February 6

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 6: GENESIS 2, MATTHEW 2, PSALMS 2:1-6                                         GENESIS 2                                                                                                                                          Starting with verse 4 we are presented with a second account of creation--this time zooming in on the sixth day. We learn the following additional information: 

  • There were no rainy days because the mist from the earth provided moisture. 
  • God directly created Adam from the dust and breathed life into him.  
  • God planted a garden for Adam with beautiful plants having delicious food. 
  • Two specific trees are referenced: 1) the tree of life and 2) the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

God’s Word to Adam:  

  • Be a good steward of this beautiful environment.
  • Enjoy this environment BUT, if you eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge, you will die.
  • It is not good for you to be alone so I will make a helper (which He did, of course).

God’s Plan for Marriage:

This passage (Gen. 2:23) is quoted by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9) and Paul (Ephesians 5:31-33).

These references to the God’s original plan for marriage by Jesus and Paul were made at least 4,000 years later in a culture that was much more like ours than like the Garden of Eden. Thus, they would seem timeless truths and have relevance for us today. 

Read these 2 short New Testament passages and prayerfully consider the following questions:

  • Who did God say should get married together?
  • Which relationship should be the primary relation, the married partners to their parents, or married partners to each other. 
  • Should the physical act of becoming one-flesh be reserved for marriage?
  • What is God’s opinion of divorce?
  • Is there any implication in Paul’s comments regarding the roles of men and women within marriage?

Important Qualification:

If you remember the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, you will remember that not all these individuals had sexual relationships that lived up to the criteria presented in Genesis 2. Yet, God chose to use them to accomplish His purpose of sending His Son to rescue all of us from our sins. With God we have hope beyond our past. That is the big theme of the Bible:  

  • We have all fallen short of his standards. 
  • In His love He sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sins.
  • By believing in this work of Jesus and Confessing Him as Lord, WE ARE SAVED.
  • Confessing Him as Lord means following His commands, which will become a joy.

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 6 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 2, PSALM 2:1-6

MATTHEW 2 Consider the various individuals in this chapter from the standpoint of what they knew about God’s plan, where they gathered their information, and how they responded:

JOSEPH

  • WHAT: He knew in chapter 1 that he should take Mary as his wife; she was with child through the Holy Spirit; and the child should be called Jesus because he would save his people. In chapter 2 he learned his family should flee to Egypt and; go back to Israel after Herod died; and relocate to Nazareth. 
  • WHERE:  He learned from an angel in 4 separate dreams
  • HOW: He obeyed each time immediately.

WISE MEN 

  • WHAT: They knew Jesus was born King of the Jews, that he should be worshipped, that he was born somewhere near Jerusalem, and that they should not go back to Herod.
  • WHERE: They learned the general location from a star; they learned detailed location from Herod; and they learned not to go back to Herod from by God in a dream. 
  • HOW:  They sought more detailed directions from Herod; they brought expensive gifts to Jesus and worship joyfully; and they did not return to Herod. 

HEROD

  • WHAT: He knew that Jesus was considered King of the Jews, that he was born in Bethlehem, and that the wise men tricked him by not returning. 
  • WHERE: He learned from the wise men about the birth and; he learned about the location from the scribes and chief priests (who learned it from the scriptures). 
  • HOW:  He lied to the wise men so that he could kill Jesus. He killed all the male children aged 2 and under who lived in the Bethlehem area. 

Prayerfully consider these questions:

  • There are many reports of Jesus appearing in dreams to those who live in Muslim countries where evangelism is outlawed.  Given our situation and what was learned from Psalm 1, are we listening to God’s effort to guide us from the sources we have?
  • Herod had lots of information about Jesus, but he chose to not worship Jesus because it did not fit with his personal agenda. As a result, many innocent people suffered.  Are we willing to follow Joseph’s and wise men’s example by changing our agenda in order to obey God fully. 

PSALM 2:1-6: Verses 1-3 are a description of Herod and any of us who seek to break the fetters of God’s Word. As with Herod, it is laughable to think that we know better than God.  Are we “installing God as our King” each day by intentionally following Him as he is revealed?