Welcome! Sometimes in this blog I can get a little long winded (preachers have a tendency to do that), so if you are running short on time any particular day, or don't particularly care what I have to say about something, remember that it is most important to do the Bible reading, think on it for a while, and pray from your heart. So don't ever let my comments stop you from being committed to a Bible reading program.

May God bless our study today! Comments on the two readings are separated today.

Read Psalm 10

Meditation on Psalm 10:

We who are sitting comfortable in Northern America may find it hard to pray Psalm 10. We forget what real oppression is. We forget the affliction of the poor (the really poor in the world). We can even forget that the wicked exalt themselves over God, even crying out with their words and actions, "There is no God!"

But we Christians are the body of Christ. So, even if we do not feel the need to pray Psalm 10 often, we should pray it on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. As we do we will not only be growing our own character (remembering our small place in this world while lifting up in prayer others in need), but we will also be taught by God to discern the lies and deceptions of the devil.

The truth is, though we are comfortable physically and are not often blatantly criticized or attacked for our faith (at least in the Midwest), the lies and tricks and deceptions of the Devil are still all around us. They are subtle. They are in our schools, in the mouths of our coworkers, in our books and on our movie screens. Lies, worldliness, and materialism permeate our iPods and Laptops and all kinds of medium, appearing in all sorts of forms.

And what is all of it? False teaching. False worship. False hope. Therefore, we should take the psalm's comment that God will "break the arm of the wicked" as a warning and a comfort. As a warning: because we easily fall into sin and are seduced by evil in all its forms. As a comfort: because the Devil will not win, and will not succeed in dragging us to Hell. Yes, the "Arm of the Lord" has been revealed in Christ. His strong and powerful arm has defeated the strength of the Devil. His arm wielded a weapon never before seen - passivity and willingness to be spiked to a cross.

You who are afflicted. Take comfort. The Lord hears your desires. He will strengthen your heart. He forgives and he helps. Amen!

Read Genesis 10

Meditation on Genesis 10:

Well, another genealogy. Good stuff! The wicked seem to prosper in the psalm we read today. They also seem to prosper in Genesis 10. Ham's son, Canaan, received a curse, did he not? Yet look and see all the familiar names of nations, cities, tribes, and peoples. Such strength! Such oppression they laid upon the Hebrew people, even Israel! Canaan, Egypt, Assyria, the Philistines, Sodom, Gomorrah, Sidon, and more - all well known to students of the Bible. Powerful. Wicked. Trouble for Israel.

But Shem, who received the promise of the "offspring" (a.k.a. Messiah) - what is noteworthy about his line? Nothing. Only, maybe, Eber. The father of the Hebrew people (see the similarity in the name?). Eber also bears the promise. But what power and strength is there? None according to this world. But spiritually speaking, the gates of Hell would not be able to swallow up his line. No, God would be true to his promise. God would indeed send the Savior. This genealogy (though a bit more "dry" to read) reveals that God is carrying out his plan. Even though the powerful descendants of Ham would harass Israel, God would preserve them.

And Japheth's line? They settled on the coastlands. It was prophesied that God's glory would be revealed to them. Isaiah mentions it several times, the most noteworthy perhaps is Isaiah 66:19 "I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations." And indeed, this is exactly where St. Paul carried the Gospel! Certainly Japheth would be blessed by Shem, as Noah prophesied!

And I bet you are surprised you can get so much out of a genealogy!

Ask Yourself:

Are the wicked thriving around me? How long will that last?

The Lord hears the afflicted who call out to him. Are you afflicted? Are you calling out to Him?

Are you having to wait a long time to see God's salvation, just like Shem's line had to wait?

Pray:

O Lord, our faithful and jealous God, restrain the craftiness and the power, the oppression and the deceit of Your enemies. Save the souls of the innocent from the snares of falsehood, and lead them to the knowledge of Your salvation in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Keep us in the true and saving faith, and grant us to walk worthy of Your name for the sake of Your Son, our Savior. Amen.

Tomorrow (or tonight) worship in God's house and hear his Word there.

Study with me Monday!

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!