Category: Religion

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.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 35-36
NT: Matthew 12:1-21
Ps: Psalm 15
Pr: Proverbs 3:21-26

Gospel Thread – OT:

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.”

Genesis 35:2 (NIV)

This statement is a type of repentance and salvation in Christ. When we turn from sin to Christ, we are purified in Christ, and the old is replaced with the new (see II Corinthians 5:17). The “new clothes” represent purity, and the metaphor is also used in Revelation 7.

Gospel Thread – NT:

¹⁵ Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, ¹⁶ warning them not to tell who he was. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Matthew 12:15-17 (NIV)

Isaiah 42:1-4 is quoted here.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

¹ LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
² He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart

Psalm 15:1-2 (NIV)

The only man to walk to earth who ever satisfied this requirement – who walked blamelessly, who acted righteously, who spoke the truth from the truth in his heart – was Jesus Christ, Emmanuel: God With Us.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Posted 17 January 2007; back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 32:13-32, Genesis 33-34
NT: Matthew 11:7-30
Ps: Psalm 14
Pr: Proverbs 3:19-20

Gospel Thread – OT:

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Genesis 32:30 (NIV)

Many believe that this event is an example of a pre-incarnate Christ interacting with man on earth, and also that it foreshadows Christ’s work on the Cross:

For here, in a glimpse, we see clearly displayed those mighty attributes which he would later show forth more fully, as he walked among men. We see Christ, infinitely glorious, condescending to take upon human form, and walk among men. We see him powerfully prevailing against all who would oppose him; and we see him prevailed upon, so as to bring blessings to his people. Ah, Christian, is that not what he did upon the cross, so many years later? He allowed himself to be overcome, so that he might bring grace to his people and destruction to their enemies. This he accomplished on Calvary, where he was crushed and bruised; but bruised for our mercy and salvation! How mightily he foreshadowed this free and sovereign grace when he met with our forefather Jacob, as he was about to enter into the land of God’s presence. Let us remember how paltry our own feeble efforts are, and look to Christ, who condescends to be entreated of the humble, by free grace alone.

Whether or not Jacob wrestled with a pre-incarnate Christ, that is a great application of this story!

Gospel Thread – NT:

This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”

Matthew 11:10 (NIV)

According to the NIV footnotes, this verse fulfills Malachi 3:1, prophesying that John would herald the coming of the Messiah.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 14:7 (NIV)

Israel’s salvation came by and through Jesus Christ!

OYB Photo of the Day:

Proverbs 3:19
Photo © velvet259

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 31:17-55, Genesis 32:1-12
NT: Matthew 10:24-42, Matthew 11:1-6
Ps: Psalm 13
Pr: Proverbs 3:16-18

Gospel Thread – OT:

No direct gospel/messianic references in today’s Old Testament reading.

Gospel Thread – NT:

³⁴ Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— ³⁶ a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Matthew 10:34-36 (NIV)

From the NIV footnotes, Jesus is quoting his fulfillment of Micah 7:6.

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Matthew 11:4-5 (NIV)

According to Jesus Is Lord, this fulfills Isaiah 35:5-6, Isaiah 29:18, and Isaiah 61:1.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

It is because of God’s unfailing love that He threaded His plan of salvation from the very creation of the world. The salvation in which David’s heart rejoiced came through Jesus Christ, and is the salvation we now have and for which our hearts ought to rejoice, also.

OYB Photo of the Day:

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42 NIV)
Photo © Chip Bennett. All rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 30, Genesis 31:1-16
NT: Matthew 10:1-23
Ps: Psalm 12
Pr: Proverbs 3:13-15

Gospel Thread – OT:

Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Genesis 30:20 (NIV)

According to the NIV footnotes, Zebulun may mean “honor”. The root may also mean “dwelling“. If you recall from our January 4th reading, Isaiah 9:1-2 prophesies that Bethlehem, in Zebulun, would have the honor of being the birthplace (and first dwelling place) of the Messiah. Is it possible that the very name of the patriarch Zebulun himself foreshadowed this prophecy?

Gospel Thread – NT:

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 10:1
(NIV)

This verse perhaps represents a fulfillment of Psalms 68:18.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

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

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 28-29
NT: Matthew 9:18-38
Ps: Psalm 11
Pr: Proverbs 3:11-12

Gospel Thread – OT:

¹¹ When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. ¹² He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Genesis 28:11-12 (NIV)

This dream has messianic undertones. Bereans Online explains:

Y’shua is pictured in Jacob’s dream by the imagery of the Ladder and the anointed Stone. He is the Place. He is the means of descending and ascending. He descended, and has ascended. He will descend again that we might ascend into the Presence of HaShem.

Jacob then extends the imagery by setting up the stone upon a pillar, and anointing it with oil (Messiah or Christ come from Annointed One).

Gospel Thread – NT:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Matthew 9:35 (NIV)

Today’s passage represents more fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah would heal the sick and blind (see Isaiah 53:4 and Isaiah 35:5).

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

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

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.