Monthly Archives: July 2019

Daily Bible Study

July 21, 2019 Bible Study — Looking Righteous Is Not The Same As Being Righteous

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Isaiah 1-4.

I never before noticed that three of the four kings during whose reigns Isaiah prophesied were good kings.  Which tells us that while having leaders who serve God is important, it is not enough.  If we the people do not faithfully serve God, He will give stop giving us leaders who do.  That is what happened to the people of Judah.  Despite having kings who faithfully served God and the warnings of prophets such as Isaiah, they chose to worship idols and pursue sinful pleasures.  

Isaiah condemned the people of Judah for putting on a show of righteousness without actually doing the work of righteousness.  They took part in religious ceremonies.  They offered sacrifices.  They even fasted and prayed.  They talked the talk and performed all of the public rituals of worshiping God.  But they did not do good by defending the cause of orphans or fighting for the rights of widows.  They did not seek justice.  Our sins stain us completely.  We cannot do anything to remove that stain.  However, God will completely wash it away if we allow Him to transform us.  If we stop trying to look righteous and instead allow God to direct our actions, He will cleanse us.

The day is coming when only God will be exalted.  Everyone and everything which holds itself up as worthy of honor will be cut down.  Human pride will be humiliated.  Institutions and governments will be brought low.  Only those who bow before the Lord and allow Him to teach them His ways will be spared.  This passage contains such powerful warnings, and promises, that I want to write more, but I will stop here and let you read it for yourself.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2019 Bible Study — Sexual Love Is A Beautiful Gift From God

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Song of Solomon 1-8.

I never quite understand how the “story” in the beginning of the Song of Solomon fits in with the “story” of the rest of the Book.  I understand that the entire thing is a love song between a young man and a young woman, but I do not quite understand how the young woman’s inability to care for herself at the beginning connects with her beauty as described later.  I know that at least part of that is a result of cultural differences between myself and the author.  That being said the Song does a great job of conveying the progression of loving relationship between a man and a woman.

One theme which runs throughout much of the Song is the repeated warning not to awaken love before its time.  Since I first noticed this in the Song I have taken it to be warning to keep the sexual aspect of the relationship in check until the relationship truly blooms.  The Song tells us that sexuality between a man and a woman is beautiful and good, but this phrase, repeated multiple times, reminds us that sex must be kept to its appropriate place in marriage between a man and a woman.  The Song also reminds us that sexual love should be a private thing between a husband and wife, something not shared with others.

Daily Bible Study

July 19, 2019 Bible Study — Everything Seems Meaningless, But God Will Judge Our Actions

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Ecclesiastes 7-12.

Today’s passage consists of many separate thoughts on life and wisdom which make it hard to write about a single theme.  However, I am going to try to link them together in a kind of theme.  We will see if I can pull it off.  The writer tells us that everything is meaningless, yet advises certain courses of action.  Since no one always does good and never sins, we should not destroy ourselves trying to always be good and always be wise.  Of course, that does not mean that it is OK to be wicked and foolish.  Seek to do what is good and wise, but do not belittle yourself when you fail in this. 

From there the writer turns his focus slightly.  As we look at the world around us we will see wicked people who succeed by our standards, and good people who suffer.  Nevertheless, those who fear God are better off for doing so and those who are wicked will not truly prosper.  Even though he knows this is true, we will see good people treated as if they are wicked and wicked people treated as if they are good.  So, we should have fun, eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves. 

The writer concludes by telling us to remember to fear and obey God.  He reminds us to remember our Creator while we have the strength to serve Him.  We should seek to do God’s will, but enjoy ourselves while doing so.  Seek God’s will, but do not allow yourself to believe that you do no wrong.  And as said by others, moderation in all things, including moderation.  In the end God will judge us for everything we have done, even the things which we thought were secret.  

Daily Bible Study

July 18, 2019 Bible Study — Doing Things According to God’s Timetable

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Ecclesiastes 1-6.

The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing new.  While there are some new things, people do not change.  Someone may say, “Well, the way we look at X is new,” but if you study history you soon see that it is just a return to the way X was viewed long ago.  Or to put it another way, the more things change the more they stay the same.  No matter what we do we cannot change the world.  As a result the only meaningful thing we can do is serve God.

I love the beginning of chapter 3.  Ever since I first heard The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” i have loved the idea that there is a time for everything.  That song emphasized that the final line of the poem was about a time for peace.  I am quite convinced that the writer intentionally chose to put peace last to emphasize it.  However, a sentence or so later the writer tells us the point of there being a time for everything: God has designed things so that there is beauty in doing the right thing at the right time.  Speaking out when it is time to be quiet is no better, or worse, than being quiet when it is time to speak.

Daily Bible Study

July 17, 2019 Bible Study — Wisdom Leads to Self-Control

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 29-31.

I want to write about all of the things touched on in today’s passage, but you can read them for yourself.  Instead I will focus on just a couple of them.  First, in several different ways the passage tells us that wisdom leads to self-control.  The wise control their anger and work to calm that of others.  Only fools try to work people up and get them agitated.  But the self-control of the wise is not just over their temper; they also control their tongue and avoid bragging and lying.  Only a fool says every thought which comes to his mind; the wise think before they speak or act.

Despite the constant emphasis on being truthful throughout the Book, it reminds us that only with God’s help will we succeed in avoiding lies.  I love how Agur asks two things of God: to avoid lying and to provide him only with enough for his needs.  He does not find it necessary to explain the first, but does explain the latter.  If we become rich we may forget God and turn from Him.  On the other hand if we are poor we may give in to temptation and steal, thus dishonoring God.  Yes, I ask God to give me enough to meet my needs and to help those who struggle.

Daily Bible Study

July 16, 2019 Bible Study — Don’t Argue With Fools…But Refute Foolish Arguments

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 25-28.

I think perhaps my favorite part of the Book of Proverbs is Chapter 26 verses 4 and 5.

Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or you will become as foolish as they are.
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or they will become wise in their own estimation.
 
On the surface these two contradict each other.  However, I am sure the person who compiled this put them next to each other on purpose.  They show us the fine balance that must be maintained in order to be truly wise.  On the one hand, if you answer a foolish argument you might get drawn into foolishness yourself.  On the other hand, if you do not answer a foolish argument you allow others to believe it is wise.  Elsewhere in this passage we have sayings which remind us of the importance of remembering the balance these two show.  Fools will take a wise saying to extremes.
The writer also tells us the importance of words.  Telling lies about people can be as bad and destructive as attacking them.  Rumors and gossip have a way of seeping into our minds and coloring our thoughts.  So, make sure that you know the truth before you say it, and even then think twice if it makes another look bad.  Resist the urge to use something told to you in confidence in order to win an argument.  I hope that those of you reading this can see how these fit together because I thought the words to tie it all together would come to me as I wrote, but they did not.
Daily Bible Study

July 15, 2019 Bible Study — Seek the Truth and Do Not Sell Your Word

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 22-24.

There are so many wise instructions in this passage that if I try to touch on them all, there would be no point in you reading what I write.  You could just read the passage.  However, I will touch on a couple of things.  Again and again this Book emphasizes that we should not envy sinners or hangout with the wicked.  The wicked have no future.  Further, evil people stir up trouble and violence.  If you hang out with them you will get caught in it.

Today’s passage also reminds us to seek justice.  Do not look the other way when people are unjustly punished.  Speak up.  Other people may believe you if you later claim that you did not know, but God will know better.  If you rob the poor or exploit the needy God will pay you back.  Of course, if you give to the poor and help the needy, God will pay you back there as well.  Related to this, the writer tells us to get the truth and never sell it.  In this context I realize that he means seek out what is true about a situation and tell others what you have found.  Do not allow anyone to convince you to keep such truth silent, whether with bribes or threats.

Daily Bible Study

July 14, 2019 Bible Study — Plan Before You Act, And Get Advice Before You Plan

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 18-21.

I love reading Proverbs, but dislike trying to figure out what to write about them.  Today’s passage continues to remind us of the importance of choosing our words with care.  It extends that care to our actions as well.  The wise think and plan before they act.  The writer also reminds us that enthusiastically pursuing a project without knowing what you are doing benefits no one.  Hurrying leads to mistakes.  Take the time to do the project right.

The writer also revisits another theme from yesterday: the wise embrace correction and discipline while the foolish reject it.  He expands on this theme in two directions.  Offer discipline and correction to wise people in order for them to get better and wiser, but punish the foolish to change the behavior of others.  Speak in private to those who take correction to heart.  Punish in public those who do not respond to such discipline.  The writer also tells us that the wise seek correction and advice. 

Daily Bible Study

July 13, 2019 Bible Study — Those Who Do Right Learn To Fear the Lord. Those Who Do Wrong Despise God.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 14-17.

I feel like I keep saying this, but there is not really a theme which runs through today’s passage.  It is a collection of wise sayings which each contains useful understanding.  However, there are several ideas which are repeatedly addressed.  The writer tells us that those who fear the Lord do right and those who do right fear the Lord while those who do wrong despise God.  The writer makes clear that this idea is two-sided.  Fear of the Lord will lead you to do right, but doing right will also lead you to fear the Lord.  I think we often overlook his point that those who do wrong eventually come to despise God.  Many people who despise God, who despise Christianity, do so because they do not wish to admit that their actions are wrong.  Those who love and fear God admit when they do wrong and seek reconciliation.

The writer repeatedly makes two related points.  I never realized that the writer was connecting them before today.  First, the wise choose their words and actions with careful thought about their consequences.  Second, the wise take their time in reaching a conclusion about events.  They do not immediately reach conclusions based on what they are told, or even based on what they have seen.  They wait until they can be sure they know all of the relevant facts.  Fools quickly believe that what supports their preconceived notions and do not ask more questions.  Then they pass that on as unquestioned fact.  The wise speak only of what they know and cautiously point out areas where their knowledge is incomplete.

Daily Bible Study

July 12, 2019 Bible Study — Wisdom Or Folly, Which Will You Choose?

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 9-13.

Today’s passage starts with a personification of both wisdom and folly.  Both offer themselves to any who wish.  Wisdom offers using good judgment and accepting correction.  Folly offers hiding your actions from others and never admitting to doing wrong.  When the wise are corrected they change their behavior.  The fool denies having done wrong and strikes back at the one who offered advice. The rest of today’s passage consists of individual proverbs which do not have a common theme, except to distinguish wise actions from foolish actions.  However, there are several ideas which come up again and again.  One of those I already touched on.  The wise listen to criticism and seek to change their behaviors in light of it, even when the criticism is unwarranted.  The fool strikes back at those who criticize them, even when the criticism offers them an opportunity to avoid trouble.  The writer also includes multiple proverbs which warn us to limit what we say to that which is true, good, and helpful.  The fool speaks about that which they know little and babbles on revealing their ignorance.  The wise choose their words carefully, makes sure they have based their comments in facts, and shuts up when they have nothing more useful to say.