Prayer
Arise O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah (Psalm 3:7-8) Amen!
Today’s Hymn
Words: Attributed to Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1836. Music: Bradbury, William B. Bradbury, 1859; first appeared in his Sunday school collection Oriola.
SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
Click here for tune.
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
Blessèd Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Thought Provoker
Can any jealousy be found in the hearts of your family today? Is there any jealousy between siblings such as jealousy over appearance, possession, popularity, or talent? Jealousy between siblings is nothing new. It can be traced as far back to the fourth chapter of Genesis. It was an angry rage of jealousy that resulted in the first murder as Cain killed his brother Abel. In today’s chapter we are reminded again about the devastating results caused by jealous siblings.
Dad’s Study
Joseph (now 17 years old) had eleven brothers. He was watching over their sheep along with his brothers, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher who were the sons of the handmaids, Bilhah and Zilpah. However, Joseph was Israel’s favorite and he gave him a coat of many colours. The result was that his brothers were jealous of Joseph and hated him even more. Then, Joseph began having divinely inspired dreams where the sheaves of his brothers bowed down to Joseph’s sheaves. If that wasn’t enough he had a dream where the sun, moon and 11 stars bowed down to him. His brothers were now in a fit of jealous rage. In anger his brothers plotted to slay Joseph and blame it on a wild animal. Instead, at the suggestion of Reuben they threw Joseph into a pit. Later they sold him as a slave to traveling tradesmen. Joseph was reported dead as his coat was stained with the blood of a goat and given to Jacob. The tradesmen sold Joseph to Potiphar (an officer of Pharaoh) in Egypt.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Where does jealousy come from? It stems from a wrong view of self and a wrong view of God. Jealousy comes from a lack of true humility (James 3:14). It is a failure to see yourself as you really are. You deserve nothing in this life except the judgment of God. Whatever you have comes to you as a kind gift of God. Secondly, jealousy comes from a wrong view of God and His justice. Jealousy says, “God isn’t fair.” Is God fair? Absolutely, but He, not you determines the standard of fairness. God is sovereign and is perfectly fair to do as He pleases with His creation and still be fair. Are you struggling with jealousy? Look at your reflection in the Word of God and see yourself as you really are. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6). Remember, all is fair in the hands of a sovereign God. Worship Him and be content with whatever God chooses to place in your hand.
Catechism
Question 64
Q. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate (1 Cor. 10:10), envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour (Gal 5:26), and all inordinate emotions and affections to anything that is his (Col. 3:5).
