7:2-3 - Jewish exiles from the countryside are returning to Jerusalem to ask the priests what they should do to bring reconciliation between themselves and God. They want to know if they should fast to bring about a full return to Jerusalem more quickly. It was common in the Jewish world during this time for fasting to be used during hard times. When things were difficult, people would fast in an effort to repent and bring change.
7:5 - Though it may seem really great that people are returning and wanting to make an disciplined effort to fix their relationship with God, Zechariah wants to make sure that their hearts are in the right place. He wants to know - "Are you fasting because you want to honor God, or are you fasting because life is hard?" There is a difference...the difference is motivation...are you doing something to worship God, or is it really just a hidden way to worship yourself. Every Christian should ask the question that Zechariah asks here about the things we do - is this really for God, or is this secretly for me?
7:9 - More than fasting, we are told exactly what God really wants from His people. Justice. Kindness. Mercy. Love. These attitudes and the actions that come along with them are more godly than choosing not to eat for a few meals. (Unfortunately, the people so not want to hear it) Christians today often settle for allowing church attendance and the occasional service opportunity during a church service become the entire scope of things they do to honor God with their lives. Sadly, this is the case because these things are the easiest and most convenient ways to make ourselves feel like we have done something holy. Yet it is the things that truly cost us - time, effort, emotions, sacrifice - that beat in time most closely with the heart of God. (But most times, people don't want to hear that either).
7:12 - This is really brutal imagery here - the people have chosen to harden their hearts, so they won't have to listen to the truth of God and change their lives. Been there before?
7:13 - Look at the follow up verse - this is scary. God says, "I called on you and you refused to listen, so don't be surprised when you call on me the next time when you are in trouble and I refuse to listen." This may explain why there are times in our lives when it feels like God isn't there...like He isn't listening. Have you been taking the time to hear His voice?
8:4-5 - This is such a great picture of what godly community is supposed to look like. The old and the young are plentiful. God is telling us that His community is a place that is safe even for those who are least able to defend themselves. It also models for us a healthy community where people of every generation come together and enter into relationship. The older people delight in the energy of youth and pour wisdom into the lives of those younger. The young people serve the older and learn from their experiences. This is what church is supposed to look like!
8:16 - Zechariah gives us some more instruction here on what godly community is supposed to look like. People in community should be able to speak openly and honestly with one another at all times. Godly communities are always focused on bringing justice in their communities.
8:17 - There isn't a whole lot in the Bible that we are told God hates...so we should probably take notice when we come across those things. God hates when His people desire for evil/bad to happen in the lives of other believers...that is just wrong. God hates when His people lie and gossip about one another. There is no place in the kingdom of God for these things.
8:19 - This is a great teaching on the true heart behind fasting. When you are walking in the presence of God, you can fast frequently with true joy, because fasting actually becomes a time of feasting. Where you feast on the presence of God and allow Him to fill you up...a time where you feast on the word of God and you burn it onto your soul. That is what fasting is truly all about.
8:23 - Zechariah describes a future where people from other nations will cling to the Israelites and will beg them to take them into the city of God, because they see the difference being connected to God makes in the lives of His followers. Do you think people feel the same way when they come in contact with you? Do they want to go where you go and enter into the presence of the God you follow? I hope so.
9:7 - Pagan cultic rituals often involved easting raw meat, drinking blood and devouring food that had been offered to pagan idols. Through this section of scripture God is not only confirming that the military might of Philistia will be destroyed (ex. Plundering of Tyre), but that the their false religion would be wiped off the face of the earth as well.
9:9 - Does this sound familiar? This is messianic prophesy about Jesus! The king is coming to bring righteousness and salvation, but this king is so different than any that have come before him. He is described as "humble," which was a word that was often used to describe the poor and oppressed during this time period. That seems strange for a king. This king rides into town on a donkey, not a warhorse. Again, this just doesn't sound very king-like. And there is a good reason for that...this king is like no other king before or after him...this king is Jesus and he came not to rule with an iron fist...he came to rule through sacrificial servant leadership.
9:16 - Here we see some beautiful shepherd imagery. This really gives us a picture into the heart of God. He will save the flock of His people...they are like precious jewels to Him. These are really intimate and touching words about the love that God has for you...don't forget this.
10:2 - People in agrarian societies in the middle east during this time period would often turn to pagan religious cults when they need rain or wanted healthy crops. Where the Israelites just had one God...all the other false religions had gods for everything. It was tempting and convenient to enter into idolatry, because you could just go make a sacrifice to the god that fit your specific needs. Unfortunately, as we know - all those other gods didn't really exists and so people were just making sacrifices to nothing. Zechariah calls pagan worship what it is - nonsense. Yet this passage does bring up some interesting questions for us - who are we listening to? Who do we look to for help? Do we turn to God, or are we allowing ourselves to be misled by our cultural influences? If we put our trust in anything but God, we become like those helpless lost sheep.
10:6 - Judah is the southern kingdom of Israel that is most often referred to by the biblical prophets. Though they had their issues with idolatry and corruption, they were nowhere near as bad as the northern kingdom. This kingdom had been completely cut off by God, which is why we do not have much in the way of prophetic writings directed at the northern kingdom. The house of Joseph mentioned here in this passage is referring to the northern kingdom of Israel. So what we are seeing in this passage is a really big deal...Zechariah is prophesying that all the people of Israel will be united once again! The beautiful message of this passage is that there is always hope for redemption - do not forget that!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
4:6-7 - God confirms that Zerubbabel will lead the Jewish people back to Israel to rebuild the temple. It will not be because of strength or intelligence or creativity that Zerubbabel is successful...it will be because of the Spirit of the Lord. The Zechariah sees the image of an huge mountain that stands before Zerubbabel that is ground down into a flat plain. We can put confidence in that fact that if we trust in God and live in faith we can overcome any obstacle.
4:12-14 - Fortunately for us, Zechariah asks all the questions that we have as well - he says, "Who are these branches you are talking about?" Well it turns out the branches are the anointed ones - Zerubbabel and Joshua who represent the God-ordained leadership and priesthood of Israel.
5:3-4 - A curse will be upon those who steal and lie - it is a curse that will descend upon their house, infect their life ad destroy their legacy. Nothing has changed has it? When people choose to live only for themselves and will do anything to bring success and pleasure to their lives...they live under a curse that effects every area of their lives.
5:7-9 - This is a vision of the evil that is being cleansed from Israel...it is much like a picture of repentance. The Jews were exiled from Israel because of the corruption in their country. Now that God is bringing them back into relationship and back to the Promised Land, a cleansing has to take place. When people truly repent, there must be a change of heart and a change of behavior and that is what we are seeing here. The evil of Israel is being wrapped up in a box and taken away. The woman appears to represent wickedness, not because women are evil (There is some debate on that one - LOL!), but because in Hebrew the word "wicked" is a feminine word. Are there any pockets of evil in your own life that need to be boxed up and destroyed?
5:11 - Shinar? This was a Hebrew word that referred to Babylon. The vision is saying that the pagan idolatry and wickedness that once plagued Israel will be removed and sent back when it came from into the pagan kingdoms surrounding the people of God. Newly cleansed the nation of Israel will once again become what it was always supposed to be - a light shining for the whole world to see the beauty of following in the way of the Lord. This is why Christians today must be careful not to become obsessed with the sinful beliefs of the word around us...we are called to stand out as a priest nation just as the Israelites were.
6:7 - This is another vision that confirms God's knowledge of everything that is going on in the world - this picture of angels riding across the four corners of the earth. "North" - the countries that always oppressed Israel were generally located north of the Promised Land. If God's Spirit has rested in the north as this passage says it has, then this passage is prophesying victory over the pagan oppressors of Israel. God would not rest if His people were still in danger of falling under the sway of pagan empires.
6:11 - The crown described here is not the turban worn by the priest of the temple, this is very clearly a priceless crown for a king. So the crowing of the high priest in this vision represents the future coming of the Messianic priest-king Jesus.
6:12-13 - Does this verse sound familiar to you? Go read John 19:5. "Behold the man," is exactly what Pilate says when he presents Jesus to the angry crowd before his crucifixion. From the earliest traditions of Judaism, this passage was considered Messianic (meaning that they considered it to be a prophet passage about the coming Messiah). We see that this passage is fulfilled by Jesus - he is the branch that is spoken of...he is the ruler who fills the position of both the high priest and the king that are described here. Thanks be to God for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Zechariah Chapters 1-3
The prophet Zechariah shared the words of God with the Israelite people in about 520BC, during a time of upheaval in the Persian Empire. This takes place prior to the return to Jerusalem, so much of Zechariah's message is about the need to return to God and God's promises of a hopeful future.
1:3 and 4 - The people are called by Zechariah to repent. To renew the relationship with God, repentance has to take place. There must be a change of heart...a change of mind...a change of action in the lives of the Jewish people for God to enter back into relationship with them. God promises that if His people will repent of their old ways and return to Him, that He will return to them as well. This is something that every one of us needs to understand. Sin gets in the way of our relationship with God...it drives a wedge between us...disconnects us from our Creator. Fortunately God is so merciful that if we will turn from our sin and run to Him, He will take us back.
1:8-11 - This is a pretty interesting vision that Zechariah sees...he sees a regiment of angels who have just returned from a reconnaissance mission that encompassed the whole earth. The whole image has a clandestine feel to it...they are on camouflaged horses and hiding in the myrtle bushes (6 to 8 foot tall bushes that provided excellent cover in the desert) in a shaded glen. The angels report that the world is at peace...which seems like great news, but it isn't...
1:12 - The head angel is upset - he says, "How long Lord? How long?!" Why is he upset that the world is at peace? Because the kingdoms that are in charge of the world at this point are evil...they are nations that stand in opposition to God and they are experiencing peaceful, problem free control. The angel is upset because he wants to see turmoil in the pagan kingdoms...he wants to see some sign of the upheaval of power that must come in the people of God are going to once more regain their power. The angel's frustration reminds me of the frustration that we all feel when it seems like evil wins in the world. It just isn't right!
1:16 - But God assures the angels and Zechariah that He is in control, as He has always been. He tells them that He is returning in power to Israel...the holy nation of priest people will be redeemed...their nation will be rebuilt....there is hope!
1:19-21 - What is this strange imagery all about? Well, the four horns most likely represent the Assyrian and Babylonian empires that crushed the Israelites and scattered them all over the middle East. The four craftsmen represent the Persian Empire, which came in and shattered the "horns" and treated the exiles of Israel will (Eventually even financing their return to rebuild the temple of the Lord and the city of Jerusalem). This vision is given as a reminder that God is at work in the seemingly unexplainable events of the world.
2:4 - This is very powerful imagery - I love it! Zechariah is told that the people of Israel will return and theirs will be a city without walls. At first this sounds like it would be unprotected, but the power rests in the message of a city without walls. A city like that is free to endlessly expand...a city without walls is open to all who come to join in. This is God's vision for His people and His vision for the world - that His people would be the foundation for a welcoming community that invites people from every corner of the earth to dwell in the presence of God. How cool is that? Is your church community a "city without walls?" It should be.
2:5 - There is no need for walls around the future city of God, because the Lord Himself is their protection. The cleansing fire of the Lord holds those who only wish evil on the people of God at bay.
2:11 - We see that the imagery of godly community continues to expand in the passage. People from every nation will come to the city...God will live in the midst of His people and His people will love one another regardless of differences. This is a vision of the world as it should be.
2:13 - This is another powerful verse that just gives me chills...silence is demanded because God is on the move. What can you do? What can you say? What can you add? The Creator of all things...The Word...The God of infinite power and imagination is going to work in the world. The only appropriate response is to be still...to listen to His voice...to drink it all in.
3:2ff - Here Zechariah is taken into the midst of a tense heavenly courtroom scene. The accuser stands ready to bring charges against Joshua (Yes, THAT Joshua, he is representing Israel in this vision). Joshua is in the courtroom of God, but he is covered in filthy rags. The Hebrew words used for filthy in this passage are words that are used elsewhere to describe vomit and feces. So, Joshua is in absolutely disgusting condition (Sin will do that to you)...he has no place in the presence of God. Yet, just as the accuser is about to crush Joshua, the Lord steps in. The Lord rebukes the accuser and demands that Joshua's garments be destroyed and that he be clothed in pure robes. The imagery of the turban and the robes represent the idea that the priesthood of Israel is being restored. Only the Lord can remove sins from the lives of tainted human beings and He has chosen to do so for the nation of Israel. In the same way He chose to offer us a chance to change from filthy sin-filled garments to righteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ.
3:7 - It is important for us to understand that with forgiveness comes expectation. Much like Jesus in the New Testament who would offer forgiveness and healing to men and women and then tell them to "go and sin no more" - the people of Israel are instructed to follow in the ways of God. He promises that if they follow His commands that they will be blessed in all they do and that He will use them powerfully in His kingdom. Do you and I realize that power that is within our grasp when we choose to walk in the way of Jesus? The power to bring change. The power to join God in His redeeming work in the world. That is beautiful!
3:10 - The vine and the fig tree that are mentioned here are symbols used to represent peace and prosperity. Those who experience the freedom of following God will naturally invite others to join in. Do you get so excited about your life with God that you cannot wait to invite other people into the great adventure? Why not?
1:3 and 4 - The people are called by Zechariah to repent. To renew the relationship with God, repentance has to take place. There must be a change of heart...a change of mind...a change of action in the lives of the Jewish people for God to enter back into relationship with them. God promises that if His people will repent of their old ways and return to Him, that He will return to them as well. This is something that every one of us needs to understand. Sin gets in the way of our relationship with God...it drives a wedge between us...disconnects us from our Creator. Fortunately God is so merciful that if we will turn from our sin and run to Him, He will take us back.
1:8-11 - This is a pretty interesting vision that Zechariah sees...he sees a regiment of angels who have just returned from a reconnaissance mission that encompassed the whole earth. The whole image has a clandestine feel to it...they are on camouflaged horses and hiding in the myrtle bushes (6 to 8 foot tall bushes that provided excellent cover in the desert) in a shaded glen. The angels report that the world is at peace...which seems like great news, but it isn't...
1:12 - The head angel is upset - he says, "How long Lord? How long?!" Why is he upset that the world is at peace? Because the kingdoms that are in charge of the world at this point are evil...they are nations that stand in opposition to God and they are experiencing peaceful, problem free control. The angel is upset because he wants to see turmoil in the pagan kingdoms...he wants to see some sign of the upheaval of power that must come in the people of God are going to once more regain their power. The angel's frustration reminds me of the frustration that we all feel when it seems like evil wins in the world. It just isn't right!
1:16 - But God assures the angels and Zechariah that He is in control, as He has always been. He tells them that He is returning in power to Israel...the holy nation of priest people will be redeemed...their nation will be rebuilt....there is hope!
1:19-21 - What is this strange imagery all about? Well, the four horns most likely represent the Assyrian and Babylonian empires that crushed the Israelites and scattered them all over the middle East. The four craftsmen represent the Persian Empire, which came in and shattered the "horns" and treated the exiles of Israel will (Eventually even financing their return to rebuild the temple of the Lord and the city of Jerusalem). This vision is given as a reminder that God is at work in the seemingly unexplainable events of the world.
2:4 - This is very powerful imagery - I love it! Zechariah is told that the people of Israel will return and theirs will be a city without walls. At first this sounds like it would be unprotected, but the power rests in the message of a city without walls. A city like that is free to endlessly expand...a city without walls is open to all who come to join in. This is God's vision for His people and His vision for the world - that His people would be the foundation for a welcoming community that invites people from every corner of the earth to dwell in the presence of God. How cool is that? Is your church community a "city without walls?" It should be.
2:5 - There is no need for walls around the future city of God, because the Lord Himself is their protection. The cleansing fire of the Lord holds those who only wish evil on the people of God at bay.
2:11 - We see that the imagery of godly community continues to expand in the passage. People from every nation will come to the city...God will live in the midst of His people and His people will love one another regardless of differences. This is a vision of the world as it should be.
2:13 - This is another powerful verse that just gives me chills...silence is demanded because God is on the move. What can you do? What can you say? What can you add? The Creator of all things...The Word...The God of infinite power and imagination is going to work in the world. The only appropriate response is to be still...to listen to His voice...to drink it all in.
3:2ff - Here Zechariah is taken into the midst of a tense heavenly courtroom scene. The accuser stands ready to bring charges against Joshua (Yes, THAT Joshua, he is representing Israel in this vision). Joshua is in the courtroom of God, but he is covered in filthy rags. The Hebrew words used for filthy in this passage are words that are used elsewhere to describe vomit and feces. So, Joshua is in absolutely disgusting condition (Sin will do that to you)...he has no place in the presence of God. Yet, just as the accuser is about to crush Joshua, the Lord steps in. The Lord rebukes the accuser and demands that Joshua's garments be destroyed and that he be clothed in pure robes. The imagery of the turban and the robes represent the idea that the priesthood of Israel is being restored. Only the Lord can remove sins from the lives of tainted human beings and He has chosen to do so for the nation of Israel. In the same way He chose to offer us a chance to change from filthy sin-filled garments to righteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ.
3:7 - It is important for us to understand that with forgiveness comes expectation. Much like Jesus in the New Testament who would offer forgiveness and healing to men and women and then tell them to "go and sin no more" - the people of Israel are instructed to follow in the ways of God. He promises that if they follow His commands that they will be blessed in all they do and that He will use them powerfully in His kingdom. Do you and I realize that power that is within our grasp when we choose to walk in the way of Jesus? The power to bring change. The power to join God in His redeeming work in the world. That is beautiful!
3:10 - The vine and the fig tree that are mentioned here are symbols used to represent peace and prosperity. Those who experience the freedom of following God will naturally invite others to join in. Do you get so excited about your life with God that you cannot wait to invite other people into the great adventure? Why not?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Haggai Chapters 1 and 2
Haggai is a prophet who was called to speak to the returning remnant who have come back to the Promised Land to restore it to its former glory. Unfortunately, when the people get there, they forget about their duty to God and worry only about their own comfort. This is the issue that Haggai is addressing as he prophesies...
There are a couple of questions that come to mind as I enter into reading Haggai: What do you feel that God has called you to do? What are the obstacles in your life that get in the way of doing what God has called you to do? The Israelites were distracted by their own comfort and ignored the calling that God has placed on them to rebuild the temple...what are you and I missing out on because we keep allowing ourselves to get distracted?
1:4 - Here we see that they have turned to building up their own houses and their own wealth, before building up the house of the Lord. They are ignoring the temple, which was vital to Hebrew worship, because they want their own houses to look good. Does this strike a chord with you? Are there any meaningless endeavors that you allow to get in the way of your own relationship with God?
1:9 - Here again we see that the Israelites are working towards their own ends and ignoring the house of God...the kingdom of God...they are allowing God's reputation to be dishonored among the people of the earth (The temple represented the presence of God in the ancient world, and by leaving it in ruins, the Jews were leaving the name of God in ruins). How many of us ignore convictions from God for a wide variety of reasons? Maybe we are scared of not knowing what the future holds...maybe we are too comfortable to change things...maybe we use our family as an excuse to ignore the call of God...what is hindering your impact on the kingdom of God?
1:12 - This is actually a very refreshing verse...this is one of the few instances in the Old Testament prophetic writings, where the people listen to the prophet and repent. They see that they are wrong and they changes their ways - YAY! Now let's make sure that you and I are willing to do the same when we are convicted by God.
2:3-5 - The new temple that they are building is not even close to being as beautiful and as impressive as the temple of Solomon that was destroyed. Ezra 3:12 describes the weeping that was done by people who had seen Solomon's temple because they knew it was going to be so much less. But God, speaking through Haggai, wants the people to know that He is with them...the way the temple looks is not what matters, it is the presence of God within that matters. This is such an important message for Christians to hear and understand today. It does not matter what a church building looks like...it does not matter what a person looks like on the outside...what truly matters is that God is dwelling within.
2:9 - Haggai then goes on to prophecy that the house of the Lord will actually become even greater than the temple was under Solomon's reign. The nations will be gathered to it in the future. Think about how incredibly beautiful and expansive the temple is today? Through Jesus Christ the temple is the living and active people of God. We have become the new temple...dwelling places for the Holy Spirit of God...a temple that is mobile and moving throughout the earth to make the name of God great. Isn't that cool!?
2:10-14 - Why does Haggai question the priests? He asks if holiness can be transferred from one object to another and the priests correctly answer - "No." Then he asks if uncleanness can be transferred from one person or thing to another, and again they answer correctly, "Yes." But why does he ask these things? He wants the people to understand how serious the situation is. Uncleanness and defilement are more contagious than holiness. There is an epidemic sweeping through the people of Israel. They are selfish and they are unwilling to fight for holiness in their lives and so God is not honoring their labor. We need to understand in our own lives that sinfulness is so much easier to fall into and it is so much easier to spread sinfulness around to other people, then it is to make the choice day in and day out to fight for holiness. Don't allow yourself to fall into the downward spiral of recurring sin...do everything you can to pursue holiness every day and cry out to God for His help because of your weakness.
2:20-23 - I love how the book of Haggai closes out with words of encouragement for Zerubbabel (The man who was chosen to lead the people who are rebuilding the temple). This is what God tells Zerubbabel: Do not worry - I am in control. I will overthrow the kingdoms surrounding you. You are my servant (This affirms his obedience). You are my signet ring (This affirms his role in the future plans of God). I have chosen you. These words are powerful words spoken to Zerubbabel so that he might now how God feels about him. These are words that also speak powerfully to our own lives if we let them. Do you believe that God is in control so you don;t have to worry? Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? You should.
There are a couple of questions that come to mind as I enter into reading Haggai: What do you feel that God has called you to do? What are the obstacles in your life that get in the way of doing what God has called you to do? The Israelites were distracted by their own comfort and ignored the calling that God has placed on them to rebuild the temple...what are you and I missing out on because we keep allowing ourselves to get distracted?
1:4 - Here we see that they have turned to building up their own houses and their own wealth, before building up the house of the Lord. They are ignoring the temple, which was vital to Hebrew worship, because they want their own houses to look good. Does this strike a chord with you? Are there any meaningless endeavors that you allow to get in the way of your own relationship with God?
1:9 - Here again we see that the Israelites are working towards their own ends and ignoring the house of God...the kingdom of God...they are allowing God's reputation to be dishonored among the people of the earth (The temple represented the presence of God in the ancient world, and by leaving it in ruins, the Jews were leaving the name of God in ruins). How many of us ignore convictions from God for a wide variety of reasons? Maybe we are scared of not knowing what the future holds...maybe we are too comfortable to change things...maybe we use our family as an excuse to ignore the call of God...what is hindering your impact on the kingdom of God?
1:12 - This is actually a very refreshing verse...this is one of the few instances in the Old Testament prophetic writings, where the people listen to the prophet and repent. They see that they are wrong and they changes their ways - YAY! Now let's make sure that you and I are willing to do the same when we are convicted by God.
2:3-5 - The new temple that they are building is not even close to being as beautiful and as impressive as the temple of Solomon that was destroyed. Ezra 3:12 describes the weeping that was done by people who had seen Solomon's temple because they knew it was going to be so much less. But God, speaking through Haggai, wants the people to know that He is with them...the way the temple looks is not what matters, it is the presence of God within that matters. This is such an important message for Christians to hear and understand today. It does not matter what a church building looks like...it does not matter what a person looks like on the outside...what truly matters is that God is dwelling within.
2:9 - Haggai then goes on to prophecy that the house of the Lord will actually become even greater than the temple was under Solomon's reign. The nations will be gathered to it in the future. Think about how incredibly beautiful and expansive the temple is today? Through Jesus Christ the temple is the living and active people of God. We have become the new temple...dwelling places for the Holy Spirit of God...a temple that is mobile and moving throughout the earth to make the name of God great. Isn't that cool!?
2:10-14 - Why does Haggai question the priests? He asks if holiness can be transferred from one object to another and the priests correctly answer - "No." Then he asks if uncleanness can be transferred from one person or thing to another, and again they answer correctly, "Yes." But why does he ask these things? He wants the people to understand how serious the situation is. Uncleanness and defilement are more contagious than holiness. There is an epidemic sweeping through the people of Israel. They are selfish and they are unwilling to fight for holiness in their lives and so God is not honoring their labor. We need to understand in our own lives that sinfulness is so much easier to fall into and it is so much easier to spread sinfulness around to other people, then it is to make the choice day in and day out to fight for holiness. Don't allow yourself to fall into the downward spiral of recurring sin...do everything you can to pursue holiness every day and cry out to God for His help because of your weakness.
2:20-23 - I love how the book of Haggai closes out with words of encouragement for Zerubbabel (The man who was chosen to lead the people who are rebuilding the temple). This is what God tells Zerubbabel: Do not worry - I am in control. I will overthrow the kingdoms surrounding you. You are my servant (This affirms his obedience). You are my signet ring (This affirms his role in the future plans of God). I have chosen you. These words are powerful words spoken to Zerubbabel so that he might now how God feels about him. These are words that also speak powerfully to our own lives if we let them. Do you believe that God is in control so you don;t have to worry? Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? You should.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Zephaniah Chapters 1-3
1:2 - This book starts out with some very harsh language from God. God speaking through the prophet Zephaniah says that He is going to utterly sweep away everything from the earth. Wow - that is pretty intense. Does this mean that God is saying He is going to destroy everything? Clearly since we are still living, everything was not destroyed...so does this mean that God was wrong, did God misspeak? No that is not it at all. We have to understand the context in which this phrase was being used. Zephaniah's audience would not have thought that this meant that God was going to destroy everything...they would have seen it for what it was, a warning for the people of Judah to turn back to God or face His judgment. As we will see later int he chapter, God always offers His people hope and a way out if they will turn away from evil. When God's judgment comes, it is like a holy fire that burns away everything except what is good - He always leaves a remnant behind.
1:5 - Zephaniah is giving some of the reasons for God's anger against His people. They are living in total hypocrisy. They praise God with their mouths, yet then they will run off and offer their children as sacrifices to the pagan god Molech (Called "Milcom" here). In pagan cultures around the Israelites at this time, it was believed that sacrificing your own child could bring prosperity to your household...it was absolutely disgusting and God is understandably ticked off about it. They claim to be His people, but they are showing how little they actually trust Him by taken part in disturbing pagan rituals. It is easy for us to get disgusted with the Israelites here as well, but let's turn the challenge back to ourselves for a little while. Where do you waste your worship? Are there things in this world that you put your trust in more than God? How many parents still sacrifice their children to the false gods of wealth, achievement, sports, music, whatever...in hopes that it will bring their family prosperity?
1:8 - The leaders of Judah are trying to portray themselves as something they are not...they are putting on the clothes of foreign people...people who worship false gods...so that they can fit it...so that they can be "cool." What they are saying through their actions is that they are embarrassed of believing in God. Again we can ask ourselves a hard questions here - what clothes do you put on? Do you represent the name of Christ that you carry as a Christian, or are you ashamed for people to know what you believe?
1:12 - Here God judges the complacency of His people. The people of Judah have gotten to the place where they feel like God is going to do anything...so they don't feel the need to change anything about the way they live their lives. They are content to simply exist, rather then push themselves to honor God with their lives. How often have we seen this come to play in the lives of current day Christians? How many Christians simply go to church because it is what they do, and refuse to let the way of Jesus change anything about the way they live their lives?
2:3 - Even in the direst of circumstances...even in the face of God's wrath...there is always hope for the people of God. If the people will humble themselves before God, do His will and seek His righteousness...they will be spared from His anger. We who have been forgiven by Christ have even more motivation to honor God with our lives. Jesus paid the price for our sins of the cross. He said, "I will take the punishment they deserve, so that they will be free of sin." Instead of working to avoid God's wrath...Christians should live their lives to honor God's incredible mercy and love.
2:15 - The pagan cities that Zephaniah confronts here believe that they are invincible. They believe that they are safe in their own strength. They believe that God does not exists and that they are the highest power...yet they are dead wrong. They will eventually come face to face with the reality of their own crushing weakness...we will all come face to face with that truth in one way or another. Hopefully we will see our weakness and throw ourselves on the mercy of God, before He brings us to our knees.
3:2 - Arrogance and pride are always at play in those who reject God. Zephaniah describes people here who will not listen to anyone else's voice...who will not accept and help or instruction. They are utterly unteachable. They cannot see that it is impossible for them to save themselves and they pull further and further away from God. This is not where you want to be!
3:5 - God is holy - He only does what is right...always. He is right there in our midst...His Spirit is working on our hearts and lives...He is influencing and shaping our hearts...do you know Him? Do you listen to His voice? You should.
3:17 - I love this verse!!! God is here! God is good! You are never alone. The God of our salvation is never far from us...He loves you, He sings for joy over the good things that are going on in your life. Drink that in...it is good. God is good.
1:5 - Zephaniah is giving some of the reasons for God's anger against His people. They are living in total hypocrisy. They praise God with their mouths, yet then they will run off and offer their children as sacrifices to the pagan god Molech (Called "Milcom" here). In pagan cultures around the Israelites at this time, it was believed that sacrificing your own child could bring prosperity to your household...it was absolutely disgusting and God is understandably ticked off about it. They claim to be His people, but they are showing how little they actually trust Him by taken part in disturbing pagan rituals. It is easy for us to get disgusted with the Israelites here as well, but let's turn the challenge back to ourselves for a little while. Where do you waste your worship? Are there things in this world that you put your trust in more than God? How many parents still sacrifice their children to the false gods of wealth, achievement, sports, music, whatever...in hopes that it will bring their family prosperity?
1:8 - The leaders of Judah are trying to portray themselves as something they are not...they are putting on the clothes of foreign people...people who worship false gods...so that they can fit it...so that they can be "cool." What they are saying through their actions is that they are embarrassed of believing in God. Again we can ask ourselves a hard questions here - what clothes do you put on? Do you represent the name of Christ that you carry as a Christian, or are you ashamed for people to know what you believe?
1:12 - Here God judges the complacency of His people. The people of Judah have gotten to the place where they feel like God is going to do anything...so they don't feel the need to change anything about the way they live their lives. They are content to simply exist, rather then push themselves to honor God with their lives. How often have we seen this come to play in the lives of current day Christians? How many Christians simply go to church because it is what they do, and refuse to let the way of Jesus change anything about the way they live their lives?
2:3 - Even in the direst of circumstances...even in the face of God's wrath...there is always hope for the people of God. If the people will humble themselves before God, do His will and seek His righteousness...they will be spared from His anger. We who have been forgiven by Christ have even more motivation to honor God with our lives. Jesus paid the price for our sins of the cross. He said, "I will take the punishment they deserve, so that they will be free of sin." Instead of working to avoid God's wrath...Christians should live their lives to honor God's incredible mercy and love.
2:15 - The pagan cities that Zephaniah confronts here believe that they are invincible. They believe that they are safe in their own strength. They believe that God does not exists and that they are the highest power...yet they are dead wrong. They will eventually come face to face with the reality of their own crushing weakness...we will all come face to face with that truth in one way or another. Hopefully we will see our weakness and throw ourselves on the mercy of God, before He brings us to our knees.
3:2 - Arrogance and pride are always at play in those who reject God. Zephaniah describes people here who will not listen to anyone else's voice...who will not accept and help or instruction. They are utterly unteachable. They cannot see that it is impossible for them to save themselves and they pull further and further away from God. This is not where you want to be!
3:5 - God is holy - He only does what is right...always. He is right there in our midst...His Spirit is working on our hearts and lives...He is influencing and shaping our hearts...do you know Him? Do you listen to His voice? You should.
3:17 - I love this verse!!! God is here! God is good! You are never alone. The God of our salvation is never far from us...He loves you, He sings for joy over the good things that are going on in your life. Drink that in...it is good. God is good.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Habakkuk Chapters 1-3
1:2ff - Habakkuk cries out to God as he looks around at the terrible things that are going on in the world around him. I think we can all relate to this. He says,"Why are you not doing something? Why are you not acting on behalf of your people to save them?" He like many of us wants to know why God allows bad things to happen to His people. How many times have you been there? Let's see how God responds...
1:5ff - God answers back by instructing Habakkuk to really look around at the world. God is working His plans throughout all the nations of the world, and He tells Habakkuk, "Even if I told you the whole plan...showed you the big picture...you would not believe." It is impossible for us to fully understand God's intricate and eternal thinking plan as it is being worked out in the world. God is using even the pagan nations of the world to bring about His justice and will. I think all of us have some experience seeing how God was at work in difficult times in our lives...now just remind yourself that He is doing that with every human being that exists. When we are able to step away from the hard things we go through (That often blind us to the work God is doing), we often get a clearer picture of the amazing things that God is doing in the world.
1:13 - Habakkuk decides to reword his question to God, because he was apparently not satisfied with the first response. This time he says, "Well, why do you allow the evil people in the world to be so successful God?" This is another question that we have probably all asked ourselves at one time or another in our lives. Why does it seem like the powerful, corrupt people of the world win out in the end?
Chapter 2 - The entire chapter is really God's answer to Habakkuk's second question. He gives a vision of 5 woes to the prophet...the five woes represent the weaknesses and ultimate destruction of the evil strong. They may think they have it all because of wealth and power, but God assures Habakkuk that the oppressors will be humbled before God. There will be justice in the end...it just doesn't always come on our timetable.
2:4 - The pagan nations are bloated on their own arrogance...they are "puffed up" on their strength, intelligence, victories - but there is no good in them. They may have some small victories and success int his fallen world, but ultimately their legacy is one of true weakness, failure and destruction. God reminds Habakkuk (and us) that the righteous will live faithfully. What does that mean? Living faithfully is about trusting God and placing our hope in Him, and then living accordingly. There is no debate on faith versus works because in reality, those who are faithfully are actively living out their faith. You will know the faith of the truly righteous by the way they live their lives.
The 5 woes - 1.) Woe to those who take what is not theirs. 2.) Woe to those who do evil things to be successful. 3.) Woe to those who serve themselves through violence. 4.) Woe to those who pour out anger and hatred on others. 5.) Woe to those who worship things created by man. You can see these anti-God behaviors at work in every corner of our society every day (Often even in churches). Probably wouldn't hurt to honestly hold your own life up to this list and hold yourself accountable.
2:18 - We do this all the time and I don't understand it at all (even though I often get caught up in it). How could we ever be so absurd as to worship something that we made? To put our hope in things that human beings have created? To allow our joy to be centered around the possessions that we own? That is worship...and that is vile.
3:6 - I love the phrase used here - "His were the everlasting ways." Habakkuk sees a vision of God walking the earth and ca tell immediately that there is this eternal quality to the way of God. The path of God is the way to everlasting life...it is the way into eternity. He is the beginning and the end...He is the Ancient of Days...probably wouldn't hurt to follow Him!
3:8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 - All of these verses describe God in the terms of military might. Habakkuk sees God in his vision as the Creator/Warrior...bringing redemption and creative energy through His judgment. I was wondering, do we ever think about God in these terms? Do we think about what it means to run smack dab into out Creator/Warrior God? I believe we like to think mostly about Jesus...to think about the mercy and love and "let all the little children come to me" and dying for our sins...but we forget about awe-inspiring power of Jesus. We don't focus as much on the Revelation Jesus who shows up riding a war horse with a sword coming out of his mouth...we don't focus on the Jesus who when confronted by armed enemies in the garden, causes them to cower through the power of his presence. Jesus came not just to die for your sins, but to crucify the sin and corruption within you. He will always be the warrior as well as the Creator.
3:17-18 - Through his interaction with God, Habakkuk has grown in faith and come to see the truth of the situation. After questioning the way that God runs the world, Habakkuk now ends this book confidently and says that no matter what happens...he will rejoice in the Lord and trust Him always. I think this book teaches us alot about our relationship with God. When you have questions and doubts...bring them to God. He is big enough to handle your toughest questions and if you are willing to listen to Him, you can walk away confidently knowing that God is in control and He is worthy of our faith.
1:5ff - God answers back by instructing Habakkuk to really look around at the world. God is working His plans throughout all the nations of the world, and He tells Habakkuk, "Even if I told you the whole plan...showed you the big picture...you would not believe." It is impossible for us to fully understand God's intricate and eternal thinking plan as it is being worked out in the world. God is using even the pagan nations of the world to bring about His justice and will. I think all of us have some experience seeing how God was at work in difficult times in our lives...now just remind yourself that He is doing that with every human being that exists. When we are able to step away from the hard things we go through (That often blind us to the work God is doing), we often get a clearer picture of the amazing things that God is doing in the world.
1:13 - Habakkuk decides to reword his question to God, because he was apparently not satisfied with the first response. This time he says, "Well, why do you allow the evil people in the world to be so successful God?" This is another question that we have probably all asked ourselves at one time or another in our lives. Why does it seem like the powerful, corrupt people of the world win out in the end?
Chapter 2 - The entire chapter is really God's answer to Habakkuk's second question. He gives a vision of 5 woes to the prophet...the five woes represent the weaknesses and ultimate destruction of the evil strong. They may think they have it all because of wealth and power, but God assures Habakkuk that the oppressors will be humbled before God. There will be justice in the end...it just doesn't always come on our timetable.
2:4 - The pagan nations are bloated on their own arrogance...they are "puffed up" on their strength, intelligence, victories - but there is no good in them. They may have some small victories and success int his fallen world, but ultimately their legacy is one of true weakness, failure and destruction. God reminds Habakkuk (and us) that the righteous will live faithfully. What does that mean? Living faithfully is about trusting God and placing our hope in Him, and then living accordingly. There is no debate on faith versus works because in reality, those who are faithfully are actively living out their faith. You will know the faith of the truly righteous by the way they live their lives.
The 5 woes - 1.) Woe to those who take what is not theirs. 2.) Woe to those who do evil things to be successful. 3.) Woe to those who serve themselves through violence. 4.) Woe to those who pour out anger and hatred on others. 5.) Woe to those who worship things created by man. You can see these anti-God behaviors at work in every corner of our society every day (Often even in churches). Probably wouldn't hurt to honestly hold your own life up to this list and hold yourself accountable.
2:18 - We do this all the time and I don't understand it at all (even though I often get caught up in it). How could we ever be so absurd as to worship something that we made? To put our hope in things that human beings have created? To allow our joy to be centered around the possessions that we own? That is worship...and that is vile.
3:6 - I love the phrase used here - "His were the everlasting ways." Habakkuk sees a vision of God walking the earth and ca tell immediately that there is this eternal quality to the way of God. The path of God is the way to everlasting life...it is the way into eternity. He is the beginning and the end...He is the Ancient of Days...probably wouldn't hurt to follow Him!
3:8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 - All of these verses describe God in the terms of military might. Habakkuk sees God in his vision as the Creator/Warrior...bringing redemption and creative energy through His judgment. I was wondering, do we ever think about God in these terms? Do we think about what it means to run smack dab into out Creator/Warrior God? I believe we like to think mostly about Jesus...to think about the mercy and love and "let all the little children come to me" and dying for our sins...but we forget about awe-inspiring power of Jesus. We don't focus as much on the Revelation Jesus who shows up riding a war horse with a sword coming out of his mouth...we don't focus on the Jesus who when confronted by armed enemies in the garden, causes them to cower through the power of his presence. Jesus came not just to die for your sins, but to crucify the sin and corruption within you. He will always be the warrior as well as the Creator.
3:17-18 - Through his interaction with God, Habakkuk has grown in faith and come to see the truth of the situation. After questioning the way that God runs the world, Habakkuk now ends this book confidently and says that no matter what happens...he will rejoice in the Lord and trust Him always. I think this book teaches us alot about our relationship with God. When you have questions and doubts...bring them to God. He is big enough to handle your toughest questions and if you are willing to listen to Him, you can walk away confidently knowing that God is in control and He is worthy of our faith.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Nahum Chapters 1-3
Another book of the Bible covered in one day...we are cooking now!
1:2,3 and 7 - These verses say that the Lord is jealous, avenging, slow to anger, great in power and good - how do those things all apply simultaneously? We have to remember that jealousy is not evil when it is based on committed love...it is right for a husband to be jealous of a wife who has cheated on him with another man. God is jealous for His people, who He is in a covenant relationship with...because they continually reject Him for false gods. Vengeance is God's, because He is ultimately the one and only true judge and authority in all creation. Though He is great in power and could crush people at a whim, He is also slow to anger and treats His deceitful people with mercy. Thus God is good.
1:11 - This verse may be referring to a single particular unnamed Assyrian king, or a long line of corrupt leaders in Assyria. The main point is that they have been given the responsibility of leadership and authority and they have used it to infuse their culture with corruption.
1:14 - This passage is directly addressed to the corrupt kings of Assyria. Nahum says that their power and their gods will be utterly destroyed. This is important for us to understand because in the ancient world, pagan kings believed that their strength was derived from the gods that they worshipped. They built temples and idols for their gods and believed that any victories they had were granted by these gods. When conquering armies came in, they would utterly destroy the temple of the fallen king so that everyone would no that their power was gone and their gods were destroyed. Nahum tells them that this fate is inevitable, and archeology has shown us that there is clear evidence of pagan temples within Nineveh being totally destroyed.
2:3-5 - This is a detailed description of the proud Assyrians assembled for battle. It reminds me of the Spartans from "300" - adorned in red capes with huge shields and spears. This must have been quite an intimidating sight in the ancient world, to see a "sea" of red arrayed before you. Unfortunately for them, their human strength is about to fail...
2:8 - It is not enough that they have powerful armies to protect them. When the judgment of God comes down on Nineveh - the proud warriors in red go running for the hills. They disappear like water draining out of a pool. Their commanders try to tell them to stay and fight, but the once proud army scatters in fear before the Lord.
2:11-12 - The Assyrian kings and their rules liked to refer to themselves as lions. And they lived a great deal like lions - they used their strength to overpower foes and devour the nations around them. They would bring back the spoils of war like a lions drags a carcass back to its den. Nahum mocks them with his prophecy - he says, "Where are your lions now...where is the den filled with plunder? God's wrath will take away all their strength.
3:4 - The whore of greed and idolatry has lured the people of Assyria/Nineveh in with false promises of fulfillment and they will pay for their participation with her. When you choose to believe that more of everything is what you need...more sex, more money, more power, more honor, more...more...more...you will end up unfulfilled and having lived a life that was full of destruction. This tempting prostitute is still alive and well today, and trying to work her charms on any who will give her a chance...fight for freedom from her hold. Find satisfaction in God, not the things of this world...it is the only thing that will ever bring you fulfillment.
3:12 - Fortresses should give the impression of strength, yet Nahum describes the fortresses of Assyria as pieces of ripe, delicious fruit. Ready to be taken and devoured by their enemies. There is no human creation that can stand against the will of God.
3:17 - The leaders have devoured the land and people like a plague of locusts...used them to gain great wealth and influence...left them corrupted and broken. Now at the first sign of trouble, they will scatter. It seems that they are not the lions that they thought they were...they are actually just insects.
3:19 - Nineveh was given a chance to repent and turn back to God through Jonah, but 100 years later this is their legacy...they have poured out evil on everyone who has come in contact with them. This would be a great time to take some time to think about your own legacy...what kind of influence are you having on the people people around you?
1:2,3 and 7 - These verses say that the Lord is jealous, avenging, slow to anger, great in power and good - how do those things all apply simultaneously? We have to remember that jealousy is not evil when it is based on committed love...it is right for a husband to be jealous of a wife who has cheated on him with another man. God is jealous for His people, who He is in a covenant relationship with...because they continually reject Him for false gods. Vengeance is God's, because He is ultimately the one and only true judge and authority in all creation. Though He is great in power and could crush people at a whim, He is also slow to anger and treats His deceitful people with mercy. Thus God is good.
1:11 - This verse may be referring to a single particular unnamed Assyrian king, or a long line of corrupt leaders in Assyria. The main point is that they have been given the responsibility of leadership and authority and they have used it to infuse their culture with corruption.
1:14 - This passage is directly addressed to the corrupt kings of Assyria. Nahum says that their power and their gods will be utterly destroyed. This is important for us to understand because in the ancient world, pagan kings believed that their strength was derived from the gods that they worshipped. They built temples and idols for their gods and believed that any victories they had were granted by these gods. When conquering armies came in, they would utterly destroy the temple of the fallen king so that everyone would no that their power was gone and their gods were destroyed. Nahum tells them that this fate is inevitable, and archeology has shown us that there is clear evidence of pagan temples within Nineveh being totally destroyed.
2:3-5 - This is a detailed description of the proud Assyrians assembled for battle. It reminds me of the Spartans from "300" - adorned in red capes with huge shields and spears. This must have been quite an intimidating sight in the ancient world, to see a "sea" of red arrayed before you. Unfortunately for them, their human strength is about to fail...
2:8 - It is not enough that they have powerful armies to protect them. When the judgment of God comes down on Nineveh - the proud warriors in red go running for the hills. They disappear like water draining out of a pool. Their commanders try to tell them to stay and fight, but the once proud army scatters in fear before the Lord.
2:11-12 - The Assyrian kings and their rules liked to refer to themselves as lions. And they lived a great deal like lions - they used their strength to overpower foes and devour the nations around them. They would bring back the spoils of war like a lions drags a carcass back to its den. Nahum mocks them with his prophecy - he says, "Where are your lions now...where is the den filled with plunder? God's wrath will take away all their strength.
3:4 - The whore of greed and idolatry has lured the people of Assyria/Nineveh in with false promises of fulfillment and they will pay for their participation with her. When you choose to believe that more of everything is what you need...more sex, more money, more power, more honor, more...more...more...you will end up unfulfilled and having lived a life that was full of destruction. This tempting prostitute is still alive and well today, and trying to work her charms on any who will give her a chance...fight for freedom from her hold. Find satisfaction in God, not the things of this world...it is the only thing that will ever bring you fulfillment.
3:12 - Fortresses should give the impression of strength, yet Nahum describes the fortresses of Assyria as pieces of ripe, delicious fruit. Ready to be taken and devoured by their enemies. There is no human creation that can stand against the will of God.
3:17 - The leaders have devoured the land and people like a plague of locusts...used them to gain great wealth and influence...left them corrupted and broken. Now at the first sign of trouble, they will scatter. It seems that they are not the lions that they thought they were...they are actually just insects.
3:19 - Nineveh was given a chance to repent and turn back to God through Jonah, but 100 years later this is their legacy...they have poured out evil on everyone who has come in contact with them. This would be a great time to take some time to think about your own legacy...what kind of influence are you having on the people people around you?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Micah Chapters 4-7
4:2 - As we have seen time and time again in the Old Testament, the heart of God has always been for ALL of humanity - not just the Jewish people. Micah foresees a future where people from every nation will turn to God and follow in His ways. We live in that future! There is still a lot of work to do, but praise God that salvation is available to everyone.
4:6-7 - God often uses the weak to shame the strong. Matthew 5:5 says, "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth." And we have to understand it is not the meek who "win" - they do not overwhelm the world through sheer numbers...the meek are blessed because God is at work for the cause of the meek. We see it here in this passage...it is God who conquers on behalf of the meek and oppressed. He gathers the humble together into an unconquerable kingdom while the arrogant are doomed to go down with the sinking ship of trusting their own strength.
5:2 - Ah, this verse reminds me of Christmas, because that is when I hear it every year. This is one of the many prophecies about the birth of Jesus Christ. It was fulfilled when Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
5:4 - Micah goes on to describe the future rule who will be born in Bethlehem: He will have the strength and the majesty of God. Jesus was God in the flesh...exhibiting love like no one has ever seen in the life of man. When we look at the life of Jesus we see the glory of God and God's name is glorified. He is our hope and our salvation.
6:8 - God does not require blind rule-following and offerings that are not born from love...He has actually shown us what is good and right through His own character. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God. This is how you live out your faith. You don't just believe in justice...you do it...you actively work with God to bring justice to the world. To love kindness means that it pervades every area of your life. And to walk humbly with God is to connect in relationship with the God who created you...it is the only path to joy and true life.
7:7 - After a large passage of scriptures describing the corrupt culture around him, Micah gives us his response to that corruption. He says, "I am going to trust God, wait for His salvation and follow His lead." I look at the descriptions of their corrupt culture and see a lot of similarities between that society and ours (greed, lies, selfishness, etc.). It is easy for Christians to get frustrated with the state of the world and convince themselves that there is nothing they can do to bring change. But we can do what Micah did...we can refuse to give up...refuse to give in and trust that if we live for God, He will take care of the rest.
7:8 - Our enemies may rejoice when we fall, but it does not matter. God is strong in our failure. When we fall, He is there to pick us up. When we are blinded by darkness, He will bring us into the light. Trust in Him and you will find the peace that passes all understanding...you will not have to have the acceptance of the world because you have the love of God.
7:9 - Micah lays out for us a beautiful explanation of the way that salvation works. Micah knows that he is a sinful man who is utterly broken. He knows that there is no hope for him outside of God and that he needs God to defend him and give him undeserved freedom. Thank you Jesus! He is our defender before God. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He is the way, the truth and the life.
7:18-19 - Micah closes his book, with an amazing description of our awesome God. There is none like Him - He alone is God. He delights in love...offers us undeserved forgiveness...and has cast off our sins. That is a God who offers hope....that is a God worth living and dying for.
4:6-7 - God often uses the weak to shame the strong. Matthew 5:5 says, "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth." And we have to understand it is not the meek who "win" - they do not overwhelm the world through sheer numbers...the meek are blessed because God is at work for the cause of the meek. We see it here in this passage...it is God who conquers on behalf of the meek and oppressed. He gathers the humble together into an unconquerable kingdom while the arrogant are doomed to go down with the sinking ship of trusting their own strength.
5:2 - Ah, this verse reminds me of Christmas, because that is when I hear it every year. This is one of the many prophecies about the birth of Jesus Christ. It was fulfilled when Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
5:4 - Micah goes on to describe the future rule who will be born in Bethlehem: He will have the strength and the majesty of God. Jesus was God in the flesh...exhibiting love like no one has ever seen in the life of man. When we look at the life of Jesus we see the glory of God and God's name is glorified. He is our hope and our salvation.
6:8 - God does not require blind rule-following and offerings that are not born from love...He has actually shown us what is good and right through His own character. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God. This is how you live out your faith. You don't just believe in justice...you do it...you actively work with God to bring justice to the world. To love kindness means that it pervades every area of your life. And to walk humbly with God is to connect in relationship with the God who created you...it is the only path to joy and true life.
7:7 - After a large passage of scriptures describing the corrupt culture around him, Micah gives us his response to that corruption. He says, "I am going to trust God, wait for His salvation and follow His lead." I look at the descriptions of their corrupt culture and see a lot of similarities between that society and ours (greed, lies, selfishness, etc.). It is easy for Christians to get frustrated with the state of the world and convince themselves that there is nothing they can do to bring change. But we can do what Micah did...we can refuse to give up...refuse to give in and trust that if we live for God, He will take care of the rest.
7:8 - Our enemies may rejoice when we fall, but it does not matter. God is strong in our failure. When we fall, He is there to pick us up. When we are blinded by darkness, He will bring us into the light. Trust in Him and you will find the peace that passes all understanding...you will not have to have the acceptance of the world because you have the love of God.
7:9 - Micah lays out for us a beautiful explanation of the way that salvation works. Micah knows that he is a sinful man who is utterly broken. He knows that there is no hope for him outside of God and that he needs God to defend him and give him undeserved freedom. Thank you Jesus! He is our defender before God. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He is the way, the truth and the life.
7:18-19 - Micah closes his book, with an amazing description of our awesome God. There is none like Him - He alone is God. He delights in love...offers us undeserved forgiveness...and has cast off our sins. That is a God who offers hope....that is a God worth living and dying for.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Micah Chapters 1-3
1:4 - This verse and the ones that precede it give a powerful visual of God's presence. One of the commentaries I read about this passage said that Micah may have been taking the imagery from a popular hymn about God from that time period. The audience listening would have instantly engaged with what he was talking about...these type of descriptions were very popular with the Jewish people because they highlighted the power of the Israelite God. Unfortunately for them, Micah is trying to get their attention by talking about the power of God, because the Jews have allowed corruption and pagan idolatry to overrun their culture. Micah is telling them, that when God shows up, nothing can stand before Him. You cannot come in contact with God and remain unchanged...if the mountains melt like wax before Him, what am I going to do but be transformed?
1:7 - The Jewish people had taken idols of false gods from cultures around them and basically prostituted themselves out to these false deities. They gave their worship and sacrifices to statues instead of giving them to the one true God. So Micah prophecies that a conquering army will come in, destroy their golden statues, melt them down, divide the money amongst themselves and allow the foreign soldiers to use that money to buy prostitutes for themselves (A common activity for pagan military men). The religious prostitution of the Israelites will lead to their destruction...and giving our worship to things other than God does no better for us today.
2:1 - Micah speaks of especially vile men who devise schemes to rob their fellow countrymen at night and then carry them out brazenly in broad daylight. Typically thieves wait until the night to do their foul deeds, but these men know that the power they have in Israel will allow them to take whatever they want, whenever they want it. The greatest thieves of all are the corrupt leaders of Israel at this time, and this still rings true today. We arrest countless numbers of people every year for small-times thefts (which is absolutely what should happen), yet corruption at the highest levels of every country on earth allows politicians and corporations to steal billions of dollars with no repercussions.
2:7 - The words of God are seen as true and powerful by those who do everything they can to walk in righteousness. Yet these same words are offensive, ridiculous, impossible, and painful to the ears of those who live only to serve themselves. Allow the Word of God to transform your life...don't try to transform it into what you want to hear.
2:11 - Micah describes a preacher that the Jewish people would appreciate at this time in history. He says, "You want to hear teachers who lies to you and tell you what you want to hear...who tell you that life is all about seeking pleasure for yourself." They have become so corrupt that they only want their leaders to tell them what they want to hear. I want to challenge you to look around at our culture today...what kind of preachers do we want to listen to in the States? Look at what we buy...look at what commercials are trying to sell us...I think we are alot more similar to the idolatrous Israelites than we would like to imagine. What can you do to bring change?
3:2-3 - This is some very disturbing imagery that Micah uses here...and while the leaders in Israel are not literally consuming their people, they are devouring their resources. The leaders in Israel at this point in time care only about themselves and will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Fortunately, leaders don't act like this in the sophisticated current day world we live in, right?
3:11 - At every level of leadership in Israel there is corruption. These are the people that should be leading and creating accountability: judges, priests and prophets. Yet these men care only for their own personal gain. They use their positions to acquire as much money as they possibly can. They are destroying the worship of God in Israel, yet they have found some way to convince themselves that God is still with them. They are delusional. Ah, the power of self-deception.
1:7 - The Jewish people had taken idols of false gods from cultures around them and basically prostituted themselves out to these false deities. They gave their worship and sacrifices to statues instead of giving them to the one true God. So Micah prophecies that a conquering army will come in, destroy their golden statues, melt them down, divide the money amongst themselves and allow the foreign soldiers to use that money to buy prostitutes for themselves (A common activity for pagan military men). The religious prostitution of the Israelites will lead to their destruction...and giving our worship to things other than God does no better for us today.
2:1 - Micah speaks of especially vile men who devise schemes to rob their fellow countrymen at night and then carry them out brazenly in broad daylight. Typically thieves wait until the night to do their foul deeds, but these men know that the power they have in Israel will allow them to take whatever they want, whenever they want it. The greatest thieves of all are the corrupt leaders of Israel at this time, and this still rings true today. We arrest countless numbers of people every year for small-times thefts (which is absolutely what should happen), yet corruption at the highest levels of every country on earth allows politicians and corporations to steal billions of dollars with no repercussions.
2:7 - The words of God are seen as true and powerful by those who do everything they can to walk in righteousness. Yet these same words are offensive, ridiculous, impossible, and painful to the ears of those who live only to serve themselves. Allow the Word of God to transform your life...don't try to transform it into what you want to hear.
2:11 - Micah describes a preacher that the Jewish people would appreciate at this time in history. He says, "You want to hear teachers who lies to you and tell you what you want to hear...who tell you that life is all about seeking pleasure for yourself." They have become so corrupt that they only want their leaders to tell them what they want to hear. I want to challenge you to look around at our culture today...what kind of preachers do we want to listen to in the States? Look at what we buy...look at what commercials are trying to sell us...I think we are alot more similar to the idolatrous Israelites than we would like to imagine. What can you do to bring change?
3:2-3 - This is some very disturbing imagery that Micah uses here...and while the leaders in Israel are not literally consuming their people, they are devouring their resources. The leaders in Israel at this point in time care only about themselves and will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Fortunately, leaders don't act like this in the sophisticated current day world we live in, right?
3:11 - At every level of leadership in Israel there is corruption. These are the people that should be leading and creating accountability: judges, priests and prophets. Yet these men care only for their own personal gain. They use their positions to acquire as much money as they possibly can. They are destroying the worship of God in Israel, yet they have found some way to convince themselves that God is still with them. They are delusional. Ah, the power of self-deception.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Jonah
Once again, we'll cover the entire book...
1:3 - There are some initial questions that jump out in your head, that the text does not answer here - why did Jonah do it? Why did he refuse to listen to God? Why did he run away? Well, we get our answer a few chapters later in 4:2, where we see Jonah lamenting the fact that God is merciful...LAMENTING!!! He in whining in chapter 4, and explains that he ran away because he knew God was going to be merciful with the people of Nineveh and he didn't want them to receive mercy. The Ninevites were the enemies of God's people and he wanted to see them destroyed for their sins. Jonah is a follower of God, but he is not doing a good job reflecting the nature of God into the world...how about you?
1:3b - We read here that Jonah thinks he can run away from the presence of God and we find it laughable, but he was just functioning under the influence of a common ancient worldview. Many people believed that gods were constrained to certain areas of land...each populated region believed that specific gods lived in their areas and would constantly go to war with other gods. When one people group conquered another, they believed - falsely - that their gods had defeated the other gods. Though we see in Jonah's prayer that he knows God created the heavens and the earth, his attempt to run away with God shows us that he was struggling with breaking free from the pagan cultural influences around him. Jonah soon finds out that God has no boundaries. When you think about your own life, what kind of cultural influences keep you from truly living out a Christ-like faith?
1:12-13 - This is very interesting to me...while Jonah failed to show mercy to the people of Nineveh - these sailors refused to throw a man overboard who was endangering their lives. The pagan sailors show more mercy than the prophet of God. In this story, who is acting more in line with the nature of God?
1:16 - Again we see the contrast between the sailors and Jonah...they see one sign from God and immediately respond with heartfelt worship. Jonah on the other hand, is told directly by God to go and speak to the people of Nineveh and he responds with rebellious refusal. The men who know nothing about God or how to worship interact with Him out of authentic love and the prophet who has worshipped God his entire life interacts with selfishness. Let this be a lesson for all who call themselves believers - humble worship is infintely more important than religious ritual.
3:5 - Yet again, Jonah is made to look bad by pagan men and women who are about to be destroyed by God because they are so corrupt. When the people of Nineveh are faced with the truth of their vile actions they immediately repent and throw themselves on the mercy of God. They are more open to the Word of God and willing to be changed by it than Jonah is. Maybe churches should spend less time pouring endless amounts of teaching and resources into the lives of the saved and do everything they can to share truth with those who do not know God.
3:7-8 - I really like these Ninevites...did you see the way they respond to Jonah's words with community repentance? How cool is that? There is no finger pointing. No blame-game. No excuses for their actions. They all take responsibility for the corrupt culture they have created...the entire community throws itself on the mercy of God. This is a really healthy picture of communal accountability. We can learn alot from these people. Instead of trying to blame everyone else for how bad the world is, we need to accept the part we have played in the corruption of our culture, repent and take steps to bring change.
3:9 - I love their attitudes here. Jonah did not come into town and say, "Hey, if you guys get your act together, God will relent on the destruction coming your way." He basically walks into town and says, "In forty days, you are all dead (I'm guessing he said it out of morbid glee)!" The people who see how wrong they have been, repent and change their lives, not knowing whether God will relent on the punishment or not...that is true repentance. They are not just trying to get out of punishment...they see the error of their ways and feel truly sorry for the way that they have lived. This is beautiful!!!
4:4ff - How many times do I waste my anger on meaningless things in life? How often have I gotten more upset about a broken household item or a football game, than about the injustice and oppression that exists in the world? How often have I gotten terribly upset when some has barely slighted me and failed to register any emotion for starving people? What can you do...what can I do...to use emotions within me to respond appropriately in righteous anger to the things that God cares about...to let that anger fuel a creative force within me to actually do something to bring positive change?
1:3 - There are some initial questions that jump out in your head, that the text does not answer here - why did Jonah do it? Why did he refuse to listen to God? Why did he run away? Well, we get our answer a few chapters later in 4:2, where we see Jonah lamenting the fact that God is merciful...LAMENTING!!! He in whining in chapter 4, and explains that he ran away because he knew God was going to be merciful with the people of Nineveh and he didn't want them to receive mercy. The Ninevites were the enemies of God's people and he wanted to see them destroyed for their sins. Jonah is a follower of God, but he is not doing a good job reflecting the nature of God into the world...how about you?
1:3b - We read here that Jonah thinks he can run away from the presence of God and we find it laughable, but he was just functioning under the influence of a common ancient worldview. Many people believed that gods were constrained to certain areas of land...each populated region believed that specific gods lived in their areas and would constantly go to war with other gods. When one people group conquered another, they believed - falsely - that their gods had defeated the other gods. Though we see in Jonah's prayer that he knows God created the heavens and the earth, his attempt to run away with God shows us that he was struggling with breaking free from the pagan cultural influences around him. Jonah soon finds out that God has no boundaries. When you think about your own life, what kind of cultural influences keep you from truly living out a Christ-like faith?
1:12-13 - This is very interesting to me...while Jonah failed to show mercy to the people of Nineveh - these sailors refused to throw a man overboard who was endangering their lives. The pagan sailors show more mercy than the prophet of God. In this story, who is acting more in line with the nature of God?
1:16 - Again we see the contrast between the sailors and Jonah...they see one sign from God and immediately respond with heartfelt worship. Jonah on the other hand, is told directly by God to go and speak to the people of Nineveh and he responds with rebellious refusal. The men who know nothing about God or how to worship interact with Him out of authentic love and the prophet who has worshipped God his entire life interacts with selfishness. Let this be a lesson for all who call themselves believers - humble worship is infintely more important than religious ritual.
3:5 - Yet again, Jonah is made to look bad by pagan men and women who are about to be destroyed by God because they are so corrupt. When the people of Nineveh are faced with the truth of their vile actions they immediately repent and throw themselves on the mercy of God. They are more open to the Word of God and willing to be changed by it than Jonah is. Maybe churches should spend less time pouring endless amounts of teaching and resources into the lives of the saved and do everything they can to share truth with those who do not know God.
3:7-8 - I really like these Ninevites...did you see the way they respond to Jonah's words with community repentance? How cool is that? There is no finger pointing. No blame-game. No excuses for their actions. They all take responsibility for the corrupt culture they have created...the entire community throws itself on the mercy of God. This is a really healthy picture of communal accountability. We can learn alot from these people. Instead of trying to blame everyone else for how bad the world is, we need to accept the part we have played in the corruption of our culture, repent and take steps to bring change.
3:9 - I love their attitudes here. Jonah did not come into town and say, "Hey, if you guys get your act together, God will relent on the destruction coming your way." He basically walks into town and says, "In forty days, you are all dead (I'm guessing he said it out of morbid glee)!" The people who see how wrong they have been, repent and change their lives, not knowing whether God will relent on the punishment or not...that is true repentance. They are not just trying to get out of punishment...they see the error of their ways and feel truly sorry for the way that they have lived. This is beautiful!!!
4:4ff - How many times do I waste my anger on meaningless things in life? How often have I gotten more upset about a broken household item or a football game, than about the injustice and oppression that exists in the world? How often have I gotten terribly upset when some has barely slighted me and failed to register any emotion for starving people? What can you do...what can I do...to use emotions within me to respond appropriately in righteous anger to the things that God cares about...to let that anger fuel a creative force within me to actually do something to bring positive change?
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