| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| January 9, 2025 | ESV (2016) | OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027 |
Genesis 9
The chapter opens with a blessing of Noah by God and the commission for Noah and his offspring to be fruitful and multiply the earth. This is repeated in both Gen. 9:1 and Gen. 9:7, but unlike the original commission for humanity in Gen. 1:28, there is no mention of subduing the earth. As the TGCBC points out, “Due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden of Eden, humanity can no longer govern the earth on God’s behalf.”
God also told Noah that animals were to have a fear and dread of him, denoting a reverential hierarchy. They would be delivered into Noah’s hand which seems to indicate an assigned governance and authority. God then told Noah and his sons that He would establish a covenant with them, their offspring and ever living creature with them. It seems important to note here that the covenant was not just reserved for humanity only but for all animal life that came out of the ark. There is also no mention of plant life being included in the covenant.
The sign of the covenant was to be a “bow” (a rainbow). When God creates a rainbow, He will remember the covenant He established between Himself, Noah and every living creature of all flesh.
Focus then shifts to the descendants of Noah and an instance in which Noah’s nakedness was uncovered. As the TGCBC indicates, “After the flood has cleansed the earth from human defilement, the ground is more productive”. Noah becomes drunk from the wine that came from this abundance of production, thereby revealing that sin is never absent, even among the most righteous of humanity. Ham witnesses his father’s nakedness and informs his brothers. The TGCBC speaks of how “There is no reason to assume that Ham has done anything wrong, despite what is claimed by many commentators.” However, Noah curses Ham (Canaan) and tells him that he is to be a servant of his brothers. Noah then blesses Shem, asks God to enlarge Japheth and that Japheth dwell in the tents of Shem. This indicates that Shem is to be considered highest among Noah’s brothers.
Key Takeaway
God is gracious to bless Noah and his sons, to give them authority over animal life and provide for them. We also see through the instance with Noah’s nakedness the pervasiveness of sin.
Matthew 9
Following the occurrence of the casting of demons from the two men and drowning of the pigs into the sea, Jesus crossed over by boat to his own city (Capernaum) and was brought a paralytic by some people. Jesus initial response to the paralytic was not his physical condition but his sin, telling the man to “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matt. 9:2b). The scribes present that the time attributed this action blasphemy, demonstrating that this action by Jesus was a claim of deity.
Passing on from there, Jesus called Matthew (who was sitting at the tax booth) to follow Him. The ESVEC points out that Mark and Luke “call him Levi, so that he joins Scripture’s list of men with two names.”
We are next told that Jesus reclined at table with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees spoke to the disciples and asked why He was doing this. Jesus heard this and addressed the Pharisees Himself, giving the illustration that only those who are sick need a physician. Jesus tells the scribes to go and learn what it means that the Scripture says, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” (a reference to Hos. 6:6). It seems helpful to appreciate how powerful confrontation would have been in the moment, given that the scribes were the ones to know the Scriptures best.
The Pharisees then question Jesus about fasting, to which He replies with the illustration of wedding guests fasting while they are bridegroom is with them. It is when the bridegroom is taken from them that they will fast (an hint of Jesus’ fate as the THE Bridegroom).
The chapter continues in describing several healings and Jesus’ proclamation of the gospel, speaking to His disciples to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.
Key Takeaway
Through His healings and multiple confrontations with the Pharisees, we see manifested Jesus’ compassion and supreme power as God incarnate.