Tag: Egypt

Week 37

September 10 to 16, 2011¹

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

Themes and stories: In the words of the prophet, Isaiah: He saw God sitting on a throne, high and lofty. Seraphs attended him. Seraphs are a type of heavenly being, each with 6 wings. Two wings cover their faces, two covered their feet, and the the remaining two are used to fly. And as they flew, they called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3 (RSV)

[6] Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. [7] And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.” [8] And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:6-8 (RSV).

Whereupon God Himself commissioned Isaiah as prophet, and directed him what to do.

Chapter 8 of Isaiah predicted the invasion by Assyria. Chapter 9 has a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah:

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 6:6-7 (RSV)

Chapter 10 speaks of the punishment of Assyria. In fact, students of history know that Babylon later destroyed Assyria.

Chapter 11 contains the prophesy of natural enemies on earth being at peace with one another:

[6] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. [7] The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. Isaiah 11:6-9 (RSV).

Remember, in the beginning, this was how all the creatures on earth originally behaved:

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. Genesis 1:30 (RSV).

Chapter 13 contains a prophecy against Babylon. In Chapter 14 God promised Compassion on Israel. It also contains a prophecy against Assyria. Chapters 17 through 23 contain prophecies against Syria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Babylon, Arabia, and Tyre.
Chapter 21:10 (RSV) refers to threshing: “O my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you.” By way of clarification for the agriculturally impaired, this is a reference to the way useful grain was obtained. In step one, wheat was trampled under foot to break open the seeds, and expose the grain inside–threshing. In step two, the seeds were thrown into the air–winnowing. The worthless chaff blew away, while the valuable grain fell to the ground, where it could be gathered.² Israel would experience the same process. The, sinful and rebellious people would be cast aside as worthless, while the people faithful to God would be gathered to replenish Israel.

Discussion points: Isaiah 10:1-4 contains a condemnation of rulers who oppress the people. What, if any, application does this passage have to modern society?

[1] You are doomed! You make unjust laws that oppress my people. [2] That is how you keep the poor from having their rights and from getting justice. That is how you take the property that belongs to widows and orphans. [3] What will you do when God punishes you? What will you do when he brings disaster on you from a distant country? Where will you run to find help? Where will you hide your wealth? [4] You will be killed in battle or dragged off as prisoners. Yet even so the Lord’s anger will not be ended; his hand will still be stretched out to punish. Isaiah 10:1-4 (Good News Translation)

Psalms: Psalm 54:1 to 60:12
Proverbs: Proverbs 23:1 to 23:16

Themes and stories: Paul recounts some of his many trials: imprisonment, floggings (often to near death), beatings with the rod, stoning, shipwreck, thirst, hunger, sleeplessness, and nakedness, to name a few. 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. Paul also mentions the thorn in his flesh in chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians. Though commentators have speculated as to the “thorn” being some sort of chronic affliction or disease, we don’t know for sure what it was. Apparently, it pained Paul. Paul prayed to God three times for removal of the affliction. God declined. This kept Paul more humble, which actually benefited his ministry.
In chapter 13 Paul admonished the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they were living in the faith. And Paul’s final words of farewell:

[11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. [12] Greet one another with a holy kiss. [13] All the saints greet you. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (RSV).

Galatians. Paul greeted the Galatians, but quickly addressed their problem of turning to “a different Gospel.” Paul assures them that he received his Gospel through revelation from none other than Jesus Christ, Himself (Galatians 1:12). Paul tells them how he had been called to share the Gospel with gentiles, as Peter had been called to share it with the Jews.

Paul criticized Peter for siding with those who said you had to first become a Jew (including circumcision), before you could be a Christian. Taken to it’s natural conclusion, this position can be said to imply that faith in Jesus Christ is not sufficient for salvation. That is, the “Judaizers” position necessarily implied that both faith in Jesus AND adherence to the Law were required for salvation.

Paul does not mince words in expressing to the Galatians that FAITH ALONE is sufficient for salvation:

Trust in Christ, Not the Law
[1] You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. [2-4] Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up! Galatians 3:1-3 (The Message)

Discussion points: What are the “marks of a true apostle” that Paul is referring to in 2 Corinthians 12:12? And why is Paul writing about this topic in the first place?

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
[11] I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. [12] I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. [13] How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 2 Corinthians 12:11-13 (NIV)

See Also:

[17] These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; [18]  they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” Mark 16:17 (WEB)

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, September 17, 2011 are now online — ”Prophet”. This week we’ll review some of the prophecies of Isaiah. In the New Testament, we finish Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and begin his letter to the Galatians. Discussion verses: Isaiah 10:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

FOOTNOTES: