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