One Year Bible Readings And Commentary for January 23rd Jacob's Journey to Egypt, Jacob Blesses Pharaoh, and Joseph's Brothers Settle in Goshen, Jesus Teaches on what is "Clean" and "Unclean" and Heals a Gentile Woman's Daughter
Click Here to Listen to the 4 Readings
Click Here to Read Genesis 46:1-47:31
Jacob's Journey to Egypt
Jacob left everything behind to say goodbye to his son, Joseph and to say goodbye to this world. He packed up all his stuff (you can't take it with you!) and headed to Beersheba.
"Israel’s grandfather Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba many years before and had called on the name of the LORD there (Genesis 21:33). Isaac received a special promise from God and built an altar for sacrifice there, calling on the name of the LORD (Genesis 26:24-25). It was probably at this very place Israel sacrificed, remembering what God had done before." (Guzik)
We see a genealogy of Jacob's sons. His lineage was an affirmation of God's covenant with Abraham, he would bless Him and his descendants through Issac the promised son.
Specifically, God had brought Jacob's family down to Egypt and through Joseph's leadership and faithfulness to God, God brought them everything thing needed to grow and prosper during a nationwide famine.
"God told Israel what His purpose was in bringing this large family or clan down to Egypt. Because of the exclusive, segregated nature of Egyptian life, Israel’s descendants could grow as a large, distinct nation there. Egypt became like a mother’s womb to Israel as a nation, where they grew from something small to something to full size."
Jacob, however, knew that Egypt would not be the home of his descendants. He knew their eventual home would be in the land of Canaan.
Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen
Jacob and Joseph finally meet in a tearful reunion. It was the last wish of Jacob's life before he died. Then, Joseph told Jacob he was going to tell Pharaoh that they had arrived and brought all their flocks with them, as they were shepherds. When Pharaoh came to them, they would assure Pharaoh that their sole purpose was to raise and shepherd the flocks they had brought, so he would not they had no ulterior motive.
Jacob Blesses Pharaoh
This is a a very interesting part of the story. We have seen all along Pharaoh's kindness and generosity toward Joseph and his family at every turn. Even when Joseph was interpreting Pharoah's dreams, Pharoah knew that God was with him. And, of course, Joseph made sure to give full credit to God so Pharaoh would not think it was him, unlike his own magicians
When Pharaoh meets Jacob and his brothers, the Pharaoh is pleased and tells them to take any of the land that Joseph approves of. And if they are so skilled in handling livestock, he would love their help as well. When Joseph presents his father Jacob to Pharaoh, Pharoah asks him how old he was. Jacob tells him 130 years, and then blesses Pharaoh.
The blessing so fulfilled the covenant and blessing he made with Abraham, when he said to him in Genesis 12:2, "I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing to all nations." In this case through Joseph, God blessed Pharaoh and his people, and now his father Jacob was blessing him too!
"God had a place for His people. He didn’t bring them to Egypt and give them no home. It wasn’t enough for Joseph to provide for their needs in Canaan; he had to bring them to the place he prepared for them.We see Jesus in both aspects – He takes care of us in the present, but has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us – and will receive us to Himself." (Guzik)
Click Here to Read Matthew 15:1-28
Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity
We have seen the run-in Jesus had with the Pharisees regarding the true spirit of the Sabbath Law. Today, they call Jesus on the fact that his disciples did not do the ceremonial handwashing before meals. Since they are on the subject of disobedience, Jesus decides to point out what real disobedience looks like. Like when they dishonored their parents by not helping them out financially. The rationalized that they had given the money in the offering in the temple instead. But Jesus knows their hearts.
"If they declared that all their possessions or savings were a gift to God that were especially dedicated to Him, they could then say that their resources were unavailable to help their parents." (Guzik)
“This convenient declaration apparently left the property actually still at the disposal of the one who made the vow, but deprived his parents of any right to it.” (France)
Jesus summarizes their gross hypocrisy by saying,
"And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?" verse 3
There is nothing wrong with tradition as long as it doesn't conflict with the Word of God. Instead of allowing the bible to inform their tradition, the religious leaders used tradition to control the people to do what they wanted them to do.
Jesus quotes Isaiah with a verse that is equally important today as it was back then,
"These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."" Isaiah 29:13
Finally, defines true purity is shown by what comes out of a person, not by what they put into themselves. For the things that come out of a persons, their words and actions, are informed by their hearts. Though we should be careful what we put into our bodies, it doesn't make us anymore pure or impure in His sight. Jesus gets graphic and says, "What you put into your body goes in and comes out in the sewer." But it is from the heart where all evil thoughts come from. I.e. lust, adultery, greed, anger, betrayal and show someone's true heart conditon.
Washing one's hands before a meal has nothing to do with this!
Faith of a Gentile Woman
Finally, we see a woman who Jesus says "Has great faith". The way she addresses Jesus shows us her faith and correct understanding of who Jesus is. She says, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
Note she starts by asking Jesus to have mercy on her. She realizes she is not entitled to anything. She calls Jesus. "Lord". She calls him,"the Son of David", which was his Messianic title. Even after Jesus goes to dismiss her saying that he needs to first go to the children of Israel, and give them the food first. She says, "But even dogs get the food which comes off their master's table." At that moment her daughter is healed.
This won't be the first or last time someone who is not expected to have faith, has faith, and visa versa. And not the last time a Gentile, who is not expected to know God, knows Jesus' true identity.
The psalmist shows us that if we want to know what God is like we only need to look at this creation.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world. verses 1-4
Take some time tonight at sunset, or if you wake up early at sunrise and give thanks to God for his creation. Give thanks to God for he made you and those you love. And give thanks to God he sent His Son to show us His great love for us by dying on a cross. With as beautiful as it is here, I can't wait to see what heaven looks like.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
As you start your week, may your path, the steps you take this week, be led by the Son and His Spirit who lives in you. By the way you live, you will bring light to the world this week.
"What Now" Study Questions:
'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.' (Psalm 19:14) Ask the Holy Spirit to watch your words and thoughts closely and reveal those that are not pleasing to the Father.
Joseph is reunited with his father. The New Testament speaks of a day of joyous reunion as well, the day of Christ's return.
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