Christmas With Compassion | Day 03
Day 03 - Wednesday, December 4
Read Genesis 38
Highlight
“Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar” (Matthew 1:3a). Genesis 38 is an odd story, and we will chat more about Judah next week. In the meantime let's focus on Tamar. Her nationality is uncreated. We can guess that she might be a Canaanite, because Judah had married a Canaanite and seemed to be living in that area. But she also follows Jewish customs, so it might be that she too is from one of the tribes of Israel. It is uncertain.
Judah arranged for Tamar to marry his first born, they had no children, so it was customary for Judah’s second born to provide an offspring for his brother. This did not happen. Judah withheld his third son from Tamar, seeming to be uninterested in maintaining his lineage. Yet, Tamar sees the importance and it is credited to her as righteous for preserving the line of Judah - which we will talk more about that significance next week.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Genesis 38
Highlight
“Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar” (Matthew 1:3a). Genesis 38 is an odd story, and we will chat more about Judah next week. In the meantime let's focus on Tamar. Her nationality is uncreated. We can guess that she might be a Canaanite, because Judah had married a Canaanite and seemed to be living in that area. But she also follows Jewish customs, so it might be that she too is from one of the tribes of Israel. It is uncertain.
Judah arranged for Tamar to marry his first born, they had no children, so it was customary for Judah’s second born to provide an offspring for his brother. This did not happen. Judah withheld his third son from Tamar, seeming to be uninterested in maintaining his lineage. Yet, Tamar sees the importance and it is credited to her as righteous for preserving the line of Judah - which we will talk more about that significance next week.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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