01.22.2010

Genesis 34-37, Psalms 18:16-50, Proverbs 19, 20, Matthew 24, 25

Genesis today starts with Jacob's children. This is an unruly crowd, and the future tribes of Israel. Trouble begins with the rape of their sister Dinah. Interestingly, the rapist then confesses and begs to marry the girl. The sons of Jacob prove clever and efficient. They lie to the man and tell him that he can have their sister if he and all his followers become circumcised. Then when the tribe is in pain from the circumcision, two of the sons of Jacob kill them all, and more of Jacob's sons help them loot the village of treasure and people. We end today's reading of Genesis, with Joseph's dreams and being sold into slavery. Yet another problem between brothers. Joseph's brothers were ready to kill him, but they settled on the profit of selling him into slavery.

This Psalm is finished with David praising the Lord for being his shield and delivering his enemies into his hand. David recognizes that all he has is because of the Lord, and not because he is mighty, but because the Lord is mighty. God, the Lord is his Rock.

In Proverbs, there is the typical comparing and contrasting, but rather than with the wicked, it is with the lazy. Laziness leads to lies and starvation. Starvation of the body in a literal fashion, but I assume in a spiritual fashion as well.

To the New Testament, Jesus is telling his disciples about the end of times. About the destruction of the temple, and the end of the age. Natural disasters, enemies attacking believers, false prophets working miracles, and His second coming from the clouds. The angels coming with the sound of a trumpet. Then more parables about how to get to heaven. How to be rewarded by the Lord.