Today’s readings are from Genesis 46, Mark 16, Job 12 and Romans 16.
In Genesis 46 Jacob prepares to take his family to Egypt. God re-affirms His covenant with Jacob in v. 3…
3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”
When you are worried about the future and what it holds, just remember the promises of God.
So Jacob left Beersheba for Egypt, taking everything and everyone with him. Judah led the way to Goshen (v. 28) and Jacob and Joseph had a tearful reunion (vv. 29-30).
Shepherds have always gotten a bad rap (vv. 33-34).
Mark 16…He lives! Vv. 1-8 recounts Jesus’ resurrection, the only one who rose from the dead never to die again, the One with the power of indestructible life.
Many early versions of Mark do not have vv. 9-20. See Daniel Wallace’s video if your interested in an explanation of why these verses are noted as not in the oldest manuscripts.
Whether original or not, we need to take the gospel to the nations.
Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service; take it into your work, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; take it to your heart, and let that heart rise anew on Easter wings to a higher, a gladder, a fuller life; take it to the dear grave-side and say there the two words “Jesus lives!” and find in them the secret of calm expectation, the hope of eternal reunion.
–John Ellerton
Job 12 is Job’s answer to Zophar (and the others). He is very sarcastic (vv. 1-3). Can’t you just see the dripping sarcasm in v. 2?
“No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.”
Then he complains that they misunderstand him (vv. 4-6). He then explains his own understanding of who God is and how powerful He is (vv. 7-25).
As much as Job thinks that God has mistreated him, he continues to see God as intimately involved (vv. 9-10).
Romans 16 starts with a long list of names. As a leader Paul noticed people’s involvement and showed his appreciation.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. -Max DePree (Leadership Jazz)
Paul then shares some final instructions with the Romans. The focus is upon dissension within the church, a common problem. Much of the time, dissenters are serving “their own appetites,” their own preferences (v. 18).
Verse 19 calls us to be experts is good and not even novices in evil.
Verse 20 picks up on the proto-evangelium in Genesis 3:16 and says…
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
One day our Prince will come and defeat our great enemy once and for all!
Grace Still Amazes 