Category: Snapshots (Page 35 of 45)

Hit Us Again, Lord

Exodus 33:12-23¹
12 Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of Israel into a church and a nation. We have seen true religion shown in domestic life, now, we begin to trace its effects upon the concerns of kingdoms and nations. Exodus signifies “the departure;” the chief event therein recorded is the departure of Israel from Egypt and Egyptian bondage; it plainly points out the fulfilling of several promises and prophecies to Abraham respecting his seed, and shadows forth the state of the church, in the wilderness of this world, until her arrival at the heavenly Canaan, an eternal rest.

Biblical Truth³

Moses is very earnest with God. Thus, by the intercession of Christ, we are not only saved from ruin, but become entitled to everlasting happiness. Observe here how he pleads. We find grace in God’s sight, if we find grace in our hearts to guide and quicken us in the way of our duty. Moses speaks as one who dreaded the thought of going forward without the Lord’s presence. God’s gracious promises, and mercy towards us, should not only encourage our faith, but also excite our fervency in prayer. Observe how he speeds. See, in a type, Christ’s intercession, which he ever lives to make for all that come to God by him; and that it is not by any thing in those for whom he intercedes. Moses then entreats a sight of God’s glory, and is heard in that also. A full discovery of the glory of God, would overwhelm even Moses himself. Man is mean, and unworthy of it; weak, and could not bear it; guilty, and could not but dread it. The merciful display which is made in Christ Jesus, alone can be borne by us. The Lord granted that which would abundantly satisfy. God’s goodness is his glory; and he will have us to know him by the glory of his mercy, more than by the glory of his majesty. Upon the rock there was a fit place for Moses to view the goodness and glory of God.

The rock in Horeb was typical of Christ the Rock; the Rock of refuge, salvation, and strength. Happy are they who stand upon this Rock. The cleft may be an emblem of Christ, as smitten, crucified, wounded, and slain. What follows, denotes the imperfect knowledge of God in the present state, even as revealed in Christ; for this, when compared with the heavenly sight of him. is but like seeing a man that is gone by, whose back only is to be seen. God in Christ, as he is, even the fullest and brightest displays of his glory, grace, and goodness, are reserved to another state.

Items for Discussion

We often have thoughts that ponder the subject of what God’s face may look like – What do you think God looks like?
Moses is pretty clear that he is very uncomfortable with the thought of not having God nearby – Do you believe that we as Christians today feel the same way? If we did, how might Christianity be different?
Why is it that mankind, including Moses, could not look at God’s face?
Reread verse 21 – Who’s face do you see in this verse?
How is it that Christ’s face could be God’s face?

Ephesians 2:10
10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Background

It is said that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the divinest compositions of man and it embraces every doctrine of Christianity. Covered specifically are doctrines peculiar to Christianity and then those precepts common to it.

Bible Truths⁴

For we are his workmanship – We are his “making” – ποίημα poiēma (Greek). That is, we are “created or formed” by him, not only in the general sense in which all things are made by him, but in that special sense which is denoted by the new creation; see the notes at 2 Corinthians 5:17. Whatever of peace, or hope, or purity we have, has been produced by his agency on the soul. There cannot be conceived to be a stronger expression to denote the agency of God in the conversion of people, or the fact that salvation is wholly of grace.

Created in Christ Jesus – On the word “created,” see the notes at 2 Corinthians 5:17.

To do good works – With reference to a holy life; or, the design for which we have been created in Christ is, that we should lead a holy life. The primary object was not to bring us to heaven. It was that we should be “holy.” Paul held perhaps more firmly than any other man, to the position that people are saved by the mere grace of God, and by a divine agency on the soul; but it is certain that no man ever held more firmly that people must lead holy lives, or they could have no evidence that they were the children of God.

Which God has prepared in advance – The word here used means to “prepare beforehand,” then to predestinate, or appoint before. The proper meaning of this passage is, “to which good works God has predestined us, or appointed us beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The Greek word used here – προετοιμάζω proetoimazō – occurs in the New Testament nowhere else except in Romans 9:23, where it is rendered “had afore prepared.” It involves the idea of a previous determination, or an arrangement beforehand for securing a certain result. The previous preparation here referred to was, the divine intention; and the meaning is, that God had predetermined that we should lead holy lives. It accords, therefore, with the declaration in Ephesians 1:4, that he had chosen his people before the foundation of the world that they should be holy: see the notes at that verse.

Items for Discussion

Evolutionists would not understand this verse at all – What does it mean to you to know that “you,” before your parents even created you, were created in God’s mind?
Why is it important to know that each of us were created for a purpose, do to good works?
What does it mean to be created “in” something?
What comfort do you receive knowing that we were “created in Christ Jesus?”
What happens when we fail to achieve the “good works” that God had intended us to do?
How do we know if we are on track doing what God wants us to do?

Discussion Challenge

How do we challenge ourselves, our families and friends to seek the true purpose of our creation?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=2&c=33&com=mhc
4
http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/ephesians/2.htm

Widow’s Might

Psalm 90:1-6¹
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” 4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—they are like the new grass of the morning: 6 In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

Background²

The Psalm is entitled a Prayer of Moses. However, that does not mean that Moses wrote the psalm. This psalm makes us think of Genesis 3 and Deuteronomy 32. The psalm uses “words that Moses” said, from these books.

The psalm is in 4 parts. The first 3 parts are in verses 1-12. They could be about anybody in the world. They are true for all of us. But the last part, verses 13-17, is about God’s people, the Jews. Something bad had happened and they are praying that God will be good to them. We do not know what this bad thing was. It could be anything after the time of Moses!

Biblical Truth

Verse 1, “a home for us” means a place that we can always go to. In John 14:2 it says, “I (Jesus) am going to make a place for you”. Jesus meant the place we go to when we die. But we can always go to God while we are still alive on the earth wherever we are. God will be with us if we ask him.

Verse 2 sees God as a mother. He has children … the earth and the world. The world is that part of the earth where people live. This tells us in special words (poetry) that God made (created) the world.
Verse 3, there are two things that make us think about Genesis 2-3:

Genesis tells us that God made (created) men and women from dust.
“Adam” was the first man that God made. We are all “sons of Adam”. We could translate this as “all men and women”.

Verse 4, “a thousand years” here may again make us think of the beginning of Genesis. Men and women then lived for a very long time. Methuselah was nearly a thousand years old when he died! The verse means this: What is a very long time to us is a short time to God.

Verse 5 The Bible talks about death as “sleep”. One day, after we die, we will all awake … and see God!

Verse 6 Grass in Israel did not grow for long. It soon died. The psalm tells us that people are the same. God will always be alive, but men and women will soon die.

Items for Discussion

It is often hard to think of ourselves as a simple grass, here today and gone tomorrow. Where is the hope of salvation in this psalm?
Why is it so important to always acknowledge that God is the “Creator of our world?”
Why should we care about God’s lack of concern for “time?”
With an acknowledgment of our temporal nature, what should our response be to God, to this world?

Luke 21:1-4
1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Background³

Paul the Apostle calls Luke the “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14). Luke was a companion and fellow worker of Paul (2 Tim. 4:11; Philemon 24). They traveled extensively. Luke was a keen observer of the human condition. Like a good physician, he saw people as they were and he loved them all. His gospel is the easiest to read and understand because it presupposes that his audience is not familiar with Jewish customs and practices.

In his introduction to the gospel (see Luke 1:1-4) Luke speaks in the first person. This is a somewhat unique approach since the other gospels all speak in the third person. Luke addresses his friend, Theophilus, a name that means “beloved of God”. In so many words he says, “I am writing to you the most incredible story humankind has known.” This story is utterly believable because it comes from many reliable firsthand witnesses of those who knew Jesus Christ personally, heard his teaching and saw his miracles, death and resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Luke was a Gentile. He is the only New Testament writer who was not a Jew. He addressed his gospel to a fellow Gentile, named Theophilus. Luke intended his gospel for the Gentile Christians. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and likely encouraged Luke to write such an account. Luke wanted to give an account of the gospel to a non-Jewish audience who were not accustomed to Jewish beliefs and practices and who lived in a society dominated by Greek culture and language. Luke wrote his gospel in the common Greek of the day. It was likely written between 63-70 A.D.

Biblical Truth⁴

“From the offering of this poor widow, learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor, and the support of God’s worship, is given unto God; and our Savior sees with pleasure whatever we have in our hearts to give for the relief of his members, or for his service. Blessed Lord! The poorest of thy servants have two mites, they have a soul and a body; persuade and enable us to offer both unto thee; how happy shall we be in thine accepting of them!” ~ Matthew Henry

Items for Discussion

Why does God want us to give to Him?
What makes the widow’s gift so much better than that which might come from a gift, given from wealth?
Can someone with wealth and abundance gain the same benefits of stewardship that the widow gained?
Does God ask us to give all we have to Him?
What else besides our wealth should we share with God?

Discussion Challenge

Churches are formal organizations, needing funds to survive – How does a congregation balance the needs of a church during difficult economic times when many of its members are like the widow?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.easyenglish.info/psalms/psalm090-taw.htm
3
http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/lukeintr.htm
4
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=42&c=21&com=mhc

Thanksgiving Day Prayers

Jeremiah 30:18-20¹
18 “This is what the LORD says: “‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. 19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. 20 Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them.

Background²

The dates of Jeremiah’s birth and death are not known. It is known that he began his preaching either in the thirteenth year of King Josiah of Judah (626 B.C.) or at the accession of King Jehoiakim of Judah (608). He preached and taught for over 40 years, so his death must have taken place sometime in the first half of the 6th century B.C., probably between 580 and 560 B.C.

The entire background of Jeremiah’s life and the words ascribed to him are permeated with the sense of disaster and disintegration which Judaism and Jews underwent in the 6th century B.C. The northern portion of Palestine, the kingdom of Israel, fell to the Assyrians in 622 B.C. A similar fate threatened the south, the kingdom of Judah, with its capital city of Jerusalem. The Assyrians were conquered by the Babylonians. The latter invaded Judea and captured Jerusalem in 587 B.C. A year later the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple, ended the kingdom of Judah, and deported the Jews (the Babylonian Captivity). Many Jews, among them Jeremiah, fled to Egypt for safety. As far as is known, however, Jeremiah died violently, perhaps by crucifixion, perhaps by the sword.

Not all of the writings ascribed to Jeremiah are considered by modern scholars to be really his. In fact, it is not certain that he ever actually wrote a line. It seems more likely that he dictated much of his material to an assistant or secretary called Baruch. Baruch made two collections of Jeremiah’s words, one toward the end of the 7th century B.C. (605-600) and one toward the end of the prophet’s life. Baruch added some materials of his own, and there were some later additions. Jewish tradition also ascribes the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Kings to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah’s words and pronouncements are directly concerned with the then feverish political maneuvering going on between 605 and 586 B.C. and with the Babylonian Captivity. His early message was simple: unless both king and people reformed their morals and returned to the true worship of God as taught by Moses, Jerusalem would be destroyed and its people killed or exiled. Jeremiah’s general message was that temple and priesthood and kingship were of no avail if the heart of man was not clean from idolatry, from lies, and from deception of all kinds. His novel contribution as a prophet was his claim that God would replace the Old Covenant with the Israelites by a new covenant. Peculiarly, this new covenant was not to be restricted to Jews but was to include all the world. Jeremiah taught a universalist creed which would embrace all people.

Biblical Truths³

Here we have here intimations of the favor of God for them after the days of their calamity have expired. The proper work and office of Christ, as Mediator, is to draw near unto God, for us, as the High Priest of our profession. His own undertaking, in compliance with his Father’s will, and in compassion to fallen man, engaged him. Jesus Christ was, in all this, truly wonderful. They shall be taken again into covenant with the Lord, according to the covenant made with their fathers. “I will be your God:” it is his good-will to us, which is the summary of that part of the covenant. The wrath of God against the wicked is very terrible, like a whirlwind. The purposes of his wrath, as well as the purposes of his love, will all be fulfilled. God will comfort all that turn to him; but those who approach him must have their hearts engaged to do it with reverence, devotion, and faith.

Items for Discussion

Why is it that when life is bad, we seek God and life is good, we do not?
After a disaster has passed and we know we are going to be OK, why is it important to thank God?
What can mankind do to seek the protection and intercession of our God?
What can we tell about a person who has a “thankful heart?”
How might those who neglect Christ find salvation?

Philippians 4:6
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Background⁴

Luke described the city called Philippi as a Roman ‘colony’ (Acts 16:12). The emperor Augustus allowed retired soldiers to live there after they had supported him in a battle in 31 BC. As a Roman colony, its citizens possessed the same rights and laws as those who lived in Italy. Paul and Silas, with Timothy and Luke, established the church there after they crossed from Asia into Europe (Acts 16:12-40). Paul visited Philippi again on his third journey (Acts 20:1-6). It was a group of Christians of whom Paul was very fond. He called its members his ‘joy and crown’ (4:1). The Christians in Philippi were not rich, but they supported Paul with more than one gift of money. They also gave money for the poor Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

The purpose of Paul’s letter to them was:

to thank the Christians at Philippi for the gifts that they had sent him by Epaphroditus.
to inform the Christians at Philippi about his own circumstances. He also wanted to tell them that Epaphroditus had recovered from his dangerous illness. He was returning to Philippi.
to appeal for unity and for the end of quarrels in the church.
to warn them about false doctrine, especially that of Jewish Christians who insisted on circumcision for Gentiles.
to urge them to remain loyal to their faith and to stand firm against opponents.

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. He was not sure of the result of a trial. Some writers suggest that the prison was in Ephesus or Caesarea. But it is more likely that he was in Rome. He probably wrote this letter at the end of the two years that we read about in Acts 28:30.

Bible Truths

‘Do not be anxious about anything’ -These words will remind Christians that the Lord is always with them. And they will meet him when he returns. Christians should pray about everything. They should pray:

that God will forgive them for the past
about what they need now, both for the body and for the spirit
for God to guide them in the future.

God’s love desires what is best for us. His wisdom knows what is best. His power can cause what is best for us to happen. Every prayer should include thanks. We should be grateful that God wants to listen. We should believe that he will give us the best answer.

Items for Discussion

What are the various ways you pray? (when, where, why, how, etc.)
Why is prayer necessary for a Christian?
How do you think someone’s faith is helped by prayer?
Why is the “thankful” component so important when we pray to our God?
How do you think the human spirit is aided by prayer?

Discussion Challenge

How can we encourage open, heartfelt prayer in those around us?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.answers.com/topic/jeremiah
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=24&c=30
4
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/philippians-lbw.htm

What Will You Get FROM Christmas?

Isaiah 64:1-9¹
1 Oh, that you would rend² the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! 3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. 5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. 8 Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be angry beyond measure, LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.

Background³

Isaiah prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He has been well called the evangelical prophet, on account of his numerous and full prophesies concerning the coming and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death of the Messiah, and the extent and continuance of his kingdom. Under the veil of the deliverance from Babylon, Isaiah points to a much greater deliverance, which was to be effected by the Messiah; and seldom does he mention the one, without alluding at the same time to the other; nay, he is often so much enraptured with the prospect of the more distant deliverance, as to lose sight of that which was nearer, and to dwell on the Messiah’s person, office, character, and kingdom.

Biblical Truths⁴

They desire that God would manifest himself to them and for them, so that all may see it. This is applicable to the second coming of Christ, when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven. They plead what God had used to do, and had declared his gracious purpose to do, for his people. They need not fear being disappointed of it, for it is sure; or disappointed in it, for it is sufficient. The happiness of his people is bound up in what God has designed for them, and is preparing for them, and preparing them for; what he has done or will do. Can we believe this, and then think anything too great to expect from his truth, power, and love? It is spiritual and cannot be comprehended by human understanding. It is ever ready. See what communion there is between a gracious God and a gracious soul. We must make conscience of doing our duty in everything the Lord our God requires. “You come to the help of those who gladly do right” speaks to God’s freeness and forwardness in doing them good. Though God has been angry with us for our sins, and justly, yet his anger has soon ended; but in his favor is life, which goes on and continues, and on that we depend for our salvation.

The people of God, in affliction, confess and bewail their sins, owning themselves unworthy of his mercy. Sin is that abominable thing which the Lord hates. Our deeds, whatever they may seem to be, if we think to merit by them at God’s hand, are as rags, and will not cover us; filthy rags, and will but defile us. Even our few good works in which there is real excellence, as fruits of the Spirit, are so defective and defiled as done by us, that they need to be washed in the fountain open for sin and uncleanness. It bodes ill when prayer is kept back. To pray, is by faith to take hold of the promises the Lord has made of his good-will to us, and to plead them; to take hold of him, earnestly begging him not to leave us; or soliciting his return

Items for Discussion

How is faith made more difficult when we have no visual image for our God?
When we “see something” as compared to “hear something,” how is our ability to learn affected?
How do you think our relationship with God would be impacted if we did not know about Christ?
What can you tell about the character of our God from these verses?
How does the events of the first Christmas influence your belief in God?

Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Background⁵

The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favor. These several designs are brought into on view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or unbelieving Jew, in favor of the Christian or believing Gentile. The way of a sinner’s acceptance with God, or justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the gospel, and for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness is further enforced by practical exhortations.

Bible Truths⁶

Romans, Chapter 8 is about: The freedom of believers from condemnation. (1-9) Their privileges as being the children of God. (10-17) Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18-25) Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer. (26,27) Their interest in the love of God. (28-31) Their final triumph, through Christ. (32-39)

God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us has shown us that nothing will turn aside or do away his love. Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, Who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left, poor soul, who hast not Christ, but that which you would gladly part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins! But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer’s soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him forever.

Items for Discussion

Why is it so important for a believer to understand the magnitude of God’s love?
Why would it be more difficult to understand God’s love for us without Christ?
Why do you think God wants us to “prepare for Christ,” to be ready for Christmas?
Is there a right way or a wrong way to prepare for Christ?
Why is it important to have rituals like Christmas and celebrate them annually?
What can we do every day to remind us of the love our God has for each of us?

Discussion Challenge

How can we prepare for Christmas the way God would like us to prepare?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
Take something apart
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=0
4
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=64
5
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=45&c=0
6
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=45&c=8

The Jumping Off Place

Genesis 1:1-5¹
Description: C:\Users\Bob\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\A9JPJ3U1\MP900179286[1].jpg In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Background²

The foundation of all religion being laid in our relation to God as our Creator, it was fit that the book of divine revelations which was intended to be the guide, support, and rule, of religion in the world, should begin, as it does, with a plain and full account of the creation of the world. Concerning this the pagan philosophers wretchedly blundered, and became vain in their imaginations, some asserting the world’s eternity and self-existence, others ascribing it to a fortuitous concourse of atoms: thus “the world by wisdom knew not God,” but took a great deal of pains to lose him. The holy scripture therefore, designing by revealed religion to maintain and improve natural religion, to repair the decays of it and supply the defects of it, since the fall, for the reviving of the precepts of the law of nature, lays down, at first, this principle of the unclouded light of nature, That this world was, in the beginning of time, created by a Being of infinite wisdom and power, who was himself before all time and all worlds.

Biblical Truths³

‘In the beginning’. The Hebrew word for ‘beginning’ here is also the Hebrew title of this book. The usual English title, Genesis, is from a Greek word for ‘beginning’. (Greek is the language that the people in Greece speak. And the New Testament writers wrote in Greek.)

Verse 1 – ‘God’. God has always existed. And he will exist always. There has never been a time before God. And there will never be a time after God. The Hebrew word here for God is ‘Elohim’, which is plural. But the Hebrew word for ‘created’ means that only one person did it. This is because there is one God.

God ‘created’. The Hebrew word here for ‘create’ means to make something from nothing. Only God makes something from nothing. The writer uses that word in verse , and he uses it in verses 2 and 27 also.

Verse 2 – The earth had ‘no shape’ and it was ‘empty’. Until God works, there is only confusion. There is no plan and so there is no system.

‘Everything was dark’. This is like a description or picture for us. It shows what it is like to live without God.

God’s Spirit ‘moved gently’ over the waters. Think of this as a bird hovers, staying in the same place in the air but still e moving their wings. God’s Spirit also does this, like a bird that is looking after its young. That was because God cares about his creation and wants to protect it.

‘The waters’. This could mean dark gases or a ‘cloud that consists of darkness’ or it might mean darkness and waters. The older English texts say ‘the face of the deep’, which means the surface of the sea.

Verse 3 – ‘God said’. The words that God speaks are powerful. So when God ordered something to happen, that thing happened immediately.

Let there be ‘light’. We need light in order to live. And when we have light, we can see. We can see what God creates. Light is also like a description or picture for us. It shows what real life with God is like. And it shows what God’s blessing is like.
Verse 4 – ‘Good’. Everything that God does is good. That includes every part of his work.

Verse 5 – ‘The first day’. We do not know how long a day was. The Jewish day started at sunset. And the first day consisted of evening and morning. So probably it was like our day. But in the Bible, the word ‘day’ can also mean something special that happens. It means that in the phrase: ‘the day of the Lord’. It also means that in the phrase: ‘the day of judgment’

He ‘named’ the light. When a person gave a name to something, that action often meant that the person ruled over that thing.

Items for Discussion

Why do you think that science has such an issue with this description of the formation of our world?
Why is it so important to have a “day” that is formal, predictable, measurable, and separated with a time of light and darkness?
How do these verses help establish in your own mind that God is real?
What can you find in human nature that is similar to daylight and to nighttime?
How does the concept of creation bring us closer to our God?
Can you believe in God and not in Creation as Genesis describes it?

Mark 1:4-11
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 0 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Background⁴

The Book of Mark is the shortest Gospel. Like the other Gospels, it tells us about the things that Jesus did. And it tells us some things that he taught. The writer of the book was the Apostle Mark. He belonged to a family who lived in Jerusalem. Mark became a Christian and he joined the church there. Then he travelled to tell people about Jesus. Mark worked with both Paul and Peter. Mark wanted to help people across the world about Jesus and wanted those who never met Jesus to know God’s good news.

Bible Truths

Before Jesus began his special work for God, there was John the Baptist. Mark uses words from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 to describe John’s work. As people prepared the roads before a king came, John prepared people before Jesus came. John told them that they were doing many wrong things and must change their lives, because the Lord was coming.

John did not go into the towns but stayed near the river Jordan. There, people came to him from all over Israel, listening to the words that he spoke. They believed that he was right and asked him to baptize them.

Jesus was among the people who came and John baptized him. Then something happened that surprised John. The sky seemed to open. The Holy Spirit came from heaven and came upon Jesus. God spoke from heaven confirming that Jesus was his son.

Items for Discussion

What modern examples can you think of where we have an introduction before the main event?
Why is an introduction helpful?
John the Baptist was a strange person yet he told people they were sinners, generating a response of repentance – why do you think the people responded in this way?
Why do you think that the people who met John the Baptist would request to be baptized? Or in other words, what is significant about the act of baptism?
In what way does the baptism of Jesus, the appearance of the Holy Spirit and our verses in Genesis support each other?

Discussion Challenge

In what ways should we, the modern Christian, be introducing Christ to the world?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.Gen.ii.html
3
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/genesis-mwks1-lbw.htm
4
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/mark-ks.htm

God’s Faithfulness to All Generations

Deuteronomy 18:15-20¹
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” 17 The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”

Background²

Deuteronomy is a repetition of both the history and the laws contained in the three foregoing books, which repetition Moses delivered to Israel (both by word of mouth, that it might affect, and by writing, that it might abide) a little before his death. There is no new history in it but that of the death of Moses in the last chapter, nor any new revelation to Moses, for aught that appears, and therefore the style here is not, as before, The Lord spoke unto Moses, saying. But the former laws are repeated and commented upon, explained and enlarged, and some particular precepts added to them, with copious reasoning for the enforcing of them: in this Moses was divinely inspired and assisted, so that this is as truly the word of the Lord by Moses as that which was spoken to him with an audible voice out of the tabernacle of the congregation, Lev. i. 1.

The Greek interpreters call it Deuteronomy, which signifies the second law, or a second edition of the law, not with amendments, for there needed none, but with additions, for the further direction of the people. It was much for the honor of the divine law that it should be thus repeated. There might be a particular reason for the repeating of it now; the men of that generation to which the law was first given were all dead, and a new generation had sprung up, to whom God would have it repeated by Moses himself, that, if possible, it might make a lasting impression upon them. Now that they were just going to take possession of the land of Canaan, Moses must read the articles of agreement to them, that they might know upon what terms and conditions they were to hold and enjoy that land, and might understand that they were upon their good behavior in it. It would be of great use to the people to have those parts of the law thus gathered up and put together which did more immediately concern them and their practice; for the laws which concerned the priests and Levites, and the execution of their offices, are not repeated: it was enough for them that they were once delivered. But, in compassion to the infirmities of the people, the laws of more common concern are delivered a second time.

Biblical Truths³

The passage in Deuteronomy deals with the authority of a number of officials in Israel: judges and other officials (Deut 16:18-17:13), priests (18:1-8), and the king (17:14-20), even though in Deuteronomy kings were not part of Israelite society. Clearly the regulations in Deuteronomy come from a period when many different social issues and institutions had developed, well after the time in which the story is set. Another law on true and false prophecy is contained in Deut 13:1-5 where the problem is clearly that some who claim to be prophets lead the people into apostasy, the worship of other gods. That is part of the problem here too (18:20), and the passage goes on in vv. 21-22 to suggest that one can tell the words of a genuine prophet because that prophet’s words come to pass.

It seems clear from Deuteronomy that discerning religious truth and ‘what is the word of the Lord’ in any one instance is neither easy nor simple. It is, above all, a matter of faith. Nevertheless, Deuteronomy does give us some important clues in this task.

First, Deuteronomy works on the premise that there is a word of truth that comes to us ‘from outside’ – from God. It may not be easy to discern at times but it is there and is determinative for our lives. This is immensely important in a complex world where there are so many competing voices for our attention and commitment – political, social, family, work etc.
Secondly, this word ‘from outside’ comes to facilitate our choosing life over death (Deut 30:11-20). It is a word of truth which does not seek to bend us to the shape of some presupposed agenda or condition that is self-interested, self-serving or simply furthers the power of others. It invites us to enter freely into the presence of the God who willingly commits himself to us in covenant.
Thirdly, it is a word that, precisely because it neither comes with bells and whistles so we do not miss it nor be discerned through the mechanical application of some magical formula, is one we have to seek out and probe for understanding.
Fourthly, it is a word that is consistent with the word that has come to the community of faith before. God who gives the word to the prophet is consistent and faithful in his dealing with his people. This is the point of saying that a prophet will arise ‘like Moses’ (Deut 18:15, 18). Moses stands as the exemplar, not because of personal qualities but because God’s commandments, God’s way of inviting the people into life, were given through him. True prophets who come later will walk in the steps of Moses.
Finally, when the writer says that you can tell a true prophet by the fact that their word comes true, they are not simply giving us a rather useless test of true prophecy. They are saying that this word which comes from outside and offers us life is not some abstract entity that remains ‘outside’ of our life. No, the word itself breaks into our history and changes that history in accordance with the will of the One who gives that word.

All of this is relevant to our thinking of Jesus, the word of God incarnate, and to our pondering his teaching and what the church has proclaimed about him.

Items for Discussion

Many people make the claim of prophecy, religious leaders, political leaders, corporate leaders, even community leaders. How do you sort out the truth?
Can you tell a good prophet from a bad prophet by how they live and obey God’s Laws?
What does God say about who to believe?
What responsibilities does that place on those who are listening to the predictions?
Why is faith an important component to believing in “the Prophets?”
Why was it handy to have all of the key “rules” to follow written down for the people?

Ephesians 3:16-21
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Background⁴

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the people of Ephesus when he was in a prison in Rome about 61 years after the birth of Christ. Ephesus was a busy port and the center of much trade, under the control of Rome. The temple of the goddess (female god) Diana (or Artemis) was there. The business people sold models of Diana’s temple but Paul’s preaching affected their trade.

Paul wrote the letter to encourage the personal faith of the Christians. It gives teaching, prayers and great praises to God. It is about God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He came to our world in order to put right all the things that had gone wrong. Paul makes clear that Christ is the head of the church. He will work out his purposes in and by the church.

Bible Truths

Verse 16 Our strength comes ‘from the riches of his glory’. ‘He will do this in you by his Holy Spirit.’

Verse 17 When we have faith in Christ, he lives in our ‘inner person’. There he gives us his love. ‘Your lives will be like plants with roots in the ground of his love’. It is as if we have deep roots.

Verse 18 The love of God is wide. It is for everyone in the world. Paul is talking especially about Jews and Gentiles. So it is for them. It is long enough for all time and every age. It is deep enough to reach down to the worst sinner.

Verse 19 This love of Christ is ‘much too great to know completely’. Our minds are not large enough to understand it all. It is beyond our best prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. This love is more than to know something in our heads. We need to express Christ’s love in all the daily experiences in life. His love is with us in our joys, difficulties and suffering too.

Verse 20 Paul now starts a hymn of praise to God. God knows what we ask. And he knows it even before we ask. He knows our thoughts. He knows what we imagine. He knows what we dream. He has the power to go beyond any of these. His thoughts and his ways are greater than ours. He is able to do much more than we can ever ask or imagine. The power comes from Christ. He lives in our inner person by faith.

Items for Discussion

What are the components to a strong faith in God?
How are faithful people different?
Paul seems to indicate that we will never fully understand God. Why is this important for each of us not only to acknowledge but to believe?
What examples have you seen where a strong faith has turned into “power?”
How does faithfulness pass from generation to generation?

Discussion Challenge

Can love, understanding and forgiveness exist without faithfulness?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.Deu.i.html
3
http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/EpiphanyB/Epiphany4.html
4
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/eph-lbw.htm

O Perfect Love

Genesis 2:18-24¹
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Background²

Genesis is a name taken from the Greek, and signifies “the book of generation or production;” it is properly so called, as containing an account of the origin of all things. There is no other history so old. There is nothing in the most ancient books which exists that contradicts it; many things recorded by the oldest heathen writers, or to be traced in the customs of different nations, confirm what is related in the book of Genesis.

Biblical Truths³

Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God. But though he was lord of the creatures, yet nothing in this world was a help mate for man. From God everything is our helper. If we rest in God, he will work all for good. God caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; while he knows no sin, God will take care that he shall feel no pain. God, as her Father, brought the woman to the man, as his second self, and a help meet for him. That wife, who is of God’s making by special grace, and of God’s bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help mate for a man. See what need there is, both of prudence and prayer in the choice of this relation, which is so near and so lasting. That had need to be well done, which is to be done for life. Our first parents needed no clothes for covering against cold or heat, for neither could hurt them: they needed none for ornament. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in his state of innocence. How good was God to him! How many favors did he load him with! How easy were the laws given to him! Yet man, being in honor, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish.

Items for Discussion

Why is it bad to be alone?
Why did God create Woman from Man’s rib, when He could have simply created her from dust, as He did Man?
A man’s skeleton is not missing a rib – How should this affect our beliefs?
What then might be the significance of God using a rib?
Why is it important for us to understand the creation story about men and women?

1 Corinthians 13:1-14
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Background⁴

Here, we are to learn about love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts, discussed in prior verses, from God are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do nothing for us without love both from and to God, and without good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit us or relieve us from our most painful sufferings.

The content of the verses cover: The necessity and advantage of the grace of love. (1-3) Its excellency represented by its properties and effects; (4-7) and by its abiding, and its superiority. (8-13) Prophecy preferred to the gift of tongues. (14:1-5)

Bible Truths

Verse 1 The languages (tongues) of people would be foreign languages. But the language of angels can only mean speech that people cannot understand. The Christians at Corinth were not using this gift in the right way. Without love, their speech would be only a noise. Their speech would also be like a musical instrument that produces a loud crash, but no harmony. Pagans would use such instruments in their excited worship. A gong is a metal plate. It makes a loud noise when someone hits it with a stick.

Verse 2 The Christians at Corinth also emphasized ‘knowledge’. But the person with the deepest knowledge and the greatest faith is worth nothing without love. ‘To move mountains’ was a way to say ‘to overcome a very difficult problem’.

Verse 3 The most generous act to help poor people would be of no use without love. When he spoke about allowing people to burn his body, Paul may have thought about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3). He was probably using picture language for sacrifice that was the result of pride. This would be of no advantage.

Verse 4 What love is like: Patience and kindness show God’s attitude to us (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Jesus showed great patience with his disciples. They were slow to understand what he taught. The ‘fruit of the Spirit’ includes patience and kindness (Galatians 5:22).

Verses 4-7 What people with love do not do: The first five examples refer to the way that some Christians at Corinth were behaving.

They do not feel jealous. In Corinth, people were jealous of each other’s spiritual gifts. There were also groups who were competing with each other. They said that their leader was superior to the leader of other people. Paul had to show that leaders were all God’s servants. They were working together to make his kingdom grow (1 Corinthians chapter 3).
They do not boast. There was a Pharisee in the story in Luke 18:9-12. He told God what a good person he (the Pharisee) was. Some of the Christians at Corinth were boasting that they had wisdom and knowledge. It is not possible to boast and to love at the same time. To boast is to make people notice you. To love is to think about other people. And it is to work for the whole church.
They are not proud. A proud person thinks too much about his own importance. A Christian who shows love is humble. William Carey was a shoe-maker who went to India about 200 years ago. He translated parts of the Bible into many different languages. But he did not think about himself as more than someone who mended shoes.
They do not behave badly. To behave well means more than to be polite. Some Christians at Corinth were not respecting other people. Some people were greedy and they were not thinking about other people at the Lord’s Supper. They were without shame. To love means to think about other people’s feelings.
They do not look out for their own interests. Paul has already said that Christians should not use their freedom to act only for their own benefit (10:24). He repeated this advice to the Christians in Philippi (Philippians 2:4).
They do not easily become angry. Paul began his description of love with the word ‘patient’. One kind of patience is to be able to keep calm when other people are angry. It does not answer insults with anger.
They do not keep a record of how people have hurt them. God in Christ does not keep a record of our sins (2 Corinthians 5:19). So, the person who loves does not keep remembering an action or insult against him. Some people say, ‘I will forgive but I will not forget.’ This statement means that the person has not really forgiven his enemy.
They take no pleasure in evil things. They are happy with the truth. It is a sad fact that people like to hear about the failures of other people. Newspapers, television and radio often encourage an interest in other people’s sins. A loving Christian does not try to find fault in other people. ‘Love covers over a great number of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8). Gossip can ruin a person’s life. But a loving person is happy when anyone succeeds.

Verse 7 Paul ends his list by emphasizing that love never changes. People with love do not talk about other people’s faults. They do not give in to insults and difficulties. Christians can trust God’s promise to give them ‘hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11). Christians can live with courage in every circumstance. This is because of their trust in God’s love for themselves and for other people.

Verse 8 In verses 1-2, Paul spoke about three gifts. They were prophecy, tongues and knowledge. He said that without love they had no value. Here he contrasts love with these gifts. Love is permanent. These gifts will all become unnecessary.

Verses 9-10 In this life, our knowledge of God can never be complete. One day, we will no longer need anything that is not complete. That will happen in eternity when Christ comes again.

Verses 11-12 Paul uses two examples to show what he means:

An adult does not speak or think like a child. And he does not reason like a child. The behavior of a child is only suitable while he remains a child. Spiritual gifts are necessary for the growth of the church. But they will no longer be necessary in eternity.
Corinth was famous for good mirrors. They did not have clear glass then, so they made them out of metal. But highly polished metal is not as good as a modern glass mirror. It would reflect the image of a person, but not a perfect image. John said, ‘We know that when Jesus appears, we shall be like him. Because we shall see him as he is’ (1 John 3:2). God already knows us completely. In the next age, we shall understand God’s ways. We cannot understand them completely in this life.

Verse 13 Faith, hope and love seem to have been a well-known group of qualities. Paul speaks about them in other letters. For example, 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Colossians 1:4-5. These three words explain the whole of the Christian life in this world. Christians have ‘faith’ that God will forgive them because of Christ’s sacrifice. They have ‘hope’ for the future, because of Christ’s resurrection. They live a life of faith and hope among Christian brothers and sisters whom they ‘love’. Of these three, only love will remain into eternity. Faith will no longer be necessary. Hope will become knowledge. Love is the greatest, because God himself is love (1 John 4:8). A friendship with him will never end, but it will continue into eternity.

Verses 14:1-5 The Christians in Corinth were emphasizing the gift of ‘tongues’. Paul possessed the gift himself (verse 18). But he was thinking about how all the members of the church could grow in their faith.

Verses 1-2 He urges the Christians at Corinth to desire spiritual gifts. But especially they should want the gift of prophecy. A Christian who praised God in a tongue was helping himself. He was using sounds in no known human language when he could not find words to use. But other people could not understand him.

Items for Discussion

What are your personal thoughts about the Spiritual Gift of Tongues?
How might someone take advantage of this gift and use it improperly?
When considering Spiritual Gifts in general, how would the test of “loving God” and “loving each other” help in understanding those gifts?
Why would the Apostle Paul tell us first about love by telling us what it is NOT?
Why is it hard to love?
Paul contrasts three gifts, Prophecy, Tongues and Knowledge with love – Why these three?
Of the gifts Paul mentions, which ones are the hardest and why?

Discussion Challenge

The world celebrates Valentine’s Day – How do we help them celebrate the love of their God?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=1&c=0
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=1&c=2
4
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=46&c=13&com=mhc

Perfect Love is Everything

Exodus 20:1-7¹
1 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Background²

The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of Israel into a church and a nation. We have seen true religion shown in domestic life, now, we begin to trace its effects upon the concerns of kingdoms and nations. Exodus signifies “the departure;” the chief event therein recorded is the departure of Israel from Egypt and Egyptian bondage; it plainly points out the fulfilling of several promises and prophecies to Abraham respecting his seed (ancestors), and shadows forth the state of the church, in the wilderness of this world, until her arrival at the heavenly Canaan, an eternal rest.

Biblical Truths³

God speaks many ways to the children of men; by conscience, by providences, by his voice, to all which we ought carefully to pay attention to; but he never spoke so boldly at any time as He did through the TEN COMMANDMENTS. This law God had given to man before; it was written in his heart; but sin so defaced it, that it was necessary to revive the knowledge of it. The law is spiritual, and takes knowledge of the secret thoughts, desires, and dispositions of the heart. Its grand demand is love, without which outward obedience is mere hypocrisy. It requires perfect, unfailing, constant obedience; no law in the world admits disobedience to itself. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all, James 2:10. Whether in the heart or the conduct, in thought, word, or deed, to omit or to vary anything, is sin, and as we know, the wages of sin is death.

The first four of the ten commandments, commonly called the FIRST table, tell our duty to God. It was fit that those should be put first, because man had a Maker to love, before he had a neighbor to love. It cannot be expected that he should be true to his brother, who is false to his God. The first commandment concerns the object of worship, JEHOVAH, and him only. The worship of creatures is here forbidden. Whatever comes short of perfect love, gratitude, reverence, or worship, breaks this commandment. Whatsoever you do, do all the glory of God. The second commandment refers to the worship we are to render to the Lord our God. It is forbidden to make any image or picture of the Deity, in any form, or for any purpose; or to worship any creature, image, or picture. But the spiritual import of this command extends much further. All kinds of superstition are here forbidden as well as the using of mere human inventions in the worship of God. The third commandment concerns the manner of worship, that it be with all possible reverence and seriousness. All false oaths are forbidden. All light appealing to God, all profane cursing, is a horrid breach of this command. It matters not whether the word of God, or sacred things, all such-like things break this commandment, and there is no profit, honor, or pleasure in them. The Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. The form of the fourth commandment, “Remember,” shows that it was not now first given, but was known by the people before. One day in seven is to be kept holy. Six days are allotted to worldly business, but not so as to neglect the service of God, and the care of our souls. On those days we must do all our work, and leave none to be done on the Sabbath day. Christ allowed works of necessity, charity, and piety; for the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, Mark 2:27; but all works of luxury, vanity, or self-indulgence in any form, are forbidden. Trading, paying wages, settling accounts, writing letters of business, worldly studies, trifling visits, journeys, or light conversation, are not keeping this day holy to the Lord. Sloth and indolence may be a carnal, but not a holy rest. The Sabbath of the Lord should be a day of rest from worldly labor, and a rest in the service of God. The advantages from the due keeping of this holy day, were it only to the health and happiness of mankind, with the time it affords for taking care of the soul, show the excellency of this commandment. The day is blessed; men are blessed by it, and in it. The blessing and direction to keep holy are not limited to the seventh day, but are spoken of the Sabbath day.

Items for Discussion

God is very direct and to the point – Is God ordering us to love Him?
What impact does our “free will” have on God’s Ten Commandments?
What type of gods does mankind bring to the forefront as a substitute for the “one true God?”
Do you think that the Ten Commandments are also for nations to follow?
Do you think that a good test of leadership is whether the Ten Commandments are being followed? Why or Why Not?
Re-read Verse 5 – With such dire consequences for a nation, what do you think would happen to a nation who does not follow God’s commandments?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Background⁴

The content of the verses cover: The necessity and advantage of the grace of love. (1-3) Several weeks ago, we looked at much more of the text of Corinthians but its application was based on love between humans. Now, we can look at those same verses and understand the one true commandment, to love our God with all of our heart, soul and strength.

Bible Truths

Verse 2 The Christians at Corinth also emphasized ‘knowledge’. But the person with the deepest knowledge and the greatest faith is worth nothing without love. ‘

Verse 3 The most generous act to help poor people would be of no use without love. When he spoke about allowing people to burn his body, Paul may have thought about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3). He was probably using this descriptive language to mean a sacrifice that was the result of pride. This would be of no advantage.

Items for Discussion

God calls us to love, both Him and each other – how are they interconnected?
Can a nation whose hearts are filled with hate, please God? Why or Why Not?
Why does loving our God with all our heart, soul and strength help us to love each other?
What would you expect the attributes of a nation who loves God to be like?
Since the measure of true love is in the heart, how would we be able to tell if our nation is on the right track?
How does a nation’s leadership interfere with the concepts of loving God and loving each other? (Think of ways they help and ways they hinder)
How does freedom enhance the love between ourselves and God and each other?

Discussion Challenge

Besides obedience, what other responsibilities do we have with regard to the Ten Commandments?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=2&c=20&com=mhc
4
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=46&c=13&com=mhc

What was She Thinking

Isaiah 55:6-12¹
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign,

Background²

Isaiah prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He has been well called the evangelical prophet, on account of his numerous and full prophesies concerning the coming and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death of the Messiah, and the extent and continuance of his kingdom. Under the veil of the deliverance from Babylon, Isaiah points to a much greater deliverance, which was to be effected by the Messiah; and seldom does he mention the one, without alluding at the same time to the other; no, he is often so much enraptured with the prospect of the more distant deliverance, as to lose sight of that which was nearer, and to dwell on the Messiah’s person, office, character, and kingdom.

Biblical Truths³

Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. Is not in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut. There must be not only a change of our ways, but a change of our minds. We must alter our judgments about persons and things. It is not enough to break off from evil practices, we must strive against evil thoughts. To repent is to return to our Lord, against whom we have rebelled. If we do so, God will multiply to pardon, as we have multiplied to offend. But let none trifle with this plenteous mercy, or use it as an occasion to sin. Men’s thoughts concerning sin, Christ, and holiness, concerning this world and the other, vastly differ from God’s; but in nothing more than in the matter of pardon. We forgive, and cannot forget; but when God forgives sin, he remembers it no more. The power of his word in the kingdoms of providence and grace, is as certain as in that of nature. Sacred truth produces a spiritual change in the mind of men, which neither rain nor snow can make on the earth. It shall not return to the Lord without producing important effects. If we take a special view of the church, we shall find what great things God has done, and will do for it. The Jews shall come to their own land; this shall represent the blessings promised. Gospel grace will make a great change in men. Delivered from the wrath to come, the converted sinner finds peace in his conscience; and love constrains him to devote himself to the service of his Redeemer. Instead of being profane, contentious, selfish, or sensual, behold him patient, humble, kind, and peaceable. The hope of helping in such a work should urge us to spread the gospel of salvation. And do thou help us, O Spirit of all truth, to have such views of the fullness, freeness, and greatness of the rich mercy in Christ, as may remove from us all narrow views of sovereign grace.

Items for Discussion

Isaiah is telling us clearly that we are not as great as God, just look around and see; we cannot make it rain, snow, etc. Yet all of these things are good and generate good things like crops. Why, then with so much evidence are people so reluctant to believe that God has a hand in these things when they cannot do them?
God is calling for results – What would the results of a successful Christian life include?
Where in these verses is the folly of mankind brought out most clearly?
God describes the concept of “purpose.” – How would you describe God’s purpose for the Christian church, the family and for yourself?
If mankind listens to God, what does God promise? Why should we care about this?

Matthew 26:1-13
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Background

The extravagant anointing at Bethany (vv. 6-13) is framed by a plot to arrest Jesus (vv. 3-5, 14-16). The disciples, who can appear less wise than the women they seek to silence in the Gospels (as in 15:23; compare Lk 24:11), protest this extravagance. One disciple, Judas, who realizes that Jesus is a martyr messiah, decides that following Jesus will not be profitable and determines to gain at least some profit. Jesus Faces God’s Calling Obediently (26:1-2) By adding another passion announcement here (contrast Mk 14:1-2), Matthew reminds us that whatever the power of those who plotted against Jesus, Jesus moved according to his Father’s plan and not theirs. No matter how strong the forces arrayed against God’s servants, God will ultimately fulfill his purposes.

Bible Truth

Some modern readers take Jesus’ reproof in 26:9-11 as playing down the priority of the poor, and then they inexplicably apply the example of this woman’s extravagance to their church building programs or other projects. (That the disciples would have thought of the needs of the poor shortly before Passover fit their culture’s custom) The needs of human beings always remain closer to Jesus’ heart than most other monetary agendas (as in 5:42), and his very words about the poor remaining with them allude to Deuteronomy 15:11, where the context demands caring for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:1-10). This woman supplied something for Jesus shortly before his death that none of the rest of us can repeat (hence Matthew 26:13), but she provides a model of sacrificial love. We show that sacrificial love to Jesus now by using all our resources for the work of his kingdom (13:44-46), including serving the poor (6:2, 19-24; compare Lk 12:33-34).Judas Follows Jesus for What He Can Get out of Him (26:14-16) Ancient narrators sometimes contrasted positive and negative moral examples; as Judas contrasts with Peter in 26:69–27:10, he contrasts here with the extravagant love of the woman in 26:6-13. Jesus has continued to discuss his death (vv. 2, 12), and perhaps at least Judas has now caught on. But when Judas finds that Jesus’ kingdom will not profit him materially (and may even cost him his life), he chooses to get what he still can from his lengthy investment in Jesus: he sells him for the price of a slave (v. 15; Ex 21:32). Like another disciple of old (2 Kings 5:26-27), Judas abandoned his spiritual birthright for better material conditions, and in saving his own life lost it for eternity (Matthew 16:24-27; 27:1-10). Judas represents all those who follow Jesus only for what they can get from him, not for how they can serve him: eventually they may decide that the cost of serving him is higher than it is worth.

Items for Discussion

The woman is admonished for not thinking about profit – in what ways does this same admonishment permeate our society today?
How do you interpret Jesus’ statement about the poor?
What is the correct balance between a church’s pursuit of money and funding and services to its congregation?
When are the times in our society today that generosity like the woman in this story are needed?
Judas followed Jesus for commercial reasons – what are the modern day reasons that people follow Jesus for material gain?
Does this story mean more because a woman was the more generous party and the man was not?
What attributes about women lend themselves toward generosity?
What attributes about men lend themselves toward pursuing the commercial side of a relationship?
What lessons from these passages should we be passing on to our children?

Discussion Challenge

What is the test that a church can make to assure itself that generosity is balanced by prudent growth and services?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=0
3
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=23&c=55&com=mhc

Perfect Love Always Succeeded

Exodus 13:1-13¹
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” 3 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. 5 When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year. 11 “After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, 12 you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

Background²

The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of Israel into a church and a nation. We have hitherto seen true religion shown in domestic life, now, we begin to trace its effects upon the concerns of kingdoms and nations. Exodus signifies “the departure;” the chief event therein recorded is the departure of Israel from Egypt and Egyptian bondage; it plainly points out the fulfilling of several promises and prophecies to Abraham respecting his seed, and shadows forth the state of the church, in the wilderness of this world, until her arrival at the heavenly Canaan, an eternal rest.

Biblical Truths³

Some of His purpose for leading Israel to Canaan through the wilderness could be summarized as follows:

It was in order that His power might be displayed as He brought them through the Red Sea.
It was in order that Pharaoh and his servants might be destroyed.
It was in order that the Israelites might receive His laws in the solitude of the desert.
It was in order that they might be tried and proven prior to their entrance into the land.

Now, in these verses, after an introductory statement about the first born (vv. 1-2), Moses addresses the people again about the Passover and the Unleavened Bread feasts (vv. 3-7. Like the Passover the Feast of Unleavened Bread had great educational value in the home (vv 8-16). It was to be a continual reminder of God’s mighty deliverance from Egypt. Like the Feast of Unleavened Bread the consecration of the firstborn was also a reminder of God’s gracious deliverance from the land of bondage. Just as the Lord used His mighty power to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt He wants to show His mighty power in rescuing us from the power of sin in our lives today.

Items for Discussion

We have some very specific requirements laid out by God. What might God’s purpose be for such requirements?
What human desires are being sacrificed in order to respond to God’s commands?
What benefit is it to us to be willing to sacrifice in the way God is commanding?
Why does society place such a high importance on the “first born?”
What is God really after here in his commandment to us?
If we respond as we are being directed, what might the benefits be to us as individuals?

1 Corinthians 13:8
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away

Background

Corinth was an important city. It was on a very narrow section of land (called an ‘isthmus’) in the southern part of Greece and the capital city of the region called Achaia. It had two harbors. The harbor on the east coast was 4 miles (6 km) from the harbor on the west coast. Today a canal joins these two harbors. In Paul’s time, people pulled small boats across from one harbour to the other one. They dragged them on a kind of ship railway. Porters carried goods from large boats to the other side. They put the goods on a different boat. The journey would otherwise have been over two hundred miles round a very dangerous part of the sea.

As it was a busy center for trade, Corinth was a good place for the *gospel to spread. Merchants and travellers would hear the message and take it with them. There were many different people in Corinth. There were Romans because it was a Roman colony. There were Greeks, Jews, people from Asia and from further east. There were rich people as well as many slaves. There was a temple to Aphrodite, the Greek female god of love. There were thousands of prostitutes in the city. Many of them belonged to this temple. Corinth became well-known for bad sexual behaviour. To live ‘like a Corinthian’ meant to become a drunk often or to visit prostitutes.

The Corinthian church had both Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition one group and the sinful conduct of the other. The peace of this church was being disturbed by false teachers, who undermined the influence of the apostle Paul. Two parties were the result; one contending earnestly for the Jewish ceremonies, the other indulging in excesses contrary to the gospel, to which they were especially led by the luxury and the sins which prevailed around them. This letter was written to rebuke some of the disorderly conduct, of which Paul had been apprized, and to give advice as requested by the Corinthians. Thus the scope was twofold. 1. To apply suitable remedies to the disorders and abuses which prevailed among them. 2. To give satisfactory answers on all the points upon which his advice had been desired. The address, and Christian mildness, yet firmness, with which Paul writes, and goes on from general truths directly to oppose the errors and evil conduct of the Corinthians, is very remarkable. He states the truth and the will of God, as to various matters, with great force of argument and animation of style. It is the Apostle Paul at his best.

Bible Truth⁴

In verses 1-2, Paul spoke about three gifts. They were prophecy, tongues and knowledge. He said that without love they had no value. Here he contrasts love with these gifts. Love is permanent. These gifts will all become unnecessary.

Items for Discussion

“Love” and derivatives of love like love’s and loved appear 697 times in the NIV Bible – “Hate” is mentioned 80 times. To what purpose do you see this ratio serving?
Why is love so hard?
To what things is love an absolute prerequisite?
God’s love is permanent – What comfort should we take in this fact?
How does love transcend time and generations?
Which is harder to forget, love or hate?
Why should we love our God?
How would you tie the focus on first born to loving God?

Discussion Challenge

How do we help the Christian church love as God would want us to love?

1
NIV New International Version Translations
2
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0
3
http://www.family-times.net/commentary/exodus-131/
4
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-lbw.htm

Background2http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0

Biblical Truth3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=2&c=33&com=mhc

Items for Discussion

Background

Bible Truths4http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/ephesians/2.htm

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.easyenglish.info/psalms/psalm090-taw.htm

Biblical Truth

Items for Discussion

Background3http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/lukeintr.htm

Biblical Truth4http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=42&c=21&com=mhc

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.answers.com/topic/jeremiah

Biblical Truths3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=24&c=30

Items for Discussion

Background4http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/philippians-lbw.htm

Bible Truths

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=0

Biblical Truths4http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=64

Items for Discussion

Background5http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=45&c=0

Bible Truths6http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=45&c=8

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.Gen.ii.html

Biblical Truths3http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/genesis-mwks1-lbw.htm

Items for Discussion

Background4http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/mark-ks.htm

Bible Truths

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc1.Deu.i.html

Biblical Truths3http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/EpiphanyB/Epiphany4.html

Items for Discussion

Background4http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/eph-lbw.htm

Bible Truths

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=1&c=0

Biblical Truths3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=1&c=2

Items for Discussion

Background4http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=46&c=13&com=mhc

Bible Truths

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0

Biblical Truths3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=2&c=20&com=mhc

Items for Discussion

Background4http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=46&c=13&com=mhc

Bible Truths

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=0

Biblical Truths3http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=23&c=55&com=mhc

Items for Discussion

Background

Bible Truth

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

Background2http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=2&c=0

Biblical Truths3http://www.family-times.net/commentary/exodus-131/

Items for Discussion

Background

Bible Truth4http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-lbw.htm

Items for Discussion

Discussion Challenge

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