Tag: Devotions

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.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 26:17-35, Genesis 27
NT: Matthew 9:1-17
Ps: Psalm 10:16-18
Pr: Proverbs 3:9-10

Gospel Thread – OT:

Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

Genesis 27:36 (NIV)

Matthew Henry’s commentary on this chapter gives great insight into its connection with the gospel.

Gospel Thread – NT:

⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” ⁷ And the man got up and went home.

Matthew 9:5-7 (NIV)

Jesus came to earth to overcome sin. He has that authority because he lived a sinless life. This exchange illustrates that Jesus is concerned both with our physical well-being and our spiritual well-being.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

Psalm 10:16 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is Lord – the King over the earth for ever and ever!

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 24:52-67, Genesis 25, Genesis 26:1-16
NT: Matthew 8:18-34
Ps: Psalm 10:1-15
Pr: Proverbs 3:7-8

Gospel Thread – OT:

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:23 (NIV)

Separation: the result of the gospel. As a result of salvation through the gospel, not only are we separated from the slavery and wages of sin but we are also set apart from those still under sin’s curse. God desires for a people who emulate His Holiness, and thanks to the Gospel we are free to pursue that holiness. God demonstrates this separation in the Genesis story of Abraham and his descendants: first, calling Abraham to leave the land of his fathers, then choosing the line of Isaac rather than the line of Ishmael, and in today’s reading choosing the line of Jacob-Israel rather than the line of Esau. Just as these lines of descendency are set apart from their bretheren, so also are we set apart when we are grafted into the line of Abraham through Christ.

Gospel Thread – NT:

“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Matthew 8:29 (NIV)

Those who exist in the spiritual realm – even the rebellious ones – know that the day will come when Jesus Christ reclaims His rightful position of authority over all creation, and on that day those judged to be unrighteous will face eternal suffering. Perhaps it is to this day of ultimate judgement to which the demons refer here? While it is not wise to dwell upon hell being the just reward for those judged to be unrighteous, it is equally unwise not to recognize that the righteous and unrighteous will come to opposite ends at the day of judgement.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV)

We are created in God’s image, meaning that we are spiritual beings; we are spiritual beings living (to borrow Paul’s analogy from II Corinthians 5:1-10) in tents of flesh (see also I Corinthians 15:42-48). Our flesh is sustained by our spirit. When we are reborn in Christ, we have a new spirit – the Holy Spirit living within – that literally sustains our flesh.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26)
Photo © Chip Bennett. All rights reserved.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 23, Genesis 24:1-51
NT: Matthew 8:1-17
Ps: Psalm 9:13-20
Pr: Proverbs 3:1-6

Gospel Thread – OT:

I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.

Genesis 23:4 (NIV)

Faith: the vehicle through which the believer receives salvation. Abraham demonstrates his faith in chapter 22, by requesting a burial place in the land of Caanan, in which he was still an alien and stranger. Paul explains Abraham’s faith in Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV):

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Abraham believed that the nation he would beget would one day possess the land in which he lived in tents – and he believed so much so, that he bought land in which he and Sarah could be buried. We are called to this kind of faith: to call things that are not, as though they are (Romans 4:17).

Gospel Thread – NT:

⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Matthew 8:8-10 (NIV)

The ultimate purpose of the gospel is not merely the salvation of the individual, but the restoration of Christ’s rightful place of authority over all creation. Jesus realized that the centurion not only understood the principle of authority in the spiritual realm, but also recognized Jesus as the rightful, sovereign ruler of that realm. Jesus credits that understanding and recognition as the greatest faith He has observed in all of the land of Israel.

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Matthew 8:17 (NIV)

From the NIV footnotes, this verse fulfills Isaiah 53:4.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

For the believer, the gospel doesn’t just mean salvation from sin and its wages. The believer also has access to the will and direction of the Father, who desires to guide each of us in His perfect plan for our lives. Once we are released from our slavery to sin, we have the freedom to pursue God’s holiness, and His plan.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Proverbs 3:5-6
Photo © Inspirational Bible Verse. Used with permission.

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 20-22
NT: Matthew 7:15-29
Ps: Psalm 9:1-12
Pr: Proverbs 2:16-22

Gospel Thread – OT:

⁷ Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” ⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Genesis 22:7-8 (NIV)

Isaac is another type of Christ (miraculous birth, son through whom God’s redemption would come, offered in sacrifice by his father, called his “only son”, etc.). Also, Abraham – called a prophet by God earlier in chapter 20 – foreshadows God’s eventual provision of The Lamb whose sacrifice took away the sins of the world.

Gospel Thread – NT:

¹⁷ Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Matthew 7:17-18 (NIV)

The seal of the gospel is the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. The unregenerate person bears unregenerate fruit: that is, evil. The redeemed person bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The fruit borne of one’s life testify to the condition of salvation.

Gospel Thread – Psalms/Proverbs:

⁷ The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. ⁸ He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

Psalm 9:7-8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ has been given this authority; He will occupy the Judgement Seat, and He will govern with justice. I’m not sure David intended an explicit reference to the Messiah here, but certainly one can infer an implicit reference.

OYB Photo of the Day:

Psalm 9:9-10
Photo © God’s Wonders

The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.