Meditate on it

These are notes from the introduction of C. Hassell Bullock's book on OT prophets. Bullock asserts he will take a chronological/timeline approach to studying the prophets to better reveal the "cultural, theological, and historical interrelationships." I'm a fan of this method--it's what I tend to do when teaching literature in general. The prophets were not "silos" but viewed themselves as part of a larger prophetic community.  Some drew on each other more than others, although they do not reference each other directly. The prophets emerged in times of crisis in clusters.  Three main clusters: Neo-Assyrian Era before the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah Jonah peripherally connected---reluctantly witnessed God's mercy. Neo-Babylonian Era Fall of Southern Kingdom in 586 BC Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Nahum, Ezekiel, Obadiah  The prophets of the Northern Kingdom were viewed to be the main source of reform as opp

 I'm trying to find the correct chronological path into the prophets this week, just having finished a long season in Kings and Chronicles.  Somehow I was expecting more chronological clarity that I'm finding.  On the internet, you'll find a host of different dates and orders. I'm weary of this type of fine print after sifting all the kings of Israel and Judah---so many J's, Jeroboams and name changes to keep up with.  Desiring to move forward before I despair too much, I'm starting with Joel. The Morningstar Christian Chapel Archives has no messages directly connected to the book of Joel, nor does this blog. At three chapters, it's a wisp of a prophecy, and I'll do my best to lay out some guidance and understanding here--to keep me straight primarily. Joel: What I learned from Intro to "The Book of Joel" Christopher Scott Historical context: 5 major prophets, 12 minor 722 BC Northern Kingdom of Israel conquered by Assyria Three waves of Babylo

My paraphrase from NKJ, NLT,  ************************************* Paul identifies himself as appointed by God and Christ. In the greeting, he describes Timothy as a true son in the faith. He recaps that he told him to stay in Ephesus to combat incorrect teaching that leads to talking about pointless theories, sideways energy, in contrast to teaching that furthers God's plan, teaching that is practical, strengthening, and in faith. Types of teaching he identifies as meaningless: discussions of myths and spiritual pedigrees.   Paul says that "on point" teaching focuses on love that comes from a pure heart, clean conscience, and authentic faith. Some have wandered from this into unproductive talk. They want to teach the law and do so with an air of competency, but they don't understand what they are asserting to be true. The law is good if used correctly.  It was made for the lawless, not for those making the right choices. Some of the lawlessness listed: those who do

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail." Luke 13:22-24 When reading this exchange, the narrow door has been prominent in my mind. Until this morning, I didn't think of the question, whether it was a good or fair one, or what the intent of the person asking. My bible commentaries mostly frame it with that perspective and have opened up a new way to think about it for me: Do they not but too plainly perceive that it is something, which they have no disposition to do, and is not this the secret of their fault-finding? -W. Nevins, D. D. *** Silence of Scripture on irrelevant questions Thus, a Government sends forth a colonist; hut gives him just information enough to enable him to perform his particular work. A general charges an inferior officer with a special

 Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 2nd Timothy Titus sometimes Philemon "They are generally discussed as a group (sometimes with the addition of the Epistle to Philemon ) and are given the title pastoral because they are addressed to individuals with pastoral oversight of churches and discuss issues of Christian living, doctrine and leadership" -Wikipedia A more satisfactory solution is to assume that the Pastorals do not fit within the Book of Acts at all, but rather describe a period after the end of Acts. The Book of Acts ends with Paul in jail in Rome (a.d. 61-62). Surely if Paul was executed at the end of his imprisonment, Luke would have mentioned it. On the other hand, it is entirely credible that Paul could have been released (a.d. 62), perhaps for lack of evidence, and left free for another period of ministry. According to this supposition (which is all it can ever be), Paul traveled widely from a.d. 62 to 67 and was eventually recaptured, tried, and executed in Rome in

 I'm still following  this plan  that I began earlier this year---maybe January?  Honestly, I can't recall. I'm entering August, even though it's mid-November, but I've learned to let the Spirit dictate my pace rather than the calendar.  I'm okay with slow, even though I like to know I'm making progress. I felt like I was in Kings & Chronicles forever---always so much to keep up with in those books, so many J names and bad kings, so many cycles of tearing down idols and repairing the temple only to leave "the high places" often untouched. Then the next generation undoes what the prior had accomplished.  In many ways, it's like Judges.  Or our political system.  It reminds me of Ecclesiastes too---Solomon knew the deal. So, this is where I am today: Because I've worked through Kings & Chronicles separately, I've encountered all the history twice. I'm still not done.  To keep me on track and record my learnings, I've made

My notes listening to Jack Abeelen on 1 Chronicles Babylonian captivity--606 BC to 536 BC, 70 years total Chronicles adds to the historical account of this time, official records. God gives us the large view at times, then comes back and gives us specific lessons. Deuteronomy is an interpretation and application of the law after 40 years of wilderness experience. Focus: 1) lineage of  God--from Adam to David to Jesus, generational, watch the way the Lord fulfilled His promise 2) God's covenants--temple, meeting, worship of God 1 Chronicles-emphasis on David 2 Chronicles--emphasis on David's posterity Chapters 1-10 At the end, historically we'll be at Ezra and Nehemiah, though he's recently covered those, so will jump to Revelation. Best to read the prophets when going through this history.   

Notes from Jack Abeelen: Context Paul's ministry in Europe began towards the end of his second missionary journey when the Lord called him with his team to go there. And to be honest, it didn't go well early on.  He landed in Philippi. There were some folks that did get saved, but it ended up in false imprisonment and beating. Then Paul went down the road and ended up in this town. He spent only three weeks in Thessalonica.  He did see fruit of the gospel being taught, but then crowds came, and there was a riot.  He ended up in Berea and they followed him there, did the same thing. Months later he would be in Corinth when we would send Timothy from Athens, but he heard from him when he was in Corinth, and  he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica. Paul didn't expect much. But when Timothy did come back, he had tremendously good news.  The church was doing more than well--it was excelling. All of Macedonia had heard of the Lord through this fellowship. And Paul couldn't be h

 Jack Abeelen-- Morningstar Christian Chapel , September 27, 2020 The Birth of a Church! Written by Paul first, within 20 years of Christ's ascension.  Paul on his 2nd missionary journey with Silas determined he would go back and revisit churches he had planted in hopes of strengthening them.  After this, not sure where to go.  Sought to go to Asia (Turkey), but he kept running into a blockade of sort by the Holy Spirit--not told what stopped him, just HS behind it.  Ended up Troas--had vision/dream of a man in Macedonia saying come visit us.  Acts 16. Birth of first church in Europe. Focuses on conversion of three individuals: 1. Lydia of Thyatira, successful woman of business, met believers outside on river on the Sabbath. She became center of church at Philippi. 2. Woman possessed by devil told fortunes for her masters for $. Paul delivered her, masters went to authorities who arrested them and beat them, then threw them in prison. They sang worship songs. God sent earthquake. 3

I'm curious to learn more about the Bible commentaries I use.  My favorites from past and present are  1) Bible Knowledge Commentary--gives context, solid, most helpful utilitarian one, my "go to" 1) (tied) TSK Cross Reference/Vincent's Word Studies--although not true commentaries, they allow me to "check" this Bible against itself. Gold. 2) Alexander MacLaren (wordy but beautiful) 3) Matthew Henry--he's really behind Biblical Illustrator now in terms of use---I went to him heavily for years, also wordy and beautiful, but I haven't used him as much in recent years, voluminous 4) Biblical Illustrator--a sort of mash up of his favorites, many older, sometimes beautiful, often too wordy Ones I try but all get mixed up in my mind.....trying to learn more and sort them out: JFB---This one volume commentary was prepared by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown and published in 1871.  Amazon: With its scholarly insights, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown

 Here are the highlights from my time in Colossians--as a way of consolidating and thinking over this book. The church at Colossae, a town about 90 miles inland from Ephesus, was really more of a region, in the Lychus (sp?) Valley.  Paul had never visited this church personally, yet from this letter, you get a sense of his authentic concern for them.  His overarching concern is to address the issue of false doctrine among these churches, primarily in the form of Gnosticism, but even above this, you gain a sense of Paul being concerned for their growth. He longs to see them mature fully in Christ. He characterizes maturity in Christ as "seeking that which is above," and manifesting fruit---primarily in the form of fulfilling God's call and exhibiting Christian virtues such as compassion, unity, peace. He urges their speech to be seasoned with salt and that they set an example for those who do not know Christ. It's tempting to pass over the minor names because we don

I dislike "checking the box" with regard to the Bible these days; instead, I'd rather wade through the commentaries and gather fragments that inspire me to think more deeply about Jesus and his words. Here are some bits of commentary on Luke 6 and the Beatitudes: "Blessedness, rather than happiness, the want of man  It is not merely happiness, whatever our shallow moralists may say, that is “the aim and end of our being. ” Happiness implies merely the undisturbed enjoyment of the man . It may belong to the child, or to the selfish votary of the world. It may be spoken of the miser’s gold, or of the successful prizes of ambition, or o! the gilded baubles of social folly. There is no moral meaning in it. But it is blessedness that alone can satisfy the mind and heart, which are living for another end than self; blessedness, which has no hap in it, no chance, no merely outward success." -E. A. Washburn, D. D. Worthwhile---I do think it's different to be blesse

I'm reading through 1 Kings 6 and 7 this morning---the description of the temple Solomon built, and his home, the pillars, the Sea, and so on. In the back of my mind, I had David's piano song from yesterday, Steward Townsend's "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." What work and resources were contributed to create those structures--stones 15 feet wide, two cherubim that were fifteen feet high, guilded in gold... I tried to imagine the 11,000 gallons of water of the Sea, ten carts with 220 gallons each of water, moving those around.  The blood of the sacrifices on the huge pit. And a tribe of men completely devoted to all aspects of the care of this---easy to see why they needed it.  All of this part of the Jewish culture, central to it. To think of Christ replacing it---to think of Him as the substitute sacrifice---brings it all back down to today for me.  My sin.  The need...the enormous need when looking at this broken world...to somehow make amends, to do wh

Things that make me sad: Plants that I don't have room for. Thinking about the ugly too small green dining room at 51 West Chapel that became the main living room for the widow who lived there after us.  Too small bedrooms. Weird bathroom configurations.  Thinking about this home being my parents' dream home and just like their life, not working as they hoped. Thinking about my father dying before Grace was born. Thinking about my mother's childhood. Thinking about our son's lack of a graduation and our daughter's lack of closure at UNC. My father's last moments. Plants that die before producing fruit or flowers after I grow them from seed. Selfish people. The church. The Church. John Prine's death to Covid.

"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3:7-8 The word "unsearchable" is anexichniaston, from exichniazō. "to trace out," and Alpha privative which negates the word, making it mean, "that which cannot be traced out."  "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."   Ephesians 3:10  "Manifold" is polupoikilos, "much - variegated, marked with a great variety of colors." -Wuest's Translation: In order that there might be made known now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, through the intermediate agency of the Church, the much variegated wisdom of God.   "In whom

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him , having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe , according to the working of his great might.  Ephesians 1:17-18 " I know not whence a man is to draw bright hopes, or what is to deliver him from pessimism as his last word about himself and his fellows, except the ‘working of the strength of the might which He wrought in Christ.’ ‘We see not yet all things put under Him’-be it so, ‘but we see Jesus,’ and, looking to Him, hope is possible, reasonable, and imperative. The same knowledge is our refuge from our own consciousness of weakness. Yes! I am all full of sin and corruption. Yes! I am ashamed of myself every day. Yes! I am too heavy to cl

A mountain of ideas and principles in this chapter, a fire-hose of thought. Big Bad? Predestination   The word "will" is thelēma, "a desire which proceeds from one’s heart or emotions. "...Election and God’s fore ordination of us unto adoption are not due to any desert in us or anything outside God Himself, but are acts of His own pure goodness, originating wholly in the freedom of His own thoughts and loving counsel."-Wuest Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  "...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." Ephesians 1:4 God rules the world to save it.-Vincent's Word Studies "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire po

"Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true."  1 Corinthians 1:5-6 In what specific ways has God enriched New Life?  Eloquent words? knowledge? Big concern: "This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true." 1Co 1:10  I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  Be of one mind. United in thought and purpose. Roadblocks. "No religious truth, then, is held rightly “as a spiritual man” should hold it, which is held as a mere external dogma positively accepted. It is held only then in a way worthy of our personal responsibility when it is held with active personal apprehension, as that which is an indelible and irrefutable part of our own deliberate conviction,

I'm still on my "Bible in a Year" plan although I'm falling behind. I like the push of a plan, but my goal is contemplation, understanding, transformation, not speed. This time through King David's narrative, I've been intrigued with the brutal nature of his culture. I'm impressed by his just, even-handedness in dealing with other nations, but also by his equally quick retribution. He spares Saul because he respect the government of God. His best friend is one of Saul's sons and after Saul and Jonathan's death, he honors the relationship through his care of Methiposheth. He marries repeatedly, a custom of the culture but not of God.  This gives me pause when considering all of the sexual expressions of our current society--sex outside of marriage, cohabitation without marriage, homosexuality, bisexuality, remarriage, the list goes on. My quick thought is to leave judgement to God and get on with more productive ways of serving and loving. I

Saul is a mystery. Handsome---tall. Humble at first.  Didn't want to bother Samuel when looking for donkeys. Uncertain or humble?  Hid when Samuel was hashing out who would be appointed king even though Samuel had already anointed him. He was plowing with his oxen even though he was king at this point---or was he still hiding? Is it that he was minding his own business (farming) until it was necessary for him to assume the kingship role and go to battle? Became angry after the Lord's Spirit came upon him? Decisive---sent the ox pieces throughout Israel to motivate them to war. Clever--launched a surprise attack. Why did God make Saul king only later to put David in his place?

Right now I'm chasing a Bible plan--it's not a bad place to be, keeps me moving.  The pressure can also be a burden however. I feel a step behind continually, like when our springer spaniel sometimes paws my heels as I walk. Really? I will get there, if you'll give me a minute. I've decided to read The Message version of 1 and 2nd Corinthians to help me keep up the pace and approach it with fresh wording. Paul's persona is winsome.  He's burdened, yet loving. Earnest, yet withholding to not overwhelm others. Honest, interceding, a champion for Christ and the Church. His personality and heart comes across vividly through these letters-- his burden. Although I'm reading in 2 Corinthians now, the commentary led me back to this verse in 1 Corinthians: "God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else. " 1

The cyclical nature of sin in Judges reminds me of the overarching theme in The Good Earth. Chapters 1-3 As soon as Joshua and the elders pass away, the people forget again.  Isn't this just true?  We make promises. We refocus. We reform our ways with good intentions and a beginning strength that is encouraging.  And, like the people, sometimes we become that leader--either in ourselves or in the larger community that does the right thing.  Ehud with his double-edged sword.  Shamgar with his oxgoad.  But, in time, things get messed up again, don't they.

Pushing and pulling my way through Joshua (the Old Testament always feels like the biggest "chunk" of scripture to cover in most plans, behold Caleb. Caleb was a Kenizzite, a group outside of the Jews.  How did I miss this? As with many figures in the Bible, the text is sparse.  Caleb speaks up at this point in his life---after many years of believing, fighting, and following.  He reminds Joshua of the promise God made to him years ago.  He speaks up at the right time, for the right reason twice in the scriptures--- Once, when the spies were afraid. Once, when inheritances are given out. Both were the exact right times for the exact right reasons. The rest of the time, he holds his peace as far as we are told. I love this commentary from the BKC: "Caleb is introduced in this passage as the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite. According to Gen_15:19 the Kenizzites were a tribe of Canaan in Abraham’s day. Caleb’s family then was originally outside the covenant an

I'm reading the book of Joshua right now and thought to post my own thoughts only, as a measure of accountability and pushing myself.  I love commentary--it opens my mind and heart to new ideas and angles of understanding.  But sometimes, the voices from my past--overly chirpy and loud southern radio preachers, often well-meaning--obstruct instead of help. I can also get lost in hazy lazy thinking, letting commentators do the medium lifting instead of reading closely. Reading closely, as I encourage my students, has irreplaceable benefits. So, what did I notice today? The first chapters of Joshua read like an epic or a fairy tale, which is not to suggest they are not true--but that they are a certain style.  The true part is separate from the style. God does what He wants, how He wants.  We either believe Him in that and allow Him latitude and greatness, or we can pursue the nitty gritty of a naturalistic perspective, holding Him to the laws of nature He created.  It's

Laws for grain offerings.... He should bring an offering of "fine flour" and take a handful to give to the priests.  To that handful, he should add oil and frankincense.  The priest should burn this portion as a memorial offering to the Lord but may eat the rest. No leaven or honey.  Add salt.  There are various reasons suggested for the qualification that honey or leaven not be used. Salt is a purifying and preserving agent, connected to Jesus and his words about the gospel as a preserving element.

Exodus 19-Numbers 10 All takes place on Mount Sinai. Entire book of Leviticus covers a period of a month/30 days. A month away from Canaan. Jesus quotes more passages from this book more than any other. Why Study It? It will help you understand the rest of the books of the Bible.  It's essential to understanding the book of Hebrews. Leviticus can drive you to a place to deeper worship. Leviticus demands a serious approach toward worship. It required a cost and personal involvement. Cadesh--to be holy, sanctified Two basic categories of offerings in the OT: 1. First group enabled a person to find communion/fellowship with God. Proprietary, it had to happen first. Sin offerings, trespass offerings 2. Second class offered by believer's who longed for fellowship with God. Burnt offerings, peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings, drink offerings, heave offerings, wave offerings, "sweet smelling savor" to the Lord--like a barbecue in your neighborhood.

I've spent most of the last month working my way through Exodus via Jack Abeelen's Wednesday night series.  After loving his series on Genesis and experiencing such rich insights, Exodus has been a bit of a let down.  Why?  Not sure.  Is it the longer trajectory and story arc of Moses, the disappointing nature of the people?  Yes. Aspects of Moses used to resonate with me intuitively--primarily his hesitancy and anger.  This time through, I found myself distracted, covering familiar ground without caring very much.  The details of the delays, the people's shortsightedness all seemed too familiar. And what's with all the fuss about the tabernacle itself?  Why spend so much time establishing the ritual of worship?  Yes, to teach the people I hear him say.  But, this type of distraction with the physical consumes too much, too many.  God needs to be worshiped.  We don't intuitively understand that.  The tabernacle was a tool for that.  I suppose I understand. But not