Grace Still Amazes

Today’s readings are Genesis 20, Matthew 19, Nehemiah 9 and Acts 19.

Genesis 20 records Abraham’s time in Gerar, and lying about Sarah, again.

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.

Casual English Bible

Basically this chapter records Abraham’s lie (“Meet my sister”) and getting caught at lying.  Apparently it was a “half-truth” but it put Sarah and God’s promise of a son to Abraham at risk.  Helyer says…

“Apparently, shortly after the announcement of a birth one year hence, Sarah is again taken into another man’s harem.  The reader is to infer that if there is an heir, he is in danger of being reckoned as Abimelech’s not Abraham’s.  But Yahweh intervenes once again and preserves Sarah (20.6b) and restores her to Abraham.”

Our world is filled with fake news, misrepresentations and half-truths today.  How about you?

In verse 6 God says, “It was I who kept you from sinning against me.”  God directly intervenes, at times, to keep us from sinning, or give us a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).  Also, note, as David does in Psalm 51:4, that Abimelech was not sinning only against Sarah and Abraham, but against God as well.

It’s a sad day when pagans are telling believers “You have done to me things that ought not to be done” (v. 9).

This is always Abraham at his best, when he is interceding for others:

17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

In Matthew 19 Jesus begins heading towards Jerusalem first entering “the region of Judea beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 19:1).

Matthew 19:3-12 is Jesus’ teaching on the subject of divorce.  Divorce is not God’s design or desire (19:4-6), but God allows formal divorce (to protect the wife) due to hardness of heart (19:7-8), the exception being when adultery occurs (19:9).  The disciples then assumed it would be better not to marry (19:10), but Jesus said only those who could receive the saying (better not to marry) should do it.

To summarize, Jesus held a very high view of marriage.  When a man and a woman marry, God creates a union that is as strong as the union that bound Adam and Eve together before God created Eve from Adam’s side.  Man should not separate what God has united (cf. Rom. 7:1-3).  However, even though God hates divorce, He permits it in cases where gross sexual indecency (fornication) has entered the marriage. Similarly, God hates sin, but He permits it and gave instructions about how to manage it.

Paul urged His disciples not to divorce (cf. 1 Cor. 7:10), but if they divorced, he urged them not to remarry (cf. 1 Cor. 7:8, 11, 27).  However, he did not go so far as prohibiting remarriage (cf. 1 Cor. 7:9, 28). He encouraged them to realize that living unmarried after a divorce is a realistic possibility for many people, but he conceded it was not possible for all (cf. 1 Cor. 7:9).  A primary consideration should be how one could most effectively carry on his or her work of preparing for the kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 7:32-34).

Jesus again commends childlikeness (19:13-15).  The difference between this lesson, and the one in chapter 18, is that there the focus was on the childlike quality of humility that is so important in a disciple.  Here Jesus broadened the lesson to include other childlike characteristics (dependent, needy, trusting, vulnerable), all of which are important.

Instruction about wealth begins with the incident with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22).  This man approached Jesus not on the basis of grace, but law, asking “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (19:16)  So Jesus also dealt with him on the basis of law, facing him with the commandments, to which the young man says, “I’ve done all that.” (19:17-20).  So Jesus gets to the heart of the issue, the idol that still captured his heart, his wealth.

21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

I don’t think Jesus makes this requirement on everyone, but particularly those whose hearts are held captive by materialism.

22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

I’m sure the disciples, especially Judas, were cringing, wondering why Jesus was doing anti-evangelism, chasing promising candidates away.  He had a habit of doing so (John 6).  He was a rich, young man who was a ruler.  He had everything one would desire in a follower.  But Jesus made it harder on him, not easier.

Of course, ultimately, the law is preached so that all of us come face to face with our inability to keep it.  I imagine if this young man would have cried out, “Have mercy on me,” Jesus would have.

Verses 23-26 indicate the difficulty, but not impossibility of rich people entering the kingdom.

27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you.  What then will we have?”

Still craving after earthly possessions Peter?  Jesus points him to something better!

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

The revival continues in Nehemiah 9.  First, there is genuine sorrow over their sins (v. 1), then separation from sinful practices (v. 2).  They would read the Law for six hours each day and worship and confess sins another six hours (v. 3).  A prayer of confession comprises the rest of the chapter (9:5-38).

It begins, as the Bible does, by describing God’s greatness seen in His creation of the cosmos (v. 6), and then His grace and faithfulness in calling Abraham, promising him the land of Canaan, and fulfilling that promise (vv. 7-8).  The returned exiles could identify with God’s miraculous deliverance of their forefathers when they were slaves in Egypt (vv. 9-11).

The returnees could also appreciate God’s supernatural guidance of them and His faithful provision for them until He brought them to the Promised Land (vv. 12-15).  They also voiced thanks to God for choosing them and for giving them His Law (vv. 13-14).  While the second Exodus motif is strong in the biblical writers’ concept of the restoration, the idea of pilgrimage and procession to Zion is equally strong.

In spite of their forefathers’ rebellion (vv. 16-17a): God forgave them and graciously guided them (v. 19), provided for their physical needs (vv. 20-21), and gave them victory over their enemies (v. 22).  He also multiplied them (v. 23), brought them into the Promised Land (vv. 24-25a), and established them there (v. 25b).

During the period of the judges and during the monarchy, the Israelites disobeyed and rebelled many times.  Nevertheless, God delivered them when they repented (vv. 26-29) and sent the prophets to turn them back to Himself (v. 30).  This shows God’s further grace and compassion toward His people (v. 31).

The returned Jews then called on God to remember their sufferings in exile (v. 32).  They acknowledged that the exile was a consequence of their disobedience to God’s Word (vv. 33-34).  Even in exile, most of the Israelites had not returned to God (v. 35).  Consequently, much of the Jewish nation was still in bondage to its Persian rulers (vv. 36-37).

Paul Tripp’s New Morning Mercies spoke about Nehemiah 9 on January 16:

They really are two foundation stories of a God-honoring life.  They must be held together; neither side can be forsaken.  Every day you and I give empirical evidence to the existence of both.  Here are these foundation-stone realities: you still have sin living inside you and God is abundant in mercy.

[I like the way John Newton put it.  A new, young pastor William Jay came to Newton wanting advice about the ministry.  Newton was in his bed, health failing.  Late Jay came to realize the richness of a single line he had written down.  Newton’s final recorded words were: “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior” (Tony Reinke, Newton on the Christian Life, p. 49).]

The words of Nehemiah 9 describe us all: “They…did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules” (v. 29).  Maybe it’s a thoughtless word, a selfish act, a prideful thought, a moment of envy, a flash of lust, a willing act of disobedience, an attitude of vengeance, or a minor moment of thievery; maybe it’s your wanting your glory more than God’s, failing to give grace where grace is needed, bending the truth, giving in to an addiction, or working to make these kinds of things in your life look not as bad as they actually are.  In some way, we all give daily proof of the truth that sin still lives inside us.  None of us is yet sin-free.  We all continue to fail in word, thought, desire, and action.  It is humbling but important to admit, because it’s only when you admit how deep and comprehensive your problem is that you get excited about the rescue that only God’s mercy can supply.

We aren’t just left in our sins.  Nehemiah 9 continues, “Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God” (v. 31).  You can be courageous in admitting your sin precisely because God is richly abundant in his mercy.  He comes to you in mercy not because you are unable to help yourself.  Since sin means that you are a bigger danger to you than anything else in your life and since it is impossible for you to run from you, there is only one hope for you.  It is that someone with power, wisdom, and mercy will invade your life, forgive your sins, and progressively deliver you from the hold that sin has had on you.  That mercy comes to you in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his mercy is always fresh, uniquely fashioned for the sin struggles of this new day.

Acts 19 continues the third missionary journey of Paul.

Both the map and the chart are from Never Thirsty

In Acts 19:1-7 Paul encounters a group of John’s disciples.  Were they “Old Testament believers,” just following John’s message, or not believers at all?  Paul asked these men if they had received the Holy Spirit, probably because he saw some incongruity in their claim to be admirers of John and their evident lack of the Spirit.

Thomas Constable writes:

John had predicted the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; cf. John 1:32-33).  Their response to Paul’s question probably indicates that they did not know that the Lord had given the Holy Spirit as John had predicted.  It did not indicate that they knew nothing of the existence of the Holy Spirit, since John had predicted Holy Spirit baptism.  Their response enabled Paul to see that his first assumption about these disciples was incorrect; they were probably not Christians.

This discovery led Paul to raise another question to clarify his second assumption: “What” (which) baptism had they experienced, or with whom did they identify in baptism?  They replied that they had undergone “John’s” water “baptism.”  This response told Paul that they had not experienced Spirit baptism, and therefore were evidently unsaved.

As with the new converts in Samaria, these Ephesian disciples received “the Holy Spirit” when an apostle, this time Paul, “laid his hands upon them” (cf. 8:17).  They did not receive the Spirit by water baptism.  In Samaria, this identification of the coming of the Spirit with Peter and John first authenticated God’s giving of the Spirit in a non-Jewish context.  Here, similarly, the identification of the coming of the Spirit with Paul authenticated God’s giving of the Spirit in a town in which demonic religious activity flourished (cf. vv. 13-19).

Paul then reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and later the Gentiles at the hall of Tyrannus.

The Celsus library.  Some believe the building to the left was the school of Tyrannus.  Leon Mauldin

For two years he taught there (Acts 19:8-12), until trouble was stirred up.  First, the seven sons of Sceva tried to exorcise demons in the name of Jesus, but got their tails whipped (Acts 19:13-16).  It showed that Jesus was a more powerful god than the forces of darkness worshipped there in Ephesus. It resulted in a deep work of repentance:

18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.  And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. [several million dollars!]

As a consequence of the repentance described in the preceding verses, the church became purer as well as larger (cf. 5:1-11).  Luke gave us this sixth progress report to mark the end of another section of his book.  The section we have just completed (16:6—19:20) records the church’s extension in the Roman provinces around the Aegean Sea.

Thomas Constable notes:

While in Ephesus, Paul had considerable contact with the church in Corinth.  He wrote that church a letter that he called his “former letter” in 1 Corinthians 5:9.  Then sometime later he wrote 1 Corinthians, probably near the spring of A.D. 56.  Timothy traveled from Corinth to Ephesus, then evidently went back to Corinth, and returned later to Ephesus (Acts. 18:5; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11; Acts 19:22).  Following Timothy’s visit to Corinth, Paul evidently made a so-called “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1; 12:14; 13:1-2), and then returned to Ephesus.

After that painful visit, Paul wrote another “severe letter” to Corinth from Ephesus (2 Cor. 2:3-4; 7:8-12; 12:18).  These facts come to us through Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthians, the first of which he wrote during the years he used Ephesus as his base of operations.  He undoubtedly had other contacts with many other churches about which we know nothing. Luke’s purpose was not to give us a complete record of Paul’s ministry or the church’s growth as a whole.  It was to document the church’s advance to the heart of the Roman Empire (1:8), and to show, by repetition, how Jesus Christ was building His church (Matt. 16:18).

Then…

21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Paul evidently sensed that, having laid a firm foundation in Asia Minor and the Aegean Sea region, he needed to press on to Gentile areas yet unreached (cf. Rom. 15:23).

Paul wanted to collect money for the poor Judean saints, from the more prosperous Christians in the Aegean region, and then deliver it to them in Jerusalem (cf. 24:17; 1 Cor. 16:1-4).  He realized that returning to Jerusalem would be dangerous for him (cf. Rom. 15:30-32), but he determined to go nonetheless.

A riot broke out in Ephesus because the gospel was bankrupting the idol industry (19:23-41).

Only one column remains of the famous Temple of Artemis.  Leon Mauldin

It was one of the seven wonders of the world and here is one artist rendition of the temple.

DayDream Tourist

 

 

Today’s readings are from Genesis 19, Matthew 18, Nehemiah 8 and Acts 18.

Genesis 19 records the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot’s family (almost).  Derek Kidner indicates, ” It is a superb study of the two aspects of judgment: the cataclysmic, as the cities disappear in brimstone and fire, and the gradual, as Lot and his family reach the last stages of disintegration, breaking up in the very hands of their rescuers” (Genesis, p. 134).

The two angels (see Genesis 18) who had left Abraham, came to Lot at Sodom.  Notice that Lot had a similar response as Abraham:

When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.”…And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate (v. 3b).

These seem to be normal aspects of Ancient Near Eastern hospitality.

Men of the city of Sodom came to Lot’s house and asked for these two newcomers “that we may know them” (sexually, not “get acquainted”).  Sadly, Lot offers his virgin daughters (v. 8).  Is this because Lot saw it as a “lesser offense” or because, according to the mores of hospitality, he was protecting his guests?  Either way, it was not a courageous response.  He was giving in to the pressure.

One can see from verse 9 that Lot had lost his ability to influence that culture.  Apparently, either through previous interaction or Lot’s response in this case, they knew he would not stand strong against peer pressure.  Even his own sons-in-law didn’t take him seriously (v. 14), so only Lot and his wife and two daughters (4, not 10) left Sodom with the angels.

Sailhamer notes:

“In order to show that the rescue of Lot was in response to the prayer of Abraham, the narrative reads so that the words of the messengers [“swept away,” vv. 15, 17] recall explicitly the words of Abraham’s prayer in behalf of the righteous in the previous chapter [“sweep away,” 18:23].”

Verse 16 “But he lingered.”  Even when Lot had heard the message of impending judgment on Sodom, he wavered.  He did not respond immediately, unlike Abraham will in Genesis 22.  “So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”  That is what God has to do at times.  When we are unwilling to make a move, in mercy he “seizes” us and “takes” us to the place we need to be.

The rescue of Lot and his family was due ultimately to the Lord’s mercy (“compassion”; v. 16).

When the angels tell Lot and his family not to look back, but to speed on their way to the hills, Lot begs that they be allowed to (compromise?) go the little town of Zoar.  The final word we have on this event is that Lot’s wife looked back, though told not to (compare v. 26 to v. 17) and turned into a pillar of salt.

Vv. 27-29 tell us that Abraham stood and watched to see what had happened.  Like a good intercessor, when he had finished praying, he watched to see what would happen.  He saw the smoke of God’s judgment and didn’t know what had happened, but God “remembered Abraham” and rescued Lot (v. 29).

Verses 30-38 then recount the sad story of how the Moabites and Ammonites came into existence–through incest.  Thus, there are all kinds of sexual sins in relation to Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

The land of Moab on the east side of the Dead Sea.

Some want to argue that God didn’t destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for the sin of homosexuality, but inhospitality.  That doesn’t seem to be the case.  Lot was definitely sticking to the customs of hospitality, and the people of Sodom wanted to “entertain” these men as well.  It was their intention to “know” these men sexually, as well as other immoralities within the culture, that caused their destruction.  The Mosaic Law later regarded all homosexual behavior as a capital offense (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; cf. Rom. 1:26-27).

There is also disagreement on where Sodom and Gomorrah existed, north of the Dead Sea or south of the Dead Sea.  Abraham would have been able to see the smoke from either end of the Dead Sea.

Bible Atlas

biblicalarchaeologygraves.blogspot.com

Matthew 18 begins with the disciples asking, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (18:1).  Jesus points to a child and says that one cannot even enter the kingdom unless they become “like children” (trusting? curious? dependent?).  He tells them that humility is the key, then warns about tempting a child.  According to Jesus there could not be a worse sin than causing a child to sin.  It would be better to amputate a strategic part of your body and cause a child to sin.

I wonder if Jesus had pedophilia in mind?  However, Jesus seems to be equating children with believing disciples (adults).

Matthew 18:10 is where we get the idea of the possibility of “guardian angels.”

“I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Thomas Constable writes:

Many interpreters believe that the last part of verse 10 teaches that God has guardian angels who take special care of small children.  However, the context of verse 10 is not talking about small children, but disciples who need to be as humble as small children.  Furthermore, the “angels” in this passage are “continually” beholding God’s “face in heaven,” not watching the movements of small children on earth.

Jesus then gives a parable about humility (vv. 12-13).  In Luke’s gospel the purpose of this parable is evangelistic.  Here it is more pastoral.

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

The shepherd in the story is God (v. 14).  The sheep are those who follow Him, namely, Jesus’ disciples (cf. 10:6; 15:24).  God has concern for every one of His sheep and seeks to restore those of them that wander away from Him.  He has such great concern for the wayward, that when they return to Him, “He rejoices more” than over those who did not wander away.  This does not mean that God loves His wayward sheep more than He loves His faithful sheep.  It simply means that when wayward sheep return to Him it gives Him special joy.

So, verses 1-11 warn us not to be a stumbling block to others, and then in vv. 15-17 Jesus tells us what to do when someone sins against us.  This is the “church discipline” passage, identifying the three steps to dealing with sin.

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.  And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

We have often understood the final step, excommunication, to mean that we cut off all contact with unrepentant sinners, but Jesus seemed to favor spending time with “Gentiles and tax collectors.”  He did have a different purpose in doing so, however–not fellowship, but evangelism.  I’m assuming that what Jesus means is that if we see a “believer” sinning and not repenting of sin, then we treat them like an unbeliever who needs the gospel preached to him or her.

I don’t believe a person can lose or forfeit their salvation, but their lives can eventually prove they never were saved, no matter how much they acted and dressed and talked and attended like Christians before.

All of these next three verses need to be taken together:

18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

I think verse 18 helps us understand what Jesus had meant back in Matthew 16:19 (the exact words).  With the church announcement, they would give or withhold whatever the judgment might involve, but they would really be announcing what God, the divine authority, had already decided.  Their decision would be God’s will for the person being disciplined, assuming they had obtained the will of God before announcing it.

Believers have the ability, through either forgiveness or excommunication, to be in accord with how God is handling things in heaven.

Verses 19-20, so often taken as promises for (sparse) prayer meetings, is really about the issue of church discipline.  In the context, “anything” refers to any judicial decision involving an erring disciple that the other disciples may make corporately.  God has always stood behind His judicial representatives on earth when they carry out His will (cf. Ps. 82:1).  This is a wonderful promise.  God will back up with His power and authority any decision involving the corporate discipline of an erring brother or sister that His disciples may make after determining His will.

This means that what a church decides (with due process and much prayer) should be taken very seriously by all, for it has heaven’s backing.  What typically happens, however, is that a person excommunicated from one church, is gladly welcomed (and often sympathized with) at another church.

The chapter ends with Peter’s question about how often should I forgive someone who sins against me.  Peter thought himself magnanimous when he said “seven times” for the going rate among the Pharisees was just three times.

Jesus’ response alluded to Genesis 4:24, where the ungodly Lamech said: “If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”  Lamech claimed to have taken even more revenge on the man who struck him than God had taken on Cain for killing his brother Abel.  Jesus turned Lamech’s bad example around, and urged His disciples to practice generous forgiveness when their brothers hurt them.

The NASB has Jesus saying “seventy times seven,” whereas the NIV translators wrote “seventy-seven times.”  Probably the NIV is correct since Jesus quoted the Septuagint of Genesis 4:24 exactly here, and it has “seventy-seven times.”  Even though the difference between these two translations is great numerically, it is not a very important difference.  Jesus was not specifying a literal maximum number of times His disciples should forgive their brothers.  Neither was He wiping out what He had just taught about confronting an erring brother (vv. 15-20).

Jesus’ point was that disciples who are humble should not limit the number of times they forgive one another, or limit the frequency with which they forgive each other.  The following parable of the unmerciful servant clarified this point.  This one of the skits we acted out in Godspell last Spring.  I was the fellow servant who owned 100 denarii who got choked and kicked.

How was it possible for him to pay his debt from prison?

34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,until he should pay all his debt.

This man was turned over to the torturers, had an impossibly high debt to pay, and couldn’t possibly pay it from prison.  Jesus is obviously not talking about purgatory, where one can (reportedly) work their way, or be prayed and purchased, out of punishment.

Jesus drew the crucial comparisons in applying the parable to His disciples (v. 35).  He pictured God as forgiving graciously, yet punishing ruthlessly.  God cannot forgive those who are devoid of compassion and mercy because He is so full of these qualities Himself.  Jesus did not mean that people can earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving one another (cf. 6:12, 14-15).  Nor does he mean that believers can lose their salvation if they fail to forgive.

I believe it does point out our true identity.  Someone who refuses to forgive, shows that they never were forgiven.  Someone who tries to forgive, but has difficulty forgiving, needs to remind themselves how much they have been forgiven by God.

Was this just hyperbole to drive home a point?  No, there are many negative consequences to being unforgiving, both in this life and in the life to come (loss of reward among them).

Thomas Constable concludes:

Jesus concluded this discourse on humility, as He had begun it, with a reference to entering the kingdom (v. 3).  Humility is necessary to enter the kingdom because it involves humbly receiving a gift of pardon from God (v. 27).  However, humility must continue to characterize the disciple.  Not only must a disciple live before God as a humble child (v. 4); he or she must also be careful to avoid putting a stumbling block in the path of another disciple (vv. 5-14).  Furthermore, he or she must humbly seek to restore a wayward fellow disciple (vv. 15-20).  Forgiving fellow disciples—wholeheartedly and completely—is likewise important for humble disciples (vv. 21-35).

Nehemiah 8 describes an amazing transformation in the returned exiles, which was due to the Word being preached.  The people were gathered…

3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand.  And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

The people had told Ezra to bring the “book of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:1) and they listened for a good six hours (standing, v. 5) AND THEY WERE ATTENTIVE.  Now, remember, this is “the Book of the Law” being read, not all of which is all that riveting.  Yet, through all the case laws of Exodus and offerings of Leviticus and census counts of Numbers, they paid attention.

Not only did Ezra read, but men went throughout the crowd helping them understand what was being read (Nehemiah 8:7).  Apparently, those who had grown up in Babylon and Persia spoke Aramaic and had forgotten some of their Hebrew.  The languages are similar (ben is “son” in Hebrew and “bar” is son in Aramaic, but that’s about all I remember).

8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

This is essentially what expository preaching is–giving the sense of Scripture–so that people can understand what it says and means.

Their natural response was weeping, mourning over their sins, but Nehemiah and Ezra told them rejoice and hold a feast, for “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).  I believe they are saying that delighting in the Lord is our strength.  Delighting in the Lord gives us strength against temptation and for obedience.  But it might mean “God’s delighting in you” is your strength.  That is certainly true as well, but given the fact that they are to engage in joyful celebration leads me to adopt the first meaning.

That wasn’t the end of it.

13 On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.

A men’s Bible study started.  They discovered that God’s Word commanded the Feast of Tabernacles–living in makeshift huts for a week to remind them of the wilderness wanderings.  It recalled the protection, preservation, and shelter that God had provided for His people.  It had special significance for these Jews because it had originally been celebrated in preparation for entering the land and now they were celebrating it as they had returned to the land!

18 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God.  They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

What a Bible conference!  Constant study of God’s Word, repentance, joy and obedience.

Nehemiah did not record whether the people also observed the Day of Atonement that fell on the tenth of the same month.  Probably they did, since they were restoring the other Israelite institutions.  Perhaps he passed over mentioning it because the Day of Atonement was a sad day in the Jewish year.  It was the only fast among Israel’s festivals wherein the people afflicted themselves in repentance for their sins.  Nehemiah seems to have wanted in this chapter, and in the whole book, to emphasize the positive aspects of the restoration, namely, God’s faithfulness and the people’s joy.

“Perhaps more than in anything else, Ezra’s importance lies in the fact that he put the Bible of his day into the hands of the laity; it was no longer the exclusive preserve of the ‘professionals.’  Much of the shape of Judaism thereafter was determined by this fundamental achievement.” (Williamson, Ezra-Nehemiah, p. 298).

Acts 18 records Paul’s ministry in Corinth (18:1-17) and Asia (18:18-22) on his second missionary journey

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Wikemedia

There was an important canal/road across the isthmus which connected east to west.

This made Corinth a very important, influential, and thus worldly city.  In the ancient world to “corinthianize” was to commit immorality.

Paul’s ministry in Corinth began with the Jews (v. 4), then transitioned to Gentiles (v. 6).

And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

But, that eventually ended as well.  The Jews attacked Paul, bringing him before a tribunal, but the proconsul Gallo would have nothing to do with it.

Paul had attempted to reach the province of Asia earlier (16:6).  Now the Lord permitted him to go there, but from the west rather than from the east. Luke recorded Paul’s initial contact with Ephesus, in this section, which set the scene for his ministry there when he later returned from Syrian Antioch (ch. 19).

Paul had apparently made a vow at Cenchrae (see map above).  While vows are not encouraged, they are acceptable.  The Jews used them to either gain something from God, or thank God for giving them something.  Paul may have vowed to give God thanks for the protection he had received while in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:9-10).

Paul then sailed for Ephesus and had a short ministry there (Acts 18:19-21), promising them that he would return to them.  Eventually he landed back in Caesarea Maritima and then went back to Antioch.  Likely, he gave them a report of his second missionary journey (just as he did after his first journey, Acts 14:27).

In Acts 18:31 Paul begins his third missionary journey.

Paul spent some time going through Asia Minor, strengthening the disciples.  He eventually would arrive at Ephesus to begin a three-year ministry there, but first Luke tells us about Apollos (Acts 18:24-28).  Apollos faithfully proclaimed what he knew, but didn’t know about Christian baptism.  Prisca and Aquila took him aside privately and helped him understand more about the Messiah, and grace, and baptism.

Homer Kent says…

“Before the encounter with Aquila and Priscilla, it is best to regard Apollos in the same class as OT saints.  They too hoped for salvation in Messiah and had not rejected him.  The entire Book of Acts depicts the transition from Judaism to Christianity.  It is not surprising, therefore, to find imperfect forms of faith during those epochal days.” (Jerusalem to Rome: Studies in Acts, p. 149).

We will run into another example in the early part of Acts 19.

I love what A.T. Robertson says as well…

“It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers.  They do not learn it all in schools.  More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God’s ways.” (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume 3:308).

 

Today’s readings are Genesis 18, Matthew 17, Nehemiah 7 and Acts 17.

Genesis 18 is Abraham’s prayer for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, or more particularly (as God understood his heart) for Lot and his family.  It begins with a visit from three “men,” the LORD (a Christophany, or appearance of Christ before His incarnation) and two other angels (Genesis 19:1).

Notice how Abraham greets and treats his guests.  First, he noticed them coming.  He wasn’t preoccupied with himself.  Second, he ran to meet them.  He didn’t wait for them to come inside.  Third, he bowed down, showing respect.  Then he served them, washing their feet and offering rest and refreshment.  He prepared the best and served it quickly (18:6-7), then watched them eat (18:8).  I think these are some great guidelines for those involved in greeting ministries in churches.

The LORD took the opportunity to tell Abraham that he would have a son “this time next year.”  Sarah laughed at the thought that she, old and worn out as she was, could have a child.  God scolded her, saying that His promise was good.  The issue was not Sarah’s ability to have a child, but God’s ability to give one.

Because of God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 18:17-19), the LORD revealed to Abraham his intended judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah.  Their “sin was very grave” (Genesis 18:20).  Abraham’s intercession begins in verse 23, gradually “bargaining” with God to save the city if even ten righteous persons were found there.  I imagine that Abraham felt pretty safe stopping at ten, thinking that Lot and his family and even a couple more people could be found righteous.  But that was not the case.  God knew Abraham’s heart, however, and Genesis 19 will show God answering Abraham’s prayer even though he didn’t pray it that way–Lot and his daughters will be saved.

In the midst of his prayers Abraham said this about God’s justice:

25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked!  Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

In Abraham’s mind, punishing the righteous with the wicked was unthinkable, and he imagined it was something a just God couldn’t do.  In fact, the Judge of all the earth always does what it just, by nature, by definition of who He is.

God does not conform to a law outside of Himself.  He makes the laws because He is just.  Does that mean that God is arbitrary, making laws that suit him?  No, they arise out of His character, which is always just and right.

Matthew 17 begins with the transfiguration of Jesus.  It happened on a high mountain.  Some believe it was Mount Tabor, others Mount Hermon.  I’m going with Mount Hermon since Jesus was at the foot of it in Caesarea Philippi in Matthew 16.

Jesus appeared before them in (still veiled) glory, Moses and Elijah were there (talking about Jesus’ departure (Luke 9:31).  Peter wanted to build tents for them all but God spoke from heaven, again affirming Jesus and his ministry, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  In other words, as great as Moses and Elijah were (and still highly revered by Jews at that time), my Son is greater.

I love verse 8

8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Oh, that that was our only vision–to see Jesus Christ above the crowds, above the distractions, above the noise, above the praise and achievements, above the world!  Above the law and prophets!

When Jesus and his inner circle descended to the valley, they were faced with a man with an epileptic son who had a demon that could not be case out by Jesus’ disciples.  Jesus confronts the disciples with their lack of faith.  It really only takes a little faith in an Almighty God.

“Moving a mountain” may have come from Herod’s attempt to build himself a palace at Herodium.  It was a man-made “mountain” just north of Jerusalem.

Herodium from the north.  Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

With the wall finished, Nehemiah established guards (Nehemiah 7:1-3) and priests and singers, then enrolled the people by genealogy to try to repopulate Jerusalem (7:5-73).

Acts 17 continues Paul’s second missionary journey to Thessalonica (17:1-9, 3-4 weeks, according to v. 2), Berea (17:10-14), then Athens (17:15-34).

Paul’s normal practice is to first go to the synagogues and “reason” (debate) with the Jews from the Scriptures (17:2).  He does this until Jews reject him, then he turns to the Gentiles.  Success with the Gentiles leads to trouble and Paul will have to move on.  Paul spends little time in Amphipolis and Apollonia likely because there were no synagogues in these towns.  A day’s journey of 35 miles on the Via Egnatia would take them to Thessalonica.

Here is a picture looking out from the modern city of Thessaloniki to the Aegean Sea.

Photo: Nico Trinkhaus – https://sumfinity.com/hdr-photos/greece/thessaloniki/sunset-sea-eptapyrgio-castle/

You can access his photos by going to his website www.sumfinity.com.

As a pastor, I’ve always loved v. 11

11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

I eagerly desire my congregation not only to receive my preaching “with all eagerness” but then to “test it” by examining the Scriptures to see if what I say lines up with Scripture.  If Paul delighted in it, then so do I.

In Athens, Paul reasoned with Gentile “philosophers” of the day.  Paul didn’t use the Scriptures so much, like he did with the Jews, but first made a point of contact, your altar “to the unknown God” (17:23).  He identifies this “unknown” God as the creator and giver of life (17:24), who needs nothing or no one but gives life to all (17:25).

Verses 26-27, for me, help me understand how we can answer the question, “Well, what about those who have never heard the gospel?”

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

God has determined to place those who would seek and find God in the eras and countries where a gospel presence would be found.  By the way, this same Paul said, “No one seeks God” (Romans 3:10).  So which is it?  I would answer that no one seeks God purely on their own, without any outside influences.  But that once the Spirit begins to woo and convict us of our sins, we begin to seek, maybe first we seek truth, or peace, or forgiveness, but then God will bring a gospel preacher to help us find those things in Jesus Christ.

Another part of that issue is that no innocent person is ever sent to hell, because there are no innocent people.  We are all guilty of “cosmic treason” (R. C. Sproul) and “love the darkness” naturally.  All have sinned and fall (far) short of the glory of God.

Continuing on in Acts 17, Paul next quotes some of their very own poets, using them to show that God brings life and therefore holds us accountable.

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Here is another passage of the judge of the world doing “right.”  Now is the time for repentance because there will come a day of judgment.  It is “fixed” and certain.  And we know it will happen because that judge has been raised from the dead.

The resurrection of Jesus tripped up some, but others believed.

Today’s readings are from Genesis 15, Matthew 14, Nehemiah 4 and Acts 14.

In the first verse of Genesis 15, Yahweh said to Abram:

“Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

This was an assurance to Abram who had recently defeated four powerful kings and rejected any of the booty from the king of Sodom.

When Abram questioned whether his servant Eliezer could be considered his descendant, but God said, “No, look at the stars.  Thus shall your descendants be.”  Then comes that famous verse which Paul uses to establish that justification is by faith in Romans 4:

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Yahweh then seals that promise with a covenant ceremony (Genesis 15:9-21).

Because of the death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12), Jesus wanted to get away for awhile (Matthew 14:13).  But great crowds followed Him.  He healed them and fed them (5,000 men!) (Matthew 14:14-21).

Then Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33) made His disciples get into a boat, while he went to pray.  A storm came up and He walked to them on the water.  John Ortberg wrote a great book on this passage titled If You Want to Walk on the Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat.  While Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, at least he had the courage to step out of the boat!  Once again, these miracles pointed out the “little faith” of the disciples.

Nehemiah 4 begins three chapters of opposition which Nehemiah faced:

Chapter 4	Chapter 5	Chapter 6
Opposition from outside	Opposition from inside	Opposition from outside
Sanballat and Tobiah conspire against the work with a planned attack	Jewish nobility taking financial advantage of their Jewish brothers	Sanballat and Gesham plan to assassinate Nehemiah

The real test of a leader is how he or she faces crises and respond to opposition.  Nehemiah’s enemies use ridicule (4:1-6), as well as armed resistance surrounding them (4:7-8) to oppose the work.  Nehemiah’s response to both was corporate prayer (4:4-5 and 4:9).

One of Rick Warren’s Leadership Lifters that I received yaers ago had this information:

4 SETBACKS THAT CAN CAUSE DISCOURAGEMENT

1.   WHEN SOMETHING TAKES LONGER THAN EXPECTED

This causes FATIGUE

“They said ‘We’re tired and worn out. We can’t keep up this pace!”   Nehemiah 4:10a

“Never forget how the Amalekites . . . attacked you when you were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who began to lag behind . . .”
Deut. 25:18 (NLT)

2.   WHEN SOMETHING IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN EXPECTED

This causes FRUSTRATION

“Besides that, there is so much rubble and trash to be removed!”  Nehemiah 4:10b                

“Come, Lord, and show me your mercy, for I feel helpless, overwhelmed, and in deep distress.”  Psalm 25:16 (LB)

3.     WHEN I START TO DOUBT MY OWN ABILITY

This causes a sense of FAILURE

“The people said, ‘We now realize that we cannot finish this wall.'” “We will NEVER be able to finish it.” Nehemiah 4:10c

4.  WHEN THE OPPOSITION GROWS STRONGER

This causes FEAR

   “Meanwhile our enemies are threatening to kill us in order to stop this work”  Nehemiah 4:11

“Then, those of us who lived closest to our enemies kept reporting over and over – ten times – that our enemies kept saying “It doesn’t matter where you go, we’ll attack you!” Nehemiah 4:12

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?
Do the 3 things Nehemiah did

1.   REORGANIZE WHATEVER IS NOT WORKING

“So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerableplaces of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows.” Nehemiah 4:13 (Mes)

“Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting with other believers, but we must not do that. Instead, we should keep on encouraging each other . . .” Hebrews 4:25

Action Plan:  Pray this week about the things in your life that don’t seem to be working. Ask God for clarity on your goals, making sure your goals align with his will, and ask for guidance in making them fruitful, meaningful and sustaining.

2.  REFOCUS ON GOD

“Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraidof the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious.” Nehemiah 4:14a (NLT)

(Jonah) “When I had lost all hope I turned my thoughts once again to the Lord.” Jonah 2:7 (LB)

(David) “I’m completely discouraged. Revive me by your Word!” Psalm 119:25 (LB)

Action Plan: Start a new season of refocusing on God by joining a Bible study or small group.

3.   RESIST THE DISCOURAGEMENT

(Then I told them) “. . . Fight for your brothers, and your sons and your daughters, and wives and homes!”  Nehemiah 4:14b (NIV)

In Acts 14 the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas is continued.  Ministries at Iconium (Acts 14:1-5) and Lystra (Acts 14:6-19) both met with opposition and expulsion.  They went as far as Derbe (Acts 14:20), then backtracked through Lystra and Iconium (Acts 14:20-21),

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Making disciples and appointing elders–this is the way they strengthened the fledgling churches.

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

 

Today’s readings are from Genesis 14, Matthew 13, Nehemiah 3 and Acts 13.

In Genesis 14 we have the battle of the 5 kings against 4 from the east.  The 5 kings lost and Lot was taken captive.  Abram and his 318 men, plus three Amorites (and possibly their men) pursued and defeated the 4 kings as far as Dan.  Abram then met the mysterious Melchizedek and paid him tithes, but refused any of the spoils of war from the king of Sodom.

This map comes from information about this battle from the website God’s War Plan.

The blue arrows represent the 4 kings from the east, the green the kings around the Dead Sea area, and Abram in the crimson.

Matthew 13 continues the turning point in this gospel.  Jesus begins to speak in parables, giving (Matthew 13:1-9) and interpreting (Matthew 13:18-23) the parable of the soils, explaining why he was speaking in parables now (Matthew 13:10-17).  He told them other parables, of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30), the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), the leaven (Matthew 13:33), a summary (Matthew 13:34-35) and an explanation of the the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:36-43).

Here is one of my favorite parables:

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

These verses show that receiving the “kingdom” or gospel is more than a mere intellectual recognition of facts or even trusting in someone.  Genuine conversion involves an affective response of joy.  Salvation comes to those who gladly trade all that we have to follow Jesus Christ.  We see this joy in the conversion of the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1:6

you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit

Then there is the parable of the net (Matthew 13:47-50), another summary (Matthew 13:51-52) and a reaction to Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 13:53-58).

Nehemiah 3 records those who built the wall.  Notice that Nehemiah had them build closest to their homes because it would be important to them.

The Holman Bible Atlas states: “Nehemiah 3 contains numerous references to gates and structures along Jerusalem’s fortifications.  Unfortunately, identifying archaeological remains with any of these structures has been difficult, yet archaeologists have provided a clearer picture of Nehemiah’s Jerusalem.  After the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., settlers confined themselves to the eastern ridge, the old City of David and the Temple Mount.  There is no evidence of any occupation of the western ridge during the Persian era, although parts of Hezekiah’s walls must have remained in fragmentary condition.  Settlement upon the City of David apparently was more constricted than ever before.  Much of the eastern slope perhaps was left unprotected, as a new line of defense was established farther up the slope, perhaps built along the line of a much earlier wall.  Fragments of a wall built of roughly dressed limestone near the crest have been identified by some archaeologists as ‘Nehemiah’s Wall,’ but others believe the ‘wall’ is actually a quarry line.  A few of the domestic structures on the eastern slope were reused, but most buildings were located on the crest of the ridge.

“The fact that Nehemiah completed his initial repairs in fifty-two days [as we will see in 6:15] argues strongly that segments of the earlier defenses must have been still standing; presumably the western line of defense and the walls enclosing the Temple Mount were on the same lines as those prior to 586 B.C. The Valley Gate (Neh. 3:13), along the Tyropoeon Valley [on the west side], has tentatively been identified by some scholars with remains dating from the Iron Age.  The location of other gates in Nehemiah 3 are more speculative.  It seems reasonable to locate the Water Gate (Neh. 3:26) near the Gihon Spring [on the east side] and the Fountain Gate at the base of the southeastern hill (Neh. 2:14; 3:15).  Several towers mentioned in Nehemiah 3 (the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred) undoubtedly lay along the northern defenses where Jerusalem was most vulnerable.  Jerusalem of Nehemiah’s day was slightly smaller than the city of David and Solomon, perhaps covering thirty-seven to thirty-eight acres” (p. 172).

Finally, we should observe that the work in Jerusalem was done by people from all walks of life—just as it is in the Church of God today. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes on verse 32: “We know from chapter 5 that there were deep economic differences in Judean society.  With the exception of the nobles of Tekoa (v. 5), everyone pitched in, from the high priest (v. 1) to goldsmiths and perfume makers (vv. 8, 31) and even women (v. 12), to accomplish a common task.  Some, like the commoners of Tekoa, even did more than their share (v. 27).

What an inspiring example of what can be done when God’s people work together under dynamic leadership!  Viggo Olsen, who helped rebuild ten thousand houses in war-ravaged Bangladesh in 1972, derived unexpected inspiration from reading a chapter ordinarily considered one of the least interesting in the Bible: ‘I was struck…that no expert builders were listed in the “Holy Land brigade.”  There were priests, priests’ helpers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, and women, but no expert builders or carpenters were named.'”

Acts 13 shows the church at Antioch being the first missionary sending church.  Stephen and Phillip had gone out from the church in Jerusalem, as did Peter, but this church intentionally sent members.

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The Spirit sent Barnabas and Saul on the first missionary journey.

In the late Spring of 44 A.D. the brethren (Acts 13:1-3) ordain Paul and Barnabas as apostles.  From Antioch, the two apostles and John (surnamed Mark) begin Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-52, 14:1-25).  Apostle Paul and company travel to Seleucia then sail to Salamis, the principle city and seaport of the island of Cyprus.  Cyprus is where Barnabas was born and raised (Acts 4:36).  In Salamis, they preach the gospel in several synagogues.  They then cross the island by foot and arrive at Paphos.

From there they sailed to Perga in Asia Minor (Acts 13:13), where John Mark went AWOL and returned home.  They went on to Pisidian Antioch and spent some weeks there preaching the gospel.  Paul preached to the Jews first and initially had an audience, but some Jews became jealous and turned against them (Acts 13:44-45).  So Paul said…

46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”

The Gentiles responded with joy…

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

This verse definitely puts election before belief.  Belief isn’t at our initiative, but God’s.  Ultimately, however, they were opposed and left the city for Iconium.