that we miss 100% of the goals that we never aim at. I think that long term goals help us to make the short term decisions/goals of our lives. Ultimate goals daily-Heaven or hell, Service to others or "what's in this for me?" Money, fame, fortune or God and His plan for His family on earth? Heart issues that can't be looked at too much. "For the heart is deceitful above all things" Who do I want on the throne of my heart forever? and Who is on the throne of my heart today? Long-term goals work with short term goals. It is good to pray, think plan, prepare for the marriage, family life, career that you would like to have BEFORE these things "just Happen" or you may find your self "missing it" right in the middle of it. God gave us His Spirit- He also gave us minds. I would like to encourage young people to "think right" like I heard several times during the inauguration and on MLK day. From what I gathered, it simply means to think of service and love toward each other- "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your mind and your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself". I think that Jesus gave us great long and short-term goals. God bless you, Mike.

[Gary]

This past summer, I read the book "Good to Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram. He has some biblical, practical suggestions for becoming more like Christ. One that I adopted is writing down longer term, clear cut objectives for your life on 3x5 index cards. Then review them each day as a reminder of how you want to live, and where you want to go. I have found this to be helpful as a reminder to stay on the right path.

Some examples from the book are:

- I want to be a man of God and walk before God in integrity all the days of my life.

- I would like to help each of my children discover their spiritual gifts and God's will for their lives.

- I would like to pray for extended times and learn to become habitually thankful for all things.

and for those involved in reading through the Bible in a year

- I want to read through the Bible each year I remain on this earth.

God may show you that some of these objectives no longer apply (e.g one related to a spouse who dies), or may show you a better way for your life (to remove or add one). If you prayerfully consider what God would have you do, then these written objectives can provide signposts to remind you to fulfill your calling.

Many times in the last year I have been reviewing my written objectives and will realize that God is using them to pull me back from sin or to realign my interests with the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I know other people who have written a Personal Mission Statement or a Family Mission Statement and have found them to be helpful in clarifying what they should be doing now. If the Holy Spirit wants to give you new objectives or mission statement, he is not mute to get your attention for such changes -- if you remain in His truth.

[Courtney]

I just posted about this at my blog ( bergcourtney.blogspot.com) and I think it is a great way to stay on track-- that being setting goals! I think it equally as important to share them with others to help you remember and stay accountable in pursuing them

[Amy]

Goals? I tend to stick with priorities. Perhaps just semantics, but I like it better.

I don't know where I read this, but research has proven that those who review (see on paper) their goals on a daily basis are significantly more likely to achieve them.

I think back to years when I kept my goals on a whiteboard in my room - practical not pretty ... but it helped me focus to see them as the first and last thing everyday.

Perhaps it is time to step up to the plate again.

[John A.]

Matthew 15 and 16

A few notes:

1)Interestingly, God eneded the Galilean ministry feeding 5,000, ended the Gentile ministry feeding 4,000, and the Judean ministry feeding the disciples in the upper room.

2) Laid at Jesus' feet - KJV cast them down. Greek connotation is they were hastily and not with the greatest care put before Christ. Maybe because this throng was worried he would not get to everybody???

3) The marvel was exceedingly great and the praise was given to the "God of Israel". This was a Gentile crowd as MArk explicitly states in his gospel.

4) The disciples had not forgotten the 5,000. Their reply to food was matter of fact. At 5,000 they said but just a few or only a few.... They knew Christ could feed if he chose.

5) The overflow baskets were seven. It could represent "completeness" in that God is sufficient to feed all the world in an overflowing manner. Jews (twelve baskets) and Gentiles (seven baskets). Also interestingly many centuries later and until recently it was taught that there were seven continents. (Now Eurasia or Americas reduce it to six depending on the source). So before it was known the seven baskets could have represented the world in that way.

Matt 16

12Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

"teaching" here is the word for doctrine. Jesus quoted Isaiah before saying their doctrine is the rules of men. The Greek connotation is "WHAT they taught". It was not all bad when they taught God's commands, but when they went into their own rules that is when pride and self entered in (leaven) the mix.

[John A.]

Gen 48

A few notes:

Israel is the name used most in this chapter and I think it is a period where Jacob is closest to God and gets it.

1) Jacob relays God's promises to the trio, gives Joseph a double portion (blessing) by making his grandson's his own, and blessed the younger over the elder.

Why? There is no reason. Exactly. Everyone is blessed, and if God chooses (Holy Spirit led Jacob's hand) Ephraim over Manasseh for extra blessing then it is His choice. It is a reflection of God's grace, and by nothing the young man did to earn the extra blessing.

IT too many centuries to come true, but eventually the tribe of Ephraim became greater than Manasseh's tribe.
======================================================
22 And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."

Hebrew scholars say this is in the prophetic perfect. It is the future described as already accomplished.

Jacob has stated God's promises to him, but Israel is blessing and prophesying in a total belief that it is a done deal. That is believing faith.

[John A.]

Gen 49

A few notes:

1) assemble and listen sons of Jacob (deceiver) - liste to Israel (God prevails).

2) Prophetic interpretaions vary, but the overall gist is:
- God has a long range plan and you are part of it - and it will be done.
- Actions have consequences. Reuben is not given double portion; Joseph is through his two sons. Simeon and Levi are scattered within Israel.
- Character of sons affected their destinies and their descendants.

3) Why was Judah blessed and made the one line from whom Christ descended? Why was not his blessing reduced like Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. While all repented regarding Joseph's sale into slavery - Judah when talking to Joseph seemed to fully repent.

But in addition - it is God's grace. If it was on merit Christ would have descended through Joseph.

So God's grace and sovereign decision and Judah's full repentance seem to be the answer to this question.

3)18 "I look for your deliverance, O LORD.

This is the first of 78 occurences of the Hebrew word "salvation" (deliverance) in the OT.

Perhaps Jacob thought of prophecy of the woman and serpant in Genesis 3:15 or his own grabbing of Esau's heel at birth.

The interjection may have been that Israel has been waiting and that deliverance/salvation will not come by Dan, Gad, or even Joseph - it will come from the Lord.

Hebrew for deliverance/salvation is yeshua - Jesus - God is salvation and it comes through no other.

Israel said: 'I look for your Jesus, O Lord.

Kinda' gives me goose bumps.