Wed 090902 pm Ezra 3-6

Ezra 3

3.1 seventh month... I didn't notice a begining month. Seventh month of the year or of Cyrus's reign?

3.1 as one man... An interesting expression. It will probably informative to see what the Hebrew is on this.

3.2 Jozadak: Hebrew Strongs #03136: qduwy Yowtsadaq -- Jozadak = "Jehovah is righteous 1) grandson of the high priest Hilkiah; son of the high priest Seraiah; and father of the high priest Joshua; he never attained the office of high priest himself because he was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar

3.2 as it is written... Where?

3.3 fear... I assume the fear of their neighbors not God

3.4 Feast of Booths... background here might help a little

3.5 new moon, appointed feasts, freewilll... Back to the books of the law for these. :o)

3.7 So they gave money ... according to the grant... I assume the money was for the workers and not for the lumber.

3.8 made a beginning... of what?

3.10 sons of Asaph... Asaph -- A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer” (2 Chr. 29:30). The “sons of Asaph,” mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master. http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/asaph.html

3.10 according to the directions of David king of Israel... I can't think of anywhere in the Bible these are given. Should check on this.

3.11 I can find similar passages, but none that this seems to quote.

Ezra 4

4.2 Esarhaddon: successor of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:37; Isa. 37:38)

He ascended the throne about B.C. 681. Nothing further is recorded of him in Scripture, except that he settled certain colonists in Samaria (Ezra 4:2). But from the monuments it appears that he was the most powerful of all the Assyrian monarchs. He built many temples and palaces, the most magnificent of which was the southwest palace at Nimrud, which is said to have been in its general design almost the same as Solomon's palace, only much larger (1 Kings 7:1-12).

In December B.C. 681 Sennacherib was murdered by two of his sons, who, after holding Nineveh for forty-two days, were compelled to fly to Erimenas of Ararat, or Armenia. Their brother Esarhaddon, who had been engaged in a campaign against Armenia, led his army against them. They were utterly overthrown in a battle fought April B.C. 680, near Malatiyeh, and in the following month Esarhaddon was crowned at Nineveh. He restored Babylon, conquered Egypt, and received tribute from Manasseh of Judah. He died in October B.C. 668, while on the march to suppress an Egyptian revolt, and was succeeded by his son Assur-bani-pal, whose younger brother was made viceroy of Babylonia. http://www.christiananswers.net/

4.2 sacrificing to Him... Where and how? Was He a god for them or the God?

4.3 This refusal is food for thought.

4.3 commanded us... instead of gave us permission, etc. What is the Hebrew here?

4.5 bribed... This sounds strong. Bribed or hired?

4.5 How long did Cyrus rule?

4.7 written in Aramaic... Why does that matter?

4.8-9 Bishlam, Methredath, Tabeel, Rehum, Shimshai... Who are these guys and are they significant or just filling in details?

4.12 It would be interesting to know the Hebrew word for wicked.

4.13 royal revenue will be impaired... Were things especially tight or was it the general principle of the thing?

4.14 we eat the salt of the palace... It would be interesting to find the cultural etymology of this expression.

4.16 no possession in the province Beyond the River.... What is meant by this. If Jerusalem rebelled, wouldn't they still have the other cities?

4.23 by force and power... Was this physical force or the force of law.

4.24 until the second year of the reign of Darius... Again, a new king brings a change.

Ezra 5

5.2 arose... Rise up O men of God, be done with lesser things.

5.3 who decreed... I am puzzled by why Cyrus' decree seemed to be such a mystery.

5.10 asked them their names... It seems odd that they did not know the leaders' name.

Ezra 6

6.2 Why was it Echatana, Media?

6.5 which Nebubachadnezzar took out of the temple... Is this recorded as a matter of record or is there some other significance?

6.9 I wonder how ordinary it was for the emperor to pay for temples and temple ceremonies.

6.10 and pray for the life of the king... This is kinda funny.

6.11 Is this hyperbole or did they really do this? I have seen other practices of this era that were this brutal though.

6.14 the Jews built and prospered through the prophesyingg... This is an interesting statement coming right after the decree of Darius and help from the governor, etc...

6.14 by decree of God... What does this mean? Does it mean like God wanted it done, according to what God had planned, or does the decree refer to his power?

6.18 in the book of Moses... Where?

6.21 who had joined them and separated themselves... I wonder who these were.

6.22 Proverbs 21.1

Tues 090901 pm Ezra 1-2

Ezra 1

1.1 first year of Cyrus... This makes it sound like some of this my have been policy changes that come with a new King.

1.1 that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled... What is the reference and the context? "by the mouth" points to the agency of Jeremiah.

1.1 throughout the kingdom... If this was just about Judah, why did it go out throughout all the kingdom?

1.2 The Lord God of heaven... It strikes me as a little odd that a pagan king would refer to God this way.

1.3 his God be with Him... Interesting that he did not say "the" God.

1.3 the God who is in Jerusalem... This seems more local that "God of heaven."

1.4 be assisted by men of his place... Who are these men?

1.8 Sheshbazzar... I wonder who he was and why he would be mentioned?

1.10 What is the point to giving the number of all the vessels?

Ezra 2

2.2 I wonder if any of these guys are mentioned anywhere else.

2.3-34 "people" I wonder if any of these people are mentioned anywhere else. What is the total number? Are the textual variants that would cause some of these numbers to no be absolutely determined.

2.36 sons' of Ela seemed to be the most prolific.

2.36 "priests"

2.40-42 Levites

2.43-54 Temple servants

2.55-57 Solomon's servants

2.58 Do these numbers square with 2.55-57?

2.59-63 "could not prove their fathers' houses

2.66-67 It is interesting that the named the number of animals.

2.69 according to their ability... A good rule of thumb for giving.

Mon 090831 pm Acts 26 & Psa 95-96

Acts 26

26.4 manner of life... Philippians 3.3-6

26.9 opposing... 1 Corinthians 15.9

26.19 I was note disobedient... apeithēs - impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious "Disobedient" is not not the word for disobedient in Eph. 6.1. This word means that Paul was compliant and persuaded by the vision and call that God had given him. O that I might be convinced and wholehearted toward the vision God has given.

26.28 Whatever the translation of this verse, it is tragic that Agripa was not persuaded.

Psalm 95 Anon.; 11 vrs.; 95.7-11--Hebrews 3.7-11, 15, 18; 4.1, 3, 5, 7

95.7 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts... A good word for us.

Psalm 96 Anon.; 13 vrs.; --??

Psalm of worship and praise.

96.3, 5, 10, & 13 The "nations" or "peoples" are mentioned six times. God desires praise from all peoples of the earth.

Sun 090830 pm Psa 91-94

Psalm 91 Anon.; 16 vrs.; 91.11&12--Matthew 4.6 & Luke 4.10-11; 91.13--Luke 10.19
The Lord's protection of His own.

91.11-12 The Devil is not the only one who uses verses like these to cause people to exagerate God's protection and tempt people to tempt God.
91.14 he holds fast to Me in love...he knows My name... I like the idea of knowing God's name in a way that makes you hold fast to Him.

Psalm 92 Anon.; 15 vrs.; --??

92.2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. This is a good habit that I am working on, to make a consious prayer thanking God for His mercy and compassion in the morning when I wake up and for His faithfulness as I go to sleep.
92.14 still bear fruit in old age... It may show my age, but this is a prayer of mine.

Psalm 93 Anon.; 5 vrs; --??
The Lord reigns.

Psalm 94 Anon.; 23 vrs.; --??
Prayer for delivery and proclamation of God's faithfulness.

94.19 When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cher my soul. This is a reassuing promise.

Psalm 95 Anon.; 11 vrs.;

Sat 090829 pm Psa 89-90

Psalm 89 Ethan the Exrahite; 52 vrs.; --??

89.10 Rahab a poetical name applied to Egypt in Ps. 87:4; 89:10; Isa. 51:9, as “the proud one” http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/rahab.html
Most of this psalm was spent praising God for his faithful protection. Then in verse 38 Ethan turns to complain

BOOK IV

Psalm 90 Moses; 17 vrs.; 90.4--2 Peter 3.8

90.4 This verse is a great explanation or illustration of God's eternity.
90.11 Who considers... We should give some thought to this.
90.12 Teach us... Another verse that exhorts us to be thoughtful about our lives.

John 11.20-27 homily notes

1. When we do not understand, it is wise to defer to God's larger perspective and plan.

· We see here the disconnect between God's intention and Martha's limited perspective.
· It is a matter of timing and perspective
timing
6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
Jesus had waited
· "God often delays His response but He is never late." Swindoll
· His response is calibrated to His eternal best, not to our sense of urgency.

perspective
We often focus on our immediate welfare and temporary good. Though we may not understand it, God has a better eternal plan.
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

· Both Martha and Mary greeted Jesus with the words, "Lord, if You had…"
· Take your "if only's" to the Lord and trust in his better plan.

2. We must all face the reality of death.

—Our death is the result of sin.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Christ's death is the solution for sin.
Romans 5
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

—A repentant faith is how we receive the gift of eternal life.
John 11:26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

This is not about playing word games.
It is about a change of heart.
Have your turned to God in repentant faith?

3. Christ's great confession should be ours.
· I AM
Exodus 3
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
This is one of the seven I AM's that John records as evidence of Christ's absolute deity.

· Resurrection
Jesus gave a temporary sign to show that he was who he said he was. He eventually died again.
43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Jesus' own resurrection is the pattern for ours.
I Corinthians 15
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

"Someday you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody of East Northfield, Massachusetts is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, fashioned like unto His glorious body." —D. L. Moody

TE: It is easy to trust in some distant abstract thought, but Jesus' life is for the here and now.

· Life
Note that Jesus did not say that He gave life or was the source of life. He was life.
To know Him is to have life.
John 17
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

"It is not future events but the Person of the Lord, ever present with us, that we need most to be occupied with." —Pink

Fri 090828 am 1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Blessed to "to eulogize or speak well of"
· A couple translations say "praise be to God."
· Even in the midst of a temporary but difficult loss, we can and should speak of God's blessing and gifts and give praise to Him.

abundant mercy
· Mercy speaks of "kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted."
· Mercy reminds us of the sinful condition that God finds us in.
· All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
· The word abundant reminds that God's infinite mercy is so full and deep that it encompasses all of us.
· There is no sin so great or heart so hard that God's mercy cannot enfold it.

living hope
· The word living reminds us that our hope is not some dead platitude, but something that is grounded in reality.
· Early translations called it a "lively hope." This reminds us that this living hope should animate us in difficult times. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 reminds us that we should not "sorrow as others who have no hope."

resurrection of Christ
· The resurrection of Christ was preceded by His death to pay the price for our sins.
· In the garden God told the first man that the day he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would surely die.
· In Romans 6:23, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the wages of sin is death.
· Later in this book of 1 Peter, the Apostle tells us.
· For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (1 Peter 3.18)

an inheritance
· incorruptable,
· undefiled,
· and that does not fade away.

rejoice, though grieved
· for a little while
· the genuineness of your faith
· These words speak of the continuing working out of our salvation here between our regeneration an ultimate glorification.

1 Peter 3:9 "receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

Faith What are we to believe?
1. Believe in your sin and need of salvation.
2. Believe in Christ's death to pay for your sin.
3. Believe in Christ's resurrection
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved… Acts 16:31

Salvation mentioned here has three parts
1. Regenerating our spirit speaks of conversion.
2. Purifying our faith speaks of the ongoing work of sanctification and spiritual growth in this life.
3. Receiving our inheritance speaks of the expectation that we have of being freed from these mortal bodies and present with the Lord.

Letus consider three things.

1. Have you put your trust in Christ. Is that living hope a reality in your life?
2. Those of us who are here have been left here for a purpose.
3. Believers, comfort yourself with the temporary nature of death for God's saints. Temper your grief and heartache with hope.


1 Thess. 4
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. F5 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Mon 090824 pm Psa 87-88

Psalm 87 sons of Korah; 7 vrs.; --??
A psalm about Jerusalem


Psalm 88 Sons of Korah; 18 vrs.; 88.8--Luke 23.49
Lament over troubles.


88.1 God of my salvation...
88.10-12 Seems to imply that the dead are no longer aware of God. Interesting.

Sun 090823 pm Psa 77-86

Psalm 77 Asaph; 20 vrs.; --??
Has the Lord stopped being compassionate? I will meditate on His works.


77.8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? This seems to be an odd question in the wording of the ESV. The Hebrew word translated "steadfast love" is checed. Different translations use various English words to translate it. Young's Literal-kindness; KJV & NKJV-mercy; NASB-lovingkindness; NIV & New Living Trans.-unfailing love. The TWOT has an extensive discussion of the word and the question of whether it is based on free acts of kindness or covenant commitments. I imagine the ESV's translation is trying to capture those two aspects. Gesenius's Lexicon on the Blue Letter Bible identifies the core meaning as desire or ardour with the good sense meaning "zeal toward one, goodness, kindness." Mercy fits well when describing God's kindness toward we undeserving people. Each choice seems to have it's merit. I think that I would lean toward kindness or mercy, but also think the NASB's lovingkindness also captures the meaning well.


Psalm 78 Asaph; 72 vrs.; 78.2-Matt. 13.35; 78.24--John 6.31
Reviews Gods working with Israel thru David.
78.2 I will open my mouth... Fulfilled in Matthew 13.35 by Christ.
78.12 Zoan (Old Egyptian: Sant= “stronghold,” the modern San). A city on the Tanitic branch of the Nile, called by the Greeks Tanis. It was built seven years after Hebron in Palestine (Num. 13:22). This great and important city was the capital of the Hyksos, or Shepherd kings, who ruled Egypt for more than 500 years. It was the frontier town of Goshen. Here Pharaoh was holding his court at the time of his various interviews with Moses and Aaron. "No trace of Zoan exists; Tanis was built over it, and city after city has been built over the ruins of that" (Harper, Bible and Modern Discovery). Extensive mounds of ruins, the wreck of the ancient city, now mark its site (Isa. 19:11, 13; 30:4; Ezek. 30:14). "The whole constitutes one of the grandest and oldest ruins in the world."
This city was also called “the Field of Zoan” (Ps. 78:12, 43) and “the Town of Rameses” (q.v.), because the oppressor rebuilt and embellished it, probably by the forced labor of the Hebrews, and made it his northern capital. http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/zoan.html
78.36-37 O that our hearts would be true the the confession of our mouths and we would love the Lord with all our hearts.
78.49 a company of destroying angels Interesting. I need to remember to include all the allusions to the plagues and exodus from the Psalms next time I study that part of Exodus.
78.64 and their widows made no lamentation... I guess that when the widows aren't sad the country is defeated, it wasn't really worth much anymore anyway.


Psalm 79 Asaph; 13 vrs.; --??
A prayer for relief from the nations.


79.10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"


Psalm 80 Asaph; 19 vrs.; --??
Another prayer for delieverance from the nations.


80.8-16 The metapor of a vine is used to illustrate Israel.
80.3, 7, 19 Let your face shine, that we may be saved! God's favor preceeds salvation here. While this has more to do with the physical delieverance of Israel, it is laguage that fits well with salvation.


Psalm 81 Asaph; 16 vrs.; --??
God's desire that His people would listen and submit to Him and receive his blessings.


81.10 Open your mouth wiide, and I will fill it. The good hear of God. Just how do we get our mouths open?
81.11 The answer.
81.12 Reminisent of Romans 1. Gods punishment is to let us go our own way. Our sins carry their own punishments. O that I would listen and walk in His ways!




Psalm 82 Asaph; 8 vrs.; 82.6--John 10:34
Plea for God to judge the wicked.


82.2 This seems like a pretty strong accusation against God. Courious.
80.4 how long will you be angry with the prayers of your people?


Psalm 83 Asaph; 18 vrs.; --??
Prayer against enemies of God that plotted against Israel.


83.11 Oreb a prince of Midian, who, being defeated by Gideon and put to straits, was slain along with Zeeb (Judg. 7:20-25)
83.11 Zebah one of the two kings who led the vast host of the Midianites who invaded the land of Israel, and over whom Gideon gained a great and decisive victory (Judg. 8). Zebah and Zalmunna had succeeded in escaping across the Jordan with a remnant of the Midianite host, but were overtaken at Karkor, probably in the Hauran, and routed by Gideon. The kings were taken alive and brought back across the Jordan; and confessing that they had personally taken part in the slaughter of Gideon's brothers, they were put to death (compare 1 Sam. 12:11; Isa. 10:26; Ps. 83:11).
83.18 that they may know that you alone ... are the Most High... This should be our primary motivation in our prayers and lives.


Psalm 84 Sons of Korah; 12 vrs.; --??
Positive psalm of general praise.


84.6 Valley of Bacah This was probably a valley in some part of Palestine, or one of the valleys through which pilgrims had to pass on their way to the sanctuary of Jehovah on Zion; or it may be figuratively “a valley of weeping.” http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/bacavalleyof.html
84.10 a doorkeeper... This is an interesting statement in light to Jesus's statement about the least being the greatest in the kingdom of God.


Psalm 85 Son's of Korah
How long till God forgives His people?


85.10 righteous and peace kiss each other. I t like just like this expression. Peace and righteousness together is a good thing to contemplate.


Psalm 86 David; 17 vrs.; 86.9--Revelation 15.4?
Prayer for delieverance.

Fri 090820 pm Gal 2-3 Col 1 Psa 75-76

Galatians 2
2.4 brothers secretly brought in... This is amazing that all this was going on.
2.8 he who worked through Peter ... worked also through me... Notice the trust and good will in the midst of sharp disagreement.
2.11 I opposed him to his face... This is preferable to the talk and lobby around behind people's back.

Galatians 3
3.8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God... This is a very interesting expression. It also hints and the unity of foreknowing and choosing or decreeing.
3.24 until Christ came... Christ changes everything


Colossians 1

1.1-2 Greeting
Background of Colossians
Theme and outline
compare with other greetings and make note of significance of the particulars in this greeting

1.3-6 Thanksgiving for Colossians
Note the relationship between faith, love, and hope
What can be learned about the relationship between the good news and fruit bearing?

1.7-8 (& 4.12-13) Epaphras Ministry Characteristics
beloved, fellow-servant, faithful, minister, of Christ, declaring their love, striving in prayers, what he prayed for, much zeal

1.9-11 Prayer for the Colossians
walk worthy
fruitful in every good work
increasing in knowledge of God
strengthened for patience

1.12-14 Thanks for Christ's Work
qualified
delivered us
redemption

1.15-16 Preeminence of Christ Pt. 1
image, "first-born", creator, sustainer

1.17-20 Preeminence of Christ Pt. 2
Before all things, head of the body, beginning, firstborn, preeminence, reconcile all things

1.21-23
our previous condition
God's design for us
established steadfastness in Gospel

1.23b-29 Paul's Ministry
the afflictions of Christ
stewardship from God
mystery manifested
purpose of ministry

Psalm 75 Asaph; 10 vrs.; --??

75.3 I love this verse. When the earth totters ... it is I who keeps the pillars steady. Its nice to know that God has his hand on the pillars, cause things often seem kinda tottery.
75.7 judgement ... putting down ... lifting up... God, the great equalizer. Sooner or later he will level things out.

Psalm 76 Asaph; 12 vrs.; --??

76.2 Salem, another name for Jserusalem
76.10 the wrath of man shall praise You... All things work together...
76. Fear of God mentioned four times in the last half of this psalm.

Wed 090819 pm Gal 1 Psa 76

Galatians 1
1.1 It is interesting that he did not mention the Holy Spirit. Probably not significant, but interesting anyway.
1.10 to please man... This may be a hint why so many ministers and Christians in general are so ineffective for and lukewarm about the Lord's work and serving him.
1.15 who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace... This is really a very "Calvinistic" verse that also shows how God uses means to accomplish his purposes.

Psalm 74 Asaph; 23 vrs.; --???
How long before God defends against His enemies?

74.11 Why do You hold back your hand... This is a common question.
74.19 your poor... I haven't thought through this whole thing, but it is something to think about poor being the Lord's.
74.22 Arise, O God... I always find this expression to be very colorful and expressive.

I'm back

I read Philippians, Colossians several times, some from Ezra, and a Psalm or two. No time to journal on it all though.

Away from the computer for a few days.

Sat 090815 pm 1 Cor 6-7 Psa 127

1 Corinthians 6
6.10 as poor, yet making many rich... not devouring the sheep like in Zechariah
6.15 Like the Samaritans in Nehemiah.

1 Corinthians 7
7.1 Interesting connection between holiness and the fear of God
7.4 Pride in the Corinthians with all their problems. There are some ministers today that could take a lesson from Paul here regarding their flocks.
7.15 received him [Titus] with fear and trembling... That is a curious expression for someone who seemed to be so dear the the Corinthians unless he came with a stern warning or something.
Psalm 127 Solomon; 5 vrs.; 1 Cor. 3.9 ff
Great psalm to encourage young families.

127.1 unless the Lord builds... This statement is much bigger and deeper than it appears at first glance.
127.4 like arrows... The whole point of arrows is to shoot them. That is one of the most difficult parts of parenting to get right.

Fri 090814 am 2 Cor 3-5

2 Corinthians 3
3.6 The ESV translation choice of "competent" is new to me. I am not sure how competent I feel, but God is often good to fill in the gaps for me.
3.12 since we have this hope... How much of our timidity is a result of a weak hope?

2 Corinthians 4
4.6 Interesting how the act of creation is tied to that act of salvation. We should be careful about how we teach creation. I am trying to think if the day-age theory has any bearing on this verse.
4.18 things that are seen are transient... Just the opposite how it seems to be on this side of glory.

2 Corinthians 5
5.2-4 We always talk about being rid of this earthly body to be rid of our aches and pains, but that is not at all what Paul seems to be saying here.

Thurs 090812 pm Psa 72-73

Psalm 72 Solomon; 20 vrs.; 72.18--Luke 1:68
May the king be prosperous and great because he takes care of the unfortunat people.

71.2 judge ... Your poor with righteousness...
71.4 defend the cause of the poor...
71.12 delievers the needy ... the poor ... him that has no helper...

Psalm 73 Aseph; 28 vrs.; --??
This psalm is about the wicked and Asephs thoughts about them.

73.25 nothing... I am working on this one.

Wed 090811 pm Psa 70-71

Psalm 70 David; 5 vrs.; --??
It is interesting that David contrasts those who seek his ruin with those who rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 71 Anon.; 24 vrs.; --??

71.6 upon you I have leaned from before my birth... This is a curious statement. This would be a good one to study and think about.
71.9 a good reminder that we will not always be strong and self sufficient.
71.14 interesting that hope and praise are set up as kinda synonyms.
71.18b This is a big part of our purpose.

Vacation Zech. 11.16

It was nice to take a week or so off the Internet. During my reading I ran across a neat verse, Zech. 11.16. It talked about what a shepherd is (or is not).
1. does not care for those being destroyed
2. seeks the young
3. heals the maimed
4. nourishes the healthy
5. does not devour the fat sheep

Sun 090726 pm Psa 60-62

Psalm 60 David; 12 vs.; --??

60.4 those who fear you... A description of God's people.
60.12 we shall do valiantly ... it is He who... Another verse that reminds us that it is the Lord who enables us.

Psalm 61 David; 8 vs.; --??

61.2b the rock that is higher than I...

Psalm 62 David; 12 vs.; --??

62.1 For God alone my soul waits in silence... I am thinking about why my soul is silent when I am waiting on God.
62.2 myrock salvation, fortress ... I shall not be greatly moved...
62.11 to you belongs steadfast love...

Sat 090725 pm 1 Peter 3.13-17

1 Peter 3.13-17

1. Review accusations against the early church:
cannibalism
disruption of business
gross immorality
anti-family sentiment
poverty
atheism
lack of patriotism
anti-social behavior
disasters

2. Contempory accusations could include:
narrow minded
ignorant
hypoctites
divisions
terrism
legislate morality
in it fo rthe money
no fun
etc...

How should we answer our critics?

NKJV
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

NASB
13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

ESV
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

3. Context vs. 10-13 Quote from Psa. 34
A psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech in 2 Sam. 21.10-14.
Tells how to generally avoid persecution / suffering.

4. "blessed" Compare with Mattehw 5.10-12 (Martin-Lloyd Jones is excellent on these verses. http://books.google.com/books?id=Ucp_J37oqBoC&dq=martin+lloyd+jones+sermon+on+the+mount&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=PslsSoD9LoaYMfWgkfkG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5)
*against you falsely
*reward in Heaven compare with 1 Cor. 15.19 If it is in this life only...
*the prophets before you

5. "and do not be afraid" Quotes form Isaiah 8.12-13
Context: The coming Assyrian invasion
--Don't be caught up in fearing
--Hallow (sanctify) the Lord of Hosts
--Fear God (not man) compare with Luke 12.4-5

6. reason <-----> hope
reason: thinking, logic
hope: What is your hope? compare with 1 John 3.2-3

7. How to reply...
meekness and fear YLT, KJV, NKJV
gentleness and reverence NASB
gentleness and respect ESV, NIV

gentleness and meekness are pretty much synonyms with a choice of preference

phobos
"respect" like in 2 Timothy 3.24-25
1 Peter 2.17 timao translated honor in 1 Peter 2.17
phobos used this way is usually toward a superior or someone in authority

"fear" (of God instead of man) like in Isaiah 8.12-13

Application: To be ready to answer accusations we should have four things
1. a good conscience
2. have hallow the Lord in our hearts
3. a hope
4. our reason for the hope