Genesis 28
- Isaac told Jacob NOT to marry a Canaanite but to go marry one of his first cousins, Rebekah's brother's daughter.
- Esau went to Ishmael, his uncle, and married one of his daughters.
- Jacob left Beersheba and headed toward Haran. There he fell asleep (with a rock for a pillow) and had a vision of stairs going from earth to heaven. There were angels go up and down it and God was at the top. He spoke to Jacob, reminding him of His covenant with his grandfather Abraham.
- Jacob then knew God was in that place!
- What was Jacob's perception of God at this time in history?
- How would God fulfill His promise through Jacob when He had told Abraham that his people would inherit the land after 400 years?
- Jacob named that town where he saw the vision Bethel.
- Jacob was aware of God's presence and promised to give Him a tenth of everything he had or ever would have.
- Is this the first "tithe" ever in history?
Esther 4
- Mordecai and the other Jews put on sackcloth and mourned at the king's gate, which was illegal.
- Esther sent her eunuch Hathach to ask Mordecai why he was weeping and Mordecai told her servant all that Haman had plotted to do to all Jews and showed her the decree.
- Was the decree posted in the city?
- Mordecai asked her to go and talk to the king about what Haman was doing, but she told Mordecai that it was illegal to go into the king without being summoned. The punishment was death. (She was understandably fearful). The King had not summoned her for 30 days.
- He said go in or not, the Lord will use her or someone else to save His people.
- Mordecai also saw Esther's queenship as being God's doing for a "time such as this".
- Esther agreed to go and if she was killed, she'd accept that.
- She asked Mordecai to tell all of the Jews of Susa to fast from food and water for 3 days on her behalf before she went into the king.
Matthew 27
-Jews deliver Jesus to Pilate to be killed.
- Judas is grieved by what he has done and goes and gives back the 30 pieces of silver to the Jewish counsel and hangs himself.
- The Jews buy a field with the money because it was "blood money" thus fulfilling what was written in Jeremiah where it states the will buy a field for 30 pieces of silver (wow!)
- Jesus said nothing at the Jews accusations before Pilate and he was amazed.
- Pilate's wife was having bad dreams and told her husband to have nothing to do with Jesus.
- Pilate offered to free Barabbas or Jesus and the chief priests had the crowd free Barabbas and say to crucify Jesus.
- Pilate asked what He had done wrong and they just kept shouting.
- Pilate washed his hands before the Jews and they replied, "His blood be on us and on our children!”
- Why would they say this, cursing themselves?
- The soldiers dressed him up and put a crown of thorns on His head mocking Him by calling Him the "king of the Jews"
- They spit on Him and hit Him.
- Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross and Jesus refused to drink wine offered Him (thus keeping His vow at the last supper.
- People mocked Him saying that IF He were the Son of God He should be able to save Himself (But Jesus stayed there to finish what God had sent Him to do because He loved us)
- Even the 2 robbers being crucified with Him mocked Him.
- The sky darkened for 3 hours and then Jesus died.
- What exactly did Jesus mean when He said that God had "forsaken" Him?
= The curtain in the temple tore in two (the curtain separated God's holy place from the people and there was an earthquake. The centurion on guard knew that Jesus was the Son of God.
- Mary Magdalene and Mary and the mother of the sons of Zebedee were there.
- Why does Matthew acknowledge Mary Magdalene here when he hadn't mentioned her before?
- A man named Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus' body to bury Him and he rolled a great stone in front of the tomb's entrance.
- The Pharisees knowing that Jesus said He would raise from the day in 3 days requested that guards be placed around the tomb so that no one could steal Jesus body (pulling off a "hoax" that Jesus had been raised from the dead.
Acts 27
- Paul was sent by boat toward Rome (Luke was there with him) and the trip was slow going.
- Paul advised them not to go further because there would be great loss, but they pressed on anyway.
- They almost made their destination but were caught in a horrible storm that lasted for 3 days.
- They threw their cargo over to not sink and were getting hungry.
- Paul told them that an angel had told Paul he must go to Rome and that the ship would be wrecked but not one life would be lost.
- They had been lost at sea for 14 days and some men tried to leave in small boats but Paul told them that if they left the ship they would die, so they trusted him.
- There were 276 men on the ship, and not one hair was harmed. (Ties in with Jesus' one parable).
- The men wanted to kill the prisoners, but the centurion who had talked with Paul saved his and the other prisoners' lives.
-
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Genesis 26/27 - Esther 1-3, Matthew 25/26 - Acts 25/26
Genesis 26/27
- There was a famine and God told Isaac NOT to go to Egypt, but he stayed near Abimelech, the same king who had dwelt with Abraham.
- Isaac told the people in that land that Rebekah was his sister (and this was an outright lie because she was his first cousin once removed)
- Why did God again send blessing on Isaac after he lied to the king?
- Isaac gained great wealth in the land of the Philistines, so much so that Abimelech sent him away because he had more wealth than Abimelech himself.
- Isaac began redigging the wells that his father had dug, and there were some quarrels with the men of Gerar as to who owned 2 of them.
- Abimelech came to Isaac because he could see that the Lord was with Isaac and he made an oath with him that there should be peace between both of them.
- Isaac prepared a feast and they made an oath.
- Isaac settled back in Beersheba, a town where Abraham his father had stayed.
- Esau married 2 Hittite women and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
- Did the two sons find their marriages bitter?
- What is the proper response in this situation in order to glorify God and NOT be bitter?
(Ch.27)
- Isaac is old and about to die, so he sends Esau out to prepare him a meal so that Isaac might bless Esau.
- Rebekah overhears this so she has Jacob kill 2 goats, and she puts fur on Jacobs hands and neck so that he might appear hairy like Esau because Isaac is blind.
- Jacob takes the meal into his father and blatantly lies to him about who he is, so Isaac blesses Jacob thinking he is Esau.
- Esau returns from obeying his father and Isaac tells him that he has already blessed Jacob, and both Isaac and Esau are upset.
- Why can't Isaac take back the blessing or call a curse upon Jacob and Rebekah for deceiving him?
- Why would God bless Jacob for lying and punish Esau for obeying his father?
- Esau plots to kill his brother, so Rebekah sends Jacob away to her brother Laban's house in Haran.
- If Esau said he wanted to kill Jacob to himself, how did Rebekah find out about it?
- Rebekah does not want Jacob to marry a Hittite woman.
Esther 1-3
- Ahasuerus was king over 127 provinces and threw a great celebration for 180 days.
- He told the people in Susa, the capitol, to do as they like and on the 7th day he sent for Queen Vashti, his wife, and she refused to come to him when he asked.
- The king asked his wise men and counsel what was to be done about Queen Vashti according to the law.
- Memucan said in reply that the queen had not only done what was wrong before the king but also before all the people of his kingdom. He told the king to tell Vashti that she may never come before the king again and that the king should replace her with another wife.
- They wanted women everywhere to see and know that they must obey their husbands and that not doing so was not acceptable. They used Queen Vashti as an example to all the people in the province.
- King Ahasuerus made a law and sent it to all 127 provinces in their own languages so everyone would understand this new law.
(Ch.2)
- King Ahasuerus had been without an acting queen for 5 years, when his advisers said he should seek a new queen, so they gathered all the beautiful virgins to go before the king.
- Mordecai, was bringing up Hadessah, Esther, because his uncle had been killed after being carried away by King Nebecanezer. He told Esther not to tell who her relatives were and she obeyed Mordecai.
- Esther spent 1 year beautifying herself before going in to the king and he loved her and made her queen, officially replacing Vashti.
- There was a great celebration and the king gave back tax money and threw a great feast (he appears to be a very generous king)
- Bigthan and Teresh plotted to kill the king and when Mordecai overheard this he told Esther who informed the king. The men were found guilty and Mordecai's name was written in the king's book of chronicles.
(Ch.3)
- The King promoted Haman as second in command and Mordecai refused to bow before him and pay homage. This infuriated Haman.
- Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew and planned to destroy ALL of the Jews because of Mordecai's refusal to bow. (One man's faith in God threatened the existence of all God's people)
- In King Ahasuerus' 12th year Haman's men were casting lots (What for?) and they told the king that there was a people who were not like any other who the king should NOT tolerate.
- Haman only gave the king enough information to make them sound bad and the king gave Haman his ring to do what he saw as right to do.
- It took 13 days for Haman to get his plot against the Jews moving.
- Haman created an edict and sent it to all provinces saying that all Jews should be destroyed in one day, the 13th day of the 12th month. The cities were thrown into confusion and the king was oblivious to what was happening.
- Did King Ahasuerus have anything personally against the Jews?
Matthew 25/26
- The parable of the 10 virgins is another reference to how some will enter heaven and some will not. The 5 girls who took extra oil were ready when the bridegroom came, while the other 5 were not. The 5 who were not ready, were excluded from the wedding feast. (We must be ready for Christ's return)
- Parable of the talents - an owner left some money with 3 different servants when he went away. The one had 5 talents and he earned 5 more. The second servant received 2 talents and he also doubled them. The last servant received 1 talent and he buried it and simply gave it back to his master when he returned.
- A talent is worth 20 years wages.
- The 2 servants that doubled their money were praised as "good and faithful" and they received even more from the master.
- The other servant was rebuked for not at least collecting interest on the money. He was sent away weeping and gnashing his teeth (another reference to hell).
- Did the master in the story know in advance that the 3rd servant was unfaithful and give him less money to steward intentionally?
- Jesus refers to His second coming when the people will be separated believers and unbelievers; goats and sheep.
- Why do goats get a bad rep, when they are used in OT ceremonies and are a clean animal?
- Jesus stated that when we do any kindness toward the least of others, we do unto Him. (Our actions toward others are count as done toward Christ good or bad)
- Those who do not take care of the poor and needed do not care for Jesus either and it will be counted against them.
- believers will receive eternal life (heaven) and non believers will receive eternal punishment (hell)
(Ch. 26)
- Jesus told the disciples that he would be crucified.
- Caiaphas organized a plot to kill Jesus
- A woman came to Jesus and anointed his head with expensive oil to which the disciples rebuked her for wasting the oil. They wanted to sell the oil and give the money to the poor.
- Jesus said that this woman would be remembered for her thoughtful actions.
- Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces.
- Jesus at the Passover feast with the disciples and He told them that one of the 12 would betray Him. They were sad.
- How can Judas be cursed when Jesus told the disciples that they would be blessed because of Him and Judas had been serving Jesus all this time?
- We are called to steward the gifts and resources we are given by God wisely.
- When Jesus replied that Judas had said so why didn't the other disciples react?
- Jesus had them break the bread which symbolized His body broken for them (their sins) and the He told them to drink the wine and said it is His blood poured out for them, and said that would be His last drink until He was with God.
- Jesus tells the 12 that they will ALL leave Him, to which Peter says he'd rather die than do, but Jesus tells him that Peter will deny Him 3 times that night. All of the other disciples said the same as Peter.
- Jesus took Peter and James and John (whose mom had asked Jesus to let them sit with Him in heaven) with Him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Jesus asked that if possible the cup (dying to appease God's wrath against our sins) be taken from Him, but all 3 times God did not say anything in response. (I have heard people say this was so terrible because it was the only time in history that God did not answer His Son.)
- His 3 disciples with Him fell asleep instead of praying for Him because they were physically weak.
- Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and Jesus was arrested.
- One of the disciples drew his sword and cut of the one man's ear.
- Jesus rebuked the disciple and said He could call angels to His aid if He so chose. He had to do what He had come to accomplish.
- The disciples ALL fled as Jesus had predicted.
- Jesus asked why they arrested Him at night instead of in the temple, and pointed out that doing it this way, fulfilled even more OT prophecies.
- The Council sought to stir up the people and falsely accuse Jesus so He might be put to death. They accused Jesus of many things but He remained silent. The only statement He responded to was when they asked if He was the Christ, the Son of God. He responded by saying "You have said so"
- They struck Him and spit in His face for "blasphemy" and they told Him to prophecy who had struck Him.
- Three people asked Peter if he was with Jesus and he denied it (probably because he was fearful). They knew Peter by his accent.
- Peter even called a curse upon himself and swore he didn't know Jesus. The rooster crowed and Peter realized that what Jesus had prophesied happened. He wept bitterly.
(How many times have I denied or skirted around the fact that I'm Christan for fear of persecution?)
Acts 25/26
- Festus went to Jerusalem and the Jews tried to have him bring Paul there so they could kill him on the way.
- Jews came to Caesarea and charged Paul with many crimes but had no proof.
- Paul said he'd gladly be put to death if there was any wrong doing on his part. he appealed to Caesar.
- King Agrippa visited Festus at Caesarea. Festus said that Paul and the Jews were disputing whether a certain Jew, Jesus, was alive or dead.
- King Agrippa was interested and wanted to talk to Paul himself.
- Festus wanted King Agrippa and other counsel members to listen to Paul, so that he would have some charge to send in a letter to the Emperor.
(Ch. 26)
- Paul wanted to speak before King Agrippa because he knew of Jewish controversies.
- Paul asked why anyone would be surprised that God could raise someone from the dead (God is proclaimed to be "almighty in the OT)
- Paul states his past doings in persecuting the Christians
- Where was Paul when Jesus was crucified?
- A "goad" is a large stick for prodding animals.
- Paul was sent by Jesus to "open the eyes of the people" to save them from the devil.
- Paul appeals to Agrippa's understanding of what was said by Moses and the prophets.
- Why does it say that Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead, when several others had died and been brought back to life by Jesus, the disciples, and Paul?
- Festus thought Paul had gone mad.
- Paul appealed again to Agrippa and asked him if he believed in the prophets. Agrippa was surprised that Paul was trying to make him a Christian, and doing it so quickly.
- Paul said he didn't care whether it was in a short time or in a long time, but he wished that they might believe (even in chains Paul is trying to win others for Christ. Wow!)
- Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar because he was blameless. (Paul knew that the Spirit wanted him to proclaim the gospel in Rome itself.
- There was a famine and God told Isaac NOT to go to Egypt, but he stayed near Abimelech, the same king who had dwelt with Abraham.
- Isaac told the people in that land that Rebekah was his sister (and this was an outright lie because she was his first cousin once removed)
- Why did God again send blessing on Isaac after he lied to the king?
- Isaac gained great wealth in the land of the Philistines, so much so that Abimelech sent him away because he had more wealth than Abimelech himself.
- Isaac began redigging the wells that his father had dug, and there were some quarrels with the men of Gerar as to who owned 2 of them.
- Abimelech came to Isaac because he could see that the Lord was with Isaac and he made an oath with him that there should be peace between both of them.
- Isaac prepared a feast and they made an oath.
- Isaac settled back in Beersheba, a town where Abraham his father had stayed.
- Esau married 2 Hittite women and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
- Did the two sons find their marriages bitter?
- What is the proper response in this situation in order to glorify God and NOT be bitter?
(Ch.27)
- Isaac is old and about to die, so he sends Esau out to prepare him a meal so that Isaac might bless Esau.
- Rebekah overhears this so she has Jacob kill 2 goats, and she puts fur on Jacobs hands and neck so that he might appear hairy like Esau because Isaac is blind.
- Jacob takes the meal into his father and blatantly lies to him about who he is, so Isaac blesses Jacob thinking he is Esau.
- Esau returns from obeying his father and Isaac tells him that he has already blessed Jacob, and both Isaac and Esau are upset.
- Why can't Isaac take back the blessing or call a curse upon Jacob and Rebekah for deceiving him?
- Why would God bless Jacob for lying and punish Esau for obeying his father?
- Esau plots to kill his brother, so Rebekah sends Jacob away to her brother Laban's house in Haran.
- If Esau said he wanted to kill Jacob to himself, how did Rebekah find out about it?
- Rebekah does not want Jacob to marry a Hittite woman.
Esther 1-3
- Ahasuerus was king over 127 provinces and threw a great celebration for 180 days.
- He told the people in Susa, the capitol, to do as they like and on the 7th day he sent for Queen Vashti, his wife, and she refused to come to him when he asked.
- The king asked his wise men and counsel what was to be done about Queen Vashti according to the law.
- Memucan said in reply that the queen had not only done what was wrong before the king but also before all the people of his kingdom. He told the king to tell Vashti that she may never come before the king again and that the king should replace her with another wife.
- They wanted women everywhere to see and know that they must obey their husbands and that not doing so was not acceptable. They used Queen Vashti as an example to all the people in the province.
- King Ahasuerus made a law and sent it to all 127 provinces in their own languages so everyone would understand this new law.
(Ch.2)
- King Ahasuerus had been without an acting queen for 5 years, when his advisers said he should seek a new queen, so they gathered all the beautiful virgins to go before the king.
- Mordecai, was bringing up Hadessah, Esther, because his uncle had been killed after being carried away by King Nebecanezer. He told Esther not to tell who her relatives were and she obeyed Mordecai.
- Esther spent 1 year beautifying herself before going in to the king and he loved her and made her queen, officially replacing Vashti.
- There was a great celebration and the king gave back tax money and threw a great feast (he appears to be a very generous king)
- Bigthan and Teresh plotted to kill the king and when Mordecai overheard this he told Esther who informed the king. The men were found guilty and Mordecai's name was written in the king's book of chronicles.
(Ch.3)
- The King promoted Haman as second in command and Mordecai refused to bow before him and pay homage. This infuriated Haman.
- Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew and planned to destroy ALL of the Jews because of Mordecai's refusal to bow. (One man's faith in God threatened the existence of all God's people)
- In King Ahasuerus' 12th year Haman's men were casting lots (What for?) and they told the king that there was a people who were not like any other who the king should NOT tolerate.
- Haman only gave the king enough information to make them sound bad and the king gave Haman his ring to do what he saw as right to do.
- It took 13 days for Haman to get his plot against the Jews moving.
- Haman created an edict and sent it to all provinces saying that all Jews should be destroyed in one day, the 13th day of the 12th month. The cities were thrown into confusion and the king was oblivious to what was happening.
- Did King Ahasuerus have anything personally against the Jews?
Matthew 25/26
- The parable of the 10 virgins is another reference to how some will enter heaven and some will not. The 5 girls who took extra oil were ready when the bridegroom came, while the other 5 were not. The 5 who were not ready, were excluded from the wedding feast. (We must be ready for Christ's return)
- Parable of the talents - an owner left some money with 3 different servants when he went away. The one had 5 talents and he earned 5 more. The second servant received 2 talents and he also doubled them. The last servant received 1 talent and he buried it and simply gave it back to his master when he returned.
- A talent is worth 20 years wages.
- The 2 servants that doubled their money were praised as "good and faithful" and they received even more from the master.
- The other servant was rebuked for not at least collecting interest on the money. He was sent away weeping and gnashing his teeth (another reference to hell).
- Did the master in the story know in advance that the 3rd servant was unfaithful and give him less money to steward intentionally?
- Jesus refers to His second coming when the people will be separated believers and unbelievers; goats and sheep.
- Why do goats get a bad rep, when they are used in OT ceremonies and are a clean animal?
- Jesus stated that when we do any kindness toward the least of others, we do unto Him. (Our actions toward others are count as done toward Christ good or bad)
- Those who do not take care of the poor and needed do not care for Jesus either and it will be counted against them.
- believers will receive eternal life (heaven) and non believers will receive eternal punishment (hell)
(Ch. 26)
- Jesus told the disciples that he would be crucified.
- Caiaphas organized a plot to kill Jesus
- A woman came to Jesus and anointed his head with expensive oil to which the disciples rebuked her for wasting the oil. They wanted to sell the oil and give the money to the poor.
- Jesus said that this woman would be remembered for her thoughtful actions.
- Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus for 30 silver pieces.
- Jesus at the Passover feast with the disciples and He told them that one of the 12 would betray Him. They were sad.
- How can Judas be cursed when Jesus told the disciples that they would be blessed because of Him and Judas had been serving Jesus all this time?
- We are called to steward the gifts and resources we are given by God wisely.
- When Jesus replied that Judas had said so why didn't the other disciples react?
- Jesus had them break the bread which symbolized His body broken for them (their sins) and the He told them to drink the wine and said it is His blood poured out for them, and said that would be His last drink until He was with God.
- Jesus tells the 12 that they will ALL leave Him, to which Peter says he'd rather die than do, but Jesus tells him that Peter will deny Him 3 times that night. All of the other disciples said the same as Peter.
- Jesus took Peter and James and John (whose mom had asked Jesus to let them sit with Him in heaven) with Him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Jesus asked that if possible the cup (dying to appease God's wrath against our sins) be taken from Him, but all 3 times God did not say anything in response. (I have heard people say this was so terrible because it was the only time in history that God did not answer His Son.)
- His 3 disciples with Him fell asleep instead of praying for Him because they were physically weak.
- Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and Jesus was arrested.
- One of the disciples drew his sword and cut of the one man's ear.
- Jesus rebuked the disciple and said He could call angels to His aid if He so chose. He had to do what He had come to accomplish.
- The disciples ALL fled as Jesus had predicted.
- Jesus asked why they arrested Him at night instead of in the temple, and pointed out that doing it this way, fulfilled even more OT prophecies.
- The Council sought to stir up the people and falsely accuse Jesus so He might be put to death. They accused Jesus of many things but He remained silent. The only statement He responded to was when they asked if He was the Christ, the Son of God. He responded by saying "You have said so"
- They struck Him and spit in His face for "blasphemy" and they told Him to prophecy who had struck Him.
- Three people asked Peter if he was with Jesus and he denied it (probably because he was fearful). They knew Peter by his accent.
- Peter even called a curse upon himself and swore he didn't know Jesus. The rooster crowed and Peter realized that what Jesus had prophesied happened. He wept bitterly.
(How many times have I denied or skirted around the fact that I'm Christan for fear of persecution?)
Acts 25/26
- Festus went to Jerusalem and the Jews tried to have him bring Paul there so they could kill him on the way.
- Jews came to Caesarea and charged Paul with many crimes but had no proof.
- Paul said he'd gladly be put to death if there was any wrong doing on his part. he appealed to Caesar.
- King Agrippa visited Festus at Caesarea. Festus said that Paul and the Jews were disputing whether a certain Jew, Jesus, was alive or dead.
- King Agrippa was interested and wanted to talk to Paul himself.
- Festus wanted King Agrippa and other counsel members to listen to Paul, so that he would have some charge to send in a letter to the Emperor.
(Ch. 26)
- Paul wanted to speak before King Agrippa because he knew of Jewish controversies.
- Paul asked why anyone would be surprised that God could raise someone from the dead (God is proclaimed to be "almighty in the OT)
- Paul states his past doings in persecuting the Christians
- Where was Paul when Jesus was crucified?
- A "goad" is a large stick for prodding animals.
- Paul was sent by Jesus to "open the eyes of the people" to save them from the devil.
- Paul appeals to Agrippa's understanding of what was said by Moses and the prophets.
- Why does it say that Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead, when several others had died and been brought back to life by Jesus, the disciples, and Paul?
- Festus thought Paul had gone mad.
- Paul appealed again to Agrippa and asked him if he believed in the prophets. Agrippa was surprised that Paul was trying to make him a Christian, and doing it so quickly.
- Paul said he didn't care whether it was in a short time or in a long time, but he wished that they might believe (even in chains Paul is trying to win others for Christ. Wow!)
- Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar because he was blameless. (Paul knew that the Spirit wanted him to proclaim the gospel in Rome itself.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Genesis 24/25 - Nehemiah 13 - Matthew 23/24 - Acts 23/24
Genesis 24/25
- Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. He will not let Isaac marry a Canaanite nor will he send Isaac back to his homeland because God has promised Abraham this land.
- Why does Abraham have his servant put his hand under his thigh to make an oath?
- Abraham tells the servant that if he is unsuccessful, he shall go free.
- The servant prayed that he'd find a girl who would say certain things to him.
- While he was finishing his prayer Rebekah came to the well.
- Rebekah is Isaac's first cousin once removed.
- The servant rejoice at the Lord's provision.
- Why does the servant always say "the God of my master"?
- Laban and Bethuel's response was that if the servant's mission was from the Lord they could say nothing good or bad about it.
- Rebekah said she would go with Abraham's servant and when she saw Isaac in the field she covered her face and became Isaac's wife.
- The grieving for Sarah was now over.
(Ch. 25)
- Abraham got another wife Keturah and she bore him 6 more children.
- Abraham died at 175 and was buried with Sarah
- Ishmael bore 12 sons and died at 137
- Isaac and Rebekah got married at 40 and she bore him children when he was 60.
- The Lord told Rebekah that she'd bear twins and she did
- Esau came out first and was a hunter and loved most by Isaac
- Jacob came out second hold Esau's heel and was loved most by Rebekah
- Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some stew because he was so hungry.
- What is entailed in a birthright and how can you physically sell it?
Nehemiah 13
- After hearing the Book of the Law, Nehemiah had Israel separate themselves from the foreigners among them.
- Eliashib, the priest, gave Tobiah (one of the men against rebuilding Jerusalem) a house in the temple.
- Nehemiah returned to King Artaxerxes in his 32 year as king for some time and then came back to Jerusalem later. Nehemiah was in Jerusalem rebuilding it for 12 years before returning to Assyria as he had promised.
- Nehemiah tried to right all the wrongs being done by the people of Jerusalem. He kicked Tobiah out of the temple.
- The Levites had left the temple to grow crops because the people stop giving them their tithes.
- Nehemiah rebuked the people for this too.
- People were bringing in goods on the Sabbath, and Nehemiah shut the gates on the Sabbath and told the merchants to go away.
- Some Jews intermarried and had children. Nehemiah beat them and pulled out their hair because he said even King Solomon sinned because of marrying foreigners.
- 3 times in this chapter Nehemiah asks God to remember him for what he had done for God's people.
(This chapter just shows how quickly people can go from worshipping God with their whole hearts to drifting away from God and hardening their hearts toward Him.
Matthew 23/24
- Jesus points out to the disciples that the Pharisees are hypocrites who do not help the people but put extra burdens on them.
- Christ is to be their only instructor.
- Woe #1 - They keep people from entering heaven
- Woe #2 - Make proselytes (new convert to a doctrine or religion) of people and make them even more evil than themselves.
- Woe #3 - For swearing to and exulting in the wrong things; such as gold, instead of the temple or in the sacrifice rather than the altar.
- Woe #4 - They offer things on the alter but neglect justice and mercy and faithfulness (What does the gnat and camel reference mean?)
- Woe #5 & #6 - The Pharisees try to look good and righteous on the outside while being corrupt and hypocritical on the inside
- Woe #7 - For killing prophets in the past from Abel to Zechariah
Can the wrongs of my ancestors be charged against me?)
Jesus laments for the city
(Ch. 24)
- Jesus says that the temple will be destroyed.
- This chapter goes into detail about Christ's return.
- There will be famines, wars, and earthquakes in the last days and many will be led astray.
- Jesus tells the disciples that they will be hated and killed.
- Daniel's prophecies will come to pass as well
- What were Daniel's prophecies?
- Jesus tells them not to believe anyone else who claims to be the Christ because when Christ returns it will come as a surprise to everyone, like the flood in Noah's day.
- (v.24) - Is Jesus saying it is possible for the elect to fall away?
- The sun will be darkened and the stars will fall from heaven and Jesus will return in great glory and the angels will round up the elect.
- Jesus tells them to look for these signs because they will let them know when Jesus will be coming.
- What does Jesus mean that this generation will not pass away until they see these things since Jesus did not return in the disciples' days?
- One person will be taken and the person next to the left behind (kinda like what happened in the movie)
- Jesus told them to always be ready for His return because it will come when they are not expecting it. Only God knows when, no person, angel, not even Jesus himself knows when this will occur.
Acts 23/24
- Paul spoke to the Jews and the high priest smacked him for which he called a curse against the high priest. Paul apologized because there is a commandment against speaking evil of rulers.
- Paul stated he had been a Pharisee himself and this caused a debate because the Pharisees believed in angels, the spirit, and the resurrection, where as the Sadducees do not. The Pharisees thought his story might be true.
- Where did they base their beliefs?
- The tribune took Paul back to the barracks because of the crowd and the Lord spoke to him and told him he must preach the same truth in Rome.
- The Jews plotted to kill him and made an oath amongst themselves not to eat until they killed Paul.
- Paul's nephew learned of their plot and told Paul who sent him to tell the tribune.
- The tribune escorted Paul with military protection to Caesarea which was under Felix.
- Felix sent Paul to be guarded until they could hear Paul's case when his accusers arrived.
(Ch.24)
- Tertullus spoke for the Jews and accused Paul of being in a sect called the Nazarenes and stirring up Jews in many nations.
- Paul simply replied that he had been in Jerusalem for 12 days worshipping and seeking to do right by God and man, when Jews from Asia brought accusations against him.
- Paul said that the only controversial thing he said was about the resurrection and the Way.
- Felix put Paul back in prison and conversed with him often for his remaining 2 years in office before Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus.
- Felix kept Paul in prison when he was replaced to make the Jews happy.
- Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. He will not let Isaac marry a Canaanite nor will he send Isaac back to his homeland because God has promised Abraham this land.
- Why does Abraham have his servant put his hand under his thigh to make an oath?
- Abraham tells the servant that if he is unsuccessful, he shall go free.
- The servant prayed that he'd find a girl who would say certain things to him.
- While he was finishing his prayer Rebekah came to the well.
- Rebekah is Isaac's first cousin once removed.
- The servant rejoice at the Lord's provision.
- Why does the servant always say "the God of my master"?
- Laban and Bethuel's response was that if the servant's mission was from the Lord they could say nothing good or bad about it.
- Rebekah said she would go with Abraham's servant and when she saw Isaac in the field she covered her face and became Isaac's wife.
- The grieving for Sarah was now over.
(Ch. 25)
- Abraham got another wife Keturah and she bore him 6 more children.
- Abraham died at 175 and was buried with Sarah
- Ishmael bore 12 sons and died at 137
- Isaac and Rebekah got married at 40 and she bore him children when he was 60.
- The Lord told Rebekah that she'd bear twins and she did
- Esau came out first and was a hunter and loved most by Isaac
- Jacob came out second hold Esau's heel and was loved most by Rebekah
- Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some stew because he was so hungry.
- What is entailed in a birthright and how can you physically sell it?
Nehemiah 13
- After hearing the Book of the Law, Nehemiah had Israel separate themselves from the foreigners among them.
- Eliashib, the priest, gave Tobiah (one of the men against rebuilding Jerusalem) a house in the temple.
- Nehemiah returned to King Artaxerxes in his 32 year as king for some time and then came back to Jerusalem later. Nehemiah was in Jerusalem rebuilding it for 12 years before returning to Assyria as he had promised.
- Nehemiah tried to right all the wrongs being done by the people of Jerusalem. He kicked Tobiah out of the temple.
- The Levites had left the temple to grow crops because the people stop giving them their tithes.
- Nehemiah rebuked the people for this too.
- People were bringing in goods on the Sabbath, and Nehemiah shut the gates on the Sabbath and told the merchants to go away.
- Some Jews intermarried and had children. Nehemiah beat them and pulled out their hair because he said even King Solomon sinned because of marrying foreigners.
- 3 times in this chapter Nehemiah asks God to remember him for what he had done for God's people.
(This chapter just shows how quickly people can go from worshipping God with their whole hearts to drifting away from God and hardening their hearts toward Him.
Matthew 23/24
- Jesus points out to the disciples that the Pharisees are hypocrites who do not help the people but put extra burdens on them.
- Christ is to be their only instructor.
- Woe #1 - They keep people from entering heaven
- Woe #2 - Make proselytes (new convert to a doctrine or religion) of people and make them even more evil than themselves.
- Woe #3 - For swearing to and exulting in the wrong things; such as gold, instead of the temple or in the sacrifice rather than the altar.
- Woe #4 - They offer things on the alter but neglect justice and mercy and faithfulness (What does the gnat and camel reference mean?)
- Woe #5 & #6 - The Pharisees try to look good and righteous on the outside while being corrupt and hypocritical on the inside
- Woe #7 - For killing prophets in the past from Abel to Zechariah
Can the wrongs of my ancestors be charged against me?)
Jesus laments for the city
(Ch. 24)
- Jesus says that the temple will be destroyed.
- This chapter goes into detail about Christ's return.
- There will be famines, wars, and earthquakes in the last days and many will be led astray.
- Jesus tells the disciples that they will be hated and killed.
- Daniel's prophecies will come to pass as well
- What were Daniel's prophecies?
- Jesus tells them not to believe anyone else who claims to be the Christ because when Christ returns it will come as a surprise to everyone, like the flood in Noah's day.
- (v.24) - Is Jesus saying it is possible for the elect to fall away?
- The sun will be darkened and the stars will fall from heaven and Jesus will return in great glory and the angels will round up the elect.
- Jesus tells them to look for these signs because they will let them know when Jesus will be coming.
- What does Jesus mean that this generation will not pass away until they see these things since Jesus did not return in the disciples' days?
- One person will be taken and the person next to the left behind (kinda like what happened in the movie)
- Jesus told them to always be ready for His return because it will come when they are not expecting it. Only God knows when, no person, angel, not even Jesus himself knows when this will occur.
Acts 23/24
- Paul spoke to the Jews and the high priest smacked him for which he called a curse against the high priest. Paul apologized because there is a commandment against speaking evil of rulers.
- Paul stated he had been a Pharisee himself and this caused a debate because the Pharisees believed in angels, the spirit, and the resurrection, where as the Sadducees do not. The Pharisees thought his story might be true.
- Where did they base their beliefs?
- The tribune took Paul back to the barracks because of the crowd and the Lord spoke to him and told him he must preach the same truth in Rome.
- The Jews plotted to kill him and made an oath amongst themselves not to eat until they killed Paul.
- Paul's nephew learned of their plot and told Paul who sent him to tell the tribune.
- The tribune escorted Paul with military protection to Caesarea which was under Felix.
- Felix sent Paul to be guarded until they could hear Paul's case when his accusers arrived.
(Ch.24)
- Tertullus spoke for the Jews and accused Paul of being in a sect called the Nazarenes and stirring up Jews in many nations.
- Paul simply replied that he had been in Jerusalem for 12 days worshipping and seeking to do right by God and man, when Jews from Asia brought accusations against him.
- Paul said that the only controversial thing he said was about the resurrection and the Way.
- Felix put Paul back in prison and conversed with him often for his remaining 2 years in office before Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus.
- Felix kept Paul in prison when he was replaced to make the Jews happy.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Genesis 22/23 - Nehemiah 11/12 - Matthew 21/22 - Acts 21/22
Genesis 22/23
- The symbolism between Abraham being willing to sacrifice his only son mirrors God send Jesus to die for the sins of those who would believe.
- Abraham who kept lying about Sarah's relationship to him, had no hesitation in following the Lord's instructions to take Isaac to the mountain and to offer his only son as a burnt offering, even after Isaac ask him about it. Abraham's only reply was the Lord will provide an offering.
- This was a test to see if Abraham really feared the Lord, and when he had tied up Isaac and drew his knife to sacrifice his son, the angel appeared and told him to stop.
- God provided a ram stuck in a bush to sacrifice.
- I have heard it said that Abraham's faith was so strong that he assumed that God would raise him from the dead after he killed Isaac because God had made a covenant with Abraham.
- This test sealed the fact that Abraham's descendants would be blessed.
- Abraham's brother Nahor bore 8 sons, one of whom was Bethuel who would father Rebekah.
(Ch. 23)
- Sarah died at 127 years old in the land of the Hittites.
- Kiriath-Arba and Mamre are both referred to as Hebron
- The Hittites saw Abraham as a "prince of God" and wanted to give him the field with the cave to bury his wife, but he bowed before them and asked to pay for it. He paid 400 shekels (4400 grams) of silver.
- Why didn't Abraham accept the field as a gift from the Hittities?
Nehemiah 11/ 12
- 1 out of 10 people volunteered to live in Jerusalem while other people lived in the surrounding towns.
- There were 3,044 people who volunteered to live in Jerusalem which means 27,396 people lived in the surrounding towns.
- Each group of men living in Jerusalem had an overseer
- Names which stuck out were Asaph and Joel (Was this the man who write the OT book?)
- Pethahiah was by the king's side concerning the Israelites
- Some people were encamped in Beersheba which was where Abraham lived after Sarah died.
(Ch. 12)
- Names which stood out were Zerubbabel, Joiakim, Zechariah
- The Levites gave thanks on every watch as David had commanded in his day.
- They dedicated the wall with 2 great choirs, one led by Ezra to the south and one led by Nehemiah to the north. There was great rejoicing and sacrifices by everyone there.
- Men were appointed to gather tithes and portions for Levites required by Law.
- The Levites served as they did in the days of David and Aaron.
Matthew 21/22
- Jesus sent His disciples to get a donkey on which He would enter Jerusalem. This fulfilled an OT prophecy about "humbly entering on a donkey"
- The people celebrated Jesus' arrival.
- Jesus entered the temple and drove out everyone who was selling goods there because the temple was a "house of worship" not a place to sell goods.
- Jesus preached and healed people in the temple, but lodged at Bethany
- A fig tree which did not have fruit Jesus told to wither up and it did. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they had enough faith they could tell a mountain to throw itself into the sea and it would do so.
- Chief priests again tried to trick Jesus by asking Him where He got His authority to heal people and He asked them where John got his authority. The priests could not come up with an answer that was good so Jesus denied them their answer.
- Parable of 2 sons shows one son who says he didn't want to do what his father asked but eventually did it, where as the 2nd son said he would do it but did not. All agreed that the 1st son had done the right thing.
- The parable of the tenants showed that the tenants would not give the owner the fruit of the land and killed the servants that he sent.
- The owner sent his son, whom the tenants killed thinking this would win them the inheritance, but all those listening agreed that the owner would come and destroy those tenants. (This parable foreshadows what will happen to Jesus, the son, whom God has sent)
- The Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus but they feared what the crowd would do.
(Ch.22)
- This chapter is all about the Pharisees and Sadducees trying to trick Jesus in His words.
- Jesus begins with a parable about a king who invited guests to his sons wedding reception and everyone he invited denied his invitation, so he destroyed them.
- Then the king sent servants to gather people from the street, and one man was tied up and thrown out because he was not dressed for the occasion.
- If these people were poor and from the street would they have had nice wedding clothes?
- It seems that this parable is directed at the Jews since they were God's chosen people, but because they rejected Him, He turned to the Gentiles.
- The "weeping and gnashing of teeth" usually means they are in hell.
- The Pharisees asked Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. He said that since Caesar's image was on the coin, people should pay Caesar their taxes, but also give to God what is God's. (It would seem that Jesus is saying we should obey our governments laws as well as God's)
- Sadducees asked Jesus about the resurrection (which they did NOT believe in) saying a woman marrying seven brothers in turn as they died, who does she belong to at the resurrection.
- Who are the Sadducees?
- Jesus' response was that she belongs to no one because there is no marriage in heaven. People will be like the angels.
- The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and the 2nd most important is to love your neighbor as yourself. (If you love God you will try not to sin to honor Him and you will not act unkindly toward others if you're treating them like yourself)
- Jesus asked whose son the Christ was and they replied David, but Jesus countered that if that were true David would not have called Him Lord.
- This series of amazing answers stopped any further questions from being asked. (If we're informed of scripture and God's desires, we will be able to meet any tough questions people may ask)
- The responses to Jesus' answers were astonishment, marvel, and speechlessness.
Acts 21/22
- Paul and Luke headed toward Tyre on their way to Jerusalem
- Through the Spirit people were telling Paul not to go into the city
- Why would Paul NOT listen to the Spirit talking?
- Agabus, a prophet, tied himself up with a belt and told Paul this would happen to him in Jerusalem and he'd be handed over to the Gentiles.
- Paul told the people to stop weeping and breaking his heart, but he still went to Jerusalem.
-James warmed Paul that some Jews were against him because they saw his preaching as being against Moses.
- Why does James seem to tell Paul to go against what the counsel had decided for the Gentile believers when addressing Jews believers?
- Paul went into the temple and gave an offering, but Jews from Asia saw Paul and incited a riot against him. They began beating him (so bad he couldn't walk to the barrack) and the authorities there came and broke up the conflict.
- They said Paul had defiled the holy temple by bringing Trophimus, the Ephesian there. It doesn't actually say if this was true or not.
- The tribune thought Paul was an Egyptian who had led an rebel army, but found out this was NOT true and Paul, being weak and beaten, asked to address the crowd
- Why does this chapter end so abruptly?
(Ch. 22)
- Paul addresses the crowd in Hebrew (Paul also knew Greek)
- Paul recounts his conversion story to the people, starting with the fact that he too was persecuting the people following "The Way" until Jesus appeared to him and struck him blind.
- The crowd listened quietly and didn't say a word until Paul said that Jesus had said to him to take this Word to the Gentiles.
- At this they began shouting and rioting. They wanted to kill him.
- The tribune took Paul to flog the truth out of him and he asked how they could do this because Paul was a Roman citizen. The centurion was upset at this and told the tribune.
- What were the laws about Roman citizens?
- How did Paul become a native born Roman citizen?
- The member of the tribune had bought with roman citizenship for a large sum of money.
- The counsel called in the Jews the next day to find out why they were so angry at Paul.
- The symbolism between Abraham being willing to sacrifice his only son mirrors God send Jesus to die for the sins of those who would believe.
- Abraham who kept lying about Sarah's relationship to him, had no hesitation in following the Lord's instructions to take Isaac to the mountain and to offer his only son as a burnt offering, even after Isaac ask him about it. Abraham's only reply was the Lord will provide an offering.
- This was a test to see if Abraham really feared the Lord, and when he had tied up Isaac and drew his knife to sacrifice his son, the angel appeared and told him to stop.
- God provided a ram stuck in a bush to sacrifice.
- I have heard it said that Abraham's faith was so strong that he assumed that God would raise him from the dead after he killed Isaac because God had made a covenant with Abraham.
- This test sealed the fact that Abraham's descendants would be blessed.
- Abraham's brother Nahor bore 8 sons, one of whom was Bethuel who would father Rebekah.
(Ch. 23)
- Sarah died at 127 years old in the land of the Hittites.
- Kiriath-Arba and Mamre are both referred to as Hebron
- The Hittites saw Abraham as a "prince of God" and wanted to give him the field with the cave to bury his wife, but he bowed before them and asked to pay for it. He paid 400 shekels (4400 grams) of silver.
- Why didn't Abraham accept the field as a gift from the Hittities?
Nehemiah 11/ 12
- 1 out of 10 people volunteered to live in Jerusalem while other people lived in the surrounding towns.
- There were 3,044 people who volunteered to live in Jerusalem which means 27,396 people lived in the surrounding towns.
- Each group of men living in Jerusalem had an overseer
- Names which stuck out were Asaph and Joel (Was this the man who write the OT book?)
- Pethahiah was by the king's side concerning the Israelites
- Some people were encamped in Beersheba which was where Abraham lived after Sarah died.
(Ch. 12)
- Names which stood out were Zerubbabel, Joiakim, Zechariah
- The Levites gave thanks on every watch as David had commanded in his day.
- They dedicated the wall with 2 great choirs, one led by Ezra to the south and one led by Nehemiah to the north. There was great rejoicing and sacrifices by everyone there.
- Men were appointed to gather tithes and portions for Levites required by Law.
- The Levites served as they did in the days of David and Aaron.
Matthew 21/22
- Jesus sent His disciples to get a donkey on which He would enter Jerusalem. This fulfilled an OT prophecy about "humbly entering on a donkey"
- The people celebrated Jesus' arrival.
- Jesus entered the temple and drove out everyone who was selling goods there because the temple was a "house of worship" not a place to sell goods.
- Jesus preached and healed people in the temple, but lodged at Bethany
- A fig tree which did not have fruit Jesus told to wither up and it did. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they had enough faith they could tell a mountain to throw itself into the sea and it would do so.
- Chief priests again tried to trick Jesus by asking Him where He got His authority to heal people and He asked them where John got his authority. The priests could not come up with an answer that was good so Jesus denied them their answer.
- Parable of 2 sons shows one son who says he didn't want to do what his father asked but eventually did it, where as the 2nd son said he would do it but did not. All agreed that the 1st son had done the right thing.
- The parable of the tenants showed that the tenants would not give the owner the fruit of the land and killed the servants that he sent.
- The owner sent his son, whom the tenants killed thinking this would win them the inheritance, but all those listening agreed that the owner would come and destroy those tenants. (This parable foreshadows what will happen to Jesus, the son, whom God has sent)
- The Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus but they feared what the crowd would do.
(Ch.22)
- This chapter is all about the Pharisees and Sadducees trying to trick Jesus in His words.
- Jesus begins with a parable about a king who invited guests to his sons wedding reception and everyone he invited denied his invitation, so he destroyed them.
- Then the king sent servants to gather people from the street, and one man was tied up and thrown out because he was not dressed for the occasion.
- If these people were poor and from the street would they have had nice wedding clothes?
- It seems that this parable is directed at the Jews since they were God's chosen people, but because they rejected Him, He turned to the Gentiles.
- The "weeping and gnashing of teeth" usually means they are in hell.
- The Pharisees asked Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. He said that since Caesar's image was on the coin, people should pay Caesar their taxes, but also give to God what is God's. (It would seem that Jesus is saying we should obey our governments laws as well as God's)
- Sadducees asked Jesus about the resurrection (which they did NOT believe in) saying a woman marrying seven brothers in turn as they died, who does she belong to at the resurrection.
- Who are the Sadducees?
- Jesus' response was that she belongs to no one because there is no marriage in heaven. People will be like the angels.
- The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and the 2nd most important is to love your neighbor as yourself. (If you love God you will try not to sin to honor Him and you will not act unkindly toward others if you're treating them like yourself)
- Jesus asked whose son the Christ was and they replied David, but Jesus countered that if that were true David would not have called Him Lord.
- This series of amazing answers stopped any further questions from being asked. (If we're informed of scripture and God's desires, we will be able to meet any tough questions people may ask)
- The responses to Jesus' answers were astonishment, marvel, and speechlessness.
Acts 21/22
- Paul and Luke headed toward Tyre on their way to Jerusalem
- Through the Spirit people were telling Paul not to go into the city
- Why would Paul NOT listen to the Spirit talking?
- Agabus, a prophet, tied himself up with a belt and told Paul this would happen to him in Jerusalem and he'd be handed over to the Gentiles.
- Paul told the people to stop weeping and breaking his heart, but he still went to Jerusalem.
-James warmed Paul that some Jews were against him because they saw his preaching as being against Moses.
- Why does James seem to tell Paul to go against what the counsel had decided for the Gentile believers when addressing Jews believers?
- Paul went into the temple and gave an offering, but Jews from Asia saw Paul and incited a riot against him. They began beating him (so bad he couldn't walk to the barrack) and the authorities there came and broke up the conflict.
- They said Paul had defiled the holy temple by bringing Trophimus, the Ephesian there. It doesn't actually say if this was true or not.
- The tribune thought Paul was an Egyptian who had led an rebel army, but found out this was NOT true and Paul, being weak and beaten, asked to address the crowd
- Why does this chapter end so abruptly?
(Ch. 22)
- Paul addresses the crowd in Hebrew (Paul also knew Greek)
- Paul recounts his conversion story to the people, starting with the fact that he too was persecuting the people following "The Way" until Jesus appeared to him and struck him blind.
- The crowd listened quietly and didn't say a word until Paul said that Jesus had said to him to take this Word to the Gentiles.
- At this they began shouting and rioting. They wanted to kill him.
- The tribune took Paul to flog the truth out of him and he asked how they could do this because Paul was a Roman citizen. The centurion was upset at this and told the tribune.
- What were the laws about Roman citizens?
- How did Paul become a native born Roman citizen?
- The member of the tribune had bought with roman citizenship for a large sum of money.
- The counsel called in the Jews the next day to find out why they were so angry at Paul.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Genesis 20/21 - Nehemiah 9/10 - Matthew 19/20 - Acts 19/20
Well I know I'm a few days behind on my postings because I was in PA for the 4th of July and for my cousin Katie's wedding. Saturday was my first day that I missed my reading for a day. Today's post will cover what I read on Friday and Saturday and I'll double up the next few days.
Genesis 20/21
- Abraham again told Sarah to say she was his sister to King Abimelech.
- God came to Abimelech in a dream and said he would He would kill Abimelech for taking Sarah as his wife, but Abimelech pleaded with God saying that he was innocent because he did not know Sarah was married to Abraham, a true statement which caused God to spare his life.
- Why would Abraham fear the king and lie to him again since he obviously trusted God also?
- Does God count Abraham's statement, "She is my sister" as a lie since she is his half brother, so he is not totally lying?
- Why does God again bless Abraham's lying with all kinds of goods from the king?
- Why would King Abimelech even want Sarah as his wife? (I know she was beautiful but she is also around 90 years old and too old to bare children)
(Genesis 21)
- Isaac is born as promised when Abraham is 100 and Sarah is 90.
- Sarah is jealous and want Abraham to get rid of his other son Ishmael.
- Why does God tell Abraham to listen to Sarah and send Hagar away when she has done nothing wrong?
- Hagar takes Ishmael into the wilderness and she puts him under a tree and walks away leaving him to die. (He is about 14 now).
- An angel promises to protect her and her son thus fulfilling an earlier promise to make Ishmael's line great too.
- Hagar, who was an Egyptian, found Ishmael an Egyptian wife.
- Abimelech made Abraham swear that he had dealt kindly with Abraham because he saw that God's blessing was on Abraham. (When God acts, others are aware of it)
- Abraham told Abimelech of some disagreement over a well, which Abimelech was unaware of and Abraham gave him 7 ewe lambs to indeed state that this well was his.
Nehemiah 9/10
- For six hours the people listened as the Book of the Law was read to them.
- For six more hours the people confessed their sins and worshipped (this shows much dedication and a focused spirit on the part of the people)
- The people recounted the constant blessing and mercy God showed His people even though they continually fell away from His commandments for them.
- God was faithful in giving Abraham's descendants the land He promised, but they sinned and it was taken away.
- God met the people through Moses, and their response was to give credit to a golden calf. He still forgave them and when they cried out to Him, He blessed them. He still kept the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire to lead them, when He could have taken those guides away because of their sin.
- When God blessed the people, they would celebrate and thank Him, but then they would turn away from Him, His commandments, and prophets because they would think "they" had done these things, taking God out of the equation.
- They are aware that even presently, the people are being punished for their disobedience because everything they have belongs to the Assyrians.
(Nehemiah 10)
- They made a covenant to God to be faithful.
- Obadiah, Mica (Ar these the prophets who wrote the OT books of the Bible?)
- They people made an oath with a curse before God to follow the Laws of Moses.
- Two things they promised was not to let their children intermarry or to buy/sell goods on the Sabbath. They would keep that day holy)
- The people promised to keep all appointed feasts and to bring the first fruits of their crops and livestock to the House of the Lord. (God gets the first portion of everything. This shows faith that He will provide even more to His people)
- What is a "wood offering"?
- Levites receive all tithes and take them into the House of the Lord.
Matthew 19/20
- Matthew 19, I did out of order. For some reason, I did Matthew 19 instead of Matthew 16
(Ch. 20)
- This is the 2nd first shall be last parable in Matthew
- The laborers hired the first hour agree to work for a denarius. The middle hired people agreed to work for what "seemed fair".
- The last group of laborers received equal pay for working 1/12 as much as the first group.
- The master asked them why they were upset since it was what they agreed to. They were mad because the master was generous. ( I should not be upset at people for getting the same thing I get for doing less...jealousy is NOT an admirable trait)
- Jesus tells the disciples a 3rd time that He will be killed and be raised the 3rd day.
- James and John's (the disciples) mother brings her 2 sons to Jesus and requests they sit at His right and left, but He says that He cannot agree to that, but they can drink the cup.
- What does Jesus mean about sharing the cup?
- Jesus again says that the first shall be last and the last first. Jesus says that even He came to serve, not be served. The humble will be rewarded.
- 2 blind men were screaming for Jesus to heal them though the crowds said to shut up. This only caused them to cry out louder. Their faith was strong. Jesus healed them.
Acts 19/20
- Paul went to Ephesus and asked the disciples there if they had received the Holy Spirit and they said they didn't know there was one.
- Paul baptized them with the Holy Spirit.
- How could these men be "disciples" and preaching if they didn't have the Holy Spirit?
- How did they come to be believers and not have the Spirit?
- Paul spoke to the people of Asia for 2 years.
- Paul was healing many people. Even touching his clothes healed people. 7 Jewish high priests were attempting to do this too in Jesus' name, but the evil spirits said they never heard of those priests and beat them.
- How do the evil spirits know who Paul and Jesus are? Where do they get this knowledge?
- Other magicians who heard about this incident with the 7 priests, burned their magic books and became believers because they were afraid and saw the power of Jesus' name.
- Paul wanted to go to Rome.
- Demetrius, a silversmith, said that his job would not exist if people stopped believing in idols, so he start a riot. He used their god Artemis to stir up the people.
- Paul's friends urged him to stay away and Alexander, a Jew, entered the riot and said that Paul's men were not blasphemers of Artemis, and they had done nothing wrong. The people of the town could be charged with rioting. This ended the conflict.
(Ch.20)
- Paul spent 3 months in Greece.
- He left a took 7 men two being Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus.
- A man fell out of the window, and died but Paul restored him.
- Paul intentionally bypassed Asia in order to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost.
* I finally figured out why the author uses "we". I forgot that the author of Acts is Luke, so whenever Luke was actually there he uses "we". Yay!
- Paul assembles all of the believers in Ephesus and tells them that this will be the last time they see his face. He must go elsewhere to preach the Gospel and ultimately suffer for it, which he is eager to do.
- He reflects on what he has taught them about the Gospel for 3 years and he warns them about people, even some among them, who will twist the gospel and cause people to not believe.
- He also charges them to take the Gospel to those around them.
- He needs his time with them in prayer and there are many tears as he departs.
Genesis 20/21
- Abraham again told Sarah to say she was his sister to King Abimelech.
- God came to Abimelech in a dream and said he would He would kill Abimelech for taking Sarah as his wife, but Abimelech pleaded with God saying that he was innocent because he did not know Sarah was married to Abraham, a true statement which caused God to spare his life.
- Why would Abraham fear the king and lie to him again since he obviously trusted God also?
- Does God count Abraham's statement, "She is my sister" as a lie since she is his half brother, so he is not totally lying?
- Why does God again bless Abraham's lying with all kinds of goods from the king?
- Why would King Abimelech even want Sarah as his wife? (I know she was beautiful but she is also around 90 years old and too old to bare children)
(Genesis 21)
- Isaac is born as promised when Abraham is 100 and Sarah is 90.
- Sarah is jealous and want Abraham to get rid of his other son Ishmael.
- Why does God tell Abraham to listen to Sarah and send Hagar away when she has done nothing wrong?
- Hagar takes Ishmael into the wilderness and she puts him under a tree and walks away leaving him to die. (He is about 14 now).
- An angel promises to protect her and her son thus fulfilling an earlier promise to make Ishmael's line great too.
- Hagar, who was an Egyptian, found Ishmael an Egyptian wife.
- Abimelech made Abraham swear that he had dealt kindly with Abraham because he saw that God's blessing was on Abraham. (When God acts, others are aware of it)
- Abraham told Abimelech of some disagreement over a well, which Abimelech was unaware of and Abraham gave him 7 ewe lambs to indeed state that this well was his.
Nehemiah 9/10
- For six hours the people listened as the Book of the Law was read to them.
- For six more hours the people confessed their sins and worshipped (this shows much dedication and a focused spirit on the part of the people)
- The people recounted the constant blessing and mercy God showed His people even though they continually fell away from His commandments for them.
- God was faithful in giving Abraham's descendants the land He promised, but they sinned and it was taken away.
- God met the people through Moses, and their response was to give credit to a golden calf. He still forgave them and when they cried out to Him, He blessed them. He still kept the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire to lead them, when He could have taken those guides away because of their sin.
- When God blessed the people, they would celebrate and thank Him, but then they would turn away from Him, His commandments, and prophets because they would think "they" had done these things, taking God out of the equation.
- They are aware that even presently, the people are being punished for their disobedience because everything they have belongs to the Assyrians.
(Nehemiah 10)
- They made a covenant to God to be faithful.
- Obadiah, Mica (Ar these the prophets who wrote the OT books of the Bible?)
- They people made an oath with a curse before God to follow the Laws of Moses.
- Two things they promised was not to let their children intermarry or to buy/sell goods on the Sabbath. They would keep that day holy)
- The people promised to keep all appointed feasts and to bring the first fruits of their crops and livestock to the House of the Lord. (God gets the first portion of everything. This shows faith that He will provide even more to His people)
- What is a "wood offering"?
- Levites receive all tithes and take them into the House of the Lord.
Matthew 19/20
- Matthew 19, I did out of order. For some reason, I did Matthew 19 instead of Matthew 16
(Ch. 20)
- This is the 2nd first shall be last parable in Matthew
- The laborers hired the first hour agree to work for a denarius. The middle hired people agreed to work for what "seemed fair".
- The last group of laborers received equal pay for working 1/12 as much as the first group.
- The master asked them why they were upset since it was what they agreed to. They were mad because the master was generous. ( I should not be upset at people for getting the same thing I get for doing less...jealousy is NOT an admirable trait)
- Jesus tells the disciples a 3rd time that He will be killed and be raised the 3rd day.
- James and John's (the disciples) mother brings her 2 sons to Jesus and requests they sit at His right and left, but He says that He cannot agree to that, but they can drink the cup.
- What does Jesus mean about sharing the cup?
- Jesus again says that the first shall be last and the last first. Jesus says that even He came to serve, not be served. The humble will be rewarded.
- 2 blind men were screaming for Jesus to heal them though the crowds said to shut up. This only caused them to cry out louder. Their faith was strong. Jesus healed them.
Acts 19/20
- Paul went to Ephesus and asked the disciples there if they had received the Holy Spirit and they said they didn't know there was one.
- Paul baptized them with the Holy Spirit.
- How could these men be "disciples" and preaching if they didn't have the Holy Spirit?
- How did they come to be believers and not have the Spirit?
- Paul spoke to the people of Asia for 2 years.
- Paul was healing many people. Even touching his clothes healed people. 7 Jewish high priests were attempting to do this too in Jesus' name, but the evil spirits said they never heard of those priests and beat them.
- How do the evil spirits know who Paul and Jesus are? Where do they get this knowledge?
- Other magicians who heard about this incident with the 7 priests, burned their magic books and became believers because they were afraid and saw the power of Jesus' name.
- Paul wanted to go to Rome.
- Demetrius, a silversmith, said that his job would not exist if people stopped believing in idols, so he start a riot. He used their god Artemis to stir up the people.
- Paul's friends urged him to stay away and Alexander, a Jew, entered the riot and said that Paul's men were not blasphemers of Artemis, and they had done nothing wrong. The people of the town could be charged with rioting. This ended the conflict.
(Ch.20)
- Paul spent 3 months in Greece.
- He left a took 7 men two being Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus.
- A man fell out of the window, and died but Paul restored him.
- Paul intentionally bypassed Asia in order to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost.
* I finally figured out why the author uses "we". I forgot that the author of Acts is Luke, so whenever Luke was actually there he uses "we". Yay!
- Paul assembles all of the believers in Ephesus and tells them that this will be the last time they see his face. He must go elsewhere to preach the Gospel and ultimately suffer for it, which he is eager to do.
- He reflects on what he has taught them about the Gospel for 3 years and he warns them about people, even some among them, who will twist the gospel and cause people to not believe.
- He also charges them to take the Gospel to those around them.
- He needs his time with them in prayer and there are many tears as he departs.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Genesis 18/19 - Nehemiah 7/8 - Matthew 17/18 - Acts 17/18
Tonight/Today I'm doing a two-for-one posting. Yesterday was my last day off before going back to summer school and I put off meeting with the Lord. AS I lay in bed trying to go to sleep I felt conviction about not wanting to meet with God and focus on my laziness, so I read the day's sections. But as I tried to fall asleep, I couldn't so I have been up all night. As a result I'll post yesterday and today's blog now...4am Thursday.
Genesis 18/19
- The Lord appears to Abraham as three men. He asks them to stay with him and rushes to prepare a calf and some bread, as well as wash their feet. He is very hospitable.
- The Lord tells Abraham that in one year He will return and Abraham will have a son.
- Sarah overhears this and laughs because she is not only old, but "the way of the woman had ceased" in her meaning she had stopped "cycling".
- The Lord rebukes her and asks "What is too hard for the Lord?" The answer being nothing!
- Sarah denied laughing.
- Why didn't the Lord punish Sarah for her lack of faith like He did to Moses?
- What was God hiding from Abraham that He was going to do? He already made a covenant with Abraham earlier.
- Abraham tries to save the righteous people in Sodom when the Lord want to destroy it. Abraham continuously pleads for the Lord to have mercy on the 50, 45,40, 30, 20, 10 righteous people who may be living in Sodom.
- Abraham approaches each of these requests with humility (not wanting to anger the Lord)
(Ch.19)
- Three angels had appeared to Abraham, but only two show up in Sodom to visit Lot. He also extends hospitality to the angels and begs them to stay with him.
- That night EVERYONE in the town shows up to "know" the angels. ( I believe another translation says have sex with them)
- Why does Lot offer his two daughters to this mob, but protect the two angels?
- The townspeople hate Lot because he is a foreigner and they see him as judging them.
- He tells his family to leave, but his two son-in-laws think he is joking.
- Lot Lingered even after the angels warned him to leave, and they whisked them away, but Lot's wife looked back (not obeying the angel's instructions) and became a pillar of salt.
- Lot asked to flee to Zoar (a small town) rather than the hills as the angels instructed him, and they agreed.
- Lot was saved because of Abraham's deal with the angels about sparing anyone in Sodom who was righteous.
- Why did the angels save Lot when he refused to listen to them?
- Why was Gomorrah destroyed since it wasn't mentioned in chapter 18?
- Lot flees Zoar and goes to the mountains anyway. There his daughters get him drunk and "lay with him" bearing him children.
- Why did they do this and how did Lot not figure out what had happened?
- Lot's older daughter bore Moab (the Moabites) and Lot's younger daughter bore Benammi (the Ammonites)
Nehemiah 7/8
- Nehemiah gave his brother,Hanani and Hananiah the governor control of Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah looked at everyone's genealogies, and there were a few who could not prove their ancestry. These men were excluded from partaking in the most holy food and were deemed "unclean".
- Names that stuck out in the genealogies were Asaph (from the Psalms), Solomon, and Hezekiah.
- The people gave to the house of the Lord. (This must have come at great personal sacrifice, because so many people had so little because of the drought)
- It took 7 months to rebuild the houses.
- (Ch.8)
- Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses to the people. The priests helped the people understand what was spoken "clearly" (also translated paragraph by paragraph)
- The people responded with weeping and mourning (this was sad weeping, not that of joy)
- "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" - (This is a key verse for understanding the purpose in all that we do in this life...we are to do it for the Lord, and because of that we can find joy in any and everything we do)
- This turned the people's weeping into great joy!!!
- When did God tell the Israelites to dwell in booths and what was the purpose of this celebration?
- It lasted for 7 days and they had a solemn assembly.
- How long had it been since the Booths Celebration had last been celebrated? When were the days of Jeshua?
Matthew 17/18
- Peter, James, and John went with Jesus and saw Him transfigured talking with Moses and Elijah.
- How would they know what these two men looked like?
- Peter offered to make them all tents, but after the voice spoke, Moses and Elijah were no loner there.
- Jesus tells them to tell no one what they saw until He is raised from the dead. He also tells them that John the Baptist was in fact Elijah (which fulfilled the prophecies)
- Jesus rebukes the disciples after their faith is too weak to cast out a demon.
- Jesus states that true faith could move a mountain (Wouldn't it be great if we had this kind of faith?)
- Jesus forecasts His death for a second time in this chapter.
- Peter asks Jesus about paying taxes and Jesus replies they wouldn't have to, but to appease the law of the land He sends Peter fishing, stating that the fish he catches will contain money to pay the tax collector. (This must have just increased Peter's faith in Jesus all the more)
(Ch.18)
- The disciples ask a prideful answer to see who is the greatest, and Jesus replies that it is the one who is humble like a child.
- We will face temptation, but we should not be the cause of someone else's temptation. If something is causing us to sin we need to get rid of it or risk hell. (Jesus talks about throwing away body parts (or "important" things in our eyes) to gain heaven and eternal life.
- 1 lost sheep and 99 safe sheep. The shepherd will look for and celebrate in finding the one lost sheep. (God celebrates people who are unsaved who come to Him more than those who are already believers)
- (v.15-20) give the biblical steps for settling disputes with a fellow believer.
1) Go to him directly
2) Go with 2 or 3 others
3) Tell it to the church
4) Do not associate with them
- What "church" is available to the believers at this time?
- Peter asks how many times he should forgive someone. His guess is 7, but Jesus says 70 x 7 = 490 times (otherwise keep forgiving them no matter what) Jesus lived this out when He went to the cross and died for all of our sins which far exceeded 490.
- The king in the parable forgave a debt which would have taken 200,000 years to pay off (in other words it'd be impossible) and that forgiven servant refused to forgive a fellow servant of a debt that would take 100 days to pay off. The king finds out and put the unmerciful servant in prison until his debt is paid.
(This parable clearly articulates where we fall in the debt our sins have put us in toward God, and how He alone can forgive us this impossible, unfathomable debt through His Son's death on the cross.)
- How can I struggle to forgive small trespasses (debts) against me when my debt to God is SOOO big?
Acts 17/18
- In Thessalonica, Paul taught people on the Sabbath using Scripture (This is why I need to know Scripture in order to effectively share the Gospel with others). Some Jews formed a mob and drove them out of town.
- Paul later would write 2 letters to the believers in Thessalonica
- He went to Berea and the people in Thessalonica stirred up the crowds against him again.
- The Spirit led Paul to Athens, where people loved hearing new teaching. Paul pointed out that they had a temple to "an unknown god". Paul used this as a springboard to share about his God, the one true God.
- Being religious is not the same as placing your faith in Jesus.
- Paul used two Greek poems and popular phrases to insert the Gospel (It is important to try to meet people where they are, and then share the Gospel)
- Some men mocked Paul but many believed and asked to hear Paul speak to them again.
(Ch.18)
- Paul head to Corinth, Ephesis, and Galatia all of which he would letter write letters to.
- Paul spent 18 months in Corinth. Most Jews were hardened to believing, so again Paul focused on the Gentiles in that area. Many believed.
- The Lord gave Paul a vision which encouraged him.
- The Jews took Paul before Gallio, the proconsul, and complained that Paul was breaking Jewislaw. Gallio didn't care about their religious squabbles since Paul had done nothing violent.
- Paul went back to Antioch a 3rd time after being stoned there. (This shows great faith and trust in God for protection)
- Apollos, a believer, went to Ephesus preaching boldly with just a little knowledge of the Gospel. Some other believers taught him more, so that his witness would be even stronger. (I can not use the fact that I don't know everything as a "good excuse" not to share the Gospel. God can and will work in my short comings)
- Apollos also used Scripture to support his knowledge of who Jesus was.
Genesis 18/19
- The Lord appears to Abraham as three men. He asks them to stay with him and rushes to prepare a calf and some bread, as well as wash their feet. He is very hospitable.
- The Lord tells Abraham that in one year He will return and Abraham will have a son.
- Sarah overhears this and laughs because she is not only old, but "the way of the woman had ceased" in her meaning she had stopped "cycling".
- The Lord rebukes her and asks "What is too hard for the Lord?" The answer being nothing!
- Sarah denied laughing.
- Why didn't the Lord punish Sarah for her lack of faith like He did to Moses?
- What was God hiding from Abraham that He was going to do? He already made a covenant with Abraham earlier.
- Abraham tries to save the righteous people in Sodom when the Lord want to destroy it. Abraham continuously pleads for the Lord to have mercy on the 50, 45,40, 30, 20, 10 righteous people who may be living in Sodom.
- Abraham approaches each of these requests with humility (not wanting to anger the Lord)
(Ch.19)
- Three angels had appeared to Abraham, but only two show up in Sodom to visit Lot. He also extends hospitality to the angels and begs them to stay with him.
- That night EVERYONE in the town shows up to "know" the angels. ( I believe another translation says have sex with them)
- Why does Lot offer his two daughters to this mob, but protect the two angels?
- The townspeople hate Lot because he is a foreigner and they see him as judging them.
- He tells his family to leave, but his two son-in-laws think he is joking.
- Lot Lingered even after the angels warned him to leave, and they whisked them away, but Lot's wife looked back (not obeying the angel's instructions) and became a pillar of salt.
- Lot asked to flee to Zoar (a small town) rather than the hills as the angels instructed him, and they agreed.
- Lot was saved because of Abraham's deal with the angels about sparing anyone in Sodom who was righteous.
- Why did the angels save Lot when he refused to listen to them?
- Why was Gomorrah destroyed since it wasn't mentioned in chapter 18?
- Lot flees Zoar and goes to the mountains anyway. There his daughters get him drunk and "lay with him" bearing him children.
- Why did they do this and how did Lot not figure out what had happened?
- Lot's older daughter bore Moab (the Moabites) and Lot's younger daughter bore Benammi (the Ammonites)
Nehemiah 7/8
- Nehemiah gave his brother,Hanani and Hananiah the governor control of Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah looked at everyone's genealogies, and there were a few who could not prove their ancestry. These men were excluded from partaking in the most holy food and were deemed "unclean".
- Names that stuck out in the genealogies were Asaph (from the Psalms), Solomon, and Hezekiah.
- The people gave to the house of the Lord. (This must have come at great personal sacrifice, because so many people had so little because of the drought)
- It took 7 months to rebuild the houses.
- (Ch.8)
- Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses to the people. The priests helped the people understand what was spoken "clearly" (also translated paragraph by paragraph)
- The people responded with weeping and mourning (this was sad weeping, not that of joy)
- "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" - (This is a key verse for understanding the purpose in all that we do in this life...we are to do it for the Lord, and because of that we can find joy in any and everything we do)
- This turned the people's weeping into great joy!!!
- When did God tell the Israelites to dwell in booths and what was the purpose of this celebration?
- It lasted for 7 days and they had a solemn assembly.
- How long had it been since the Booths Celebration had last been celebrated? When were the days of Jeshua?
Matthew 17/18
- Peter, James, and John went with Jesus and saw Him transfigured talking with Moses and Elijah.
- How would they know what these two men looked like?
- Peter offered to make them all tents, but after the voice spoke, Moses and Elijah were no loner there.
- Jesus tells them to tell no one what they saw until He is raised from the dead. He also tells them that John the Baptist was in fact Elijah (which fulfilled the prophecies)
- Jesus rebukes the disciples after their faith is too weak to cast out a demon.
- Jesus states that true faith could move a mountain (Wouldn't it be great if we had this kind of faith?)
- Jesus forecasts His death for a second time in this chapter.
- Peter asks Jesus about paying taxes and Jesus replies they wouldn't have to, but to appease the law of the land He sends Peter fishing, stating that the fish he catches will contain money to pay the tax collector. (This must have just increased Peter's faith in Jesus all the more)
(Ch.18)
- The disciples ask a prideful answer to see who is the greatest, and Jesus replies that it is the one who is humble like a child.
- We will face temptation, but we should not be the cause of someone else's temptation. If something is causing us to sin we need to get rid of it or risk hell. (Jesus talks about throwing away body parts (or "important" things in our eyes) to gain heaven and eternal life.
- 1 lost sheep and 99 safe sheep. The shepherd will look for and celebrate in finding the one lost sheep. (God celebrates people who are unsaved who come to Him more than those who are already believers)
- (v.15-20) give the biblical steps for settling disputes with a fellow believer.
1) Go to him directly
2) Go with 2 or 3 others
3) Tell it to the church
4) Do not associate with them
- What "church" is available to the believers at this time?
- Peter asks how many times he should forgive someone. His guess is 7, but Jesus says 70 x 7 = 490 times (otherwise keep forgiving them no matter what) Jesus lived this out when He went to the cross and died for all of our sins which far exceeded 490.
- The king in the parable forgave a debt which would have taken 200,000 years to pay off (in other words it'd be impossible) and that forgiven servant refused to forgive a fellow servant of a debt that would take 100 days to pay off. The king finds out and put the unmerciful servant in prison until his debt is paid.
(This parable clearly articulates where we fall in the debt our sins have put us in toward God, and how He alone can forgive us this impossible, unfathomable debt through His Son's death on the cross.)
- How can I struggle to forgive small trespasses (debts) against me when my debt to God is SOOO big?
Acts 17/18
- In Thessalonica, Paul taught people on the Sabbath using Scripture (This is why I need to know Scripture in order to effectively share the Gospel with others). Some Jews formed a mob and drove them out of town.
- Paul later would write 2 letters to the believers in Thessalonica
- He went to Berea and the people in Thessalonica stirred up the crowds against him again.
- The Spirit led Paul to Athens, where people loved hearing new teaching. Paul pointed out that they had a temple to "an unknown god". Paul used this as a springboard to share about his God, the one true God.
- Being religious is not the same as placing your faith in Jesus.
- Paul used two Greek poems and popular phrases to insert the Gospel (It is important to try to meet people where they are, and then share the Gospel)
- Some men mocked Paul but many believed and asked to hear Paul speak to them again.
(Ch.18)
- Paul head to Corinth, Ephesis, and Galatia all of which he would letter write letters to.
- Paul spent 18 months in Corinth. Most Jews were hardened to believing, so again Paul focused on the Gentiles in that area. Many believed.
- The Lord gave Paul a vision which encouraged him.
- The Jews took Paul before Gallio, the proconsul, and complained that Paul was breaking Jewislaw. Gallio didn't care about their religious squabbles since Paul had done nothing violent.
- Paul went back to Antioch a 3rd time after being stoned there. (This shows great faith and trust in God for protection)
- Apollos, a believer, went to Ephesus preaching boldly with just a little knowledge of the Gospel. Some other believers taught him more, so that his witness would be even stronger. (I can not use the fact that I don't know everything as a "good excuse" not to share the Gospel. God can and will work in my short comings)
- Apollos also used Scripture to support his knowledge of who Jesus was.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Genesis 17 - Nehemiah 6 - Matthew 19 - Acts 16
Genesis 17
- El Shaddai is another name for God Almighty
- God spoke to Abram 13 years after Ishmael was born and renamed him Abraham which means "father of a multitude"
- God reminds Abraham of His promise to give Abraham the land of Canaana through his son.
- Abraham has waited almost 25 years from the first covenant he made with God, and now having a son through Sarah seems even more impossible because she is 89 (almost 90)
- Abraham asks God to bless his son Ishmael instead and fulfill His promise through him, but God again repeats that Abraham's line shall be blessed through Isaac, who shall be born from Sarah.
- When God says this to Abraham, he laughs at God.
- Why didn't God's anger burn against Abraham's lack of faith like it does so many other times when people doubt God's abilities and power?
- God tells Abraham to circumcise all males in his house, both relative and any slaves they have purchased. He and Ishmael were circumcised "that very day". Their response to God's command was immediate! They didn't question God on this command at all.
- Did they circumcise Gentile slaves since they were not God's chosen people?
- Circumcision separates the Jews from the Gentiles and is a symbol to others.
Nehemiah 6
- Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab sent Nehemiah 4 letters asking to meet with him, but he refused to stop the work on the wall because he knew it was a trap.
- Sanballat did one better in making up a "reported" rumor that Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall and declare himself king and rebel against the king of Persia.
- Nehemiah simply said this was not true and went about his work. Sanballat wanted to make Nehemiah afraid and cause him to sin against God. Nehemiah simply asked God to strengthen his hands for the work.
- Shemaiah told Nehemiah to hide from his enemies in the temple feigning worrying for Nehemiah's well being, but Nehemiah saw through this plot as well. He knew that hiding in the temple would not be trusting God and would be a sin for him to do.
- They finished the wall in 52 days. The surrounding nations were afraid because they knew the wall could only have been finished this quickly by God's hand.
- Letters continued to come but Nehemiah was not afraid.
Matthew 19
- The Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce since Moses said that anyone divorcing should give a certificate of divorce and send her away.
- Jesus said this was NOT God's original plan because what God puts together let no man separate. Moses only told this to the OT Israelites because of hardness of heart.
- Jesus states for the 2nd time that only adultery is grounds for a divorce.
- Jesus' disciples say they should not marry then. Jesus says that some are called to this and others are not. Not marrying then is a calling that some people might have.
- Jesus welcomed the little children.
- A rich man came to Jesus having kept all of the commandments that Jesus asked him about. He wanted to become a disciple until Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him. The man went away sad, valuing his wealth more than Jesus.
- It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (This goes along with the saying , " a man cannot serve 2 masters because he will love the one and hate the other")
- The disciples wondered who can be saved and Jesus told them that being saved is impossible without God, in whom ALL things are possible. That is why God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world.
- Peter asks what the disciples will receive since they have left everything to follow Him, and He replied that they will sit with him on 12 thrones in heaven.
- Who will be on the 12th promised throne in heaven since Judas betrayed Jesus?
Acts 16
- Paul meets Timothy in Lystra. Timothy is the son of a Jewish woman and Greek man. It is interesting that this man of mixed marriage will be Paul's go to man for the next generation. This would have been unheard of in the Jewish community.
- Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised and then tell those in Lystra and Iconium about what the counsel had decided when the counsel had said circumcision is NOT necessary?
- Paul, Silas, and Timothy's visit added to their numbers daily (very active presence)
- Why would the Holy Spirit "forbid" them from speaking the Word in Asia?
- Paul had a vision telling him to go to Macedonia, and he went immediately (no reservations or questions about going)
- Why does 16:10 start using the first person "we" instead of they to describe the men?
- They spoke to a group of women first, which for this time was not the normal target of conversations, men were.
- They met, spoke to, and baptized a woman named Lydia in Philippi. They stayed with her.
- A possessed slave girl kept following Paul, Timothy, and Silas proclaiming them to be servant of God. This went of for days, until Paul got annoyed and cast the demon out of the girl.
- Why was Paul annoyed at this spirit for speaking truth and declaring them to have the message of salvation?
- The men who owned the slave girl stirred up the crowds so that the rulers had Paul and Silas beaten (not Timothy?). They were thrown into prison.
- That night there was an earthquake. Paul and Silas were praying and singing (loudly because the prisoners were listening)
- Everyone's cells were opened and shackles unfastened, and the prison guard went to kill himself until. Paul had him stop, and preached the Gospel to this man who believed and was baptized.
- The magistrates told the police to let Paul and Silas go, but Paul refused until a proper, public apology was given to them, because they were beaten and imprison wrongly as Roman citizens.
- How did Paul and Silas become Roman citizens?
- Paul and Silas went back to Philippi and encouraged other believers there (I need to be an encouragement to others, especially other believers.)
- El Shaddai is another name for God Almighty
- God spoke to Abram 13 years after Ishmael was born and renamed him Abraham which means "father of a multitude"
- God reminds Abraham of His promise to give Abraham the land of Canaana through his son.
- Abraham has waited almost 25 years from the first covenant he made with God, and now having a son through Sarah seems even more impossible because she is 89 (almost 90)
- Abraham asks God to bless his son Ishmael instead and fulfill His promise through him, but God again repeats that Abraham's line shall be blessed through Isaac, who shall be born from Sarah.
- When God says this to Abraham, he laughs at God.
- Why didn't God's anger burn against Abraham's lack of faith like it does so many other times when people doubt God's abilities and power?
- God tells Abraham to circumcise all males in his house, both relative and any slaves they have purchased. He and Ishmael were circumcised "that very day". Their response to God's command was immediate! They didn't question God on this command at all.
- Did they circumcise Gentile slaves since they were not God's chosen people?
- Circumcision separates the Jews from the Gentiles and is a symbol to others.
Nehemiah 6
- Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab sent Nehemiah 4 letters asking to meet with him, but he refused to stop the work on the wall because he knew it was a trap.
- Sanballat did one better in making up a "reported" rumor that Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall and declare himself king and rebel against the king of Persia.
- Nehemiah simply said this was not true and went about his work. Sanballat wanted to make Nehemiah afraid and cause him to sin against God. Nehemiah simply asked God to strengthen his hands for the work.
- Shemaiah told Nehemiah to hide from his enemies in the temple feigning worrying for Nehemiah's well being, but Nehemiah saw through this plot as well. He knew that hiding in the temple would not be trusting God and would be a sin for him to do.
- They finished the wall in 52 days. The surrounding nations were afraid because they knew the wall could only have been finished this quickly by God's hand.
- Letters continued to come but Nehemiah was not afraid.
Matthew 19
- The Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce since Moses said that anyone divorcing should give a certificate of divorce and send her away.
- Jesus said this was NOT God's original plan because what God puts together let no man separate. Moses only told this to the OT Israelites because of hardness of heart.
- Jesus states for the 2nd time that only adultery is grounds for a divorce.
- Jesus' disciples say they should not marry then. Jesus says that some are called to this and others are not. Not marrying then is a calling that some people might have.
- Jesus welcomed the little children.
- A rich man came to Jesus having kept all of the commandments that Jesus asked him about. He wanted to become a disciple until Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him. The man went away sad, valuing his wealth more than Jesus.
- It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (This goes along with the saying , " a man cannot serve 2 masters because he will love the one and hate the other")
- The disciples wondered who can be saved and Jesus told them that being saved is impossible without God, in whom ALL things are possible. That is why God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world.
- Peter asks what the disciples will receive since they have left everything to follow Him, and He replied that they will sit with him on 12 thrones in heaven.
- Who will be on the 12th promised throne in heaven since Judas betrayed Jesus?
Acts 16
- Paul meets Timothy in Lystra. Timothy is the son of a Jewish woman and Greek man. It is interesting that this man of mixed marriage will be Paul's go to man for the next generation. This would have been unheard of in the Jewish community.
- Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised and then tell those in Lystra and Iconium about what the counsel had decided when the counsel had said circumcision is NOT necessary?
- Paul, Silas, and Timothy's visit added to their numbers daily (very active presence)
- Why would the Holy Spirit "forbid" them from speaking the Word in Asia?
- Paul had a vision telling him to go to Macedonia, and he went immediately (no reservations or questions about going)
- Why does 16:10 start using the first person "we" instead of they to describe the men?
- They spoke to a group of women first, which for this time was not the normal target of conversations, men were.
- They met, spoke to, and baptized a woman named Lydia in Philippi. They stayed with her.
- A possessed slave girl kept following Paul, Timothy, and Silas proclaiming them to be servant of God. This went of for days, until Paul got annoyed and cast the demon out of the girl.
- Why was Paul annoyed at this spirit for speaking truth and declaring them to have the message of salvation?
- The men who owned the slave girl stirred up the crowds so that the rulers had Paul and Silas beaten (not Timothy?). They were thrown into prison.
- That night there was an earthquake. Paul and Silas were praying and singing (loudly because the prisoners were listening)
- Everyone's cells were opened and shackles unfastened, and the prison guard went to kill himself until. Paul had him stop, and preached the Gospel to this man who believed and was baptized.
- The magistrates told the police to let Paul and Silas go, but Paul refused until a proper, public apology was given to them, because they were beaten and imprison wrongly as Roman citizens.
- How did Paul and Silas become Roman citizens?
- Paul and Silas went back to Philippi and encouraged other believers there (I need to be an encouragement to others, especially other believers.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
