As I mentioned in my post on Ruth, this semester I got to see a series of four talks given by Dr. Reg Grant in DTS chapel. I loved this series- Dr. Grant was engaging, interesting, thought-provoking, and challenging. If you are interested in hearing some great spiritual insights, you can view or listen to the chapels too (I would recommend watching the videos). You can access them on the DTS website:
http://www.dts.edu/media/chapel/
Or you can use the Itunes store and search for "DTS chapel- preach the word." Both methods are free! Enjoy!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ruth
Ruth 3:8-13
8.It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11."Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
12."Now it is true I am a close relative ; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13."Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."
This semester, I had the privilege of not only reading but experiencing the book of Ruth through the chapel series presented by Dr. Reg Grant. Dr. Grant’s talks gave me so many new insights into this familiar story.
I have always thought of Ruth and Boaz as honorable people, and what I learned about Ruth 3:8-13 reinforced this idea in some interesting ways. When Ruth comes to Boaz on the threshing floor at night, she is acting in obedience to her misguided mother-in-law. Yet, even though she is obeying, she is creating a potentially darkly passionate situation. Ruth makes herself completely available to Boaz, a situation that would have been very tempting to him. And yet, the word she chooses to refer to herself in verse 9 implies humility- she uses a word that captures her situation as a foreigner, an outsider, and even a wanton woman.
The character Boaz displays here is incredible. He not only refuses to give in to temptation, but he does not look down on Ruth as a foreigner or view her as a seductress. He views Ruth as a courageous and honorable woman. He blesses her for not going after younger men, but for honoring him with her attention. Boaz shows his respect for Ruth by not taking advantage of her even when nobody would have known. What I think is really wonderful about this interaction is that Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence. In her humility, Ruth does not have a high opinion of herself, but Boaz recognizes her character. He has taken notice of all she has selflessly done for her mother-in-law. Even though she is from a people group that the Jews would normally despise, Boaz sees Ruth as a woman of excellence.
Ruth is a powerful story of the actions of a true God-centered love, but even more so of obedience and honor and the blessings that result.
8.It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11."Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
12."Now it is true I am a close relative ; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13."Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."
This semester, I had the privilege of not only reading but experiencing the book of Ruth through the chapel series presented by Dr. Reg Grant. Dr. Grant’s talks gave me so many new insights into this familiar story.
I have always thought of Ruth and Boaz as honorable people, and what I learned about Ruth 3:8-13 reinforced this idea in some interesting ways. When Ruth comes to Boaz on the threshing floor at night, she is acting in obedience to her misguided mother-in-law. Yet, even though she is obeying, she is creating a potentially darkly passionate situation. Ruth makes herself completely available to Boaz, a situation that would have been very tempting to him. And yet, the word she chooses to refer to herself in verse 9 implies humility- she uses a word that captures her situation as a foreigner, an outsider, and even a wanton woman.
The character Boaz displays here is incredible. He not only refuses to give in to temptation, but he does not look down on Ruth as a foreigner or view her as a seductress. He views Ruth as a courageous and honorable woman. He blesses her for not going after younger men, but for honoring him with her attention. Boaz shows his respect for Ruth by not taking advantage of her even when nobody would have known. What I think is really wonderful about this interaction is that Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence. In her humility, Ruth does not have a high opinion of herself, but Boaz recognizes her character. He has taken notice of all she has selflessly done for her mother-in-law. Even though she is from a people group that the Jews would normally despise, Boaz sees Ruth as a woman of excellence.
Ruth is a powerful story of the actions of a true God-centered love, but even more so of obedience and honor and the blessings that result.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Psalm 13
How long, O LORD ? Will You forget me forever ? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day ? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness ; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13 seems to express many of my own feelings at this time in my life. The past three and a half years have been very different than I expected, and at many times I have felt forgotten as David expresses here. Many days have gone by and are here now that it seems God has forgotten my dreams and desires. Many months have gone by that I feel I do not have a close connection with Him, though I seek Him.
The phrase “take counsel in my soul” reminds me of the many hours of thinking and analyzing the situation I find myself in. How long will I sit and analyze all aspects of this situation I don’t like, turning it over and over in my mind and driving myself crazy! This analysis causes sorrow in my heart all day long, as David expresses.
In the Psalms when I read “my enemies,” I often think of my personal enemies as the devil and his demons. I don’t have an army surrounding me or a king and his soldiers hunting me as David did, but I know that because of my relationship with Christ, Satan is hunting me and trying to snare me. How long will it seem that he has victory in my life? How long will he be able to celebrate because of my misery?
Verse 5 and 6 of this psalm are both soothing and challenging to me. Like David, I have trusted God’s lovingkindness and been the recipient of God’s great grace. In my sorrow, I don’t always return to these facts, but David reminds me that this is what I need to do. I need to remember God’s great lovingkindness towards me, remember the meaning of my salvation and the price God paid for it, and praise my God! Life may not be what I expected, but I have received a gift I do not deserve. “He has dealt bountifully with me.” There are things on this earth I may not have, but eternally and spiritually, I have Yahweh- I have everything.
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day ? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness ; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13 seems to express many of my own feelings at this time in my life. The past three and a half years have been very different than I expected, and at many times I have felt forgotten as David expresses here. Many days have gone by and are here now that it seems God has forgotten my dreams and desires. Many months have gone by that I feel I do not have a close connection with Him, though I seek Him.
The phrase “take counsel in my soul” reminds me of the many hours of thinking and analyzing the situation I find myself in. How long will I sit and analyze all aspects of this situation I don’t like, turning it over and over in my mind and driving myself crazy! This analysis causes sorrow in my heart all day long, as David expresses.
In the Psalms when I read “my enemies,” I often think of my personal enemies as the devil and his demons. I don’t have an army surrounding me or a king and his soldiers hunting me as David did, but I know that because of my relationship with Christ, Satan is hunting me and trying to snare me. How long will it seem that he has victory in my life? How long will he be able to celebrate because of my misery?
Verse 5 and 6 of this psalm are both soothing and challenging to me. Like David, I have trusted God’s lovingkindness and been the recipient of God’s great grace. In my sorrow, I don’t always return to these facts, but David reminds me that this is what I need to do. I need to remember God’s great lovingkindness towards me, remember the meaning of my salvation and the price God paid for it, and praise my God! Life may not be what I expected, but I have received a gift I do not deserve. “He has dealt bountifully with me.” There are things on this earth I may not have, but eternally and spiritually, I have Yahweh- I have everything.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Psalm 1
Psalm 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
This psalm is one of the most familiar and most dear to me. When I was in the sixth grade and my mom started homeschooling my siblings and I, one of the first things we did was to learn Psalm 1 together. I do not remember every verse I have ever memorized, but Psalm 1 has never left my memory.
I remember loving how this Psalm flows and rolls off the tongue. I love the picture of the righteous man as the strong tree. I also enjoyed saying emphatically “Not so, the wicked!” and picturing the chaff blowing away on the breeze.
Psalm 1 is wonderful encouragement to the young Christian to turn away from evil and walk in the path of righteousness. It starts out with “how blessed,” so right away you see that the man who chooses righteousness will benefit. And how does he become blessed? By delighting in God’s word, and meditating on it. I know this was encouragement for me when I was young to take God’s word seriously. And then comes the memorable word picture of a beautiful tree. Who would not want to be like this tree? It is strong, fruitful, and prosperous. It is well-established and does not wither in time of drought. “In whatever he does, he prospers.” Because of a love for God’s word and choosing to walk in God’s ways, the righteous man prospers.
The contrast between the well-established tree and the chaff is so distinct, but perhaps the best part of this psalm is the statement “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Because I have been declared righteous, God knows me and my ways! God knows my ways, and watches over me. What a wonderful God.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
This psalm is one of the most familiar and most dear to me. When I was in the sixth grade and my mom started homeschooling my siblings and I, one of the first things we did was to learn Psalm 1 together. I do not remember every verse I have ever memorized, but Psalm 1 has never left my memory.
I remember loving how this Psalm flows and rolls off the tongue. I love the picture of the righteous man as the strong tree. I also enjoyed saying emphatically “Not so, the wicked!” and picturing the chaff blowing away on the breeze.
Psalm 1 is wonderful encouragement to the young Christian to turn away from evil and walk in the path of righteousness. It starts out with “how blessed,” so right away you see that the man who chooses righteousness will benefit. And how does he become blessed? By delighting in God’s word, and meditating on it. I know this was encouragement for me when I was young to take God’s word seriously. And then comes the memorable word picture of a beautiful tree. Who would not want to be like this tree? It is strong, fruitful, and prosperous. It is well-established and does not wither in time of drought. “In whatever he does, he prospers.” Because of a love for God’s word and choosing to walk in God’s ways, the righteous man prospers.
The contrast between the well-established tree and the chaff is so distinct, but perhaps the best part of this psalm is the statement “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Because I have been declared righteous, God knows me and my ways! God knows my ways, and watches over me. What a wonderful God.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Psalm 3
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
Many are saying of my soul,
"There is no deliverance for him in God."
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people!
Many are rising up against me.
Many are saying of my soul,
"There is no deliverance for him in God."
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people!
Sometimes when I read about "adversaries" in the Psalms, I think of them as the devil and his demons. Psalms like this one become a great comfort when I think about how God has ultimately conquered evil and has saved me. In this Psalm especially, I see that God is my shield, my protector, my comforter, He lifts up my head, He hears and answers, He sustains me, and He blesses His people.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Leviticus 9:12-17
12.
Then he slaughtered the burnt offering ; and Aaron's sons handed the blood to him and he sprinkled it around on the altar.
13.
They handed the burnt offering to him in pieces, with the head, and he offered them up in smoke on the altar.
14.
He also washed the entrails and the legs, and offered them up in smoke with the burnt offering on the altar.
15.
Then he presented the people's offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the first.
16.
He also presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.
17.
Next he presented the grain offering, and filled his hand with some of it and offered it up in smoke on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.
What struck me about this set of chapters and this passage was that most of what was sacrificed to the Lord was completely burnt up, whether it was animal innards, animal flesh, or bread. Even though I know in my head that these sacrifices were for the Lord, they seem wasteful to me! I remember reading sometime this semester reading that some people say our church buildings no longer need to be elaborate and expensive because the Holy Spirit now dwells in believers, rather than in a building (the tabernacle). I can relate to that way of thinking, only my mind is even more practical. It seems wasteful to me to spend a lot of money on elaborate church buildings and decorations when the money could go towards missions or assisting the needy. I know I’ve thought to myself, “Why does our church need to spend money on new decorations every week?” However, from this passage I learned that God does not see sacrifices as wasteful. He is deserving of having my possessions pledged solely to Him for His glory.
Then he slaughtered the burnt offering ; and Aaron's sons handed the blood to him and he sprinkled it around on the altar.
13.
They handed the burnt offering to him in pieces, with the head, and he offered them up in smoke on the altar.
14.
He also washed the entrails and the legs, and offered them up in smoke with the burnt offering on the altar.
15.
Then he presented the people's offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the first.
16.
He also presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.
17.
Next he presented the grain offering, and filled his hand with some of it and offered it up in smoke on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.
What struck me about this set of chapters and this passage was that most of what was sacrificed to the Lord was completely burnt up, whether it was animal innards, animal flesh, or bread. Even though I know in my head that these sacrifices were for the Lord, they seem wasteful to me! I remember reading sometime this semester reading that some people say our church buildings no longer need to be elaborate and expensive because the Holy Spirit now dwells in believers, rather than in a building (the tabernacle). I can relate to that way of thinking, only my mind is even more practical. It seems wasteful to me to spend a lot of money on elaborate church buildings and decorations when the money could go towards missions or assisting the needy. I know I’ve thought to myself, “Why does our church need to spend money on new decorations every week?” However, from this passage I learned that God does not see sacrifices as wasteful. He is deserving of having my possessions pledged solely to Him for His glory.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Leviticus Selections
Leviticus 4:2.
"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and commits any of them...
13.
'Now if the whole congregation of Israel commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty...
22.
'When a leader sins and unintentionally does any one of all the things which the LORD his God has commanded not to be done, and he becomes guilty...
27.
'Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty...
5:1.
'Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.
15.
"If a person acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against the LORD'S holy things, then he shall bring his guilt offering to the LORD : a ram without defect from the flock, according to your valuation in silver by shekels, in terms of the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.
17.
"Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware , still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
It was difficult to select a passage of verses from this section, so I chose a selection instead. The common denominator in these verses is “now if a person sins” [insert appropriate situation here]. The scenarios cover unintentionally breaking a law, the entire congregation breaking a law, a leader breaking a law, offense against the holy thing, etc. What stood out to me as I read these chapters was that even as He gave the law, God knew that the Israelites would break it. He knew that even though He gave them the law to point the way to a good life, they would break His rules (just as He knew that I would sin against Him). And yet, God did not throw up His hands in disgust, as I would do, and give up. He still condescended to give the law to the Israelites. How patient, merciful, and kind He is!
What’s more, God knew the Israelites would sin and break His laws, so He made provision for them. Through sacrifice, He made a way for the people to atone for their sins and renew their relationship with Him. He knew that they would have to use the sacrificial system every day (they would sin every day), and yet He did not forsake them. This speaks to me of God’s love and grace. His love for mankind, for Israel, for people is far greater than I can comprehend! His lovingkindness is beyond my imagination! What a great God we have, that He would know in advance our stubbornness and waywardness; and still choose to hold on to us and shower us with His love.
"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and commits any of them...
13.
'Now if the whole congregation of Israel commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty...
22.
'When a leader sins and unintentionally does any one of all the things which the LORD his God has commanded not to be done, and he becomes guilty...
27.
'Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty...
5:1.
'Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.
15.
"If a person acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against the LORD'S holy things, then he shall bring his guilt offering to the LORD : a ram without defect from the flock, according to your valuation in silver by shekels, in terms of the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.
17.
"Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware , still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
It was difficult to select a passage of verses from this section, so I chose a selection instead. The common denominator in these verses is “now if a person sins” [insert appropriate situation here]. The scenarios cover unintentionally breaking a law, the entire congregation breaking a law, a leader breaking a law, offense against the holy thing, etc. What stood out to me as I read these chapters was that even as He gave the law, God knew that the Israelites would break it. He knew that even though He gave them the law to point the way to a good life, they would break His rules (just as He knew that I would sin against Him). And yet, God did not throw up His hands in disgust, as I would do, and give up. He still condescended to give the law to the Israelites. How patient, merciful, and kind He is!
What’s more, God knew the Israelites would sin and break His laws, so He made provision for them. Through sacrifice, He made a way for the people to atone for their sins and renew their relationship with Him. He knew that they would have to use the sacrificial system every day (they would sin every day), and yet He did not forsake them. This speaks to me of God’s love and grace. His love for mankind, for Israel, for people is far greater than I can comprehend! His lovingkindness is beyond my imagination! What a great God we have, that He would know in advance our stubbornness and waywardness; and still choose to hold on to us and shower us with His love.
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