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Acts, Bible Studies

Acts 12

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Acts of the Holy Spirit

The weather last week was muggy. Some people say this is an omen for the much-needed El Niño, a weather phenom that often brings rain to California. We need the rain. A lot of moisture bloomed up from Baja. It tends to even out temperatures, but also visibility. Looking across Estero Bay, everything was a grey haze, not a lot of contrast. Almost like a bad landscape shot from a Kodak Instamatic, for those of you who remember them, small film cameras from the 50’s with sub-optimal optics for those who do not.

instamatic

What was missing was contrast. I knew the Morro Rock was there, but it didn’t look much different than the blue Pacific surrounding it. Hills, sky, water, everything looked the same. Unsatisfying because it lacked definition.

contrast
Same view, only the time of day and contrast are different

This page of the Church’s early adventure, on the other hand, is vivid in its contrast. But you do have to give it the efforts it deserves. Contrasts in two men.

 

First  Peter, the faith he demonstrated, the gates he walked through, the people he associated with. Second, two kings, Herod & Jesus, the  people they associated with, the powers under there control, the clothes they wore, and the consequences of the words they spoke. So take off the lens cover, clean the lens, and load a can of Kodachrome as we snap our way through chapter 12.

The Contrast of Peter 1.0 & Peter 2.0

Acts 12:1 – Which Herod are we speaking of?

Herod the Great was one of the great builders of antiquity. A small, man, he was an Edomite, an Idumean, descendents of Esau. Herod fell in love with a true Jewish princess, Mariamni (sp?) a Maccabean descendent. This Herod killed at least 15 of his sons. The joke in Rome was it was safer to be Herod’s king, than Herod’s son.

This is Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the great. He was put into power by Caligua. Late, Paul was put before trial in front of this man’s son, Herod Agrippa II.

So now this Herod persecutes the Christians, a way to get the Jews to like him.

Acts 12:2 – It is said that he hacked in in half, lengthwise.

Acts 12:3 – OK, if you liked that, I’ll go get the biggies.

Acts 12:4 – A quaternion was a group of four soldiers.  usually two were used for a really bad guy. To have 4 quaternions, 16 soldiers to guard one prisoner begs the question, why so many? We can only speculate, but remember that his grandfather Herod the Great, was fond of John the Baptist. Could it be that there was a part of him who knew better. More importantly, do we ignore that part of our being (our conscience) when it comes to hearing God’s voice?

Acts 12:5 – What would have happened if they would have prayed for James? God has chosen to work through prayer. It is also to prepare us for the unending ages ahead to communicate with God.

Acts 12:6 – Once again, peter is sleeping like at Gethsemane. But this time he is sleeping because he is at peace with the Lord.Yes, you can demonstrate faith by sleeping, as Peter did here sawing logs before the day of his scheduled death. But Peter also heard Jesus prophesy about his demise in John 21:18

Acts 12:7 – Ever notice angels always seem to be in a hurry.

Acts 12:9 – He though he was in a dream.

Acts 12:11 – See Peter figure it out. What if Peter rolled over and went back to sleep. No, he acted anyway, out of faith. We also hear these exhortations and prophecies, and not act on a a notion God puts in our heart. If we step out and move forward, we may find it was just a vision, or onions the night before, or it may be being nudged by the HS.  Pro:14:4 promises a clean manger, but no results. It takes getting up and moving forward, even though it’s a bit messy at times.

Acts 12:12 – Perhaps the same Upper Room used at Pentecost and the Last Supper.

Oh the world is drowning, the world is evil, so many have fallen away, sniffles the church. They had homothymadon, passion in the same direction. The early church had power, we do not. Could it be our perfunctory prayer, begging the faithful to a prayer service, to which few show up? WAKE UP!

Acts 12:13 – Rhoda – means Rose.

Acts 12:15 – These early sensitive to and used to angelic presence, that they did not bother to get up. Paul says that is to be done.

Acts 12:16 -Don’t stand there mouth agape when your prayer is “miraculously” answered. Pastor Chuck Smith relates such a story where the rent is due, and he is between jobs, without two nickels to rub together. He prays and prays, and finally, a a letter comes in the mail, an advance for pastoral work he was to do, totaling exactly howo much he needed for the rent.

Chuck joyfully walks around the house laughing, smiling, and praising God. Then Chuck relates that God said to him, in that still small voice, “Why didn’t you praise and thank Me before the money arrived?”

Acts 12:17 – What a great story! Ha Ha. How so much like me. But note that the prayer was effective all the same. Many times we are not sure how things will turn out, but all it takes is just enough faith to pray.

Acts 12:19 – Obviously, the man is upset. So to relax form this obvious trauma, he went to the luxury resort town of Caesarea.

The Contrast of Christ & Agrippa

Acts 12:20 – {349}We don’t know why he was upset with the locals. They bribed or somehow got an appointment with Blastus.

Acts 12:21 – This is an amphitheater right on the beach. Josephus tells us that these robes were made of pure silver threads, giving a very shiny appearance out in the sun. It was a spectacular garment.

Acts 12:22 – The crowd is sucking up to Herod for the bread. This guy is on an huge ego trip. Jon Courson says flattery is like bubble gum, it’s OK to chew a little, but don’t swallow it.

Acts 12:23 – We don’t know if it was immediate, or perhaps struck by intestinal parasites, doubled over, and died five days later. Dead either way.

This shows absolutely the necessity of giving God glory. When we glorify God, we grow from the inside out. When we glorify ourselves, we rot from the inside out.

 

 

 

Bible Studies, Habakkuk

Habakkuk Chapter 3

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“It’s not opposite day.” So would begin a game my older daughter and I would sometimes play saying the opposite of something. Everything you said had to be the opposite of what you really wanted to say.

It’s charming game, and stretched the creative and thinking juices of a witty nine year old against her slower father. “We’re not going to the store to buy ice cream, dad” was especially hard to resist. The biggest challenge was how to end the game. I smile thinking of those times.

Events in the Fall of 2014 do not often evoke such fondness. The times nag and bring discomfort, near panic, steeped in worry and anxiety.

Evil reigns. Across the ocean evil people seek to kidnap, rob, behead, and intimidate in the Middle East. Our only friend there, the very apple of God’s eye, Israel, is surrounded and attacked at every turn. Abroad, enemies of the Jews circle her waiting and encouraging her downfall. Even our own allies and those in our land share their sentiment.

In North Korea, a third generation despot threatens nuclear death to its neighbors and to us, and arms outré enemies with nuclear capability and delivery systems.

In Africa, an ugly virus is out of control, killing thousands and brings its death to our shores where leaders in name only have not the political backbone, who cower and acquesce to political correctness to not close the borders to protect the nation.

Inside our once fair country, where the national motto was not merely a slogan on a now devalued coin, sexual sin is promoted as a life style, mind altering drugs are legal, leaders openly flaunt the law, and universities teach lies , businesses promote greed and want, and national law enforcement turns its back on the law.

And these events continue to accelerate.

But God

Chapter three is Habakkuk’s response to God’s plan of judgment. God will restore righteousness, Habakkuk saw that, as should we. As his times were, ours are. To God the world is not turning itself upside down or inside out, opposing righteousness. To God, it’s not opposite day.

The Watchman’s Response

Habakkuk 3:1-2

He prays, he reverences Yahweh, and he worships with a song written for the profound revelation he received. His shigionoth a powerful heart-felt musical piece.

He asks Yahweh to “revive His work,” to do again what He once did for Israel to being it out of its spiritual torpor. He knows judgment is needed to waken the country back to acknowledging their special relationship and need for God, as a loving father spanks his child, not from anger, but to get the attention of a wayward child.

The Two-fold Response to God’s Glory

Habakkuk 3:3-5 – The Watchman Beholds God’s Glory

He beholds splendor, beauty and loving awe. God appears from Teman, a place in Edom This verse is close to Moses’s swan song in Deuteronomy 33, which we shall see at the end of the chapter. During the Exodus, the Edomites would not give Israel safe passage Num 20:17-22. This was recounted in Psalm  137, a lament. In v 7 where Edom was eager to have the Babylonians raze Jerusalem to its foundations.

It is little wonder that the Almighty was already in Edom, to execute judgment. Even when we cannot see God working, we can know that He is already in the midst of things.

His splendor is like the radiance displayed in Revelation 1 & 4 and 5.

Habakkuk 3:6-11 – The Nations Behold God’s Glory

Evil requires shaking to bring it out of its Godless torpor also to see God’s Glory, to be directed against evil rulers and the who obey them.

God brings out and demonstrates His lordship over His creation. All things obey Him. And we, who have the Holy Spirit, can behold Him without need of physical manifestations like these. We Christians like top use the word “awesome,” but awesome is more like this. Jesus gave His perspective of an Awesome God:

  “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” – Luke 12:5

The narration speaks of the Day of the Lord predicted in Joel and other places, and culminating in the Great Tribulation. V9 Speaks of letting loose Yahweh’s weapons and His promise to let fly judgment. Think about that! (Selah)

Habakkuk 3:12-15 – Judgment of Judah’s Oppressors

The same will be done against Israel’s enemies, (Hebrews 13:8). It is a side of our God that we too often ignore or minimize because it does not match our template of who we think our God should be. And that borders on idolatry, making God inout image, instead seeing Him for who He really is.

Yahweh uses the weapons Israel’s enemies meant for Israel, just as He reversed the plot of Haman. Esther 7:10

Habakkuk 3:16-17 – The Watchman’s Response

Habakkuk’s predictable reponse is reverential fear, as we have discussed previously. In the middle of Judah’s chastisement, Habakkuk’s intimacy with Yahweh reassures him that this is a chastisement, a spanking, not a whipping

Habakkuk 3:18-19 – The Conclusion of the Matter

The prophet was assured he would walk confidently  the high ground which had been his enemy’s , but now strode on by Habakkuk. God is the master of this sort of “inside out” thinking. All through the Bible, Yahweh demonstrates over and over victory at the last moment where despair ruled just prior. Some examples include

Joseph thrown into a dry pit, sold into slavery, thrown again into prison by a shunned adulterous woman, to be exalted to the number two position in Egypt; all part of The Plan. Gen 37:18-36, 40,41

 

The story of Job, lost his children and all his possessions, given a grievous skin disease, mocked at by his wife and friends, reprimanded by God, yet restored double in possessions and children (he never lost the first ones)

Daniel’s friends in the lion’s den, David vs Goliath, Mordecai vs Haman, Israel in the present day, and of course, the ultimate reversal, Jesus mocked, spat upon, tortured and agonizing death reversed into God’s greatest  glory, His salvation.

But the end of the matter is from the beginning of the chapter. Moses tread, babysat, led, adjudicated, interceded, was very angry with his flock, the nation of Israel. He watched all the generation of 20 and up at the beginning of the Exodus die in the wilderness. He saw the harassment, the murmuring, the enemy attacks.

Yet he had not represented God well at Meribah-kadesh (Numbers 20:8-12) when he became angry at the people and struck (twice even) a rock after he was specifically told to speak to it. It was a carefully constructed analogy Yahweh wanted to make regarding His Son. And now, God told him to go up a hill in what was to be a Gentile land, and see, but not go into the promised land. It was a harsh, but necessary chastisement to Moses, the people, and leadership (then and NOW) that leaders are to keep Yahweh’s Name holy in all that they do. And so he died and God buried him…

The very next verses in the narrative, Deuteronomy 33 shows the blessing Moses gave to the tribes. But see how he begins it:

 “The LORD came from Sinai,
And dawned on them from Seir;
He shone forth from Mount Paran,
And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones;
At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.  – Deu 33:2

Pretty close to the same way Habakkuk began this chapter; with God coming from Paran and Teman, all in Edom, Israel’s half-brother and bitter enemy. But like Moses, Habakkuk held faith and worshipped then as had Moses previously. Neither knew exactly how the matter would turn out.

But God.

Moses died having never gone into Canaan. But wait, he DID.

“Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”  – Luke 9:28-31

God had a way to allow Moses to enter the promised land after dying. This is because of His great love and tenderness for us. Even in our rebellion against Him, like Judea rebelled against God. Perhaps Habakkuk took stock in the next verse of Moses’ great blessing, and re-enforced his confidence and caused him to walk as confident as a deer on a high place for his country’s chastisement, just as Moses was able to bless after his chastisement:

“Indeed, He loves the people;
All Your holy ones are in Your hand,
And they followed in Your steps;
Everyone receives of Your words.”  – Deu 33:3

Memory Verse – “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19a

Application –To remain steadfast in harrowing times, call on Him and remember the good promises made to us.

Bible Studies, Habakkuk

Habakkuk: Introduction

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Why? I used to think that it was impertinent to ask God that question. After all, He’s God, and I’m not. Besides, I thought, he never answered Job’s great question, why do people suffer…

…Such as on the El Toro Y? Why do people put up with that  insufferable piece of road? It will never have enough lanes to accommodate the traffic passing through it. And the drivers will MOW you down if your speed falls below 85, provided it hasn’t been transformed into a parking lot, which it does, for 22 of 24 hours a day.

Why do they put up with it? I couldn’t. I’m not tough enough. I moved. (Just kidding, my sisters and brothers of the OC, I salute you.)

God, why don’t You do something about this dreadful world we live in, and punish the evil in our land, the injustice, the mocking of God, the tolerance and celebration of depravity, the exaltation of false religion, the persecution of the righteous?

Wait, are we speaking of 7th century BC Israel, or 21st century United States? After all, this is a website dedicated to the return of God’s people in America to God after all.

So let’s see how God answered our intrepid questioner. Will there be a glimmer of insight or perspective into our present-day moral dilemma? I hope so. After all, God rewarded Habakkuk’s questions, for which we should all be grateful. Had he not asked, we might not get this insight as to how God might deal with another country called by His Name (In God we Trust).

And I don’t fret any more about asking God my why questions…

The Book

The book is a powerhouse The three doctrinal books of the NT are Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. And all quote from itty bitty Habakkuk. (Hab 2:4) the cornerstone of the Christian faith, salvation by grace through faith.

It is eloquently written. Although compact in size, it’s subject is covered seldom elsewhere. And we see the progression of a “Doubting Thomas” (maybe Thomas should be a doubting Habakkuk) from perplexity to praise, the (super) natural response of the believer whose question is answered. It was written just before the exile to Babylon.

Chapter Outline

Chapter 1: The Piquing Problems of the Prophet.
Chapter 2: The Patient Persistence of the Prophet
Chapter 3:The Powering Praise of the Prophet

Habakkuk 1:1 The Man and His Times

An oracle is also translated a burden, a judicial judgment about to be passed. Recall the use of the word burden from Galatians 6:2; it is to be shared, it is too grievous to bear alone. He received this burn; it is God’s burden, which He chose to relay to people through His instrument, Habakkuk. Habakkuk means embracer. We could throw a lot of speculation, but perhaps we might think of this (and every other Biblical writer) as God’s instruments Almost everything we know about him we surmise, from his name to his actions to his times. We may say, however, he appears to be a learned man, his book is polished prose. We know he was a musician, the end of the book includes a directive that the third chapter, a psalm, was to be played on his stringed instruments. We know he possessed the sensitive heart of a righteous man; like righteous Lot (2 Peter 2:7), he too was oppressed by the wickedness of his countrymen. He lived near the time of the deportation of Judea to Babylon. The last righteous king, Josiah, was dead, replaced by such evil as Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.

Green are good kings, red are bad
Kings of Israel

The spiritual stench of these last rulers of the monarchy was so egregious, that the Lord went so far as to terminate the monarchy:

Thus says the Lord, ‘Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David,  or ruling again in Judah.’  Jeremiah 22:30

The indictment of Judea was grievous: The country, led by its evil kings (and those guys put the E in evil) We can summarize them thus:

Jehoiakim:
He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done 2 Kings 23:37

Jehoiachin:
He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done.2 Kings 25:9

Zedekiah:

He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

2 Kings 24:19

Sounds like a broken record. Some specifiics: Jehoiakim was a vassal of Pharaoh Neco. To pay the heavy tribute, he imposed heavy taxes, undid all the spiritual reforms hips father Josiah had instituted, brought back idol worship, especially Egyptian cultic practices. He also  built expensive palaces with forced labor, killed innocent people, including a prophet, Uriah (nb not the band Uriah Heep:) ) and burned Jeremiah’s scroll, and according to Josephus:

and was neither reverent toward God, nor kind to man. Antiquities 10.83

This was the injustice that assaulted Habakkuk. But as we shall soon see, the solution might have seemed to poor Habakkuk as using gasoline to quench a fire: the dreaded Babylonians!

The Babylonians Under Nebuchadnezzar

The concept of Babylon, all by itself, was enough to put dread into the heart of the pious Jew of the 7th century BC. Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, the  troops under his command might be likened to the blitzkrieg (Lightning War) tactics of the Nazis in World War 2.

During this time, Nebuchadnezzar routedPharaoh Neco at the battle of Carchemish (606BC) after earlier defeating the Assyrians in 612 BC at Nineveh. See entries at Jer 46:2 and 2 Chr 35:20-24

The spiritual depravity of the city and empire date back to just after the Flood, and the rebellion at the Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9. That was the beginning of the formal rebellion against God, spearheaded by no less than Satan himself. Isaiah 14:1-23 who was the “man behind the man” fomenting this rebellion.

And this was not lost on the Jews. That God would use the very nation in whose crosshairs was centered the focus of His direct and deserved wrath blew Habakkuk’s mind.

And the tip of the spear was Nebuchadnezzar himself. Of all things, hand picked by God to be the mightiest ruler of all time, a man with absolute authority Dan 2:36:39.

He was also ruthless: Daniel’s companions were thrown into the lion’s den for failure to worship his graven image. Daniel, who had won Nebby-K’s (a sobriquet used to keep the stories interesting to my two daughters) confidence was thrown into the lion’s den, who after surviving the night, Nebuchadnezzar had the conspirators and their families thrown into the same pit.

Application

Am I bold in my prayer? Am I praying for revival in my nation, state, in my city, in my church, my family, my heart?

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 11 & 12 – The God of This City

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Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders

I don’t remember my first ride down the slide at the park. I imagine it was something like what I have observed since then, somebody on one end, maybe dad, pushing me up the steps, and mom down at the bottom, urging me to let go of the bars and sliding that first slide.

I do remember my first bike ride, though. I had waited a full year later than my oldest brother. I just didn’t want to risk falling off the thing. The training wheels were really cutting into my style though, so one afternoon, with my dad ready to run along side me, I got on it, (a hand-me-down Schwinn with a banana seat, and proceeded to go to the end of the block without falling over. I was ready.

Life is an adventure. It involves risk. Acceptable risk, but there is risk.

But I was risk averse. So much so, my dad tried to inspire me. One day, in my late teen years, he brought home a quotation from Theodore Roosevelt, in 1910:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The thought haunted me. And I was that timid young man. I could see others succeeding, but me, seriously!?

The real problem was that I had no confidence; I did not know what I was capable of, only what I had not done up until then.

Some time later, I surrendered my life to Jesus. Over time I learned, no I came to KNOW, two very important things:

  1. I am highly valued by and important to God Almighty, because He allowed His innocent Son to be slaughtered to redeem me. This means I have great worth.
  2. Whatever I venture in faith in the will of God will succeed, despite any short-term (that means in this life) setbacks.

So the reward with risk is much higher than taking few or no risks. No risks for God really means you don’t take him at His Word.

Nehemiah lived his life this way. He knew the risks were a phantom, that his God had proven Himself faithful. All he needed now were a few more people to come live in Jerusalem, to defend, rejoice, and be honored BY NAME in the one book that really counts. Yes, greater things are yet to come:

We can rejoice in victory given to us in the city, or remain “safe” back on the farm. The true risk is not stepping out in faith.

Chapter 11

Nehemiah 11:1-2  The city rebuilt, it now needed people to live in it. These were volunteers, and those chosen by lot. It was (from a worldly standpoint, not advantageous to move to the city; it would be a target to potential invaders, and those coming from agrarian backgrounds would need to find a new way to make a living.It was considered patriotic to make the decision, some did so.
Nehemiah 11:3-9 Here were the folks from Judah and Benjamin, altogether 1,346 people.. (1,346 people they said together.)
Nehemiah 11:10-19 Now the priests, Levites, the guards, musicians and drummers :). Also the outside workers and gatekeepers. These were, all told 1,648 people involved in the operation of the Temple.
Nehemiah 11:20-36 The Temple servants were the descendants of the indentured Gibeonites, who were made servants, ad woodcutters by Joshua. (Joshua 9:10-21)V23 Artaxerxes had issued a command about 100 years previously to provide financial support from the  provinces behind the Euphrates, and to allow the Temple priests and servants to live tax-free. (Ezra 7:20-24)Other Jews from Benjamin and Judah are listed, was many new Jerusalemites came from them.

Chapter 12

Nehemiah 12:1-21 This is an enumeration of the people who returned with Zerubabbel and Ezra, 100 years earlier.  He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin (Mat 1:12) Jeshua is probably the same one mentioned in Zec 3:1-9 being approved by God for the purpose of restoring the Temple.
Nehemiah 12:22-26 Although the priests were Levites, they were only the descendants of Aaron. The other Levites assisted in the Temple duties, as has been shown. No Wranglers or others were in this group. 😉
Nehemiah 12:27-30 BC 445. The dedication was a time to bring out all the Levites from across the land, probably in a processional ceremony around the walls, and to ask God’s protection and provision for the city He wished rebuilt.
Nehemiah 12:31-47 A procession was led by two separate groups, one the east, the other on the west, and proceeded from south  to mort in parade fashion. They met at the Temple were sacrifices and partying to take place.The same day, men were appointed to manage the collection and distribution of valuables given for the service of the Temple. The entire nation blessed the Temple service, and was blessed by the giving.

Memory Verse – “On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”
Nehemiah 12:43 

Application – Go ahead and take what others think is a risk for God.  

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 10 – Excellence: What the Heck Are You Doing Here?

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Up the Organization by Robert Townsend
Up the Organization by Robert Townsend

“If you don’t do it excellently, don’t do it at all. Because if it’s not excellent it won’t be profitable or fun, and if you’re not in business for fun or profit, what are you doing here?”
— Robert Townsend

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:1-2

Be conformed into the image of Christ. It is His way to transform us into the image of His perfection, excellence.

Summary / Thoughts

Nehemiah 10:1-27 The document was sealed. We mentioned the significance of a sealed document in Nehemiah 6:5 where Sanballat carried an open letter to Nehemiah. 

The documents began with the leader, Nehemiah, followed by the priests, then the other Levites, their brothers, followed by the “leaders of the people.” They, in effect, “hung it out,” much like the signers of the United States Constitution. By having their names on the document, they committed themselves to it.

 

What about the people who kept the contract, but were not mentioned?

 

As we discussed last time, this puts the teeth into accountability. One person’s views are highlighted below.
Nehemiah 10:28-31 All the people who were servants or had official duties are now included by function. This group includes women, men, and children who understood what they were doing, and the Law the pledged to uphold. 

These were to include only Jews who were enrolled from the previous genealogies.

 

Why then assemble and make this oath? any reasons could doubtless be cited, one perhaps that the people until then had neglected the we ones Nehemiah listed.
Nehemiah 10:32-33  Here the third shekel, (about 1/6 oz.) shows what it was used for. A bit of accountability for the priests and Levites, who had not always accounted for its use. 

See 2 Kings 22:4-7 for a practice where Josiah forced the doorkeepers to use the monies collected for their intended purpose.
Nehemiah 10:34-39 Yet more promises made. These were not trifling. It’s not as though the first fruits of all this agrarian economy were like a paycheck coming week to week. There was the possibility of drought, crop failure, disease, fire, or other calamities. The bringing of first fruits was a genuine step of faith.

The Components of Accountability Paraphrased from JP McLaughlin

1. Know what is to be done. If the individual does not clearly understand what he is being asked to do, then his manager cannot in fairness expect him to do the job or be accountable for it. So, we must have complete understanding of each job to be performed by the individual who is to be held accountable for an acceptable requirement.
2. The person must have the capacity to do the job. If his training is deficient, or if he doesn’t know here to get the help he needs, then he cannot be held accountable, even if that person has commitment and zeal to do the job expected.
3. Know what the acceptablestandard is. The individual assigned a job must understand and agree with his manager’s standards for an acceptable piece of work. These could be quite different from his own ideas of excellence.
4. Have the needed authority to complete the job If a person makes a commitment, or accepts responsibility for a certain result, he must not be restrained from completion of the job through inadequate authority.
5. There is agreement on how accountability will be demonstrated. This can be a report, commitment meetings, or reviews.

Memory Verse – “We will not neglect the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:39c 

Application – Commit whole heartedly to God; and avoid the expense of being double minded.  

Salvation

My Hope America – Billy Graham

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Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 12

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Living Our Life of Faith 
How, What, and Where  to live in the light of faith in our Great High Priest is the theme of Hebrews 12. Our examples are Jesus, and the saints of faith before us. Our heritage and is an unshakable one, Heaven. 
Summary / Thoughts

Heb 12:1-3 – Jesus Our Super Model Simply: Shed sin. Shake it off like a lizard sheds his skin, like Paul shook off the snakebite of Acts 28:2-5Compare this with the kenosis of Phillipians 2. The emptying, the deprivation Jesus went through to lay aside is Godhood, AND voluntarily put up with the hostility of which we receive only a bare fraction.
Heb 12:4-11 – The Father, our Teacher Someone once remarked that he was glad to have been in the army, but wouldn’t want to do it again. Discipline is the same way, it’s necessary. It shows we are true sons (daughters) of God; it’s tough love in a sense. It perfects us, bringing us through the seminary of sorrow; it’s one thing to read a book about the hardships and suffering of others, it’s quite another to live it. Those in battle have  a unique shared experience in having together been shot at, there is little experience more uniting than that.And, we are disciplined to enter into that pure and set aside state of holiness, since the Father, through discipline, receive His holiness
Heb 12:12-17 – Our Brothers, our object of holiness Our response toward each other is how we live out the shaking off of sin. It says that we walk in the path of righteousness and peace. Look at Psalm 1:1-3 to see an example of this walk. What causes bitterness? Sometimes, unexpressed resentment of what another has or does, but always unvoiced. Deu 29:18 shows the root of bitterness is born out of the unbelief many had that God did not take car elf them, such that they turned to idols.
Heb 12:18-24 – Our Summit: Mt. Zion The image is of the time Moses went to Mt Sanai to receive the Law (Exodus 19 and 20). That terrible place was a place of death to the unclean. All were stay away.Mt. Zion, on the other hand, is the object of our journey, our gathering place. But really, both are the same in that only the spotless, and sinless may approach it.
Heb 12:25-29 – Our Unshakable Inheritance  His last warning concerning the call to faith in Christ by Christ. Although we draw to Mt. Zion, only the unshakable will endure, we who have our foundations in the Rock, Jesus, will be immovable. The dross, the man-made will not endure. And yes our God is a loving God, but He is also just, and will refine out the impure, at the end of the age. See also Haggai 2:6 from which this is quoted.

Memory Verse – All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11

Application – Expect dicipline, encourage the family of God, run the whole race. 

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 11

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Virtual Actuality – The Faith Hall of Fame
Faith is the opposite of virtual reality. In an electronicVR game, good movie or other setting, the aim is to convince you that something you see is real, when it is not.

Faith does the opposite. Faith tells us that what we cannot see is the reality.

Faith is  not some cosmic force through which we can appropriate a good life, levitate light sabers, or speak cash into our wallets.

Faith is not Napoleon Hill’s affirmation: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and and believe, it can achieve.”

Faith in God, is based on the character of God, and the degree we know that God is as good as His word. It is taking action on the promises of God with boldness and perseverance.

Simply Broken Out  Summary / Thoughts

Heb 11:1-3 The Essence of Faith – In connecting the dots of the Promise, we obtain approval from God. Through faith, all the markers, the hints and subtleties of which we are only given promises, are perceived and known to be reality. Think of an example, student. My own came when it dawned on me as a young Christian, after having pondered over the pre-Flood world described in Genesis, and trying to reconcile the length of life of the patriarchs to months or something else. After reading a tract by ICR  I began to interpret the section as literal. At that realization, it all came into incredible focus and understanding; I could best understand the Bible (except when the genre compelled me otherwise) as a literal account, especially Genesis.  And why not? After all, humanity derailed in the Garden of Eden when Adam & Eve were lured into not taking God’s Word literally. The worlds framed.. is better understood as the ages framed, God arranged these all in advance of the passage of time.
Heb 11:4-7 Faith before the Flood – This first testament is just that, a testament. Faith ripple repercussions throughout our circle of friends,(koinos) and through time, as we see here. Death does deaden the testament of faith. It also serves as a testament to the living, as Noah showed. His ark, built over a period of 120 years, probably far from sea, would be the object of ridicule, yet Noah persisted. Even now, looking back, he is mocked, denied, and belittled, as are we who take God’s word seriously.
Heb 11:8-12 The Faith of Abraham – Abraham takes faith to the next level by his actions. He acts radically, leaving family home and wealth, willing to sacrifice his son all on a promise from God. Reckoning on righteousness is here as well, Gen 15:6. Although he and Sarah faltered along the way (Gen 12:10-ff and Gen 20) God did not take away His promise. It was not contingent on Abraham.
Heb 11:13-16 The Objective of Faith; Heaven – The patriarchs (and our) imitation is of Abraham, for we are called like Abraham to come out of our “country” to a place we know little about save the promises has made in His word. We believe that this place is so much better, and God is thus pleased Heb 11:6
Heb 11:17-22 The Faith of the Patriarchs – Part of the testimony of faith is its heritage throughout a family. A Godly and faithful parent givers the offspring a double advantage in life as a beacon and role model. The opposite is also sadly true.
Heb 11:23-29 The Faith of Moses – And Moses’ call to faith faith was re-enforced by constant meeting face to face. (Exo 34:29-ft) Moses too slipped in obedience, but his faith was resolute, under great pressure from his flock and his enemies.
Heb 11:30-38 Overcoming by Faith – Now here is a great encouragement. Often times we cluck at the foibles (the bad sides of) some these folks, Samson, Barak, for two examples. Yet, here they are in the faith hall of fame. So we should not be discouraged when we stumble; God knows we will, yet it does not impede our standing with God (except, of course when it remains unconfessed) but we keep our faith. This is a tremendous encouragement when the road gets rocky.
Heb 11:39-40 The Unity of Faith – And so, at the end of the age, we too will stand among the greats, having stood the test and endured just as they did, and celebrate that glorious day, and the glorious Savior who made that day possible. DON’T MISS THIS PARTY!

Memory Verse – Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. – Heb  11:6

Application – How will you live out what you have learned?
I am going to remember the human heroes of faith, who although they stumbled, were approved by God for their faith, and be encouraged by God’s approval. 

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 10

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Bible Study Made  Simple
Title – One Sacrifice, One Faith
Teaching – One sacrifice, accepted by faith, is all need to be reconciled with God.
One Sacrifice is Enough

Heb 10:1-3 Yes, the animal sacrificial system brought guilt to the Jew since each year’s reminder brought guilt.On the other hand, since we possess  sin-distorted minds, unnecessary guilt can plague the redeemed. Outside sources, other people, “memorials,” and demons can also cause this.The cure? Knowing that God never condemns (Romans 8:1). This gives us confidence that our condemnation is never from God, and can serve as a reminder. We need also to practice discernment, in that God does correct our sinful habits, and that we have liberty in our Christianity. Romans 4 &15 provide guidelines here.
Heb 10:4-11  Mark 12:33, Mat 9:13, Psalm 51:16, Hos 6:6 and many other places in the Bible  point out God is not into ritual, or the slaughter of animals. The soothing aroma spoken of often in Leviticus and other places is the aroma of a pure desire of the worshipper, and obedience. This manifestation of love, obedience, is put forth in verse 9 by submitting to the Father’s will. By perfect obedience, Jesus was able to be the perfect sacrifice, because in that perfect obedience, He remained untainted by sin.  An imperfect analogy is a multi stage space rocket; the first stage lifts the rocket into the air, it must be jettisoned do that the 2nd stage and payload can travel beyond the atmosphere (temptation) and the force of gravity (sin). The first stage is the Old Testament. v11 Once for all, the Cross saves for all we sin, not just those leading up to our salvation. The idea of sanctification is a three fold process. Here the first step, of being set apart for Christ is in mind. The other two steps are the day to day process by which the Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ. The final perfecting step is after the death of our mortal bodies.
Heb 10:11-18 The then ongoing ministry of the priest required work, standing up and working. Jesus, sat down after having completing His work. Psalm 110:1 echoes this. The only time He stands up is to greet the saints as He did for Stephen in Acts 7:56.Verse 14 continues the sanctification theme in the previous paragraph. The Law of the covenant is replaced with the Law of love “If you love Me, keep my commandments – John 14:15 and others. Here the Law of Love is applied properly to the heart. As a result, God sees us through the eyes of love, as we are perfected by the Robe of Righteousness. v18 – Consequently since we are declared righteous, sacrifice for sin is unnecessary.

Living by Faith

Heb 10:19-25 As has been said, we have no reason to cower because of our past, we can be confident. We draw to our Heavenly Father in confidence, with sincerity, as a young child curls into  her daddy’s lap, sure of her place with him. Our confession is this once for sacrifice of Jesus, to the Jew, the reader warns not to return to the old ways. But this is also true for Gentiles after the book was written; we are onto to return to the works righteousness most of us believed prior to our salvation. It can show up in a variety of ways, getting “closer to God” by acts, saying Rosaries, teaching litlly kids in Sunday School, leading Bible studies, or as non-Christians, adding up all the good things and weighing them against the bad.The point is, it is not only 1st century Christian Jews who have a “going back to the old ways” mentality.
 Heb 10:26-31  There is only one way to God; the Gospel. There is no alternate choice. See also Numbers 15:30-31. The picture is one of shaking a fist defiantly at God; there is only judgment in this case. verse 31 is probably grossly unstated or thought about or preached in the 21st century church, however the grim truth of it remains.  Jonathan Edwards preached on this subject in colonial America in 17441. His sermon, based on Deu 32:35, “Their foot shall slide in due time,” was entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Edwards delivered it after walking many miles in inclement weather. Being sick himself, his delivery was weak and monotonous. But the the Holy Spirit so moved the people who heard it that is was said that grown men shrieked and clutched the pillars and pea in the church out of fear of hellfire consuming them.
Heb 10:32-39 The author now appeals to marshall their faith, and holding forth the promise of Christ at His return. As you can see, the Jews  of this time paid a heavy price for believing in Jesus. No wonder the admonition to build up and encouraging each other!

Memory Verse – “ Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Heb 10:24b-25a

Application – How will you live out what you have learned?

I will hold fast when, not if  persecution comes.

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 7

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Bible Study Made  Simple
Title – Why Fly Coach When First Class is Free?

Simply Broken Out  Summary / Thoughts

 

Heb 6:17-20 The sure oath of God is the anchor that our salvation is well anchored. The two things are the promise to Abraham, and on God’s nature. Going through the veil speaks of the ability we have now of going directly to the Father.
Heb 7:1-3 The background OT passage is Gen 14:17- 24. Jer 23:6 The LORD our Righteousness, Isa 9:6 Prince of Peace.
Gen 14:17- 24. Three firsts:
Priest, Psa 110:4, Heb 7:5 See other notes. Zec 6:13
Jerusalem – Psa 76:2 Meaning peace. Why peace? Looking forward to that time when the Melchizedekan Priest and King, Jesus, brings peace for a 1000 years.
God Most High – A realization of the true and living God. Before the spread of polytheism; idol worship, there was a knowledge of the true and living God. Melchizedek had knowledge of the true Good, as witnessed by his title, God most high, AND as owner of all things.
In this, Abraham made a choice between a world-based quid pro quo system exemplified by the king of Sodom, and one based on faith in God’s character and promises. Melchizedek had knowledge of the true God, and was in a dual role as king.
Heb 7:4-10 Note the degree of piety shown by Abraham, in giving the choicest spoils; no three legged lambs; a pure act of worship.Follow the chain of logic here: Levites, represented by ancestor Abraham receive a tenth, yet Abe gives a tenth to Melchy. ( I am getting tired of spelling it out.) Therefore Levi paid Melchy.
Heb 7:11-22 v11, in other words, why bother to go beyond the Levitical priesthood/ Law? A. I didn’t take away sin to reach perfection. The likeness of Melchy does not mean Christ has to be a blood descendant. Physical requirements mentioned in v16 are the procedural requirements of the law. The big takeaway is that the Law made nothing perfect v19, consequently something better was needed.
Heb 7:23-25 Jesus alone is required because of His eternal life, and the fulfillment of the oath of v21 quoting Psalm 114:4. Again the idea of drawing near to God is emphasized here, which is the purpose of our salvation, but impossible without our Great High Priest, AMEN!
Heb 7:26-28 Again, Jesus is far superior to the Aaronic priesthood, who were fallible, frail people, like you & I.

 

Memory Verse – One verse you have set to memory.
Observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. Hebrews 7:4