Today’s reading: Gen 21:22–23:20, Matt 15:1–39, Eccles 5:1–7

Today’s theme: Jesus the Lamb of God

Today we see one of the greatest Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus as the Lamb of God. Isaac and the Ram both represent Jesus who died on the cross for us.

Genesis 21:22–23:20

Eternal God

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33 (ESV)

Our God (Father, Son and Spirit) had no beginning and will have no end, God is everlasting, what an awesome attribute which belongs to God alone.

Isaac points to Jesus

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. Genesis 22:6 (ESV)

While this is a factual account, like much of the old testament we see a shadow here too. Isaac foreshadows Christ as the sacrifice for our sins and the wood for the sacrifice is in place of the cross Jesus bore.

The Lord provided himself as a lamb

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14 (ESV)

…. and the Lord did provide, on the same mountain Jesus was provided as the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for the many who would put their faith in him.

Matthew 15:1–39

God above tradition

he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. Matthew 15:6 (ESV)

All our traditions and cultural ways must be subject to the truth and authority of God’s word and not directly or subtly against it. Lord keep us from man centered thinking, help us to treasure you and your word above everything.

We need new hearts

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:19–20 (ESV)

This is why we need new hearts through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. We must be born again and then continually transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ.

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

Just say yes or no

Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6 (ESV)

This is why Jesus taught us that our communication should simply be a straight yes or no, we should not bind ourselves with vows that we may not be able to keep

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Ligonier resources on Matthew 15

Desiring God resources on Matthew 15

Today’s reading: Gen 19:30–21:21, Matt 13:44–14:36, Eccles 4:8–16

Today’s theme: With everything

Today we see that God is always in control as the sovereign ruler over all. There is a lesson in the parable about the pearl of great price, we should give our all to loving and serving God with everything.

Genesis 19:30–21:21

God is in control

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6 (ESV)

Even during Abraham’s lack of faith, God remained in sovereign control of the situation by keeping the king from sinning.

Matthew 13:44–14:36

Serve with everything

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:46 (ESV)

As disciples of Jesus Christ we should serve God with everything, do not hold anything back.

The word received and shared

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Matthew 14:19–20 (ESV)

This is an amazing miracle, it is also a picture of how our leaders receive God’s word and pass it on to us, without this we would not be truly satisfied in God.

The deity of Christ

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

A clear biblical account of the deity of Christ and Him receiving worship.

Ecclesiastes 4:8–16

Active fellowship

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)

None of us should be isolated, we should all engage in active fellowship, agreement in prayer and work for the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

With Everything (Song)

Today’s reading: Gen 18:1–19:29, Matt 13:1–43, Eccles 4:1–7

Today’s theme: Be fruitful

We have lots of good lessons in today’s reading. We see evidence of the Trinity in the Old Testament (OT) as well as the life lesson that cowardly compromise will never end well for us. The most important lesson comes in the parable of the soils where Jesus exhorts us to be firm, steadfast and fruitful.

We should give God thanks for revealing the truth to us and helping our roots go down deep. This will enable us to persevere and actively bear fruit to God’s glory and our joy.

Set your mind to be fruitful this year.

Genesis 18:1–19:29

Jesus in the Old Testament

and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Genesis 18:3 (ESV)

Abraham calls the leader Adonai. This is an Old Testament appearance of The Word, The Son, The Lord, later incarnated as Jesus The Christ.

This is what theologians call a theophany. It is when God appears in human form in the OT. This is a great point to raise when witnessing to Jews and others who honour the OT, to explain that Jesus is God, distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit meaning that God is a trinity.

Don’t be a coward

Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” Genesis 19:8 (ESV)

Lot was a cowardly man who sought to compromise with the evil men of Sodom by giving them his daughters.

Cowardly compromise and appeasement with the wicked will only come back to harm us. This was the case with Lot and his daughters. As a dad he should have been their guide, covering and protection.

Have faith in God

Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” Genesis 19:20 (ESV)

This is again indicative of the cowardice, fear, compromise and lack of faith in Lot’s life. We should not be like this but boldly follow the Lord all the way with lion hearts. We were encouraged to do this at the men’s prayer gathering yesterday evening.

Matthew 13:1–43

Praise God for revelation

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 13:11 (ESV)

We should not take the fact that we understand the gospel and the teaching of Jesus for granted. Our ability to know the truth is a gracious gift given to us by God as his elect. We should give thanks and praise to God!

Apply yourself to studying and living God’s word

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. Matthew 13:19 (ESV)

This is why we should apply ourselves to reading and thinking about God’s word and giving thanks for our Pastors. They labour in the word and prayer so that we might understand the word and not be beaten by the enemy.

Be fruitful

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:23 (ESV)

Understanding the Word is so important if we want to be fruitful.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

The following articles are from Tabletalk magazine on Matthew 13
The Good Soil
The Thorns
The Wayside and the Rocks
Grace Alone

Today’s reading: Gen 16:1–17:27, Matt 12:1–50, Eccles 3:16–22

Today’s theme: God’s faithfulness

One of the things we see in today’s reading is God’s faithfulness to Abraham. He blesses Ishmael’s offspring in the Arab people and we see this right up to the present day It is no coincidence that they live in the oil rich areas of the earth and are so numerous. We also see God’s faithfulness in his promises to Abraham concerning his own offspring in the people of Israel where we can clearly see God’s blessing on them today.

Ultimately we see the faithfulness of God in Christ, the Messiah, the one who is greater than the temple and the worker of amazing miracles.

Genesis 16:1–17:27

Men, we have responsibilities

And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!” Genesis 16:5 (ESV)

Men we are responsible for what happens in our households before God. Even if we have listened to our wives or children on a matter the responsibility still lies with us as the head of our homes before God.

God’s faithfulness

The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” Genesis 16:10 (ESV)

The offspring became the Arab people. They stand today as evidence of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his word.

Abraham’s offspring

And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7–8 (ESV)

This covenant God made with Abraham was twofold, in a literal sense this is the direct source of the people of Israel (Offspring) and their relationship to the land of Israel (Canaan). Believers in Jesus are also called Abraham’s offspring in the book of Romans.

Matthew 12:1–50

Jesus the true and greater temple

I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. Matthew 12:6 (ESV)

The temple was only an Old Testament foreshadow of Jesus.

Amazing miracles performed by Jesus

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. Matthew 12:22 (ESV)

It is so easy to take accounts like this for granted. We should pause as we read this and stand in awe and worship of the amazing miracles performed by Jesus.

Watch your words

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36–37 (ESV)

We should be careful about what we say.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Look at the excellent and free Faithlife Study Bible

Today’s reading: Gen 14:1–15:21, Matt 11:1–30, Eccles 3:9–15

Today’s theme: Bold faith

An important lesson learned from Abram’s life is that we should have bold faith in God, in His Word and act on that faith in Jesus name. We have been chosen to receive the revelation of God’s truth so that we will take on the yoke of discipleship and live our lives with an eternal perspective, in bold faith, to the glory of God.

Genesis 14:1–15:21

Move with bold faith

And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Genesis 14:15 (ESV)

This is quite amazing, Abram moved in active and confident faith in God. He was bold in pursuing this army which had recently defeated many peoples including slaying giants.

God, our defence and treasure

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1 (ESV)

God is our defence, our great treasure and our reward. We should trust and rejoice in Him as such.

Trust God’s Word

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

Like Abram we must put our trust in God’s Word

God’s promises are sure

And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. Genesis 15:10 (ESV)

This was a common covenant made between men as partners in some business or enterprise at the time. God was saying here that He was very serious about keeping His promise to Abram, this should have filled Abram with assurance and strengthened his faith.

Matthew 11:1–30

Jesus, the Messiah

And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: Matthew 11:4 (ESV)

What Jesus did and said authenticated Him as the promised Messiah

Pray for the persecuted church

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12 (ESV)

Since the days of John the Baptist, God’s Kingdom has suffered oppression and resistance by violent men. This should serve as a reminder for us to pray for those imprisoned for the Gospel. We should pray that they would not lose faith.

Chosen to receive revelation

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27 (ESV)

It is God’s gracious will for us as His elect to know the truth and it is only through Jesus choosing us that the Father is revealed to us so that we may know him. We should thank God that we have been elected by His grace.

The yoke of discipleship

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

We should joyfully take on the yoke of discipleship under Jesus. In this we will find rest for our souls. All other efforts are futile and too heavy to bear (the weight of legalism or the slavery of open sin). Jesus is our gentle teacher.

Ecclesiastes 3:9–15

Eternity is real

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)

God has given all men an inner knowing that life continues after death.

Life should be enjoyed, in God

also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. Ecclesiastes 3:13 (ESV)

God has given us this life to enjoy with Him.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Violent Faith Glorifies God and Advances the Gospel

Lay Aside the Weight of Restless Work