January 26, Day 26 – Humility is Unexpectedly Radical

Genesis 49-50;

Psalm 15; Matthew 17:14–18:9

"Hope for Some Letters" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink Sketch on Paper

Today, we come to the end of the book of Genesis.  Back in chapter 25, we began to follow the life of Jacob through almost half of this first book of the Bible.  As we come to Genesis 49-50, we see now that – although he has had his struggles like all men and women – Jacob is a biblical example of unshakable faith.  His faith is pronounced with even greater clarity as he comes to the end of his life.  In Genesis 49, Jacob gathers his sons together to “tell them what will happen to them in the days to come” (verse 1).  How could he possibly know what will happen to them in the future?  The only answer is that God, Who is the Author and Creator of the future, has given him access to this information.  Jacob blesses and instructs his sons with the firm conviction and accurate knowledge that God has led him through life up to this point, and now he is ready to trust God in death and pass the torch on to his sons. Specifically, Jacob addresses each son and states the reasons and characteristics that relate to each one’s respective personality.  At the midpoint of Jacob’s pronouncements, he asserts with full conviction: “I look for Your deliverance LORD” (49:18).  Deliverance is another word for salvation.  We see the strength of Jacob’s convictions in verses 24-25: he says it is “because of the hand of the Mighty One … the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel … your father’s God Who helps you.”  These expressions for God are the assurances of a man whose faith cannot be shaken.  Moses, the writer of Genesis, says that Jacob “gave each of them the blessing appropriate to them” (verse 28).  When he was finished, Jacob breathed his last.  In chapter 50, we read about the Egyptian preparations for Jacob’s burial with great honor in the land of Canaan – accompanied by “all the dignitaries of Egypt” (verse 7).  Here, the chapter and the book closes with Joseph “speaking kindly to” and reassuring his brothers that God used their “evil intentions and actions for good – to accomplish the saving of many lives” (verse 20).  Joseph, foreseeing the future departure of the Israelites from Egypt, follows his father in death with the plea that his bones must not remain in Egypt, but they should be “carried up” in the exodus (cf., Joshua 24:32).  In Genesis, we have seen how God initially created everything beautifully “in the beginning,” but sadly, because of man’s sin, it all comes to a sad end “in a coffin in Egypt” (50:26).

Psalm 15 is an incredible Psalm that teaches us how we should order our lives as we walk through this world.  If we follow God’s principles, He promises that we will “never be shaken” (verse 5).  This implies that, as we practice our faith carefully over time, God’s established truth becomes – like hardening concrete – fundamentally cemented into unshakable faith – the unwavering reality that keeps us on the path of righteousness.  The real issue today is this:  Few people in our present culture desire to “order their lives” at all.  Order involves discipline.  How many people in our society are willing to discipline themselves to … “speak the truth … do their neighbor no wrong … cast no slur on their fellowman … honor those who fear the LORD … and keep their oaths even when it hurts?”  But notice: “He who does these things will never be shaken” (verse 5), and [he] will “dwell in the LORD’s sanctuary” (verse 1).

Today’s section of Matthew – 17:14–18:9 – begins with a child and ends with a child – revealing how much Jesus cares about children.  In the first instance, Jesus heals a boy possessed by a demon.  The disciples were unable to heal the boy, but Jesus points out that humility – “faith as small as a mustard seed” (17:20) – is the necessary prerequisite.  First, we must come to faith and then we must continue in our faith.  Humility is unexpectedly radical. The second instance relates to the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (18:1).  Jesus says, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (verse 3).  This is a claim to activism that does not synchronize well with us.  Our culture teaches us to put ourselves forward; promote and exhibit ourselves – in short – we demand and expect pride.  But Jesus says, “humble” yourself.  If we want to enter the kingdom of heaven, His radical claim calls us to make a radical change.