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Bible Reading Notes
April 2007
Sunday, April 27th – Genesis 48: 21, 22
In v. 21, Israel again addresses Joseph directly (cf. v.15). We see from this that although Joseph’s sons were favored, he himself was not forgotten in the blessing of his father. When one in the covenant family of faith is exalted it is not at the expense of others. That is why when one in the body of Christ has cause to rejoice, we should all rejoice, not only with that one but also for ourselves, reckoning that the God of all blessing never forgets to bless all of His people with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Rom. 12:15; Eph. 1:3).
Monday, April 28th - Genesis 48: 21, 22
Israel prefaces his blessing upon Joseph with a notice of his own mortality: Behold, I am about to die. Because Israel is here dying in faith (Heb. 11:21), he sees far beyond his own death and apprehends the distant but certain fruition of the gracious purposes of God in the lives of his descendants. The fulfillment of these prophecies would come centuries after the deaths of Joseph and of his sons and of brothers. Therefore, although death is here acknowledged by the patriarch and his descendants that last enemy is regarded by those men of faith as being of little significance in view of the great and precious promises of the Lord. In his work, On the Incarnation, Athanasius rightly wrote: All disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offense against it and, instead of fearing it, by sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead (v.27). So did Abraham regard the weakness his own body, that was as good as dead, as being inconsequential in comparison with the power of God who had promised him a son (Rom. 4:19-20). So should all in Christ regard themselves as more than conquerors in all of their lives and in their deaths (Rom. 8:37-39).
Tuesday, April 29th - Genesis 48: 21, 22
Israel would die but the God of Israel would live on and be with His people in order to bless them. God would be with the descendants of Israel for every day of the course of the coming centuries of their affliction in Egypt, and the Lord would be with them to lead them out of the house of their bondage and into the land of His promise at His perfect time. We should draw our comfort from the knowledge that Christ has promised to be with us at all times and in all circumstances through all of time and eternity (Mt. 28:20). If our Lord is with us in that way, who or what can prevail against us (Rom. 8:31ff)?
Wednesday, April 30th - Genesis 48: 21, 22
Israel, who by faith firmly grasped the promises of God, prophesies that while the Lord would be with His people in Egypt, He would not confine them to perpetual living in that godless land amongst its oppressive people. The Lord would bring them back to the land that their fathers had possessed and lived in by faith. There they would live as their fathers had lived, not focusing upon their lack of perfect or perpetual possession of Canaan, but rather upon the heavenly city of God that Canaan foreshadowed (Heb. 11:13-16). The essence of their promise is also ours, namely, that our Lord will be with us in this world of our sometimes painful pilgrimage, but that He will also bring us to the glorious home of our heavenly Father where we truly belong (Jn. 14:2, 3).
Thursday, May 1st - Genesis 48: 22
Joseph did not lose his sons when Israel adopted them, but rather he gained through them a double portion in the inheritance that would eternally out-live and out-shine the worldly glories of Egypt. We, too, receive an abundant portion in the kingdom of God, not through our sons, but through the Son of God.
Friday, May 2nd - Genesis 48: 22
Israel refers to the land that he here apportions among his sons as that which he with his weapons of war had wrested from the Amorite. We read in Gen. 33:18,19 of Jacob having bought a piece of land from the Shechemites, but Scripture gives us no account of Jacob having battled against the Amorite inhabitants of Canaan. Yet, he who wrestled with God may well have fought with and prevailed over men in Canaan. The point is that although the inheritance of the saints comes to them by God’s grace, they are not passive and inactive in their receiving and possessing of the divine gift. Joshua and his generation certainly waged a campaign of conquest of the Promised Land. We are to work out the gift of salvation we have received from God, guarding our gains and waging spiritual warfare in our growth in grace.
Saturday, May 3rd - Genesis 49: 1
In this penultimate chapter of Genesis the dying patriarch, Jacob, prophesies regarding his living sons. Jacob’s eyes may be blind to the faces of men, but because he is dying in faith as he had lived, he can see the face of God and in that divine light he sees and tells his sons of their God-ordained fortunes. This prophetic ministry here performed by Jacob contains some painful truths for his sons. Yet, the godly father does not spare them such pains, knowing that he would be speaking the truth for their ultimate profit, and for the edification of all the faithful descendants of Jacob who would read his words through all succeeding generations. Similarly would Moses prophesy regarding the tribes of Israel. Read of that prophecy in Deuteronomy 33 and compare it with Jacob’s prophecy in this chapter.
Sunday, May 4th - Genesis 49: 1, 2
Although Jacob was soon to leave this world, he not only clearly perceived the events of his day, but also foresaw events that would shape the lives of his sons in this world for many years beyond his exodus from it. Therefore, he summoned them to gather in his presence, not so that he might give them a sentimental farewell, but so that he might minister the truth of God for their good. Jacob issues a formal call for his sons to gather, as was fitting in view of the treasure of truth he was to bequeath to them. He designates them as sons of Jacob, reminding them by the use of his old name (meaning, supplanter) that he and they were naturally sinners. Yet he also calls them to listen to Israel, their father. By his use of the name God had given to him (meaning, he who strives with God), he encouraged them with the truth that he and his sons were men saved by faith in the merciful blessing of God. We who are in Christ are such sons who naturally are undeserving of the least of God’s blessings, but who by the mercy of God have been made possessors and partakers of the greatest divine blessings.
Monday, May 5th - Genesis 49: 3, 4
These verses record Jacob’s prophecy concerning Reuben. The natural priority of Reuben over his brothers is acknowledged when Jacob calls him his first-born. His natural endowments are alluded to when he is designated my might and the beginning of my strength. His potential for further advancement is noted when he is said to be preeminent in dignity and…power. This son who possessed a rich combination of natural advantages is then shown to be demoted due to his sin. No matter how promising our natural endowments and attainments may be, if we are dominated by sin we shall be abased rather than exalted. This is so not only due to the corrupting power of sin, but especially because there is a heavenly Father of the covenant people who calls to account all who abuse their powers in unholy endeavor rather than use them to God’s glory. Let us profit by faithful, holy living.
Tuesday, May 6th - Genesis 49: 3, 4
Reuben’s natural position and powers had potential to exalt him. Yet, his uncontrollable passions led him to gain the momentary pleasure of sin at the cost of an enduring pain of the loss of his preeminence. All who, like Reuben, fail to deny themselves for the Lord’s sake will gain nothing, but they will lose many things of great value. Our wisdom and profit lie in our seeing this painful lesson wrought out in Reuben’s life and our consequently determining by God’s grace not to sin as he did. This lesson was well learned and practiced by Joseph when he resisted Potiphar’s wife. Compare Gen. 35:22 with Gen. 39:7-13.
Wednesday, May 7th - Genesis 49: 3, 4
Reuben’s passions were strong but because they were unholy they made him relationally dysfunctional. His lust drove him to join himself to one from whom God would have him remain separated. His love was weak, making him a feeble helper for Joseph, resulting in a separation from his godly younger brother (Gen. 37:21,22,29). In the days of Joshua the tribe of Reuben ultimately separated from the other tribes of Israel when the Reubenites settled east of the Jordan while most of the other tribes entered Canaan (Num. 32:1ff; Josh. 4:12,13; 13:7,8). Lust unites people superficially and temporarily, while love’s bond is stronger and more enduring than anything in life or death.
Thursday, May 8th - Genesis 49: 3, 4
At the time when Reuben had committed his sin, Jacob knew of it but did nothing about it (Gen. 35:22). Now, decades later, when Jacob is at death’s door, the old sin is recalled. The passage of time may seem to remove sin, but it only dulls the sinner’s memory of his sin while doing nothing to remove the guilt, corruption, and bitter consequences of his sin. We make a grave error when we equate a father’s patience with his being propitiated. Certainly with our heavenly Father we do well to regard His patience as an opportunity for our confession of and repentance from sin, not as a signal for our indulgence in it (Rom. 2:4).
Friday, May 9th - Genesis 49: 3, 4
The sin of Reuben was serious in itself, being a form of sexual impurity that was not only forbidden in God’s moral law, but that was also rare even among unbelievers (1 Cor. 5:1). It was also serious in terms of the persons it affected, namely, a first-born son sinning against his own father and one of his father’s wives. Yet, as serious as this sin was, we perceive grace in this prophecy. Reuben would merely be demoted in time, not disowned for eternity by either his earthly father or his heavenly Father. The bandage of God’s grace is always larger than the wound of our sin (Rom. 5:20).
Saturday, May 10th - Genesis 49: 5-7
Reuben sinfully united himself to one from whom he should have remained separated by the boundaries of holy propriety. In vv.5-7 we find two of Reuben’s brothers united not only legitimately by blood relation, but also sinfully by their shedding of the blood of others. The sinful confederacy of Simeon and Levi is therefore cursed by Jacob. The next two brothers after Reuben united in their sinful deceit and murder of the men of Shechem (Gen. 34:13-17,24,25). Consequently, they are united in their being cursed by their father. Blessed are those who do not walk in the cursed counsel of such wicked men (Ps. 1:1).
Sunday, May 11th – Genesis 49: 5-7
Reuben had an unholy passion for forbidden intimacy with a woman, while his brothers, Simeon and Levi, had an unholy passion for the sinful murdering of men. This cursed pair used their tools not for legitimate purposes, such as when Abraham used his sword to rescue Lot (Gen. 14:10-16). They used their tongues not to speak truth in love, but to deceive and disable the men of Shechem. Their sinful attitudes and actions brought dishonor and difficulty upon their father and family (Gen. 34:30). Therefore, Jacob disavows their attitudes and actions. Their union in sin therefore separated them from their righteous father. Unholy alliances will sever holy unions as nothing else can do, while the sinful wrath of man fails utterly to accomplish the righteousness of God (Jas. 1:20).
Monday, May 12th - Genesis 49: 5-7
Israel deeply disavows the sinful counsel and murderous deeds of Simeon and Levi. He will not allow his soul—his deepest essence—to enter into their sinful council of murder, nor is his glory or that of his God enhanced by their plotting assembly. He is deeply repulsed by their sinful attitudes because they broke out in massive murders and selfish pillaging. Israel’s humility and wise realism is seen in his recognition that even his righteous soul would be corrupted by his close company with these two wicked sons. We do well to hate sin, even if it is in our own sons. God certainly hated sin even when it was imputed to His beloved Son.
Tuesday, May 13th - Genesis 49: 5-7
In v. 7 the curse of Israel falls upon his sinful sons. Yet, there is grace laced within this curse. As with Reuben’s sin, so with that of Simeon and Levi we see that old sins still stain those who committed them and who allowed time to be the inadequate fig-leaf to cover but not to cleanse their sin. Yet also as with Reuben, the father here demotes but does not disown his sinful sons. He curses their anger and holds himself apart from their sin, yet he keeps them as his sons and retains them as members of the covenant people of Israel. Godly discipline may seem like hatred, but it is really an administration of holy, healing love.
Wednesday, May 14th - Genesis 49: 5-7
The temporal punishment Simeon and Levi would receive would be that their descendants would be scattered throughout the Promised Land. For the tribe of Simeon, this meant their dwelling in the southern extremity of Israel’s territory, on poor land and away from contact with all tribes but Judah. There was grace in that one connection, however, as Messiah would arise from the tribe of Judah (vv.10ff). As for Levi’s descendants, they would have no territory but would be priests scattered throughout Israel. They would have cities given to them from all of the other tribes, and their cities would be cities of refuge for the manslayer (Num. 35:2ff). They would not have land as their inheritance, but rather the Lord would be their inheritance (Josh. 13:33), and they would serve in the temple and assist the priests and share in the sacrificial services (Josh 13:14). Thus would the sinful slaughtering of the father be transformed into sanctifying substitutionary slaughter and the provision of merciful refuge through the ministry of the sons. Therefore with Levi especially, we have demonstrated on a vast scale over centuries of time that where sin increases, grace abounds all the more.
Thursday, May 15th - Genesis 49: 5-7
In these verses, God through Israel is cursing sinful anger, not righteous anger. We find examples of sinful anger in Moses when he struck the rock and cursed the people of Israel at Meribah (Num. 20:2-13), in Peter when he struck with his sword the ear of the high priest’s slave (Jn. 18:10,11), in those who are angry toward their brothers without reason (Mt. 5:22), and in those who manifest the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:20ff). Righteous anger is displayed by Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, who killed the Israelite and the Midianite woman who had brought God’s curse upon Israel (Num 25:1-9), and by Jesus cleansing the temple (Jn. 2:13-17). The difference is that self-willed passion is sin to be cursed while holy zeal is a virtue to be blessed. May we have only the latter and never the former.
Friday, May 16th - Genesis 49: 8-12
The chief blessing naturally belonged to the first-born Reuben. He lost that blessing due to his sin. But the blessings of God do not cease to exist when men sinfully forfeit them. When the divine blessing is removed from one, it is conferred upon another. The chief blessing forfeited by Reuben was therefore given to Judah. Upon this fourth son of Jacob and upon his tribe this blessing would remain until the Lion of Judah would come to reign over and, as the Lamb of God, to die for His people. Those of us who are Gentiles have similarly been blessed by the Jews’ refusal to accept their Messiah. But, as the Apostle Paul writes, if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Rom. 11:15).
Saturday, May 17th - Genesis 49: 8
The first component of this manifold blessing upon Judah is his being praised by his brothers. This fourth son of Jacob’s through Leah was given a name that means praise (Gen. 29:35). He would live up to his name, not due to his natural endowments or attainments, but due to the gracious blessing of God. Through his tribe would come Jesus, great Judah’s greater Son, whom all men, angels, and creatures will praise forever.
Sunday, May 18th - Genesis 49: 8
In addition to praise from his brothers, Judah would attain victory over his enemies. This prophecy informs us that Judah would have enemies. Although Judah would be made praiseworthy, due ultimately to the coming of Messiah from the royal tribe of Judah, many would rise up in opposition to this patriarch and his tribe. Yet, Judah would prevail over them all, whether they would be enemies from Egypt, Midian, Moab, Philistia, Assyria, Babylon, or enemies from the rebellious ten northern tribes. Judah would stand triumphant over all, until the coming of the Lion of Judah to reign so triumphantly that all of His enemies would cry for the rocks of the mountains to fall on them and hide them from His wrath (Rev. 6:12-17). We who are united by faith to the Lion of Judah are made more than conquerors in Him (Rom. 8:35-39).
Monday, May 19th - Genesis: 49: 8
Judah would also receive fraternal homage. Those who would follow the lead of this tribe would prosper and bow gratefully to Judah’s effective leadership. We find this taking place in the first chapter of Judges, where Judah leads the continued conquest of the Promised Land. We find this when Israel submitted to King David of Judah. We find it ultimately when men praise and give homage to Jesus, who was descended from the tribe of Judah (Mt. 1:1-17). All true spiritual sons of Jacob gratefully give homage to the shadow and the substance of the Christ who saves them.
Tuesday, May 20th - Genesis 49: 9
Israel foretells that Judah and his descendants would have the regal and prevailing power of a lion. As a lion that perceives, pursues, and kills its prey, and feeds satisfyingly upon it in the undisturbed security of its own power, so the kings of Judah would prevail in the exercise of their sovereign authority so long as they remained faithful to the Lord. The King of kings from the tribe of Judah similarly sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high when He had prevailingly accomplished the salvation of His people (Heb. 1:3).
Wednesday, May 21st - Genesis 49: 10
The prophecy of Israel in this verse sharpens its focus so that the blessings and powers of the tribe of Judah are seen to be concentrated in the Lion of Judah. To our surprise and wonder we learn that the image of the kingly and conquering lion transforms into the image of a human king who rules perpetually. The name given to this king is Shiloh, a Messianic title meaning, to whom it belongs, thus indicating that Christ is the only rightful and perpetual King of His people. The term Shiloh is also closely related to the Hebrew word, Shalom, meaning peace. Hence, the Lion of the tribe of Judah is God incarnate, the Son of God who came as Jesus, the Lamb of God, to take away the sin of His people. Read Revelation 5:5,6 to see this same transformation from lion to lamb. It is by the Lamb of God slain for our sins that the Lion of Judah accomplishes our deliverance from the dominion of sin and establishes peace between God and all those redeemed by this Lamb. Those so redeemed render grateful and perpetual obedience to their redeeming Lord.
Thursday, May 22nd - Genesis 49: 11, 12
Israel’s prophecy proceeds from the person of Shiloh to the results of His saving work and sovereign rule. The Messiah is shown to be the source of abundant milk and wine. All of the nourishing and life-sustaining necessities are contained in the image of milk. Christ is the source of our daily bread that sustains our bodies, and He is the source of all that sustains our souls, such as propitiation, justification, and sanctification. All of the joy-inspiring blessings are contained in the image of wine, such as the loving adoption of God and our rich and glorious inheritance in heaven. Both of these images are shown to flow from Christ in abundance. Nor is the wine considered a mere luxury, for it is mentioned first and is shown to be abundantly enjoyed by the Messiah and dispensed by Him. It was for the joy set before Him that Christ endured the agonies of the cross (Heb. 12:2). This joy of the Lord has been, is now, and always will be the sustaining strength of His people (Neh. 8:10).
Friday, May 23rd - Genesis 49: 13-21
None of the six sons that are mentioned in vv.13-21 were as sinfully notorious as were Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, nor were any of them as noble as Judah. Between the greatest and least in the kingdom of God is the majority of those redeemed by Christ who have their share and place among the covenant people. These sons have different mothers but the same father, Israel. They were listed in Gen. 30 in order of their birth. However, that order is changed here in Gen. 49. Many who are naturally first will be last in the kingdom of God’s grace. We can also trace out the developing fortunes of these sons when we compare what is foretold of them here by Israel with what Moses declares concerning them in Deut. 33. The Church of God is a rich and varied tapestry of diverse characters forged into a loving and beautiful unity by the saving grace of the Lord.
Saturday, May 24th - Genesis 49: 13
Zebulun was the sixth son born to Leah after she had borne Issachar. Here Zebulun is listed ahead of his older brother. His name means honor, as his mother had declared…now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons. (Gen. 30:20). The unloved wife of Jacob produced the patriarch’s worst sons (Reuben, Simeon, and Levi) as well as his son destined for highest greatness (Judah), and two sons between these extremes. All that is prophesied of Zebulun is his place of dwelling. His tribe would be settled with part of its western border on the Mediterranean Sea. In Josh. 19:11 (KJV) we learn that the portion of land assigned to Zebulun by lot did reach to the sea. Thus we have Israel’s prophecy and its fulfillment in Joshua’s day perfectly fitting. Through this prophecy, inspired by the Lord and confirmed by the Lord’s determination of the lot, the descendants of Zebulun would have no doubt that the Lord had assigned them their territory, small in land area though it was (see a Bible map of the tribes’ territories). Whenever the Lord assigns our portion, we can say with David, Thou dost support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. (Ps. 16:5,6).
Sunday, May 25th - Genesis 49: 14, 15
Issachar, Leah’s fifth son, is likened to a firm or strong donkey, which was a beast of burden. Yet, it is his restful contentment that precedes his labors, and he is pictured as working productively from the refreshing foundation of that rest. The reference to his becoming a slave engaged in forced labor has led some to conclude the allusion to rest and pleasantness in these verses as being indicative of the tendency to sensuality and indolence among the members of this tribe Yet, in Deut. 33:18,19, the tribe of Issachar is pictured as being diligent in worship and productive at work. Tola, a man of Issachar, saved Israel from her oppressing enemies and judged the covenant nation for 23 years (Jud. 10:1,2). The best and most fruitful service is rendered from one’s vital experience of the peace of the Lord’s grace and the rest that all who are burdened find in Christ (Mt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:11).
Monday, May 26th - Genesis 49: 16-21
These verses deal with four of Jacob’s sons born to him by the maids of his wives, Leah and Rachel. To Rachel’s maid, Bilhah, were born Dan and Naphtali, while to Leah’s maid, Zilpah, were born Gad and Asher. Bilhah had both of her sons before Zilpah had hers. Yet in this listing they are set in order of Bilhah’s first-born, then Zilpah’s two sons in order of their birth, and finally Bilhah’s second-born son. The significance of this re-arranged order may not be known by anyone but the Lord until the final day when we know even as we are known. What we can see and know now is that our Lord’s redeeming grace is such that it incorporates sinners and the children resulting from sinful actions into His covenant people. Such is the power of the Lord’s gracious love and just accomplishment of redemption that no one is too tainted by original or actual sin to be beyond the reach of salvation and adoption into the family of God.
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Christian Education
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