Genesis 47
- Joseph's brothers told Pharaoh that they were shepherds, and Pharaoh told them to settle in the best land.
- Jacob was 130 when he entered Egypt and died at age 147.
- Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
- Why would a Jew bless an Egyptian?
- Joseph provided his family with food.
- Does this mean that Joseph's family didn't have to sell their livestock, land, or persons into Pharaoh's slavery?
- All the people's money in Egypt and Canaan was gone because they had used it on food, so Joseph tells the people to sell their livestock to him for food.
- The people finally sell their land and themselves to Pharaoh in order to save themselves from starvation.
- Pharaoh now owned all the people and their land, except for that of the priests, who were given a certain amount of food each day.
- Joseph said that after the famine ended the people would give 1/5 of their crop to Pharaoh and keep the rest for themselves.
- Why is Pharaoh's tithe twice that of God's tithe?
- The people were fruitful and had multiplied "greatly" when Jacob died.
- Jacob had Joseph promise to bury him in the land of his fathers, not in Egypt, and Joseph made this promise to his father.
Job 13
- Why does Job now want to argue his case with God when several chapters back he said who can speak before God?
- What have his friends said to him that is a lie?
- Job asks how they will stack up when God judges them.
- v.15 has 2 interpretations, one is profound, the other seems to add to Job's hopelessness. The verse that is used says, 'Though He slay me, I will hope in Him". The footnote says it can also mean, "He will slay me, I have no hope" Why the huge difference in meaning in this translation?
- Job asks for 2 things: that God would withdraw His hand from Job and that Job would not dread God.
- Job wants to speak with God.
- Job wants God to tell him his sins and wrong doings.
- What does Job mean when he says that God "makes him inherits the sins of his youth? Doesn't this null and void Job being perfect and righteous before God?
Luke 1:1 -38
- Luke writes this book to Theophilus to give an orderly account of what he has been taught.
- Who is Theophilus?
- Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense.
- Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, were righteous before God.
- Zechariah saw Gabriel, the angel, and asked "How shall I know this?" (referring to Elizabeth bearing him a son in her old age). Gabriel struck Zechariah mute for his unbelief.
- The angel said that John shall not drink wine and will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
- John would go before "him" in the power of Elijah, which the people were waiting to happen to fulfil the OT prophecies.
- Elizabeth became pregnant.
- Gabriel went to Mary and told her that she would bear a son, the Son of God.
- Mary asked, "How will this be since I am a virgin?". Gabriel answered this question and Mary said to let it be as you have said.
- Mary's question did not challenge God's power as much ask a practical question whose answer would again show God's power in all things.
- Mary and Elizabeth were related, so John the baptist and Jesus were distant relatives too. (Though John would be 15 months older than Jesus)
1 Corinthians 1
- Paul gives thanks for them and the workings of God in them.
- Paul addresses the divisions in their midst; some people are choosing different leaders, like Paul or Peter to put their hope in.
- Paul rebukes them for this and says it was not by "his" power he did anything among them but by the power of God.
- Christ is not divided and neither should the Corinthians be divided.
- The cross is foolish to the unsaved and the uncalled, but is wisdom to the elect.
- Jews demand sign and Greeks seek wisdom. Paul here points out that God chose the foolish and the weak to shame those who think this way.
- Even the Corinthians themselves are nothing special, but God chose them to shame the wise of that area.
- Humans have nothing to boast in before God (look at Job)
- Paul reminds them that " you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption"
- The Corinthians have been chosen by God
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Genesis 46 - Job 12 - Mark 16 - Romans 16
Genesis 46
- Jacob brings everyone in his family into Goshen in Egypt. Genealogies are listed and I have not heard of most of the names before.
- There were 70 total people who came with Jacob into Egypt along with their livestock to settle in Goshen.
- Serah is the only other daughter listed besides Dinah.
- Is there a reason for listing her since she is a girl?
- Joseph's 2 sons; Ephraim and Manasseh are the only familiar names in the next generation.
- Jacob sent Judah ahead to lead the way and Joseph came out to meet them and wept when he saw his father.
- Why did Joseph want his family to say they raised livestock if that is an "abomination" to Egyptians?
Job 12
- Job gives his friends due credit for speaking wisely, but then proclaims himself to not be inferior to them.
- Why is Job considering himself a laughingstock?
- How long does this conversation last after Job's misfortunes?
- Job sees peace for people with gods in hand.
- Job then gives a lengthy speech showing all the ways God is sovereign over everything in life and nature.
- Job knows that the hand of God has done these things to him.
- Is Job referring to the story of Moses leaving Egypt at the end of this chapter?
Mark 16
- How many Marys were there at Jesus' death?
- Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome went into the tomb and saw an angel who told them Jesus had risen.
- Why does verse 8 conclude by saying "They told no one, when the angel had told them to tell the disciples?
- How did verses 9 -20 get added if they were not in earlier manuscripts?
- Is the "additional Latin verse" from the original script and did Jesus himself proclaim the gospel for a time in the east and west (Isn't this what the Mormons also believe?)
- Disciples didn't believe the Marys or the 2 others who saw Jesus.
- Jesus rebuked all of their unbelief when he saw them, not just Thomas.
- The great commission, Jesus instructs the disciples to go and preach the Gospel, baptizing, so that many may be saved.
- New believers will cast out demons, pick up snakes (like Paul did in Acts), speak in new tongues (also in Acts), healing the sick (also fulfilled in Acts).
Romans 16
- Paul addresses the many Christians who are in Roman some of them being; Epaenetus, the first Asian convert, Andronicus and Junia (who were believers before Paul), and many others.
- Paul is really promoting unity amongst all Christians.
- Paul has many deep, close friendships that he hold dear to him.
- Paul warns to watch out for people who cause divisions in the church and mislead the naive.
- God will soon crush Satan. (Thinking of the future)
- Tertius wrote the book of Romans for Paul (Are these greetings from Paul or Tertius?)
- The Gospel of Christ was a secret kept for "long ages" and revealed in OT prophetic writing.
- Jacob brings everyone in his family into Goshen in Egypt. Genealogies are listed and I have not heard of most of the names before.
- There were 70 total people who came with Jacob into Egypt along with their livestock to settle in Goshen.
- Serah is the only other daughter listed besides Dinah.
- Is there a reason for listing her since she is a girl?
- Joseph's 2 sons; Ephraim and Manasseh are the only familiar names in the next generation.
- Jacob sent Judah ahead to lead the way and Joseph came out to meet them and wept when he saw his father.
- Why did Joseph want his family to say they raised livestock if that is an "abomination" to Egyptians?
Job 12
- Job gives his friends due credit for speaking wisely, but then proclaims himself to not be inferior to them.
- Why is Job considering himself a laughingstock?
- How long does this conversation last after Job's misfortunes?
- Job sees peace for people with gods in hand.
- Job then gives a lengthy speech showing all the ways God is sovereign over everything in life and nature.
- Job knows that the hand of God has done these things to him.
- Is Job referring to the story of Moses leaving Egypt at the end of this chapter?
Mark 16
- How many Marys were there at Jesus' death?
- Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome went into the tomb and saw an angel who told them Jesus had risen.
- Why does verse 8 conclude by saying "They told no one, when the angel had told them to tell the disciples?
- How did verses 9 -20 get added if they were not in earlier manuscripts?
- Is the "additional Latin verse" from the original script and did Jesus himself proclaim the gospel for a time in the east and west (Isn't this what the Mormons also believe?)
- Disciples didn't believe the Marys or the 2 others who saw Jesus.
- Jesus rebuked all of their unbelief when he saw them, not just Thomas.
- The great commission, Jesus instructs the disciples to go and preach the Gospel, baptizing, so that many may be saved.
- New believers will cast out demons, pick up snakes (like Paul did in Acts), speak in new tongues (also in Acts), healing the sick (also fulfilled in Acts).
Romans 16
- Paul addresses the many Christians who are in Roman some of them being; Epaenetus, the first Asian convert, Andronicus and Junia (who were believers before Paul), and many others.
- Paul is really promoting unity amongst all Christians.
- Paul has many deep, close friendships that he hold dear to him.
- Paul warns to watch out for people who cause divisions in the church and mislead the naive.
- God will soon crush Satan. (Thinking of the future)
- Tertius wrote the book of Romans for Paul (Are these greetings from Paul or Tertius?)
- The Gospel of Christ was a secret kept for "long ages" and revealed in OT prophetic writing.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Genesis 45 - Job 11 - Mark 15 - Romans 15
Genesis 45
- Joseph finally breaks down and reveals himself to his brothers.
- Joseph wept so loudly that everyone in the house heard him.
- Joseph's response could have been anger, but he told his brothers not to be angry with themselves because God meant his being in Egypt for the good of everyone.
- Joseph said it was God, not his brothers that sent him to Egypt.
- Joseph tells his brothers to go get their father and come dwell in Goshen for the remaining 5 years of the famine so they might not be impoverished.
- Joseph wept for Benjamin and for his brothers, and although it says Benjamin wept it does NOT say how the other brothers reacted.
- When Pharaoh heard what had happened he commanded Joseph to take a cart and bring his family and they would enjoy the best of Egypt.
- What happened to Egyptians not mixing with Hebrews?
- Joseph again gives Benjamin 5 times the goods, and orders his brothers not to quarrel.
- They arrive and tell Jacob but he does not believe them (because he had seen Joseph's torn, bloody coat)
- Jacob's spirit (which had been in worry) was revived because he would see Joseph again before he died.
Job 11
- Zophar answers Job and asks why Job claims to be pure and clean but God's wisdom sees and understands more than man can see or know.
- Zophar tells Job that God has still enacted less than Job's guilt deserves.
- It is impossible to find out the limits of God because He is limitless.
- God cannot overlook iniquity. He sees it all.
- Job needs to prepare his heart and turn toward God.
- Zophar tells Job to put off iniquity and then he will be able to lift his head toward God (This seems to be Job's problem, that he doesn't know what he has done wrong).
- Zophar tells Job that there will be a time when he forgets these trials that are presently overwhelming him.
Mark 15
- Pilate questioned Jesus, but Jesus did not answer the Jews' accusations but remained silent which amazed Pilate.
- Pilate offered to release Barabbas or Jesus to the crowd as was his custom, and the Jews had the crowds shout for Barabbas.
- Pilate knew it was out of envy that Jesus was there.
- The guards dressed Jesus in robes and twisted on Him a crown of thorns and mocked Him.
- Mark's account of the Crucifixion is very brief.
- Jesus was crucified at the 3rd hour with two robbers.
- The Jews mocked Him with His own words about destroying the temple and they also mocked the fact they he couldn't (He chose not to) save Himself. (The ironic thing is IF He had chosen to come down from the cross we could not have been forgiven of our sins before God. Christ chose to stay their for our sins).
-6th hour darkness entered the land and in the 9th hour (6 hours after He had been crucified) Jesus called our to God and breathed His last.
- The people thought He might call for Elijah.
- What were the prophecies about Elijah's return?
- The 2 Marys listed here did not include Jesus' mother.
- A centurion watching the whole thing saw what had happened and believed He was the Son of God.
- Who is the "him" they refer to in v. 41 where it says, "When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem."?
- Joseph of Aramethea asked Pilate for Jesus' body.
- Pilate was surprised Jesus died so quickly but gave Joseph the body.
- Joseph wrapped the body in a shroud and buried Him in a tomb.
- Who was Mary mother of Joses? Who was Joses?
Romans 15
- Paul says we have an obligation (duty) to bear with the weak.
- In Jesus we are able to live in harmony with one another.
- Paul quotes 4 OT references that proclaim good news to the Gentiles.
- Joy and Peace lead to hope through the Spirit.
- Paul says to the Romans that he is satisfied with their goodness and faith, but still on some points Paul warns them "very boldly".
- Paul states that everything he does is because of and for the gospel.
- When Paul says he doesn't want to build on others foundations, isn't that being arrogant or proud?
- Paul longs to go to Rome but first he must go back to Jerusalem and give money to the poor there that the Gentiles have given.
- Why would the Gentiles "owe" the poor in Jerusalem anything?
- Paul is planning to visit Rome on his way to Spain.
- Does Paul ever make it to Spain?
- Paul big push is for the believers in Rome to be at peace.
- Joseph finally breaks down and reveals himself to his brothers.
- Joseph wept so loudly that everyone in the house heard him.
- Joseph's response could have been anger, but he told his brothers not to be angry with themselves because God meant his being in Egypt for the good of everyone.
- Joseph said it was God, not his brothers that sent him to Egypt.
- Joseph tells his brothers to go get their father and come dwell in Goshen for the remaining 5 years of the famine so they might not be impoverished.
- Joseph wept for Benjamin and for his brothers, and although it says Benjamin wept it does NOT say how the other brothers reacted.
- When Pharaoh heard what had happened he commanded Joseph to take a cart and bring his family and they would enjoy the best of Egypt.
- What happened to Egyptians not mixing with Hebrews?
- Joseph again gives Benjamin 5 times the goods, and orders his brothers not to quarrel.
- They arrive and tell Jacob but he does not believe them (because he had seen Joseph's torn, bloody coat)
- Jacob's spirit (which had been in worry) was revived because he would see Joseph again before he died.
Job 11
- Zophar answers Job and asks why Job claims to be pure and clean but God's wisdom sees and understands more than man can see or know.
- Zophar tells Job that God has still enacted less than Job's guilt deserves.
- It is impossible to find out the limits of God because He is limitless.
- God cannot overlook iniquity. He sees it all.
- Job needs to prepare his heart and turn toward God.
- Zophar tells Job to put off iniquity and then he will be able to lift his head toward God (This seems to be Job's problem, that he doesn't know what he has done wrong).
- Zophar tells Job that there will be a time when he forgets these trials that are presently overwhelming him.
Mark 15
- Pilate questioned Jesus, but Jesus did not answer the Jews' accusations but remained silent which amazed Pilate.
- Pilate offered to release Barabbas or Jesus to the crowd as was his custom, and the Jews had the crowds shout for Barabbas.
- Pilate knew it was out of envy that Jesus was there.
- The guards dressed Jesus in robes and twisted on Him a crown of thorns and mocked Him.
- Mark's account of the Crucifixion is very brief.
- Jesus was crucified at the 3rd hour with two robbers.
- The Jews mocked Him with His own words about destroying the temple and they also mocked the fact they he couldn't (He chose not to) save Himself. (The ironic thing is IF He had chosen to come down from the cross we could not have been forgiven of our sins before God. Christ chose to stay their for our sins).
-6th hour darkness entered the land and in the 9th hour (6 hours after He had been crucified) Jesus called our to God and breathed His last.
- The people thought He might call for Elijah.
- What were the prophecies about Elijah's return?
- The 2 Marys listed here did not include Jesus' mother.
- A centurion watching the whole thing saw what had happened and believed He was the Son of God.
- Who is the "him" they refer to in v. 41 where it says, "When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem."?
- Joseph of Aramethea asked Pilate for Jesus' body.
- Pilate was surprised Jesus died so quickly but gave Joseph the body.
- Joseph wrapped the body in a shroud and buried Him in a tomb.
- Who was Mary mother of Joses? Who was Joses?
Romans 15
- Paul says we have an obligation (duty) to bear with the weak.
- In Jesus we are able to live in harmony with one another.
- Paul quotes 4 OT references that proclaim good news to the Gentiles.
- Joy and Peace lead to hope through the Spirit.
- Paul says to the Romans that he is satisfied with their goodness and faith, but still on some points Paul warns them "very boldly".
- Paul states that everything he does is because of and for the gospel.
- When Paul says he doesn't want to build on others foundations, isn't that being arrogant or proud?
- Paul longs to go to Rome but first he must go back to Jerusalem and give money to the poor there that the Gentiles have given.
- Why would the Gentiles "owe" the poor in Jerusalem anything?
- Paul is planning to visit Rome on his way to Spain.
- Does Paul ever make it to Spain?
- Paul big push is for the believers in Rome to be at peace.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Genesis 44 - Job 10 - Mark 14 - Romans 14
Genesis 44
- Joseph tests his brothers and has his servant hide their money in their sacks again AND put Joseph's cup into Benjamin's sack.
- After they ride off Joseph sends his servant to question them about the "missing" cup.
- They said to Joseph's servant that which ever brother had the cup should die and the rest of them would be Joseph's servants.
- What is Judah referring to when he references God finding out their guilt when they didn't steal the cup?
- Joseph tests them further by saying they are free to go and only Benjamin will stay with Joseph.
- Judah recounts just to Joseph that taking Benjamin away from Jacob will kill him.
- Judah tells Joseph that he had made a pledge of safety with Jacob in order to bring him.
- Judah begs to be allowed to stay instead of Benjamin for his father's sake. (It's amazing how much they care about their father now, when only Reuben cared when they "killed off" Joseph)
- Why weren't the brothers jealous of Jacob's overwhelming favoritism toward Benjamin?
Job 10
- Is it wrong to complain to God?
- Is it possible that Job did not sin, since Romans says "all have sinned"?
- Is Job bitter or deeply saddened?
- Job wants to ask God why He has sent affliction on Job.
- If Job has not sinned, then why could he not speak rightly before God?
- Job is aware that God has given him life and steadfast love and that God's care has preserved his spirit.
- Job knows that God has a purpose for his trials, but still Job wishes he had never been born.
- Job says that it doesn't matter whether he has sinned or not or if he is in the right, because he still cannot lift his head before God.
- Job asks God to cease and let him find cheer. Job knows that God has allowed these trials to happen and wants God to stop them.
- Does Job blame God for his suffering now? Is that not a sinful response?
Mark 14
- The chief priests didn't want to kill Jesus during the Passover Feast.
- A woman came and washed Jesus' head with expensive perfume. The disciples rebuked her for wasting money that could have gone to the poor but Jesus said this was a noble thing she had done.
- Judas went to the chief priests and they offered him money to betray Jesus.
- Jesus ate the Passover Supper with his disciples and told them that one of them would betray him. Jesus says it'd be better if "that man" was never born.
- How did Judas live so long with Christ performing miracles and NOT believe that Jesus was the Christ?
- He broke the bread (His body) and the drank the wine (His blood poured out for them)
- Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times that night but he, like the rest, denied that would ever happen.
- Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John (who all fell asleep 3 times) and prayed that if it were possible that God would remove this cup from Him. but Jesus ultimately submitted to His father's will.
- Why was removing the cup not possible when Jesus had said "all things are possible" if you have faith?
- Judas comes and kisses Jesus and they arrest Him.
- Why is the verse about the young man becoming naked added?
- Peter follows Jesus to the counsel.
- Weren't the Counsel and the chief priests the ones who had amassed charges against Jesus all along?
- Why didn't they share these things at this hearing?
- In Mark, Jesus answers directly that He IS in fact the Son of God, which they saw as blasphemy and arrested him and beat him.
- Peter does deny Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed twice (which the first time it crowed is omitted from some texts)
- Peter wept when he knew what he had done.
- Why had Peter followed Christ and done nothing?
Romans 14
- We should not quarrel with fellow believers over "opinions".
- What topics fall under the "opinion" category?
- Let God judge the other person's motives and opinions not you.
- We can honor God in many different ways with our actions. We should do what we are convicted is right before God.
- Wether we live or die we are to do it to the Lord. That is why Christ died for us.
- Paul tells the Romans that we each will give our own account before the Lord.
- We should not judge others, thus putting a stumbling block in their way.
- What we do (eat, drink, etc.) should not cause others to struggle.
- Righteousness, peace, and joy are our goals before God.
- Whatever is not done in faith is sin, so if you think it is wrong to eat or do something and do, yet do it anyway it is sin for you, though it may NOT be sin for another person.
- Joseph tests his brothers and has his servant hide their money in their sacks again AND put Joseph's cup into Benjamin's sack.
- After they ride off Joseph sends his servant to question them about the "missing" cup.
- They said to Joseph's servant that which ever brother had the cup should die and the rest of them would be Joseph's servants.
- What is Judah referring to when he references God finding out their guilt when they didn't steal the cup?
- Joseph tests them further by saying they are free to go and only Benjamin will stay with Joseph.
- Judah recounts just to Joseph that taking Benjamin away from Jacob will kill him.
- Judah tells Joseph that he had made a pledge of safety with Jacob in order to bring him.
- Judah begs to be allowed to stay instead of Benjamin for his father's sake. (It's amazing how much they care about their father now, when only Reuben cared when they "killed off" Joseph)
- Why weren't the brothers jealous of Jacob's overwhelming favoritism toward Benjamin?
Job 10
- Is it wrong to complain to God?
- Is it possible that Job did not sin, since Romans says "all have sinned"?
- Is Job bitter or deeply saddened?
- Job wants to ask God why He has sent affliction on Job.
- If Job has not sinned, then why could he not speak rightly before God?
- Job is aware that God has given him life and steadfast love and that God's care has preserved his spirit.
- Job knows that God has a purpose for his trials, but still Job wishes he had never been born.
- Job says that it doesn't matter whether he has sinned or not or if he is in the right, because he still cannot lift his head before God.
- Job asks God to cease and let him find cheer. Job knows that God has allowed these trials to happen and wants God to stop them.
- Does Job blame God for his suffering now? Is that not a sinful response?
Mark 14
- The chief priests didn't want to kill Jesus during the Passover Feast.
- A woman came and washed Jesus' head with expensive perfume. The disciples rebuked her for wasting money that could have gone to the poor but Jesus said this was a noble thing she had done.
- Judas went to the chief priests and they offered him money to betray Jesus.
- Jesus ate the Passover Supper with his disciples and told them that one of them would betray him. Jesus says it'd be better if "that man" was never born.
- How did Judas live so long with Christ performing miracles and NOT believe that Jesus was the Christ?
- He broke the bread (His body) and the drank the wine (His blood poured out for them)
- Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times that night but he, like the rest, denied that would ever happen.
- Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John (who all fell asleep 3 times) and prayed that if it were possible that God would remove this cup from Him. but Jesus ultimately submitted to His father's will.
- Why was removing the cup not possible when Jesus had said "all things are possible" if you have faith?
- Judas comes and kisses Jesus and they arrest Him.
- Why is the verse about the young man becoming naked added?
- Peter follows Jesus to the counsel.
- Weren't the Counsel and the chief priests the ones who had amassed charges against Jesus all along?
- Why didn't they share these things at this hearing?
- In Mark, Jesus answers directly that He IS in fact the Son of God, which they saw as blasphemy and arrested him and beat him.
- Peter does deny Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed twice (which the first time it crowed is omitted from some texts)
- Peter wept when he knew what he had done.
- Why had Peter followed Christ and done nothing?
Romans 14
- We should not quarrel with fellow believers over "opinions".
- What topics fall under the "opinion" category?
- Let God judge the other person's motives and opinions not you.
- We can honor God in many different ways with our actions. We should do what we are convicted is right before God.
- Wether we live or die we are to do it to the Lord. That is why Christ died for us.
- Paul tells the Romans that we each will give our own account before the Lord.
- We should not judge others, thus putting a stumbling block in their way.
- What we do (eat, drink, etc.) should not cause others to struggle.
- Righteousness, peace, and joy are our goals before God.
- Whatever is not done in faith is sin, so if you think it is wrong to eat or do something and do, yet do it anyway it is sin for you, though it may NOT be sin for another person.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Genesis 42/43 - Job 8/9 - Mark 12/13 - Romans 12/13
Genesis 42/43
- Jacob sent his 10 sons (not Benjamin) to Egypt to but grain because of the famine.
- Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.
- Why does it say he recognized them a second time after they speak?
- Joseph remembered his dream about them from his youth.
- Joseph treats them harshly and accuses them of being spies.
- They leave Simeon as a prisoner and Joseph tells them to bring their younger brother to prove they are NOT spies.
- Joseph originally told them to send 1 brother to get Benjamin, but then he told them that he feared God, so he sent all the brothers back except Simeon.
- They remember what they did to Joseph and talk about how bad it was in front of Joseph assuming that he could not understand them because Joseph's interpreter didn't translate their words, but their words made Joseph cry.
- The brothers find their money back in their grain sacks and wonder why God has done this to them.
- Jacob refuses to send Benjamin and lose a third son.
- Reuben again steps in and says that Jacob can kill Reuben's 2 sons if he lets anything happen to Benjamin.
- Jacob still refuses to send Benjamin and sadden his own heart any more.
- Why don't they refer to Jacob as Israel here?
-Ch. 43
- The famine continued and Jacob's grain ran out, so he wanted to send his sons back to Egypt for more grain.
- The brothers refused to go unless Jacob sent Benjamin with them because Joseph had warned them about coming back without their brother.
- Why did Jacob want his sons to lie to Joseph?
- The brothers had simply answered Joseph's carefully crafted questions.
- Judah steps in and tell Jacob that he will take complete responsibility for Benjamin's safety.
- Judah finally allows them to take Benjamin, but also has them take gifts AND the money which had been returned to them on their last trip.
- Judah asked God to give them mercy on their trip.
- Joseph told the steward of the house to go prepare Joseph's house for a meal with his brothers.
- His brothers were very afraid for they feared that Joseph would imprison them all.
- They told Joseph's steward all that had happened on the previous journey and were surprised to hear that their last bill had been paid in full.. The steward attributed this "miracle" to their God.
- Was this steward a Jew?
- Did Joseph worship the Egyptian gods or the God of Israel?
- Joseph came for lunch and inquired about their father's health.
- Joseph was so overwhelmed with emotions that he left the room and wept, washed up and returned.
- They served Joseph and his brothers in separate places because Egyptians were not allowed to eat with Hebrews.
- Didn't Pharaoh know that Joseph was of Hebrew descent?
- When served Benjamin got 5 times the amount of food as his brothers.
Job 8/9
- Bildad the Shuite answers Job's last response.
- Bildad points out that God is just, pure and merciful.
- Bildad tells Job that He will indeed restore Job if he turns to God.
- Bildad states that God will provide even more to Job later than he had before.
- He states that the godless shall perish like the grass.
- Bildad tells Job that God will provide richly for him again and those who mock him now in his great sorrow will be put to shame by God.
Ch.9
- Job replies in agreement with Bildad and says who can make a case before God?
- Job knows that God is perfect, powerful, and always right (God's attributes)
- Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ (How many times have I asked God the same thing?)
- Job says that even though he thinks he is in the right, Job cannot stand up to God in a conversation.
- How can Job be filled with bitterness and not sin? Isn't bitterness sin?
- Job feels trapped because he is sad, but if he acts happy, then others will think that he has sinned. Job says, "If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’28 I become afraid of all my suffering,for I know you will not hold me innocent."
- Job says that the only way he, a man, could speak before God is if there was someone to be a go between (This definitely points toward our need for Jesus)
Mark 12/13
- "Them" refers to the chiefs priests and elders carrying over from Mark 11.
- Jesus tells the crowd the parable of the tenants in which a man plants a vineyard and leases to others. The owner then sends tenants which are beaten and killed. So the owner sends his son, whom they also kill. The owner will come and destroy those leasing his vineyards for their wickedness.
- The chief priests wanted to arrest him but left because they knew his parable was against them.
- I thought "they" left, but "they" sent him to others to be tested about paying taxes.
- Jesus knew they were testing Him and He said to pay to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God. (Even "they" had to marvel at His answer)
- The Sadducees ask Jesus about the resurrection (which they don't believe in). Jesus says that the woman would not belong to any of her husbands but would be like the angels because God is not a God of the dead but God of the living.
- They again test Him - and Jesus replies that Love the Lord your God is the most important commandment. Loving your neighbor as yourself is the 2nd.
- The scribe agrees with Jesus statement and adds, " And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
- Why did this scribe ask the question if he himself already agreed with Jesus' views?
- Jesus told this scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
- They didn't ask Jesus any more questions.
- Jesus quotes the OT showing that David had called Jesus Lord even then, so He could NOT be the son of David but David's Lord.
- Jesus warns about long prayers and walk around showing off because they are doing so falsely but will receive condemnation
- Jesus draws our attention to a widow who puts in a penny giving out of her poverty and contrasting that with the wealthy who give out of their abundance.
Ch. 13
- Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed.
- Peter, James, John, and Andrew pull Jesus aside in the Mount of Olives to ask when these things will happen.
- Why is Andrew included in this talk with the "big 3"?
- Jesus tells them that they will suffer for His name's sake, but they shouldn't be anxious for the Spirit will give them words to say in that moment.
- v. 14 - 23 are more difficult to understand but here's a try at it.
- Who are the people fleeing that Jesus is speaking of?
- Why would it be worse in winter?
- Is Jesus saying that He must return so that people can be saved?
- Is this saying that in order for the elect (even the ones who have died) to saved, Jesus must return?
- Is it possible to lead astray the elect? (This is the 2nd reference to this in the gospels)
- The sun will go dark and Jesus will return and send His angels to gather the elect.
- Will this include the elect that have already passed away?
- Jesus tells them to look for these signs and await His return.
- What does Jesus mean that this generation will not pass away before they will see these things?
- Only God knows the time of Jesus return (He doesn't even know when).
- Jesus warns them to keep watch for these things and His return.
Romans 12/13
- We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices acceptable to God and not be conformed to the world.
- How are we to test in order to fin out God's will as stated by Paul when he says, "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God"?
- Paul says that every member has a different job. Not everyone has the same giftings, but the giftings given to him by God.
- Paul lists the following gifts to be used by the church: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and mercy.
- Paul tells the Romans to outdo one another in showing love and honor.
- Serve the Lord with zeal, be patient, and constant in prayer
- What does being constant in prayer look like?
- Bless those who persecute you.
- Try to do what is honorable in the sights of everyone
- How do you honor those with different convictions from yourself?
- Don't avenge yourself but leave that to God.
- Don't be haughty but associate with the lowly.
- Paul tells the Romans (and us) to "not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Ch. 13
- We should subject to our governing authorities (which Jesus said in Mark today about Caesar's coin)
- God has appointed all authorities to be obeyed.
- What about governments which forbid Christianity?
- Owe no one anything except love.
- Jacob sent his 10 sons (not Benjamin) to Egypt to but grain because of the famine.
- Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.
- Why does it say he recognized them a second time after they speak?
- Joseph remembered his dream about them from his youth.
- Joseph treats them harshly and accuses them of being spies.
- They leave Simeon as a prisoner and Joseph tells them to bring their younger brother to prove they are NOT spies.
- Joseph originally told them to send 1 brother to get Benjamin, but then he told them that he feared God, so he sent all the brothers back except Simeon.
- They remember what they did to Joseph and talk about how bad it was in front of Joseph assuming that he could not understand them because Joseph's interpreter didn't translate their words, but their words made Joseph cry.
- The brothers find their money back in their grain sacks and wonder why God has done this to them.
- Jacob refuses to send Benjamin and lose a third son.
- Reuben again steps in and says that Jacob can kill Reuben's 2 sons if he lets anything happen to Benjamin.
- Jacob still refuses to send Benjamin and sadden his own heart any more.
- Why don't they refer to Jacob as Israel here?
-Ch. 43
- The famine continued and Jacob's grain ran out, so he wanted to send his sons back to Egypt for more grain.
- The brothers refused to go unless Jacob sent Benjamin with them because Joseph had warned them about coming back without their brother.
- Why did Jacob want his sons to lie to Joseph?
- The brothers had simply answered Joseph's carefully crafted questions.
- Judah steps in and tell Jacob that he will take complete responsibility for Benjamin's safety.
- Judah finally allows them to take Benjamin, but also has them take gifts AND the money which had been returned to them on their last trip.
- Judah asked God to give them mercy on their trip.
- Joseph told the steward of the house to go prepare Joseph's house for a meal with his brothers.
- His brothers were very afraid for they feared that Joseph would imprison them all.
- They told Joseph's steward all that had happened on the previous journey and were surprised to hear that their last bill had been paid in full.. The steward attributed this "miracle" to their God.
- Was this steward a Jew?
- Did Joseph worship the Egyptian gods or the God of Israel?
- Joseph came for lunch and inquired about their father's health.
- Joseph was so overwhelmed with emotions that he left the room and wept, washed up and returned.
- They served Joseph and his brothers in separate places because Egyptians were not allowed to eat with Hebrews.
- Didn't Pharaoh know that Joseph was of Hebrew descent?
- When served Benjamin got 5 times the amount of food as his brothers.
Job 8/9
- Bildad the Shuite answers Job's last response.
- Bildad points out that God is just, pure and merciful.
- Bildad tells Job that He will indeed restore Job if he turns to God.
- Bildad states that God will provide even more to Job later than he had before.
- He states that the godless shall perish like the grass.
- Bildad tells Job that God will provide richly for him again and those who mock him now in his great sorrow will be put to shame by God.
Ch.9
- Job replies in agreement with Bildad and says who can make a case before God?
- Job knows that God is perfect, powerful, and always right (God's attributes)
- Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ (How many times have I asked God the same thing?)
- Job says that even though he thinks he is in the right, Job cannot stand up to God in a conversation.
- How can Job be filled with bitterness and not sin? Isn't bitterness sin?
- Job feels trapped because he is sad, but if he acts happy, then others will think that he has sinned. Job says, "If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’28 I become afraid of all my suffering,for I know you will not hold me innocent."
- Job says that the only way he, a man, could speak before God is if there was someone to be a go between (This definitely points toward our need for Jesus)
Mark 12/13
- "Them" refers to the chiefs priests and elders carrying over from Mark 11.
- Jesus tells the crowd the parable of the tenants in which a man plants a vineyard and leases to others. The owner then sends tenants which are beaten and killed. So the owner sends his son, whom they also kill. The owner will come and destroy those leasing his vineyards for their wickedness.
- The chief priests wanted to arrest him but left because they knew his parable was against them.
- I thought "they" left, but "they" sent him to others to be tested about paying taxes.
- Jesus knew they were testing Him and He said to pay to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God. (Even "they" had to marvel at His answer)
- The Sadducees ask Jesus about the resurrection (which they don't believe in). Jesus says that the woman would not belong to any of her husbands but would be like the angels because God is not a God of the dead but God of the living.
- They again test Him - and Jesus replies that Love the Lord your God is the most important commandment. Loving your neighbor as yourself is the 2nd.
- The scribe agrees with Jesus statement and adds, " And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
- Why did this scribe ask the question if he himself already agreed with Jesus' views?
- Jesus told this scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
- They didn't ask Jesus any more questions.
- Jesus quotes the OT showing that David had called Jesus Lord even then, so He could NOT be the son of David but David's Lord.
- Jesus warns about long prayers and walk around showing off because they are doing so falsely but will receive condemnation
- Jesus draws our attention to a widow who puts in a penny giving out of her poverty and contrasting that with the wealthy who give out of their abundance.
Ch. 13
- Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed.
- Peter, James, John, and Andrew pull Jesus aside in the Mount of Olives to ask when these things will happen.
- Why is Andrew included in this talk with the "big 3"?
- Jesus tells them that they will suffer for His name's sake, but they shouldn't be anxious for the Spirit will give them words to say in that moment.
- v. 14 - 23 are more difficult to understand but here's a try at it.
- Who are the people fleeing that Jesus is speaking of?
- Why would it be worse in winter?
- Is Jesus saying that He must return so that people can be saved?
- Is this saying that in order for the elect (even the ones who have died) to saved, Jesus must return?
- Is it possible to lead astray the elect? (This is the 2nd reference to this in the gospels)
- The sun will go dark and Jesus will return and send His angels to gather the elect.
- Will this include the elect that have already passed away?
- Jesus tells them to look for these signs and await His return.
- What does Jesus mean that this generation will not pass away before they will see these things?
- Only God knows the time of Jesus return (He doesn't even know when).
- Jesus warns them to keep watch for these things and His return.
Romans 12/13
- We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices acceptable to God and not be conformed to the world.
- How are we to test in order to fin out God's will as stated by Paul when he says, "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God"?
- Paul says that every member has a different job. Not everyone has the same giftings, but the giftings given to him by God.
- Paul lists the following gifts to be used by the church: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and mercy.
- Paul tells the Romans to outdo one another in showing love and honor.
- Serve the Lord with zeal, be patient, and constant in prayer
- What does being constant in prayer look like?
- Bless those who persecute you.
- Try to do what is honorable in the sights of everyone
- How do you honor those with different convictions from yourself?
- Don't avenge yourself but leave that to God.
- Don't be haughty but associate with the lowly.
- Paul tells the Romans (and us) to "not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Ch. 13
- We should subject to our governing authorities (which Jesus said in Mark today about Caesar's coin)
- God has appointed all authorities to be obeyed.
- What about governments which forbid Christianity?
- Owe no one anything except love.
- Paul reemphasizes what Jesus also said today in Mark that "loving your neighbor as yourself" over arches many other commandments. (You can't love your neighbor AND kill them or commit adultery with their wife)
- We must not make any provision for the flesh, but we must put on the Word of God, so that we may be in the light.
- We need to be preparing for Christ's return because it is closer today than it was when we first believed.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Genesis 41 - Job 7 - Mark 11 - Romans 11
Genesis 41
- Joseph was in jail 2 years
- Pharaoh had 2 bad dreams; one with 7 fat cows being eaten by 7 thin cows and 7 plump ears of grain were eaten by 7 diseased grains.
- The cup bearer remember that Joseph could interpret dreams.
- Joseph corrected Pharaoh and gave credit to God, not himself, about the dream interpretation.
- Giving Pharaoh 2 duplicate dreams means that it WILL happen and soon.
- Joseph told Pharaoh that there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of severe famine.
- Pharaoh made Joseph the 2nd highest man in all of Egypt because his God had shown Pharaoh what will take place.
- Joseph tells Pharaoh to store up 1/5 of the extra grain over the next 7 years for the future famine.
- Joseph's new Egyptian name was Zaphenath-paneah and he married Pharaoh's daughter, Asenath
- Asenath bore Joseph 2 sons; Manasseh and Ephraim.
- Why did Joseph give his children Hebrew names when even his name was Egyptian?
- Was it okay for Joseph to marry an Egyptian since it was before Moses' laws?
- Joseph still remembered and gave credit to God for all his abundance even in the names he gave his children.
- Joseph opened the storehouses when the famine got severe and people from all over the earth came to Egypt for supplies.
- Was the famine really over the whole earth or just that region?
Job 8
- Who is Job directing his bitterness of soul toward; God, his friends, or both?
- Job is saying that life is hard and it's short. he will be gone soon like a fog.
- Job's skin disease keeps him from sleeping and he's covered in worms.
- Why does Job think he will never again see good?
- If Job feels bitterness but doesn't express it verbally, is it not considered sin? (This contradicts what Jesus says in Matthew about killing and adultery)
-Is Job having nightmares too?
- Job is in self pity, wanting to die, and not wanting to be tested, by friends or by God I'm not sure.
- Who has marked Job and who is he a burden too?
- Job, the man who said earlier "You give and take away blessed be your name, now says,"Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?"
- Does Job no longer have faith in God to restore him?
Mark 11
- Jesus tells disciples to go get a colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem on.
- Jesus enters the city and people shout Hosanna and spread coats and branches on the street as He passed.
- What dies Hosanna mean?
- Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem and then return to Bethany?
- Why did Jesus curse the fig tree for not having figs out of season?
- Jesus overturns tables and chases money changers and pigeon sellers out of the temple for "turning the temple into a den of robbers"
- Upon seeing the fig tree withered up the next day Jesus tells the disciples that if they have faith in God shall see what they say come to pass.
- The chief priests and scribes were upset and looked for a way to trick Jesus.
- They ask Jesus by what authority He does and says the things He does.
- Jesus asks them whether the baptism of John was from man or God. They knew He had tricked them so they replied they did not know.
Romans 11
- Paul says that God has not rejected His people totally because Paul is a Jew.
- The prophet Elijah had appealed to God against Israel for their wickedness. God saved those who had not bowed to Baal.
- The present remnant is there by grace NOT by their works. (It's all done by God)
- v.11 - 24 compare the relationship between Israel, God, and the Gentiles to the grafting in of olive branches.
-Some Jews were like branches taken out of the olive tree and the Gentile believers are like a wild branch grafted back into the tree. (This is a work of grace).
- Paul is preaching and saving the Gentiles hoping to make the Jews jealous so that they tool may believe and be saved.
- Is it biblical to make someone jealous?
- Paul warns the Gentiles that they too could fall away from God like previous Jewish generations had done so to be careful. (This'll keep the Gentiles humble and guarded). They should fear and not be proud as the Jews had done in the past.
- Paul is telling the Gentiles that Israel has been partially hardened, while the Gentiles are being saved, so that later the Jews may too be saved.
- God has been merciful to those He has called and Paul remind the Gentiles of this.
- v. 36 is an awesome powerful verse. It says, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
- We can't give or do anything for God that isn't already His!
- Joseph was in jail 2 years
- Pharaoh had 2 bad dreams; one with 7 fat cows being eaten by 7 thin cows and 7 plump ears of grain were eaten by 7 diseased grains.
- The cup bearer remember that Joseph could interpret dreams.
- Joseph corrected Pharaoh and gave credit to God, not himself, about the dream interpretation.
- Giving Pharaoh 2 duplicate dreams means that it WILL happen and soon.
- Joseph told Pharaoh that there would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of severe famine.
- Pharaoh made Joseph the 2nd highest man in all of Egypt because his God had shown Pharaoh what will take place.
- Joseph tells Pharaoh to store up 1/5 of the extra grain over the next 7 years for the future famine.
- Joseph's new Egyptian name was Zaphenath-paneah and he married Pharaoh's daughter, Asenath
- Asenath bore Joseph 2 sons; Manasseh and Ephraim.
- Why did Joseph give his children Hebrew names when even his name was Egyptian?
- Was it okay for Joseph to marry an Egyptian since it was before Moses' laws?
- Joseph still remembered and gave credit to God for all his abundance even in the names he gave his children.
- Joseph opened the storehouses when the famine got severe and people from all over the earth came to Egypt for supplies.
- Was the famine really over the whole earth or just that region?
Job 8
- Who is Job directing his bitterness of soul toward; God, his friends, or both?
- Job is saying that life is hard and it's short. he will be gone soon like a fog.
- Job's skin disease keeps him from sleeping and he's covered in worms.
- Why does Job think he will never again see good?
- If Job feels bitterness but doesn't express it verbally, is it not considered sin? (This contradicts what Jesus says in Matthew about killing and adultery)
-Is Job having nightmares too?
- Job is in self pity, wanting to die, and not wanting to be tested, by friends or by God I'm not sure.
- Who has marked Job and who is he a burden too?
- Job, the man who said earlier "You give and take away blessed be your name, now says,"Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?"
- Does Job no longer have faith in God to restore him?
Mark 11
- Jesus tells disciples to go get a colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem on.
- Jesus enters the city and people shout Hosanna and spread coats and branches on the street as He passed.
- What dies Hosanna mean?
- Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem and then return to Bethany?
- Why did Jesus curse the fig tree for not having figs out of season?
- Jesus overturns tables and chases money changers and pigeon sellers out of the temple for "turning the temple into a den of robbers"
- Upon seeing the fig tree withered up the next day Jesus tells the disciples that if they have faith in God shall see what they say come to pass.
- The chief priests and scribes were upset and looked for a way to trick Jesus.
- They ask Jesus by what authority He does and says the things He does.
- Jesus asks them whether the baptism of John was from man or God. They knew He had tricked them so they replied they did not know.
Romans 11
- Paul says that God has not rejected His people totally because Paul is a Jew.
- The prophet Elijah had appealed to God against Israel for their wickedness. God saved those who had not bowed to Baal.
- The present remnant is there by grace NOT by their works. (It's all done by God)
- v.11 - 24 compare the relationship between Israel, God, and the Gentiles to the grafting in of olive branches.
-Some Jews were like branches taken out of the olive tree and the Gentile believers are like a wild branch grafted back into the tree. (This is a work of grace).
- Paul is preaching and saving the Gentiles hoping to make the Jews jealous so that they tool may believe and be saved.
- Is it biblical to make someone jealous?
- Paul warns the Gentiles that they too could fall away from God like previous Jewish generations had done so to be careful. (This'll keep the Gentiles humble and guarded). They should fear and not be proud as the Jews had done in the past.
- Paul is telling the Gentiles that Israel has been partially hardened, while the Gentiles are being saved, so that later the Jews may too be saved.
- God has been merciful to those He has called and Paul remind the Gentiles of this.
- v. 36 is an awesome powerful verse. It says, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
- We can't give or do anything for God that isn't already His!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Genesis 40 - Job 6 - Mark 10 - Romans 10
Genesis 40
- Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were thrown into prison with Joseph.
- They both have dreams and Joseph interprets them both saying "Do not interpretations belong to God?"
- The cupbearer tells his dream first and Joseph tells the cupbearer that he will be freed in 3 days.
- The baker tells his dream and Joseph tells him that he will be hanged in 3 days.
- Both dreams come true during Pharaoh's birthday 3 days later.
- Joseph was upset about being in prison, but was still patient in his circumstances.
- The cupbearer was freed but did not mention Joseph to Pharaoh as he said he would.
Job 6
- Ch. 6 is Job's reply to Elipaz's statements.
- Which words did Job say that he thought were rash?
- Job wants God to let him die.
- Job tells his friends that even in suffering he has not denied God.
- Job says, "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty."
- Being kind to a friend shows that we fear God.
- Job says that his friends are treacherous and have become "nothing" because they are afraid because they see Job's troubles.
- Job asks his friends to show him how he went astray. (They all seem to believe that God would not have sent Job such great trials without him doing something wrong. Maybe they should read Romans 9.)
- Job is asking his friends to let him know what he has done wrong.
- Good quote "How forceful are upright words!" - (Good God centered advice leads to change.)
- Why does Job question his friends' character and then still ask them to speak and offer advice?
Mark 10
- v. 1 -10 the Pharisees ask Jesus about the lawfulness of divorce. Jesus tells them that God has made the 2 one flesh and they should not be separated.
- Moses wrote that commandment because of the people's hardness of heart
- Why doesn't Jesus add here that divorce is acceptable when one member has been unfaithful as it says in Matthew?
- Jesus tells the disciples to let the children come to Him.
- The rich man comes to Jesus having kept the laws and desiring to follow Jesus and it says Jesus "loved him", but when Jesus tells the man to sell all he has, he leaves sorrowful.
- What does it mean that Jesus "loved him"?
- Jesus tells them the camel/needle metaphor, but when they are concerned about the impossibility of this, Jesus remind them that nothing is impossible with God.
- Peter points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus and Jesus says that they will receive 100 fold and eternal life.
- Does this promise that Jesus makes here refer to Judas as well?
- Jesus tell them of his death and resurrection a third time.
- Do they understand what He is saying to them?
- Why does He talk to them about this in 3rd person?
- James and John request to sit on Jesus' two sides in His future kingdom, to which Jesus says He cannot grant.
- Where is James and John's mother in this story?
- Jesus tells his disciples that they must be servants, like Himself, in order to be considered great in the future kingdom.
- Bartimaeus, a blind man, keeps yelling for Jesus to heal him, until finally Jesus comes over and restores his sight for him.
- Bartimaeus follows Jesus.
Romans 10
- It is Paul's desire that the Jews will turn from establishing their own way to righteousness and place their faith in the knowledge of God's righteousness.
- Righteousness based on faith does not question what will happen to the Christ, but will confess Jesus Christ as Lord
- One believes with one's heart and confesses with one's mouth.
- All (Jew and Greek) that call on the Lord will be saved.
- Paul says you cannot call on Him unless you believe in Him, how can they respond if they do not hear the word.
- Faith comes from hearing, and hearing (and understanding) comes from Christ.
- Isaiah is quote when he says, “I have been found by those who did not seek me;I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
- Isaiah also says that God holds out His hand to the Jews but they were disobedient.
-
- Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were thrown into prison with Joseph.
- They both have dreams and Joseph interprets them both saying "Do not interpretations belong to God?"
- The cupbearer tells his dream first and Joseph tells the cupbearer that he will be freed in 3 days.
- The baker tells his dream and Joseph tells him that he will be hanged in 3 days.
- Both dreams come true during Pharaoh's birthday 3 days later.
- Joseph was upset about being in prison, but was still patient in his circumstances.
- The cupbearer was freed but did not mention Joseph to Pharaoh as he said he would.
Job 6
- Ch. 6 is Job's reply to Elipaz's statements.
- Which words did Job say that he thought were rash?
- Job wants God to let him die.
- Job tells his friends that even in suffering he has not denied God.
- Job says, "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty."
- Being kind to a friend shows that we fear God.
- Job says that his friends are treacherous and have become "nothing" because they are afraid because they see Job's troubles.
- Job asks his friends to show him how he went astray. (They all seem to believe that God would not have sent Job such great trials without him doing something wrong. Maybe they should read Romans 9.)
- Job is asking his friends to let him know what he has done wrong.
- Good quote "How forceful are upright words!" - (Good God centered advice leads to change.)
- Why does Job question his friends' character and then still ask them to speak and offer advice?
Mark 10
- v. 1 -10 the Pharisees ask Jesus about the lawfulness of divorce. Jesus tells them that God has made the 2 one flesh and they should not be separated.
- Moses wrote that commandment because of the people's hardness of heart
- Why doesn't Jesus add here that divorce is acceptable when one member has been unfaithful as it says in Matthew?
- Jesus tells the disciples to let the children come to Him.
- The rich man comes to Jesus having kept the laws and desiring to follow Jesus and it says Jesus "loved him", but when Jesus tells the man to sell all he has, he leaves sorrowful.
- What does it mean that Jesus "loved him"?
- Jesus tells them the camel/needle metaphor, but when they are concerned about the impossibility of this, Jesus remind them that nothing is impossible with God.
- Peter points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus and Jesus says that they will receive 100 fold and eternal life.
- Does this promise that Jesus makes here refer to Judas as well?
- Jesus tell them of his death and resurrection a third time.
- Do they understand what He is saying to them?
- Why does He talk to them about this in 3rd person?
- James and John request to sit on Jesus' two sides in His future kingdom, to which Jesus says He cannot grant.
- Where is James and John's mother in this story?
- Jesus tells his disciples that they must be servants, like Himself, in order to be considered great in the future kingdom.
- Bartimaeus, a blind man, keeps yelling for Jesus to heal him, until finally Jesus comes over and restores his sight for him.
- Bartimaeus follows Jesus.
Romans 10
- It is Paul's desire that the Jews will turn from establishing their own way to righteousness and place their faith in the knowledge of God's righteousness.
- Righteousness based on faith does not question what will happen to the Christ, but will confess Jesus Christ as Lord
- One believes with one's heart and confesses with one's mouth.
- All (Jew and Greek) that call on the Lord will be saved.
- Paul says you cannot call on Him unless you believe in Him, how can they respond if they do not hear the word.
- Faith comes from hearing, and hearing (and understanding) comes from Christ.
- Isaiah is quote when he says, “I have been found by those who did not seek me;I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
- Isaiah also says that God holds out His hand to the Jews but they were disobedient.
-
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Genesis 39 - Job 5 - Mark 9 - Romans 9
Genesis 39
- Joseph became successful as Potiphar's servant and was put in charge of everything Potiphar owned.
- Why didn't Joseph ever try to run away and go back to his father?
- Potiphar saw that the Lord blessed everything Joseph did.
- The Lord blessed Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake.
- Potiphar's wife wants Joseph to lie with her, but he keeps refusing her because she is the one thing Potiphar has withheld from Joseph.
- Joseph saw this potential evil sin as first and foremost against God not Potiphar.
- She tried to force Joseph to lie with her, but he fled
- She told everyone that Joseph had tried to humiliate her, so Potiphar put Jospeh in prison.
- The Lord show His steadfast love toward Joseph and blessed him in prison and blessed the prison guard for Joseph's sake.
- The Lord made everything Joseph did succeed.
Job 5
- Elipaz's response is very poetic.
- Man is born to trouble (because of the Fall)
- Elipaz tells Job to turn to God and seek Him.
- God lifts people to safety and can heal.
- God gives hope to the poor and needy
(All of these things used to describe people around Job, but now they describe Job himself)
- Elipaz tells Job not to despise the discipline of the Almighty God.
- God wounds, but then He binds up (He gives trials but then helps us)
- Elipaz seems to prophesy that Job will have many children and live to be very old despite his present circumstances.
- What does Elipaz mean when he says, " Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.Hear, and know it for your good.”?
Mark 9
- What did Jesus mean that some there would not face death before they see the Kingdom of God?
- Peter, James, and John go with Jesus to the transfiguration, when Jesus' clothes turn brilliantly white and Jesus speaks with Moses and Elijah.
- Peter wants to build them all shelters, but they disappear and a voice tell them to listen to Jesus.
- Jesus charged them to tell no one what they saw until Jesus had been raised from the dead.
- Jesus showed them that many OT scripture would come to pass; Elijah had come (John the Baptist) and Jesus must suffer many things.
- There was a boy who the disciples were unable to cast out his evil spirit.
- Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith and Jesus shows that it is difficult for Him to be among people with such little faith.
- Jesus asks the father a few questions about the evil spirit (who never verbally addresses Jesus like the other evil spirits) and the father says "if you can heal him..."
- Jesus questions why the man said "if" and the man asks Jesus to help his unbelief.
- At this Jesus casts out this evil spirit.
- Why could this spirit only be driven out by prayer (and fasting)?
- Didn't the disciples pray when casting out demons?
- How many types of evil spirits are there?
- Jesus tells the disciples that He will be killed and rise after 3 days, but they do not yet understand.
- Jesus asks the disciples what they were debating about and they don't want to tell Him they were trying to see who was the best disciple.
- Jesus tells them that the first must be last and a servant of all (like Jesus Himself)
- In doing good to others (children) you are doing good to Jesus.
- Jesus tells the disciples not to stop those casting out demons in His name. Jesus says that those for us cannot be against us.
- How does this verse tie into what Jesus tells those casting out demons in His name whom He rejects from eternal life?
- Jesus tells the disciples that whatever cause them to sin, they must get rid of even a hand, eye, etc... Jesus says this to show them that it is better to lose something small then to keep it and lose eternal life to the fires of hell.
- How and why does "salt" equal a good, peaceful thing?
Romans 9
- Why is Paul in anguish recounting the promises and powers of God in Ch. 8?
- Paul is saying that not all Israelites are saved, but those who are saved are children of the promise to Abraham.
- Paul addresses election, and shows how it was present even before Jacob and Esau were born, when Rebekah loved Jacob and hated Esau while they were still in the womb.
- God's mercy depends on God's will, not on man's will or exertion.
- God raised Pharaoh up as a great king of Egypt in order to tear him down and show the world God's power.
- Why would God have mercy on some and not on others?
- Paul says who are we to question or answer back to God.
- A potter uses clay for honorable vessels and dishonorable uses too, just like God does with men.
- Paul quote from Hosea where it talks about saving grace for Gentiles,“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved."
- The number of sons of Israel are like sand on the seashore but only a portion of them will be saved Paul points out by quoting Isaiah.
- Paul uses all of these points to show the Romans that people receive righteousness by faith alone, and not by works.
- Joseph became successful as Potiphar's servant and was put in charge of everything Potiphar owned.
- Why didn't Joseph ever try to run away and go back to his father?
- Potiphar saw that the Lord blessed everything Joseph did.
- The Lord blessed Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake.
- Potiphar's wife wants Joseph to lie with her, but he keeps refusing her because she is the one thing Potiphar has withheld from Joseph.
- Joseph saw this potential evil sin as first and foremost against God not Potiphar.
- She tried to force Joseph to lie with her, but he fled
- She told everyone that Joseph had tried to humiliate her, so Potiphar put Jospeh in prison.
- The Lord show His steadfast love toward Joseph and blessed him in prison and blessed the prison guard for Joseph's sake.
- The Lord made everything Joseph did succeed.
Job 5
- Elipaz's response is very poetic.
- Man is born to trouble (because of the Fall)
- Elipaz tells Job to turn to God and seek Him.
- God lifts people to safety and can heal.
- God gives hope to the poor and needy
(All of these things used to describe people around Job, but now they describe Job himself)
- Elipaz tells Job not to despise the discipline of the Almighty God.
- God wounds, but then He binds up (He gives trials but then helps us)
- Elipaz seems to prophesy that Job will have many children and live to be very old despite his present circumstances.
- What does Elipaz mean when he says, " Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.Hear, and know it for your good.”?
Mark 9
- What did Jesus mean that some there would not face death before they see the Kingdom of God?
- Peter, James, and John go with Jesus to the transfiguration, when Jesus' clothes turn brilliantly white and Jesus speaks with Moses and Elijah.
- Peter wants to build them all shelters, but they disappear and a voice tell them to listen to Jesus.
- Jesus charged them to tell no one what they saw until Jesus had been raised from the dead.
- Jesus showed them that many OT scripture would come to pass; Elijah had come (John the Baptist) and Jesus must suffer many things.
- There was a boy who the disciples were unable to cast out his evil spirit.
- Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith and Jesus shows that it is difficult for Him to be among people with such little faith.
- Jesus asks the father a few questions about the evil spirit (who never verbally addresses Jesus like the other evil spirits) and the father says "if you can heal him..."
- Jesus questions why the man said "if" and the man asks Jesus to help his unbelief.
- At this Jesus casts out this evil spirit.
- Why could this spirit only be driven out by prayer (and fasting)?
- Didn't the disciples pray when casting out demons?
- How many types of evil spirits are there?
- Jesus tells the disciples that He will be killed and rise after 3 days, but they do not yet understand.
- Jesus asks the disciples what they were debating about and they don't want to tell Him they were trying to see who was the best disciple.
- Jesus tells them that the first must be last and a servant of all (like Jesus Himself)
- In doing good to others (children) you are doing good to Jesus.
- Jesus tells the disciples not to stop those casting out demons in His name. Jesus says that those for us cannot be against us.
- How does this verse tie into what Jesus tells those casting out demons in His name whom He rejects from eternal life?
- Jesus tells the disciples that whatever cause them to sin, they must get rid of even a hand, eye, etc... Jesus says this to show them that it is better to lose something small then to keep it and lose eternal life to the fires of hell.
- How and why does "salt" equal a good, peaceful thing?
Romans 9
- Why is Paul in anguish recounting the promises and powers of God in Ch. 8?
- Paul is saying that not all Israelites are saved, but those who are saved are children of the promise to Abraham.
- Paul addresses election, and shows how it was present even before Jacob and Esau were born, when Rebekah loved Jacob and hated Esau while they were still in the womb.
- God's mercy depends on God's will, not on man's will or exertion.
- God raised Pharaoh up as a great king of Egypt in order to tear him down and show the world God's power.
- Why would God have mercy on some and not on others?
- Paul says who are we to question or answer back to God.
- A potter uses clay for honorable vessels and dishonorable uses too, just like God does with men.
- Paul quote from Hosea where it talks about saving grace for Gentiles,“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved."
- The number of sons of Israel are like sand on the seashore but only a portion of them will be saved Paul points out by quoting Isaiah.
- Paul uses all of these points to show the Romans that people receive righteousness by faith alone, and not by works.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Genesis 38 - Job 4 - Mark 8 - Romans 8
Genesis 38
- Why does Genesis 38 talk about Judah's offspring and leave the story of Joseph on hold?
- Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua who bore him 3 sons; Er, Onan and Shelah.
- Judah found his son Er a wife, Tamar, but because Er was wicked God put him to death.
- Judah told Onan he should perform the "duty" of a brother-in-law and lie with Tamar.
- Onan did not want to do this and have sons for his brother, and because he didn't fulfill this duty God put him to death too.
- Was this the custom of this culture?
- Why wouldn't Onan's children with Tamar be counted as his own?
- Judah told Tamar to return to her father until Shelah was old enough to marry her.
- Did Judah marry his own child (the one who dies)?
- Here's where things get weird. After Judah's wife/daughter dies he goes with his friend into town and sees who he think is a prostitute (It is actually Tamar who has dressed like a prostitute because Judah's son Shelah has NOT married her as promised).
- Why would Judah lie with a prostitute?
-Isn't he a man of God?
- Judah offers to pay Tamar aka the prostitute with a goat later, but gives her his staff, his cord, and signet until he can get her the goat.
- Tamar conceives by Judah.
- Judah sends his friend to pay the prostitute the goat and get his things back, but the friend can not find the prostitute and the people of the town say there has never been a prostitute who works there.
- Tamar had twins.
- The first baby stuck out his hand and the nurse put a red ribbon around it, but the other brother came out first. His name was Perez (which means breach) and then the ribboned brother came out and was named Zerah.
Job 4
- Elipaz the Temanite responds to Job's first thoughts
- Elipaz looks to Job's own witness, in how Job has cared for the weak and the given wisdom to many.
- Elipaz questions Job as to why he is so impatient with his present condition now that misfortune has come to Him.
- Elipaz wisely asks if the fear of God is not still his confidence (This shows how dedicated and godly a man Job had been to those around him).
- The integrity of Job's way had been his hope (He was placing his hope in his good works)
- Elipaz says incorrectly that God punishes those who have done wrong, basically asking Job what sin he has committed to receive punishment from God.
- A spirit had visited Elipaz to ask him, " Can mortal man be right before God?"
- He points out that even the angels are no to be compared with God, so how can man boast about anything before a holy God.
- Jesus' work on the cross is the ONLY way a man can be made pure before his Maker!!!
Mark 8
- Why did the disciples doubt Jesus could feed 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread when Jesus had already fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread?
- The Pharisees wanted a sign but Jesus said they would not be given any sign.
- Jesus cautions the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees, so they talk about not having any bread.
- Jesus knows their thoughts and sighs saying that he is not speaking about bread. (Jesus seems to be sad about the way people respond to Him at times and at people's lack of faith and understanding)
- Why did it take Jesus two attempts to heal the blind man at Bethsaida?
- The people say that Jesus is John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets.
- Why would the people think he was John the Baptist when Jesus and John had been together at the same time?
- Peter says that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone yet.
- Jesus tells the disciples that he will be killed and raised after 3 days.
- Peter (who had just been praised by Jesus) is now rebuked and referred to as "Satan" for rebuking Jesus' prophecy about what must happen to Him.
- Peter was focusing on earthly things and not on the things of God (This should be our thinking too)
- What does Jesus mean when He says people must take up their cross and follow Him?
- Jesus had not gone to the cross yet, so what does the cross refer to at this point?
- We must lose our lives for Christ's sake, because if we try and save ourselves we will lose our lives.
- Jesus again tells of His second coming with God and the angels.
Romans 8
- There is no condemnation for those in Christ!
- We have been set free from the law of sin and death through Jesus
- God sent His Son to justify us and do for us what the law could not do.
- Those who believe in Christ have the Spirit of life in them not death from the flesh any more.
- We did not gain the spirit of slavery but the spirit of adoption as sons (We are not merely given life, but we are counted as God's sons)
- The suffering we face now is so small compared to the glory we will experience later.
- What does it mean that creation will receive glory?
- Creation and man has been groaning before the spirit of adoption (stemming from the Fall)
- Hope that is seen is NOT hope.
- The Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us even when words escape us.
- For those adopted by God all things work for our good.
- Does only God know who He predestined?
- Why doesn't God predestine everyone? Why me over someone else?
- Predestined - Called - Justified - Glorified
- If God is for us, who can be against us Paul asks. No one is the answer.
- If God gave up His Son for us how will He not give us all things (What amazing grace!)
- Christ is interceding for believers before the Father on our behalf.
- Tribulation, trials, distress. etc cannot keep us from God.
- Nothing, not even angels, will be able to separate us from the love of God given to us in Christ Jesus!!!
- Why does Genesis 38 talk about Judah's offspring and leave the story of Joseph on hold?
- Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua who bore him 3 sons; Er, Onan and Shelah.
- Judah found his son Er a wife, Tamar, but because Er was wicked God put him to death.
- Judah told Onan he should perform the "duty" of a brother-in-law and lie with Tamar.
- Onan did not want to do this and have sons for his brother, and because he didn't fulfill this duty God put him to death too.
- Was this the custom of this culture?
- Why wouldn't Onan's children with Tamar be counted as his own?
- Judah told Tamar to return to her father until Shelah was old enough to marry her.
- Did Judah marry his own child (the one who dies)?
- Here's where things get weird. After Judah's wife/daughter dies he goes with his friend into town and sees who he think is a prostitute (It is actually Tamar who has dressed like a prostitute because Judah's son Shelah has NOT married her as promised).
- Why would Judah lie with a prostitute?
-Isn't he a man of God?
- Judah offers to pay Tamar aka the prostitute with a goat later, but gives her his staff, his cord, and signet until he can get her the goat.
- Tamar conceives by Judah.
- Judah sends his friend to pay the prostitute the goat and get his things back, but the friend can not find the prostitute and the people of the town say there has never been a prostitute who works there.
- Tamar had twins.
- The first baby stuck out his hand and the nurse put a red ribbon around it, but the other brother came out first. His name was Perez (which means breach) and then the ribboned brother came out and was named Zerah.
Job 4
- Elipaz the Temanite responds to Job's first thoughts
- Elipaz looks to Job's own witness, in how Job has cared for the weak and the given wisdom to many.
- Elipaz questions Job as to why he is so impatient with his present condition now that misfortune has come to Him.
- Elipaz wisely asks if the fear of God is not still his confidence (This shows how dedicated and godly a man Job had been to those around him).
- The integrity of Job's way had been his hope (He was placing his hope in his good works)
- Elipaz says incorrectly that God punishes those who have done wrong, basically asking Job what sin he has committed to receive punishment from God.
- A spirit had visited Elipaz to ask him, " Can mortal man be right before God?"
- He points out that even the angels are no to be compared with God, so how can man boast about anything before a holy God.
- Jesus' work on the cross is the ONLY way a man can be made pure before his Maker!!!
Mark 8
- Why did the disciples doubt Jesus could feed 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread when Jesus had already fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread?
- The Pharisees wanted a sign but Jesus said they would not be given any sign.
- Jesus cautions the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees, so they talk about not having any bread.
- Jesus knows their thoughts and sighs saying that he is not speaking about bread. (Jesus seems to be sad about the way people respond to Him at times and at people's lack of faith and understanding)
- Why did it take Jesus two attempts to heal the blind man at Bethsaida?
- The people say that Jesus is John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets.
- Why would the people think he was John the Baptist when Jesus and John had been together at the same time?
- Peter says that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone yet.
- Jesus tells the disciples that he will be killed and raised after 3 days.
- Peter (who had just been praised by Jesus) is now rebuked and referred to as "Satan" for rebuking Jesus' prophecy about what must happen to Him.
- Peter was focusing on earthly things and not on the things of God (This should be our thinking too)
- What does Jesus mean when He says people must take up their cross and follow Him?
- Jesus had not gone to the cross yet, so what does the cross refer to at this point?
- We must lose our lives for Christ's sake, because if we try and save ourselves we will lose our lives.
- Jesus again tells of His second coming with God and the angels.
Romans 8
- There is no condemnation for those in Christ!
- We have been set free from the law of sin and death through Jesus
- God sent His Son to justify us and do for us what the law could not do.
- Those who believe in Christ have the Spirit of life in them not death from the flesh any more.
- We did not gain the spirit of slavery but the spirit of adoption as sons (We are not merely given life, but we are counted as God's sons)
- The suffering we face now is so small compared to the glory we will experience later.
- What does it mean that creation will receive glory?
- Creation and man has been groaning before the spirit of adoption (stemming from the Fall)
- Hope that is seen is NOT hope.
- The Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us even when words escape us.
- For those adopted by God all things work for our good.
- Does only God know who He predestined?
- Why doesn't God predestine everyone? Why me over someone else?
- Predestined - Called - Justified - Glorified
- If God is for us, who can be against us Paul asks. No one is the answer.
- If God gave up His Son for us how will He not give us all things (What amazing grace!)
- Christ is interceding for believers before the Father on our behalf.
- Tribulation, trials, distress. etc cannot keep us from God.
- Nothing, not even angels, will be able to separate us from the love of God given to us in Christ Jesus!!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Genesis 37 - Job 3 - Mark 7 - Romans 7
Genesis 37
- Joseph was 17 and his father loved him best because he was born in Israel's old age
- Why didn't Israel love his oldest son best as was the way of the culture?
- Why didn't he love Benjamin most since he was his youngest son?
- Israel gave Joseph a coat of many colors which made his other sons jealous.
- He tells his brothers about his first dream in which 11 sheives bowed down to him.
- Then he tells his father and broethers his second dream in which the sun and moon (his parents) and 11 stars (his borthers) bow down to him.
- Israel rebuked him for sharing this, but Israel remembered what Joseph had said.
- Why did Israel talk about Joseph's mother bowing down when she had just died?
- Israel sent Joseph out to see how his brothers were doing pasturing the sheep.
- Joseph's brothers jealousy ahd turned to bitterness which caused them to conspire to kill Joseph (Do not let the sun go down on your anger?)
- Reuben intervened and convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph but to throw him into a pit instead.
- Reuben intended to restore Joseph back to Israel later.
- Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites so that they might not kill their own blood.
- They sold Joseph for 20 shekels (220 grams) of silver.
- Joseph was take by the Ishmaelites to Egypt.
- How did Reuben's brothers sell Joseph without Reuben knowing it?
- They slaughter a goat and put its blood on Joseph's tron coat.
- Israel identified the coat and he wept, refusing to be comforted, for many days
- Why is Israel referred to as Jacob here?
- Why did Jacob say he'd go to Sheol?
- Isn't Sheol hell?
- Are Midian traders and Ishmaelites the same people?
- The Midians sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer to Pharoah, in Egypt.
Job 3
- v. 3 -10 show Job sorry he was conceived. He is wishing that it never happened.
- Then Job was wishing that he had died at birth and never had to experience this misery.
- He is longing to die, yet still does not curse God or take his own life.
- Job is saying that everything is at peace and restful at death and he longs for it.
- He is "bitter in soul" and is searching and hoping for death.
- He is fearful and full of dread because of what has happened to him.
- Job is not at ease nor quiet, but restless because trouble has come.
- Is Job's response to his present trials a godly response to troubles in life?
Mark 7
- Traditions and God's commandments are addressed by Jesus.
- The Pharisees ask Jesus why He does not wash his hands as tradition says He should.
- He emphasizes His point by quoting from Isaiah where Isaiah said that the people will teach as doctrine the commandments of men. "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the traditions of men.
- Corban means given to God
- Jesus says by telling children to give only to God and not to parents they are breaking the commandment to "honor their father and mother"
- Jesus turned the people's thinking on it's head when he said it's not what goes into the body that makes it unclean, it's what comes out of one's body that makes one unclean.
- Jesus declares all food clean.
- If Jesus said this, why did Peter not think all foods were clean in Acts when the blanket was laid before him 3 times?
- Jesus healed the Gentile woman's sick daughter because she had spoken wisely (It did not mention her faith in Mark as it did in Matthew)
- Why does Mark tell us that she is a Syrophoenician?
- The people brought to Jesus a deaf man with a speech impediment.
- Jesus took the man to the side, put his fingers in the man's ears and spit on the man's tongue and the man was healed.
- Jesus told those present to tell no one, but they told everyone instead. They proclaimed Jesus' work zealously.
Romans 7
- Paul says that a woman is only married under the law until her husband dies. Then that law has no weight and she is free to remarry.
- Paul ties in the fact that they too have died to the law through Christ's resurrection from the dead. We are released from the old law.
- Paul is saying that until the law was given mankind was unaware of their sin.
- The law itself is holy and good, but sin is bad and we died because of our sin.
- The battle of our Spiritual selves and our flesh wages war within us.
- The law itself does not bring death, but the sin that is within us.
- The Law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, so that even when we want to do good, our flesh causes us to sin.
- What were some "good things" that Paul wanted to do, but did not do because Paul was always boldly preaching the gospel?
- What does Paul mean when he says, "So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. "? Is he excusing sin?
- How do we keep from doing the things we hate, when we know what we should be doing that is right?
- The battle between flesh and spirit wages on "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." (We need to be on guard for sin even when we are trying to do what's right)
- Thanks to God sending Christ to die for us we have the ability to serve the law of God even while our flesh serves the law of sin.
- Joseph was 17 and his father loved him best because he was born in Israel's old age
- Why didn't Israel love his oldest son best as was the way of the culture?
- Why didn't he love Benjamin most since he was his youngest son?
- Israel gave Joseph a coat of many colors which made his other sons jealous.
- He tells his brothers about his first dream in which 11 sheives bowed down to him.
- Then he tells his father and broethers his second dream in which the sun and moon (his parents) and 11 stars (his borthers) bow down to him.
- Israel rebuked him for sharing this, but Israel remembered what Joseph had said.
- Why did Israel talk about Joseph's mother bowing down when she had just died?
- Israel sent Joseph out to see how his brothers were doing pasturing the sheep.
- Joseph's brothers jealousy ahd turned to bitterness which caused them to conspire to kill Joseph (Do not let the sun go down on your anger?)
- Reuben intervened and convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph but to throw him into a pit instead.
- Reuben intended to restore Joseph back to Israel later.
- Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites so that they might not kill their own blood.
- They sold Joseph for 20 shekels (220 grams) of silver.
- Joseph was take by the Ishmaelites to Egypt.
- How did Reuben's brothers sell Joseph without Reuben knowing it?
- They slaughter a goat and put its blood on Joseph's tron coat.
- Israel identified the coat and he wept, refusing to be comforted, for many days
- Why is Israel referred to as Jacob here?
- Why did Jacob say he'd go to Sheol?
- Isn't Sheol hell?
- Are Midian traders and Ishmaelites the same people?
- The Midians sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer to Pharoah, in Egypt.
Job 3
- v. 3 -10 show Job sorry he was conceived. He is wishing that it never happened.
- Then Job was wishing that he had died at birth and never had to experience this misery.
- He is longing to die, yet still does not curse God or take his own life.
- Job is saying that everything is at peace and restful at death and he longs for it.
- He is "bitter in soul" and is searching and hoping for death.
- He is fearful and full of dread because of what has happened to him.
- Job is not at ease nor quiet, but restless because trouble has come.
- Is Job's response to his present trials a godly response to troubles in life?
Mark 7
- Traditions and God's commandments are addressed by Jesus.
- The Pharisees ask Jesus why He does not wash his hands as tradition says He should.
- He emphasizes His point by quoting from Isaiah where Isaiah said that the people will teach as doctrine the commandments of men. "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the traditions of men.
- Corban means given to God
- Jesus says by telling children to give only to God and not to parents they are breaking the commandment to "honor their father and mother"
- Jesus turned the people's thinking on it's head when he said it's not what goes into the body that makes it unclean, it's what comes out of one's body that makes one unclean.
- Jesus declares all food clean.
- If Jesus said this, why did Peter not think all foods were clean in Acts when the blanket was laid before him 3 times?
- Jesus healed the Gentile woman's sick daughter because she had spoken wisely (It did not mention her faith in Mark as it did in Matthew)
- Why does Mark tell us that she is a Syrophoenician?
- The people brought to Jesus a deaf man with a speech impediment.
- Jesus took the man to the side, put his fingers in the man's ears and spit on the man's tongue and the man was healed.
- Jesus told those present to tell no one, but they told everyone instead. They proclaimed Jesus' work zealously.
Romans 7
- Paul says that a woman is only married under the law until her husband dies. Then that law has no weight and she is free to remarry.
- Paul ties in the fact that they too have died to the law through Christ's resurrection from the dead. We are released from the old law.
- Paul is saying that until the law was given mankind was unaware of their sin.
- The law itself is holy and good, but sin is bad and we died because of our sin.
- The battle of our Spiritual selves and our flesh wages war within us.
- The law itself does not bring death, but the sin that is within us.
- The Law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, so that even when we want to do good, our flesh causes us to sin.
- What were some "good things" that Paul wanted to do, but did not do because Paul was always boldly preaching the gospel?
- What does Paul mean when he says, "So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. "? Is he excusing sin?
- How do we keep from doing the things we hate, when we know what we should be doing that is right?
- The battle between flesh and spirit wages on "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." (We need to be on guard for sin even when we are trying to do what's right)
- Thanks to God sending Christ to die for us we have the ability to serve the law of God even while our flesh serves the law of sin.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Genesis 35/36 - Job 2 - Mark 6 - Romans 6
Genesis 35/36
- In Bethel the Lord renames Jacob, Israel and told Israel to get rid of all idols in his household which he did.
- Jacob made a pillar to the Lord.
- His servant, Deborah, died and was buried there.
- Rachel went into hard labor and gave birth to Benjamin, and she died.
- Why would Jacob change Rachel's son's name after she died?
- Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, Israel's servant. That is Reuben lay with his two brother's mother.
- Did she bear any children by Reuben?
- Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
- Isaac died and was buried at age 180.
- Ch. 36
- Esau had many descendants but here's a few notes on them.
- Esau is also called Edom.
- Esaua settled in Seir
- It mentioned Timnah, Loran's sister (Will something bad happen to her or why is she mentioned?)
- One of the sons of Disan was Uz, which sounds familiar.
- Why does it tell Anah found the hot springs and no added details about the other people listed?
- It listed kings from that time period as well.
Job 2
- Satan again goes before the Lord, presenting himself.
- God again points to Job's example.
- Satan says that if God takes away his health Job would curse God.
- Who is actually "doing" these things to Job, God or Satan?
- God allows Satan to take Job's health but not his life.
- Job was covered in sores and his wife told him to curse God and die.
- Why had Satan not sought to take away Job's wife?
- Why was Job's wife not full of faith too?
- Job's 3 Friends came to comfort him; Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.
- They sat with him weeping and not speaking for 7 days. (They didn't have to speak to show their sympathy and care for Job in his time of sorrow)
Mark 6
- People in His hometown did not have faith in Him.
- Didn't he begin His ministry in His hometown, Nazareth, with success before?
- Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs to cast out demons and heal the sick telling them if people reject them to shake the dust off their shoes and move on.
- King Herod thought Jesus was John the baptist come back from the dead.
- Why was Herod sorry to kill John when that's what he wanted to do all along?
- Disciples return from healing and preaching and Jesus tells him to join them to rest.
- The people gather near the shore and Jesus has compassion on them.
- Jesus tells the to feed the people but they say that that would cost 200 denari (200 days' wages)
- Jesus feeds 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
- There was 12 baskets of leftovers, making the whole event even more of a miracle.
Romans 6
- Paul asks, Should we sin, so that grace may grow? NO!
- We are called to walk in "newness of life" since Christ was raised from the dead.
- We, as believers, are no longer enslaved to sin.
- Jesus will never die again, it was a once for all, so that He might live to God. Death has no dominion over Him, so it has no dominion over believers either.
- We should seek to no longer walk in sin because we are no longer under the Law but under grace.
- We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness.
- We are able to walk in righteousness, the ways of the law, because we have obedience of the heart.
- We were slaves to impurity and lawlessness now we are slaves to righteousness which leads to sanctification.
- In sin we were free from righteousness, but that led us to death.
- We are slaves to God which leads to sanctification which leads to eternal life.
- Wages of sin is death, free gift of eternal life through Jesus
- In Bethel the Lord renames Jacob, Israel and told Israel to get rid of all idols in his household which he did.
- Jacob made a pillar to the Lord.
- His servant, Deborah, died and was buried there.
- Rachel went into hard labor and gave birth to Benjamin, and she died.
- Why would Jacob change Rachel's son's name after she died?
- Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, Israel's servant. That is Reuben lay with his two brother's mother.
- Did she bear any children by Reuben?
- Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
- Isaac died and was buried at age 180.
- Ch. 36
- Esau had many descendants but here's a few notes on them.
- Esau is also called Edom.
- Esaua settled in Seir
- It mentioned Timnah, Loran's sister (Will something bad happen to her or why is she mentioned?)
- One of the sons of Disan was Uz, which sounds familiar.
- Why does it tell Anah found the hot springs and no added details about the other people listed?
- It listed kings from that time period as well.
Job 2
- Satan again goes before the Lord, presenting himself.
- God again points to Job's example.
- Satan says that if God takes away his health Job would curse God.
- Who is actually "doing" these things to Job, God or Satan?
- God allows Satan to take Job's health but not his life.
- Job was covered in sores and his wife told him to curse God and die.
- Why had Satan not sought to take away Job's wife?
- Why was Job's wife not full of faith too?
- Job's 3 Friends came to comfort him; Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.
- They sat with him weeping and not speaking for 7 days. (They didn't have to speak to show their sympathy and care for Job in his time of sorrow)
Mark 6
- People in His hometown did not have faith in Him.
- Didn't he begin His ministry in His hometown, Nazareth, with success before?
- Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs to cast out demons and heal the sick telling them if people reject them to shake the dust off their shoes and move on.
- King Herod thought Jesus was John the baptist come back from the dead.
- Why was Herod sorry to kill John when that's what he wanted to do all along?
- Disciples return from healing and preaching and Jesus tells him to join them to rest.
- The people gather near the shore and Jesus has compassion on them.
- Jesus tells the to feed the people but they say that that would cost 200 denari (200 days' wages)
- Jesus feeds 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
- There was 12 baskets of leftovers, making the whole event even more of a miracle.
Romans 6
- Paul asks, Should we sin, so that grace may grow? NO!
- We are called to walk in "newness of life" since Christ was raised from the dead.
- We, as believers, are no longer enslaved to sin.
- Jesus will never die again, it was a once for all, so that He might live to God. Death has no dominion over Him, so it has no dominion over believers either.
- We should seek to no longer walk in sin because we are no longer under the Law but under grace.
- We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness.
- We are able to walk in righteousness, the ways of the law, because we have obedience of the heart.
- We were slaves to impurity and lawlessness now we are slaves to righteousness which leads to sanctification.
- In sin we were free from righteousness, but that led us to death.
- We are slaves to God which leads to sanctification which leads to eternal life.
- Wages of sin is death, free gift of eternal life through Jesus
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Genesis 34 - Job 1 - Mark 5 - Romans 5
Genesis 34
- Now I understand why Dinah had been listed as a child of Leah. It was becuase she would be the reason for future events for Jacob's family.
- Shechem, the Hivite, lay with Dinah and "humiliated" (raped?) her.
- Shechem then falls in love with Dinah and asks his father, Haran, to talk with Jacob to get him Jacob's daughter.
- Did Haran know what his son had done to Dinah?
- How did Jacob find out about Dinah when she was still being kept with Shechem?
- Jacob's sons were very angry when they found out.
- Hamor says to Jacob and his sons that they should intermarry and share the land. (Sounds reasonable)
- Jacob didn't ask Haran for a bride price, but he did say that Dinah could not marry someone who had not been circumcised.
- Jacob also said they could all dwell together as one people, if and only if all their men were circumcised.
- Didn't any Hivite males object to do this? It just doesn't seem like the kind of thing everyone would/should get excited about doing to oneself.
- On the third day after everyone had been circumcised, Simeon and Levi went and killed all the males of that place, took the women and children, and plundered the people's things.
- Jacob apparently was NOT part of this plan because he was upset at his sons for causing future tension between them and the Canaanites.
- How had Jacob planned on enacting revenge and why had he said every man should be circumcised if not to wipe them out?
Job 1
- Job had great wealth, seven sons and 3 daughters. He was an upright man and blameless.
- Job would offer sacrifices for his children in case they had sinned within their hearts. He did this continually.
- Is this fact an exaggeration since in Romans it says, "all have sinned"?
- Who are the "sons of God" referred to in v. 6? Are these the angels?
- Why would God talk with Satan?
- Satan tells God that Job is only so righteous because God protects him and his household placing a "hedge" around them.
- Satan continues to say that if God takes away all Job's blessings, Job will curse God.
- God tells Satan do do as he wishes, but not to harm Job himself.
- Job lost his sheep and oxen, his servants and camels were destroyed by fire, and then finally ALL of his children were killed in a windstorm (tornado?)
- The amazing thing is that this all happened at the same time because the next servant came to tell Job these things "while he was yet speaking"
- Job falls and worships God who "gives and takes away" (a moving and godly response).
- What powers are Satan capable of since he called forth a firs storm and wind storm with God's permission?
Mark 5
- Jesus meets a man across the sea immediately who possessed by many demons.
- Again "Legion" the spirits know who Jesus is and state it to him. Legion begs Jesus to send them into the pigs, so Jesus does and they run down the hill and drown.
- Why wouldn't Jesus simply kill the spirits instead of sending them away to deal with again later?
- Why did the spirits drown the pigs and what happened to the evil spirits?
- The townspeople saw the possessed man well and asked Jesus to leave them.
- The depossessed man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him to go tell others what God had done for him.
- Why would Jesus want this man to tell others, when He always orders people NOT to tell about Him?
- Jairus came to Jesus to have him heal his daughter.
- While Jesus was going to Jairus' house a woman pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus' clothes.
- It said Jesus knew that power went out from him.
- The disciples could not understand why Jesus was upset about who touched him when they were in a great crowd.
- The woman, who had already been healed, fell before Jesus who commended her for her faith which had healed her, sent her away in peace.
- Jairus's servants came and told him that his daughter had already died and that Jairus should not bother Jesus any longer.
- Did Jairus' faith waver in this moment or did he believe that Jesus could still heal her?
- Jesus told Jairus not to fear but only to believe.
- Jesus took Peter, James, and John in with him.
- The people laughed at Jesus when he said that the girl was not dead, but He still went in and healed the girl.
- Jesus charged them to tell no one what had happened.
- Why did He say this to them, when it would be obvious to others that Jesus had raised the girl from the dead, since she had in fact been dead?
Romans 5
- We have recieved grace and hope through our faith in Christ.
- We should rejoice in suffering because it leads to endurance which leads to character which leads to hope (similar to what James 1 says)
- Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (His enemies).
- Jesus has justified us and saved us from God's just wrath.
- We have been reconciled to God. (The effects of sin from the fall have been reversed for believers)
- The comparison between Adam's one sin and Jesus' one act of righteousness and how these two events affected mankind.
- Are there different types of sin? (v. 14)
- People were sinning from the times of Adam to Moses before the law was given.
- What does Paul mean when he says that sin was not counted before the law?
- Didn't Paul just say all people can see God in all creation even if they've never heard the gospel a few verses earlier?
- What's the difference between the grace of God and the "free gift"?
- Sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and righteousness and justification has come through one man, Jesus.
- Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more! (Wow!)
- Sin reigns in death, but grace and righteousness reigns in eternal life.
- Now I understand why Dinah had been listed as a child of Leah. It was becuase she would be the reason for future events for Jacob's family.
- Shechem, the Hivite, lay with Dinah and "humiliated" (raped?) her.
- Shechem then falls in love with Dinah and asks his father, Haran, to talk with Jacob to get him Jacob's daughter.
- Did Haran know what his son had done to Dinah?
- How did Jacob find out about Dinah when she was still being kept with Shechem?
- Jacob's sons were very angry when they found out.
- Hamor says to Jacob and his sons that they should intermarry and share the land. (Sounds reasonable)
- Jacob didn't ask Haran for a bride price, but he did say that Dinah could not marry someone who had not been circumcised.
- Jacob also said they could all dwell together as one people, if and only if all their men were circumcised.
- Didn't any Hivite males object to do this? It just doesn't seem like the kind of thing everyone would/should get excited about doing to oneself.
- On the third day after everyone had been circumcised, Simeon and Levi went and killed all the males of that place, took the women and children, and plundered the people's things.
- Jacob apparently was NOT part of this plan because he was upset at his sons for causing future tension between them and the Canaanites.
- How had Jacob planned on enacting revenge and why had he said every man should be circumcised if not to wipe them out?
Job 1
- Job had great wealth, seven sons and 3 daughters. He was an upright man and blameless.
- Job would offer sacrifices for his children in case they had sinned within their hearts. He did this continually.
- Is this fact an exaggeration since in Romans it says, "all have sinned"?
- Who are the "sons of God" referred to in v. 6? Are these the angels?
- Why would God talk with Satan?
- Satan tells God that Job is only so righteous because God protects him and his household placing a "hedge" around them.
- Satan continues to say that if God takes away all Job's blessings, Job will curse God.
- God tells Satan do do as he wishes, but not to harm Job himself.
- Job lost his sheep and oxen, his servants and camels were destroyed by fire, and then finally ALL of his children were killed in a windstorm (tornado?)
- The amazing thing is that this all happened at the same time because the next servant came to tell Job these things "while he was yet speaking"
- Job falls and worships God who "gives and takes away" (a moving and godly response).
- What powers are Satan capable of since he called forth a firs storm and wind storm with God's permission?
Mark 5
- Jesus meets a man across the sea immediately who possessed by many demons.
- Again "Legion" the spirits know who Jesus is and state it to him. Legion begs Jesus to send them into the pigs, so Jesus does and they run down the hill and drown.
- Why wouldn't Jesus simply kill the spirits instead of sending them away to deal with again later?
- Why did the spirits drown the pigs and what happened to the evil spirits?
- The townspeople saw the possessed man well and asked Jesus to leave them.
- The depossessed man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him to go tell others what God had done for him.
- Why would Jesus want this man to tell others, when He always orders people NOT to tell about Him?
- Jairus came to Jesus to have him heal his daughter.
- While Jesus was going to Jairus' house a woman pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus' clothes.
- It said Jesus knew that power went out from him.
- The disciples could not understand why Jesus was upset about who touched him when they were in a great crowd.
- The woman, who had already been healed, fell before Jesus who commended her for her faith which had healed her, sent her away in peace.
- Jairus's servants came and told him that his daughter had already died and that Jairus should not bother Jesus any longer.
- Did Jairus' faith waver in this moment or did he believe that Jesus could still heal her?
- Jesus told Jairus not to fear but only to believe.
- Jesus took Peter, James, and John in with him.
- The people laughed at Jesus when he said that the girl was not dead, but He still went in and healed the girl.
- Jesus charged them to tell no one what had happened.
- Why did He say this to them, when it would be obvious to others that Jesus had raised the girl from the dead, since she had in fact been dead?
Romans 5
- We have recieved grace and hope through our faith in Christ.
- We should rejoice in suffering because it leads to endurance which leads to character which leads to hope (similar to what James 1 says)
- Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (His enemies).
- Jesus has justified us and saved us from God's just wrath.
- We have been reconciled to God. (The effects of sin from the fall have been reversed for believers)
- The comparison between Adam's one sin and Jesus' one act of righteousness and how these two events affected mankind.
- Are there different types of sin? (v. 14)
- People were sinning from the times of Adam to Moses before the law was given.
- What does Paul mean when he says that sin was not counted before the law?
- Didn't Paul just say all people can see God in all creation even if they've never heard the gospel a few verses earlier?
- What's the difference between the grace of God and the "free gift"?
- Sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and righteousness and justification has come through one man, Jesus.
- Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more! (Wow!)
- Sin reigns in death, but grace and righteousness reigns in eternal life.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Genesis 33 - Esther 9-10 - Mark 4 - Romans 4
Genesis 33
- Jacob was still afraid of Esau (maybe guilt from the last time they were together?)
- Jacob put his servants and their children first, Leah and her children second, and Rachel and Joseph last. Jacob went first to his brother.
- Jacob bowed 7 times before Esau, but Esau embraced Jacob and they wept.
- Jacob introduced his family to Esau.
- Esau asked about the 3 droves of animals Jacob had sent ahead of him as a gift to Esau, but Esau said he had enough livestock.
- Esau kept the 3 droves because Jacob told him to.
- Did Jacob give away part of his blessing to Esau?
- Esau sought to travel with Jacob ahead of the flocks and children to get caught up, but Jacob asked to be allowed to stay with his family and flocks.
- Jacob said he'd meet Esau in Seir, but he went to another city instead and set up camp there.
- Why would Jacob seek to lie to his brother again and not meet Esau in Seir?
- How will Esau respond to this apparent rudeness?
Esther 9 - 10
- On the 13th day of the 12th month when enemies of Jews sought to do them harm, the Jews defended themselves killing a total of 75,000 people throughout the king's kingdom.
- In Susa, the capital, the Jews killed 500 men on the 13th, and King Ahasuares asked Esther what else she desired and she said that Haman's sons be hanged and that he allow a second day of defending for the Jews in which they killed 300 more people.
- The Jews killed in defense but nowhere did they take plunder from those they killed in defense.
- The fear of the Jews was on all of the people.
- Why did Esther want Haman's sons hanged when they were murdered the previous day?
- Were the sins of Haman on his sons too?
- The Feast of Purim were established and recorded for the Jews by Esther and Mordecai. This was to be celebrated by the Jews on the 14th and 15th of the 12th month. (because all Jews in the king's provinces rested and celebrated on the 14th, but in Susa the king had allowed a second day of fighting, so the Jews in Susa rested and celebrated on the 15th, so both days were celebrated by all Jews)
- King Ahasueres and Mordecai's further doings are recorded in the book of Chronicles.
Mark 4
- Mark again condenses a story, the parable of the sower.
- Does Jesus use this OT reference to say that He is trying to teach so that some may not understand?
- Jesus' explanation to His disciples is almost identical to that in Matthew.
- Jesus tell the disciples that they are able to hear and understand where as others are not.
- This is the scripture reference that goes with the song, "This Little Light of Mine"
- The truth is not to be hidden from the world but shared with it.
- The Kingdom of God is mysterious, like a man who grows seeds. He doesn't know how the seed actually grows, but the man does know that when it is ripe to harvest it.
- If Jesus told the disciples that they were able to hear AND understand, then why did He explain all of the parables to the disciples and not those who listened to His teaching?
- They went into a boat and while Jesus was sleeping there was a big storm and the men thought the boat would sink so they woke Jesus up.
- Jesus stood and rebuked the storm and it was calm.
- Why did the disciples question who Jesus was at this point since they had seen Him do so many things?
Romans 4
- Paul turns the Romans' attention to Abraham who was counted righteous BEFORE he was circumcised because he believed in faith, not because he was circumcised.
- If people could work for salvation it would not be a gift but due payment.
- As it said yesterday, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
- Circumcision without faith is not counted as righteous.
- The Law brings only wrath on mankind.
- What does the phrase "where there is no law there is no transgression" mean?
- How could Paul, and other Jews, see only Abraham's faith, when he had seemed to weaken in faith in God when he slept with his slave woman to try and have children and "help" God fulfill His promises to Abraham?
- Paul says the Abraham was "fully convinced" that God was able to fulfil His promise but why then did he sleep with his servant girl?
- Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness, just as our faith in Jesus Christ will be counted to us as righteousness.
- Because of this faith we will be justified before God.
- Jacob was still afraid of Esau (maybe guilt from the last time they were together?)
- Jacob put his servants and their children first, Leah and her children second, and Rachel and Joseph last. Jacob went first to his brother.
- Jacob bowed 7 times before Esau, but Esau embraced Jacob and they wept.
- Jacob introduced his family to Esau.
- Esau asked about the 3 droves of animals Jacob had sent ahead of him as a gift to Esau, but Esau said he had enough livestock.
- Esau kept the 3 droves because Jacob told him to.
- Did Jacob give away part of his blessing to Esau?
- Esau sought to travel with Jacob ahead of the flocks and children to get caught up, but Jacob asked to be allowed to stay with his family and flocks.
- Jacob said he'd meet Esau in Seir, but he went to another city instead and set up camp there.
- Why would Jacob seek to lie to his brother again and not meet Esau in Seir?
- How will Esau respond to this apparent rudeness?
Esther 9 - 10
- On the 13th day of the 12th month when enemies of Jews sought to do them harm, the Jews defended themselves killing a total of 75,000 people throughout the king's kingdom.
- In Susa, the capital, the Jews killed 500 men on the 13th, and King Ahasuares asked Esther what else she desired and she said that Haman's sons be hanged and that he allow a second day of defending for the Jews in which they killed 300 more people.
- The Jews killed in defense but nowhere did they take plunder from those they killed in defense.
- The fear of the Jews was on all of the people.
- Why did Esther want Haman's sons hanged when they were murdered the previous day?
- Were the sins of Haman on his sons too?
- The Feast of Purim were established and recorded for the Jews by Esther and Mordecai. This was to be celebrated by the Jews on the 14th and 15th of the 12th month. (because all Jews in the king's provinces rested and celebrated on the 14th, but in Susa the king had allowed a second day of fighting, so the Jews in Susa rested and celebrated on the 15th, so both days were celebrated by all Jews)
- King Ahasueres and Mordecai's further doings are recorded in the book of Chronicles.
Mark 4
- Mark again condenses a story, the parable of the sower.
- Does Jesus use this OT reference to say that He is trying to teach so that some may not understand?
- Jesus' explanation to His disciples is almost identical to that in Matthew.
- Jesus tell the disciples that they are able to hear and understand where as others are not.
- This is the scripture reference that goes with the song, "This Little Light of Mine"
- The truth is not to be hidden from the world but shared with it.
- The Kingdom of God is mysterious, like a man who grows seeds. He doesn't know how the seed actually grows, but the man does know that when it is ripe to harvest it.
- If Jesus told the disciples that they were able to hear AND understand, then why did He explain all of the parables to the disciples and not those who listened to His teaching?
- They went into a boat and while Jesus was sleeping there was a big storm and the men thought the boat would sink so they woke Jesus up.
- Jesus stood and rebuked the storm and it was calm.
- Why did the disciples question who Jesus was at this point since they had seen Him do so many things?
Romans 4
- Paul turns the Romans' attention to Abraham who was counted righteous BEFORE he was circumcised because he believed in faith, not because he was circumcised.
- If people could work for salvation it would not be a gift but due payment.
- As it said yesterday, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
- Circumcision without faith is not counted as righteous.
- The Law brings only wrath on mankind.
- What does the phrase "where there is no law there is no transgression" mean?
- How could Paul, and other Jews, see only Abraham's faith, when he had seemed to weaken in faith in God when he slept with his slave woman to try and have children and "help" God fulfill His promises to Abraham?
- Paul says the Abraham was "fully convinced" that God was able to fulfil His promise but why then did he sleep with his servant girl?
- Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness, just as our faith in Jesus Christ will be counted to us as righteousness.
- Because of this faith we will be justified before God.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Genesis 32 - Esther 8 - Mark 3 - Romans 3
Genesis 32
- Angels (plural) met Jacob and said to him that "This was God's camp!"
- Jacob sent servants ahead of him to tell Esau how the Lord had blessed him to see how Esau would respond.
- Jacob also divided his people and belongs in two groups, so that IF his brother attacked him half might flee to safety.
- Esau is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men (When they last saw one another Esau had vowed to kill Jacob for stealing his blessing from his father.
- Jacob's response is fear and appeals to God in prayer, pointing to God's promise to bless him and multiply his family and to God's undeserved faithfulness and steadfast love. Jacob was well aware that everything he now had was an undeserved blessing.
- He created 3 "droves" to give to his brother http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/drove
- Jacob offered these 3 droves to his brother hoping to make peace with him.
- Did Jacob perhaps feel guilty about what he had done to Esau?
- Everyone crosses the stream except Jacob who finds a man and wrestles with him.
- Jacob demands that the "man" bless him before he stops wrestling with him.
- The man touches Jacob's hip and it dislocates at the sinew (which now Jacob's people no longer eat) and the man renames Jacob, Israel (he who has striven with God and man) This happened at Peniel.
- How and why did Jacob wrestle with this man for a blessing when he already had God's blessing?
- What was this new extra blessing that he received?
- Who was this man who wrestled with Jacob? If it was God how could Jacob see God face-to-face without dying (which is referenced in late passages like Moses on Mount Sinai.
- Was this an angel who wrestled with Jacob?
Esther 8
- Esther again risked her life going before the king and pleading, with tears, for the lives of her people.
- Mordecai replaced Haman as the king;s right hand man.
- Did King Ahasuares ever write his own laws?
- Esther had a law passed that on the 13th day of the 12th month (on the same day as the last Jew annihilating law) that the Jews could now defend themselves and destroy anyone who wanted to harm them.
- This took place on the 23rd day of the 3rd month, so the Jews still had 9 months until the old law proposed to destroy them.
- The Jew everywhere were filled with joy and celebrated this new law.
- Many people became Jews because they saw God's favor on the Jews.
Mark 3
- Jesus became angry with the Pharisees who questioned Him healing a man on the Sabbath.
- After this they plotted to destroy Him.
- The unclean spirits continued to call Him the Son of God, but He continued to tell them to stop speaking.
- Jesus calls the disciples and refers to James and John as "the sons of thunder". Mark also refers to Matthew here as Matthew and NOT Levi as referenced in Mark 2.
- Why did His family think Jesus was out of His mind?
- What part of His family thought this since His mother and brothers come to Him a few verses later?
- The scribes again accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub, but Jesus says that Satan against Satan would end Satan's kingdom so would not make sense.
- Jesus said blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (because they were saying Jesus had an "unclean spirit" not the Holy Spirit)
- Aren't all sins eternal sins?
- Why does Jesus again deny seeing His family?
- Jesus says that all believers are His brothers and sisters, which refers to our "adoption" as son and daughters of God because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
- Why does the footnote say that in earlier manuscripts the "brothers" word may have been "sisters"?
Romans 3
- Paul shows that Jews were trusted with God's oracles.
- He asks if the Jews' faithlessness means God is unfaithful, by no means!
- Our unrighteousness simply shows God's righteousness and why He must inflict wrath on us the sinners.
- Jews are therefore no better off than the Gentiles...all have sinned
- Paul seeks to rightly humble us by pointing out that "all have fallen short of the glory of God".
- "No one does good no not one"
- What OT reference is this from?
- Not one person will be justified by the Law, but by faith alone.
- The Law is to show people how far short they fall from the glory of God, so that they will turn to Jesus and place their faith in Him so that they may be justified.
- Jesus was a propitiation for us sent by God http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=propitiate
- God is just and our justifier
- This faith does not overthrow the law, it causes us to uphold it!
- Why would a just God choose to save sinners like me?
- Angels (plural) met Jacob and said to him that "This was God's camp!"
- Jacob sent servants ahead of him to tell Esau how the Lord had blessed him to see how Esau would respond.
- Jacob also divided his people and belongs in two groups, so that IF his brother attacked him half might flee to safety.
- Esau is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men (When they last saw one another Esau had vowed to kill Jacob for stealing his blessing from his father.
- Jacob's response is fear and appeals to God in prayer, pointing to God's promise to bless him and multiply his family and to God's undeserved faithfulness and steadfast love. Jacob was well aware that everything he now had was an undeserved blessing.
- He created 3 "droves" to give to his brother http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/drove
- Jacob offered these 3 droves to his brother hoping to make peace with him.
- Did Jacob perhaps feel guilty about what he had done to Esau?
- Everyone crosses the stream except Jacob who finds a man and wrestles with him.
- Jacob demands that the "man" bless him before he stops wrestling with him.
- The man touches Jacob's hip and it dislocates at the sinew (which now Jacob's people no longer eat) and the man renames Jacob, Israel (he who has striven with God and man) This happened at Peniel.
- How and why did Jacob wrestle with this man for a blessing when he already had God's blessing?
- What was this new extra blessing that he received?
- Who was this man who wrestled with Jacob? If it was God how could Jacob see God face-to-face without dying (which is referenced in late passages like Moses on Mount Sinai.
- Was this an angel who wrestled with Jacob?
Esther 8
- Esther again risked her life going before the king and pleading, with tears, for the lives of her people.
- Mordecai replaced Haman as the king;s right hand man.
- Did King Ahasuares ever write his own laws?
- Esther had a law passed that on the 13th day of the 12th month (on the same day as the last Jew annihilating law) that the Jews could now defend themselves and destroy anyone who wanted to harm them.
- This took place on the 23rd day of the 3rd month, so the Jews still had 9 months until the old law proposed to destroy them.
- The Jew everywhere were filled with joy and celebrated this new law.
- Many people became Jews because they saw God's favor on the Jews.
Mark 3
- Jesus became angry with the Pharisees who questioned Him healing a man on the Sabbath.
- After this they plotted to destroy Him.
- The unclean spirits continued to call Him the Son of God, but He continued to tell them to stop speaking.
- Jesus calls the disciples and refers to James and John as "the sons of thunder". Mark also refers to Matthew here as Matthew and NOT Levi as referenced in Mark 2.
- Why did His family think Jesus was out of His mind?
- What part of His family thought this since His mother and brothers come to Him a few verses later?
- The scribes again accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub, but Jesus says that Satan against Satan would end Satan's kingdom so would not make sense.
- Jesus said blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (because they were saying Jesus had an "unclean spirit" not the Holy Spirit)
- Aren't all sins eternal sins?
- Why does Jesus again deny seeing His family?
- Jesus says that all believers are His brothers and sisters, which refers to our "adoption" as son and daughters of God because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
- Why does the footnote say that in earlier manuscripts the "brothers" word may have been "sisters"?
Romans 3
- Paul shows that Jews were trusted with God's oracles.
- He asks if the Jews' faithlessness means God is unfaithful, by no means!
- Our unrighteousness simply shows God's righteousness and why He must inflict wrath on us the sinners.
- Jews are therefore no better off than the Gentiles...all have sinned
- Paul seeks to rightly humble us by pointing out that "all have fallen short of the glory of God".
- "No one does good no not one"
- What OT reference is this from?
- Not one person will be justified by the Law, but by faith alone.
- The Law is to show people how far short they fall from the glory of God, so that they will turn to Jesus and place their faith in Him so that they may be justified.
- Jesus was a propitiation for us sent by God http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=propitiate
- God is just and our justifier
- This faith does not overthrow the law, it causes us to uphold it!
- Why would a just God choose to save sinners like me?
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