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JANUARY 18
Genesis 37-38
Genesis 37
Jesus commanded His disciples to “see the log” in their own eyes
because of the consequences that personal blindness has in making disciples. In
a family that's important too. Today we find Jacob repeating behavior in his
family, that his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, were also guilty of: favoritism.
This story might also shed some light on Reuben’s dark behavior.
Vs. 1-4 Notice Joseph's age. He might have been a baby to 6 years old
when they entered Canaan. Now 11-17 years have passed. This would put Reuben's
age between 24 and 30.
Notice also that Joseph is with the sons of the maids, not the sons of
Leah.
Here is little Joseph, the snitch. He is openly honored and favored by
Jacob, who let it be known that he loved Joe more than the others. Joe was
probably protected, given a cool robe, and now, after 17 years of this, there
is huge animosity toward him. What a neat place to grow up. What a nurturing
environment. The stage is set for a disaster.
Vs. 5-11 Into this “accident waiting to happen,” God interjects two
dreams, the second one actually gets Jacob mad. Notice that Jacob refers to your mother, meaning Leah. Rachel had
died by this time. Leah was the leading lady, and Jacob later says that she was
buried in the family burial site, a place of honor.
Vs. 8 and 11 show that God used the poor family dynamics to His
advantage. God's plan was to put Joe in Egypt, and in doing so He revealed and
catalyzed the evil of the brothers. There are a lot of things going on here,
from which God will bring good, but it will be a long process. Later, God will
use all their hatred to convict them.
Vs. 12-24 So what was Jacob thinking by sending Joe to check up on the
brothers? Jacob was "out to lunch" when it came to understanding his
family.
V. 18 It’s amazing that the brothers had no hesitation to want to kill
Joseph. While this might reflect the hell on earth Jacob allowed his life and
family to become, these were adult sons who could have forged their own
relationships with God.
V. 19 This gives me the sense that the dreams had recently occurred, so
their anger and jealousy were still hot.
V. 22 Reuben has a secret plot to free Joseph, but leaves to do
something. Notice that Reuben's plan is through trickery. He was Jacob's son.
Vs. 25-28 Once they had Joe in the hole, they were so happy, that they
had lunch. Probably if Joe yelled too loud they threw the occasional rock in
the hole.
Vs. 26-27 It is good to pay attention to Judah's words. He is being
less than noble here, but he is honest. He saves Joseph and he saves his
brothers from murder and bloodguilt. This is the only good thing we've seen any
of Jacob's children do so far. In doing this, Judah shows them how they can get
some “cash for the trash.” The brothers probably all bought iPads from the
Midianite traders.
One note of interest is the mention of these Midianites (from one of
Abe's sons) being Ishmaelites (Abe's first son). It could be that Jacob's sons
referred to all of Abe's other descendants as Ishmaelites, or it could be that
the descendants of Ishmael and Midian began mixing together. In the history of
Israel there is very little mention of Ishmael's descendants, but the
Midianites play a major role in many events.
Vs. 29-30 First, Reuben's "trick" backfired. As the
firstborn, Reuben should have openly stood against his brothers. They showed
him who was boss.
Vs. 31-35 How amazingly sad this is. Jacob the trickster is wounded by
his sons. And what an evil trick. They held this secret for years, watching
their father suffer under their lie. And we don't know it yet, but holding the
lie was rotting their souls. Later when Jacob learns Joe is alive, it says that
Jacob’s spirit revived. That means that here his “spirit” “died.”
The result and judgment of Jacob's trickery is complete, but it has permeated
the entire family. And don't think that Joseph was free from this influence in
his heart. I have a feeling that the next 13 years will be hard,
"cleansing" years for Joe.
Certain aspects of this story are suggestive of Jesus, being rejected
by his brethren, being sold, becoming their salvation. It is interesting that
it was Judah who did this. Jesus comes from his lineage. Judah will also play a
role later in this story. We'll see that Jacob rejects Reuben’s offer to help,
but accepts Judah’s offer. There is something good about Judah, that in the
midst of this dysfunction, we don’t see yet.
As disciples, there is something about this story that is important to
see regarding God’s sovereignty and man’s sin. This complete family catastrophe
was not God’s doing, but He used it in all its complexities and
misunderstandings. God often uses disharmony and malfunction to help us. We
look at this story and understand that God was going to use Joseph to save the
family and eventually grow the nation in Egypt, but do we see that God was
protecting and preparing Joseph? Joseph was also a problem and a chip off the old
“Jacob” block. God had to get Joseph out of that family to mold him through the
trials of captivity and injustice. I don’t think there was a plan “B” in making
Joseph the man he became, and he might not have been that man any other way.
Also, it is usually recognized that being sold into slavery saved Joseph from
the effects of Canaan’s sexually saturated culture and idolatry.
A couple years after one ministry malfunction I had in Germany, I
realized that one of the “blessings” of this malfunction was that it created
distance between our kids and a potentially devastating influence in the
church. Not all relational malfunctions are bad, even if we don't understand
them at the time. We have to trust God's wisdom.
This is all to say that when we see what happens in our lives or the
lives of others, we shouldn’t automatically feel defeat if there is failure or
disharmony, or if hard events intervene. Just as in Romans 8:28, our confidence
as disciples making disciples is that God uses everything in our lives as we
love Him, even our deaths, for His good and His glory.
Genesis 38: The Adventures of Judah
So, why is this chapter here? We don’t yet know that Judah will be
anyone important, but he gets a whole chapter. Some suggest that this chapter
shows the sexually saturated culture and influence that Joseph was “saved”
from. Possibly. The chapter definitely shows God’s sovereignty in preparing the
line of Christ. If you put all of the time together of all these events, this
is happening at the same time and during all of the years of Joseph's
servitude, imprisonment and rise to power (20+ years). It could be that this
event with Tamar and the birth of the babies happened shortly before Judah and
the others went to Egypt to buy grain. Perez had to have been born before they
all went to Egypt. I say this because the chapter begins after Joseph is sold
and this event occurs after Shelah was grown and able to enter into a sexual
relationship (16-19 years old?) with Tamar to bear children for his brother Er.
Then you have the birth of the babies. So, this chapter must encompass at least
20 years if not more.
Vs. 1-11 This sets the stage for what is about to happen.
V. 7 It is interesting that God took the initiative on this. The wonder
is that He doesn't do this more often. Since all of us are guilty before Him,
He could use His right to punish us quickly like this at any time. In Romans He
says it is because of His mercy and wisdom, using even the rebellious for His
purpose and glory.
Notice that the social “law,” regarding continuing the lineage of the
dead man, was already in place before the giving of the law. Created in the
image of God, man creates order, imitating the order of the Creator.
Vs. 8-9 Remember why Onan does this here when we get to the story of
Ruth. It will help you understand why the near kinsman will not take Ruth. Boaz
gets Ruth.
Judah was either a bad dad, or the power of the culture ruined the
boys, or both. His first two sons were evil and God put them to death. Tamar
became the “black widow” in Judah's mind and so he holds back giving her his
last son. Obviously there is not a sense in any of this of anyone going to God
and asking Him for advice. Everyone was just doing what seemed right in their
own eyes.
V. 11 Now, Tamar’s action was interesting. At this point in Jacob’s
family, the promise to Abraham has been lost from view. There is no sense of
anyone pursuing it. At least Jacob had pursued it. It may have been that Tamar
realized Judah was next in line to receive the blessing of the firstborn. I
don’t know. It might also have been that the promise was why Judah didn’t want
to give Shelah, his last son, to “the black widow.”
All we know is that the line of the promise continues through Judah,
and this story is somehow important. My guess is that the promise, somehow,
figures into the actions of both Judah and Tamar.
Vs. 12-23 This was a very dangerous thing for Tamar to do. In a
roundabout way this was legal and right, because Judah should have made
provision for the continuance of his son's family and for children for the
widow. That Tamar did this means she was pursuing what was right, even though
it was wrong. And to think that God will use this.
Vs. 24-26 So, what do you see in Judah that makes him a better man than
his brothers? In v. 26 you see two things. First, Judah admits guilt and
declares he was wrong and she was right. Have you seen that anywhere in Jacob's
family? Jacob never did it. Reuben, Simeon and Levi never said they were wrong.
Judah publicly testifies to his wrong and clears Tamar. Second, Judah never has
sex with her again, which was another way of acknowledging his sin and
respecting the relationship before the Lord. This doesn't look like much, but
it is the first glimmer of anything from this dysfunctional family. In a few
chapters Judah will shine.
Vs. 27-30 How do you know this is the line of the promise? Because
something weird is happening regarding the conception and birth. At least that
has been the case so far. In Genesis 46:12, the sons are not listed as Er’s; they
are Judah’s. This is the line of the promise that flows to David and then to
Jesus via Perez.
For us as disciples there is a lot here, and for me it boils down to
pursuing the promise and trusting God. The world may look random and out of
control around us, but God is working. As for us, we are to stay in the Word,
loving and following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples,
who make disciples. And sometimes we get to see how God uses all the chaos for
His own glory.
Matthew 12:22-45
This is a major confrontation and shows what the religious leaders
finally came up with to “explain” and discredit Jesus. Although the situation
looks like any other conflict Jesus had with the religious leaders, this lie
about Jesus' power would begin to infect many of the people in Israel.
Vs. 22-24 The scribes (lawyers who decided the meaning of the law and
laid out rules for obeying the law) were also a part of this. In Mark 3:22 they
too, went on record as saying Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul.
Vs. 25-32 This is actually a very serious talk that Jesus gives them.
For us as disciples, what I find interesting is that Jesus was very
relaxed in dealing with this accusation. Mark 3:23 says that when Jesus heard
this, He called them to Him and tried to show them the silliness of their
logic. We disciples need to have that same relaxed sense of hearing what is
being said, and then seeking to give the other side of the story, firmly, with
meekness, humility and a smile. In 2000 years, Christianity has not crumbled in
the face of “facts” and “accusation.” We need to be confident in God.
I tend to define the sin against the Holy Spirit very narrowly. You
actually had to be there, hear Jesus, see Jesus do a miracle, and then say, “He
is possessed, because that miracle was of the devil,” to have committed the
unpardonable sin. I don’t think we can commit this sin today.
Vs. 33-37 This was a challenge and an accusation aimed at the religious
leaders, who put on a “front” of being good, but were really evil within. The
real challenge here is that God is keeping track of what we say and, if needed,
will prove by our words that He is just.
Vs. 38-42 Apparently the desire to see a sign was not honest. Jesus’
words are, accordingly, hard.
Vs. 43-45 The description of the unclean spirit, I think, is real.
Jesus is telling us something that happens in reality. However, the real point
of the story is that if you just clean up morally, but don’t put something in
place of the evil that was there, the evil returns worse than before.
Jesus’ presence drove back the spiritual forces, and many people were
cured. Nationally it was a good time. But the warning was, “if nothing takes
the place of what went out;” that is, if they didn't accept Jesus as their
Messiah, “what happens next will be worse.” The evil of that generation would
return with a vengeance once Jesus was gone.
Notice that by bringing with it other, more evil, spirits, it was
making sure it couldn’t be driven out again.
As disciples, we don’t offer people restored marriages or personal
order, etc., as important as those things might be. We offer people the ability
to be forgiven and have God enter their lives. He saves them and breaks the
power of sin and leads them. Anything less is just cleaning the house, not filling
it with the Savior.
Psalm 16
David wrote most of the psalms after running from Saul and being in
constant danger. As disciples, it may not be until we are put down for trying
to live for Christ and making disciples, that we will appreciate what David and
the Spirit have written here.
Vs. 1-2 David had been poor and then successful and rich; and now he
was desperate, poor and living on the land. It takes a lot to finally bring a
person to the reality of v. 2. This is easy to say, but to mean it is priceless.
Vs. 3-4 Here is a contrast. David had come to appreciate those who
loved the Lord, simple and poor though they might be. David had had friends in
high places, who were all against him now. As David saw them living in darkness
and rebelling against God, he understood that they were really deepening the
sorrow of their own lives. David had probably worshiped with these people. Now
he understood their hearts and knew their devotion was false.
Vs. 5-6 These verses take on a deeper meaning if David wrote them in
the wilderness. This reminds me of Paul's words in Philippians 4:12-13, I know how to be brought low, and I know how
to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing
plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. I think this is why the Lord often leads His disciples into
the wilderness in the harvest. That is where we learn this.
Vs. 7-8 Imagine David living day-to-day leading 400 men and their
families in the wilderness of Judah and southern Israel. What a place to learn
the amazing guidance of the Lord and to find His security in insecurity.
Vs. 9-10 What a place to find gladness, joy and security. Verse 10 is
quoted by Peter in Acts 2:27 in his Pentecost sermon. Jesus is risen! That is
the basis of our security and hope as followers of our Lord.
V. 11 The Lord drove David into exile. There (like Joseph) He made
David learn and know the path of life, the joy of God's presence and what true
pleasures are. Amen.
For me, vs. 2 and
5 have the deepest meaning. As disciples, what do we really want? In John
4:34, Jesus said, My food is to do the will
of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. All of what I really want in this life, or
want to see before I leave this place, is in Christ, “to do the will of Him who
sent (I’d substitute “saved” for “sent”) me, and to accomplish His work.” It
all boils down to Jesus, following Him in the harvest and being blessed to see
the salvation of the lost and to see people made disciples, who make disciples,
who make disciples.
Proverbs 3:27-32
Vs. 27-28 Two years ago the Lord really hit me with these verses, to
give aid to people immediately. So, for this reason, I always carry cash to
give out if I sense someone needs it.
Vs. 29-30…especially when driving or talking to someone in lower
management who didn’t make the decision we're mad about.
Vs. 31-32 As disciples we often envy the “decisive person of action,”
but God can use all kinds. None of Jacob’s cleverness really helped him. We
don’t have to take assertiveness training to be better disciples. We need to
fall deeper in love with Jesus and dare to share His story and make disciples.
It was a scared Sunday school teacher who finally overcame his fear and
walked into a shoe store and shared the gospel with a shoe salesman who had
been attending his class. That salesman was saved and he walked away from shoes
to save souls. D. L. Moody’s life was changed forever, and the Lord used him to
change countless other people. All because of a timid Sunday school teacher.
God uses all kinds, so we don’t need to envy anyone. We just need to follow
Jesus as disciples.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow
Him in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
The daily installments of the Reading Notes can be found at http://fencerail.blogspot.com/
If you would like documents containing an entire month of the
Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full presentation of discipleship read Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with insomnia and would like a long
boring dissertation on disciple making, these can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis 2011
The One Year Bible © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton
Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright ©
2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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