For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Gen. 33
Wow – both Esau and Jacob made a statement you seldom hear. Both said, “I have plenty.” I’m sure this isn’t the intended life application in this chapter of Jacob’s story, but it still caught my attention. To me it is a statement of contentment, gratitude, and proper priorities. It is something I want to be able to say whether I have a lot or a little and whether my circumstances are easy or hard. Because I have God, I always have plenty.
Mark 4
Jesus said, “By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.” (Mk. 4:24b). I had the thought that this statement can work in both a negative and a positive way. On the negative side, I think of the truth that when you point a judgmental finger at somebody else, you have three fingers pointing back at you. That sounds like getting back more of the same that you gave to me. Paul also takes this thought a step farther by saying that if you judge others by the law, you, too, will be judged by the law. And I think it’s safe to say that the judgment of a righteous God will far exceed anything you dished out to others.
We see the positive side of this statement a little better in Luke’s gospel. Luke recorded Jesus’ words as, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Lk. 6:38). Thus, the thought is that when we give generously to others we find that we receive even more from the gift than we gave. When I put this truth together with the first, I see that when we ‘judge’ others by God’s mercy rather than the law, generously passing along the grace He so freely and abundantly gave to us, His grace multiplies even more in us.
Est. 9-10
I see so much of God’s redemption plan in this story of Esther. There is Mordecai, who went from a lowly position to second only to the king. I catch more than a glimpse of Jesus represented in this man, “one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.” (Est. 10:3b). Then there is Haman, the enemy of the Jews, and his sons, who, “schemed against the Jews to destroy them.” (From Est. 9:24).He sounds a whole lot like Satan, who seeks to destroy all of God’s people. And there were the Jews, who, “gained the mastery over those who hated them. (Est. 9:1c). Included with the Jews were all the king’s officials, who assisted them because of Mordecai. This is much like the victory that lies in store for all who surrender to Christ’s authority, both Jew and Gentile.