Today’s reading: Gen 28:1–29:35, Matt 21:23–22:22, Eccles 7:1–5

Today’s theme: Fruitful Priest’s

We are called to live fruitful lives as God’s priest’s, messengers and ambassadors here on earth, representing His kingdom. When we consider the fact that we all only have a certain amount of time to live (each of us will die one day), we will live our lives in a productive and fruitful way each day.

Genesis 28:1–29:35

Jesus, the only way

And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 28:13–14 (ESV)

God affirms His promise concerning the land and the people, to Jacob, just like He had done to Isaac and Abraham. The vision of the ladder also points to Jesus who is the only way to God.

God is active

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15 (ESV)

God doesn’t just see the future, He actively brings His will to pass. This truth should fill us with hope and faith in Him.

Praise the Lord

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. Genesis 29:35 (ESV)

God blessed Leah with four sons. When each one was born she hoped that her relationship with Jacob would improve, but with the forth son her focus was no longer on her reluctant husband but on the Lord and she praises God for remembering and blessing her despite man’s hate and indifference.

Matthew 21:23–22:22

Be obedient

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Matthew 21:30 (ESV)

Agreeing with God verbally and mentally means nothing if we do not obey Him

Be a fruitful priest to God

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. Matthew 21:43 (ESV)

Jesus is dealing with the religious leaders in Israel at this point, who failed to produce fruit for God. This marks the end of the Jewish leaders’ role in mediating God’s authority as His priests, this then became the responsibility of every believer in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. We must seek to have fruitful lives that bring God pleasure.

Tell everyone

Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ Matthew 22:9 (ESV)

The call to salvation is to all, we should tell everyone.

The chosen

For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 (ESV)

Many are invited but as in the parable, many refuse to come, while others try to come on their own terms and do not truly submit to God and His kingdom, proving themselves to be false converts and are rejected like the man in the parable. Those who remain at the wedding are the chosen.

Ecclesiastes 7:1–5

We all die

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV)

One day each of us will die. We should not bury our heads in the sand as if this will never happen… it will. We must take note and live our lives in light of that reality, we should leave a good name behind us.

Use time wisely

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:4 (ESV)

The wise are conscious of death, while the foolish think only of temporal pleasures. The wisdom of acknowledging death will teach us to number our days, use our time wisely and avoid sin.

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

Additional resources

Wisdom Through Suffering

Today’s Reading: Gen 27:1–46, Matt 20:17–21:22, Eccles 6:5–12

Today’s Theme: Ask in prayer

We learn today that we should not rely on our own plans and power but that we should ask God to guide and provide for us as we serve Him and others in joy. We find true satisfaction in God alone.

Genesis 27:1–46

The folly of hating the Jews

Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” Genesis 27:29 (ESV)

This is why being anti-Jewish (anti-Semitic) is not only sinful but foolish because it is self destructive. This is like the promise God had made to Abraham.

Matthew 20:17–21:22

God was not surprised

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” Matthew 20:18–19 (ESV)

Jesus was very aware of what would happen to Him, none of it came as a surprise. God knows everything, past, present and future… nothing surprises Him or is outside His control. Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection was not a tragedy, it was God’s great victory.

Joyfully serve

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26–28 (ESV)

To lead like Jesus in God’s kingdom, we should joyfully serve God and others from a sincere heart.

True ministry

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. Matthew 21:14 (ESV)

Once Jesus had cleared the temple of the traders (prosperity gospel etc.), then true ministry could take place.

Ask in prayer

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22 (ESV)

What an awesome promise! Lord help us not to be swallowed up by pragmatism and our own schemes in getting things done, please help us to ask in prayer and keep on asking in faith until we receive, in accordance with Your good will.

Ecclesiastes 6:5–12

Jesus brings satisfaction

All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. Ecclesiastes 6:7 (ESV)

We will only find satisfaction in Jesus if our appetite is directed towards Him.

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

Additional resources

DG resources on prayer