Bible Reading: Genesis 22 | Matthew 22 | Psalm 22
Devotional for January 30, 2025
Reading: Genesis 22 | Matthew 22 | Psalm 22
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Genesis 22
Genesis 22 is another one of those chapters in the Genesis record that everyone should know. Several thematic elements in this chapter point us to the Lord Jesus. First, note that God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son in the land of Moriah. That command has significant markers pointing to the necessity of sacrifice, as God would specify in Exodus and throughout the Bible. Mt. Moriah is the key identifier as it is the place where the Temple of Solomon was built (See. 2 Chron. 3:1). The Tabernacle, and later, the temple, was the throne of God on earth. There, his people would come to worship him, offer sacrifices to him, and have their sins atoned through the shedding of the blood of an animal. The command to Abraham sets the stage for the events that will take place in this chapter.
Second, note the obedience of the servant of the Lord. In chapter 21, we witnessed God’s faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac in the giving of a son of his seed who would carry the covenant line forward. Many years later (Isaac was probably a young man at this point in the narrative), God gives a command to end the life of the covenant seed. Note the expression, “Take your son, your only son…” That expression has clear New Testament connections applied to the Lord Jesus Christ (See Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 3:16; Eph. 1:6; 2 Pet. 1:17). Earlier, we saw how God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith alone. “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Now we see Abraham’s faith in action. James refers to this even in James 2:14-26. Third, we note the substitutionary atonement of the LORD when he replaces Isaac with the ram. That, of course, pictures the Passover Lamb’s willingness to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of his people. Though we should have been sacrificed for our sin, he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). The chapter closes with another ratification of the covenant promise.
Matthew 22
This chapter continues some various temple discourses given by Christ. For today’s devotional, we will look at only two of them. First, the teaching regarding paying taxes to Caeser (22:15-22). That section of Matthew’s gospel has often been used to substantiate the obligation of citizens to pay taxes to the government. Although that is not untrue, the real point is that we owe him everything as image-bearers of God. The point is pressed in 22:21 when Jesus tells them to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. The issue hinges on Jesus's point when he asks the question about the coin. He asks, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The structure of the sentence points back to Gen. 1:27, where we read, “So God created man in his own image.” Since the coin belongs to Caesar (because of its inscription), all humanity belongs to God because we are inscribed with his image. Therefore, in the same way, you render to Caesar that which belongs to him, all humanity is to render to God that which belongs to him. As Christians, this emphasis is more clearly offered and required. As redeemed people, we are to live our lives to the glory of God, primarily because of what he has done for us. We are reminded of that truth in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end iis to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (1 Cor. 10:31; Ps. 73:25-26).
The second section of importance in this chapter has to do with the issue of the greatest commandment (22:34-40). Jesus is tested and asked, “which is the greatest commandment?” He answers directly from the Shema of Israel (Deut. 6:5). That is, our purpose in life is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The summation of the moral law is contained within these words. But, of course, we fall short of that command. None of us have ever loved God in this manner. That is why we need a Redeemer. Jesus goes on to add that the second is like the first, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
God's moral law contained in the Ten Commandments can be divided according to these heads: the first four commandments belong to the first command to love God. The second six commandments belong to the second command to love neighbor. Therefore, we are to love God and love others. When we are purposing to do these things, we keep the entirety of the moral law. As Christians, that should be our goal and delight. We should pray for that desire each day. We should ask the Father in heaven to give us what he commands. Therefore, pray, “Father, we know that we fall short of your moral law and all that it demands of us, but as your redeemed people, we have been gifted your Spirit to obey you in thought, word, and deed. Therefore, holy God, help us love you and others as you have commanded. Amen.
Psalm 22
Psalm 22 is another of the Messianic Psalms. It is lengthy and describes King David's anguish. It can be applied to servants of the Lord who are suffering in various ways. There are many interpretations of this Psalm, but the essential items are as follows:
· The anguish of the psalmists is evident. Take note of the words in 22:1-2, 6-7, 12-118. These verses are deeply personal. Many of us know something of this level of pain and sorrow.
· The appeal of the psalmist is evident. Take note of 22:1. The anguish turns to prayer and the object of his appeal is the God of heaven. We must go to our God in times of deep distress.
· The nature of the anguish appears to be evildoers and enemies. We see that in 22:7, 12-13, 16. We live in a fallen world. There are evil people outside the church, but they also exist in the visible church.
· The resolution of the problems facing the psalmist is offered. See 22:19-31. God does hear from his people. He does not ignore them in their time of struggle.
Applications:
Deep distress and struggle is part of the human condition because of the fall into sin. Yet, our God hears us when we cry out to him.
Sometimes, we feel like the psalmist. Sometimes, we think God is far off. He isn’t. He hears us when we cry out to him.
The resolution to our distress is coming. It may not come for a long time. It may come today. It will certainly come at the appearance of the Lord.