I'm so excited! We're in the final countdown for our trip to Israel! Monday is departure day, so we're spending the weekend doing final preparations......laundry, making lists and checking them twice (!!!), packing.......LOTS to do!
I said all that to say that I'll be away from the computer for the next few weeks while we are traveling. I'm sure I will have SO much to tell you when I return. Talk about opportunities for worship.....WOW!
So, today let's take one more opportunity to review what we've learned so far as we are examining this broad worship topic. We saw that in the Old Testament the glory of God is linked with the presence of God among the Israelites in the tabernacle. In the New Testament, we saw God's glory dwelling in the lives of believers. The tabernacle was a specific dwelling place and God's presence was evidenced by a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. When the cloud was taken up, the people of God would set out. If the cloud did not move, they did not move. This required an unconditional surrender by God's people.
What about you and me? What does it mean to us to be called the temple of God? What is our level of surrender?
We have so much more to think about and we'll do that when I return from Israel. We'll begin by going back to the tabernacle, looking at the pathway of the priest through the tabernacle and what each of the pieces of furniture in the tabernacle represents.
Until then, as we enter the season of Advent and look forward to the celebration of our Lord's birth, I pray that our focus this season will be on the Reason for the Season......Jesus! Let's worship Him!
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Back to the Original Question
It's been a few days since I've had opportunity to sit and think with you about the topic of worship. And I've missed you! Let's go back to our original question.....what is worship anyway? Is it a single event that occurs maybe once a week? Is it a lifestyle? Have you drawn any conclusions yet?
We're also going to revisit the question that was left hanging at the end of the last post. You may remember that we looked at the placement of furniture in the tabernacle and then gave some attention to the cloud over the tabernacle that signaled God's presence. Since a few days have passed, you might want to go back and review. We closed that post by pointing out the reality that the time came when the cloud of God's presence no longer hovered over the temple, that God's presence had left the temple.
Today let's look into the New Testament, at the Gospel of John and continue to ponder that thought. This may be some heavy thinking for us this morning!! But let's do it anyway :) Jump right in to the first chapter of John's Gospel and read verses 1-2 and 14. What do these verses tell us about God's glory? Where did it now dwell?
Remember back to the end of the last post. Herod had rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, but there was no cloud signaling God's presence. What do these verses in John indicate would happen when Jesus went into the temple that Herod had rebuilt (the one usually referred to now as the "Second Temple")? If Jesus was in the temple, where was God's glory?
Also reflect on this.....just before His crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples together in an upper room and told them He was going away, back to the Father. However, He promised not to leave them alone.....that He would send the Holy Spirit who would be in them. He said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." (John 14:23). In other words, God would dwell in them.....in those who would believe in Him.
Now read 1 Corinthians 3:16 and I Corinthians 6:19-20......note references to the temple, the Spirit of God and the phrase "dwells in you". Now think about this......where did the glory of God first dwell? Then where was it seen? (Remember the passage in John 1). And where does His Glory, His Spirit now dwell?
And here's the big question today.....how does understanding all this affect the way we worship? What does it mean to you that God calls you His temple? What effect does that have on your life? And how does this relate to worship?
And this brings us back to the original question I posed to you as we began this journey. What is worship? Is worship just the name we give a particular church meeting? Is it just the singing we do at the beginning of the "worship service"? Or is it much more than that?
We're also going to revisit the question that was left hanging at the end of the last post. You may remember that we looked at the placement of furniture in the tabernacle and then gave some attention to the cloud over the tabernacle that signaled God's presence. Since a few days have passed, you might want to go back and review. We closed that post by pointing out the reality that the time came when the cloud of God's presence no longer hovered over the temple, that God's presence had left the temple.
Today let's look into the New Testament, at the Gospel of John and continue to ponder that thought. This may be some heavy thinking for us this morning!! But let's do it anyway :) Jump right in to the first chapter of John's Gospel and read verses 1-2 and 14. What do these verses tell us about God's glory? Where did it now dwell?
Remember back to the end of the last post. Herod had rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, but there was no cloud signaling God's presence. What do these verses in John indicate would happen when Jesus went into the temple that Herod had rebuilt (the one usually referred to now as the "Second Temple")? If Jesus was in the temple, where was God's glory?
Also reflect on this.....just before His crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples together in an upper room and told them He was going away, back to the Father. However, He promised not to leave them alone.....that He would send the Holy Spirit who would be in them. He said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." (John 14:23). In other words, God would dwell in them.....in those who would believe in Him.
Now read 1 Corinthians 3:16 and I Corinthians 6:19-20......note references to the temple, the Spirit of God and the phrase "dwells in you". Now think about this......where did the glory of God first dwell? Then where was it seen? (Remember the passage in John 1). And where does His Glory, His Spirit now dwell?
And here's the big question today.....how does understanding all this affect the way we worship? What does it mean to you that God calls you His temple? What effect does that have on your life? And how does this relate to worship?
And this brings us back to the original question I posed to you as we began this journey. What is worship? Is worship just the name we give a particular church meeting? Is it just the singing we do at the beginning of the "worship service"? Or is it much more than that?
Friday, November 19, 2010
What Happened Next?
What happened after the work on the tabernacle was completed, after everything was in place "just as the Lord had commanded Moses." Let's find out! Read Exodus 40:34-38.
Continue to mark the word "tabernacle". Also mark "tent of meeting" and "cloud" in some distinctive way. For example, with the word "cloud", you might just draw a cloud around the word. Keep it simple!
Continue to mark the word "tabernacle". Also mark "tent of meeting" and "cloud" in some distinctive way. For example, with the word "cloud", you might just draw a cloud around the word. Keep it simple!
- What happened after the work was finished and all the furniture was in the tabernacle? (see verse 34)
- What did the cloud represent?
- What do you learn from all the references to the cloud?
- Does this relate to what God said to Moses in Exodus 25:8? How do they compare?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Do the Details Matter?
That's a question I'm often faced with....how about you? In fact, I'm often told I'm paying too much attention to the details, that I just need to focus on the big picture. In terms of our topic of worship, do the details matter? I heard a discussion of this very topic on the radio yesterday as I was driving around town. Does how we do a particular thing matter, as long as it gets done? Let's begin to think about that as we continue to explore what the Bible teaches us about worship.
Today we will turn our focus from the instruction to build a tabernacle to the furniture that God instructed Moses to place in the tabernacle. You'll find this in Exodus 40:17-33. Read those verses and then mark the word "tabernacle" just as you did yesterday. Also note the phrase "just as the Lord had commanded Moses." Carefully note each piece of furniture and where it was placed in the tabernacle.
Think about these questions:
Today we will turn our focus from the instruction to build a tabernacle to the furniture that God instructed Moses to place in the tabernacle. You'll find this in Exodus 40:17-33. Read those verses and then mark the word "tabernacle" just as you did yesterday. Also note the phrase "just as the Lord had commanded Moses." Carefully note each piece of furniture and where it was placed in the tabernacle.
Think about these questions:
- How was the tabernacle to be constructed?
- Did the people have the freedom to build it any way they wanted?
- Whose instructions are these?
- Does this account give you any perspective on the way God is to be worshiped?
- Do you think God cares how we worship Him?
- In other words, do the details matter?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Role Model
We've spent the last couple of days looking at Genesis 22 and beginning to study what we can learn from this passage about worship. As we begin today, let's look at this same passage from another angle as well. Not only "what do we learn from this passage", but what do we learn from Abraham about worship? In other words, how is Abraham a role model for us? Let's begin there. How did Abraham worship God? What can we learn from that?
One of the things you may have noted is that God gave Abraham specific instrucftions about how he was to worship Him. Today we're going to begin to look at another Old Testament worshiper - Moses - and we're going to see that God gave Moses some specific instructions as well. The instructions to Moses include how God's people were to approach Him in worship and a detailed design for the tabernacle where they were to worship. As we look at this tabernacle structure, we're going to see a pattern for how believers can properly worship God and experience His presence. Through it all, we're going to continue to learn about God, about His character, about what an awesome God He is!!
This examination of the tabernacle will take several days, so let's begin today in Exodus 25:8-9. Read those two verses and do three things: mark "God" as you did before (I use a red triangle); mark the word "pattern" (I draw a squiggly line over it); and mark "tabernacle" and "sanctuary" (I mark these the same way, with a rectangle around the word).
Now that you've done that, also read Hebrews 8:1-2,5 and mark the same words. We're doing this to compare Scripture with Scripture. This will increase our understanding. Review your markings and think about what you learn from marking those words. Then consider the following questions:
That's an awesome thought, isn't it? A place to meet with God!! That God desires to meet with us!! WOW!
One of the things you may have noted is that God gave Abraham specific instrucftions about how he was to worship Him. Today we're going to begin to look at another Old Testament worshiper - Moses - and we're going to see that God gave Moses some specific instructions as well. The instructions to Moses include how God's people were to approach Him in worship and a detailed design for the tabernacle where they were to worship. As we look at this tabernacle structure, we're going to see a pattern for how believers can properly worship God and experience His presence. Through it all, we're going to continue to learn about God, about His character, about what an awesome God He is!!
This examination of the tabernacle will take several days, so let's begin today in Exodus 25:8-9. Read those two verses and do three things: mark "God" as you did before (I use a red triangle); mark the word "pattern" (I draw a squiggly line over it); and mark "tabernacle" and "sanctuary" (I mark these the same way, with a rectangle around the word).
Now that you've done that, also read Hebrews 8:1-2,5 and mark the same words. We're doing this to compare Scripture with Scripture. This will increase our understanding. Review your markings and think about what you learn from marking those words. Then consider the following questions:
- What did God instruct Moses to do?
- Why?
- What did you learn from marking "pattern" and "tabernacle"?
- How is the tabernacle described?
That's an awesome thought, isn't it? A place to meet with God!! That God desires to meet with us!! WOW!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
What Can We Learn Today?
Today we're going to look at Genesis 22:11-19. Read those verses and once again mark every reference to God. Also mark "the angel of the Lord." Then answer some questions:
In Genesis 22:12 the word "fear" is the Hebrew word yare which in this context means to have reverence toward God, to trust Him, to respect Him. It does not mean to be afraid of Him! God is reverenced when a person respects Him for who He is. Think about how Abraham showed his "fear" of God. How do you and I show our "fear" of God?
If you have not already marked "Abraham" and "burnt offerning" in these verses, do that now. Then answer some more questions!
Who provides the ram that dies in Isaac's place? What does this picture for you? Something to think about.....
- What did the angel of the Lord stop Abraham from doing?
- Why did the angel of the Lord stop Abraham?
- How does this relate to Genesis 22:1 and what God was doing to Abraham?
- What did the angel of the Lord tell Abraham God would do as a result of his obedience? (v 15-18)
In Genesis 22:12 the word "fear" is the Hebrew word yare which in this context means to have reverence toward God, to trust Him, to respect Him. It does not mean to be afraid of Him! God is reverenced when a person respects Him for who He is. Think about how Abraham showed his "fear" of God. How do you and I show our "fear" of God?
If you have not already marked "Abraham" and "burnt offerning" in these verses, do that now. Then answer some more questions!
- What did Abraham offer to God as a burnt offering?
- Where did the offering come from?
- What does Abraham learn about God from verse 14?
Who provides the ram that dies in Isaac's place? What does this picture for you? Something to think about.....
Monday, November 15, 2010
Are You Ready?
Are you ready to begin this journey with me? To understand what the Bible has to say about worship? I'm so excited as we begin this journey together, and I'm can't wait to see what God is going to show us along the way!
We began on Friday by looking at the first place the word "worship" is used in the Bible, in Genesis 22, and I asked you to read the chapter to get ready for this journey. If you haven't read that chapter, I urge you to do it now. Having read the whole chapter as background, we will begin digging in and today we will focus on the first ten verses of Genesis 22.
Genesis 22 uses the word "worship" only once, but we are going to gain some foundational truths about this topic as we study the chapter. Let's think first about what the word "worship" means. It is the Hebrew word shachah which means to prostrate oneself or to bow down. In the Old Testament, it is the common term used for coming before God in worship to honor Him.
You probably remember the story of Abraham....how when he was 75 years old and childless, God promised to make of him a great nation through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Isaac, the son God had promised, was born when Abraham was 100 years old.
Read Genesis 22:1-10. If you're using your colored pencils, note every time you see the name "God" used and mark that in some significant way. (I use a red triangle, but you can do whatever works for you.) Note the word "worship" and mark that as well. Also mark every reference to Abraham.
Now that you've done that, answer the following questions:
What do you learn from these verses about the burnt offering and how it relates to the act of worship?
Think about that today, and we'll continue tomorrow.
We began on Friday by looking at the first place the word "worship" is used in the Bible, in Genesis 22, and I asked you to read the chapter to get ready for this journey. If you haven't read that chapter, I urge you to do it now. Having read the whole chapter as background, we will begin digging in and today we will focus on the first ten verses of Genesis 22.
Genesis 22 uses the word "worship" only once, but we are going to gain some foundational truths about this topic as we study the chapter. Let's think first about what the word "worship" means. It is the Hebrew word shachah which means to prostrate oneself or to bow down. In the Old Testament, it is the common term used for coming before God in worship to honor Him.
You probably remember the story of Abraham....how when he was 75 years old and childless, God promised to make of him a great nation through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Isaac, the son God had promised, was born when Abraham was 100 years old.
Read Genesis 22:1-10. If you're using your colored pencils, note every time you see the name "God" used and mark that in some significant way. (I use a red triangle, but you can do whatever works for you.) Note the word "worship" and mark that as well. Also mark every reference to Abraham.
Now that you've done that, answer the following questions:
- What do you learn about God?
- What did God instruct Abraham to do?
- How does Abraham respond?
- What is Abraham's relationship with God?
- What is Abraham's relationship with his son?
- Is there anything that surprises you about what you read?
What do you learn from these verses about the burnt offering and how it relates to the act of worship?
Think about that today, and we'll continue tomorrow.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Worship: What Is It?
I've been thinking a lot about worship this morning. So I invite you to think with me.......this will be the topic of our next Bible journey together.
First, let me explain what I mean. I'm not just saying that I am worshiping this morning.....although I have done exactly that as I have focused my attention on God and His blessings on me this morning. But I'm talking about worship in a broader sense, as a "topic". Here's where I'm coming from. First, you should know (if you don't already) that worship was the basis of, the topic of, my graduate studies. Second, the topic of worship.....what it is, what it isn't.....often forms the basis of a huge "pet peeve" of mine! To clarify, worship is not synonymous with music, although music is ONE of the expressions of our worship. Further, I cringe every time a certain part of a church service is referred to as the "praise and worship" (referring to the singing part), as though we don't worship during the other parts. As though the giving of our offerings is not an act of worship. As though we don't worship when we pray. As though we don't worship when we hear the Word of God read and taught.
I also get a little bent-out-of-shape when a certain style of music is referred to as "praise and worship" music. I understand that there's an effort to distinguish one style of music from another, but I really think there's a better way to do that. And I'm not too thrilled at the distinction of "praise" and "worship". Do we not worship when we praise?
So......now that you know some of my hang-ups on this topic, I imagine you have either decided I'm just too wierd for words (and you're not the first to decide that, I assure you!!) or perhaps you're brave enough to continue exploring the topic with me!! If you're ready, then let's get started exploring what it means to worship.
Here's where we will begin......at the first place the word "worship" is mentioned in the Bible.....Genesis 22.
Read the chapter, think about it, and we'll begin digging in on Monday. As we journey through this topic together, it's my hope that we will come to a true Biblical understanding of what worship is and how we live a life that worships.
First, let me explain what I mean. I'm not just saying that I am worshiping this morning.....although I have done exactly that as I have focused my attention on God and His blessings on me this morning. But I'm talking about worship in a broader sense, as a "topic". Here's where I'm coming from. First, you should know (if you don't already) that worship was the basis of, the topic of, my graduate studies. Second, the topic of worship.....what it is, what it isn't.....often forms the basis of a huge "pet peeve" of mine! To clarify, worship is not synonymous with music, although music is ONE of the expressions of our worship. Further, I cringe every time a certain part of a church service is referred to as the "praise and worship" (referring to the singing part), as though we don't worship during the other parts. As though the giving of our offerings is not an act of worship. As though we don't worship when we pray. As though we don't worship when we hear the Word of God read and taught.
I also get a little bent-out-of-shape when a certain style of music is referred to as "praise and worship" music. I understand that there's an effort to distinguish one style of music from another, but I really think there's a better way to do that. And I'm not too thrilled at the distinction of "praise" and "worship". Do we not worship when we praise?
So......now that you know some of my hang-ups on this topic, I imagine you have either decided I'm just too wierd for words (and you're not the first to decide that, I assure you!!) or perhaps you're brave enough to continue exploring the topic with me!! If you're ready, then let's get started exploring what it means to worship.
Here's where we will begin......at the first place the word "worship" is mentioned in the Bible.....Genesis 22.
Read the chapter, think about it, and we'll begin digging in on Monday. As we journey through this topic together, it's my hope that we will come to a true Biblical understanding of what worship is and how we live a life that worships.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Overwhelmed
We had such a wonderful time of Bible study yesterday! I love getting together with my sisters in Christ and digging deep into God's Word! I know I'm repeating myself, but I am so thankful for that privilege.
Today as I sit with my Bible and my coffee and my colored pencils and my notebook, I'm thankful for teachers and mentors who have taught me not only the truths of God's Word, but who have taught me how to study the Word! I'm especially thankful today for Kay Arthur and the staff at Precept Ministries and all they do to teach people to discover truth for themselves! What a blessing!
Today as I sit with my Bible and my coffee and my colored pencils and my notebook, I'm thankful for teachers and mentors who have taught me not only the truths of God's Word, but who have taught me how to study the Word! I'm especially thankful today for Kay Arthur and the staff at Precept Ministries and all they do to teach people to discover truth for themselves! What a blessing!
- I'm thankful for my neighbor Connie in Aurora, Colorado, who invited me to my first Precept class.
- I'm thankful that first class was a study of the truths of Covenant in the Scriptures, for the understanding of God as a covenant-keeping God that I gained through that study.
- I'm thankful that soon after we had moved from Colorado to Connecticut, a Precept Leader Training was scheduled in our town......that I was able to attend that training and gain greater understanding of the inductive method of Bible study.
- I'm thankful for all the women who have studied with me over the years.
- I'm thankful for churches who have given me the opportunity to lead women in Bible study.
- I'm thankful.......and I can't say it enough.......for the written Word of God! And thankful for the freedom we enjoy in this country to gather together to study!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I"m Thankful for That!
During the month of November, many of my friends on Facebook are posting daily about things they are thankful for. It's part of an "attitude of gratitude". Even though I'm about a week behind in joining in with this theme, I'm joining in today. Later today I'll be getting together with my "Bible Study Buddies" as we continue our study of the Book of Genesis. I am SO thankful for these women. So thankful to be able to gather around the kitchen table with our Bibles, our notebooks, our colored pencils, and talk about what we have learned in our week of "homework". I am SO thankful for the FREEDOM to do this! And I am so unspeakably grateful for the Word of God itself! SO thankful that God has given us this written revelation of Himself!
Right now we're studying the first two chapters of Genesis, the creation account. There's a lot of information in these two chapters about what God did and when He did it. We're also introduced to Adam and Eve. Let's think about Eve for a minute. She's the first woman, the first wife, and as we see a few chapters later, the first mother. That's a lot of "firsts"! But I think we most often remember Eve for that incident in the garden with the serpent......the first sin, the incident we refer to as "the fall."
But rather than focus on what she did and why she did it, I'm focusing on what God did in response. Yes, there were consequences for her choice (and Adam's as well). But there is also God's provision for her.....and for Adam, and by extension for all of us....in the promise of Messiah (first found in Genesis 3). He provided coverings for them. And even though Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, there was a place for them to live. They weren't just "zapped" because they messed up.
Does that give you hope? We often hear that God is a "God of second chances". I don't know about you, but if I'm really honest, I have to admit that I often need more than a second chance. I need a third chance, or a tenth chance, or......... Living in a human body means we often make poor choices, we sometimes make the same mistakes over and over, we don't always "get it right". The lesson I learn from Eve is that God knew that would be true, and He has made provision for us. That He loves us anyway. And I'm thankful for that!
Right now we're studying the first two chapters of Genesis, the creation account. There's a lot of information in these two chapters about what God did and when He did it. We're also introduced to Adam and Eve. Let's think about Eve for a minute. She's the first woman, the first wife, and as we see a few chapters later, the first mother. That's a lot of "firsts"! But I think we most often remember Eve for that incident in the garden with the serpent......the first sin, the incident we refer to as "the fall."
But rather than focus on what she did and why she did it, I'm focusing on what God did in response. Yes, there were consequences for her choice (and Adam's as well). But there is also God's provision for her.....and for Adam, and by extension for all of us....in the promise of Messiah (first found in Genesis 3). He provided coverings for them. And even though Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, there was a place for them to live. They weren't just "zapped" because they messed up.
Does that give you hope? We often hear that God is a "God of second chances". I don't know about you, but if I'm really honest, I have to admit that I often need more than a second chance. I need a third chance, or a tenth chance, or......... Living in a human body means we often make poor choices, we sometimes make the same mistakes over and over, we don't always "get it right". The lesson I learn from Eve is that God knew that would be true, and He has made provision for us. That He loves us anyway. And I'm thankful for that!
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Countdown Has Begun!
For several months we have been planning and looking forward to a long-awaited trip to the Holy Land. Finally.....we're actually in the month of departure!! Three weeks from today, we'll be on our way to Atlanta to board a flight that will take us from Atlanta to JFK Airport in New York and then on to Cairo, Egypt to begin our tour. We'll spend a few days in Egypt and then travel through the Sinai (following much the same route the Israelites followed in their exodus from Egypt, according to the tour company's brochure) on our way to Israel.
To say that I'm excited would be such an understatement! This is a trip I have dreamed of for so long, a trip I never actually thought would be reality. And so....the countdown has begun. Twenty-one more days!
To say that I'm excited would be such an understatement! This is a trip I have dreamed of for so long, a trip I never actually thought would be reality. And so....the countdown has begun. Twenty-one more days!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Squinting in a Fog
It's really foggy here on our mountain this morning.......creepy, gloomy fog. I would post a picture to show you what I mean, but it would just be a square of gray! There are some oak and hickory trees about 10 feet in front of our porch, and I can barely see them. Nothing beyond that is visible.....absolutely nothing!
I know that there is a beautiful view out there, but I can't see it. There are still some beautiful gold leaves on the trees just down the hill, but I can't see them. Looking over toward Tennessee, there are seven mountain ranges, but I can't see them.
It all reminds me of a passage in 1 Corinthians 13 about peering now through a glass dimly, but someday seeing clearly. In The Message Bible it reads this way:
"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us."
And that's what all this fog has me thinking about today.
I know that there is a beautiful view out there, but I can't see it. There are still some beautiful gold leaves on the trees just down the hill, but I can't see them. Looking over toward Tennessee, there are seven mountain ranges, but I can't see them.
It all reminds me of a passage in 1 Corinthians 13 about peering now through a glass dimly, but someday seeing clearly. In The Message Bible it reads this way:
"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us."
And that's what all this fog has me thinking about today.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Ten Years Later - a Tribute to My Mother
Saturday was an anniversary. Ten years ago - October 30, 2000 - my mother passed from this life into eternity. In many ways, it seems very long ago. And yet sometimes, it is still a very fresh memory. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of her......remembering something she said; laughing at myself for doing the "I'll never do that" things she used to do; wanting to share something with her. Throughout our journey through Proverbs 31, she has particularly been on my mind. You see, my mother was the ultimate Proverbs 31 woman!
We've looked at some traits of this unnamed woman in Proverbs, and we've come to know her as trustworthy, as a willing worker, as unselfish. My mother was all this and more. There are so many things I miss about her and so many things I learned from her. My mother was a tiny little woman, one who might have been described as "delicate". But she was mighty in spirit, a strong-willed woman who loved her children and their spouses, who loved her grandchildren. She loved her husband and was devoted to him. Above all, she loved Jesus!
I miss the twinkle in her eye, the grin when she was really trying hard not to laugh out loud, and I loved her laugh when she just couldn't hold it in! I learned so much from her. I learned that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time. I learned a commitment to excellence. I learned that details matter. I learned practical things......like how to make really good macaroni and cheese; how to sew; how to properly make a bed. I learned how to be a good shopper. I learned that no matter what the price, it isn't a bargain if you don't need it! I learned about manners and about treating other people with respect.
One of the things we learned about the Proverbs 31 woman is that she got up early to prepare for her household and her maids (Proverbs 31:15). In other words, she looked after the needs of her household. My mother was always up early to be sure the rest of us were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. But it was more than that. My memory of Saturdays is an example. Mother did not love cooking. She particularly did not love baking. But every Saturday afternoon, she baked a cake so that we would have dessert with our Sunday dinner. (My favorites were her chocolate pound cake and her apricot nectar pound cake.) Another Saturday afternoon activity - every Saturday without fail - was to spend some time at the church, getting her classroom ready for the 6 year olds who would come to Sunday School the next day. The room was arranged; the memory verses were on sentence strips on the chair rail; fresh flowers cut from our yard (or holly sprigs in winter) were arranged on the table. Everything was in place to make learning about Jesus a special experience for those children. She prepared for them, putting what they needed ahead of what she might want. She did the same for us....my daddy, my brother and me.
I am so blessed and thankful for my mother. I miss her more than words can say. I am grateful to God that Helen Neil Austin was my mother.....thankful for all I learned from her and thankful for the special bond we shared. I am continually blessed when I remember her love for the Lord and her love for His Word. I am grateful for the example she set of the priority of the Word of God.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband also, and he praises her......charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." So reads Proverbs 31:28-30. My daddy loved and praised and honored my mother all the days of his life. And today, all these years later, I praise her as well. I rise up and call her blessed. And I look forward to the day when I'll see her again!
We've looked at some traits of this unnamed woman in Proverbs, and we've come to know her as trustworthy, as a willing worker, as unselfish. My mother was all this and more. There are so many things I miss about her and so many things I learned from her. My mother was a tiny little woman, one who might have been described as "delicate". But she was mighty in spirit, a strong-willed woman who loved her children and their spouses, who loved her grandchildren. She loved her husband and was devoted to him. Above all, she loved Jesus!
I miss the twinkle in her eye, the grin when she was really trying hard not to laugh out loud, and I loved her laugh when she just couldn't hold it in! I learned so much from her. I learned that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time. I learned a commitment to excellence. I learned that details matter. I learned practical things......like how to make really good macaroni and cheese; how to sew; how to properly make a bed. I learned how to be a good shopper. I learned that no matter what the price, it isn't a bargain if you don't need it! I learned about manners and about treating other people with respect.
One of the things we learned about the Proverbs 31 woman is that she got up early to prepare for her household and her maids (Proverbs 31:15). In other words, she looked after the needs of her household. My mother was always up early to be sure the rest of us were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. But it was more than that. My memory of Saturdays is an example. Mother did not love cooking. She particularly did not love baking. But every Saturday afternoon, she baked a cake so that we would have dessert with our Sunday dinner. (My favorites were her chocolate pound cake and her apricot nectar pound cake.) Another Saturday afternoon activity - every Saturday without fail - was to spend some time at the church, getting her classroom ready for the 6 year olds who would come to Sunday School the next day. The room was arranged; the memory verses were on sentence strips on the chair rail; fresh flowers cut from our yard (or holly sprigs in winter) were arranged on the table. Everything was in place to make learning about Jesus a special experience for those children. She prepared for them, putting what they needed ahead of what she might want. She did the same for us....my daddy, my brother and me.
I am so blessed and thankful for my mother. I miss her more than words can say. I am grateful to God that Helen Neil Austin was my mother.....thankful for all I learned from her and thankful for the special bond we shared. I am continually blessed when I remember her love for the Lord and her love for His Word. I am grateful for the example she set of the priority of the Word of God.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband also, and he praises her......charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." So reads Proverbs 31:28-30. My daddy loved and praised and honored my mother all the days of his life. And today, all these years later, I praise her as well. I rise up and call her blessed. And I look forward to the day when I'll see her again!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Real Challenge
"She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard." (Proverbs 31:16)
Slowing down and looking at this passage (Proverbs 31:10-31) phrase by phrase has helped us to get to know this unnamed Proverbs 31 woman a little better and hopefully has helped us to find some principles to apply to our own lives in our quest to be all that God desires us to be. So far we have seen a woman who does her work willingly, who is trustworthy, who goes shopping (!!!!!) and who gets up early. Today we see a businesswoman. Before we think about that, let's go back and review.
This woman whose value is "far above rubies" has set quite an example for us, hasn't she? Before we start beating ourselves up because we can never live up to this standard, let's take a step back and revisit the principles she illustrates for us. No matter what our circumstances in life, what season of life we are in, whether we are married or single, have children or not.......there are some principles here that are important for us to consider. This is an unselfish woman. This is a woman who loves her family. This is a woman focused on doing and being her best - not to call attention to herself but for the benefit of those she loves.
Today's verse shows us a businesswoman who makes a profit. Does that mean we should all start our own businesses today? I don't think so. The principle here, I believe, is that she is not impulsive. She considers the field before she buys it. She thinks about it carefully to determine whether this purchase is a wise investment. She reinvests her profits. She manages her money well.
Consider these passages from the New Testament and how this woman measures up.
"Her virtue (verse 10) led to
her willing heart (verse 13) which led to
her industry (verse 13) which led to
her savings (verse 11) which led to
her investments (verse 16) which led to
her prosperity (verse 25).
(from Beautiful in God's Eyes
by Elizabeth George)
Slowing down and looking at this passage (Proverbs 31:10-31) phrase by phrase has helped us to get to know this unnamed Proverbs 31 woman a little better and hopefully has helped us to find some principles to apply to our own lives in our quest to be all that God desires us to be. So far we have seen a woman who does her work willingly, who is trustworthy, who goes shopping (!!!!!) and who gets up early. Today we see a businesswoman. Before we think about that, let's go back and review.
This woman whose value is "far above rubies" has set quite an example for us, hasn't she? Before we start beating ourselves up because we can never live up to this standard, let's take a step back and revisit the principles she illustrates for us. No matter what our circumstances in life, what season of life we are in, whether we are married or single, have children or not.......there are some principles here that are important for us to consider. This is an unselfish woman. This is a woman who loves her family. This is a woman focused on doing and being her best - not to call attention to herself but for the benefit of those she loves.
Today's verse shows us a businesswoman who makes a profit. Does that mean we should all start our own businesses today? I don't think so. The principle here, I believe, is that she is not impulsive. She considers the field before she buys it. She thinks about it carefully to determine whether this purchase is a wise investment. She reinvests her profits. She manages her money well.
Consider these passages from the New Testament and how this woman measures up.
- Philippians 2:5-8
- 1 John 4:7-11
- Colossians 3:23
"Her virtue (verse 10) led to
her willing heart (verse 13) which led to
her industry (verse 13) which led to
her savings (verse 11) which led to
her investments (verse 16) which led to
her prosperity (verse 25).
(from Beautiful in God's Eyes
by Elizabeth George)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Little More Sleep
"She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids."
(Proverbs 31:15)
As I read this verse, I think there may be many of you out there who would like to join me in a collective groan!!! The idea of "rising while it is yet night" is not one that appeals to me. And fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you view this idea of getting older!!), I have arrived at a season of life where that is not generally required of me.
But once upon a time.........I was once a young mother with children to wake, feed and get to school on time. And before that those children were even younger and not only did I "rise while it was yet night", I often spent much of the night awake with those precious children!!! So......if you're younger than I, and you're still dealing with late-night feedings, or with children who don't want to wake up and go to school, or with all the other tasks of motherhood that often rob you of your sleep, don't think I am unsympathetic. I do understand what it's like......I've been there. And I'll give you the same advice that was given to me.......you can sleep when they are grown :)
But back to the passage at hand. I don't really think this is a verse about equating sleep deprivation with godliness!!! Although the idea of rising in the night does make me think about being sleep deprived, which led me to the concordance to look up the word "sleep". I found 10 verses in the book of Proverbs which use the word. You might want to get your concordance (or go to http://www.blueletterbible.org/) and check that out. Some interesting food for thought there.
The point I think we really need to get from this verse is that this is a disciplined, organized woman. And, as we have noted before, she is unselfish! She is focused on what is best for her family rather than on what is best for her. That may be the biggest lesson we need to learn in our increasingly me-centered 21st century world! Obviously back when this woman lived, the world was very different. No alarm clocks, daylight-savings-time, 24 hour news channels, no central air or heat. A lot was required to keep her household running smoothly that is not required of us. We generally don't have to trim the lamps and light the fires when we get up.
Even so, we each have tasks that are necessary to keep our households - and our own hearts as well - running smoothly. In that respect, the discipline of this Proverbs 31 woman is a great example to us. If we were to somehow put her into our modern world, we would probably find that she gets up early enough to be sure the day gets off to a good start......for herself and her family. How that works out in my "empty nest" situation is probably vastly different from how it works for those of you with children still at home. The point is not that we all operate on some carbon-copy schedule, but that in whatever our particular situation, we are planning well for ourselves and our household, just as this woman did. We need to make time......for the Lord, for planning our day, for getting everybody out the door on time, for __________. You fill in the blank for your situation!
Those of you who know me at all know that I am definitely not a morning person. In my empty nest, that's not a real big deal. Back when I was a mother of school-age children and when I worked outside the home, it was a lot bigger deal. Because I'm not a morning person, and because it really does take me a LONG time to get going in the morning, I had to build extra time into our morning schedules to give me time to wake up. Did I enjoy getting up an hour earlier......no, I did not!!! But that's how long it took to get me going, so that's what I did. And I survived!!! You will, too :) Even though it may not feel like it right now!!
"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need like a bandit." (Proverbs 24:33-34 HCSB)
(Proverbs 31:15)
As I read this verse, I think there may be many of you out there who would like to join me in a collective groan!!! The idea of "rising while it is yet night" is not one that appeals to me. And fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you view this idea of getting older!!), I have arrived at a season of life where that is not generally required of me.
But once upon a time.........I was once a young mother with children to wake, feed and get to school on time. And before that those children were even younger and not only did I "rise while it was yet night", I often spent much of the night awake with those precious children!!! So......if you're younger than I, and you're still dealing with late-night feedings, or with children who don't want to wake up and go to school, or with all the other tasks of motherhood that often rob you of your sleep, don't think I am unsympathetic. I do understand what it's like......I've been there. And I'll give you the same advice that was given to me.......you can sleep when they are grown :)
But back to the passage at hand. I don't really think this is a verse about equating sleep deprivation with godliness!!! Although the idea of rising in the night does make me think about being sleep deprived, which led me to the concordance to look up the word "sleep". I found 10 verses in the book of Proverbs which use the word. You might want to get your concordance (or go to http://www.blueletterbible.org/) and check that out. Some interesting food for thought there.
The point I think we really need to get from this verse is that this is a disciplined, organized woman. And, as we have noted before, she is unselfish! She is focused on what is best for her family rather than on what is best for her. That may be the biggest lesson we need to learn in our increasingly me-centered 21st century world! Obviously back when this woman lived, the world was very different. No alarm clocks, daylight-savings-time, 24 hour news channels, no central air or heat. A lot was required to keep her household running smoothly that is not required of us. We generally don't have to trim the lamps and light the fires when we get up.
Even so, we each have tasks that are necessary to keep our households - and our own hearts as well - running smoothly. In that respect, the discipline of this Proverbs 31 woman is a great example to us. If we were to somehow put her into our modern world, we would probably find that she gets up early enough to be sure the day gets off to a good start......for herself and her family. How that works out in my "empty nest" situation is probably vastly different from how it works for those of you with children still at home. The point is not that we all operate on some carbon-copy schedule, but that in whatever our particular situation, we are planning well for ourselves and our household, just as this woman did. We need to make time......for the Lord, for planning our day, for getting everybody out the door on time, for __________. You fill in the blank for your situation!
Those of you who know me at all know that I am definitely not a morning person. In my empty nest, that's not a real big deal. Back when I was a mother of school-age children and when I worked outside the home, it was a lot bigger deal. Because I'm not a morning person, and because it really does take me a LONG time to get going in the morning, I had to build extra time into our morning schedules to give me time to wake up. Did I enjoy getting up an hour earlier......no, I did not!!! But that's how long it took to get me going, so that's what I did. And I survived!!! You will, too :) Even though it may not feel like it right now!!
"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need like a bandit." (Proverbs 24:33-34 HCSB)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A Merchant Ship??? Seriously??!!!!
"She is like the merchant's ship; she brings her merchandise from afar." (Proverbs 31:14)
Now that I've worked my way through doing my tasks willingly, and not just because they are there or because I'm supposed to or because......... (or at least, I am working on it!!! After all, I'm still a work in progress!!!).....here comes a comparison I don't think I'm very excited about at all. I mean really, what woman wants to be compared to a ship? And a "merchant ship" at that!!! I'm just sayin'............
So, once I got over being offended (just kidding!!) about being compared to a merchant's ship, I began to give some serious thought to what this comparison really means and how I, who live in the mountains where I haven't seen any merchant ships lately, am supposed to apply this to my life. Since I wasn't getting very far with that pursuit, I decided to dig out my Elizabeth George book (Beautiful in God's Eyes) and see what she had to say about this verse. Once I located the book (!!!), this is what I discovered......"This image may not seem too appealing at first, but consider for a moment how the woman who is beautiful in God's eyes is indeed like a merchant's ship. We can easily imagine, for instance, how she scours the marketplace for goods that will enhance the quality of life of those under her roof. She spares no cost in terms of money, time, or effort when it comes to the well-being of those she love.....As she sees it, her loved ones deserve nothing but the best. So, motivated by a heart of love, she goes the extra miles to provide the best for those at home."
So........it's about shopping!!! That's a topic I can relate to!! But I suppose before we take this verse as a biblical mandate to become a shopaholic, we should step back, take a deep breath, and think it through carefully. A key may be found in the passage I quoted from Elizabeth George's Beautiful in God's Eyes....
"motivated by love". Motivated by love, this woman "sails forth" to search the market place, looking for bargains and seeking to enhance the quality of life of her loved ones.
To become this kind of beautiful woman is more than just an awareness that our motivation and priority should be on our family and loved ones rather than ourselves. We need to consider what practical steps we can take to become this kind of woman. In other words, how do I do this? Let's think about that for a minute. If we're thinking specifically in terms of shopping, how about these practical steps: focus on saving money rather than spending; look for bargains; become a coupon clipper; avoid impulse buying. Perhaps you can think of others.
Or how about approaching this topic from a different direction. Instead of thinking simply in terms of shopping and spending money, think of yourself as tasked with bringing beauty to your home. How can you use your creativity and abilities to enhance the quality of life in your home?
Look back at Proverbs 9. There's a contrast in this chapter between verses 1-6 and verses 13-18. Read those verses and note the contrast. Then think of these two passages as two homes, and think of yourself as looking through the window into each home. What do you see? How would you describe these two "homemakers". Now......here's where we get personal.......if someone were looking through the window into your home, or mine, how would it be described? How are we expressing our love for our families? This Proverbs 31 woman made it a priority to seek the best and to provide well for her household. How do we measure up?
Now that I've worked my way through doing my tasks willingly, and not just because they are there or because I'm supposed to or because......... (or at least, I am working on it!!! After all, I'm still a work in progress!!!).....here comes a comparison I don't think I'm very excited about at all. I mean really, what woman wants to be compared to a ship? And a "merchant ship" at that!!! I'm just sayin'............
So, once I got over being offended (just kidding!!) about being compared to a merchant's ship, I began to give some serious thought to what this comparison really means and how I, who live in the mountains where I haven't seen any merchant ships lately, am supposed to apply this to my life. Since I wasn't getting very far with that pursuit, I decided to dig out my Elizabeth George book (Beautiful in God's Eyes) and see what she had to say about this verse. Once I located the book (!!!), this is what I discovered......"This image may not seem too appealing at first, but consider for a moment how the woman who is beautiful in God's eyes is indeed like a merchant's ship. We can easily imagine, for instance, how she scours the marketplace for goods that will enhance the quality of life of those under her roof. She spares no cost in terms of money, time, or effort when it comes to the well-being of those she love.....As she sees it, her loved ones deserve nothing but the best. So, motivated by a heart of love, she goes the extra miles to provide the best for those at home."
So........it's about shopping!!! That's a topic I can relate to!! But I suppose before we take this verse as a biblical mandate to become a shopaholic, we should step back, take a deep breath, and think it through carefully. A key may be found in the passage I quoted from Elizabeth George's Beautiful in God's Eyes....
"motivated by love". Motivated by love, this woman "sails forth" to search the market place, looking for bargains and seeking to enhance the quality of life of her loved ones.
To become this kind of beautiful woman is more than just an awareness that our motivation and priority should be on our family and loved ones rather than ourselves. We need to consider what practical steps we can take to become this kind of woman. In other words, how do I do this? Let's think about that for a minute. If we're thinking specifically in terms of shopping, how about these practical steps: focus on saving money rather than spending; look for bargains; become a coupon clipper; avoid impulse buying. Perhaps you can think of others.
Or how about approaching this topic from a different direction. Instead of thinking simply in terms of shopping and spending money, think of yourself as tasked with bringing beauty to your home. How can you use your creativity and abilities to enhance the quality of life in your home?
Look back at Proverbs 9. There's a contrast in this chapter between verses 1-6 and verses 13-18. Read those verses and note the contrast. Then think of these two passages as two homes, and think of yourself as looking through the window into each home. What do you see? How would you describe these two "homemakers". Now......here's where we get personal.......if someone were looking through the window into your home, or mine, how would it be described? How are we expressing our love for our families? This Proverbs 31 woman made it a priority to seek the best and to provide well for her household. How do we measure up?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
She Works Willingly
"She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands." (Proverbs 31:13)
Works willingly.......that's a loaded phrase, isn't it?!! I don't know about you, but I don't always willingly approach the tasks I have before me!! There are some tasks that are routinely part of my life that I do without thinking and with no particular complaint......making the bed, for example. But does the fact that I'm doing it almost by rote, without complaining, equal to doing it willingly??? And then there are some tasks that I am much less excited about (cleaning toilets, for example). I definitely can't say I do that willingly. And to take the rest of the verse literally, when was the last time you or I went out seeking wool and flax (in context, with the intent to dye it, spin it, weave it, etc.)??
What does all this have to do with you and me? What can we learn from this Proverbs 31 woman? I think she is setting an example of enthusiasm for us. She willingly (enthusiastically) approached the tasks before her. In her day, that involved weaving and dyeing wool, and working with flax, which involved hard work and lots of steps (peeling, drying, beating, spinning). She did it all willingly for the benefit of her family. And perhaps that's a key. She was focused on her family's needs. Some translators have dealt with this phrase "works willingly" in a different way, using words like merrily or joyfully to describe her work. Again, that sounds a lot like enthusiasm to me.
And this leaves me feeling just a bit convicted about my own attitudes. Whether in my current empty-nest situation, or in earlier years with children still at home and the additional activity involved, I wonder if my attitude toward my tasks would ever have been described as "enthusiastic"??!! That's something I'm purposing to work on today.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." (Colossians 3:23)
Works willingly.......that's a loaded phrase, isn't it?!! I don't know about you, but I don't always willingly approach the tasks I have before me!! There are some tasks that are routinely part of my life that I do without thinking and with no particular complaint......making the bed, for example. But does the fact that I'm doing it almost by rote, without complaining, equal to doing it willingly??? And then there are some tasks that I am much less excited about (cleaning toilets, for example). I definitely can't say I do that willingly. And to take the rest of the verse literally, when was the last time you or I went out seeking wool and flax (in context, with the intent to dye it, spin it, weave it, etc.)??
What does all this have to do with you and me? What can we learn from this Proverbs 31 woman? I think she is setting an example of enthusiasm for us. She willingly (enthusiastically) approached the tasks before her. In her day, that involved weaving and dyeing wool, and working with flax, which involved hard work and lots of steps (peeling, drying, beating, spinning). She did it all willingly for the benefit of her family. And perhaps that's a key. She was focused on her family's needs. Some translators have dealt with this phrase "works willingly" in a different way, using words like merrily or joyfully to describe her work. Again, that sounds a lot like enthusiasm to me.
And this leaves me feeling just a bit convicted about my own attitudes. Whether in my current empty-nest situation, or in earlier years with children still at home and the additional activity involved, I wonder if my attitude toward my tasks would ever have been described as "enthusiastic"??!! That's something I'm purposing to work on today.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." (Colossians 3:23)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What's Your Plan?
"She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:12)
In some ways, this verse takes us back to a previous thought about adding value to the lives of those we love. But this goes even farther. This woman has a purpose in life! Her goal is to benefit her husband with good, to brighten his life. This is the ultimate in unselfishness. This woman does not have a "what's in it for me" attitude, but rather has a goal, a life purpose of lifting up her husband, of making his life "good". And she does this "all the days of her life". How do you and I follow this example? How do we take this picture of unselfishness and live it out in our everyday lives?
Following the Proverbs 31 woman's example is in many ways the same as following Jesus' example.....doing good to others. Examine Proverbs 3:27, Galatians 6:10 and Colossians 3:23. What do you learn and what insight do these verses give in how to do good in your relationships?
A phrase that jumps out at me in today's verse is "all the days of her life". If we view our relationships from this perspective, what difference would it make in how we treat others and how we respond to circumstances? Hmmm......think about that!
And finally, think about the contrast in this verse.......she does good and not evil. Look at Proverbs 14:22 -
"Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good." Another word for "devise" is "plan". So here's the question.....what are you planning today? How (and be specific) do you plan to do good to your spouse, your family, or those with whom you are in relationship.
Here's an idea......as you are considering your plan, why not make a list? (I'm a big list-maker!) Maybe it could be an alphabetized list!!! The A-B-Cs of "doing good"!! It might start out as A - always encourage; B - be thoughtful; C - control my temper or control my spending or......... You know your situation and your personality (and its flaws!!) better than I do. My list will probably look different than yours. That's not important. The important thing is to purposefully follow the exhortation of this verse and "do him good and not evil all the days" of our lives. The important thing is to have a plan and to carry it out.
So, what's your plan?
In some ways, this verse takes us back to a previous thought about adding value to the lives of those we love. But this goes even farther. This woman has a purpose in life! Her goal is to benefit her husband with good, to brighten his life. This is the ultimate in unselfishness. This woman does not have a "what's in it for me" attitude, but rather has a goal, a life purpose of lifting up her husband, of making his life "good". And she does this "all the days of her life". How do you and I follow this example? How do we take this picture of unselfishness and live it out in our everyday lives?
Following the Proverbs 31 woman's example is in many ways the same as following Jesus' example.....doing good to others. Examine Proverbs 3:27, Galatians 6:10 and Colossians 3:23. What do you learn and what insight do these verses give in how to do good in your relationships?
A phrase that jumps out at me in today's verse is "all the days of her life". If we view our relationships from this perspective, what difference would it make in how we treat others and how we respond to circumstances? Hmmm......think about that!
And finally, think about the contrast in this verse.......she does good and not evil. Look at Proverbs 14:22 -
"Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good." Another word for "devise" is "plan". So here's the question.....what are you planning today? How (and be specific) do you plan to do good to your spouse, your family, or those with whom you are in relationship.
Here's an idea......as you are considering your plan, why not make a list? (I'm a big list-maker!) Maybe it could be an alphabetized list!!! The A-B-Cs of "doing good"!! It might start out as A - always encourage; B - be thoughtful; C - control my temper or control my spending or......... You know your situation and your personality (and its flaws!!) better than I do. My list will probably look different than yours. That's not important. The important thing is to purposefully follow the exhortation of this verse and "do him good and not evil all the days" of our lives. The important thing is to have a plan and to carry it out.
So, what's your plan?
Monday, October 18, 2010
What I Want for Us
"He will have no lack of gain." (Proverbs 31:11)
Good Morning! Welcome to Monday! We're continuing to get to know the woman of Proverbs 31 a little better as we journey phrase by phrase through this chapter of Proverbs. Today we have arrived at verse 11 and are attempting to understand this phrase and how it applies to us in the 21st century.
Let's begin by thinking about what it meant in the culture of the Old Testament. I did a little research and discovered that in those days, when one army went to battle and defeated another, the victorious army carried off the "spoils of war"......people, livestock, jewels, clothing, and treasures of silver and gold. There were other ways as well that people obtained wealth without going to war. These included hiring oneself out as a servant, borrowing, or the same pattern we often see in our culture.......lie, cheat, steal!
What does that have to do with being a woman of God, with being beautiful in His sight? Maybe it has to do with determining that it will not be necessary for our spouse to lie, cheat or steal to gain wealth! (Or, if you are single, to determine that you will not do that yourself!!) Maybe it has to do with making a contribution to the household income. Or maybe it has to do with being a good steward, a good manager, of whatever wealth or assets the household has. It seems to me that this last point fits well into the overall context of the chapter. This is a woman who is committed to the well-being of her household.
It's not my intent to make this a post about money or money management. In fact, I'm probably the last person you want to take advice from when it comes to money! My advice is......if you need help in this area, you should get it!! My other advice is this (a quote I heard a couple of days ago from a well-known financial "guru" on a television news show)......"pay attention to the details"! And I think that fits well into the context of today's Scripture passage. I think this Proverbs 31 woman is one who paid attention! And her household benefitted from it!
Without sharing any horror stories, let me just say that the lesson here is this......pay attention! Be a good steward, a good manager, of what has been entrusted to you, whether it's a lot or a little. In this way, God is honored and your family benefits as well.
This might be a good day to do some research on the topic of biblical stewardship. What does the Bible have to say? Use your word study tools, such as http://www.blueletterbible.org/ and see what you can learn. Here are a few verses from Proverbs to get you started:
And that's what I want for us as well.....
Good Morning! Welcome to Monday! We're continuing to get to know the woman of Proverbs 31 a little better as we journey phrase by phrase through this chapter of Proverbs. Today we have arrived at verse 11 and are attempting to understand this phrase and how it applies to us in the 21st century.
Let's begin by thinking about what it meant in the culture of the Old Testament. I did a little research and discovered that in those days, when one army went to battle and defeated another, the victorious army carried off the "spoils of war"......people, livestock, jewels, clothing, and treasures of silver and gold. There were other ways as well that people obtained wealth without going to war. These included hiring oneself out as a servant, borrowing, or the same pattern we often see in our culture.......lie, cheat, steal!
What does that have to do with being a woman of God, with being beautiful in His sight? Maybe it has to do with determining that it will not be necessary for our spouse to lie, cheat or steal to gain wealth! (Or, if you are single, to determine that you will not do that yourself!!) Maybe it has to do with making a contribution to the household income. Or maybe it has to do with being a good steward, a good manager, of whatever wealth or assets the household has. It seems to me that this last point fits well into the overall context of the chapter. This is a woman who is committed to the well-being of her household.
It's not my intent to make this a post about money or money management. In fact, I'm probably the last person you want to take advice from when it comes to money! My advice is......if you need help in this area, you should get it!! My other advice is this (a quote I heard a couple of days ago from a well-known financial "guru" on a television news show)......"pay attention to the details"! And I think that fits well into the context of today's Scripture passage. I think this Proverbs 31 woman is one who paid attention! And her household benefitted from it!
Without sharing any horror stories, let me just say that the lesson here is this......pay attention! Be a good steward, a good manager, of what has been entrusted to you, whether it's a lot or a little. In this way, God is honored and your family benefits as well.
This might be a good day to do some research on the topic of biblical stewardship. What does the Bible have to say? Use your word study tools, such as http://www.blueletterbible.org/ and see what you can learn. Here are a few verses from Proverbs to get you started:
- Proverbs 14:1
- Proverbs 21:6, 17
- Proverbs 24:3-4
- Proverbs 27:23-24
- Proverbs 28:19
And that's what I want for us as well.....
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Work in Progress
"The heart of her husband trusts in her." (Proverbs 31:11)
Yesterday we focused on adding value to the lives of those we love. We specifically focused our attention on our attitudes and on our verbal expressions. Perhaps you thought of other ways you add value to your loved ones.
Today we move to verse 11 and to the issue of trust. The verse tells us that our unnamed role model is trusted by her husband. Which means she must be someone who is trustworthy. And so I've been thinking about what that means and a couple of things have come to mind. If I am to be a trustworthy woman, then I must be a woman of my word. In other words, I should do what I said I would do when I said I would do it. There should be no cause for people to wonder if, when I say I will do something, I will really follow through.
Another thing I thought of in the area of being trusted has to do with knowing when to keep my mouth shut! When to speak and when to be silent! It seems to me that being trustworthy means that if someone shares a confidence with me, there should be no reason for them to wonder whether or not I will keep that confidence or if I will betray their trust.
The verse we're examining today says the Proverbs 31 woman is trusted. And while what that means seems fairly obvious, I decided it would be worthwhile to get out my word study tools and see exactly what the word "trust" meant in the original language. So I looked it up and found that the word translated here as "trusts" means to trust. (I can see you rolling your eys and saying "duh!") It also means to feel confident, to take heart and to be of good courage. That sounds a lot like encouragement to me. So, maybe it's not to be a stretch to say that one way I can apply this verse is to be an encourager! How interesting that this is at the top of the list! Yesterday's verse told us that a good wife (or a "virtuous woman", depending on which translation you are reading......in any event, these are truths that apply whether married or single!) is more valuable than rubies. Today's verse begins to list qualities that make her so valuable. And right here on top of the list..........she is trustworthy, she is an encourager!
So, once again, I've scanned through Proverbs for more verses than support this thought. Here are some I discovered and am meditating on today. You may find others. If so, please share them in the comments section and be an encourager to the rest of us!!
When I think about the attributes of this Proverbs 31 woman and how I measure up, I realize that some days I do a pretty good job. Some days, not so much! As I said yesterday, I'm still a work in progress. How about you?
Yesterday we focused on adding value to the lives of those we love. We specifically focused our attention on our attitudes and on our verbal expressions. Perhaps you thought of other ways you add value to your loved ones.
Today we move to verse 11 and to the issue of trust. The verse tells us that our unnamed role model is trusted by her husband. Which means she must be someone who is trustworthy. And so I've been thinking about what that means and a couple of things have come to mind. If I am to be a trustworthy woman, then I must be a woman of my word. In other words, I should do what I said I would do when I said I would do it. There should be no cause for people to wonder if, when I say I will do something, I will really follow through.
Another thing I thought of in the area of being trusted has to do with knowing when to keep my mouth shut! When to speak and when to be silent! It seems to me that being trustworthy means that if someone shares a confidence with me, there should be no reason for them to wonder whether or not I will keep that confidence or if I will betray their trust.
The verse we're examining today says the Proverbs 31 woman is trusted. And while what that means seems fairly obvious, I decided it would be worthwhile to get out my word study tools and see exactly what the word "trust" meant in the original language. So I looked it up and found that the word translated here as "trusts" means to trust. (I can see you rolling your eys and saying "duh!") It also means to feel confident, to take heart and to be of good courage. That sounds a lot like encouragement to me. So, maybe it's not to be a stretch to say that one way I can apply this verse is to be an encourager! How interesting that this is at the top of the list! Yesterday's verse told us that a good wife (or a "virtuous woman", depending on which translation you are reading......in any event, these are truths that apply whether married or single!) is more valuable than rubies. Today's verse begins to list qualities that make her so valuable. And right here on top of the list..........she is trustworthy, she is an encourager!
So, once again, I've scanned through Proverbs for more verses than support this thought. Here are some I discovered and am meditating on today. You may find others. If so, please share them in the comments section and be an encourager to the rest of us!!
- Proverbs 19:14
- Proverbs 11:22
- Proverbs 14:30
- Proverbs 31:12,25, 28-29
When I think about the attributes of this Proverbs 31 woman and how I measure up, I realize that some days I do a pretty good job. Some days, not so much! As I said yesterday, I'm still a work in progress. How about you?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Value Added
"Her price is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)
Some translations render that verse as "much higher than jewels". But whether rubies.....or diamonds or emeralds or pearls......whatever the jewel is, it's clear that this woman, whoever she is, is valuable. And so the questions becomes for us, what does that have to do with me?
One of the things I enjoy in my leisure time is watching HGTV. I particularly enjoy shows that focus on renovating older homes, or on getting an outdated home ready to sell. In the latter case, the emphasis is always on adding value to the home. There's also a show about couples who have done significant renovations to their homes, then having a designer/realtor team come in and determine who got the biggest "bang" for their buck. In other words, who added the most value to their home.
As we begin looking at the list of characteristics that make this Proverbs 31 woman someone to model ourselves after, the first quality of her life listed has to do with value. As I was thinking about that this morning, it occurred to me that what the verse is really telling us is that this woman adds value to her husband, to her family. And I think that's an important point for us to consider, regardless of our marital status or our personal life situations. Are we adding value to the people in our circle of influence....to our spouse, to our family, to our friends. And how exactly do we do that?
I took a quick trip through Proverbs this morning searching for verses that might give me some guidance in this area. How do I add value to my spouse, my loved ones? I've listed a few verses here.......you might want to check them out. And give some thought today to how your words, your attitudes, your actions are adding value to the important people in your life.
And one more thought about being more valuable than a jewel. Have you ever been to one of those gem mines where you get the bucket full of dirt and then wash all the dirt off the rocks hoping for some special treasure to be discovered in your bucket? Think about a jewel in its natural state......just a rock! The beauty is revealed when the gem is cut and polished, when it goes through a "process" that reveals its true beauty. Life is like that. It's a process. Our sparkle, our true beauty is revealed as we are "processed" by our Master Jeweler, when we submit our lives to Him, when we commit to doing life His way.
I know that I'm still "in process". How about you?
Some translations render that verse as "much higher than jewels". But whether rubies.....or diamonds or emeralds or pearls......whatever the jewel is, it's clear that this woman, whoever she is, is valuable. And so the questions becomes for us, what does that have to do with me?
One of the things I enjoy in my leisure time is watching HGTV. I particularly enjoy shows that focus on renovating older homes, or on getting an outdated home ready to sell. In the latter case, the emphasis is always on adding value to the home. There's also a show about couples who have done significant renovations to their homes, then having a designer/realtor team come in and determine who got the biggest "bang" for their buck. In other words, who added the most value to their home.
As we begin looking at the list of characteristics that make this Proverbs 31 woman someone to model ourselves after, the first quality of her life listed has to do with value. As I was thinking about that this morning, it occurred to me that what the verse is really telling us is that this woman adds value to her husband, to her family. And I think that's an important point for us to consider, regardless of our marital status or our personal life situations. Are we adding value to the people in our circle of influence....to our spouse, to our family, to our friends. And how exactly do we do that?
I took a quick trip through Proverbs this morning searching for verses that might give me some guidance in this area. How do I add value to my spouse, my loved ones? I've listed a few verses here.......you might want to check them out. And give some thought today to how your words, your attitudes, your actions are adding value to the important people in your life.
- Proverbs 12:4
- Proverbs 21:9, 19
- Proverbs 19:11
- Proverbs 10:19
- Proverbs 16:21, 24
- Proverbs 15:28
And one more thought about being more valuable than a jewel. Have you ever been to one of those gem mines where you get the bucket full of dirt and then wash all the dirt off the rocks hoping for some special treasure to be discovered in your bucket? Think about a jewel in its natural state......just a rock! The beauty is revealed when the gem is cut and polished, when it goes through a "process" that reveals its true beauty. Life is like that. It's a process. Our sparkle, our true beauty is revealed as we are "processed" by our Master Jeweler, when we submit our lives to Him, when we commit to doing life His way.
I know that I'm still "in process". How about you?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Beautiful in God's Eyes
I recently came across a book about all the remarkable women of the Bible (although I confess I can't remember the exact title right now). And I've been reading a book titled "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George. It's based on one of the best known (and perhaps least liked!) women in the Bible, the unnamed woman of Proverbs 31.
Since we finished our journey through the names of God last week, I've been wondering where we would journey together next. And since my reading lately has me focused on women in the Bible, it seems fitting that we go in that direction. How long will this journey take? I honestly have no idea! But I do know that I am intrigued by all the women we will meet along the way.
Just think about the title of Elizabeth George's book.....which I borrowed to title this post....."Beautiful in God's Eyes". Isn't that what we want to be? I know it's what I want. Think about all the time and effort (and money!) we spend to be beautiful on the outside! And believe me, it's a good thing that I spend at least some time and effort on physical appearance......that's probably true for all of us. But how much more important that we put time and effort into being beautiful on the inside, that we spend time on our inner selves.....developing that "imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:2).
And so, our journey begins with the unnamed Proverbs 31 woman. I think it is likely that she was an actual woman, not just some ideal that we feel we can never measure up to. If you go to Proverbs 31 and look at the first verse, you'll see that this Proverb is from King Lemuel (and I confess I have no idea who he is!) who is sharing the words his mother taught him. And apparently this list beginning in verse 10 is a list of qualities she thought he should look for in a wife! I read somewhere (maybe in Elizabeth George's book, although I confess I don't remember where I read it......) that if we were to read this in Hebrew we would find it to be an alphabetized list. In other words, it's like an "alphabet of character"......a listing of character qualities. Since I don't read Hebrew and have only a very, very basic knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet, I can't confirm that. But it's an interesting idea, don't you think? We'll be spending the first part of our journey learning more about this woman, and about the character qualities that make her such a worthy example for us.
Your first assignment will be to read about her.........Proverbs 31:10-31. If you would like to share your first impressions, please leave a comment.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
(Proverbs 31:30)
Since we finished our journey through the names of God last week, I've been wondering where we would journey together next. And since my reading lately has me focused on women in the Bible, it seems fitting that we go in that direction. How long will this journey take? I honestly have no idea! But I do know that I am intrigued by all the women we will meet along the way.
Just think about the title of Elizabeth George's book.....which I borrowed to title this post....."Beautiful in God's Eyes". Isn't that what we want to be? I know it's what I want. Think about all the time and effort (and money!) we spend to be beautiful on the outside! And believe me, it's a good thing that I spend at least some time and effort on physical appearance......that's probably true for all of us. But how much more important that we put time and effort into being beautiful on the inside, that we spend time on our inner selves.....developing that "imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:2).
And so, our journey begins with the unnamed Proverbs 31 woman. I think it is likely that she was an actual woman, not just some ideal that we feel we can never measure up to. If you go to Proverbs 31 and look at the first verse, you'll see that this Proverb is from King Lemuel (and I confess I have no idea who he is!) who is sharing the words his mother taught him. And apparently this list beginning in verse 10 is a list of qualities she thought he should look for in a wife! I read somewhere (maybe in Elizabeth George's book, although I confess I don't remember where I read it......) that if we were to read this in Hebrew we would find it to be an alphabetized list. In other words, it's like an "alphabet of character"......a listing of character qualities. Since I don't read Hebrew and have only a very, very basic knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet, I can't confirm that. But it's an interesting idea, don't you think? We'll be spending the first part of our journey learning more about this woman, and about the character qualities that make her such a worthy example for us.
Your first assignment will be to read about her.........Proverbs 31:10-31. If you would like to share your first impressions, please leave a comment.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
(Proverbs 31:30)
Friday, October 8, 2010
A final thought as we conclude this journey.......
We're concluding our study of the names of God today by taking a brief look at one more attribute of God's character. We turn our attention today to El Olam, the Everlasting God. Our God has no beginning, no end; He is not confined to time and space. Charles Spurgeon put it this way: "God was, when man was not." Even before the universe came into being, God was. How awesome is that thought?!!
Today I just want to point you to a couple of Scripture references for you to consider, to ponder, to meditate on. You might want to use your word study tools to find others. But let this truth wash over you today.....our God is El Olam, the Everlasting God!
Isaiah 40:28......."Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable."
Psalm 90:1-2....."LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born, or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
Daniel 11:32b tells us that "the people who know their God will display strength and take action." I hope that these weeks together studying the names of God have helped you to know God better, and that as a result you have been strengthened, that you will live in light of what you have learned, and that you will always know that His name is a "strong tower" to which you can run.
And so this journey comes to an end. A new journey begins next week. I hope you'll journey with me! Until then......
"To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)
Today I just want to point you to a couple of Scripture references for you to consider, to ponder, to meditate on. You might want to use your word study tools to find others. But let this truth wash over you today.....our God is El Olam, the Everlasting God!
Isaiah 40:28......."Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable."
Psalm 90:1-2....."LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born, or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
Daniel 11:32b tells us that "the people who know their God will display strength and take action." I hope that these weeks together studying the names of God have helped you to know God better, and that as a result you have been strengthened, that you will live in light of what you have learned, and that you will always know that His name is a "strong tower" to which you can run.
And so this journey comes to an end. A new journey begins next week. I hope you'll journey with me! Until then......
"To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The End of the Story
In our brief review of the history of Israel, we learned that the glory of the Lord departed the temple and that the people of Israel went into captivity. There was always, however, the hope and promise of the Lord's return. And after seventy years of captivity, a remnant returned to Jerusalem. The temple was rebuilt. (You can find this in the book of Ezra.) The wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt under Nehemiah's leadership. But none of this was the complete fulfillment of Ezekiel 48:35 ("the name of the city from that day shall be, the LORD is there".)
The promised return to Jerusalem was confirmed through the prophet Zechariah (see Zechariah 2:10-13).
God spoke again through Malachi (see Malachi 3:1), who was the last of the Old Testament prophets. After Malachi, there would not be another word from God for four hundred years. During those years, the people of God had two things to cling to: His name, Jehovah-Shammah, and His promise (see Ezekiel 39:25-29).
And God kept His promise! He did return to Jerusalem, although most did not recognize Him. Read the following passages and see what happened.
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem paying the price for our sanctification so that we might have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jehovah-Shalom) according to Romans 5:1. Jesus died for our sins, died so that we might be healed (He is Jehovah-Rapha) from our sin-sickness. But He didn't stay dead! He rose from the grave and has ascended back to the Father. But even now, He is Jehovah-Shammah to those of us who have blieved on His name. He dwells within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. (Read John 16:7 again, along with 1 Corinthians 3:16, Colossians 1:27 and Hebrews 13:5).
But that isn't the end of the story! We have the promise of His return! God promised through Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 27:21-28) that He would return to Jerusalem and that the name of Jerusalem would be Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there. When He returns, this promise to His people Israel will be fulfilled. But before that happens, He will fulfill His promise to His church. Read John 14:2-3 today and rejoice!
Exactly when will that promise be fulfilled? We don't know. What if it were today? Are you ready?
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession." (Titus 2:11-14)
The promised return to Jerusalem was confirmed through the prophet Zechariah (see Zechariah 2:10-13).
God spoke again through Malachi (see Malachi 3:1), who was the last of the Old Testament prophets. After Malachi, there would not be another word from God for four hundred years. During those years, the people of God had two things to cling to: His name, Jehovah-Shammah, and His promise (see Ezekiel 39:25-29).
And God kept His promise! He did return to Jerusalem, although most did not recognize Him. Read the following passages and see what happened.
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-14
- Luke 2:22, 28-32
- Luke 3:23
- John 8:59
- Matthew 13:13-15
- John 6:66
- Matthew 23:37-24:1
- John 16:7
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem paying the price for our sanctification so that we might have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jehovah-Shalom) according to Romans 5:1. Jesus died for our sins, died so that we might be healed (He is Jehovah-Rapha) from our sin-sickness. But He didn't stay dead! He rose from the grave and has ascended back to the Father. But even now, He is Jehovah-Shammah to those of us who have blieved on His name. He dwells within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. (Read John 16:7 again, along with 1 Corinthians 3:16, Colossians 1:27 and Hebrews 13:5).
But that isn't the end of the story! We have the promise of His return! God promised through Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 27:21-28) that He would return to Jerusalem and that the name of Jerusalem would be Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there. When He returns, this promise to His people Israel will be fulfilled. But before that happens, He will fulfill His promise to His church. Read John 14:2-3 today and rejoice!
Exactly when will that promise be fulfilled? We don't know. What if it were today? Are you ready?
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession." (Titus 2:11-14)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Are You Ready?
Yesterday we began considering the name Jehovah-Shammah, the LORD is there. We found this name in the book of Ezekiel, in a prophecy of a time yet future. We also looked at some Scriptures to help us understand how to live now with confidence as we look forward to that future day.
Today let's dig a little deeper. Ezekiel wrote to Jews who had been taken captive into Babylon. As the book of Ezekiel opens, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed. There were three invasions of Jerusalem before it fell. Daniel was taken captive in the first invasion, and Ezekiel was taken captive in the second and he had been in captivity for about 5 years before he wrote. Ezekiel prophesied the fall of Jerusalem and the glory of the Lord departing the temple in Ezekiel 10-11. News of the fall of Jerusalem is found in Ezekiel 33:21, the verse viewed by many as the turning point of the book. It must have been really difficult for God's people to believe that He would allow Jerusalem to be destroyed. For them, Jerusalem had been the place where they went to meet with God. And so, Ezekiel points them to the future Jerusalem, the city that will not be destroyed.
I wonder if Israel and Judah had perhaps taken God's presence for granted. God had always manifested Himself to them in one way or another. Did they take His presence so for granted that they didn't really believe He would do what He said? That they didn't really believe He would really let Jerusalem be taken captive by the ungodly Babylonians? Did they just assume they could continue to just go through life however they wanted to without really paying attention to God? Can you see any parallels here to our culture today??? Hmmmm.........Something to think about!
Let's look today at some Scriptures that show how God had always been present with His people. Note the form that His presence took. As usual, this is not an exhaustive list. You can use your word study tools to find additional references.
And what about you? Are you comforted by that thought.....He WILL return. Are you expecting Him? Are your ready?
Today let's dig a little deeper. Ezekiel wrote to Jews who had been taken captive into Babylon. As the book of Ezekiel opens, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed. There were three invasions of Jerusalem before it fell. Daniel was taken captive in the first invasion, and Ezekiel was taken captive in the second and he had been in captivity for about 5 years before he wrote. Ezekiel prophesied the fall of Jerusalem and the glory of the Lord departing the temple in Ezekiel 10-11. News of the fall of Jerusalem is found in Ezekiel 33:21, the verse viewed by many as the turning point of the book. It must have been really difficult for God's people to believe that He would allow Jerusalem to be destroyed. For them, Jerusalem had been the place where they went to meet with God. And so, Ezekiel points them to the future Jerusalem, the city that will not be destroyed.
I wonder if Israel and Judah had perhaps taken God's presence for granted. God had always manifested Himself to them in one way or another. Did they take His presence so for granted that they didn't really believe He would do what He said? That they didn't really believe He would really let Jerusalem be taken captive by the ungodly Babylonians? Did they just assume they could continue to just go through life however they wanted to without really paying attention to God? Can you see any parallels here to our culture today??? Hmmmm.........Something to think about!
Let's look today at some Scriptures that show how God had always been present with His people. Note the form that His presence took. As usual, this is not an exhaustive list. You can use your word study tools to find additional references.
- Exodus 13:20-22
- Exodus 33:12-16
- Joshua 1:1-5
- 1 Samuel 4:6-7
- Psalm 132:8, 13-14
- Ezekiel 8:3-6, 17-18
- Ezekiel 10:3-4, 18-19
- Ezekiel 11:22-23
And what about you? Are you comforted by that thought.....He WILL return. Are you expecting Him? Are your ready?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Looking to the Future
Have you ever felt alone? Discouraged? Abandoned? Forgotten? How do you deal with those feelings? Where do you turn?
We're beginning today to consider another name of God.....Jehovah-Shammah, which means the LORD is there. We find this name in Ezekiel 48:35, the last verse of Ezekiel's prophecy, in a passage which is a reference to Jerusalem, the city which our Lord Jesus Christ will inhabit when he returns to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Ezekiel prophesied during a time of captivity for the Hebrew people. And it was during this time of captivity, when they perhaps were feeling alone, discouraged, abandoned, forgotten, that the Lord revealed this name to them, and in doing so, revealed another truth about Himself.
Let's think about that. Remember that in the culture in which the Bible was written, a name revealed something about the character of the person named. So, in this case, when God reveals His name as Jehovah-Shammah, He is giving assurance, encouragement, to His people that he would be there! He was giving them a future and a hope, to borrow a phrase from Jeremiah. Is there perhaps some level on which you can relate? We are living in difficult, uncertain days. We could easily become discouraged and feel hopeless if we only considered the immediate circumstances, if we only looked at today. When we lose sight of our hope in Christ, it is easy to live in discouragement, to be apathetic about life. How can we keep our vision of the future? How do we hold on to our hope? Let's look at some Scripture today to see if we can find some answers.
Carefully read these passages. Think about the instructions given. Then consider how, in a practical way, you can put these instructions in to practice, how you are going to live according to the truth of the passage.
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)
We're beginning today to consider another name of God.....Jehovah-Shammah, which means the LORD is there. We find this name in Ezekiel 48:35, the last verse of Ezekiel's prophecy, in a passage which is a reference to Jerusalem, the city which our Lord Jesus Christ will inhabit when he returns to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Ezekiel prophesied during a time of captivity for the Hebrew people. And it was during this time of captivity, when they perhaps were feeling alone, discouraged, abandoned, forgotten, that the Lord revealed this name to them, and in doing so, revealed another truth about Himself.
Let's think about that. Remember that in the culture in which the Bible was written, a name revealed something about the character of the person named. So, in this case, when God reveals His name as Jehovah-Shammah, He is giving assurance, encouragement, to His people that he would be there! He was giving them a future and a hope, to borrow a phrase from Jeremiah. Is there perhaps some level on which you can relate? We are living in difficult, uncertain days. We could easily become discouraged and feel hopeless if we only considered the immediate circumstances, if we only looked at today. When we lose sight of our hope in Christ, it is easy to live in discouragement, to be apathetic about life. How can we keep our vision of the future? How do we hold on to our hope? Let's look at some Scripture today to see if we can find some answers.
Carefully read these passages. Think about the instructions given. Then consider how, in a practical way, you can put these instructions in to practice, how you are going to live according to the truth of the passage.
- Colossians 3:1-2
- Philippians 3:7-8
- 2 Corinthians 4:11, 16-18
- Psalm 73:25-28
- Titus 2:11-13
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)
Monday, October 4, 2010
It's Monday Again!
Welcome to a new week! It's Monday again already! Where did last week go??? I hope you had a good week. I did.....in spite of the fact that it was a very busy, meet myself coming and going kind of a week! I had opportunity to spend a couple of days with a dear friend from my Florida days......some great girlfriend time (and retail therapy!!). Had a great time of Bible study with my Thursday morning Bible Study Gals as we focused on who God is and that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond and beyond (check out the last two verses of Ephesians chapter 3). Experienced answered prayers. My husband was actually in town for a few days (this last month began a busy travel season for him), so it was great to just spend some time together! It was a good week! And today I'm looking forward to what God has in store for this week!
And as I look forward to this new week, I'm focusing my attention on the name of the LORD as my strong tower and anticipating what He will teach me and how He will work in my life this week! What about you?
If your thought processes haven't taken you there yet this morning, let's go there together. And let's begin by reviewing what we have learned so far as we have studied the names of God and as we are continuing to get to know our God better by knowing His names.
We have learned that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs to it and is safe," (Proverbs 18:10). One of our goals in this study is to fully "trust in the name of the LORD" and rely on Him (Isaiah 50:10). Why not go back and review the names we have learned and what they mean, and then spend some time reflecting on how you are experiencing the truth of that name, on how that name has been or is becoming a strong tower for you to run to. For example, we began with the name Elohim. Do you remember what that name means? And knowing what it means, how does that make a difference in your life?
Do the same for all the names we have learned. It's good to review! Our goal is not just to have read a lot of verses, made some lists, maybe even have a nice journal, but for what we learn to be sealed into our memory banks so that we can "withdraw" when we need to! So that it makes a difference in our everyday lives! So think back......what have you learned and what difference has it made? All the way from what you learned about Elohim to what we learned last week about Jehovah-Tsidkenu, and everything in between!
If you have just discovered this study, don't panic! All the previous lessons are archived, and you can work at your own pace! And if you are just joining us, welcome!
We're nearing the end of this particular journey.......just a couple more names that we will consider. Tomorrow (after you have had time for today's review!) we'll begin to consider the name found in Ezekiel chapter 48. If you can't wait to find out what the name is, look at verse 35.
"Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
And as I look forward to this new week, I'm focusing my attention on the name of the LORD as my strong tower and anticipating what He will teach me and how He will work in my life this week! What about you?
If your thought processes haven't taken you there yet this morning, let's go there together. And let's begin by reviewing what we have learned so far as we have studied the names of God and as we are continuing to get to know our God better by knowing His names.
We have learned that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs to it and is safe," (Proverbs 18:10). One of our goals in this study is to fully "trust in the name of the LORD" and rely on Him (Isaiah 50:10). Why not go back and review the names we have learned and what they mean, and then spend some time reflecting on how you are experiencing the truth of that name, on how that name has been or is becoming a strong tower for you to run to. For example, we began with the name Elohim. Do you remember what that name means? And knowing what it means, how does that make a difference in your life?
Do the same for all the names we have learned. It's good to review! Our goal is not just to have read a lot of verses, made some lists, maybe even have a nice journal, but for what we learn to be sealed into our memory banks so that we can "withdraw" when we need to! So that it makes a difference in our everyday lives! So think back......what have you learned and what difference has it made? All the way from what you learned about Elohim to what we learned last week about Jehovah-Tsidkenu, and everything in between!
If you have just discovered this study, don't panic! All the previous lessons are archived, and you can work at your own pace! And if you are just joining us, welcome!
We're nearing the end of this particular journey.......just a couple more names that we will consider. Tomorrow (after you have had time for today's review!) we'll begin to consider the name found in Ezekiel chapter 48. If you can't wait to find out what the name is, look at verse 35.
"Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Understanding That Name
Yesterday we were introduced to another name of God, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the LORD our Righteousness. Today we want to spend some time understanding that name and what it means to you and me........understanding how this name of the LORD is our strong tower. Let's begin by returning to the book of Jeremiah, and let's read Jeremiah 23:1-6 again. (Notice all the references to shepherds and sheep! Does that take you back to our study of Jehovah-Raah?!)
Here are some questions for you to consider after you have read the passage:
At Calvary, this Righteous Branch was "made to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jehovah-Tsidenu was made to be sin for you, for me, that we by believing in Him might be made righteous. Hallelujah!
Think about that today. Really think about it. Meditate on it. Ponder it. This is a profound and basic truth of life. We are made right with God through the sacrifice paid at Calvary by our Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Are you right with God today?
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)
"You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
(Matthew 1:21)
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6 KJV)
Here are some questions for you to consider after you have read the passage:
- who were the shepherds?
- what had happened to "my flock"?
- what is the Lord going to do for His flock?
- who is the Righteous Branch?
- note everything you learn about the Righteous Branch
At Calvary, this Righteous Branch was "made to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jehovah-Tsidenu was made to be sin for you, for me, that we by believing in Him might be made righteous. Hallelujah!
Think about that today. Really think about it. Meditate on it. Ponder it. This is a profound and basic truth of life. We are made right with God through the sacrifice paid at Calvary by our Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Are you right with God today?
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)
"You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
(Matthew 1:21)
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6 KJV)
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Big Word
I have a big word for you to think about today. We have previously considered a really big word (mekoddishkem)......remember that one? This word is not quite that long, but is a "big" word nonetheless. The word is tsidkenu. (I'm smiling as I picture the confused look on your face!! What??!!!!) If you're trying to pronounce it, the "t" is silent. That may help. But what in the world does it mean? That's what we are going to discover as we consider the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu. And one of the things we are going to discover is that not only is this a big word in terms of length or difficulty of pronunciation, but it is a BIG word in terms of what it means and how it applies to you and to me.
Let's begin with a very brief history lesson. Remember all the way back to Genesis. God made a covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 15). Then later God remembered that covenant and delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (because of unbelief.....see Hebrews 3:12-19). Finally, with Joshua as their leader, they entered the Promised Land. Then, according to Judges 2, "there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD." And so began about 350 years of each man doing what was right in his own sight, until finally Saul was annointed king. But then Saul "rejected the word of the LORD", so God rejected him as king (see 1 Samuel 15). Then God gave the people David, a "man after God's own heart", as their king. After David, Solomon (his son) became king, but "his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God" (1 Kings 11). After Solomon died, the kingdom was divided.....ten tribes became the nation of Israel, and the two southern tribes became the nation of Judah. And that brings us (this was a whirlwind trip through time!!) to the prophet Jeremiah's day. And that's where we want to pause in our journey.
God spoke through Jeremiah to say "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it." Read Jeremiah 17:9-10 to see the full statement. But knowing that the "heart is deceitful, desperately sick", did that mean things were hopeless? It was in the middle of that judgment and failure that God revealed another of His names......Jehovah-Tsidkenu. And with that revelation came a promise.....the promise of a new covenant.
Read Jeremiah 23:1-6 and then Jeremiah 31:33-34. Then go to Ezekiel and read chapter 36, verses 26 and 27. Spend some time thinking about those passages today, the "big" word (tsidkenu) and the BIG truth that the LORD is our Righteousness! We can be right with God! We can have right standing with God! And not because of any sacrifices that we may make, because of any goodness within us or good things that we have done, but because the LORD is our righteousness! Praise Him!
"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, 'The Lord our righteousness.' "
Let's begin with a very brief history lesson. Remember all the way back to Genesis. God made a covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 15). Then later God remembered that covenant and delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (because of unbelief.....see Hebrews 3:12-19). Finally, with Joshua as their leader, they entered the Promised Land. Then, according to Judges 2, "there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD." And so began about 350 years of each man doing what was right in his own sight, until finally Saul was annointed king. But then Saul "rejected the word of the LORD", so God rejected him as king (see 1 Samuel 15). Then God gave the people David, a "man after God's own heart", as their king. After David, Solomon (his son) became king, but "his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God" (1 Kings 11). After Solomon died, the kingdom was divided.....ten tribes became the nation of Israel, and the two southern tribes became the nation of Judah. And that brings us (this was a whirlwind trip through time!!) to the prophet Jeremiah's day. And that's where we want to pause in our journey.
God spoke through Jeremiah to say "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it." Read Jeremiah 17:9-10 to see the full statement. But knowing that the "heart is deceitful, desperately sick", did that mean things were hopeless? It was in the middle of that judgment and failure that God revealed another of His names......Jehovah-Tsidkenu. And with that revelation came a promise.....the promise of a new covenant.
Read Jeremiah 23:1-6 and then Jeremiah 31:33-34. Then go to Ezekiel and read chapter 36, verses 26 and 27. Spend some time thinking about those passages today, the "big" word (tsidkenu) and the BIG truth that the LORD is our Righteousness! We can be right with God! We can have right standing with God! And not because of any sacrifices that we may make, because of any goodness within us or good things that we have done, but because the LORD is our righteousness! Praise Him!
"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, 'The Lord our righteousness.' "
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Some Final Thoughts About Sheep
Webster defines a sheep as "a timid and defenseless creature". Sheep are unintelligent (dumb!!). They don't learn from mistakes. They often repeat mistakes. They tend to wander and go astray. They are sometimes unable to find their way home to the sheepfold even when it's within sight. They are defenseless.....no quills like porcupines or claws like cats or scent like skunks. They need meticulous care. They can't take care of themselves. They need a shepherd. In fact, they are totally dependent on the shepherd.
Can you relate? Is there any point in that description where you think.....that describes me perfectly?
Here's the question to ponder today.......what practical difference does it make to you - to me - to be able to say "The LORD is my Shepherd"?
Can you relate? Is there any point in that description where you think.....that describes me perfectly?
Here's the question to ponder today.......what practical difference does it make to you - to me - to be able to say "The LORD is my Shepherd"?
From "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love,
Here's my heart. O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What I Learned Today
I've been giving a lot of thought to sheep over the last couple of days. I've been realizing just how much like a sheep I really am! It's no wonder we as humans are compared in Scripture to sheep! That God gives us this word picture to describe who He is and who we really are. On the one hand it's hard for me to just admit that I'm that dumb.......but on the other hand, when I'm really honest with myself, I have to admit that I am! I do really foolish things. I make mistakes. I don't always learn from those mistakes. I need "looking after"!! What about you? Are you as thankful as I am to be able to say "the LORD is my Shepherd"?!
Today we're going to look at a number of Scriptures and see what we can learn about our Shepherd and the provision He makes for us. Remember that yesterday we learned four basic needs of sheep.....to be free from hunger, free from fear, free from friction, free from pests. Examine each of these passages to see what you can learn and how it applies specifically to you. Which of the four basic fears is the passage referring to? How do you need to reorder your attitudes, your thoughts, your behaviors to line up with what the passage is teaching you? I have been challenged and blessed by these Scriptures, and I'm praying you will be too!
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6)
Today we're going to look at a number of Scriptures and see what we can learn about our Shepherd and the provision He makes for us. Remember that yesterday we learned four basic needs of sheep.....to be free from hunger, free from fear, free from friction, free from pests. Examine each of these passages to see what you can learn and how it applies specifically to you. Which of the four basic fears is the passage referring to? How do you need to reorder your attitudes, your thoughts, your behaviors to line up with what the passage is teaching you? I have been challenged and blessed by these Scriptures, and I'm praying you will be too!
- 1 Peter 2:2
- Hebrews 5:13-14
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- 1 John 4:16-18
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- Psalm 56:3-4
- Matthew 5:23-24
- Philippins 2:3-8
- 2 Corinthinas 10:3-5
- Philippians 4:6-9
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thinking About Sheep
Yesterday we looked at John chapter 10 to see what we could learn about the Shepherd and the sheep. We learned that the sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd and follow him. Today we're going to think a little more about sheep, and we're going to do that by focusing our attention today on Psalm 23. In this Psalm, we'll learn about what Jehovah-Raah (our Shepherd) does for His sheep.
Before we turn to Psalm 23, here's some interesting information about sheep. In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller writes that sheep have four needs that must be met before they can rest:
freedom from hunger, freedom from fear, freedom from friction, and freedom from pests. Remembering that we are often compared to sheep in Scripture, would you say that those needs are also true for us?
Read Psalm 23 and think about those four needs. What does the Shepherd do for the sheep? How are these primary needs of the sheep being met by the Shepherd? What do you learn from this Psalm about Jehovah-Raah? How does what you learn apply to your own life?
Think about that today, and tomorrow we'll look at some other Scriptures that show how Jehovah-Raah meets the needs of His sheep.
Before we turn to Psalm 23, here's some interesting information about sheep. In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller writes that sheep have four needs that must be met before they can rest:
freedom from hunger, freedom from fear, freedom from friction, and freedom from pests. Remembering that we are often compared to sheep in Scripture, would you say that those needs are also true for us?
Read Psalm 23 and think about those four needs. What does the Shepherd do for the sheep? How are these primary needs of the sheep being met by the Shepherd? What do you learn from this Psalm about Jehovah-Raah? How does what you learn apply to your own life?
Think about that today, and tomorrow we'll look at some other Scriptures that show how Jehovah-Raah meets the needs of His sheep.
Monday, September 20, 2010
My Shepherd
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." That's a familiar portion of Scripture, isn't it? One you and I have probably quoted countless times. But have you ever stopped to consider what that really means? We're studying the names of God, and today we consider this one.....Jehovah-Raah.....the LORD is my Shepherd. What does that first sentence of Psalm 23 really mean to you and me? One of the modern paraphrases puts it this way.....Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything that I need. I love that rendering of the verse. What comfort that brings! And note that the promise is everything I need, not everything I want!
The image of shepherd and sheep is one we find often in Scripture. And it's not a very flattering one for us, is it? We as humans are often pictured as sheep (see for example Isaiah 53:6). I don't really have a lot of firsthand knowledge of sheep......or any other livestock, for that matter. I've never lived on a farm or a ranch. I'm not a real outdoorsy girl. But everything I read tells me that sheep are not very smart. In fact, I've often heard them described as dumb. See what I mean about an unflattering description?! Even so, we would probably all agree (however grudgingly) that it's an accurate one! How often have you done things, made choices, said things that could only be described as "dumb"? Or is it just me??!!
The reality is that sheep are not terribly smart. And since we have been compared in Scripture to sheep, where does that leave us? Thankful to have a Shepherd!!! Here's an interesting quote from Kay Arthur in Lord, I Want to Know You: "Sheep are the dumbest of all animals. They are helpless, timid, and feeble. They require constant attention and meticulous care. Sheep have little means of self-defense.......All the positive maxims in the world can't change the fact that sheep are sheep. What makes the difference in sheep is the shepherd."
So, if we're like sheep......if we're prone to do dumb things......if we're not perfect.....if we're "helpless, timid and feeble"......how are we going to make it in life? We can make it because the Lord is our Shepherd. God designed us so that we would see our need of him and that in Him, we would find all that we need.
Let's look closely at a passage of Scripture that will give us greater understanding of this truth. You're going to get an opportunity today to put into practice some of the study skills you've learned along the way as we have journeyed together. Turn to John 10:1-17, 26-33. Read the passage carefully. As you are reading, look for the following (this is a good time to get our your colored pencils and your notebook!):
"We are the sheep of His pasture." (Psalm 100:3)
The image of shepherd and sheep is one we find often in Scripture. And it's not a very flattering one for us, is it? We as humans are often pictured as sheep (see for example Isaiah 53:6). I don't really have a lot of firsthand knowledge of sheep......or any other livestock, for that matter. I've never lived on a farm or a ranch. I'm not a real outdoorsy girl. But everything I read tells me that sheep are not very smart. In fact, I've often heard them described as dumb. See what I mean about an unflattering description?! Even so, we would probably all agree (however grudgingly) that it's an accurate one! How often have you done things, made choices, said things that could only be described as "dumb"? Or is it just me??!!
The reality is that sheep are not terribly smart. And since we have been compared in Scripture to sheep, where does that leave us? Thankful to have a Shepherd!!! Here's an interesting quote from Kay Arthur in Lord, I Want to Know You: "Sheep are the dumbest of all animals. They are helpless, timid, and feeble. They require constant attention and meticulous care. Sheep have little means of self-defense.......All the positive maxims in the world can't change the fact that sheep are sheep. What makes the difference in sheep is the shepherd."
So, if we're like sheep......if we're prone to do dumb things......if we're not perfect.....if we're "helpless, timid and feeble"......how are we going to make it in life? We can make it because the Lord is our Shepherd. God designed us so that we would see our need of him and that in Him, we would find all that we need.
Let's look closely at a passage of Scripture that will give us greater understanding of this truth. You're going to get an opportunity today to put into practice some of the study skills you've learned along the way as we have journeyed together. Turn to John 10:1-17, 26-33. Read the passage carefully. As you are reading, look for the following (this is a good time to get our your colored pencils and your notebook!):
- Look for key repeated words and phrases
- Look for any contrasts, comparisons, expressions of time
- Ask yourself the 5Ws/H (who, what, when, where, why, how)
- the sheep
- the shepherd
- the thief
- Jesus
- the Father
"We are the sheep of His pasture." (Psalm 100:3)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
"Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name." (Isaiah 47:4)
Yesterday we began to study this name of God, Jehovah-Sabaoth, the LORD of hosts. We looked specifically at how this name is used in 1 Samuel. Today, we are going to look at how it is used by the prophets. But first, let me share a couple of interesting things I've learned about this name.
The name "LORD of hosts" is not found in the NIV. The NIV uses the name LORD Almighty instead of LORD of hosts. This seems a little confusing to me, and perhaps a little inaccurate, to translate Jehovah-Sabaoth the same way as El Shaddai. Of course, that's just my opinion, and I make no claim to be a Hebrew scholar. But I just wonder why, when two distinctly different words are used in Hebrew, they are translated as only one name in English by the NIV. Just something that made me wonder.....
Something else I found interesting is this: as I mentioned yesterday, the name Jehovah-Sabaoth is used frequently in the prophets (specifically Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). But the name is not used by the prophet Ezekiel. So I wondered about that, and this is what I discovered. "This name of God belongs to a certain time in the experience of God's people......This is a name for those who find their resources inadequate in the midst of a struggle. This is the name of God to run to when there is no other help - from our perspective. This name is not for those who have ceased to fight. Therefore, you don't find it in Ezekiel. In Ezekiel's day, God's people were to settle down for seventy years of captivity." (from "Lord, I Want to Know You" by Kay Arthur). Hmmmm......that's something to think about, isn't it? And perhaps an indicator that this is a name for us to cling to, to call on, in the culture in which we live, as we find ourselves in a "struggle" against a worldview, a world system that is turning from God. As we seek to stand firm in our faith, where do we turn? To Jehovah-Sabaoth!
It seems that this is a name to remind God's people (including us! not just those "Bible people"!) exactly who God is! Think about that today as you examine these Scriptures. Ask the 5Ws/H (examples: HOW is the LORD of hosts described? WHO is the LORD of hosts? WHAT is He over? WHO is the host? HOW are we to live in light of this name?)
I'm going to give you a list of Scriptures to get you started. If you have time, you might want to use your word study tools to find others:
"The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." (Psalm 46:7)
Yesterday we began to study this name of God, Jehovah-Sabaoth, the LORD of hosts. We looked specifically at how this name is used in 1 Samuel. Today, we are going to look at how it is used by the prophets. But first, let me share a couple of interesting things I've learned about this name.
The name "LORD of hosts" is not found in the NIV. The NIV uses the name LORD Almighty instead of LORD of hosts. This seems a little confusing to me, and perhaps a little inaccurate, to translate Jehovah-Sabaoth the same way as El Shaddai. Of course, that's just my opinion, and I make no claim to be a Hebrew scholar. But I just wonder why, when two distinctly different words are used in Hebrew, they are translated as only one name in English by the NIV. Just something that made me wonder.....
Something else I found interesting is this: as I mentioned yesterday, the name Jehovah-Sabaoth is used frequently in the prophets (specifically Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). But the name is not used by the prophet Ezekiel. So I wondered about that, and this is what I discovered. "This name of God belongs to a certain time in the experience of God's people......This is a name for those who find their resources inadequate in the midst of a struggle. This is the name of God to run to when there is no other help - from our perspective. This name is not for those who have ceased to fight. Therefore, you don't find it in Ezekiel. In Ezekiel's day, God's people were to settle down for seventy years of captivity." (from "Lord, I Want to Know You" by Kay Arthur). Hmmmm......that's something to think about, isn't it? And perhaps an indicator that this is a name for us to cling to, to call on, in the culture in which we live, as we find ourselves in a "struggle" against a worldview, a world system that is turning from God. As we seek to stand firm in our faith, where do we turn? To Jehovah-Sabaoth!
It seems that this is a name to remind God's people (including us! not just those "Bible people"!) exactly who God is! Think about that today as you examine these Scriptures. Ask the 5Ws/H (examples: HOW is the LORD of hosts described? WHO is the LORD of hosts? WHAT is He over? WHO is the host? HOW are we to live in light of this name?)
I'm going to give you a list of Scriptures to get you started. If you have time, you might want to use your word study tools to find others:
- Malachi 1:10, 14
- Jeremiah 20:11-13
- Isaiah 44:6
- Zechariah 14:16
- Amos 5:14
- Amos 3:13-14
- Amos 4:13
- Isaiah 9:7
- Zechariah 8:3
"The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." (Psalm 46:7)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Where Do You Turn?
In the last couple of posts, we focused our attention on Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD who is our peace. We looked at a number of Scriptures related to this topic. We saw the wonderful promise from God in Isaiah, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." This is Jesus, the One who reconciles us to God the Father, who gives us a peace that cannot be altered by circumstances.
Today we turn our attention to Jehovah-Sabaoth, the LORD of hosts. This is the name to turn to when you are at the end of your rope, when you need deliverance, when you need strength to stand firm in a culture that is increasingly turning its back on God. Let's see what we can learn as we get to know our God better by knowing His names.
The name Jehovah-Sabaoth is not used in Scripture until the book of 1 Samuel. We will find it used much more frequently in the prophets. For example, it is used 52 times in the fourteen chapters of Zechariah!
Let's begin by looking at some scriptures where this name is used. Read each of the passages and note what you learn about Jehovah-Sabaoth. We'll begin in 1 Samuel today.
Today we turn our attention to Jehovah-Sabaoth, the LORD of hosts. This is the name to turn to when you are at the end of your rope, when you need deliverance, when you need strength to stand firm in a culture that is increasingly turning its back on God. Let's see what we can learn as we get to know our God better by knowing His names.
The name Jehovah-Sabaoth is not used in Scripture until the book of 1 Samuel. We will find it used much more frequently in the prophets. For example, it is used 52 times in the fourteen chapters of Zechariah!
Let's begin by looking at some scriptures where this name is used. Read each of the passages and note what you learn about Jehovah-Sabaoth. We'll begin in 1 Samuel today.
- 1 Samuel 1:1-11
- 1 Samuel 4:3-4. 10-11
- 1 Samuel 17:42-47
Friday, September 10, 2010
Peace
We read in Judges chapter 6 that "Gideon built an altar there and named it The LORD is peace." How true that is, as we will see as we examine some additional Scripture passages today. But first let's review what we have learned so far in our journey together.....
Here's a list of Scriptures for you to examine. What do you learn about peace, and about the relationship of peace to God?
"Now the God of peace be with you all." (Romans 15:33)
- the name of the Lord is a strong tower.
- the name of the Lord is Elohim - Creator.
- the name of the Lord is El Elyon - God Most High.
- the name of the Lord is El Roi - the God who sees.
- the name of the Lord is El Shaddai - All Sufficient.
- the name of the Lord is Adonai - the Lord.
- the name of the Lord is Jehovah - the Self-Sufficient, Eternal God.
- the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD who provides.
- the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Rapha - the LORD who heals.
- the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Nissi - the LORD my banner.
- the name of the Lord is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem - the LORD who sanctifies.
Here's a list of Scriptures for you to examine. What do you learn about peace, and about the relationship of peace to God?
- Leviticus 26:2-6
- Numbers 6:22-27
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Isaiah 48:18
- Isaiah 26:3 (read this one in the KJV if you can)
- Psalm 119:165
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Isaiah 9:6
- Romans 5:1
"Now the God of peace be with you all." (Romans 15:33)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Pressing On
We are pressing on today in our study of the names of God. The next name we are going to study is first used in Judges 6. Read that chapter to find the name we are studying.
What is the context of Judges? (see Judges 21:25)
How did this happen? (see Judges 2:10-12) Israel forgot God, forsook His ways, and followed other gods.
The immediate context of Judges 6 is that after 40 years of peace, Israel "did evil in the sight of the LORD", and as a consequence, God have them into the hands of Midian. The result - fear, anxiety, loss of peace. This brings us to the story of Gideon. How does Gideon respond? How would you have responded? How do you respond when confronted with fearful situations in your own life?
How can we find peace in a world filled with stress, strife, anxiety? Think about that, and we'll continue tomorrow.
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8)
What is the context of Judges? (see Judges 21:25)
How did this happen? (see Judges 2:10-12) Israel forgot God, forsook His ways, and followed other gods.
The immediate context of Judges 6 is that after 40 years of peace, Israel "did evil in the sight of the LORD", and as a consequence, God have them into the hands of Midian. The result - fear, anxiety, loss of peace. This brings us to the story of Gideon. How does Gideon respond? How would you have responded? How do you respond when confronted with fearful situations in your own life?
How can we find peace in a world filled with stress, strife, anxiety? Think about that, and we'll continue tomorrow.
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Applying What We Have Learned
Shortly after Israel was redeemed as a nation, what was God's desire for them? (Exodus 19:6)
What New Testament parallel do we find? (1 Peter 2:9)
What is the purpose of our holiness? Look again at 1 Peter 2:9 - "that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you...." (emphasis mine).
God's call to holiness is primarily found in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus. (See Leviticus 11:44 as an example).
Jesus echoes this call to holiness in Matthew 5:48. ("perfect" = complete, to reach the goal for which you were created)
What do you think of when you hear the word "holy"? When someone is described as "holy"? How does this compare to what the Bible calls holiness?
Let's focus our attention back to our topic.....The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The name of the LORD is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem. The name of the LORD is the LORD who sanctifies you.
How is this name a strong tower for you? Have you tried and failed to live a holy life, to be holy? Look at the name again....The LORD who sanctifies you. The liberating truth is that it is God who sanctifies us, who enables us to live a holy life. (See 1 Peter 1:2-3)
How does this impact my daily life? Sanctification does not come from keeping the Law. There is no sanctification without redemption. God's way is not, once we have been redeemed, to take us out of the world, but to take the world out of us. Look at 2 Timothy 2:21. God does the sanctifying......we don't sanctify ourselves by keeping some list of do's and don'ts. But because I have been redeemed and sanctified, because I have been declared/made holy by God, I now will choose to set myself apart (and even the will to do this comes from His sanctifying Holy Spirit, prompting me to pursue holiness.)
Ponder the words of this old hymn, then ask yourself some questions: Are there some "lesser things" I should have done with? Am I pursuing holiness? Do I need to make some changes in my choices?
What New Testament parallel do we find? (1 Peter 2:9)
What is the purpose of our holiness? Look again at 1 Peter 2:9 - "that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you...." (emphasis mine).
God's call to holiness is primarily found in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus. (See Leviticus 11:44 as an example).
Jesus echoes this call to holiness in Matthew 5:48. ("perfect" = complete, to reach the goal for which you were created)
What do you think of when you hear the word "holy"? When someone is described as "holy"? How does this compare to what the Bible calls holiness?
Let's focus our attention back to our topic.....The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The name of the LORD is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem. The name of the LORD is the LORD who sanctifies you.
How is this name a strong tower for you? Have you tried and failed to live a holy life, to be holy? Look at the name again....The LORD who sanctifies you. The liberating truth is that it is God who sanctifies us, who enables us to live a holy life. (See 1 Peter 1:2-3)
How does this impact my daily life? Sanctification does not come from keeping the Law. There is no sanctification without redemption. God's way is not, once we have been redeemed, to take us out of the world, but to take the world out of us. Look at 2 Timothy 2:21. God does the sanctifying......we don't sanctify ourselves by keeping some list of do's and don'ts. But because I have been redeemed and sanctified, because I have been declared/made holy by God, I now will choose to set myself apart (and even the will to do this comes from His sanctifying Holy Spirit, prompting me to pursue holiness.)
Ponder the words of this old hymn, then ask yourself some questions: Are there some "lesser things" I should have done with? Am I pursuing holiness? Do I need to make some changes in my choices?
Rise up, O men of God!
(Note: this is for "women of God", too!)
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
to serve the King of kings.
"A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they just shine."
(D. L. Moody)
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Some Questions to Ponder
The name of the LORD is a strong tower.
The name of the LORD is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem.
The name of the LORD is the LORD who sanctifies you.
Note that last statement. I think it's a very important one. WHO does the sanctifying? WHO sets us apart? WHO makes us holy? Is it something WE do? An emphatic NO is the answer to that question!!! It is the LORD who sanctifies us!! It is the LORD who makes us holy!!
What do you think about when you think of the word "holy"? Is holiness an option? We're going to spend a couple of days pondering those questions. Here's where we will begin. Read the following Scriptures and see what you can learn about holiness and sanctification. Read carefully and prayerfully. Ask questions of the text (don't forget those 5Ws and the H!). Make notes of what you learn.
The name of the LORD is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem.
The name of the LORD is the LORD who sanctifies you.
Note that last statement. I think it's a very important one. WHO does the sanctifying? WHO sets us apart? WHO makes us holy? Is it something WE do? An emphatic NO is the answer to that question!!! It is the LORD who sanctifies us!! It is the LORD who makes us holy!!
What do you think about when you think of the word "holy"? Is holiness an option? We're going to spend a couple of days pondering those questions. Here's where we will begin. Read the following Scriptures and see what you can learn about holiness and sanctification. Read carefully and prayerfully. Ask questions of the text (don't forget those 5Ws and the H!). Make notes of what you learn.
- Exodus 31:14-15
- Hebrews 10:10-14
- John 17:15-19
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- Ephesians 5:25-27
- 2 Peter 1:4
- Leviticus 20:7-8
- Leviticus 29:26
Friday, September 3, 2010
Priorities
"You can study for a lifetime and never mine all the precious gems of truth hidden in God's Word." (Kay Arthur in Lord, I Want to Know You)
Here's something for you to think about today. How important is God's Word to you? Where does it fit in the priorities of your life? How devoted are you to really learning what it says? Are you committeed to "living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3)? Before you rush to give an answer, consider carefully the priorities of your life. (And please know that before I raise this question with you, I have already spent time considering how to answer it in my own life!)
The next name of God that we are going to spend time with is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, the LORD Who sanctifies you. Look at Exodus 19:2-6 and then at Exodus 31:12-18 (where the name actually appears).
What do you learn from these passages? What is the purpose of the Sabbath?
Exodus 31:13 says "I am the LORD who sanctifies you." What does that mean? The words sanctify, holy, set apart, and saint come from a common Hebrew root qadash. God made the Israelites holy, set apart, unto Himself. What does that have to do with us? We have been redeemed, made righteous, set apart unto God. The observance of the Sabbath was to remind the Israelites that they were a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession." How seriously did God take the command to observe the Sabbath? Read Exodus 31:14-15 again. Observance of the Sabbath was a perpetual covenant between God and His people, a sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:16).
Think through all we have learned today. What does this command to the Israelites to observe the Sabbath have to do with us in the twenty-first century, with those of us who live under the New Covenant? Think about that today. For us, is it a matter of strict observance of Old Testament Law? Is it a matter of principle? Of priorities? What does this teach us about what God wants our lives to be?
Oswald Chambers wrote (in My Utmost for His Highest) "We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God."
So, as we begin to examine the name Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, let's think about that.......that God's ultimate purpose for us is not our happiness but our holiness. And let's spend some time examining whether or not our choices, our schedule, our priorities reflect our cooperation in that purpose.
Think about it......
Here's something for you to think about today. How important is God's Word to you? Where does it fit in the priorities of your life? How devoted are you to really learning what it says? Are you committeed to "living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3)? Before you rush to give an answer, consider carefully the priorities of your life. (And please know that before I raise this question with you, I have already spent time considering how to answer it in my own life!)
The next name of God that we are going to spend time with is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, the LORD Who sanctifies you. Look at Exodus 19:2-6 and then at Exodus 31:12-18 (where the name actually appears).
What do you learn from these passages? What is the purpose of the Sabbath?
Exodus 31:13 says "I am the LORD who sanctifies you." What does that mean? The words sanctify, holy, set apart, and saint come from a common Hebrew root qadash. God made the Israelites holy, set apart, unto Himself. What does that have to do with us? We have been redeemed, made righteous, set apart unto God. The observance of the Sabbath was to remind the Israelites that they were a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession." How seriously did God take the command to observe the Sabbath? Read Exodus 31:14-15 again. Observance of the Sabbath was a perpetual covenant between God and His people, a sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:16).
Think through all we have learned today. What does this command to the Israelites to observe the Sabbath have to do with us in the twenty-first century, with those of us who live under the New Covenant? Think about that today. For us, is it a matter of strict observance of Old Testament Law? Is it a matter of principle? Of priorities? What does this teach us about what God wants our lives to be?
Oswald Chambers wrote (in My Utmost for His Highest) "We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God."
So, as we begin to examine the name Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, let's think about that.......that God's ultimate purpose for us is not our happiness but our holiness. And let's spend some time examining whether or not our choices, our schedule, our priorities reflect our cooperation in that purpose.
Think about it......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)