TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. - 1 Corinthians 1:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. . . . No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph on spiritual maturity,” once wrote Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India.

These words would have been a timely encouragement for the Thessalonians, who needed the reminder that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Yesterday we looked at Paul's final instructions to the Thessalonians, which concludes with the command not to quench the Spirit's fire. It's not exactly clear what Paul meant here. Perhaps there had been prophetic activity associated with the false teaching about the day of the Lord. If so, some Thessalonian believers may have resisted even legitimate prophetic gifts. Possibly a more general reference is in view; undisciplined idleness and despair over the dead would hinder one's ability to hear the Spirit. Just as John admonished believers to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1-6), so also Paul urged caution in this regard.

Following this, Paul offered a closing benediction, underscoring that none of the preceding commands were possible apart from God, who first calls believers. God's faithfulness entails His sanctifying and preserving work in believers' lives.

We get a touching insight into the man Paul, who realized his own need for prayer. The holy kiss was most likely an affectionate kiss on the cheek that wasn't normally used outside of family. Hence, the practice in the early church visibly attested that the gospel cut across ethnic and social lines.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we conclude 1 Thessalonians, review the letter and make a list of those aspects of spiritual maturity that struck you most. Perhaps you feel like Amy Carmichael: “I shall never be like that.” If so, recall that the Thessalonians had only been believers for a very short time when Paul affirmed his full assurance that the Lord was faithful to complete what He had begun. At the same time, prayerfully consider the “little denials of self” and the “faithfulness in very little things” that the Holy Spirit is urging in you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. - 2 Corinthians 8:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Yesterday marked the official end to summer—a time often filled with movie sequels. Last year there was Spiderman 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean 3; this summer featured Raiders of the Lost Ark 4 and Prince Caspian, the second part of the Chronicles of Narnia. One aspect of sequels that many people enjoy is the familiarity with the same characters and general circumstances of the original movie.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians is like a sequel in many ways. We have the same author, the same recipients, and the roughly the same topics. Most scholars believe that this second letter was written very soon after the first one. Ironically, some critics dismiss Pauline authorship of 2 Thessalonians because it's too similar to 1 Thessalonians; some critics reject it because there are important differences! None of these arguments is compelling, and it's most plausible that Paul somehow became aware of lingering misconceptions in Thessalonica concerning the day of the Lord, and he wanted to clear them up.

The opening greeting in today's passage is nearly identical to one found in his first letter. With no change in the sender or recipients, there was no need to change the letter's opening format, although the greeting “grace and peace” has been strengthened with the addition of “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The expression “we ought” has caused some to suggest that Paul was only offering this initial thanksgiving (a standard part of ancient letters) out of a sense of duty. A close reading of today's passage, however, doesn't support this idea. Instead, Paul was so joyful over the good report from Timothy that he was compelled to give thanks. Some of the Thessalonians may have protested that they were unworthy of Paul's praise, which might explain why he adds “and rightly so.” Growing in faith and love, especially in the midst of persecution, is always praiseworthy!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In both his letters to the Thessalonians, and in 2 Corinthians 8, Paul boasted to other churches of the clear evidence of God's work among the Thessalonians. Today's passage lists three types of evidence that prompted Paul's boasting: faith, love, and perseverance amid trials. If our spiritual leaders were to write a “sequel” message to us, would they be able similarly to boast that our faith, love, and perseverance were increasing? For what other evidence of our spiritual growth might they praise God?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Leave room for God’s wrath . . . “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” - Romans 12:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the third century, the church leader Tertullian wrote: “Persecution is especially worthy of God and required for the approving or the rejecting of His professing servants . . . [it] is the just judgment of the Lord. And the judging belongs to God alone. It is the fan that cleans the Lord's threshing floor, the church. It sifts the mixed heap of believers and separates the grain of martyrs from the chaff of deniers. . . . The one great thing in persecution is the promotion of God's glory.”

These might not be our first thoughts about suffering and trials! Yet Paul presents a similar perspective, when he talks about “evidence that God's judgment is right.” Several times throughout the Thessalonian letters Paul taught about God's calling. Here he indicates that the evidence of that calling is perseverance. The idea of being counted worthy to enter the kingdom has nothing to do with good works or earning one's salvation. Instead, the evidence of God's calling of believers is their enduring to the end. This doesn't mean that believers are to sit passively by, as our study two days ago showed.

It's important to grasp the eternal perspective here. Believers now face suffering, but their faith in the midst of those trials will lead to eternal life in the kingdom. Persecutors of the gospel now appear to be getting away with all kinds of evil, but, unless they repent, they will face God's judgment and eternal destruction. This is true because opponents of the gospel reject the only means of reconciliation with God. Throughout the Bible, the language of knowing God indicates a willing recognition of Him, and not knowing God means a conscious rejection of Him and His truth.

The Lord's return will mean terrifying judgment for those who don't obey the gospel. At the same time, it presents the unspeakable joy and privilege that awaits believers, namely seeing the Lord glorified for those who have persevered in faith in the testimony about Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God's judgment has never been a popular topic. Yet His love and justice can't be separated—His love put Jesus on the cross, and His justice judges all who reject that sacrificial gift. The fact that your destiny depends on accepting or rejecting the gospel is sobering. If you've never put your faith in Jesus, may today be the day! Consider contacting a pastor or Christian friend. You can also call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-2GRAHAM.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 1 Peter 1:1-2
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you. - 1 Thessalonians 1:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
For months, workers dressed in overalls disappeared into a screened-off area in downtown Chicago. The whirling sounds of metal buffers could be heard by passers-by. Finally, with much fanfare, the partitions were removed and a 110-ton elliptical sculpture of highly polished stainless steel reflected the famous Chicago skyline and the sky above. British artist Anish Kapoor's large outdoor piece of public art, “Cloud Gate,” attracts millions, who delight in seeing their faces reflected back against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers.

Yesterday we considered the terrifying destiny that awaits those who persist in rejecting the gospel and the splendid image of the Lord's holy people glorifying Him because of their faith in the testimony about Jesus. Today's passage fills out this glorious image. Just as tourists see themselves reflected against the cityscape behind them, so we as believers will see our transformed lives reflected back against the background of God's faithfulness.

The starting point of our eternal destiny is God's calling. As we noted earlier (see Sept. 2), some misconstrue this doctrine as unfair. But today's reading from 1 Peter reveals how each member of the Trinity participates in the process. First, believers have been chosen in accordance with God's knowledge of all things, even before time began. Knowledge here goes beyond facts; it indicates that God has known us personally before we were created. Second, God's calling happens by means of the Spirit's sanctifying work. Thankfully, we don't stay the way we were when we were saved! The indwelling Spirit is constantly transforming us into the image of Christ, as we continue to yield to Him. Finally, we are chosen for obedience. We can't earn salvation by any of our own good deeds. Rather, God extends grace and mercy to us so that He might fulfill His good purposes in us (Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess. 1:11). When God's salvation is manifested through our obedience, the name of Jesus Christ is glorified in us and we reflect Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Part of the Westminster Shorter Catechism states that “the chief end” of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In other words, what satisfies the very deepest longing of every human being is to bring glory to God. Given the cultural emphasis on finding our self-worth in appearance, education, or income, this truth is very freeing. Take some time to contemplate what it means to have been chosen for God's good purposes. Pray for a deeper understanding of what it means to glorify God in your own life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ!” or, “There he is!” do not believe it. - Matthew 24:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to the public record, a 61-year-old man living in the Houston suburbs is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda; but according to him, and his followers, he's “Jesus Christ, man, the second manifestation, the Second Coming of Christ.” He brashly proclaims: “To some I came as a thief in the night. To others I came as who I am, the Man Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is here for the second time!” He also claims to be the Antichrist, and some of his followers have imitated their leader by getting 666 tattoos. According to one follower, “I just want to make sure it's visible, that everyone knows my life belongs to the man.” Some estimate that Miranda has about a million followers, spread out across more than 30 countries.

Today's passage shows that false reports of Jesus' return are nothing new. Apparently the Thessalonians had become troubled by false accounts that the Lord had already come. Paul wasn't sure where they had received their information—whether from some false prophecy, misleading report, or spurious letter—but he made it quite clear that it was wrong. It's possible that someone had forged a letter from Paul, but it's more likely that some false teachers claimed that the trials and persecutions the Thessalonian church was experiencing indicated that the time of judgment associated with the day of Lord had come. Possibly, false prophets claimed to have received some special revelation. (Recall Paul's exhortations concerning prophecy from our study on Sept. 21.)

Regardless of the source, the effect of this wrong information was unsettling for these new believers. The image from the Greek words used here is of being tossed around like a boat in a storm or a swaying building during an earthquake. It's for this reason that Paul had to revisit some of his earlier teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4, as the reference to “our being gathered to him” seems to indicate.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The passages for today and tomorrow cover difficult ground. Not every question that we might have concerning the return of Christ, the day of the Lord, and the Antichrist will be answered. For this reason, we need to keep in mind the authority of Scripture and its sufficiency. We can also rest in God's providence and His unfailing care for His people. Like the Thessalonians, we aren't to become unsettled about spurious reports of the Lords' return, but rather we're to trust in the Risen Lord and His written Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12
You have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. - 1 John 2:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Hitler and Stalin were two of the most evil men in history. Yet these horrific two are only shadows of the one terrible individual who appears just prior to the Lord's return. As 1 John 2:18 shows, many antichrists anticipate the Antichrist, or man of lawlessness.

As we saw yesterday, Paul refuted the claim that the day of the Lord had already occurred. Paul begins by identifying two signs that precede the day of the Lord. First, the word translated “rebellion” could also be translated “apostasy,” implying either a falling away by those who have in some way professed faith in Christ or a widespread rebellion within the church. Bible scholar John Walvoord notes that the “apostasy which today is general is going to become specific.” Second, the “man of lawlessness” designates an individual characterized by complete disavowal of God's law. His essential sin will be to exalt himself, claiming to be God and sitting in God's temple as a sign of spiritual authority.

Paul frequently refers to what he had taught previously, both while in Thessalonica in person (v. 5) and in his first letter, without specifically explaining his reference for readers who didn't hear his preaching firsthand. For this reason, scholars aren't always certain of some of Paul's references, such as the restraining force (v. 6). Some believe that this means God working through governments and civil laws, although it's more likely that Paul meant the Holy Spirit. What's clear is that God is in complete control and will act according to His perfect timing. What's more, Christ has the ultimate victory—His breath will destroy the man of lawlessness.

This evil one will counterfeit the true work of Christ. Satan only has power to pervert truth, he cannot generate any positive power on his own. Because his followers have refused to love the truth of the gospel, they'll be further deceived. By rejecting God, they receive more delusion, and are eventually condemned.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we noted yesterday, some of the teaching in 2 Thessalonians isn't directly paralleled elsewhere in the Bible. This is where the sufficiency of Scripture assures us. When these events take place and Christ returns, it will most likely not be like anything we imagined, but it will be fully in accordance with God's written Word. This exhorts us not to be “easily unsettled or alarmed” by the things we may hear. Instead, we need to be all the more grounded in the Bible and in fellowship with strong Christians.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
In many universities, the week before final exams is reserved for review. During this time, diligent students go over their notes and assigned readings and condense this information into outlines or index cards. Then the focused work begins, as students try to imprint the contents of their review notes onto their brains!

Scottish theologian James Denney once called today's passage “a system of theology in miniature.” Think of these verses as the index card you want to memorize before the final exam, which in our case is perseverance in our Christian walk. To assist in this mini-theology course, we'll note some supplemental verses.

Reflection on how far the Thessalonians have come in such a short time once again compels Paul to give thanks to God. Next he reminds them of God's love for them. This is the starting place for any believer, the knowledge that God loved us first (see John 3:16; 1 John 4:19). Next he reminds them of their calling, that is based on God's love and rooted in the work of the Trinity (see 1 Peter 1:1-2; Eph. 1:4). Then Paul discusses the Spirit's sanctifying work, that has been the thread running through 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Romans 8:1-17 shows that no one can live a holy life apart from the Spirit's work, and Galatians 5:22-25 presents fruit of a Spirit-filled life.

Next, Paul focuses on the power of truth and the necessity of belief. Recall the consequences of refusing to believe (2 Thess. 2:9-12). Today's verse from Romans links Scripture with hope, and in today's passage it's tied to the gospel.

Finally, Paul concludes by reminding the Thessalonians of the glory with the Lord Jesus Christ that awaits them. For all believers throughout the ages this is the hope that anchors our souls (see Rom. 8:18, 29-30; Heb. 6:19; Rev. 7:16-17).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul concludes by exhorting the Thessalonians “to stand firm and hold to the teachings” he had passed along. Several times we've seen how important it is to be grounded in Scripture. This is true whether we're troubled about end-time events, like the Thessalonians, or about our present circumstances. As Romans 15:4 shows, one of the key ways that we persevere is through the encouragement of the Bible. That's because the content of our faith is revealed in and based upon God's utterly reliable Word (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Consider him who endured . . . opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
At age 19, preacher Charles Spurgeon first arrived at London's Park Street Chapel for a three-month trial period. At that time, the 1,200-seat church had only about 80 regular attendees. Within one month the church was filled to capacity, with crowds outside. Many years later, when asked about his success, Spurgeon replied simply, “My people pray for me.”

Like Spurgeon, Paul knew that, despite his gifts and calling, he too depended upon the prayers of “his people.” It's interesting that Paul didn't ask for prayer directly for himself, but rather for the message of the Lord. He asked that the gospel might spread—or run—rapidly, like a distance runner. Perhaps he had Psalm 147:15 in mind: “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.”

Paul also asked that the gospel might be honored, like a prized athlete, and reminded the Thessalonians of God's work in them through the gospel (see 2 Thess. 2:14). By speaking like this, Paul showed that he understood the gospel's unstoppable power and that he played just one—albeit very important—part in spreading the gospel around the world. Paul understood the real opposition to the gospel. The “wicked and evil men” may refer to the Jews who had opposed the gospel throughout Macedonia, although the wording here also suggests individuals who professed faith in Christ but whose teaching and actions were false.

Quickly Paul turned to prayer for the Thessalonians. He reminded them of God's past faithfulness as a way of strengthening and protecting them from the evil one in their present, and future, circumstances. This also gave Paul confidence that the Thessalonians would grow in maturity and obedience. Paul's concluding benediction drew attention to God's love—expressed most clearly on the cross—and to Christ's perseverance to trust the Father all the way to that cross. What a fitting conclusion to the mini-theology course in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Lord has clearly gifted some members of the body of Christ to lead, preach, and teach. It's right for us to seek such individuals during trials or for spiritual counsel. But it's important we also remember to pray for our spiritual leaders. They often carry burdens that they're not able to share with others. They often experience spiritual warfare as they minister on behalf of the gospel. Make a list of the spiritual leaders in your life and commit to pray for them on a regular basis.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Let us not become weary in doing good. - Galatians 6:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
After years of ministering to Denver's homeless, Open Door Fellowship realized the need to launch Open Door Ministries, dedicated solely to reach this needy population. Since 1997, numerous programs have been developed to provide housing, mentoring, and job assistance. ODF's mission is “to embrace needy and broken people in urban Denver with the heart and hands of Jesus.” In so doing, they “supply tangible needs like food, clothing and shelter, as well as intangible needs such as friendship, hope and Christian spiritual guidance.”

From the church's beginning, its mission has included ministering to the needy, meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Some mistakenly think that homeless people are lazy and wonder why they don't just get a job. Some even appeal to today's passage and the rule “if a man will not work, he shall not eat.” It's important to stress, therefore, the difference between those who are truly needy and those who might be “trying to work the system.”

Today's passage is the third time that Paul had to address the issue of laziness among the Thessalonians. As noted before, the problem may have involved the false belief that if the Lord were going to return immediately, why work? Today's passage shows that the problem wasn't just wrong theology. Instead of productively working, these troublesome individuals were inappropriately preoccupied with others (v. 11). The word “idle” in verse 6 could also be translated “disorderly” or “unruly.” So the real problem wasn't being unemployed, but rather refusing to work. What's worse, these individuals were clearly church members (v. 6).

Apparently Paul had been aware of this attitude while in Thessalonica. Hence, he had made it his practice to work—night and day—so that he wouldn't have to depend upon the Thessalonians in any way. Because we know that Paul elsewhere supported the right of an apostle to receive provisions from churches (Gal. 6:6), it's clear that Paul refused this right here due to some problem in Thessalonica.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul's command not to associate with such individuals may seem harsh, but the goal is redemptive, not punitive. For the disruptive brother or sister, Paul desired change and restored fellowship. For the rest of the congregation, Paul understood that “[p]ersistent and uncorrected sin not only spreads like gangrene within the church but results in a bad witness to the outside world,” in the words of Bible scholar G. K. Beale. We must never forget that what goes on within churches is observed by the world around us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. - Colossians 3:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Although 1 and 2 Thessalonians are two of the shorter Pauline letters, we've still covered a lot of ground in our study this month. Let's briefly review some of the main issues that we've examined. We began with Paul's sincere praise for the evidence of God's transforming work in the Thessalonians, together with his deep longing to see them again. We saw how the Thessalonians were models of faith in the midst of the persecution that they were experiencing, which was confirmed by the good report that Timothy brought back to Paul. Then we were challenged by exhortations to live a godly life in light of the Lord's return. This was followed by an extensive discussion of the Rapture and the instruction about those who had already died before the return of Christ. First Thessalonians then concluded with more instruction about living in the light of Christ and accountability before the church for members who were unruly or disruptive.

In 2 Thessalonians, many of these topics were revisited, apparently because there had been some confusion following Paul's visit and first letter. Here we found more detailed discussion of God's judgment for those who reject the gospel at His return and an unparalleled discussion of the man of lawlessness. The letter wraps up with another exhortation against idleness, or disruptive behavior.

Given the nature of these topics—persecution, God's judgment, the Lord's return, opponents of the gospel, wicked individuals within the church—it's no wonder that both letters conclude with prayers for peace (recall 1 Thess. 5:23-24).

As was his habit, Paul added a postscript in his own handwriting, which apparently was quite distinctive. Because he used a scribe to write down the bulk of the letter, he often added something in his own handwriting, perhaps to underscore the authority of what he had written. It's also possible this practice was to ensure the letter's authenticity—2 Thessalonians 2:2 suggests the possibility of spurious letters supposedly from Paul.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
True peace is only possible because the Lord is with us. The world defines peace as the absence of conflict, but the peace that is from God isn't dependent upon outward circumstances. Just the opposite—God's peace occurs in the midst of our circumstances. Reflect today on Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 38:1-30
Do nothing out of selfish ambition . . . consider others better than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Alexandre Dumas's novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, innocent Edmond Dantes is imprisoned in the infamous Chateau d'If. Villefort, the prosecutor and Dantes's betrayer, disregards both truth and his duty, for he knows that Dantes has a letter that could incriminate his father and damage his own lofty position. Villefort falsely promises Dantes freedom—then has him imprisoned, motivated by his own ambition and neglect of duty. Similar motives are revealed in today's passage about Judah and his daughter-in-law, Tamar.

The text opens with the family tree of Judah, his wife, their three sons, and Tamar, the wife of the eldest son. Tamar is wounded by the escalating wickedness of Judah and his sons. Notice the crescendo from verses 6 and 7, which briefly mention the evil of Er, to verses 8 through 10, which detail the sin of Onan, and finally in verses 11 through 26, which carefully narrate the unrighteous acts of Judah toward Tamar.

The sin against Tamar hinges on the “duty” referenced in verse 8. According to the Mosaic Law if one brother dies, leaving a childless widow, the husband's brother must marry the widow and bear a son to continue the family name and maintain the inheritance (Deut. 25:5-10). Although this “Levirate Marriage” law was codified in the time of Moses, the legal principle was practiced long before.

To secure Er's inheritance for himself, Onan rejected his obligation toward Tamar (v. 9). The apple did not fall far from the tree, for Judah's negligence followed in greater intensity. Fearing the loss of his sole heir, Judah “postponed” his duty toward Tamar, but verse 14 implies that he never intended to fulfill it. Judah escaped the fatal consequence that came on Er and Onan. The sinful actions of Judah's family left Tamar broken and hopeless. Despite this, Tamar was creative and shrewd; she held Judah accountable to provide an heir for Er. This Gentile woman is later celebrated in the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:3.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Fear and the sinful instinct to protect and promote oneself run through the DNA of Judah's family—and all humanity. We need not search long to think of traces of this behavior in our own lives. In Christ, and by His Spirit who indwells us, we are transformed and empowered to have the “attitude of Christ Jesus” who humbled himself as a servant to the point of death (Phil. 2:5-8). Consider your interactions with others. What characteristics define them? Let Christ's attitude and actions be your litmus test and model.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 39:1-23
He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. - Proverbs 2:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
New Testament Professor Michael Gilmour, in his book Tangled Up in the Bible: Bob Dylan and Scripture, notes that one theme pervading Dylan's 1983 record Infidels is the encounter with the “strange woman.” Gilmour suggests that Dylan's lyrics allude to warnings in the book of Proverbs to avoid the strange and alluring Lady Folly. Certainly the woman in our reading was a strange and alluring invitation to sin and destruction.

Potiphar's wife was a lustful temptress. Attracted to her husband's attendant, she didn't hesitate in her quest to satisfy her sexual cravings, nor did she take “no” for an answer. “Day after day” (v. 10) she urged Joseph to “come to bed” with her (vv. 7, 12). Upon his steadfast refusal, she punished him for rejecting her by framing him, resulting in his unlawful imprisonment. This woman, despite her manipulative ways, did not deter Joseph from the path of wisdom. This story has similar notes to Proverbs 7:6-27, but unlike the foolish boy in that episode, Joseph had wisdom written on the tablet of his heart.

The colorful exchange between Joseph and Potiphar's wife is sandwiched between two descriptions that illuminate the shadows of the wife's adulterous behavior. Notice the repetition of key concepts: the Lord is with Joseph, and so he prospers (vv. 2, 3, 21, 23); Joseph finds favor in the eyes of Potiphar and the prison warden (vv. 4, 21); consequently, Joseph is put in charge of everything (vv. 4-6, 22); neither Potiphar nor the warden worry about anything, and Joseph is victorious (vv. 5-6, 23).

The author intentionally uses identical wording to emphasize the context of the story about Potiphar's wife. All odds are against her evil ways, for the Lord is with Joseph, and He prospers him.

Throughout the Old Testament, God's chosen servants thrive, not because they are superhuman, beyond failure and temptation, but because the Lord is with them. We hear the echo of this reality in the good news of Jesus Christ: Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:22-23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps you are facing persistent temptations in your life. Like Joseph, you are experiencing a threat to your integrity and the good work that God is doing in and through you. Remember: God is with you, and His Spirit is in you. Be encouraged by God's promise to you in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Pray regularly about the temptation in your life, consider asking a trusted friend to “stand up under it” alongside you, and let wisdom enter your heart through the study of God's Word (Prov. 2:10).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 1:6-21
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
An unsung hero of the Holocaust, Marc Donadille, a French Protestant minister during World War II, saved the lives of more than eighty Jewish children by smuggling them into the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, whose citizens rescued between 3,000 to 5,000 Jews during the War. Similarly, two ordinary Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who lived fifteen centuries earlier, also acted courageously to save children from death.

The beginning of Exodus bridges the generational gap between Joseph and his Israelite descendants in Egypt (vv. 1-7; cf. Genesis 22-26). Though Joseph's generation has died out, the posterity of the Israelites has not. The author employs four different descriptions in verse 7 in order to emphasize the vastness of the population of Hebrews in Egypt. From the beginning of this narrative, we hear echoes of God's promise to Abraham, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” (Gen. 22:17; cf. Gen. 12:2; 15:5).

To the Israelites, population growth was evidence of God's blessing of covenantal faithfulness; but to the Egyptian king, the number of foreigners was a serious threat. In order to subdue the masses, the king enslaved the Israelites through forced labor, but was shocked to discover an opposite effect to the one he purposed. He consequently concluded that only annihilation of Hebrew baby boys would bring him security.

The author includes two subtle contrasts that help us discern the message. First, though the social status of the midwives is inconsequential compared to the king of Egypt, the two women are named, whereas the king is not (v. 15). Second, the king feared the Israelites, but the passage explicitly states that the midwives feared God (vv. 17, 21). Shiphrah and Puah are the heroines. They trust God and revere Him over a human king; they are courageous when the call to righteousness is perilous; and yet, they are ordinary women who resolutely serve God's greater purposes through their vocational calling.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Shiphrah and Puah participated in fulfilling God's covenantal promise. In the midst of their vocational calling, God used their faithfulness for His bigger purposes. In Christ, God has made a new covenant. We are ministers of this new covenant (2 Cor. 3:12) and Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:11-6:1). Ask God how He wants you to participate in His will through your vocation. How can you be faithful in fearing Him above all else, living a life of integrity, and serving in His kingdom creatively and courageously?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Numbers 27:1-11
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure . . . is this: to look after orphans and widows. - James 1:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet has five daughters, and thus, “Mr. Bennet's property . . . unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed in default of heirs male on a distant relation.” The nineteenth-century English custom of entailment, whereby the inheritance passed to the owners' male heirs, forced the Bennet daughters to marry or else lose the estate and become destitute upon their father's death.

In our passage today, the five daughters of Zelophehad face comparable customs related to land inheritance, with even greater consequences. Upon the death of their father, Zelophehad, the five sisters boldly approached Moses and other leaders to ask for the property that rightly belonged to their father's clan (vv. 2-4). Moses brought their case before the Lord, who said the women are “right.” He proceeded to establish the legal requirement for handling such cases in the future (vv. 6-11). At first glance, this may seem to be a stale account of how property rights for women were established among the Israelites in the ancient Near East, but let's look closer.

Land is among God's promises to Abraham (see Gen. 12:1; 13:14-17; 15:7). It's an inheritance of God's children, an expression of their covenantal relationship with Yahweh. Thus, there are theological implications for the daughters of Zelophehad and anyone who might disinherit their land. For their “father's name to disappear from his clan” (v. 4) is to be cut off from the Lord's covenant community. This explains why the five sisters are “right” in their request.

The case of the daughters of Zelophehad sets the precedent for future Hebrew families without male heirs. The Lord's response reminds readers that He is always making a way for women to have full rights to His covenant community and His blessings. God the Father watches over the socially vulnerable and cares for them as His children.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus does what His Father is doing (John 5:19). He cares for the defenseless, women, children, and the poor. When Jesus invites us to follow Him, He calls us to join His mission: “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (14:12). Who are the vulnerable in your area and in the world? Ask the Spirit to guide and embolden you to join Jesus in His world-redeeming mission.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 2:1-24
Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did? - James 2:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr., a U.S. Naval Officer who commanded the Third Fleet during much of the Pacific War against Japan once said, “There are no extraordinary [people] . . . just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary [people] are forced to deal with.”

It is difficult to imagine what an ordinary day might have been for Rahab, an innkeeper in the late seventh century B.C., but she probably did not come in contact with reconnaissance missions too often. Similarly, two Israelite spies did not frequent the house of an unclean foreigner, whose lifestyle was despised and scorned. Despite this, one extraordinary encounter in Jericho between these unlikely parties has made its mark on history and the gospel.

Rahab hears about the God of the Israelites who does miraculous deeds and destroys their enemies. She recognizes that this God is the “God in heaven above and on earth below” (vv. 10-11), and so when His spies visit her inn, she acts in faith, risking her life to save them. Rahab was bold and wise, for she requested the safety of her entire extended family in return for her courageous sacrifice (v. 12). The spies guaranteed Rahab that she and her family would be spared, and so they are. In fact, Rahab and her family continued to live among the Israelites (Josh. 6:22-25), and amazingly she eventually becomes an ancestor to both David and Jesus (Matt. 1:1-16).

Rahab—a non-Israelite, a woman, a prostitute—is a surprising recipient of God's grace and saving faith. Her story illustrates God's concern and unconditional love for those outside the covenant community and reminds us that anyone who believes in Him may find salvation, life, and adoption in Him. Additionally, we see that God works through ordinary and unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. Rahab's faith is celebrated in Hebrews 11:31, and she is commended in James 2:25, instructing us that faith is measured not only in terms of right belief, but also of faithful actions.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Is there anyone you presume will never come to Christ or join God's world-saving mission? The story of Rahab challenges us to rethink this kind of identification of others as “impossible to become Jesus followers.” All four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus are Gentiles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (Matt. 1:1-16). These women seemed “impossible,” but God had other plans. Pray for openness to reconsider the “impossible” people in your life, and ask God to help you see and share in His work in their lives.