Bible Reading: Genesis 10 | Matthew 10 | Psalm 10
Devotional for January 14, 2025
Reading: Genesis 10 | Matthew 10 | Psalm 10
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Genesis 10
Genesis 10 is known as the "Table of Nations," highlighting Noah's descendants, specifically Noah's sons. The genealogy of this chapter sets the stage for chapter eleven and the thematic issue of the city of man versus the city of God that continues the seed of the serpent and seed of the woman theme that began in Gen. 3. The phrase "these are the generations" is a grammatical marker indicating the start of a new section in the narrative.
10:2-5
Japheth's descendants are listed first and represent the coastland people. There is nothing more said about these people.
10:6-20
Ham's descendants receive more attention than the other sons of Noah. His descendants represent a large portion of what will be the enemies of the people of God (E.g., Egyptians, Babylonians, etc.). The city of Babel is mentioned and will become the focus of the next chapter.
10:21-32
These verses list the descendants of Shem and from whom Abraham is descended. The Abrahamic narrative takes center stage in Gen. 12. Shem is significant since his name is constructed from the Hebrew root, which means "name." Shem is in the line of the seed of the woman. That importance will be evident in chapter eleven.
Matthew 10
Matthew 10 contains two main sections. The first (10:15) is a continuation of the remarks made by the Savior in 9:35-38. In that section, we note how Jesus calls his disciples to himself and then sends them out to do the work of the ministry. The list of the disciples is included in this section, beginning with the three men (Note: Andrew is included as he is related to Peter) who served in the inner circle of the Savior. A few things to note: first, these men were all very different. Peter was married. Matthew was a tax collector. James and John are brothers. Many of them were fishermen, and most had a mediocre education. Yet, the Savior called all of them to serve him as those he sent. Second, it is important to note that the Lord sent them. They did not run ahead, devising their plans for "doing ministry." They were called by the Lord and then sent by him. In the church today, many run ahead, thinking they are called to serve in the work of the ministry when, in fact, they may not be. They do not submit themselves to training or service, first in the local church and then by elders who properly examine them. Instead, they act on independent desires and zeal. The model of the New Testament strikes against that notion. Men are called, and then men are sent. Men do not call themselves to serve in the ministry. Men like that should be considered with a great deal of caution.
The following sections contain the bulk of the Savior's teaching, mainly to the disciples he sends out into the world. In this section, we take note of the Lord's teaching on persecution, fear, peace, and rewards. Consider it the disciple's first seminary class as the Lord seeks to guide them and protect them from the dangers and difficulties of ministerial life. It is a lesson they will learn slowly, but they will eventually learn it.
Applications:
Beware men who run ahead and have never been sent to pastor or shepherd the church. Those men are typically independent thinkers who lack submission to the church. There may be exceptions, but the exceptions do not make the rule. The model of the New Testament is: "called, trained, sent."
All Christians will suffer for the name of Christ. Persecution is part of living faithful, godly lives.
It is impossible to have two masters. Serving Christ may put you at odds with relatives and friends. Choose Christ! It is better to die without friends and inherit the glories of heaven than to die popular with a myriad of friends and lose your soul.
Psalm 10
Psalm 10 is an emotional psalm and one that most Christians identify with from time to time. The psalm's opening words capture the writer's struggle, though we do not know the context or the author. David likely penned it due to the circumstances described, but we cannot be sure. There are four stanzas, the first being the shortest, though it sets the tone for the entire psalm.
10:1
Two questions are asked in this opening section. They are in parallel, the second line expanding further on the first. The question is asked by God's people from time to time, usually when life circumstances are seemingly unbearable. The writer of the psalm feels like God has abandoned him. He feels like God has withdrawn, hiding from his servant at a time when he needs him the most. Therefore, the psalm is a lament. But it doesn't end that way (See 10:17).
10:2-11
This stanza has many things to note, but the overarching theme is lamenting the wicked. Note how the psalmist describes them: arrogant, afflicting the poor (10:2), boastful (10:3), prideful atheists (10:4), apparently prospering in their arrogance (10:5), arrogant, thinking they will never be judged or meet with adversity (10:6, 9-11), and evil speech (10:7). Apparently, the writer observes these people. They trouble him because they are sinning against God and hurting others. It's no wonder the psalmist laments and cries out to the Lord. It's no wonder he asks, "Where are you?" "Why will you not act against the wicked?"
10:12-15
In this stanza, the writer petitions the Lord for help. He wants justice. He wants those oppressed to be vindicated. He wants what is wrong to be made right. As noted in the Psalms, the writer leaves vengeance to God. Though he is frustrated to the point of thinking God has abandoned him, he knows that he hasn't because he appeals to him in his despair. He appeals to the justice of God. When we witness such atrocities in this world – such as are described in 10:2-11, we should plead with God for repentance. However, if God does not grant it, we should ask him to judge them. God is not aloof. He sees the behavior of wicked people.
10:16-18
This stanza is the answer to the questions presented at the opening of the psalm. The Lord does hear. He is near to the afflicted. He knows their circumstances and will, eventually, bring judgment on those who harm others. It is comforting to know that our God is not hiding from us, though we may sometimes feel like it. Console yourself with the fact that God sees and is near and will rectify all that is evil in this world.
Applications:
There will be times when we feel that God is hiding. Sometimes he allows us to feel that way to drive us out of our self-reliance and cause us to seek his face. Remember, you may feel like God is hiding, but he isn't. Sometimes, you must preach the truth to yourself regardless of your feelings.
Because of sin, the world is full of evil people who harm others and offend a holy God. Rest assured, they are not getting away with their cruelty. They will be judged. Pray for their repentance. Pray for their eye and ears to be opened to the hope of the Gospel. Pray for justice that comes perfectly at the hands of the Just Judge.