Tag Archives: Genesis

Genesis 46-47, Psalms 50

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In Genesis 46-47 we read of Jacob’s journey down to Egypt, along with his household. God appears to Jacob to reassure him that this is the right thing to do, despite the problems that Abraham and Isaac experienced in Egypt. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation”.

God would continue to bless the household of Jacob as they grew into a great nation, despite being settled in Egypt, a country unfamiliar with God, a country that despised occupations such as shepherds.

There are a lot of similarities to our calling. We live in a spiritual Egypt, a place that isn’t familiar with God, that doesn’t understand the things that God’s children must do. But God has promised that He will watch over us and bless us, just as He did for Israel.

We can be confident that God is in control, as Psalm 50 describes. “The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting”.  He wants to be involved in our lives, “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

 

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”.

 

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.

 

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.

Genesis 27, Psalms 32

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Genesis 27 is a strange story. Isaac knew that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob, but when he was close to death he intends to bless Esau rather than Jacob. Gen 25v28 tells us that Isaac favoured Esau because of his venison, and Isaac requests a meal of venison before he dies.

Jacob and Rebekah conspire to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing of the birthright. When Isaac realises the deception, he “trembled very greatly”. He knew that the blessing of the birthright should have gone to Jacob, and God had prevented him from blessing Esau instead. God’s intended plan cannot be hindered by man.

David writes in Psalm 32 of the forgiveness of God, and also of trusting in God. “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD”. What God has promised will certainly occur, and we can be absolutely confident in God’s word, His love, and our glorious future together with Him.

 

Genesis 26, Psalm 31, Matthew 16

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In Genesis 26, Isaac is reminded 3 times that God is with him. Although he listens to God and doesn’t go into Egypt to avoid a famine, Isaac still repeats his father’s mistake of describing his wife as his sister for fear of death. Despite this, God forgives Isaac, repeating to him the blessings of Abraham. Encouraging to see God’s love clearly demonstrated despite Isaac’s mistake.

David in Psalm 31 describes the comfort and refuge he feels as a result of God being with him.  “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge… incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily… into your hand I commit my spirit“. During his time of distress, David recognises God would care for him, even when everyone else has forsaken him. “He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city… you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.”

David encourages us put our trust in God. “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…be strong, and let your heart take courage.“ As does Jesus, in Matthew 16, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”.

Genesis 24, Psalm 29-30

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In Genesis 24 we find the story of Rebekah becoming Isaac’s wife. It’s a strange story about a custom unfamiliar to us, but also a story of faith shown in different ways by Abraham, Eliezer, and Rebekah. All put their trust in God for the best outcome. Abraham relied on God for providing a wife for Isaac, Eliezer relied on God for the selection of that wife, and Rebekah trusted in God that marrying Isaac was the right thing to do.

It’s interesting that Eliezer’s prayer to God for success in finding a suitable wife is answered before he had finished praying. This means that Rebekah had to have left her house before Eliezer had even started praying. A real world example of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him”.

Just as God answered David’s prayers, “O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me”, He will answer our prayers too, in the way that develops us to be more like Him