Bible Reading: Genesis 2 | Matthew 2 | Psalm 2
Devotional for January 2, 2025
Reading: Genesis 2 | Matthew 2 | Psalm 2
Genesis 2
Most scholars regard Genesis 2 as a microscopic look into the creation of man. It is also another account of the creation of our first parents. Additionally, this chapter highlights the nature and importance of the Sabbath and marriage.
2:1-3
This section highlights the importance of the Sabbath day. That day is significant and set aside by God for the express purpose of worshiping him. On the other six days, God called his work “good.” On the seventh day, no such reference is made. Instead, he calls it holy – a day set apart from the other activities accompanying creation week. A second significant observation in this section is the absence of the phrase “evening and morning,” which is connected to the other days of creation. There is a good reason for that: the seventh day is the day of worship, and worship never ends. Man was made on the sixth day to worship God on the seventh. All of our life is to be an act of worship, and we were made to glorify God with everything we do, say, or think (1 Cor. 10:31; WSC 1).
2:4-17
In this section, we have another rendering of the creation of our first parents. Adam, who was formed from the dust of the ground, and Eve, who was made from man, is the focus. First, note that God takes special care in creating our first parents – in creating humans. Unlike the other acts of creation, God does not merely speak man into existence but fashions him from the dust of the ground. Second, the man was made by God as body and soul. That is significant when considering the often-heard idea that the body holds no importance, but only the soul is of value. The fact is that both are important. God makes both body and soul and should be treated with dignity and honor. Second, note that God gives life to man. This is likely a direct act of the third person of the trinity as the life-giving member of the Godhead. Third, note that our first parents were made outside the garden and then brought into the garden where they would dwell with God. There is an intimacy displayed as the Creator desires to dwell with and commune with the crown jewel of his creation. Fourth, note the command given by God to our first parents: You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die” (2:16).
2:18-24
In this section, we find God establishing the institution of marriage. The issue is simple enough to understand. God commissioned Adam to name all the animals brought to him. As he did so, he realized that he was unique. As a result, Adam was alone among all the earth’s creatures. God saw that this was not good for him, provided him with a suitable helper, and made Eve from his own body. As a result, God officiated the first wedding in the garden and joined them as husband and wife – one flesh, forever.
Applications:
1. The Lord’s Day (or Christian Sabbath) has fallen on hard times in the church. It is misunderstood and devalued. Yet, Gen. 2 highlights it as essential and holy in the life of God’s creatures. It is the day of worship, and, as such, it ought to be treated that way. We should live our lives framing every aspect of it around the day God framed creation.
2. God took special care in making man. He did it with his own hands. He gave to man a body and a soul that will live forever. The bodies we possess today will be resurrected and glorified when the Lord returns. The body is not a throw-away device. It is vital, as the soul is vital, and should be treated with dignity and honor.
3. Marriage is an institution of God, not one designed by the civil magistrate. Therefore, God sets the terms regarding marriage, and they must be followed. A biblical, God-honoring marriage is between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, our culture rejects that truth and demonstrates its rebellion against God, who gave marriage as a gift for their mutual edification.
Matthew 2
The main focus of this second chapter is the visit of the wise men, who followed the star to where Christ was living. The thematic structure of this chapter parallels that of Exodus 2 when the king of Egypt sought to destroy the Christ-like child in the person of Moses.
2:1-12
This section highlights the cultural battle between those who would adore and worship the Lord Jesus and those who seek to destroy him. The wise men are moved to follow a star of unknown origin to the place where the Christ child lived. Their whole purpose in their journey was to worship the King born to save his people from their sins. On the other hand, Herod acted in nefarious ways, seeking to destroy the child and protect his reign as king. In these verses, we have the seed of the serpent seeking to destroy the seed of the woman (See Gen. 3:15), and we have that demonstrated by two opposing kings. The first is a king of human and earthly origin; the other is the true King and Sovereign.
2:13- 23
This section highlights the protection of the Christ child through a dream given to Joseph. This warning fulfills Old Testament prophecy and highlights an essential theme of the Bible: That Jesus Christ is the true Son of God and a people would be delivered through him. The flight to Egypt parallels the flight of the patriarch Jacob, who moved his family to Egypt during a great famine, where they would reside for 430 years. God remembered his promise and called his son (Israel) out of bondage in Egypt, delivering them from the evil schemes of the Pharaoh, who sought to destroy the Christ-like figure Moses.
After this deliverance, the family of the Savior took up residence in Nazareth.
Applications:
1. There will always be an irreconcilable war between those who desire to follow and worship the Lord Jesus and those who refuse. The war has been raging since the Fall of Genesis 3. The battle is spiritual, and we wrestle against spiritual forces and principalities in the heavenly places.
2. As the true Son is delivered, so will all those who hope and trust in him. As the people of old listened to the voice of God given through Moses, we listen to the greater Moses, the Lord Jesus, and are rescued from our sin and misery through his redeeming work.
Psalm 2
Psalm 2 can be divided into four stanzas and focuses on one major theme: the coronation of the King. Many have regarded it as a “coronation Psalm,” as it was likely sung at the coronation of King David. We can’t be sure, but we can be sure of one thing: this Psalm points to the identity of the true King who will rule the world with might and power.
2:1-3
This section of the Psalm describes the rebellion the rulers of the earth display against the true King of heaven. In David’s day, many fought against him and the anointed of the Lord. In our day, we see this fight not with swords or spears but with actions and laws. The leaders of the world all hold their positions because of the true king, the God of heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom. 13). This rebellion is described in vivid terms: they rage, plot, and counsel together. There is a concerted effort to overthrow the true King even if they do not know that is their plan.
2:4-6
This section describes the response of the God of heaven towards those who rebel against him. In some sense, the response is humorous, but it is so because it best captures the folly of the creatures who seek to overthrow the rule and reign of the God of heaven, the true King. Note that the one who responds “sits in the heavens.” That is, he sits on the throne of the universe and, from there, rules and reigns over all things. This is a display of both his sovereignty and calm. God rules. He does whatever he pleases (Psa. 115:3) but also does so as he is seated. He doesn’t get nervous about what man might do. Second, he holds them in derision. To hold someone in derision is to “ridicule or mock.” The true King knows the folly of the rulers of the earth to oppose him and his rule and kingdom. This mocking is displayed, third, by laughter. The true King is not concerned. He merely laughs at the feeble efforts of man to overthrow his rule and throne. The followers of this true King should remember his response during times of struggle when the leaders of this world seek to overthrow the Gospel and the mandates of the Word of God. Finally, the God of heaven appoints a true King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2:7-9
This section identifies the true King appointed by the Almighty: the Savior of sinners, the Lord Jesus. As God-man, he will be given all authority on heaven and earth. All people, including the kings of this world, will bow and confess that he is Lord. He will rule with a rod of iron, and the extent of his kingdom will have no end.
2:10-12
This section is a gospel message. It calls the world's leaders to be wise and acknowledge the rightful reign of the true King, the Lord Jesus.
Applications:
1. Wicked people and unregenerate rulers will always work against the cause of Christ and the Gospel. They may not know it, but they will because of their sin.
2. The God of heaven is not worried about what man may do. He does not fret or grow anxious. He is using them to accomplish his purposes in this world.
3. The faithful followers of the true King do not have to worry about what man may do. They only need to trust the one with all power, authority, and dominion. He is guiding his church to the place of the New Heavens and New Earth.
4. It is not only the rulers of this world who need to fear, but everyone. You will perish if you do not know the true King and place your hope in him. However, if you do, you will be blessed because “blessed are all those who take refuge in him.”