2/27/12

A hard message to say and a harder one to hear


I think we all know what they MEANT TO SAY.  Toilets have a function; a very useful function and without them we would all be still using outhouses.  Perhaps they should have said something like: Please don't put anything unnatural in the toilet or Toilets are for human waste only.  Still, none of these sound quite right.  I am not really sure if there is a gentle way of conveying this message..???  Communication can be difficult at times, especially when the speaker and the hearer have different generic starting points...

WEB: John Chapter 8

[30] As he spoke these things, many believed in him. [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”"

[33] They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, "‘You will be made free?’"”

[34] Jesus answered them, "“Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. [35] A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. [36] If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. [37] I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. [38] I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”"

[39] They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them, "“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. [41] You do the works of your father.”"

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

[42] Therefore Jesus said to them, "“If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. [44] You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. [45] But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. [46] Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”"

[48] Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”

[49] Jesus answered, "“I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. [51] Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”"

[52] Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, "‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’" [53] Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

[54] Jesus answered, "“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. [55] You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”"

[57] The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

[58] Jesus said to them, "“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”"

[59] Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.

The Jews felt that THEY WERE GOD'S PEOPLE BY BIRTH; Jesus taught that God's people belonged to God on the basis of obedient faith.  And so there was confusion and more confusion; that is... until the "I AM" statement.  Then the Jews tried to kill Jesus.  What kind of people do that anyway???  Perhaps its a middle eastern mindset or just characteristic of the Jews that made them act this way?  No, the more I think about it, it seems its a general characteristic of all men, everywhere, to act like this.  Which makes me wonder what sort of sign they would have instead of the one above.  Maybe... Only put poop in the potty?  No, that wouldn't work either... not literal enough!!!

Feb. 27 Exodus 8


Feb. 27
Exodus 8

Exo 8:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, "This is what Yahweh says, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 8:2 If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs:
Exo 8:3 and the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into your house, and into your bedchamber, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading troughs:
Exo 8:4 and the frogs shall come up both on you, and on your people, and on all your servants.' "
Exo 8:5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch forth your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.' "
Exo 8:6 Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:7 The magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat Yahweh, that he take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Yahweh."
Exo 8:9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only."
Exo 8:10 He said, "Tomorrow." He said, "Be it according to your word, that you may know that there is none like Yahweh our God.
Exo 8:11 The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only."
Exo 8:12 Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to Yahweh concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh.
Exo 8:13 Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields.
Exo 8:14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.
Exo 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and didn't listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 8:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.' "
Exo 8:17 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exo 8:18 The magicians tried with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they couldn't. There were lice on man, and on animal.
Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God:" and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
Exo 8:20 Yahweh said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes forth to the water; and tell him, 'This is what Yahweh says, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 8:21 Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
Exo 8:22 I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am Yahweh in the midst of the earth.
Exo 8:23 I will put a division between my people and your people: by tomorrow shall this sign be." ' "
Exo 8:24 Yahweh did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses: and in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.
Exo 8:25 Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land!"
Exo 8:26 Moses said, "It isn't appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Yahweh our God. Behold, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and won't they stone us?
Exo 8:27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he shall command us."
Exo 8:28 Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray for me."
Exo 8:29 Moses said, "Behold, I go out from you, and I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; only don't let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Yahweh."
Exo 8:30 Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to Yahweh.
Exo 8:31 Yahweh did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one.
Exo 8:32 Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn't let the people go.

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS" Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

            Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note how historical events often served as the impetus for the 
   writing of particular psalms

2) To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Selah"

3) To consider how David trusted in the Lord to deliver him from his 
   enemies

SUMMARY

The heading attributes this psalm to David, composed as he was fleeing
from his son Absalom (cf. 2Sa 15-18).  It is commonly called "a
morning hymn" (cf. v. 5) in which the psalmist prays for God's
protection.

David addresses his complaint to the Lord, how there be many who
trouble him.  They even taunt him by saying there is no help from God
for him (cf. the curses of Shimei, 2Sa 16:5-8). In this psalm (and in
many others) we find the word "Selah".   The exact meaning  is unknown,
but it may have served the purpose of providing some musical notation. 
It seems to be inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or
reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just made
(1-2).

Following his complaint is an expression of comfort received from the
Lord in the past.  Such consolation prompts him to view the Lord as a
shield and his glory, the One who is able to lift up his head.  Indeed,
the Lord has heard his earlier cry and enabled him to sleep and awake. 
This gives him renewed courage to face his many enemies (cf. 2 Sam
18:7), even though they numbered in the thousands (3-6).

As he starts the new day, he yet again calls upon the Lord to save him,
even as He has done in the past.  His "morning hymn" ends with the
acknowledgment of God as the source of salvation and blessing for His
people (7-8).

OUTLINE

I. DAVID'S COMPLAINT (3:1-2)

   A. MANY TROUBLE HIM (1)

   B. MANY RISE UP AGAINST HIM (2)

   C. MANY SAY THERE IS NO HELP FROM GOD FOR HIM (2)
   
II. DAVID'S COMFORT (3:3-6)

   A. WHAT GOD IS TO HIM (3)
      1. His shield and glory
      2. The One who lifts his head

   B. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM (4-6)
      1. Heard his cry from His holy hill
      2. Sustained him during sleep
      3. Given him courage against ten thousands of men

III. DAVID'S CRY (3:7-8)

   A. FOR DELIVERANCE BY GOD (7)
      1. To arise and save him
      2. As God has done in the past
         a. Having struck his enemies on the cheekbone
         b. Having broken the teeth of the ungodly

   B. OF PRAISE TO GOD (8)
      1. Salvation belongs to God
      2. His blessing is upon His people

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - David's complaint (1-2)
   - David's comfort (3-6)
   - David's cry (7-8)

2) Who is the author of this psalm, and what occasion led to its
   composition?
   - David
   - When he was fleeing from Absalom

3) What was David's complaint? (1)
   - Many have risen against him, to trouble him

4) What were people saying about David?  Who in particular said such
   things? (2)
   - There is no help for him from God
   - Shimei, son of Gera, of the house of Saul (cf. 2Sa 16:5-8)

5) What is the meaning of the word "Selah"? (2)
   - It is likely a musical notation
   - Perhaps inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or
     reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just 
     made (Leupold)

6) How did David view God? (3)
   - As a shield, his glory, the One who lifts up his head

7) What did David do, and what was God's response? (4)
   - David cried to the Lord with his voice
   - God heard him from His holy hill

8) What was David able to do because of God's sustaining him? (5)
   - To lay down and sleep, and then to awake

9) What else did God make possible for David? (6)
   - Not to be afraid, even when ten thousands of people surrounded
     against him

10) For what does David pray? (7)
   - To arise and save him

11) What had God done for David in the past? (7)
   - Struck his enemies on the cheekbone
   - Broken the teeth of the ungodly

13) What does David attribute to the Lord? (8)
   - Salvation and blessing to His people