Day 19
Genesis 38:1-39:23
(38 | 39)
Judah, one of Jacob's sons, leaves his ten remaining brothers and goes to stay with a man named Hirah. While there, he meets the daughter of a man named Shua. The name of his daughter isn't given, but Judah marries her and sleeps with her. They have three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. Judah finds a wife for Er, a woman named Tamar. But Er is wicked in God's eyes, so he is killed. Judah then tried to give Tamar to Onan, telling him to get her pregnant to have children for his brother. But Onan, realising any children would be his brothers and not his, spills his semen on the ground every time he sleeps with her. God sees this, considers it wicked and kills him too. Judah only has one son left, and he's afraid that Shelah will end up dead like his brothers.
So he tells Tamar he'll give her to Shelah once he's grown up, but fails to keep his word. So when Tamar hears that Judah is coming to her town, she disguises herself as a prostitute and sleeps with him, demanding his staff, seal and cord as security on the payment he promises her. When he tries to deliver the payment, the prostitute cannot be found, for obvious reasons. When it emerges that Tamar is pregnant, Judah is initially furious and wants to have her killed. Then when she produces his staff, seal and cord, Judah realises what has happened. He knows she only did what she did because he failed to keep his promise. Tamar has twins, two boys named Perez and Zerah.
Meanwhile, Joseph is prospering in the house of the Egyptian official he was sold to. Potiphar, a member of the Pharaoh's court, sees God blessing everything Joseph does, so he gives Joseph increasing responsibility until he is in charge of the whole of his household. It's at this stage that Potiphar's wife realises Joseph is actually quite attractive, and tries to sleep with him. Joseph, still to learn the art of humility, repeatedly rejects her advances until he accidentally leaves his cloak behind. Potiphar's wife then claims that Joseph had tried to force himself upon her and fled when she screamed. Potiphar is apoplectic and has Joseph thrown in prison. Despite this, God continues to prosper Joseph. The young man finds favour in the eyes of the prison warder, who gives Joseph increasing responsibility until everyone and everything done in the prison were placed under Joseph's care.
Matthew 13:36-58
(13:36-58)
Jesus explains the parable of the weeds to his disciples. It hints at what will happen at the end of times to the followers of the LORD, to those who do evil, and to that which causes us to sin. This is repeated in the parable of the net, this time using the imagery of fish instead of a harvest. The parables of the pearl and hidden treasure tell us that when we find the kingdom of God, we have to pursue it wholeheartedly and with everything we've got. It's probably best if you read these passages for yourself, and think about what they mean for you.
Finally, Jesus heads back to his home town. He starts teaching there, but the people take offence at him. They know his family, they know where he comes from, and they wonder where he got all his wisdom and miraculous abilities from. They find it difficult to accept that he could be a rabbi, let alone what people suspect he might be. So they don't believe. Jesus acknowledges this, and doesn't perform many miracles; as with the Pharisees before, if they don't believe now, how can they be accepted to truly believe based on a couple of miracles?
Psalm 11:1-7
(11)
David says he will take refuge in the LORD because he knows the LORD will protect the righteous from the wicked. He rebukes the suggestion of turning tail and hiding. He can flee physically, and he does at times. But remaining in the LORD, and continuing to rely on him is the order of the day. He will come through for you, even if it's not quite how or when you envisage it happening. God has a habit of turning up, not in the last minute at 23.59, rather at 1.43, after you feel like all hope is gone.
Genesis 38:1-39:23
(38 | 39)
Judah, one of Jacob's sons, leaves his ten remaining brothers and goes to stay with a man named Hirah. While there, he meets the daughter of a man named Shua. The name of his daughter isn't given, but Judah marries her and sleeps with her. They have three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. Judah finds a wife for Er, a woman named Tamar. But Er is wicked in God's eyes, so he is killed. Judah then tried to give Tamar to Onan, telling him to get her pregnant to have children for his brother. But Onan, realising any children would be his brothers and not his, spills his semen on the ground every time he sleeps with her. God sees this, considers it wicked and kills him too. Judah only has one son left, and he's afraid that Shelah will end up dead like his brothers.
So he tells Tamar he'll give her to Shelah once he's grown up, but fails to keep his word. So when Tamar hears that Judah is coming to her town, she disguises herself as a prostitute and sleeps with him, demanding his staff, seal and cord as security on the payment he promises her. When he tries to deliver the payment, the prostitute cannot be found, for obvious reasons. When it emerges that Tamar is pregnant, Judah is initially furious and wants to have her killed. Then when she produces his staff, seal and cord, Judah realises what has happened. He knows she only did what she did because he failed to keep his promise. Tamar has twins, two boys named Perez and Zerah.
Meanwhile, Joseph is prospering in the house of the Egyptian official he was sold to. Potiphar, a member of the Pharaoh's court, sees God blessing everything Joseph does, so he gives Joseph increasing responsibility until he is in charge of the whole of his household. It's at this stage that Potiphar's wife realises Joseph is actually quite attractive, and tries to sleep with him. Joseph, still to learn the art of humility, repeatedly rejects her advances until he accidentally leaves his cloak behind. Potiphar's wife then claims that Joseph had tried to force himself upon her and fled when she screamed. Potiphar is apoplectic and has Joseph thrown in prison. Despite this, God continues to prosper Joseph. The young man finds favour in the eyes of the prison warder, who gives Joseph increasing responsibility until everyone and everything done in the prison were placed under Joseph's care.
Matthew 13:36-58
(13:36-58)
Jesus explains the parable of the weeds to his disciples. It hints at what will happen at the end of times to the followers of the LORD, to those who do evil, and to that which causes us to sin. This is repeated in the parable of the net, this time using the imagery of fish instead of a harvest. The parables of the pearl and hidden treasure tell us that when we find the kingdom of God, we have to pursue it wholeheartedly and with everything we've got. It's probably best if you read these passages for yourself, and think about what they mean for you.
Finally, Jesus heads back to his home town. He starts teaching there, but the people take offence at him. They know his family, they know where he comes from, and they wonder where he got all his wisdom and miraculous abilities from. They find it difficult to accept that he could be a rabbi, let alone what people suspect he might be. So they don't believe. Jesus acknowledges this, and doesn't perform many miracles; as with the Pharisees before, if they don't believe now, how can they be accepted to truly believe based on a couple of miracles?
Psalm 11:1-7
(11)
David says he will take refuge in the LORD because he knows the LORD will protect the righteous from the wicked. He rebukes the suggestion of turning tail and hiding. He can flee physically, and he does at times. But remaining in the LORD, and continuing to rely on him is the order of the day. He will come through for you, even if it's not quite how or when you envisage it happening. God has a habit of turning up, not in the last minute at 23.59, rather at 1.43, after you feel like all hope is gone.
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