Thoughts on the readings for January 23rd (Genesis 38; Psalms 41, 42, 43; Matthew 25.)

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Thoughts on the readings for January 23rd (Genesis 38; Psalms 41, 42, 43; Matthew 25

Genesis 38 speaks of a very unsavoury set of circumstances surrounding Judah and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. The chapter commenced with a visit from Judah to a prostitute, who bore him a son, Er. The prostitute bare Judah two further sons Onan and Shelah. As the two eldest reached marriageable age he took a wife, Tamar. Er was given in marriage to Tamar. Because of Er’s wickedness he was slain by Yahweh. So Tamar was a childless widow. She was given her brother-in-law, Onan who under the rules of the day had the responsibility to raise up an heir for his dead brother. Onan was also wicked and acted evilly. He too was slain by God. Tamar waited a long time for Shelah to become an adult; and then she saw that Judah her father-in-law would not allow her to marry him. She acted to raise up an heir. She posed as a whore and lured her father-in-law into a liaison, by veiling her appearance (it seems she knew Judah’s weakness). Judah promised to pay for her services; he didn’t have money so he left his staff and signet ring for a pledge. His friend tried to make the payment for Judah, but found the woman gone. Judah later hears of Tamar’s pregnancy and says she needed to be burnt for her infidelity. She sends Judah the staff and signet ring of the man who is the father. Judah relented and acknowledged his own hypocrisy. Tamar bore twins, who wrestled for the right to be the firstborn – Perez and Zerah. During the birth Zerah put his fist out and a scarlet thread was tied to his wrist. The fist was drawn in and his brother Perez born first (the name was given because he had burst forth in breech against his brother). The scarlet thread follows a theme throughout the Bible at the time of the taking of Jericho; the ancestor of Jesus in Ruth 4; the scarlet thread to which the hyssop was tied when the pierced Jesus was on the cross (Zerah means “pierced”). When Israel (Jacob) blessed his sons in Genesis 49 he said, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you” (verse 8 ESV). Certainly Judah couldn’t be praised for the events in Genesis 38; but he will outshine at the end in the dealings with Joseph in Egypt. The lawgiver and king would come from Judah. And from that tribe the Lord Jesus Christ would be born; conquer sin and death; and in the kingdom rule over the whole earth. The great lesson we learn from the life of Judah is that his selfishness in his youth ultimately transformed into a mature caring and loving brother. Let us never abandon hope in that some of us learn maturity much later in life.

Psalm 41 completed Book 1 (the Genesis themed Psalms) and Psalm 42 commenced Book 2 (the Exodus themed Psalms – finishing in Psalm 72). The content of both Psalms 41-42 is similar and provides a smooth connection between both Books. In Psalm 41 we read of a man in distress calling on the Almighty for grace, strength and deliverance. The Psalmist asks God to have mercy upon the one who considered “the poor”. Our Lord became “poor” out of his love for our low and needful condition
(2 Corinthians 8 verses 6-15). Our Lord Jesus’ love and care show him to be his Father’s Son: Psalm 68 verses 1-4. And the Omnipotent Creator saw His Son struggle in the worst of conditions to bring about our redemption to his Sovereign God. So whenever the Son called for help the Father speedily responded. The Psalmist in verse 4, as a type of Messiah, acknowledged his weaknesses. Though our Lord never sinned he contended with his sin-prone nature – its trials and weaknesses – each day of his life. The Psalmist’s enemies were prowling around him barking continuously like bloodthirsty dogs. And there also the proud and hateful whisperers plotting his downfall. They saw David’s illness as a rightful consequence of his wrongdoings. Verse 9 speaks of David’s loyal and trustworthy counsellor – Ahithophel – and these words are quoted in the New Testament as applying to Judas. From verses 10 to the Psalm’s end the writer speaks of his confidence in Yahweh to deliver David (firstly); and to a greater degree, the Lord Jesus Christ himself. His experience of his God’s faithfulness filled him with praise of his Sovereign. In verse 12 the Anointed is assured that he will dwell in the presence of the Almighty; at the time of the coming Kingdom forever. In the 42nd Psalm we read of the startled young deer being pursued until it became breathless. The writer/s – the sons of Korah, who stood with Moses when their father led a rebellion against the divinely appointed leaders of Moses and Aaron – compare that delicate creature’s panting thirst to their own seeking for the “Living God” (a prominent theme in several of their Psalms). As the keepers of the gates of the Sanctuary they were responsible for the exclusion of the worldly and profane from the Tabernacle; and in later generations the Temple. Those exiled from the fellowship to be found in the house of God felt this longing very deeply. Verse 5 is a refrain which finds its echo in the concluding verse 11 of the Psalm. The words are Messianic and reflect the despondency of our Lord Jesus Christ during 3 challenges during his ministry – the first at his baptism in the river Jordan; the second at his Transfiguration; and, lastly in the Garden of Gethsemane. These are referred to in verses 6-7. Verse 7 may be a citation from the prayer of Jonah, chapter 2, inside the great fish’s belly as expressive of the feeling of drowning and being overwhelmed that Jonah had in common with the Messiah of whom he was a wonderful type. Alternatively, Jonah’s prayer could be a quotation from the Psalm. Both were prophets of the Lord from despised Galilee. The source of hope and the comforting affirmation are found in both verses 5 and 11.
Psalm 43 is a call upon the Almighty to send forth His Light and Truth to summon His saints to Zion – the scene of their salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ’s future Kingdom soon to be set up on this earth with Jerusalem as its capital
(Isaiah 2 verses 1-5). It again speaks of the spirit of Messiah in the Psalms. The Messiah in reality was fixed upon Yahweh’s light and truth as the guiding principles of his life (and these were the spirit by which the writer had tried to live). The connection to the 42nd Psalm is the repetition of the twice written refrain. The Lord Jesus Christ’s countenance was changed and was a foretaste for him of the glory of the Kingdom, which sustained his endurance
(Matthew 17 and Luke 9).

Matthew 25 commenced with the parable of the ten virgins. Five were WISE and five were foolish. It illustrates the wisdom of being always prepared. Procrastination invariably catches up with those who are prone to it. That all ten virgins slept tells us that in comparison with the faithful throughout all time there will be at the time of the end comparatively few believers who have readied themselves for our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. Then follows the parable of the talents, and the keynote of the parable is faithfulness. We each have been given abilities and responsibilities that differ. What is important is that we fully utilise what we have been given; according to the principle to whom much is given, much is expected. Interestingly it was the one talent individual who totally misjudged our Lord Jesus Christ believing that he/she was not good enough for the Kingdom. What an entirely wrong perception for we are all only saved by grace and are in no way worthy ( of course there will be vast numbers of multi-talented individuals who have failed also). We must understand the gracious gift that is the good pleasure of our Heavenly Father to give His children the Kingdom. We must endeavour to judge matters according to God’s Word. The final judgment will be on the basis of our understanding of our Omnipotent Creator and his inestimable Son and so living. It is love based rather than academic head knowledge. Read verses 34-46 aloud and consider if our actions measure up. Compare also Jeremiah’s comments on what Josiah demonstrated in the knowing of his God in chapter 22 verses 15-16 of that prophecy. Showing love to “the least” is evidence of our love for our Lord. To know God is to copy His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphian video.org