Thursday, June 30, 2016

DBRP_183 1KI.15 1KI.16 PSA.119.161-176 JHN.8.28-59


Opening to 1KINGS 15-16:
I think yesterday's story of the ‘man of God from Judah’ and the ‘old prophet from Bethel’ to be one of the most fascinating in the Bible. Prophets who lie will certainly be judged harshly by God! And we will see in 2nd Kings that the prophecy of the unnamed man of God from Judah was completely fulfilled. Also in yesterday’s reading, we heard Ahijah's prophecy against Jeroboam. We also heard of the end of the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. And do you think that Shishak took the ark of the covenant to Egypt?

PSALM 119:161-176
This our last reading in this Psalm.

I marked the last two verses from yesterday’s reading:
159 See how I love your instructions, Lord.
Your love never changes, so save me!
160 The heart of your law is truth,
and all your righteous judgments are eternal.

We turn for the second time to JOHN 8.
The story of the woman caught in adultery shows so many things: Jesus' authority, his wisdom in defeating the Pharisees, his mercy, and that being forgiven does not give one license to continue in sin. Yesterday we also read one of Jesus' seven great ‘I am’ statements found in this Gospel: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Translation notes:
33 [Some there said,] “We are the descendants of Abraham,” [0//they answered,] “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, ‘You will be free’?”
48 They [said//asked Jesus], “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?”
[It seems unnatural in English to use ‘asked’ when the question is rhetorical.]


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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

DBRP_182 1KI.13 1KI.14 PSA.119.145-160 JHN.8.1-30


Opening to 1KINGS 13-14:

Solomon was the wisest of men. So how could he 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. The Lord’s judgment is evident in what happened with the division of the country, and what happened in the northern kingdom. Note also how the people Judah followed all the bad parts of Solomon’s example, which again will lead to judgment.

PSALM 119:145-160
I like the last three verses of yesterday’s reading:
142 Your righteousness will last forever,
and your law is always true.
143 I am filled with trouble and anxiety,
but your commandments bring me joy.
144 Your instructions are always just;
give me understanding, and I shall live.
We turn for the first time to JOHN 8.

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.”

There is a fascinating little detail I just saw in John 7:17-18 as translated by GNT. Jesus said, “Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and 38 whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, ‘Streams of life-giving water will pour out from _his_ side.’” First I want you to know that the word translated ‘side’ can be translated as belly or intestines. But since that word was also used as the seat of emotions, it can also be translated in English as ‘heart’— which is the word we used for the seat of emotions. But for now, let’s keep the word ‘side’. Streams of life-giving water will pour out from ‘his side’. Whose side is Jesus meaning?! Here’s one of those double meanings I mentioned as a feature of this Gospel. As most often understood and translated, streams of living water will flow from the believer’s inner being. But when Jesus was stabbed by the spear in chapter 19, John made a big deal that he saw both water and blood flow out. The ‘his side’ that Jesus could be meaning in this OT quote could be his own side! Jesus could have meant either, or He could have intentionally given one of the most precious double meanings of all! In either case, the water is a sign for the Holy Spirit.

Translation notes:
11 “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”]


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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

DBRP_181 1KI.11 1KI.12 PSA.119.129-144 JHN.7.25-53


Let’s turn to 1KINGS 11-12.

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.

PSALM 119:129-144

How precious the Word of God is to us! A favorite verse from yesterday’s portion is verse 127: “I love your commands more than gold, more than the finest gold.

Turning for the second time to JOHN 7:

We left the story in John 7 yesterday with Jesus already having some hot exchanges with the people at the Festival of Shelters. Today we will hear Jesus shouting to the crowds at the festival, “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.’” It is likely that Jesus waited for the climax of the festival to give that message— when water was poured out before the Lord.


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Monday, June 27, 2016

JoySightings_027


This is the third chapter of Tales of the Resistance, by David and Karen Mains, entitled

 

The Taxi Resistance.


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DBRP_180 1KI.9 1KI.10 PSA.119.113-128 JHN.7.1-24


1KINGS 9-10:

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.

PSALM 119:113-128

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.

We turn for the first time to JOHN 7.

I hope you noticed 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//united with//in] me, and I [remain joined to//united with//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.”

 


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Sunday, June 26, 2016

DBRP_179 1KI.8 PSA.119.97-112 JHN.6.25-71


Turning to 1KINGS 8:

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

PSALM 119:97-112

Again we are focussing on what God’s Word means to us. A favorite verse from yesterday’s portion is verse 89:
“Your word, O Lord, will last forever; it is eternal in heaven.”

Turning for the second time to JOHN 6:

There is an important play on words between Jesus and the crowd in Capernaum which does not come out clearly in either the NLT or the GNT. It involves the word ‘work’. Observe verses 27-29:

27 Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him.”
28 So they asked him, “What [work] can we do in order to do [the work//what] God wants us to do?”
29 Jesus answered, “[The work//What] God wants you to do is to believe in [me,] the one [whom] he sent.”

The irony captured in this play on words is that normally the act of believing is not considered a ‘work’. In fact, in later NT writings there is a strong contrast between working for salvation vs. believing for salvation. (As we have said before, this is not really a contradiction.) I bring this up to remind us that ‘believing’ is an act of the will. It is something one can choose to do, and therefore it can be called a ‘work’.

Translation notes:
33 PET I am that bread from heaven, because I came down from heaven to give true life to the people in this world.”
46 [PET There is no one who has ever seen the Father except Me, who came from Him. I am the only one who has seen Him.//This does not mean that anyone has seen the Father; [I who have come from God am//he who is from God is] the only one who has seen the Father.]
53 Jesus said to them, “I[— the Son of Man] am telling you the truth: if you do not eat [my/the] flesh [0//of the Son of Man] and drink [my/his] blood, you will not have life in yourselves.
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in [union with] me, and I live in [union with] them.
[Another word that might be used is ‘joined to’. We are talking of the kind of union that a branch has with a tree, like in John 15.]
65 And he added, “This is the very reason I told you that [[no one among you//no people] can come to me unless the Father makes it possible for [you//them] to do so.”


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Saturday, June 25, 2016

DBRP_178 1KI.6 1KI.7 PSA.119.81-96 JHN.6.1-40


1KINGS 6-7:

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

PSALM 119.81-96

God is telling us how important His Word is! Here are two favorite verses from yesterday’s reading:

72 The law that you gave means more to me than all the money in the world.
78 May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me; as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

We turn for the first time to JOHN 6.

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:
28 Jesus answered, “What God wants you to do is to believe in [Me,] the one He sent.”


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Friday, June 24, 2016

DBRP_177 1KI.4 1KI.5 PSA.119.65-80 JHN.5.24-47


1KINGS 4-5:

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 him 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.

PSALM 119:65-80

God is telling us how important His Word is! I highlight this verse (62) from yesterday’s portion, “In the middle of the night I wake up to praise you for your righteous judgments.”

We turn for the second time to JOHN 5.

Yesterday we heard of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for 38 years. Persecution ramped 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:
28 Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear [the voice of the Son of Man, my voice,//his voice]


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Thursday, June 23, 2016

DBRP_176 1KI.2 1KI.3 PSA.119.49-64 JHN.5.1-30


Opening to 1KINGS 2-3:

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

PSALM 119:49-64

God is telling us how important His Word is! In yesterday’s reading I find NLT’s rendering of this verse interesting:

45 I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

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

We turn for the first time to JOHN 5.

To me it was meaningful to read yesterday that, “The fields are already ripe for harvest. The 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 wink and wry smile, that Jesus is talking of _heavenly wages_, because we missionaries don’t get top wages here on earth. But we remember that Paul said, “The difficulties we face on earth are nothing to be compared with the glories that await us.”

About the meeting between Jesus and the official, I want to give this observation: Observe how often it happens that Jesus speaks about or encourages believing in Him before his miracles of healing. The implication is clear: Belief is important in healing.

Translation notes:
28 Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear [the voice of the Son of Man, my voice,//his voice]

 


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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

DBRP_175 1KI.1 PSA.119.33-48 JHN.4.25-54


Today we start 1st KINGS!

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.

PSALM 119:33-48

God is telling us how important His Word is! A favorite verse from yesterday’s reading is verse 18: “Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.”

We turn for the second time to JOHN 4.

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! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

Translation notes:
45 [Yet surprisingly,] When he arrived in Galilee, the people there welcomed him, because they had gone to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything that he had done during the festival.
50 Jesus said to him, “[You may go.//Go;] your son will live!” The man believed Jesus' words and went.

 


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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

DBRP_174 2SA.24 PSA.119.17-32 JHN.4.1-26


2SAMUEL 24:

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 was so poignantly included at the end of the list. And this 24th chapter seems like a postscript.

PSALM 119:17-32

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

9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

We turn for the first time to JOHN 4.

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:
10 Jesus answered, “If you only knew what God gives and who [I am who//it is that] is asking you for a drink, you would ask [Me, and I//him, and he] would give you life-giving water.”
21 NLT Jesus replied, “Believe me, [0//GNT woman//NLT 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. GNT runs the risk of sounding terribly rude, while NLT runs the risk of misunderstanding the ‘dear’ness of the woman to Jesus.]

 


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Monday, June 20, 2016

DBRP_173 2SA.23 PSA.119.1-16 JHN.3


2SAMUEL 23:

Yesterday we read David’s long poem of praise for God giving him victory and deliverance from his enemies.

We turn for the first time to PSALM 119:

This psalm is famous for being the longest chapter in the Bible, and it is an acrostic psalm with a difference. In this psalm, every line of each stanza starts with the same letter of the alphabet, instead of every line with a different letter. The psalm has 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. And this psalm has a clear theme: God’s Word— or a synonym for it, is mentioned in almost every verse.

We turn for the second time to JOHN 3.

One of the features of John's Gospel is that he breaks in with commentary without warning. Because of the lack of quote marks in ancient Greek, there were no overt signs marking the end of Jesus' speech and John's comment, or at the end of this chapter, John the Baptist's speech and John's comment. I personally don't think that John 3:16 is Jesus' words about himself, but is the start of John's explanation of Jesus' enigmatic words: “as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so [I,] the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in [Me/him] will have eternal life.” We have read that story in Numbers 21. Imagine that all one had to do to be healed of a snake bite was to look at the bronze snake which Moses had put up on a pole. Do you think any of the people who were bitten refused to look up at that bronze snake? (Don’t miss that the shape this cast would have been very much like the shape of a cross.)

Translation notes:
13 And no one has ever gone up to heaven except [Me,] the Son of Man, who came down from heaven.”
14  As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way [I,] the Son of Man[,] must be lifted up,
[Exegetes and commentators disagree on where to stop Jesus’ quoted conversation with Nicodemus. Ancient Greek didn’t have mark quotes. GNT stops the quote at the end of 13, which is quite early compared with other translations. Note that inserting unmarked parenthetical comments or teachings is a feature of John’s style. To me, I feel it makes most sense that John 3:16 is John’s explanation of Jesus’ very figurative saying in verse 14-15. There is another example of the difficulty of placing quote marks in this chapter. I think that John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30 not at the end of the chapter. So I differ with NLT’s quote marks for the last paragraph.]
20 Those who do evil things hate the light and will not come to the light, because they do not want their evil deeds to be [revealed//shown up].
[The meaning is definitely not the newer ‘show up’ meaning (surpass)!]
32 He tells what he has seen and heard, yet [so few accept//no one accepts (hyperbole)] his message.


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Sunday, June 19, 2016

JoySightings_026


This is the second chapter of Tales of the Resistance, by David and Karen Mains, entitled

 Doubletalk, Triple Tongue, and Theysay.


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DBRP_172 2SA.22 JHN.3


2SAMUEL 22:

We near the end of David’s story. God gave him victory over Sheba and the house of Saul. The killing of seven of the descendants of Saul seems harsh and past the ‘statute of limitations’ to us. But God arranged that revenge in response to untold injustices that were wreaked by Saul against the Gibeonites. Note: God takes notice of covenants made and wants us to do what we promise in His name.

David’s song of praise in today’s chapter includes ideas from the Psalms, but does not seem to be an extended quote from any of them, as far as I can find in my sources. Because of this long poetic section today, we skip a day reading from the Psalms.

We turn for the first time to JOHN 3.

John’s Gospel is unique in having the story of the wedding at Cana, which we heard yesterday in chapter 2. The coming to Galilee and working a miracle there seems to have been significant for John, as he later highlights when this happens a second time. John moved the story of the cleansing of the temple to the beginning of his Gospel. I think that this is because he wanted highlight the conflicts between Jesus and ‘the Jews’. Note that in verse 19, Jesus doesn't say, “I will destroy...” but “Destroy” (imperative), as a challenge to the Jewish leaders. NET's note indicates that this is a form that reminds one of some words of the prophets.

Translation notes:
14  As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way [I,] the Son of Man[,] must be lifted up,
[Exegetes and commentators disagree on where to stop Jesus’ quoted conversation with Nicodemus. Ancient Greek didn’t have mark quotes. GNT stops the quote at the end of 13, which is quite early compared with other translations. Note that inserting unmarked parenthetical comments or teachings is a feature of John’s style. To me, I feel it makes most sense that John 3:16 is John’s explanation of Jesus’ very figurative saying in verse 14-15. There is another example of the difficulty of placing quote marks in this chapter. I think that John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30 not at the end of the chapter. So I differ with NLT’s quote marks for the last paragraph.]
32 He tells what he has seen and heard, yet [so few accept//no one accepts (hyperbole)] his message.


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Saturday, June 18, 2016

DBRP_171 2SA.21 PSA.118.14-29 JHN.2


2SAMUEL 21:

The story of David being welcomed back ended poorly with arguments. Sheba attempted to mount a revolt. He died even though surrounded by his clan members because there was a wise woman in the town where he had taken refuge.

Before that, David had decided to promote national reconciliation by appointing Amasa as military commander. But Joab, who had grown too powerful, shamefully put an end to Amasa's career.

We turn for the second time to PSALM 118:

This is an antiphonal psalm. Imagine a leader and a chorus of voices saying a series of refrains. Today we will hear verse 22, which is the Old Testament verse most frequently quoted about the Messiah in the New Testament. And I have quoted verse 23 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.

We turn for the second time to John 2.

In chapters 1-2, John has already started to tell us what Jesus was like. He was able to enter in fully in a wedding feast, he was stern about not turning the temple into a marketplace, and he miraculously knew about people. In chapter 1 verse 24 in the NLT says that he knew “all about people.” The GNT is closer to the Greek with “He knew them all.” Jesus had a miraculous knowledge about people, like we have seen in chapter 1 with Nathanael.


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Friday, June 17, 2016

DBRP_170 2SA.20 PSA.118.1-16 JHN.2


2SAMUEL 20:

Yesterday we heard the story of how David sent out his army under three commanders, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He gave them orders to deal gently with Absalom. Joab— who was always pragmatic, didn't do this. Along with Absalom, 20,000 men died in the civil war. Joab stopped David’s mourning for his son and ordered him to go out to encourage his troops. And finally the people decided to bring David back as their king.

We turn for the first time to PSALM 118:

This is one of the antiphonal psalms. Imagine a leader and all the congregation saying the refrain. One of the most often quoted verses about the Messiah is found in verse 22. And I have quoted verse 23 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.

Turning for the first time to JOHN 2:

John uses simple words, such as light, word, lamb, and door. But the concepts he deals with are anything but simple. The meaning goes deep— so deep that you could spend a lifetime studying the prologue in chapter one alone and never get to the bottom of it. Note also that John very artistically makes use of double meaning— using a word with two meanings simultaneously.

Note how Jesus (and the writer, John) artfully hint at the story of Jacob. Jesus calls Nathanael a true son of Israel. Israel is one of Jacob’s name, and Jacob’s name means ‘cheater’. And then Jesus paradoxically calls Nathanael a man of complete integrity. Finally Jesus didn’t need to make it obvious to his hearers and John didn’t need to explain to his readers that Jesus was quoting from the Jacob’s Ladder story. Just a few words and the previous hint were plenty to imply this: Jesus is claiming to be the Way/Ladder to the Father. The way, the truth, and the life.


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Thursday, June 16, 2016

DBRP_170BackHomeUpdate


Hi everybody,

I got home a week ago now, and have probably had my best time ever in getting over the jetlag from the 12 hours of time zone difference. I don’t really know exactly why it turned out that way this time, but I think it helped that I arrived here mid-day rather than at night.

If you are one of those who prayed for me while I was away, I would credit your prayers as the reason why this trip was my most productive ever.

A word of explanation for any new listeners who don’t know what I do: Our family went to Indonesia in 1983, with the hope of translating the New Testament for a tribe in the province now called Papua (then called Irian Jaya). We dedicated the Orya New Testament in 2005. Since then we have been working to make a more understandable, easy-language Bible translation into the national language of Indonesia. We published the New Testament in Plain Indonesian in 2014. That translation is now in its second edition, and our team is working on translating the Old Testament. It will take at least 7 years to finish the OT. In 2023 I will be 73 years old, so I am not sure how long I can continue to lead this project. (Pray for the Lord to supply someone to take my place!) More information about us is at the Our Story page of dailybiblereading.info. In order to do this work, 4 years ago I established an in-country non-profit organization whose short name is Albata.

For pictures, see our Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DBRPdiggingdeeper/

About 4 months ago we received a generous gift that made it possible to pay for 1,800 of our Plain Indonesian New Testaments, so I determined to be generous on this trip. When Albata’s operations manager, Daniel, suggested distributing New Testaments to rural areas of West Kalimantan, I was happy to agree. This is considered one of the most undeveloped areas of Indonesia, where many have very little income, and where we heard that many believers don’t have Bibles. Daniel made all the arrangements. Visiting there was fun, as was giving out 1,000 New Testaments. We also learned some valuable lessons about how to partner with pastors in such distribution, which will help us in future projects like this.

 While Daniel and Albata’s translation coordinator, Balazi, were travelling through some challenging terrain while distributing 800 New Testaments, I took the easy road back to the town and visited one rural seminary, 2 seminaries in town, and one Pastor Training Center about 5 hours from town. Giving New Testaments to 40 pastors at the training center was the highlight. These men are church planters. They know how hard it is to disciple new believers have difficulty understanding their Bibles. One man in particular, Yonatan, stood out to me because he was so enthusiastic and thankful. He has planted three churches, and is working on his 4th, which is still very small. He said, “Using the two different Bibles I have, I tried making an easier to understand translation of some important verses, but I could never be sure I got it right.” People like Yonatan work where there are no Internet connections and often no cell phone coverage. And imagine starting a church, getting it to the point where it could support you, then hearing the Lord’s voice telling you to move on to the next place.

One of my goals for this trip was to try to find good partnerships for distributing New Testaments in rural areas. (We can’t always go ourselves to such places!) We are making progress in this area. A good example is our partnership with the Christian broadcasting network called Heartline Radio, who distributed 160 or our New Testaments to southern Sumatra. Most of the NTs were again given to rural pastors. Having the recommendation of Heartline Radio is like having the recommendation of Charles Stanley or another famous radio pastor. I am confident those New Testaments will be well used.

We won’t get far in translating the OT if we only have two people working on our translation team. That was the situation when I started my trip to Indonesia. Now two part-time team member (Moms of young children) have rejoined the team, and three more ladies are taking our online Bible translation course. One man (a seminary grad) would like to join our team full time and he is also working on our translation course. Another man, a seminary professor, has joined our course and could give us very significant help as a part-time consultant to our team. Please pray that God will inspire and empower some of those taking our online course to finish it, so that they can join our team.

I am happy to say that our in-country non-profit organization has enough donors monthly so that we can pay the wages for the current team. I want that funds which support the translation team come from inside Indonesia. Please pray that the Lord will bring additional Indonesian donors to support the new translation team members I mentioned. An area where we would welcome outside help is in purchasing New Testaments for low-cost distribution in rural areas, hospitals, prisons, orphanages, etc. I anticipate that we will need to print more copies of the NT in September at an estimated cost of $11,000 USD for 5,000 copies.

There is another huge answer to prayer! The organization called Faith Comes By Hearing will send a field recording team to work with Kristiana and Pastor Agus (who are my friends in Bangka Island). Members of their church and other local Christians will be the voices of Jesus, Paul, Peter, Mary, etc. Please pray that this year, the whole New Testament will be recorded and available to YouVersion users and for distribution in other ways.

In another little bit of news: Our translation coordinator, Balazi, has just this week become formally engaged to a beautiful nurse and midwife whom he met while distributing New Testaments in West Kalimantan.

Thanks so much for praying for me, and my team, and my family. God answers prayer, and He is doing amazing things.

 


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DBRP_169 2SA.18 2SA.19 PSA.117 JHN.1.24-51


2SAMUEL 18-19:

Civil war might have been avoided, but Absalom didn’t choose wisely. And I observe that my being bald has advantages in some situations! But seriously, all of the terrible things that happened here are the consequences of David’s sin.

PSALM 117:

This is a doxology that one day the whole world will sing.

We turn for the second time to JOHN 1.

John consciously made an original account, and very consciously left out things that are included in the three Synoptic Gospels. Where he does include things the others wrote about, he includes details that the others didn’t mention. Those stories are made to fit his themes. His gospel is thematically arranged, not chronologically arranged.

In John’s poetic opening to this Gospel, he calls Jesus ‘the Word’. ‘Word’ in Greek (logos) usually means more than just one word. Among its several meanings, in this place its meaning is ‘communication’. Jesus is God’s personal communication or message to the world. And ‘full of grace and truth’ in more traditional translations means that Jesus is all about bringing undeserved kindness (grace) to us and true teachings that are totally worthy of being believed. And this theme is shown again in what Jesus said to Nathanael.

Translation notes:
27 He is coming after me, but I am not good enough [to be the servant who unties//even to untie] his sandals.”
40 One of them was Andrew, [whose brother was named Simon, and also called Peter//Simon Peter's brother.]
46 [Nathanael said,//0] “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” [0//Nathanael asked.] “Come and see,” answered Philip.
51 And he said to them, “I am telling you the truth: you will see heaven open and God's angels going up and coming down on [Me,] the Son of Man.”
NLT is better in verse 51: Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see [“]heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on[” Me,] the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.


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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

DBRP_168 2SA.17 PSA.116 JHN.1.1-34


Let’s turn to 2SAMUEL 17.

Yesterday we heard how Saul's servant, Ziba, showed his loyalty and helped David on his way. And how Shimei from Saul's family cursed and persecuted David all along the way. No wonder David was exhausted after that hike. David refused to put him to death or to punish him. (But we find out later that he didn't forget about Shimei.) David's friend, Hushai, joined himself to Absalom, as David asked him to do. And Nathan’s prophecy to David was unknowingly fulfilled through Ahithophel’s advice to Absolom.

PSALM 116:

This is a poem sharing personal experience. Though this poem is not attributed to David, what we read here could be his prayer during and following what we are reading about in 1st Samuel 17-18.

Translation note:
6 [CEV] [How kind You are, Lord!— //You are kind, Lord,] so good and merciful.

Today we start the Gospel of John!

I always look forward each year to reading the Gospel of John. John’s Gospel is different from all the other gospels. John was probably very young when he became Jesus’ follower, perhaps 25 years old. But he seems to have waited until very late in life to begin writing, perhaps when he was 85 years old. This was long after the other Gospels and even the epistles were written. The title he gives himself in this book is ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. This doesn’t mean that Jesus didn’t love the other 11!

Translation notes:
2 From the very beginning [the Person who is called] the Word was with God.
19 The Jewish authorities in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to John to ask him, “[Whose position are you assuming?//Who are you?”]
21 “[Whose role are taking//Who are you], then?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No, I am not,” John answered. “Are you the Prophet?” they asked. “No,” he replied.
27 He is coming after me, but I am not good enough [to be the servant who unties//even to untie] his sandals.”

 


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Tuesday, June 14, 2016

DBRP_167 2SA.16 PSA.115 ROM.16


Opening to 2SAMUEL 16:

Absolom first stole the hearts of all Israel by being a shrewd politician. Then he mounted a rebellion against his own father. David fled Jerusalem to avoid bloodshed, and as he left, he planted several carefully chosen people to work for him.

PSALM 115:

I know I have said it a lot, but can’t help saying it again: This is one of my favorite psalms. Our God is so different than idols. He is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.

We open to the last chapter of ROMANS, chapter 16.

Having told of his plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain, and how he must first go to Jerusalem, Paul now turns to greeting his friends in Rome. I really enjoy this section! There is real closeness in the family of God. When we call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister’, we really mean it. And our love and bonds of fellowship often span long distances. I enjoy seeing this in every phrase in this chapter.

Translation notes:
17 I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's [belief in Christ//faith] and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them!
22 I, Tertius, the [secretary who wrote this letter for Paul//writer of this letter], send you Christian greetings.
25 Let us give glory to God! He is able to make you stand firm in your [believing//faith], according to the Good News I preach about Jesus Christ and according to the revelation of the secret truth which was hidden for long ages in the past.


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Monday, June 13, 2016

DBRP_166 2SA.15 PSA.114 ROM.15


Let’s open to 2SAMUEL 15.

In our last reading, we heard how Joab creatively arranged to persuade David to bring Absalom back from exile. And how eventually David agreed to let Absolom meet him directly.

PSALM 114:

This poem is a Passover hymn which praises God for the miraculous deliverance from Egypt.

We turn for the second time to ROMANS 15.

Chapter 15 of Romans comes to this summary sentence in verse 13: “May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your [believing//faith] in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Translation notes:
1 We who are strong in [our belief in Christ//our belief in the freedom we have because of our union with Christ//the faith] ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves.
2 Instead, we should all please other believers for their own good, in order to build them up in [believing//the faith].
3 For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the scripture [quotes the Messiah’s words to God//says], “The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me.”
13 May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your [believing//faith] in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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Sunday, June 12, 2016

DBRP_165 2SA.14 PSA.113 ROM.15


Turning to 2SAMUEL 14:

There is more than one way in which David did not obey God’s instructions for kings. The big one of course is the Bathsheba affair, but God had already said that kings should not have lots of wives. David’s daughter Tamar was raped by her half brother Amnon. And after two years, Absolom (Tamar’s brother) murdered Amnon.

PSALM 113:

This is a song praising our incomparable God.

Translation note:
The psalmist uses ‘his name’ as a metonymy for God himself. To us in English, it sounds like idolatry to praise a name rather than the Person of God Himself.
1 Praise the Lord! You servants of the Lord, praise [him//his name]!  
2 May his name [be held in reverence//be praised], now and forever.
[Another way is to just go directly to the topic of the metonymy: “May He be praised …”
3 From the east to the west [let the name of the Lord be held in reverence//praise the name of the Lord]!

Turning for the first time to ROMANS 15:

Paul continues what he was ‘on about’ in yesterday’s reading. We must accept other believers even though we don’t agree on prohibitions, practices, or rituals. Disputes over these things often come from our differing backgrounds.

Translation notes:
1 We who are strong in [our belief in Christ//our belief in the freedom we have because of our union with Christ//the faith] ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves.
2 Instead, we should all please other believers for their own good, in order to build them up in [believing//the faith]. |
3 For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the scripture [quotes the Messiah’s words to God//says], “The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me.”
13 May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your [believing//faith] in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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Saturday, June 11, 2016

DBRP_164 2SA.13 PSA.112 ROM.14


Turning to 2SAMUEL 13:

Yesterday we heard of David's moral failure with Bathsheba. That sin led to the death of the noble husband of Bathsheba, Uriah. Nathan gave one of his most stunning prophecies. David immediately and utterly repented. Even so, Bathsheba and David's baby son died. I mentioned yesterday that sin always has consequences, even when there has been forgiveness. Another lesson from this story is that one sin leads to more sin.

PSALM 112:

Like Psalm 111, Psalm 112 carries similar themes with the book of Proverbs. Verse 9 is quoted in the New Testament.

Translation note:
7 He is not afraid of receiving bad news; his [belief in God//faith] is strong, and he trusts in the Lord.

Turning for the second time to ROMANS 14:

I am very happy that Paul didn't just give the churches a list of the celebrations and days that Christians were to consider as sacred. He did not give us a list of foods to not eat. That would have been the easy thing to do. To me it is a proof of God's inspiration that Paul does the counterintuitive thing: He tells us each to decide as our conscience dictates before God. Paul was not interested in establishing a man-made religion. The things that matter are “living a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And when choosing our actions, let our conscience be our guide.

Translation notes:
1 Welcome those who are weak in [their belief//faith], but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.
2 Some people's [beliefs allow//faith allows] them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in [their belief//the faith] eats only vegetables.
8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, [(or do anything else,)] we belong to the Lord.
15 If you hurt others because of something you eat [— by eating it right in front of them], then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin [a//the] person for whom Christ died!
23 But if [you//they] have doubts about what [you//they] eat, God condemns [you//them] when [you//they] eat it, because [your//their] action is not based on [your beliefs//faith]. And anything that is not based on [belief//faith] is sin.


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JoySightings_025


Today we start the book entitled Tales of the Resistance, by David and Karen Mains. This is the second book of their trilogy that started with the book Tales of the Kingdom. I have already recorded that book as part of the JoySightings series, and you can start from the first book by using the search button in your podcast program or at the dailybiblereading.info site. The first chapter of that book is in episode 12. To easily find that, search for underscore 012.

The Tales by David and Karen Mains are told making heavy use of allegory. So today the story again centers on the boy named Hero. We meet our favorite characters again, including Caretaker and Mercy. Hero was born in Enchanted City, the city ruled by the evil sorcerer called the Enchanter.  Hero has a scar on his cheek from the time he was branded into the service of the Enchanter. (The brand was supposed to be on his hand, but he struggled and the hot brand slipped and branded his cheek instead.) At the end of the first book, the True King told Hero that He wanted him to leave Great Park (the place where the King still ruled) and return to Enchanted City where he would work in the Resistance movement.


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Friday, June 10, 2016

DBRP_163 2SA.11 2SA.12 PSA.111 ROM.14


Opening to 2SAMUEL 11-12:

David showed kindness to Jonathan's only living son. Then we heard the story of how suspicion caused offence, which led to all-out war with the Ammonites. And David was victorious again against the Arameans and Ammonites. Today I want to highlight some important realities: God is watching. Our sins may be forgiven, but there will still be consequences.

PSALM 111:

This beautiful psalm of praise is an acrostic poem in Hebrew.

We turn for the first time to ROMANS 14.

In yesterday’s reading, Paul taught us to submit to rulers and government officials, then he urged us to love one another and lead holy lives. Now chapter 14 covers the divisive area of rituals and traditions.

Translation notes:
1 Welcome those who are weak in [their belief//faith], but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.
2 Some people's [beliefs allow//faith allows] them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in [their belief//the faith] eats only vegetables.
8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, [(or do anything else,)] we belong to the Lord.
15 If you hurt others because of something you eat [— by eating it right in front of them], then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin [a//the] person for whom Christ died!
23 But if [you//they] have doubts about what [you//they] eat, God condemns them when [you//they] eat it, because [your//their] action is not based on [your beliefs//faith]. And anything that is not based on [belief//faith] is sin.


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Thursday, June 9, 2016

DBRP_162 2SA.9 2SA.10 PSA.110 ROM.13


Turning to 2SAMUEL 9-10:

David realized the incongruity that he was living in a beautiful cedar palace while God's dwelling place was in a tent. Then God gave Nathan the prophet a long message for David. He told him that his dynasty would last forever and that his son would build God’s temple. David’s beautiful prayer of response is recorded for us. Then God gave a string of stunning military victories to David.

Translation note:
8 NLT Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who [am I,//is]  your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

PSALM 110:

The first verse of this short psalm is one of the most repeated verses of the New Testament. It certainly was very important for the early Christians. And the 4th verse becomes an important theme of the book of Hebrews.

We turn for the second time to ROMANS 13.

We are now solidly in the middle of the practical part of this letter. Today we hear the part about obeying government authorities and our obligation to love everyone. I especially like the section at the end contrasting light and dark, and taking up our spiritual weapons.

Translation note:
14 PET Instead, [let us become more and more like the Lord Christ Jesus, so that when people see us, it is like seeing Him.//NLT clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.] And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
[The literal is ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’. And I’m not ‘putting you on’! This is one case where that English idiom could almost get in the way. I don’t feel that NLT is accurate in adding ‘presence’. It does allow them to keep the clothing figure— but at the expense of significantly changed meaning! Our PET translation drops the clothing figure entirely, but probably is closer to the meaning received by the original readers. The GNT has done a good job also in representing a slightly different interpretation of the meaning.]


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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

DBRP_161 2SA.7 2SA.8 PSA.109.15-31 ROM.13


Opening to 2SAMUEL 7-8:

At last, David became the king of all Israel, then the Lord gave him two great military victories over the Philistines. Then, after a botched attempt, David moved the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He danced with all his might before the Lord.

Translation note:
18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards; and David's sons were [royal advisers//priests].

Let’s turn for the second time to Psalm 109.

When you feel that you are surrounded by people who gang up against you and slander you, then this is the psalm for you. Note that Jesus would have had every right to pray like this from the cross, but He didn’t!

Turning for the first time to ROMANS 13:

Remember my challenge to you about Romans 12:1? Did you discover where the opening ‘Therefore’ goes back to?

Romans 12 is one of the most beautiful of all of Paul’s practical teaching chapters. He deals with the basics, ending with the most basic of all: “Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.” Chapter 12 teaches us about how to evaluate ourselves and how to use our spiritual gifts, and how to respond to people who do wrong to us. Key to all of this is the first two verses. Let’s remind ourselves of those verses before reading chapter 13.

Romans 12:1-2 PET
1 Therefore, since God has been so incredibly kind to us, it's only proper that we return His kindness! We should all think like this, “Lord, I give my body to you as a sacrifice”— even though we actually continue to live. A decision like that amounts to a holy sacrifice which pleases the Lord.
2 This means that we can no longer follow a bad lifestyle like what has become the habit of worldly people. But let's surrender our bodies as sacrificial offerings to God, and He will renew our minds— so that we can know what His will is for us, and what is best in every situation. By that I mean we can understand and choose what is good and what is most proper for us, along with what pleases the Lord.
[The PET (Plain English Translation) is how our Plain Indonesian Translation (TSI) sounds if translated into English.]


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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

DBRP_160 2SA.5 2SA.6 PSA.109.1-19 ROM.12


2SAMUEL 5-6:

General Abner defected to David, but it cost him his life on the same day at the hands of Joab, the commander of David's forces and the brother of the slain Asahel. One result was also that Ishbosheth was murdered by two army captains who thought that they would be rewarded for doing David a favor.

We turn now to PSALM 109.

If you feel that you are surrounded by people who gang up against you and slander you, then this is the psalm for you. One of the verses in this psalm was quoted by Peter about Judas in Acts 1. You are certainly given permission by this Psalm to pray for vindication and justice, but contrast this with what Romans 12 says about praying for your enemies— which we also read today. Note this: In the NLT, verses 6 through 19 contain a very long quote of slander against the Psalm-writer, David. Or, in GNT, these verses are part of David’s prayer for vindication.

Turning for the second time to ROMANS 12:

Chapter 12 marks the beginning of the practical part of Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians. This part packs a big punch, and verses 1-2— which form the topic sentence for this section, are must-memorize verses. If everything that Paul said before now is true, then THIS is the logical and appropriate response of how we are to live. This is how we ought to respond to God's wonderful kindness to us. And these two verses reveal a major truth about how the transformation of our minds takes place, and what must happen if we are to discern God's will in our decisions.

Translation notes:
God works a miracle in us by renewing our minds. What must we do first? Our PET translation helps helps readers make the connection:
1 Therefore, since God has been so incredibly kind to us, it is only proper that we return His kindness! We should all think like this, “Lord, I give my body to you as a sacrifice”— even though we actually continue to live. A decision like that amounts to a holy sacrifice which pleases the Lord.
2 This means that we can no longer follow a bad lifestyle like what has become the habit of worldly people. But let's surrender our bodies as sacrificial offerings to God, and He will renew our minds— so that we can know what God's will for us is, and what is best in every situation. By that I mean we can understand and choose what is good and what is most proper for us, along with whatever pleases the Lord.


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Monday, June 6, 2016

DBRP_159 2SA.3 2SA.4 PSA.108 ROM.12


Opening to 2SAMUEL 3-4:

In yesterday's story, David was anointed as king over his own tribe of Judah, while all the rest of Israel followed Saul's son, Ishbosheth. Ishbosheth was not a strong leader, but was put in place by Abner, the general. Joab was David's military commander. In the first battle, it is significant that Abner killed Joab's brother Asahel. David's troops decisively won their first battle in the civil war.

PSALM 108:

This is a psalm of exalted praise, and a song asking God for military victory.

Translation notes:
1 I have complete confidence [in You], O God! I will sing and praise you! Wake up, my soul!
7 From [your//his] sanctuary [O God, You have//God has] said, “In triumph I will divide Shechem and distribute Sukkoth Valley to my people.  
11 Have you really rejected us? Aren't you going to march out[ O Lord] with our armies?
13 With [You, O God,//God] on our side we will win; [You//he] will defeat our enemies.

 

Turning for the first time to ROMANS 12:

Yesterday at the end of Romans 11, we came to the end of the long parenthesis. God is seen as both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who refuse to believe. Belief is not something that just happens without our control. It is an act of the will to believe. That is why the stubborn disbelief of the Israelites is called 'disobedience'.

This chapter marks the beginning of the practical section of Romans. In other words, this part shows the way we should live based on the teachings given in the chapters before.

Translation notes:
1 So then, my friends, because [God has shown such great mercy to us in many ways//of God's great mercy to us] I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.
3 And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of [belief//faith] that God has given you.
6 So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it [in accordance with what we believe//according to the faith that we have];


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Sunday, June 5, 2016

DBRP_158 2SA.2 PSA.107.23-43 ROM.11.17-36


2SAMUEL 2:

David heard of Israel’s terrible defeat and of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, and he exacted the death sentence from the lying messenger. David and his men mourned for the deaths of  Saul and Jonathan, and David composed a funeral song for them.

Turning for the second time to PSALM 107:

Yesterday I commented on how quickly our culture forgets about God. After a natural disaster, it becomes popular in the media to talk about praying for the victims. But God is not even mentioned, and soon any pretense of awe or fear of God is dropped. But Psalm 107 speaks of people who see God’s hand at work and make lasting changes. The poem ends with this summary:

NLT The godly will see these things and be glad,
while the wicked are struck silent.
43 Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.

Opening for the second time to ROMANS 11:

Paul comes to the end of a long parenthesis at the end of this chapter. He ends with a conclusion just before a doxology:

NLT 33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the LORD’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?


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Saturday, June 4, 2016

DBRP_157 2SA.1 PSA.107.1-22 ROM.11.1-24


Today we start 2SAMUEL!

David returned from being sent home from the battle with Israel only to find that his town had been ransacked by the Amalekites. He found strength in God, asked for God to direct him, and succeeded in retrieving everything, and even much more. However in Israel, Saul and his three sons died, and the Israelite army was completely defeated.

We turn for the first time to PSALM 107.

We come to another of my favorite psalms. In E.C. Olsen’s book on the psalms (which is a transcription of his radio programs) he said that this psalm has a message for America. That message is in the repeated refrain found in this psalm. Then Olsen gave examples of the Great Depression starting in 1929, the Dust Bowl plagues in 1933-34, and the drought of 1936. Olsen observed, “Do you think we heeded [God’s warnings]? Indeed not. … Did we cease our wicked doings? Indeed not.” And I similarly ask about the increasing pace of disasters right now. My observation is that we as a nation turned to God when we confronted the first disasters. But our turning to God lasted only a few days. Now, even as natural disasters multiply, we steadfastly talk of Climate Change and never talk about God. Consequently, we do NOT do like the people we hear about in this psalm.

We turn for the first time to ROMANS 11.

As Paul said in his topic sentence in this book (Rom. 1:16-17), the way God has revealed for making people right with himself is— from start to finish, by means of fully believing. In chapter 10 we have a great and succinct summation of the content that we are to 'fully believe'. Our confessing the belief that is in our hearts is also important. At the end of chapter 10 there are a series of Old Testament quotes. Two of those quotes are about the non-Jews. Paul was not changing his topic. He is still talking about Jewish rejection of the Gospel. The two Old Testament prophecies about the non-Jews (19-20) are quoted as a powerful sign to the Jews. This is the topic Paul continues with in chapter 11.


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Friday, June 3, 2016

DBRP_156 1SA.30 1SA.31 PSA.106.24-48 ROM.10.1-21


Turning to 1SAMUEL 30-31:

The Philistines mustered their armies for full-scale war with Saul and the Israelites. Saul had already done a right thing in expelling all the mediums from Israel. But, since God had turned from him and would not answer him, he resorted to a medium during his darkest hour. It does not bother me too much to say that God spoke through that medium. It seems so by the evidence. But if so, it was an exception. God's word says to never consult a medium. In fact, mediums are to be stoned to death. David was preparing to go to war in support of Achish, or was he really?!

We turn for the second time to PSALM 106.

Psalm 106 is a companion to 105, as it again is a historical psalm. I see a very significant correspondence with the section of Romans we are now reading. Can you see it?

Returning to ROMANS 10:

Some of the most famous and often quoted words of the New Testament are in this chapter. Paul continues to compare and contrast God's way vs. the Jewish default way.

Translation notes:
6 But what the scripture says about being put right with God through [believing//faith] is this: “You are not to ask yourself, Who will go up into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down).
8 What it says is this: “God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart”—that is, the message [about believing//of faith] that we preach.
10 For it is by our [believing//faith] that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.
17 So then, [people believe through//faith comes from] hearing the message, and the message [is conveyed//comes] through preaching [about] Christ.
18 But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did—for as the scripture says: [PET “The sun, moon, and all of the stars speak the news about God to the whole world that He is the one who created everything. So people have no reason not to know about God.”//“The sound of their voice went out to all the world; their words reached the ends of the earth.”]
19 Again I ask: Did the people of Israel not understand? Moses himself is the first one to answer[, when he quotes these words from God]: “I will use a so-called nation to make my people jealous; and by means of a nation of fools I will make my people angry.”
20 And Isaiah is even bolder when he [quotes God, saying//says], “I was found by those who were not looking for me; I appeared to those who were not asking for me.”

 


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Thursday, June 2, 2016

DBRP_155 1SA.28 1SA.29 PSA.106.1-27 ROM.10.1-21


Turning to 1SAMUEL 28-29:

Saul came after David again with 3,000 men, and David showed his integrity again and his daring. But even though Saul repented again, David made the decision to get out of the country so that he would not continually be in danger. He went to Achish the Philistine king in Gath. The part about the raids upon three enemy people groups is not one of the noble chapters of David's life.

We turn for the first time to PSALM 106.

Psalm 106 is a companion to 105, as it again is a historical psalm. I see a very significant correspondence with the section of Romans we are now reading. Can you see it?

We turn for the first time to ROMANS 10.

In our second reading in Romans 9 we saw that the differing responses of the Jews vs. the non-Jews to the Good News was already predicted by God. The majority rejection of the Gospel by the Jews was no surprise to God. People today continue to stumble over the ‘great rock’ God has placed in their path.

Translation notes:
6 But what the scripture says about being put right with God through faith is this: “You are not to ask yourself, Who will go up into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down).
8 What it says is this: “God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart”—that is, the message [about believing//of faith] that we preach.
10 For it is by our [believing//faith] that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.
17 So then, [people believe through//faith comes from] hearing the message, and the message [is conveyed//comes] through preaching [about] Christ.
18 But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did—for as the scripture says: [PET “The sun, moon, and all of the stars speak the news about God to the whole world that He is the one who created everything. So people have no reason not to know God.”//“The sound of their voice went out to all the world; their words reached the ends of the earth.”]
19 Again I ask: Did the people of Israel not understand? Moses himself is the first one to answer[, when he quotes God’s words]: “I will use a so-called nation to make my people jealous; and by means of a nation of fools I will make my people angry.”
20 And Isaiah is even bolder when he [quotes God, saying//says], “I was found by those who were not looking for me; I appeared to those who were not asking for me.”


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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

DBRP_154 1SA.26 1SA.27 PSA.105.23-45 ROM.9.6-33


1SAMUEL 26-27:

Yesterday we heard the story of the cur Nabal and his intelligent and beautiful wife, Abigail. After Nabal was struck down by the Lord, Abigail became one of David's wives.

Opening for the second time to PSALM 105:

Today’s psalm is for teaching and reminding each generation of the children of Israel about the great things God has done for the Jewish people.

Returning to ROMANS 9:

Note that we are entering a difficult section of Romans. Romans 12 starts with, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercies, …” But if you look back at what goes right before that in chapter 11, that doesn’t seem to be what Paul is going back to with the word ‘Therefore’. Can you find what Paul was going back to and how the sections we will read for the next few days fit together?

Translation notes:
30 So we say that the Gentiles, who were not trying to put themselves right with God, were put right with him through [believing//faith];
32 And why not? Because they did not depend on [believing//faith] but on what they did. And so they stumbled over the “stumbling stone”


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