Genesis – The Beginning Introduction & Invitation

Posted on January 2, 2023 by dkoop

You’re Invited!  

Description: Our series in Genesis is a seven-week overview of the major stories and themes in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis means “beginnings” or “origin,” and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, of human history, of family, of civilization, of salvation. It is the story of God’s purpose and plan for his creation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. We hope you can join us.

 Date             Title                        Scripture                          Events

Jan. 1 – In the Beginning (Gen. 1-2)                            Family Service

Jan. 8 – The Beginning of Problems (Gen. 3-5)

Jan. 15 – A New Beginning (Gen. 6-9)               Movie Night- Is Genesis History? 1/20
Jan. 22 – The Beginning of Nations & Languages (Gen. 10-11)
Jan. 29 – The Beginning of the Blessing (Gen. 12-25)            Communion /Potluck

Feb. 5 – The Beginning of Israel (Gen. 26-36)

Feb. 12 – The Beginning of Deliverance (Gen. 36-50)

Introduction to Genesis

BEGIN… start… commence… open… There’s something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of a new day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first miles of a family vacation. Free of problems and full of promise, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions of the future. Genesis means “beginnings” or “origin,” and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, of human history, of family, of civilization, of salvation. It is the story of God’s purpose and plan for his creation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. It reveals the person and nature of God (Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Redeemer); the value and dignity of human beings (made in God’s image, saved by grace, used by God in the world); the tragedy and consequences of sin (the Fall, separation from God, judgment); and the promise and assurance of salvation (covenant, forgiveness, promised Messiah).

God. That’s where Genesis begins. All at once we see him creating the world in a majestic display of power and purpose, culminating with a man and woman made like himself (1:26, 27). But before long, sin entered the world, and Satan was unmasked. Bathed in innocence, creation was shattered by the Fall (the willful disobedience of Adam and Eve). Fellowship with God was broken, and evil began weaving its destructive web. In rapid succession, we read how Adam and Eve were expelled from the beautiful garden, their first son turned murderer, and evil bred evil until God finally destroyed everyone on earth except a small family led by Noah, the only godly person left.

As we come to Abraham on the plains of Canaan, we discover the beginning of God’s covenant people and the broad strokes of his salvation plan: Salvation comes by faith, Abraham’s descendants will be God’s people, and the Savior of the world will come through this chosen nation. The stories of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph that follow are more than interesting biographies. They emphasize the promises of God and the proof that he is faithful. The people we meet in Genesis are simple, ordinary people, yet through them, God did great things. These are vivid pictures of how God can and does use all kinds of people to accomplish his good purposes—even people like you.

Read Genesis and be encouraged. There is hope! No matter how dark the world situation seems, God has a plan. No matter how insignificant or useless you feel, God loves you and wants to use you in his plan. No matter how sinful and separated from God you are, his salvation is available. Read Genesis… and hope!

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To record God’s creation of the world and his desire to have a people set apart to worship him

Author: Moses

Original Audience:  God’s People

Date Written: 1450-1410 B.C.

Where Written: In the wilderness during Israel’s wanderings, somewhere in the Sinai peninsula

Setting: The region presently known as the Middle East

Key Verses:  “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (1:27). “‘I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you'” (12:2, 3).

Key People: Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Joseph

The Blueprint

  1. THE STORY OF CREATION (1:1-2:4)God created the sky, seas, and land. He created the plants, animals, fish, and birds. But he created human beings in his own image. At times, others may treat us disrespectfully. But we can be certain of our dignity and worth because we have been created in the image of God.
  2. THE STORY OF ADAM (2:4-5:32)
    1. Adam and Eve
    2. Cain and Abel
    3. Adam’s descendants

    When Adam and Eve were created by God, they were without sin. But they became sinful when they disobeyed God and ate some fruit from the tree. Through Adam and Eve we learn about the destructive power of sin and its bitter consequences.

  3. THE STORY OF NOAH (6:1-11:32)
    1. The Flood
    2. Repopulating the earth
    3. The tower of Babel

    Noah was spared from the destruction of the Flood because he obeyed God and built the boat. Just as God protected Noah and his family, he still protects those who are faithful to him today.

  4. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM (12:1-25:18)
    1. God promises a nation to Abram
    2. Abram and Lot
    3. God promises a son to Abram
    4. Sodom and Gomorrah
    5. Birth and near sacrifice of Isaac
    6. Isaac and Rebekah
    7. Abraham dies

    Abraham was asked to leave his country, wander in Canaan, wait years for a son, and then sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Through these periods of sharp testing, Abraham remained faithful to God. His example teaches us what it means to live a life of faith.

  5. THE STORY OF ISAAC (25:19-28:9)
    1. Jacob and Esau
    2. Isaac and Abimelech
    3. Jacob gets Isaac’s blessing

    Isaac did not demand his own way. He did not resist when he was about to be sacrificed, and he gladly accepted a wife chosen for him by others. Like Isaac, we must learn to put God’s will ahead of our own.

  6. THE STORY OF JACOB (28:10-36:43)
    1. Jacob starts a family
    2. Jacob returns home

    Jacob did not give up easily. He faithfully served Laban for over 14 years. Later, he wrestled with God. Although Jacob made many mistakes, his hard work teaches us about living a life of service for our Lord.

  7. THE STORY OF JOSEPH (37:1-50:26)
    1. Joseph is sold into slavery
    2. Judah and Tamar
    3. Joseph is thrown into prison
    4. Joseph is placed in charge of Egypt
    5. Joseph and his brothers meet in Egypt
    6. Jacob’s family moves to Egypt
    7. Jacob and Joseph die in Egypt

    Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and unjustly thrown into prison by his master. Through the life of Joseph, we learn that suffering, no matter how unfair, can develop strong character in us.

MEGATHEMES
THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE
Beginnings Genesis explains the beginning of many important realities: the universe, the earth, people, sin, and God’s plan of salvation. Genesis teaches us that the earth is well made and good. People are special to God and unique. God creates and sustains all life.
Disobedience People are always facing great choices. Disobedience occurs when people choose not to follow God’s plan of living. Genesis explains why people are evil: They choose to do wrong. Even great Bible heroes failed God and disobeyed.
Sin Sin ruins people’s lives. It happens when we disobey God. Living God’s way makes life productive and fulfilling.
Promises God makes promises to help and protect people. This kind of promise is called a “covenant.” God kept his promises then, and he keeps them now. He promises to love us, accept us, forgive us.
Obedience The opposite of sin is obedience. Obeying God restores our relationship to him. The only way to enjoy the benefits of God’s promises is to obey him.
Prosperity Prosperity is deeper than mere material wealth. True prosperity and fulfillment come as a result of obeying God. When people obey God, they find peace with him, with others, and with themselves.
Israel God started the nation of Israel in order to have a dedicated people who would (1) keep his ways alive in the world, (2) proclaim to the world what he is really like, and (3) prepare the world for the birth of Christ. God is looking for people today to follow him. We are to proclaim God’s truth and love to all nations, not just our own. We must be faithful to carry out the mission God has given us.

www.Upwards.Church

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Source: Life Application Study Bible , (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORD search CROSS e-book, 2-3.
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A Time to Die – Psalm 22

Posted on December 20, 2022 by dkoop

The Christmas season is defined by some very special traditions: Decorations, lights and songs that help us remember the meaning and message of the season and the giving of gifts which reflects the “spirit” of the season. After all what is Christmas all about?

I have often wondered why we do not have more Christmas cards or ornaments showing a cross? Yes Christmas is about the birth of our Savior but really its all about the cross about a God who loved the world so much that as we read in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

And yet to appreciate a gift properly, we must appreciate the price or cost of the gift. There is perhaps no other passage of scripture that best describes for us the price that Jesus paid to give us the gift of salvation as we find in Psalm 22.

This psalm is called the Psalm of the Cross or the “gospel according to David.  It is so named because it describes more accurately and minutely the crucifixion of Christ than does any other portion of the Word of God.

In Psalm 22 we have an X-ray which penetrates into Jesus thoughts and into His feelings on the cross. His soul is laid bare. In the Gospels is recorded the historical fact of His death on the cross; but only in Psalm 22 are His thoughts and feelings revealed.

So let’s consider Psalm 22 as we enter into this Christmas season. Psalm 22 is written at least a 1,000 years before our Lord was pierced to hang on the cross for our sins.

On the cross, Jesus quoted Psalm 22 when He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mat 27:46, Mark 15:34) And for those standing at the foot of the cross, His words should have evoked the words of this psalm in their minds. Had they remembered David’s words, could have seen and understood what was happening before their eyes?  Psalm 22 is a script written a thousand years before it was acted out in detail!

It is said that the best way to approach this Psalm is to read it through and make brief comments and let it speak for itself. We begin with the familiar words of Jesus when he hung on the cross:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

When Jesus uttered these words, Matthew tells us that a strange darkness settled over the land. Someone said that when Jesus was born that night in Bethlehem, a star shone as bright as the sun in the night sky. When he died in the middle of the day, the sky grew dark. The Sun’s creator was dying

Do not forget, on the cross, Christ was made sin for us – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

Take the words for what they are. Jesus in his humanity really felt forsaken or abandoned. This is not unbelief, this was his reality.

In verse six, it says, “But I am a worm, and no man…”  Jesus was certainly a man on the cross. So what did the psalmist mean when he wrote, “But I am a worm?”  Worms were considered the lowest of the low, this is definitely a statement of being humiliated, but there is more.

The common Hebrew word for “worm” is “rimmah,”  and it is defined as a maggot or a worm.  However, in Psalm 22:6, the word for “worm” is tola’ath.  Strong’s Dictionary defines this word as the crimson-grub. So the word “tola’ath” in Psalm 22:6 denotes not only a worm but also identifies it as a crimson or scarlet worm that is common to the Middle East, and predominantly in Israel.  It should be noted that the colors crimson and scarlet are very deep, blackish-red, which is the color of blood. And in this crimson worm, we find a hidden meaning of biblical significance. The crimson worm was used by the Hebrews in dyeing all the curtains of the tabernacle scarlet red. More than the lowest place, it is saying that through his blood sin can be washed away.

Jesus Was Born to Die

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Psalm 22:9-10

Jesus knew He was born to die. It was the reason that he was brought on the earth at that exact time. Jesus expresses a close relationship with God from the beginning, from birth He knew God.

Ultimately we cannot believe that we or any baby in the womb are accidents. God was so intimately involved with the birth of Jesus, this is true. But as David says in Psalm 139, “God knit us together in the womb,” He knew us and has our “days numbered.”  We too are the products of grand design with great purposes.

Jesus’ Death was Foretold in Detail.  

“Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me” (12-13). As bulls they seem powerful and strong, and unstoppable. They are like lions, fierce, frightening, threatening, their fangs dripping with anxiety to be at him and tear him apart. The bottom line: he is surrounded by his enemies and they are in control.

What the Psalmist describes next is a perfect picture of the exhaustion of the cross! “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death” (14-15).

Written at a time when crucifixion was unknown as an execution, this describes death on a cross exactly. After hanging on the cross for six hours suspended by nails in his hands his body weight will have pulled Jesus’ arms out of their joints. His energy would be depleted and he was gripped by a horrible thirst so that his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

“Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet” (16). “Dogs” are a metaphor used often by the Jews to describe Gentiles, especially Romans. How appropriate that the Psalmist would say “dogs” when a squad of Roman soldiers would be standing guard at the crucifixion.

Here’s a huge point, when David says, “they pierced my hands and my feet.”  He was writing hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented!  Crucifixion was invented by the Persians and perfected by the Romans.

His humiliation continued: “I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing” (17-18). It was as if he were already dead and gone. The Roman soldiers did not wait but began to divide up his meager belongings, playing a game for the last piece so they would not tear it. How could these words and actions be so precisely exact if this were not of God? One thousand years later the scene is acted out to the letter.

In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister were forced to remove their clothes and stand naked during a typical Nazi inspection. Miss ten Boom said she stood there feeling defiled and forsaken. Then she remembered something. Jesus hung naked on the cross. Suddenly her emotion turned to wonder and worship when she thought of how He chose to do what they were forced to do. She leaned forward and whispered to her sister, “Betsie, they took His clothes, too.” Betsie gasped and said, “Oh, Corrie, that’s right, and I never thanked Him.”

He was naked when He was crucified. It is difficult for us even in this day of nudity and pornography to comprehend the great humiliation He suffered. He suffered by hanging nude on the cross. They had taken His garments and gambled for ownership. He went through it all, crucified naked, so that you may be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and be able to stand before God throughout the endless ages of eternity.

Lastly an expression of Trust…But he believes in God’s ability to deliver. “But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen” (19-21).

Jesus has just reached his lowest point. And still the sufferer persists in believing that God is his God. His strength was gone but he now calls God his Strength. He still believes that God can be a source of help to people who suffer like he does and will rescue him somehow. Even in this darkest hour, the Psalmist’s faith, and later, Jesus’ faith, will not give in to despair or unbelief. As the Psalm continues we read that it is a victory. The resurrection victory can only give us hope though, as the forsaken one goes through this dark valley of sin and abandonment. We cannot identify with this hope unless he identifies with our suffering.

Jesus’s Death Saves the World

27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28

In the second part of this psalm, the mood and tone change dramatically. Agonized prayer turns to ardent praise. This ardent praise is for the success of the cause of God. The failure that at the beginning of the psalm seemed certain is now swallowed up in victory. This success will not just be personal or individual but will be worldwide. The praise rests on the abundant promise: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, God’s success will not only affect the whole world, but will also span the generations.

They shall tell of the Lord to the next generation.
They shall come and shall declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born—that He has done it [that it is finished]! Psalm 22:30-31 (AMP)

The psalm ends showing the glorious work of salvation is done, the promise delivered eternal and true. “It is done, It is Finished.”  Jesus has finished the work of salvation!

That’s the Christmas message, the message of the cross the greatest gift of all the true message of Christmas.  Let’s be grateful and give thanks, praise the Lord he has done it for us.

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Sources:

  1. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1983), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “GENESIS SECTION (1 – 41)”.

https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/psalm-22-crimson-scarlet-worm

https://nazarenesoftheworld.info/crimson-scarlet-worm

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/suffering-and-glory-psalm-22

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Christmas in Genesis

Posted on December 17, 2022 by dkoop

You may have heard of Christmas in July, today we are going to look at Christmas in Genesis.  The coming of Jesus was planned “in the beginning.”   Let’s look at three truths that Genesis shows us about the coming of Jesus.

  1. Jesus is the Savior

There was a perfect created world in Genesis 1 and 2, then in Genesis 3 we are introduced to a “serpent” who says, to Adam and Eve “did God really say not to eat from the tree of good and evil?” They both disobeyed God and they immediately were ashamed, felt guilt, tried to cover themselves with fig leaves and tried to hide from God. God calls out to them to deal with what they had done and to cover them properly.  God has a conversation with Adam, then Eve, then with the serpent. Here’s part of that dialogue to the Serpent.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NIV)

This is the first prophecy in the Scriptures

God’s words to Satan (v. 15) are called the protevangelium, “the first Gospel,” because this is the first announcement of the coming Savior found in the Bible. To God’s Old Covenant people, this verse was a beacon of hope (Gal. 4:1-4); to Satan, it was God’s declaration of war, climaxing in his condemnation (Rom. 16:20); and to Eve, it was the assurance that she was forgiven and that God would use a woman to bring the Redeemer into the world.

This verse also reveals the fact that now there is to be a long struggle between good and evil. This is exactly what you will find in the rest of the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus made this statement in His day concerning this struggle: “You are of your father the devil” John 8:44. The Lord Jesus Christ made the distinction between children of God and children of Satan. John again mentions this conflict in 1 John 3:10: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.” We have brought before us the fact that here is a conflict, here is a struggle, and here are two seeds in the world. There will be the final victory — but the long-continued struggle is important to note. Every one of us must face temptation and must win his battle. Before Christ came, the victory was through obedience in faith. After Christ came, we are to identify ourselves with Christ through faith. What does it mean to be saved? It means to be in Christ.

Notice that it says “her seed.” It does not say the man’s seed. Here is at least the suggestion of the virgin birth of Christ.   Woman doesn’t have a seed/sperm. It comes from a man.  The Savior will come only from the woman, not from a man.  Jesus would be fully man, getting his DNA from Mary the virgin and fully God, as the angel Gabriel explained, to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” 

Also, when God went into that garden looking for Adam and Eve, He said, “Where are you?” Any study of religion tells the story of humanity’s search for God. That is not the way God tells it.  Salvation is God’s search for us.  Adam and Even tried to hide from God and God called to them, “Where are you?” We have all of that in these verses in Genesis 3 — the promise of the coming of the Savior, who said,  “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

God seeks out man, and He offers man salvation, but there is going to be a long struggle that will take place.

  1. Jesus is a Blessing to all

Speaking to Abraham, an old, childless man who would be the father of God’s people, God says,

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3 (NIV)

God did not give Abraham reasons or explanations; He simply gave him promises:

Just think: this is a blessing so great that it blesses all the families upon earth, all the families who have lived or ever will live. A blessing this great could only refer to the Savior. Only God Himself—through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—could do something so great that it would literally bless every single family upon earth throughout all the generations of human history.

It must have seemed incredible to Abraham and Sarah that God would bless the whole world through an elderly childless couple, but that is just what He did. From them came the nation of Israel, and from Israel came the Bible and the Savior. God reaffirmed this covenant with Isaac (Gen. 26:4) and Jacob (28:14) and fulfilled it in Christ (Acts 3:25-26).

Has Abraham been a blessing to all mankind? Yes! Through the Lord Jesus Christ he has been a blessing to the whole world. Also the entire Word of God has come to us through Abraham.

  1. Jesus is the King

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. Genesis 49:10 (NIV)

This is one of the more remarkable prophecies in all the Word of God. Already we have been told that there will be a Seed of the woman. The “seed” of the woman is the One who will do the bruising of the serpent’s head. He will be the One to get the victory.

This first prophecy was in Genesis; then that Seed was confirmed to Abraham as a Blessing to all. Now it is confirmed to Judah — out of Judah’s line He is coming.

Christ is the One who will hold the scepter. The scepter is what kings held demonstrating power and authority. The scepter of this universe will be held in nail-pierced hands.

Think of all that the coming of Christ means: He is the Seed promised to the woman and to the patriarchs. He is the Blessing to all nations. He is the King who holds the scepter. It’s a wonderful fact that God is moving according to a plan of action.

Christ our Savior is born of a Virgin, a Blessing to all and King of Kings. Merry Christmas!

www.Upwards.Church

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Sources: J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1983), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Chapter 49”.
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – Pentateuch, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 33.
, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Genesis II, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “B. God’s Great Call to Abram (The Abrahamic Covenant, Part 2): The Great Promises of God, 12:1-3”.
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In the Fullness of Time – Galatians 4:4

Posted on December 16, 2022 by dkoop

4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.NKJV

Why did Jesus come when he did? The “why” may be unanswerable, except that God knew it was the right time, the “fullness.”

When Jesus was born, everything was right for the coming of the Messiah.

  • The time was right religiously. During the Babylonian captivity, Israel once and for all forsook the idolatry into which she had so often fallen. Despite their many other sins and failures, including the national rejection of their own Messiah, no significant number of Jews has ever again turned to idolatry.
  • Also during the Exile, Jews developed synagogues, which they used as places of worship, as schools, and as courts. In addition to that, they at last had the completed Old Testament, assembled by Ezra and others after the return from Babylon. Those features facilitated the proclaiming of the Messiah’s gospel among the people of Israel. The Jews were expectant, eagerly awaiting their Messiah. Messianic fervor was at its height. Into this world came Jesus.
  • Next, the time was right culturally. The Greek civilization provided a language that had spread across much of the known world as the main language for all people. Christians who shared the gospel during the first several centuries had a common language with those to whom they witnessed and with whom they worshiped. Alexander the Great had thoroughly established Greek culture and language throughout the known world, and these continued their dominating influence long after Rome succeeded Greece as world ruler
  • Next, the time was right politically. Rome had instituted the pax Romana (Roman peace), which provided economic and political stability. The apostles and other early preachers and teachers could travel freely and safely throughout the empire and could do so on the magnificent system of roads built by the Romans.

Each of those factors was in some unique way a key to the spread of the gospel. God’s timing was perfect.

Ultimately, the term “fullness of time” refers more clearly to the time of Christ’s arrival rather than to a climate caused by other events that somehow made Jesus’ birth inevitable. Just as a Roman father would set the date for his son to reach maturity and attain freedom from his guardians, so God had set the date when he would send forth His Son to free people from the law, to become his children. Guided by a sovereign God, historical events worked in harmony to prepare for the pre decided moment of Jesus’ arrival on earth. God chose the exact time (see also Psalm 102:13; Mark 1:15; and Ephesians 1:10).

 LIFE APPLICATION – TIMING IS EVERYTHING
For centuries the Jews had been wondering when their Messiah would come—but God’s timing was perfect. We may sometimes wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers, but we must never doubt him or give up hope. At the right time he will respond. Are you waiting for God’s timing? Trust his judgment, and trust that he has your best interests in mind.

The reference to Jesus as “sent“ indicates his preexistence as well as his endorsement by God in the overall plan of salvation. The sending also clarifies the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. The former lovingly sends, while the latter obediently goes. This act of divine sending is mentioned forty-one times in the Gospel of John (for example, see John 3:16-17; 17:18;). At the conclusion of that mission, Jesus prefaced his own “sending” of us into the world by claiming, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go . . .” Matthew 28:18-19 niv. Jesus successfully submitted to his Father’s authority. Therefore, God gave him authority over us, both to rescue us and to send us out into the world.

Jesus was born of a woman—he was God yet also human (Genesis 3:15; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1, 14). Paul balanced his amazing claims about Jesus’ divine nature with his reminder of Jesus’ human character.

Born under the law, Jesus was a human; thus he was voluntarily subject to the structured universe that he had created (John 1:3-5) and that had been marred by human rebellion. More significantly, Jesus lived as a Jew, subject to God’s revealed law. In keeping with this, Jesus was both circumcised and presented at the temple (Luke 2:21-32). Yet while no other human being has been able to perfectly fulfill God’s law, Jesus kept it completely (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus could be the perfect sacrifice because, although fully human, he never sinned. His death bought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin, offering us redemption and adoption into God’s family.

www.Upwards.Church

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Sources: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Galatians, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1994), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “GALATIANS 3:1-4:7”.
John MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Galatians, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 106-109.
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