January 10 – Machpelah & a Miracle

January 10
Genesis 23:1-24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6

Genesis 23:19 tells us about Sarah being buried in the Cave of Machpelah. Interestingly the Cave of the Patriarchs today is based on a structure from Herod the Great – over 2,000 years old. If you want to see an aerial view of the Cave, a Jewish group has some interesting footage on YouTube. In 24:3 – we see a followup to the contrast of women in Proverbs – Abraham wants a certain kind of wife for his son, one from the people who had been exposed to God, not from the Canaanites; as we’ve seen in Proverbs there is the lady Wisdom, and the Strange woman – one’s choice of companions (especially a lifelong companion) is important (Proverbs 13:20).

Start at 6:46 for the relevant parts

Matthew 8:4 – This is the first miracle recorded in the New Testament (but not the first chronologically). On February 23rd we’ll read what this verse is referring to (but if you want to sneak ahead check out Leviticus 14. Matthew 8:14 talks about Peter’s house – that may have been discovered (and is a regular tourist stop if you travel to Israel).

Traditional Site of Peter’s House in Capernaum (not the church, under the church).
Author’s Photo

Psalm 9:17 – The wicked shall be turned into hell. “The most sobering reality in the world today, is that people are dying and going to hell today.” Many think they are a good person, but are they good enough to go to heaven?.

Proverbs 3:5 – Patch the Pirate put Proverbs 3:5 to music (I try to share Scripture memory songs because music is a great way to hide God’s Word in our hearts). And speaking of God, His offer of directing our paths is a conditional promise worth seeking.