Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 4, Exodus 5:1-21
NT: Matthew 18:1-20
Ps: Psalm 22:19-31
Pr: Proverbs 5:15-21

Gospel Thread - OT:

²⁴ At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met {Moses} and was about to kill him. ²⁵ But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched {Moses'} feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. ²⁶ So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)

Exodus 4:24-26 (NIV)

God established the covenant of circumcision with Abraham. Then, as with Moses here, circumcision is symbolic of the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing new life to the believer through salvation. It also signifies the necessity of the shedding of blood to atone for sin.

Gospel Thread - NT:

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

One of the great blessings of salvation is the eternal presence of Christ with us.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

Psalm 22:24 (NIV)

Indeed, God poured out the fullness of His wrath against the sin of the world borne in Christ on the cross. But after Christ's death, God again looked upon His Son, and raised Him from the dead into eternal glory!

OYB Photo of the Day:

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Posted 27 January 2006; back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 2:11-25, Exodus 3
NT: Matthew 17:10-27
Ps: Psalm 22:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 5:7-14

Gospel Thread - OT:

God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

God gives Moses "I AM" as His Name. "I AM" is important, as Jesus' use of it is considered blasphemous (John 10:22-39) by the High Priest (Mark 14:61-63) and the Jews (John 8:57-59), since they see it for what it is: Jesus' claim to be God Himself.

Gospel Thread - NT:

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Oh, that we could have even so little faith! Jesus here again illustrates that faith is the vehicle both for our salvation and for the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. It is the same faith exemplified by the Patriarchs.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

Psalm 22 is a Messianic psalm:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1 (NIV)

Jesus repeats these words: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? on the Cross (Matthew 27:46, Luke 15:34).

⁷ All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: ⁸ "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

Psalm 22:7-8 (NIV)

In the same way, Christ was mocked on the cross (Matthew 27:42, Mark 15:31, Luke 23:35).

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

Psalm 22:14 (NIV)

Christ was executed by crucifixion, which this and following verses describe.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

Psalm 22:15 (NIV)

Jesus declared "I am thirsty" while being crucified (John 19:28).

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalm 22:16 (NIV)

During His crucifixion, Jesus was surrounded by his accusers and those responsible for His execution. Jesus, as was custom, was fixed to the cross with nails through the hands and feet.

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Psalm 22:18 (NIV)

Jesus' garments were divided amongst the guards, who cast lots for his clothing (Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23-24).

OYB Photo of the Day:

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Posted 27 January 2007; back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 50, Exodus 1, Exodus 2:1-10
NT: Matthew 16:13-28, Matthew 17:1-9
Ps: Psalm 21
Pr: Proverbs 5:1-6

Gospel Thread - OT:

And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place."

Genesis 50:25 (NIV)

Joseph displays the same faith as did his father, Jacob. He so believed that God would fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he made his descendants swear an oath to carry his bones with them when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."

Exodus 1:22 (NIV)

Pharaoh's command to kill all newborn Hebrew boys in Egypt is similar to Herod's command to kill all Hebrew infants at the time of Jesus' birth. In the former case, the command is out of a fear of over-population of Hebrews in Egypt; in the latter case, the command is out of a fear of the birth of a conquering Messiah. In both cases, the command directly opposed God's fulfillment of His promise that His Messiah and myriad blessings would come through the lineage of Abraham. This similarity is only the beginning of the comparison of Moses as a type of Christ.

Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,

Exodus 2:1 (NIV)

The significance of Moses being a Levite will become more apparent as we get into Exodus and Leviticus. Eventually, God will set apart the house of Levi (Exodus 31:25-29) and ordain the Levites as His priesthood, and the line of Aaron, Moses' brother, as High Priest. Likewise, God has ordained we who are grafted into Christ as His royal priesthood (II Peter 2:9), with Jesus Christ Himself as our High Priest (Hebrews 4-9). Much more detail as we get into Leviticus and Hebrews.

Gospel Thread - NT:

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Matthew 16:16 (NIV)

The entire gospel rests on this truth: Jesus is the Christ - the Messiah - through Whom we have salvation from sin, redemption, and new life.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

³ You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.
⁵ Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
⁶ Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 21:3-6 (NIV)

(See also: verse 1) Apparently, Christian scholars don't typically consider this Psalm to be messianic, but Hebrew scholars do. The references to a glorified, eternal king seem pretty obvious to me here.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."
Exodus 1:22 (NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 48-49
NT: Matthew 15:29-39, Matthew 16:1-12
Ps: Psalm 20
Pr: Proverbs 4:20-27

Gospel Thread - OT:

¹⁰ The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.
¹¹ He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

Genesis 49:10-11 (NIV)

These verses are part of Jacob's prophecy for Judah - speaking of the Messiah Who was to come.

Gospel Thread - NT:

They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 15:37 (NIV)

See comments from my January 22nd entry about the symbolism of the seven basketfuls.

"A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

Matthew 16:4 (NIV)

Again, Jesus foretells His own three days in the earth, following His death and preceeding His resurrection.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6 (NIV)

"Messiah" means annointed one. David is speaking about himself, but this verse can also be an allusion to God's Annointed One - the One whom God raised from the dead by "the saving power of his right hand."

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 46-47
NT: Matthew 15:1-28
Ps: Psalm 19
Pr: Proverbs 4:14-19

Gospel Thread - OT:

²⁹ When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰ but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he ³¹ "Swear to me," he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Genesis 47:29-31 (NIV)

Here Jacob exemplifies the kind of faith to which we are called (see Hebrews 11:21-22), believing even on his death bed that God would fulfill His promise to give Israel the land of Caanan.

Gospel Thread - NT:

What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.

Matthew 15:11 (NIV)

Here Jesus gives an example of how He is the fulfillment of the Law - how He calls us to the higher standard to which the Law pointed, yet of which it was only a shadow. The Law taught the principle of uncleanliness using the external (washing hands before eating) - yet God is concerned with the internal (the uncleanliness of the heart).

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

Psalm 19:13 (NIV)

This verse reminds me of the words of Christ in the Lord's Prayer: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (see Matthew 6:12-13).

[of evil men] They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs 4:17 (NIV)

I like how this verse juxtaposes with the communion of Christ. Where the evil eat the bread of wickedness, we eat the bread of righteousness - the body of Christ. Where the wicked drink the wine of violence, we drink the wine of peace - the blood of Christ.

OYB Photo of the Day:

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord...God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
(Psalm 19:1 NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 44-45
NT: Matthew 14:13-36
Ps: Psalm 16:37-50
Pr: Proverbs 4:11-13

Gospel Thread - OT:

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 45:7 (NIV)

And even so is the gospel, biblical history - even the entirety of world history - God's plan to preserve for us a remnant of hope and to save our lives by a great deliverance: the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Though we often do not see it, in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Here we see in the example of Joseph, a circumstance that was intended for the harm of one (Joseph), that God foreknew and ordained to bring about salvation and good for the many (all of Jacob's family). Likewise, what was intended for the harm of One (Jesus Christ, God the Son), God the Father foreknew and ordained to bring about salvation and good for all mankind.

Gospel Thread - NT:

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 14:20 (NIV)

Jesus' miracle of feeding 5,000 takes place with a crowd of Jewish people. Later, we will see Jesus perform a similar miracle, feeding 4,000 Gentiles. In the former miracle, twelve basketfuls remain; in the latter, seven remain. These miracles are perhaps symbolic of Christ's ministry: first to the Jews (for the 12 baskets represent the 12 tribes of Israel), then to the Gentiles (for the 7 baskets represent the number of completion - as in the completion of Christ's ministry).

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me.

Psalm 18:43 (NIV)

David is praising God for giving him victory over his adversaries, but these verses also seem to foreshadow a triumphant Messiah (for the Christ was attacked, delivered from death, and made the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom all creation is subject).

OYB Photo of the Day:

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. (Matthew 14:31-32 NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 42:18-38, Genesis 43
NT: Matthew 13:47-58, Matthew 14:1-12
Ps: Psalm 18:16-36
Pr: Proverbs 4:7-10

Gospel Thread - OT:

And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.

Genesis 43:14 (NIV)

What a change for Jacob! In his earlier years, Jacob relied upon himself to accomplish everything. But now, after years of experience, Jacob has undergone a dramatic change in character, and now relies upon God - recognizing Him alone as the Almighty: El Shaddai. The working of the Holy Spirit is much the same in our lives. Because of the fundamental change following salvation, the believer cannot help but to be transformed unto the character and likeness of God. It is the gospel alone that brings about this transformation - this sanctification.

Gospel Thread - NT:

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13:58 (NIV)

Faith is the vehicle through which the power of the Holy Spirit works in our lives - both to bring salvation and also to impart Spiritual gifts. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

For who is God besides the LORD ? And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 18:31 (NIV)

Jesus Christ (and faith in Him as Messiah) is the Rock upon which God has built His church (Matthew 16:18 - which uses a play on words to indicate that Christ Himself is the Rock).

OYB Photo of the Day:

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (Matthew 13:47 NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved.

Whenever I read of fishing or fishermen as biblical symbolism, I am reminded of my mission work in Oaxaca. The mission base is located in Cacalote, which is a small fishing village. The men launch their boats from just outside the base, going out once a day to set the nets, and once a day to retrieve them. The fishermen can be seen cleaning and repairing their nets on the beach during the afternoon.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 41:17-57, Genesis 42:1-17
NT: Matthew 13:24-46
Ps: Psalm 18:1-15
Pr: Proverbs 4:1-6

Gospel Thread - OT:

So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"

Genesis 41:38 (NIV)

Today's passage continues the Joseph-as-type-of-Christ metaphor discussed yesterday.

Gospel Thread - NT:

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."

Matthew 13:34-35 (NIV)

According to the NIV footnotes, Matthew here is quoting Psalm 78:2.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

No direct gospel/messianic references in today’s Psalms/Proverbs reading.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Psalm 18:2
Photo © Wallpaper Dave; used with permission.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 39-40, Genesis 41:1-16
NT: Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:1-23
Ps: Psalm 17
Pr: Proverbs 3:33-35

Gospel Thread - OT:

For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.

Genesis 40:15 (NIV)

Another comparison with Christ, since both were innocent of the alleged crimes of which each was accused.

Gospel Thread - NT:

¹¹ He replied, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

Matthew 12:11-13 (NIV)

Jesus follows with a quote of Isaiah 6:9-10 in verses 14-15.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

¹¹ They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
¹² They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.

Psalm 17:11-12 (NIV)

This psalm is perhaps a foreshadowing of Christ in danger.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Psalm 17:8
Photo © Wallpaper Dave; used with permission.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Posted 19 January 2007; back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 37-38
NT: Matthew 12:22-45
Ps: Psalm 16
Pr: Proverbs 3:27-32

Gospel Thread - OT:

So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 (NIV)

Joseph here is a type of Christ. Joseph is sold for 20 shekels - the contemporary selling price for a slave in his day - and in the midst of his captivity would become the means of salvation for and reconciliation with his family. Joseph "dies" to his family, and is later "resurrected" as the ruler in Egypt, second-in-command only to Pharaoh. Likewise, Christ was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver - the contemporary price for a slave in His day - and in the midst of his captivity would become the means of salvation for and reconciliation with all mankind. Christ died on the Cross, and was resurrected to His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, sitting at the right hand of Father God.

Gospel Thread - NT:

³⁹ He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:39-40 (NIV)

Jesus is predicting His death, burial, and resurrection.

Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:

because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Psalm 16:10 (NIV)

This verse is a messianic prophecy: Christ, the Holy One, was not abandoned in the grave after His death on the cross, but Father God resurrected Him on the third day - not letting Christ see decay. Peter would later quote this Psalm when preaching about Christ in Acts 2:25-28.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Psalm 16:9
Photo © Wallpaper Dave; used with permission.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.