Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

    DateVersionReading Plan
    January 10, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

    Genesis 25-26

    Observation & Interpretation

    Gen. 25:9-10 – Following Abraham’s death, Isaac and Ishmael buried him in with Sarah, Abraham’s wife, in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron that Abraham had purchased from the Hittites.

    Gen. 25:18 – The descendants of Ismael settled from Havilah to Shur, opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria.

    • Ishmael fathered twelve sons, all of whom became leaders of their clans … Teir settlemens and encampments stretched from Havilah to Shur—the region between the modern Suez canal and the Wadi el-Arish. Later their settlements, the best know of which was Kedar, would extend into the northwest Arabian Peninsula; these would be involved in incense trade. During his 137 yeard, Ishmael would also father two daughters, Mahalath and Basemath (28:9; 36:3). In keeping with the prophetic word (16:12), Ishmael stayed near all his relatives. (CSB Notes)

    Gen. 25:20 – Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to be his wife.

    Gen. 25:26 – The name “Jacob” means “He takes me by the heel” or “He cheats” (ESV Footnote)

    Gen. 25:28 – Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. We are given the reason why Isaac loved Esau but are not given the reason why Rebekah loved Jacob.

    • Isaac loved Esau best, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Perhaps he was a “mama’s boy.” (BBC)

    Gen. 26:18 – Isaac dug again the wells of water in Gerar that had been dug by Abraham which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham.

    Gen. 26:34-35 – Isaac’s firstborn son, Esau, took wives of the Hittites and made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

    • Esau’s marriage to Judith and Basemath ,two pagan women, caused grief to his parents, as have many unequal yokes since then. It also brought out further his unfitness for the birthright. (BBC)

    Luke 10

    Observation & Interpretation

    Luke 10:1 – Jesus appointed seventy-two and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town he was about to go.

    • This mission was seemingly intended to prepare the way or the Lord in His journey from Caesarea Philippi in the north, through Galilee and Samaria, across the Jordan, south through Perea, then back across the Jordan to Jerusalem. (BBC)

    Luke 10:34 – In telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus speaks of how the Samaritan bound up the wounds of the man who fell among the robbers, pouring on oil and wine.

    • olive oil and wine To promote healing and prevent infection. (FSB)

    Luke 10:41-42 – In response to Martha’s request that Mary help her, Jesus confronted Martha’s anxiety and being troubled about many things. He told her that one thing is necessary. The ESV footnote points out that “Some manuscripts [translate this as] few things are necessary, or only one.”

    • few things are necessary, or only one While the work Martha is doing is important, it is not the most important thing—Jesus Himself is. (FSB)

    Application

    Luke 10:40-42 (ESV) But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

    The example of Martha’s distraction with much serving and Jesus’ light rebuke is a much needed refreshment of the things that really matter. We are no different and often become so consumed with the day-to-day that we lose the forest through the trees. Praise God that by His Spirit working in His Word we are refocused on Christ and the divine realities of highest import.

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