M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan, February 8

Today’s readings are from Genesis 41, Mark 11, Job 7 and Romans 11.

In Genesis 41 Joseph finally gets his opportunity.  Pharoah has dreams which bother him but his wise men couldn’t interpret them.  Joseph could and did.  Joseph was careful to give the credit to God in v. 28 “God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do” and in v. 32 “And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.”

Joseph also had a plan (vv. 33-36) which pleased Pharoah (v. 37) and Pharoah made Joseph second-in-command to carry out these plans–which would save Egypt, make them a power, and save Joseph’s family as well.

Take every opportunity to give God the credit for His providence.

Mark 11:1-11 is Mark’s account of the triumphal entry.

Mark chose to record four events: the Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11), the cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14), the cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:15-19), and the lesson of the cursed fig tree (Mark 11:20-25).  These events happened on three successive days (Monday through Wednesday) as the writer noted.

The cursing of the fig tree, when it appeared it should have fruit, illustrates the cursing of the nation for not bearing the fruit of repentance and faith in their Messiah.

Tom Constable notes:

“Withered from the roots” means that death was spreading through the tree beginning from its sources of nourishment.  The roots of the tree correspond to the religious leaders of the nation.  Death would pass from them to the whole generation of unbelieving Jews.”

In Job 7:1-6 Job is describing his miseries.  But Job begins to pray (7:7-21).

If Romans 9 presents Israel’s past and Romans 10 her present, Romans 11 speaks of Israel’s future.  Paul explains that Israel’s rejection is not final (11:1-10).  There is always a remnant.  Paul then describes that Gentiles can be saved because of Israel, because of their rejection.  But he goes on to explain that the inclusion of Gentiles is to drive Israel to jealousy, so that they will be saved.  Eventually, “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), which I take to mean all surviving Jews at the end of the tribulation.  On reflection of God’s display of sovereign mercy Paul bursts into praise (11:33-36).