Day #161

Sermon - Audio
Proverbs 19-21 - Audio
Proverbs 19-21- Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

19

1 = Continuing on the theme of it being better to be poor and and humble, walking with integrity, etc...than to be rich and crooked, arrogant, etc.

10 = I love the WBC's take on this: "It is bad enough that any fool should prosper, but it is a disaster whenever an incompetent rules."

Ideas for a "good" life with God:

16 & 20 - listen to instruction

17 - be kind to the poor

18 - be involved in your children's lives and discipline them

19 - avoid friendships with those who lack self-control

21 - acknowledge the rule of God

22 - understand that love and integrity are what bring real happiness

23 - FEAR the LORD.

Q. Think of your life and compare it to this list...

24 - Now that's extreme laziness.

26 - listen up kids

20

1 = This verse discusses the foolishness of becoming drunk. We lose the ability to make wise decisions. This verse does not condemn drinking, but as seen throughout the Bible, excessive drinking (drunkenness) is not what God desires.

4 = In Israel, the grain harvest began after Passover (around April), and the sowing of this crop (in a field that had just been plowed) was done in the autumn, after the Feast of Tabernacles (around November). -ESVSB-

9 = I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for Jesus, in whom, we have become the righteousness of God!

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling 3 the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

*We are only acceptable to God, because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. We can boldly stand before His throne and proclaim that through Jesus we are pure in heart and our sin is washed away!

12 - It is through the ready hearing of the right teaching, and through the observant eye, that one becomes wise.

13 - Maybe this is why College Students are always so poor.

16 - These are the words the lender might say when a man guaranteed the loan of a stranger, who then defaulted. See 6:1–5. The “garment” is a large cloak that one could wear in the cold and wrap himself in at night. Its importance is shown by the fact that Torah (Exod. 22:25–26; Deut. 24:12–13) requires that a garment given in pledge be returned each evening so its owner could use it. -JSB-

17 - There are repercussions to our actions, even if they seem wise and sweet at the time in our own eyes.

18-19 - One should not make major decisions without seeking the counsel of others. On the other hand, one should be careful about who is brought into one’s private deliberations. The example of making war particularly points to the need to find advisers who can keep a matter private. -ESVSB-

21 = My wife sees this happen all the time at her work. People gain a large inheritance and squander it. The issue comes down to wisdom. Give a fool a large amount of money and it will be squandered. This is why so many lottery winners go broke.

22 = See Prov 24:29

24 = This verse recognizes what Ecc affirms as well. The work of God in human affairs is beyond human understanding. The implication of this is that people should recognize their dependence on God and trust Him. See note on 16:9. -ASB-

26 = Jesus will eventually sort out those who have hated God - Matt 3:12

29 - This expresses appreciation for the glories of both youth and old age, the sign of which is gray hair. Old age was something to take pride in, for it implied (in the Sages’ view) both a successful life and the wisdom of years. -JSB-

21

Living God’s law [ chapters 21–22 ]. When we think of God’s law, we think most naturally of the books of law in the Pentateuch or the commands of Jesus or the *paraenesis sections of the NT epistles. But the proverbs also constitute God’s law. Some of them are phrased as commands: “Train up a child in the way he should go” (22:6); “Drive out a scoffer” (22:10); “Do not rob the poor” (22:22). But even when a proverb is expressed in a descriptive rather than prescriptive format, it embodies God’s law for living and contains an implied command. A good analytic grid for the proverbs in these two chapters is to ponder how each one is an explicit or implicit rule for life. -ESVLB-

2 = We get another echo of the LORD being the one who weighs the heart.

10 = Do people see evil, revenge, and hatred in you, or do people see mercy and forgiveness?

Q. How approachable are you to your neighbors?

15-18 - When justice is practiced, it is a joy for those who have walked in its ways and a terror to those who have perverted them (v. 15). Verses 16–18 describe the reality of the terror for the wicked: they have turned from the path that leads to life (v. 16), loved mere pleasure and luxury to their own impoverishment (v. 17), and are themselves a ransom—an image that likely reflects the merciless manner in which they treated others (v. 18; cf. 10, 13). -ESVSB-

21 = Matt 5:6

23 & 24 = Opposites - Person who keeps his mouth/tongue vs. Scoffer

26 - A call to generousity

30 - The verse underscores the superiority of the Lord to human wisdom, despite its cleverness, even its good intentions (such as “fear of the Lord”).

Day #316

Sermon - Audio
Matt 27, Mark 15 - Reading
Matt 27, Mark 15 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Matt 27 and Mark 15

27.1: Elders are part of the noble class along with the priests. They are heads of influential families and community leaders.

27.1: The reasons Jesus is put to death include:

1. A fear that the ruling elite will lose their place. If they lose their place they will also lose the financial benefits that come with their place.

2. Pure Envy

3. A fear that Jesus will start a revolution and bring down the wrath of Rome. The result would be a loss of political power for the Sadducees and Elders.

*The only reason that is not in the mix is a theological one. They use blasphemy as an excuse to kill Jesus, but it’s not the real reason.

27.3,19: Again, the testimony that Jesus is innocent.

The entire crucifixion of Jesus has close ties with Psalm 22.

27.25: These words sadly have been used as an excuse to persecute the Jewish people. Since Jesus is Jewish, his first followers Jewish, and because he had many supporters among the Jewish people it is totally wrong to say that these words uttered by a mob make all Jews complicit in the crucifixion of Jesus. The only complicity that all Jews have in the crucifixion of Jesus is the same complicity that all people have in his crucifixion—our sin.

27.27-31: The pain that Jesus experiences is not only on the cross.

27.34: According to Jewish law a person who is condemned to die is to be given something to numb the pain. This comes on the basis of Prov. 31.6 that says, “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, wine to those bitter of soul.”

27.38: Robbers: This word most likely means people who are part of a rebellion. They may be connected with Barabbas. Robbers are not usually crucified.

27.40: Jesus in staying on the cross destroys the temple (his body) and opens the way for its being rebuilt by the resurrection.

27.46 is a quote from Psalm 22. In quoting one verse Jesus is calling those who are listening to think of the whole Psalm. A Psalm that ends with triumph, not despair and death. Jesus is effect is saying—keep watching, something is going to happen that will change everything.

27.51: Curtain tears—a picture of the grief of God that tells us it takes God’s deep grief to open the way for us to enter his presence.

27.54: Another testimony to the honor and innocence of Jesus.

27.55: Women are always part of the group that follows Jesus.

Mark 15

1-5 - This is the official trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (assembly of religious judges all over Israel), also described in Luke 22:66-71. There are many thoughts on why this trial was held "first thing in the morning." Some believe that it was held at this time to make sure there would not be any issues concerning the decision from Jesus' followers. The Jews needed to ask the Romans for permission to get rid of Jesus...We see how much Israel relied upon Rome. When Jesus is delivered to Pilate, the Jewish leaders were probably excited. Other historical writings tell us that Pilate was not a "nice guy."

Why "King of the Jews?" is the charge. Doesn't this seem like an odd charge against Jesus? See, they Jewish people knew that Rome could care less if Jesus claimed to be a "god." Rome may have looked the other way with that, but Jesus claiming to be a King over a group of people that Rome had governance...would be a political issue to Rome. Jesus never teaches to riot against a government, but is accused of doing so. In fact, Jesus says to pay your taxes :)

Jesus stays quiet when questioned...very strange for a man headed for death. Jesus probably could have been spared had he repented for these actions, even if he hadn't done them...but Jesus came to live and die.

6-15 - Most people think that Pilate saw right through the Sanhedrin's plan, so he offered a choice probably thinking that there was no way the people would choose Barabbas...but they did. The Jewish people in Jerusalem listened to their leaders. This is one of the weirdest scenes that takes place in all of history. A horrible Roman governor trying to save the life or a man who works miracles for the Jews, against the Jewish people's wishes...strange.

“As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. Pain and blood loss generally set the stage for circulatory shock. The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive the cross.” (Edwards)

16-20 - A king of that day would often wear a purple robe and a gilded wreath of leaves. The rag of purple and crown of thorns was a mockery of this common practice.

"Hail, King of the Jews" was a complete mockery of Jesus as many would greet the Roman emperor with "Hail Caesar!"

“See that scarlet robe; it is a contemptuous imitation of the imperial purple that a king wears . . . See, above all, that crown upon his head. It has rubies in it, but the rubies are composed of his own blood, forced from his blessed temples by the cruel thorns. See, they pay him homage; but the homage is their own filthy spittle which runs down his cheeks. They bow the knee before him, but it is only in mockery. They salute him with the cry, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ but it is done in scorn. Was there ever grief like his?” (Spurgeon)

Jesus was used as an example for Rome, much like every other crucification was. This is why they were extra horrifying...we have no idea how brutal this process was.

21-23 - A cross probably weighed 250-300 pounds, the crossbar around 100. Jesus would have had to carry the 100 pound crossbar. However, his body was in no condition to do so.

Simon/Father of Rufus: Apparently Rufus was known in the early church and was himself a Christian. If this Rufus is the same one mentioned in Romans 16:13, we can surmise that Simon came to know what it really meant to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus. We may know that his sons became leaders among the early Christians.

Golgotha - "Place of the Skull" - Where criminals were believed to have been crucified.

"did not take it" - “Was it out of any love to suffering that he thus refused the wine-cup? Ah, no; Christ had no love of suffering. He had a love of souls, but like us he turned away from suffering, he never loved it . . . Why, then, did he suffer? For two reasons: because this suffering to the utmost was necessary to the completion of the atonement, which saves to the utmost; and because this suffering to the utmost was necessary to perfect his character as ‘a merciful High Priest’ who has to compassionate souls that have gone to the utmost of miseries themselves; that he might know how to succor them that are tempted.” -Spurgeon-

24-26 - Divide my garments - This was in fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 22: They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots (Psalm 22:18)

Crucifixion - a slow way of death/murder with the most amount of pain...Rome was great at it.

27-32 - The mockery continues, but Jesus will have the final words.

33-37 - In the writing of Phlegon (a Roman historian)...he makes mention of an extraordinary solar eclipse as well as of an earthquake about the time of the crucifixion.” (Geldenhuys) This is especially remarkable because during a full moon - which Passover was always held at - a natural eclipse of the sun is impossible. This was an extraordinary miracle.

Many people wonder if this is Jesus blaming His Father or something, but it actually is Jesus identifying with suffering and stating that He has fulfilled Psalm 22. He is victorious.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - forsaken - "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Jesus says, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” Not only did they get wrong what they heard (Jesus said, “Eloi” not “Elijah”), but they also only heard one word of what He said.

John 19:30 tells us what He said when He cried with a loud voice: it is finished, which is one word in the ancient Greek language, the word tetelestai. This ancient wordtetelestai means, “Paid in Full.” This is the cry of a winner, because Jesus paid in full the debt of sin we owed, and had finished the eternal purpose of the cross.

38-41 - As the wall of separation between God and man is removed, the veil is torn from top to bottom.

42-47 - Bodies of victims were usually left on the cross to rot or be eaten. However, the people would not allow this to happen to Jesus. In fact, Joseph risked getting in trouble from Rome by even making this request.

Because of the coming Sabbath, they were unable to properly prepare the body of Jesus for burial. So, in hurried preparations, Jesus’ body is placed in a borrowed tomb.

Day #140

Sermon - Audio
2 Samuel 19-21 - Daily Audio
2 Sameul 19-21 - Daily Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

19

1-3 = David is overcome with grief concerning his son's death. Even though his son opposed him.

v4-6 = Because David has covered his face with grief, he has covered with shame the faces of his loyal servants. you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. The words for “love” and “hate” here can mean “be loyal” and “be disloyal.” Joab is REALLY upset. Remember that Absalom was a very rebellious and perverse son.

8-15 = The whole country finally agrees to bring David back, but even this creates problems as it shows the division between Judah and the rest of Israel. Israel (in this chapter referring to the northern tribes) had spoken with David about coming back to Jerusalem, but David has to make a special appeal to Judah. So a Judean contingent accompanies David back, apparently without consultation with the other tribes. However, Israel and Judah argue over the ceremony of David’s triumphal return to his capital (vv. 41–43). "why do you say nothing?" The question highlights the factions that developed within both Israel and Judah concerning the validity of David’s return to the throne. David uses the support he is getting from Israel to motivate Judah to action. -ESVSB-

13 - Joab is demoted. More than likely this is because he disobeyed the command of David concerning Absalom.

15 - Gilgal was an important religious center near Jericho and the Jordan River

A good summary of the "Shimei" situation is given in the JSB - "Abishai, Joab’s brother. His relentless approach (cf. 1 Sam. 26:8ff.; 2 Sam. 16:9ff.) sets off David’s moderate attitude. David swears not to put Shimei to death, probably in order to win the support of Benjamin. He does not, however, forgive Shimei (see 1 Kings 2:8–9)."

26 - In 16:3 Ziba lies to David about Mephibosheth wanting to stay in Jerusalem. Mephibosheth couldn't get away.

30 - Mephibosheth didn't even care about the land, only that David had returned.

20

1-2 - Sheba took advantage of David at a weak point. He went his own way and took others with him by devaluing the kingship of David. Sheba took the 10 northern tribes away from him.

3 - His wives were violated by Absalom. "He could not well divorce them; he could not punish them, as they were not in the transgression; he could not more be familiar with them, because they had been defiled by his son; and to have married them to other men might have been dangerous to the state." - Clarke-

5 - Amasa was no Joab!

8-10 - Then again...maybe he doesn't want to be. Joab gets revenge.

15-22 - The city was saved because of the courage of one woman.

23 - Joab gets his position back. It's tough to know if David yet knows what has happened, but either way Amasa had failed in his duties.

21

A famine comes upon the land for 3 years due to, as Larry stated, "a broken covenant/promise between the city of God and the city of men." God is concerned about His name throughout all of the world/creation. He will not have His name be devalued.

7 - David promised to protect and bless Mephibosheth and he would not fulfill one promise at the expense of another.

10 - The coming of rain showed the famine was over, justice was satisfied, and Israel was delivered.

*Interesting Thought - The people of Israel must have been continuously been praying for the famine in the land to be over, but God refused to listen to them as long as the sin was not dealt with.

15-17 - David is getting older at this point. Think of telling your grandpa or grandma that they can't drive anymore...this is sort of what is happening with David :)

17 - "lamp of Israel" = The lamp-metaphor may be based on the continually burning lamp in the temple (Exod 27:20). In figurative usage, lamp may be a symbol of life (cf. Job 21:17; Prov 20:20; 24:20). WBC

18-end - The people can kill giants as well. David has instilled a passion within his followers to obey the commands of God. David is a true leader in the sense that he duplicated himself among a larger group of people.

Day #160

Sermon - Audio
Proverbs 16-18 - Audio
Proverbs 16-18- Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

16

Overview = In addition to noting the usual considerations of values, virtues, and vices, we can profitably analyze the data with a view toward coming up with definitions of wisdom and folly (“skill for living” is one legitimate interpretive slant on the concept of wisdom, but there are others). -ESVLB-

1 = With all the planning and scheming (the arrangements of the mind) of a man...it is God's purpose that will prevail. In the end it is His response that will come.

2 = The Lord knows your heart, your motives. - 1 Samuel 16:7

3-4 = Q. Why is it important to daily commit our day to God? How do we build dependence on God?

6 = This proverb portrays the sacrificial system, by which iniquity is atoned for, as an expression of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex. 34:6; Prov. 3:3; 14:22; 20:28). The right response is the fear of the LORD, by which one turns away from doing evil (a common “wisdom” phrase: 3:7; 13:19; 14:16; 16:17; Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 28:28; Ps. 34:14; 37:27). The Bible consistently presents moral effort as the right response to God’s grace. -ESVSB-

Notice it says response to grace.

What is our response to the grace given to us in Jesus Christ?:

Luke 6:36 - Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 - for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord .

*Too many more to list.

7 = This is a proverb and thus it does not constitute a comprehensive statement about human relationships. The NT teaching and life-experience make it clear that people who follow God are sometimes persecuted precisely because their ways are pleasing to the Lord. This proverb recognizes that a life lived according to Yahweh’s order will commend itself to others. It will be characterized by compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and civility. Such virtues have the power to restore broken relationships. -ASB-

10-15 = These verses discuss the king's responsibilities and his ideal power/wisdom.

16-19 = Wisdom-Over-Wealth

18 = Not only does pride come before the fall, but it is the road to destruction.

19 = The opposite of being arrogant and prideful is this idea of being "lowly in spirit," an idea of humility. What camp do we find ourselves in?

16-19 = John Calvin states this: "'And Cain was very wroth'...We know also, that to hypocrites nothing seems of greater value, nothing is more to their heart's content, then earthly blessing. Moreover, in the person of Cain is portrayed to us the likeness of a wicked man, who yet desires to be esteemed just, and even arrogates to himself the first place among saints. Such persons truly, by external works, strenuously labor to deserve well at the hands of God; but, retaining a heart inwrapped in deceit, they present to him nothing but a mask; so that, in their labourious and anxious religious worship, there is nothing sincere, nothing but mere pretense. When they afterwards see that they gain no advantage, they betray the venom of their minds; for they not only complain against God, but break forth in manifest fury, so that, if they were able, they would gladly tear him down from his heavenly throne. Such is the innate pride of all hypocrites, that, by the very appearance of obedience, they would hold God as under obligation to them; because they cannot escape from his authority, they try to sooth him with blandishments, as they would a child; in the meantime, while they count much of their fictitious trifles, they think that God does them great wrong if he does not applaud them; but when he pronounces their offerings frivolous and of no value in his sight, they first begin to murmur, and then to rage. Their impiety alone hinders God from being reconciled unto them; but they wish to bargain with God on their own terms. When this is denied, they burn with furious indignation, which, though conceived against God, they cast forth upon his children."

20 = Trusting in God, once again brings life!

21 = Gains wisdom, or “increases learning,” i.e., teaches others effectively. -JSB-

22 = This reminds me of my wife and I trying to find locations before the GPS came into our lives. Wasting numerous gallons of gas because of wrong directions was a normal occurrence...until "Good Sense" found us in the form of the GPS.

25 = There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (So much truth here)

*Those who have gone through a "dark" time and have been brought out know the above verse is true, however, I encourage each of us to stop and consider our lives for a moment. Are we living for God's mission, His desires...or are we going down our own path, satisfying our own desires? Have we stopped to consider what the Creator of the universe desires with our lives?

25-32 = People often have the wrong idea about what is good and what is bad. Hunger seems a bad thing, but it forces people to work and keeps them from idleness (v. 26). Verses 27–30 likewise describe types of evil that seem clever to those who practice them but which are actually vile and destructive. This includes general troublemaking (v. 27), spreading discord (v. 28), drawing others to join in crime (v. 29), and conspiring with others to commit crime (v. 30). Gray hair seems to be a mark of infirmity but actually is a crown of glory (31; cf. 20:29). Finally, a mighty warrior seems to be the strongest man of all, but in reality a man who can control himself is stronger than a conqueror (16:32). -ESVSB-

32 = "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." -James 1:19-

33 = “Casting lots” involves the random selection or distribution of objects in order to make a choice uncontrolled and unbiased by the participants. In Israel it was typically performed “before the Lord” (see Josh. 18:8) in order to receive his direction. from the LORD. Not only the careful plans of the heart (Prov. 16:1, 9) but also the apparently random practice of casting lots falls under God’s providential governance. On the question of whether Christians should make decisions in this way, see note on Acts 1:26. -ESVSB-

17

1 = This continues some of the thoughts from the end of Chapter 16. It is better to have a house that is in unity that is small and poor, than to have a rich and full house that is in conflict.

*The things that are important to God are many times not the same things that are important to man.

3 = A furnace tests or assays and purifies ore by heating it until the pure silver or gold melts and rises, where it can be separated from the heavier dross. The analogy, then, implies more than God’s just looking into the heart. It implies a painful test to prove the purity of the sufferer’s faithfulness. Prov. 3:12 expresses a similar idea. -JSB-

Reminds me of 1 peter 1:6-9 = "In this (new birth, future glory) you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

5 = In what ways do we mock the poor? Such mocking can involve saying that those who suffer deserve it (e.g., the attitude of Job’s friends) or simply being callous or indifferent to their plight.

8 = More than likely this verse describes a course of behavior that seems valuable but is really destructive (see 14:12, and 16:2)

9-13 = Offenders and the Offended

13 = There is a play on the word “evil”. Evil, in one form or another, never leaves, even

though it be inflicted on another. -WBC-

14 = Q. What's your experience with quarrels? I think this verse is right on.

16 = This proverb either (1) expresses the irony of thinking that wisdom is a commodity that can be bought with money, or (2) suggests that a fool, because he has no sense, would refuse to buy wisdom even if he could. -ESVSB-

19 = Transgression and strife go hand-in-hand (cf. v. 14). Transgression is in the heart of the person who loves strife, i.e., who is unwilling to “quit before the quarrel breaks out” (cf. v. 14). Such a person is characterized by pride and arrogance (makes his door high; see note on vv. 14–19); though he seeks the ruin of others, in reality he is seeking his own destruction, which God will bring about in due course (cf. Ps. 55:23; 2 Pet. 3:7).

Q. How is this idea different than that way you handle arguments, disagreements, etc?

Q. What things can we put in place to make sure we handle our disagreements appropriately (God-honoring way)?

27 & 28 = My grandfather was a man of God who rarely said anything. However, when he did everyone listened. He was considered wise by all of us....hmmmm, wish I chose to shut my mouth more.

18

2 - This brings back the idea of civility. It's important for Christians to not just throw around their opinions and suggestions. We must seek to know what God desires and work through those things in community. It is only then that we understand and seek the good of the entire world. By doing this we set the example, and therefore proclaim, that God's created order is a better way to live and function.

4 = Human speech has the potential to be a deep fount of wisdom.

9 = God calls us to do everything with excellence. Our God is not lazy, and we shouldn't be either. Someone who is lazy is depriving the entire community.

9-12 = describe two types of security (the LORD and riches), while 9 and 12 describe two things that bring about one’s destruction (laziness and pride). Taken together, these proverbs imply that riches can give a false sense of security that leads to laziness, pride, and a downfall, but that humility and the fear of God exalt people. -ESVSB-

13 = Guilty of this....hmmmm

15 = Q. Do you long to acquire knowledge and understanding? How are you going about this?

21 = See Matthew 12:36

22 = While the proverb does not say, “He who finds a good wife,” that is clearly presupposed, since Pr contains many proverbs that illustrate the benefits of having a good wife and the consequences of having a foolish or bad one. The good wife is wise and she fears the Lord. Thus she is able to function as the appropriate or complementary helper that Gn 2:18 says man needs. A wise husband and a wise wife can function together in the way this “one flesh” relationship was designed to work. -ASB-

Day #195

Sermon - Audio
Isaiah 9-12 & 2 Chronicles 27 - Audio
Isaiah 9-12 & 2 Chronicles 27 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Isaiah 9

Set in the middle of the prevailing visions of judgment against Judah is a vision of the coming Messiah. The poetry accounts for much of the literary power of the passage, along with a list of evocative epithets in verse 6. -ESVLB-

1 - The gloom carries over from Isaiah 8, where Isaiah warned Judah about the coming invasion from Assyria.

2 - Matthew 4:13-16 quotes this passage as clearly fulfilled in the Galilean ministry of Jesus. Since the majority of Jesus’ ministry took place in this northern area of Israel, around the Sea of Galilee, God certainly did have a special blessing for this once "lightly esteemed" land!

6 - Isaiah presents the events as if it were the time of the child’s arrival, with an expectation of what he will achieve (Isa. 9:7). Wonderful Counselor. A “counselor” is one who is able to make wise plans (cf. 11:2). He is a ruler whose wisdom is beyond merely human capabilities, unlike intelligent but foolish Ahaz (cf. 28:29). Mighty God. A title of the Lord himself (10:20–21; Deut. 10:17; Neh. 9:32; Jer. 32:18). Everlasting Father. A “father” here is a benevolent protector (cf. Isa. 22:21; Job 29:16), which is the task of the ideal king and is also the way God himself cares for his people (cf. Isa. 63:16; 64:8; Ps. 103:13). (That is, this is not using the Trinitarian title “Father” for the Messiah; rather, it is portraying him as a king.) Prince of Peace. He is the ruler whose reign will bring about peace because the nations will rely on his just decisions in their disputes (cf. Isa. 2:4; 11:6–9; 42:4; 49:7; 52:15). This kind of king contrasts with even the best of the Davidic line that Judah has experienced so far, because these titles show that this king will be divine. Thus this cannot refer to, say, Hezekiah (whose father Ahaz was king at the time), who for all his piety was nevertheless flawed (cf. 39:5–8) and only human. -ESVSB-

7 - "There will be no end." God's covenant with Abraham was a global one. He would be a blessing to all nations. We can't forget this.

Q. What does this mean for us? What does this look like outside of our "four walls?"

9:8-10:34 - Isaiah seeks to warn his nation that God will judge it if it rejects him and that God will also judge the surrounding nations, so trusting them is a futile venture. As we negotiate all of the topical references, we need to get a grip on the literary principle that writers tell us not only what happened but also what happens, so that Isaiah’s message to his own society still applies today. The names have changed, but the spiritual principles remain the same: seeking satisfaction and security in earthly things will bring us to ruin. -ESVLB-

9 - The northern kingdom rebelled against the throne of David and against the worship of the Lord (see 1 Kings 12:16–33).

10 - Interesting picture given here. Basically, what Isaiah is saying is that the greatest of what once was has fallen down because the people have disobeyed God. However, instead of repenting they will just continue on doing the same things that caused them to crumble.

11-17 - What happens when they don't repent...

*You will see this pharse "His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." - It means that God is not finished, but there is more sin to judge.

12 - his anger. Not an impersonal process of cause and effect but God’s own hand at work against evil. His love is intrinsic to his nature (1 John 4:16), but his anger can be provoked (Deut. 4:25). Far from arbitrary, as Isaiah shows, God’s anger is principled, and therefore the more to be feared (Deut. 29:22–28; cf. Ex. 34:6–7; Isa. 13:9; 42:24–25; 48:9; 63:3–6; 66:15–16; Nah. 1:2–3; Rom. 2:5, 8). stretched out still. Human pride cannot wear God down and force him to compromise. -ESVSB-

Repentance = God is merciful and compassionate, but His name will not be ridiculed/mocked forever. At some point everyone falls under judgment. God's will is that we recognize our sin (when we choose against his created order), and repent, that is turn 180 degrees toward Him. Israel did not.

18 - Their self-seeking will become their own destruction

Isaiah 10

10:1-4 - Because of their lack of social justice, they will be exiled and killed. They show no concern for the poor, the broken, and the needy. God is claiming in these verses that He has protected them, but will not for any longer...this will lead to their destruction.

3 - "ruin" - This is the Assyrian invasion

5-7 = Weird paradox here. God is going to use Assyria as the rod of his anger to carry out this mission against Israel, but He still says "woe to them," for they do and will do great evil in God's sight. It seems that God is just not holding Assyria back from what they've always wanted to do. Although, Assyria will have no idea that this is the case.

5-7 = The "rod and staff" were used by shepherds to guide and correct the sheep.

8-14 = Assyria will say that it is by their power that they conquered, thus, God will look down on them. Many military leaders have said this after their victories, only to fall later on (Alexander, Caesar, etc)

15 = An axe without a hand to wield it is useless. Assyria is useless without God.

20-27 = A people will turn to God, there is a "remnant" of Israel.

27 = The "anointing oil" is both argued as the presence of the Holy Spirit among the peoples, or because of the Messiah, Jesus, being the source of victory and freedom.

33-34 = God seems to make a point that the haughty and proud will be destroyed. God opposes the proud.

Isaiah 11

Oracles of redemption: visions of the coming Messiah [ chapters 11–12 ]. As an antidote to the false promises of deliverance by earthly kingdoms, we receive a famous messianic prophecy of the branch of Jesse (chapter 11). As the chapter unfolds, we confront the mysteries of prophetic time: some of the references point to what Jesus accomplished by his incarnation (11:1–5), but those fulfillments telescope into pictures of a golden age that seem to fit the coming millennium and eschaton (11:6–16). In any event, the mode is visionary rather than literal. Chapter 12 is a *psalm of praise, imagined as being uttered by beneficiaries of God’s salvation as just named (“you will say in that day”—12:1). -ESVLB-

1 - family line of Jesus
2 - spiritual empowerment of Jesus - wisdom/understanding/counsel/might/knowledge/fear of LORD
3 - Remember, the fear of the LORD, is the beginning of knowledge. -Prov 1:7
4 - Jesus' compassion/mercy/grace for the poor and needy was evident throughout his earthly walk, as was his rebuke and harsh words for the self-righteous.
5 - Jesus was faithful to death on a cross

6-9 = These verses give us a depiction of the ideal creation. This is how God's creation should have been, and will be. Notice that this section discusses nature.

10-16 = Same thing, but with God's people and the other nations relationships with them. God will gather all His people during this time.

10 = Paul quotes this passage in Romans 15:12 - Paul is stating that this is the time that Isaiah saw coming. A time for the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

Isaiah 12

As an antidote to the false promises of deliverance by earthly kingdoms, we receive a famous messianic prophecy of the branch of Jesse (chapter 11). As the chapter unfolds, we confront the mysteries of prophetic time: some of the references point to what Jesus accomplished by his incarnation (11:1–5), but those fulfillments telescope into pictures of a golden age that seem to fit the coming millennium and eschaton (11:6–16). In any event, the mode is visionary rather than literal. Chapter 12 is a *psalm of praise, imagined as being uttered by beneficiaries of God’s salvation as just named (“you will say in that day”—12:1). -ESVLB-

1 - This is a song of thanksgiving for God "passing over" their sins. We see this happen through/in Jesus.

See 2 Corinthians 5:19 - "In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation!"

2 - This is the expression we should have upon salvation.

3 - This is a picture of an endless supply of salvation that will be enjoyed. Salvation is not a lifeless, life-sucking, draining truth. It is an amazing truth, a transformational action that is to be proclaimed in every area of our lives.

Q. What does it look like to "proclaim salvation in every area of your life?"
Q. Do people see and are they puzzled by your unending joy?

4 - Salvation can not be an internally exclusive right. It is to be passed on. It must flow to others. It is not an "I got mine, I'm all set" mentality.

5-6 - Spurgeon: “We ought not to worship God in a half-hearted sort of way; as if it were now our duty to bless God, but we felt it to be a weary business, and we would get it through as quickly as we could, and have done with it; and the sooner the better. No, no; ‘All that is within me, bless his holy name.’ Come, my heart, wake up, and summon all the powers which wait upon thee! Mechanical worship is easy, but worthless. Come rouse yourself, my brother! Rouse thyself, O my own soul!”

2 Chron 27

The reign of Jotham [ chapter 27 ]. The brief nine-verse summary of Jotham’s reign teases us into wishing that we knew more. It is primarily a story of political success, but that success is placed within a religious framework of the king’s doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (v. 2) and ordering “his ways before the Lord his God” (v. 6). The Chronicler chose not to elaborate on the summary statement that “the people still followed corrupt practices” (v. 2). -ESVLB

Jotham’s reign is depicted in decidedly positive terms. His religious obedience brings prosperity; even the notice at 2 Kings 15:37 concerning the military campaign by Aram and the northern king Pekah are omitted here, being diverted to the reign of Ahaz. This contrasts markedly with the reign of his son, Ahaz, whom Chronicles portrays as wicked in the extreme (see ch 28). This pattern may reflect the influence of Ezek. ch 18. -JSB-

Day #203

Sermon - Audio
Hosea 8-14 - Audio
Hosea 8-14 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Chapter 8

From accusation to sentencing [ chapter 8 ]. Now that God has presented his divine lawsuit against Israel, we move to the sentencing phase of the trial. Statements of God’s intention to punish the guilty are mingled with continued reminders of why he is doing it. -ESVLB-

2 - Israel claims to know God and follow Him, but all their actions state otherwise. Again, as stated yesterday, they may have the head knowledge, but not a true knowledge of God. Otherwise, they would have turned from their evil ways and sought the LORD. This kind of reminds me of Matt 7:22-23.

7-10 - The judgment will seem harsh to Israel, but in the face of what they've done...it is nothing.

11-13 - Their offerings are not acceptable to the LORD. He will punish them for their sins. They shall return to hardship/slavery/destruction.

14 - The real heart of the issue: They have forgotten their Maker/Creator/First Love.

Chapter 9

1-4 - There is no time for rejoicing, for they have committed great sin against God. God will "leave" them and they will be under submission to an oppressor. The people will wonder where God has gone.

10-14 - God remembers the days when Israel was faithful to Him, but they turned and became an abomination. Because of this Israel will experience barrenness. Hosea closes by praying for mercy, that no more will be born into this coming judgment.

15-17 - They will have no home, they will be in exile.

Chapter 10

Final verdict [ chapter 10 ]. Chapter 10 is the third panel in a triptych that began with chapter 8. The rhetorical forms and content remain the same: nations and tribes and cities as the chief actors; occasional direct addresses to these *personified entities in the form of *apostrophe (e.g., “O Israel”; “sow for yourselves righteousness”; “you have plowed iniquity”); poetic images and figures of speech as the vehicles for the message; mingling of accusations of misconduct and predictions of coming calamity.

1-2 - For the image of Israel as a vine, cf. Ps. 80:8–16; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 15:1–8; 17:1–10. This example suits Hosea’s repeated pattern that Israel got off to a good start but then went wrong. The vine’s fruit increased, and the country improved. However, the more Israel prospered, the more Israel sinned. the more altars he built … he improved his pillars. It was just as Moses had warned (Deut. 8:11–14). Abundance is risky; God’s people could not handle it (cf. Prov. 30:7–9). -ESVSB-

2 - "Their heart is false." Even their seemingly good deeds are not acceptable to the LORD. God is looking at the heart and sees nothing but evil.

3-8 - The people will have no king, no altars, nothing.

11-15 - Instead of plowing correctly, Israel, the trained heifer, plows wickedness.

9-15 - The results of resisting God's draw and choosing our own ways.

Chapter 11

God’s mixed feelings toward his beloved [ 11:1–11 ]. The onslaught of accusation and punishment has a temporary respite in this unit. The voice of judgment is still present (vv. 5–7), but it is preceded by expressions of divine parental love (vv. 1–4) and God’s compassionate feelings, which result in a decision to restore Israel (vv. 8–11). God emerges in this unit as a thoroughly *anthropomorphic God, possessing the feelings of a human parent toward a wayward child. -ESVLB-

1-2 - God switches things up by calling Israel his child, and not his bride.

3-4 - God explains his love, mercy, compassion, and guidance of/for His people.

5-7 - God still desires to show this to His people, but they will not repent. We are called to repent.

Q. When we sin (choose against God's created order), how quickly do we run to God, confess it, and ask Him to restore us?

Q. What does it mean to live with an attitude/state of continual repentance, and what does this look like? What does do to our pride?

8-9 - Like a parent disciplining His child...judgment is not fun to God. So many people can get tripped up on the idea of a God who loves to punish us, but this is just not true. Every one of us deserves much worse than we can imagine, but God chooses love, compassion, and mercy even after we continually reject Him. However, judgment must eventually come to those who do not turn.

10-12 - Redemption! Restoration! When refined through/by fire, they will not be the same.

Chapter 12

Final words of judgment [ 11:12–13:16 ]. An extended oracle of judgment brings to a climax the theme of justice in the book of Hosea. One more time we observe...
(1) God’s indictments against his chosen nation;
(2) predictions that he will punish the guilty;
(3) poetic vividness;
(4) direct addresses to the nation and its people.
-ESVLB-

*Almost done with judgment in this book...Although Jeremiah is still coming up, so get used to it.

1 - God's people are not trusting Him to provide, but are working with the Assyrians and trusting in them. Interesting that the same people they are trusting will destroy them.

Q. What are some of the things that you're trusting in that are destroying you? family? wealth? career? etc? What is God's call to you in these areas? What does this look like?

2-6 - Taken from Genesis 32 - story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel/God.

*Remember Micah 6:8 - You know what is good! Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Israel knew this and disregarded it.

7-11 - Remember that this is a prosperous time, Israel put all their hope in their wealth...but God will clean house. - "I will again make you dwell in tents."

12-14 - The mention again of Jacob emphasizes God’s grace in preserving his fugitive so that he would father the 12 tribes of Israel. Aram is Paddan-Aram (Gen. 28:2, 5). The prophet was Moses, who led the nation out of Egypt (Deut. 18:15; 34:10). In the face of God’s gracious deliverance and preservation of his people, Ephraim has given bitter provocation. -ESVSB-

Chapter 13

*Continuation from 12...

Honestly, much of the same till verse 9. It is amazing to me the extent of their trespasses against God. I wonder how aware they were of many of them. How aware are we of ours?

9 - God will be their King once again. When all is lost, God will come and find them. He will be the rightful King of His people, and not the kings in which they desired.

12-16 - God's ability to redeem His people is much greater than the power of sin. I love the language used here in, "I will redeem them from death, from the power of the grave!" Jesus did just that.

CHAPTER 14

“This is a wonderful chapter to be at the end of such a book. I had never expected from such a prickly shrub to gather so fair a flower, so sweet a fruit; but so it is: where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound. No chapter in the Bible can be more rich in mercy than this last of Hosea; and yet no chapter in the Bible might, in the natural order of things, have been more terrible in judgment. Where we looked for the blackness of darkness, behold a noontide of light!” (Charles Spurgeon)

1-3 - What repentance looks like, a "turning."

*We humble ourselves, We admit our faults, We ask for forgiveness, We receive it graciously, We sing His praises, We don't look to man for provision, but in everything we rest in God giving Him the glory.

4-7 - If we/Israel does this...

*He will stop the destruction, He will choose love, He will settle His anger, He will replenish us, He will grow us, He will make us shine like the noonday sun, We will be fruitful once again.

8 - His people will no longer care for idols.

9 - His people will walk in wisdom

9 - Hosea has an apt conclusion for his book. The Lord has made his case, and is justified in punishing Israel for ingratitude and covenant breaking. Yet there is a final appeal for the wise, who understand (the same verb used in 4:14: “people without understanding shall come to ruin”). This verse is full of terms otherwise met in the Psalms and Proverbs, such as “wise,” “understand,” discerning, the ways of the LORD, and the contrast between the upright and transgressors. Most of the book has addressed Ephraim as a corporate body, but these terms in Hos. 14:9 focus on the moral response of individual Israelites. The positive terms in such a setting refer to those who really grasp the grace of the covenant. They also guide them in their own course of life, even when terrible disaster overtakes the people as a whole. -ESVSB-

Q. What have you learned about love, grace, compassion, and mercy from this book?