Tag Archives: Matthew 11:7-30

January 16, 2015 Bible Study — Struggling With God

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 3:19-20

    It was with and by wisdom and understanding that God created the universe. It is for this reason that we can hope to comprehend how and why the world works the way it does.

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Psalm 14:1-7

    I am glad that my preparation of this blog leads me to read this psalm at least once a year. It starts off by telling us that those who think there is no God are fools. It goes on to tell us that people are such fools because they are corrupt and their actions are vile. The most important point in this psalm is that we are all such fools. There is however a chance that we may learn and turn to God.

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Matthew 11:7-30

    In this passage we have another hint that Jesus and John (and their followers) thought of themselves as part of the same movement. Jesus compares the way John and He chose to minister, and people’s reactions to that choice. John was an ascetic who avoided alcohol and fine foods, calling people away from the pleasures of this world to focus on God and righteousness. People accused him of being demon possessed. Jesus, on the other hand, joined people in their pleasures and showed people that they could serve God and have a good time. People accused Him of being a drunkard and a glutton, condemning Him for associating with sinners. This passage is a reminder that the people of this world will find something to accuse us of, no matter how we live our lives.

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Genesis 32:13-34:31

    The night before Jacob met Esau again for the first time in many years, he was alone in his camp having sent his family and possessions across the river. A man came and the two of them wrestled throughout the entire night. As the sun began to rise, the man struck Jacob on the hip so that Jacob’s hip was dislocated. Jacob demanded the man bless him before he would let him go. The man told Jacob that his name would no longer be Jacob, which means “heel” or “deceiver”. Instead, his name would be Israel, which means “God fights”.
    We do not know who the man was, but Jacob appears to have thought he was God Himself. What is interesting is that Jacob was given the name Israel because he wrestled with both God and with man. There is an implication here that it is not only OK to struggle with God’s will for us, but that it is to be admired that we do not just mindlessly submit. I see this as in contrast with Islam, which says we should just submit to God’s will. I am not quite sure I can state this well, but I will try. We are to do God’s will and serve Him. We understand that all things work according to God’s plan. However, when things seem unjust, or unfair, we should struggle to change them so that justice will be restored. We are not to just fatalistically submit to how things are, we are to struggle to make them better.

January 16, 2014 Bible Study — Only Fools Say In Thier Hearts, “There Is No God”

     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. My work schedule has recently changed, meaning that I may not have time every day to complete these. As a result, I am trying to get several days ahead. I hope this does not negatively impact the quality of these posts (if that is possible). If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Genesis 32:13-34:31

     In this passage we are told that Jacob wrestled with God. Jacob was not passive in his relationship with God. He struggled against God, but trusted God and did God’s will. God does not ask us to put aside our intellect or our understanding. It is OK to question God. It is even OK to sometimes doubt God. Our walk with God will not always be easy, sometimes we will have to fight with God and with ourselves in order to understand what God’s will for our lives is.

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Matthew 11:7-30

     Jesus asked the crowd a rhetorical question. He asked them what sort of man they went out into the wilderness to see when they went out to see John. Then He answered His question. People do not go to gain spiritual guidance from someone who spouts what is popular this week, nor from those whose credentials derive from their economic success. Rather people seek out prophets for spiritual advice. Jesus then points out that the opinion leaders of the day are quick to find fault with those who challenge their lifestyles. If the challenger is frugal and lives an ascetic lifestyle they will condemn him as being too severe. If, on the other hand, the challenger enjoys life’s pleasures they will accuse him of being a hedonist.
     We need to remember both of these messages. If we want to reach people for Jesus we need to stand for something and not bend in every wind of popular culture. In addition, if we call people to live according to God’s will, others are going to condemn us for not living the way they think a religious person should…even if that means condemning one person for doing what they condemned another person for not doing.

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Psalm 14:1-7

     The psalmist tells us that only fools are able to convince themselves that there is no God. He goes on to tell us that such people are corrupt and evil, even when they are not obviously so. He goes on to tell us that to a degree we have all made the mistake, at some point, of thinking that God will not judge our actions. There is no one who truly does good, which is why we need God’s saving grace. Those who are willing to learn see that the path of wickedness leads to terror. While those who trust God need not fear because God will protect them.

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Proverbs 3:19-20

     God designed the world with wisdom and understanding. He does not call on us to put our minds in park. He built the world so that it can be understood by those who are willing to think and reason and gave us those abilities so that we can learn to know and love Him.

January 16, 2013 Bible Study — Wrestle with God

     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 Garden Awaits Spring
The Garden Awaits Spring

Genesis 32:13-34:31

     Jacob prepares for his meeting with Esau by separating out some of his flocks and sending them on ahead of him. He divides these animals into three herds. He tells the herdsman to tell Esau that these are gifts for him from Jacob and that Jacob is coming behind them. After sending these on ahead, Jacob stays the night where he was. During the night, he gathered his family and started them on their way. Jacob stayed behind and wrestled with a man through the night. As morning approached, the man was unable to overpower Jacob, so he touched Jacob on the hip dislocating his hip. Then the man asked Jacob to let him go. Jacob replied that he would not let him go unless the man blessed him. The man told Jacob that he, Jacob, wrestled with God and with man and had overcome. Therefor the man gave Jacob the name Israel. Jacob asked the man his name and the man did not give Jacob his name, but he did bless him. Jacob is given the name Israel and blessed in part because he was willing to wrestle with God. This tells us that God does not expect our blind obedience. God knows that we will struggle with His commands and that He does not object.
     As Jacob joined his family he saw Esau and his men approaching. Jacob quickly divided his family putting the servant women and their children first, then Leah and her children with Rachel and Joseph coming last. Jacob bowed low before Esau, but Esau ran to him and embraced him. Esau offered to travel with Jacob, but accompany him to Seir, where Esau made his base. Jacob convinced Esau that was not necessary.

Birdhouse In January
Birdhouse In January

Matthew 11:7-30

     After Jesus had answered John the Baptist’s disciples and they went on their way, He began speaking to the crowds about John. He tells them that no one born of woman is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. He goes on to say that society condemn the righteous with whatever excuse they can come up with. They said that John must be possessed by demons (mentally ill in today’s terminology) because he was an ascetic. On the other hand they called Jesus a glutton and a drunkard because He went to the best parties. We often miss one of the points of this passage. There is a place for both those who are ascetics and deny themselves in order to live more holy lives and for those who go to the parties in order to befriend the sinners and show them that they are welcomed into the Kingdom of God. After all, both Jesus and John reserved their most fervent condemnation for those who thought themselves righteous.
     This passage ends with Jesus telling those who are burdened to come to Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden light. when I read this it reminded me of this song.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Several other great songs came up when I searched for this song. Perhaps this song was inspired by another passage, but I always think of this verse when I hear/sing this song. Always remember, count your blessings…count them one by one. If you start doing that when you wake up, you will still be doing it when you fall asleep.

Everything Covered In Snow
Everything Covered In Snow

Psalm 14:1-7

     Evil fools tell themselves that there is no God in order to believe that they will escape the consequences of their actions. It is a temptation that we all face because we have all turned away from God and become corrupt. I will turn from my sin and pray to God, throwing myself on His mercy. I know that He will protect those who turn to Him

Snow On A Stone Wall
Snow On A Stone Wall

Proverbs 3:19-20

     God laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom. If you want to understand how the world works and how to do well in that world, you must use that same wisdom.