God gave the law through Moses so that we would find life by living according to His word (Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20). We are called to contemplate the beauty of God’s creation and meditate on his words (Psalm 19). God has provided salvation for us in spite of our unfaithfulness (Psalm 80:7-15). In response, we are called to live in faith, knowing that our righteousness is only found in Christ (Philippians 3:4b-14). He is the only sure foundation for a fruitful life (Matthew 21:33-46).
God provided life, protection, and guidance for those he brought out of bondage in Egypt (Ex. 14:19-31 & Ps. 114). There is none other like him, majestic in holiness (Ex. 15:1-11, 20-21) and abounding in steadfast love and forgiveness (Ps. 103:1-13). Joseph sought to emulate God’s merciful character by extending forgiveness to those who had tried to harm him (Gen. 50:15-21). In the same way, Jesus teaches his followers to forgive others generously (Matt. 18:21-35). Jesus is Lord, therefore, bear with those who are weak in faith (Rom. 14:1-12).
In the Passover, Christians remember how God’s deliverance of Israel extends to all the world through the blood of Christ (Exodus 12:1-14). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:7-11), but calls all people to praise him and delight in his commands (Psalm 149 and Psalm 119:33-40). Those who walk in righteousness seek to cast off the works of darkness and pursue the light of love (Romans 13:8-14). Believers are called to participate in Christ’s ministry by appropriately confronting sin (Matthew 18:15-20).
God is more holy than we can imagine or comprehend (Exodus 3:1-15). He has graciously revealed himself and called us to trust him. We respond in gratitude by choosing to walk in truth and love (Psalm 26). Remembering God’s faithfulness and promises (Psalm 105 & Jeremiah 15:15-21), we pursue love, joy, and patience in the midst of our adversaries. Like Jesus, we are to take up our cross and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21). Jesus’ rebuke of Peter reminds us that God’s ways are often counterintuitive to our ways. We follow Jesus by turning from evil and choosing to love God (Matthew 16:21-28).
God provided deliverance for his people by raising up Moses to lead them out of Egypt (Exodus 1:8–2:10). He demonstrated steadfast love and care (Psalm 138) and saved those who seemed destined for destruction (Psalm 124). God’s promise of salvation in the past continues to be fulfilled in the present through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 51:1-6). He is the Messiah and Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-20). In gratitude, followers of Jesus are exhorted to humbly serve the body of Christ by offering themselves as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-8).
The story of Joseph has many parallels with the life of Christ (Genesis 37:14-, 12-28). As Joseph was thrown into the pit by his brothers, so Christ was crucified by His own, descended into the dead, and was resurrected so that we might live. This is good news and we must tell others (Romans 10:5-15)! The life, death, and resurrection of Christ have fulfilled the allusions we find to him in the Old Testament (Psalm 105). He is the embodiment of peace, salvation, and justice (Psalm 85). Like Joseph and Peter, we need not fear when we are sinking. He has promised to be with us and will help us when our faith is weak (Matthew 14:22-33).
Jacob suffered wrong and sacrificed much to win Rachel’s hand in marriage (Genesis 29:15-28). Wisdom and fulfillment are often the fruit of patient waiting and righteous pursuits (Psalm 128 and 1 Kings 3:5-12). These things may seem out of grasp, but we can still trust God to fulfill his covenant and bring about his purposes in the end (Psalm 105:1-11 and Romans 8:26-39), even in spite of human oppression and unfulfilled desires (Psalm 119:129-136). Followers of Christ are called to wholeheartedly seek God’s kingdom, wisely pursuing that which will last (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52).
Jacob experienced a glimpse of God’s glory and a reminder that God keeps his promises (Genesis 28:10-19a). God eradicates all darkness and knows us better than we know ourselves (Psalm 139). Do not fear (Isaiah 44:6-8)! God’s steadfast love offers mercy and favor (Psalm 86). The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are God’s children through Christ (Romans 8:12-25). All creation patiently waits for evil to be defeated at the end of the age (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
Unrestrained appetites can cause God’s people to turn away from the things that are most important (Genesis 25:19-34). Those who are in Christ Jesus have been set free from the law of sin and death and called to walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the desires of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11). God’s Word illumines a righteous path (Psalm 119:105-112) and waters a seed of everlasting hope (Isaiah 55:10-13). We must acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and blessing (Psalm 65:1-13), for a seed planted in fertile soil produces good fruit (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23).
God raises up those who are humble (Psalm 145:8-14) and surprises his loved ones with companionship (Song of Solomon 2:8-13) and the promise of future blessings (Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45:10-17). In the context of God’s care, we struggle to be released from the burdens that we place on ourselves and are prone to do the things that we shouldn’t do (Romans 7:15-25a). In the midst of this struggle, Christ still invites us to serve him in humility. He is the King of Peace (Zechariah 9:9-12), and in his service, we will find rest and strength for the journey (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30).