It is interesting to note that this proverb uses “house” when referring to the wicked, and “home” when referring to the righteous. The clear implication it that only the righteous truly have a home; the wicked merely have a place where they live.
When we cry to God for help we need to be honest with ourselves and with God. God has examined our hearts and tested our thoughts. He knows what we truly think and feel. We may convince ourselves of the lies we tell, but God will not be fooled. However, if we are honest when we pray to God, He will answer our prayers. Let us follow His commands because He has given them to us as expressions of His unfailing love. If we follow the path He has laid out for us, we will be kept safe from our enemies.
Jesus explained to His disciples that He taught in parables because only some are allowed to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the NIV, verse 12 reads: “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” I have struggled to understand what He meant by this. The NLT translates verse 12 in the following way: “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
The NLT reading makes Jesus’ meaning clear to me. Those who listen to Jesus’ teaching with the intent to understand it, will find more and more of it becoming clear as time goes on. On the other hand, those who listen to Jesus’ teachings with the intent of discovering its flaws will find it to make less and less sense and time goes on. In addition, the latter group will, over time, find themselves less and less able to recognize the difference between good and evil.
When Joseph was young he was his father’s favorite and dreamed of great things. He was convinced that those dreams were visions, and we know that they were indeed visions from God. His pride in the visions which God has given him lead to his downfall and he is sold into slavery by his brothers. He ends up in Potiphar’s house in Egypt. He does not forget his dedication to God and rises to high position in Potiphar’s house. This time it is his very faithfulness to God which leads to his downfall. He is imprisoned for a crime which he did not commit.
Despite this, Joseph remains faithful to God. Once more, Joseph’s faithfulness and integrity lead him to rise to the highest possible position. Despite the fact that he has risen to positions of authority time and again, Joseph takes no credit for his success. Rather he credits God for his skill and wisdom. It was Joseph’s continued faithfulness to God that put him in a position to raised to the highest level in the land when God’s time was right. We would do well to follow Joseph’s example. If we are faithful to God and maintain our integrity, He will open ever greater opportunities for us to serve Him.
What people truly desire is unfailing love. If you want others to care for you and find you attractive, love them unconditionally. If you are dishonest, others will not believe your protestations of love. It is better to be poor than dishonest.
If we allow fear of God to guide our actions we will live a life of security. Those who choose their actions based on what is pleasing to God will not face trouble.
When our enemies attack us, let us turn to God for deliverance. When we are accused, let us rely on God for vindication. If we are honest, we can count on God to vindicate us. We must remember that God can, and will, probe our hearts to see what our motivations are. If we plan no evil, nor sin in what we say, God will answer our prayers and rescue us from our enemies.
We can rely on the Lord to save us from the wicked, from those who look for their reward in this life. As for me, my reward will be to see God face to face. I will be satisfied to know that God will bring me home to be with Him. ,br>
Through Jesus’ death we have died to sin and the law. We are no longer obligated to obey the letter of the law. Rather we are called to obey the Spirit behind the law. When people choose to follow the letter of the law, the law is constantly expanding and becoming more complicated in order to close the loopholes which people find in it. On the other hand, when people follow the Spirit, basic instructions are sufficient. When we follow the spirit of the law, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength” is sufficient. Perhaps, we need one further corollary, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Between those two rules, someone who follows the spirit in which they are intended will accomplish the purposes for which any other righteous law might serve.
The passage describes the tools and furnishings which Solomon commissioned for worship in the Temple. As I read that I thought about the fact that we are now God’s Temple. Do we furnish ourselves with similar effort to which Solomon furnished the Temple? I do not believe that this involved fancy clothes, or jewelry. Rather, we should furnish ourselves as a suitable Temple for God by memorizing Scripture, reading books which teach us how to do His will, discuss with our fellow Christians how we can best fulfill God’s will in this world.
I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. My work schedule has recently changed, meaning that I may not have time every day to complete these. As a result, I am trying to get several days ahead. I hope this does not negatively impact the quality of these posts (if that is possible). If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt he came into the house of Potiphar, a powerful and influential man. Joseph was faithful to God and God was with him. As a result, Joseph quickly rose in Potiphar’s household, until he was in charge of everything. Potiphar’s wife soon began desiring Joseph and attempted to seduce him, but Joseph refused. Joseph told her that it would be wrong for him to overstep the bounds which Potiphar had set for him and that doing so would be a sin against God.
Potiphar’s wife continued to pressure Joseph until one day she caught him in a compromising position, or at least one which she could make appear compromising. Yet Joseph still resisted her advances. She used the circumstances to accuse him of attempting to do what he had refused to do. Once again Joseph ended up in a bad position. The first time he ended up in a cistern and sold into slavery because he had done the wrong thing (bragging to his brothers that they would bow down to him). This time he ended up in a rather nasty prison because he had done the right thing. I am not going to go into much depth about the rest of this passage except to point out that Joseph had learned from his mistake of bragging to his brothers. When he was called before Pharaoh, he emphasized that he had no power to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, but that God was capable of doing so.
This passage reminds us of how important it is to remain faithful to God in the face of sexual temptation. It also reminds us of the price we may sometimes pay for that faithfulness. It is worth noting that in this story the woman is the sexual predator. Of course, before anyone goes thinking that the Bible singles out women as the ones who always initiate sexual sin, it is worth noting that it was Joseph’s older half-brother Judah who was guilty of sex with someone he thought was a prostitute at the end of yesterday’s passage.
Jesus told His disciples that they were permitted to understand His message but that a quote from Isaiah applied to many of those around them.
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
The quote continues by saying that those to whom it applies closed their own eyes so that they would not see. When I see the people around me who intentionally misconstrue God’s word so that they can ignore His commands it makes me want to cry because I know that God is offering them healing for the hurt they are experiencing. I see people all of the time seeking for something more, yet rejecting God’s message. Jesus told us this would happen in this passage. I pray that God’s Spirit will change the hearts of those who can be made willing to listen. As I write this I think of several of my friends to whom this applies and my heart breaks for them because they will not listen. They refuse to turn to God and let Him heal them. I will continue to pray for them that God’s Spirit may touch their heart.
I always find this psalm a challenge. I know that when God has examined me that I have done wrong. Nevertheless, I am determined to not sin in what I say. I know that I shall from time to time fail in that determination. However, I also know that God will answer my prayers because I trust in the blood of Jesus. I pray that the day will come when the Holy Spirit will complete my transformation and I will be able to say that when God examines me He will find that I have done no wrong. In the mean time I am grateful for God’s wonderful grace.
These proverbs are fairly straightforward, the results of being wicked are indistinguishable from being cursed, while the results of doing what is right will be blessings. It will appear as if life itself is mocking those who mock others, while it will be gracious to those who are humble. The wise will be honored, while fools will experience shame.
Yesterday(just as a reminder, for me, yesterday was June 19), I titled my Bible Study, “How Can I Serve The Lord Right Now?” Then today when I was on Facebook looking at what my friends had posted I came across something that answered the question for any time I am out in public. The post was about someone who, when they were out driving around, would smile and wave to everyone they encountered. When asked why they did it, they responded that they had seen a story about people who had tried and failed to commit suicide. In that story they read that many of those people would not have tried to kill themselves if someone, anyone, had acknowledged them with a smile and a wave. I don’t know if that is true, but I do know that I feel better when people pleasantly acknowledge encountering me. I have decided that at least part of the answer to my question is that I can pleasantly acknowledge everyone I see.
I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Solomon had bronze and gold furnishings made for the Temple. When the Temple and all of the furnishings were completed, Solomon summoned all of the leaders of the people of Israel to Jerusalem for a holy festival to move the Ark of the Covenant from where David had placed it into the Temple. When all of the leaders arrived, Levites picked up the Ark and brought it to the Temple. In addition other priests and Levites brought the tent it had been in and all of the sacred articles that were in the tent into the Temple. During the process of moving the Ark Solomon and the people of Israel sacrificed so many animals, sheep, goats, and cattle, that no one kept track of the number.
When the sacrifices were finished, the priests carried the Ark into the Holy Place in the Temple. After the priests left the Holy Place the priestly and Levite musicians performed together to praise God. While they were singing and playing a thick cloud filled the Temple. The cloud was so think that the priests could not continue the service. Solomon then concluded the service by praying a prayer thanking and praising God for choosing David, his father, to be king over Israel, and himself to build God’s Temple in Jerusalem.
I always find it hard to explain what Paul is saying in today’s passage. I think that partly that is because Paul had a hard time expressing the idea he was trying to convey. The first point Paul makes is that cancels all of our commitments under the law. He then goes on to show how that means we are freed from our bondage to sin. We were bound to service to sin by the law. However, when we died with Christ at our baptism we were freed from that bondage. We are no longer captive to the law, before our death with Christ in baptism we were obligated either to keep every jot and tittle of the law or we were bound to serve sin in our every action. Christ’s death freed us from those two choices and allowed us to serve God according to the spirit of His intentions.
Another point which Paul makes is sin takes advantage of our knowledge of good and evil to entice us to do evil. The law was introduced in order to show us the boundaries of good behavior, but in our sinfulness we see those boundaries as lines to cross to demonstrate our independence. I’m still not getting it right. Every time I read this passage I think, “Wow, that is an awkward way to say that.” Then I try to reword it another way and it always comes out either being even more convoluted, or saying something completely different from what Paul was saying. Or both.
The psalmist prays to God for deliverance from his foes and his troubles. Why does he do this? Because he knows that God will answer. That God will bend down and listen, just as a loving mother will bend down to hear what her child is saying. The psalmist goes on to warn us that those who look for their reward in this world will face destruction at the hand of God. But those who are righteous will be vindicated because they seek to see God face to face as their reward. This psalm sums up where those who follow “prosperity gospel” go wrong. “Prosperity gospel” teaches that we will receive a reward in this world. While we may receive good things in this world, our reward is to see God face to face.
What we truly desire is to be loyally loved. We will be happier being poor with someone who honestly loves us than rich with someone we cannot trust. If we truly fear the Lord, and act accordingly, we will have no reason to fear anything else and trouble will pass us by.
I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.
When Joseph arrived in Egypt he was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guards. God was with Joseph so that everything Joseph did prospered. When Potiphar noticed Joseph’s success, he gave Joseph ever more responsibility until Joseph was running Potiphar’s entire household. Joseph was successful because he behaved in a godly manner. His behavior resulted in good outcomes because that is what happens when one behaves in a godly manner. The same thing will happen with us, if we behave in a godly manner we will have success.
However, Joseph’s success did not come without a price. Potiphar’s wife noticed him and considered him a handsome man. She wanted to add him to her conquests. When he refused to accede to her requests she became insistent. He started to avoid her as much as he could. Until one day he was in the house with her alone. She approached him and grabbed his cloak and demanded he come to bed with her. He left his cloak in her hand and fled. Potiphar’s wife then went to her husband and accused Joseph of attempting to rape her. Potiphar was furious and had Joseph thrown into prison. Despite the mistreatment he received, Joseph continued to act in a godly manner. This once again led to Joseph receiving special treatment.
While he was in prison, Pharaoh’s baker and his cup-bearer were placed into the same prison. They were assigned to Joseph’s care. After they had been in prison for some time each of the men had a dream in the same night. When Joseph came to them the he saw that they were more unhappy than usual and he inquired as to the reason. They answered that they had dreams that seemed to have meaning but they did not understand them. Joseph tells them that interpretation belongs to God and asks them to tell him their dreams. The two men each told Joseph their dreams and Joseph interpreted them. Joseph told the cup-bearer that in three days he would return to Pharaoh’s favor and he told the baker that in three days he would be executed. Joseph asked the cup-bearer to mention him to Pharaoh and get him out of prison when he received his good fortune. However, the cup-bearer forgot. Two years later, Pharaoh had two portentous dreams in the night. Pharaoh sent for his advisers and magicians, but none of them could tell him what the dreams meant. At that moment, the cup-bearer remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret dreams. Pharaoh sent for Joseph and asked him to interpret the dreams. Joseph told Pharaoh that he had no ability to interpret dreams, but that God would give Pharaoh the answer he was seeking.
Notice that while the passage repeatedly says that God made Joseph successful in everything he did, Joseph still experienced hardship. The same will be true for us. If we follow God’s will, we will experience success. However, this does not mean that we will not experience persecution and suffering. Also, notice that when Joseph suffered misfortune, he did not rant and rave against God. Instead, he remained faithful even though time and again circumstances went against him and he experienced suffering.
Today’s passage includes the parable of the sower. After Jesus tells the parable, His disciples ask Him why He speaks to the people in parables. Jesus gives them an interesting answer. He tells them that He speaks in parables because the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven are given to His disciples not to the people in general. He goes on to quote an Old Testament passage. First He tells them that He speaks to them in parables because:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”
Then He goes on to quote from Isaiah where Isaiah says that the people hear but do not understand and see but do not perceive. Isaiah goes on to say that their hearts have become calloused, they barely listen and do not look. Otherwise they might see, hear, understand and turn and God would heal them. Neither Isaiah nor Jesus say that God did this to the people. This is something the people did to themselves. People do not see because they choose not to see. They do not hear because they choose not to hear. People do not understand because they do not want to understand. If people truly listen, look and seek to understand God’s will, they are able to do so. If they do seek to hear, see and understand God’s will, they will turn from their sins and God will heal them.
After saying this Jesus explains the parable of the sower. He tells them that some people hear God’s word but do not understand it. When this happens, the evil one snatches it away from their hearts before it ever has an opportunity to take root. This is the seed sown on hard ground (the path), people who resist the idea of needing God. Other people hear the word and embrace it, but they never take it into the depth of their being and when trouble arises because of the word, they fall away. These are the seed sown on rocky soil, people who want everything to be easy. Still other people embrace the word but get caught up in their daily life and do not nourish the seed. The worries and concerns of their daily life choke out the seed as it grows and they do not bear fruit. This is the seed cast among the thorns. The final group are those who embrace the word and understand it. They produce a crop many times what they receive. I sincerely hope I am in that last group but I fear I am in the third. I wish to be faithful and serve God as He desires, but the various aspects of my life seem to keep distracting me. Once more I ask God to make me fruitful, to cause me to produce His fruit.
Fencers Lay On
O Lord, I know that You hear my prayer. You test my thoughts and examine my heart. I strive to walk in your paths and follow Your commands. Help me to speak only Your words. I have seen the wonders of Your love. I offer my prayers to You because I know that You will answer.
The wicked will find God opposing them and mockers will find themselves mocked, but the righteous and humble will find God on their side in all they do. The wise will be honored, while fools will be embarrassed.
I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Today’s passage describes the Temple furnishings that Solomon had built. The first thing mentioned is a large bronze basin called the Sea. It was the size of a large above ground pool. We are told that the priests washed themselves in this basin. There were ten smaller basins made that were used to wash the utensils for the burnt offerings. In addition there were many other furnishings made. We are told that so much bronze was used that it was not possible to determine how much it all weighed.
Once the furnishings were completed, Solomon summoned the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem for the Festival of Shelters to move the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple. When they got the Ark to the Temple, but before they put it into the inner sanctuary, they offered a large number of burnt offerings before it. The passage tells us that they offered so many animals that no one could keep count. When they had finished with the sacrifices, the priests carried the Ark into the inner sanctuary of the Temple, the Most Holy Place. We are told that there was nothing in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed within it. Once the priests had placed the Ark in the Most Holy Place they left the Holy Place. Then the Levitical musicians began singing to God with instrumental accompaniment. We are told that a thick cloud filled the Temple at this moment and the priests were forced to stop their service because of it. We are told that this cloud was the presence of God. This cloud is reminiscent of the cloud that led the people of Israel during the day in the wilderness. Solomon concludes by praising God for fulfilling His promises to his father David.
Paul tells us in this passage that death frees us from the law. That when we died with Christ upon accepting His sacrifice for us, we were freed from bondage to the Law. Before Christ, the only way to serve God was through obeying the letter of the Law, but now we can serve God by living in His Spirit. Paul tells us that the law, which was intended to bring life, was twisted by sin so as to instead bring death and condemnation. Any attempt to set up a set of rules that we can/must keep for salvation is doomed to failure. Sin will make use of those rules to condemn us for our failures. The only way to be right with God is to acknowledge that we will fail to always act righteously and must rely fully on God’s grace. This does not mean that we do not attempt to act righteously, just that we acknowledge that we will always fall short of God’s righteous standard and thus are no better than anyone else.
The psalmist tells us that God will test our thoughts and examine our hearts, we cannot hide our sin from Him. God’s love is unfailing and He will rescue those who seek Him as refuge from their enemies. God will destroy those who seek their reward in this world, but will give satisfaction to those who seek to see Him face to face.
The first proverb tells us that we will find people who are loyal more attractive. It also tells us that one is better off being poor than being dishonest. There is actually a connection between these two statements. People who are dishonest never trust anyone. They are always sure that those around them are lying to them and are going to betray them. When you meet someone who thinks that way, you can be sure that they are will lie to you when it suits their purposes and betray you at the least hint of gain from doing so. The second proverb tells us the way to avoid becoming that person. If we fear the Lord, we will trust Him for our security and not fear the betrayal of others. If we fear the Lord, we will be honest and loyal. We will know that the Lord will protect us and thus not need to fear the betrayal and dishonesty of others. This is really a twofold thing. The first part is that as we are more honest and loyal, others are less likely to lie to us or betray us. The second part is that if we rely on God for our security, He will protect us from the consequences of others dishonesty or betrayal.
