2015DBRP_182 1King13-14 Ps119j John8a

How could such a wise man make such stupid choices?! Part of the answer is the corruption caused when one has too much power. And there is something truly sticky about sexual sin. We hear the results today.

Translation notes:

15Then [the old prophet//he] said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some food.”
29So the [old] prophet laid the body of the man of God on the donkey and took it back to the town to mourn over him and bury him.
31Afterward the [old] prophet said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.13.nlt

 

Today we read the stanzas for Qoph and Resh.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

The temple guards were ordered to arrest Jesus, but when they came back empty handed they simply said, “We have never heard anyone speak like this.”

Translation notes:

9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left [[0//in the middle of the crowd] with the woman.

This was new to me today! This is the first time I have noticed that perhaps not everyone left (as I have seen in the movies), but just the accusers. This makes good sense, actually. According to the grammar of Greek, I believe that the previous speakers (the Pharisees) would be the logical subject of ‘hearing this’.

28So Jesus said, “[I am the Son of Man, and] When you have lifted [Me] up [0//the Son of Man] on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he.g I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
43Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even [listen to//hear me!

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.8

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2015DBRP_181 1King11-12 Ps119i John7b

Yesterday we heard interesting glimpses of Solomon's international relations and commerce. Notably, the queen of Sheba came to listen to Solomon's wisdom and to ask questions of him.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.11.nlt

 

How precious the Word of God is to us!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

It is likely that the climax of the festival mentioned in today's chapter was the day in the Festival of Shelters where water was poured out before the Lord. Jesus stood up and shouted out to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

 

Translation note:

33But Jesus told [the crowd//them], “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.7

 

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2015DBRP_180 1King9-10 Ps119h John7a

The temple was completed! And yesterday we heard Solomon’s very wise prayer asking God to fulfill his promises and help the people of Israel. In his prayer, he recognized that the people of Israel would not be able to remain faithful to the Lord, but that they would sin and then need to repent. Solomon asked God to forgive and to hear the people in situations of sin and desperation because of the Lord's punishment upon them.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.9.nlt

 

Note that yesterday we read one of the frequently memorized verses from this psalm:

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet

and a light for my path.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

Notice the deep meaning in John 6:56 and the application which Jesus’ listeners could not understand— that is to the Lord's Supper. Jesus says,

“Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//in] me, and I [remain joined to//in] him.”

This is the same meaning of ‘in Him’ that we will see in John chapter 15. And Jesus also said,

58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but [anyone who eats this bread] will live forever.”

And Peter made one of his best and most quotable statements when Jesus asked the twelve if they also would leave:

68 … Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

 

Translation note:

33But Jesus told [the crowd//them], “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.7

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JoySightings_005

Safed the Sage: Concerning Rest

A parable from G. William Jones' book, The Innovator: The Diamond

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2015DBRP_179 1King8 Ps119g John6b

Yesterday we heard lots and lots of details about the building of the temple. A man from Tyre, Huram, must have been a wonderful and artistic technician in working with bronze casting. He corresponds to the two craftsmen who designed and constructed the first tabernacle.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.8.nlt

 

Again we are focussing on what God’s Word means to us.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

There is an important play on words between Jesus and the crowd in Capernaum which did not come out in yesterday’s reading of the NLT. It involves the word ‘work’. I have made an adjustment to fix that which I will read today. Here is the modification:

27[Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Manf can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

28They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

 

Translation notes:

27[Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Manf can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
53So Jesus said again, “I [, the Son of Man,] tell you the truth, unless you eat [my flesh//the flesh of the Son of Man] and drink [My/his] blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.
56Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//in] me, and I [remain joined to//in] him.
62Then what will you think if you see [Me, the Son of Man, ascending//the Son of Man ascend] to heaven again?
68Simon [who is also called] Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
71He was speaking of Judas, son of [the] Simon [that was from the village of Cariot//Iscariot], one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.6

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2015DBRP_178 1King6-7 Ps119f John6a

Yesterday we heard of the incredible size and wealth of Solomon's dominion, and his wisdom in organization is evident. During his reign, Israel was prosperous as never before or afterward. Solomon contracted with King Hiram of the Sidon to get the materials needed for the construction of the temple.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.6.nlt

 

God is telling us how important His Word is!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

In John yesterday we heard of Jesus' relationship with God, His Father, and that God has given authority to the Son to judge all mankind. The Son has also been given the authority to give life after death. Jesus talked about the various entities who witness or give testimony about Himself. This is important because in Jewish Law and culture, assertions needed to be supported by at least two witnesses. The witnesses who support Jesus are John the Baptist, his miracles, his teachings, and in the background, his Father and Moses.

 

Translation notes:

27[Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Manf can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

53So Jesus said again, “I [, the Son of Man,] tell you the truth, unless you eat [my flesh//the flesh of the Son of Man] and drink [My/his] blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.

56Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//in] me, and I [remain joined to//in] him.

62Then what will you think if you see [Me, the Son of Man, ascending//the Son of Man ascend] to heaven again?

68Simon [who is also called] Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

71He was speaking of Judas, son of [the] Simon [that was from the village of Cariot//Iscariot], one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.6

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2015DBRP_177 1King4-5 Ps119e John5b

Yesterday we heard David's final instructions to Solomon. They contained a few messy details, and Solomon managed to finish all of those issues. David noted Solomon's wisdom as he gave them those instructions, and later Solomon (at his finest hour) asked God for wisdom to rule the nation of Israel well, and God gave it to him.

 

Translation notes:

9Ben-deker, in Makaz, [including] Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-bethhanan.

12Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, [including] all of Beth-shanb near Zarethan below Jezreel, and all the territory from Beth-shan to Abel-meholah and over to Jokmeam.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.4.nlt

 

God is telling us how important His Word is!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

Yesterday we heard of Jesus healing of a man who had been sick for 38 years. Persecution ramps up because this healing was done on the Sabbath. Jesus replied to his critics, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

 

Translation notes:

19So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, [I, as the Son//the Son] can do nothing by [myself//himself]. [I only do what I see//He does only what he sees] the Father doing. Whatever [my//the] Father does, [I also do//the Son also does].

It is very unnatural in almost every language to have someone talking about himself using ‘he/him’ instead of ‘I/me/my’. In some languages this is flat out ungrammatical. This is why a Bible translator is justified in changing the pronouns and footnoting the fact that he has made these changes. We should observe that there were special reasons why Jesus was both concealing and revealing his identity when talking of himself as the Son of Man. It is, however, impossible to duplicate this in the minds of the modern translation’s readers.

 

20For [my//the] Father loves [Me//the Son] and shows [Me//him] everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will [involve Me in doing//show him how to do] even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.

21For just as [my//the] Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so [I, his Son give//the Son gives] life to anyone [I want//he wants].

22In addition, [my//the] Father judges no one. Instead, he has given [Me//the Son] absolute authority to judge,

23so that everyone will honor [Me as his//the] Son, just as they honor [my/the] Father. Anyone who does not honor [Me as his//the] Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent [Me/him].

25“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to [Me,] his Son.

27And he has given [Me/him] authority to judge everyone because [I am//he is] the Son of Man.

28Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear [my voice,] the voice of God’s Son,

29and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5

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2015DBRP_176 1King2-3 Ps119d John5a

Yesterday we heard of Adonijah’s almost successful bid to become the next king. The prophet Nathan’s intervention saved the day.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.2.nlt

 

God is telling us how important His Word is! In yesterday’s reading I found this verse interesting:

45I will walk in freedom,

for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

Note that following God’s commandments does not violate freedom.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

When I have opportunities to pray a blessing over people in Indonesia, I often have prayed John 4:14 for them. Jesus said, “those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

 

And John 7 says: “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

 

Translation notes:

19So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, [I, as the Son//the Son] can do nothing by [myself//himself]. [I only do what I see//He does only what he sees] the Father doing. Whatever [my//the] Father does, [I also do//the Son also does].

It is very unnatural in almost every language to have someone talking about himself using ‘he/him’ instead of ‘I/me/my’. In some languages this is flat out ungrammatical. This is why a Bible translator is justified in changing the pronouns and footnoting the fact that he has made these changes. We should observe that there were special reasons why Jesus was both concealing and revealing his identity when talking of himself as the Son of Man. It is, however, impossible to duplicate this in the minds of the modern translation’s readers.

 

20For [my//the] Father loves [Me//the Son] and shows [Me//him] everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will [involve Me in doing//show him how to do] even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.

21For just as [my//the] Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so [I, his Son give//the Son gives] life to anyone [I want//he wants].

22In addition, [my//the] Father judges no one. Instead, he has given [Me//the Son] absolute authority to judge,

23so that everyone will honor [Me as his//the] Son, just as they honor [my/the] Father. Anyone who does not honor [Me as his//the] Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent [Me/him].

25“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to [Me,] his Son.

27And he has given [Me/him] authority to judge everyone because [I am//he is] the Son of Man.

28Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear [my voice,] the voice of God’s Son,

29and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5

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2015DBRP_175 1King1 Ps119c John4b

Like 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles were originally each one book instead of two. The books of Kings and Chronicles have many similarities. One difference is that the books of Kings seem a bit more secular in their outlook, whereas Chronicles seems to have been written by a priest. Henrietta Mears says that both sets have these things in common: 1. They begin with King David and end with the king of Babylon. 2. They open with the building of the Temple and end with the burning of the Temple. 3. They open with David’s first successor to the throne, Solomon, and end with David’s last successor, Johaiachin, released from captivity by the king of Babylon.

 

Mears also gives these three rather odd meta messages in these books. I think they might be interesting to look for as we go through:

1. God does not show favoritism. Acts 10:34

2. When our all is on the altar, God never keeps us waiting for the fire.

3. The final captivity was because of disobedience to God. This was clearly prophesied long before.

 

Translation note:

23The king’s officials told [David/him], “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ki.1.nlt

 

God is telling us how important His Word is!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

To me it was meaningful to read yesterday that, “The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life.” The fields are certainly ripe. And I note, with wry smile, that Jesus must be talking of heavenly wages, because our support is falling behind here on earth. Then on a serious note, like Paul said, “The difficulties we face on earth are nothing to be compared with the glories that await us.

 

Translation notes:

21Jesus replied, “Believe me, [0//dear woman], the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

I don’t think there is any good equivalent in English for the Greek here. One option runs the risk of sounding terribly rude, and this one runs the risk of misunderstanding the ‘dear’ness of the woman to Jesus.

27Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to [him//her]?”

45Yet [, suprisingly,] the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.

48Jesus [said//asked], “Will you [people] never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

It is important to show that the Greek is you-plural here, otherwise Jesus seems overly frustrated with just the one man.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.4

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2015DBRP_174 2Sam24 Ps119b John4a

Yesterday we heard David’s final words and the listing of the 38 mighty warriors who loyally helped David in his victories. Note that Uriah the Hittite is poignantly included in the list. And this 24th chapter seems like a postscript.

16But as the [death//0] angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented and said to the [0/death] angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

https://www.bible.com/bible/68/2sa.24.nlt

 

Yesterday’s reading included two of the most famous verses from this psalm:

9How can a young person stay pure?

By obeying your word.

11I have hidden your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.119

 

Yesterday in John 3 we heard the words of John the Baptist at what I consider his finest hour. That was where he said, “He (Jesus) must grow greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” This is a worthy goal for all of us.

 

Translation notes:

21Jesus replied, “Believe me, [0//dear woman], the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

I don’t think there is any good equivalent in English for the Greek here. One option runs the risk of sounding terribly rude, and this one runs the risk of misunderstanding the ‘dear’ness of the woman to Jesus.

27Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to [him//her]?”

45Yet [, suprisingly,] the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.

48Jesus [said//asked], “Will you [people] never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

It is important to show that the Greek is you-plural here, otherwise Jesus seems overly frustrated with just the one man.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/jhn.4

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