Archives for January 2012

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 42-45

 OVERVIEW:

Joseph’s brothers buy corn and bow down to him; Simeon is detained and Benjamin is summoned; Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt for food; Judah offers to take the place of Benjamin; Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As God spotlights the life of Joseph in these final chapters of the Book of Genesis, it is interesting how God introduces to us the life principle that “what goes around comes around” or, to state it in biblical terms, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  Ironically, Jacob, who willfully deceived his father by the skins of “the kids of the goats” (Gen. 27:16), is deceived by his sons in a similar manner in chapter 37:31-33.

 

The principle is often fleshed out in Scripture.  For example, Pharoah, who called for the destruction of God’s people by the waters of theRed Sea(Ex.14:15) saw his own people drowned by the waters of theRed Sea(Ex.14:28).  Korah, who caused a division among God’s people (Num. 16:1-3) was swallowed alive by a division in the ground (Num.16:31-32).  Haman, who built the gallows upon which to hang a godly Hebrew (Esther5:14), was hanged from those very gallows (Est.7:10).  Because of this biblical principle, as adverse situations unfold in our lives, it is always a good practice to step back and ask ourselves, “Is this happening in my life because I am reaping according to what I’ve sown?” God may be trying to reveal to us how it is that we need to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor. 7:1).

 

The whole story of Joseph’s dealings with his brothers in this section foreshadows that coming day in another time of tribulation (Rev. 6:5-8) when the remnant of Israel will confess its guilt in connection with the death of the Messiah and will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son (Zech. 12:10).

 

As the brothers make their second trip back to Joseph, you can begin to detect a change of heart:

 

• Judah, who so ruthlessly sold Joseph for profit with no concern for his father’s heartbreak in chapter 37, pours out his heart in intercession before Joseph in chapter 44, offering himself as a slave to spare his father the doubly-painful sorrow of losing Benjamin. Judahmoved from selling his brother into slavery, to being willing to become a slave in his brother’s behalf.

 

• The brother’s willingness to return the money.

 

• And, the confession of the truth to Joseph’s steward.

 

Though these were positive signs of their change of heart, they were also evidence that they were making some horrendous mistakes.  Such as, taking Joseph a present, and confessing their sins to Joseph’s servant rather than to Joseph himself.  This mistake has been made by lost sinners throughout the history of the church.  God works in the life of the sinner to bring him to the end of himself, and to God Himself, but many seek to win their salvation by what they bring to God, or by confessing their sin to a man rather than to God Himself. Or, likeJudah, by making some sort of sacrifice. Salvation would be graciously offered to Joseph’s brothers upon simple confession and repentance.  Likewise, salvation in Christ is graciously offered to sinful men upon simple confession and repentance (Rom.10:9-13; Acts17:30).  

 

Notice in 45:13, Joseph, the incredible type of Christ, tells his brothers, “… tell my Father of all my glory.”  John13:31teaches those of us who are Christ’s brothers (Heb.2:11), that God is glorified as we glorify His Son!  Tell the Father today of all of Christ’s glory!

 

Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through JOSEPH’S DEALINGS WITH HIS BROTHERS – Gen. 45:4-15 (Heb.2:11; Rom. 5:8)

 

Through JOSEPH’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE AFFAIRS OF LIFE – Gen. 45:5-8 (Eph.1:17, 20-22)

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 37-41

OVERVIEW:

Joseph’s dreams; Joseph sold into slavery; the enticement and lies of Potiphar’s wife; the imprisonment of Joseph; Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dreams; Joseph is made a ruler ofEgypt.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The narrative in this section dealing with the life of Joseph is very interesting reading, completely self-explanatory; and the applications to the believers’ life are abundantly clear.

 By “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Cor.2:10, 13), however, this section reveals that

Joseph is the most comprehensive type of Christ in the entire Bible! Consider these amazing “coincidences” (similarities) in the life of Joseph and Jesus.

1. Both were beloved by their fathers (Gen. 37:3; Matthew3:17).
2. Both regarded themselves as shepherds (Gen. 37:2; Jn.10:11-14).
3. Both were sent to their brethren by their fathers (Gen. 37:13, 14; Lk.20:13; Jn.3:17;  Heb. 10:7).
4. Both were hated by their brethren without cause (37:4, 5; Jn.1:11; 7:5;15:25).
5. Both were plotted against by their brethren (Gen. 37:20; Jn.11:53).
6. Both were severely tempted (Gen. 39:7; Mt. 4:1).
7. Both were taken toEgypt(Gen. 37:36; Mt.2:14, 15).
8. Both were stripped of their robes (Gen. 37:23; Jn.19:23, 24).
9. Both were sold for the price of a slave (Gen. 37:28; Mt. 26:15).
10. Both were bound (Gen. 39:20; Mt. 27:2).
11. Both remained silent and offered no defense (Gen. 39:20; Isa. 53:7).
12. Both were falsely accused (Gen. 39:16-18; Mt. 26:59, 60).
13. Both experienced God’s presence through everything (Gen. 39:2, 21, 23; Jn.16:32).
14. Both were respected by their jailors (Gen. 39:21; Lk.23:47).
15. Both were placed with two prisoners, one of which was later lost, and the other saved (Gen. 40:2, 3, 21, 22; Lk.23:32, 39-43).
16. Both were around thirty when their ministry began (Gen. 41:46; Lk.3:23).
17. Both were highly exalted after their sufferings (Gen. 41:41; Phil 2:9-11).
18. Both took Gentile brides (Gen. 41:45; Eph.2:11-13).
19. Both were lost to their brothers for awhile (Gen. 42:7,8; Rom. 10:1-3; 11:7,8)
20. Both forgave and restored their repentant brothers (Gen. 45:1-15; Micah 7:18, 19;    Zech. 12:10-12; Rev. 1:7).
21. Both were visited and honored by all earthly nations (Gen. 41:57; Isa. 2:2,3; 49:6).

 CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In JOSEPH – (see connections made under HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS)

By the WISDOM OF JOSEPH – Gen. 41:39 (Col. 2:2-3)

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 32-36

OVERVIEW:

Jacob gets word that Esau is ensuing; Jacob wrestles with the Angel of God; Jacob’s name is changed to Israel; the peaceful reunion between Jacob and Esau; Dinah, Jacob and Leah’s daughter is raped; the revenge carried out by Simeon and Levi; Jacob’s return to Bethel; God reaffirms the Abrahamic Covenant with Jacob.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

When we left Jacob in chapter 31 in yesterday’s reading, he had finally rid himself of his adversary, Laban. As chapter 32 begins, he has to concern himself with an even greater adversary, his own brother, Esau, who had threatened to take his life 20 years earlier.

 

But before he can be reconciled with his brother, he first needed to be reconciled with his God.

Notice in 32:24 that “Jacob was left alone.” When true salvation comes in a person’s life, they must meet with God alone. God has placed people in our lives to lead us to Christ, but we must meet him alone. That night Jacob wrestled all night with the “man” who is the “angel” of Jehovah in the Old Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a picture of conviction. There must be a drawing to God (John 6:44) through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8)

 

God brought Jacob to this place of aloneness because He wanted to break him. God wanted Jacob to cry “uncle,” as it were, or in the words, of Galatians2:20, “Not I, but Christ.” The key was in getting Jacob to face who and what he really was.

 

God asked Jacob his name, not because God didn’t know it, but so Jacob  would have to say, “I am Jacob.” Or in other words, “I am a schemer, a deceiver, and a liar.” Once Jacob admits his name,(confesses he is a sinner) God graciously changes his name! Jacob (“supplanter”), becomes Israel (“Prince of God”), signifying one who has “power with God and men.” Verse 31 indicates that God had given Jacob the dawn of a new day. He not only had a new name, but a new walk. For the rest of Jacob’s life, he would walk with a limp. All of those in Christ Jesus are new creatures and they must walk different for the rest of their days.

 

Interestingly though, as chapter 33 begins, he is not living up to his new name and his new position with God. He is called “Jacob,” not “Israel,” and he “lifted up his eyes.” (ie. He is walking by sight, not by faith.) He is a graphic picture of believers in Christ who are given a new name (Acts11:26; Rev. 3:12) and a new position (Phil3:15; Eph. 1:4), yet don’t live up to who they are “in Christ.” Chapter 33 finds Jacob continuing his scheming, his lying, and his disobedience. Though he has the mark of God on his life, he is walking like the man he used to be before his life-changing encounter with God.

 

Ephesians 4:22-23 says, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

 

Keep in mind as we are reading of Jacob’s “journeys,” that back in chapter 31:13, God had called Jacob to return toBethel. As he journeyed towardBethel, the place of his vision and his vow, he discovered the beautiful valleys and opportunities for financial gain near Shechem (33:18). Jacob ended up staying there for 10 years (!), until his precious 14 year old daughter was raped by the king of Shechem’s son. As an old song says,

Sin will take you farther than you want to go,

Slowly, but wholly, taking control.

Sin will leave you longer than you want to stay.

Sin will cost you far more than you want to pay.

 

Unbelievably, even after the crime committed upon his daughter, and then the crime committed by his two sons in murdering in cold blood every single Shechemite male in revenge for their sister, Jacob’s only concern still seems to be only himself! Notice in verse 30 that Jacob’s response includes eight first-person pronouns in one measly sentence! (me, me, I, me, me, I, I, my).

 

In chapter 35, God again reminds Jacob of his previous instruction to return toBethel(31:11-13).

Sadly, Jacob had been living in Shechem for 10 years, whenBethelwas only 30 miles away! It serves as a great reminder to us that it is easy to be moving in the right direction spiritually, and yet fall far short of full surrender (Heb. 4:1,9,11).

 

In chapter 35, Jacob leads his family back toBethel, where God reaffirms to him the Abrahamic Covenant, and the fact that He had changed his name. Praise God for His unbelievable mercy and grace!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In BENJAMIN – Gen. 35:16-19

Notice in this first mention of “Bethlehem” in the Bible, that a mother is told, “Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.” And she gives birth in the city ofBethlehem, to one to whom the father calls “the son of my right hand.” Centuries later, another mother is told, “Fear not…thou shalt… bring forth a son.” (Luke 1:30-31). And she gives birth in the city of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4,7) to the One God the Father calls “the Son of My right hand” (Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3,13: 8:1;10:12; 12:2).

 

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 28-31

 OVERVIEW:

Isaac confers the Abrahamic covenant upon Jacob; the vision of Jacob’s ladder; Jacob’s journey toHaran; Jacob’s marriages to Leah and Rachel; Laban’s jealousy; Jacob flees.

 HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

 The remainder of the Book of Genesis focuses primarily on Jacob. Joseph will most certainly be spotlighted, but his story is actually contained within the context of the account of Jacob’s life. The name Jacob means “supplanter” (i.e. deceiver, schemer, and conspirator.) As we have already seen in chapter 25 and 27, he more than lived up to his name. Jacob is a graphic picture of the worldly/fleshly believer who trusts the arm of the flesh to provide what God, in many cases, is more than willing and fully intending to provide by His own hand. For example, what Jacob’s mother deviously schemed and Jacob deceitfully carried out in order to obtain the firstborn blessing from Isaac in chapter 27 was totally unnecessary, because God had already determined and had already clearly revealed to Rebekah that the firstborn blessing was to be Jacob’s when Jacob and Esau were yet in her womb (see 25:20-23). We do not know how God would have accomplished bestowing the blessing upon Jacob since it appears that Isaac was intending to be willfully disobedient to God’s Word by giving the blessing to Esau, but God most certainly could and would have been able to pull it off without Rebekah and Jacob’s deception and dishonesty. As Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “It is never right to do wrong in order to do right.”

 

As we have already seen through the first half of the Book of Genesis, and will continue to see in the midst of our journey through the remainder of the Word of God, there are always painful consequences to sin. Although Jacob received the “blessing” from Isaac in chapter 27, his deception in obtaining it brought “cursing” (conflict) upon him. For example:

• Esau wanted and intended to kill him, causing Jacob to run in fear for the next 20 years.
• Once he left his home in chapter 28 in his attempt to flee from Esau, he never saw his beloved mother again.
• He was deceived by his uncle Laban. (The “supplanter” was “supplanted:” the “schemer” was “schemed.” i.e. He reaped what he sowed.)
• His family life was riddled with conflict (Prov.11:29– “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.”). Beware!

 

As Jacob leaves his home in chapter 28 on his way toHaran, he comes toBethel. As he lays down to get some rest from the long journey, he uses a stone as a pillow and has a very unusual, but very significant dream…the infamous “Jacob’s ladder.” The dream verified that God was going to give Jacob by His Spirit, what Jacob was striving so persistently to gain by his own flesh. Jacob was the one to whom God intended to establish the Abrahamic Covenant all along.

 

In chapter 29, Jacob, “the deceiver”, becomes “the deceived” by his own father-in-law Laban, and thus the statement, “what goes around comes around”!  By the time chapter 29 ends, Jacob has two wives, and in chapter 30, he falls prey to “the sins of the fathers” in great Abrahamic fashion, taking the handmaid of each of his wives through which to have children. The result, as can be imagined, is great conflict, and yet it is through Jacob’s relationship with these four women, his 12 sons were born, and through whom God established the 12 tribes ofIsrael.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

 

In JACOB’S LADDER – Gen. 28:11-12

Note: Genesis 28:11-12 foreshadows that the promises would culminate in something that would bridge heaven and earth. In John 1:43-51, Jesus identifies Himself as the Ladder. He is the One who opens heaven for us and brings heaven’s blessing to our lives. He alone is the One who can bring us to the Father.

In the BIRTH OF JOSEPH – Gen. 30:23-24 (Gen. 50:20; Matt.1:21; I Tim1:15; John3:16)

Note: Joseph was born into the world to save and preserve his people.

As the ANGEL OF GOD – Gen. 31:11

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 25-27

OVERVIEW:

The death of Abraham; the birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau sells his birthright; Isaac sojourns in Gerar; Isaac blesses Jacob with the Abrahamic Covenant.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

After the death of Abraham, Isaac finds himself in the same predicament his father was in some 50 years previous.  He is the recipient of God’s promise of seed, but his wife of 20 years remains barren.  The fulfillment of God’s covenant promise demanded that Isaac and Rebekah have sons.  Rather than follow the sin of his father, Isaac learns to “intreat the Lord” (25:21) for the very thing that his father had looked to the world and the flesh to provide.  (Praise the Lord, the Scripture says the sins of the fathers (Ex. 34:7; Num14:18) are VISITED upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. When a VISITOR comes to your door, you don’t have to let them in! Do note, however, that when the sin of his father visits in chapter 26 and verse 7, Isaac responds just as his father, Abraham had done.  He seeks to pass off his wife as his sister.  Always be on guard against the sins your father was susceptible to!

 

As a result of Isaac’s faithful prayers, God grants Isaac and Rebekah conception.  Rebekah sensed a struggle within her womb, and enquired of the Lord as to the meaning.  The Lord explained in 25:23, “Two nations are in thy womb (Israeland Edom), and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”  God comments further in Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13 – “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” When God says that he hated Esau and loved Jacob in Malachi, he was making a reference to the flesh and spirit of a man. The flesh is the 1^st born and God hates the flesh and the spirit is that which is our 2^nd birth (born again) and god loves the spirit.

 

We have seen this previously in the story of Ishmael and Isaac, God continuously finds ways to point us to the fact that he rejects the first birth (“that which is born of the flesh” – John 3:6a) and accepts the second birth (“that which is born of the Spirit” – John 3:6b).  This time God points us to that fact in the picture He paints through His record of the lives of Jacob and Esau.

 

But there is also another incredible picture that God paints through the bizarre story in Genesis 27 of the firstborn blessing coming to Jacob, the younger, instead of Esau, the older.  Christ, our older brother, (Heb.2:11), the One to whom belonged the firstborn blessing (Col. 1:15; Rom8:29), was cursed (II Cor.5:20), and rejected of His Father (Matt. 27:46), that the firstborn blessing might come upon us!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

The SEED THROUGH WHOM THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD WOULD BE BLESSED – Gen. 26:4 (Gal.3:16)

 

In ESAU – Gen. 25:23 (Mal. 1:2-3; Gal.3:13)

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 22-24

 

OVERVIEW:

Abraham’s willingness to offer his only son, Isaac; God’s reaffirmation of His covenant with Abraham; Sarah’s death; Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Genesis 22 is one of the greatest chapters of the entire Bible. It lifts the curtain for the dress rehearsal ofCalvary.  In this chapter, God takes out His Divine brush, and paints an unbelievably beautiful picture of the offering of His only begotten Son.

 

Note the incredible similarities…

 

• Isaac’s birth was prophesied in Gen. 18:10 – “Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” Christ’s birth was prophesied in Isa. 7:14 – “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”

 

• Isaac’s birthday was preset – Gen. 21:2 says that Isaac was born “at the set time of which God had spoken to Abraham.”  Jesus’ birthday was preset – Gal. 4:4 says, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman.”

 

• Isaac received his name before his birth – Gen. 17:19 says that God told Abraham, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son…and thou shalt call his name Isaac.”  Jesus received His name before His birth – Matt. 1:21 says that God told Joseph, “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.”

 

• Isaac was conceived by a miracle – (Gen. 18:11-14).  Christ was conceived by a miracle – (Luke1:34-37).

 

• Isaac was the only begotten son of his father – (Gen. 22:2; Heb.11:17).  Jesus was the only begotten Son of His Father – (John3:16).

 

• There was a particular place God had in mind for Abraham to offer his son.  Gen. 22:2 says that it was on one of the mountains in the landof Moriah. Moriah means “chosen by Jehovah.”  The land of Moriah was where Jerusalem was at.   We know that the mountain that Isaac was offered on was none other than Calvary. We know this based on vs. 14   “In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen”. Notice it didn’t say “it was seen” but it was future tense.  Gen. 22:3 says, “And Abraham… and Isaac his son… went unto the place of which God had told him.”  Luke23:33 says, “And when they were come to the place, which is calledCalvary, there they crucified him.”

 

• Both Isaac and Jesus rose from the dead.  Isaac rose from the dead, figuratively, after three days (Gen. 22:3-4; Heb.11:19).  Jesus, of course, rose from the dead, literally, after three days (I Cor. 15:3-4).

 

• Isaac walks to the place of sacrifice the Lord had shown his father, carrying the wood that was to be used for his own execution (Gen. 22:5-6).   Jesus walked to the place of sacrifice shown Him of His Father, carrying the wood that was to be used for His own execution (John19:17– “And he (Jesus), bearing his cross went forth into a place…which is called…Golgotha”).

           

Note that the instrument of sacrifice didn’t fall upon Isaac in Gen. 22:9-14.  That’s because he was just the picture!  One day, 1900 years later, it would fall on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Check out the answer Abraham gives his son in verse 8, to the question he asked about where was the lamb to be offered as the sacrifice for sin (v. 7) “Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering (sacrifice for sin.)”  Of course, there was the immediate fulfillment in the ram caught in the thicket in verse 13 (i.e. a male lamb wearing a crown of thorns!).  But there is a prophetic fulfillment as well!  Note that Abraham did not say, “God will provide a lamb for himself.”  He distinctly said, “God will provide himself a lamb”!  Of course, Jesus was the fulfillment of the picture.  John said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

 

Notice that when Abraham came down from the mountain there is no mention of Isaac with him. We do not hear anymore of Isaac until he receives his bride. In chapter  22 is a picture of the cross. Chapter 23 is a picture of the “Old Bride” Sarah (Israel) leaving off the scene. Chapter 24 Abraham (The Father) commissioning his servant (Holy Spirit) to go bring his son’s (Christ) bride (church) back.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In ISAAC’S WILLINGNESS TO BE OFFERED – Gen. 22:1-14 (Jn3:16; Luke23:33: Heb. 11:19; Jn 1:29)

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 19-21 OVERVIEW: The visit of the two angels to Lot; Sodom destroyed; Lot’s wife; Lot and his daughters; Abraham and Sarah sojourn in Gerar; the conflict between Abraham and Abimilech over Sarah; the birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishmael; the covenant between Abraham and Abimilech. HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS: There is plenty to learn from the life of Lot. We read on Thursday of the progression of Lot’s sin. It was the culmination of a gradual downward spiral into a life of carnality, worldliness, and ungodliness. The downward spiral into a life of sin follows the pattern God very carefully outlines through Lot’s life. Don’t miss the message! • Lot “LIFTED UP HIS EYES” toward Sodom. (13:10) • Lot “PITCHED HIS TENT” toward Sodom. (13:12) • Lot “DWELT” in Sodom. (14:12) • Lot “SAT IN THE GATE” of Sodom. (19:1) • And even after God confirmed its destruction, Lot “LINGERED” in Sodom. (19:15-16) This pattern is repeated continuously in the lives of many in Scripture, and in the lives of many believers right up to the present day. Seldom are Christians suddenly overtaken by the world. As in the case of Lot, it begins with FRIENDSHIP with the world (James 4:4); then becomes LOVING the things of the world (I John 2:15); until finally, the things of the world simply become a part of the fabric of who we are, so that we are ENGULFED by the things of the world (Eph. 2:2), much like we were before God delivered us out of Satan’s diabolical system of evil (II Tim. 2:26). When Abraham gave Lot the choice of the land he wanted (13:8-11), Sodom appeared to Lot to be a place of peace, prosperity, and protection. It turned out to be a place of conflict, compromise, and casualty. Lot went in to Sodom with his communion, his wife, his testimony, his character, and his wealth, and came out with none of them! Lot, who lost everything to the fire of God’s judgment (19:15-29), pictures for us the life of a worldly believer who loses everything to the fire of God’s judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ (I Cor. 3:11-15). God affirms through Peter (II Peter 2:7-8) that Lot, (like many believers today), was “saved,” “yet so as by fire” (I Cor. 3:15). Just a brief note to husbands and fathers… Lot’s life screams out the urgent warning of how the decisions we make effect our wives and children (19:26, 30-38). Beware! The story of Lot’s wife is a sermon in itself. Jesus said it very succinctly, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32). What a power-packed three-word sermon! The Lord Jesus Christ holds her up as an example and warning to all who reject His offer of salvation. The perversion that was dreamed up and carried out by Lot’s daughters (19:30-38) began the Moabites and Ammonites. These two nations will consistently be a thorn in Israel’s side (Num. 25:1-3; I Kings 11:33), once again, teaching us that there are always painful consequences to sin. The book of Galatians is very clear in chapter 6 and verse 7 that “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. We as Christians in today’s world do not comprehend the holiness of God and the high cost of low living. When we chose to take the name of Christ and then continue to live according to the course of this world, we are actually mocking God! It seems unthinkable that Abraham would try to pass off Sarah as his sister (Gen. 19) within 20 years of making the same mistake with Pharaoh, until we realize that God spends a great deal of time, and extends a great deal of mercy teaching us the same lessons over and over again. In chapter 21, God proves His faithfulness to His Word. Isaac, the miracle child of promise is born to Abraham and Sarah. CHRIST IS REVEALED: In ISAAC – Gen. 21:12 (Gen. 17:19; Gal. 3:16)

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 1-3

 

OVERVIEW:

Creation of all things; creation of Adam and his bride; their commissioning; temptation by Satan; Adam and his bride rebel against God, forfeiting the Garden of Eden, their relationship with God, and the ability to fulfill their commission.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The word “genesis” means “beginnings.” The Book of Genesis records the beginning of the universe, man, woman, marriage, the family, sin, judgment, sacrifice, salvation, worship, civilization, false religion, and war.

 

In the first 10 words of the Bible (Gen. 1:1), God summarizes the five elements of science: TIME (“beginning”); SPACE (“heaven”); MOTION (“created”); MATTER (“the earth”); and ENERGY (“created”).  In this simple verse, God destroys atheism (“GOD created”), denies polytheism (“GOD (singular) created”), and dispels evolution (“God CREATED”).

 

Man is the crown of creation.  God formed the first man “in His own image” and “likeness,” and gave him the place of dominion over the whole earth from Eden, theGardenofGod.  Lucifer once held the position as the crown of creation (Ezek. 28:11-17; Isaiah14:12-14) and held dominion over the whole earth from Eden, theGardenofGod.  Since Lucifer could not have the place of God in the universe, he sought to have the place of God in the life of men.  Sadly, he was successful.

 

Some interesting things to note…

 

The first recorded words of Satan (Gen. 3:1), come in the form of a question, and the question is about the Words of God (“Yea, hath God said?”).  We live in a world where Satan gets us to ask the same question. “Yea hath God said?”  In other words Christians are lead to ask things like “Is this really what God said?” or “Is this in the base manuscripts?” therefore causing doubt to be place on God’s Word. Satan also reinterpreted the Word of God, in (Gen. 3:5) therefore causing Eve to look to Satan for the interpretation, much like we rely on the scholars of our day instead of the Holy Spirit (through comparing scripture with scripture) (1 Cor. 2:13)

 

When you compare Genesis 3:6 with Matthew 4:1-11, you find that   Satan tempted the Lord Jesus Christ the same way he tempted the woman: through “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16).  In Christ’s case, however, the temptation was resisted.  James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

 

In the first chapter of the Bible God made us in His image.  In the twenty-first century inAmericawe attempt to make God in our image. Instead of, “This is the day which the Lord hath made,” as it says in Psalm 118:24, society says “This is Lord which the day hath made.”  Rather than submitting to the control of God, our Designer, we seek to design a God we can control.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

 

As CREATOR – Gen. 1:1 (John 1:1-4; Heb. 11:3; Col. 1:16-17)

 

As the SEED OF THE WOMAN – Gen. 3:15 (Isa.7:14; 9:6-7; Gal. 4:4) In ADAM – Gen. 2:21-24 (John19:34; Eph.5:28-32)

*Note: God caused a sleep to fall upon Adam, and from the substance that came from his side, God formed for him a bride.  God caused a “sleep” to fall upon the second Adam, Christ (I Cor.15:45-47), and from the substance that came from His side, God formed for Him a bride.

 

As the SACRIFICIAL LAMB – Gen. 3:21 (Prov. 27:26)

 

 

 

 

DAY 2 –Tuesday, JANUARY 3, 2012

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 4-6

 

OVERVIEW:

The sacrifices of Cain and Abel; Cain murders Abel; genealogy from Adam to Noah*; the days of Noah; Noah’s ark. 

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The physical and spiritual implications of the entrance of sin into the perfect environment into which man was placed were unbelievably devastating. The curse of sin that entered into the world in chapter 3 is already clearly manifest in chapter 4 as Cain murders his own brother.

 

Cain’s is the religion of human works.  He offers to God the fruit of his own labor. Never forget that Cain was not offering his sacrifice as a mockery toward God, but he was very sincere in his action and beliefs. There are countless numbers of people in this world that sincerely love God and want to please him, but have never been saved the biblical way, and are in danger of the judgment of God!  His offering recognized God as Creator, but it did not recognize Cain as a sinner.  Abel’s religion, however, is that of faith.  His offering recognized God as Creator and his own sinfulness.  He recognized that the blood sacrifice of a lamb was necessary to atone for his sin (Heb.9:22; 11:4).

 

Notice that God asks Cain a question in verse 9, giving him the opportunity to confess his sin.  Rather than repent (v.16), Cain goes “out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in thelandofNod, on the east ofEden.” (Note that every positive move in the Bible is always from east to west.  Every negative move in the Bible is west to east.)  “Nod” means “to stray” or “to wander.”  Even the land Cain chose speaks of his willful choice to refuse to confess his sin, his refusal to trust the blood of the lamb, and his refusal to move toward God.

 

Where did Cain get his wife?  It’s the age-old question.  Obviously, Cain married one of his sisters.  By the time he takes a wife, Adam and Eve have many descendants, and there has been given no Divine prohibition forbidding him from taking one of them to be his wife.  The very idea of marrying a relative sounds strange and even repulsive to us, until we realize that though in a much larger sense, all of us are descendants of Noah, and all of us who are married have likewise married another descendant of Noah.

 

As God describes the sinful days of Noah in chapter 6, we find that there is not much difference between his time and ours.  Jesus said in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

 

Through Abel’s BLOOD SACRIFICE – Gen. 4:4 (Heb.9:19-22)

Through Abel’s SACRIFICIAL LAMB – Gen. 4:4 (John1:29; Heb. 11:4)

In METHUSELAH (meaning “the man of the sword”) – Gen. 5:27 (John 1:1,14; Eph6:17; Heb.4:12; Rev. 19:15)

 

 

 

DAY 3 –Wednesday, JANUARY 4, 2012

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 7-9

 

OVERVIEW:

Noah, his family, seven pairs of clean and one pair of unclean of every living creature enter the ark as God had commanded; the great flood; the Rainbow Covenant; the new beginning; the curse upon the descendants of Ham (the Canaanites).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

 

“The Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark” (Gen. 7:1).  The ark was God’s secure refuge from the judgment that was to come.  In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come unto me . . . and I will give you rest.”  In Acts 16:31, Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  Just as Noah was saved from the wrath to come, and found rest within the ark, Colossians 3:3 says to those of us who have called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, “your life is hid with Christ in God.”

 

The fact of the flood is proved by God’s record of it here in Genesis through Moses, as well as by the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:37-39; Luke17:36), the prophets (Isa. 54:9), and the apostles (I Peter3:20; II Peter 2:5). 

 

The flood teaches us that God will punish sin, and that there must be death to the old before He will establish the new. God begins again with eight souls (Noah, his three sons, and each of their wives).  Note that from this point in the Bible, eight is the number of “new beginnings.”

 

In chapter 9, verses 8-17, God enters with Noah what verse 16 describes as an “everlasting covenant.”  This is the first of five covenants in the Bible that God refers to as “everlasting.”  The other four “everlasting covenants” include:  1) The Abrahamic (Gen. 17:7); 2) The Priestly (Num. 25:10-13); 3) The Davidic (II Sam. 23:5); 4) The New (Jer. 32:40).

 

As God replenishes the earth through Noah’s three sons (9:18-19), note that through Shem come the Asians, through Ham come the Africans, and through Japheth come the Europeans. The soon coming Anti-Christ will be of mixed race that will involve all three races of Noah’s sons. Revelation 13 describes him as a Leopard. (yellow body {Asian} black spots {African} white belly {European}

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through theARK–  Gen. 7:1,7 (Acts4:12; II Cor.5:17; Col. 3:3; I Thess.1:10)

*Note:   To be delivered from the wrath of God to come, you must be “in Christ,” the only “Ark” of safety.

 

 

DAY 4 – Thursday JANUARY 5, 2012

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 10-12

 

OVERVIEW:

The descendants of Noah;Babel: the origin of races and languages; God’s call and covenant with Abram; Abram’s journey toCanaanandEgypt.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

After listing one name after the other in the midst of the genealogy in chapter 10, when you get to the name Nimrod (10:8-10), all of a sudden God interrupts the list to give you a commentary on him. You might say that this is God’s way of taking a highlighter and trying to communicate to us, “Don’t miss this!”  (Note that the same thing happens in the genealogy that lists Nimrod in I Chronicles 1:10.)

 

Interestingly, Nimrod is the grandson of Ham, which, as we’ve already seen, is associated with a curse.  His name means “rebel,” and his epithet is that he was “a mighty hunter before (or, against) the Lord.”  He was, obviously, a keen hunter of animals in thelandofShinar, but the context lets us know that he was also hunting something else…Men!  He was hunting men to become a part of a kingdom (10:10).  Nimrod wanted to set himself up as a king over a kingdom of rebellion against God!

 

Keep in mind that the theme of the Bible is all about a kingdom, where Jesus rules over all the earth from His throne for a period of 1000 years (Gen. 2:3; II Peter 3:8).  The history of mankind and God’s record of history in the Bible is really nothing more than God moving to put His Son on the throne, and Satan doing everything he can, not only to stop Him, but to put himself there! (Isa. 14:12-14)  Note that the first mention of “kingdom” in the Bible is in reference to a king whose name means “rebellion,” who is seeking to establish a world empire.  If you are unfamiliar with the principle of “First Mention” in terms of Bible study, God has so orchestrated the revelation of His Word that the first time a key biblical principle is mentioned, the context foreshadows its future scope. For example, the first time “love” is mentioned in the Bible, (Gen. 22:2), it is in the context of a loving father offering his only begotten son as a sacrifice.  The future scope is obvious!

 

Note, also, that the first mention of “Babel” is in verse 10.  From this point in the Bible,Babel, orBabylon(Hebrew =Babel, Greek =Babylon), will always stand for that which is opposition to God and His people.

 

Nimrod recognized that to establish a world empire, he would need to unify the people, both governmentally and religiously (“Let us build us a city and a tower” – Gen. 11:1-4).  The “city” is the governmental symbol, and the “tower” is the religious symbol.  Practically speaking, the “city” and “tower” ofBabelwere Satan’s attempt to unite the people of the earth in a one-world government, one-world religion, under one king.  Obviously, Nimrod is a forerunner and type of the Antichrist who is a king of rebellion who seeks to establish a world empire by unifying the people of the earth in a one-world government and religion.

 

In striking contrast to rebellious Nimrod, chapter 12 introduces us to Abram, a man who symbolizes submission to God. God’s call to Abram was:  “Get thee out of thy country…unto a land that I will show thee…and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  So  Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him” (12:1-4).  Without hesitation, consideration, or deliberation, Abram, in faith, left his homeland and all that he knew and loved for an unidentified land.  For his uncompromising faith, God holds Abram up as a shining example (Heb. 11:8).

 

Even though Abram exercised such great faith in God on one hand, when famine struck in verse 10, rather than exercise the same trust in God, “Abram went down intoEgypt.”  This is the first mention of “Egypt” in the Bible.  Note thatEgyptis always a “downward” move in Scripture, and will always be associated biblically with the world and sin.  (i.e. Rather than trust God, Abram looked to the world to meet his needs.)

 

Abram exemplifies the fine line between walking by faith and walking by sight…Walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh (Gal.5:16-17).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the PROMISED SEED OF ABRAHAM – Gen. 12:3 (Gen. 18:18: Matt. 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16)

 

In ABRAHAM – (Abraham is a type of Christ in that he leads the way to a better land of promise – Heb. 11:8-11, 13-16)

 

 

DAY 5 –Friday, JANUARY 6, 2012

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 13-15

OVERVIEW:

Abram andLotseparate; Abram moves toHebron, builds an altar; Melchizedek’s blessing upon Abram; God’s covenant with Abram.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

After the downward move into the world’s system of evil, and finding himself in the web of its sinfulness in chapter 12, “Abram went up out of Egypt” (13:1), and back to the place of blessing and intimacy with God that he had at the first (13:3-4).  It’s the same solution our Lord Jesus Christ identified in Revelation 2:4-5 for those times we find ourselves in the world’s snare, having “left our first love.”  Jesus said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.”  Do you need to follow Jesus’ admonition and Abram’s example? Note the simplicity: Remember. Repent. Repeat.

 

The separation of Abram and his nephew,Lot, might be called “the curse of God’s blessing” (13:5-9).  Sometimes the blessing of God in our lives forces us to make tough decisions. Lotillustrates a carnal believer, walking in the flesh, while Abram illustrates a committed believer, walking in the Spirit.

 

Lotchose the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh (13:10-11).  He choseSodom, thinking it a place of peace, protection and prosperity, when it was actually a place of warfare, danger, and cursing. Lotillustrates how important it is that we look through spiritual eyes as opposed to physical eyes in order to live the victorious Christian life.  Paul said, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor. 4:18)

 

Notice the progression of Lot. (Gen. 13:10-12) Lot allows his eye’s to affect his heart, (Lam.3:51) after seeing all that Sodom had to offer, he decided to “pitch his tent toward Sodom”, but not in Sodom. By the time we come to (Gen 19) Lot is no longer a pilgrim passing through in a tent, but has “invested in earthly things” because he is now living in a house in the city of Sodom (Gen. 19:3)  That was not all. He has now become a leader in this city, because he sat at the “Gate of the City” which in those times would have been like sitting on the town council. Lot did not know that that “look” back in Chapter 13 would result in the death of his wife and kids along with the birth of 2 incest children with his remaining daughters. SIN WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN YOU WANT TO GO!!!

 

Chapter 14 illustrates that the Spirit-filled life is a life that is blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, as Melchizedek, a type of Christ, blesses faithful Abram.  Note that Melchizedek, whose name means “Righteous King,” is the King ofSalem(Hebrew, “shalom”) or peace, and is a priest of the most high God.  Note, also that this mysterious king-priest ofJerusalem, to whom is given no human biographical or genealogical particulars, blesses Abram and receivers tithes from him.  Our Righteous King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is not of human descent, is the Prince of Peace, and the God and Lord of peace, and will soon take up his throne inJerusalemto rule as King over the entire world. He blesses those who are surrendered to Him, and He alone is worthy of tithes of all that we possess.

 

Those, who like Abram, acknowledge Christ’s lordship and are surrendered to Christ’s lordship in their lives hear the word of the Lord in their hearts saying, “Fear not…I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (15:1)

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In MELCHIZEDEK, THE KING OF SALEM (Jerusalem), THE KING OF PEACE, THE PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD – Gen. 14:18-20 (Psa. 110:4; Heb. 7:1-6, 17, 21; Isa. 9:6; Rom. 15:33; II Thess. 3:16)

 

DAY 6 –Saturday, JANUARY 7, 2012

 

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 16-18

 

OVERVIEW:

Birth of Ishmael of Hagar; Abram’s name changed; the covenant of circumcision; Sarai’s name changed; Isaac promised to Abraham and Sarah; Abraham’s prayer forSodom.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God had already promised Abram a son (15:4), but 10 longs years had passed and Abram and Sarai were still childless, and neither of them were, at this point, a spring chicken!  Abram was 85 and Sarai was 76!

 

Rather than trust the Word of God by faith, Sarai turned to the world for help and sought to fulfill God’s will in the power of the flesh. (Sound familiar?) Sarai offered Abram her personal Egyptian maid, Hagar, to be assured of a seed for Abraham.  (Note:  The Hurrian laws from that period describe this as a custom of the day.  If a son was born of that union, it would be regarded as the wife’s.)  At the age of 86, Abram did receive a son, Ishamael, by Hagar.

 

Sarai’s dreadful decision points to one of the most difficult lessons of the Christian life, learning to wait upon the Lord (Isa. 28:16).  Sometimes God places us in a position of testing our faith, and we may have to wait two weeks, two years, or as in Abram’s case, 25 years for our prayers to be answered. 

 

The product of Abram and Sarai’s decision to run ahead of God, attempting to carry out God’s will through carnal means should teach us that there are painful consequences of trusting the power of the flesh.  To this day, Ishmael (the Arabs) and Isaac (the Jews) are at war with each other and the conflict will continue until the second coming of Christ.  (“The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other…” – Gal.5:17)  What prayer are you trusting God to answer, or what promise are you trusting God to fulfill in which you might be tempted to get ahead of God and try to bring about in the power of the flesh?

 

In chapter 17, note that Abram was 99 years old and Sarah was 90.  It is humanly impossible for Sarah to give birth to a child.  But God revealed to Abraham in 17:1 – “I am the Almighty God.”  In chapter 18 and verse 14 God asked him, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?”  Remember that today with what you’re trusting God to fulfill.  What is impossible with men is possible with God!  (Matt. 19:26)

 

Note that through Ishmael and Isaac, God is already pointing to the fact that He rejects the first birth (that which is born of the flesh), and accepts the second birth, (that which is impossible with men, but is possible only with God… the spiritual birth) – See John 3:3-6.

 

Some interesting things to note…

 

• God gives Abram a seal of His covenant with him (circumcision).  God gives to those who are children of Abraham by faith in Christ, a seal of His covenant with us (the Holy Spirit – Eph.1:13).
• God changed the name of Abram and Sarai.  Abram, which means, “high father,” is changed to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” reflecting his new relationship to God, as well as his new identity based on God’s promise of seed.  Sarai, which means, “my princess,” is changed to Sarah, which simply means “princess.”  The limiting personal pronoun “my” is dropped from the meaning of her name since she would be the ancestress of the promised nations and kings.  As the seed of Abraham (Rom.4:11), God changed our name the moment we placed our faith in Christ (see Acts11:26; Rev. 3:12) to reflect our new relationship with Him, and our new identity in Him!

 

• God enters into an everlasting, unconditional covenant with Abraham (17:7-8). The promise was not dependent upon Abraham’s faithfulness to God, but the faithfulness of God to his own name, and His faithfulness to the promise of His Word to Abraham.  As Abraham’s children (Gal. 3:6-7), God entered into an everlasting, unconditional covenant with us (John3:16; Rom.8:37-39).  God’s promise of salvation to us is not dependent upon our faithfulness to God (or we’d all lose it!), but upon God’s faithfulness to His own name, and His faithfulness to the promise of His Word to us (praise the Lord!).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ANGEL OF THE LORD – Gen. 16:7

Note: The angel of the Lord is a preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Those, like Hagar in this passage, who had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord recognized that in seeing this Angel, they had seen God (Gen. 22:11-18; 31:11-13; Ex. 3:2-5; Num. 22:22-35; Judges 6:11-23; 13:2-5; I Kings 19:5-7). Interestingly, the Angel of the Lord does not appear after the birth of Christ.

 

As the SEED OF ISAAC – Gen. 17:19 (Luke2:23-24; Heb.11:18)