14 November 2015

Scriptures:

• John 8
• Isaiah 1
• 2 Kings 14:1-22
• Psalm 105

Observations:

In the John passage, first, we have the encounter with Jesus and the group of men who brought the adulterous woman to be stoned, eventually absolving her, saying, "Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more." Immediately thereafter, we see Jesus talking about himself as the light of the world and the veracity of his testimony, very boldly and publicly stating that he is God's son. He follows this up by talking to his followers, stating that the truth will set them free and explaining slavery to sin. Lastly, Jesus confronts the crowd, showing that they call themselves sons of Abraham, but they are more the sons of the devil. As the crowd became more and more irate, he pressed on the issue of his Godhood and connection to God, before closing with the statement, "Before Abraham was, I AM." Essentially, he said that he is God, which, to most of the Jews assembled was the worst heresy commitable.

In Isaiah, we see the Lord calling out how Israel has rebelled against God, how every facet of creation knows its place except Israel. He describes it almost as a sickness, a disease in Judah. The sacrifices and obeisances of the people have become as nothing. What God desires is not the empty performance of the law, but a willing obedience, a ceasing of evil, seeking justice, ending oppression, and advocating for the needy. God wants the works that stem from faith and love, not from a checklist or rote tradition. The whole point of the offerings and different celebrations was to acknowledge and remember God. The Lord also says, though, that he will work in Jerusalem and purify her people, making the repentant righteous.

In 2 Kings, we see the reign of Amaziah. He was a decent king, though a little foolish - picking a fight with Israel and getting routed and Jerusalem sacked. Like his father, he was assassinated.

The psalm today praises God for the establishment of Israel, telling of how God worked from Abraham through to Moses and the exodus.

Application:

I see, between John and Isaiah, a fairly strong example of how a believer should be living. In John we see Jesus calling out the Jews for not doing the works Abraham did, but instead following after the devil, whom he calls their father (alluding to what Paul was writing about in Romans, that the church are heirs through the promise, that blood is no guarantee of salvation). As we can see, one's actions provide insight into one's "lineage".

In Isaiah, we see God specifically stating what he values as worship. He doesn't want empty motions. This isn't to say he didn't want the offerings, sacrifices, and celebrations, but that he didn't want them as they were being performed - vainly, by rote and tradition, with no substance behind it. Rather, God wants action stemming from faith that gives glory to him. Doing good, ceasing evil, seeking justice, ending oppression, and advocating for the needy are actions that should be looked for in followers of God

13 November 2015

Scriptures:

• John 7
• Malachi 3:13-4:6
• 2 Kings 13
• Psalm 104

Observations:

In John, we see Jesus making his way to the festival of booths, but in a more roundabout way, as there were a number who wanted him dead. In spite all of this, he made his way to the synagogue and began to teach. While he was teaching, many wondered at him, asking how he came by such authority and wisdom and he pointed them to God, who sent him, and called them out on the most apparent reason people were angry with him. As he continued to speak, some denied that he could be the Christ, others wondered at the possibility, some even grew angry and wanted to arrest him.

Heh, so yesterday's Malachi passage was supposed to have been today's. Again, we see the righteous calling out to God regarding the fortunes of the wicked. Something I missed yesterday though, was that it appears God answered them before the rest of the passage continues and those whom he answered took note and wrote down the promises of God.

In 2 Kings, we see two accounts of two kings. The first, Jehoahaz, is accounted as wicked and God gave Israel continually over to the Syrians in battle until even the king called out, asking for God to give them a break, which he did - he sent someone to deliver them, but the people's hearts did not change. The second king, Jehoash (or Joash? The names seem to swap back and forth. Let me check another translation. Checked - There were two Joash/Jehoashes in close succession. One in Judah, then one immediately afterwards in Israel), wasn't the best king, but God gave back through him much of what was taken by the Syrians.

In the psalm today, we see the psalmist praising God for his creation and how he keep his creation together, caring for each and every creature, meeting their needs, moving them from life through death at their appointed times.

Application:

It is interesting how Jesus' words made people angry at him way back then. Times haven't changed. His words still anger and irritate people and people today still do persecute his followers, just like he said they would. What's also interesting, though, is that even among those who wanted to arrest and kill him, they couldn't bring themselves to do so. Clearly it wasn't the right time by God's standards. So, nothing happened. 

Today, that should give us hope and help alleviate our fear, that nothing happens outside of God permitting it to happen, which means that what happens has been allowed for a purpose, to the benefit of his people and the glory of his name - even the persecutions that have happened throughout church history; they, too, had a purpose, even though they may only appear like hardship and suffering instead of the less apparent growth and edification of the church and glorification of God.

And here we come to the question of the righteous struggling while the wicked live it easy. Well, it's pretty well answered in Malachi. Yes, things may be going smoothly for the wicked and terribly for the faithful right now, but there is an eternity coming in which the tables will be reversed. As the author of Hebrews advocates, "Let us fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

12 November 2015

Scriptures:

• John 6:22-71
• Malachi 3:13-4:6
• 2 Kings 12
• Psalm 103

Observations:

In John, we start off after the feeding of 5000 and Jesus walking on the water. Jesus is across the sea of Galilee and the masses make their way around to him, whereupon he rebukes them, knowing they came primarily for the food. Here, Jesus presents himself as the bread of life, given by God, just as manna was given to the Israelite out of Egypt. Of course, in saying he came down from heaven, he set some of the crowd grumbling, but he speaks plainly, saying that God is the one who gives wisdom and understanding to come to Christ, speaking unsurprisedly about the ones who turned and left.

In Malachi, we see God addressing the issue that those who follow him do not fare as well as those who are unrighteous. His response, being that in the last days, he would separate the righteous and unrighteous, rewarding the former and punishing the latter. He also promises to send a prophet before he comes.

In 2 Kings, we finally see details about Jehoash. He was a godly king. Not perfect, but he tried to follow after the Lord. He didn't remove the false temples, but he did try to get the ball rolling on the repairs to Solomon's temple. Sadly, he gave away all of the treasures in the temple as tribute to Hazael, that he would not come and attacks Jerusalem.

The psalm today is one of praise to God, who satisfies and heals, who brings righteousness and justice, who is slow to anger and rich in love. His love never ends and knows no bounds. He removes our sins from us and casts them far away. In light of all of this, David is praising God.

Application:

I don't see much new that I can apply to myself, but I see a fair number of reminders.

In John, I have the reminder that Christ is the giver of life and the sole way to heaven.

In Malachi, I am reminded that, though I may face hardship and injustice now, there will be a final judgment in which the righteous will receive their reward and the unrighteous, their punishment.

In 2 Kings, I am reminded to serve as best as I can, that even though I may make some foolish mistakes or oversights, I am still counted godly because of where my heart lies.

In the psalm, I am reminded to praise God for who he is and what he's done.

Prayer

10 November 2015

Scriptures:

• John 5:19-47
• Malachi 1:1-2:9
• 2 Kings 10
• Psalm 101

Observations:

In the first part of the John passage (vv 19-29), we see Jesus explaining his role within the Godhead, hinting at his atoning sacrifice for man's sins and making reference to the resurrection of the dead. In the second part (vv 30-37a, 39), we see Jesus making his statement of proof based upon John the Baptist, the works given by God, and upon God himself, giving witness through scripture. In the last part (vv 37-47), he calls out the unbelief of the people, searching through the scriptures for the messiah to come, not believing that the scriptures point to him.

In Malachi, we see God calling Israel out on their attitude towards God. He then calls out the priests, cursing them for how far they had fallen from their forefather Levi. Both the people and the priests had reached the point where they openly scorned God, treating his commands like a burden and worship like an onerous task. The teaching of the priests was no longer true and they were leading the people into corruption and sin.

In 2 Kings, we see the fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy that none of Ahab's line would survive. Using Jehu, the Lord destroyed all of Ahab's descendants, his followers and all the worshippers of Baal. And yet, he, too, followed in the sin of Jeroboam, worshipping the two golden calves instead of the Lord.

In the psalm, we see David praising God for his steadfastness and love. We also see him promising to show favour on the faithful and punish the wicked in his land.

Application:

Looking at these passages, the first thing I see is the question of who is Christ? Jesus himself answers this in John. After that, we see the question of what it means to worship God and some of what that looks like, given by contrast to what Israel is doing in Malachi. 2 Kings shows the punishment of God on the wicked and the psalm shows the heart of one who was close to God.

The biggest thing to point out and apply, I think, is the Malachi passage. How do we treat God? Do we give him our best or do we give him a small something that won't inconvenience us? When we give the scraps, we insult God. If we say we believe in God and that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and holy, righteous, and just, then shouldn't we have just a little bit of healthy fear, of respect, to give him what he deserves? Add to that the fact that he is gracious, merciful, and forgiving, and we have even greater reason to give God our best.

Prayer:

Lord, show me the areas in which I could give you better than I do. I'm not foolish enough to think I give you the best of everything I have, but I'm willing to look and see where I can grow. Help me to branch out and move where you tell me, to step out in faith as you've been challenging me to do.

Be with my wife as she grapples with some new revelations and understandings. Help me to be sensitive to her needs and bring us to a point of greater closeness through this all.

Give my brothers endurance as one finishes finals and the other gets ready to begin. Give my parents wisdom to what the next steps will look like as the only employees from their company in their city. Give my sister insight and clarity; her eyes are still clouded, from what I can tell and she needs to see your truth in her situation and how she needs to be living.

Be with the pastors serving you amongst the poor and in dangerous, hostile regions. Keep them safe and encourage them with your love.

Amen