September 9, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     I am going to be away this weekend, so I am posting this study a day early for anybody who uses my musings for their daily devotional. I do not know if anybody does so, but since I am structuring this blog for that possibility I thought I should provide for those who might actually be doing so.

Tabitha and Gandalf wake up from their nap

Isaiah 3-5:30

     Isaiah speaks of the utter devastation that will come upon the Kingdom of Judah. He also talks about why this judgement is coming. The people of Judah were sinning openly, making no attempt to hide their sins. Rather than try and hide their sins they were proudly displaying them. In the middle of discussing the coming judgement Isaiah tells the godly that all will be well with them, it is the wicked who are about to be judged. Isaiah condemns the people of Judah for oppressing the poor. As I read this I get the feeling that a break down in sexual morals leads to a break down in social justice morals. A society that embraces sexual sins will soon embrace oppressing the poor.
     In the middle of describing the terrible judgement that is coming to the people of Judah for their sins, Isaiah prophecies that God will work an act of Salvation for those who survive and turn to Him. Isaiah then immediately turns back to condemning the people of Judah. He speaks of those who throw grand parties with every sort of alcohol, food and entertainment, yet never give a thought to God nor pay any attention to what He is doing. He speaks of the utter destruction that will come upon such people. I read this passage and think that it is time for Christians to cry out a warning to those around us that the time to turn to the Lord is short. I think that the Church in the U.S. has failed to show the connection between sin and oppression. We have failed to make the connection between sin and oppression to those around us.

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

     Paul expressed concern that the Corinthian Christians would allow false teachers to lead them to follow doctrines foreign to the Gospel. Paul warns them against teachings that contradict what he originally taught them, no matter how persuasive or eloquent the one teaching them. He also gives a very subtle comment about how they can judge between his teachings and those of these “super apostles”. He points out that he made no financial gain from his preaching among them. It seems to me that one of the lessons Paul is trying to convey here is that we should be suspicious of those who stand to profit from the “gospel” they are preaching. This is not to be confused with those who make their living from preaching the gospel. It is about those who afford fancy clothes and fine cars on the basis of their preaching while their “flock” is often of more modest means.

Wildflower

Psalm 53:1-6

     The psalmist starts out by saying that only fools believe that there is no God. He then continues by telling us that everyone has turned away from God. No human is in a position to hold themselves up as more godly than others. We have all sinned and none of us do good. Yet even so God has sent Christ to offer salvation. God will restore His people unto Him.

Magrat fascinated

Proverbs 22:28-29

     Today’s first proverb tells us not to cheat our neighbors by moving the markers that indicate the edges of our property. I think this really comes down to telling us that we should not cheat our neighbor. The second proverb tells us that those who are truly skilled at what they do will be employed by those from the highest levels of society.

September 8, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

Gandalf and Tabitha play

Isaiah 1-2:22

     Today I begin reading the Book of Isaiah. He starts out by condemning the children of Israel for turning away from God. Isaiah tells them that God has no interest in the “correct” forms of worship. What God wants from us is for us to learn to do good, to seek justice, to help the oppressed, defend the cause of orphans, and fight for the rights of widows. He tells us that if we turn to God and repent, God will wash away our sin and make us clean. Isaiah uses the metaphor of purifying silver here. When silver becomes thoroughly corroded it can be purified by melting it down in a crucible and removing the dross that floats to the top. Isaiah says that God is going to treat the children of Israel like corroded silver. I believe that God does similar things to other nations as well. When a nation of people start to allow injustice to thrive and the powerless to be oppressed, God will bring judgement on them.
     After telling us that a judgement is coming to those who observe the forms of worship without the substance, Isaiah puts in a section talking about the day when God will extend His will throughout the earth. A day will come when, “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Then Isaiah tells us that before that day, the day of God’s judgement will come. When the day of trial comes, we must not rely on humans. Instead we must rely on God to save and protect us.

Gandalf looks on

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

     Paul begs the Corinthians to take his words to heart and change their ways so that he does not need to be confrontational when he next visits them. He tells them that he does not use human power and weapons to fight against false arguments. Instead he uses the weapons and power of God. It is through God’s power that we can overcome rebellious thoughts and teach people to obey Christ. Paul goes on to give us a guideline for distinguishing leaders who are serving God from those who are serving themselves. Leaders who are serving God speak and act to build up those in the Church. Leaders who are serving themselves tear down those that they “lead”. Finally he tells us that we should not boast about ourselves. We should only boast about the Lord. We should not commend ourselves, but instead allow the Lord to commend us.

Psalm 52:1-9

     The psalmist tells us that there are those who build their power on lies and deception. They tear down others to make themselves appear more powerful. God will judge them and bring them to ruin. Those who rely on God will have a slower, but more reliable rise.

Proverbs 22:26-27

     Today’s proverb warns us not to stand as security for someone else’s debt unless we can afford to pay the debt ourselves.