Genesis 42:16-17 (ESV Strong's)
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”
And he put them all together in custody for three days.
Subject: Forgiveness
Perhaps the title of these verses ought to be: Forgive, but verify! Joseph is in an odd place. He is in the place of power after being in places of humility and distress. He was sold into slavery by these brothers; accused of rape; place in prison; forgotten about by those he helped. He was now in the place of power and could do whatever he wanted. Only Pharaoh was greater than Joseph. The above verses, perhaps, show they struggle in Joseph's heart over forgiving his brothers. He puts in them custody for three days. Perhaps he was thinking of leaving them there. Perhaps he was wanting to pay them back for all the harm they caused him. Yet, it seems more likely he was testing them. He had already forgiven them in his heart, but he needed to see where their heart was in order to know who their interaction would be from this point forward. Would they sell out one of their other brothers to save their own skin? Would they make a deal so they could get home? He, perhaps, put them in custody to watch the agony that was about to happen. They knew this was because of what they had done to Joseph, yet, they didn't know Joseph was standing right there. In the art of forgiveness, you sometimes have to see the heart of the person you have forgiven. Forgiveness is not a choice. We are commanded to do so. But our forgiveness does not always change the heart of the person(s) we are forgiving. Joseph forgave them (judicially) but had to verify their actions from this point forward (practically). Our heart is to be the same for both the judicial act and the practical act. The heart of the one you are forgiving might never change, however. That just changes the practical, not the judicial.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Subject: Service Together - 1 Corinthians 3-4
1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV Strong's)
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
Subject: Service together to God
Paul is entering a significant area in his letter to this church at Corinth. He is about to introduce his need to correct them for some sin in there lives that is impacting the church. He has just told them that their jealousy and strife is a clear indication they are acting a "mere humans" and not as children of the King. In this paragraph he particularly calls them out for their swearing allegiance to him or to another teacher, Apollos. This immature act of loyalty to one over the other does not befit their actual calling in Christ. In the above verses Paul explains why. They are not to swear allegiance to him or Apollos or any teacher, who is under Christ. Their allegiance is to Christ, the Head of the Church. He doesn't separate himself (although, in the hierarchy of the church he could) from Apollos, claiming superior Apostle status. Instead he tells them that they are in this a fellow-workers, all under the work of God. We are God's field and God's building; separate metaphors, with equal meaning. Note what one commentator says about this passage:
(UBC-NTSet) They do not labor with God; they are God’s servants, and they labor with each other. Paul’s syntax emphasizes God and God’s priority in the tasks and the doing of ministry. The church is God’s field, God’s building, so that to claim allegiance to or status from one or another of God’s servants is nonsense. With the alteration of images—from field to building—Paul sets up the lines that follow.
I love the statement in this writers words: "They do not labor with God; they are God's servant, and they labor with each other." There are many teachers of God's Word who mistakenly teach we are co-workers with God in our salvation. This writer makes an important distinction. We labor with each other. But, we labor FOR God. He is the builder. He is the Creator; we are just the tools:
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
Subject: Service together to God
Paul is entering a significant area in his letter to this church at Corinth. He is about to introduce his need to correct them for some sin in there lives that is impacting the church. He has just told them that their jealousy and strife is a clear indication they are acting a "mere humans" and not as children of the King. In this paragraph he particularly calls them out for their swearing allegiance to him or to another teacher, Apollos. This immature act of loyalty to one over the other does not befit their actual calling in Christ. In the above verses Paul explains why. They are not to swear allegiance to him or Apollos or any teacher, who is under Christ. Their allegiance is to Christ, the Head of the Church. He doesn't separate himself (although, in the hierarchy of the church he could) from Apollos, claiming superior Apostle status. Instead he tells them that they are in this a fellow-workers, all under the work of God. We are God's field and God's building; separate metaphors, with equal meaning. Note what one commentator says about this passage:
(UBC-NTSet) They do not labor with God; they are God’s servants, and they labor with each other. Paul’s syntax emphasizes God and God’s priority in the tasks and the doing of ministry. The church is God’s field, God’s building, so that to claim allegiance to or status from one or another of God’s servants is nonsense. With the alteration of images—from field to building—Paul sets up the lines that follow.
I love the statement in this writers words: "They do not labor with God; they are God's servant, and they labor with each other." There are many teachers of God's Word who mistakenly teach we are co-workers with God in our salvation. This writer makes an important distinction. We labor with each other. But, we labor FOR God. He is the builder. He is the Creator; we are just the tools:
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Subject: Gospel - Matthew 26-28
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV Strong's)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Subject: Gospel
There is no secret as to the purpose of the believe in Christ. Jesus did not leave the disciples (or us) without a clear set of expectations. Our mission, accepted or not accepted, is to make disciples and equip them to make further disciples. We can get lose in this world, as to purpose. Life's charms and charmers entice us to seek the material, the temporal and the practical. Jesus instructs us, in the above passage, to seek the eternal. We are on this temporary earth to build His eternal kingdom. But, Jesus doesn't just tell us our mission, He also equips us for the mission. He tells us that the Holy Spirit will be the power behind our seeking and doing this mission. Unlike the employer who tells us to do something and gives us no resources or skill-sets to accomplish the mission, Jesus is not so. He outlines the mission and provides the power to complete the mission. We are not the ones who do it, we are simply the conduit to accomplish it. We think we are hear to build our security and seek the ultimate in retirement. Our real purpose, through our jobs and our accumulated resources, is to build the Kingdom to make disciples.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Subject: Gospel
There is no secret as to the purpose of the believe in Christ. Jesus did not leave the disciples (or us) without a clear set of expectations. Our mission, accepted or not accepted, is to make disciples and equip them to make further disciples. We can get lose in this world, as to purpose. Life's charms and charmers entice us to seek the material, the temporal and the practical. Jesus instructs us, in the above passage, to seek the eternal. We are on this temporary earth to build His eternal kingdom. But, Jesus doesn't just tell us our mission, He also equips us for the mission. He tells us that the Holy Spirit will be the power behind our seeking and doing this mission. Unlike the employer who tells us to do something and gives us no resources or skill-sets to accomplish the mission, Jesus is not so. He outlines the mission and provides the power to complete the mission. We are not the ones who do it, we are simply the conduit to accomplish it. We think we are hear to build our security and seek the ultimate in retirement. Our real purpose, through our jobs and our accumulated resources, is to build the Kingdom to make disciples.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Subject: God's Charater in Salvation - Iasiah 51-55
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV Strong's)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Subject: God's Character in Salvation
The above couple of verses are often quoted in times of darkness and in times of trouble. They certainly are a great source, in those moments, to reflect and find peace in the sovereign nature of God in times of trouble. However, in context, the verses are actually not talking about the power and knowledge of God in the midst of darkness. They are the prophet Isaiah's expression after stating the following about God's salvation of His people. Note the verses just before those two are written:
Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
In verses 8 and 9, we see that they begin with the word, "For ...". That "for" is therefore a reason. The prophet is saying that "God's ways are not man's ways" in the context of the mystery of salvation. God is telling the nation of Israel, through Isaiah, that those who do not deserve God's compassion and pardon can come to God. Yet, that doesn't make sense: That a righteous God would pardon a sinful man. Hence the next verses: My ways are not your ways. Man would not and could not design such a salvation. In fact, in all the world's time no man-made-religion has ever come up with a design of a Savior and a pardon from sin based upon that Savior's death. This is why Isaiah writes, "My ways are not your ways." Yes, these verses are great in times of mystery and trouble, but the real essence of them is in regard to the mystery of salvation. Our salvation is gloriously created!!!
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Subject: God's Character in Salvation
The above couple of verses are often quoted in times of darkness and in times of trouble. They certainly are a great source, in those moments, to reflect and find peace in the sovereign nature of God in times of trouble. However, in context, the verses are actually not talking about the power and knowledge of God in the midst of darkness. They are the prophet Isaiah's expression after stating the following about God's salvation of His people. Note the verses just before those two are written:
Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
In verses 8 and 9, we see that they begin with the word, "For ...". That "for" is therefore a reason. The prophet is saying that "God's ways are not man's ways" in the context of the mystery of salvation. God is telling the nation of Israel, through Isaiah, that those who do not deserve God's compassion and pardon can come to God. Yet, that doesn't make sense: That a righteous God would pardon a sinful man. Hence the next verses: My ways are not your ways. Man would not and could not design such a salvation. In fact, in all the world's time no man-made-religion has ever come up with a design of a Savior and a pardon from sin based upon that Savior's death. This is why Isaiah writes, "My ways are not your ways." Yes, these verses are great in times of mystery and trouble, but the real essence of them is in regard to the mystery of salvation. Our salvation is gloriously created!!!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Subject: False Teaching - Job 20-21
Job 21:14-16 (ESV Strong's)
They say to God, ‘Depart from us!
We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’
Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand?
The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Subject: False Teaching
In the previous chapter, one of Job's friends, Zophar, has told Job that the wicked are the ones who are punished in life. And, since Job's experience falls in line with that type of punishment, he, too, must be wicked. Job counters his argument, however, with a different set of evidence. Job states that when he views the wicked he seems many who are never punished. The prosper in their ways. In the above text they even go to the extent of boasting that they do not need God. Their self-sufficient and self-powered prosperity is a reflection that God does not exist or is not in control of life. In the large scheme of this book, Zophar is trying to tell Job his situation is a result of wickedness. Job is saying it is true that many wicked are punished on this earth, but also, many are not. So, Zophar's argument is not consistent. However, in Job's explanation of his counter argument, he states something that is very important for all of us in the midst of suffering. In the above verses Job states, "the counsel of the wicked is far from me." The wicked person who is not experiencing pain and suffering as a result of their wickedness has come to the conclusion that God is dead. They believe it is their own power that makes them prosper. Job, in his pain and suffering, refuses to listen to the counsel of the wicked. His situation is NOT going to drive him to false doctrine and belief. Job, like David in Psalm 1, refuses to "walk in the counsel of the ungodly." Even those circumstances don't demonstrate it, Job is in the midst of God's hands. He refuses to follow Zophar's argument or wicked men who deny God. He will remain faithful, despite his confusion about his pain and suffering.
They say to God, ‘Depart from us!
We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’
Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand?
The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Subject: False Teaching
In the previous chapter, one of Job's friends, Zophar, has told Job that the wicked are the ones who are punished in life. And, since Job's experience falls in line with that type of punishment, he, too, must be wicked. Job counters his argument, however, with a different set of evidence. Job states that when he views the wicked he seems many who are never punished. The prosper in their ways. In the above text they even go to the extent of boasting that they do not need God. Their self-sufficient and self-powered prosperity is a reflection that God does not exist or is not in control of life. In the large scheme of this book, Zophar is trying to tell Job his situation is a result of wickedness. Job is saying it is true that many wicked are punished on this earth, but also, many are not. So, Zophar's argument is not consistent. However, in Job's explanation of his counter argument, he states something that is very important for all of us in the midst of suffering. In the above verses Job states, "the counsel of the wicked is far from me." The wicked person who is not experiencing pain and suffering as a result of their wickedness has come to the conclusion that God is dead. They believe it is their own power that makes them prosper. Job, in his pain and suffering, refuses to listen to the counsel of the wicked. His situation is NOT going to drive him to false doctrine and belief. Job, like David in Psalm 1, refuses to "walk in the counsel of the ungodly." Even those circumstances don't demonstrate it, Job is in the midst of God's hands. He refuses to follow Zophar's argument or wicked men who deny God. He will remain faithful, despite his confusion about his pain and suffering.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Subject: Worship and Praise to God - Psalm 27-29
Psalms 28:7 (ESV Strong's)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Subject: Worship and Praise to God
We often turn to so many different sources for our strength and our comfort. We have family that we run to in time of need. We have a spouse who is supposed to be there to comfort us; and often is. We have a job that gives us a sense of security. We have a bank account or a check coming in that gives us hope and sustainability. We have a cottage we retreat to for refreshment. We have a vacation we look forward to for a few days of sun, surf and selfishness. We have an object that we can shine, play with, or use as a pacifier for or life; or blanket of comfort. But, all these things pale to the God of the universe. When we have a personal relationship with God we have what we read in the above verse from David's life. We find in God our strength and a shield. Our strength and the strength of others will fail. But, God does not. We can both trust God completely (nothing else is that sure) and we can know that we are helped by God (nothing else can be counted on to be there for us). This should exult our hearts and should give us reason for praise and thankfulness. He is the One we run to and find our refreshment in and our strength to meet the troubles of the day.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Subject: Worship and Praise to God
We often turn to so many different sources for our strength and our comfort. We have family that we run to in time of need. We have a spouse who is supposed to be there to comfort us; and often is. We have a job that gives us a sense of security. We have a bank account or a check coming in that gives us hope and sustainability. We have a cottage we retreat to for refreshment. We have a vacation we look forward to for a few days of sun, surf and selfishness. We have an object that we can shine, play with, or use as a pacifier for or life; or blanket of comfort. But, all these things pale to the God of the universe. When we have a personal relationship with God we have what we read in the above verse from David's life. We find in God our strength and a shield. Our strength and the strength of others will fail. But, God does not. We can both trust God completely (nothing else is that sure) and we can know that we are helped by God (nothing else can be counted on to be there for us). This should exult our hearts and should give us reason for praise and thankfulness. He is the One we run to and find our refreshment in and our strength to meet the troubles of the day.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Subject: Wisdom - Ruth
Ruth 4:1-5 (ESV Strong's)
Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.
And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.
So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”
Subject: Wisdom
Boaz is a wise man. In this story of Ruth we have learned that Ruth was married to the son of Naomi. She was from a different country. Both Naomi's husband and two sons had died in Ruth's country and Ruth decided to care for Naomi and return to the land of Israel with her. Boaz, as her nearest relative, had the right and the responsibility to marry Ruth to carry on the family name. Yet, Boaz also knew that another relative had a closer relationship to Ruth. Instead of just talking to the relative about Ruth, Boaz exposes to the city fathers the character of this near relative, at the gate of the city (where the business of cities was conducted in ancient times). The man would take the land (that would boast his station in life (land ownership was, like today, a sign of prestige). However, the relative did not want Ruth in marriage. Boaz did! Boaz used Godly wisdom to make sure that the man didn't come back later and claim "property" based upon a false premise of "not knowing" what was happening and/or didn't know property was included. Boaz makes sure that the deal is a real deal. His wisdom before on HOW to enact the deal was just as important as the responsibility to become Ruth's redeemer. How we approach transactions like this in life is an important indicator of the wisdom we have from God. Those who are wise, by fearing the Lord, see prior to the situation and make sure they are covering all the bases of man's nature. Boaz knew the "nature of man" and made sure he exposed that properly before moving forward. A wise lesson for our lives today.
Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.
And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.
So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”
Subject: Wisdom
Boaz is a wise man. In this story of Ruth we have learned that Ruth was married to the son of Naomi. She was from a different country. Both Naomi's husband and two sons had died in Ruth's country and Ruth decided to care for Naomi and return to the land of Israel with her. Boaz, as her nearest relative, had the right and the responsibility to marry Ruth to carry on the family name. Yet, Boaz also knew that another relative had a closer relationship to Ruth. Instead of just talking to the relative about Ruth, Boaz exposes to the city fathers the character of this near relative, at the gate of the city (where the business of cities was conducted in ancient times). The man would take the land (that would boast his station in life (land ownership was, like today, a sign of prestige). However, the relative did not want Ruth in marriage. Boaz did! Boaz used Godly wisdom to make sure that the man didn't come back later and claim "property" based upon a false premise of "not knowing" what was happening and/or didn't know property was included. Boaz makes sure that the deal is a real deal. His wisdom before on HOW to enact the deal was just as important as the responsibility to become Ruth's redeemer. How we approach transactions like this in life is an important indicator of the wisdom we have from God. Those who are wise, by fearing the Lord, see prior to the situation and make sure they are covering all the bases of man's nature. Boaz knew the "nature of man" and made sure he exposed that properly before moving forward. A wise lesson for our lives today.
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