Day 9 – Genesis 27-29; Matthew 24-25

Old Testament reading: Genesis 27-29

“So Jacob served seven years Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” This is a refreshing story in our instant gratification, “I want what I want, and I want it now” society. Tragically, many today marry, divorce and marry again in less time than Jacob was willing to wait for Rachel.  Also, we see again the concern of Isaac and Rebekah regarding the potential wives of their sons. Jacob is sent away to find a wife away from the daughters of the land. Esau, knowing his parents’ desire, also seeks a wife in an effort to win his parents’ approval. Generally speaking, if one’s parents do not approve of our intended mate, we ought to give serious consideration to their objections. In many cases, love is not only blind, it is also headstrong and unreasonable. These are ingredients for disaster in most any situation, but especially in marriage.

New Testament reading: Matthew 24-25

“Matthew 24 is knocking at the door.” This was a well-known adage from a popular evangelical preacher during the 1950s and 60s. So well received was this saying that Johnny Cash released a song by that same title in 1973. Matthew 24 is one of the most wrongly interpreted chapters in the Bible. In truth, the signs of Matthew 24 point to the destruction of Jerusalem and not to the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world. The key to understanding Matthew 24:1-35 is found in verses 14 and 34. Verse 14 reads, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Paul made it clear in Colossians 1:6, 23 and in Romans 10:16-18 that the gospel had been preached to the whole world within a generation of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24. Thus, the events of Matthew 24 would take place in the days immediately following the writing of those two epistles. Then there is verse 34, “Assuredly I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things take place.” I am unsure how so many miss that statement.