Today’s reading: Gen 49:1–50:26, Heb 12:1–13:25, Eccles 12:9–14

Today’s theme: Lay aside the weight

We are called to lay aside the burdensome weight of sin and the unnecessary things which may not be sin, but slow and weigh us down, so that we can freely run the race set before us. Jesus, the promised Messiah from the tribe of Judah, has called us to peace and holiness, so let us run with that in mind.

Genesis 49:1–50:26

Judah, the line of Messiah

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his … Genesis 49:8–12 (ESV)

Here is a great Davidic and Messianic prophecy and clear evidence of God’s election in spite of Judah’s mistakes. We cannot ignore that Judah put his life on the line for Benjamin.

Hebrews 12:1–13:25

Lay aside the weight

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

These are different for everyone, Lord help each of us to identify these so that we can lay them aside. We do not want to run the race weighed down with shortcomings.

Work for peace

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)Strive and work hard for peace and holiness.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Prayer points from Pastor Dennis on Hebrews 12

Desiring God on Hebrews 12