Genesis 48:5 — Jacob is claiming Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh. When we get to the long genealogies (I Chronicles 5:1-2), we’ll see how the birthright that belonged to Judah went to Ephraim and Manasseh.
Engravings of Joseph (Son of Jacob)
Genesis 48:18-19 — Joseph is correcting his dad about who deserves the birthright – an interesting echo of what Jacob did to his father in Genesis 27.
Genesis 49:10 — The scepter is spoken of by Balaam (Numbers 24:17) and the psalmists (Psalm 60:7, 108:8). Shiloh is a difficult term; even commentators admit it’s hard to be certain. It seems to refer to the promised seed to Eve.
Matthew 15:30-31 — Pay attention to these verses; when we come to the trial of Jesus, this would be exhibit A in the defense of Jesus of Nazareth. Why? Check Isaiah 35:4-6!
Matthew 15:33 — Remember what we read two days ago? An interesting echo of Matthew 14:17. The disciples failed the lesson two days ago, and they look like they failed the quiz Jesus gave them today.
Thankfully Jesus, the Great Teacher, addressed the learning problem the disciples had in Matthew 16:8.
Biblical illustration of the Book of Genesis Chapter 46
Genesis 46:3 — “Fear not to go down into Egypt.” Abraham went down into Egypt because there was a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10), but he lied about his wife while there (Genesis 12:12), and it was in Egypt that he likely picked up Hagar whom he sinned with (Genesis 16:3). Ishmael did not take a wife of the believers but of Egypt (Genesis 21:21). God forbade Isaac from going to Egypt (Genesis 26:2). Joseph was sold into Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Perhaps that’s why Jacob/Israel was scared to go back to Egypt. He had learned that before you go, seek God’s face, and God will give you wisdom (James 1:5).
Matthew 15:1-28 — Jesus accused the Scribes and Pharisees of sin but had mercy on the Gentile woman. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Proverbs 3:34).
Psalm 19 — Patch the Pirate composed a great song based on this psalm!
Psalm 19:7 — If you have time, it’s worthwhile to do a quick search on the phrase “the Law of the Lord” in the Old Testament. Why not memorize Psalm 19:14? It’s a great verse to hide in your heart to keep your life pure!
Proverbs 4:18-19 — The path of the just is as the shining light … the way of the wicked is as darkness. A pretty clear contrast. Which path do you want to take?
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Compare Genesis 44:34 to Genesis 37:26 that we read earlier. Judah has repented (see Webster’s 1828 definition).
Biblical illustration of the Book of Genesis Chapter 45
Continuing yesterday’s theme – in Genesis 45:9, Joseph’s family thought he was dead, but now he is “lord of all Egypt.” While not a direct correlation, God seems to foreshadow what would happen to His Son.
Matthew 14:14 — Hopefully, you’re engaged in a personal biography of your God. What moved Jesus? Does what moves Him move you?
Matthew 14:20 — We see His compassion on the thousands. In Matthew 14:27, we see His compassion on the dozen. In Matthew 14:31, we see His compassion on just one.
Psalm 18:46 finishes a song we listened to a few days ago that starts with Psalm 18:3. Remember to be thankful for God’s deliverance – unlike the 9 lepers.
Proverbs 4:12 — Runners do not want to stumble. How can we avoid stumbling?
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Three weeks into the year and you’ve stayed with us! Thank you!
God is blessing your faithfulness! How do I know? If you’ve been seeking God with your whole heart for these last 3 weeks, Psalm 119:2 speaks to you!
Biblical illustration of the Book of Genesis Chapter 42
Sometimes you feel like Joseph’s brothers – just trying to put food on the table and a government official is threatening jail time!
Genesis 42:18 is words of comfort! Why? All government officials are under authority from above!
Genesis 42:27 — Speaking of the brothers, they tried to buy food, but they couldn’t. God used the brothers: 1) they wanted to kill in order to 2) store up food for themselves (before they knew they needed it), 3) give it to them at no charge (even though they tried to pay for it). What other thing has God done through 1) someone we wanted to kill, 2) before we knew we needed it, and 3) gave to us at no charge (and even refused our efforts to pay for it)?
Matthew 13:50 — Again, Jesus talks about a “furnace of fire.” Interesting that while Millennials are far less likely to believe in God, attend church weekly, pray, read Scripture, etc., than Senior Citizens, they are just as likely to believe that Hell is real. Unfortunately, many believe it’s just for Adolph Hitler, even though the Bible tells us many, many more will be going there.
Psalm 18:25-26 — As you’re journaling about the character of God, perhaps add a list of characteristics that He looks for in us.
Proverbs 4:7 — How’s this for an executive summary of Proverbs?
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People ask, “Should Christians get involved in politics?” I point out that there are two books of the Bible called Kings and two more called the Chronicles of the Kings. Genesis 41:25 – God had a message for a politician in Egypt. Genesis 41:46 reveals an interesting fact – Joseph was about the same age as Jesus (Luke 3:23) when his ministry began. Also, did you notice the parallel between Genesis 42:8 and John 1:10-11? There are some sermons on SermonAudio.com that show how Joseph was a picture of Christ. By the way, if you’re looking for more info on a passage, checking www.sermonaudio.com will show you some of the most popular sermons on a passage. One final note about Joseph – though Joseph was in Egypt and Pharoah gave him an Egyptian wife of cultic pedigree (Genesis 41:45), Joseph did not name his children Egyptian names. He gave them Hebrew names (Genesis 41:51-52). While you may be in Egypt, don’t let Egypt get into you!
Matthew 13:30 — Jesus has talked about hell several times already in Matthew (Matthew 5:22, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28, 11:23). Now, He talks about burning tares (Matthew 13:40). The children of the wicked one will be gathered and burned. I hate to use the word “sobering” so often, but when we compare reading Scripture to the amusements (literally, “a” = ”no” & “muse” = “thinking”; the word literally means “non-thinking”) of today, we have serious words to pay attention to (Matthew 13:42). “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” If you knew that and believed that, shouldn’t you say something? Do we think hell is real? Do we think heaven is a “pearl of great price” that we are willing to sell all that we have for it (Matthew 13:46)?
Matthew 13:31-33 — Thanks to Dexter Penwell for providing this helpful insight:
“In the parable of the mustard seed, there are 2 varieties of mustard plants in Israel. The more common is a small bush that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. So, that growing into a tree that the birds lodge in would be an abnormal monstrosity. The other type is a wild mustard plant that is more like a sunflower. It grows tall, but only has leaves coming out from the main stem. Again, that is not like a tree. What Jesus is saying is that the mustard plant grows into a monstrosity where the servants of Satan lodge. In the parable of the leaven, in all the times that leaven is used symbolically in the Bible, this is the only place where people try to portray it as being good, that it is a sign of the church growing. However, that does not match with all the times in the OT and NT where leaven is used as a symbol of sin. And, the woman is hiding it in the dough. The 3 measures of flour imply the fellowship offering which uses unleavened cakes. So again, it is sin in the church. In this case, sin being hidden in the church.”
“First, we do not sell all we have to purchase our salvation. In the parable of the soils, the field was the earth. Jesus gave up all to come to earth to purchase the church, and, he will come again to take us to be with Him … (Look at the) parable of the pearl of great price. The church elsewhere is described as gems. So, if Jesus is put in as the man, Jesus gave up all to purchase the church. The church grows in times of persecution, similar to how the pearl develops because of an irritant getting inside the oyster. And, like the church, it is taken from the place that it grows to become a jewel of adornment.”
Dexter Penwell
Psalm 18:1-3 — Take a sheet of paper and make a list of who the Lord is. Or if you’re already building in your journal a biography of God, add these attributes to the list. Psalm 18:3 and 18:46 (we’ll get there day after tomorrow!) have been recorded in song – if you haven’t heard this classic, it’s a great way to hide these two verses in your heart!
Proverbs 4:4 — Keeping the commandments is not misery. They are life. Have you noticed that Solomon seems to think wisdom is important? Genesis has given us an interesting look at people who have or have not been wise.
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
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