Pastor's Corner — Providence Presbyterian Church

Genesis 24

Genesis 24 marks the beginning of the narrative section dealing with the lives of Isaac and Rebekah. This chapter gives the details as to how Rebekah became the wife of Isaac. It is one of the lengthier narrative sections in the book. The primary item to watch for as you read through this chapter is the providence of God working through the mundane details of life. God’s providence is a comforting doctrine for his people. It teaches us that God governs all things and all actions of his creatures. It is not reserved only for the significant issues of life, but it governs everything from the seemingly minor to the most important significant issues that affect all of us.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 25, 2023Genesis 24

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 23

Matthew 23

Matthew 23 is known as the “seven woes given by Christ to the religious leaders of his day. In this chapter, we have Christ exercising his prophetic office as he preaches woe to them. The term “woe” is strong. It conveys much more than a mere warning but one of impending doom. Ther seven woes can be labeled as follows:

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 25, 2023Matthew 23

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 23

Read: Genesis 23

Genesis 23 marks the end of the Abrahamic narrative with the death of Sarah, his wife. Sarah’s death allows Abraham to purchase land in Hebron, thus setting up a marker – a landmark of possession that his people will inherit the land of Canaan just as God had promised to him. Hebron will later become the capital of Israel before it is moved to Jerusalem.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 18, 2023Genesis 23

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 22

Read: 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.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 18, 2023Matthew 22

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 22

Read: 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 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.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 12, 2023Genesis 22

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 21

Read: Matthew 21

This chapter begins the section of Matthew’s gospel where Jesus is now in his final days and takes the opportunity to teach at the temple. The chapter is divided as follows: First, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (21:1-11). Here the people praise and magnify the Savior but miss the point of his arrival. In a few days, this same crowd will clamor for his death.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 7, 2023Matthew 21

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 21

Read: Genesis 21

Genesis 21 is a critical chapter within the Abrahamic narrative. The opening verses fulfill the promise made to Abraham regarding an heir – a son of his seed that will carry the thematic structure of the seed of the woman forward (See Gen. 3:15). The application of the opening verses should be a comfort to all of us as we ponder the promises of God given to us in his Word, knowing that he will do what he says. In obedience to God’s command, Abraham names his son Isaac (which means “laughter), circumcises him as he is a member of the visible church of old, and Sarah responds in praise to God for his blessing. That leads to another application for our lives. We often pray and ask God to remember his promises to us, but do we also remember to praise and thank him when he responds? It is easy to forget that, but we shouldn’t. We not only need God’s faithfulness, but we need to be faithful to thank him when he blesses us.

bible reading, GenesisWilliam HillJuly 5, 2023Genesis 21

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 20

Read: Matthew 20

The important section of this chapter is the parable Jesus tells at the opening (20:1-16). The parable is a reminder that God works salvation in the lives of his people, and it is his prerogative to give good gifts to his people how he sees fit. Therefore, we have no reason to be jealous of anything our brothers and sisters possess since those things come from God. That is his option, and he works in ways that require no affirmation on our part.

bible readingWilliam HillJune 3, 2023Matthew 20

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 20

Read: Genesis 20

Chapter 20 highlights once again the failure of Abraham to trust God and instead resorts to deception to avoid harm. As you read through the Genesis narrative, you will observe this becoming a family trait (deception).

bible readingWilliam HillMay 30, 2023Genesis 20

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 19

Read: Matthew 19

One of the more critical teachings for our day and culture resides in this chapter as Jesus determines to teach on the subject of divorce. Though God will reveal more on this subject through the pen of the apostle Paul, Jesus highlights a singular truth: God loves marriage. Divorce occurs only due to the hardness of a man’s heart. In this discourse, Jesus permits divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 26, 2023Matthew 19, divorce, marriage

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 19

Read: Genesis 19

After Abram pleaded with the LORD for the well-being of Sodom (and his nephew), we arrive at the answer to the prayer. You recall that God promised to spare the city if he found ten righteous people. The chapter opens with the arrival of the angels at the city who promptly meet Lot, are welcomed into his home, and protect his family. Though they are protected and brought to safety, Lot’s wife fails to heed the instruction of the angels and is destroyed.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 23, 2023Genesis 19

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 18

Read: Matthew 18

Chapter 18 is well known for its discussion regarding church discipline (18:15-20). However, there are other important sections that surround it. First, Jesus teaches about true greatness (18:1-6). The lesson is counter-culture to what we witness in our world. In the kingdom of God, greatness comes through serving. Second, Jesus warns about temptation (18:7-9) and what lengths we must be willing to go if we are to avoid the eternal fire of hell. No one enjoys being tempted. Yet, too often, we run into it, ignoring our frailty and weaknesses. To mortify sin, we must be willing to deal with it radically and at whatever cost necessary. Third, Jesus teaches on the lost sheep (18:10-14) and the shepherd's willingness to rescue it. Fourth, Jesus teaches on the unforgiving servant (18:21-35). The lesson in that parable is simple: if you are not willing to forgive others, the Father in heaven will not forgive you.

bible readingWilliam HillMay 19, 2023Matthew 18

The Pastor’s Corner

The blog of Pastor William F. Hill, Jr.