In yesterday's reading, the people of Dan took all the items in Micah's household shrine and Micah's Levite priest. The priest’s name was given at the end of the chapter. And then the Danites slaughtered the unsuspecting residents of Laish, forgetting about the law about giving terms of surrender before attacking. Then we heard of the unnamed Levite and his concubine (or additional and inferior-status wife). Nothing happened according to God's will in this story. While nothing negative is said against the concubine or her father, the Levite was a terrible husband. And what happened at Gibeon— as we will see today, becomes the basis for Israel's first civil war.
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jdg.20.nlt
This Psalm 88 is perhaps the most-dark of all the despairing psalms. One encouragement to us is that God has now revealed things about the afterlife that were unknown to the writer. This psalm offers no hope or encouragement. But the presence of Psalm 88 in Scripture gives us permission when in our darkest depression to come to God in prayer speaking words like found here.
Translation note:
14O LORD, why do you reject me?
Why do you [keep turning// turn] your face [away] from me?
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.88
Yesterday in the 3rd chapter of First Timothy we heard one of the key passages on the qualifications of church leaders in God's Word. The chapter ended with a fragment of an early worship song.
Translation notes:
1Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from [true beliefs//our true way of believing//the true faith]; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
3They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by [believers//faithful people] who know the truth.
6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters,c Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the [message of faith and] the good teaching[s] you have followed[— the teachings about our beliefs].
Literally “words of faith” is plural, unlike ‘message’.
PET: \v 6 Teach things like this to the brothers and sisters in the faith there, so that you'll be proven to be His good servant before our Lord Christ Jesus. A good servant of Christ must become more and more mature in all kinds of teachings that build up our beliefs— like the good teachings that you already follow.
12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your [fully believing//faith], and your purity.
https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ti.4
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