Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Numbers 9 - Isaiah 1 – Romans 6 – Hebrews 7

Numbers 9
- First month on 14th day God told people to keep the Passover.
- Some men had touched a dead body and asked Moses why they shouldn't keep the Passover.
- Moses went to take their question before the Lord.
- Anyone unclean or on a journey are to keep the Passover on the 14th day of the 2nd month.
- If someone forgets to celebrate Passover they should be cut off from the people.
- The cloud of God covered the Tabernacle.
- If the cloud lifted the people moved if it came down the people set up camp.

Isaiah 1
- Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
- God said that the people did not know Him.
- Isaiah calls them a sinful nation who has turned from God.
- He compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah.
- God says He does not delight in their sacrifices.
- God says He hates their sacrifices mixed with iniquity.
- God says He will ignore the people's prayers.
- God tells them to cease to do evil and do good.
- God says their sins are like scarlet but He will make them white as snow.
- If they do not turn from their sins they shall be "eaten by the sword"
- God says He will remove the evil and make them a faithful city of righteousness again.
- Those who forsake the Lord and think they are strong shall be consumed.

Romans 6
- Our response to grace should not be to sin more but we should die to sin in Christ who died and was raised again.
- Our old self was crucified with Christ so that sin would be nothing.
- Since Christ was raised from the dead, death no longer has reign over Him.
- We are dead to sin and alive in Christ.
- Live no longer in sinful passions.
- Sin no longer has dominion over believers since we are under grace not the law.
- Paul states a second time that grace does NOT mean we are to go on sinning.
- We were slaves to sin but now we are slaves to righteousness.
- Impurity and lawlessness leads to greater lawlessness, where as righteousness leads to greater sanctification.
- The end of sin is death.
- The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ.

Hebrews 7
- Melchizedek, king of Salem, met with Abraham and blessed him and Abraham gave 1/10 of everything to Melchizedek
- Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"
- He didn't have a geneology.
- Levi can even be said to have paid tithes to Melchizedek through his relationship to Abraham.
- Change in priesthood would mean change in the law.
- Jesus was a descendant of the tribe of Judah.
- Melchizedek was not a priest by bloodline
- The Law made nothing perfect.
- Christ holds his priesthood permanently.
- Unlike other priests Christ does not have to offer sacrifices for His sins and the sins of others.
- The law appointed priests who were weak (sinful).

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Monday, January 5, 2009

Numbers 8 - Song of Solomon 8 – Romans 5 – Hebrews 6

Numbers 8
- There were 7 lamps in front of the lampstand.
- To purify the Levites Moses sprinkled water over them, had them shave their entire bodies, and sacrificed 2 bulls, one was a sin offering and one as a burnt offering.
- God said that he now claims the Levites for Himself rather than the firstborns.
- The Levites were to help Aaron in the sanctuary.
- Levites 25 and up were to serve in the tent of meeting.
- After 50 they retire and no longer do any duties.

Song of Solomon 8
- Why would they hope to be siblings?
- He holds her and embraces her.
- She cautions others not to stir up love until it's appropriate.
- A flood can not wash away love
- A man would not trade love for all the money in the world.
- Why do the "others" ask about their young sister with no breasts?
- What is the vineyard metaphor used in this passage?
- He longs to hear his beloved's voice.
- She tells him to hurry up and come to her.

Romans 5
- We are justified through faith in Christ.
- Through faith we have peace and are under His grace.
- We rejoice in suffering because it produces character which in turn which produces hope.
- Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
- We were reconciled to God by Christ's death and are alive in Him now.
- Sin entered the world through Adam.
- Sin was in the world before the Law was given.
- What does Paul mean by "sin is not counted where there is no law?"
- Adam's sin brought condemnation to mankind where as Christ brought reconciliation.
- In one paragraph Paul calls Christ's work a "free gift" 5 times.
- Adam made us sinners where as Christ made us righteous.
- The Law increased our trespasses.
- Where sin abounds grace abounds even more.
- Grace leads to eternal life.

Hebrews 6
- Can those who were once saved lose their salvation?
- The writer encourages them to move away from "elementary doctrine".
- Those who fall away are crucifying Christ all over again.
- The writer compares people to land....some produces crops and others produce thistles which are to be burned up.
- The writer encourage the Hebrews to keep up their good works and serving they are doing and to avoid sluggishness.
- God swore by Himself to Abraham because there was no one greater.
- Abraham patiently waited and received his promise.
- An oath was never to be broken. It was to be certain, so God made an oath and doubly sealed His word to Abraham.
- It is impossible for God to lie.
- We can therefore trust in God's word like an anchor for our soul.
- Jesus was a forerunner, our high priest for us like Melchizedek

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Numbers 7 - Song of Solomon 7 – Romans 4 – Hebrews 5

Numbers 7
- The chiefs of Israel brought 6 carts and 12 oxen to the tabernacle and they were accepted.
- 2 wagons and 4 oxen went to sons of Gershon and 4 wagons and 8 oxen went to the sons of Merari
- Each day one of the 12 chiefs would bring their offering to the alter.
- The order of the chiefs was Nashon, Nethanel, Eliab, Elizur, Shelumiel, Eliasaph, Elishama, Gamaliel, Abidan, Ahiezer, Pagiel, and Ahira
- The gifts they gave were the same: one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old.
- Moses went in and a voice spoke to him from above the mercy seat on the ark between the 2 cherubim.

Song of Solomon 7
- He says her thighs are like a statue done by a master sculptor.
- He drinks wine from her navel.
- He compliments her by comparing different body parts to architechture works in various cities.
- He wants to climb her like a palm tree and lay hold of her fruit.
- She says she belongs to her beloved and his desire is for her.
- What is the word that can be translated villages or henna plants?
- The bride gives her love to her beloved in the vineyard where love has bloomed.

Romans 4
- Paul asks if Abraham was justified by works.
- He didn't work, but Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness.
- David had written that blessed is a man whom the Lord will not count his sins.
- Paul asks if the blessing is only for the circumcised but he points out the Abraham was counted righteous BEFORE circumcision was created.
- Circumcision was given as a seal to his righteousness.
- The circumcised also walk in the faith that Abraham showed.
- If faith counts as following the whole law, the promise would be null and void.
- The law brings wrath.
- What does it mean by "where there is no law there is no transgression?
- It depends of faith so that all may rest in grace not their own works.
- Abraham grew stronger in his faith as he got older and did not waver
- What about when he had a child with his servant instead of his wife?
- This could be talking about after the angel told him NOT to sacrifice Isaac.

Hebrews 5
- Every high priest is appointed to act on behalf of all men and atone for their sins.
- He can deal gently with others because he himself is beset with weaknesses.
- He has to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well.
- God appoints the high priests.
- God also appointed Christ to be the high priest.
- The OT also says you will be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- The writer is writing for a group because he uses "we".
- He says the readers have become dull in their hearing.
- The writer says by now they should be teachers rather than having to be retaught the basics.
- That is why they do not understand righteousness.
- The mature are able to distinguish good from evil because they have constantly practiced discernment.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Numbers 6 - Song of Solomon 6 – Romans 3 – Hebrews 4

Numbers 6
- The vow of a Nazirite is someone who separates themselves for the Lord.
- A Nazirite may not drink or have anything from the vine, cut his hair, or go near a dead person (not even a dead family member)
- If someone dies near a Nazirite they must make atonement, shave their head, and start their period of separation over again.
- When his time of separation is over he must bring 3 lambs, and a basket with bread for an offering. His hair will also be burned up as an offering.
- The Nazirite can now partake of wine again.
- Why didn't God tell Aaron what to say to the people?
- Aaron tells that people thatGod bless you and keep you, He will be gracious and give them peace.

Song of Solomon 6
- The people are helping the girl find her beloved.
- He is in the garden among the lilies.
- Her eyes overwhelm him
- He again compliments her on having all her teeth.
- Why does he mention 60 queens, 80 concubines and virgins without number?
- Those other women call her blessed.
- Who was Ammi Nadib?
- What is the dance of Mahanaim?
- She is a Shulamite.

Romans 3
- Paul tells them that there IS an advantage of being a Jew because they are God's chosen people.
- Even if some sin God is still powerful and just.
- Some Jews say that by sinning God's goodness is shown.
- Paul says this is wrong thinking.
- Jews are under sin just like Gentiles.
- No one is rithteous or seeks God....not one.
- They do not fear God.
- The whole world is accountable to God and the law makes sure no one can boast.
- Works can justify no man.
- The Law bears witness to the righteousness of God but righteousness comes through Jesus.
- What does it mean that God "passed over sins"?
- God is just and the justifier through Christ.
- Therefore works aren't good enough, only faith.
- God is god of Jews and Gentiles and we seek to uphold the law because of this truth not to overthrow it and do whatever we want.

Hebrews 4
- The writer continues to say that we can still find rest.
- Those who believe will find rest.
- God says that they shall not enter his rest (those who turn away from Him)
- The writer tells them not to harden their hearts as they did in the OT.
- Not resting can lead to disobedience.
- No creature is hidden from God's sight and we all will give an account to Him.
- The writer calls Jesus a great high priest.
- Jesus can sympathize with our weakness becuase He was tempted in every way but didn't sin.
- The throne of grace should provide us with confidence in our times of need.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Numbers 5 - Song of Solomon 5 – Romans 2 – Hebrews 3

Numbers 5
- Leperous people were to be put outside of the camp.
- If anyone sins against another they shall pay back adding 1/5.
- If that person is kin, they shall make atonement before the priest.
- If a man becomes jealous, thinking his wife has been unfaithful he is to bring a grain offering without oil on it.
- This is a grain offering of jeoulousy and rememberance.
- The priest made the woman say an oath and then drink a water mixed with tabernacle soil drink (known as water of bitterness)and take an oath of the curse.
- If she has been unfaithful she will be cursed and her bowels will swell.
- What does it mean that "your thoighs will fall away"?
- If she has not been unfaithful then she shall bear children.

Song of Solomon 5
- Other encourage the man and wife to be together and "get drunk on love"
- The man came to the bride while she was sleeping.
- She was dripping as she opened the latch (not sure what this means)
- When she opened the dooor he was gone, so she went looking for him.
- The watchemn beat her and took her veil (Is this part a dream?)
- She says she can spot her beloved among 1,000 men.
- He has black hair and eyes like drinking doves.
- His body is like polished ivory
- Arms are like rods of gold.
- His legs like alabaster columns.
- His mouth is sweet
- He is altogether most desirable.

Romans 2
- Passing judgment on others condemns yourself.
- Do not be hypocritical
- God's patience is meant to lead to repentance.
- You are storing up wrath for yourself.
- Those who are self seeking will incur God's wrath.
- The evil Jew will be punished first and then the evil unrepentant Greek.
- God shows no partiality for Jews over Greeks.
- Those who sin without the law will be punished without the law but those who know the Law will be condemned by it.
- Is Paul saying that Gentiles who live well will NOT be judged because their unknowledge of the Law will excuse them?
- Paul is accusing Jews and believers from knowing and preaching the Truth to unbelievers while breaking those very same laws themselves.
- Paul says that circumsision is a matter of the heart not a physical thing because a Gentile who believes is more circumsisized than a sinful Jew.

Hebrews 3
- The writer appeals for the reader to consider Jesus who was faithful to God like Moses.
- The writer says Jesus has more glory because He built the "house" that Moses lived in.
- Moses was faithful as God's servant while Christ is faithful as God's son.
- The writer quotes God from the OT labeling it the Holy Spirit talking as God was talking to the constantly rebelling Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness.
- Need to be careful not to let unbelief and evilness lead us astray.
- Exhort one another every day ("as long as it is called today")
- The eveil Israelites were not allowed to enter because of their sinfulness, just like the people being addressed will not enter into God's presence if they fall away in their own sins.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Numbers 4 - Song of Solomon 4 – Romans 1 – Hebrews 2

Numbers 4
- Kohath was one of Levi's sons
- Those 30-50 are to watch over the "holy things"
- They shall put blue goatskis over the holy things
- The sons of Kohath with the holy things will follow Aaron and the sanctuary when they set out.
- How do they carry these things but not touch them?
- Eleazar,son of Aaron will be in charge of the oil and fragrance.
- The sons of Gershon shall carry poles and curtains around the tabernacle.
- The sons of Merari will carry the poles, pegs, pillars and bases of The Tent of Meeting
- There were 2,757 Kohahites
- There were 2,630 Gershonites.
- There were 3,200 Merarites.
- The total number of men bearing the burden of carrying all of the holy things and tents was 8,580.

Song of Solomon 4
- He is commenting his bride by comparing her to things he sees and admires in nature.
- He comments that she has all of her teeth (they all are paired)
- He longs to go to her all day long.
- He says she has no flaws.
- One look from her captivates him.
- Her lipd drip honey - kisses are sweet
- He likes the way she smells also.
- She responds simply by saying let him come to her garden.

Romans 1
- Paul starts off by introducing himself and reminding the Roamsn that he was called by God's Son who was descended from David.
- Paul longs to go to Rome to strengthen them.
- The righteous live by faith.
- The wrath of God is against all unrighteousness.
- God's invisible attributes are eternal power, divine nature
- Everyone can see God in His creation so no one has an excuse not to believe.
- Even those who knew God refused to give thanks to Him.
- God gave them over to their lusts to worship the created NOT the Creator.
- One of these lusts was homosexual relations.
- Other lusts were: "They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless"
- They do these evils and promote them even though they know the penalty for these sins

Hebrews 2
- If you don't pay attention to your faith you will drift away.
- The writer says that if angels proclaimed it, people preach it, and God did miracles through the Holy Spirit for it, how can we deny the work of salvation?
- Why does God care about man when we are lower than angels?
- Everything is subject to HIm and He made Himself low in Jesus.
- The sanctifier and the sanctified are all from one source.
- He suffered for us.
- The writer of Hebrews quotes many verses in his letter.
- Devil has power of death.
- Christ did all things as a man to destroy the power of death.
- Christ died for man not for angels.
- Because He was tempted He can help those who are tempted.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Numbers 3 - Song of Solomon 3 – acts 28 – Hebrews 1

Numbers 3
- Aaron's sons: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar
- Nadab and Abuhu were killed because of unauthorized fire.
- God said he is taking the Levites as his own instead of the firstborn of everyone.
- Clans of sons of Levi
- Clan of Gershon - His sons were Libni and Shimei 7,500 - they stayed with Eliasaph on the west.
- Clan of Kohath - His sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel - 8,600 - they stayed on the south side with Elizaphan guarding the sanctuary.
- Clan of Merari - His sons wereMahli and Mushi - 6,200 - stayed with Zuriel on the north sidethey were to take care of pillars, bases, and pegs.
- Moses and Aron stayed on the east side to prtect the people.
- The firstborn males numbered 22,273
- The were 273 more firstborn than there were Levites, so those 273 had to redeem themselves by paying 5 shekels.
- Moses collected 1,375 shekels

Song of Solomon 3
- His kisses are better than wine.
- The "others" seem to love her too.
- Again what does the pasturing of the flock mean? Does she just want to know where to find him?
- He tells her to follow his path and he likes that she wears jewelry.
- The "others" are going to make her jewelry of gold.
- She talks about what she wants to do when they are close.
- They both delight in each others beauty.
- Why does she mention the couch color?

Acts 28
- Paul crash landed on Malta
- The natives were very kind and paul was bit by a viper that was in the burning wood.
- He suffered no ill effects.
- Paul healed Publisus' father and then everyone brought their sick to be healed.
- They gave Paul lots of supplies for the rest of his trip.
- They got to Rome 3 months later and Paul stayed in a guarded house by himself.
- Paul talked with Roman Jews and they said they heard nothing bad against Paul but they were curious about the Christianity sect.
- Some belived and others didn't and Paul remembered Isaiah's words when he said that they will hear but not understand.
- He lived there for 2 years at his own expense.

Hebrews 1
- Unknown author
- says that God used to speak by prophets now has spoken through His Son/
- The author says God never appointed angels to be worshipped.
- God has annoited and lifted up His Son to be praised.
- The Lord laid the foundations of the earth and will be there in the last days.
- Angels do not sit at God's right hand either.
- Angels were created as messengers and servants for those who may receive salvation.