Better Persecution Than Pride

Today’s Reading: Genesis 50; Luke 3; Job 16; 1 Corinthians 4

Genesis 50:19–21
* Consider the contrast between the story of Joseph and the story of Adam and Eve, especially how Joseph refuses to take God’s place when wanting to be “like God” was motive for the Fall.

Luke 3:7–14
* One of the main questions of the books of Luke (that is, Luke and Acts) is: What shall we do then?

Job 16:19–22
* Job is very close to arguing that God himself will serve as advocate for Job’s case. He knows that even if he is blameless, he would lose, but a heavenly advocate could defend him.

1Cor 4:8–13
* Paul’s discussion of foolishness and wisdom (as well as other firsts and lasts), which began back in chapter 1, hits a high point. He even lays down some biting sarcasm to emphasize how unbefitting pride is for believers.

It Is Possible To Remain an Infant In Christ

Today’s Reading: Genesis 49; Luke 2; Job 15; 1 Corinthians 3

Genesis 49:8–10
* Judah is the father of both David and Jesus. Consider the added weight of Jacob’s comment about his sons bowing before Judah, especially after the fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams.

Luke 2:13–15
* Notice how the shepherds go into Bethlehem according to their faith. They don’t go to see if what the angel said is true, but because it has happened already.

Job 15:31–35
* Eliphaz takes up his argument again, and this time he is more deliberately not comforting. As he describes the judgment against the wicked, he could just as well be describing Job’s suffering.

1Cor 3:1–3
* Paul tells the Corinthians that he must talk to them as if they do not have the Spirit. They should be spiritual people, but he cannot treat them like it.

The Truth Is Spiritually Discerned, but We Must Still Read and Interpret

Today’s Reading: Genesis 48; Luke 1:39–80; Job 14; 1 Corinthians 2

Genesis 48:13–16
* The theme of the first being last and the last, first, is not a New Testament development. Think also of the wise being foolish and the foolish, wise. God (and his people) is in the business of placing his right hand on the lowly.

Luke 1:46–55
* And here Mary celebrates the glory of God in frustrating the proud while exalting the humble, among other things.

Job 14:18–22
* Job’s speech to conclude the first cycle of conversation between him and his friends concludes with his longing for death and his sense of hopelessness.

1Cor 2:10–13
* Only the Spirit knows the thoughts of God, so the Spirit is given to us in order that we can understand what God and revealed. But our understanding comes only when we seek the Truth.

If God Uses The Foolish, Can He Use You?

Today’s Reading: Genesis 47; Luke 1:1–38; Job 13; 1 Corinthians 1

Genesis 47:7
* Jacob has come to Egypt in order to survive, but still he has a blessing to offer Pharaoh.

Luke 1:34–37
* Whereas Zechariah questions whether he can believe the angel, Mary believes but wonders how the word of the angel will be fulfilled.

Job 13:6–10
* Though Job’s friends are supposedly speaking on behalf of God, Job accuses them of deception. They have a lot of knowledge and wisdom, but they are not good representatives of God.

1Cor 1:27–29
* God uses the foolish, weak, low, despised, and insignificant. If that doesn’t encourage you, you may not be in one of the categories that God uses.

Obedience Is a Necessary Aspect of Faith In Christ

Today’s Reading: Genesis 46; Mark 16; Job 12; Romans 16

Genesis 46:3–4
* Consider how Jacob may have felt like a failure, having to go to Egypt to survive. God reassures him that this is all according to his plan.

Mark 16:5–8
* Mark’s gospel ends abruptly (especially if it ends in v. 8, like many manuscripts do). Many scholars believe the this account is based on the preaching of Peter, who could have gone in any number of directions to “finish the story,” or call for repentance, depending on his audience.

Job 12:4–6
* Job agrees with his friends about the nature of God—sovereign, just, powerful, etc—but he does not agree with their conclusions. He makes his own wise observations: it is easy to accuse the one who is suffering; and even idolaters enjoy peace and security.

Romans 16:25–27
* If you were to go back and read the beginning of Romans, you would see that Paul ends with the same themes in mind, especially: the Gospel fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, and obedience is one of the aspects of faith in Christ.

Jesus’ Death Was the Result of Purpose, Not Weakness

Today’s Reading: Genesis 45; Mark 15; Job 11; Romans 15

Genesis 45:22–24
* It would be easy to miss that Joseph is lavishly gracious with his brothers, though they sold him as a slave for 20 shekels.

Mark 15:29–32
* That Jesus does not “save himself” from the cross is no sign of the Father’s displeasure nor the Son’s weakness; actually, it is the fulfillment of God’s will, quenching his wrath, unto his ultimate pleasure and glory. If that’s true of the cross, what about other suffering?

Job 11:2–6
* Zophar picks up the perspective of Bildad and Eliphaz just with somewhat more intensity. He doesn’t believe in Job’s innocence, so his speech is filled with sarcasm.

Romans 15:8–10
* Jesus’ work on the cross made the way for both Jews and Gentiles to glorify God.

Jesus Accepts the Crime of Messiahship

Today’s Reading: Genesis 44; Mark 14; Job 10; Romans 14

Genesis 44:32–34
* You may remember that Judah tried to de-escalate the situation with his brothers originally intended to kill Joseph. Here he goes farther, offering to exchange himself for the sake of Benjamin, but even more so for his father.

Mark 14:60–64
* Jesus is silent before his false accusers. If he were to speak, he would prove his innocence. But when he is accused of being the Messiah, he speaks, accepting condemnation for that “crime.”

Job 10:1–4
* Job again addresses God directly. He is filling with bitterness because of God’s unjust treatment. His main question: “Why?”

Romans 14:20–23
* Everything we do, from the mundane—eating and drinking—to the miraculous, must flow from faith. We must always be aware of God’s presence in all his goodness, wisdom, and sovereignty.

To Love Is To Have Fulfilled the Law

Today’s Reading: Genesis 43; Mark 13; Job 9; Romans 13

Genesis 43:30–31
* Joseph stays in character in front of his brothers, though he is overwhelmed with emotion. The lesson in store for his brothers is not over yet.

Mark 13:32–33
* Though Jesus speaks at length about the End, he also says plainly that the second coming will be a surprise. The point is that believers should always be “awake.”

Job 9:32–35
* Job argues that if he, though innocent, were to stand before God, God would still condemn him. He cries out for an “arbiter”—Could we say “Mediator”?—between him and God.

Romans 13:7–10
* Paul’s thought flows from taxes to love. And debt of taxes are a light burden compared to the weight of owing love to one another.

We Must Know What God Expects from Us in Order to Obey Him

Today’s Reading: Genesis 42; Mark 12; Job 8; Romans 12

Genesis 42:26–28
* The guilt of Joseph’s brothers is very much fresh and alive. Even what could have been received as a blessing from God is seen as a curse because of their guilt.

Mark 12:35–37
* Notice that Jesus does not teach that the Christ is not the son of David. Rather, he teaches that the Christ is not merely the son of David, but he is David’s Lord also. And if we want to truly know the Christ, we need to understand how he can be both.

Job 8:2–7
* Bildad’s argument (er, encouragement) is that Job’s words are wasted (wind) by claiming his innocence. God won’t pervert justice; the guilty are punished, not the pure. Again, that sounds good, but the view of God’s rewards and punishments is too narrow.

Romans 12:1–2
* After 11 chapters of doctrine, Paul begins the application section of the book. This pattern reinforces how our works must flow from our faith. We must know who God is, in order to worship him; what he expects from us, in order to obey him.

God’s Ways Can Be Inscrutable But He Is Knowable

Today’s Reading: Genesis 41; Mark 11; Job 7; Romans 11

Genesis 41:38–43
* The emphasis of the story of Joseph is God’s presence with him. Even Pharaoh recognizes Joseph’s interpretation and wisdom come from God. Don’t miss that even Joseph’s administrative wisdom is a sign of the Spirit of God.

Mark 11:7–10
* In Mark, Jesus regularly instructs those who believe not to tell others about him. Here, he openly receives praise and identification as the Messiah. This is the beginning of the Passover week; his death is fast approaching.

Job 7:20–21
* Job’s lament and complaint to his friends turns to address God directly. His speech seems to grow with anger, even. How will God respond?

Romans 11:33–36
* After reflecting at length on how God has orchestrated the history of redemption in ways unexpected—even mysterious—Paul stops and confesses the limits of our understanding wholly the ways of God.