Genesis 41, Matthew 27

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In Genesis 41 we read Joseph was in prison for 2 years after Pharaoh’s cupbearer was restored to his position and the chief baker hanged. Pharaoh had his two famous dreams about the cows and the corn, and Joseph was called upon to interpret them.

Joseph hadn’t lost his faith in those 2 years; he attributes the interpretation of the dream to God, “God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do”. In a land that knew very little about the God of Abraham, Joseph is not afraid to speak openly of his faith. So Joseph is elevated to second in charge, and the dreams come to pass as Joseph had said. Even in this elevated position Joseph doesn’t forget God, naming his 2 sons after the blessings provided by God.

In Matthew 27 we read of another faithful Joseph, who risked his life begging for the body of Jesus, prepared the body and placed it in his own tomb.  Both Josephs demonstrated their faith despite the personal risks, an example to encourage us and remind us to show our faith in action.

Genesis 39-40, Psalm 44

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In Genesis 39-40 we read of Joseph in the land of Egypt, a foreign country with foreign gods and customs. Yet Joseph doesn’t abandon his faith in God, and 4 times we read that God was with Joseph, that God “caused all that he did to succeed”.  Joseph’s life was not easy, and his temptations and trials are recorded for us, along with the consequences he faced from holding onto his beliefs and integrity.

Sitting in prison “for some time”, Joseph still had the hope of the visions he had seen of him ruling over his brothers. There are many similarities to our lives today. We’re in a prison of sin, with our faith in God and the hope of a better future to strengthen us.

In Psalm 44 we read of a nation who trusted in God like this, “For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us”. We too can trust in God rather than our own strength, knowing that God will set us free, just as He did to Joseph, and to Israel.

Genesis 38, Psalms 41-43

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Genesis 38 describes the awful consequences of Judah leaving his brothers and pursing his own desires. Two of Judah’s children were put to death by God for their wickedness, and Judah’s daughter-in-law acts as a prostitute in order to blackmail Judah into allowing her to marry Judah’s final son. A very graphic story, but a reminder of what happens when we leave God behind.

By contrast, David’s “soul thirsts for God”, even when he was mourning and suffering at the hands of his enemies. God sustains and restores David when he is sick, and even though David repeatedly refers to his soul being cast down, his hope remains sure, “For you are the God in whom I take refuge… Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”.

 

Psalm 39-40

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In Psalms 39-40, David progresses from a man distressed, distant from God, to a man encouraged and strengthened. He finds keeping silent does not help. “I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.” The only remedy was to turn to God, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears”.

David finds comfort and security in his relationship with God. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” He finds comfort and mercy, “O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me“, and ensures others know also, “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation…I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness“.

David is a great example for us; someone who realises their error, seeks help from God, and rejoices at the support and comfort he finds during his trials.

Genesis 36, Matthew 23

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In Genesis 36 we find genealogies of Esau. There is a little comment “These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites”. Israel was never supposed to have a king, their leader was God. By contrast, the Edomites served many gods, and had great and mighty leaders that led them into battle. They were focused on appearances.

Jesus warns of the dangers of appearances in Matthew 23. He tells the crowds and disciples to beware of the scribes and Pharisees, to do as they say but “not the works they do”. Jesus condemns them as hypocrites. He also tells the crowds where our focus should be, “you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Rather than being like the Edomite kings, exalting oneself above all others, Jesus highlights the importance of following his instruction, and of serving others.

 

Psalm 37

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Psalm 37 contrasts the wicked and the righteous, their way of life and destiny. Both receive a reward appropriate to their way of life. David writes this Psalm as encouragement, “fret not yourself because of evildoers…they will soon fade like the grass“.  Instead, “Trust in the Lord, and do good… commit your way to the Lord…refrain from anger.“

The righteous have an inheritance to look forward to, “those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land“, but have little now “better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked“.

We have a refuge from the cares of this life, a God who can deliver us from anything the world does to us. “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble… he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him“.

Genesis 32-33, Psalm 36

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Jacob wrestled all night with an angel, refusing to let go until the angel had blessed him. The struggle left him with a limp for the rest of his life. This was at a time in Jacob’s life when he was afraid for the safety oh his household – he had just prayed to God for deliverance from the hand of Esau.

Jacob did receive a blessing from the angel, and the meeting with Esau was a peaceful one. Afterwards, he buys land and sets up an altar to worship God.

God was a central part of Jacob’s life, time and again he demonstrated his trust and reliance on God. God was also central in David’s life, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings… Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!”

Genesis 31, Matthew 20

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Today’s readings share a theme of service, a juxtaposition between Jacob’s service for Laban, and Jesus’ parable of the labourers in the vineyard.

Jacob had served Laban for 20 years, during which time Laban had changed Jacob’s wages 10 times.  Jacob said “You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me”. Laban was constantly trying to deceive and cheat Jacob, an attribute that Rachel learned from her father, stealing the household idols when Jacob’s household finally left Laban. But God was always watching over Jacob and ensuring that the blessing he received from Isaac came to pass.

In the parable of the labourers, each labourer agreed to work for a denarius, whether early morning or 11th hour. Each was paid exactly as they agreed,  a contrast to Jacob’s ever changing wages.

We have all been called on to work in that vineyard, to serve, just as “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve”. We can be confident that the “wages” won’t change. God is faithful and unchanging, His promises don’t change. We can serve God and each other now, looking forward to the same future glory promised to those of old.

Matthew 19, Psalm 34

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When Jesus answered the rich young man’s question about entering the kingdom of God, he said to sell everything and follow him. The disciples were astonished, and ask Jesus “Who then can be saved? But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Salvation is a gift from God, not something man can achieve.

David experienced this need for God’s involvement in his life on a number of occasions. Pretending to be mad in front of Achish, king of Gath, was one such occasion. He wrote Psalm 34 about the experience, and the need to rely on God. “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles … Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him”. He concludes the Psalm with “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

We have been redeemed by God’s work alone. He has provided for us, and will hear when we call. No problem is too great, with God all things are possible.

Psalm 33

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Psalm 33 describes the depths of God’s love. God “loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD”. He created the heavens and the depths of the water just by speaking. He chose a people to be His heritage, while frustrating the plans of the nations.

God looks down from heaven and “sees all the children of man”, He knows their hearts, He sees their deeds. He pays special attention to “those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.”

God is interested in our life, He pays attention to what we think and do. The Psalmist describes an appropriate response to God’s power, majesty and interest in us. “Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”