January 10th: Genesis 23-24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6

Day 10!

Today we are reading from: Genesis 23-24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6

Genesis 23
This chapter focuses on the death of Sarah and Abraham wanting to pay for her burial site in a very specific place. He is offered it for free but He wants to own it because he is a foreigner in the land (something that is symbolic of how we believers are all living on earth) and he wants to be able to pass this site down to his children. This burial site is 3KM's from the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, mentioned as the place where Abraham first pitches his tent in Caanan (the promised land). This is the place he has built an altar to the Lord, and the place where God comes to visit Him. This is where he buys the grave/cave. He is later buried there along with his son Isaac & his wife Rebekah, and their son Jacob with his wife Leah.

For more info on these places today check out: http://www.welcometohosanna.com/LIFE_OF_JESUS/009_FlightToEgypt-2.htm

Genesis 24
1-9
Imagine if you could say when you are very old that God blessed you in every way?
This is what Abraham was able to say!
Abraham sends out his trusted senior servant on a mission to get a wife for his son Isaac. This is important to him before he dies that Isaac's wife be one of his people and not one of the Caananites. He makes him promise an oath that he will do this but also that he will not bring Isaac with him. He does not want Isaac returning to his homeland. Even though they are foreigners in Caanan, it is the promised land and there is no turning back. They are to stay there.
The servant is told that he is released from the oath if the women from his family that he visits do not want to return with him to Caanan.
I like how Abraham understands the importance of who a person marries.
Even in our culture people are so bent on marrying for the sake of being with someone and not being alone that they do not have a long term view of who they choose in regards to what are their life plans?

10-51 He takes supplies and gifts with him. He gets to the town where Abrahams brother and relatives live by the evening and goes out to the well when the women are coming out to the town to draw water and he prays to God for a specific sign. It is interesting that the sign he prays about is specific to what would make a good wife- helpful and thoughtful, hospitable and caring. He thinks of an exact phrase that could demonstrate that:
"when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”
Before he is even done praying she does exactly that in a very timely manner. He asks her what family she is from. When he finds out it is Nahors granddaughter he worships God.

He gives her jewelery and asks if there is any room for him to stay at her families home. She says yes. He meets her brother and the family and before he can even eat a meal they offer him he explains the entire situation to them, including how God led him to Rebekah. He anxiously awaits their answer which is: “This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed.”

This is a good reminder of how God guides us when we pray to Him.

Matthew 8:1-17
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
1-4
Large crowds come follow Jesus, but one man with leprosy kneels down in front of Jesus. He doesn't just ask for healing but states with confidence that he knows Jesus can heal him. Jesus does heal him but tells him not to let anyone know except the priests. He wants this man to be a testimony to the priests.

The Faith of the Centurion
5-10 & 13 He goes to Capernaum, Where a Centurion impresses Jesus with his faith. It says Jesus is amazed by his faith! The Centurion asks for healing for his servant and when Jesus is willing to do it he tells him that he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof. Here is a man who recognizes how Holy Jesus is. But on top of that he says that he knows Jesus just has to say "be healed" from wherever He is and Jesus will be able to do it. Often times we wish we could have Jesus in the flesh beside us to help us with the believing part. But this Centurion did not doubt God's ability or power from near or far. His faith was bigger then anyone in Israel.
So Jesus heals the man at that moment.

11-12 While Jesus points to this Roman as being "in" the Kingdom. He points to those who think they are in and tell them they are out. They don't have faith like this man does. They think they will get to God based on their heritage or religious prestige but Jesus sets them straight.


Jesus Heals Many
14-15 I like how when Jesus heals Peters mom the first thing she does is she starts to wait on Jesus. I wonder how we respond to the fact we have been spiritually, emotionally and even physically healed? Do we then go to attend to Jesus?
16-17 Healing all the sick and the demon possessed even at night time. Doing it with ONE word. Fulfilling the prophesies about healing and taking our infirmities.

Psalm 9:13-20
13-14 He wants to be rescued from enemies and to proclaim God, sing his praises, thank God for his salvation.
15-17 People forget God and dig their own grave. God is fair.
18 But God doesn't forget those in need or those who are afflicted.
19-20 David wants God to strike the nations that are wicked with terror so they realize they are only mortal. That God alone is God. People can get so self reliant or prideful in what they can accomplish that they forget their rightful place.

Proverbs 3:1-6
1-4 Gods teaching, love and faithfulness need to be deeply ingrained in our hearts. They give prosperity and peace with God & man.
5-6 Trust God totally. Don't think you will be able to figure it all out.
Give it over to God and He will lead you.