Tag Archives: Mark 12:38-13:13

March 6, 2015 Bible Study — Actual Righteousness vs Hypocrisy

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 10:27-28

    If you truly fear the Lord you will live a godly life. Striving to lead a godly life causes one to avoid behaviors which shorten your life and to engage in behaviors which extend it. The wicked do the opposite. I feel like when I write these things about the proverbs that what I am writing is just restating what the writer said. Then I realize that in the past I had read these as “magical” formulas. If you did as God desired, He would magically extend your life and if you were wicked He would magically shorten your life. The proverb writer is not writing about anything magical, or even miraculous. It is just the way the world works.

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Psalm 49:1-20

    We need not fear when enemies surround us. They may trust in their wealth, but I will trust in God. No matter how wealthy someone is, they will die. Their wealth will not buy them an escape from the grave. Our only hope to escape from the grave is God. He is capable, and willing, to ransom from the grave those who please Him. Those with great wealth may build monuments to their name, but in time even those will fade away.
    There is no reason to be dismayed when the wicked grow wealthy. Their time will come. Sooner or later they will die. They will take none of their wealth with them.

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Mark 12:38-13:13

    I don’t think I ever noticed the connection between Jesus warning against the religious leaders’ actions and the widow’s donations before. Jesus warned His disciples to be wary of the religious leaders because they did things for show, to appear righteous, but out of the public eye they were willing to cheat those who could not fight back (in particular, widows). Then Jesus used one of those whom the religious leaders would cheat as an example of generous giving.
    Jesus tells us that we should be wary of those who put on a show of their righteousness and generosity. They are likely doing so to cover up their corruption and deceit. On the other hand He commends those who have little, but are willing to give what little they have in order to further God’s Kingdom. Is what we give to the Lord’s work out of our surplus? Or, are we willing to tighten our belts to further the Lord’s work and/or help others? There is nothing wrong in giving out of our surplus, but those we should commend and look up to are those who sacrifice in order to do God’s work.

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Numbers 6-7:89

    The vow of the Nazirite is described in today’s passage. I am somewhat surprised that more attention is not paid to this vow. What is described here is not actually a specific vow. Rather it is a type of vow. Those who take this vow have determined to make some specific dedication to God. The passage does not say what type of thing would inspire someone to take a Nazirite vow. However, the accounts we have of people who lived by such vows suggest that it was likely some kind of act in service of God. For example, John the Baptist lived his whole life under like someone who had taken a Nazirite vow. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem he was accompanying two men who had completed such a vow. Those who take such vows are making a very public statement that they are willing to sacrifice in order to serve God.

March 6, 2014 Bible Study — How Much Should I Give?

    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. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Proverbs 10:27-28

    Those who fear the Lord will do things which improve their health and extend their lives. On the other hand, those who indulge in wicked activities will destroy their health and shorten their lives. Righteous people hope for things, and then work for those things, that bring happiness to many people. Those who use evil means to attempt to fulfill their hopes will have their hopes dashed by the results of their actions.

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Psalm 49:1-20

    Let everyone listen to what the psalmist has to say today. If we place our faith in God, we need not fear when troubles rise against us. God will come to our rescue and our life will not end in the grave. I will not be dismayed when the wicked gain wealth and power. In the end they will die, just like everyone else. When they do, they will leave behind their material wealth and worldly power. None of that will do them any good when they stand before God on that day. No matter how much wealth, or how many things one acquires in this life, they will be of no use when death comes calling. None of our material possessions will be there for us when God calls us to account for our lives. Then the only thing that will count will be what we have done to bring glory to His name.

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Mark 12:38-13:13

    Jesus warned His disciples against falling for religious leaders who give every appearance of righteousness in public but cheat widows and the powerless when they think no one is watching. However, this warning is not just against falling for their pretense. It is also a warning against becoming like them. Jesus then gives His disciples, and us, a lesson on giving. It is our natural tendency to honour those who give large amounts, but Jesus tells us it is not how much we give. Rather, the question is, have we given to the point where we have to rely on God to meet our needs? If we just give to God out of what is left over after we pay our bills, we have not really given anything. This passage reminds me of the importance of giving to God first and counting on Him to supply my needs.

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Numbers 6-7:89

    The passage discusses the vow of the Nazirite. Those who take such a vow are dedicating themselves to do something in service of God. It is not clear to me whether they take the vow of the Nazirite as a form of preparation for the act which they are vowing to do, or if they undertake the rights of being a Nazirite while they are undertaking the act. It would seem to me more likely to be the former. As I read this it seems to me to suggest the importance of setting ourselves aside into a special state as we prepare to undertake a task which God has placed before us. The vow of the Nazirite as described seems to me to be a perfect ritual to bring one into focus on allowing the Holy Spirit to direct one in fulfilling a task which one has undertook in service of God.

March 6, 2013 Bible Study — The Holy Spirit Speaks Through Us

     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 hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

The stream bed in February
The stream bed in February

Numbers 6-7:89

     The passage lays out the practice of becoming a Nazarite, that is, one dedicated to the Lord. The idea is that they would make a vow dedicating themselves to the Lord for a period of time. During that time they would be dedicated to performing some action for the Lord and would not drink any alcoholic beverage (or even eat anything derived from the grapevine), they would not cut their hair (I read this to include their beard, but that may be a misunderstanding) and they would avoid dead bodies (even those of close relatives). At the end of the period of their vow, they would ritually cut their hair and offer a special sacrifice indicating that it was completed.
     Next the passage gives a blessing that the priests are to give to the people of Israel in the Lord’s name. It is one that has often been used as the benediction of worship services.

‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’

I had not realized that this benediction came from this source. I have not heard this used in some time and would like to hear its use revived.
     Today’s passage concludes with a description of the offering brought by the leaders of each tribe for the dedication of the completed Tabernacle.

Small pond in the woods
Small pond in the woods

Mark 12:38-13:13

     After the exchanges in which various religious leaders and teachers of religious law had attempted to trap Jesus with their questions, Jesus taught the people to beware of them. He accused them of desiring to gain honor as men of righteousness while at the same time cheating the vulnerable. He then goes and sits down by the collection box and watched as people went through and made their cash offerings. Many wealthy people came by and threw in large amounts of money. Then a poor widow came by and put in two small coins. Jesus pointed this out to His disciples and commended the widow. He told them that her donation was more to God because the others gave out of their excess, while she gave out of what she had to live on. Her offering actually cost her. We should strive to follow her example.
     As they left the Temple that day one of the disciples pointed out to Jesus how magnificent the Temple was. Jesus told him that the buildings of the Temple compound would be destroyed, razed to the ground. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus privately when that would happen, what the signs would be that it was about to happen? Jesus tells them that there would be wars and rumors of wars, armed strife throughout the world. There would be earthquakes and famines. His followers would be arrested and suffer punishment for following His teachings. They would be brought to trial before various government officials where they would be called on to testify to His name. Jesus told them not to prepare in advance what they would say. They were to say what came to them as they testified because the Holy Spirit would speak through them. I think this is meant us as much as for the disciples and not just when we are brought before persecuting tribunals. Are we willing to say what the Holy Spirit leads us to say when we are in a situation where acknowledging our faith might get us ridiculed? As important, do we let the Holy Spirit guide our speech when we make public presentations, or do we think we have to have it all planned out in advance? Do I?

The fire-pit awaits spring
The fire-pit awaits spring

Psalm 49:1-20

     We are all the same before God, rich and poor, powerful and weak. Those who rely on their wealth and boast of their connections and power will die and stand before God just as those who have nothing. Their great wealth will not buy them from the grave and punishment for their sins. Only by placing our trust in God can we hope to have redemption from our sins. In the end, our wealth and power will gain us nothing when we come before God.

How far to "P"?
How far to “P”?

Proverbs 10:27-28

     It is fear of the Lord that allows us to live a long and happy life. Those who revel in wickedness will find their lives cut short. Those who obey the Lord and live in righteousness will find joy in all they do, while those who follow wicked paths will find their hopes crumble to dust.