Bible Reading: Genesis 29 | John 1 | Psalm 29
Devotional for February 10, 2025
Reading: Genesis 29 | John 1 | Psalm 29
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Genesis 29
Genesis 29 is the narrative account of Jacob's marriage to Leah and Rachel. The account is similar to the events found in chapter 24 when Abraham's servant sought a wife for Isaac. There are some differences. However, the most notable thing is that Jacob has never been recorded praying for a wife. However, through God's providence, Jacob is led to his two wives, although it is clear that Jacob had a greater love for Rachel than for Leah. Jacob, the deceiver, is deceived by his uncle and forced to marry Leah after serving him for seven years through an ironic twist of events. Subsequently, Jacob was forced to labor for Laban for another seven years for the wife he truly loved.
Jacob's love for Rachel and hatred for Leah launched a series of contests between the women as to who would give birth to more children for their husband. That will result in the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Throughout this chapter, it is essential to note the hand of providence, although there are evil acts on people's part. Throughout our lives, people will commit wicked things. Yet, though sinful in the eyes of God, those acts are designed for a purpose: to safeguard the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We experience evil actions and hurtful behavior from others. Those experiences are not pleasant to endure. We have all been there at one time or another. Yet, what is essential is that we always keep the hand of providence before us. To lose sight of that will lead to despair. Remind yourself often that these things, difficult as they may be, are governed by God and are designed to conform you to the image of Christ.
Questions to Consider:
Jacob's lack of prayer regarding a wife may make you think he was not yet a believer. What are your thoughts?
How is the treatment of Laban ironic in Jacob's life?
What is the doctrine of providence, and why is it so comforting for the Christian?
John 1
The Gospel according to John differs from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Synoptic means "to see together," which is why much of what is contained in those Gospel accounts is similar. John, however, is unusual. The account is framed around the various signs Jesus performed (E.g., 2:11, 23). John uses those signs to establish and prove his purpose in writing the Gospel. He writes, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31). Therefore, as you read through this Gospel, it is essential to always keep that purpose before you.
John 1 does not begin with the birth of Christ but with a clear statement of his pre-incarnate existence as the second person of the Trinity. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That Word is the divine "Logos" (Gk. "word). It is that Word in which all things were made, visible and invisible. John goes to great lengths to prove the deity of the Son in the first fourteen verses. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The word translated "dwelt" in the ESV is the Greek word for "tabernacled." The imagery harkens back to the Old Testament tabernacle in which the very presence of God dwelled amid the camp of his people.
Further, John explains how the Son "exegetes" or explains the Father. Therefore, if you want to know what God is like, look to the Son, who explains God. As God, he alone can express himself, and he does so through the incarnate Son (Cop. Heb. 1).
John also sets forth a testimony of others about the veracity of Jesus being the eternal Son. He does so through the witness of John the Baptist (1:19-34), the calling of the first disciples (1:35-42), and especially in the calling of Phili[p and Nathanael (1:43-51).
The importance of the deity of Christ cannot be overstated. It is a hallmark position within historic Christendom. If Jesus is not God come in the flesh, then we do not have a Savior, for he would need one. Only the perfect Lamb can save his people from their sins. Only God can atone for the sins that have stained us. No mere man can save. Only Christ. That is why one of the rallying cries of the Protestant Reformation was "Solus Christus" (Christ alone). It is not through indulgences, good works, our best efforts, or any other thing or person. Only Christ saves. Through his active and passive obedience, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, rescues sinners. Therefore, we look to him alone and trust his finished work as the God-man.
Questions and Applications:
Why is it so important that Jesus is both God and man?
Although John does not give an account of the birth of Christ, the virgin birth is essential to our salvation. Why?
How do John the Baptist's words and the first disciples' calling give evidence to John's assertion that Jesus is God?
Is it Christ alone that you depend? Evaluate your life, eliminate those things that distract you from Christ, and ask our heavenly Father for greater affection for the Savior.
Psalm 29
Psalm 29 is a Psalm of praise to God for his work of creation and his deliverance of hos people. The Psalm has five stanzas, but we will consider it in two parts.
29:1-4
In this section, God is to be praised for his mighty acts of creation. The first two verses frame the Psalm, exhorting us to worship God at all times as the one who holds all glory and power and the one who is holy. AS God, he is worthy of our praise and adoration every moment of every day. We ascribe to him worship when we faithfully work on our jobs and serve around our homes, the church, and the community. To ascribe something is to attribute something to another. When we are faithful in our callings in life, we do that. 29:3-4 describe, in summary, the work of creation. The voice of the Lord speaks, and all that we see and know comes forth. He creates by the word of his power.
29:5-11
In this section, we note several items. First, we are drawn to the power of God. He speaks, and enemies are scattered. He speaks, and nations fall. He speaks, and lives are changed. The cedars of Lebanon are a picture of the mighty as they were large and mighty trees in Israel. Second, we read of the tenderness of our God in 29:9. Third, we return to the place of praise and adoration for the God of heaven and prayer for blessing from our God who is holy and mighty, the God who can do all things.