Tag Archives: Christianity

Daily Bible Study

October 4, 2023 Bible Study — Stop Looking for Loopholes

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Matthew 5-6.

Jesus starts the Sermon on the Mount with a series of sayings which would seem counterintuitive if we had not heard them so often.  Some of them make sense: Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the merciful.  But others do not: Blessed are those who are persecuted, Blessed are you when people insult you.  Jesus goes on from saying that we are blessed when people insult and persecute us to talking about being salt without losing that which makes us salt.  Jesus gives us two more metaphors which clarify what He meant by that.  You can’t hide a town built on top of a hill and you don’t light a lamp in order to cover up the light it gives off.  In the same way, Jesus does not call secret followers.  That is, the actions of Jesus’ followers will always reveal that they serve Him.  Having laid the groundwork, Jesus goes on to tell us that it is not enough to not take sinful actions, we need to learn to not desire to commit sinful actions.  It is not enough to not commit murder, we must not desire to murder someone.  It is not enough to not commit adultery, we must not desire to commit adultery.  The Pharisees built a fence around the Law of Moses to keep from violating it.  Jesus teaches us to teach ourselves to not want to do the things which violate the Law.  And He teaches that the way to do that is to love others, even our enemies, as much as we love ourselves.

 

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

Daily Bible Study

October 3, 2023 Bible Study — The Scandalous Women in Jesus’ Family Tree

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

I had originally not intended to write anything about the genealogy of Jesus which Matthew gives here, but then I was thinking about the fact that Matthew mentions five women in Jesus’ ancestry: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.  He lists all of them by name, except for Bathsheba.  Matthew tells us that Solomon’s mother had been Uriah’s wife.  In other words, he didn’t want us to miss the scandal around David and Bathsheba’s relationship.  In fact, there was a scandal associated with everyone of the women Matthew mentions here.  Tamar pretended to be a prostitute in order to become pregnant with a twins by her father-in-law.  Rahab was a prostitute.  Ruth was a Moabitess, about whom the Law of Moses said their descendants should not be eligible to enter the Tabernacle, or Temple, for ten generations.  Mary was unmarried when she became pregnant (even though this was a virgin birth, it was still a scandal).  Matthew’s audience would not miss the scandal concerning those four, but they might think about Bathsheba only from her role in King David naming Solomon as his heir.  Matthew made sure that we would not miss the scandal concerning Bathsheba.  He wanted to make sure that we realized that God can, and will, use those we consider improper.  If these women were acceptable ancestors for the Son of God, what makes you think God won’t use you for something wonderful?

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

Daily Bible Study

October 2, 2023 Bible Study — The Arrogant Despised God’s Name

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

I struggled with seeing how today’s passage fit together until I read the NIV headings.  I usually avoid reading the headings because they are mostly editorial commentary by the translators.  Which is what they are here, but they provided me with the clue that tied this together for me.  The prophet Malachi wrote about the ways in which God’s people treated God as an afterthought.  They failed to acknowledge His love for them.  They made a mockery of their religious practices.  They practiced the appearance of faithfulness without the substance.  The religious leaders turned people away from God by their teachings.  The people were unfaithful in their marriages.  They spoke highly of those who did evil and rejected God’s justice.  Nevertheless, Malachi also declared that there remained those feared and honored God.  The day would come when God would destroy the arrogant evildoers, while bringing blessings on those who revered His name.

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

Daily Bible Study

October 1, 2023 Bible Study — If We Do Not Follow the Good Shepherd, We Will Follow the Bad Shepherd

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Zechariah 11-14.

I struggle with today’s passage because it seems to be composed of multiple separate prophecies, and I am unclear where the breaks are between one of them and the next.  I am not quite sure of the implications of the first thing which struck me.  As Zechariah speaks about the ways in which God provides shepherds for His people, he writes that God will raise up a bad shepherd over His people.  One who will not care about the lost, nor seek the young.  One who will not heal the injured or feed the healthy.  A shepherd whose only concern will be for what is in it for him.  The context seems to imply that God did this (will do this?) because His people did not value the Good Shepherd He had given them.  When I read about that bad shepherd it reminded me of so many of the leaders we have today, religious, political, and even business leaders.  Leaders who are not concerned with the care of those whom they ostensibly lead.  God has given us such leaders because we have stopped following the Good Shepherd He sent to care for His flock.  I want to point out that thinking of it that way can be very scary.  Until you think about what Jesus said when He took upon Himself the mantle of Good Shepherd.  He is looking for, and caring for, the sheep who have wondered away.  Let us follow His voice when He calls us.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 30, 2023 Bible Study — Do We Practice Our Religion for God? Or for Ourselves?

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Zechariah 7-10.

When we go to church on Sunday, or any other time, are we really doing that for God?  Or, are we doing it for ourselves?  When we celebrate Christmas and Easter, is that for God, or for us?  When we do those things they are supposed to remind us of what God really wants from us.  He wants us to show mercy and compassion to each other.  God wants us to show His love to those around us.  Let us not be as those who saw visions which are lies and recount dreams that are false.  If we love truth and seek God, He will do good for us.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 29, 2023 Bible Study — Return to God and He Will Return to You

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

I see a lot I could write about in today’s passage, but there are two quotes which God gave to the prophet I want to focus on.

‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’

and

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

The first of these quotes addresses how we should respond when we feel cut off from God.  The second reminds us of how we carry out the missions God gives us.  For me this means that when I look at society around me and see how far it is from God, I must return to God and pray that He returns to those around me, drawing them unto Him.  I will not transform society around me, or even myself, by my strength, my power, or even my wealth (not even should I miraculously acquire the wealth of Elon Musk).  I will not transform society around me by teaming up with others and pooling our strength, power, and wealth.  Transformation of our society will only happen by the Spirit of God.  Transformation of individuals will only happen by the Spirit of God.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 28, 2023 Bible Study — Don’t Wait Until You Have It Together to Do God’s Will

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Zephaniah and Haggai.

Zephaniah begins by prophesying that God will wipe all life off of the face of the earth, sparing no one and nothing.  While the rest of the book suggests that is hyperbolic, I believe it also reminds us that this universe will end one day.  Zephaniah proceeds to tell us that God will wipe out everyone in Jerusalem who worships idols, even those who also worship God.  After describing the overwhelming destruction which is coming, he tells the “humble of the land” to seek the Lord.  If we do what God commands and humbly seek Him, perhaps we will be sheltered when His anger finally bursts forth against the land.  Up to a point, Zephaniah’s prophecy contains many reasons for us to fear the future.  Then, after telling us that the entire world will be consumed by the fire of the Lord’s anger, Zephaniah tells us that God will purify the lips of all peoples.  Thus allowing everyone to call upon His name.  God will bring together the meek and humble who choose to serve Him.

Haggai has a completely different feel from the prophets who preceded him.  Haggai was prophesying to those who knew what God wanted of them, and who wished to do that, but who were also convinced that they needed to “get their house in order” before they did God’s will.  The Returned Exiles wanted to get their economic situation in order before they began rebuilding the temple.  They intended to build the temple with the economic surplus they were sure would soon come their way.  Except that it never did.  Haggai tells them that they are waiting on a surplus that would never come unless they began serving God in earnest.  The Returned Exiles did as Haggai suggested and began rebuilding the temple.  We learn an important lesson here.  If we wait to do what we know God desires of us until we have our life “in order”, we will never get there.  On the other hand, if we do God’s will, even when we don’t have our act together, God will take care of that part for us.

 

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

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2023 Bible Study — God Cares for Those Who Trust in Him

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Nahum and Habakkuk.

My first thought as I read today’s passages was, “What is the connection between Nahum and the prophecy which Jonah delivered to Nineveh?”  The Book of Jonah merely records that Jonah’s prophecy was that Nineveh would be destroyed.  Nahum goes into more detail.  Nahum tells us that God is good and cares for those who trust in Him, but that He will put an end to Nineveh because they plotted against Him.  Which gives us two messages for today.  If you look around you see how those in power throughout the world largely act to marginalize and silence those who uphold God’s word.   They seek to diminish their influence by persecuting them in ways which lead others to not listen to God’s message.  Nahum gives those who trust in God a message of hope: God will care for them and protect them.  Nahum gives a warning to those who plot against God’s people: God will overwhelm them like a flood which shall wash away all of the protective barriers which they have erected around themselves.

Habakkuk appears to prophecy about the same events .  He starts by asking God why He allows injustice and violence to continue and thrive.  Before I go on to discuss God’s answer to Habakkuk I want to look a little more into what he says about those he calls upon God to judge.  He tells us that they are a law unto themselves and that the law of the land cannot touch them.  Further, Habakkuk tells us that they worship only their own strength and power.  Just as I saw parallels between the powerful of today and those against whom Nahum prophesied I see parallels here as well.  Habakkuk warns those who have made themselves at ease with unjust gains that God will bring them to justice.  Habakkuk prophesies against Assyria with a prophecy which applies to all who gain by violence and corruption.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 26, 2023 Bible Study — God Requires Three Things of Us: That We Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With Him

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Micah 3-7.

Micah warns Israel, both the Northern and Southern kingdoms, that God will bring judgement on them because their leaders hate what is good and love what is evil instead of embracing justice and because their religious leaders teach what those who are willing to pay want to hear while condemning those who will not bribe them.  But Micah also has a message for those who sincerely want to know what they should do in order to please God.  Micah tells us that God has shown us what is good, we have no excuse.  Let us act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.  I want to take a minute and go over what those three things mean.  To act justly means that we apply the same rules to those people we don’t like as we do to the people we do like.  To love mercy means that we forgive those who repent.  To walk humbly with our God means that we accept His judgement of ourselves and of others.  That one requires a little more because some of us struggle with this next part of its meaning: to walk humbly with our God also means that we recognize that we are not God, and that God is greater than we are.

 

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

Daily Bible Study

September 25, 2023 Bible Study — We Cannot Escape God’s Plans for Us

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Jonah 1-4 and Micah 1-2.

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and prophesy that it would soon be destroyed.  However, Jonah did not want to preach this message to the people of Nineveh because he wanted them to be destroyed and was afraid that they would listen to his prophecy and repent.  So, in order to avoid inadvertently delivering God’s message to the Ninevites, Jonah decided he would go in the opposite direction.  However, when God brought misfortune upon Jonah, Jonah surrendered and agreed to deliver God’s message.  When the Ninevites repented, Jonah was angry that God chose to withhold the destruction He had Jonah prophesy.  Finally, Jonah gets angry because a vine which had grown up to give him shade died.  God uses the death of this vine to point out to Jonah that he was more concerned with his own comfort than the lives of thousands of people.  Ultimately, the Book of Jonah has two vitally important messages for us:

  1. There is no place to which we can run to escape God’s plans for us
  2. We should value others more than we value our comfort

I was not sure I was going to write about Micah, but after reading it I had some thoughts I wanted to write down.   Micah prophesies that God’s judgement is about to pour out against Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and against Judah, the Southern Kingdom.  The sins of the people of both kingdoms will result in terrible destruction for them.  Micah tells us that the sins of these nations spread out from their capitals.  Samaria and Jerusalem were to blame for the people of Israel and of Judah sinning in ways which led to invasion and desolation.  As we read on into chapter two we realize that Micah’s prophecy against Samaria and Jerusalem is not specific to those geographic locations.  Instead, Micah tells us that the leaders of the people were responsible for their sins.  Micah’s message here is twofold.  First, the rich and powerful will suffer the same desolation from their sins that the common people will experience.  Second, if we allow our leaders to lead us into sin, we will suffer the consequences.

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