Exodus 10

The Lord God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he could preform these miraculous signs among them. Generation after generation would tell their sons and grandsons about what the Lord did in Egypt. The miraculous signs give validity to the “I AM” statement given to Moses by God at the burning bush. (Ex.3:14) 

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh with the word of the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Pharaoh had it in his head that the Hebrews belonged to him; therefore, they are to serve him. Pharaoh could not deny the destruction that had come to Egypt, just as Moses and Aaron had warned him. Now he was being threatened with a swarm of locust that would destroy the remaining crops that were not destroyed in the hailstorm. Under the pleas from Pharaoh’s servants, he told Moses and Aaron that the men could go, but not the women and children. Pharaoh could not loose control. If he could hold on to just a little control of the situation, he could hold on to his pride, but the Lord demanded full obedience. Pharaoh must capitulate to the Lord’s command or face the consequences. 

So, Moses and Aaron went out from the Lord and Moses stretched out his hand (as the Lord commanded him) over the land of Egypt. The Lord directed an East wind that blew day and night. The next morning, the locust came and ate every green thing in Egypt. “A locust will consume its own weight each day. Locust swarms have been known to cover as many as four hundred square miles, and even one square mile could teem with over one hundred million insects.” (IVP BBC OT) Pharaoh called to Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.” When he asked Moses and Aaron to make supplication to the Lord, they did, and the Lord shifted the wind to the west, which blew the locust out to the red sea. However, Pharaoh was not really repentant because he still would not let the people go.

The Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky and a thick darkness covered the land which could be felt. This may have been a dust storm since the text says, “may be felt;” however, the other effects of a dust storm are not mentioned. The statement, ‘may be felt,” could also indicate a feeling of coming death. Once again, Pharaoh was willing that the people go but he had to maintain some sort of control in the situation. He would let the people go, including the women and children; however, they could not take their livestock. Pharaoh told Moses and Aaron that they could no longer see his face, and if they did, they would die. Moses said to Pharaoh, “You are right; I shall never see your face again!” This is saying, without saying, that Pharaoh would be the one who dies. 

Exodus 9

The Lord commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and say to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me.’” Through Moses, the Lord promised to destroy with pestilence, the livestock of the Egyptians but not the livestock of the Hebrews. This seemed to include all farm animals because listed are: horses, donkeys, camels, herds and flocks. It is speculated that anthrax was the pestilence but there is no way of truly knowing; however, the cause was the Lord and that is the point of the text. The Lord also set a definite time, this way, Pharaoh had time to relent before the plague on the Egyptian livestock. The Lord did as he promised, on the next day, and all of the livestock of the Egyptians died but none of the livestock of the sons of Israel died. Pharaoh had people confirm the report; however, this did not change Pharaoh’s heart. The heart of man must be changed before he will change his mind. 

Moses and Aaron, as commanded by the Lord, threw handfuls of soot from a kiln toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh and told him that it will become a fine dust and boils will breakout with sores on both man and beast. The scattering of ashes in Egypt was sometimes used by the magicians to bring an end to pestilence. (IVP BBC OT) Therefore, this was an affront to their power and effected them to the point that they could not present themselves before Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened further.

The Lord told Moses to go to Pharaoh and say, Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me.’” Through Moses the Lord told Pharaoh that he could have destroyed him but has allowed him to live to show the power of the Lord, that his name would be proclaimed throughout the earth. Yet, Pharaoh still exalts himself by not letting the people of the Lord go. Therefore, the Lord through Moses promised to bring calamity on Egypt through a storm of rain and hail. This warning allowed the Egyptians who believed to seek shelter from the storm. The hail struck all that was in the field in the land of Egypt but the land of Goshen, were the Hebrews lived was spared. 

Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron to make supplication to the Lord to stop the storm. Pharaoh vowed to let the Hebrews and Moses vowed to spread out his hands to the Lord to stop the storm. Moses did as he had vowed but Pharaoh did not. Moses knew that Pharaoh would not do what he vowed to do because Pharaoh and his servants did not fear the Lord. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened even further. 

Exodus 8

The second plague came in the form of frogs. Frogs were considered a good thing to the Egyptians but this plague turned what the Egyptians believed to be good into a very bad thing. The frogs in the since of being a plague would have been overwhelming. It is noted that the Egyptian magicians could make frogs come up on the land but only the Lord had the power to remove them. For this reason, Moses and Aaron were called by Pharaoh to entreat the Lord to remove the frogs. This is a crack in Pharaoh’s prideful armor. Pharaoh vowed that he would let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord. It is also noted that Pharaoh used the name Jehovah (LORD). Moses told Pharaoh, name the time and that is when the frogs will be removed. This was so that Pharaoh would know that Jehovah (LORD) is God overall. Pharaoh said, tomorrow. Moses and Aaron cried out to the Lord and he did as they requested. The frogs died and the land became foul. Pharaoh went against his word and did not allow the people to go. There seemed to be a softening of Pharaoh’s prideful heart but when he saw relief from this plague he hardened his heart once again. 

The Lord commanded Moses and Moses commanded Aaron to stretch out his staff and strike the dust of the earth to become gnats through all the land of Egypt. There is no telling what this insect was except that it was a nuisance. The Egyptian magicians were not able to turn dust into gnats; therefore, they said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of Elohim (God).” This was not an acknowledgment by them that the Lord, the God of the Hebrews was the one true God but was an acknowledgement by them that he is God. 

Moses and Aaron went the next morning (as the Lord commanded them) to speak to Pharaoh, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” If Pharaoh would not comply, the Lord would send swarms of flies on Pharaoh, his servants, and on Pharaoh’s people but the Hebrews living in Goshen would be spared from this plague. This is the fourth plague to strike Egypt and it should be noted that this is the first of the plagues from which the Hebrews are spared. They are being separated from the Egyptians as the Lord’s people but it is Pharaoh’s people who will endure the plague of flies. The word flies is actually inserted by the translators because the actual word used in this text is great swarms. Whatever the insect was, the land was laid waste because of the swarms. 

This caused Pharaoh to call Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh was not willing to let the sons of Israel go but was willing to let them make sacrifices to their God within the land. Moses told Pharaoh that their sacrifice would be an abomination to the Egyptians and questioned Pharaoh, “Will they not stone us.” For the Egyptian, animals sacrificially slaughtered, represented an enemy of the god. (IVP BBC OT) It seems that Moses believed that the Israelite’s sacrifices, in their worship of Jehovah God would be viewed as sacrifices against the Egyptians. Pharaoh said that the sons of Israel could go to make sacrifices to their God but not far, and asked that they entreat the Lord their God on his behalf. Moses vowed to entreat the Lord to remove the flies the next day but Pharaoh was not to deal deceitfully again, by not letting the people go. However, as with the other plagues, when Pharaoh saw relief, he hardened his heart and did not let the people go.

Exodus 7

I have often considered this hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. What does it mean? Pharaoh was as prideful as any man could possibly be. The command of the Lord, “Let my people go,” conflicted with his pride. For Pharaoh to let the sons of Israel go, as the Lord commanded, he would have to admit that he was not sovereign. Pharaoh could not see the God of an enslaved people as being very powerful. God planned to show his sovereignty over all of creation through ten plagues on Egypt. It has been said by many commentators that each plague represents sovereignty over a god in Egypt. 

The Lord commanded the miracle of the staff being changed into a serpent but for Moses to be as God to Pharaoh and Aaron to be as Moses’ prophet, (Ex.7:1,2) it is Moses who commands Aaron, before Pharaoh, to throw down his staff, that it may become a serpent. The serpent was considered a powerful creature in Egypt, for this reason a serpent is represented on Pharaoh’s crown. To control the serpent meant that the Lord, who Moses and Aaron represented, was more powerful than Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s magicians did likewise but Aaron’s staff, which was controlled by the Lord overpowered their staffs.

The Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn.” Though the Lord is sovereign, hardening the heart of Pharaoh, this would indicate that Pharaoh is at fault. The Lord used Pharaoh’s pride to harden his heart but Pharaoh was the one holding on to his pride. Moses, through Aaron, was to tell Pharaoh, The Lord, the God of the Hebrews says, “Let my people go.” When Pharaoh would not listen, Moses was to threaten him with a plague. The nile was the life blood of Egypt; therefore, the first plague turned the nile into blood but instead of providing life it brought death. The water in wood and in stone would indicate that this was more than a natural disaster, it was a miracle of God. This being done by the lifting up of the staff demonstrated that it was God doing the miracle, not Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh had no concern for this because his heart was hard. Pharaoh was king in Egypt but he did not care about his people as the Lord cared for his people. The Egyptians had to provide for themselves by digging for water. One week passed after this first of the ten plagues. 

Exodus 6

God was going to force Pharaoh’s arm in accordance with the will of God. The name Yhvh יְהוָֹה pronounced - Yehovah or Yahveh, which is rendered LORD in English translations was not known to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was not that they never heard the name because Genesis 15:7, 28:13 would suggest that they did; however, the patriarchs knew God primarily as El-Shaddai (God Almighty). This indicates that the sons of Israel, whom the Lord called, “My people,” was going to be known to the sons of Israel in a knew way than did the patriarchs. Do we not know him in a knew way and by a different name after the incarnation? Do we not now know God as Father and Son and Holy Spirit? (Mt.28:19) The Lord commissioned Moses to tell the sons of Israel, “I AM and I will bring you out of bondage. In fact, the Lord said, “I will,” seven times in vv.6-8. I cannot help but relate this to the seven Metaphorical “I AM” statements of Jesus, record in John’s gospel account. From this point on, the sons of Israel will know the creator God by the name, Yhvh יְהוָֹה pronounced - Yehovah or Yahveh, which is rendered LORD in English translations. However, when Moses relayed this message to the people, they did not listen to Moses because they were despondent. The Lord commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go but Moses did not understand how Pharaoh would listen if the people that God had chosen wouldn’t listen to him. Nonetheless, the Lord charge Moses and Aaron with bringing the people out of Egypt. I have felt overwhelmed with my patient care assignments, several times during my nursing career but I cannot image how overwhelmed Moses and Aaron felt about the task that they were being charged with.

Exodus 6:14-30

The text begins to go through the heads of the sons of Israel, beginning with the oldest son Reuben, then Simeon but gets stuck on Levi. It seems that the purpose is to focus on Moses and Aaron as the leaders during the Exodus, with Aaron’s descendant becoming the priestly line. 

Exodus 5

Moses and Aaron came and spoke the word of the Lord to Pharaoh, which was simply, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh replied, “Who is the Lord.” Pharaoh may have never heard of the Hebrew God but even if he had not, his statement was meant to be defiant of the Hebrew God. Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and make sacrifice to their God. Moses and Aaron said of the Lord, if we do not obey his command, “He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” However, to exert his authority Pharaoh commanded that the Hebrew workers maintain the quota of brick making without being given straw. (vv.1-10)

“Straw serves as a bonding agent in the brick as it is heated. Without sufficient straw or with poor-quality stubble, the bricks would not form as easily and a higher proportion would fall apart, thus making the quota harder to achieve.” (IVP BBC OT)  The people had to scavenge for stubble. Stubble made a pour substitute. However, the task masters pressed them to make just as many bricks as when they had straw. This was an impossible task. The formen were beaten by the task masters for the decrease in brick production. (vv.11-14)

The foreman cried to pharaoh. His reply to them was harsh, he called them lazy because of the three day journey to sacrifice to the Lord. I cannot imagine asking my boss for a three day vacation and she call me lazy, then double my assignment. However, Pharaoh was doing this because it was presented to him as a command from the Lord. Pharaoh’s actions were to demonstrate to the Hebrew people that he was more powerful than the Lord. He temporarily accomplished this because the foreman blamed Moses and Aaron for their plight, and Moses blamed the Lord. We tend to blame the Lord when bad things happen but evil is at fault not the Lord. (vv.15-23)

Exodus 4

So, that the people would believe that God sent Moses, the Lord gave him a miracle to preform with his staff. When he throw it to the ground the staff became a serpent but when he took it up in his hand again, it returned to the form of a staff. (vv.1-5)

The Lord gave him two other miracles to preform. If they did not believe the first miracle then they should believe the second. The second sign was that Moses could make his hand turn white and restore it to its natural color by taking it in and of his clothing at his breast, as if his hand dies and is restored to life. If they do not believe the second sign then Moses had a third sign to preform, which the Lord gave Moses, pouring water, on the ground from the Nile. When Moses did this, the water became blood on the dry ground. (vv.6-9)

Moses either had a speech impediment or was afraid to speak. However, the Lord told Moses that he could give him speech but Moses remained fearful of speaking in front of the people. This angered God but he loved Moses; therefore, he raised up Aaron. Moses brother to speak to the people, on behalf of Moses. God would speak to Moses, Moses would speak to Aaron and Aaron would speak to the people but Moses alone was to preform the miraculous signs. (vv.10-17)

Moses asked Jethro, his father in-law, permission to depart from him and return to his people in Egypt. Moses honored Jethro in this and Jethro told Moses, “Go in peace.” Moses had fled Egypt because he feared death but God told Moses that those who sought to kill him are dead. Moses, took his wife, his son and the staff of God and departed Jethro for Egypt. (vv.18-20)

The Lord told Moses that after he had preformed the signs before Moses, God would harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the people go. The Lord called Israel his first born son and since they would not let God’s son go, God would kill the firstborn son of Pharaoh. (vv.21-23)

Moses had been disobedient regarding the command given to Abraham and circumcision; therefore, the Lord sought to put him to death. Zipphorah, Moses’ wife, circumcised their son to save the life of Moses, so she called Moses a bridegroom of blood. (vv.24-26)

Aaron compelled by the Lord to seek out his brother Moses, meet Moses at the mountain of God before Moses departed to Egypt with his wife and son. The brothers were happy to reunite. Moses told Aaron all that the Lord spoke to him. Once they entered Egypt, the elders of the sons of Israel were assembled to hear what Moses and Aaron had to say. Aaron relayed to them the message that Moses spoke to him. Moses then preformed the three signs that the Lord had given him. In the gospel of John, Jesus spoke seven absolute I am statements and preformed seven miraculous signs; therefore, all that the father had given him believed and followed him.(cf. Jn.10:25-28) The people believed and worshiped the Lord when they heard that the Lord had concern for their plight in Egypt. (vv.27-31)

Exodus 3

Moses saw a burning bush on the west side of Mount Horeb. Mount Horeb would be called from this point on the mountain of God because the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the midst of the burning bush. Moses had probably seen bushes burning in the desert before but this one caught his attention because it was not being burnt up. The Lord called to Moses from the bush to warn him that he was on holy ground and said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses did what every person in the scripture does when he comes face to face with God. Moses hid his face because he feared to look at the face of God. We fear God because he is holy and we are unholy. We all know that we have sinned against the most high God. (vv.1-6)

The Lord tells Moses that he has seen the affliction of his people in Egypt. Recall that when Moses was a young man, he was bothered by the affliction of the Israelites and sought to be their deliverer but was chased away. The Lord told Moses that he has descended for the purpose of deliverance from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them to the land that he promised to Abraham. I cannot help but thank about how the Lord descended and became flesh to deliver us from the power of sin and bring us into the new heaven and new earth yet to come. (vv.7-9)

Moses had become humbled from his previous belief that he was lifted up; therefore, when the Lord told Moses that he was sending him to Pharaoh, to bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt, Moses said, “Who am I.” Moses like all of us was a sinner, fallen short of the glory of God. Moses knew that he was not a great man but the Lord chose him to serve. Moses’ mission would be successful, not because of Moses but because the Lord would be with him when he went to Pharaoh, to bring out the sons of Israel. (vv.10-12

Moses wanted to know God’s name. What should we call you? God told Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” NASB Strong’s (Lockman)) concordance says that the word used in this passage is related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered LORD, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be. Moses was to tell the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.” God then told Moses you shall say, “The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” “Yhvh, i.e. יְהוָֹה Yehovah or יַהְוֶה Yahveh.” (NASB Concordance) God told Moses, “This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” Therefore, when Jesus said to the Jews, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”(Jn.8:58) It was considered blasphemy because they understood that he was claiming to be the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just as God spoke to Moses on Mount Horeb. Moses was to tell the sons of Israel that he is going to take them to the land that he promised to their fathers. God said that the sons would listen but the Egyptians would not. Just like the sheep receive Jesus but the goats do not. (cf.Jn.10:22-30) God told Moses that the king of Egypt would not let them go except under compulsion; therefore, the Lord would stretch out his hand and strike Egypt with miracles and then they would let the sons of Israel go. Sin does not let us go except under compulsion. (vv.13-22) 

Exodus 2

A man and woman from the tribe of Levi married, conceived and gave birth to a son. Pharaoh had commanded that every son born a Hebrew was to be cast into the Nile. After three months the woman made small floating vessel for the boy out of papyrus reeds and put it amongst the reeds by the bank of the nile but the boys sister stayed near by. I cannot imagine the horror of the situation. It is a joy for a married couple to have a son. (vv.1-4)

The floating vessel was more like a chest and Pharaoh’s daughter saw it and became curios as to what was in it. She was surprised to find a boy and desired to spare him though he was a Hebrew. His sister who was waiting near by spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter, volunteering to go and get a Hebrew woman to nurse the boy. Once the child was weaned she gave him over to Pharaoh’s daughter who received him as her son. At the adoption, Pharaoh’s daughter name him Moses. It is preferable for a child to remain with his birth parents but if they cannot take care of the child it is best to give the child to someone who is able to care for the child. What is best for the child? This is the question that one should ask thy self. (vv.5-10)

When Moses had grownup he walked among the Hebrews and was bothered by the hard labor and abuse inflicted on them by the Egyptians. He decided that he should be their redeemer but went about it the wrong way. He killed an Egyptian and the Hebrews did not receive his rule and rejected his intervention of killing. Pharaoh became angry and Moses fled to the land of Midian and sat down by a well. Midian was a son of Abraham through Keturah who he took as his wife after the death of Sarah. (vv.11-15)

Ruel was known as the priest of Midian and he had seven daughters who were shepherds. They came to draw water and filled the trough for the flock from the well but other shepherd’s drove them away but Moses intervened; but this time he did not kill, he watered the flock. This seen is very reminiscent of the servant of Abraham who went to get a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s brothers. (cf. Gn.24:11) Rebekah was chosen for Isaac but Zipporah was given by Ruel as a wife for Moses. They had a son and named him Gershom which means a stranger there because Moses knew that he was not home. (vv.16-21)

After the king who sought the life of Moses died God heard the groaning of the sons of Israel. God is omniscient, so this does not mean that he was unaware but it was time for him to act on the covenantal promise that he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The people cried out for help because of their bondage and God heard them. Jesus made a covenantal promise to return, raise us from the dead and give us eternal life in the new heaven and new earth. During the difficulties that come upon us, we should cry out to God, Come Lord Jesus! (vv.23-25)

Exodus 1

The descendants of Jacob who settled in Egypt were 70 persons. That generation died but their descendants increased greatly, they were fruitful and multiplied. The first command of God, given to the first man and woman: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.” Gn 1:28a) The land of egypt became filled with the descendants of Israel. (vv1-7)

Joseph and all that he did for Pharaoh and Egypt were forgotten. Pharaoh and the Egyptians feared that Israel might overcome them; therefore, they oppressed them and put them to hard labor. The second command of God, given to the first man and first woman was to rule the earth. (Gn 1:28b) This is what Pharaoh and the Egyptians feared. So, the root of their hatred was fear of loosing the kingdom. At first, they believed that affliction would keep Israel from multiplying but it did make their lives bitter in Egypt. (vv 8-14)

Murder begins in the heart. For this reason, the apostle John wrote, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murder.” (1Jn 3:15a) We are all brothers and sisters because every person on the earth descended from the first man and first woman and even Noah and his wife. Fear led to hatred, which led to a series of commands to murder. First, Pharaoh tried to accomplish the destruction of Israel through the Hebrew midwives. He commanded them to put to death every Hebrew son at birth. However, the midwives feared God more than Pharaoh; therefore, God blessed the families of the midwives. Hebrew extended his command to kill the hebrew sons. He commanded them to cast every son born into the Nile but allow the daughters to live. Pharaoh was treating the Hebrews as if they were cattle. What do you think of others and how are you treating your neighbor? (vv. 15-22) 

Matthew 9

Capernaum was the city center of Jesus’ ministry. (Mt 4:13) Some men carried a paralyzed man on a bed to Jesus. It is evident that they went through difficulty to bring him to Jesus because Jesus saw this as faith. Jesus did not immediately heal the man’s physical problem but he healed his spiritual problem by forgiving his sins. The scribes knew that only God can forgive sins; therefore, not believing that Jesus is the Son of God, they called this blasphemy. Jesus then healed the man, demonstrating to the crowd his authority over the physical, which meant that he has authority over the spiritual as well. (vv. 1-7)

This healing was so powerful that the crowd feared and glorified God, knowing that Jesus had authority that could only come from God. There was a man near by in a tax collector’s both who saw this; therefore, when Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!” Matthew obeyed. (vv. 8-9)

Jesus dined in Matthew’s house and Matthew’s friends came to the party. The Pharisees did not associate with such persons; therefore, they questioned Jesus’ actions. He told them that God desires compassion above religious practice. The apostle Paul wrote, “the kindness of God leads you to repentance.” (Rom 2:4) So, have compassion for those who are considered sinners because it may lead to repentance. (vv. 10-13)

Why do people fast? People fast because they are in anguish and desire God to act in a great way. Jesus’ disciples did not fast because they were with the Lord; however, we should fast and pray because he has not yet returned. The creation is in anguish until the Son returns and all is made new. (vv. 14-17) 

Jesus showed compassion for a synagogue official whose daughter died. (vv. 18-19)

Reaching out to touch Jesus will heal your very soul. (vv. 20-22)

The people in the official’s home laughed when Jesus said that the girl is not dead because they knew she was physically dead. Jesus sent away the unbelieving but the believing remained to see the resurrection. Jesus raised the girl to life as he will do to all on the last day. (vv. 23-26)

Jesus healed two blind men who came believing that he had the power to heal him. They came because they heard from others that Jesus had the power to heal and when they were healed they told others that Jesus had the power to heal. No one who has felt the healing power of Jesus can keep it a secret, they are compelled to tell someone. (vv. 27-31)

The people were amazed by Jesus healing power but the Pharisees refused to believe that it was of God. However, they could not deny the healings, so they said that it was of the ruler of the demons. We should be careful what we call evil. (vv. 32-34)

Jesus had compassion for the people. He healed their diseases and sicknesses. The people were abandoned by the religious leaders in Israel; therefore, they were in need and Jesus had compassion for them. Jesus envolved the disciples to pray for compassionate workers. (vv. 35-38)

Matthew 8

What does it mean?

Jesus did something that only God could do, he healed a man of leprosy and the immediacy of this healing was a visible miracle to both the disciples and the priest whom the man presented himself to make his offering to God. This is also a demonstration of compassion. People with leprosy were excluded from society and if they came around others they were to shout “Unclean,” so that the people new to stay away. Jesus could have cleansed this man with a word, but he stretched out his hand and touched him, this is true compassion. (vv. 1-4)

Jesus had done many mighty miracles, yet many an Israelite did not believe but this centurion, whom all of Israel would consider an outside the kingdom believed. Justification is not based on blood lines but on faith in Jesus. Jesus declared that many gentiles would be in the kingdom and many descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be thrown out of the kingdom. (vv. 5-13) 

Jesus was healing all who were brought to him both demon-possessed and ill. This was in fulfillment of messianic prophecy, leaving no doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. This even occurred in Peter’s household because Jesus healed his mother-in-law. (vv. 14-17)

To be a disciples of Jesus, you must be willing to leave everything behind and willing to endure much difficulties. (vv. 18-22)

Jesus lived without fear but the disciples feared the destructive forces of the wind and the waves. Jesus demonstrated that he was God in human flesh when expressed authority over the wind and the sea. (vv. 23-27)

The demons (fallen angels) new who Jesus was and they feared him because he is the one who has the power to cast into hell. Jesus is the God-Man, he is fully God and fully Man in a single person. The people of that city rejected him. (vv. 28-34)

What should I do?

I should have compassion for my patients and demonstrate compassion with kind words and the touch of my hands. Some of my patients are in isolation because of infection. I should trust that God is able to do whatever he wants to do, however he wants to do it. I should see that Jesus is God in human flesh; therefore, I should trust his authority over everything. I should realize that justification is based on faith alone in Jesus alone. There is no other salvation for mankind, no descendant of Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob will be saved unless they believe in Jesus. I should, therefore, preach Jesus to all. If following Jesus means leaving everything and everyone that I hold dear, I should be willing to do so. If following Jesus means suffering in this life I should be willing to suffer for Jesus sake. I should not fear the things of this world because Jesus has promised eternal life to all who follow him but I should fear Jesus alone because he has the power to cast into hell. 

Matthew 7

What does it mean?

The teaching in this chapter are very proverbial. Right and wrong is objective but are judgments are subjective because emotion and presupposition always plays a part in any judgment we make; so, be very careful when judging others, is it for their good or your glory? (vv. 1-5)

The gospel is holy and is of high value; therefore, treat the good news in this way. (v. 6)

Jesus wants us to thank of God as father and ourselves as children of God. He says that God will give good things to his children when the ask. (vv. 7-11)

Treating people the same way that you want to be treated summarizes what the Law and the Prophets taught in the Old Testament writings. (v. 12)

Jesus began his ministry preaching, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:17) Shortly after this, Jesus called his disciples and said to them “Follow Me.” (Mt 4:19) Repentance is the small gate and following Jesus is the narrow way that leads to life. (vv. 13-14)

Jesus did not mean for us to never judge others because in this section he is teaching his disciples to judge the lives of those who are teachers in the church. (vv. 15-20)

Doing good works will not earn a spot in the kingdom. Teachers know their students; therefore, to enter you must become a disciple of Jesus Christ. (vv. 21-23)

Every work must be built on the teachings of Jesus Christ or it will be destroyed on the day of judgment. (vv. 24-27)

Jesus did not teach as the scribes but he taught as God with us. (vv. 28-29)

What should I do?

I should be very careful when judging others. I should judge my motives before judging another person. I should tell the good news to those who might see it as a treasure. I should pray to God as a child asks his father for the things that he needs. I should treat every single person the way that I want to be treated, irregardless of how I am treated. I should daily repent from my sins and follow Jesus Christ. I should watch the lives of those who are teachers in the church. Are their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles? If not, then I should distance myself from that persons teaching. I should not trust in my works to save me on the day of judgment. I should follow Jesus Christ and build solely on the good foundation of his teachings. I should always remember that Jesus is greater than.

Matthew 6

What does it mean?

The Lord’s teaching, in Matthew 6, is about right religious practice. Why do we practice religion? Is it to be seen by men or is it to be seen by God. In the previous chapter, Jesus said, to let our light shine, to do good works before men so that our heavenly Father is glorified. (Mt 5:16) Therefore, Jesus is not saying, in this section, do not do good works before men. Why do we do good works before men? Is it to receive glory for ourselves or is it so that our heavenly Father is glorified by men? Jesus speaks about public prayer in this context. It isn’t that we should not pray publicly but why are you praying in public? Again, is it so that we seem pious to men? Jesus then says to keep your prayers short and gives what has been called the Lord’s prayer. (Mt 6:9-13) In it he gives us seven things that we should pray for: God’s name, God’s kingdom, God’s will, our needs, our debts, our debtors, and our deliverance. He goes deeper into this forgiving of others because if we are unforgiving, how can we ask God to forgive us; therefore, when confessing sin, also forgive anyone who has done something that hurt you. Speaking about fasting, Jesus continues the theme of religious practice done to impress men and says to keep your fasting a private matter.

The second half of this chapter is about our physical needs. Jesus wants our focus on the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God. It isn’t that our physical needs and money in this world are not important, but being in the kingdom of God and having the righteousness of God is more important than our physical needs. Jesus speaks about coveting as the reason that people seek wealth. This is what he means by saying, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” (Mt 6:22) The kingdom of God and God’s righteousness must be sought before seeking the things of this world.

What should I do?

My vocation is a public vocation but the majority of people do not see or know what I do. I care for the sick and injured in the intensive care unit. In all likelihood, I am in the last decade of my career at this level. I may be nursing in the decade of my sixties but probably not in the intensive care unit because it is very demanding work. I once was publicly honored for what I do at the bedside. I was very uncomfortable with this and attempted to give God glory while I got this attention. However, I confess that I enjoyed the attention that I received. I should not practice nursing for my glory. I should practice nursing, so that men see my good works, and glorify God who is in heaven. My work brings home income that my wife and I use for our physical needs. I save some, I give some and I spend some. With retirement age fast approaching, I am saving as much as aloud into my retirement account. I remember that my father worked and saved his entire life. He built up a good nest egg to retire on but within a year of his retire he became sick, then he was bedridden and after a few years of suffering he died. Yes, wisdom says, that I should save because I do not know how long I will live beyond my working years. However, I must put the kingdom of God first and his righteousness first before all of these things. Forgiveness is difficult but I have been forgiven much by God; therefore, I should forgive all who hurt me in this life.

Matthew 5

What does it mean?

How shall I evaluate the Lord’s words in this great sermon? Jesus taught his disciples on a mountain outdoors. This showed him to be a prophet like Moses but greater than Moses. The kingdom of heaven does not belong to the spiritually proud but only to those who walk humbly and are merciful towards others. The Christian should not be surprised when treated badly in this world. Salt in a wound burns but it also purifies; therefore, the Christian must be in the world but not live like the world. The Christian should be doing good works because this brings glory to the Father God. Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law, so what is the purpose of the law? When Jesus preached, the most visibly-righteous people of the day were the scribes and Pharisees; yet, Jesus told his disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the pharisees. So what is the standard? Jesus answers at the end of this chapter by saying, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But before saying that, he demonstrates that the law goes much deeper than a visible expression but it must be kept perfectly in the heart and mind. First, Jesus declares that how we feel and think about other people matters. Jesus equates anger with murder. We need to be reconciled to other people wether we be the offender or the offended. Second, Jesus declares that having sexual desire for a woman who is not your wife is the same as the physical act of adultery. Marriage is between one woman and one man for life; therefore, divorcing a woman and marrying another is adultery. Third, a persons word should be their bond. Whatever you tell someone, you must do. Do not make vows that you cannot keep but be truthful in everything. Lastly, we are to love all people because all people are created in the image of God. Our love for other human beings is not dependent on how they treat us. You are to love all people regardless because this is how God loves us. When we evaluate the law at the heart level, it should destroy pride and make us walk humbly before the Lord. This is the purpose of the law!

What shall I do?

First, I shall confess that I am not a righteous person. I am a murder, an adulator, a liar and I have dishonored my heavenly Father by not loving everyone created in his image. I shall, therefore, walk humbly before God and before man. I shall be kind to my neighbor, irregardless of how they might treat me. My love for my neighbor shall not be dependent on their love for me. I shall not hate anyone and if I have offended anyone, I shall go and make amends to them. I shall cut off anything that might cause me to look with lustful desire at another. I shall tell the truth at all times. I am not able to live this way; therefore, my faith shall be in God, Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is my righteousness and the Spirit is my guide.

Matthew 4

What does it say?

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit. After forty days and forty nights, Jesus became hungry. The devil tempted Jesus three times: First to turn stones into bread. Second, to jump from the pinnacle of the temple to show himself to be the son of God. Third, the devil vowed to give him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would fall down and worship him. On the first two occasions the Devil twisted Scripture but Jesus answered the Devil with Scripture all three occasions. Jesus began his ministry in Capernaum by the sea in Galilee fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-2. The message that Jesus preached: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus was walking by the sea and called two sets of brothers to follow him: First, Peter and Andrew who were fishermen. He told them that he would make them fishers of men. Second, he called James and John away from the family business. Jesus was teaching throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of heaven and healing every kind of disease. This resulted in large crowds of people following him.

What does it mean?

The largest part of the story in the Pentateuch was the Israelites wondering in the wilderness for forty years and they were tempted on many occasions and failed. Jesus was lead into the desert, though he was tempted, he did not disobey the will of God. The Devil tempted Jesus to conform to the expectations that the people had for the Messiah but Jesus determined to be conformed to God’s Messiah. Though Jesus grew up in Nazareth, he moved to the seaside city of Capernaum to begin his preaching and teaching ministry. He preached (like John the Baptist), “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “First-century Jewish hearers would have heard, in this proclamation, a warning of the imminent day of judgment.” (IVP BBC NT) People normally choose who their teachers but Jesus chose his students. This is an indication that Jesus ministry would be different than other rabbis. The people depended on fish for protein; therefore, fishing was a lucrative business. These men left good paying jobs and their family to follow Jesus. 

What shall I do?

I believe that I have been, I am being and I will be saved from sin. These three salvations are called by the theological terms justification, sanctification and glorification. Justification is in the past. The moment that I repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ I was justified by God. However, sanctification began when I repented and will not end until glorification. It is a type of wondering in the wilderness, led by the Holy Spirit. I shall be led by the Holy Spirit and trust the word of God until he takes me from this world. Paul called the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. (Eph 6:17) When I am tempted, I shall remember the word of God and not twist it like the Devil but use the word of God as it should be used to defeat the temptations of the Devil, the world and my flesh. It is these three that tempt us in this world. I shall trust that God will never leave me nor forsake me while walking through this life. The kingdom of heaven was at hand during Jesus ministry and is yet to come in consummation. A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness, through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:31) Therefore I shall preach repentance and teach the good news of the kingdom. I shall let go of anything that keeps me from following Jesus.

Matthew 3

What does it say?

John the Baptist, whose preaching was prophesied by Isaiah 40:3, came preaching in the wilderness a message of repentance. John looked wild because he clothed himself with wild things and he ate food scavenged in the wilderness but only bugs considered clean. (Lev. 11:22) John was baptizing repentant Jews in the Jordan, telling them all to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. John called the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers. He warned that one is coming after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, the Spirit of God descended on him and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

What does it mean?

John was the forerunner for the Messiah. In ancient times, before a king from a distant land arrives, a forerunner was sent to prepare the people for the kings arrival. This was the mission of John the Baptist, he was one shouting in the wilderness, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s clothing and his food indicated that he was not concerned with the riches of this world but was solely concerned with warning people to repent and exhorting them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. He warned that blood relationship to Abraham would not save them from the wrath of the King. He warned that outward observance of the law would not save them from the wrath of the King. Only repentance towards God would save them from the unquenchable fire of his wrath. He warned that the King of heaven is coming to save the repentant and to destroy the unrepentant. Jesus is introduced as the Son of God, approved by God to rule in the kingdom of God. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were rulers in the kingdom of man but Jesus was aire to the kingdom of God. Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness. 

Psalms 40:7-8 (NASB)

Then I said, “Behold, I come;

In the scroll of the book it is written of me.

I delight to do Your will, O my God;

Your Law is within my heart.”

What shall I do?

I shall have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. I shall bear fruit in keeping with my repentance. While in the kingdom of man I shall not live as a citizen in the kingdom of man but as a citizen in the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (Jn 15:8 [NASB]) Jesus commandment for his disciples is love: love enemies, love neighbors and love the church. I shall love every single person on the earth because all were created in the image of God. 

Matthew 2

What does it say?

In the days when Herod was king, a group of magi came to Jerusalem from the east seeking another king recently born king of the Jews. The magi saw a special star; therefore, they came to investigate and this troubled Herod. Through the chief priest and scribes (biblical scholars) it was determined from scripture that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. (Mic. 5:2) Herod wanted these men to go to Bethlehem to locate the child and report to him but God warned them in a dream; therefore, the magi left for their own country but not before they worshiped Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. An angel of the Lord warned Joseph to escape to Egypt before Herod could destroy the Child. That night he took the Child and his mother to Egypt. Herod determined the approximate age of the child from the conversation with the magi and slew every male child in the vicinity of Bethlehem, two years of age and under. This fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15. After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the Child and his mother back to the land of Israel. He settled them in a city called Nazareth in the region of Galilee because Archelaus, Herod’s son, was ruling in Judah. 

What does it mean?

Magi were “a caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science. (NASB) They saw something in the sky that they connected to Jewish Messianic prophecy. Herod was troubled because he thought that his rule might be taken away from him. Herod must have lived in constant fear and mistrust. Herod tried to manipulate the magi to locate the child for him but when they did not, he proved himself to be an unjust ruler; therefore, unworthy to sit on the thrown. Can you imagine the outcry, if a ruler today had all of the babies in a town slaughtered? God warned through the prophet Jeremiah 32:15 that this would happen. Theodicy is the study of divine goodness and the existence of evil. God knew that all of the boy babies in Bethlehem would be slaughtered by Herod, yet he allowed him to do it. Why? The only answer given in the text was in fulfillment of prophecy. The life of Jesus from birth, to death, to resurrection was in fulfillment of divine prophecy. Jesus would affirm that only God is good. (Lk. 18:19) Why do some live a rich full life and only suffer after 80 plus years and others suffer and die young? I do not know but I do know that this instance showed that Jesus is the Messiah. The calling by God of Jesus out of Egypt was divine and his settling in a city in Galilee was divine. 

What shall I do?

I shall not live my life, given to me by God, in fear and mistrust. What God has determined to occur will happen regardless of my actions. Herod could not prevent Jesus from sitting on the throne. At the end of this book, Jesus will be given all authority in heaven and on earth. (Mt. 28:18) He is King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Ti. 6:15) I know that bad things happen on the earth and this is a result of the fall. Jesus came to save us from our sin. Jesus saved me from the penalty of sin by his death and resurrection. He is saving me from the power of sin by the Holy Spirit. He will save me from the presence of sin at the resurrection, when all is made new. Therefore, I shall trust God: Father and Son and Holy Spirit with my life. I shall not trust my human, sinful, reasoning. I shall trust that though this world is an evil place, all things are working together for good. (Rom. 8:28)

Matthew 1

What does it say?

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, for he is the seed of David and the seed of Abraham. The line from Abraham to David mentions three women: Tamar, Rahab and Ruth. The genealogy from David to the deportation to Babylon also included a woman by the name of Bathsheba. After the deportation to Babylon the line goes from Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) to Joseph the husband of Mary by whom Jesus was born; Mary is the fifth woman mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Each section was fourteen generations; Abraham to David, David to deportation to Babylon, and deportation to Babylon to the Messiah. Although Joseph was betrothed to Mary, she became pregnant before they came together. Joseph planned to divorce her secretly but an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and convinced him to take mary as his wife because the child conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit (God). Joseph was to name him Jesus because he would save his people from their sin.

iesous (ʼΙησοῦς, 2424) is a transliteration of the Heb. “Joshua,” meaning “Jehovah is salvation,” i.e., “is the Savior,” “a common name among the Jews, e.g., Ex. 17:9; Luke 3:29 (RV); Col. 4:11. (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) 

The virgin birth fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7. Therefore, Joseph took Mary as his wife but did not have sex with her until after the birth of Jesus.

What does it mean?

The three major covenants in the Old Testament are: Noahic, Abrahamic, and Davidic. Noahic represents all people, Abrahamic a particular family and Davidic a particular royal line within the Abrahamic family. The line from Noah to Abraham was not given but assumed. Abraham was promised a land, a people, a nation and that in his seed all the nations (Noahic) would be blessed. God promised through David’s seed to establish his thrown forever and he would be the son of God. The five woman mentioned are very important. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah but his genealogy went through Tamar. Tamar was Judah’s daughter in-law who disguised herself as a prostitute and became pregnant by her father in-law. Rahab was an actual prostitute, from the city of Jericho, when Israel first came in to possess the land of Canaan. Ruth was a Moabite. The Moabites came to be from incest, a union between father and daughter; therefore, the Israelites were not supposed to marry Moabites. Bathsheba became David’s wife after he committed adultery with her and had her husband murdered. Mary was a virgin but people assumed that she became pregnant before marriage and Joseph assumed by another man. It seemed unlikely that such a man as the Messiah would come from such sinful people as these but this demonstrates that God can use anyone, despite their past, and for his glory. The Genealogy of Jesus leaves no doubt that he is the Messiah, the Son of God; fully God and fully man in one person. Jesus came to save us from our sins.

What shall I do?

I shall remember that the incarnation of Jesus Christ was Divine and fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. I shall have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus, he is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God (God in human flesh). I shall tell people about Jesus and the salvation from sin in his name. I shall realize that God can use me, and anyone else he chooses, in his kingdom, for his glory despite our past. 

Exodus 1-4

What does it say?

Exodus 1 - Jacob and Jacob’s son died in Egypt but their descendants increased greatly. Joseph was forgotten and a king arose in Egypt who made slaves of the sons of Israel and inflicted them with hard labor. To control the growing Hebrew population, Pharaoh commanded the midwives to put to death every son born, but they feared God more than Pharaoh and did not obey; therefore, Pharaoh commanded the people to cast every son born into the Nile but spare the daughters.

Exodus 2 - He woman of the tribe of Levi fearing that she would be caught with her son, put him in a wicker basket and let him afloat on the Nile but his sister followed at a distance. Pharaoh’s daughter drew the lad from the water and the lads sister called his mother, who nursed Moses for Pharaoh’s daughter, who made him as her son. Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew so he killed him but tried to reconcile two Hebrews men that were arguing and the resisted his intervention. Pharaoh tried to kill Moses but he fled to Midian and sat down by a well. Moses became the son in-law of Reuel, the priest of Midian by marriage to Zipporah and she bore a son for Moses whom he named Gershom. The sons of Israel cried for help because of their bondage, God heard them and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Exodus 3 - When Moses was leading the flock on the west side of Mount Horeb, God called to Moses from a burning bush: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” The Lord told Moses of his plan to bring the people out of Egypt into the promised land. Moses asked God his named and he said, “I AM WHO I AM;” therefore God told Moses that this is his memorial name forever. Then God told him to go to the people and they will listen. 

Exodus 4 - So that they will listen to him God gave Moses miraculous signs. Moses was afraid to speak to the people, God was angry with Moses but appointed Aaron to speak for Moses. Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and his sons. Moses was to preform the signs that God gave him before Pharaoh but God said that he would harden Pharaoh’s heart to the point that God would kill Pharaoh’s first son before letting the people go. Zipporah called Moses a bridegroom of blood because of the circumcision. Moses told Aaron the words of God and he spoke them to the people while Moses performed the signs in the sight of the people. The people listened and bowed low in worship before the Lord.

What does it mean?

God raised up Moses despite the unlikelihood of his even surviving childhood, much less becoming a leader used by God. Moses was humbled before he was made great by God. Moses was not great, he feared to even speak but God used him to lead the people of God. Moses’ calling was not one he could deny. He had to go and do as the Lord commanded him. Despite all of Moses’ doubts and fears God’s plan would not fail. Moses would lead his people out of Egypt by the hand of God. The name of God ‘YHWH’ his rendered from the verb “Hayah,” to be. “I AM” in English. John 8:58 (NASB Strong’s (Lockman))

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Moses is a type of Christ and because this was more than one man could bare alone, Moses and Aaron together were a type of Christ. Moses spoke to God and performed the signs but Aaron spoke to the people and to Pharaoh for Moses. 

What shall I do?

First, I shall bow low and worship because Jesus is God in human flesh. He is fully God and fully man. This has been revealed to me in the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke as God and preformed the miraculous signs that could only have come from God. Secondly, I shall know that if God calls me to something, I shall not deny that calling. I shall know that God will equip me for that calling despite my doubts and fears.

Genesis 48-50

What does it say? 

Genesis 48 - Israel became sick and was dying; therefore Joseph went to see his father with his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. When Joseph brought them close, Israel put his right hand on Ephraim’s head and his left hand as Manasseh’s head. He adopted the brothers as his own, to receive and inheritance in Israel as one of his sons, in the land of Canaan by the oath of God. Israel gave Ephraim, the younger, the greater blessing than Manasseh the younger. 

Genesis 49 - All of the sons of Israel came forward and Israel spoke about each of them and what was to come. He negated the rights of the three eldest sons who are Rueben, Simeon and Levi. Reuben because he defiled his fathers bed and slept with his fathers concubine. (cf. Gn. 35:22) Simeon and Levi because of the violence they did to Hamor and his son Schechem and the people of their city after making a covenant with them. (cf. Gn. 34:25-30) Israel gave the blessing of the eldest to Judah, who was actually his fourth son from his wife Leah. The other sons followed in order of birth with the blessing of Israel and prophecy. Before Israel died, he charged his sons with burial in the grave site of his father’s where his wife Leah was buried. 

Genesis 50 - As the Lord promised Jacob, Joseph was at his side when Israel died. His body was embalmed and placed in the cave where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and now Jacob and Leah are all buried. After the burial, Joseph’s brothers thought that Joseph would be against them, now that their father was dead but Joseph loved his brothers and forgave their sins. He told them, that they meant evil but God meant it for good. At his death, Joseph requested to be buried in the land of Canaan when God takes the sons of Israel out of Egypt and gives them the land. 

What does it mean?

Israel had twelve sons but there were actually thirteen tribes in Israel because Joseph was counted as two tribes Manasseh and Ephraim. Ephraim would become greater than Manasseh and control the northern kingdom. Levi would be disbursed throughout Israel and not have a land of their own. There are earthly consequences for the sins done in the body. Reuben’s, Simeon’s and Levi’s sins had ramifications in the lives of their descendants. Judah would become the leading tribe. Israel’s body was taken to the grave of Abraham and Isaac. This is a for showing of the exodus to come. It is noted that though Israel took Rachel as his wife, Leah was his true wife, the wife God intended; this is seen in his burial with Leah in the cave of his fathers. Marriage is between one man and one woman and God chooses whom we are to marry. Joseph forgave his brothers. He loved his enemies, he did good to those who hated him, blessed those who cursed him and prayed for those who mistreated him. (Lk. 6:27-28) Joseph trusted the Lord’s oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is seen in his request to take his bones when God takes Israel to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

What shall I do?

I shall walk through this life knowing that all of my sins are paid in full by the atonement of Jesus Christ but I shall not go on sinning, the things that I do in the body can hurt other people, especially my children. I shall trust the Lord in what he has promised to all who believe in Jesus Christ. He has promised to return and raise us from the dead, to eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth. I shall show mercy and grace to others, regardless of how they may treat me or what they actually deserve. All human beings should be treated with dignity because they bare the image of God. 

Genesis 46-47

What does it say?

Genesis 46 - When Israel wanted to worship God and offer sacrifices he did so at Beersheba because this was were he meet God when he was a young man. (cf. Gn. 28:10) Just like when he was a young man God spoke with Israel at Beersheba in the visions of the night. God told Israel not to be afraid to go down to Egypt, for he would make a great nation from Israel. God promised that he would go down to Egypt with Israel and bring Israel up again. Their Jospeh his son will close his eyes. Jacob took his family, and went to the land of Goshen in Egypt, the place where Joseph directed them to go. There were 70 persons from the house of Jacob who went came to Egypt. It was here that Israel’s, in his old age, saw his son Joseph again. 

Genesis 47 - Joseph told Pharaoh that his family came down from Canaan and settled at Goshen. Five of his brothers and his father were presented before Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked Israel how old he was, Jacob said, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.” (Gn. 47:9 [NASB]) Pharaoh gave Israel the land of Goshen to settle and heard their flocks, he also charged them with his flocks. During the course of the famine Joseph acquired all of the money, livestock and land in Egypt for the house of Pharaoh. For this reason, the people who work the land gave one-fifth of the produce to Pharaoh as payment for using the land. Only the priest did not have to pay, for Pharaoh gave them an allotment. 

What does it mean?

There is an inkling of the Temple in this text. A designated mountain, where all of Israel would gather, to meet, and offer sacrifices to God. God promised to make Israel a great nation and bring the nation out of Egypt. God is trustworthy! God always delivers on his promises. Israel’s confession: Life is short and is difficult. It should be noted that the Egyptians, except the priest, paid Pharaoh one-fifth of all the produce of the land. The tithe that the Lord would enact in Israel is holy to the Lord. (cf. Lev. 27:30) 

What should I do?

I shall remember that the Lord our God is holy, his commands are not burdensome, his word is always trustworthy and true. If God says that he is going to do something, I can be rest assured that he will do it. God in his Son, Jesus Christ, has promised eternal life, in the new heaven and the new earth at his second coming, for all who believe in him. Life on this earth is short and often difficult but I have hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ for eternal life in the new heaven and new earth; there will no longer be any death, mourning, crying, or pain. (cf. Rev. 21:4) I see a great deal of these now while a care for the sick and injured but the new heaven and new earth will be free of these. I shall wait on the day of the Lord because the day of the Lord will come as promised.

Genesis 43-45

What does it say?

Genesis 43 - Israel and his sons had eaten all of the grain that they brought from Egypt, so Israel command his sons to return to Egypt and buy more grain. He was reminded that the man who was lord of the land of Egypt said, “return with your youngest brother Benjamin.” Israel was grieved and refused but when Judah vowed to be surety for his brothers life, Israel consented. Simeon their brother was returned to them. When Joseph saw Benjamin, his younger brother, he wept. After gaining his composure he dined with his brothers but separated from them. 

Genesis 44 - Joseph had his steward hide his special cup in Benjamin’s bag, then go after his brothers. When the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, all of the brothers followed Benjamin back to Egypt. Joseph told Israel’s sons that Benjamin would stay and be his slave; however, Judah told Joseph about his father Israel and his vow to be surety for his brother .

Genesis 45 - Joseph wept! He then revealed himself to his brothers and they rejoiced. They were sent back to their father Israel carrying many gifts from the land of Egypt. When Israel heard that his son Joseph was alive his spirit revived and he made plans to go see him.

What does it mean?

First, the brothers new that they had sinned. They viewed what was happening as a result of their sin. They believed that Benjamin was being enslaved because of their sin committed, when they sold Jospeh into slavery. This is a type of our guilt. Second, Judah, from whom the Christ would come, vowed to his father, “I will be surety for the lad.” Judah is a type of Christ. He was sent by his father in exchange for the life of his brother. Third, Joseph, whom they thought was dead was alive. It as if he had been raised from the dead. When they saw him, they rejoiced. This is a type of Christ’s resurrection and his appearance to his brothers. Lastly, the brothers went and told the good news to their father. When he heard, he rejoiced and desired to go see him. This is a type of the disciples telling others the good news.

What shall I do?

I know that I was created in the image of God but have sinned and fall short of his glory. The Father God sent his son Jesus to be surety in my place. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 [NASB]) After Jesus’ death and burial, he made several appearance to the disciples, alive after his suffering, by many convincing proofs. (Acts 1:3) The disciples rejoiced when they saw him. (John 20:20) They were sent by Christ, to the world, to be his witnesses. (Acts 1:8) When Israel received news that Joseph was alive, his spirit revived and he desired to go see him. When I heard that Christ died for my sins and is alive, I rejoiced and I long to go see him. I shall remember the sins that I have committed and loath myself because of them. I shall remember that the Son of God was went buy the Father God to be surety for me. I shall rejoice because my sins have been paid in full and Jesus has risen from the dead to sit on his glorious thrown. I shall be glad because he has promised me a place in his Father’s house. 

Genesis 40-42

What does it say?

Genesis 40 - While Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh became angry and placed his chief baker and his cup bearer in the same prison. These two men dreamed and Joseph interpreted their dreams for them by God. The cup bearer was restored to his office and the chief baker was hanged to his death. He had asked that the cup bearer remember him.

Genesis 41 - Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams that disturbed him greatly. He dreamed that seven sleek and fat cows, were eaten by seven ugly and gaunt cows. He dreamed that seven plump ears of grain, were eaten by seven ears, scorched by the wind of the desert. The cup bearer told Pharaoh about Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. He said that God was revealing to Pharaoh that seven abundant years would be followed by seven years of famine. The seven years of famine would be so divesting that no one would remember the seven abundant years. He also told Pharaoh that he should appoint a man to save one-fifth of all the produce during the seven abundant years, for food during the seven years of famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph steward of Pharaoh’s house. Joseph became lord of the land, for his commands were second, only to Pharaoh’s. Joseph was given a wife and she bore him two sons: Manasseh the oldest and Ephraim the younger. 

Genesis 42 - Jacob sent his sons, except Benjamin, to the land of Egypt to by food for famine was in the land of Canaan. Jospeh recognized his brothers and told them that they could not return without their youngest brother Benjamin, he held Simeon hostage until they returned. This upset Jacob greatly, who cried out saying, “All of these things are against me.” Reuben offered his two sons for the life of Benjamin but Jacob refused him.

What does it mean?

Firstly, God is sovereign, not Pharaoh, nor any man. God is all powerful, all knowing and all good. Previously, what Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, God allowed for good. Joseph became lord of the land. If God wants man to know what he is going to do, he will reveal his plans to man but if not, it remains a mystery. Secondly, all that is produced during the abundant years of life should not be devoured. Years of famine come to everyone. We should save during the abundant years, so that we have during the years of famine. At some point, we will become old and sick; therefore, unable to work. We should save while we are young for substance when we are old, one-fifth is a good saving plan during our working years. Lastly, Jacob believed that all was against him but God was for him, for his son Joseph was being restored to him. 

What shall I do?

I shall trust that the Father God is all powerful, all knowing and all good. I may not understand God’s plan but I trust that he has a plan; his plan will work for good because he is good, his plan will be accomplished because he is all powerful, and he knows my thoughts because he is all knowing. Secondly, I shall save one-fifth of my income now because I know that I will reach a point in life when I am unable to work because of sickness or old age. I shall do this, not for myself only but also for my wife and family. Lastly, I shall remember that even though things might seem against me, the reality may be different than what I perceive.

Genesis 37-39

What does it say?

Genesis 37 - Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Israel’s love for him and even more so, when Israel gave him a special tunic. Jospeh related to them a dream in which their sheaves bowed down to their sheaves. This enraged his brothers. He also had a second dream in which the sun and the moon and the eleven stars bowed down to him. Joseph was sent by their father to his brothers. His brothers captured him and sold him to Ishmaelite traders who sold Joseph to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. 

Genesis 38  - After this, there is an interluded, in which the story is hold of how Perez was born. (Perez and his mother Tamar are listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [cf. Mt. 1:3]) Perez and Zerah were born to Judah from an elicit union. Judah had sex with his daughter in-law Tamar, who had disguised herself as a prostitute because Judah did not give her to his youngest son as wife, his eldest son, Tamar’s husband was dead and his middle son was dead as well. 

Genesis 39 - We return to Joseph and his story. Joseph became steward of the house of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. By the hand of the Lord Joseph prospered in Potiphar’s house. He was put in charge of everything in the house. Potiphar’s wife was the only thing in the house that was withheld from Joseph. Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him and when he did not she lied and Potiphar put Jospeh in prison. The jailor favored Joseph because the Lord was with him.

What does it mean?

There is much typology in these three stories. In Joseph’s story he is a type of Christ. However, the antitype would eventually come from the union that Judah had with his daughter in-law Tamar. Like Jesus, Joseph, was sent by his father, to his brothers but they did not receive him. They sold him! In the story of Judah and Tamar we see how God will use evil for good. Through this union Perez is born, who is the descendant of David and Jesus Christ. Joseph’s story parallels Adam’s story in the garden; however, instead of eating the forbidden fruit, Jospeh is unjustly accused. Jesus would be unjustly accused and would be more than imprisoned; Jesus would suffer and die for the sins of Adam and all of mankind. 

What shall I do?

I shall realize that God’s will be done despite the wicked plans of men. Men do evil things all of the time but God is always working for good. God can use anything for good. At this point in Joseph’s story it does not seem for good but we will see that it will. To use a modern gospel phrase, which is often used incorrectly, God has a wonderful plan for Joseph’s life. The reason that I say, “the phrase is often used incorrectly.” God’s wonderful plan may not seem wonderful at the time. God had a wonderful plan to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. All of Jesus’ apostles suffered and all but John were martyred. God had a wonderful plan for their lives. I work at the bedside in intensive care. I see a great deal of human suffering and death. I do not always see what God’s plan is for my life and for my patients but I shall trust the word of the Lord and know that God has a wonderful plan.

Genesis 34-36

What does it say?

Jacob’s sons were treacherous! Dinah the daughter of Leah laid with Schechem the son of Hamor the Hivite who coerced her. Hamor and Schechem came to Jacob to ask for Dinah’s hand in marriage, suggesting that the sons of Jacob take their daughters as wives. Jacob sons agreed but with treachery in their hearts because they suggested that Hamor, Schechem and all the men of the city be circumcised like Jacob’s sons. On the third day, while the Hivites were in pain, Jacob’s sons killed every male in the city, took back their sister, looted the city, the fields, the wealth, took their little ones and their wives. This worried Jacob because he could no longer have favor among the people of the land; therefore, he moved with his sons to Bethel, the place where he meet God when he fled from Esau’s anger. Jacob worshiped the God whom he meet at Bethel and walked with him during the time he was working for Laban. The Lord changed his name to Israel and told him that he would be a nation; and that a company of nations and kings would come from him. He also promised him and his descendants the land which he gave to Abraham and Isaac his fathers. Debrah the mother of two of his sons died on the journey to Bethel. Rachel also died while giving birth to his twelfth son Benjamin. After this, Isaac died and the two brothers, Jacob and Esau buried him; therefore , the sons of Jacob are named and the descendants of Esau are named. After the death of Isaac, Jacob and Esau separated. The descendants of Esau became the Edomites and the descendants of Jacob the Israelites. 

What does it mean?

Two wrongs do not make a right but God will use evil for good. What Schechem did was wrong but what the sons of Jacob did was even more wrong. They lied, murdered, pillaged and enslaved many for the wrong done to their sister. Was it wrong that Schechem forced Dinah to have sex with him? Absolutely! However, it was Schechem whom they needed to deal with and not an entire city and not the innocent. Murdering many men because of the wrong done by one man treacherous. Taking the wealth that belongs to those men and there children. Taking their children and their wives, likely as slaves, is just unspeakable treachery and I think that the law agrees. Exodus 22:16-17 (NASB) “If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.” God uses man’s evil to bring about good. This caused Jacob to depend on the Lord and move his family to Bethel where he worshiped the Lord and he taught his children to worship the Lord.

What Shall I do?

Jesus said in Luke 6:27-31 (NASB) “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Should men take the law into there own hands? Jesus Christ was marred more than any man. Jesus’ arrest, suffering and death by crucifixion was the worst wrong ever committed. While on the cross Jesus said, Luke 23:34 (NASB) “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” I shall not follow the sons of Jacob but I shall follow Jesus Christ. Anger is such an easy response but the noble way is to love ones enemies.

Genesis 31-33

What does it say?

Jacob no longer had favor with laban; therefore, he took all that he acquired while working for Laban and departed for the land of Canaan. Rachel, his wife, stole idols from Laban and hid them. Laban chased after Jacob but did not attack because he was warned by God in a dream; therefore, he made a covenant with Jacob. He made Jacob swear before God but did not do so from his own fear of the Lord but Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. Jacob feared Esau, so he sent before him a gift of livestock and divided his positons and persons, so that all could not be attacked at once. Jacob wrestled with God all that night and God changed his name to Israel, for he wrestled with God and with men and prevailed; however, Jacob was injured and limped thereafter. Esau received Jacob and received Jacobs gift; therefore, Jacob entered the land and settled near the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan. 

What does it mean?

Life is a struggle and it is impossible to live in this world without some contention. If you work hard and prosper, someone will be jealous. If you live obedient to the word of the Lord, someone will call you pious or self-righteous. If you proclaim the word of God, you may be called judgmental. It is impossible to live in this world without contention. The best that we can do is live according to the Word of the Lord, observing all that Jesus commanded. Christian children are taught to observe the Word of the Lord and they may do so, from our fear of the Lord and not their own. Every believer must meet the Lord. Jacob saw the Lord as the God of his fathers. He first meet the Lord at Bethel and saw that the Lord caused him to prevail while working for Laban. Jacob still struggled with unbelief. He wrestled with the Lord and came face to face with God. A child may observe the Word of the Lord because of his/her parents fear but at some point they will need to wrestle with the Lord face to face. 

What shall I do?

There are two things that the early church did: They told people about a man and a gift. The man is Jesus and the gift is eternal life in the kingdom of God. I shall not worry about the struggles in this life and all who might contend with me. I shall tell people about the free gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. I cannot make anyone believe. Everyone must come face to face with God. Everyone struggles with God and with man. Belief in Jesus Christ means piece with God but it will cause difficulties with the flesh. The flesh and the spirit never get along. However, I shall wrestle with the flesh but only in Jesus Christ shall I prevail. 

Genesis 29-30

There are two main ideas in this text: Man is sinful and God is righteous. One cannot read the things that either Jacob or Laban did and be proud of either. Scripture is amazing because here is a story that paints the nation of Israel in a bad light. The law prohibits marrying two sisters, yet the nation of Israel began this way. Jacob desired Rachel but he was given Leah as a wife first. Leah would bare six of the twelve tribes of Israel, namely Levi and Judah; Levi would become the priestly line and Judah the royal line through whom David and Jesus came. Because of the rivalry of two sisters having the same husband, each used her maid, which Jacob took as wives also, and each maid bore him two children a piece. Rachel remained barren but eventually she gave birth to Joseph, Joseph would become two tribes in the northern kingdom and be divided from his brother Judah in the southern kingdom. We would hear no more of Joseph after the exile but Judah, Leah’s son. would become prominent. Children can be born from fornication, adultery and many other sinful unions but marriage is between one woman and on man for life. Though Jacob desired Rachel, it was God’s will that he should marry Leah and he used Laban’s deception to bring this about. It was also God’s will to prosper Jacob and the Lord used Laban’s greed to prosper Jacob by turning Laban’s plan to Jacobs favor.

I understand that the Lord works in mysterious ways. God is sovereign over all things, which includes the affairs of the heart and the economy of man. I do not understand what is happening in our world today. There is a global pandemic that has spread from a single place in China to the entire world. It has been somewhat squelched by the government’s influence but now another situation has occurred where large numbers of people are rioting together in the city against the police. Will this cause the virus to spread wildly? How will the Lord use the anger of these people to bring about his will? I do not know the answer to these questions but I do know that I shall trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NASB) 

Much in the story of Jacob, Laban, Leah and Rachel are so very strange to us. However, relationships are still strange and men are still greedy. These things are just played out today, in differing ways, in a different culture. The main idea that we should glean from this text: Though man is by nature sinful, God is Sovereign over all and His will, will be done.

Genesis 26-28

What does it say?

Isaac had it in his mind to go to Egypt because a famine struck the land of Canaan but God commanded that he stay in the land and He reaffirmed the promise that He made to Abraham with Isaac and his descendants. Isaac lived among the Philistines in Gerar, and lied, saying that Rebekah was his sister but Abimelech saw Isaac caressing his wife; Abimelech rebuked Isaac because one of his people might have sinned and brought guilt upon the community. The Lord made Isaac prosperous and the Philistines became jealous. They quarreled over the wells that Isaac dug and he moved each time, untll he came to a well that no one quarreled over. Isaac went to Beersheba and the Lord appeared to him, and spoke to him, and said that He would bless Isaac for Abraham’s sake; therefore, Isaac worshiped the Lord. Abimelech of the Philistines came and made a covenant with Isaac at Beersheba because he saw that God was blessing Isaac. Esau married two Hittite women, and this brought grief to his parents. When Isaac became old he set it in his mind to bless his older son Esau. Rebekah wanting Jacob to receive the blessing, disguised him to smell and feel as Esau. Jacob deceived his father Isaac, and lied, saying that he was Esau; Isaac believed that he was Esau and gave Jacob his blessing. When the deception was found out, Esau wept because his father had made his brother Jacob master. Isaac prophesied that Esau will serve Jacob but will become restless and break away from Jacob’s rule. Esau hated Jacob, so his mother sent Jacob to her brother Laban until Esau’s anger subsides. Isaac blessed Jacob and sent him away to live with Laban, Jacob’s uncle and obtain a wife from his cousins. When Esau saw that his wives displeased Isaac and Rebekah he took a third wife but this time from the daughters of Ismael. Jacob stopped at a crossroads and slept, there he dreamed and saw a ladder between earth and heaven; the angles ascended and descended on the ladder with God at the top who spoke and affirmed the covenant that he made to Abraham and Isaac with Jacob. Jacob anointed the stone that he had rested his head on with oil and called it the house of God. He vowed that if the Lord kept him on his journey, then the Lord would be his God and he vowed to give a tenth back to the Lord. 

What shall I do?

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lied to protect themselves and to gain for themselves. Should I emulate their behavior because God did bless these three men? God blessed them despite of their deceptive ways. The Lord had a plan to bless all of the nations of the earth (cf. Gn.26:4) and that plan went through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s plan would not be detoured by their lying ways. In fact, the Lord used their lying to bring about His greater good. The question remains, should I be a liar like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? The answer is no! God is truth and Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and not a follower of these men. Jesus, through Mary, his mother, descended from Jacob but He is not like Jacob, He is like the Father God. Why did God go about blessing the entire world in this way? I do not know; however, I trust that He did, and I shall follow, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is God in human flesh. I shall give my body as a living and holy sacrifice to God, which is my spiritual service of worship. I shall not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the Word and Spirit of God. 

Genesis 24-25

What does it say?

Abraham sent his oldest and most trusted servant to take a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac from among Abraham’s relatives but not from the Canaanites. Abraham believed that the Lord would guide his servant to the woman whom Isaac would marry. Abraham’s servant took 10 camels and a variety of goods to the city of Nahor, Abraham’s brother; when he arrived at the well, he asked the Lord to reveal the woman when she showed him kindness by offering him and his camels water from the well. Rebekah was Isaac’s second cousin and she came to draw water which she offered to Abraham’s servant and she watered his camels. He gave her jewelry and asked if he might lodge with her family and she gladly agreed. Laban, Rebekah’s brother took care of the man’s needs, feeding and bedding his camels, and when they all sat down to eat a meal together, the man revealed his purpose for coming. He also revealed his prayer by the fountain of water regarding the woman who would show him kindness by giving him a drink of water from her jar, also drawing water for his camels. He told them while he was yet praying these things to the Lord Rebekah arrived and did as he asked the Lord; therefore, he worshiped the Lord on the spot. Laban, Rebekah’s brother and Bethuel, her mother saw Rebekah’s calling as from the Lord; therefore, they would not question it. The servant of Abraham feasted with Rebekah’s brother and mother along with the men who came with him. He also gave to Rebekah, Laban and Bethuel gifts. Rebekah willingly departed her family to become the wife of Isaac and her family gave their blessing that she might prosper in the marriage. The servant brought Rebekah to Isaac and he loved her and took her as his wife. Abraham took a wife named Keturah after Sarah’s death; she bore him six sons but only Isaac, the son of Sarah received the inheritance. Abraham died at the age of one hundred and seventy-five; Ishmael and Isaac together buried him in the cave with Sarah. Ishmael settled east of Egypt and lived one hundred and thirty-seven years, his settling was in defiance of his relatives. Rebekah gave birth to twin boys after a difficult pregnancy and the Lord told her that two nations would come forth from her womb. Esau was a hunter and Jacob stayed near the tents; Esau was Isaac’s favorite and Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite; Esau sold Jacob his birth rite for a bite of stew. 

What shall I do?

Abraham’s servant was given a great responsibility and did what he was assigned to do, for which he received no glory because he is unnamed in the story. Though Abraham had a son from Hagar, Sarah’s maid, and took another wife, Keturah after Sarah’s death, he was buried with Sarah, his one true bride. Marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Children might come from fornication, adultery, or multiple marriages but only one marriage is from the Lord. I have been studying how the gospel spread during the first three centuries of the church. It was not spread by the apostolic writers that followed after the apostles, but was spread by men and women unnamed in the historical record. They received no glory, for the glory belongs solely to the Lord. First, I shall serve the Lord, expecting nothing in return. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” I have already been given what I do not deserve. I have the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Second, I shall love Darlene, the wife of my youth, all the days of my life on earth. She was given to me as a wife from the Lord. She is my one true bride and there will never be another. I shall love her always, as I love myself.