Thoughts on the Bible Readings for January 1st (Genesis 1, 2; Psalms 1, 2; Matthew 1, 2)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Thoughts on the Bible Readings for January 1st (Genesis 1, 2; Psalms 1, 2; Matthew 1, 2) Welcome to the start of a new year. When the Jewish people celebrate the Passover they say, "Next year in Jerusalem". May this year see the Messiah's second coming. The Old Testament is approximately twice the length of the New Testament; and, for that reason two portions of Scripture are taken from it daily. The plan we follow with the Bible readings comments is designed to complete the reading of the Old Testament once, and the New Testament twice, in the course of 12 months. We begin at the beginning, which is the meaning of "Genesis". It is not a scientific account of our origins - though it is 100% scientifically accurate as it is an infallible and inspired record from our Omnipotent Creator. At times some people are confused as to whether the Genesis account is literal - i.e. real - or a parable. Unquestionably the answer is it is both. Although it is not written to be a scientific textbook; it is 100% accurate scientifically and describes events that did happen. It tells us why we are here; and that God put us on earth for a purpose - "to fill the earth with His glory" (Numbers 14verses21; cp Genesis 1verses26). Genesis 1 describes 6 days of evening/morning duration. The Hebrew day begins at sundown and ends 24 hours later. Days 1-3 show a pattern - light; water; life - a pattern repeated in days 4-6. Chapter 2 tells us that God rested from His creative work on day 7 - the Sabbath. And in the Hebrew text for days 1-6 this pattern is followed - "there was a day, one ... two...right through to six". Genesis 1verses26 tells us that the Almighty's purpose was to fill the earth with people in whom the divine likeness - or character - would be seen cp also Psalm 8verses1-9. The Sabbath is the first day to have a name, which is emblematic of the Sabbath rest of the kingdom age (Hebrews 4verses8-11). Chapter 2 focuses more on the formation of Eve from Adam's side as the first marriage, which typifies Christ and his bride (the ecclesia - Ephesians 5verses22-33). Additional useful information is that the word translated as "creature" AV is consistently the Hebrew word 'nephesh' elsewhere translated throughout the Old Testament as "soul". Once the divine spirit in the form of breath is found within any creature it becomes nephesh chaim, or breath of life, which the LORD Good breathed into Adam in chapter 2verses7. Adam was a whole being and although like his animal counterparts of the dust he was brought to life directly by the Almighty breathing the spirit - or life-giving breath into him. This indicates the LORD God's intention to have a close relationship with His human creatures. The prophet Ezra put together the order of the Old Testament books in the cannon of the Bible. Psalm 1 is in the Hebrew Scriptures attributed to Enoch. It describes the blessings coming to those whose mind meditates first and foremost on the Word of God. Failure to maintain this focus leads to a decline the psalmist describes; and which was evident in the life of Lot from Genesis 13-19. The lesson starts with the concept that bad company corrupts good morals. Enoch spoke of the certain and imminent judgment of the ungodly times in which he lived as a sure and certain token that the Sovereign of His people will obliterate the ungodly cp Jude verses 14-16 (we will make further comments when speaking about Genesis 4 and 5). Jeremiah himself when meditating on Psalm 1 contrasts the tree drinking deeply from the rivers of waters with the heath of the desert - Jeremiah 17verses5-10 (the man who trusts in himself is self- deceived and contrasts the person whose heart is stayed on God (Isaiah 26verses1-3). The Lord Jesus Christ is the example of the one who lived and breathed in the environment of the Word of God (Isaiah 11verses1-5; see also 2 Timothy 3verses14-17). Psalm 2 is a psalm of the kingdom age at the commencement of the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ and the futility of earthly rulers to resist his rule. Peter tells us in the Acts of the Apostles 4verses23-28 that the incipient fulfilment of these words applied to Herod's, Pilate's and the Jewish authorities' opposition to Christ and the preaching concerning his life, death, resurrection and coming kingdom. The New Testament opens by highlighting the promised seed, this is Jesus, central to the monumental Covenants around which much of the Old Testament is structured. Matthew 1 is the genealogy of Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ through king David. Luke's account of the genealogies of our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 3verses23-38 is Joseph's (Jesus' stepfather's)) lineage. Jesus' ancestral line through his mother Mary - note Luke's differs in that it gives Solomon as the progenitor of this line - who descended from David's son Nathan. The story of Matthew 1 links Mary with four other stigmatised women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba), who, despite their public shame were, like Mary, outstanding women of faith. These women despite being stigmatised like Mary carried their scorn in their age just as our Lord Jesus Christ was accused of being born of doubtful legitimacy throughout his life. Jesus came into existence at the time of his birth. Prior to that time, he had no existence; except that His Almighty Father had structured the whole creation around the coming of His Son. The name Jesus means "the salvation of Yahweh", as Matthew 1verses23 tells. Matthew 2 describes the visit of the Magi and their costly gifts for the King of the Jews - a title that the Idumean Herod arrogated to himself - allowing us to date the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ to 6BC. Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt in the fulfilment of prophecy (Hosea 11verses1). The precious gifts of the wise men allowed Messiah's family to subsist in Egypt until it was time to return to their place of residence in Nazareth upon the accession of Archelaus following the death of Herod the Great in 4BC. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here… [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-for-january-1st-genesis-1-2-psalms-1-2-matthew-1-2/?feed_id=108531&_unique_id=6954c95b4d6bf