Genesis 24

Genesis 24 marks the beginning of the narrative section dealing with the lives of Isaac and Rebekah. This chapter gives the details as to how Rebekah became the wife of Isaac. It is one of the lengthier narrative sections in the book. The primary item to watch for as you read through this chapter is the providence of God working through the mundane details of life. God’s providence is a comforting doctrine for his people. It teaches us that God governs all things and all actions of his creatures. It is not reserved only for the significant issues of life, but it governs everything from the seemingly minor to the most important significant issues that affect all of us.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 25, 2023Genesis 24

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 23

Matthew 23

Matthew 23 is known as the “seven woes given by Christ to the religious leaders of his day. In this chapter, we have Christ exercising his prophetic office as he preaches woe to them. The term “woe” is strong. It conveys much more than a mere warning but one of impending doom. Ther seven woes can be labeled as follows:

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 25, 2023Matthew 23

The Morning Devotional: WCF 22.2

The Morning Devotional for July 25, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 22.2

II. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence;a therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred.b Yet as, in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the Old,c so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken.d

devotional, confessions, Westminster ConfessionWilliam HillJuly 25, 2023vows, oaths, Deuteronomy 6, Exodus 20, James 5

The Morning Devotional: WCF 22.1

The Morning Devotional for July 24, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 22.1

I. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship,a wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth or promiseth; and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.b

devotional, confessions, Westminster ConfessionWilliam HillJuly 24, 2023oaths, vows, Deuteronomy 10, Exodus 20

The Morning Devotional: WCF 21.8 (Part Two)

The Morning Devotional for July 21, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.8
Part Two

VIII. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employments and recreations;a but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.b

The Morning Devotional: WECF 21.8 (Part One)

The Morning Devotional for July 20, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.8
Part One

VIII. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employments and recreations;a but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.b

The Morning Devotional: WCF 21.7

The Morning Devotional for July 19, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.7

VII. As it is of the law of nature that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him:a which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week,b which in Scripture is called the Lord’s day,c and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.d

Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 23

Read: Genesis 23

Genesis 23 marks the end of the Abrahamic narrative with the death of Sarah, his wife. Sarah’s death allows Abraham to purchase land in Hebron, thus setting up a marker – a landmark of possession that his people will inherit the land of Canaan just as God had promised to him. Hebron will later become the capital of Israel before it is moved to Jerusalem.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 18, 2023Genesis 23

Bible Knowledge Project: Matthew 22

Read: Matthew 22

This chapter continues some various temple discourses given by Christ. For today's devotional, we will look at only two of them. First, the teaching regarding paying taxes to Caeser (22:15-22). That section of Matthew's gospel has often been used to substantiate the obligation of citizens to pay taxes to the government. Although that is not untrue, the real point is that we owe him everything as image-bearers of God.

bible readingWilliam HillJuly 18, 2023Matthew 22

The Morning Devotional: WCF 21.6

The Morning Devotional for July 18, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.6

VI. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed:a but God is to be worshipped everywhereb in spirit and truth;c as in private familiesd daily,e and in secret each one by himself,f so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.g

The Morning Devotional: WCF 21.5

The Morning Devotional for July 17, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.5

V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear;a the sound preaching;b and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith, and reverence;csinging of psalms with grace in the heart;d as, also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:e besides religious oaths,f vows,g solemn fastings,h and thanksgivings upon several occasions;i which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.j

The Morning Devotional: WCF 21.4

The Morning Devotional for July 14, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 21.4

IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawful,a and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter;b but not for the dead,c nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.d

The Pastor’s Corner

The blog of Pastor William F. Hill, Jr.