Esau
was a fool. He chose his own way rather than the Lord's way. Jacob was a
'heel'! 'Born with his hand holding on to Esau's heel..., he was named
Jacob (Heel)' (26). A crafty twister, a manipulating cheat, there was
nothing about him that merited God's blessing. He was not superior to
Esau. Like Esau, Jacob was a sinner. Esau was not inferior to Jacob.
Both were guilty before God. Why, then - in God's purpose - does 'the
elder' (Esau) 'serve the younger' (Jacob) (23)? The answer is grace, the
'amazing grace' of God. Grace lifted Jacob. The glory belongs to God.
Grace could have lifted Esau. By grace Jacob valued the birthright
(God's blessing). His way of seeking God's blessing was devious.
Nevertheless, he was seeking for God - and God, in His grace, found him
and made him a new man (32:28). 'Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than
all my sin'!
2nd April: Genesis 26:1-35
'History
repeats itself'. Sin has a 'like father, like son' quality about it -
Isaac is like Abraham (7; 12:13, 20:2, 12-13), Jacob is like Isaac (7;
25:31,27:19). Grace repeats itself. God is faithful. He gives
forgiveness and victory over temptation (1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians
10:13). He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Deceived by 'the father
of lies' (the devil), 'man' denies the truth (John 8: 44). 'Let God be
true, and every man a liar' (Romans 3:4). In verses 19-22, there's 'the
story of the three wells' - 'Dispute', 'Opposition', 'Room'. Things went
from bad to worse, then there was progress. There is room for both,
when there is no more quarrelling. Isaac worshipped God, and was
recognized as God's man (25,28). We are to be recognized as God's
people, but remember - verse 34 - even the Lord's people can make
mistakes!
3rd April: Genesis 27:1-40
The
deception of Isaac by Jacob (prompted by Rebekah) is a sad episode, yet
God - in grace - really bestows His blessing on Jacob. Beneath Jacob's
deceit, there was a real desire to be blessed by God. To Esau (the late
arrival), Isaac says, 'I have blessed him - yes, and he shall be
blessed. I blessed him, and blessed he will remain' (33). Once the
blessing had been given, it could not be recalled. The blessing could
not be undone. Power bestowed by God could not be removed. This had
nothing to do with 'Jacob's righteousness'. It had everything to do with
God's faithfulness. The good work begun by God, will be completed by
Him (Philippians 1:6). This was true for Jacob (28:15). It is true for
us - 'All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ'. To this, we say
'Amen' and 'To God be the Glory' (2 Corinthians 1:20)!
4th April: Genesis 27:41-28:9
What
a tangled web! Jacob has cheated Esau. Now, Esau is saying, 'I will
kill my brother Jacob' (41). What are we to make of all this? We must
look beyond the human scene. Behind it all, there is 'God Almighty' (3).
God will fulfil His promises. Nothing will distract Him from His
ultimate purpose of salvation. We look at the complex series of events
involving Rebekah, Isaac, Jacob and Esau. God looks beyond all of that
to Jesus Christ. He looks beyond the nation of Israel. His purpose
concerns 'the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8). 'The blessing of Abraham'
refers not only to the 'land' (4). There is also 'the promise of the
Spirit' (Galatians 3:14). We are to live 'by the power of the Spirit',
and not 'according to the flesh' as Esau did when 'he went to Ishmael
(the child of Abraham's unbelief...)' (9; Galatians 4:29).
5th April: Genesis 28:10-22
Just
another night (11)? No! - this was a night to remember, a night Jacob
would never forget. God came to him with His wonderful promise of love:
'I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you' (15).
At Bethel ('the house of God'), powerfully transformed by the presence
of God - 'Surely the Lord is in this place' (16) - , Jacob consecrated
himself to the Lord. 'If' (20) means 'Since'. See Romans 8:31, 'If
(Since) God is for us, who can be against us?'. Giving the tenth (22) -
this is not legalism, a kind of repayment scheme. There can be no
'salvation by works'. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our
giving must always be a heartfelt expression of thanksgiving to the God
of grace: 'Loving Him who first loved me'. We are saved 'to do good
works' (Ephesians 2:10) - not because we do good works!
6th April: Matthew 16:5-23
What
a contrast there is between Jesus Christ and the religious leaders of
His day. Three times, we are told to 'guard against...the Pharisees and
Sadducees' (6,11-12). These men had religion without salvation. They
claimed to have faith in God, yet they despised Jesus Christ, the Son of
God and Saviour of sinners. We are to guard against the 'Pharisees and
Sadducees'. We are to glory in Christ, God's Son, our Saviour. In
Christ, 'the Son of the living God' (16), we have a Saviour against whom
'the gates of hell shall not prevail' (18). Our faith is like Peter's -
sometimes strong (16-17), often weak (22-23). Our Saviour is always
strong. We 'are weak, but He is strong' - may we never 'outgrow' this
simple testimony, as we confess our sin and glory in our Saviour who
forgives sin.
7th April: Matthew 16:24-17:13
There
will come a time when the glory of God will be fully revealed - 'the
Son of man is going to come in His Father's glory' (27). Here on earth,
there are 'foretastes of glory divine': verse 28 may be understood in
connection with the transfiguration (2) - the divine glory of heaven
breaking through into our human life on earth. Revelations of glory
prepared these men for discipleship. They turned their eyes upon Jesus
(8). They looked full in His wonderful face (2). The things of earth
grew strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace (Mission Praise,
59,712) - 'Lord, it is good for us to be here' (4). The 'mountain top'
experience could not be preserved - no 'three shelters' (4)! We can
continue to worship, hear Jesus' words and look to Him (6-8), rejoicing
in His suffering for us (12) and awaiting His return to 'restore all
things' (11).
8th April: Matthew 17:14-27
Epilepsy is an illness. In this
case, there was something more - demonic involvement (18). The
disciples failed and were called to greater faith (16, 20). They were
'greatly distressed'. Troubled by talk of His death, they failed to hear
this: 'He will be raised on the third day' (23). Jesus paid the annual
temple 'tax' (24-27). His first allegiance was to God, yet He did not
ignore His other responsibilities. There is a lesson for today's Church
here. We are to be one body of Christ - not two groups, 'spiritual' and
'social', each looking down on the other: 'too earthly-minded to be any
heavenly good', 'too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good'. We need
the high spiritual principles: 'we will devote ourselves to prayer and
the ministry of the Word' (Acts 6:4), but we must not forget the
ordinary things that need to be done!
9th April: Matthew 18:1-14
From
Jesus' reply to the question: 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?' (1), we learn much about the valued place children are to have
among us. Our attitude to children is to be marked by humility, respect,
responsibility and - above all - love. (a) humility: We teach the children. We can learn from them (2-4). (b) respect: Physically, we may look down on them. Spiritually, we must 'not look down' on them (10). They are to be highly valued. (c) responsibility: What kind of influence do we have on the children? - This is a question of the greatest importance (6). (d) love:
Our 'Father in heaven' loves the children (14). The kind of welcome we
give to children shows the kind of welcome we give to 'Jesus' who 'loves
the little children' (5). May God help us not to fail the rising
generation.
10th April: Matthew 18:15-19:2
Discipline
and forgiveness are not opposites. They belong together. Discipline is
to be part of our caring. If it is not carried out in a caring way, it
is not the discipline of the Lord. It is the expression of human
arrogance. Where there is a genuine desire to honour God and do His
will, we have more than some human beings imposing their own will upon
others. We have God at work, purifying His Church. The link between
discipline (15-17) and forgiveness (21-35) is prayer (18-20). Without
prayer, we will never achieve a true balance between discipline and
forgiveness. We must avoid a harsh legalism which knows nothing of God's
love. We dare not soft-pedal the moral demands of discipleship. God is
holy. God is love. We need both holiness and love - for the sake of the
'large crowds' who need the Saviour (2).
11th April: Psalm 5:1-12
This
is a morning prayer: 'morning by morning', we are to come before the
Lord 'in expectation' of His blessing (3). The Psalmist prays with great
earnestness. His prayer is a 'sighing' before God, a 'cry for help'
(1-2). He acknowledges the holiness of God: 'You are not a God who takes
pleasure in evil, with you the wicked cannot dwell' (4). The words of
verse 9 apply to every one of us. Paul quotes this verse in support of
the conclusion that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God' (Romans 3:13, 23). There is, however, a way of coming to God. It
is 'by His mercy' (7). Each of us has been declared guilty by God (10;
Romans 3:19-20). For the fallen, God has provided a way of forgiveness.
For the guilty, He has provided a way to gladness (11; Luke 2:10-11).
'Hallelujah! What a Saviour!' (Church Hymnary, 380).
12th April: Genesis: 29:1-30
The
tables are turned on Jacob. The trickster is tricked! The 'trick' was
according to the 'custom' that the elder daughter should be given in
marriage before the younger one (23, 25-26). Seven years became fourteen
years (18-20,27,30). Jacob did receive his heart's desire, but there
was a lesson to be learned: Going God's way is better than getting your
own way. 'All things work together for good to those who love God'
(Romans 8:28) - this doesn't mean that we always get what we want. We
must learn to 'let go and let God have His wonderful way', and to say,
'This God - His way is perfect' (Psalm 18:30). Out of love for Rachel
(18,20), Jacob served Laban for an extra seven years. We would serve
Christ better if we loved Him more. Jesus still asks the question, 'Do
you love Me?' (John 21:15-17).
13th April: Genesis 29:31-30:24
Leah
progressed beyond her own concerns (32-34) to the most important thing:
'This time I will praise the Lord' (35). Of the many children, the most
significant, in terms of God's purpose of redemption, was Joseph
(22-24). An answer to prayer, it was the work of divine grace (22).
'Rachel was barren' (31) yet the Lord gave her this testimony: 'God has
taken away my disgrace' (23). We move from one Joseph to another - the
husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We see an even greater work of
grace: the birth of our Saviour. Rachel was to have a second son,
Benjamin (24). Through Christ, God has many sons and daughters
(Galatians 4:4-5). Rachel rejoiced in the gift of a son, her son. We
rejoice in the gift of the Son, God's Son. Through the Spirit of God's Son living in our hearts, we are God's children and He is our Father (Galatians 4:6).
14th April: Genesis 30:25-31:21
Jacob
was still a complex character, trying to arrange his own prosperity
(37-43). There is, however, another, better reason for his prosperity -
God had promised to bless him, and God did bless him (28:15). Inner
desire, favourable circumstances, the divine Word - all three were
present in Jacob's decision to leave Laban and 'go to his father Isaac
in the land of Canaan' (18). (a) Inner desire - Jacob had been badly
treated by Laban, and he did not want to work for him any longer (2);
(b) Favourable circumstances - Jacob had grown 'exceedingly prosperous'
(43). He didn't need to keep on working for Laban; (c) The divine Word -
Inner desire and circumstances were not enough to confirm God's
guidance to Jacob. He needed God's command and promise (3). Let God
'guide' by His 'light and truth' (Psalm 48:14; 43:3).
15th April: Genesis 31:22-42
As
we try to unravel the complexities of Jacob's dealings with Laban, we
must remember this one thing: 'If the God of my father, the God of
Abraham and the fear of Isaac (the God before whom Isaac bowed in
reverence) had not been with me...' (42). This is the spiritual
dimension. We must not lose sight of this. Life can be complicated at
times, but we must not forget this: God is with us. Jacob, who was
renamed 'Israel' (32:28), confessed his faith: God is with me. Later on,
the nation of Israel confessed its faith in God: 'If it had not been
the Lord who was on our side...', it would have been disaster. 'Our help
is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth'. The Lord is
with us still. With the Psalmist, we say, 'Blessed be the Lord'. He is
the God of our salvation (Psalm 124).
16th April: Genesis 31:43--32:21
Jacob
and Laban were not exactly the best of friends. Nevertheless, they came
to an agreement that they would not continue feuding with each other
(52). Jacob prepares to meet Esau (1-21). From verses 9-12, we learn
some important spiritual lessons - (a) Make sure that God is your
God, and not only the God of your father and grandfather (9). (b)
Confess your unworthiness of 'all the steadfast love and all the
faithfulness' of God (10). (c) Pray to God for salvation - 'Save me I
pray...' (11). (d) Stand on the promises of God - 'You have said...'
(12). Jacob, soon to be renamed Israel (32:28), was preparing to meet
Esau. There is, in his prayer, the way of being prepared for a more
important meeting: 'Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!' (Amos 4:12).
Confess your sin, pray for salvation, stand on God's Word - make it
personal!
17th April: Matthew 19:3-30
Even
though 'large crowds followed Him' still 'the Pharisees' opposed Jesus
(2-3). Jesus' teaching regarding marriage has perfect balance. Marriage
is God's purpose for 'male and female' (4-5). 'Others have renounced
marriage because of the kingdom of heaven' (12). There is no compulsion
in these matters. Each one must seek God's will. Celibacy should not be
viewed with suspicion. This way can also be chosen for the sake of the
Kingdom of heaven. It must not be suggested that celibacy is the only
truly 'spiritual' way. Jesus calls for humility (14,30). What we cannot
do for ourselves, God does for us (23-26). The Gospel humbles us and
exalts God. Before we can be exalted by God and with Him, we must be
humbled by God and before Him. 'Eternal life' (16) begins when,
conscious of our sin - 'Who then can be saved?' (25) - we look to Christ
alone for salvation.
18th April: Matthew 20:1-28
The
workers served for different lengths of time (1-7). They received equal
payment (8-16). This a parable of grace. Some have served the Lord a
long time. Some have served Him a short time. The length of time is not
the most important thing. More important is this: each one of us has
been saved by grace. We owe it all to the Lord, the Giver of salvation.
In verses 17-19, Jesus speaks of His death and resurrection. These are
the great events upon which our salvation rests (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
If we are to follow Christ, we must walk the way of the Cross (22). He
suffered for us. We must be ready to suffer for Him. His glory did not
come without suffering. Our glory will not come without suffering. Do
not seek 'greatness'. Go the way of the Cross (26-28).
19th April: Matthew 20:29-21:17
Four
times, Jesus is called 'the Son of David' (30-31, 9,15). Christ is
greater than David. He is David's 'Lord' (22:41-46). Christ is not only
'the Son of David'. He is also the Son of God (Romans 1:3-4). We rejoice
with the Psalms of David. We rejoice even more in the Gospel of Christ.
Our response to Christ is to be marked by discipleship, depth and
devotion. Discipleship - The blind men 'received their sight and
followed Him' (34). They did not receive their sight and then forget
about Him. Grace is to be followed by gratitude. Those who have received
grace are to give themselves to the Lord in gratitude. Depth - The crowds were enthusiastic (8-9) but superficial (27:20-23). Pray for depth, a true and lasting response to Christ. Devotion - Pray that the spirit of praise will overcome the spirit of pride (15).
20th April: Matthew 21:18-46
Jesus
entered the city (10). He entered the temple (12). He went 'back to the
city' (18). He entered the temple (23). Here, we have the pattern for
Christian living - in the place of worship, out into the world, back to
the place of worship...Worship, witness, worship... The two go hand in
hand throughout the Christian life. We will encounter unbelief - even in
the place of worship (23). God's servants - the prophets - were
rejected (35-36). God's Son - Jesus - was rejected (37-39). We live in a
situation where the threat of judgment is very real (19). Nevertheless,
there is hope. Christ is 'the Church's one Foundation' (Church Hymnary,
420). Through Him, we will bear fruit which will bring glory to God
(42-43). We have been slow to believe, but God is 'swift to bless'. No
more 'I will not' - let there be repentance, entering God's Kingdom and
doing His will (29- 31).
21st April: Proverbs 2:16-34
We
read the warning about 'the adulteress': 'her house leads down to
death' (16-18). We also hear the warning of the Gospel: 'the wages of
sin is death' (Romans 6:23). We are told that 'none who go to her return
or attain the paths of life' (19). Left to ourselves, none of us would
return to God, none of us would find the way to life (Romans 3:10-12).
Some seek 'prosperity' (1). They seek 'a good name in the sight
of...men' (4). We must not, however, make these things the be-all and
end-all. There is more to life than material possessions, more than high
ratings in the popularity stakes. There is eternal life - 'the free
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 6:23) -
and the forgiveness of sins - 'justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1).
22nd April: Genesis 32:22-32
At
the place called Peniel, Jacob 'saw God face to face' (30). We see 'the
glory of God in the face of Christ' (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jacob wrestled
with God and became an overcomer (28). Christ wrestled with the powers
of evil, and has won a mighty victory for us. When He cried out from the
Cross, 'It is finished' (John 19:30), this was not an admission of
defeat. It was the declaration of victory - the victory has been won,
the victory is complete. 'Thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 15:57). For Jacob,
crossing the Jabbok involved a spiritual 'crossing over'. Jacob became
Israel, a new man (28). After he had been 'touched' by God, Jacob was
'limping' (31-32). This was a reminder of his own weakness. His true
strength was in the Lord. Wait on the Lord, and renew your strength
(Isaiah 40:31).
23rd April: Genesis 33:1-20
From
Jacob's meeting with God, we come to his meeting with Esau. Before we
start thinking of this as a big 'come down', we should note Jacob's word
to Esau: 'truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God' (10).
Jacob is describing his meeting with Esau in terms of his encounter with
God at Peniel: 'I have seen God face to face (32:30). Before we dismiss
Jacob's words as 'a bit over the top', we should remember Jesus' words:
'as you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me'
(Matthew 25:40). We are not to choose between loving God and loving our
neighbour. We are to love both (Matthew 22:37-38). We honour God. We are
to honour other people. The two go together - reverence for God our
Creator and respect for people, created in God's image (1 John 4:20-21).
24th April: Genesis 34:1-31
This
chapter is about sin - the name of God is not even mentioned! We might
well say of this chapter: 'the less said the better'. We should,
however, notice that Jacob is still turning out to be a big
disappointment. Despite all Jacob's potential (28:15-17,20-22;
32:28-30), there is still, in him, a great deal of self and not very
much of the Lord. We see this in verse 30: 'You have brought trouble on me by making me odious...my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my
household'. Where is God in all this? It seems that Jacob has become so
preoccupied with himself and his own interests that he has forgotten
all about God. Amazingly, the next chapter begins, 'God said to Jacob,
"Arise..."'. God was still calling him to higher things. What love! God
doesn't give up on us. He keeps on calling us back to Himself.
25th April: Genesis 35:1-15
'God appeared to Jacob again
...and blessed him' (9). The Lord's blessing does not come only once.
Again and again, He blesses His people, leading us on to a closer walk
with Him. God knows what we have been - 'Your name is Jacob' (10). He
knows how often we have failed Him, yet still, He loves us. Still, He
holds out before us a new and better future - 'Israel shall be your
name' (10). God is inviting us to enter into a future of fruitfulness
(11): 'I choose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
and that you fruit should abide' (John 15:16). Special mention is made
of 'the place where God had spoken with him' - 'Bethel' (the house of
God) (15). We cannot expect to be fruitful witnesses if we are not
faithful worshippers. Listen for God's Word. Take His Word with you -
and share it with others.
26th April: Genesis 35:16-36:43
Two
prisoners looked out from the same cell. One saw the sunshine and the
other saw mud! - two ways of looking at every situation: 'Benoni' (son
of my sorrow), 'Benjamin' (son of the right hand) (35:18). Spot the
missing name in chapter 36? - God. Many never think of God (Psalm 10:4).
Esau's hardness of heart was more than personal. It has continued for
generations - 'two nations...two peoples...' (25:23). He has 'spiritual'
descendants too - God's Word warns us: 'See to it that no one fail to
obtain the grace of God...like Esau' (Hebrews 12:15-17). Salvation does
not come to us because of our good works (Romans 9:10-13). Every attempt
to save ourselves meets with the divine condemnation (Malachi 1:1-4;
Romans 3:19-20). Thank God for your own salvation. Never feel superior
because of it. Pray that hard hearts will be brought to Christ (1
Timothy 1: 12-17; Romans 1:16).
27th April: Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus
speaks in parables. Some hear, understand and believe. Others miss the
point altogether. One man was 'not wearing wedding clothes' (11). He was
dressed in the 'filthy rags' of his own 'righteous acts' (Isaiah 64:6).
He was not clothed in the righteousness of Christ (Revelation 21:1-2,
7:9-14). Without Christ's righteousness we are naked and ashamed. Sin
brings shame. Before sin, there was nakedness without shame (Genesis
2:25). After sin, 'they realized they were naked...and made coverings
for themselves' (Genesis 3:7). Spiritually we are naked before the
all-seeing eye of God (Hebrews 4:13). Christ says, 'buy from me...white
clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness' (Revelation
3:18). God says, 'Come, buy ...without money...Seek the Lord...call on Him... He will have mercy...He will freely pardon...' (Isaiah 55: 1, 6-8). Do you want to enter God's Kingdom? Make sure you are clothed in Christ's righteousness.
28th April: Matthew 22: 15-33
The
Pharisees were subtle - just like the 'ancient serpent who is the
devil' (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:2). They tried 'to entangle Jesus in
His talk' (15). They wanted to trap Him and bring a charge against Him.
They asked Jesus about payment of taxes to Caesar (17). Jesus moved
beyond this question to our greatest responsibility: 'Render ...to God
the things that are God's' (21). If we must speak words of political
significance - 'Render.. to Caesar the things that are Caesar's' (21) - ,
let them arise out of this: Giving God His rightful place in His
Church, the nation and the wider world. Jesus' words to the Sadducees,
in verse 29, were not simply a protest against the religion of the
Sadducees. They were a protest for the Scriptures and the power of God. A positive faith is much more helpful than a purely negative reaction!
29th April: Matthew 22:34-46
The
Pharisees had failed. The Sadducees had failed. Now, 'they come
together' (34). There were differences between them, yet they were
prepared to lay aside their differences and join forces in their common
opposition to Jesus. They were trying to get Him to set one commandment
above all the others. They would then say that He had insufficient
respect for the other commandments. Jesus answered them wisely: Love -
for God and our neighbour - embraces all the commandments. They
have fired questions at Jesus. Now, He puts a question to them (42). He
seeks to raise their thinking beyond the human level - Jesus is not
merely 'the son of David' (42). He is the Son of God. Greater than all
of the great men, He is 'our Lord and our God' (John 20:28). No more
trick questions. Give the answer of faith: 'You are...the Son of the
living God' (16: 16).
30th April: Psalm 6:1-10
What
a pitiful picture: 'languishing ... troubled ... sorely troubled ...
moaning ... tears ... weeping ... grief ... weak' (1-7). Transformation -
Overwhelmed by evil becomes overcoming evil. 'O Lord - how long?'
becomes 'The Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has
heard my supplication' (3, 8-9). We look at our circumstances. We ask,
'How long must this continue?'. We look at Christ's Cross. We say, 'He has
won the victory'. His victory becomes ours, as we say, in faith, 'the
Lord accepts my prayer' (9). We look beyond our present circumstances to
Christ's Second Coming. When He returns, the tables will be turned. In a
moment, there will be complete shame for His enemies (10; 1 Corinthians
15:25) and complete salvation for 'those who are eagerly waiting for
Him' (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Hebrews 9:28).
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