7/31/12

The test

Go ahead, take the test!!!  Probably like a lot of us, I forgot that buses have entrances on the right side only... so I failed.  Stupid, right?  Maybe, but maybe not so stupid!  School buses are the familiar things of youth and its been a long, long time since I fell into that category!!!!  When I was young, I just wanted to grow up, but now that I'm older, how I wish I could be young again.  When I think of children in the Bible, I think of these words of Jesus and how it applies to my life...

Matthew, Chapter 18
1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

  2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in their midst, 3 and said, 
"“Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,  6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

What makes a person great in the eyes of others?  Great job, wealth, fame or accomplishments such as inventing something or being a war hero like Audie Murphy was in World War II?  Perhaps, but what about those of us who are spiritually inclined?  Could our greatness be determined by how well we know our Bible, or how many Bible classes we have taught, or how much Greek or Hebrew we know?  Suppose you were a missionary or a professor in a Christian college or even the local preacher who labored bringing souls to Christ and then labored once again by trying to keep them faithful?  All those are marvelous things and in fact I think we ALL should do everything we can for the cause of Christ.  But look at what Jesus focuses on; the humble heart of a child!!!  Children are eager to learn, humble of heart and most of all...teachable.  I don't ever want to grow up; Lord help me to be like a little child when it comes to you!!!  If you can say these words, great; if not, why not?  Something to think about on a hot summers day in Florida!!!

July 31 2 Chronicles 25-27


July 31
2 Chronicles 25-27
2Ch 25:1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.
2Ch 25:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a perfect heart.
2Ch 25:3 Now it happened, when the kingdom was established to him, that he killed his servants who had killed the king his father.
2Ch 25:4 But he didn't put their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Yahweh commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.
2Ch 25:5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers' houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, who could handle spear and shield.
2Ch 25:6 He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
2Ch 25:7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, don't let the army of Israel go with you; for Yahweh is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
2Ch 25:8 But if you will go, do valiantly, be strong for the battle: God will cast you down before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to cast down.
2Ch 25:9 Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? The man of God answered, Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.
2Ch 25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.
2Ch 25:11 Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck of the children of Seir ten thousand.
2Ch 25:12 other ten thousand did the children of Judah carry away alive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.
2Ch 25:13 But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell on the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth Horon, and struck of them three thousand, and took much spoil.
2Ch 25:14 Now it happened, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.
2Ch 25:15 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?
2Ch 25:16 It happened, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, Have we made you of the king's counsel? Stop! Why should you be struck down? Then the prophet stopped, and said, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel.
2Ch 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
2Ch 25:18 Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give your daughter to my son as wife: and there passed by a wild animal that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.
2Ch 25:19 You say, Behold, you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast: abide now at home; why should you meddle to your hurt, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?
2Ch 25:20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.
2Ch 25:21 So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
2Ch 25:22 Judah was defeated by Israel; and they fled every man to his tent.
2Ch 25:23 Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
2Ch 25:24 He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
2Ch 25:25 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
2Ch 25:26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren't they written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
2Ch 25:27 Now from the time that Amaziah did turn away from following Yahweh they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there.
2Ch 25:28 They brought him on horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
2Ch 26:1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2Ch 26:2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
2Ch 26:3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.
2Ch 26:4 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
2Ch 26:5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper.
2Ch 26:6 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
2Ch 26:7 God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim.
2Ch 26:8 The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew exceeding strong.
2Ch 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
2Ch 26:10 He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming.
2Ch 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
2Ch 26:12 The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.
2Ch 26:13 Under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2Ch 26:14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging.
2Ch 26:15 He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong.
2Ch 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into the temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense.
2Ch 26:17 Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men:
2Ch 26:18 and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said to him, It pertains not to you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honor from Yahweh God.
2Ch 26:19 Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.
2Ch 26:20 Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there; yes, himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him.
2Ch 26:21 Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
2Ch 26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
2Ch 26:23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his place.
2Ch 27:1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
2Ch 27:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Uzziah had done: however he didn't enter into the temple of Yahweh. The people did yet corruptly.
2Ch 27:3 He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
2Ch 27:4 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
2Ch 27:5 He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon render to him, in the second year also, and in the third.
2Ch 27:6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Yahweh his God.
2Ch 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2Ch 27:8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
2Ch 27:9 Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Twelve by Mark Copeland




                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Twelve

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand why the Lord allowed Paul to suffer so much 
   persecution

2) To see why Paul took pleasure in his infirmities suffered for 
   Christ's sake

SUMMARY

We find Paul compelled to continue his "foolish boasting".  Coming to
the issue of visions and revelations of the Lord, he describes "a man
in Christ" (most commentators believe Paul has reference to himself) 
who fourteen years before had been caught up into Paradise and heard 
inexpressible words unlawful to utter.  Paul would boast of "such a
one", but in direct reference to himself he would only boast in his 
"infirmities", lest people think too highly of him (1-6).

Lest he be exalted above measure because of the abundance of
revelations he had received, a "thorn in the flesh" (also described as
a "messenger of Satan") was given to buffet him (that is, to keep him
humble).  When he asked the Lord on three separate occasions to remove
it, the Lord's reply was that His grace was sufficient and His strength
was made complete in times of weakness.  This prompted Paul to take 
pleasure in his "infirmities" endured for Christ's sake (which I 
believe to have been the "thorn in the flesh").  For when he was weak,
the power of Christ in him made him strong (7-10).

Paul's "foolish boasting" concludes with a mild rebuke for their 
compelling him to do it, for it is they who should have commended him.
Indeed, while with them he demonstrated the "signs of an apostle" 
(signs, wonders, mighty deeds) that clearly showed he was not in anyway
behind "the most eminent apostles".  The only charge that could be 
brought against him?  He had not accepted support from them like he had
from other churches (11-13).

The remaining part of this chapter is filled with an expression of love
and concern for them.  He explains again why he will not accept support
from them:  like parents for their children, Paul will gladly spend and
be spent for their souls.  Neither he nor those he sent to them had
taken advantage of them in any way, and have sought to do all things
for their edification (14-19).  Finally, he expresses his fear that
when he comes the conditions will not be what he and they wish.  He is
fearful that there will be all sorts of strife, and that many of those 
who have sinned will not have repented (20-21).

OUTLINE

I. PAUL'S "FOOLISH BOASTING" CONTINUES (1-13)

   A. THE VISION OF PARADISE (1-6)
      1. Though such boasting is not profitable, Paul finds it 
         necessary to discuss visions and revelations of the Lord (1)
      2. He writes of one (possibly himself) who:
         a. Was caught up to the third heaven, that is, Paradise (2-4a)
         b. Heard inexpressible words, unlawful for a man to utter (4b)
      3. Of such a one Paul would boast, but not of himself, except in
         his infirmities (5)
      4. His concern is that people might think too highly of him (6)

   B. THE THORN IN THE FLESH (7-10)
      1. That he not be exalted above measure by the abundance of his
         revelations, he was given a thorn in the flesh (7)
         a. Called a messenger of Satan
         b. Designed to buffet him
      2. He pleaded with the Lord that this "thorn" might depart from
         him (8-9a)
         a. He did so three times (8)
         b. The Lord's reply (9a)
            1) "My grace is sufficient for you"
            2) "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
      3. This led Paul to boast in his infirmities, for in his weakness
         the power of Christ has opportunity to make him strong (9b-10)

   C. THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE (11-13)
      1. He was compelled to engage in foolish boasting by those who
         ought to have commended him (11a)
         a. For in nothing was he behind "the most eminent apostles"
            (11b)
         b. For among them he accomplished the signs of an apostle:
            signs, wonders, and mighty deeds (12)
      2. His only mistake?  He had not been a financial burden to them!
         (13)

II. PAUL'S LOVE AND CONCERN (14-21)

   A. HIS LOVE FOR THEM (14-19)
      1. Ready to come for the third time, he will not be burdensome to
         them (14-16)
         a. He does not seek what is theirs, but them (14a)
         b. Like parents providing for their children, he will gladly
            spend and be spent for their souls (14b-15a)
         c. Even though it seems to jeopardize their love for him (15b)
      2. Some have taken this to be craftiness and guile on his part
         (16-19a)
         a. But he asks them whether he has taken advantage of them by
            any of those he had sent to them (17-18)
         b. He needs no excuse, for he does all things for their 
            edification (19)

   B. HIS CONCERN FOR THEM (20-21)
      1. His fear is that when he comes, they will not find one another
         the way they wish (20a)
      2. His fear is that there will all sorts of strife (20b)
      3. His fear is that he will find many of them unrepentant of 
         their sins (21)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Paul's "foolish boasting" continues (1-13)
   - Paul's love and concern (14-21)

2) As Paul continues his "foolish boasting", what does he now come to?
   (1)
   - Visions and revelations of the Lord

3) Where was the "man in Christ" taken?  What did he hear? (2-4)
   - To the third heaven (Paradise); inexpressible words, unlawful for
     a man to utter

4) Of himself, in what would Paul boast?  About what was he concerned?
   (5-6)
   - In his infirmities; lest anyone think of him too highly

5) Why was Paul given "a thorn in the flesh"? (7)
   - Lest he be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations
     he received

6) How many times did Paul plead with the Lord to remove the "thorn"?
   What did the Lord respond? (8-9)
   - Three times
   - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect 
     in weakness."

7) In what, then, did Paul choose to boast?  Why? (9-10)
   - His infirmities for Christ's sake
   - That Christ's power might rest upon him and make him strong

8) What were the "signs of an apostle" that Paul had done among the
   Corinthians? (12)
   - Signs, wonders, and mighty deeds

9) What had Paul done that some charged made the Corinthians inferior
   to other churches? (13)
   - He had not been a burden to them (i.e., had not accept monetary
     support)

10) Why would Paul continue not to be a burden to them? (15)
   - He would very glad spend and be spent for their souls, like a 
     parent does for a child

11) What was the motive behind all that Paul did for the Corinthians?
    (19)
   - Their edification

12) What was Paul afraid might occur when he got to Corinth? (20)
   - Contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
     backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults

13) What was Paul afraid of finding when he got to Corinth? (21)
   - That some of them had not repented of their uncleanness,
     fornication, and licentiousness

7/30/12

Little minds in context

These kids are young, maybe five or six years old at most.  They are doing what kids do best:PLAY!!!  But, the picture reveals a lot about their upbringing; namely, they live in a society with computers.  Everything seems to revolve around them.... even having babies???  While we know the last part of that sentence is NOT true... still it seems that way, doesn't it???  Like it or not, we live in a culture increasingly dominated by microprocessors.  But, what happens when we read the Bible?  Do we remember its varying time-frame and cultures?  Here is an example from the book of John....


John, Chapter 9
 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.  2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

  3 Jesus answered, 
"“Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.  4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.  5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”"  6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud,  7 and said to him, "“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”" (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing. 

That people could believe that maladies came from their parents seems odd to us, but that was a common belief a couple of thousand years ago.  Also, the idea of using spittle and dirt to heal likewise seems strange.  BUT, I remember that when I was about five or six, my grandmother dipped some bread into milk and applied the mixture to my infected toenail AND IT WORKED!!!  All this to emphasize one thing: context.  Whatever you read in the Scriptures, remember the culture in the context of the chapter, book and for that matter the whole of The Word of God.   In case you are wondering..., you won't find one single reference to "downloading babies" in the whole Bible!!!  Boy, that is good news, I thought they had something to do with a cabbage patch... so much for MY CULTURE!!!

July 30 2 Chronicles 22-24


July 30
2 Chronicles 22-24

2Ch 22:1 The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place; for the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
2Ch 22:2 Forty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
2Ch 22:3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.
2Ch 22:4 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.
2Ch 22:5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead: and the Syrians wounded Joram.
2Ch 22:6 He returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
2Ch 22:7 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
2Ch 22:8 It happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and killed them.
2Ch 22:9 He sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and killed him; and they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart. The house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.
2Ch 22:10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah.
2Ch 22:11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn't kill him.
2Ch 22:12 He was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2Ch 23:1 In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
2Ch 23:2 They went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers' houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
2Ch 23:3 All the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. He said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David.
2Ch 23:4 This is the thing that you shall do: a third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds;
2Ch 23:5 and a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 23:6 But let none come into the house of Yahweh, save the priests, and those who minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the instruction of Yahweh.
2Ch 23:7 The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be slain: and be with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out.
2Ch 23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath; with those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest didn't dismiss the shift.
2Ch 23:9 Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
2Ch 23:10 He set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king.
2Ch 23:11 Then they brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, Long live the king.
2Ch 23:12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Yahweh:
2Ch 23:13 and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets; the singers also played on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, Treason! treason!
2Ch 23:14 Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword: for the priest said, Don't kill her in the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 23:15 So they made way for her; and she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king's house: and they killed her there.
2Ch 23:16 Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh's people.
2Ch 23:17 All the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
2Ch 23:18 Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David.
2Ch 23:19 He set the porters at the gates of the house of Yahweh, that no one who was unclean in anything should enter in.
2Ch 23:20 He took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Yahweh: and they came through the upper gate to the king's house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.
2Ch 23:21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. Athaliah they had slain with the sword.
2Ch 24:1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba.
2Ch 24:2 Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
2Ch 24:3 Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters.
2Ch 24:4 It happened after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 24:5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year; and see that you hasten the matter. However the Levites didn't hurry.
2Ch 24:6 The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, Why haven't you required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?
2Ch 24:7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of Yahweh did they bestow on the Baals.
2Ch 24:8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 24:9 They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness.
2Ch 24:10 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
2Ch 24:11 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
2Ch 24:12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Yahweh; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also such as worked iron and brass to repair the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 24:13 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.
2Ch 24:14 When they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, of which were made vessels for the house of Yahweh, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually all the days of Jehoiada.
2Ch 24:15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; one hundred thirty years old was he when he died.
2Ch 24:16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house.
2Ch 24:17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them.
2Ch 24:18 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.
2Ch 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
2Ch 24:20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, Thus says God, Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can't prosper? because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.
2Ch 24:21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh.
2Ch 24:22 Thus Joash the king didn't remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, Yahweh look on it, and require it.
2Ch 24:23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.
2Ch 24:24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash.
2Ch 24:25 When they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.
2Ch 24:26 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
2Ch 24:27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Jul. 30, 31 Acts 18


Jul. 30, 31
Acts 18

Act 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
Act 18:2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,
Act 18:3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
Act 18:4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Act 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
Act 18:6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!"
Act 18:7 He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
Act 18:8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.
Act 18:9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Don't be afraid, but speak and don't be silent;
Act 18:10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
Act 18:11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Act 18:12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
Act 18:13 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law."
Act 18:14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
Act 18:15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don't want to be a judge of these matters."
Act 18:16 He drove them from the judgment seat.
Act 18:17 Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn't care about any of these things.
Act 18:18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
Act 18:19 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Act 18:20 When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;
Act 18:21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus.
Act 18:22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
Act 18:23 Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
Act 18:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
Act 18:25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
Act 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Act 18:27 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
Act 18:28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Eleven by Mark Copeland


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Eleven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand why Paul felt it necessary to engage in "foolish 
   boasting"

2) To see how one might be misled by "false apostles" and "deceitful 
   workers"

3) To appreciate the great amount of suffering Paul endured as a 
   minister of Christ

SUMMARY

As Paul continues defending his apostolic authority, he finds it
necessary to engage in "a little folly."  He does so out of concern for
their faithfulness to Christ and his fear that others may have
corrupted their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ (1-4).  He
also finds himself having to explain why he did not accept support from
them.  Evidently this was the basis for charges against him by those
who considered themselves "the most eminent apostles".  But Paul, who
had good reasons for not accepting their support, recognizes these
detractors as they really were:  "false apostles" and "deceitful
workers" (5-15).

While not desiring to act foolishly, he finds it necessary since it 
seems that the Corinthians are so willing to accept those who do
(16-21).  With some foolish boldness, then, Paul claims equal footing
with his detractors as it pertains to physical heritage.  But when it
comes to service as a minister of Christ, he far surpasses them as is 
evident in the things he suffered.  After listing many examples of
suffering, he concludes that if he must boast it will be in the things
which concern his infirmity, giving his escape from Damascus as an
illustration (22-33).

OUTLINE

I. THE NECESSITY FOR SOME "FOOLISH BOASTING" (1-21)

   A. OUT OF CONCERN FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS (1-4)
      1. He resorts to a little folly, because with godly jealousy he
         seeks to present them as a chaste virgin to Christ (1-2)
      2. Because of their seeming willingness to receive those who 
         offer a different Jesus, spirit, and gospel, he fears that
         their minds may be corrupted (3-4)

   B. BECAUSE OF COMPARISON WITH FALSE APOSTLES (5-15)
      1. Though untrained in speech, it is not the case with knowledge,
         and Paul has demonstrated that he is not inferior to the "most
         eminent apostles" (5-6)
      2. The reasons he refused to accept support from them (7-12)
         a. While with them, he received support from other churches
            (7-9a)
         b. He is determined to continue this practice of not being a
            burden to them (9b-10)
         c. Not because he does not love them, but to cut off 
            opportunity for those who wish to be regarded as Paul in 
            matters of which they boast (11-12)
      3. These boasters are "false apostles" (13-15)
         a. As deceitful workers, they transform themselves into 
            apostles of Christ (13)
         b. This is no great marvel, for if Satan transforms himself
            into an angel of light, similar tactics can be expected of
            his ministers (14-15)

   C. WITH GREAT RELUCTANCE (16-21)
      1. Paul is no fool, but for those who think otherwise, then 
         receive him as a fool as he begins to boast (16)
      2. Boasting is foolish and not of the Lord, but seeing that many
         boast and they seem to put up with them gladly in their 
         wisdom, then Paul will boast too (17-19)
      3. Since they seem willing to endure those who abuse them, Paul
         will be bold and boast a little as well (20-21)

II. THE GROUNDS FOR HIS "FOOLISH BOASTING" (22-33)

   A. HIS PHYSICAL HERITAGE (22)
      1. Like his opponents, He is a Hebrew
      2. Like his opponents, He is an Israelite
      3. Like his opponents, He is of the seed of Abraham

   B. HIS SACRIFICIAL SERVICE AS A MINISTER OF CHRIST (23-33)
      1. It is foolish to speak of his opponents as ministers of 
         Christ, but if so, Paul is one much more (23a)
      2. He has labored more, and suffered more, than they (23b)
      3. A list of the suffering Paul endured as a minister of Christ
         (24-29)
         a. Five times he was beaten with 39 stripes by the Jews (24)
         b. Three times he was been with rods (25a)
         c. Once he was stoned (25b)
         d. Three times he was shipwrecked (25c)
         e. A night and a day in the deep (25d)
         f. Miscellaneous perils on his many journeys (26)
         g. Miscellaneous discomforts (27)
         h. His daily concern for the condition of churches (28-29)
      4. If he must boast, then let it be concerning his infirmity 
         (30-33)
         a. His "infirmity" (possibly his "thorn in the flesh" of 
            11:7-10) was the persecution he endured in service to 
            Christ
         b. As an example, having to flee Damascus (31-33)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The necessity for some "foolish boasting" (1-21)
   - The grounds for his "foolish boasting" (22-33)

2) How did Paul desire to present the Corinthians to Christ? (2)
   - As a chaste virgin

3) What was Paul fearful of concerning the Corinthians? (3)
   - That their minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
     Christ

4) What were they seemingly willing to put up with? (4)
   - Those who preach a different Jesus, offer a different spirit, and
     a different gospel

5) In what area did Paul concede that he was untrained?  In what area
   was this not so? (6)
   - In speech; in knowledge

6) What practice of Paul evidently was used as a charge against him?
   (7)
   - Preaching of the gospel of God free of charge

7) While at Corinth, from whom did Paul receive support? (8-9)
   - Other churches, brethren from Macedonia

8) Why would Paul continue the practice of not accepting support from
   the Corinthians? (12)
   - To cut off opportunity for those who wish to boast that they are
     just like Paul

9) How does Paul describe these opponents of his? (13)
   - False apostles, deceitful workers

10) How does Satan often transform himself?  And his ministers?
   (14-15)
   - As an angel of light; as ministers of righteousness

11) How did Paul view the confidence of boasting? (17)
   - Not according to the Lord; as foolishness

12) Then why does Paul engage in such boasting? (18-19)
   - Because many others were doing it, and the Corinthians seem to 
     gladly accept them

13) In what three ways was Paul equal to his opponents? (22)
   - He was a Hebrew, an Israelite, and of the seed of Abraham

14) List five things endured by Paul as a minister of Christ (24-25)
   - Five times he was beaten with 39 stripes
   - Three times he was beaten with rods
   - Once he was stoned
   - Three times he was shipwrecked
   - A night and a day he spent in the deep

15) If Paul must boast, in what would he boast? (30)
   - In the things that concern his infirmity

16) What event does he relate as an example of his infirmity? (31-33)
   - The escape from the governor of Damascus