Psalms 140
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
This passage is for the Jew, I think, not the Christian. Here David asks God's help in the face of his enemies, before he becomes king. It is difficult in this age, especially after the events of 9/11, to take comfort in the words of Jesus.
Luke 6
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
But then again....There may be a distinction between a neighbor and an enemy
Matthew 22
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Remnant
Nehemiah 1
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
Sometimes it seems that at least some of us - Christians - are but a remnant, living in affliction, waiting, but for what? On bad days we are overwhelmed with financial problems and are anxious and can't figure out what we are waiting for, except some kind of relief. On good days, we are smiling, and waiting, patiently for Jesus.
More From Nehemiah 1
11 O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
Sometimes it seems that at least some of us - Christians - are but a remnant, living in affliction, waiting, but for what? On bad days we are overwhelmed with financial problems and are anxious and can't figure out what we are waiting for, except some kind of relief. On good days, we are smiling, and waiting, patiently for Jesus.
More From Nehemiah 1
11 O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sojourners
1 Chronicles 29 (With John Gill's Commentary In Italics)
15. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers.... For though they were in possession of the land of Canaan, yet they held it not in their own right, but as the Lord's,
who said, the land is mine.... Leviticus 25:23, they were but tenants in it, and were not to abide long here; they belonged to another city and country; the consideration of which might tend to set them loose to worldly things, and the more easily to part with them for the service of God, and the honour of his name:
our days on the earth are as a shadow.... man's life is expressed by days, not months and years, being so short; and by days on earth, in distinction from the days of heaven, or eternity; and these said to be as a shadow, of a short continuance, empty, mutable, and uncertain, dark and obscure, quickly gone, like the shadow of the sun; and not only like that, or of a mountain, tree or wall; but, as the Targum, of a bird that is flying, which passes away at once:
and [there is] none abiding,.... not long, much less always, being but sojourners as before; so Cato in Cicero is represented as saying, "I depart out of this life as from an inn, and not an house; for nature has given us an inn to sojourn, not a place to dwell in:" or "there is no hope or expectation"; of living long, of recalling time, and of avoiding death.
Here is a wonderful passage, along with Gill's commentary. My thought is, Christian or Jew, we own nothing, nothing but our own salvation...
15. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers.... For though they were in possession of the land of Canaan, yet they held it not in their own right, but as the Lord's,
who said, the land is mine.... Leviticus 25:23, they were but tenants in it, and were not to abide long here; they belonged to another city and country; the consideration of which might tend to set them loose to worldly things, and the more easily to part with them for the service of God, and the honour of his name:
our days on the earth are as a shadow.... man's life is expressed by days, not months and years, being so short; and by days on earth, in distinction from the days of heaven, or eternity; and these said to be as a shadow, of a short continuance, empty, mutable, and uncertain, dark and obscure, quickly gone, like the shadow of the sun; and not only like that, or of a mountain, tree or wall; but, as the Targum, of a bird that is flying, which passes away at once:
and [there is] none abiding,.... not long, much less always, being but sojourners as before; so Cato in Cicero is represented as saying, "I depart out of this life as from an inn, and not an house; for nature has given us an inn to sojourn, not a place to dwell in:" or "there is no hope or expectation"; of living long, of recalling time, and of avoiding death.
Here is a wonderful passage, along with Gill's commentary. My thought is, Christian or Jew, we own nothing, nothing but our own salvation...
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Haughty Heart
Psalms 131
1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
To me, just to me, and aside from any consideration of the doctrines of grace, this describes the essence of a Christian life.
1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
To me, just to me, and aside from any consideration of the doctrines of grace, this describes the essence of a Christian life.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Fixing The Church
Ezra 3
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Here, in Ezra 3, the remnant start to build the temple. And when the foundation is complete, they celebrate their effort for the glory of God.
I noticed they repaired and painted the old Baptist church I used to go to. It looked so good, though it's a very modest building. Surely, the repair made God, very happy....
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Here, in Ezra 3, the remnant start to build the temple. And when the foundation is complete, they celebrate their effort for the glory of God.
I noticed they repaired and painted the old Baptist church I used to go to. It looked so good, though it's a very modest building. Surely, the repair made God, very happy....
Friday, October 23, 2009
R. A. Torrey During WW I
Colossians 3
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This post is about pure, true faith in the coming of Jesus Christ.
World War I was probably the most frightening period in American history. After the United States entered the war, Americans had more doubts and fears about the future maybe even than World War II and other wars. I ran across this letter from R. A. Torrey to his daughter, Edith. His daughter had written to her father about her profound worries over the war. The link below is Torrey's reply to his daugher. The letter provides his views on the war and Bible passages he found comfort in. He calmly focused on the return of Christ. I wonder whether it was comforting to his daughter. Especially see the second paragraph of the letter.
The letter to his daughter is at http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/Papers/Torrey/36.htm
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This post is about pure, true faith in the coming of Jesus Christ.
World War I was probably the most frightening period in American history. After the United States entered the war, Americans had more doubts and fears about the future maybe even than World War II and other wars. I ran across this letter from R. A. Torrey to his daughter, Edith. His daughter had written to her father about her profound worries over the war. The link below is Torrey's reply to his daugher. The letter provides his views on the war and Bible passages he found comfort in. He calmly focused on the return of Christ. I wonder whether it was comforting to his daughter. Especially see the second paragraph of the letter.
The letter to his daughter is at http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/Papers/Torrey/36.htm
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A Just War
1 Chronicles 19
12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
Here, Joab, a captain of David's army, faces battle, with God on his side. His character is deeply stained, but, on this day, he has God on his side. Nothing in New Testament compares to this passage. Christian soldiers do not draw blood. Or do they?
Food for thought: Lincoln during the Civil War, FDR during WWII, and the founding fathers during the Revolutionary war....
12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
Here, Joab, a captain of David's army, faces battle, with God on his side. His character is deeply stained, but, on this day, he has God on his side. Nothing in New Testament compares to this passage. Christian soldiers do not draw blood. Or do they?
Food for thought: Lincoln during the Civil War, FDR during WWII, and the founding fathers during the Revolutionary war....
Monday, October 19, 2009
Morning And Evening
1 Chronicles 23
30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
At the end of David's reign, the Jews begin dwelling at Jerusalem and the Levites are organized. Their responsibilities and rituals are provided by God through David.
Here, the requirement for morning and evening praise is set forth. Morning and evening Bible study is a similar routine. Comforting. A routine that keeps God in your life, day by day. It's like the bookends of the day...
30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
At the end of David's reign, the Jews begin dwelling at Jerusalem and the Levites are organized. Their responsibilities and rituals are provided by God through David.
Here, the requirement for morning and evening praise is set forth. Morning and evening Bible study is a similar routine. Comforting. A routine that keeps God in your life, day by day. It's like the bookends of the day...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
God, Nation, King, People
1 Chronicles 17
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
In this chapter, David sits before God and thanks Him for the blessings He pours upon Israel and himself. Once, in the history of the world, God, Nation, King, and People are perfectly aligned.
How's the alignment in America? Now? During WW2? In the 18th Century? During it's founding?
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
In this chapter, David sits before God and thanks Him for the blessings He pours upon Israel and himself. Once, in the history of the world, God, Nation, King, and People are perfectly aligned.
How's the alignment in America? Now? During WW2? In the 18th Century? During it's founding?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Feast of Tabernacles - For All Nations
Leviticus 23
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles forseven days unto the LORD.
Zechariah 14
16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, theLORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
My daily Bible reading happened to be Leviticus Chapter 23 on the third day of Sukkot. And I coincidentaly read a news article about evangelicals in Israel celebrating the holiday. I wonder if I should start keeping the feast of tabernacles.
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles forseven days unto the LORD.
Zechariah 14
16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, theLORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
My daily Bible reading happened to be Leviticus Chapter 23 on the third day of Sukkot. And I coincidentaly read a news article about evangelicals in Israel celebrating the holiday. I wonder if I should start keeping the feast of tabernacles.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Esther And Hegai
Esther 2
8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him [Hegai], and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Here, Hegai, keeper of the women, takes an interest - not prurient - in Esther. How odd. It's almost like Mordecai and Hegai are managing a Hollywood starlet....
I hope this post is not a sacrilege....I'm just having trouble understanding this book without God.
8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him [Hegai], and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Here, Hegai, keeper of the women, takes an interest - not prurient - in Esther. How odd. It's almost like Mordecai and Hegai are managing a Hollywood starlet....
I hope this post is not a sacrilege....I'm just having trouble understanding this book without God.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Old Testament Nations
1 Chronicles 16
20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Whenever I see the word nation in the Old Testament I try to figure out if there is some evident connection to Christians and the New Testament. Different passages, different answers.
In general though, Paul was right, Cnristianity is a mystery....
More from 1 Chronicles 16
24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Whenever I see the word nation in the Old Testament I try to figure out if there is some evident connection to Christians and the New Testament. Different passages, different answers.
In general though, Paul was right, Cnristianity is a mystery....
More from 1 Chronicles 16
24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
He That Is Not Against Us Is for Us
Mark 9
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Seems like Jesus is setting a low standard for salvation...
Some Questions:
How is this passage reconciled to passages on apostacy?
How is this passage reconciled to the parable of the tares?
How is this passage reconciled to the parable of the Unprofitable Servant?
Are there two Jesuses? Is there a Jesus who strikes fear in our hearts? And, a Jesus who we can alway turn to for comfort, without doubt?
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Seems like Jesus is setting a low standard for salvation...
Some Questions:
How is this passage reconciled to passages on apostacy?
How is this passage reconciled to the parable of the tares?
How is this passage reconciled to the parable of the Unprofitable Servant?
Are there two Jesuses? Is there a Jesus who strikes fear in our hearts? And, a Jesus who we can alway turn to for comfort, without doubt?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Stoning of a Sabbath Breaker
Numbers 15
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.
This is one of those passages that you could meditate on....for a month. Compare to the smoting of Uzza (1 Chronicles 13).
The lessons here? Consider God's will. Take the sabbath seriously. Take God seriously. Passages like this....force you to think about God, his nature, his will, what he truely wants from you. And then you give some thought to Jesus......
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.
This is one of those passages that you could meditate on....for a month. Compare to the smoting of Uzza (1 Chronicles 13).
The lessons here? Consider God's will. Take the sabbath seriously. Take God seriously. Passages like this....force you to think about God, his nature, his will, what he truely wants from you. And then you give some thought to Jesus......
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
War
1 Chronicles 10
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
2 Samuel 1
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
David's Song of the Bow. It's comforting to read this and ponder this past eight years of war. Especially as decisions are now being made on the course of the wars - Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran....
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
2 Samuel 1
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
David's Song of the Bow. It's comforting to read this and ponder this past eight years of war. Especially as decisions are now being made on the course of the wars - Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
History Repeats?
Esther 9
4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
I think it's best to be very careful applying the Bible to current events. Very careful, and thoughtful. Be that as it may, a thought on this passage came to mind. King Ahasuerus' relationship with Mordecai reminds me of President Bush's relationship with Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Pearl....
More From Esther 9
13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
I think it's best to be very careful applying the Bible to current events. Very careful, and thoughtful. Be that as it may, a thought on this passage came to mind. King Ahasuerus' relationship with Mordecai reminds me of President Bush's relationship with Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Pearl....
More From Esther 9
13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Uzza Smote By God
1 Chronicles 13
9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
This is the passage that puts the fear of God in me. Uzza is trying to do right. And God smotes him.
More From 1 Chronicles 13
12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
God's punishment seems to be arbitrary, even unjust.
Still More From 1 Chronicles 13
13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.
Maybe the lesson here is - we do not take God seriously enough. Do not question his actions, do not question his soveveignty.
9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
This is the passage that puts the fear of God in me. Uzza is trying to do right. And God smotes him.
More From 1 Chronicles 13
12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
God's punishment seems to be arbitrary, even unjust.
Still More From 1 Chronicles 13
13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.
Maybe the lesson here is - we do not take God seriously enough. Do not question his actions, do not question his soveveignty.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Mighty Men
1 Chronicles 11
11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
Here's a question. Do we, Christian men, want to be mighty men, like those Old Testament men of David's time? Mighty men slaying Philistines? Or. Do we want to be humble men of God, quietly doing the Lord's bidding?
Oh yes, it's going to be a blessed day.
11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
Here's a question. Do we, Christian men, want to be mighty men, like those Old Testament men of David's time? Mighty men slaying Philistines? Or. Do we want to be humble men of God, quietly doing the Lord's bidding?
Oh yes, it's going to be a blessed day.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Job, The Stranger
Job 7
7 ....O remember that my life is wind....
The first time I read Job, I did not enjoy the experience. I did not find the first 31 chapters at all useful. The second time I read it I really enjoyed it, all of the chapters, even the first 31. I was moved. I could see how the first 31 chapters related to the later chapters. I just needed some patience.
A lot of Job's discussion reminds me, for some reason, of 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. Oh yeah, many years ago, 'The Stranger' was my bible. Before the Bible became my Bible....
7 ....O remember that my life is wind....
The first time I read Job, I did not enjoy the experience. I did not find the first 31 chapters at all useful. The second time I read it I really enjoyed it, all of the chapters, even the first 31. I was moved. I could see how the first 31 chapters related to the later chapters. I just needed some patience.
A lot of Job's discussion reminds me, for some reason, of 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. Oh yeah, many years ago, 'The Stranger' was my bible. Before the Bible became my Bible....
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