Bible in a Year Blog

1 Samuel 5:1-7:17 + John 6:1-21 + Psalm 106:13-31 + Proverbs 14:32-33
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Old Testament – Interesting chapters in First Samuel today!  The idol Dagon was no match for the Ark of the Covenant!  You’ll notice in verse 4 that Dagon ends up in a worship position before the Ark: “And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD.”  Dagon was the “god” of the Philistines, and was thought to have been some sort of man / fish combo.  The idol of Dagon may have looked something like this:

Below is a pretty good map of that will show you where three of the Five Cities of the Philistines (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath) that we read about in today’s readings are located in the Philistine territory:

It’s fascinating to see the Philistine’s send back to Israel a “guilt offering” of golden tumors and rats with the Ark.  Not quite what was prescribed for guilt offerings in Leviticus… but, I guess you can give them an E for effort.  🙂  We read in chapter 6 verse 11 – “Then the Ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors were placed on the cart.”

 

Then we arrive at the people of Beth-shemesh who look in the ark and perish – and then the ark is sent off again to another town.  We then arrive at some wonderful words from Samuel in chapter 7 verses 3 & 4: “Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the LORD, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the LORD; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites destroyed their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the LORD.”  And later in verse 10 we read – “Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived for battle. But the LORD spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our 1 Samuel readings today titled “The hands of Dagon and the Hand of God” is at this link.

New Testament – It is very interesting to note that Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000 is the only miracle, along with the resurrection, that is described in all 4 gospels!  In John chapter 6 verse 14 we read – “When the people saw this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!””  The Prophet the crowds are referring to comes from Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 15 & 18 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him…. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our John chapter 6 readings today titled “The Messiah: Mightier than Moses” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 106:19-21 we read: “At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt.” This of course sounds very familiar to Romans chapter 1 verses 22 and 23: “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”  Was this wise that the Israelites exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull?  Why did they do this?  What should have been their Glory? What is your Glory today?  Do you, at times, exchange your true Glory for something else?  Is this wise?  Are you forgetting the God who saved you? The God who has done great things for you?  Please don’t ever exchange the true Glory for a false idol!

Verse 13 in this Psalm also stands out: “Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!”  Is this true of us?  Do we forget or take for granted all of the blessings God has poured out into our lives?  In doing so, do we decide to take matters into our own hands – not waiting on God’s counsel for our direction?  Will we remember?  Will we wait?  Patiently…?

Proverbs – I really like Proverbs 14 verse 33 today – “Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart.”  I pray we all develop understanding hearts that are full of godly wisdom!

Worship Video: Today’s readings in John reminded me of Needtobreathe’s song “Testify:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCKU7kAUrvU

Have you testified? Click here to Testify!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass.”  Psalm 106:20 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never exchange the Glory of God in your life for a useless dying idol.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What do you think this Proverb means when it says “understanding heart”?  What is an “understanding heart”?  How is it different from other hearts?  Maybe hardened hearts or foolish hearts?  Have you ever prayed to God for an understanding heart?  Would this be a good prayer?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 5-7:17

For me this entire story of the capture of the Ark and its return can be played out today in our dealings with God either individually, as a congregation, a community and a nation. The Ark was captured because Israel used it as a “good luck” charm. It had become a symbol of God, something to carry into battle because they had lost a previous battle and not because they trusted God, they had put God in a box and kept Him there in the reasoning of their minds.

The Philistines now had the God of Israel in a box and took Him to their temple where their god, Dagon, fell before Israel’s God. [(I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance] Isaiah 45:23); (It is written: ” ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12)]

Instead of getting a clue and either being too stupid or stubborn to buy one, the Philistines kept their god and tried to reason and placate the God of Israel. Their means and methods of dealing with Israel’s God, placing it in a chart being pulled by cows that had given just given birth to calves that were not allowed to travel with them and the gold idols, were about “blind” men searching in the dark for God. In the natural new mothers don’t leave their babies. Israel took this as a sign, which it was; however, they misinterpreted the “sign” because they failed to seek God’s direction. They went by how things appeared to them instead of what God said because they failed to have fellowship with God to find out what He required, they failed to adhere to the Laws handed down by Moses so they went by it kinda-sorta-seems-like-to-me.

We still do that today. We try to keep God in a box and only bring Him out in crisis, then only to cry, “Why God, why?” When we don’t have God in our lives, His Presence, when manifested, defeats the gods in our lives and instead of asking questions and examining the reasonableness of the gods we serve, we send the true God back. When the God we say we serve out of tradition shows up in our lives in a powerful way, we then forge a worship method based on what we think we have seen instead of drawing closer to Him in fellowship to find out what He requires. We then begin to forge a worship system formed out of the ignorance of our own minds based on traditions formed from the lifestyles of unbelievers, a deadly formula.

John 6:1-21

This sentence/verse has caught my attention,
2 And a huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miracles as he healed the sick.

Am I following the pattern of the crowd? Am I following Jesus because of His miracles, because he “fed” me? Am I looking for a feeding program? When we read through the Book of Luke we came across the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16: 19-31). At the end of that story there is a punch line which was, 31″But Abraham said, `If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Signs and Wonders do not bring belief and faith, signs and wonders just make us wonder, “Hmmm” Hopefully our curiosity will send us on a journey to find “Truth.”

What the now well-fed crowd wanted was a king to keep them fed. This desire not only indicted the crowd back then but it indicts us today. We seek the “right” politician or leader not for what is right and moral but for what they can do for us and at the same time not give to the other guys living across the tracks or the other side of the political spectrum. Like us, they wanted a prophet/king to give them “stuff” but they didn’t want the Messiah part because they, like, us, don’t really want to submit to anyone however we do just want the “stuff.”

Psalm 106:13-31
24 The people refused to enter the pleasant land,
for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them.

25 Instead, they grumbled in their tents
and refused to obey the LORD.

I am always fascinated by how the readings from different books written at different times parallel and compliment each other. This division of the Book of Psalms, at least to me, clearly shows the fickleness of “us folks.”

Proverbs 14:32-33

32 The wicked are crushed by their sins, but the godly have a refuge when they die.

Our bodies were never created to withstand the weight of sin. For those who are “saved” go get a B.S. (Before Salvation) picture and one now and see the difference on your face. Salvation lifts burdens.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

Mike,
thanks for putting the links “steps to peace with God”cos I found some wonderful passages from “God can make a difference in the unknown” and “where to look in times of need”.God bless you for your labour of love.
Today’s OT reading I feel is loaded with meaning.God can’t be used,put down or mocked.We need to leave all the security blankets and throw ourselves into God’s arms.The Israelites had to be told to leave their gods aside and seek ONLY God.
I really don’t get the “they drew water out and poured it out in front of the Lord”bit but I can see that they in all sincerity turned to God in worship.The enemy chose a really bad time to strike…during a family reunion…God gave them victory because they did their part and God took care of all the rest.Our part is trusting Him and my prayers are “please teach me how to trust you,to love you”..it may sound really silly but I honesty look into my heart and it’s not pretty.
God bless you all
Anka

====== Luch:

Commenting on Psalm 106:19-21 “The people made a calf at Mount Sinai; they bowed before an image made of gold. they traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass eating ox. They forgot God…” Alas, the last three words are the ruin of many people—“they forgot God.” Everytime I read this passage I am reminded of what the famous preacher and scholar Jonathon Edwards said about “goodness”. He said, “The ultimate good in life is to treat something according to its true value.” How true. The ultimate good is to treat God according to His true infinite value, but these people chose not to, and in not treating God according to His true value, they destroyed themselves. When we fail to treat ourselves according to our true value as the ‘imago dei’–image bearers of our great God, we then also turn to lesser gods that end up destroying us over time. Aplly this principle to every relationship in your life–treat your spouse/children/friends/enemies/fellow parishiones/neighbours—according to their true value as image bearers of our Triune God. The Israelites chose as we/I do at times to ‘bow before an image made of gold” and we pay the price for our unwise choice. May God help all OYB readers to practice this discipline of treating people and God according to their true value…..

Luch

====== Michelle:

======= Jim:

The Philistines may have placed the ark in their place of worship to honor the god that had apparently abandoned their enemy, but they were certainly not ready to submit to it (being polytheists). In Canaanite mythology, enemy heads and hands were taken as trophies by the goddess Anat. The imagery here clearly shows that Yahweh and Dagon had fought and that Yahweh had been triumphant. After the return of the ark to Beth Shemesh the people were yet again under judgment for irreverence in worship and approach to a holy, righteous, and almighty God. We should consider our own seriousness when adding black lights and mood music to Sunday’s service when reading stories like these from scripture.
If the events of John chapter 5 occurred at the Feast of Tabernacles and chapter 6 was during Christ’s second Passover of John Gospel, then half a year has passed between these two chapters. Christ feeds 5,000 (only miracle recorded by all four Gospel authors except for the resurrection, although only John describes the bread as barley denoting a poor bread – reminiscent of when Elisha multiplies such loaves in 2 Kings 4:42-44) and later walks on water. The leftover food may suggest that there was also enough spiritual food to satisfy them forever (like the manna previously given in the wilderness) and the specific counting only of men may suggest four times the 5,000 in total. “Man does not live on bread alone” (Matt 4:4) because human beings are more than mere animals. Christ reminds the still spiritually immature and insensitive disciples to “not be afraid” but rather “believe” during the storms on the lake and in life. Jesus is whom sinners persecute and saints adore – nothing could be more alarming or comforting. I am often surprised to hear Jewish and Christian friends say that neither of them think they worship the same God.
During the times of Christ there was a multitude of supposed miracle workers (including those who claimed to be able to walk on water), but only Jesus focused on teaching (rather than on overthrowing the Romans – what the customers wanted). The distinction is made clear: “Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” And, Jesus departed when the crowds came to take Him by force and to be their king. In the OT, Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha all parted bodies of water, but only God trod upon the water (Job 9:8). After Jesus walked across the water to join them in the boat, it immediately was beamed to the shore as the Spirit did to Philip from the Gaza road in Acts (also compare with 1 Kings 18:12). Matthew tells us that Peter left the safety of the boat and began to sink when his attention was drawn away from Jesus and onto the wind. This is a great example of how those who respond to Christ’s call are still vulnerable to doubts.
In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus describes the spiritual condition of the generation of His day after saying how they would be condemned by the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:41-42). Jesus warned it is not enough just to go through the process of having one’s sins forgiven unless reformation continues and something positive is put in the now-cleaned house (where the end might prove worse than the beginning). We must replace evil with good. In our heart can reside things that produce harm (Matt 15:19) as well as be the source of good (Matt 12:35). Our “house” can be cleaned (like in Hebrews 10:22 and Acts 15:8-9) to serve God (Heb 9:14) but we are expected to “fill” our home with Christ (Ephesians 3:17), God’s peace (Colossians 3:15-16), and the law (Hebrews 8:10). Nature abhors a vacuum, though, and our good home is likely to see evil return with a vengeance! Consider the Corinthians that had been washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor 6:11) and yet were later engaged in sinful conduct again (2 Cor 12:20-21) or the false teachers mentioned by Peter who had been bought by the Lord (2 Pet 2:1) but had become entangled again and, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Pet 2:20-22). In the case of he false teachers, they had become worse by forsaking the right way (2 Pet 2:15), adultery and covetousness (2 Pet 2:14), and even denied the Lord who bought them (2 Pet 2:1). In our case, our hearts can become “hardened” (Heb 3:12-13), insult the Spirit (Heb 10:26-29), and eventually reach the point of no return (Heb 6:4-6). How important, then, that we do not let the home of our heart remain empty and thusly invite worldly things to take up residence only to discover, “the last state of that man is worse than the first!” Follow instead the example of David (Psalm 101:3-4), renew your understanding (Romans 12:1-2), study God’s word (1 Pet 2:1-2), allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit (Colossians 3:16), be selective about your environment (Philippians 4:8), and chose friends carefully (1 Cor 15:33, Prov 13:20, 2 Cor 6:14-7:1).
I seemed to provide conflicting opinions yesterday when suggesting that we should focus less on other’s sins and more on our own and then saying that we should also focus less on our own sins as well. This is because I think we should focus on grace (or forgiveness for our sins – not others). Christ did not suggest we first pray, “God stop me” but “God, be merciful to me.” People often assert high grades on unselfishness and pronounce their health and wealth as the just reward (since, “what goes around, comes around”). All of the students in one of my college classes, for example, once even claimed their choices in life were honest and selfless no less than either 90% to 100% of the time. Persons of great spirituality (like Mother Teresa), on the other hand, state that they know their decisions are SELFISH 100% of the time. Apostle Paul even said, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18) Psalm 106 is specifically about God’s people forgetting His mercies and calls for the praise of God despite these short memories. “Remember me” seems based on the remembrance of Israel’s history in the previous Psalm and is a strong contrast with “they soon forgot.” We read last week the most famous line of the Bible that starts, “For He so loved the world…” How would you finish the sentence, For the world so loved their God … ? “We have sinned with our fathers,” “They soon forgot,” “He gave them their request,” the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, the story of the golf calf, “they despised the pleasant land,” and so forth is about the great need for community penitence for forgetting. There isa long history of rebellion in the face of God’s love and provision even though He has always remained faithful.https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#blog_id=247928091&comment_id=100895&origin=bibleinayearblog.com&obj_id=247928091-100895-69feb564eb250
Jim

======= Chris:

I’m keeping up here with everyone. I must say that I am becoming very educated while I’m on this journey and at the same time, I’m wondering what took me so long to actually read the Bible.
I find it comforting while at the same time seeing many parallels between then and now and human nature. As I continue to read, I ask myself are we so different now? The killing that occurred, take of countries, towns, cities, leaving no one alive…
Then jumping ahead to actually visualize Jesus speaking and trying to connect this.
I have asked myself these questions:
Are we as human beings so different now than they were back then?
And how can I as one person make a difference?
And how can we all as a community make a difference?
It seems we keep making the same mistakes over and over again, taking one step forward and two back.
I’ve never been closer to God than I am today, even though at times I am a bit confused by it all, but I suppose that, too, will become clearer to me.
Judges was a real eye-opener, especially at the end.
I do know that the more I read the more strength I draw and the more determined I am to make right my life and to adhere to God’s teachings and to share that with my family by living that way.
I ask myself questions and I am finding the answers.
Thanks for taking so much of your time to share with us your views and opinilons, and the questions you ask to ask ourselves.
You’ve got me thinking!
Chris

======= Vance:

I Samuel 5 (NKJV)
6
But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.
7
And when the men of Ashdod saw how it was, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is harsh toward us and Dagon our god.”
8
Therefore they sent and gathered to themselves all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?”
19
Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck fifty thousand and seventy men of the people, and the people lamented because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter.
20
And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”
21
So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought back the ark of the LORD; come down and take it up with you.”
1 Samuel 7 (NKJV)
1
Then the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
~~~
NOTE:
I really like this very timely, ever real question and challenge by Mike:
“What is your Glory today? Do you, at times, exchange your true Glory for something else? Is this wise? Are you forgetting the God who saved you? The God who has done great things for you? Please don’t ever exchange the true Glory for a false idol.”
An idol is not just something physical, like a statue of the Buddha or one of the thousands of Indian gods and goddesses.
It is so easy to develop an idol inside the heart which no one but the Lord can see. God’s Word can reveal to us what God sees within us as we wait in His Presence.
I am taking more time to wait in God’s Presence, sing and praise Him. God gave me the ability to play guitar and to sing. The guitar helps me sing and pray through my joys and sorrows.
~~~
Note that even when worshiping the true and living God, we must follow His instructions and worship the way that He tells us. Note what may be considered the “severity of God” as the holiness of God’s Presence weighed heavily on the Philistines (I Samuel 6, verses 6 – 8, 19 and 20).
This makes me think of something Charles Spurgeon said when questioned about God’s mercy and judgment. I do not remember the exact quote, but he said they were twin sisters – both glorifying the Lord.
God is holy. We need to be holy. We can only be holy as we wait in the Presence of the Holy One and allow Him to place His Word into our lives. We can, and our spiritual life longs for us to, meditate on His Word as we wait in His holy Presence.
This makes me think of these verses I have been meditating on with guitar and song:
Psalm 101 (NKJV)
1
I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
2
I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Vance

======= John:

John 6
Feeding of five thousand
Greater than the last:
Water into wine for a wedding gathering, healings for individuals – witnessed by household and the other by temple occupants.
This miracle was in front of 5,000 – 20,000 people.
Previous miracles dealt with existing constraints – only a certain number of water jars, and illness in an individual.
This miracle had no constraints the food would go out to as many as would receive it – whether that was 20,000 or a million. And there would still be food (grace) left over.
Allusion to Moses is strong in this chapter, and will be expounded on later by Jesus. Moses prayed and manna came down from heaven. Jesus came down from heaven, prayed, and food was available to the people. The miracle sets up Jesus’ next discourse on the “bread of life”. Remember Bethlehem was translated : “House of Bread”.
Walking on Water
A month ago a professor at F.S.U. just “threw out there” that the region had experianced freezing temperatures and ice may have been formed on top of the water.
Professor Nof said: “We leave to others the question of whether or not our research explains the biblical account.”
And the media ran with it in the usual run-up to Easter that has become so common of late.
Must have been cold on the mount when people were being fed : ) Heck of a cold front that would freeze a stream of fresh water 3 and a half miles out to the boat, so that not only Jesus walked on it, but Peter as well. Pretty neat that the boat just happened to be at the end of the fresh water ice. Course Peter must have hit a thin patch of ice when he sunk.
[SIGH!]
Man, particularly non-believers, can not rest until they find an explanation of things that make sense to them. “That works for them” (How many times do we hear that phrase?)
[referring to media here and not so much the professor]
Random notes on Walking on Water:
They were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water. Why? Up to now they had been present at other miracles and being comfortable in presence of Jesus had seen them unfold. This miracle came out of the blue and was directed at them.
How many times in Bible did angels suddenly appear and tell people “be not afraid”. The supernatural scares people when suddenly confronted with it with no warning or warm convivial build-up (just my opinion).
Jesus for the second time that I recall in John uses “ego eimi” or the “I am” phrase, and like the angels tells the disciples to not be afraid.
The disciples willingly take him in – the same Greek word as in John 1:12 – Gk. “lambano”: receive him. And immediately the boat reached shore.
Pretty neat capsule picture for “salvation”. Life in sin is a nasty storm, but if you believe in him and “take Him in” you will straightaway reach your destination. Does not mean the storms will subside or life will get all smooth and happy.
Your destination. It is like Andrew posted yesterday from Ephesians 2:6. The Greek verb construct is: we are already there (in heaven) raised up and seated with Christ. That is our destination to which we immediately come to upon salvation.
John

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
What do I do when confronted with the undeniable power of God? Do I place Him amongst all my other gods? Do I scratch my head and ponder when the false gods I have erected bow down to the One True Living God loosing their heads and hands? What do I do when faced with the Truth of who God is? That is the question of the day.
The Philistines, who had no relationship with God, use magic, superstition and magical thinking to try to understand the God of Israel. They may be excused in their handling of the things of God, after all they were not given His commands. However, they cannot be excused for their continual worship of their false gods after seeing the devastation and destruction that came upon the people. They served and worshiped a weak god. What is so troubling to me is this: In the face of the power of God, they chose to get rid of Him instead of finding out who He was. They new He was powerful, yet still didn’t want Him. They desired gods that they could carry around, the desired images that allowed them to project their thoughts, their religious systems upon inanimate objects. How far off from the Philistines are we today?
Now God’s people and their reaction to the return of the Arc is another matter. Here we have a people who have been chosen by God to be His people, yet they utterly treat with contempt and familiarity, the things of God. They gave Him no honor, no respect and no reverence.
In the John passage, we have Jesus feeding more than five thousand people. We know there were more than five thousand because only the men were counted. Not only were the people fed, they had been healed and taught the Word of God, and yet, what was their reaction. They wanted to take Jesus and make Him king. The problem with giving anyone your stamp of approval, including God, is that then we want to tell them or Him how they should operate because after all didn’t we make “Him” king.
There is a common thread in today’s Old and New Testament reading and it is this: what do we doing with the information we have about God? Are we operating out of assumptions (ass-u-me), which is the lowest form of communication when it comes to the things of God and God Himself? Are we making up our own rules and regulations, like the Pharisees, and saying these are the laws of God? When God’s mighty power manifests in our lives, are we pushing it away instead of making a heart felt inquiry. How am I handling God and the things He has created, after all He created me!
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= John:

1 Samuel 5-7:17
Israel Turns Back to the Lord
In Chapter 7 – as Samuel instructed, Israel threw away their false idols. Like back in judges – people turned to God and acknowledged their sin. they acknowledged God’s chosen one for leadership, Samuel, and sacrifices were conducted.
When their hearts were right towards the Lord – God delivered them from the Philistines and their was a time of peace.
======================================================
Is it any different for a believer today?
When we sin and do not go to God – and keep sinning for a period of time. God seems silent – out of our lives. He is still active in our lives, but we do not feel His prescence.
How is this rectified? Like Israel we are to throw out our false idols (sins) – literally or figuratively. Acknowledge we have sinned, and go to our mediator – Jesus Christ and offer prayers to God for forgiveness and restoration of “fellowship”.
The result: Just as Israel is God’s “chosen people” – we are, as believers, God’s “chosen people”. We will be forgiven (not of sins as that happened on the cross) but of “grieving God” and restored in fellowship.
God will then become closer to us, work in our lives, and we will be at peace for a time (until the next bout of sinning).
The goal – for sinning to occur less and less frequently as we mature as Christinas in the image of Christ.
John

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22 + John 5:24-47 + Psalm 106:1-12 + Proverbs 14:30-31
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Old Testament – First Samuel chapter 2 verse 25 stood out to me today when Eli says to his sons – “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?”  This is an interesting thing to consider.  When we sin, are we sinning against other people and/or against God?  I think generally speaking the answer is both.  I have heard a pastor teach that “nobody sins in a vacuum.”   Not a literal vacuum of course :), but a “vacuum” meaning that your sin only affects you and you alone.  This pastor went on to say that when we sin – even when we are alone – we end up affecting everyone else around us in our lives in some way.  We may not consciously see how this happens, but our sin affects how we will treat others in the near future.  So, it seems to me that when we sin we pretty much always sin against others, because we’re in one sense letting down the community of people around us and we will behave differently to our community around us because of our sin.  Now, in terms of sinning against God, I always think of Psalm 51 where David writes to God – “against you and you alone have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”  I think this is true as well – any sin we commit is a sin against God.  It is interesting that David uses the term “you alone” about his sin.  But, obviously, David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba affected the community around him in a big way.  So, all this to say – I believe that when we sin we are sinning against God and the community of people in our lives at the same time.  Eli asks in this verse above, “who can intercede for our sins against God?”  Well, at that time, that was a very good question.  However, in our time Jesus can and does intercede for our sins against God – if we’ll ask him.  We simply need to confess our sins to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and repent – in faith that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  We are so very fortunate that we have someone – Jesus – who can intercede for our sins…  This is why Jesus is called Savior.  Jesus Saves us from our sins.  Has Jesus saved you from your sins?

An awesome image is below for 1 Samuel 3:10 – “And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s 1 Samuel readings titled “Samuel and the sons of Belial” is at this link.  Commentary titled “The Rise of Samuel and the fall of Eli and Sons” is at this link. 

New Testament – I am intrigued by Jesus’ words in John chapter 5 verse 30 today, particularly in light of the book of Judges that we recently read, which was a dark time in Israel’s history – “But I do nothing without consulting the Father. I judge as I am told. And my judgment is absolutely just, because it is according to the will of God who sent me; it is not merely my own.”  I love that Jesus says his judgment is absolutely just.  And I believe this is true – 1. that Jesus will judge us and that 2. his judgment is just.  I think this is both something to be celebrated – there is no one else I would want to judge me… – and I think this can be sobering – if his judgment is absolutely just, then it is obvious that we cannot “sneak” anything by Jesus.  Everything we have ever done or will do will be judged by Jesus.  I think ultimately it is very healthy to recognize this.  Maybe initially this realization will keep us from sinning because of some fear of judgment – but ideally this realization matures into a love for Jesus that encourages us not to sin because we would not want to disappoint Jesus whom we love with all that we are.  Do you believe that Jesus is your judge?  Do you believe that Jesus will judge you absolutely justly?

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 5’s readings today titled “Like Father, Like Son” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 106 is a repentant Psalm, likely written by a Levitical priest after returning to Jerusalem after its destruction.  Verse 2 stood out to me today – “Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD? Who can ever praise him half enough?”  Can you list all of the glorious miracles of God?  Can anyone?  Are you praising God today?  Every day?

Verse 3 is powerful- “Happy are those who deal justly with others and always do what is right.” I think this is such an important thing to know – we will be happy when we deal justly with others and when we do what is right.  This is happiness.  Not money or fame or power or luxuries.  Dealing justly with others and doing what is right is happiness.  So, Biblically, are you happy?

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 14 verse 31 we read – “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Those of you that have been journeying through the One Year Bible with me this year know that I like to point out verses like these. I believe it is crystal clear in the Bible that God cares about the poor and instructs us to care for the poor. I’m sure we all have differing views on what this might look like logistically, and that’s fine. But, I think it’s really an issue of the heart.

Worship Video: Today’s Proverb 14:31 about being kind to the poor reminded me of the Chasen song and this powerful video for “On and On:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqh9sHTXcAI

Do you believe in Miracles? Click here for a Miracle!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”  Proverbs 14:31 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are kind to the poor and needy. Pray that you are not showing contempt for God by oppressing the poor. Pray to love your neighbor as yourself.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on today’s Proverb, do you care for the poor? Really – “care,” in your heart, for the poor?  What are some ways in your life that you are caring for the poor on a consistent basis?  Do you believe that God cares for the poor?  Do you believe that God instructs us to care for the poor?  Why?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22

I have heard it stated but I never, until today’s reading, saw it in scripture: God always warns us of impending judgment BEFORE judgment comes. Eli has been warned continually of his son’s behavior and does nothing about it. As High Priest, his responsibility was to teach the nation, yet he failed to even teach his sons. He may have rebuked them verbally but he never disciplined them. . But I believe the worst thing he committed was gorging himself on the fruit of his son’s misbehavior, stealing the sacrifices the people brought to the alter. Eli sent out mixed messages, what he said with his words was drowned out by the decibel level of his actions. He profited from his sons’ behavior and they new it, dulling the impact of his rebukes.

A man of God came to Eli and said to him, Thus has the Lord said: I plainly revealed Myself to the house of your father [forefather Aaron] when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house. Moreover, I selected him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer on My altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me. And I gave [from then on] to the house of your father [forefather] all the offerings of the Israelites made by fire. Why then do you kick [trample upon, treat with contempt] My sacrifice and My offering which I commanded, and honor your sons above Me by fattening yourselves upon the choicest part of every offering of My people Israel? (1 Samuel 2:27-29 AMP)

As we read on, we find this message delivered by the prophet wasn’t the first time Eli heard from God about his sons and him benefiting from his sons’ actions,

The Lord told Samuel, Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of all who hear it shall tingle. On that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I [now] announce to him that I will judge and punish his house forever for the iniquity of which he knew, for his sons were bringing a curse upon themselves [blaspheming God], and he did not restrain them. (1 Samuel 3:11-13 AMP)

I am wondering if I am seeing a pattern of how God operates. His warnings are first personal, maybe told to us in our prayer time or in dreams while we sleep. Then His warning is brought by a man of God, a prophet or other “church” worker. Finally a warning is made public in a public place, or house of worship, by someone who we are mentoring or someone who looks up to us. Then lastly, judgment comes.

My question to myself is this: How many warnings have I “blown off?” What has God been trying to get my attention about? Can I handle the embarrassment of being exposed in a public form? I think not.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

Where sin increased,grace increased even more:Aaron’s sons were struck dead as soon as they took “strange fire”into the temple yet Eli’s sons sinned again and again without immediate judgement from God.Yet Aaron’s line continued in priesthood while Eli’s didn’t.Really don’t know where I’m going with this but it was the first thing that struck me as I was reading.When i think of judgement,I think we that have so much more knowlege and mercy will be judged according to how many chances to repent we’ve had.
Can leaders lead us astray?Eli and his sons did.They let Israel offer sacrifices that were not acceptable to God,the priests lived in sin.Today as Christians we have to realise that leaders are to be prayed for…and thank God we have the Holy Spirit to lead us out of an unhealthy gathering…
God bless you all

Anka

====== Jim:

Every time I read a verse in dealing with the poor, I feel a pang of conviction. My job brings me into contact with the poor and for the most part their circumstances are the result of life style choices, drugs, alcohol, mental disorders and just plain bad luck. What I’m saying is I have been guilty of dealing harshly with the poor only because it is easy to judge others who are in poorer circumstances then yourself. God has convicted me on this many times and I have been slow to change, but I am thankful that God is patient with me. God knows every poor person’s life from cradle to grave and all of the circumstances surrounding it. Who am I to judge these people? I’m but one back injury away from descending into povery. I keep in mind to treat all the poor with compassion and dignity and try to keep them in my prayers at all times. It certainly is not easy, but where I fail, God is victorious.
Thanks,
Jim

====== Vance:

====== Jim:

Samuel is considered the last of the Judges and the first of the prophets who was chosen by God to succeed Eli because his sons had become corrupt beyond hope and he turned the people away from their gross idolatry and led them to final victory over the Philistines (what Samson should have done). He took the country from loosely associated tribes led by local judges to a unified nation led by kings. When he became old, however, he sons (like those of Eli) were also far short of their father’s integrity and the people demanded a king for powerful armies “such as all the other nations have.” They still could not see the connection between their successes or failures and being faithful to God. God even warned them that death and taxes would become the norm, and yet they still wanted the idol symbols of human power. Here is a prophesy likely of Saul’s massacre of the priests at Nob (with Abiathar a descendant of Eli as the only survivor as per v.33 who as David’s faithful priest was banished by Solomon to permit only Zadok to be the only high priest, as per Ezek 44:15, all the way into the millennial temple, which further fed the 2/10 tribe Israel / Judah divide with differing pastoral loyalties) as well of Christ as the ultimate priest and king. “A heart at peace give life to the body.”
Like the Sanhedrin, the sins of Eli’s sons were intentional as they “made themselves contemptible.” They both acted arrogantly in full knowledge that what they did was wrong with utter contempt for God and His Law. Even the unintentional sin of a priest could be atoned for by a sacrifice as per Leviticus 4:3-12, but there was no sacrifice for any person’s willful violation of the spirit of God’s laws. It is said that Jesus removed all sin, but likewise He does not wash clean the consequences of intentional sin against the Spirit. “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 31-32) Abraham was not only elderly but a liar, Jacob (meaning deceiver) was anxious and a cheat, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was physically abused, Moses had a speech impediment and was disobedient, Noah got drunk, Gideon was underprivileged, Samson was codependent, Rahab was depraved, David was an adulterous murderer, Elijah was afraid and suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was unwilling, Peter was impulsive (and guilty of denial), Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas was doubtful, Timothy was timid, and Paul was overweight and of poor health. The Bible contains quit a collection of misfits and even though they were sometimes chastised, they never lost their intimate relationship with God. God had a use for each of them (without “fixing” them with self-help philosophy or letting their sinful nature get in the way) that justified them. This was not the case for Eli’s sons, “the guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.”
Too often I hear sermons on “raising the bar” of expectations for Christians. The phrase “raising the bar” brings fear into the heart of sailors as it refers to the raising of the sand bar at the mouth of a river that makes the trip to the open ocean all the more dangerous. The phrase likewise brings fear into the heart of any true believer because it only increases the divide between the Shepard and His sheep. Judas “raised the bar” for himself too high to be saved just like religious leaders often hypocritically attack the behavior of others without looking within – too often sermons talk about “them” instead of “us” or “me” when talking about sin. Everything we naturally might do, feel, and think must be given up, so that “none can boast.” Evangelistic focus, IMHO, should thusly be more on lowering the bar. Even though Samuel and Eli’s sons were raised in positions of privilege, their lives strongly contrasted. Only one honored God and was honored by Him. Samuel’s first message of divine judgment was on the very house of Eli (most prophets were not popular in their own time) – how rare it would be to hear a sermon of divine judgment on one’s very own congregation. “But envy rots the bones.”
Christ said in Luke 18:13 that only those who believe they have a poor relationship with Him actually have a right one. Christ suggested we should always pray, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Just as Christ ascended from Bethany in which his sufferings first began, those that would go to heaven must ascend from the house of sufferings and sorrows. Jesus bids that all bear their cross in the way of duty in Luke 14:27. Satan, however, always accepts us the way we are, never asks us to work or grow, and we never have to ask. The only problem is that members of his household end up dead, like a plant or animal without proper care, in much the same way that helping a butterfly past the natural struggle out of its cocoon will only keep it from ever flying (without the blood being pushed out into the wings). “Faith is not what today is so often called a ‘mystical experience,’ something that can apparently be induced by the proper breathing exercises or by prolonged exposure to Bach (not to mention drugs). It can be attained only through despair, through suffering, through a painful and ceaseless struggle.” – Peter F. Drucker
The Israeli army superstitiously assumed that taking the ark would guarantee success, but instead their forces are crushed (but not routed), their priests killed, and the ark lost and placed before the Philistine idol (which later falls to the ground and loses it head and later hands before the ark while the nearby people are stricken with tumors). God’s chosen constantly suffer loses while never being defeated (the Canaanites, for example, no longer exist) because it was always God and not religious relics that counted. Recent excavation suggest that Shiloh was destroyed around 1050 BC, possibly by a Philistine raid after the battle in v. 4:3 (also see Jeremiah 7:12) as punishment for their sins. Eli’s dying daughter-in-law saw the defeat, priestly deaths, and the lose of the ark as total ruin, but these events were in fact only purging judgments that ended a dark era and ushered in a new age of hope. We should remember the battle of Aphek whenever things may look their darkest – God may be preparing a great work in and through us. Also remember, though, that life for the Israelites was made worse by their self-serving worship and prayer. Prayer and worship, when done only to elevate ourselves, can make things worse. It is an awful thing to trifle with God. “We have sinned, even as our fathers did.”
Christ made it clear that it is belief that brings life and sin that condemns and kills. Christ mentions in 5:29 the first and second resurrections of Revelation. Revelation 20:5 says, “The rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” Those that experience the FIRST resurrection and live a thousand years with Christ are exempt from the second death (the lake of fire). The numbering of resurrections is because there will be a second one when those from the Pit (whom Jesus will later preach to when gone for three days after His crucifixion), including Satan (locked there for the millennium), will live on Earth again. The OT similarly tells that all will end up in Sheol (which Christ describes with a great divide between two judgments) with a potential salvation in a “world to come” (that some Jews believe will be ruled by David as the King of Kings). There are three kinds of life: 1) the natural life of soul and body, 2) the spiritual life of God and soul, and 3) the eternal life of the communal body and God. Those that hear the voice of the son of God shall wake from the dust, from sin, and receive eternal life in the body of Christ.
Jesus adds to His witness the testimony of John the Baptist because after the Cain / Abel murder investigation, God degreed that only the testimony of two or more should be believed, but Christ had no need of John’s testimony as He already had the greatest testimony of the Father (and His own works). Christ is saying in v 5:41 (and 43) that He acted through neither self-interest nor vanity (as our salvation adds nothing to Him and our destruction takes nothing away), He only spoke through His love for our salvation. On the other hand, Christ adds in v 5:42 (and 44) that the Jews were just the opposite with neither love nor zeal for God but that incorrigible ignorance and malicious jealously filled their hearts – condemned not by Jesus, but by the Law. It appears the Lord shut these Jews up as they went away without replying. The Pharisees were like the Philistines who accepted Yahweh but would not submit to Him. “Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?”
Escaped slave, Frederick Douglass, wrote the following about the nineteenth century American Christian church, “Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest, possible difference–so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. We have men-stealers for ministers, women-whippers for missionaries, and cradle-plunderers for church members. The man who robs me of my earnings at the end of each week meets me as a class-leader on Sunday morning, to show me the way of life, and the path of salvation. He who sells my sister, for purposes of prostitution, stands forth as the pious advocate of purity. He who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of the God who made me. We see the thief preaching against theft, and the adulterer against adultery.”
Jim

======= Andrew:

Re Mike’s questions on judgement:
Yesterday I read a less-than-ten-word summary of the Christian message: “We’re all bastards but God loves us anyway.”
Sure, we will all come before the judgement throne. But there is nothing we can do out of our own righteousness which will make us appear acceptable there. As reflected in today’s Psalm – we are saved from condemnation and damnation by the grace of God.
Blessings,
Andrew

======= Andrew:

Re Jim and Ramona on people in poverty and choices:
remember that the liberal capitalist economic system we have chosen to run depends on keeping a section of the population in poverty.
Greetings,
Andrew

======= Ramona:

Andrew,
That may be but you don’t have to play their game, or you can become a better player. Besides, Jesus said the poor we will have always, at lest until Jesus returns.
It is one thing to be poor because of social injustice, it is another thing to choose to be poor because of bad choices and not knowing your true value.
Ramona

======= John:

John 5:29
For the last year I have led a Bible study on the Gospel of John. The leadership position came by default – as no one else wanted to lead the weekly discussions. The group is made up of several denominations of Christian faith.
Verse 29 provided some lively discussion as some people staked a claim based on this verse that good works will lead to heaven.
John 5:29
“and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” NIV
This shows the danger of taking verses in isolation. I found a couple of paragraphs from a sermon that talks about verse 29.
[Our old theologians used to say that you can distinguish justification (the forgiveness of sins) from sanctification (the purification of our lives) but you cannot separate them. They always go together. Anyone whose sins are forgiven will live a godly life because God only forgives the sins of those whose lives he intends to transform. That is why the Bible teaches us that we cannot claim to be forgiven if we are not, at the same time, living a righteous life. In this world, of course, our righteousness is deeply imperfect to be sure, but still, that is the way the Bible always speaks. “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10)
We want to qualify that statement. We want to hurry on somehow to take the bite and the sting out of that statement made by the same apostle who wrote the Gospel we are reading these Sunday mornings. We do not like to hear such definitive pronouncements about the absolute necessity of obedience if we are to stand in the judgment of God. But such statements are everywhere in the Bible. We meet them at every turn. God’s people will be righteous people, obedient people. They will serve the Lord. People who do not and will not are not God’s people no matter how vigorously they protest their loyalty to him. Which is why those who do good will rise to live and those who do evil will rise to be condemned.]
“God’s people will be righteous people, obedient people. They will serve the Lord. People who do not and will not are not God’s people no matter how vigorously they protest their loyalty to him.” – from end of sermon notes.
Goes hand in hand with Matt 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” NIV
The will of the Father is that we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior/Redeemer. That we Believe in HIM. That we Receive HIM.
Again the “knew” Christ speaks of is Gk. -“ginosko” – an intimate knowledge where Christ and the person are one, with you abiding in Christ and He in you. If you do nto have this intimate relationship with Christ, then nothing you do on your own will be good enough. It will be rooted in your will and what you think is right. Not in the Will of God.
I often lift up a prayer to God that people who desire to walk a righteous path would first realize that they need to Believe IN and Receive Christ. If not – they will go the way of non-believers in verse 23 of Matthew.
Can man sin against man and/or God?
I thought that was a good question. My first inclination was all sin is against God.
My reasoning. Man cannot forgive sin. He can forgive offences, debts, etc. But only God can forgive sin. Therefore Sin can only be against God.
They are his rules, his righteous way of living – when we break HIS rules we sin against HIM.
John

======= John:

John 5:24-47
Quick hits
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 NIV
What is Jesus’word – that you believe in Him (and receive Him) who was sent. If you do that and acknowledge it is the Father who sent Jesus then…
According to the Greek tenses – present active indicative – you have and will always have “eternal life” – You have crossed over – [Perfect active indicative – completed action because you have eternal life] – from death to life.
======================================================
Another way to look at verse 29 is those who have done good – listened, heeded and accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Those who did evil rejected Christ – may have listened, but did not heed His words and are condemned.
Remember what happened to all the people in the OT who rejected the One True God – the sentence is death. It is the same here – except this is eternal separation from God.
======================================================
Testimonies To Chirst
– John the Baptist
– Jesus’ signs and wonders – the new beliver – the crippled man from the pool of Behthesda may have been standing in their midsts as Jesus spoke.
– The Father through the Holy Spirit. The ones who reject Jesus’ word never get this testimony. But the ones who have come to believe have been moved by the Holy Spirit.
– Scripture. It points to Christ – but they refuse to come to Him. If they do not believe Scripture (God’s Word) that points to Christ – they never will believe wht Christ (the Word) says.
Why?
Jesus points it out at the end of the readings:
PRIDE
It is pride that universally always keeps one from coming to Christ.
‘That is not the way I understand it. That is not the way I was raised. What you say is different than what I believe. That does not make sense to me. My friends agree with me, and we do not believe what you say. The authorities and media do not agree with you (Jesus). That is not what I was taught in school. Smart people do not fall for such a path to God.’
Unless one humbles himself and gets rid of all the “I’s and me’s” concerning Salvation, they will never heed Jesus’ words.
Unless one is humble and comes to God recognizing there is nothing they can bring to the table – heck, they can’t even get to the table – to impress God enough to get into heaven – they are condemned.
Unless one is humble, recognizes man’s sinful nature and repents to God with a right heart – there is no hope of salvation.
One must be in this state to be able to hear and heed Jesus’ words. Only then can one believe in Him and receive Him and have (right now) eternal life.
John

======= John:

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22
Quick hits
The sons of Eli were “wicked” – they appropriated the sacrificial offerings for themselves and had their way with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of meeting (tabernacle). They did what the Canaanite priests did – they had learned well. They did not listen to their father in his old age – as they had never been restrained from youth and had become wicked.
Meanwhile:
“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.”
[Note the similarity to what is said about Jesus in his youth.]
======================================================
Prophecy Against the House of Eli
Eli was “heavy” and so while he may have talked about stopping their activity – it seems implied here that Eli went ahead and ate richly from the food appropriated by his sons.
While an Ok high priest (and judge) – Eli was not able to restrain his sons thereby corrupting the priesthood.
Prophet says and the Lord later affirms to Samuel – the line of priests would be replaced, those not killed immediately would never live past their prime, and Eli’s sons and Eli himself would die on the same day.
The new priestly line would begin with Zadok during David’s reign.
======================================================
The LORD Calls Samuel
God had been silent throughout the end of Judges and has been silent here in opening of 1 Samuel. God has been active and personal like He always is – but His Word (through prophets) has been absent. That is going to change now.
“One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was..”
[Some possible spiritual metaphors here – Eli’s sight may be metaphor for his spiritual strength was waning. Lamp not gone out – may have been foreshadowing the capture of the ark. the glory departing from Israel.]
Eli’s sons had no regard for the Lord. Samuel did not yet know the Lord – but he would. Precedent for Samuel sleeping in the tent was seen before when Joshua slept there with Moses.
“the LORD was with Samuel as he grew up,” and God kept His Word (as He always does.)
God started speaking to Israel again through Samuel and it went out to all Israel. God revealed himself to Samuel through His Word.
======================================================
The Philistines Capture the Ark
-God is never consulted.
-Wicked men (Eli’s sons) accompany the ark.
– Bad theology and bad history by the Philistines regarding ‘”gods” and the plagues in the desert’. this is always the case when people do not know God – they do not get it right.
– Eli and his sons die – prophecy beginning to be fulfilled.
– The “glory” has departed from Israel. The Lamp is now out.
John

1 Samuel 1:1-2:21 + John 5:1-23 + Psalm 105:37-45 + Proverbs 14:28-29
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Old Testament – Today we begin the book of First Samuel! This is an amazing book of the Bible. I cannot wait to read about Hannah, Samuel, Saul & David!  Below is an image of Samuel anointing Saul, which we will read about later this week:

First Samuel
Author: Unknown
Date: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content: The books of First and Second Samuel comprise one book in the Hebrew Bible because they form one continuous history covering the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. They were separated into two books for convenience for reading. First Samuel deals with the Philistine wars and Saul’s ultimate failure to deal with the enemy. The book opens with Israel’s being oppressed by the Philistines (a war-like neighboring nation) and the emergence of the two early leaders, Samuel and Saul. Samuel was the religious leader and Saul ultimately became the king. Saul’s early victories are described, followed by his moral decline and tragic end. Balancing the decline of Saul is the rise of the youthful David who will assume leadership after the death of Saul.
Theme: The basic idea that pervades this book is that God does not make his people immune to the changes of human life, but give them grace to see things through to a satisfactory conclusion. The rise and fall of kings, times of peace and war – throughout it all God stays the same and controls human events in such a way that those who trust him will find comfort and the courage to endure. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 5)

More commentary on First Samuel from Bible.org is at this link.
Here’s a great quote from this link: “One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). In First Samuel, Israel will get her king. Saul, Israel’s first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves. David, Israel’s second king, will replace Saul. He is God’s kind of king, a man after God’s heart. First Samuel tells the story of fascinating people like Hannah and Samuel, like Saul and David. There is never a dull moment in this masterfully well written history. The book closes with the death of Saul, and thus the end of David’s flight from the hand of Saul, who seeks to kill him as an enemy.”

Bible Project:  Here is a great video overview of the book of First Samuel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJOju5Dw0V0

Below is a great image for First Samuel chapter 1 verses 24 through 28 today where we read: “When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and half a bushel of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they took the child to Eli. “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. I asked the LORD to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.”

Today in First Samuel chapter 2 we read the incredible Prayer of Hannah! In verse 2 we read: “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” This prayer of praise from Hannah really stands out to me these days. Oftentimes I think I “forget” that there is no one holy like the Lord – and I start to seek from other sources what I should only be seeking from God. I have come to realize more than ever lately that if I am feeling a strong emotion or need, I need to really reflect on that emotion or need and ask myself if God can satisfy or quench or dispel that emotion or need. The answer is always an unfailing and beautiful YES. There is no other person, place or being that will always be there for us – that will always be our Rock – that is perfectly consistent – besides God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is holy and his holiness can take care of any emotion or need that comes up in our lives. We need to turn it over to him and trust in Him. How about you? Do you sometimes “forget” that God is holy? Do you sometimes seek from other sources what you should only be seeking from God? Do you believe that God can satisfy or quench or dispel any emotion or need that comes up in your life? Is God your Rock? Do you believe there is no one holy like the Lord?  Below is a great painting of Hannah and her prayer!

Bible.org’s commentary on our readings today in First Samuel titled “The Son and the Psalm of Hannah” is at this link.

New Testament – I’m not sure if you noticed this unique thing about Jesus’ healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda today – the man did not seem to have faith in Jesus or know who Jesus was!  You’ll recall with many of the healings we read about in the Gospels people yell out to Jesus for healing, or reach for Jesus’ garment, and show some sort of faith or recognition of who Jesus truly is.  Well, here in John chapter 5 verse 6 Jesus asks this man at the pool: “Do you want to get well?”  And then in the following verses the man still doesn’t realize who Jesus is and doesn’t ask Jesus for healing, but instead frets about not getting into the waters of the pool where he thinks the waters will heal him.  Well, come verse 8 Jesus says, “Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk.”  I find this whole scene awesome and a great example of God’s grace!  Perhaps sometimes in our lives when we miss seeing what Jesus is doing, He will still often heal us or care for us!  Even sometimes (though I don’t think always…) when we seem to looking for the other “waters” that we think will heal us.  Even sometimes when we don’t ask Jesus for healing, he’ll still do it for us.

Bible.org’s commentary on our readings in John chapter 5 today titled “Jesus Heals the man at the Pool of Bethesda” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 105 wraps up the Exodus Cliff Notes version today, with a great closing verse 45 – “All this happened so they would follow his principles and obey his laws.  Praise the LORD!”   Indeed, praise the Lord!

Proverbs – Proverbs 14:29 teaches us today: “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”  Do you agree with this Proverb?  Have you ever struggled with anger?  Do you agree that controlling your anger demonstrates understanding, and that letting your anger control you shows great foolishness?  Will you seek only understanding in this area of your life, and let all foolishness go?  Please, please, don’t be this guy…

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Consumed by Fire’s song “First Things First:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpTOcZN9JB4

Are you putting first things first? Click here for the Alpha/First!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”  1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray like Hannah prayed to the Lord today! Pray that your heart is rejoicing in the LORD today. Pray that your delight is in your Rock and your deliverer, God.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on my reflections above about the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda, has Jesus ever done something amazing for you without you asking for it?  Perhaps even when you were looking for somebody or something else to fix or heal something for you, is there a time when God’s grace showed up on the scene instead and made the situation right?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 1:1-2:21

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife saying, “May the LORD raise up for you descendants from this woman to replace the one that she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go to their home. So the LORD graciously attended to Hannah, and she was able to conceive and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel grew up at the LORD’s sanctuary. (1 Samuel 2:20-21 NET.)

The above passage blows my mind and I recognize that these are the Words of Christ coming to pass before the Words of Christ were spoken to His disciples,

And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name’s sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29 AMP)

Hannah received a five hundred fold return. She gave one son to the Lord, and received three sons and two daughters. Her act of faith, and it was a great act of faith because she had no idea that she would be able to have other children, in bringing her son to the Temple when he was probably three years old, and leaving him there to be raised by a priests, who may have done a inadequate job raising his own, wrought her great blessings. Trusting God is scary and exciting; painful, giving up what our heart desires, and exhilarating as we reap a harvest of unimaginable bounty.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Andrew:

‘So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.’ John 5:16-18 NIV

It strikes me (again) how radical Jesus appeared to the religious authorities of his time. In John’s account we’ve already had the clearing of the merchants from the temple courtyard.

Do our religious authorities reflect a distorted image of the Kingdom of God? How radical should we be in following Jesus? My wife says I am too radical. Is that possible?

I guess the clue is in the following paragraph of John:

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” John 5 19:20 NIV

Hearing God – seeing and knowing what the Father is doing and joining in doing it with Him according to His purpose.

And if that is radical, so be it.

Andrew

====== Michelle:

Hannah’s faith blows me away. To be able to hand over her dream child for someone else to raise and only see Samuel once a year–that is faith in action. She realizes that he doesn’t “belong” to her anyway. In fact none of our children belong to us–they all belong to God. We are only their caretakers.

Michelle

======= Roslyn:

I think we had some serious
discussion over this last time: Christ showing his compassion and love for the man that was unable to walk, healing him on the day of the Sabbath to the great consternation of the Jews. Christ has shown us that love and compassion is beyond the law. Indeed, LOVE IS THE LAW!!!

Roslyn

======= Susan:

I just want to say how grateful I am for this website. It has been my faithful companion this year. Around Thanksgiving last year, my husband told me he wanted a divorce. Last month we filed. we have two small children – 1.5 and 3 and I worry mostly about them, but this website has been my comforter and rock. I was determined in December that no matter what else happened this year regarding my family, that my Bible reading would be the one stable thing in my life and it has been. Thanks for keeping up the website!

Susan

======= Jenny:

====== Lee:

I Samuel 1:3 – “… The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli – Hophni and Phinehas”
Comment: Strikes me that we need to accept as this family that even when there are problems and problem-clergy…that such does not negate our need to go to church and worship God.
I Sam 1:7 – “Year after year it was the same…”
Comment: God gives us strength to endure misfortune and mistreat with His gift patience. We CAN endure whatever it is that we’re going through…for as long as needed. (Even when we’re “reduced to tears” as Hannah was.)
I Samuel 1:18 – “Oh,Thank you, Sir!…then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.”
Comment: Hannah believed the Word that God had spoken through Eli. When we BELIEVE in God’s promises we are released from the source of our unhappiness and released to a state of joyfulness, and ability to enjoy this life. Let us seek to accept the Word He has spoken to us…and live full and joyful lives in trusting Him to care for us as He has said.
I Samuel 1:19 “….the Lord remembered her request.”
COMMENT: God is currently aware of your/my requests. He will not forget. We can rest in knowing He has heard us.
I Samuel 1:20 “…IN DUE TIME she gave birth to a son.”
COMMENT: Timing is important. Our time is not necessarily God’s timing. He has a time and it will come to pass as He knows best. Let us learn to rest in His care and His timing.”
Lee

======= Jim:

Eli’s comin’, hide your heart girl!
While these are more times of spiritual and moral decline, Hannah is one godly woman that still has a strong faith. She is at a low point in her life when she is ridiculed by her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, for being childless (likely taken specifically due to her failure to produce) on an annual pilgrimage to the tabernacle in Shiloh (about 20 miles north of Jerusalem) – as Peninnah does regularly. In her despairing prayer, she vows if only God would give her a son that she would dedicate him to serve God as a Nazarite (just like Samson). Her prayer is first misunderstood by the old priest Eli, and then blessed. She does have a son, Samuel, and he is weaned from his mother at the age of two or three (the age Israelites used to wean their children) to live forever at the tabernacle (Hannah visited once a year with a new jacket for him). The corrupt times are made clear by Eli’s assumption that any woman outside the tabernacle would likely be drunk as well as by his corrupt sons who as priests seduce the women even at the door of this worship site (I think the sin of “fornication” specifically refers to cultic prostitution). While Ramathaim is not one of the 48 cities designated in Numbers 35:6 as being one of the “Levitical cities” assigned a Levite, it is assumed that Samuel’s father was a Levite (1 Chronicles 6:16-26) living in the tribal territory of Ephraim (just five miles north of Jerusalem and where Samuel was born, labored, died, and was buried) – he seems to be a pious man who returned each year to worship and offer sacrifice.
In an agrarian culture like ancient Israel, children were critically important in helping with feeding the family. Today, we no longer see children as society’s best investment and we abort 1 in 4 pregnancies to instead minimize their costs (Note: The real problem for Social Security is that it is increasingly difficult to feed the elderly when we no longer desire children. What’s more, there’s not a single industrialized nation that has a positive population rate since the introduction of legalized abortion as you need 2.3 kids per woman when all industrialized nations only produce 1.2 to 1.8. 100% of the population problem, 3 billion people, over the past 40 years has come from third world countries and the primary reason that Islam has grown over Christianity is simply that they don’t kill their unborn. In addition, there used to be no greater source of pride to any American family than to have a priest as brother, son, or cousin – but the Vatican’s Pontifical Yearbook shows a 45% increase in the number of baptized American Catholics over the past 25 years while other estimates show the number of priests to have dropped by more than half in the same period (even with 1 in 6 priests today coming from overseas). The church can no longer afford to be selective in accepting only the best for its religious leaders (something to remember as we read about what happens to a country that doesn’t respect human life or provide for righteous leadership).
Eli’s coming, come on and blow your horn!
Hannah began her poetic song of prayer with “my horn is exalted,” which represents that Hannah’s power and strength (horn – the wicked are even told not to lift up their own horn in Psalms 75:4-5) was in God just as David will later speak of God as his “horn of salvation” in 2 Samuel 22:3. She reminds all who would boast, not just Peninnah (the phrase wicked woman literally “daughter of Belial” or “daughter of Satan” – see 2 Cor 6:15), that God in holiness, knowledge, power, and judgment often reverses human strength, wealth, and fertility to humble the proud and exalt the lowly (Mary made the same point in her song in Luke 1:46-55). She also contrasted how the Lord would keep his saints from stumbling (and even raise them from the dead) and trip up His adversaries (the word Sheol is translated here to grave) and points to the work of God in granting her a child as part of the fulfillment of His promise to the mothers of Israel that through them He would one day provide the ultimate king, before whom every knee will bow (see Philippians 2:10). How sad were the priests who as teachers knew so much about the things of God and yet did not know Him personally and took so lightly their duties (such as those for sacrifice). Eli had warned his sons but never really rebuked them and so was slain by God when he no longer had opportunity after his sons died in battle. Those who allow poor behavior from their children without restraint and punishment, in effect, honor them more than God. Eli was a good man but a poor parent who raised his children to fail (their failure was not his sin, but his poor efforts at correction).
Jesus asks the man unable to quickly get into the healing pool while it bubbled, “Do you want to get well?” Many do not really want to see their situation change, no matter how bad it is. The crippled man, for example, made his living begging and would be responsible to start working. Unlike the slow healing of the pool, however, Christ’s healing was immediate. Eternal life isn’t something we have to wait for, but something we possess now. In addition, it is more than endless as it is infused with His vitality and links us with other believers. Christ claims The Son can do nothing by Himself, but gives life (because He possesses life) and takes the responsibility for all judgment. This sick man was healed without knowing Jesus (but Christ caught up with him later to warn him to sin no more or that something even worse would happen to him). The first miracle (converting water into wine) suggests that salvation is through the Word, the second (saving the nobleman’s son) illustrates that it is by faith, and this one shows that it is by grace. The “great number of disable people” pictures the sad spiritual condition of the unsaved: without power as in Rom 5:6, unable to walk correctly as in Eph 2:1-3, and waiting for something to happen as in Eph 2:14. The invalid did not have the power to save himself in the same way it is impossible for mankind to keep God’s perfect law.
The Law of Moses taught to honor the Sabbath and Jeremiah had prohibited carrying burdens or working (Jer. 17:21-22) and over the years Jewish law had identified 39 different classifications of work including carrying furniture (which the man violated by carrying his bedding) and providing medical treatment (Christ’s healing). Even my grandfather was once jailed in Baltimore for painting his house on Sunday and yet it is possible that none of the city officials knew why Christians go to church on the Sunday, the first day of the week, instead of Saturday like Seventh Day Adventists – even First Century Christian worshiped on Sunday as a weekly mini-Easter celebration for Christ’s resurrection and perhaps for the church’s birthday from the only Jewish holiday on a Sunday, 50 days after Passover, of Pentecost. Most churches today have many written and unwritten creeds that have been added to God’s desires (such as provisions against theistic biology and evolution) while happily being unfruitful for the Great Commission. Christians have routinely over the centuries tried to kill who they saw as the Anti-Christ even though Revelation says such assassination would fail and predicted to the day and hour of Christ’s return despite scripture clearly stating such knowledge not being possible.
Back in Luke 22, Christ got the apostles to admit that when he told them to carry nothing with them that they, in fact, purchased two swords. When did they likely buy those swords? This is the first time when people persecuted Jesus and display open hostility. Was it fear of this exact persecution that motivated the apostles to doubt and sin so? Jesus then adds fuel to the fires by publicly equating Himself with God the Father (again I must ask how so many can suggest the Jesus never claimed to be God – His enemies here were angered by what He was claiming – more than just disregarding the traditional rabbinic interpretation of scripture, He claims to be deity) and He goes on at some length to support His claim not only with the miracle by the Scriptures themselves – so, to reject Him meant to also reject their holiest of books as well. The NIV omits the verse about the angel stirring the water because no manuscripts before the 4th century has it and many believed it was just superstition added long after John wrote it. Others call the NIV “Satan’s Bible” specifically for its omissions (including the last lines of the Lord’s Prayer).
Jim

======= John:

John 5
I am with the linked commentary under “WORST Case Scenario”.
The reason this miracle greater than the last.
Jesus changed illness to health of a long term injury.
Jesus chose and God’s grace was magnified by the man had no faith.
It was done before a larger crowd.
[Note: The word for illness of boy in last chapter and invalid in John 5 is the same in Greek. The common thread being helpless, feeble, powerless.]
From the wine stewards, to the boy, to the invalid – all are helpless to change their situation. It is the same for us in spiritual death. We are helpless without the healing power of Christ.
I get perturbed when non-believers of any ilk say Christ did not say He was God.
I used to say the same thing, but at least I would admit I had never read the Bible.
I can go along with John 1 being Nathaniel declaring Jesus is the Son of God, and John saying it earlier in the chapter. I can understand when Jesus declares himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan women – Messiah was thought by Jews to be the “appointed” man of God who would lead Israel to all the blessings promised by God.
But in verse 17 Jesus says “mou Pater” – My Father. “Pater” is the same word used for Father in the Lord’s prayer. It is pretty clear cut that Jesus is deity. In the later verses – Jesus puts himself on equal footing with God.
One thing I have started doing, is not only pointing out the Verses where Jesus proclaims deity, but I tell people to look at how the people at the time reacted to what he said.
vs. 18 is an example of this and is absoluteluy correctly translated.
Does someone today have the insight to deny Christ’s deity that the people of 2,000 years ago did not have?
One may choose not to believe Christ’s deity, but it is because they do not believe in the text, not because it was never said or implied throughout this Gospel.
John

======= John:

Anger
One of the great signs at the moment of my “salvation” was three things were taken from me.
– a Crippling mental illness
– profanity
– anger
I have not said a curse word in three years. Before I was a prolific almost every other word curser and blasphemer.
It was particualarly bad when I got angry. My anger was the purple face, vein popping, spittle flying out of my mouth rage directed at other people. I have not been angry in three years. Perhaps at times perturbed at stoplights and lousy drivers – but never angry : ) I have been blessed at that time and since by God removing negative lifelong habits and charactersitics of my nature. It is THE reason I never doubt God or my Salvation, and KNOW that he is working in my life, and that I am one with Christ and am a possessor of the Holy Spirit in me.
I still struggle at times with the flesh – but I have never doubted since that night three years ago when I came to my knees and believed in Him and Received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. God has shown Himself to me over and over since that time, and I know Jesus is the only way to Salvation, His Word is inerrant, and that I am a child of God – co-heir to heaven.
The question is: If you are a believer – do you know – really know those last things mentioned?????
John

======= John:

1st Sam 2
Eli’s Wicked Sons contrasted with Samuel.
“Eli’s sons were wicked men;
The Hebrew is actually “sons of Belial” literally to be without worth or value. Later Belial in Jewish writings would be considered a “right hand man to Satan” if not Satan himself.
The sons of Eli were wicked, AND
“they had no regard for the Lord.” this is not a good thing and foreshadows a future problem.
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.”
Samuel did not know the Lord yet – but he was growing up in His presence.
Eli may not have been a good father, but the implication here is thorugh his prayer for Hannah and his raising of Samuel – that he was an ok High Priest. Whatever he was doing with Samuel – it was different than how he raised his boys??????
======================================================
JMikeAdams@msn.com
I am not soliciting emails, but type pad (according to Mike) has changed their format – no loner allowing email addresses in the signature.
So once a day – I will put my email in a post so if someone wants to ask a question or correct me:) they can do it directly – in case they do not feel like posting it on the blog. I have always had it in my signature in the past – so I see no reason to not have it somewhere on a daily post at this time.
John

======= John:

John 5:1-15
The pool of Bethesda was found 20 years ago on an archaelogical dig.
Jesus healed one man out of many. The man was not searching Jesus out – but he was helpless, and could do nothing to heal himself.
Not knowing Jesus when asked if he wanted to get well – I think he took an opportunity to try and get help.
I think unspoken here is – ‘you believe in the pool and its stirring – but you should believe in me. Get up – take up your bed – and walk.’
Be healed, you do not need the bed here any longer, and walk – don’t depend on others any longer.
Not knowing it was Jesus the man still had an incomplete faith. The moment he was asked about his healing – he told them – not me, but the other man who healed me told me to do this thing.
The next part is critical. Jesus again sought the man out – His work was not done. Jesus says, “See, you are well again.” NIV But the Greek says you are made “whole” – he has been physically healed and his sins have been forgiven – healed inside and out.
We are not ever given the exhaustive list of things said – just what is important to the gospel. Jesus may have explained more, or the man upon hearing it was Jesus knew of His teachings. I think it is at that point that the man believed and was saved.
Perhaps his naming of Jesus at the end to the temple priests was a badge of honor identifying the former cripple as a believer in Christ????
======================================================
The reason this miracle greater than the last.
Jesus changed illness to health of a long term injury.
Jesus chose (before others came to Him) and God’s grace was magnified by the fact that originally the man had no faith.
It was done before a larger crowd.
[Note: The word for illness of boy in last chapter and invalid in John 5 is the same in Greek. The common thread being helpless, feeble, powerless.]
From the wine stewards, to the boy, to the invalid – all are helpless to change their situation. It is the same for us in spiritual death. We are helpless without the healing power of Christ.
John

======= John:

John 5:16-23
Life Through the Son
I get perturbed when non-believers of any ilk say Christ did not say He was God.
I used to say the same thing, but at least I would admit I had never read the Bible.
I can go along with John 1 being Nathaniel declaring Jesus is the Son of God, and John saying it earlier in the chapter. I can understand when Jesus declares himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan women – Messiah was thought by Jews to be the “appointed” man of God who would lead Israel to all the blessings promised by God.
But in verse 17 Jesus says “mou Pater” – My Father. “Pater” is the same word used for Father in the Lord’s prayer. It is pretty clear cut that Jesus is deity. In the later verses – Jesus puts himself on equal footing with God.
One thing I have started doing, is not only pointing out the Verses where Jesus proclaims deity, but I tell people to look at how the people at the time reacted to what he said.
vs. 18 is an example of this and is absoluteluy correctly translated.
Does someone today have the insight to deny Christ’s deity that the people of 2,000 years ago did not have?
One may choose not to believe Christ’s deity, but it is because they do not believe in the text, not because it was never said or implied throughout this Gospel.
John

======= Nasser:

proverb 14:29 i saw it in my life and i found out how powerful impact on others when you are slow in anger in front of somebody who was on rage GOd ‘s wisdom is great and powerful even when you return back in anger you lost yourself and your friend but when you controll your anger it is much powerful reaction you did you will be apreciatied by others for the understanding and wisdom you show on this situation parise to the lord Amin
Nasser

======= Helen:

When Jesus is speaking to (some of)the Jews, he includes in John 5 verse 21(a)”For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,…”
I’d not noticed that bit before.
Blessings, Helen.

======= Dorothy:

Prov.14:19 is such a wonderful verse. It has spoken to my heart. I am touched by the words that controlling one’s anger demostrates one’s understanding and the vise versa shows how foolish one is.
Regards, Dorothy

======= Suzy:

Hannah’s story always reminds me of myself. I had also been in a situation of fruitlesness for years after my marriage. I cried unto God like Hannah and He heard and opened my womb; today I have a beautiful two-year old…Surely there is no rock like our God. Just like Mike said, I still sometimes find myself seeking for help from friends instead of God….by His grace I’m learning to make Him my ‘rock’ in all circumstances and situations of my life. Jesus has also done a lot for me even when I have not asked…I live by grace each day!
Peace, Suzy

Ruth 2:1-4:22 + John 4:43-54 + Psalm 105:16-36 + Proverbs 14:26-27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Hi everyone!  Brief post today.  Back to a full post tomorrow!

Old Testament – In today’s readings in Ruth we are introduced to the incredible man, Boaz, who is really a “type” of Christ figure. Also in chapter 4 verse 16 the name of David is first mentioned in the Bible! It is awesome to read today how David descended from Ruth, and of course ultimately Jesus descended from Ruth! Today in Ruth chapter 2 verse 10 we read – “Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.””

And in chapter 3 verse 15 today we read – “Boaz also said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured out six scoops of barley into the cloak and helped her put it on her back. Then Boaz returned to the town.”

New Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in John titled “Jesus Heals the Royal Official’s Son” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 105’s verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in John reminded me of Casting Crowns song “Glorious Day:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrqPGt11bA

Is today a glorious day for you? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”  Proverbs 14:26 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have a healthy fear of the LORD. Pray that the LORD is your strong fortress. Pray tht your children will find refuge in the secure fortress of the LORD.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Ruth 2:1-4:22

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] (1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP)

Everything in today’s reading screams “humility.” The entire book is about love, the love not of the flesh or “love” that stems from lust, but love that is described in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians,

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET.)

Too often today, and probably yesteryear too, woman compete with each other, mother-daughter, mother-in-law-daughter-in-law, best friends and not so good friends. But here we are privy to a relationship that is not based on envy or self-serving, but true genuine love. Naomi didn’t ask Ruth to go into the fields, Ruth desired to go so that she could be a benefit to her mother-in-law. While she was out in the fields, Naomi was concerned for Ruth’s safety and health not her belly. While in the fields Ruth didn’t have an attitude problem looking for what “I deserve,” or “my rights,” she worked hard and long. She was respectful thus she became respected. Even before she went into the field, her love for her mother-in-law was well known and she was honored for that.

What I always marvel at when I read the Book of Ruth is God’s mercy and grace. His people, though they were not His people, like Ruth, can be anyone. Anyone that is who gives up, “And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29 NET.)

May all who come to this site become a “whosoever,” one who leaves all to follow the King.

Ramona

======= Anka:

It amazes me the kind of love Ruth has for Naomi..wonder if she wasn’t a teeny weeny bit scared.Yet she took no gods with her for protection.She was obedient to Naomi in spite of her
saying(I returned empty),she follwed Naomi to serve her with probably little expectations because Naomi didn’t guarantee she’d get married again.When she was given food she thought of Naomi.Kinda makes me really look at my idea of serving God…do I serve him cos I want to be in His good books,think alot of the reward in heaven…have I truly given everything up or do I still hold on to things in my past(just in case….)I think Ruth paints a pretty good picture of what serving really is…Right now I really love grace cos I sure need it.
God bless you all

Anka

====== Mae:

======= Jim:

In every direction are the snares and quicksand of death. We may see the big ones and walk away only to sink slowly into another. One of the best observations concerning people is a quote by Dr. Albert Ellis (the most frequently cited author of psychotherapy works published in the last 50 years and ranked the most influential therapist by clinical psychologists) from a New York Times article, “All humans are out of their minds. They’re not only disturbed. They get disturbed about their disturbances. Until you accept that people are crazy and do all kinds of terrible things, you’re going to be angry.” Dr. Ellis feels that the basis for neurotic behavior is a self-loving, perfectionist refusal to accept being a “fallible, incessantly error-prone human and when they fall short of their unrealistic ideals, they largely think of themselves as sub-humans.” This is a much better description than just “pride” or “envy” (or other words for the loss of humility) as the source of all evil. Ellis teaches unconditional self-acceptance (“you always accept you no matter what you do”), unconditional other-acceptance (“nobody is evil, even if they do evil things”), and unconditional life-acceptance (“you always accept things, no matter how they are”). The modern focus on improving behavior rather than psyches (in which Ellis has played a major role) is in the right direction, for one can never convert a lifelong need for irrational control into a sane and adult mind. Psychiatry is by and large about getting people from -5 to 0, but recent research into what it might take to get to a +5 found the answer was faith and social capital (the Lord’s Prayer contains no singular pronouns). After trying unsuccessfully for years to cure alcoholism by means of psychoanalysis, even Dr. Carl Jung concluded that alcoholism could not be treated by either medical or psychodynamic techniques. He reasoned that the underlying problem was one of spiritual emptiness and wrote in a letter to Bill Wilson (in which Jung coined the phrase, “spiritus contra spiritum” or “spirits against the spirit”), “I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil.” Jung further concluded that conventional religion was usually equally spiritually impoverished and just as ineffective as therapeutic efforts in the battle against alcoholism. “Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain: it offers escape from the snares of death.”
Ruth would have hoped to lift a few handfuls of grain (not enough for even one person to survive) with a full day’s work from what was missed by the normal workers (OT law gives this right to the poor – but if seen taking too much, one could easily end up getting beaten), but when she returns with 40 pounds worth it is obvious that someone is intentionally helping her out (the expression translated to “it turned out” as well as Noami’s praise for “blessed be he of the Lord” suggests that it was more than just a coincidence but that God directed her steps) and Noami sends her back with specific instructions. Boaz was compassionate by providing such supply as well as doing it in secret so as not to shame the recipient, but what happened later on the threshing floor? Many would suggest that the reference to “laying” was a polite way of saying she had sexual relations with Boaz with “feet” referring to sexual privates (and anyway, harvest time is celebrated with rites of fertility when the Jews often were permitted more moral leeway than usual). I think in this case, however, that the author and Noami were using their words (and actions) very carefully in order to suggest marriage (with only the sexual overtones that would imply). Ruth made her marriage objective clear (although at night as a means perhaps of protecting Boaz from embarrassment in case he chose to refuse) with “spread the corner of your garment over me” (as in Ezekiel 16:8, Deuteronomy 22:30, 27:20, and Malachi 2:16) by the custom still practiced by some Arabs today of a man throwing a garment over the woman he has decided to marry. Boaz handled himself honorably (not as likely if he had passed out from drinking at a festival) when he deferred to another who would have prior claim (as did Ruth with her willingness to marry another sight unseen for here duty to her dead husband) even if Boaz did just happen to mention the extra burden of potential inheritance disputes from Noami’s family in order to get him to back down (less of a threat to Boaz being “a man of great wealth”). Boaz had already shown some of this honorableness when he previously told the men in his fields not to touch Ruth (and of the dangerous times when a lone woman could end up raped while working in the fields).
Jesus himself again testifies in our reading today and He was received (as they had seen his miracles and believed). John later tells us in Revelation that Jesus waits at the door with ointment for our eyes, but waiting at the door implies that we must first ask him in or go to Him (as the father humbly does for the health of his son). Satan, on the other hand, will proudly walk right into our life. Jesus, however, does not go the man’s home in order to show that the trip back was not necessary demonstrating that God does not always answer our prayers with the means and methods we expect (and He rebuked them for a faith that required the earlier miracles of 2:1 while the Samaritans did not). Here the sickness of the son resulted in the piety and new faith of the entire family. The boy was cured about 1:00pm, 17-20 miles away in Capernaum and yet the use of “yesterday” suggests the man remained in Cana an extra day proving he did not need to see what happened. Jesus gives one of the basic reasons why people will not believe: they want to see signs. Long distance miracles were rare in the OT and people generally more easily believe magicians when they were in person. Keep in mind, though, that Satan is able to perform signs and wonders to deceive (2 Thes 2:9-10). Compare this story with the similar one with a centurion in Capernaum from Matthew 8:5-13. Today’s Psalms calls us to praise and remember God’s wondrous works including the first covenant and the lives of Joseph, Moses, and David.
Jim

======= John:

John 4:43-54
Royal official is “basilikos” and is only used twice by John (both in this chapter). The meaning denotes being in the king’s service. The King is Herod Antipas.
Herod’s men were despised by the Jews of the land. Maybe even more so than the Samaritans in the earlier part of the Chapter.
John 4:50A “Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” NIV
The actual Greek tense here is present active indicative – the boy lives and will continue to live.
So the “official” went from taking Jesus at his Word to believing in Him. It appears that through his faith and evangelism the whole household believed.
Some scholars think the name of this man was given in Acts 13:1. A prophet in Antioch – Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) – the foster brother of Herod.
======================================================
Elliot McQuaid talks about the gospel of John as being the “Glory of God”. Each miracle (of the seven primary miracles described) greater than the last.
Water into Wine: Jesus changes water into wine, Jesus is physically present, his disciples (Jews) believed in Him (could be considered prone to believe).
Healing of royal official’s son: Jesus changes sickness into health, Jesus is twenty miles away, a despised man and his whole household believe in Him. (Could be considered prone not to believe before the incident.)
In both cases – the wine stewards and the father were helpless. They had no remedy for the situation. Much like us before we are saved – there is nothing we can do to help ourselves get to heaven until the Father and Jesus act. The Father draws us, and Jesus provides the “way”.
John

======= John:

RUTH
kinsman-redeemer (“goel”)
Vance mentioned this role of Christ the other day, and I was going to expound upon it now. But I found a good commentary that explains my thoughts.
=====================================================
The goel – sometimes translated kinsman-redeemer – had a specifically defined role in Israel’s family life.
· The kinsman-redeemer was responsible to buy a fellow Israelite out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48).
· He was responsible to be the “avenger of blood” to make sure the murderer of a family member answered to the crime (Numbers 35:19).
· He was responsible to buy back family land that had been forfeited (Leviticus 25:25).
· He was responsible to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
======================================================
But the consideration of Jesus in this book of Ruth doesn’t begin with the mention of King David; Jesus has been through the whole book, pictured by Boaz and the office of the kinsman-redeemer.
· The kinsman-redeemer had to be a family member; Jesus added humanity to His eternal deity so He could be our kinsman and save us.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying family members out of slavery; Jesus redeemed us from slavery to sin and death.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying back land that had been forfeited; Jesus will redeem the earth that mankind “sold” over to Satan.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, was not motivated by self-interest, but motivated by love for Ruth. Jesus’ motivation for redeeming us is His great love for us.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, had to have a plan to redeem Ruth unto himself – and some might have thought the plan to be foolish. Jesus has a plan to redeem us, and some might think the plan foolish (saving men by dying for them on a cruel cross?), yet the plan works and is glorious.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, took her as his bride; the people Jesus has redeemed are collectively called His bride (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 21:9).
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, provided a glorious destiny for Ruth. Jesus, as our redeemer, provides a glorious destiny for us.
comments by David Guzik
======================================================
Note: Let me add that what is left out in Jesus’ role of kinsman-redeemer is His role as the “Avenger of Blood”.
It is nice to think of the Love of Christ and the beauty of his message – and that was and is certainly appropriate for the message of salvation from the “Lamb of God”.
But I firmly believe that when Jesus comes back it will be as the “Lion of Judah”, and He will be the “avenger of blood”.
At a steady rate over the last 20 centuries, and in all 238 countries, 70 million Christians have been martyred -killed,executed,murdered -for Christ.
–from Table 1-1 in World Christian Trends,William Carey Library,David Barrett & Todd Johnson.
Satan, his minions, and his followers will answer for this and other crimes.
John

======= John:

Ruth
Quick Hits
Boaz did not come to the fields and immediately count grain or talk to foremen – Boaz blessed his workers and they blessed Boaz.
Ruth was grateful to be with Naomi, was grateful to have the opportunity to glean food, and was humble throughout.
Boaz blesses Ruth:
“May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
======================================================
” Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.”
In that day, this was understood to be the role of a servant – to lay at their master’s feet and be ready for any command of the master. So, when Naomi told Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet, she told her to come to him in a totally humble, submissive way.
Ruth asking for a covering or a spreading of Boaz’ garment over her:
“Many people interpret this as Ruth propositioning Boaz. That demonstrates a lack of understanding of Jewish culture. On the hem of the garment was the symbols of a tribe and any symbol of authority. Ruth is acknowledging his position and seeking his favor in redeeming her. She is asking him to play the role of kinsmen redeemer.” – Bill Donahue
“Even to the present day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirt or end of his talith over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection.” (Clarke)
======================================================
Naomi changes – from bitter to a doting grandmother
“But we should also learn from what she learned. We should learn that God’s plan is perfect and filled with love, and even when we can’t figure out what He is doing and it all seems so desperate, He still knows what He is doing. We should learn that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” – David Guzik
======================================================
Jesus’ Ancestors
So from the Son of Rahab and a Moabite wife – the line of Jesus was continued.
John

======= Helen:

Part of a verse that stood out from the passages most for me today:
Ruth 4 verse 11(b)
When the witnesses bless Boaz the kinsman-redeemer they include:
“May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem”.
I hadn’t noticed that before. . .
Blessings, Helen.

======= Melissa:

I have been on a journey to find more daily inspirations. Your site has offered an opportunity to continue to do this. I am thankful. From books to blogs, I believe we can share and uplift with many people.
Melissa

======= Deb:

Thank you for continuing my walk with Christ at this site. It’s the first thing I do every morning.
I also like the sometimes shorter posts.
Deb

Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22 + John 4:4-42 + Psalm 105:1-15 + Proverbs 14:25
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we finish the book of Judges!  What a powerful and telling verse the book closes with in chapter 21 verse 25: “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”  Unfortunately, so true then.  And perhaps so true for us today if we don’t have a king.  Fortunately, we do have the opportunity to have a king – through faith in Jesus.  Otherwise, without Jesus as our king, we will surely do whatever seems right in our own eyes.  I know I did for many years…  sad years they were.  Is Jesus your King?

An image is below for verse 23 – “So the men of Benjamin did as they were told. They kidnapped the women who took part in the celebration and carried them off to the land of their own inheritance. Then they rebuilt their towns and lived in them.”

Today we are starting up – and tomorrow finishing – the wonderful book of Ruth and then moving into First Samuel. The book of Ruth is a wonderful look at faithful love in human relationships, and in a family in particular. I like how the NIV Study Bible describes this book – “The book of Ruth is a Hebrew short story, told with consummate skill. Among historical narratives in Scripture it is unexcelled in its compactness, vividness, warmth, beauty, and dramatic effectiveness – an exquisitely wrought jewel of Hebrew narrative art.” I hope you are ready for this jewel!

Ruth
Author: Unknown
Date: During the time of the Judges
Content: The book of Ruth portrays another side to the chaotic time of the judges. In it there is a welcome relief from the bloodshed and mayhem that seemed to engulf the land because of Israel’s sin. It is the story of Ruth, who decided to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after tragedy struck that unfortunate woman. God returned good to Ruth in the form of a husband (Boaz) and a child, and also to Naomi in the form of grandchildren. From this family, eventually, came David the king.
Theme: The central point of this book is that even in times of crisis and despair, life may be lived according to the precepts of God and that God abundantly blesses those who do so live. The fundamental values of love, faith, trust, and goodness are greater than the hatred and violence of men, and continue from generation to generation as a light to guide those who look for the true meaning of life. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 4-5)

More commentary on Ruth is at these 3 links:
https://bible.org/article/introduction-book-ruth
https://bible.org/article/argument-book-ruth
https://bible.org/seriespage/5-two-get-ready-story-boaz-and-ruth

Today in Ruth chapter 1 verses 16 & 17 we will read these beautiful words of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi, whose husband & two sons had died – “Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” How’s that for love & commitment! Can you imagine saying these words to someone in your life today? I pray that each of us have this type of love & commitment for our families – or that we will have this in the future with our families. It seems like nowadays families are getting more and more distanced from one another – separated sometimes by geography and I think oftentimes by individualism or other selfish reasons. Perhaps each of us can learn something from Ruth and her dedication to her mother-in-law Naomi about what family love & commitment could and should really look like?

Bible Project:  Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Ruth!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h1eoBeR4Jk

New Testament – Wow.  The Jacob’s Well story in John chapter 4 today is beautiful on so many levels.  I definitely recommend you check out Bible.org’s commentary on this chapter at this link if you aren’t familiar with all of the meanings of this story. 

I love Jesus’s words in verse 34 – “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”  If this is true for Jesus – think this might be true for us too?  Do you believe that our nourishment comes from doing the will of God?

Psalms – Psalm 105 verse 4 stood out to me today – “Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching.” I like that – search!  If you search for God, he will indeed be found.  Have you ever searched for God?  And for his strength?  Are you maybe searching now?  Do you believe he will be found?  Will you keep on searching?

Verses 8 & 9 remind us of this character of God: “He always stands by his covenant– the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.” The covenant continues today through the new covenant (testament) brought to us through Jesus.

Proverbs – Proverbs 14 verse 25 is an excellent reminder to always tell the truth – particularly when witnessing for someone else! “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”

Worship Video:  So much of today’s readings including Ruth and the woman at the well with Jesus reminded me of the fantastic song “Savior Please” by Josh Wilson. Here’s a great live version of Josh performing this song. Feel free to worship along!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxhNVEUY55c

Is Jesus your Savior? Click here and be Saved!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”  Ruth 1:16 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have or will have the same time of strong family connection and love that Ruth had for Naomi. Pray that you will stick with your family even during hard times. Pray that your family belongs or will belong to God.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How has been reading the book of Judges been for you this year?  What new insights or revelations did you pick up while reading through Judges?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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======= Ramona:

Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22

Judges 21

And the Israelites came to the house of God [Bethel] and sat there until evening before God and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly. [Judg. 20:27.] And they said, O Lord, the God of Israel, why has this come to pass in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel? (Judges 21:2-3 AMP)

Ya think the folks were really interested in what God had to say? I do it, we do it, the church does it—we make decisions based on what seems right to us, what looks right in our own eye failing to seek God’s voice, and if He does speak, we ignore Him. Yet, when faced with the consequences and fruit of our “nutty” behavior, we ask God why? Ain’t nothing new under the sun, but everything is fresh and renewed under the Son.

Ruth

Naomi’s bitterness blinded her to the blessing God placed right in her household. Like many women today who have faithfully and dutifully followed there husband into a place where they should have never been, Naomi followed but became bitter. She was dutiful but angry and hurt because her husband took her from the House of Bread, during the time of famine, into a land and a people they should have shunned.

Looking at the names of the men pre-return from Moab, we probably get a hint of there character, and it wasn’t pretty.

Elimelech (Naomi’s Husband)= “my God is king” Now, here was a man that definitely didn’t live up to his name because he left the God who was his king and went to a land where Chemosh was the god of the land.

Mahlon (One of the husbands to Ruth or Orpah) = “sick” I picture a man who was always whining and miserable.

Chilion = “pining”

What did Ruth see in the God that Naomi served in spite of her mother-in-laws bitterness? Whatever it was, she recognized that she had everything to gain and nothing to loose if she failed to go back to her father’s house.

In Ruth’s behavior I see what it truly means to accept Jesus Christ: giving up everything you grew up with, everything you know and attaching yourself to the one true God. Ruth is an Old Testament example of a New Testament work, a changed mind (Romans 12:2) She forsook family, traditions, religion, everything that was familiar to her to follow after Israel’s God. Wow! She did what the Rich Young ruler would not. Have I given up ALL to follow Jesus, or am I hanging out with “Sick, Pining, and My God is king who had forgotten who the King really is?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

========= Emily:

======= Jim:

More murder in the name of righteousness – it is always easier to find a way around the letter of a law than the spirit. While God commanded and approved the destruction of the Canaanites, there is no hint that God supported the bloodbath at Jabesh Gilead. The Israelites would have probably done better to have repented of their rash behavior, brought sin-offerings, and sought forgiveness rather than attempt to avoid guilt through more actions just as wrong. All the married adults and all the children are murdered at Jabesh Gilead (for failing to respond to the Levite’s call to arms) to acquire 400 adult virgins as wives for the 600 hiding Gibeahites so that the tribe of Benjamin would not perish (they always were a less successful tribe and being nearly exterminated now didn’t help). This was done to get around the restrictions by an oath to never provide women for the tribe of Benjamin to marry. 400 wasn’t enough, of course, so the Israelites contrived to get more from Shiloh. Some believe the yearly feast of in Shiloh was the Passover in the Spring because of the association with dancing (hard to believe so many modern denominations still have a low opinion of dancing) although more consider it to be the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall because vineyards are mentioned. The Israelites think themselves to have cleverly circumvented the oath about providing women by allowing the Benjaminites to abduct their own choices. Judges closes with a reminder that all these troubles were the result of failing to designate a righteous leader.

A famine drives a family to Moab where the two sons marry, but within a decade the father and both sons die. When news comes that the famine has ended, the widowed mother, Noami, decides to return home and urges her two daughter-in-laws to remain and find new husbands (since there are no brothers to take care of them), but Ruth demonstrates great friendship and is determined to stay with Noami.
While it had been common to baptize pagans into the fold, it had not been customary to baptize a “Jew” until John the Baptist. The Pharisees claimed the authority to regulate all religious rites and ceremonies and were fairly unhappy first with John’s and even more so with Christ’s success with their “unauthorized” baptisms and the attention they were taking away from the Sanhedrin. Jesus was weary during the heat of the day and sat on Jacob’s well in the town called Sychar (which signifies “drunken” for this sin charged in Isaiah 28:1-8). The well is not mentioned in the OT, but it probably got its name from either Jacob digging it or because it was near the land purchased for a hundred pieces of silver from the children of Hamor (Gen 33:18-19) in addition to land he took from the Amorite which he gave (perhaps foreshadowing His later reference to “the gift of God” in 4:10) for the burial of his son, Joseph (Gen 48:21-22, Josh 24:32). It was likely not a spring fed well but one built at the end of a narrow valley to collect rain water at the edge of town (compare to the God-made well of which Jesus speaks). There is still such a 100-foot well dug 3-yards wide filled with trash (that still fills with about 5 feet of water when it rains) at the foot of Mt Gerizim (surrounded by the remains of a large church built by the Empress Irene destroyed by the Turks) a few miles to the east of Nablus, whose citizens claim to be the same one (who tell tourists that it only fills with water that bubbles up on the anniversary of Christ’s visit).

In John 4:14, Christ said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “Shall be IN him” suggests the Holy Spirit and we’ve just read where Christ warned that only those born of water and Spirit can enter the Kingdom of God. John describes in Revelation being shown the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb lined with the Tree of Life yielding fruit for every month and leaves for healing all nations. Revelation 21:6b says, “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” In Ezekiel’s vision of God’s house, the water that poured from under the threshold represented the unrestricted flow of God’s blessing upon his people (Ezekiel 47:1-12). Jeremiah describes God as “the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13). There are many references to spiritual water (Psalms 36:9, 42:1, Isaiah 55:1, Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13, and Zechariah 13:1) including “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5). Jesus provided the model for probing the heart of another. The woman at the well knew Jesus was of God because He knew her heart and life. When dealing with sinners, Jesus did not shake His finger in their faces and tell them what they were doing wrong. Instead, He asked thought-provoking questions that brought attention on the sin in the person’s heart instead of the circumstances. Christ (as a model soul-winner) ignored the gender and racial roles of the time as well as the barriers of sin and religious tradition and guided the conversation in a friendly way and allowed the Word to take effect. When parents merely demand that a child behaves, they’re hindering the child from growing in the area of discernment. When a person learns to evaluate their own heart and deal biblically with the sin found there, he or she learns to govern their own behavior as well as grow in wisdom and character.

The Samaritans had accepted the five books of Moses, but generally refused the prophets (as many were descendants of the revolting 10 tribes during the rule of Rehobaom and others had been excommunicated or shunned for disobeying by intermarrying during their Assyrian captivity) and had even joined the worship of idols (although accepted the idea of the coming Messiah from Deut 18:15). Instead of worshiping in Jerusalem with those who despised them, they had set up a rival temple (by Sanballat to end the idol worship of the Cutheans and Sepharvites, see Kings 17:26-34) about 332 BC where Abraham had gone to sacrifice Isaac and where the blessings and curses had been read by the patriarchs (Deut 11:29, 27:12). Jesus answered her question of where to worship in such a way as to suggest that it was much less important that she had assumed. “True worshiper will worship the Father in spirit (as opposed to rites and ceremonies) and truth (rather than shadows or sacrifices).” First, this is because while God appointed the old mode of worship to lead and prepare the people to Him, He did not seek it. Second, “For God is Spirit” (how can anyone think He has a body?) means that He is singular, invisible, everywhere, pure, and holy. He is not worshipped with good works, for He has no need of anything. True worship is only an offering of the soul rather than the body – of the heart rather than of the lips. “The Jesus told her, ‘I am the Messiah!’” He had not yet openly professed this truth to the Jews (but how can so many suggest that Jesus never said He was God?), but this discussion demonstrates our duty in being Christ-like to make use of all topics of conversations to lead unbelievers to belief in Christ as well as that that the purpose of true religion is to consist of more than external forms as a pure, spiritual, active, ever-bubbling fountain where the heart is offered and desires of salvation are breathed out of a humble soul. Even the woman, although she probably no longer had any doubt in her mind, suggested that Jesus was the Christ to her neighbors and friends modestly with a question of whether the evidence she had available was not enough for them to believe. One of the key aspects of the Messiah was the ability to tell the secrets of the heart (Isaiah 11:2-3) and 100 years later they quickly killed (but only after two years of deception) the counterfeit Messiah of Barchachab when he could not tell the righteous man from a group of wicked men. The woman being at the well alone may suggest that the village had shunned her (since this was normally a time for the woman to socialize together) and yet she was still able to get the townsfolk to listened (and she so excited to speak that she forgot her errand). Nevertheless, there is no greater example of racial separation in America today than during worship.

Four months was the common time from sowing the seed to the harvest in Judea and so a farmer expects fruit only after a considerable time – but, it not necessarily so with Christ’s preaching. There is thusly more encouragement to labor in this field than the farmer has to sow his grain (also harvesting salvation reaps fruit that is not temporary). Since the Gospel fits to an immediate impression on the minds of those that can hear, we can expect that it will. Christ is making this comparison just after a case of fruit occurring only a few hours (at most a couple of days) after seeding signifying. This suggests, IMHO, that we are not to wait to some indeterminate future moment for results. Jesus has come so the day of opportunity is now (all any disciple need do is look around to recognize that spiritual hunger abounds). Disciples are to reap (even more than John the Baptist) the harvest of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Even the wicked and ignorant Samaritans heard the voice of God and came in multitudes. When we evangelize, is it with the voice and expectations of man or with the voice and heart of God? We are to expect revivals of religion. Jesus was tired, thirsty, and hungry when he sat next to Jacob’s well and was refreshed without water or food for His temporal needs were nothing compared with the woman’s need for eternal life.

How often and how loudly would anyone speak having the cure for AIDS? How much greater then shall be the cry of one with the cure for everything that ails mankind? Romona and her son are correct that it is by “the power of the Word of God” (Feb 20th), but I must respectfully disagree with the suggestion that we are likely not to know the fruits of our labor (likely from reading 1 Corinthians 3:6 where Paul planted, Apollos watered, and God increased) or that we should normally expect (like the farmer) a considerable delay (such delays are very uncommon in the Bible). It is Hinduism that suggests that one should just focus on keeping busy because the creator’s desires cannot be known, but not Biblical Christianity. “We must be led by the Spirit” (Luke 4:1, Romans 8:14, and Gal 5:18) and so should foreknow what to expect. Salomon warns us not to be idle with, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). We will later find, however, Paul heading for Asia and for Troas in Acts 16:7-10 and that the Holy Spirit corrects him both times (“you can listen to me now or listen to me later”). Some suggest that Jesus is sending the disciples to sow (over the next two days) what they did not seed after sending them to market for food while He (and perhaps the woman) seeded. Others would say the seeding was done by the patriarchs and prophets who announced the Messiah. Still others would say that Jesus Christ becomes the reaper of the seed which he had so recently sown – “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one” (1 Corinthians 3:8a). Compare this chapter to the old Jewish proverb in Isaiah 65:21-22, “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” And then compare the opinion that most Christians may not know in their lifetimes whether their efforts brought fruit to the story of the talents and the proverb of Leviticus 26:16, “Ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it” (and consider that Wicca is the fastest growing religion in America). “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.”

Reading the story of the Samaritan woman in John from the KJV, Darby, or ASV Bibles put it best, “And he must needs go through Samaria.” In other words, Jesus didn’t just go through Samaria because it was conveniently on the way (a path few Jews ever took), pleasant, or for even warm feelings for the people, but simply because there was a woman who needed the mercies of God. And, she became the first disciple of her town (being immediately successful) with personal testimony and the message of Jesus. Never knowing the results is not for a John 15:15 friend of Jesus. “And the LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?’” (Genesis 18:17) The Pharisees even tried to insult Jesus by calling Him a Samaritan (in 8:48) after Christ told them, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” Too often we try to serve God on our own. Our motives are right and our plans are made with prayer, but we are unwilling to die. Jesus reminds us that there is no harvest without death just as a seed must die before it can germinate and grow. He has already carried His cross and died on it, all that is left is for us to lift our cross and follow Him. How do times when the Holy Spirit works through you differ from times when you have tried to do good work with only your own efforts? The primary differences are the measures of effort (less with the Spirit) and success (more, of course).
Pope John XXIII summoned Vatican II in 1959 and the sixteen resulting texts were translated into English in 1965. The two documents, however, that clearly received the least attention were those on communications and education. The two declarations were widely held, even within the church (my praise for a church that can criticize itself), as being out of touch with the world and included tactics that in effect curtailed the success of the Ecumenical Council. It does not matter how good your product is if you do not really want to sell it. Today, nine out ten evangelical churches are still “lacking in any real marketing” (Barna, 1993). Church attendance in America has spiraled down roughly 25% to 50% from the 1950s (Putnam, 1995) – 10% in just the last decade (ARIS study). Moreover, only 4% of Americans ages 28 and under are Christians (Rainer, 2004). While religious organizations commonly assert a religious revival in the United States, “There does not seem to be revival taking place in America. Whether that is measured by church attendance, born again status, or theological purity, the statistics simply do not reflect a surge of any noticeable proportions. In fact, Americans seem to have become almost inoculated to spiritual events, outreach efforts, and the quest for personal spiritual development.” (George Barna, 2001) As the Campus Crusades for Christ started off, Bill Bright went on a recruiting tour from campus to campus of the leading Christian schools and seminaries of the nation looking for anyone with a degree who had been fruitful witnessing for Christ, but he had difficulty in finding any. How could this be? The fact is that Europe and America has done a “repositioning of religion as a commodity that we consume, rather than one in which we invest ourselves.” America has more un-churched people than all but ten of the world’s 194 nations, only 1% of American churches are exhibiting any growth at all (Miles McPhearson, 2003), 7000 churches close each year (Hunt and McMahon, 1985), and only 4% maintain over a 5% conversion rate (Rainer). We seem to have the words of God but not His voice. If a gifted evangelist could win ten thousand people to Christ every night of the year, ten thousands years would not be enough to win the entire world for Christ. However, if one true disciple of Christ were able, under God, to win just one person each year and train that person to do the same, it would only take 32 years to win the entire world.
Jim

======= Jan:

My prayer for Mike for doing the One Year Bible Blog is this: Those that refresh others will themselves be refreshed…what a wonderful reward here & there!!! Thank you again Mike…you will have many jewels in your crown.
Jan

======= John:

John 4
Bob cites Josephus saying the relationship between Jews and Samaritans may not have been THAT bad. I disagree. The Samaritans:
Were inter-racial (no longer pure from the tribes), rejected the Jews and their teachings, during persecution had rededicated their temple at one time under duress to Zeus , had been persecuted and killed over temple dispute settled in Egypt, were open to unclean practices (hence – you did not eat off a plate of a Samaritan), and in Jesus’ time had spread Human bones throughout Temple during a passover celebration – thus desecrating the temple.
So, while Jews may have taken the short cut through Samaria as Josephus indicates – they probably avoided the towns and people of the area for reasons above.
The Samaritans believed in the same God, thought their Temple was the Holy place of worship, and thought the Messiah would come as a “TEACHER”. Not a “KING” as the Jews believed.
http://www.answers.com/topic/samaritan
http://virtualreligion.net/iho/samaria.html
And Jesus WENT to them. This was to Glorify God as the message would go to the World as early John indicates – even the Samaritans. The Jewish Nation would reject Christ – here the Samaritans would embrace Jesus.
Here he met a woman who had a “hunger” for a relationship. She had five husbands and now a live-in, but the hunger – the hole in her heart – was not satisfied.
Christ offers her the “living water”. Water washing the body always symbloizes God’s Word. Water ingested (drank) symbolizes the Holy Spirit. I believe the “gift of God” is Salvation. So Christ is saying ‘if you knew the gift of Salvation, and I who came to bring it – you would ask for the “Holy Spirit” to have eternal life.’
The woman still does not get it – and must come to realize the thing that hinders her from understanding (We all must come to this point before salvation). Jesus confronts her with her many relationships – she has to know they are not the way to be fulfilled – one can only be truly fulfilled through God.
After her next statement – Christ says worship is not about a place, your knowledge is incomplete, and God is spirit and must be worshipped in the spirit.
(Notice the process of revelation for the Woman. She starts off calling Jesus – A Jew – then Sir – then prophet – and lastly the Christ (albeit in the form of a question).
This is the second time in Gospel of John that Christ openly reveals himself. The first time is to Nathaniel. I would suggest they both had hearts that were without guile – they were open to receiving Christ. Although the woman’s heart seemd to undergo a progression indicated by the way she addressed Jesus. It is also the first use in John of “ego eimi” or “I AM” which in the original Greek text is “Egw eimi” and not split up as the translation indicates.

A Great Visual
I think a lot of commentators miss this and the NIV totally leaves it out.
John 4:35
“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” NAS
In the Greek the word “white” – Gk. “leukos” – is in the text.
Our Lord gave a lot of agrarian exmaples to a nation that had a lot of farmers. I assume when the grain was ripe and the sun hit it the field had a bright white kind of topping. I think there was another visual image being represented here.
In those times only the wealthy could afford the colored (dyed) robes of the time. Most common people wore undyed white outer garments. While Jesus was talking to disciples – the woman had been spreading the word in town.
I can just imagine the townspeople wearing white – a few hundred? – cutting across the fields to hurry and see (possibly) “the Messiah”. So the disciples would look up when Jesus recited verse 35 and see all this white.
Before now they had benefited from John the Baptist’s prepatory work, and had been baptizing people. Here,Jesus had already planted the seed with the woman, and now they were going to harvest.
And they did –
“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John

======== John:

Here he met a woman who had a “hunger” for a relationship. She had five husbands and now a live-in, but the hunger – the hole in her heart – was not satisfied.
Christ offers her the “living water”. Water washing the body always symbloizes God’s Word. Water ingested (drank) symbolizes the Holy Spirit. I believe the “gift of God” is Salvation. So Christ is saying ‘if you knew the gift of Salvation, and I who came to bring it – you would ask for the “Holy Spirit” to have eternal life.’
The woman still does not get it – and must come to realize the thing that hinders her from understanding (We all must come to this point before salvation). Jesus confronts her with her many relationships – she has to know they are not the way to be fulfilled – one can only be truly fulfilled through God.
After her next statement – Christ says worship is not about a place, your knowledge is incomplete, and God is spirit and must be worshipped in the spirit.
John

======= Vance:

The book of Ruth – Beautifully illustrates Kinsman-redeemer
Kinsman-redeemer is a wonderful concept that is so beautifully fulfilled in the life and ministry of the Perfect Man, our Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note this information from the wonderful Messianic Jewish website, hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Gimmel/gimmel.html
“The …( go’el ) [or redeemer] is the name for the kinsman Redeemer…YHVH (Yahweh) Himself is identified as the ultimate Redeemer of Israel and mankind (Psalm 19:14)…”
“Yeshua the Mashiach (Messiah) is identified as the Redeemer of mankind (John 4:41). He is the One who, being born into the world, runs forth bearing charity for the poor ones who stand “behind the door”. He is our nourishment and our great Benefit. But for those who spurn His love, He represents judgment and recompense (i.e., the Avenger of blood…)”
“…Yeshua has been lifted up and exalted before the world as the One who has conquered sin and death on our behalf. Benefit indeed!”
NOTE:
Note how the Lord Jesus is our near Kinsman:
1. Fully God and fully man
(John 10 – “I and the Father are one”; John 5 – “the Son of Man”)
2. Perfect Man – Perfect because He was without sin (Hebrews 2, 4, and 5)
1 Timothy 2 (NKJV)
5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
3. Our Brother –
Hebrews 2 (NKJV)
14
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
For Jesus to truly fulfill the role of “Elder Brother” for the family of the redeemed, He had to take on flesh and blood. He had to enter into the prison to free the captives.
4. Jesus is the Perfect Representative as man. Only as man could He redeem man from the sin and deceptions of the enemy. Man was created to represent God’s image on earth. As such, man was created to rule righteously and to reflect God’s excellence. Satan knew that. When he tempted man and when man sinned, Adam (mankind) gave up his right to be delegated ruler by placing himself under the authority of the devil and sin.
I John 5 (NKJV)
19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
5. Jesus, being very glad and not ashamed to be our brother, was able to give us His victory of sin, flesh, world, and the devil. When we repent and trust in Jesus, His victory over sin is given to us.
And get this – this is one of the most amazing facts about Jesus: As our kinsman-redeemer, Jesus loves us and BY GRACE shared with us HIS VERY OWN INHERITANCE.
This is a powerful picture of spiritual reality, pictured in Luke 15. The elder brother is the one who receives the inheritance from the father, and then the others in the family receive their inheritance from him.
Note this from Romans 8 (Amplified), one of the most exciting verses in the Bible:
17
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
It not it amazing that Jesus the Son, in HIS GRACE, shared His own inheritance with us?
WOW!
Vance

========= Billy:

Mike, my search for God is partly in reading this blog everyday !! Praise the Lord.
Reading Judges has reminded me that when you turn your back on God it has consequences.
Billy

======= Bob:

O.T. Survey by Lasor,Hubbard and Bush (pg. 164),comments on the end of Joshua 21:25 “In those days Israel had no king, everyone did as he saw fit.” (Vs: 18:1, 19:1, 17:6). This links the writing to a time when there was a king and contrast the days under the monarchy with those prior to it. It asks if the book of Judges is a low key apology for the Davidic Monarchy? I think it goes even further showing us how to eliminate chaos and pointing us to the one and only King we will all serve one day.
John 4:4-42 Jesus Mission Trip. I love this story because it has all the elements of a modern day mission trip. He goes into a “dangerous” place, meets up with someone open to his teaching, gives living water to be spread into the lives of new believers! How awesome is that! If you want to experience a new perspective next time you go missioning, try digging into this beautiful example our Lord gives us.
Bob

Judges 19:1-20:48 + John 3:22-4:3 + Psalm 104:24-35 + Proverbs 14:22-23
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today’s readings in Judges 19 about the Levite’s concubine being raped and killed really made me tear up today. What a sad story! The evil of the act led to tens of thousands of men dying in battle in chapter 20. Notice the similarities between Judges chapter 19 and Genesis chapter 19?  In Genesis chapter 19 two angels arrived in Sodom in the evening and they planned to spend the night in the town square.  But Lot insisted they go with him and spend the night at his house.  Then, in the middle of the night the men of Sodom came to Lot’s house to have sex with the two angels.  Lot offered his two virgin daughters instead…   see the unfortunate similarities?  Social protocol of the time – protecting a house guest at any cost – unfortunately carried more authority in Judges chapter 19 than God’s law and moral convictions.  Obviously this is an extreme case in Judges chapter 19…. yet, is it possible that in today’s world social protocol of our time can sometimes carry more authority than moral convictions?  Will we stand tall today and protect someone when this is the case?  We will stand up for moral convictions over social protocol today?  An image is below for Judges chapter 19 verses 16 & 17 – “That evening an old man came home from his work in the fields. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. When he saw the travelers sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from and where they were going.”

And another image is below for Judges chapter 20 verses 4 through 7 – “The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been murdered, said, “My concubine and I came to Gibeah, a town in the land of Benjamin, to spend the night. That night some of the leaders of Gibeah surrounded the house, planning to kill me, and they raped my concubine until she was dead. So I cut her body into twelve pieces and sent the pieces throughout the land of Israel, for these men have committed this terrible and shameful crime. Now then, the entire community of Israel must decide what should be done about this!””

New Testament – Wow… I love John the Baptist’s words about Jesus in John chapter 3 today!  Great stuff.  Please read these verses again and meditate upon them in your life today.  The verse that really stood out to me today was verse 30 when John said this about Jesus – “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” How very true and how very applicable to our lives today.  We must let Jesus become greater and greater in our lives, hearts, and actions, and our individualism / selfishness must become less and less.  How are you doing on this?  Are you allowing Jesus to become greater and greater in your life and are “you” becoming less and less? 

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 3’s readings today titled “John’s Joy and his Disciples Jealousy” is at this link.

Psalms – Today we finish up Psalm 104, which we started yesterday. I mentioned in yesterday’s post, that this is a great Psalm of praising God’s creation. And indeed it is. What I didn’t realize yesterday, but I picked up today, is that this Psalm overall goes through Genesis 1 and the story of creation. Not quite in the same order of creation, or the same details. But, essentially this Psalm is a retelling of Genesis 1. Below is a wonderful piece of art from Pat Marvenko Smith titled “The Creation” – you’ll note this piece shows all 6 days of creation and what was created on each day, going from the left to the right:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site. 

I love Psalm 104 verse 33 today – “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!”  I so pray that this verse will be true for both you and me.  I pray we will sing to God as long as we live.  I pray we will praise God to our very last breath.  And in particular at our very last breath I pray we are praising God!

Proverbs – Proverbs verse 14 chapter 22 is awesome – “If you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness.”  Great stuff!  And so true.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Psalm 104 remind me of Bebo Norman’s fantastic song “I Will Lift My Eyes:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ9bLnyIEyw

Are you looking at God? Click here and lift your eyes!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus is becoming greater and greater in your life day by day and that you are becoming less and less. Pray for more of Jesus and for less of you.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on today’s Proverb, do you plan good in your life?  Do you consciously think of ways you can bless others?  Do you love others well?  Do you surprise others with grace?  Often?  Do you believe that if you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 19:1-20:48

Israel had moved the bar, the bar of righteousness, the bar that set boundaries, the bar that said, “This is sin.” You have a Levite that has a concubine and as the text states, was unfaithful to him. First question, “What is a Levite doing with a concubine that is a loose woman?” As per Moses’ directive, Levites were supposed to keep the Law so that they could teach the Law. The bar/standard was lowered.

When Israel masses itself to fight this “horrid” sin, the bar has been set so low that the “sin” they all are living in is not even a blip on their radar screen. The outrage is a culmination of outrages acts on the other side of that bar that has been lowered almost to the ground. I’ve heard people say, and I’ve said it myself at one time or another, “I wouldn’t do that,” or “Even I wouldn’t do that,” as if our or my personal behavior or standard was “IT.” I know that it is not. I think we do this, consciously or sub-consciously, to distance ourselves from our sin, the “white lie,” syndrome. God has stated that when we break one Law we have broken them all; but, we insist that we are not as bad as that guy or gal over there or across the street. Yes we are.

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

When we do what is right in our own eyes, we have set ourselves up as God which was and is the sin of Satan. There are only two kingdoms on the earth, The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan; which one do we say we are in and which one are we really in? As Children of God, are we trespassing in the wrong Kingdom? Or, can we be citizens of the Kingdom of Satan trying to pass ourselves off as children of the Light? And worse yet, do we, like this Levite, play our sin off in such a way that we share the outrages consequences of our actions as if it just fell out of the sky into a innocent lifestyle getting everyone upset enough to call a prayer meeting to do “spiritual warfare?” Hmmmm!

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

Could the father of the concubine have been trying to get the Levite to spend 7days with his daughter so he could claim it was a wedding?Just a thought.The Levite lied to Israel,he didn’t mention that he had sent his concubine to the benjamites,he just said they raped her.What a horrible time for women it was,to be raped to death to protect a guest.God allowed heavy casulaties on both side.It must have broken his heart to see depraved Israel fighting each other.
Without God man becomes really demonic.Only satan can cause the degradation of humanity today as we see it and we let it happen.What must have started out as falling in love with the wrong person became a sick stronghold of lust.How can a whole gathering of men take pleasure in torturing a woman…it all started with a single uncontrolled lusty thought.
Reading Ramona’s post about the youth leader’s in a lustful relationship,I again remember the need to fear God.How can you lead God’s children while obviously giving tribute to the devil with your life.It’s mocking God to His face!Sadly it happens often:pastors having adulterous relationships with their secretaries while going for out of town conferences,leaders preying on their followers all in the name of “I fell in love”,worshippers supposedly worshiping God in public while worshipping the devil in private…Even non belivers see the earthquakes,pestilence,floods,wars and know the end is near.Will Christ find any faith left among his flock?
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.
If you believe that arsenic is poison,you will not even taste something that looks really delicious when you it part of it’s ingredient is arsenic.We all know what God says about the relationship between a man and a woman(just an example)can we really say we believe in Jesus when we stray from his teachings.We believe yet we act contrary to his teachings?May God open our eyes to the devices of the devil and may we constantly allow the Holy Spirit search our hearts lest we deceive ourselves.
God bless you all

Anka

====== Kristie:

Judges shows how bad it gets when people turn away from fearing God. Even the man who gave his concubine to the worthless men, then rallies everyone to fight doesn’t tell the whole story. Look at the way he just talks to her when she is dead on the doorstep. Everyone in this story is a depraved sinner.

Kristie

====== Mae:

Our last Sundaymorning Biblestudies have been about overcropping (premature exhaustion?). It was the first thing I thought about while I was reading todays verse from Proverbs. 1.) We have to give God the chance to make the changes in our hearts 2.) We have to plan well. If we TRY to do good in our lives, if we TRY to love others well, if we TRY to suprise others with grace, in the long run we will get exhausted if we do it all on our own energy. We have to let God work on our hearts, so we don’t have to TRY so hard ourselves. Okay … do I make sense here? I’m really trying to translate the notes I made in the Biblestudy. The thing is that we want to do the right thing everywhere: for God, in church, at work, in our relationships (marriage, the children, friendships etc). So in order to see everything clear, we have to plan well. So in the first place give things in God hands and in the second place, plan well ourselves. So yes, I really love todays Proverb “If you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness.” Indeed: so true!!

Mae

====== Robert:

Psalm 104

I really like how this Psalm raises the tackles the topic of Ecology. We are asked to have a right relationship with God, with one another and with creation. That way we are nurtured by and feed into a full and holistic spirituality. If we seek earth’s beauty and ask for forgiveness for the ways in which we participate in the destruction of this holy creation we are practicing God’s Ecology.

I have trouble joining those “save the trees” groups because I am a business man and love development. I do think the two can live in harmony but it is a delicate balance. I just have to watch some National Geographic documentary and realize how beautiful God made this world. I pray I can be sensitive to how God wants to go about his re-creation and be a positive part in that.

Judges 19:1

“In those days Israel had no king.” This statement also found in 17:6, 8:1 and 21:25 links Judges to a future time when there was a king. It is preparation for the Monarchy and it has been suggested that it is a low-key apology for the Davidic Monarchy. Old Testament Survey by Bush. Page 164.

Robert

======= Jim:

Here is yet another story (that resembles the assault on Lot’s home in Sodom) about the poor moral condition of Israel where a Levite reconciles with an unfaithful concubine (usually a female servant forced into a spousal relationship – and, assuming the extra donkey is for her to ride rather than follow the custom of forcing a woman to walk beside her riding husband suggests at least some feelings for this woman) and sets out for home (after five days, instead of three, as again required by Jewish custom suggesting there is still some observance of the Law) about 3:00pm and as night approaches stops in Gibeah (rather than the very close Canaanite town of Jebus – an example of how close the Jews lived with the Canaanites despite opposing instructions of God) assuming safety in an Israelite town. They finally find lodging (the general failure of the townsfolk to honor the custom of hospitality should have been a warning of perilous morals afoot and they only find lodging from a fellow Ephraim who was passing through) but some men in the town come to rape him (the sin that brought judgment on Sodom is now common in Israel) and (after the host offers his own daughter attempting to honor his obligation to protect a quest at any cost) the Levite throws his concubine to them where they rape and brutalize her all night and she returns to die in the street outside the house alone. The Levite takes her body home and sends a slice of her body to each of the 12 tribes as gruesome evidence of the atrocity (as a call to arms).

While the Levite is silent about his own part in the murder, the judicial court (“before the Lord”) decides the acts of the Gibeahites merit death under OT Law and they chose (by lot) a tenth of their men. The Benjamites additionally merit their own death by refusing to punish the wicked. Their haste initially ends them with two losses in battle. Judah is sent first to fight, perhaps as a reminder they were supposed to be fighting the Canaanites as in 1:1-2 rather than fighting each other. The slings of the Benjamites (like the one used by David) were capable of accurately throwing 1 pound smooth rocks at up to 90 miles per hour – and yet, they were outnumbered (400,000 to 26,700), eventually out maneuvered, and killed to the last 600 men (who would carry on the tribe’s name). The mention of Phinehas (who earlier stopped the plague at Peor in Num 25:6-11) suggests these events occurred about the time of Joshua (see Josh 22). Without a king and royal court there was no place to rule over unjust treatment of visitors or revenge killing.

While the impression in John 3:22 is given that Jesus baptized, John corrects this idea in 4:2. Jesus provided the authority while the disciples performed the task. While I have heard many sermons on baptism, I have heard surprisingly little about the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of fire that John the Baptist spoke of in Matthew 13:11. We read yesterday, “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” But, when does this new birth and spiritual baptism occur? It could be as soon as believing turns to a belief, when a repenting becomes a calling on the Lord, or during or after a baptism. Certainly baptism is not required for salvation as the thief next to Jesus on the cross had no opportunity and yet was assured entrance into heaven with Christ. All of the ten conversions in Acts involved a seven-step process described in many places of when hearing becomes a belief in Christ (Mark 16:15), a confession (Proverbs 28:13; Romans 10:9), a repenting (Acts 2:38), calling on the Lord (Acts 22:16), a baptism (Matthew 3:13), the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:5-21; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 12:7), and rebirth with Great Commission discipleship in the body of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). These ingredients for a new Christian usually all take place in a very short time, almost as a singular event. The Catechism of the Catholic Church similarly describes the journey with the steps of “proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.” But, Paul came across some Ephesian disciples who had received the baptism of John the Baptists without receiving the Holy Spirit. Paul conferred the Holy Spirit onto them through the “laying on of hands” (Acts 19:6). The Holy Spirit was also similarly imparted by Peter and John in Acts 8:14-17 to the Samaritans. And finally, Paul writes to Timothy, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith… For this reason I remind you to fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul said in Ephesians 5:18 to “be filled with the Spirit” and Jesus said he wants us to be so full of the Spirit that it will flow out of us “like a river of living water” (John 7:27-39). To be baptized in the Spirit is to be immersed to the point that it take over one’s life, including thoughts, words, and actions. John the Baptist continuing his work long after the Messiah arrives and takes over reminds us that there could well be a period of adjustment. Some believe that it is possible to have the Spirit without this by accepting Jesus as Savior but not as Lord – who have so grieved the Spirit that it is residing but not presiding. Nevertheless, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Wall, and Brenner have all affirmed that baptizo meant full immerse just as Romans 6:4 equates baptism to burial and not just to getting dirty. “For thirteen hundred years baptism was an immersion of the person under water.” (Brenner, Catholic) “When you send your Spirit, new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth.”

Infants, of course, cannot express a belief, a confession, a sorrow, call on the Lord, make a decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or demonstrate an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This can only occur later in life, even for any “sanctified” infants. The ten baptisms in Acts occurred at once when people believed, upon hearing, or soon after on the same day of the conversion. The baptism did not came first and none involved getting someone else to do the baptizing as the “converter” carried it out each time – just as the Great Commission directs us to “convert AND baptize.” The Roman Catholic Church (and many others) would seem to view Baptism as only that of John as they believe as per the Catechism that even unbelievers with good intentions are somehow able to confer a baptism. The Catholic suggestion that an infant can only be “freed from the power of darkness” through infant baptism who would otherwise not be a “child of God” has historically even often lead to baptisms required for salvation at any cost including the death of the mother. It can be said that each moment carries with it every other moment. In other words, in a universe that carries the purpose of God, the present incorporates the past and the future. Evangelical Christians often speak of having received salvation at some point in the past, when they committed themselves to Jesus as Lord. The thief next to Christ on the cross, for example, was with Christ that day (assuming the comma comes before the word “today”) in paradise due to his belief. Jude 3 speaks about “the salvation we share,” in the past tense just as Titus 3:5 states, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth,” similarly as does Acts 15:11; Romans 8:24; Ephesians 2:5, 8; and 2 Timothy 1:9. At the same time, Peter speaks of salvation as a goal, an end result, not as something already possessed. Peter refers to a future salvation (1 Pet 1:5, 9-10; 2:2, 4:18) every time but when referring to Noah’s salvation (1 Pet 3:20-21). The New Testament makes frequent reference to salvation in the future (Rom 5:9-10; 10:9; 11:26; 13:11; 1 Cor 3:15; 15:2; 2 Cor 7:10; Phil 1:28; 1 Thess 5:8-9; 1 Tim 4:16; Heb 1:14; 9:28; 10:39). Finally, salvation is spoken of as a present process (1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15). Each is true because salvation is not a moment in time, but a journey through time with a God who is timeless and outside of time. Saint Augustine held the Bible teaches that God transcends time and that creation is “with time” not “in time” (agreed to by the Big Bang theory). The mark of those who are “being saved” is their ability to remain firm in their faith under pressure. It is not those who just “make a decision for Christ,” but those who “stand firm to the end” (Mt 10:22; 24:13; Mk 13:13) who will be saved. In the Wesleyan tradition, salvation is tentative and may be lost, while in the Reformed tradition, God assures that those whom he has truly regenerated will in fact endure. Both traditions, however, accurately reflect that it is not a one-time decision, even if long ignored, that brings salvation, but a commitment to Christ lived out through obedience to the end of life. “I will praise my God to my last breath!”
Jim

======= Veronica:

God was Israel’s King, but they did not acknowledge Him as King so….
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.(Judges 17:6 KJV)
Veronica

======= Peggy:

THIS VERSE REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME TODAY. John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”[d]
THIS SAYS IT ALL
ALSO IN PSALM 104:33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
DON’T YOU JUST FILL LIKE SINGING WHEN YOU READ THESE WORDS? I KNOW I DO.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
Peggy

======= Laura:

MAY 4TH NATIONAL DAY
OF PRAYER
Lord I pray for unity in the churches and Godly wisdom in our government. Lord you have oppointed rulers who govern our counties, states and nation, please fill them with your Holy Spirit and guide them in the ways of righteousness, truth and knowledge. Lord hear our prayers.
Mike said, “in today’s world social protocol of our time can sometimes carry more authority than moral convictions” Will we stand tall today and protect someone when this is the case? Will we stand up for moral convictions over social protocol today? On this National Day of Pray this is something we all must think about. I am thankful that we have the word of God as our example of Godly wisdom. God has shown us how we are to live. Why can’t we learn from all the mistakes that people in the past have made and not repeat them? Why are we so stubborn and hardheaded? Lord soften our hearts and open our minds, and let your knowledge, wisdom and desernment lead us. Let this nation founded by you and built on Godly principals, go back to those roots as you have taught us. Lord hear our prayers.
Let there be an end to crime, violence, and injustice in the world and in our nation. Let conviction rather than apathy guide us. Give us boldness and courage to stand tall for you and let there be no more persecution for your namesake. Lord hear our prayers.
We really are living in the end times. As I read the paper,pray, attend church and come to the blog everyday, I am reminded that the Lord is coming back very soon. Iran with it’s treats,weapons of mass destruction, rumors of war,desease, disasters that have been occuring in the world all these things have been noted. Lord I pray for salvation and repentance for our nation and our world. Lord hear our prayers.
And all of Gods people said Amen!!!!
Laura

======== John:

Judges 20
Judges 17-18 Religious apostasy
Judges 19 Moral decline
Judges 20 Political anarchy
A familiar pattern?????
vs. 18-28
Why did it take three attempts to defeat tribe of Benjamin?
When Benjaminites would not listen and formed an army. Israel formed 400,000 men. Made a decision to go to war, and then – Oh yeah – in what seems almost an afterthought – ask God – ‘who goes first?’
Perhaps if they had gone about it the right way (more on that later) God would have pared down their force like Gideon and delivered the Benjaminites to Israel.
Israel suffered defeat, and wept and asked the Lord – should we do this?. Is weeping a sign of true repentance? Maybe they are sorry they lost so many men, maybe they are mourning, but there is more to this from God’s point of view.
Israel saw this as a “they sinned” idea, and God wanted them to know that it is a “we sinned” concept. It is the whole country of Israel that is sinning and turning from the Lord. Even if the sin on Israel’s part is just about “national pride” and their thinking they can take care of the situation. Perhaps God wanted to humble the whole nation.
Like Jesus said, ‘until they take the beam out of their eye, their is no way they can deal with the speck in Benjamin’s eye.’
So God sent them out again and they got “whooped”.
This time they came back fasted, made burnt and peace offerings, and consulted God through the High Priest. This is what they should have done from the git-go.
Now Israel was right with God, and He sent them out and delivered the Benjaminites into Israel’s hands.
John

======= John:

John 3:26
“They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
Reminds me of John 12:19
“So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Not quite bookends but similar reactions to Jesus. John’s disciples were ones that stayed with John – Why? John had already made clear that Jesus was the Messiah. Did they not believe????
Was their a comfort level in their preaching, their approach to the Jews, their ability to argue and persuade that they enjoyed. Perhaps John’s disciples felt that if they followed Jesus their roles would be diminished, they would not be in the forefront, they would not have as much individual power????? How often is this seen today in those that vary from the preaching of the Gospel to a message THEY feel has their stamp on it?????
We know the Pharisees in general did not believe. Perhaps for the same kind of reasons as John’s disciples. They might have to give up something to join Jesus. It is one of the hardest things to do when “Coming to Christ” – giving up yourself, swallowing your pride, submitting your will to Gods. Yet it is essential.
So from this perspective, the two groups of men are like little children.
They cannot even say Jesus’s name. And “EVERYONE is going to him” and the “WHOLE WORLD has gone after him”. Pure Hyperbole. Typical of a child’s argument for explaining why they acted the way they did in a situation. I can almost see the two groups of men standing there “stomping their feet” and throwing a mini-tantrum.
Sad, because they both should have known better. The Disciples because the man they followed revealed Jesus as the Messiah. The Pharisees because they were the learned men of Scripture and they could not even see that the Scripture they knew pointed to Christ.
John

======= Vance:

Judges 20 (NKJV)
12
Then the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?
13
Now therefore, deliver up the men, the perverted men [Literally sons of Belial] who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove the evil from Israel!”
26
Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God [Bethel] and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
27
So the children of Israel inquired of the LORD (the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28
and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?” And the LORD said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”
44
And eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
NOTE:
Today, May 4, is the National Day of Prayer.
In honor of this day, note this small quote from George Washington’s prayer journal which is taken from William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian(New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.
“Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor.”
As I ponder the deep prayer, repentance, and faith of the father of our county, I am ashamed to say that I have been influenced too much by modern America. I find it a challenge to pray as I ought.
Thank God that God has made provision for us, even in this. The Holy Spirit came to teach me, and us, how to pray as we yield to Him.
Romans 8 (Amplified Bible)
26
So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
NOTE for Judges 20:
Verses 12 and 13 show that this life really is about spiritual warfare. Note that these perverted men were also known as “sons of Belial”, which means “sons of Satan.” If sin is not repented of, the people of God can be oppressed and controlled by the evil one.
Can a Christian be demon possessed? No way – see the verse below:
I Corinthians 6 (NKJV)
17
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
But if sin is entertained, allowed to find a place and rule, that will allow a place for the enemy so he can rule in our minds and bodies.
Verses 26 – 28: Thank God for godly leaders. Note the compassion of the Lord guiding the wrath of God. The people, lead by the godly leader Phineas, weep before the Lord trying to find a way to spare their brothers. Yet, God tells them that there is no more room for repentance for the sons of the devil and for those who join them.
Psalm 103 (Amplified)
10
He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
Verse 44: Note still how the Israelites honored their brothers.
Thank God for God’s justice—which is sorely needed to protect us from ourselves from sin, and from the devil. Thank God that His justice is always guided by looking for every opportunity to pour His love on us.
May we receive the “mercy of the truth” so that Jesus be demonstrated in our lives—so others may see that Jesus truly is Lord and not just seen as fiction or as a historical man.
Vance

======= Tim:

I enjoy the verse which says (KJV) ” In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury”.Please underline the word “In all labor”.
This should make every Christian positively productive for His glory
Tim

======= Jeff:

John 3:30 ~ How does, “I must decrease” practically look in my life today?
Jeff

======== Liz:

What I noticed in the O.T. passages today was that the Israelites sacrificed 40,030 men because of the evil that was done. It was probably indicative of the whole city, like Sodom. The Benjamites sacrificed 25,100 men for the homosexual perverts that took what they could get without any thought of the woman or her life. What I took away from this is that we know what God thinks about homosexuality. That it was obviously so egregious that the man offered his virgin daughter and the concubine rather than allow them to rape the man, because God calls homosexuality an abomination. I can’t get my head around it being better for them to rape a woman than a man, but I feel that an abomination is a worse sin. I believe there are degrees of sin. Not when it comes to salvation, all have sinned and need repentance and salvation, but in this world and in The Judges eyes, not finally, but now. There seems to be sin, and evil there. These men were “lewd” and evil and God allowed men to be destroyed because of them. Why, at the sacrifice of 40,000 Israelites instead of like He destroyed Sodom? Maybe because they were without a King and did what was right in their own eyes, until they prayed after the 40,00 were killed. They were not successful until God said he would give them into their hands.
There are many people in America that are trying to wipe homosexual sin from the Bible and even pastors do not speak of it anymore. If it was abominable to God, then, it is still abominable. The Benjamites would not turn over the wicked men which makes me think they were wicked, too, like Sodom. I fear for America. If not for the Methodist outside of America, the Methodists would have voted to sanction sin, but the American UMC, is working to leave the association so they can carry on in their sin. This kind of thing is happening in so many areas in our country. How long will God tolerate it? Will his judgement come by war, by fire from heaven, or by natural disaster? Maybe through political slavery. Praying for a great awakening for the United States.
Liz

Judges 17:1-18:31 + John 3:1-21 + Psalm 104:1-23 + Proverbs 14:20-21
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Judges chapter 17 & 18 are sad chapters to read!  In these chapters we see how far a Levitical priest had wandered from his original call to serve God – by accepting money, idols, and position in Micah’s house.  And we see how far the tribe of Dan had wandered from God’s plan for the tribes of Israel by killing the citizens of Laish – a city that did not fall under God’s judgment due to serving idols or wickedness – and Laish was outside the geographical boundaries of the tribe of Dan.  Unfortunately, we see Dan’s tribe worshiping idols.  Verse 6 in chapter 17 stood out to me – “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”  This verse certainly seems to be building up to the kings of Israel that will soon be coming.  But, this verse also indicates to me the importance for each of us to have a king – so that we don’t just do whatever seems right in our own eyes.  Fortunately, today, we have Jesus Christ as our king.  He is the best king we could ever hope for.  Do you consider Jesus to be your king?

An image is below for Judges 18 verses 22 & 23 – “When the people from the tribe of Dan were quite a distance from Micah’s home, Micah and some of his neighbors came chasing after them. They were shouting as they caught up with them. The men of Dan turned around and said, “What do you want? Why have you called these men together and chased after us like this?””

New Testament – Today in John chapter 3 we will read about Jesus’ interactions with Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees. This is obviously a powerful chapter, as Jesus’ words in this chapter include the famous John 3:16. In verse 3 we will read this from Jesus – “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” And to this Nicodemus asks in verse 4 – “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born?” What do these verses mean to you? Do you understand Jesus’ statement in verse 3? Do you understand Nicodemus’ confusion and why he asked the question like he did in verse 4? Jesus later goes on in chapter 3 to say that he is referring to being born again in “the Spirit.” It is not a physical rebirth Jesus is referring to in verse 3, but a Spiritual rebirth. I do think this is an appropriate time in our One Year Bible readings – the gospel of John and John chapter 3 in particular – for each of us to ask ourselves if we have been born again in the Spirit? If not, do you want to be born again in the Spirit? Will you pray today to God and Jesus for this Spiritual rebirth?

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 3 titled “The Doctrine of Salvation” is at this link and commentary on “Jesus and Nicodemus” is at this link and at this link.

An image is below for verses 14 & 15 as Jesus says this to Nicodemus – “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.”

Psalms – Psalm 104 is a beautiful hymn to the Creator!  I like all of the verses – verse 19 stands out to me because I can find some cool images related to this verse on the web!  🙂  “You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set.”

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 14 verse 21 we read – “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

Worship Video:  Reading John 3:16 today reminded me of the terrific We The Kingdom song “God So Loved:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq5URsXbKXs

Do you believe John 3:16? Click here for God’s love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you fully know and believe John 3:16. Pray for 316 people that you can share the message of John 3:16 with this next year.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How does today’s Proverb speak to you? Do you love your neighbor? Who is your neighbor? Do you believe despising your neighbor is a sin? Are you kind to the needy? What are some ways that you are consistently kind to the needy? Do you believe that you are blessed when you are kind to the needy?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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======= Ramona:

Judges 17:1-18:31

Reading today’s Old Testament passage reminds me that things are pretty much the same today as they were 3-4 thousand years ago, nothing new under the sun. Here we have pictured some family dynamics that have gone awry. We have a son who has stolen from his mother and the return of the money, under threat or fear of a curse, is seen as time to get “religious” and honor the son who stole it. As we read on, we find out that the son’s mother is a grandmother because this man Micah has a son; what a godly example he is for his offspring, NOT.

Superstition, and superstitious have permeated Israel, not only is the God who protected them in the desert, the God who brought them out of Egypt with a might hand not served, he is looked on as one of many gods to be manipulated, a god that can be transferred from one person to another. When a nation falls into this kind of thinking, the children and other family members are used as a means of protection by the head-of-household, or the ones with the biggest posse and the greatest forth of strength. Three times, we read that either the son (1 time) or the priests (twice) were set-up to be “protection” for grown men. (17:5, 10; 18:19). Is this not what Abraham and Isaac subjected their wives too but magnified?

Whether we actually install our children as priests and give them a title as father, when we instruct our children to tell the Bill Collector on the phone that we are not in, when we stand back and send our children to the front of the line so that people will give them preference and force “mercy and grace,” we are setting up our children to be proctors like Micah and the men from Dan. When God moves from being our protector, our provider, our strong tower, when God moves from being a personal God to just a god, our children and relationships become a tool to be used to get what we want. We in effect, like Micah, like Dan establish our own religion build our own idols, even if it is not metal or stone, and offer up our children, spouses, and “friends” and other relationships on the alter of our fears.

Love desires to benefit others at the expense of self – for God so loved the world …; Lusts desires to benefit self at the expense of others. What is it? Do we love or lusts? Some very tough questions that I need to answer.

If people don’t know it, I’ve dedicated myself to focus on and post on the Old Testament readings this year; however, from time to time I will do “hit-and-run” comments on the New and today is one of those days. I read something as per the NLT translation that gave me a new perspective and deeper understanding of something I struggle with, “What does true repentance look like?”

Some background information: The first church I attended after my salvation had, what appeared to me in the beginning, a genuine love for Jesus, but something went wrong, arrogance developed. What had been a church with a humble heart and core became one that screamed “entitlement” because we are God’s people. They forgot about the Mercy of God. Because I wanted to be “loyal” to my church, I turned a blind eye to the things that I saw happening. My son didn’t want to attend the Youth group, and I didn’t force him because a succession of leadership, male and feemale where living together outside of marriage. When I left, after getting a revelation of Jeremiah 14:16, I asked what thing, if any, had I gotten out of being in that church and the only thing I heard was this, “You know what not to do if your kids go to jail.”

What that “knowing” was, was this: Jailhouse conversion doesn’t equal real conversations. Jailhouse conversions are precipitated from the state of “I’m sorry ‘cause I got caught.” It seemed that everybody and his brother/sister was going to jail from some crime, white collar and blue collar. An, “I’m O.K. cause God has my back no matter what I do,” mentality ran amuck. I wasn’t sure if there was ever any scripture to back up what I had discovered until now and it comes from the Words of Jesus, King James style,

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (Joh 3:21)

Since everything that is done in the dark, will come to the light of day, just because something is illuminated doesn’t mean that the person saying, “I’m sorry” is sorry because of his/her behavior, they more than likely are sorry because they got caught. The key is in the first half of Jesus words, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light …”

Coming into the light after having been in the dark causes your eyes to hurt; you are blinded by that light until your eyes adjust. Coming into the light exposes the sin for what it is, ugly and rotten. While in the dark, what is ugly, gaudy and worthless, can give off the appearance of beauty and value. In the dark the things that are gray and shady, blend in and are hidden by the dark, but in the light everything is exposed.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17 KJVR)

Godly sorrow says, I didn it and I’m repentant and I am willing to pay the cost, and if there is anything else that needs to be exposed, God please show it to me no matter the pain or embarrassment. Worldly sorrow (jailhouse conversions) says, “O.K. I said I was sorry so where is the key so I can get out,” showing an unwillingness to pay the price or change directions.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Alice:

Ramona,
I like all your comments.
I hope you keep putting them up!
Have a blessed day everybody
Alice

======= Briggs:

======= Anka:

I think the Israelites lost their fear of God.The Levite knew he was called to be a priest as did Micah.The Danites knew as a Levite he was supposed to hear from God yet they had no regard for God or his commandments.To me it seems more like the Danites went to a fortune teller.They had a few facts:the people of Laish were secluded so nobody could help them and they were unsuspecting(even trained armies are vulnerable to a suprise attack how much more these people)…could they have thought in their hearts “who needs God’s approval when we can wipe out these people without breaking a nail”.They obviously heard about God even went to hear from Him but their actions show they didn’t fear God.This still happens today..we go to church to hear from God,maybe even get a blessing but as soon as we get out of church our light shines dimmer that that of an unbelievers.
When Nicodemus spoke to Christ he said “we” kinda makes me wonder if the rabbi’s saw the truth but as John said were too full of Zeal for the house of God:it paid well,gave them respect etc.Some of them didn’t even believe in resurrection so they wanted to get the best out of life on earth.When they arrested Jesus,they broke a lot of the rules they so meticulosly taught.Like the Levite priest,they only did what paid them well.When Jesus came with the truth it felt bad so they refused to listen.They let their passion for money and power blind them.The pull to listen to our passions,to live it out,to get so involved with our work or problems is sometimes much louder than the voice of the Holy Spirit.I need the fear of the Lord in my life..to know that even though nothing can take away his love for me,my lack of reverence for him will eventually make me loose my love for him then take me on a self distructive path of condamnation.********************************************************************
God bless you all
Anka

======= Peggy:

======= John:

Matt 28:18
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
authority is “exousia” that same delegated power or authority from God discussed in John 1. So God, the Father, bestowed this authority on Christ.
I know what Peggy means as I catch myself concentrating on Jesus in his High Priest role. It seems at worship I can relate to the Father “abba” role, but I don’t acknowledge enough the role of Christ as the “King of Kings – Lord of Lords”.
I think it will all be pretty clear at the Second Coming.
John

======= Cheryl:

I was always taught that the very next person you see is your neighbor-so I guess that does mean everyone! Jesus is my Father, brother, savior and yes-King. We are called to serve him, as well as serve others in his name.

Cheryl

======== Micky:

========= Pat:

Thank you Micky for sharing your remarkable experience with us. What a wonderful testimony! Christ must have great plans for you because He has saved and prepared you for some awesome task.
God Bless!
Pat

======= Micky:

Thank you, Pat, may God remember you in His KINGDOM!!
Peace Be With You
Micky

======= Mae:

I love the story from Jesus and Nicodemus!!!! When people ask me why I made the choice to be reborn, I always give them the chapter of Nicodemus.
Verse 3 “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” ~ There’s no way you can get a better explanation!
Verse 18 ““There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son”. ~ I love this verse!

Proverbs 14:21 “”He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.” ~ I really care deeply for my neighbors, they’re not my best friends though. And I know for a fact they are not very fund of us because we are Christians. They were raised Muslims, but do not practise their religion. Many times I’ve tried to have normal contact with them, but they won’t allow it. All I do is pray for them, because they have a terrible relationship. They are not married and have 3 kids from her former marriage. They fight constantly and I feel so sorry for them. Life doesn’t have to be this way. I truly believe that we’re blessed when we are kind to the needy. I’m doing all the best I can to be kind to the needy. It makes me happy to see a smile on their face when I help them out and I thank the Lord for giving me the strength to help out.

My life is not about me, it’s about others.

Mae

======== Lisa:

======== Jim:

Judges 17 starts off with a confused story of a mother that curses a thief who steals 1100 shekels of silver who then turns around and blesses him when she finds out the culprit was her own son. I asked earlier when lying could possibly be Godly and now I must ask when is stealing righteous? Was the seemingly justified earlier lying a “bridge” sin onto further sinning? The author is clearly demonstrating how upside-down things were and continues with several undated events in order to sum up the moral and social deterioration during a time when “everyone did as he saw fit” (Judges 17:6) without a king. Revelation includes a harsh condemnation (“I will vomit you out of my mouth”) of the church of Laodicea for being filthy rich, spoiled, and deplorably indifferent to everything (even if they didn’t know it). Laodicea etymologically means “the rights of the people” that may suggest an era of democracy where the church is dominated not by its religious leaders but by its people. This description also fits for the Israelites of Judges as well as a warning for the church of today. Judges 17 tells of Micah stealing, setting up silver idols in a shrine in his house (perhaps as some insurance against his mothers curse as mom had already dedicated this silver to the Lord) and ephod (remember what trouble Gideon and his family got into with their homemade ephod – the ephod held 12 stones as well as the Urim and Thummim, perhaps sticks, for determining the will of God by “casting lots,” with more than just “yes” and “no” replies), ordaining a son as a priest until hiring a Levite (Moses’ great-grandson, Jonathon), and expecting God to bless him even though each act violated commands found in the Mosaic Law – which Micah didn’t know. Micah thought the Levite at his door must be a sign of God’s favor – a common foolishness of those finding support for evil ways. Micah had created a syncretistic religion (one that teaches that all religions are different routes to the same goal) complete with self-supporting superstitious beliefs. The implication is that Israel needed a righteous leader to end such transgressions from ignorance. Micah became a corrupting influence for many generations. By the same token, the most serious hindrance to a Godly church is a Godless home – or, it is very difficult to sustain a clean government in a corrupt society of a corrupt government in a clean society.

Judges 18 adds to this ironic tragedy with an advance party from the Tribe of Dan obtaining the blessing from Micah’s priest (after running from the land God commanded them to conquer), stealing the shrine (to be later set up in a tribal worship center), plundering and killing, and making the Levite’s sons hereditary priests (who had abandoned his benefactor when a better deal came along). “What else do I have?” was the cry of the sincere idolater who had lost his idols and counterfeit priest. Much like Micah, the Danites don’t know and don’t care that their worship is in direct violation of OT Law. Similarly, many religious leaders today assert that the world will soon come under one World Church without denominations and where democracy and compromise will rule notwithstanding fulfilling end-time apostasy (of which most are unaware). In addition, the most rapidly growing religion in post-modern America and Europe is Wicca (with a doubling in size every 18 months to 30 months and an estimated size of 5-10 million by Phyllis Curott in her Book of Shadows), New Age mores based on Tibetan pagan Bon traditions brought with their form of Buddhism being increasingly inserted into Christian observances, education that gives the people what they want – high grades and little work, Christians making baloney like the DaVinci Code into a best seller, and the last presidential election being between two men who had both taken a secret blood oath to Satan and yet still applauded for their Christian convictions. There are, however, no natural, man-made, or spiritual laws for which ignorance is ever an acceptable defense (such as, “but officer, I didn’t know what the speed limit was”).

During the age of Judges (as today), the knowledge of God was slowly lost, being diluted by pagan concepts that found their way into the religious consciousness. One pagan posting states, for example, “To me, being a Pagan is basically believing whatever you want” and the first Wiccan Rede is, “Do whatever you wish.” Biblical theology contains no such poorly defined, wide-path, relativistic principles or consequences! Core to New Age beliefs is that of relativism – where only subjective experiences define truth. In contrast to the scientific method, the failure of some practice to achieve expected results is not considered as a failure of the underlying theory but only as a lack of knowledge about hidden extenuating circumstances. This is very different from Pluralism, which is only about tolerance for different views. Relativism is about believing all answers are equally correct – devastating to any honest search for logic and truth. In a pluralistic society, everyone has the fundamental right to be wrong, while in a relativistic society everyone has the right to be right, all the time. “Is one religion as good as another? Is one horse in the Derby as good as another?” (GK Chesterton)

The fact that Jesus performed miracles as an agent of God was beyond logical dispute. This brought a Pharisee named Nicodemus (described in Jewish writings as the son of Gorion, supposedly so rich that he could have supported all of Jerusalem for a decade) at night (which may suggest a timidity of faith or just a desire to speak privately – but not interested in being baptized as they were never done at night as per Wetstein, but this would not have been required for a circumcised Jew) to question Jesus (and later, he comes to aid in embalming His body in John 19:39). As one of the Sanhedrin (“ruler of the Jews”), Nicodemus was certainly part of the Jewish council that had investigated John the Baptist and thus had heard his testimony that he as not the Messiah but that the Messiah was present (1:26-27). Nicodemus says, “WE know you are a teacher from God” and Jesus replies that (again only obvious to readers of the King James) Jesus spoke not only to Nicodemus but to “you all” that he represented must be born again. The Sanhedrin had come to believe that the “King of Kings” would free Israel from occupation while elevating the council and Jesus showed no inclination to do either. Instead He called for repentance, EVEN of the Pharisees. Despite the concept of a spiritual rebirth having roots in the Old Testament, Nicodemus was surprised by such an idea. Jesus goes on to explain the awesome cost to God of making eternal life available to mankind.

The requirement to be “born of water and the Spirit” could mean 1) water baptism as in Acts 10:47, 2) water as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as in “born of water, even the Spirit”, 3) water as a symbol of the Word (with similar imagery in Eph 5:26 and Pet 1:23), 4) born of water referring to physical birth, 5) born of water referring to the baptism of John the Baptist, and 6) an OT imagery of water and wind for the work of God as per Isaiah 44:405 and Ezekiel 37:9-10 with wind being an alternative translation for Spirit. Jesus uses “the wind” in 3:8 to depict the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit as something with incomprehensible origin and yet of definitive existence. “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” Born again could also be translated as born from above, but Nicodemus clearly understood Jesus to be speaking of a second “born again” birth that contrasts being born of flesh. Jesus rebukes Nicodemus and others (clear with another KJV “thee”) for being teachers of Hebrew Scriptures and whose job it is to guide the blind to the light of truth for being so deplorably ignorant and unacquainted with the necessity and nature of a new birth. Furthermore, Jesus asks if Nicodemus cannot nderstand earthly things, how he could ever understand the kingdom of God. It was the common opinion of the time that Gentiles, as sort of “God’s trash,” were predestined to be destroyed in the days of the Messiah, but Christ teaches a contrary doctrine that God intends the salvation (and not the destruction) of the world. Even though Paul later writes that as Gentiles we should learn from their mistaken views in order to not separate the world into saved and unsaved, TULIP Calvinism seems to make a similar separation before time of sovereign elect and reprobate.

The lines that precede the best know verse in the Bible explain how just such a rebirthing process would begin. Before John 3:16 (in which “world” may include all creation as per Rom 8:19-22 and Col 1:20), are verses 14 and 15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” This is the first time eternal life is mentioned in John’s Gospel, but the message returns again and again. Why is Jesus equating His crucifixion with Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness? The story is found in Numbers 21:4-9: “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore, the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” In the story, the fiery serpents represent death, and their bite that pushed believers back to God represents the sting of death, for “the wages of sin is death…” and “the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law” (Rom. 6:23 and 1Cor. 15:56). Just as the Israelites only had to look at the bronze serpent to live, all that anyone must do today is look at the cross to live; and just as there were Israelites who may have continued to irrationally refuse to look at the bronze figure while many were clearly being saved around them, many continue to refuse to look at Jesus Christ on the cross. Nevertheless, all it takes to leave “the Way of the Red Sea” to start on “the Way which they call a sect” (Acts 24:14) is with one real and believing look (“he that believes is not condemned”). Christ lifted up (as also per 8:28 and 12:32-34) on the cross gives sin the opportunity in us to be recognized and the penalty taken away. The problem with WWJD bracelets is that the answer to what would Jesus do is that He would personally shoulder the full wrath of God’s hate for sin, which is not my job. Christ asks in Luke 14:27 that we bravely carry our own cross, not His. In other words, a better question is What Does Jesus Want (WDJW)?

The “only begotten son” (more often today, the “only forgotten son”) does not necessarily convey the idea of birth as Hebrews 11:17 refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only begotten” when he actually had two sons. While the father has many children through new birth, the Son of God has a unique glory and an unrivaled place of honor. While Jesus for came so that the world though Him might be saved, He will come again in judgment upon those who have turned away. Those who do not believe are “already condemned,” where condemnation refers to the reason for judgment. There are many excuses people give for refusing Christ (such as hypocrites in the church or supposed inconsistencies in scripture), but ultimately it is only because they don’t want to. While there is no suggestion of any change in Nicodemus at this time, we later find him publicly defending Christ when He was before the Sanhedrin.
Jim

========= John:

John 3 – Doctrine of Salvation
I read through all Bob’s commentary, and I have nothing to add.
I am glad Mike included the commentary on the “Doctrine of Salvation”
http://bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1519
I hope it is pretty clear that I believe in this Doctrine. None of my family and friends do, but I know what happened to me, and the results. My family does not even know what it is that they do not believe. All they know is it is different from the Roman Catholic Church we were all raised in from Birth. That is unacceptable to them.
I know there are people reading this site, who do not believe in the “Doctrine of Salvation”. I will implore you, like I do my family. Read the link provided here. At least know what it is you do not believe. Bob D. does a pretty good job of spelling it all out and providing some good commentary to the topic.
John

======= Vance:

John 3 (NKJV)
14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
NOTES:
Question: Are serpents (snakes) and dragons evil? I recall in a world religions class I took in seminary, and the question of the interpretation of whether dragons and serpents (snakes) came up. In many cultures the dragon is a being (whether real or imagined) which provides blessing and fortune.
Obviously, in God’s Word, dragons and serpents are associated with Satan. The difference in interpreting dragons and snakes can be a barrier to understanding and receiving the Gospel in the minds of unbelievers from other cultures.
However, I see something in John chapter where our Lord Jesus uses the serpent as an example of His Love and His Atoning death on the Cross. This is the only case I know of in the entire Bible where serpents are understood in a good way.
This is how I interpret this passage in John 3. Let us start with how Jesus Himself began to explain in verse 14:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up”.
Note the original event in the lives of the Israelites.
Numbers 21 (NKJV)
4
Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.
5
And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”
6
So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.
7
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”
9
So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Note these facts we can learn for ourselves from the Israelites:
1. There is nothing wrong in discouragement, itself.
2. However, the emotion of discouragement not handled properly can lead to sin. The people of Israel choose to allow discouragement to lodge deep within them so they consistently complained against God. Discouragement leading to murmuring is not just an “emotional issue” of relating to “not being fulfilled”. Rather, murmuring is a sin against God.
3. Their sin opened up the children of Israel to being bitten by snakes. When we consistently sin and do not repent, it opens us up to the destruction of the enemy.
4. God the Father used the very snakes that destroyed the people by PLACING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SNAKE ON THE POLE. This is a very important point. When the people looked at the REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SNAKE ON THE POLE established by God, they were healed.
In short, I see our Lord Jesus using a wonderful word picture of the following verses:
Galatians 3 (NKJV)
10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” [Deuteronomy 27:26]
13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” [Deuteronomy 21:23] ),
14
that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
JESUS CHOSE TO BE OUR REPRESENTATIVE. Also, Jesus chose to take on Himself all of Satan’s schemes, deceptions, and sin. Satan believed he was defeating God’s purposes when He used Judas and the religious leaders to kill Jesus on the Cross. However, when the Lord Jesus died, He took on the curse and all the sin Satan was. When Jesus died, He also died as our representative, so we would not have to die for our own sin.
We are redeemed from the curse because Jesus paid for it! God has joined us to His Son, the Lord Jesus in this way:
a.
When Jesus died, we died to our sin.
b.
When Jesus died, blood covenant was cut so we are forever bound to God.
c.
When Jesus rose, we rose with Him, as new creations, raised to a new life
d.
When Jesus ascended into the heavens next to the right hand of the Father, we were raised and seated with Him.
MAY WE USE OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY to pray out and live out God’s purposes on the earth. This is how many will see the glory of God in Jesus and in the Body of Christ.
Vance

======= John:

John 3:1-21
Man with a Searching Heart
Nicodemus did not have a heart like Nathaniel. Jesus did not reveal Himself directly here as He did with Nathaniel. Jesus did reveal some things to Nicademus as this man was searching Him out – coming out of the Darkness (night) into the Light (Jesus).
Nicodemus came paying respect. He alluded that more than just he (“we”) know you are a “teacher” from God. For a member of Sanhedrin to call another a “teacher” was a great sign of respect. The Pharisees believed that if one taught the things from God, and the people tried to obey, that that would please God.
NO! NO! NO!
Jesus cuts to the quick, to halt this belief in man’s efforts to please God through teaching of rules.
John 1:3
“In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” NIV
“I tell you the truth” or “Verily, Verily” in the KJV is the Greek word “amen”. It is the way every witness in a Jewish trial is to start off his testimony. Here is God Himself saying – “I TELL YOU THE TRUTH” – one should probably listen to what comes next.
What is next? No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. “Again” is Greek word – “anothen” which has three meanings:
-It means again to do it a second time;
-it also means to begin radically, completely, a new beginning;
-and it also means from above, and it is used in that sense in other places in Scripture.
It signifies God must do this. The Christian understanding of this word includes all three of those meanings. It is speaking of something radical, a new beginning. It is a second birth, but it comes from above. It is God that does it, not man; and it results in a new creation, a new beginning.
======================================================
Nicodemus wants Clarification
John 1:5
“Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
Again God is saying this is the Truth – and “born again” is equated with being born of water and the Spirit.
Many are confused – as I had been – about “born of water”. I have come to believe that being “born of water” is talking about Baptism, but not the act itself of baptism, but the attitude to which you come to baptism.
Remember John the Baptist? What was his cry to the people before they entered the Jordan. REPENT! REPENT! It does no good to go into baptismal waters without having repented. Acknowledging our sinful state, our unworthiness before God, and our inability to “fix” things with God.
You cannnot receive the Spirit without having first repented. It is having a repentant heart that is the key – not a baptism ceremony. Remember the thief on the cross – he had no baptism, yet he repented, believed, and asked to be with the Lord. That day he was with Christ in paradise.
With repentence God will make you alive in the Spirit. Your life will no longer be your own, like the wind goes as God pleases – so will you be led by God through the Spirit.
======================================================
John 3:1-21
Man with a Searching Heart (cont.)
Nicodemus does not get it – remember this is radically different than what the Pharisees have been teaching.
Jesus says – you should get it – it is in Scripture – how do you not know this concept of being born again?
Nicodemus supposedly knew Scripture. Jesus also knew that book. He knew that Isaiah had spoken about a new life from God; that Jeremiah had predicted a new creation that would be given; that Ezekiel had said that God would take out the old heart of stone and give a new heart of flesh. All through the Old Testament there are statements about a new birth, a new beginning, a new creation, a new life that would come as a gift of God to those who would humbly, without pride, receive it as something they desperately needed.
Eze 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” KJV
It is all there in the Scripture (OT) Nicodemus – you are a teacher and you do not get the connection????
======================================================
John 1:11
“I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.” NIV
Again – God is saying this is the TRUTH. so who is the “we” in Jesus statement. I believe it is the Scripture referred to previously and Christ Himself. God’s Word and the Word made flesh both testifying to the Truth.
When two witnesses agree in their testimony at a Jewish trial – it is considered valid testimony. How come you people do not see that I am speaking the Truth.
======================================================
John 1:18
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” NIV
So the rubber hits the road. If you are a non-believer in Jesus Christ – you are already condemned. You are living out a time on earth – where you have the opportunity to change the sentence of rejecting God.
“If you are traveling on a wrong road and every so often you see a signpost that points the way to the right road, but you persist and go by all those signposts, refusing to take the way back to the right road, then you remain wrong. That is God’s view of life.” – Ray Stedman
Why do we stay on the wrong road?
“This is a universal human reaction. We all dislike being shown to be wrong. I feel that way myself. I do not even want to be corrected in the way I pronounce a word. If you tell me that I have mispronounced a word, and prove from a dictionary that you are right, I will challenge the dictionary! We do not like to be shown to be wrong. This verse is saying that normal human reaction is part of our fallen character. That is why life is so hard to change. Nobody wants to change. Nobody wants to admit he is wrong.” – Ray Stedman
That is why God must draw us to Him. If He did not all of us would stay on the wrong road.
So if God is drawing you to Him what will you do? Where is your heart towards God? You must repent, belive in his name, and receive Jesus into your life.
Jesus translated “Jehovah is Salvation” – it is of God (period).
John

======== Alan:

So blessed to be in America all of my life. So grateful for our God of second chances. What an awesome country we have. God had to create it. The wife and I have seen some amazing places as we travel about the country. I’ve been so blessed by the One Year Bible online these past few year. Thanks for letting me share.
Alan

Judges 15:1-16:31 + John 2:1-25 + Psalm 103:1-22 + Proverbs 14:17-19
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Old Testament – Judges 15 today is quite a chapter!  Whew…  Samson is a whirlwind in this chapter… I know I probably should not chuckle about this – but a donkey’s jawbone??  Who would have ever thought this could be a lethal weapon.  Well, now we all know it can be indeed.

In Judges chapter 16 verse 3 we continue to see Samson’s strength – “But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the city gates with its two posts, and lifted them, bar and all, right out of the ground. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron.”

And then we get to the famous story of Samson & Delilah.  In verse 21 the Philistines finally overpower Samson by cutting his hair – a symbol of Samson’s relationship with God.

New Testament – John chapter 2 verse 11 is of note – “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus’ first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”  It is interesting that John refers to Jesus’ miracles as “signs.”  Signs seems to indicate the significance of Jesus’ actions, rather than the marvel.  What do you think Jesus’ miracles might have been “signs” of?  Below is “The Marriage of Cana” by the Florentine Italian painter Giusto de’ Menabuoi from the year 1378, and this fresco is located in the baptistry of the Cathedral in Padua:

Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion has a very interesting commentary on John chapter 2 verse 14 – “In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their counters.”  Tyndale answered the question of why there were merchants & money changers in the temple as follows:  “The temple tax had to be paid in local currency, so foreigners had to have their money changed.  But the moneychangers would often charge exorbitant exchange rates.  The people were also required to make sacrifices for sins.  Because of the long journey, many could not bring their own animals.  The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple than elsewhere.”  It is understandable why Jesus was upset with all of this.  Thank goodness we do not have this system still in place for us today – with moneychangers & merchants for tax & animal sacrifices…  thank you Jesus!  Below is a fresco of “The Money-Changers in the Temple” by the Italian artist Giotto from the year 1306:

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 2 titled “The First Sign: Jesus Turns Water into Wine” is at this link and commentary titled “The Cleansing of the Temple” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 103 is a great Psalm today! Each verse is a powerful reminder of God’s character and our relationship to God. Verse 8 definitely stands out today – “The LORD is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.” Do you believe that God is merciful and gracious?  Have you experienced God’s mercy? His grace?  Do you believe that God is slow to get angry?  When was the last time you experienced God’s unfailing love?  (think now… God loves you so much he’s given you beautiful life-giving oxygen to fill your lungs as you read this… praise God for the very air we breath!)

Today in Psalm 103 verses 11 & 12 we read these verses about God – “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” I think these verses are a wonderful look at what it means to be spiritually reborn and living in relationship with God. These verses are a glimpse of the true freedom that is found in relationship with God – freedom of living in God’s perfect love, and freedom from our slavery to sin. Do you believe that God’s love for you is as high as the heavens are above the earth? Do you believe that God has removed your sins (transgressions) from you as far as the east is from the west?  Do you thank God often for His love for you?  Do you thank Jesus often for saving you from the bondage of sin?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 14 verse 17 is convicting for me… wow… the Proverbs have been convicting me a bit more than I’m used to lately…  I do take this as an overall good thing!  It is good to get convicted by God’s Word.  Verse 17 – “Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated.”  No, it’s not the short-tempered piece that is convicting me, but that last piece – schemers are hated..  I don’t like to admit it, but I think on occasion I am a schemer.  I don’t mean to be… but I think sometimes it seems as if I am.  And when I am busted in a “scheme” – that I may not have really consciously thought was a scheme – there are some hurt feelings, anger and maybe even hatred toward me in that moment.  Wow… bummer.  I pray that I can move beyond being a schemer in every way.  Life is too short to scheme!  Don’t be like Mr. Burns!  🙂

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of We the Kingdom’s song “Holy Water:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfY7CGU8sck

Have you received God’s Holy Water? Click here for Forgiveness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “So Jesus made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:15-16 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that our churches would not be marketplaces, but places of prayer. Pray that our faith is pure, and not motivated at all by money or the market.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on our Proverb reflection today, how about you?  Are you ever a schemer?  Even if you don’t “mean to be one”, are you still sometimes?  Why do we scheme?  Who are we trying to fool with our “schemes”?  Ourselves?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Anka:

Samson was a man filled with passion yet he lacked restraint and he had no regard for anyone.He dumped his wife and burnt down fields when she wouldn’t accept him.His love for women blinded him spiritually;Delilah turned him in 3 times and he didn’t even question her motives for trying to find out his strength.In the temple he wanted revenge for his eyes,his prayers to me seem rather filled with vengeance other than repentance however his last request”let me die with them”got me thinking maybe he realised he was always going to fall into the same old traps and that maybe only in death could he glorify God.Only when we die to self can God be glorified.Samson in his death killed more enemies of God than when he was alive!So many times I try to understand the bible using my intelect and I fail to get it.I see my self arrive at wrong conclusions and assumptions then a thought came to me”my thoughts are not your thoughts”..I pray I not only read the bible for head knowledge but that I let the words of God go deep in my spirit and transform me…my prayer today is Lord teach me how to die because I really don’t know how to live for you unless you teach me,I really don’t know how to love you and others unless you show me…
God bless you all

Anka

======= Ramona:

====== Robert:

Dear Anka: I am glad the Samson story brought you some fruitful inner reflection

Hey Ramona: Judges 15:15; there is that donkey again.

A few movies out there about Samson. Even Cecil DeMille made one in 1949. I found a free good one on youtube made in 2019. Samson English Movie by Robo Ranger. Grab the kids, popcorn, all the Pepsi you can drink and make it a night.

Proverbs 14:17: Cambridge Dictionary: Schemer (Crafty Man): Someone who makes clever, secret plans, often to deceive others. He’s a schemer who always finds a way of getting what he wants.

The transformation of water into wine at the Wedding at Cana is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John 2:1-11.

Robert

====== Teriann:

Anka, you made a great point! You said, “maybe only in death could he glorify God.Only when we die to self can God be glorified.” When I read about Samson I am always left with more questions than answers, but this really gave me some insight into today’s passage and some food for thought as I head out for church, thanks!

Teriann

======= Dee:

I don’t know if I am necessarily a schemer but I have diarrhea of the mouth and what doesn’t need to be repeated does and for that I have got to do better. I have got to learn that I don’t have to be the one that tells all and definitely when things run like wild fire..that’s not good. So in turn that is my weakness..my crutch that I need to crucify and get healing daily.

Dee

======= Frederick:

About Jesus’ first miracle which turned water into wine in a wedding. I learned from a Christian friend that the first miracle of Jesus was done in a wedding. In Heaven as described in the Book of Revelation, the believers will have a wedding feast with Jesus. Also a wedding scenario.

Frederick

======= Lily:

A couple of things spoke to me while reading Judges 15:1-26:31
1. Temptation comes in a deceiptful form,such as Delilah’s deceipt of Samson for the secret of Samson’s strength.

2. Evil, Satan never gives up that is why we should always be on guard and ask God’s presence all the time. Samson finally gave the source of his stength since Delilah kept hounding him and accusing him of not loving her enough to trust her with Samson’s secret source of strength.

3.Vengeance is mine said the Lord. Revenge leads to a vicious circle of retaliation. Samson’s revenge on the Philistines came back to him until he finally lost his strength & captured.

4. God never abandons us if we call upon His help. In the last day of Samson, he repented and ask God’s help. God heard him.

Psalm 103:1-5 One of my favorite Psalm & prayer. I held this prayer in my heart when I had my recent surgery. God gave me a second chance in life and I thank Him for that. Everyday is a gift from God. I pray that I do not waste the day with out praising Him and enjoying His creations.

Lily

======== Mitch:

In today’s psalm, vs 12,”As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” How far is the east from the west really? It is an infinite amount, because if we set out travelling east we never arrive at a place called “the west”, we simply will keep travelling east. So is God’s forgiveness when we put our trust in his son Jesus – it is infinite. Thank you Lord.

Mitch

====== Susan:

Samson’s greatest undoing was the woman in his life! No wonder God told them not to mingle with or marry the people of Canaan .This reminds me to be careful of relationships I keep; making friend with people of the same belief, values and religion would be of great help.
The book of john was also very interesting today; Jesus can take care of any situation if we hand it over to him.
Bless the lord oh my soul and forget not his benefits! This psalm stood out for me, can we imagine all the benefits of being a Christian; God’s protection, provision, guidance, fellowship with God, joint heirs with Jesus, salvation, the hope of heaven, just to mention a few…..I am so glad I know HIM!

Susan

======== Michelle:

======= Jim:

Samson again acts on his own behalf (and not for his people) and begins a one-man 20-year vendetta after loosing his fiancée to another that starts with burning the corn fields of the Philistines with an army of blazing foxes. Threatened by war, the men of Judah turn Samson over to his enemies and he slaughters their entire army single-handedly. It may have been that Samson asks that the Israelites not attack him so that he would not feel obliged to retaliate and shed Jewish blood. The great Samson was repeatedly ruled by his anger and physical desires so that he was the only judge to fail to save his people. Samson saw himself as God’s servant, and yet saw no conflict in visiting a prostitute. This moral weakness help make him vulnerable when Samson is then intimate with another pagan woman, Delilah, who assisted in his capture by seducing him into giving her the secret of his strength. He was bound, his eyes put out, and imprisoned in a dungeon for the rest of his life. Samson was a user of women who met a woman who was a user of men. It is said that most men today give sex to get love and that most women give love to get sex. Delilah sold out Samson for 28 pounds of silver. The measure of a person, though, is not the price for betrayal but whether one is willing to betray at all. In the end, Samson’s only thought was of himself and paying “back the Philistines for the loss of my eyes” rather than the glory of the God he claimed to serve.

Jewish law required a father and mother to bring a stubborn and rebellious son to the town elders at the gate to be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), although it was never done and may have only been told to encourage children to behave. What did Jesus say about such children? He said, “They worship me in vain” (Matthew 15:9a). He makes not only a connection between a long physical life and obedience, but a long spiritual life as well. But where does this obedience begin: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.” And, Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” Thus, parents are to model God’s commandments and thus impress them on their children without going overboard and embittering them. Parents may have been required to bring their children to the town elders in order that their parenting would also be on trail. Thus, parents are to be a check on each other. There are many external forces for self-control (police, employer, community) as well as internal motivation (fear of God), but too often today we scoff at their importance.

This story also exemplifies what happens when a person decides to take revenge: conflict escalates and more and more damage is done. Our first reaction when we are wronged is to get even. Revenge and jealousy are powerful emotions. James could have been talking about Samson when he wrote, “You lust and do not have; so you commit murder.” Isaiah says that Satan had such pride that he sought to usurp the very throne of God. Peter, in line with Christ’s teaching to turn the other cheek in Matthew 5:29, though, encourages us to pay back wrongs by praying for an offender. “If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward you.” (Proverbs 25: 21-22) We read a while back in Luke 9:54-56, “When James and John heard about it, they said to Jesus, ‘Lord, should we order down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” And some texts have Jesus adding, “You don’t realize what your hearts are like. For the Son of Man has not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
Communism is based on the idea that if the evil system (specifically capitalism) is removed, then a perfect socialist man will emerge (as suggested by all other religions) – but such a person has never emerged, while democracy is based on the idea that no person (aka original sin) is safe without good checks and balances (that morality is in the community or culture, and not the individual). We each individually as well as a nation collectively (where our leaders must put the people first – unlike Samson) will fail in our destiny in the service of God without strong and godly allies. As for dating, we are reminded of the trap of being excited by another’s physically appearance rather than their character. This story also reminds us as parents that we can do our best and do everything “right” in raising our “miracle” children and still see them (despite even being given the Spirit of God as per v. 25) make wrong choices. In the end, of course, each person is responsible to God – no one makes it to heaven simply by having the right parents or the right education.

The miracles of Jesus are called “signs” by John in order to highlight the implication of the miracles (so that people might believe in Him and be saved) rather than the miracles themselves. The hour for revealing Himself as Messiah had not come by the time of the wedding feast and yet He is won over (it is assumed that His mother had never seen her son work a miracle and yet had formed a adequate idea of His power and goodness). Likewise, to have Christ join any marriage (and joy – wine is a symbol of joy, when the dry external ceremonies are not enough), He must be invited with prayer and petition while doing as He pleases. It is often suggested that this was not alcoholic wine as the term was used to refer to any grape drink. The beginning of Moses miracles was turning water into blood and the start of Christ’s was turning water into wine and this may suggest to us the difference between the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ.

His first public work that Jesus takes on as He went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (this was the first after His baptism, the second is in Luke 6:1, the third is in John 6:4, and the fourth and last is in John 11:55) was forcing the covetous priests and rules from the temple. Jesus was instead jealous for the holiness of God’s house (as fulfillment of the prophecy, “passion for God’s house burns within me”) and insists on a different priority for the temple. Jesus’ zeal consumes Him (just as the disciples recall Psalm 69:9) by bringing about His death for the world. Some believe that the differences in the stories of cleansing the temple (see Matt 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-16, and Luke 19:45-46) suggest there may have been two cleansings (with the second three years later being one of the direct causes of His death as per Mark 11:15-18). Malachi predicted that one would come to the temple to purify the religion of the nation (Mal 3:1-3). The first time, Jesus started a small stampede of the sheep and cattle and overturned the tables – the second time, Jesus’ attack was sharper and He called the temple area a “den of thieves” (Luke 19:46 as per Jer 7:11). With money to be made (and a high percentage was charged for changing coins), worship easily became corrupted. Today, while insisting that money and numeric attendance are not the church’s prime goals, Sunday’s revenue and turnout is frequently a church’s only reported measure of success.

Israel was ignorant of its own Messiah as John the Baptist said (1:26), “There stands One among you whom you do not know.” Thus, the Jews demanded some proof for His right to challenge the existing order (“Jews demand miraculous sings,” 1 Cor 1:22), but instead Christ foretells of His resurrection by His own power. As with His parables in the Synoptics, one purpose clearly seems to puzzle the hearers who opposed Him (in order that they ponder and hopefully perceive its significance). The cryptic statement “in three days I will raise it up” is explained in verse 21, “Jesus meant his body” which the disciples again remember after it occurs. A prophetic word is often understood only in retrospect. The Wedding scene reminds us that Israel will one day be wed to its God and at that time the wine of joy will run freely. In the mean time, we are warned of dead faith as empty professors are not to be trusted. While we only know what men do, Christ (who was called the “Searcher of hearts”) knows what is in them. Discernment is thusly not the execution of growing Christian maturity but the plagiarism of Godly insight. It is a responsibility of each Christian to provide an assurance of salvation for new believers, which should be based on both what we know as well as the insight and witness of Jesus Christ obtained through prayer.
Jim

======= John:

John 2
Random thoughts
Water into wine:
Bob talks about the distancing of Mary’s role from Jesus and the bountiful nature of God’s works.
-Mary was Jesus’s mother. Here he addresses her as “woman”. Not a derogatory term, but one clearly meant along with his question to her – to distance their relationship. His ministry had started and was to be on God’s timetable. To her credit, Mary backs off and leaves the initiative to Christ.
– The jars were not just filled, but filled to the “brim”. Jesus’ work produced 120 – 180 gallons of wine. Now that is bountiful.
Clears the Temple:
The money changers and sellers of spotless animals to sacrifice were connected (related) for the most part to the Temple priests. The priests got their cut. (I have to go back through a lot of notes to find the source on this). This probably added to the fury of Christ.
I often wondered why Bethlehem? Why was Jesus born there? Yes, I know it was in prophecy, but why that town? Besides the fact that Bethlehem means “House Of Bread” and Jesus was the “Bread of Life”, it was also David’s home area. Jesus is from the Line of David. In addition the water and grass were so good there and it is only seven miles from Jerusalem, that the spotless lambs that were sold in the Temple were raised there and taken to Jerusalem for sacrifice.
So is it ironic – or just a neat piece of the puzzle – that Christ who was the “Lamb of God” (the final sacrificial lamb) was born in the same town where all the other sacrificial lambs were raised?
Edersheim in The Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, in Book 2, Chapter 6
http://www.bible-truth.org/BirthPlaceofJesus.html
“Zeal for your house will consume me.”
It is often commented that this pertains to how Christ felt, and I believe this is true.
In addition, I also think you can look at it as the “zeal” the temple priests had for the temple – the law, the money made from the courtyards, their way of life revolving around the temple – kept them from seeing Christ as the Messiah. In the end, this “blindness” (zeal) would end in Christ’s crucifixion, and even though he was consumed (destroyed, killed)the glory is HE rose from the dead. (Perhaps a stretch, and it is my own thought.)
Lastly,
“many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.”
Why were these people not saved? They “believed in his name”. Yes, they believed with respect to his name – Jesus Christ – the messiah. Perhaps with head knowledge or emotion, but the criteria to be a Child of God (John 1:12-13)is to not only “believe in his name” – but to RECEIVE Him. Jesus knew what was in a man, and He knew they had not received Him.
John

======= Jan:

It all boils down to this…if you love ME, you will will obey Me & all else falls in line…the blessing instead of the curse. Although, with Job…he was a very righteous man tried & tested by the Lord to refine Job as pure gold, which will happen to all of us if we are true sons & daughters.
Jan

======= Tammy:

I am normally very slow to anger, but my husband and I are “trying” each other lately and I find myself getting angry over small things, then scheming in my mind. Ephesians 4:31 tells us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Last night I had to pray this verse before I slept and again today I will keep it and this Proverb in my heart. I won’t let the evil one control my mind, I will remember Jesus who gives me life to drive the thoughts away. A friend of mine said that scripture and evil thoughts couldn’t occupy her mind at the same time, there wasn’t enough room for both! A great reason to be in the word!
Tammy

======= John:

Judges 15-16
Samson lived a life all about him. He saw what he wanted, did what he wanted, and because He could( by God’s gift of power)- Samson thought it was his right to do as he pleased.
Samson seemed to think when he had his vengence, it was settled – finished. But the same rights Samson (wrongfully) thought he had – the Philistines also thought they had regarding Samson. The cycle of “the need for revenge” was never ended.
As Christians we are to forgive and let God settles the score. Although we are to forgive – it is not wrong to want justice – just let God handle the situation. There is never a hint of forgiveness in Samson – just as there was none in the Philistines.
======================================================
Samson finally recognizes God
Judges 15:18
“Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” NIV
Finally, Samson acknowledges God – that God gave him the victory. He lapses into an accusing state in the next words, but it is a start.
Samson judged (led) for twenty years. God allowed this hollow man, who was starting to change, to rule for twenty years – I believe – to keep the Philistines off the Israelites’ backs.
======================================================
Samson and Delilah
Like Israel though – Samson was still plagued by the “pleasure” of his eyes, and was in empty relationships. Just like Israel.
Bad choices, bad women, bad times. Samson was shallow and it was not his hair that gave him strength. His strength left him because the Lord left him.
So why is Samson listed in the Hall of fame of Faith in Hebrews?
I think the answer is in his prayer to the Lord at the end of Chapter 16.
Yes, he wanted revenge. Perhaps though for the first time it was not just for him, but for the mocking of the God of Israel.
Samson used the word “please” – perhaps in his degraded state Samson was now more humble and contrite before the Lord.
Samson asked for himself to die. Samson had never thought about death before – he considered himself invincible. Samson offerd the Lord his own life. Perhaps he is thinking he is no more worthy to live than the Philistines that are mocking the God of Israel.
I think Anka has it right – just like Samson had to die – we have to recognize our pitiful unworthy state and die to our previous lives and be regenerated in a new life through Jesus Christ.
Samson had served his purpose for twenty years of keeping the Philistines at bay from Israel through his strength and power (given by God). Now in a humble and contrite postion with the right heart – he had finally come to the Lord. God used Samson for judgment on those Philistines, and took Samson to be with Him.
God knew his heart – what is your heart like towards the Lord??????????
John

====== Linda:

Wow, this day is packed with interesting stories. Thanks for all the famous pictures you add. They are a nice touch. It helps me learn the names of famous artists that glorified God with their talent.
Linda

======== Alice:

I love the picture of the donkey’s jawbone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alice

======= Jane:

Psslms 103 yes our God is s merciful God although if we keep
On deliberately sinning there will be no sacrifice left for sin (Hebrews 10:26). And every knee will bow and each person will give account of everything. That’s why it’s best to
Daily confess our sins. We want to come blameless before our Lord.
Jane

Judges 13:1-14:20 + John 1:29-51 + Psalm 102:1-28 + Proverbs 14:15-16
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we begin reading four chapters about Samson, the last of the judges.  You’ll notice that the author of Judges often compares the story of Samson’s birth and life with the story of Israel.  Samson was a Nazirite, which meant he could drink no alcohol, could not cut his hair, and could have no contact with the dead.  I found it interesting that Samson’s mother was commanded by the angel in Judges 13 today to not drink any alcohol during her pregnancy.  Obviously this is important for health reasons, but also it seems it is important because Samson was a Nazirite – whose life began in his mother’s womb.

Judges chapter 13 verses 19 & 20 are awesome to consider – “Then Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered it on a rock as a sacrifice to the LORD. And as Manoah and his wife watched, the LORD did an amazing thing. As the flames from the altar shot up toward the sky, the angel of the LORD ascended in the fire. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell with their faces to the ground.”

Interesting story today about Samson & the lion!  Pretty gross that he ate the honey made in the lion’s carcass on the way to his wedding!  🙂   You’ll note in our readings of Samson that he is drawn to Philistine women, which was against God’s law and the Philistine’s were Israel’s enemies then.  Hence, his parents did not approve of the marriage early in chapter 14.  Okay – back to the lion, and verses 5 & 6 – “As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the LORD powerfully took control of him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it.”

New Testament – I absolutely love John chapter 1 verse 29 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  Do you believe Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?

Verses 45 & 46 I find so truthful, along with Nathanael’s reply being amusing – but mostly Nathanael’s reply demonstrates how very humble of a background Jesus came from – “Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from there?”  Are we ever like Nathanael – having preconceived notions about places or things or maybe even Jesus?  Can we leave our preconceived notions about things behind us and move forward in the spirit of truth, particularly when it comes to Jesus and who He is?

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 1 titled “The Witness of John” is at this link and commentary titled “The First Disciples” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 102 is a great reminder to us on the importance to pray. To bring our troubles to the Lord. Psalm 102 can also definitely be a comfort for us during a time of sorrow.  I love the reminder about God in verse 27 (which Hebrews also reminded us of today in the verses above…) – “But you are always the same; your years never end.” God does not change.  He is perfectly consistent.  We are oftentimes inconsistent.  But, our inconsistencies do not change God’s consistency.  He is always the same – yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.  God is the one sure thing in life that you can count on – forever.

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 14 verse 16 is a bit convicting for me – “The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence.”  As I look at my life I think that I often plunge ahead with great confidence…  and recently I was called out on this – wisely I think.  I do see the wisdom of being cautious and avoiding danger.  But, I also think that we shouldn’t avoid some risks of failure – particularly when it comes to God’s Kingdom work…  but…  I do see that it is foolish to plunge ahead only with great confidence.  We should only move forward with God. In addition to being convicted by this verse, I also found myself singing some Elvis when closing my Bible today…  “Wise men say, only fools rush in….”  🙂

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the song “Way Maker:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kBvpS3z9Qo

Do you know our Way Maker God? Click here to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus has taken away your sins through your faith in his life, death on the cross for your sins, and his resurrection. Pray that you have repented from your sins and have left them at the Cross.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on this Proverb reflection today, how about you?  Are you cautious and do you avoid danger?  (maybe too cautious sometimes?)  Or, do you plunge ahead with great confidence?  With too much confidence?  Is this foolish?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 13:1-14:20

In verses three through five in the 13th chapter of Judges it seems, Mike, in my understanding of the text in the NLT, and I went to other translations also, except in the Message translation, Manoah’s wife is told before she is to become pregnant that she is to either cease from consuming unclean food, or not eat any at all, as well as eating/drinking fruit from the vine. Reading this brought to mind the words spoken to Jeremiah in the first chapter,

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 KJVR)

The implication here is that conception begins in the mind of God and not at the moment of conception. That is way DEEP!

In also reading about Samson, I wonder if his family rehearsed within his hearing the calling upon his life? Did they tell him of the circumstances of his birth; and if they did, did he think they were just some crazy nuts who gave birth to him in their old age? The fact that he killed the lion, ate the honey out of the carcass of a lion, and didn’t tell them may mean that had warned him, told him about the laws governing his life.

I’m wondering if Samson was a little arrogant and impressed with his own “press” because of his strength. Did he not understand that who he was and what he was able to do came from God? Did he think he was “all that?” When he turned in to see the state of the lion, while going to his wedding, was it to see his handiwork. Knowing that human nature and our tendencies to “dance” at the goal line when we make a big score is not a new phenomena, leads me to think Samson was not very humble, like Moses. Which begs the question, Am I like Samson?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Robert:

Yes Ramona, I think we have a little of Samson in all of us.

Judges 13 – 14
Samson

In the Samson story my NIV commentary asks the reflective question about what might people say of me, “Oh, what I might have been!” Or “I made the best of my abilities?” I have to look to God in those times and realize that He has used my life for good. Great lesson and I can thankfully and continually appreciate the relationship I have with God.

John 1: 39
Time for a Retreat.

“…So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.” I just love this verse. Here Jesus gives us an invitation to spend the day with him. Sometimes I need to satisfy that curiosity myself. I can ask where do I fit Jesus into my life, where will I find him, do I honesty belong? Hopefully that will generate the same response we see in the disciples. Enthusiasm, energy, passion, ideas, motivation and hope in telling others.

Psalm 102: 18

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.”
The Psalm gets personal here. It gives me the reassurance that God was thinking about me when He gave us these wonderful words. I can use them in my life as I join in the Epic journey and praise Him.

Robert

====== Luch:

======= Jim:

We’ve already read about Israel’s increasing apostasy (the slow abandonment of faith) that led to attacks from both the Ammonites and the Philistines, then another Ammonite oppression, and now a second Philistine oppression in the south (so long and great this time as to even threaten the very existence of Israel as a separate people) with the story of Samson closing the chapter in history of Israel during the period of the judges. When we think of Samson, we think of physical strength and spiritual weakness (despite a godly rearing). One of his first blunders was to crave a woman from an enemy nation (Philistine) against the advice of his parents (parental permission sounds ludicrous today, huh?). Tricked, a furious Samson ends up leaving the marriage feast on a 23-mile journey to obtain the clothing through murder to pay off his foolish wager. Samson’s angry departure surely confused his bride’s parents who marry her off to another. Samson’s story is one of self-indulgence and poor choices for companionship. Samson’s casual attitudes towards spiritual things was again demonstrated by his casual scooping of honey from the lion carcass when all Nararites were forbidden to even “go near” a dead body (Num. 6:6).

The Daily Bible Study explains that Nazarite (pronounced naw-zeer, meaning separated or consecrated) was used to indicate someone who was separated from the general population and consecrated to God. Although Samson is the first Nazirite specifically mentioned in the Bible, there are general references made at the time of Moses. The Nazirite vow included no products of grape, uncut hair (after shaving it all off), and no contact with the dead “until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord.” While Samson died still living his vow (as did John the Baptist), most cases were usually only for 1-3 months (as Paul does in Acts 18:18 and 21:22-26). A Nazirene, though, should not be confused with a Nazarene, which was a sect of Jews practicing a Messianic form of Karaite Judaism as given in the Torah (Paul is referred as a ringleader of the Nazarene Jews in Acts 24:5). Some believe that all the first Apostles and Christ had already taken the Nazirite vow (and that Paul was taking it later after becoming an Apostle) as well as did all male followers of the time. Mike comments that Samson as a Nazirite could not cut his hair and this could also explain why Christ and his peers are likewise commonly depicted as having long hair while the normal Jew was (before and after) commanded to keep short hair (as per Ezekiel 44:20 and I Corinthians 11:14).

“The angel of the Lord” here is yet again a divine self-manifestation of God that speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and claims to exercise the prerogatives of God (see 16:7-14; 21:17-21; 22:11-18; 31:11, 13; Ex. 3:2; Judg. 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-24; 13:3-22; 2 Sam. 24:16; Zech. 1:12; 3:1; 12:8). The angel of the Lord first appears in Genesis 16:7. If this was actually God, why is He called an angel (root meaning of messenger)? Many OT passages state that this angel is God (for example, Hagar in Gen 16:13 and Jacob in Gen 48:15-16) and in Exodus 3:2-6, the phrase “the angel of the Lord” is used interchangeably with “the Lord,” which claims outright, “I am the God of your father…” The real clincher, though, is Exodus 23:20-23 when the Israelites were warned to obey his angel “since my Name is in him.” This angel has the power to give life (Gen 16:10), to see and know all (Gen 16:13; Ex 3:7), forgive sin (Ex 23:21), and perform miracles such as keeping a burning bush from being consumed (Ex 3:2), smiting Egypt with plagues (Ex 3:20), calling forth fire on rock to consume the meal set for Him (Judges 6:21), and now ascending the flame of the alter (Judg 13:20). Jewish literature says the fight with Jacob was with an angel of Esau named Samael (who is today worshiped by many Gnostics as a misguided “blind god” in Satanic fashion as a professed enemy of Yahweh), others, like Jerome, suggest it was only an episode of earnest prayer, some today suggest it only a classic myth of gods fighting heroes, although Hosea 12:4 clearly describes the antagonist as an angel. The final support for all of this being the pre-incarnate appearance of the second person of the Trinity is that the Angel of the Lord ceases to appear after the incarnation.

John’s Gospel gives us the Names that prove Christ is the Messiah. Yesterday, we read that He is the Word, the Light, the Son of God, and the Christ. Today, we read that He is also the Lamb of God, King of Israel, and the Son of Man. The title of Son of Man comes from Daniel 7:13-14 and every Jew knew it described God. Christ also alludes to “Jacobs ladder” from Genesis 28:10-17 as He is God’s ladder between earth and heaven, revealing God to men and taking men to God. When he says in 1:35 “two of his disciples” he is likely referring to Andrew (as per 1:40) and to himself since he painstakingly endeavors to conceal his own name. And they heard Him and understood their master’s meaning to follow. While it was suggested by Proverbs today to be cautious, delays can also be dangerous and, in this case, even fatal. If you would wish to also follow Jesus, you will not find him amongst worldly affairs or pleasures, but in His temple, treasures of wisdom and knowledge enriching others, wherever two or three are gathered in His name, and in the humble spirit.

When Nathanael asks if any good thing could come from Nazareth, he is likely implying that he expected to hear Bethlehem to be the birth-place of the messiah. Philip says to come and see. While so many suggest that a Christian faith is a blind faith, no history has ever published so many external (as well as internal) proofs of authenticity as the “good book” has. John took every opportunity that offered to lead people to Christ. The strongest and most prevailing argument with an awakened soul to follow Christ, is, that it is he only who takes away sin. Nathanael represented the godly Israelite who responded at the very first evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Observe the objection Nathanael made. All who desire to profit by the word of God, must beware of prejudices against places, or denominations of men. The best way to remove false notions of religion, is to make trial of it. “Only simpletons believe everything they are told!”

Messiah is the Hebrew that in Greek is translated as Christ, both meaning the Anointed One. In the OT, three people were anointed, the prophet, priest, and king while Jesus is the fulfillment of all three. Note that the Passover “Lamb of God,” (Ex 12:3) is combined with the scapegoat of the Day of Atonement (Lev 5:16) bearing Israel’s sin typologically—a reference to universal atonement. While John was superseded by Jesus (“He was before me”), why did John say he did not know Him as Mary and Elizabeth were relatives (Luke 1:36)? While nothing is known concerning any childhood contacts, John did not know Jesus was the coming One until He was revealed by the Father. John had been told by God that the sign of the dove would mark the person as the One who would baptize by that same Holy Spirit. Cleansing by water is one thing, but the cleansing produced by the Spirit is of another whole order. 50 days after Passover at Pentecost (the only Jewish holiday on a Sunday), the baptism with the Holy Spirit birthed the church age.

What is meant in the last line of angles ascending and descending on the Son of Man? It is obvious (only to those reading the King James Version with its he and ye) that Jesus is changing his audience from just Nathanael to at least the whole group of four disciples. John is probably making more than just reference to Jesus as the stairway to heaven from Genesis 28:12 since he says “you shall see heaven open,” suggesting the descent of the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism as well as the divine presence in the upcoming miracles of Christ (to which they each responded with commitment). John will pick up this theme again in 14:12 when he indicates that the presence of the Spirit in the believer will make him or her into even more of a window into heaven.

Two features of the millennial kingdom stand out in Psalms 102: that Jerusalem will be restored and that the entire world will worship the Lord. Though we are frail, in pain, lonely, tired, and rejected, yet Jesus lives, and thus all is secure, for he hath said, Because I live ye shall live also.
Jim

======= John:

John 1
Nathaniel and Thomas
Bookends in the Gospel of John
Both doubters – Christ revealed himself to both.
One through the mind, the other through His resurrected body.
Both declared Christ’s deity.
The apostles did great things, but perhaps the key to our doing greater things is that we Believe first, then we see the Hand of God in our lives, as he works through us to His glory.
John

======= Jan:

I understand that everything that happens to us then & now is first sifted though His hands…sometime I forget that He is in control at all times & when I do remember it…it is very comforting even though it may be painful…the big word is TRUST in the good times & the bad!!!
Jan

======= Vance:

Note this about Samson from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
“(3) He also prayed, and Yahweh answered him, though in judgment (Judges 16:30).
But he was prodigal of his strength. Samson had spiritual power and performed feats which an ordinary man would hardly perform.
But he was unconscious of his high vocation. In a moment of weakness he yielded to Delilah and divulged the secret of his strength. He was careless of his personal endowment.
He did not realize that physical endowments no less than spiritual are gifts from God, and that to retain them we must be obedient.
(4) He was passionate and therefore weak. The animal of his nature was never curbed, but rather ran unchained and free. He was given to sudden fury.
Samson was a wild, self-willed man. Passion ruled. He could not resist the blandishments of women. In short, he was an overgrown schoolboy, without self-mastery.”
NOTE:
Yet, with all of this, it is an amazing testament to God’s grace these two (2) facts:
FACT 1. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Samson’s parents, to confirm God’s covenant with His unfaithful people
Judges 13 (NKJV)
2
Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children.
3
And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.
21
When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD.
22
And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God!”
Note that the New King James Version (as well as the Amplified Bible and other versions) calls this angel the “Angel of the Lord” with a capital “A”. This means that this “Angel” was in fact God. This means that many scholars feel this is the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus before He came to earth as Savior. For only one being in history has ever appeared as man and God at the same time.
Jesus is, and has always been, the One through Whom God has established His promises and His covenant.
2 Corinthians 1 (NKJV)
20
For all of the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
FACT 2: Note this quote from the above commentary on Samson: “In short, he was an overgrown schoolboy, without self-mastery.”
Even with Samson’s issues of spiritual and moral immaturity, God still placed Samson in the list of one of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
Is not it amazing that the living God is willing to take a chance on you and I—fickle human beings redeemed by the Lord Jesus—so He could accomplish His will on the earth so other fickle humans can see and experience God’s grace for themselves?
Psalm 31 (NIV)
19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 31 (NKJV)
19
Oh, how great is Your goodness, You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!
Vance

======= Jennifer:

OT
lol found Samsons story so interesting forgot to stop reading
NT
I love that verse too John1:29
yes Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world thank you Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us.
i dont think there are many times when He is described as the son of Joseph. I learnt the other day that Jesus’ favourite nickname for Himself was Son of God
Psalms
God is the one thing in life that I can count on forever. that is awesome!!
Proverbs
great song by elvis and very true what he said
Jennifer

======= John:

John 1:35-51
Disciples
A person hears something about Jesus and decides to seek him out – find out more about Him. the invitation from Christ is the same as with Andrew and the other man.
‘Come, and you will see.’
A person is being drawn by God, and will eventually be given the opportunity by Christ the same as Philip.
“Follow me”
In both cases it is Come and learn – the question is what will YOU do with that opportunity – if an unbeliever will you read through John and become a believer – if a believer will you learn enough from God’s Word to desire to become a true disciple of Christ?????
I find it interesting that Christ has no problem revealing himself to people with the right heart. It is true with Nathaniel, and will be true throughout this gospel. Do you have the right heart?????
Remember, these men were nothing special. You do not have to change your life to discover Jesus – the invitation is to come as you are – in all your sins. Once you become a “beleiver” God will deal with and manage your transformation.
======================================================
Nathaniel and Thomas
Bookends in the Gospel of John
Both doubters – Christ revealed himself to both.
One through the mind, the other through His resurrected body.
Both declared Christ’s deity.
The apostles did great things, but perhaps the key to our doing greater things is that we Believe first, then we see the Hand of God in our lives, as he works through us to His glory.
======================================================
Ladder Reference
I struggled with this until I read Ray Stedman’s explanation.
“Jesus said to Nathanael, “You are going to understand that dream when you learn of me. You will learn that I am the way to God for man, and the way for God to reach man. I am the link, the mediator, who spans the gulf between God and man.” – Ray Stedman
John

======= Rita:

I was tracking with you until you made the Elvis comment… Just kidding! But thanks for the laugh!
Seriously the reading today was great… I’ve just returned from a week long ministry training-retreat. I am still trying to process all that God has shown me and spoken into my life over the last week it was intense to say the least! Before I plunge into work/ministry……God’s beens speaking to me about making rash promises and or comittments. Guiding me to “count the cost”. Today’s proverb reinforces that for me…
Thanks for you faithfulness… asking God to bless you big time!
Rita

======= Mae:

My favorite today (everybody’s favorite today???) John 1:29 “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” ~ Yes!!! Jesus is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! We have this song in church that’s called “Jesus, Lamb of God”. I love that song! I think you all know that song, right? Oh hold on … come to think of it, I think the name of the song is “All in All”.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the Treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking you as a precious Jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Taking my sin, my cross my shame
Rising again, I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry you fill my cup
You are my all in all
I am very cautious, I try to avoid danger. I have been a ‘fool’ (talking in Elvis’ language lol) many many many times in the pastand I want to make lots of those wrongs right. That’s what I love most about Proverbs, it talks about wise men and the foolish. It’s very black & white, that’s how I understand it best. That’s how I can learn how I want it and how I don’t. I do have great confidence in God and in myself, I know what I want and what I don’t want. I have accomlished a lot with God’s help. But besides all the confidence I have, I still am cautious. I trust the Lord … and I trust that He gave me a good set of brains, so I can make my own decisions, without being a fool!
Mae

======= Terriann:

Today we read about Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel coming to Jesus. Much is said about these guys and their lack of faith and understanding but here at least they got it right. They left everything to follow Jesus and they didn’t have the benefit of the New Testament all written out for them like we have! I am pretty impressed by this act of faith.
Ps. 102 reminded me of some good advice I received from a pastor many years ago. That is when you find yourself over your head and starting to drift, go back to what you know for sure and proceed from there. That is just what the psalmist did when he was in a desperate situation and desperate for answers. He said, “But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever.” I have been there, where I don’t know which end is up. It is times like that when all I can do is say, “Jesus loves me this I know…” There is solid ground in this kind of knowledge.
Terriann

======= Lily:

Sometimes(or maybe most of the time) we tend to rely on our strength (like Samson) or so confident of our capabilities without realizing that everything is from God.
Jesus called His disciples from ordinary people who dropped everything and follow Him. Often it is hard to leave our comfort zone to follow Jesus and His teachings.
Psalm 102 is a great prayer for us when we find ourselves in trouble. God is always and will always be there for us if we call upon Him (through prayer). Although not all my prayers are answered, I feel assured that God has His time and reasons for unanswered prayers. Mind you, He has answered a lot of my prayers. Praise God.
Lily

======= James:

YES! YES! When John saw Him and said “Look Lamb of God who take away the sin of the world John 1:29. BELIEVE THIS VERSE!
James

======= Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
I read in “A Prayer of the Afflicted: A Study of Psalm 102
BY JASON JACKSON”, in Christian Courier.
really encourages me, share some points that Jackson wrote (all verses from NLT):
*God is above time and its inherent problems (12).
12 But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
*God is a being of mercy and pity (13).
13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem —
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.”
*God is trustworthy; therefore, he will fulfill his promises (14-16).
14 For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15 Then the nations will tremble before the Lord.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.
*God hears our prayers, cares when we hurt, and will act on behalf of his people (17, 19, 20).
17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.
19 Tell them the Lord looked down
from his heavenly sanctuary.
He looked down to earth from heaven
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.
*God can encourage later generations through the help he gives his people today. (18)
18 Let this be recorded for future generations,
so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
*When God renders help, men will praise and serve him (21-22).
21 And so the Lord’s fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,
22 when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the Lord.
*God is the Creator (25)
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
*God is eternal, and he is not subject to the vicissitudes of life (26-27).
26 They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
27 But you are always the same;
you will live forever.
Praise God,
Joyce

======= Patsy:

Mike I’ve been with you since you started this wonderful ministry. I’ll continue to stay with you as you continue. Your daily blog is a blessing and I learn so much from it. Thank youy.
Patsy

======= Dee:

I agree with Patsy, I have been with you since just about the very beginning. I adore this ministry and love the blog and added commentary about the story. It helps with comprehension and allows u to chew on it a little bit. Love it
Dee

Judges 11:1-12:15 + John 1:1-28 + Psalm 101:1-8 + Proverbs 14:13-14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we read about Jephthah and his daughter – and the related vow.  It is interesting to note that some Biblical scholars do not think that Jepthah actually killed his daughter, but that she simply died a virgin, as verse 38 says.  However… verse 38 also says he kept his vow. Keep in mind that oftentimes the Bible reports “just the facts,” which does not necessarily mean the “facts” or actions of what us humans did was pleasing in God’s sight.  Human sacrifice was not part of God’s laws or plans.  It is clearly forbidden in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 1-5 and in Leviticus chapter 18:21 – ” ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.”

New Testament – I am so excited that we are starting the Gospel of John today!! I won’t necessarily say that it is my favorite Gospel – because all 4 are amazing. But, I will say that John is different from the other 3. If by chance you felt like reading Luke these past few weeks has gotten repetitive when compared to Matthew and Mark, hang in there! John is different. Beautifully different. John Chapter 15 is definitely one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I cannot wait to read it again! I actually have a powerful personal story to share with you all about John Chapter 15. I’ll do so either in a future email or on the blog when we get to this chapter.

I have a feeling there are probably a few folks who have dropped off the One Year Bible readings over this past few months. I’d like to invite you to jump back in and join us now as we’re beginning John and will soon be starting Ruth. These are 2 great books for you to start back up with us again!

One thing I’ll recommend to everyone, if you have a chance this next week, is to watch the movie “The Gospel of John”. Have you seen it? It is incredibly well done. It was released in theaters on a limited basis a few years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have caught it in the theater. It is a 3 hour movie that goes word-for-word through the Gospel of John, based on the Good News Bible translation. Or, perhaps you’ll want to read the Biblical text first and then watch the movie later. Either way. I definitely recommend this film. You can watch it on Amazon for free if you have Prime.

The Gospel of John
Author: John
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 85-96
Content: The Gospel of John was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection by the apostle John so that those who read it might believe in Christ and thus have life through his name. John begins with a prologue unique to this Gospel where Jesus’ preexistent life with the Father is depicted to show that Jesus was not simply a great man, but God. Miracles of Jesus as well as many of Jesus’ teachings not found elsewhere are then described. A long section in John chapters 14 through 17 describes Jesus’ teaching to his apostles before his death. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, special place is given to Jesus’ appearance to his apostles.
Theme: The Gospel of John more than any other Gospel stresses the deity of Christ and provides us with an interpretation of his life. He is explained in figurative terms as light, truth, love, good shepherd, the door, the resurrection and the life, living water, true bread, and more. The beautiful material found in John chapters 14 through 17 shows the deep love of Jesus for the believer and the peace that comes from faith in Christ. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: https://bible.org/seriespage/1-john-man-and-his-gospel 

Bible Project:  Here is a terrific video overview of the Gospel of John:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8

Today in John Chapter 1 verse 14 we read – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Do you believe that Jesus is the Word John is referring to?  What does this mean to you that the Word became flesh?  Do you believe that Jesus was born into this world both fully divine and fully human (yet sinless)?  Why would God send Jesus, full of light, grace and truth into the world?  Why was this necessary?

Today in John Chapter 1 verses 10 & 11 we read – “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”  Do you believe that the world was made through Jesus?  Do you believe the world is Jesus’ own?  Have you ever gone through periods in your life where you have not recognized Jesus for who he truly is? ( I know that I have) Have you gone through periods of your life where Jesus has come to you and you did not receive him? ( Again, I know that I have) As you read through the Gospel of John this year will you prayerfully read it?  Will you ask God to reveal to you through John’s Gospel who Jesus really is? And will you ask God to make Jesus more known to you this year than ever before? Do you believe this is possible – for you to know Jesus more this year than in your prior years?  Do you believe the Gospel of John and prayer can help you to truly know Jesus more?

Bible.org’s commentary on our readings in John today titled “What Child is This?” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 101 is a great Psalm of David today! Great verses, all of them.  I like verse 3 – “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.” This seems to be a bit tougher and tougher to adhere to in our modern world where pornography is getting more and more into the mainstream.  But, it is such a beautiful and true Psalm of David for us to adhere to!  Do you refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar?  Do you avoid watching TV shows, reading magazines or papers, or going to see movies where you know you’ll end up looking at things vile & vulgar?  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying avoid watching all TV, reading all mags & papers or avoid all movies.  I’m just saying that there are some of these forms of media that we know in advance that what they “sell” us will be vile and vulgar.  Why would we “buy” that garbage?  Refuse to look at it.  Don’t give it one inch of power over you!  (or your kids!)

A portion of verse 2 stood out to me today – “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” This is powerful. How often do we have integrity outside of our home – but then not display integrity within our own home? Think this is healthy? Should we strive for leading a life of integrity within our own home?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 14 verse 13 teaches us today: “Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” This is an interesting look at laughter!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of For King and Country’s song “Fix My Eyes:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lol1tOMR3Y

Where are your eyes fixed these days? Click here to fix your eyes!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you personally are in relationship with the Word, Jesus. Pray that you know that Jesus is the eternal Alpha and Omega, first and last Word of all things. Pray for those that you know who are not in relationship with Jesus, that they will come to know the Word made flesh.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Some say laughter is the best medicine… and oftentimes I agree.  But, this Proverb tells us that laughter may not always heal a heavy heart…  Perhaps something more than laughter is needed when we have a heavy heart?  Perhaps – God is needed?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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======= Ramona:

Judges 11-12:15
What jumped out at me today, in this book that records that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes (21:25),” was the reversal of relationships in doing what was evil. Yesterday and Thursday we read about Abimelech, son of Gideon, aka, Jerubbaal, the illegitimate son, killing his seventy brothers, save but one, and ruling or judging as a political judge, not a spiritual one. Today we have the legitimate sons of Gilead not killing but forcing out the illegitimate son, their half-brother. Is it just me but has anyone notice that the judges have moved from have any kind of spiritual influence to just plan brut force? It seems God is using them in spite of themselves.

I am only guessing as to why they didn’t kill him but it could have been that he was a “great warrior,” and with all great warriors they usually have a “posse.” Regardless of illegitimacy or legitimacy I saw that the perversion of God’s commands and wickedness does not dwell in a particular family, neighborhood or person. We sometimes try to compartmentalize “sin” by giving deference to a particular time, place, space and people as being sinless. Folks run from neighborhood to neighborhood, state to state looking for “good” places and communities which to raise their young, when in reality the danger that we think dwells without, really resides within.

Each one did what was right in his own eyes implies that what everyone else did was wrong, but what I do is right. This sets up the individual as his or her own god. So even though we read in this book about Israel swinging from god to God, like a trapeze artist swinging from bar to bar, the gods they really served were the gods of their own self interest, the gods that lived in their hearts.

Are we guilty of serving our own gods and calling them something else, swinging from bar to bar, from god to God thinking we are safe because the mercy of God has formed a net underneath us? If the net or when the net is removed, do we cry out to God, “Where were You? When in reality we were grabbing for the wrong trapeze.

John 1:1-28
What I absolutely love about this Gospel is the image of light and True light, and the juxtaposing of truth with non-truth. This passage mentions that John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and elder by birth by six months, proclaimed the “Light” that was Christ and gave testimony validating that Light.

8 John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. 9The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.

Take note if the writer is distinguishing between true light, know for certain there is a false one, in other words it illuminates to a point but leaves many things in the shadows.

What light am I serving? Do I need to get rid of a dimly lit bulb I’m calling the revelation of God? Thoughts that make one do some soul searching.

Psalm 101:1-8
Mike, in the King James Version verse three reads,

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Maybe the KJV and NKJV can be understood clearer this time and with this verse. The NLT using, “I will refuse to look at” leaves us helpless in keeping outside forces from passing before us. We would have to go into a cave or put our eyes out to stop the onslaught of smut that comes before our eyes just walking down the street. Working in a college it’s not so much as what some folks are wearing that comes before my eyes, but what they aren’t wearing.

The King James talks about us placing something wicked before our very own eyes. Now if something wicked this way comes propelled by a human being that we have no control over, that’s one thing, but if we stop and stare at it then we are setting “it” before our eyes.

Proverbs 14:13-14

Laughter may conceal a heavy heart, just think of all the stand-up comics and comedians through the ages who are bitter, hurting people, but surly laughter that proceeds from a merry heart brings healing. (Proverbs 15:13;17:22). The key is the state of the heart. If the heart is merry then the laughter is legitimately flowing from the inside. But only God knows what is really in the heart of a person.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======== Pat:

The Scripture in Judges 11 is very disturbing to me because I believe that the Bible says what it means and means what it says. Therefore, I believe that the daughter of Jephthah was offered as a burned sacrifice because Jephthah made that vow with God. The lesson here is that we are not and should not put ourselves in a position to barter with God. We are not to make deals with God that we will do something for Him if He does a particular favor for us. We are to dedicate ourselves to God on a daily basis and ask that His will be done in all that we do. We are not to try to buy his favors. Bartering means that what we have is equal to what He has so we will trade off so each of us will be justly rewarded. We can’t buy God because we have nothing to offer God that is as valuable as what God has to offer us. He is too great and we are too insignificant for that! We are just to love God and accept Him as our Savior and for that alone He will shower us with His blessings.

God Bless!
Pat

======== John:

====== Luch:

======= Fran:

Jephthah presented the arguments in his negotiations with the Ammonite king that Israel had not taken their land east of the Jordon from Ammon (but from the Amorites), that Israel had been given these possession by Yahweh, that Israel had taken none of Moab (as shown by Balak’s failure to fight), and if Ammon did have some prior claim to Gilead, why had they waited 300 years to press it. The reference to Chemosh as giving them their land is intended to appeal to the king of Ammon, but it is implied that Yahweh is stronger than Chemosh (the use of the principal god of Moab is problematic because the Ammonite god is elsewhere said to be Molech, but both Moab and Ammon originated with Lot and both involved in hiring Balaam to curse Israel and so both may have been previously culturally and religiously unified) since Israel and not Ammon possessed the disputed land. Jephthah speaks not with confidence of his success (knowing how justly God might suffer the Ammonites to prevail for the further punishment of Israel) or of himself (since the Lord delivered them victory) but makes only the challenge of which God is greater.
Jephthah’s vow teaches that there may be remainders of distrust and doubting even in the hearts of true and great believers, our vows to God should express gratitude and not be as a purchase favor, we can become entangled by our vows and we must keep them no matter the outcome, all children should obediently and cheerfully submit to their parents. The same question is put to any who desire salvation by Christ: will you be willing to have Christ rule you? On no other terms will he save you. Jephthah, to obtain a little worldly honor, was willing to expose his life: shall we be discouraged in our Christian warfare by the difficulties we may meet with, when Christ has promised a crown of life to him that overcomes? We also are reminded here that no disputes are as bitter as those between brothers or rivals for honor and how quickly the scorned children of sin can become friends in need.
It is hard to say what Jephthah did in performance of his vow as to whether he really did offer up his daughter for a burnt offering to the Lord or only devoted her to perpetual virginity. At that time, perpetual virginity would have been considered as a great sacrifice (consider Samuel’s mom who gave him up to the church in exchange just not to be barren). She was the only child of Jephthah which meant there would be no grandchildren and no posterity. Human sacrifice in the days of Abraham (Gen 22:1-14) through Moses (Lev 18:21; 20:1-5; Deut 12:29-32; 18:9-12) and the consequences of the vow that “she knew no man” seems to imply that she was devoted to perpetual virginity. The joy of victory was suddenly turned to sorrow when Jephthah saw his daughter and remembered his vow. The lament then would have been that she died before bearing children.
Many others have long held, however, in accordance with his vow to provide a burnt offering to God that she was killed according to Canaanite practices (which Jephthah had previously embraced) and she literally died within two months. The Bible mentions Gahenna, which was a valley where ancient Jews used to also burn their children in worship (and later just burned their trash). In later periods there were additional incidents of human sacrifices among the Israelites (2 Kin 16:3; 17:17; 21:6; 2 Chr 33:6; Jer 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Ezek 16:20, 21; Amos 5:25-27) even though these were never considered lawful. Human sacrifice was also practiced at various times among Israel’s neighbors (Lev 18:21; 20:2; 2 Kin 3:27).
That Christ was already in existence with God is what is meant by the term, “pre-existent Christ” and many suggest that when God walked with a person in the Old Testament that it must have been Christ (as John says, “No one had ever seen God”) referred to by the term, “Christophony.” Many would say the simplest reason why Christ is called the Word with that as our words explain our minds to others that Jesus was sent in order to reveal his Father’s mind to the world. We speak of the life and habits of animals as zoology and the accounts of men as biography. While animals have many things in command with mankind, only people lead lives controlled by intellect, creativity, free will, and morality. Passing from the thought of creation in general to mankind (with a special capacity for receiving the divine) with life being the light, the Word becomes light though the medium of spiritual life. Many say that they are Christians but will not part with their sins or have Him reign over them. As an American lives in America, a Christian lives in Christ. John the Baptist (different from any other in that the Spirit was with him from birth) came (figuratively as Elias) to bear witness concerning Jesus. Christ came after John, but in every other way He was before him. John formally renounces being either Christ or Elias, but he baptized the people as a profession of repentance as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings that awaited them from the baptism from the Messiah. John means with “of His fullness” that Christians receive whatever each requires for the perfection of his character and for the accomplishment of his work (compare John 15:15, 17:22). “I will be careful to live a blameless life… I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar… I will not endure conceit and pride… My daily task will be to ferret out criminals.”
Fran

======= John:

John 1:5
“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” NIV
“understood” – “This word means that the darkness cannot get hold of the light, cannot appropriate it, cannot possess it, cannot apprehend it. The Apostle Paul asks, “What fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14). These are mutually exclusive: the moment you introduce one, the other has to flee. Darkness and light cannot exist together.” – Ray Stedman
What is needed is a witness to the light to enable man to understand what the light is and what it means – enter John the Baptist. john the Baptist is that witness.
John 1:12-13
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” NIV
vs 13
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” KJV
======================================================
Last Christmas, after hearing my testimony a childhood friend asked me if “born again” was in the Bible. I referred her to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. While that conversation says being “born again” (or from above)is required to enter the Kingdom of God, it does not lay out the criteria like John 1:12-13.
Received him – “lambano”
to take
1) to admit, receive
2) to receive what is offered
3) not to refuse or reject
4) to receive a person, give him access to one’s self
Believed in his name
The “in” here is “eis” and translates better “with respect to his name”.
His name is Jesus – Yeshua – or translated “Jehovah is Salvation”
The right to become – “exousia”
delegated power or authority
I like the KJV version of verse 13 better than NIV.
Children of God NOT by:
-bloodlines
-physical coupling of man/woman
-decision of man/woman to have a child.
“But born of God”
or since it is a second birth – born “again”.
So, take Him in, believe “Jehova is Salvation”, and you have the right bestowed by God to be born of God – a child of God.
The right and authority does not make you perfectly sanctified – it is the beginning of your “eternal life” (that is why you are refereed to as a “child). There will be many peaks and valleys in the road as God through the Holy Spirit molds and shapes you in Christ’s image. But regardless your salvation is secure – you are a co-heir to heaven.
Again this whole process is personal and between you and God. It is not done by bloodlines or some “easy decision”, or by anyone elses say-so.
It is YOU who must believe in and receive Christ.
John

======= Ramona:

Judges 11:1-12:15
In today’s reading in Judges, I couldn’t help notice how the treatment of Jephtah by his half-brothers, those that were his own, is similar to how Jesus was treated by His own in today’s Gospel reading,
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11 KJV)
It wasn’t until he was needed that his folks called on him and that is so like what I use to do when I was in the “world.” “God I didn’t want to be bothered with you, but now I’m in trouble and I need some help. God if you are up there and if you will get me out of this, I will serve you.” Yeah sure until the next pit I fall in or trouble I get into.
Each and every time God’s people fall into despair because of their choices and call out to Him in sincerity and truth, God’s mercy and grace shows up, by way of a deliverer. But because the one that was sent was not His Son, Jesus, a multitude of rescuers, prophets, teachers show up but none could fully deliver until Jesus came, in the fullness of time.
Each and every judge in the Book of Judges, is a type of Christ; however, unlike Christ they were sinful and subject to uncontrolled passions and thus needed to be delivered themselves, from themselves.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:1-11 KJV)
May we all recognize the True Light that Jesus brought into the world. May we not cover our eyes or hide from that Light. May we realize that His Light is the True Light and anything else is counterfeit
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

As I read today’s OT reading,it struck me just how much detail Jephthah knew about the journey Israel took from Egypt to Canaan,the reaction of the Kings of the Lands the passed through.He was exiled,yet he had heard about God,maybe feared him but he didn’t know God.He felt so honoured that God had sent him that he had to do something to please God.He never really took the time to find out what would God love…take for example his obedience.Nope he just wanted to give what he assumed God would like.I thought it was really strange that he would say “the first thing that comes out to greet me”becuase usually it’s the wife and/or the kids that run out to greet a guy who’s been gone for long.Well the way the scripture is written,it seems he really did sacrifice her.He had to choose between disobeying God or breaking the law,it was a lose/lose situation.God didn’t tell him not to carry it out like in Abraham’s case.This all struck home so powerfully that there is a price we pay for hearing about God,reading about God yet not knowing Him.I wonder if Jephthah is in Heaven,he murdered his daughter.God did use Jephthah to carry out His plan but I wonder if he got the well done pat on the back.Knowing the Lord is the only way to please God.I pray that I may trully know Him.
God bless you all
Anka

======= John:

Anka,
Hebrews 11:32
“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,” NIV
Jephthah made the honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11.
The story apparently is argued back and forth.
I am in the camp that knowing how God hated child sacrifices Deut 12:31 – that Jephtah did not sacrifice his daughter.
Biblical Hebrew can be difficult to translate, and this passage has key words with some assumptions built into the NIV translation. Some think he promised the first out of his tent to be dedicated to the Lord and he would offer up a burnt offering.
Regardless, the rest of the chapter does not read like the daughter is going to be sacrificed. It is all about bemoaning not going to be married, and when the vow was fulfilled the comment was “she knew no man” (KJV). No mention of death, just not getting married.
It seems unclear, but maybe the purpose is to not make rash vows to God (Eccl 5:2,4-5). This was his only child and if she remained a virgin there would be no grandkids. It was a rash promise to make God when he was already chosen by God (and he knew it). It would tear him up to forbear having grandkids, but at the least that was the result. At the least she led a life dedicated to the Lord – similar to a nun in the Catholic Church.
Lastly, if Jephthah had done child sacrifice, I would be very surprised to see him included with the other names in Hebrews 11.
Others may have different thoughts.
Also, “lament” in Judges 11:40. Have no idea why Hebrew word “tanah” is translated that way.
lexicon meaning: to recount, rehearse, tell again
and this is the only use of it as meaning “lament”.
Other translations have celebrate, commemorate, mourn, lament, etc. seems to run the gamut.
John

======= Oriane:

This is my first time reading the bible and the story about Jephthah and his daughter did strike me. I couldn’t believe at first that we went from animal sacrifices to human sacrifices, but I am with John on this one.
“…And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me; let me alone two months, that I may go and wander upon the mountains and bewail my virginity, I and my companions….”Judges 11:37 (Amp)
Meaning of be•wail
Pronunciation: (bi-wāl’), [key]
—v.t.
to express deep sorrow for; lament: a little child bewailing the loss of her dog.
—v.i.
to express grief.
My question was why would she need to express grief for her virginity if she was going to die…instead she would have been expressing sorrow for the loss of her life”
It made more sense to me in the Amplified bible version when it said…”At the end of two months she returned to her father, who [a]did with her according to his vow which he had vowed. She never mated with a man. This became a custom in Israel…” Judges 11:39 (Amp.
Oriane

======= Anka:

Hmmm…yep that sure puts things in perspective for me cos the Jephthah issue really got me.Thanks John and Oriane.
Anka

======== John:

Gospel of John
Why was it written? John tells us is John 20:30-31
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” NIV
John’s writings of Jesus were not exhaustive, but what was written was written to convince you that:
-Chirst was Messiah (a man)
-Chirst was the Son of God (deity)
-that by believing His message you may have eternal life in His name.
His name – “Jehovah is Salvation”. Salvation is of God (Jehovah) not sacraments, rituals, money, works, or any other saint – it is of God.
Nowhere in any of the Gospels does Jesus ever speak of religion. That is a man-made institution. Jesus speaks of belief, of believing, of having faith – that is what salvation is about – “saving faith” an acknowledgement of your failings and of God’s plan, a belief in Christ, and a trust in God’s plan and a receiving of Jesus Christ in to your life.
If you are not a believer and have a problem with “religion” – that is a red herring – that is not the issue and is just an excuse to distance yourself from God. The issue is Faith – saving faith – and if you take God at His Word. Do you accept God’s Word or reject God’s Word?
This point will be pounded over and over in the Gospel of John.
======================================================
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” NIV
In verse 14 it is made clear that the Word is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came to earth to tell us what was on God’s mind – He was God’s Word. God’s Work at this time was the plan of Salvation – that is what Jesus came to reveal to the World.
In this phrase are the concepts of Eternality, Trinity, and Deity.
If you have problems with the concept of Trinity. Join the club – we are not meant to understand it. An imperfect example might be:
The Ocean, a wave, and seaspray. If you think of Jesus as a specific wave – he is lesser than the ocean (the Father), made up of the same elements, had a build-up in His ministry, and expired on earth (shore), and then returned to the ocean (Father). Sea-spray, in an imperfect example of the Holy Spirit, is made up of the same elements,is all around the ocean (Father), and finds its way onto some of mankind.
======================================================
Jehovah Witnesses
Take John 1:1 and say the last part of the verse is:
‘and the Word was a god’.
I have looked at enough Greek sites and heard enough people negate this to know it is poppycock.
Dr. Bruce M. Metzger of Princeton (Professor of New Testament Language and Literature):
“A frightful mistranslation.” “Erroneous” and “pernicious” “reprehensible” “If the Jehovah’s Witnesses take this translation seriously, they are polytheists.”
But really all you need to do to know the JW’s are categorically wrong is look at John 1:3
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” NIV
Then go to Gen 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” NIV
[God here is Elohim (creator) which by the way is in the plural indicating an OT reference to the Trinity.]
Jesus is God. Jesus is the Creator. I may be wrong, but I think of it as the Father is the architect, Jesus the builder, and the Holy Spirit is the guardian and caretaker of all that is created.
John

======= Patricia:

I was so happy to also start the book of John. I started reading it, and then stopped. Then started over again reading it outloud. there is so much power in the words of this book.
When I think of Jephthah and his daughter it grips my heart. I do believe we are talking about “she will never know a man or carry a child.” I remember studing this years ago, and my studies took me to Gen. 3 and the promised Savior, She would never be the one to be in the linage of Chist. As we look back on the promise she looked forward to the promise. It was a real reproach not to have a child born of your womb.
In Christ,
Patrica

====== Sandra:

Amen. I enjoy this Bible Blog so much. GOD BLESS U MIKE , I pray….
Sandra