This is not meant to be a beating, but rather a tool to give you some help in reading and understanding God’s word. If you miss a day, and can “catch up: by doubling up, then sweet. If you can’t read on certain days, adjust the schedule to fit your life. I think you will find the schedule pretty easy to maintain if you keep just a bit of discipline.
With that said…………….
This week’s reading:
Monday: Genesis 43 – 45
Tuesday: Genesis 46 – 48
Wednesday: Genesis 49 – 50
Thursday: Matthew 1 – 4
Friday: Matthew 5 – 8
Saturday: Matthew 9 – 12
Sunday: Matthew 13 – 15
Monday: Matthew 16 – 19
Summary:
Monday: Genesis 22 – 24
Chapter 22 has God “testing” Abraham by offering Isaac as a sacrifice. The covenant promise of God is repeated to Abraham. (Note: Isaac was in no danger ever—Hebrews 11:19—and also this is the last time Abraham hears from God). Chapter 23 recounts the death and burial of Sarah; and highlights the haggling of a society based on honor (something that is still true in the Middle East today. Genesis 24 shows the providence (faithful governing) of God in choosing a bride for Isaac. (Note: already you are having the fulfilment of judgment from Genesis 9, as the people of Canaan are being kept separate from God’s chosen nation).
Tuesday: Genesis 25 – 27
Chapter 25 wraps up the life of Abraham and updates on the descendants of Ishmael. It also shows the promise continuing in Isaac as he has descendants of his own. It also shows the choice of Jacob by God before he and Esau were even born. Chapter 26 has Isaac following in his father’s footsteps in deception, but it also has God using persecution to “move” Isaac where He wants him. You also have the continued faithfulness and blessing of God in spite of the sin of His people. Genesis 27 begins the focus on Jacob and his sin. Note this outcome was always going to happen (God chose Jacob in Gen. 25), so Jacob’s sin is even worse. Again we see the faithfulness of God to people who do not deserve it.
Wednesday: Genesis 28 – 30
Sin has consequence and Genesis 28 begins a long string of the consequences of sin to Jacob & his family. Jacob is sent for protection & to find a wife. Along the way God in spite of Jacob’s sin confirms the covenant given to Abraham & Isaac before Him. Chapter 29 begins a love story (?), and ends in a deception; which is fitting given Jacob’s history. Genesis 30 is the beginning of the nation of Israel (and the fulfilling of the promise of Genesis 12 & 15) and in spite of the way we get there, God is blessing the people He has called.
Thursday: Genesis 31 – 33
Treachery finds everyone out and Genesis 31 sorts out the twisted relationship between Jacob & Laban. Ultimately the relationship ends how we knew it would; with Jacob provided for and returning to the land of promise with the beginnings of the fulfilment of God’s promises. Genesis 32 begins with Jacob fearing Esau and ends with Jacob fearing (and trusting) God. (Note: Jacob did not win his match with God, but was literally & figuratively broken until he surrendered to God). Chapter 33 has Jacob still trusting in God and confronting Esau and settling in the land promised to his grandfather.
Friday: Genesis 34 – 36
Genesis 34 has the apple falling not far from the tree as you see the twisted sense of honor of Jacob’s sons leading to deception and murder. Despite their motives their actions are wrong and this further displays the unworthiness of the people God has chosen to bless and work through. Chapter 35 has God purifying Jacob and his family as God protects them in their travels. Jacob is renamed Israel and the covenant promises are reiterated. Genesis 36 reminds us that God is not just dealing with Jacob (Israel) but the whole world and recounts the descendants of Esau (Edomites).
Saturday: Genesis 37 – 39
Chapter 37 begins the shift from Jacob to Joseph. Joseph is presented as the next “leader” through dreams and the sin of the Israelites (sons of Jacob) is clearly seen. Genesis 38 gives us a look at the convoluted life of God’s chosen people. There are no righteous people in this story (similar to Sodom) and the only redeeming value to the actions is the line of Judah that comes from it. (Note: Perez is the son of Judah that is followed to get ultimately to Christ—Ruth 4:18 – 19) Genesis 39 swings back to the state of Joseph and shows the fate of a man trying to live uprightly in a world that has no taste or desire for such righteousness.
Sunday: Genesis 40 – 42
Genesis 40 shows the power of God and the providence He uses to govern the world. It just so happens these officials are in prison with Joseph and just so happens they have dreams. Genesis 41 continues God’s working as Pharaoh has a dream and Joseph is remembered. After Joseph is remembered, Joseph is promoted and empowered; all to the praise of the God who makes these things happen. Chapter 42 begins the family reunion of the sons of Israel as the promised famine has spread as far as Canaan. Joseph begins to now test his brothers to see if the God who has preserved him has worked in the brothers for good or for ill.