angela hormberg

Category: Bible

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 25, Part II

    2025 Rtb: Genesis 25, Part II

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 16: Genesis 25, a little more

    The following verse , Genesis 25:8, also struck me:

    “The Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people” (Gen 25:8).

    Matthew Henry offers some beautiful commentary in regards to this verse, but I will only quote the Latin statement, which he noted in relation to it:

    “Vixi quantum satis est – I have lived long enough” (123).

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 25

    2025 Rtb: Genesis 25

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 15: Genesis 25

    “And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord” (Psalm 25:22).

    Matthew Henry’s comment on Rebekah’s words are apropos. He notes,

    “Before, the want of children was her trouble, now, the struggle of children is no less so” (124).

    Further, he noted,

    “(1.) The comforts we are most desirous of are sometimes found to bring along with them more occasion of trouble and uneasiness than we thought of; vanity being written upon all things under the sun, God thus teaches us to read it.

    (2.) We are too apt to be discontented with our comforts, because of the uneasiness that attends them. We know not when we are pleased; we know neither how to want or how to abound” (124).

    In regard to this, Henry insightfully continues,

    “[1.] In the world. The seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent have been contending ever since the enmity was put between them…and this has occasioned a constant uneasiness among men. Christ himself came to send fire on earth, and this division, Luke 12:49, 51. But let not this be an offence ot us. A holy war is better than the peace of the devil’s palace” (124).

    “[2.] In the hearts of believers. No sooner is Christ formed in the soul than immediately there begins a conflict between the flesh and the spirit, Gal 5:17. The stream is not turned without a might struggle, which yet ought not to discourage us. It is better to have a conflict with sin than tamely submit to it” (124).

    What did Rebekah do? Rebekah took her question to the Lord, as noted, “And she went to enquire of the Lord” (Gen 25:22 b).

    In regard to this enquiry, Henry notes,

    “The word and prayer, by both which we now enquire of the Lord, give great relief to those that are upon any account perplexed. It is a great relief to the mind to spread our case before the Lord, and ask counsel at his mouth. Go into the sanctuary, Psalm 73:17″ (124).

    This passage stuck out to me, as I think of my family. As a child and a parent, I have seen both sides. These reflections cause me to be thankful for my parents, who contended with me, and to empathize with my children, who are under me.

    Thank you, Lord, for your provision, in regard to my parents and my children. Help me to honor my parents rightly and give my children no cause to dishonor me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 23-24

    2025 Rtb: Genesis 23-24

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 14: Genesis 23-24

    “And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth” (Genesis 24).

    Here is the servant’s response to God’s faithfulness. The servant prayed and saw God answer in a miraculous way. Rebekah responded just as the servant asked God for her to, so that he would know if she was the right woman.

    In my own life, I have offered prayers to God and He has answered. Always my prayers have been answered: with a yes, with a no, or with a wait. For those who claim God does not answer prayer, we must consider many things before relying on that individual’s word that God did not answer them. We must always remember that God knows the person’s heart in a way we never can. Consider Cain and Abel, who both presented offerings to God. Cain’s offering was not accepted, because his heart wasn’t right. For myself, I have seen God answer my prayers in clear ways: sometimes a firm ‘yes’ and sometimes a firm ‘no’, and sometimes much later than I expected and in unexpected ways.

    “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

    Lord, Help me to remember all that you have done for me and trust in your words. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 22

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 13: Genesis 22

    “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together” (Genesis 22:8).

    “Abraham’s words must be made good: God himself will provide a lamb. God will not disappoint those expectations of his people which are of his own raising; but according to their faith it is to them” (Henry 112).

    “Christ is the great blessing of the world. Abraham was ready to give up his son for a sacrifice to the honour of God, and, on that occasion, God promised to give his Son as a sacrifice for the salvation of man” (Henry 113).

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 20-21

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 12: Genesis 20-21

    “And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister; And Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah” (Genesis 20:2).

    Chapters 20 and 21 relate to Abraham and his house. Chapter 20 relates Abraham’s lie to Abimelech; he told Abimelech Sarah was his sister and directed her to lie, too. Yet, God spared Abimelech. God came to Abimelech in a dream, told Abimelech the truth and warned Abimelech of the consequences of knowing Sarah.

    Matthew Henry makes a worthy point regarding Abraham’s sin,

    “We are here [in Chapter 20] returning to the story of Abraham; yet that part of it which is here recorded is not to his honour. The fairest marbles have their flaws, and, while there are spots in the sun, we must not expect any thing spotless under it. The scripture, it should be remarked, is impartial in relating the blemishes of even of its most celebrated characters” (Henry 103).

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 18-19

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 11: Genesis 18-19

    “And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mare: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground” (Genesis 18:1-2).

    Matthew Henry writes,

    “How Abraham expected strangers, and how richly his expectations were answered (v.1): He sat in the tent-door, in the heat of the day; not so much to repose or divert himself as to seek an opportunity for doing good, by giving entertainment to strangers and travellers, there being perhaps no inns to accommodate them. Note 1. We are likely to have the most comfort of those good works to which we are most free and forward. 2. God graciously visits those in whom he has first raised the expectation of him, and manifests himself to those that wait from him” (Henry 93).

    It’s interesting what Henry makes the following remark regarding Abraham’s hospitality,

    “Where, upon a prudent and impartial judgment, we see no cause to suspect ill, charity teaches us to hope well and to show kindness accordingly. It is better to feed five drones, or wasps, than to starve one bee” (Henry 93).

    Genesis 18 ends with God’s judgment on Sodom. Abraham pleads for the preservation of the city, if even ten good men could be found there. As Abraham aptly observes,

    “[Abraham] returned to his place to observe what that event could be; and it proved that his prayer was heard, and yet Sodom was not spared, because there were not ten righteous in it. We cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God” (Henry 97).

    Further in Genesis 19, we are made aware of the events surrounding Lot, after he escaped Sodom. His wife defies the angel’s command and turns back, wherein she is turned into a pillar of salt. Lot goes on with his two daughters. Lot ultimately becomes drunk, and his daughter’s take advantage of his state to commit sin. Of drunkenness, Matthew Henry writes,

    “The peril of drunkenness. It is not only a great sin itself, but it is the inlet of many sins; it may prove the inlet of the worst and most unnatural sins, which may be a perpetual wound and dishonour. Excellently does Mr. Herbert describe it,

    He that is drunken may his mother kill, Big with his sister

    A man may do that without reluctance, when he is drunk which, when he is sober, he could not think of without horror” (Henry 102).

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 16-17

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 10: Genesis 16-17

    “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:2)

    Here we have a situation much like the one in the garden leaving off the presence of the serpent as the tempter. Sarai is misled by her own reasoning. Most likely, Abram shared all that God had shown him in Genesis 15, and Sarai, acknowledging her barren state and attributing it rightly to God’s will, determines to bring about God’s promise through her maid, Hagar. Abram accepts Sarai’s suggestion without first consulting God. Matthew Henry observed:

    “Abram’s compliance with Sarai’s proposal, we have reason to think, was from an earnest desire of the promised seed, on whom the covenant should be entailed. God had told him that his heir should be a son of his body, but had not yet told him that it should be a son by Sarai; therefore he thought, “Why not Hagar, since Sarai herself proposed it?” Note, (1.) Foul temptations may have very fair pretenses, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. (2.) Fleshly wisdom, as it anticipates God’s time of mercy, so it puts us out of God’s way. (3.) This would be happily prevented if we would ask of God by the word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is important and suspicious. Herein Abram was wanting; he married without God’s consent. This persuasion came not of Him that called him” (86).

    Henry’s comment is spot on. It is a reminder to seek God’s answers in His Word and through prayer to Him. While answers do come through other Christians that God uses, their suggestions should always align with His Word.

    Father God, help me to seek You first and not be swayed by suggestions of those around me. Help me to be in your Word. Make Your will known to me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 15

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 9: Genesis 15

    “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

    Here God converses with Abram and in this chapter makes a covenant with him. Before God promises the land to Abram, He promises himself as Abram’s “exceeding great reward”. Matthew Henry observes:

    “A believing converse with Spiritual blessings is an excellent means to keep us from being too much taken up with temporal enjoyments. The gifts of common providence are not comparable to those of covenant love” (80).

    Do I believe that God is my shield? Do I live like it, not as one in fear but as one with courage? Do I receive God as my exceeding great reward or do I look for earthly riches?

    Father God, give me courage, when I am afraid. Help me to remember you are my shield, my ever present help in trouble. Help me, Lord, to always remember you are my exceeding great reward. Help me to live like it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 11 and 12

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 8: Genesis 11 – 12

    Genesis 11 begins with the account of the Tower of Babel and ends with a recounting of the line of Shem till we have the birth of Abraham.

    Genesis 12 recounts the call of Abraham. God commands Abraham:

    “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1 b)

    God called Abraham away from all that he knew. Through circumstances, a famine, Abraham went into Egypt. Under the pretense of a lie, that Sarai was his sister, when in fact she was his wife, Abraham entered Egypt. Pharaoh took Sarai into his house and gave Abraham riches. Plagues were sent upon Pharaoh, because he had Sarai in his house. Eventually, Pharaoh realized Sarai was actually Abraham’s wife and called Abraham to come and take her and leave Egypt. Abraham left with all the riches Pharaoh had given him

    “And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning [Abraham]: and they sent [Abraham] away, and his wife, and all that he had” (Genesis 12:20).

    Here we have a foreshadowing of how a future Pharaoh will be plagued on behalf of God’s people and how the Israelites will also leave Pharaoh’s land taking with them the wealth of the Egyptians.

    Even when circumstances lead one into the path of the wicked, God uses the wicked to bless his people.

    Lord, watch over me and protect me. Help me to see your provision, even when I am surrounded by the wicked. Help me to cast my cares on you and thank you, when you save me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Job 40-42

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 7: Job 40-42

    “Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

    “Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth” (Job 40:1-4).

    “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heave is mine” (Job 41:11).

    “Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be witholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knoweldge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I know not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-5).

    Here we have God questioning Job and calling Job to consider who God is and Job’s place in respect to God. Job responds in humility and repents of his sin in the face of Goodness.

    So many worries crowd out my worship. Too often I am consumed with my circumstances and not with Who orders my day. God knows me and my circumstances, and He works them all to my good.

    Lord, help me to come first to You. Help me to dedicate my heart and living to you first. You are where my happiness is. Help me to know that and order my life aright. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 3: Job to Song of Solomon.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg