Thoughts on the readings for January 28th (Genesis 46, 47; Psalm 50; Romans 3, 4)

Genesis 46 tells of the arrival Jacob's family's in Egypt and gives their names and number - 66 persons who came from Israel's procreation. Together with Israel and his 3 of his 4 wives 70 people in all came into Egypt. The chapter concludes with Israel and Joseph being joyfully reunited. Chapter 47 tells of their presentation to Pharaoh - in particular Israel's words of blessing upon Pharaoh. Pharaoh invites them to settle in Goshen and supervise his own livestock herds. Israel told Pharaoh that his family have been sojourners. Pharaoh responded in generously allocating land in Goshen - the territory of his favoured priests. Verses 13-26 describe Joseph's wise dealings with the Egyptians during the last 5 years of the famine. By his just actions he acquired most of the land and labour in Egypt, except for the priestly lands. Verses 27-31 tell of Israel's family settling in Egypt and Jacob's (Israel's) death aged 147 years. Before his death Israel gave charge faithfully to Joseph that upon dying Israel would be buried in the Promised Land (verse 31 compare Hebrews 11 verses 21-22). One reason that the Genesis record devotes so many chapters to the life of Joseph, Saviour of his brethren and the world, is to help us appreciate the work of reconciliation that our Lord will consummate with his brethren, the Jews. Christ will "speak comfortably" to his people: Hosea 2:14. The emotions of our Lord and his people in the future are beautifully depicted in the scene of reconciliation portrayed in these chapters in Genesis. Psalm 50 is a Psalm of Asaph, who was the recorder (or secretary) at the time of David's kingship over all Israel. He rejoices in the fact that God Himself is the Judge. See the reverence for the Almighty Asaph has in the use of many titles for his Sovereign in verse 1. The earth is commanded to listen to God, who shines forth from the glory of His future sanctuary in Zion (the blessed Jerusalem of the Kingdom Age). The LORD will come with a terrifying vengeance. The heavens and the earth are His witnesses. His faithful saints will be there assisting in the establishing of God's authority. By accepting His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through belief of the Truth and baptism; they have become His Covenant people. He judges His people in an incontestable way, since He is God. He doesn't need either their sacrifices, or offerings, since every living creature belongs to the Creator. He doesn't negotiate with lowly humans. There is absolutely nothing that we can give Him to atone for our sins. But, there is something that we can give to Him - full hearted thanksgiving. One writer, I Collier, in a poem in his book "Conviction and Conduct" wrote, "Give God Thy heart, tis all that He doth ask". Those who humbly submit to Him will be delivered out of their troubles. By contrast He scorns the wicked by telling them that it will be useless to hypothetically call upon Him. He has not judged them yet; but will surely do so soon. The psalm concludes in verse 23. Slowly read these words aloud and contemplate what they are teaching. Romans 3 turns attention to the Jewish people who were agreeing with every word Paul had uttered of the depravity among the Gentiles. They, too, were without excuse as they had the Word of God in their midst and yet were just as corrupt. From verses 9-20 Paul advances seven Scriptures supporting this. Then from verses 21-31 he proves that there is only one righteousness, and that on the basis of belief. What is required is a submission to the only way of declaring us to be right with God. This includes a confession that human beings are rightly related to death as we are incurably sinful. Additionally we confess that our Potentate only is righteous and strengthened His Son to accomplish what was humanly impossible. On the basis of the acceptance of these truths and our identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in whom they have been outworked forgiveness of sins is provided. Chapter 4 illustrates that through the lives of David and Abraham there is absolutely nothing we can do to be saved by works ie our own merits. God's condition for forgiveness involves our acceptance of this truth and confession of our failures if we are to receive the blessings of forgiveness and to be inheritors of the promised Kingdom that will be, as verse 13 indicated, international. What is recorded was not for the sakes of those in the recorded Scriptures, but indeed for our sakes. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-january-28th-genesis-46-47-psalm-50-romans-3-4/?feed_id=83610&_unique_id=6797979ba4f1e