January 29 - Genesis 48-50: The End of the Story of Jacob and Joseph

Today’s Reading: Genesis 48-50

The Message

English Standard Version

Congratulations! You are finished with Genesis! That means you have read two books. Only 64 to go! (And some of them will go by quickly!)

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Joseph finally gives the theme for the entire book.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jacob lay dying. Joseph and his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, visited Jacob. He blessed them as equals to Joseph's brothers and prophesied that Ephraim (the younger) would become greater than Manasseh (the older). He then blessed each of his own sons. Judah would become a lion and rule over the nation; Simeon and Levi would not receive equal portions but be divided among the others. Then Israel died.
Israel's family buried him in Canaan. The brothers thought Joseph would exact revenge on them. He assured them God had meant everything to happen for good.
Joseph lived 110 years.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob's blessings were about the (eventual) nation of Israel more than the individual son.

Blessings in the Old Testament were not prayers to God to bless the people but sayings to the people about what God would do for them. So these blessings are each tribe's destiny when they do reach Canaan.

Three son's blessings were prominent.

Judah as "a lion's cub, … / home fresh from the kill ... / The scepter shall not leave Judah; / he'll keep a firm grip on the command staff / Until the ultimate ruler comes / and the nations obey him" (49:9-10, The Message). This would be the tribe that would supply the kings for nation of Israel and later the nation of Judah. Saul, David, etc. were from the tribe of Judah.
Levi, because of his temper and his willingness to kill, would not receive land but be dispersed among the other tribes. God would eventually make the tribe of Levi the priests and they would not have a province but be given parts of cities to survive.
Benjamin was a "ravenous wolf" (49:27, The Message). This would be the tribe that Saul of Tarsus, later the Apostle Paul, would come.
These are prominent because it shows that a nation of people will eventually take on the personality traits of its founding father(s). If the fathers seek to serve God, the nation will seek to serve God. If not, then the opposite is true. But this does not last forever, as we will read in the months ahead.

Joseph ends the story by giving the redemptive theme of Genesis.

When his brothers were scared Joseph would finally put an end to them, he reminds them,

Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now - life for many people. (50:19-20, The Message) 

Joseph knew that God uses bad situations for good. Because of their sins and Joseph's faith God was able to save an entire group of nations. Joseph did not need revenge. He had been blessed more than he could ever care because he embraced his trials and believed God would carry him through them. Wow! What a great story!

Footnote

As we head into the other four books of the Pentateuch, you may find sections boring, tedious, or downright strange. I will continue to blog every day's readings and keep showing how each of these readings leads us to the grand theme of the Bible, God is setting all things right. Do not worry, we will make it, together!

January 28 - Genesis 46-47: The (Small) Nation of Israel Moves to Egypt

Today’s Reading: Genesis 46-47

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Joseph uses Egyptian culture to his advantage.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God reassured Jacob that he would be safe going to Egypt. So Jacob and his entire family left.
When the harem arrived, Joseph coached them to tell Pharaoh that they were herders so he would give them the land of Goshen. Pharaoh welcomed them and gave them that land.
The people of Egypt sold their livestock to Pharaoh in return for food. The next year they sold their land to Pharaoh. Joseph allowed the people to keep their land but required a fifth of the crops.
Jacob died in Egypt, but made Joseph promise to return his body to Canaan.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob loves his land.

Jacob was born on this land. He returned to it with his family. He had worked the land for decades. He does not wish to leave. But he must. He wishes for his body to return to the land once his dies. As someone living far from his home, this resonates with me.

Joseph uses the Egyptians' prejudices against them.

It is interesting that Pharaoh gives the best land to the Israelites (as they will later be called) because they do not want these livestock herders to live near them. The best land. And the Israelites flourished.

Joseph designs a just sharecropping arrangement.

Remember that Genesis is not a book of moral tales. It is a history of God's early people. However, and not to get overtly political (as I often do), this arrangement should be lauded for its simplicity and fairness. Joseph could have forced the people onto community farms and required them to give all of the crops to Pharaoh in return for enough to survive, as in communist countries of the recent past. But we know how that system worked (or didn't). The amount he requires as payment is only 20%. This means the people were able to keep, sell, and live off 80% of their labor, unlike other sharecropping contracts from around the world. This arrangement provided the necessary ingredients for a boon to Egypt's cultural progression and leads them to become an empire. When godly people create godly systems of government, all people benefit.

January 27 - Genesis 43-45: Joseph's Brothers Pass Their Test

Today’s Reading: Genesis 43-45

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God uses bad situations to set things right.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

When they could stay no more, Jacob allowed his sons to return to Egypt with Benjamin. Joseph fed them, giving Benjamin more than the others. The brothers suspected nothing.
Joseph told his steward to put Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Later the steward caught up to them and proclaimed that the guilty one would become Joseph's slave. Benjamin was caught. The brothers begged Joseph for Benjamin's life. Joseph finally revealed his true identity – God had saved Egypt because of their evil actions. He told them to move to Egypt and have the best land. Jacob felt years younger.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob is very upset at allowing the only remaining son of his one true love go to Egypt.

Jacob had lost Joseph (or so he thought). He had only one son from Rachel still alive. To lose him would be too much for him to bear. That is also the reason the brothers fight for Benjamin's life. They want to save their father as much as their brother.

God prepared Joseph for this very time.

(Repeat of yesterday's comment)
What makes Joseph's story wonderful for followers of God is that he obeys God and God rewards him while he is still alive. But God does not only reward Joseph, He also rewards the people of Egypt and the surrounding areas. Egypt has been blessed by God and could bless the (nearby) world. This was the very purpose for which God had prepared Joseph. Being despised by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape, imprisoned, forgotten for two years—all of these things were tests of Joseph's faithfulness. Our problems and trials may be God's preparation for a great purpose in our future. When we continue to submit to God and give Him the glory for all we have, God's name is honored among the nations and they will allow the Creator to make all things right.

Joseph's greatest accomplishment is bringing the glory of God to the Egyptian people.

The Egyptian knew the God of the creation. They knew the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They knew this God because Joseph told them about him through his actions and giving God the credit for all he did. When we act as God would have us to act, people will know our God and will make things right in their life.

January 26 - Genesis 41-42: Joseph Proves Faithful and It Saves a Nation

Today’s Reading: Genesis 41-42

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

See Joseph's attitude when faced with the potential for great fame.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Two years later Pharaoh had two dreams. At last the cupbearer remembered Joseph. Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret. Joseph consulted God: seven years each of plenty and famine for Egypt. Pharaoh made Joseph his second-in-command, in charge of all Egypt. Joseph married Asenath and had two sons, Manasseh (Forget) and Ephraim (Double-Prosperity). People from all over the world came to buy grain in Egypt.
Jacob sent his remaining sons, save Benjamin, to buy food. Joseph concealed his identity. He imprisoned Simeon and told them to bring their youngest brother to prove they were not spies. Jacob was very distraught.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Joseph gives God the glory for interpreting dreams.

Joseph proves his righteousness again by telling Pharaoh that it was not his ability but

God giving him the ability to interpret dreams. This echoes the theme of Genesis, when people submit to God, good things happen.

God prepared Joseph for this very time.

What makes Joseph's story wonderful for followers of God is that he obeys God and God rewards him while he is still alive. But God does not only reward Joseph, He also rewards the people of Egypt and the surrounding areas. Egypt has been blessed by God and could bless the (nearby) world. This was the very purpose for which God had prepared Joseph. Being despised by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape, imprisoned, forgotten for two years—all of these things were tests of Joseph's faithfulness. Our problems and trials may be God's preparation for a great purpose in our future. When we continue to submit to God and give Him the glory for all we have, God's name is honored among the nations and they will allow the Creator to make all things right.

Joseph's brothers' trip to Egypt finally gave Joseph the chance to payback all that had been done to him.

Joseph's dreams came true. Here are 11 sheaves of corn bowing down to his. Joseph could have imprisoned or even executed them without answering to anyone. Benjamin, his full brother, was not there. He could have taken all competition from his little brother. Instead he gives them food, returns their money, and gives them a test. We will read the results of that test tomorrow. What great faith to have a chance at payback and not to give it.

January 25 - Genesis 38-40: Tamar and Joseph Prove Their Faith

Today’s Reading: Genesis 38-40

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God continues to bless Joseph even though he is brought lower and lower in Egyptian society and higher and higher in their hearts.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Judah married Shua, a Canaanite. They had three sons. The oldest married Tamar. God killed him. God also killed the middle son when he refused to honor his brother through conceiving a child with Tamar. Years later Judah would not give his third son to her. She deceived Judah dressed as a prostitute and conceived through him.
Joseph, a slave in Egypt, was thrown in jail by his master's jealous wife. God blessed him and he became the head prisoner.
Pharaoh threw two servants in jail. God gave Joseph the interpretations of their dreams. Neither remembered Joseph later.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Onan (Judah's second son) is killed because he would not honor his family by siring a son with Tamar.

No matter our thoughts on this practice, he was obligated to give Tamar and Er (Judah's oldest son) a son. Because he would not give Tamar a son God killed Onan. This story is not about sex or whether a couple should plan a family or not. It is about someone agreeing to honor his family and then reneging on that promise.

Tamar deceives Judah for righteousness' sake.

Judah agreed to help Tamar have a child. She waited for his youngest son, Shelah, to come of age. Yet Judah would not honor his promise. So she had to deceive him to have it fulfilled. Judah said, "She is in the right; I'm in the wrong" (38:26, The Message). The only way Tamar could get Judah to do what was right was through deception.

God's definition of righteousness is not limited to the set, black-and-white guidelines we normally understand.

This passage is full of what could be called "moral gray areas." Tamar uses deception to get Judah to give her a son. Judah thinks he is with a prostitute. Judah is married, not to Tamar. However, there is right and wrong. This right and wrong is not the same as what I would expect. Being right with God depends on each individual person's life within that person's community, not a set of global rules legislated and enforced by a distant group.

God continues to bless Joseph when he suffers persecution.

Joseph's attitude never changes toward God. Because of this faith, everyone could see how God blessed Joseph. Joseph is made a leader of criminals and even they follow him. Even when things do not go how we expect God will make all things in our life right if we continue to submit to His will for our lives.

January 24 - Genesis 35-37: Jacob and Sons Joseph

Today’s Reading: Genesis 35-37

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The list of genealogies is to signal the change from one story (or generation) to the next. In this case the story shifts from Jacob and Esau to Joseph and his brothers. It's like the commercial break, but with less consumerism.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God wanted Jacob to return to where he was originally called. So Jacob had his family throw all other gods out. When they arrived God officially changed "Jacob" (Deceiver) to "Israel" (God-Wrestler).
Rachel gave birth to Benjamin but died doing so. Jacob had 12 sons in total.
Esau's family grew large and prospered.
Israel loved Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, more than the others. This made Joseph's brothers angry. They schemed to kill him. Instead, they sold him as a slave. The brothers took his coat and convinced Israel that Joseph had died.
Joseph became a slave to an Egyptian.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jacob was not always fully on board with God. However, when God called his family, they were willing to leave all other gods behind.

The people God used were not always fully committed to Him when chosen. However, when God called Jacob to return to Bethel Jacob made sure that everyone cleaned and threw out all other gods. When called, God's people answer.

Joseph's brothers' hatred came from Jacob's favoritism of Rachel, Joseph's mother. Joseph's dreams escalated the hatred.

Understanding that Genesis is not a book of parables but explanation of the early people of God, this story gives another example of Jacob's multiple marriages causing problems with his family—even to the next generation. Jacob loves Joseph because he was the son of his favorite wife, Rachel. The other brothers could not compete with this position. So instead they schemed to get rid of him. Favoritism's consequences do not end with one generation.

God is preparing Joseph for great things ahead.

This shows the second half of the (negative) theme of Genesis, God will use bad situations to bring a greater good for all.

Reuben had a good heart.

I only wish he had a better sense of timing.

And Finally, if you can't remember the names of Jacob's sons, thank Andrew Lloyd Weber:

Good luck getting that out of your head!

See you tomorrow.

January 23 - Genesis 32-34: Jacob Returns Home

Today’s Reading: Genesis 32-34

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

I repeat what was written yesterday. The stories in Genesis are not meant for us to emulate or glean lessons from. They are the chronicles of the ancient people of Israel. So remember as you are reading these stories are not meant for us to judge. They are meant for us to understand the people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jacob continued home with his wives, servants, and sons. Esau gathered 400 men to welcome them. Jacob, unsure of Esau's intentions, separated his family.
One night, Jacob wrestled an unknown person. He refused to let go without a blessing. The unknown person changed Jacob's name to God-Wrestler (Israel). Jacob wrestled God.
Esau welcomed Jacob, his family, and his herds with open arms.
A young man, greatly desiring Jacob's daughter Dinah, raped her. Jacob's sons required the entire town to be circumcised before allowing them to marry. Three days later, Simeon and Levi killed the men to revenge her honor.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

(Repeated from yesterday's comments) God's people are the same as people today.

The themes from today—women fighting over one man, businessmen fighting over who cheated who, grandparents sad and angry that their children and grandchildren move away suddenly—are the same battles people face today. The people from the Bible are not super-humans bare no similarities with people today. They are normal, everyday folks. God uses them. God can use us as well.

Jacob has been gone over 20 years. Esau has been able to recover from his feeling of betrayal.

Esau, who promised in his heart to kill Jacob the first chance he could after their father's death (Genesis 27:41) has now forgiven his brother of his deceiving betrayal. I hope it is because Esau has become wise in his older age. How wonderful it is to forgive a brother (or a sister) of a horrible wrong! May we be like Esau!

January 22 - Genesis 30-31: All (Jacob's) Children

Today’s Reading: Genesis 30-31

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The stories in Genesis are not meant for us to emulate or glean lessons from. They are the chronicles of the ancient people of Israel. So remember as you are reading these stories are not meant for us to judge. They are meant for us to understand the people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Barren, Rachel gave Jacob her maid Bilhah as a substitute. Bilhah bore two sons. In response, Leah gave Jacob her maid Zilpah and she bore two sons. Leah and Rachel continuously fought over Jacob. Leah bore two more sons. God allowed Rachel to have a son, Joseph.
Laban and Jacob agreed to give him certain-colored animals. Jacob saw to it that all the strong animals gave birth to that-colored young and he prospered. Their relationship was rocky. Jacob left for home in the night. Laban chased after them. They finally agreed to peace and Laban returned home sad but satisfied.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's people are the same as people today.

The themes from today—women fighting over one man, businessmen fighting over who cheated who, grandparents sad and angry that their children and grandchildren move away suddenly—are the same battles people face today. The people from the Bible are not super-humans who bare no similarities with people today. They are normal, everyday folks. God uses them. God can use us as well.

Jacob's marriage to Leah and Rachel (and subsequently Bilhah and Zilpah) gives the best argument for one man, one woman marriages.

There is no prohibition of polygamy in the Bible. Everyone who attempts to give one has to rely on inferences from other passages (Genesis 2, for example, is descriptive not prescriptive). What the Bible does have, however, is real stories of polygamous marriages not working well. Leah and Rachel fight constantly as rivals (they are sisters!) over Jacob's love. They use him as a bargaining chip for power. Their children are leverage over the other wives. And Bilhah and Zilpah become lost in the battle. If that doesn't scream, "Don't marry more than one woman!" I don't know what else could. But I must be clear, examples of something going terribly wrong does not make it a sin.

January 21 - Genesis 27-29: The Deceiver is Deceived

Today’s Reading: Genesis 27-29

 The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God uses bad situations to bring His plan into action.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Isaac wanted to bless his favorite son, Esau. Rebekah cajoled Jacob into tricking Isaac. Isaac blessed Jacob (thinking he was Esau) and gave him reign over his brothers. When Esau learned this, he promised in his heart to kill Jacob. Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob to live with her brother Laban.
On the way God passed Abraham's blessing onto Jacob.
Jacob fell in love with Rachel, Laban's second daughter. After seven years of work, Laban tricked Jacob and gave Jacob his oldest daughter Leah instead. Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel. Leah, not loved by Jacob, had four sons.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Rebekah acted on God's earlier promise.

Before Esau and Jacob were born God told Rebekah Esau, the older, would serve Jacob, the younger (25:23). So be careful when judging her actions. They were not as sinister as we make them out to be.

Both Rebekah and Isaac want Jacob to go to Laban.

Rebekah wants him to go so Esau will not kill him. Isaac wants him to go to find a godly wife (as did his father Abraham). Rebekah also wants him to find a godly wife, but it's more because she's tired of the Hittite women Esau has married (27:46).

Jacob is a deceiver, but God gives him Abraham's blessing anyway.

Why God chooses Jacob is still a mystery. His vow is not one you would expect a godly man to give, "If God stands by me and protects me … this God will be my God (28:20, The Message). We want him to have Job's faith—obedience without conditions. However, this shows a major theme in Genesis, God will take the situations humans have created and still bring them to His honor. If you have a spotty past (or are not willing to fully serve God yet), God will still protect you. Through his love and protection we will see his greatness in the end. He is patient and willing for us to grow into giving Him everything.

Leah's attempt at gaining Jacob's love does not work.

She names her first three sons "Look-It's-a-Boy!" (Reuben), "God-Heard" (Simeon), and "Connect" (Levi). Yet Jacob still loved Rebecca more than her. So she finally decided to give up her plan and named her fourth son "Praise-God" (Judah). I'm not sure why that has always struck me as interesting, but it has.

January 20 - Genesis 25-26: God Chooses His Elect

Today’s Reading: Genesis 25-26

The Message 

English Standard Version

Hint: When you reach the genealogy section, don’t pronounce the names in your head. That way you will read the important parts without feeling overwhelmed by the Hebrew names.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God chooses one over another. Why he does this is … not up for discussion.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Abraham died at 175 years-old. Ishmael and Isaac buried him at Machpelah. However, their families did not get along.
God told Rebekah that her twin sons would become two great nations and the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Esau had red hair all over his body and enjoyed hunting. Jacob enjoyed tents. Each parent chose a favorite. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal.
Isaac inherits Abraham's covenant. Abimelech, once deceived by Isaac and Rebekah, wanted to make peace between them. When asked why he wanted peace replied, "Because I know God has blessed you."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Abraham's new sons were not equal to Isaac.

Once again the American inside me questions God's sense of justice in all of this. Why does God choose Isaac and all of Abraham's sons from Keturah and his concubines only receive gifts?

God chose Jacob and not Esau.

American Graham cries, "Why, God! This isn't fair!" Why did God choose Jacob and not Esau?

Jacob is a deceiver.

Jacob's name means deceiver. Why did God choose a deceiver and not the manly-man Esau?

Isaac is no better than his father at focusing on God's promise.

Isaac and Rebekah tricked Abimelech the same way Abraham tricked Abimelech. Isaac falls for the same line of reasoning—they'll kill me if they know she's my wife. Even godly men, God's chosen men, can lose focus on God's promises and focus on their own fears.

God blessed Isaac so much that the people wanted to be associated with them.

Abimelech, even after Isaac tricked him, wanted a relationship with Isaac. They could see God was with Isaac. When we serve God, others can see.

God's choice in who he blesses and not blesses is not for our discussion.

God's ways are not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:6-11). As much as I, American Graham, want to ignore it, I cannot second-guess God's choice. Paul would echo this sentiment (using this example) in Romans 9. Take the choice of Jacob over Esau. Esau, manly man, married Judith and Basemath. They became thorns in Isaac's and Rebekah's sides (see yesterday's comments to see why this was a major problem). God chooses based on a person's heart that others cannot see and we must trust that God is just. This is why he chose Jacob over Esau.

January 19 - Genesis 22-24: Abraham Finds a Mate for Isaac

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22-24

The Message 

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Trust in God plays a major role in today’s reading.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God commanded Abraham to offer a sacrifice—Isaac. Abraham arose and went. As Abraham started to kill his son, an angel came, "You have proven your true allegiances! Don’t touch him!"
Sarah died. Abraham bought the cave Machpelah for her body. Isaac and Abraham grieved.
Abraham wanted a God-fearing woman for his son. He tasked his servant to find a wife from Abraham’s relatives. The servant trusted God to help him and found Abraham's grandniece, Rebekah. She and her family served God. They rejoiced when they learned his task. After 10 days, they returned to Abraham. Rebekah' companionship comforted Isaac.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Abraham’s test is to see if his allegiances have changed from God to Isaac.

Many people do not understand why God would want to test Abraham in this way. If God would never think of requiring child sacrifice and gave harsh penalties if someone sacrificed their child (Jeremiah 7:31; Leviticus 20:1-5) why would God command a child sacrifice? Because he wanted to test Abraham's faith that he could become a great nation through God alone. Our allegiance must be to God, even over our family. That may seem simple when God comes to us and asks us to leave our older-than-us family (especially if we do not have a great relationship with them). But it becomes a much harder choice when the sacrifice is your own child (or grandchild). That is why God tested Abraham. When Abraham passed the test God stopped him. He proved himself faithful over all. Could we do a similar act?

Abraham wanted a God-fearing woman for Isaac.

Abraham knew the importance of a woman dedicated to God for his son's mate. He had to plead that God wouldn't destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their unrighteousness. He did not want this to happen to his great nation! To help it start correctly, he asked to have a wife found among the people he knew obeyed God—his family. A great way to start a great nation of disciples is to marry someone who is also a disciple of God. But remember—this was before the Law of Moses. Abraham did not want a ritual follower for his son. He wanted a disciple of God for his son.

Abraham's servant asked God to lead him to the right woman.

This continues the (positive) theme of Genesis: when people trust God to lead their lives, good things happen. The servant asked God to show the right woman who would be a servant. And God did.

Rebekah was chosen because she kind to a stranger, not because she belonged to the right religion.

Rebekah gave some of her water to Abraham's servant. She also, on her own, gave water to his camels. If you know anything about camels, you know they drink water in fits and spurts. They drink gallons all at once and then do not drink for hours or days. She would have to work a long time to give water to ten camels that weren't hers. Her righteousness went beyond the ritual. Men, regardless of religion, godly women serve and serving women are godly. Women, regardless of religion, godly men serve and serving men are godly.

January 18 - Genesis 19-21: Dysfunction in the Ancient World

Today’s Reading: Genesis 19-21

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

This section should remind everyone—especially if you have a dysfunctional family—of God’s ability to take non-ideal situations and have things made right through them.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Lot tried to save God’s angels from being harmed by the residents of Sodom. He fled to save his family from the angels’ destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. To preserve their lineage, Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.
Abraham and Sarah repeat their deception in the Negev. Abimelech asks them to leave after Abraham blesses them and prays for the health of their women.
At 90 years-old, Sarah gives birth to a son, Isaac. She now wants Hagar and Ishmael out. God allows this to happen and promises both Hagar and Abraham that Ishmael would become a great nation.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Lot wants to protect God’s angels even though he does not realize they are God’s angels.

Lot’s righteousness is seen when he pushes these visitors to sleep in his house to protect them from the residents of Sodom. He does not realize they are God’s angels (Hebrews 13:2). God sets things right when his people protect those who they may have no relationship to.

Lot’s daughters provide an example of a "lost in translation" moment.

Americans read this section with horror and disgust. This decision made sense to these women: 1) (because I believe in a literal, six-day creation) Genes were less spliced at that time. Close relatives could reproduce without the major problems of today. That is why Abraham married his half-sister, Isaac his first cousin once removed and Jacob his first cousin. It wasn’t taboo because there weren’t as many problems for the children. 2) There weren’t as many men to choose from at that time. Marriage had major political ties. Marrying a woman from a land that had just been completely destroyed was unthinkable and there weren’t any Hollywood producers to create a man willing to rebel against that.

Sarah’s prejudice against and hostility toward Hagar and Ishmael is never resolved.

Yesterday I mentioned these hostilities could be a cause of the animosity between Arabs and Jews today. This story seals that fate. Yet Abraham does not simply kick them out or tell his wife to leave them alone. He consults God who promises Abraham Ishmael would become a great nation.

The Bible is not sanitized for your listening pleasures.

Never let anyone tell you the Bible is not believable because the stories are too much like children’s stories. With stories like these, no one should ever accuse the Bible of being too Disney. These were real problems faced by real people. These people were not heroes or heroines who had super-human faith and made the right decisions every time. They were just as human as people living today. Abraham and the rest decided to act on their strong faith because they had faith willing to act. Oh, may we have faith as strong as these!

January 17 - Genesis 16-18: Abraham Proves His Righteousness

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16-18

The Message, 

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Abraham is a completely fair and loving man. He defends all people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Sarai presents Hagar to Abram, now 80, to have children. Soon after, Sarai threw Hagar out. God told Hagar to return. Ishmael (her son) would be always be a fighter.
Abram, Ishmael, and all of Abram’s males were circumcised to confirm the everlasting covenant with God. Abram’s name became "Father-of-Many-Nations" (Abraham).
God visited Abraham and Sarai (now Sarah). Sarah laughed at having a son at her old age; therefore, their son’s name would be "Laughter" (Isaac).
Abraham pleaded with God to save the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah. God agreed to spare the whole city for only 10 righteous people.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Giving Hagar to Abram was Sarai’s way to take control of God’s promise. She resented her decision and things turned bad.

Sarai was not a fickle woman who changed her mind because she didn’t like Hagar anymore. For Sarai, a woman’s worth is tied to her ability to bear children for the man. This was too much for her to stand. So she created strife between them.
This happened because she was unwilling to allow God to control the timing of his promises. As the theme constantly echoes in Genesis, when humans take control over God, bad things happen. It is likely the enmity between these two women led to Ishmael’s want to fight and eventual strife between Arabs (who are the descendents of Ishmael) and Jews (the descendents of Isaac).

God councils Hagar to return to Sarai and "put up with her abuse" (16:9, The Message).

This is striking, especially to an American. Why would God allow Hagar to be under this type of abuse? Because God would bless Hagar through Sarai’s abuse. God would not leave her alone to suffer but would make her, too, a great nation through Ishmael. Hagar points to the second theme of Genesis, God will use these bad actions and situations to make something good.

Abram’s circumcision was to seal the covenant between a righteous Abraham and his God forever through all generations.

Abraham’s circumcision would be "a permanent marker of my permanent covenant" (17:13, The Message). Abraham was declared "Set-Right-with-God" when he believed God (15:6, see yesterday’s comments). All descendents of Abraham would be circumcised to show their link with Abraham and God’s covenant. Even Christians are circumcised—through baptism—to share in Abraham’s covenant with God (Romans 4). This ritual not only links Christians to Jews but also to Muslims who, being descendents of Abraham, practice circumcision in honor of Abraham’s covenant with God.
However, this circumcision is only the physical sign of a heart that is circumcised. Physical circumcision did not guarantee obedience to God. Only a circumcised heart allowing God to lead can take part in the promises of God.

Abraham prays for his son Ishmael and God blesses him.

Even though Abraham knew Isaac would be the son God promised him and would carry on the covenant of God, Abraham continues to pray for his son from a maid-wife, Ishmael. Abraham is truly a godly man.

Abraham’s negotiations with God over Sodom and Gomorrah show both God’s and Abraham’s characters.

Abraham cares deeply for the city and does not want God to destroy the good with the bad, which would be out of character for the God Abraham served. However, he is also realistic about the people there and their (in)ability to obey God. So he bargains with God to save the city. Personally, I do not see God as changing his mind but allowing Abraham an opportunity to prove his love for others. Abraham didn’t need Sodom or Gomorrah. God promised that Abraham would become a great nation with no link to Sodom and Gomorrah. But he still pleaded with God not to destroy the city.
Since comparing the USA to Sodom and Gomorrah happens regularly, especially following a disaster, we need to see God’s character here as well. God is not willing to give up Sodom and Gomorrah as long as there were 10 people obeying him. Would God destroy the USA (or any area/city in the USA) and kill the righteous with the unrighteous? No! So let’s ignore all warnings that God’s wrath in the form of storms or wars is coming upon the USA because of its unrighteousness.

January 16 - Genesis 12-15: God Makes a Covenant with Abram

Today’s Reading: Genesis 12-15

The Message

English Standard Version

Today we return to Genesis. We will stay in Genesis until the end on January 29.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Abram’s faith in God’s promise is questioned but never lost.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God promises Abram, "I will make you a great nation and blessed all the Earth’s families through you. Leave your family." Abram obeyed God.
The Egyptians caught Abram lying when he, afraid of them killing him for her, said Sarai was his sister. They were kicked out of Egypt.
Abram separated from Lot. Later, Abram rescued Lot from warring kings. After the battle, Abram refused everything from Sodom’s king but gave a tenth to the king of Salem.
God renewed His covenant with the aging Abram, now doubting the promises. Abram believed God once again. This set their relationship right.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God’s promise to Abram was not limited to a foreshadowing of Jesus.

God’s promise of "All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you" (12:3, The Message) was made for the great nation of Israel to bless the world by example and words. Although the nation of Israel came close in a few instances, for the most part this was a complete failure.

Abram’s trip into Egypt showed his weakness of focus.

Abram’s lie happened because he did not trust that God could make good on His promise in the face of the Egyptians’ jealousy. Before we look at his decision unsympathetically, we must first realize he was not directly rejecting God’s covenant but allowed the Egyptian threat becloud his faith. This would happen again and again. We hedge on following God’s plan when we allow our situation to overshadow God’s promises. Where have threats from the world caused you to sidestep God’s plan in your life?

Melchizadek foreshadows Jesus’ spiritual reign over our lives.

Just as Melchizadek receives a sacrifice of Abram’s earnings because he was a priest of God so we give our lives as sacrifices to Jesus because he is our priest. It’s not a ritual priesthood. Melchizadek did not become a priest by earning a degree from a prestigious seminary. Jesus does not reign over our lives because he was a great scholar or great teacher. He reigns over our lives because he is God. And we believe this because we trust God.

Abram’s belief in God’s promise set his relationship right with God.

This is a case where Eugene Peterson’s The Message shines, "And he believed! Believed God! God declared him 'Set-Right-with-God'" (15:6). As Paul would point out later, this did not come from a ritual (circumcision). It came based on his faith. I’ll mention more tomorrow.

January 3 - Genesis 8-11: Man Populates the Earth

Today’s Reading: Genesis 8-11

The Message

English Standard Version

Hint: When you reach the genealogy section, don’t pronounce the names in your head. That way you will read the important parts without feeling overwhelmed by the Hebrew names.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Every major culture in the world has a story about a catastrophic flood with one family surviving.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God makes the flood waters recede from the earth. Once out of the boat, Noah and his family made an animal sacrifice. Smelling the sacrifice, God promised not to destroy the earth again because of man’s sin. God blessed Noah and his sons and gave them responsibility over the earth.
Many years later, all people living on the earth decided to make a great tower which would make them famous forever. When God saw what they wanted to do he decided to confuse their language to scatter them around the world. Because of this the place was named “Babel."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God decided to no longer punish the whole world because of man’s sin.

It is difficult to say that God “changed" as a result of the flood. However, God decided no longer to punish his creation because of the sin of man. The earth would continue to be under the curse given because of Adam and Eve’s sin, but it would no longer be collateral damage to punish humans.

God gave all animals for humans to eat.

Compare Genesis 2:29-30 and Genesis 9:2-3. At first God did not give meat for man to eat. After the flood God allowed Noah to kill and eat animals.

Noah cursed Ham because he did not make things right.

Shem, Japheth, and Noah were angry with Ham not because he saw his father naked in his tent but because he saw him and did not cover him. Instead he went to his brothers to tell them of what he saw. If he had covered his father he would not have been cursed.
Foreshadowing: Ham became the father of the Canaanites. These would be the people who the Israelites, the children of Shem, would later conquer and force to be their slaves.

God confused everyone’s language at the tower of Babel because they wanted to make themselves famous.

God’s reason for changing their language came from their attempt at becoming famous apart from God. Becoming famous (or making a name for yourself) because of God is something Christians could aspire for. However, even this is dangerous.

January 2 - Genesis 4-7: Sin Overtakes the World

Today’s Reading: Genesis 4-7

The Message

English Standard Version

Hint: When you reach the genealogy section, don’t pronounce the names in your head. That way you will read the important parts without feeling overwhelmed by the Hebrew names.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

See how each generation cares less and less for setting things right.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Adam and Eve give birth to two sons: Cain and Able. Both sacrifice to God. Cain’s was not approved, which angered him greatly. God warned him this anger would overtake him. Cain instead killed Able. As punishment, God required Cain to spend his days cursed from the earth. Adam and Eve had another son Seth who became like his father.
Year after year, each generation grew further and further away from God. Eventually they thought only of evil. So God chose the one man whose family followed Him and saved them from a flood which wiped out the entire world.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God’s warning to Cain was to keep things right between Cain and his brother.

Even God’s warning to Cain was not focused on his actions. God did not tell Cain, “Don’t kill Able. That would be wrong." His answer is a warning—your anger will make sin (taking control from God) overcome you. Cain’s sin did not start at the murder. It started when he allowed his anger to control him.

Cain was protected by God even after murdering Able.

What is strange is that God protected Cain with a mark instead of leaving him out on his own. God did not want to punish Cain with death. Why would God do such a thing? Because God’s intentions are to make all things right, not exact punishment on all. God could make things right through sparing Cain.

Seth called on the name of the Lord.

This was much more than saying the word “Lord." If sin is taking control from God, calling on the name of the Lord means giving control to God. True conversion means giving control of all things to God.

God chose Noah because he was “a good man, a man of integrity in his community" (6:9, The Message).

I find this definition interesting. Not only was Noah understood to be good by God but a good man by his community also. What a great statement for anyone, especially someone who calls on the name of the Lord. We as followers of the Creator of the universe should naturally be people of integrity among our community.

January 1 - Genesis 1-3: The Gospel Begins

Today’s Reading: Genesis 1-3

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Death does not enter the world until after Eve and Adam sinned.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Genesis tells the story of beginnings. God creates everything in six days, resting on the seventh. He created a helper-companion for Adam, Eve. He declared the “Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil" off-limits—offenses punished with death. The serpent told Eve they would be like God if they ate the fruit. Eve and Adam eat. The serpent was punished with no legs; the woman was punished by being lorded over by her husband; and the man was punished by working hard the Earth. All are punished with (eventual) death. God kills to make leather clothes for them and expels them from the Garden of Eden.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God created the Universe!

All creation screams “God’s Creation!" How powerful is the Creator of the Universe! How wonderful it is that he created us in his image!

God created man in His image, but the knowledge of good and evil came later.

God gave us the ability to choose to obey him or not. Yet he did not give Adam and Eve the ability to know what is good and what is evil. That came later. That’s interesting.

The snake’s challenge was to Eve’s pride.

The serpent told Eve she would “see what's really going on" and that she would know “everything, ranging all the way from good to evil" (3:5, The Message). Eve wanted that type of knowledge, to be like God. Eve wanted to be equal with God, to have the same control God has. That is what sin is—trying to take control from God.

God brings death and destruction into the world because of Adam’s sin.

The guiding thought this morning is important because Genesis 1-3 gives the reason the Gospel—God setting all things right—must exist. First, God created all things right—meaning never to die. God warned Adam and Eve if they ate of that tree they would die. Adam and Eve brought death and destruction into the world through their sin because they were cut off from what could sustain their life forever—the Tree-of-Life. God must make all things right in this world because sin—entering through Adam and Eve—has upset that order.

Because of this sin all humans know what is right and wrong and can choose to either make things right or not.
However, the first death was not Adam’s or Eve’s but animals from God’s creation to make clothes for Adam and Eve.