THE LORD SPOKE (January 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 49-50

“Jacob’s Dozen” it’s been called. Like a baker’s dozen, there were actually thirteen when you added Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh in their father’s place. But at this moment in time, all twelve of the original siblings were alive and together. Jacob gathered them around himself to tell them their future in terms of his blessing (Gen. 49:1). We’re told that he gave each one “the blessing appropriate to him” (Gen. 49:2).

Reuben - He forfeited the right and honor of primogeniture by his ugly sin. His descendants were characterized by indecision and no judge, prophet, or ruler, ever sprang from this tribe.

Simeon and Levi - They joined together to commit this crime and, as a punishment, they were both divided and scattered in the nation of Israel with no independent or compact existence.

Judah - Besides the honor of giving name to the Promised Land, he produced both David and “a greater than David” - the Messiah. Chief among the tribes, he grew from “a lion’s cub” (a little power) to become an old lion (calm and quiet, yet formidable).

Zebulun - He had the good fortune of an allotment on the seacoast which allowed him to engage in maritime pursuits and commerce.

Issachar - This tribe would be like a strong donkey crouching down between two burdens but the result was that it settled down in the midst of the Canaanites where it had to “bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor”.

Dan - Though the son of a secondary wife, he was “as one of the tribes of Israel”. Samson, from the tribe of Dan, “bit the horse’s heals” in defeating the Philistines in his day.

Gad - This tribe was often attacked and wasted by hostile powers coming across the borders, but they were usually victorious by the close of their wars.

Asher - The fertile land of its allotment ensured the prosperity of his descendants.

Naphtali - Also located in a territory very fertile and relatively isolated, this tribe would develop an independent spirit.

Joseph - As a “fruitful vine”, this tribe would increase greatly. Though attacked by envy, revenge, temptation, and ingratitude, by the grace of God, he triumphed over all opposition and became the sustainer of Israel.

Benjamin - This tribe spent its energies in petty and violent conflict. Its warlike character let it to be almost exterminated.

When Jacob died, the other boys entertained some fears that Joseph might now turn on them. But his forgiveness was genuine and he left us with one of the greatest ever statements on the sovereignty of God: “You intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done...” (Gen. 50:20).


New Testament: Matthew 21

Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’.”

It’s not your usual picture of “gentle Jesus, meek and mild”. He was enraged by what He found in the Temple courtyards. Some would have a hard time visualizing Jesus fashioning a whip (see Jn. 2:15) to drive them out, overturning tables and sending coins and animals flying in every direction. Imagine the shouts and racket. All four gospels record it and He even did it twice!

The line between sinful rage and righteous indignation may be very thin for us at times but you may be sure He never over-stepped it. His anger was based on God’s Word and He quotes from two passages to justify His actions:

Isaiah 56:6-8 - “...All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares - he who gathers the exiles of Israel; “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”

Jeremiah 7:8-11 - But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe” - safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

There is a time for anger. We are commanded to put away unrighteous anger in all its various forms (see Ephesians 4:31 and Colossians 3:8). But there is a place for righteous indignation and Jesus was angered on more than one occasion. His anger was caused by irreverence and disregard for God standards. So, where do you stand on that? Do you also get angry at the same things that angered Him? Do you control your anger in other areas? Are you ever a cause of His anger yourself?