For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Gen. 21
I am lost as to the purpose of this story about the pact and covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. I believe everything in the Bible is there for a reason and means something, II just have no idea what that is in this case. My suspicion is that it has something to do with the well at Beersheba, which means, “Well of the Oath” or Seven Wells”. I know the Bible makes mention of Beersheba in other places, so I will try to keep this story in mind when I run across the name. Perhaps God will grant me some understanding.
Matt. 20
Grace is not fair, either to the giver or to the receiver. Grace costs the giver what he does not owe and gives the receiver what he does not deserve. I think that is part of the point in Jesus’ parable of the vineyard laborers. We tend to see this parable on a time line, meaning that those who come to Christ on their death bed receive the same salvation as those who served Him their entire life. I think it is more than that, though. Salvation is a gift of grace; not something that we work for at all. So perhaps this parable also shows us that salvation is not the result of our efforts. The last – the one who worked the least– is the one who truly receives God’s grace. Working longer or harder does not add to it.
Of course by “work”, I’m not talking about our actions and the way we live our lives. I am talking about our own efforts at righteousness. In fact, the other thing about grace is that it is a gift of God and, as such, we don’t truly receive it until we give it away. Which means that we, too, give what we don’t owe to those who don’t deserve it. We see that aspect in Jesus’ comments later in this chapter. When we serve those under our authority, we offer God’s grace to others. It seems backwards and unfair by our standards, but somehow the ones who give more of what they don’t owe receive more of the good they don’t deserve. That’s God’s grace.
Neh. 10
I like the descriptor that Nehemiah threw in regarding those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God. He called them, “all those who had knowledge and understanding” (from Neh. 10:28). Indeed, those who know God understand that the wisdom of man is not wise. Thus, they turn from their human nature and commit themselves to the wisdom of God.