17 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 9:1-29
• Ezekiel 39
• 1 Kings 11
• Psalm 77

Observations:

In the Romans passage, we see a couple elements. First, we have the idea that the Children of Abraham are not necessarily his genetic descendants, that not all of genetic Israel belongs to God's people Israel. This is the beginning of the suggestion that the church is the descendant of Abraham, but in promise as opposed to blood. Second, we have some scripture that, as much as I dislike the idea of election and predestination, seems to suggest that there are individuals who fall into the promise and those who fall outside it and it's wholly determined by the mercy of God, giving the example of Pharaoh to represent those whom God has hardened to serve his purpose outside of the promise (in this case, Pharaoh was the foil against whom God displayed his preeminence to the Israelites). Paul is making this argument because there are many Jews who have not come to belief in Christ whereas many Gentiles have. He is seeking to answer why God would even call Gentiles, a people not his people, and call very few Jews, who have historically been his people and carriers of his law. Paul also raises an objection to this idea, asking why God would find fault in those whom he purposes to harden and serve as his foil, answering it with indignation, asking whether a pot asks the potter why it was made for one purpose and another, another.

The main purpose of this passage is to show that Gentiles are now to be considered descendants of Abraham through the promise, part of a spiritual Israel, so to speak. A side application that may be taken from this passage is the question of predestination and whether God foreknows and condemns ahead certain individuals as displays of his righteousness, justice, and wrath, while calling other individuals as vessels of his grace, called to serve in a more positive light.

In the Ezekiel passage, we see the continuation of the rout of Gog. We also see the gathering of Israel thereafter and, it seems, a spiritual fixing of Israel upon God, with God pouring himself out in very present ways upon them. Part of me wonders whether this is a post-exilic, pre-messianic prophecy, or an end of times prophecy. That is, the wars of the Macedonians, Seleucids, and Romans before the coming of Christ, with Christ being the turning factor in the hearts of Israel, gathering the children of the promise (see above) from all corners of the globe, or some end-of-time battle of the forces of the world against God's people, resulting in a rout, restoration of the church and an indwelling of God in the new Jerusalem as described in Revelation.

In 1 Kings, we see the slow downfall of Solomon as he is pulled away from God by his wives and the prophecy of the division of Israel, with Judah left to the line of David, because God made a promise to David. Also, I kinda got sidetracked, looking up Tahpenes. (I found this article, though I am skeptical of AiG. I don't really know enough about Egyptian and Near Eastern history and methods of chronology to say much more, but there are notorious discrepancies between Biblical historical accounts and modern interpretations of Egyptian accounts, where the discrepancy is less than with other Near Eastern accounts.)

In the psalm, we see Asaph crying out to God, seeking comfort. During this outcry, he recalls the deeds of the Lord and his power and gives praise to God.

Application:

Really, the big point I see that needs stressing is in the Romans passage. Predestination has no effect on the need for evangelism. We, as the church, must remember that the church is the primary vehicle for the spread of the Gospel (Romans 10:14-15). Similarly, we cannot become lazy and settle for simple widespread scattering of the word. Yes, God will call those he has chosen, but that won't mature them. We are called to not only evangelise, but to make disciples, to grow those we bring to Christ.

As far as Ezekiel and 1 Kings go those are interesting questions to ponder, but they have little effect on our evangelism, though the nature of the church as Israel under the promise does warrant some application and examination into end times theology, but I am very much running out of time to research today. (I still have four lectures to study for Mondays exam and still need to revise over the whole material, just to be sure)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the insight. I ask that you would help provide further information regarding predestination, the nature of Israel and the church, and the comparisons between Biblical and Egyptian chronology.

Help me to come to a greater understanding of you and help em to really prepare for this test coming up - I have very little time left.

Amen

16 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 8:18-39
• Ezekiel 38
• 1 Kings 9:10-10:29
• Psalm 76

Observations:

So, in the Romans passage, we have a couple verses that lend some credence to the idea of predestination. Something I find interesting in this scattered passage, though, is both the talk of how all creation is waiting with anticipation for the final revealing of Christ and the removal of sin. Also worth noting is how nothing can separate us from the love of God.

The Ezekiel passage talks about how God will call forth the nation of Gog against Israel and will bring it to punishment on Israel's mountains.. Note that Gog and Magog have been used to refer to the Eurasian steppe peoples (Scythians, Khazars, Huns, etc).

The first part of the 1 Kings passage deals with the logistical details of the manpower required in the building of the temple and palace. The second portion details the account of Solomon and the queen of Sheba as well as the vast amount received by Solomon in tribute. It is now when we begin to see all of the gold affects in the palace and the size of the royal army being built.

The psalm today proclaims how great the name of the Lord is in Israel and extols the power of God in his judgment, making the argument that God is the one to be feared.

Application:

15 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 8:1-17
• Ezekiel 37
• 1 Kings 9:1-9
• Psalm 75

Observations:

In Romans, we're following from yesterday's passage, further expounding on how those who have transferred their allegiance from sin to Christ are set free from the law of sin and death and no longer are to receive condemnation. He then goes on to distinguish between those guided by the spirit being under Christ and those guided by the flesh being under sin.

In Ezekiel, we see God demonstrating his power to bring life. We also see him promising to bring the two nations of Israel and Judah together once more, under David. It's pretty safe to assume that these are two messianic prophecies and very likely regarding the return of Christ. Having skimmed a couple commentaries, the scholars suggest these two are exilic prophecies, with the dead bones representing the Israelites in exile. Who knows. This may be a case of double fulfillment.

In 1 Kings, we see God speaking with Solomon in reference to his prayer, saying that, if he [Solomon] and his descendants continued to follow God, then God would be present, establishing the kingdom with blessing. If they turned away, then they would be made an example of.

The psalm today is one praising God for his justice, showing how God maintains the world and lays low the haughty, before pouring out punishment on the wicked.

Application:

In Ezekiel 37:13, God says that Israel will know that he is God when he opens up the grave and  raises them from the grave. Jesus himself raised a couple individuals from the dead - none more dramatically than Lazarus. Jesus wasn't just demonstrating that God had given him power over death, but that he was God and, not only that, but he is the one to fulfill the prophecy in v12, raising Israel to life and bringing them back into the land that they would not be cut off (v11).

All of that, of course, to bring us to yesterday's Romans passage and today's as well, talking about how Christ has set us free and those who now claim allegiance to him are no longer bound to is and death, but have the opportunity to be able to reject sin and are no longer bound to the punishment of sin, which is death.

God's response to Solomon in 1 Kings, then, makes sense in light of it being pre-Christ. Where now, Christ is the measure of righteousness, then, the law was the measure. How then do we explain how Moses and David and other such individuals who broke the law were still counted righteous? They did not merely keep the law as external affectations, as actions, but, as the psalmist writes in 119:11, they bound the word of God in their hearts. They aligned themselves with God over and above anything else.

Side tangent: I find it funny how the application section has become less and less how I can apply it in my life, but how can I apply the observations I have made into my understanding of God, faith, and biblical doctrine. How typical for an ENTP. My wife would shake her head at me right now - seeing the abstract, theoretical constructs and concepts, but failing to see how to apply it in life.

So, how does this apply into my life today? Well, the only thing I can really think of is to continue to try and engage God with my heart, to align myself with him in that manner. My head is, for the most part, following and my head is what I use to think, but my feelings, my emotions, underdeveloped though they are, could be better in alignment with God, especially on the matter of feeling as God feels in response to my sin and the plight of others.

Prayer:

Well, God, this was a pretty cool revelation - thank you very much for that insight.

Help me to have a better sense of you, that I would respond as you would to the world around me ad to the world within me. I know I am very calloused and relatively inured to my sins and others' needs, but I ask that you would pull back my callouses and expose my heart to your pain and the pain of this world, though I fear and do not relish the sensation. Cub my flesh, that I might be able to draw closer to you.

Give my wife courage as well. She's in the process of a making a very difficult, but important step. Help her to face her fears and ask for what she needs and help her to receive what help will come.

Give my parents wisdom as the deadline for their decision grows closer.

Be with my one brother as he faces exams - give him the endurance he needs to follow through with both his exams and his applications.

Be with my sister as she is clouded in her judgment. Break through the fog surrounding her and show her the way back to you. Be with my other brother, as he makes his steps forward in school. Show him more of you and draw him more closely to you.

Be with the people of Afghanistan - Those who know you, keep them safe and give them the boldness to share your word. Provide them with sound doctrine and encouragers in their faith. Those who do not know you, I ask that they would come into contact with believers. Prepare their hearts ahead of time, that they would be ready for you. Reach out to the hardened and speak to them. Send them missionaries and visions, that they would begin pondering in their heads and hearts about you. For those under oppression, Lord, I ask deliverance, though I do not know what more may be done.

Protect your servants around the world and equip them to serve you more boldly.

Amen

14 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 7
• Ezekiel 36
• 1 Kings 8:22-66
• Psalm 74

Observations:

In Romans, we see Paul getting very heavy with the concepts of sin and the law before migrating slightly to the separation of sin and self in a Christian and the struggle in the war to follow the law. In a nutshell, the ideas contained therein are thus: The law is good. Sin is disobedience to God. Without the law, sin would not have a form, as the definition of sin would not be preset, though the sinful nature would still be so. Before we were in Christ, we were slaves to our sin, following our sinful desires into contravention of the law. Our very self, by nature was sinful. Now that we, the Christians, are in Christ, we have died to our sinful selves and are resurrected in Christ, such that our self is not beholden to sin. Thus, it is through Christ that we are enabled to truly follow the law, though we still war with sin until we are gone from this mortal existence. From Christ comes the desire to follow the law, which is why Paul states his reasoning for knowing the law is good. Similarly, we can know our desire and actions to break the law are not of Christ, but of sin and, as Christians, because our selves are no longer shackled to sin, but to Christ, Paul argues that is it no longer our selves who sin, but it is the sin that dwells within us, warring against us. Thus, we can see the work of sanctification. If justification is Christ breaking our shackles to sin and forging our shackles to him, then sanctification is the warring against sin, reinforcing our ties with Christ and denying our sin the opportunity to act, which we are enabled to do only because we are no longer tied to our sin.

Not very nutshell-ish.

In Ezekiel, we see God prophesying to the land (the mountains, ravines, etc.) of Israel in response to neighbouring nations eyeing and mocking her, that the people of Israel would return and the land would once more grow fruitful. After that, God makes a promise to Israel, not because of their actions, but for the sake of his name, not only to restore the nation of Israel and make it bountiful, but to renew their spirits, that they might walk according to God and look upon their past sin and weep. Again, note that it is only through the renewal from God that we can separate from our sin and draw close to God.

In the 1 Kings passage, we see Solomon's prayer to the Lord, consecrating the temple and beseeching him to act fairly and benevolently to Israel and those who call upon his name. We then see his address to the nation and the massive sacrifice that was given at this time.

The psalm today is another one of Asaph. This time, he asks why God has forsaken Israel and for how much longer the punishment is to last. He reminds God of how other nations mock him, because his people are scattered and defeated and reminds him of his strength and asks that God would regard Israel once more and fight back against the mockers' claims.

Application:

We have two ideas here that I am seeing. Spiritual renewal and godliness being delivered solely by God, as shown in Romans and Ezekiel, even slightly in the psalm, is the first. The nature of God's interaction with Israel, as requested in 1 Kings and shown in Psalms and Ezekiel, is the second.

On the nature of God's interaction, we see in 1 Kings that Solomon asks that when Israel sins, that God might be gracious when they turn in repentance and seek him. Solomon breaks down a number of possible instances, including being exiled due to their sinfulness, in his prayer. Solomon knew that no one is perfect or righteous - that all would sin at some time or another. We are reminded of the Levitical law and the degree of perfection required by God and we are reminded of the accounts of the judges and of the exile, in that God punishes sin where he demands faithful obedience. We are also reminded of the cyclical nature of our sin, how sin repeats itself within lifetimes and across generations.

That is why this passage in Romans is so important - it serves to highlight that the cyclical nature of sin has been broken for all who cast their lot with Christ, that while sin may be present still, we are not beholden to it, but, rather, are equipped to combat it, having the spirit of Christ in us, which enables us to obey.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for your spirit, which enables me to combat sin. Help me to grow in you. Help me to overcome my sins, that I would be more like you. Help me in my devotion, that I would be more tightly bound to you than to my sin. Deal justly with me, Lord, but I also ask for mercy, such as you have given to me many times before. Thank you for your forgiveness.

Amen

13 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 6
• Ezekiel 35
• 1 Kings 8:1-21
• Psalm 73

Observations:

In Romans, Paul is examining the question of grace and sinning that grace may come even more and  the question of sinning in that we are no longer under the law, but under grace. To the first, he writes that the one who has come to faith has been baptised into the death of Christ. Our old self was crucified with him that our sin would be counted as dead and obsolete. So, why would we, who are set free from sin, willingly come and enslave ourselves to sin again? Instead, we are to consider ourselves under the dominion of Christ, slaves to righteousness, as Paul writes, through obedience, being led to sanctification. He notes this is different from being under the law as we are not seeking our salvation by our works, but rather, our works flow from us because of our salvation.

In Ezekiel, we see God speaking out against Edom. Literally, he is speaking to Mt. Seir, which is on the border of Judah and Edom, but we can infer Edom from v15 and historical political geography. Edom's misstep is of perpetual enmity and conspiring to take advantage of Israel and Judah in their time of punishment. 

In 1 Kings, we see the  consecration of the temple and the coming of God to abide in it.

In the psalm today, we see Asaph writing, He begins, stating that God is good to the pure of heart, before bringing forward his conviction - how he, of a lesser pure heart, for a moment was envious of the wicked, how they seem to be well-fed and -dressed, with no apparent sickness or pains. He admits halfway through, though, that they will eventually receive their comeuppance and he closes, declaring his allegiance to and reliance upon God.

Application:

Looking at the Romans passage and the psalm, it is really easy to choose to sin, to forge a signature here, or make a small dirty business connection there. It is really easy to be cutthroat or corrupt. All it takes is a short-sighted desire for self-gratification and one can acquire practically anything one wants, provided one covers one's tracks well. I see that even as a student - It's really easy to cheat on a test or bluff a practical, but such things do not honour God.

Paul seems to make note of those individuals who will go and sin, but offer the excuse of grace and God's forgiveness as though it absolves them of their wrongdoing and guilt, for, after all, they have been justified and their slate is considered clean. And to this Paul asks where their allegiance lies. Does it lie within themselves or does it lie with Christ. If their allegiance lied with Christ, then would they not be motivated to obey? Instead, they are slaves to their sin, making performances of lawfulness to appear righteous, but motivated by their own desires.

It's really difficult and frustrating when I see men and women not of God, who are engaging in less-than-righteous affairs succeeding when there are many Godly individuals who are among the poorest and sickest of the world. I know I was not promised an easy life, as a Christian, but sometimes, I just want for things to be a bit more "fair".

But, like Asaph, I find my consolation in God. I rest and rely on him, knowing he will provide what is needed and will place me where my talents are most needed to the greatest performance of his glory.

Prayer:

God, sometimes it's not easy. Sometimes I sit and look at my peers wondering why I couldn't be better off or why I couldn't have a better X-situation or X-thing. Help me to be content with where I am. Help me to rely on you for my needs. I know you provide and I ask that that would be enough for me. And, as I grow in this, I ask that my wife would grow in this, too, that we would be at the same degree of contentment, relying on you for our well-being and peace.

Be with my parents. Give wisdom to all of us as to where you are calling them. Give peace and rest to them both as they navigate these stressful times.

Bless my middle brother as he prepares for finals and is applying for schools.

Remind my sister of who you are and bring to her eyes te light of where she is vs where she needs to be.

Be with my youngest brother as he continues to heal his broken arm.

There are a thousand other things to pray for, but I cannot list them all here. Be with every one of them.

Amen

12 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 5:12-21
• Ezekiel 34
• 1 Kings 7
• Psalm 72

Observations:

In the Romans passage, we see a comparison being drawn between Adam and Jesus in that where Adam, being a human with no sin, sinned and brought sinfulness upon all of mankind, bringing judgment and death, but Jesus, being fully man and fully God with no sin, did not sin, but instead, bore the punishment for man, bringing justification and life after death.

In Ezekiel, we see a prophecy against the rulers of Israel and Judah in which they are compared to shepherds, fattening and clothing themselves off of the best of their herds while neglecting the weak and injured and allowing the flock to stray as it will. As a result, the Lord put himself against the rulers and would gather his flock himself, establishing before them a shepherd from the line of David (Remember, David was a shepherd boy before being anointed) under whom they would flourish.

In 1 Kings, we see the description of the building of Solomon's palace. (Chapter 6 has the description of  the temple). I want to draw a quick comparison, though, between the two. Both are opulent and extravagant. As you read chapter 6, you cannot help but be awed by the sheer scale of its grandeur. Then you read chapter 7 and something feels just a little bit off. (Or at least I thought before reading it with a scrutinising eye)

• The temple was 60 cu. long, 20 cu. wide, and 30 cu. high.
• Solomon's palace was 100 cu. long, 50 cu. wide, and 30 cu. high

• The temple was paneled from floor to ceiling with carved cedar and the floor was of cypress
• The palace was of carved costly stone, lined with cedar

• The entire temple interior was overlaid with gold, including all the wooden carvings (cherubim, lilies, etc), doors and the floor. The Temple also had two pillars of cast bronze, with bronze details, a cast metal sea (think big artificial pond above ground) 10 cu. across and 5 cu. deep, which held 2000 baths of water, and a number of other bronze figures.
• The palace had a hall of pillars with a second story above it, three rows of windows along the rafters, and a cedar-finished hall of judgment.

• It took 7 years to build the temple
• It took 13 years to build the palace

Note: 1 cu. ~ 52 cm (comparison: a human is normally 3-4 cubits tall), 1 bath ~ 22 litres (I'm not 100% sure of this as I cannot get that volume for the sea with the measurements given. Mathematically, I'd estimate it at about 16.5-24.5 ml from this passage alone, if we assume 1 cu - 50 cm. Maybe Wikipedia had the units wrong and it's supposed to be 22 mil, which wouldn't make sense as a bath is supposed to be the largest liquid measure)

Yes, Solomon's palace was larger and took longer to build, but it had far less cost and expense. So, I would think my original perception, trying to capture the palace's splendour in comparison to the temple, was be misplaced. Solomon truly did give glory to God in his work at first.

In the psalm today, We see Solomon offering up a psalm, asking for the Lord's blessing.

Application:

Man, Solomon started off strong. He built a most excellent temple, constructed a pretty epic palace, and had the mindset that only through God could Israel be made great. It's such a pity he fell so hard, but more on that later.

I had a lot of fun doing some of the math here and yeah, the temple was pretty freaking spectacular. It's not for no reason that people came from neighbouring nations to gaze at the thing in awe. 

For me, it's kind of the same reason I enjoy going into old cathedrals. The architects then really wanted to show off, but notice how they showed off in building churches, not palaces. Their faith was such that they offered the very best they could in worship of God. As such, I would love to go on a cathedral tour of Europe and just marvel at the offerings of worship found in the buttresses and spires of some of these churches, ending in Barcelona at the Sagrada Familia (I really want to see that one).

Why don't we do that?

Why don't we offer the best of our work as an offering to God?

As a student, that means being diligent in my normal studies, but extra thorough in my study of God's word. In the future, as a doctor, that will obviously mean working in excellence, but how would that affect my time given directly to God? Would that be going and offering free, quality healthcare in an impoverished area? Would that mean setting up shop in a poor community or founding a hospital in such an area? I don't know, but I pray that I would be able to glorify God using my career in some such a way.

Prayer:

Lord, Thank you for this awesome time of worship, for the realisation of the importance of this time beforehand. Help me to honour and worship you by studying your word and help me to come to an understanding of how I might worship you in similar ways in the future.

Help me to grow and overcome my flaws, that I may give a good account of myself as a husband and do the same in my wife, that she would continue to grow in you, gaining in wisdom and Christlikeness as I seek to do the same.

Grant wisdom to my parents. Show them whether it is time to return or to stay.

Reveal yourself to my sister, confronting her current situation with your truth.

Be with those classmates and peers, past and present, who still do not know you and help me to come to a better understanding of you in the process, representing you as best as I can.

Amen