January 1- Foundations

January 1, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 1:1-2:25; Matthew 1: 1-2:12; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 1:1-6

Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structures are to be, the deeper must be its foundation.  

~Saint Augustine

Hey! I'm so glad that you have decided to read the Bible with me this year.  Please know that on our journey you will have good days and bad days, but everyday will be an opportunity to learn about your Creator.  Today I am going to focus on the foundations laid at the beginning of the Old and New Testaments, the Psalms, and the Proverbs.  These foundational principles will guide our reading this year.


Genesis 1:1-2:25

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most well-known structures on the planet. Initial construction began in the year 1173.  By 1178 the tower began to sink because it had been set in weak, unstable subsoil.  The architects of the building realized a major design flaw. They had not set their lofty edifice on a proper foundation.

Today as we begin to read the greatest story ever told we will see that the Architect of History sets His Story on a firm foundation.  The Bible is the story of God's creation of the universe and His relationship with that creation.  As we go through this book His fingerprints and personality permeate everything.  If you listen closely, you will begin to recognize His Voice and know His Mind.  The central character of the Bible is Jesus Christ and you will see references to Christ from the very beginning of the book.

St. Augustine said that to be great you had to start by simply being. That is exactly how the Bible begins. The very first statement is, "In the beginning God." We start with this foundation. God exists. This is a simple but profound reality.  Here are other foundations established in these first two chapters of Genesis:

• God is the creator of all things- Vs. 1
• His words, which represent His logic/mind/intelligence, are authoritative, are the vehicle He uses to create, and are powerful. - Vs. 3-26
• Human beings are the only creatures created in God's image and patterned after Him.- Vs. 27
• Human beings are the only creatures responsible to follow rules established by God or face death for breaking those rules. In other words, human beings are tested by God. - Vs. 16-17
• Human beings, both male and female, when they are united by marriage as husband and wife in intimacy, are a picture of God and His relationship to those who love Him.

FOUNDATIONS FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 1:1-2:12

As the first book of the New Testament the book of Matthew is written to convince the nation of Israel that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah/King of the Jews.  Matthew lays a foundation for this argument by pointing out three major prophesies fulfilled: 

• Jesus has legal right to the title of King of the Jews through his genealogy on his stepfather's side.  Starting with Abraham, including King David, and finishing with Joseph, the husband of Mary Jesus' mother, Matthew proves Jesus' legitimate birthright to the throne of David.- Vs. 1-16. This is a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6-7
• Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin. He is to be called Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.-Vs. 21. This is a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14; 8:8,10
• Jesus is born in Bethlehem and will rule his people. -Vs. 2:6. This is a fulfillment of Micah 5:2

These are important bedrock proofs that Jesus
 is the legitimate heir to God's throne and the prophesied Savior of the Jews.  Many more proofs will be given in the book of  Matthew.

FOUNDATIONS FOR BEING RIGHTEOUS
Psalm 1:1-6


The Psalms were the hymnal for the Jewish nation. Today we begin with a foundational psalm that establishes the ways of the righteous. Christ is the Royal Son and Perfect Man.  He is pictured in this Psalm.

We can see what the righteous person does NOT do: He does not walk with the wicked, stand with sinners, or sit with mockers.

What he DOES do is: delight in God's Word and meditate on God's law.  He is like a fruitful tree that is planted in a garden near a river. Whatever he does he prospers.

This is not the case for the wicked.  They will blow away like chaff.  Ultimately, the wicked will not be able to stand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous.  The Lord will protect His own, but the wicked will perish.  This Psalm makes me want to be a fruitful tree by the water!

By the way, this first psalm just summarized the whole point of the Bible.

Proverbs 1:1-6

Solomon is the writer of the Proverbs. The purpose of the Proverbs is to teach the foundations of wisdom and discipline.  Any life built on this foundation will be strong.

Food for Thought:

• On what foundations are you building your life?
• How does your life show that you believe God exists?

What did you notice in today's reading?  I want to hear your comments.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton