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“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33

Today’s Bible Reading

The returned Judeans begin rebuilding the altar of the Lord so that they may resume offering sacrifices. The Judeans lay the foundation of the new temple. The people shout for joy, but many of the older Judeans weep loudly, remembering the grandeur of the first temple.

BibleGateway: Ezra 3 ESV Text: Ezra 3 Ezra 3 (Listen) Rebuilding the Altar 3:1 When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen,… 

We conclude the month with a few readings from Hebrews. Hebrews provides good insight into the lives we’ve read about in the book of Genesis. The key word is faith. Though far from perfect, believers like Noah, Abraham, and Jacob lived their lives with God-given faith, looking ahead to the coming of Christ, as well as inhabiting the city whose builder and maker is God.

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BibleGateway: Hebrews 11:1-16 ESV Text: Hebrews 11:1-16 KJV Text: Hebrews 11:1-16 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:51      1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of… 

Satan likes to haunt our minds with sins from even way back in our past. Joseph is saddened when his brothers wonder if he has truly forgiven them for their past misdeeds. The only solution? Take your guilt to the cross, where Jesus has already paid for all of it. Even guilt for which we have already received forgiveness needs to be taken to the cross.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 50 ESV Text: Genesis 50 KJV Text: Genesis 50:1-26 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 50:      1 And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. 2 And Joseph… 

The Great Descendant of Judah is called “Shiloh,” which means “Rest-bringer”. Through the Gospel in Word and Sacrament, Jesus gives perfect rest to our souls. Elsewhere in Scripture Jesus is known as the Lion from the Tribe of Judah. Yes, Jesus is a tender Lamb, but He’s also an almighty Lion, in Whom is all power and authority in heaven and on earth.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 49 ESV Text: Genesis 49 KJV Text: Genesis 49:1-33 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 49:      1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that… 

Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, prophetically, showing that the younger son would be greater than the older. God has a plan for each of us. With humble faith accept the plan He has for you, not worrying, but being happy for the blessings He gives others. Also, don’t forget that the big plan for all of His redeemed saints is life forever with Him in Heaven!

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BibleGateway: Genesis 48 ESV Text: Genesis 48 KJV Text: Genesis 48:1-22 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 48:      1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick:… 

Jacob described the days of his life as few and evil. Does that sound familiar? Life as sinners in a fallen world often can be discouraging and painful. But, through all that trouble, the Lord tirelessly works to shape and mold us, so that, more and more, we learn to lean, not on our own wisdom strength, but upon the truth and mercy of our Savior God.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 47 ESV Text: Genesis 47 KJV Text: Genesis 47:1-31 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 47:      1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and… 

The nation of Israel now numbers only 66. But, as promised, the Lord will increase that number many times over in the coming centuries. That’s something like how the New Testament Church began with only a handful. But now God has increased it to a multitude from every nation, countless souls who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

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BibleGateway: Genesis 46 ESV Text: Genesis 46 KJV Text: Genesis 46:1-34 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 46:      1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices… 

Here we have both a revelation and a reconciliation. Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, followed by a heart-warming reconciliation. So powerfully and wonderfully healing is the forgiving grace of God as it works in the hearts of His believers.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 45 ESV Text: Genesis 45 KJV Text: Genesis 45:1-28 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 45:      1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause… 

As a final test, Joseph’s silver cup is planted in Benjamin’s sack. The brothers are aghast that Benjamin may be killed. In Christ-like fashion, Judah pleads for the life of his brother, offering even to become a slave in exchange for Benjamin’s life. Praise God, a change of heart has taken place. Truly, the Lord wants all come to repentance and be saved.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 44 ESV Text: Genesis 44 KJV Text: Genesis 44:1-34 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 44:      1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much… 

With food running low, the brothers need to return to Egypt. Jacob is dead set against taking Benjamin, but Joseph had made it plain: no Benjamin, no grain. Joseph’s plan to stir the consciences of his brothers continues to bear fruit. What a painful blessing it is to honestly come face to face with our sin. For only then can true Gospel healing take place.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 43 ESV Text: Genesis 43 KJV Text: Genesis 43:1-34 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 43:      1 And the famine was sore in the land. 2 And it came to pass, when they had… 

The chance for revenge falls right into Joseph’s lap when his brothers come to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph treats them roughly, but only to help them remember their past sins. Joseph cares about their spiritual welfare, and wants to help lead them toward repentance so they can be free of the burden of guilt they’ve been carrying for twenty years.

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BibleGateway: Genesis 42 ESV Text: Genesis 42 KJV Text: Genesis 42:1-38 KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 42:      1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do…