Genesis 46 list a genealogical reference of all of Jacob's family that went to live in Egypt. Joseph gives orders to his family on what they are to tell pharaoh. He does this so that they will be able to settle in the land as Egyptians despise shepherds.
Genesis 47 begins with Joseph's family coming before pharaoh. Pharaoh offers them the land that Joseph has shown them and ask if they may take care of his herds as well. The next portion of 47 continues to tell how Joseph acquired all of the land of Egypt for the pharaoh. Joseph seems to show some amazing business skills while serving the pharaoh. At the end of this chapter we see that Jacob is dying and he makes Joseph promise that he will return his body to be buried with his fathers.
Genesis 48 we find that Jacob is close to death and wish to speak with Joseph again. Joseph brings his two sons with him and Jacob blesses them. Jacob switches his hands while he blesses Joseph's sons. I am not sure what exactly this means but it appears to be a bad thing. Jacob explains that the younger brother will be greater then his older brother. It seems that we are reading this a lot recently.
Matthew 23:1 - 22 begins a long section of Jesus speaking. I do not know why buy lately I have been having a hard time interpreting what Jesus is saying. Some of the things I can see from this reading is that we need to be humble, we should not be afraid to serve, and we should be held by our oaths.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 49, 50 and Matthew 23:23 - 39
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Day 35
Genesis 43 tells a continuing story of the famine. Once again Joseph is confronted by his brothers because they have ran out of food again. This time his brothers bring Benjamin along with them much to their father's dislike. They not only bring the silver they took the first time they double that amount to make sure that Joseph knows they are not trying to cheat him. Once Joseph sees all of them he sends them to his house where a meal is to be prepared for them. Joseph's brothers begin to get scared because they think Joseph is going to attack them. When they find out that they are to eat with Joseph they begin to relax.
In Genesis 44 we have some tables being turned. Joseph once again has the silver put back into their sacks but this time he adds a silver cup to Benjamin's sack. He sends his servant after them to return what was taken from his master. The brothers make an agreement that if anything is found they will be maid a servant. When the cup is found in the youngest sack they all go back to Egypt to speak with Joseph. They plead to allow one of them to stay in the place of Benjamin. Joseph makes no such deal and says that they must leave their brother as his slave.
Genesis 45 has a complete turn around by Joseph. Joseph can no longer control his emotions and tells his brothers who he is. They do not believe him to begin with. They finally believe him and begin to believe what he is saying. He gives them instructions to return to their father and bring him and all that he has back to Egypt. They return and tell their father all that they had learned. Their father believes what he has been told when he sees all that Joseph had sent him.
The first portion of our Matthew 22 reading is giving us a glance into some of what is to come during the time of the resurrection. The next section gives us the ultimate commandment. We are to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mine." (Matt. 22:37) With the last portion of Matthew 22 we see Jesus answer some teachers once again. Jesus gives them an answer from scripture once again. After this they determine that Jesus is real and that He is a very wise man, they decide that they should not question him any further.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 46, 47, 48 and Matthew 23:1 - 22
In Genesis 44 we have some tables being turned. Joseph once again has the silver put back into their sacks but this time he adds a silver cup to Benjamin's sack. He sends his servant after them to return what was taken from his master. The brothers make an agreement that if anything is found they will be maid a servant. When the cup is found in the youngest sack they all go back to Egypt to speak with Joseph. They plead to allow one of them to stay in the place of Benjamin. Joseph makes no such deal and says that they must leave their brother as his slave.
Genesis 45 has a complete turn around by Joseph. Joseph can no longer control his emotions and tells his brothers who he is. They do not believe him to begin with. They finally believe him and begin to believe what he is saying. He gives them instructions to return to their father and bring him and all that he has back to Egypt. They return and tell their father all that they had learned. Their father believes what he has been told when he sees all that Joseph had sent him.
The first portion of our Matthew 22 reading is giving us a glance into some of what is to come during the time of the resurrection. The next section gives us the ultimate commandment. We are to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mine." (Matt. 22:37) With the last portion of Matthew 22 we see Jesus answer some teachers once again. Jesus gives them an answer from scripture once again. After this they determine that Jesus is real and that He is a very wise man, they decide that they should not question him any further.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 46, 47, 48 and Matthew 23:1 - 22
Friday, November 5, 2010
Day 34
Well, if you are keeping track or looking ahead you will notice we are about done with our second full book. Honestly, I can not wait. Genesis has been a very long book for me, it has way to much genealogy for my liking but it does contain several amazing stories. As soon as we are done with Genesis we will begin reading Exodus, which hopefully has no genealogy at all.
In Genesis 41 the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph and the power of his interpretations. Pharaoh has had two dreams and calls for all his magicians and wise men in Egypt to interpret the dreams. None of these men are capable of doing this. The pharaoh then hears of what Joseph has done and calls for him out of prison. Joseph is cleaned up and brought before the pharaoh. The pharaoh then tells Joseph his dreams. Joseph then interprets the dreams for pharaoh. One thing I have noticed about Joseph through these stories is how amazingly devoted he has stayed to God. Even this gift of interpreting dreams he takes no credit for. After interpreting the pharaoh's dreams Joseph gives him advice on how to prepare for the coming famine. The pharaoh is pleased with what has come about and decides to put Joseph in charge of his palace. The last portion of Genesis 41 shows Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. The land experienced a seven year period of abundance just as Joseph had predicted. During this time the pharaoh gave Joseph a wife who gave him two sons. After the seven year abundance a famine began just as was predicted in pharaoh's dream.
Genesis 42 tells a story of a meeting between Joseph and his brothers. Jacob learns that Egypt has grain and sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain for them to eat. The brothers travel to Egypt and meet Joseph to buy grain. They do not recognize Joseph as they bow down to him just as he had dreamed. Joseph makes them believe that he thinks they are spies and puts them in prison. He then gives them specific instructions to prove that they are not spies. He holds one of them in prison and loads the rest of them with grain and sends them on their way back to Canaan. The final part of their instructions is to bring their youngest brother back to him to prove that they are not spies. They depart from him and travel back to Jacob where they open their grain sacks and find them full and that they still have their money. They tell Jacob what has happened and he refuses to send his youngest son to Joseph. This is where we end. I can not wait for the next chapter to finish reading this story, for some reason this particular story is holding my interest.
The first portion of Matthew 22 tells us a parable which shows a very grim existence in my opinion. In my mind it prepares Christians for the troubles they will have in trying to bring people to Christ. It also shows us another instance of Jesus working with those who have sinned rather then those who have already found faith. The next portion we see the pharisees once again trying to trap Jesus. Jesus uses simple wording yet again to prove to them what they need to hear. We learn another lesson here as well. Jesus says "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." (Matt. 22:21) This little quote tells us that we are to give to our government what is due them as we are to give to God.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 43, 44, 45 and Matthew 22:23 - 46
In Genesis 41 the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph and the power of his interpretations. Pharaoh has had two dreams and calls for all his magicians and wise men in Egypt to interpret the dreams. None of these men are capable of doing this. The pharaoh then hears of what Joseph has done and calls for him out of prison. Joseph is cleaned up and brought before the pharaoh. The pharaoh then tells Joseph his dreams. Joseph then interprets the dreams for pharaoh. One thing I have noticed about Joseph through these stories is how amazingly devoted he has stayed to God. Even this gift of interpreting dreams he takes no credit for. After interpreting the pharaoh's dreams Joseph gives him advice on how to prepare for the coming famine. The pharaoh is pleased with what has come about and decides to put Joseph in charge of his palace. The last portion of Genesis 41 shows Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. The land experienced a seven year period of abundance just as Joseph had predicted. During this time the pharaoh gave Joseph a wife who gave him two sons. After the seven year abundance a famine began just as was predicted in pharaoh's dream.
Genesis 42 tells a story of a meeting between Joseph and his brothers. Jacob learns that Egypt has grain and sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain for them to eat. The brothers travel to Egypt and meet Joseph to buy grain. They do not recognize Joseph as they bow down to him just as he had dreamed. Joseph makes them believe that he thinks they are spies and puts them in prison. He then gives them specific instructions to prove that they are not spies. He holds one of them in prison and loads the rest of them with grain and sends them on their way back to Canaan. The final part of their instructions is to bring their youngest brother back to him to prove that they are not spies. They depart from him and travel back to Jacob where they open their grain sacks and find them full and that they still have their money. They tell Jacob what has happened and he refuses to send his youngest son to Joseph. This is where we end. I can not wait for the next chapter to finish reading this story, for some reason this particular story is holding my interest.
The first portion of Matthew 22 tells us a parable which shows a very grim existence in my opinion. In my mind it prepares Christians for the troubles they will have in trying to bring people to Christ. It also shows us another instance of Jesus working with those who have sinned rather then those who have already found faith. The next portion we see the pharisees once again trying to trap Jesus. Jesus uses simple wording yet again to prove to them what they need to hear. We learn another lesson here as well. Jesus says "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." (Matt. 22:21) This little quote tells us that we are to give to our government what is due them as we are to give to God.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 43, 44, 45 and Matthew 22:23 - 46
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Day 33
Genesis 39 is anther chapter the I like. Even though Joseph is sold into slavery he still finds faith in God. God takes care of Joseph while he is Egypt. Everything he does the Lord is in and he prospers. Potiphar notices this and decides to put him in charge of all that he has. Once this was done Potiphar began to prosper as well. Potiphar's wife on the other hand begins to have other ideas for Joseph and wants to lie with him. Joseph refuses all of her advances and runs out. She fabricates a story that she tells Potiphar who then puts Joseph in jail. While in jail Joseph is still in God's favor and is put in charge of the jail.
Genesis 40 brings two more people into the care of Joseph while he is in prison. While they are there they each have a dream. Joseph interprets these dreams. We find out that the cupbearer will be lifted back up to his position. The baker however will be put to death. Now each of these interpretations came to be and Joseph is forgotten.
The rest of Matthew 21 tells a few more stories. The first one that we read today I do not understand it. The next story which is of two sons I think has a lot of meaning. It shows us a sense of repentance. It shows that we can be wrong and still correct our ways and enter the kingdom of Heaven. The last part of this chapter I really have no clue what to think. I am at a lose as to what is actually happening in this parable.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 41, 42 and Matthew 22:1 - 22
Genesis 40 brings two more people into the care of Joseph while he is in prison. While they are there they each have a dream. Joseph interprets these dreams. We find out that the cupbearer will be lifted back up to his position. The baker however will be put to death. Now each of these interpretations came to be and Joseph is forgotten.
The rest of Matthew 21 tells a few more stories. The first one that we read today I do not understand it. The next story which is of two sons I think has a lot of meaning. It shows us a sense of repentance. It shows that we can be wrong and still correct our ways and enter the kingdom of Heaven. The last part of this chapter I really have no clue what to think. I am at a lose as to what is actually happening in this parable.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 41, 42 and Matthew 22:1 - 22
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 32
Genesis 36 is once again a genealogy chapter. This one also list the kings in the land.
Genesis 37 begins to tell us the story of Joseph. Joseph is a son of Jacob and is most loved by Jacob. Joseph has a few dreams where his family is bowing down to him. This does not make his family happy as he is the youngest. The end of chapter 37 is the story we are probably most familiar with in regards to Joseph. We read about how his brothers plot to kill Joseph. One of the brothers convince them not to kill him as he is of the same flesh as they are. They agree and end up selling him to so Midianites who in return sell him to Potiphar when they reach Egypt. His brothers then tear his robes and dip them in goats blood and take that to their father. Jacob goes into mourning and no one is able to comfort him.
The next chapter of Genesis which is 38 has a lot of twist in it. We find a woman named Tamar who ends up being married to both Er and Onan. Er and Onan are both sons of Judah. The Lord could not find favor in either one of them and they both die before they can produce offspring. Tamar then goes out to live with her father until the younger son is old enough to take her. She then tricks Judah into sleeping with her and produces a child from him. She is later to be found as a prostitute and goes to Judah. He spares her life and she gives birth to twins.
Matthew 21 begins with Jesus entering a town on a donkey. The people come out to great him and lay their coats and branches from trees to pave a way for the Lord. As they follow him into the city they sing songs of praises. The next portion we see Jesus enter the temple and is not very please. The people have turned the temple into basically a place of robbery. He overturns everything and begins to heal the blind and the lame. Children are shouting praises as this is happening. This must have been a site to see. The last portion of our reading for today has a important message for us. Jesus is hungry and comes to a fig tree, however the tree is bear and Jesus tells it that it will never bear fruit again. Immediately the tree withers and dies. The disciples are amazed by this and ask how it is possible. Once again Jesus tells them that with faith you can tell a mountain to go and throw itself into the sea and it will be done. It shows us that we need to have faith and that their is power in prayer.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 39, 40 and Matthew 21:23 - 46
Genesis 37 begins to tell us the story of Joseph. Joseph is a son of Jacob and is most loved by Jacob. Joseph has a few dreams where his family is bowing down to him. This does not make his family happy as he is the youngest. The end of chapter 37 is the story we are probably most familiar with in regards to Joseph. We read about how his brothers plot to kill Joseph. One of the brothers convince them not to kill him as he is of the same flesh as they are. They agree and end up selling him to so Midianites who in return sell him to Potiphar when they reach Egypt. His brothers then tear his robes and dip them in goats blood and take that to their father. Jacob goes into mourning and no one is able to comfort him.
The next chapter of Genesis which is 38 has a lot of twist in it. We find a woman named Tamar who ends up being married to both Er and Onan. Er and Onan are both sons of Judah. The Lord could not find favor in either one of them and they both die before they can produce offspring. Tamar then goes out to live with her father until the younger son is old enough to take her. She then tricks Judah into sleeping with her and produces a child from him. She is later to be found as a prostitute and goes to Judah. He spares her life and she gives birth to twins.
Matthew 21 begins with Jesus entering a town on a donkey. The people come out to great him and lay their coats and branches from trees to pave a way for the Lord. As they follow him into the city they sing songs of praises. The next portion we see Jesus enter the temple and is not very please. The people have turned the temple into basically a place of robbery. He overturns everything and begins to heal the blind and the lame. Children are shouting praises as this is happening. This must have been a site to see. The last portion of our reading for today has a important message for us. Jesus is hungry and comes to a fig tree, however the tree is bear and Jesus tells it that it will never bear fruit again. Immediately the tree withers and dies. The disciples are amazed by this and ask how it is possible. Once again Jesus tells them that with faith you can tell a mountain to go and throw itself into the sea and it will be done. It shows us that we need to have faith and that their is power in prayer.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 39, 40 and Matthew 21:23 - 46
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 31
I particular like Genesis 33. It tells a great story of how a brother can forgive another brother. The sins committed between the two were very large and held significant meaning in their time period. Then all of a sudden we meet Esau who has his arms wide open to accept his brother Jacob. The way they talk it sounds as if God has blessed both of them with numerous amounts of livestock and children.
Genesis 34 is a furious chapter. We first learn that one of Jacob's daughters is defiled. Now, I can understand how Jacob and his sons must have felt. If anyone were to defile one of my children I do not know how I would react but it would most likely not be a pleasant thing. Now the sons of Jacob take it upon themselves to get revenge. Hamor comes to meet them and tell them that his son, the one that defiled Jacob's daughter, has fallen in love with her and would like to have her as his wife. Well, Jacob's son agree to allow this on one condition. All of the men in Hamor's town must be circumcised. Hamor and his son agree to this and have it done to every man in their village. As the village men are recovering Jacob's sons attack and kill every male in the city. When Jacob hears of what his sons have done he becomes scared because he is afraid that the people of the land will come together and wipe his family out. Jacob must be furious as to what his children have done. I wonder what I would feel if I were in Jacob's place? On the one hand I can see why he is mad at his children but on the other I think I would feel grateful that they felt it was necessary to look out for their siblings.
Genesis 35 shows us Jacob moving is family, servants and livestock from their current location to that of Bethel. God puts fear in those not belonging to Jacob so that no one will follow them. They then establish their place where God told them to go. The last portion of this chapter is a little more genealogy and sadly the deaths of Rachel and Isaac. Rachel dies while giving birth to another son who Jacob names Benjamin. Isaac then dies and is buried by both of his sons.
The first part of our Matthew reading is Jesus predicting his death. He has predicted this before and mentions it to all of his disciples as they travel into Jerusalem. The next portion of this chapter has a mother asking that her two sons be able to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in Heaven. Jesus tells that this is not possible as he is not the one to decide who sits in those places. He tells that his Father will decide those who are worthy to sit in such a place. He then tells the disciples that it is better to serve then to be served, at least that is how I interpreted that little discussion with the disciples. The last portion of this chapter has two blind men receiving the gift of sight. Jesus has compassion on them as they are being persecuted by those in the crowd following Jesus. He touches their eyes and immediately they have sight and get up and follow Him.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 36, 37, 38 and Matthew 21:1 - 22
Genesis 34 is a furious chapter. We first learn that one of Jacob's daughters is defiled. Now, I can understand how Jacob and his sons must have felt. If anyone were to defile one of my children I do not know how I would react but it would most likely not be a pleasant thing. Now the sons of Jacob take it upon themselves to get revenge. Hamor comes to meet them and tell them that his son, the one that defiled Jacob's daughter, has fallen in love with her and would like to have her as his wife. Well, Jacob's son agree to allow this on one condition. All of the men in Hamor's town must be circumcised. Hamor and his son agree to this and have it done to every man in their village. As the village men are recovering Jacob's sons attack and kill every male in the city. When Jacob hears of what his sons have done he becomes scared because he is afraid that the people of the land will come together and wipe his family out. Jacob must be furious as to what his children have done. I wonder what I would feel if I were in Jacob's place? On the one hand I can see why he is mad at his children but on the other I think I would feel grateful that they felt it was necessary to look out for their siblings.
Genesis 35 shows us Jacob moving is family, servants and livestock from their current location to that of Bethel. God puts fear in those not belonging to Jacob so that no one will follow them. They then establish their place where God told them to go. The last portion of this chapter is a little more genealogy and sadly the deaths of Rachel and Isaac. Rachel dies while giving birth to another son who Jacob names Benjamin. Isaac then dies and is buried by both of his sons.
The first part of our Matthew reading is Jesus predicting his death. He has predicted this before and mentions it to all of his disciples as they travel into Jerusalem. The next portion of this chapter has a mother asking that her two sons be able to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in Heaven. Jesus tells that this is not possible as he is not the one to decide who sits in those places. He tells that his Father will decide those who are worthy to sit in such a place. He then tells the disciples that it is better to serve then to be served, at least that is how I interpreted that little discussion with the disciples. The last portion of this chapter has two blind men receiving the gift of sight. Jesus has compassion on them as they are being persecuted by those in the crowd following Jesus. He touches their eyes and immediately they have sight and get up and follow Him.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 36, 37, 38 and Matthew 21:1 - 22
Monday, November 1, 2010
Day 30
Well, we have made it a full month. I hope those following along are gaining as much as I am. If you have yet to start do not be afraid it is a worth while adventure.
Genesis 31 begins with Jacob learning that it is time to flee from Laban. Laban begins to grow restless toward the fact that Jacob's wealth and flocks are growing and feels that Jacob is stealing from him. God speaks to Jacob and tells him that it is time to return to the land of his father. He calls for his wives to meet him in the field and tells him what he was told. Jacob and his wives with all his livestock and goods travel off to the land of his father with out telling Laban. After three days Laban learns that they have left and travels after them. Why it took him three days to realize they were gone still has me puzzled. Laban overtakes Jacob and his flock and begins to search for items that were taken from his house. Rachel stole some of the household gods that he was talking about but no one knew about. After Laban searched for these and could not find them Jacob and Laban make some oaths to each other. I am not sure that I completely understand the whole search for the gods thing. I am hoping that we will learn more about it in a later chapter.
Genesis 32 continues with Jacob traveling to the land of his father. He sends word to his brother Esau that he is coming and wishes to put behind them the troubles they have had. Jacob's servant returns with word that Esau is coming with four hundred men. Jacob comes up with a plan to split his belongings into two portion so that if Esau does attack a portion of what he has will survive. It is a great thought in my mind. He also puts a plan in motion to give his brother many gifts of livestock in hopes that it will appease his brothers hatred for him. The last portion of this chapter I am sure has multiple meanings but I am unsure as what they all are. The meaning that stands out to me the most is the struggle. Jacob struggles with a man while he is alone and becomes injured when this man touches Jacob's hip. I see this as a struggle between man and God. In my mind it shows how the slightest touch of God can change our whole life.
I am really at a lose on what to say about Matthew 20:1 - 16. We once again see the statement "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matt. 20:16) As of yet I have not come to a full understanding as to what this means. I feel like I have let you down for this portion of the reading but my lack of understanding on this chapter has left my mind blank. If any of you have any thoughts or ideas I would love to hear them.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 33, 34, 35 and Matthew 20:17 - 34
Genesis 31 begins with Jacob learning that it is time to flee from Laban. Laban begins to grow restless toward the fact that Jacob's wealth and flocks are growing and feels that Jacob is stealing from him. God speaks to Jacob and tells him that it is time to return to the land of his father. He calls for his wives to meet him in the field and tells him what he was told. Jacob and his wives with all his livestock and goods travel off to the land of his father with out telling Laban. After three days Laban learns that they have left and travels after them. Why it took him three days to realize they were gone still has me puzzled. Laban overtakes Jacob and his flock and begins to search for items that were taken from his house. Rachel stole some of the household gods that he was talking about but no one knew about. After Laban searched for these and could not find them Jacob and Laban make some oaths to each other. I am not sure that I completely understand the whole search for the gods thing. I am hoping that we will learn more about it in a later chapter.
Genesis 32 continues with Jacob traveling to the land of his father. He sends word to his brother Esau that he is coming and wishes to put behind them the troubles they have had. Jacob's servant returns with word that Esau is coming with four hundred men. Jacob comes up with a plan to split his belongings into two portion so that if Esau does attack a portion of what he has will survive. It is a great thought in my mind. He also puts a plan in motion to give his brother many gifts of livestock in hopes that it will appease his brothers hatred for him. The last portion of this chapter I am sure has multiple meanings but I am unsure as what they all are. The meaning that stands out to me the most is the struggle. Jacob struggles with a man while he is alone and becomes injured when this man touches Jacob's hip. I see this as a struggle between man and God. In my mind it shows how the slightest touch of God can change our whole life.
I am really at a lose on what to say about Matthew 20:1 - 16. We once again see the statement "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matt. 20:16) As of yet I have not come to a full understanding as to what this means. I feel like I have let you down for this portion of the reading but my lack of understanding on this chapter has left my mind blank. If any of you have any thoughts or ideas I would love to hear them.
Tomorrow's reading is:
Genesis 33, 34, 35 and Matthew 20:17 - 34
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)