Study Deuteronomy 6: 1-8

Deuteronomy 6: 1-8  ¹ These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, ² so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. ³ Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.  ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

 

The book of Deuteronomy is sermons or speeches given by Moses. This book is considered to be part of the Law or the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). All Jewish boys were expected to have learned by memory all 5 books by the age of twelve. I can’t even imagine memorizing those books of the Bible. I have a hard enough time remembering where I put my purse or shoes.

The title of the book literally translated means “this second law.” Most of the book is Moses restating what God had given him before the nation crossed into the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for forty years. This makes perfect sense, any leader would want to remind the old and inform the young of the covenant and guidance of God for the people before achieving the goal. This particular book played an important role in the development of the Hebrew religion and way of living. Jesus was very familiar with this book and quoted from it often.

      Chapter six is a part of the section of Deuteronomy which is titled by most scholars as “The Ten commandments.” Verse 2 sums up the content of the entire chapter. Reverence for the Lord expresses itself in keeping all the commandments … all the days of our lives and teaching our children to do the same. Verses 4 and 5 are part of what is called the Shema (Hebrew for “hear”). This is the creed of Judaism. Either “The Lord our God is one Lord” or “the Lord is our God, the Lord is one” is a valid translation. In the Hebrew the Lord in this verse is Yahweh, which the Jews regarded as too sacred to be pronounced and so substituted the word Adonai, “my Lord.” The wording in verse 4 declares that the Lord is God, the only God and is the same everywhere. The word one is not inconsistent with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. God is regularly in the plural form in the Hebrew Scriptures and IS here as well. This proclamation of God is followed by instructions to love God. Only in Deuteronomy of all the Pentateuch do we find this thought process of faith with love and it is found 10 times. This love includes every part of our being – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. When asked for the first commandment Jesus answered with the Shema followed by Leviticus 19: 18 and is considered the primary aspiration and/or requirement of all law.

     Verses six and seven declare this law to be in one’s heart and to be taught to the children. We are to be a people devoted to thoughts of God, to see His work and His Spirit in and through out our daily living. God’s activity in our lives is to be so evident that it is natural to teach it, speak it and live it from morning to night.

    There is a difference of opinion among scholars as to whether the Hebrews literally tied the law to their body. We do know that during Jesus day, some of the more religious did use little leather cubes on straps attached to their left hand or forehead which contained Exodus 13: 1-10; 13: 11-16; Deut. 6: 4-9 and 11: 13-21 before morning prayers. They were called tephillin (prayers) or phylacteries (a means of protection). Also the Jews put a metal or glass case and fix it to the right-hand doorpost of the outer entrance of every dwelling room in the house. This was called a mezuzah (doorpost). When Jesus gives a negative reference to those who wear the phylacteries he is not because they wore or displayed them but because they did it with an attitude of “I am more religious than you are.”

    Today Jewish people still use the Mezuzah. I went to the website Mezuzah and found this info. “In ancient biblical days over 3000 years ago, God commanded the Jews to place the doorpost amulet on their door. You can find this passage in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy): “Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”. What is the logic behind this? The doorpost amulet is there to remind you that God is always present in your life. That you should keep God's words constantly in your mind and in your heart. By doing this it will also assures you of God's blessing if you fulfill his commandments. By placing the doorpost amulet on your door, your home will be identified first and foremost as a Jewish home. But more then this, it's believed that it will protect the loved ones living in your home from evil. It's customary to check the parchment for any damages or defects if a problem arises in your home. The mezuzah is made of a rectangular piece of parchment inscribed with verses from the Book of Devarim. Looking at the parchment, you will see the name "Shaddai" inscribed on the outside, often accompanied by the words "The Lord our God the Lord" in a cryptogram. The parchment is rolled so that the name Shaddai is visible. Then it is placed in a case which is affixed to the doorpost.”

    We can summarize this little section of chapter six to be that Love for God, including His law, is to be all consuming, “upon our hearts”. We are to consider it so important that we pass them on to the next generation in any way we can. The Word of the Lord is to be a conversation piece at all times almost approaching a preoccupation. We are to take it internally then show it externally. I guess the question then is, “how am I fulfilling this teaching in my life and my home?” Am I doing all I can to learn all I can about God so that I can love Him fully? Do I love him in all areas of my life – physical, spiritual, emotional and mental? Does everything wrap around God, even the day to day stuff? How am I passing on this love and knowledge to the next generation? How does my external behavior show my internal love for God?

Information from “Handbook on the Pentateuch” by Victor Hamilton and “Beacon Bible Studies – Genesis – Deuteronomy” by Beacon Hill Press

 

Study Romans 8: 12-17

Hello Everyone,

Hopefully, my traveling days are over for awhile. If I haven’t already let you know my Dad, R.B., came through the surgery wonderfully and is doing well. I was privileged to preach in Batesville Sunday and that is always a treat. Please remember the Batesville Church in your prayers they are still without a Pastor.

Below is the text that will be preached on this Sunday. I hope these little tidbits of information will help you get ready for what ever the Holy Spirit would say to you. If you don’t attend church or don’t attend here, I am trusting the Holy Spirit to meet with you where you are today.

 

For Sunday 5/27/07                           Pentecost        Romans 8: 12-17

NIV    ¹²Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. ¹³For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

General Info - First we must realize this “book” is not a book at all but a letter. People reveal their thoughts and soul in letters. Paul really opened his heart to the people he wrote to, many of them he knew personally and had planted the church there. No wonder often he refers to them as “my children.” It is very important that we understand though that of all the literature in the Bible, letters can be the hardest to understand as the writer meant it to be understood. It is very unwise to study any of the letters of the New Testament without researching the situation, the people the letter was written to and what was happening at the time. Yes, there are many conceptual and general truths that can be taken at face value but there are many parts of the letter that will be interpreted INCORRECTLY if research is not done.

Paul used the writing rules of his day. He was an educated man and would do it naturally himself or any secretary he may have used would have followed the cultural norms. Not only do we have the writing of the Bible but we have other letters from this time period and Paul’s letters are of the same format. We also understand that Paul’s letters were written to address a particular people, in a particular church and often in response to information he had received either in letter form from them or by a personal visit from someone within the church. Remember Paul didn’t write these letters knowing that one day they would be canon, as a matter of fact, that would have probably mortified him. Sometimes Paul is hard to understand, because his sentences begin and never finish; his grammar breaks down and the construction becomes involved. We must not think of him sitting quietly at a desk but striding around some little room, pouring his heart out while some poor secretary writes as fast as he can.

Romans - The letter to the Romans is different than all of Paul’s others. This was the church Paul did not plant and had not put any personal touch into it. This particular letter is the nearest thing to a teaching sermon of any of Paul’s other writings. In the other letters he deals with immediate trouble or some pressing situation. When Paul actually wrote this letter, the date was sometime around 58 AD and he was in Corinth. The Jerusalem church was financially in trouble, Paul had been gathering offerings from the newer churches, he was about to set out with that gift to the Jerusalem Church.

I have to stop right here and make an observation. As I was doing this research it occurred to me. It was the Jerusalem church that had balked at the gospel being shared to the Gentiles. Finally, it was agreed by the church in Jerusalem that they could share the Gospel with Gentiles and they could have churches etc. but I would imagine that the belief system of a life time that Jews and Gentiles could not be equal was embedded deeply. Now, the church in Jerusalem is in trouble and these Gentile churches who know full well the prejudice of the Jewish hub are sending an offering to them. WOW, is that not a lesson to us!!!! They gave offering, MONEY, to a church that had reluctantly accepted them, almost didn’t let them be part of “the way.” How’s your offering been to your home church, the church you attend, the church where your children attend and are taught, etc.? Now I’m not talking about tithe. Tithe is God’s to start with, if you are not paying tithe, your robbing God, that’s a different issue. I’m talking about offering which is over and above tithe. Back to this observation, these folks gave to a need in a place where they probably wouldn’t  have been allowed in. Something to think about…

In verses 12-17 Paul uses the metaphor of Roman adoption practices, which were elaborate and serious. When a person was adopted by a Roman father 1) the person lost all rights in his old family and gained all rights in his new family. 2) He became heir, even if other sons were afterwards born, it did not affect any of the adopted sons rights. 3) In all legal issues, the old life was gone such as debts, anything it was gone. 4) In the eyes of the law he was absolutely the son of the adopting father. During the ceremony there were seven witnesses at the end one would step forward and declare the process to be genuine.

This entire process of Roman adoption is in Paul’s mind when he dictates these verses. The Holy Spirit is the witness that declares it to be genuine. We were in sin but God in his mercy brought us into his absolute possession. The old life has no more rights over us; God has the rights. The past is cancelled and its debts are gone! We become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. That which Christ inherits, we inherit – suffering or glory. Paul gave us the incredible picture that when we became a Christian we entered into the very family of God. We did nothing to deserve it; God, in his an amazing love and mercy, has taken us – the lost, the helpless, the sinners and adopted us into his own family! If you are a Christian how does it feel to know you are fully adopted, all the debts of the past are gone and you are a co-heir with Jesus? If you don’t know this God who loves you enough to fully adopt you, He really is only a sentence away, begin talking to the one who wants you as a son or daughter. Information found in the book by William Barclay “The Letter to the Romans”

 

Study #3

Study #3 Acts 9: 1-20

NIV     ¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  ⁵"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. ⁶"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."  ⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  ¹⁰In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"  "Yes, Lord," he answered.  ¹¹The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹²In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."  ¹³"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."  ¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."  ¹⁷Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. ²⁰At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Author – Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the Scriptures and inferences from the book lead to the conclusion the author was Luke.  Date – Most accepted is circa 63 AD soon after the last event recorded in the book for there is no mention of the deaths of Peter or Paul 67 AD or the destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD.

Characteristics - Every page of Acts gives sharp, precise details. The account covers a period of about 30 years and reaches across the lands from Jerusalem to Rome. The book is filled with all kinds of people and cultures, and a variety of governmental administrations.

Saul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 at the stoning of Stephen, in 8: 1 he gives his approval of the murder, then he begins persecuting the church 8:3, chapter 9 is the account of his conversion.

      The story begins with Saul getting letters of authority from Caiaphas (high priest from AD 18-36) to arrest any from “the way.” This was one of the names for Christianity. Paul heads for a place called Damascus. This city is one of the most ancient cities in the world still standing today. Situated about 70 miles from the Mediteranean, it is an oasis on the edge of the desert. The main caravan route from Egypt to Mesopotamia passed through it, so it was a busy trading center. Many thousands of Jews lived there at this period. A strict Jewish sect, called, the “Covenanter of Damascus,” is described in the Zadokite Fragment. Many scholars today connect this group with the Qumran community. It is about 150 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus.

    While nearing Damascus Paul has a light bulb moment (pardon the pun). He is surrounded suddenly by a dazzling light, he falls to the ground and hears a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord” we can see from this statement Paul understands the voice is from one with authority. The voice replies “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, get up and go into the city and you will be told what to do.” In this sentence we see that the Savior of the world equates us and Himself. The Christians were the ones that Saul was persecuting, and Jesus states “you are persecuting me.” We really are at one with Christ. He knows what is happening in our lives and he suffers with us when things go wrong. Have you ever felt alone only to realize Jesus was with you? How does it feel to know when you are persecuted for Christ, He is persecuted as well? He equates our suffering with Himself, incredible!

     Verse 7, “the men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.” It is unclear here if they heard a voice. In Acts 22:9 it indicates they didn’t hear the voice. When Saul finally finds his feet and gets up he is BLIND and must be lead by the hand into the city. I bet this was different than what he thought when he left Jerusalem. He probably had plans to stay somewhere nice, eat well, forcefully arrest the members of this “sect” in public, haul them back to Jerusalem and get lots of feathers in his Pharisee cap. Now, we find him humbled, afflicted and blind having talked with the living, risen Jesus, the very one Saul didn’t even think existed. Our plans don’t always work like we think they will. Often the outcome is very different that what we thought, especially in the Kingdom. “So the last will be first and the first will be last.” (Matt 20: 16).  

     For three days Saul remained blind and didn’t eat or drink anything. When I read this passage I often wonder if he was so amazed, so moved, so “something” that Saul didn’t eat or drink. Many times I believe we see incredible things of God and have a “so what” attitude, instead maybe we should take some time and really think about what has happened. Often after a mountain top experience with God, a miracle or revelation, we rush right back into the same ole’ – same ole’ never really absorbing what God has done. Has this ever happened with you? I can think of several instances in my life, two stand out in my mind. Several years ago I was not feeling well, off to the Dr. I went. I received blood tests back that indicated Hepatitis C. I went to the church and we begin to pray that God would touch my body with healing or equip me to live with the disease. When I went back for further testing there was no evidence of Hepatitis C. God had taken care of that devastating disease, whether by healing me or by mistaken original blood work I don’t know, BUT I do know He took care of it because we asked. Now, I thanked Him and have done so many times but I didn’t take time out and really think about His goodness, His mercy and His directed care to me. Second instance, last summer while working in my kitchen, I actually heard His sweet and precious voice speak to me on an issue. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I will never get over it or be the same. Yet, a few moments after the incident I went right back to work. I NEVER want to be guilty of that again, when God does something to me, around me or in my circle of community I want to take time and take it in, bask in His presence. I want  to “stop and smell the roses” don’t you? Makes eating and drinking not seem so important…

We’ll stop there for today… Many blessings.

Resources: “NIV Study Bible” and “Beacon Bible Commentary” by Joseph H. Mayfield and Ralph Earle

 

 

study #2

Bible Journey         

 

LESSON 2

 Continue Acts 5: 17-42 (beginning at 34) ³⁴But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. ³⁶Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ³⁷After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."  ⁴⁰His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  ⁴¹The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴²Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. New International Version

 

Yesterday, I completed the study through verse 33, now to continue.

 

I love this part of the story because it just goes to show you never know where help may come from. Gamaliel was a Pharisee, there is no indication that he was Christian or even in sympathy with Christianity. But he was well known, respected and loved among the Jews of his day. He was a kind man who did not regard Greek culture as sinful. He was one of the very few Pharisees who was given the highest title “Rabban.” When he died it was said, “Since Rabban Gamaliel died there has been no more reverence for the Law; and purity and abstinence died out at the same time.”  We hear this name later in the writings of Paul, for this is who he studied under (Acts 22:3). As a Pharisee, Gamaliel would have believed in fate and free-will, that all things were in the hand of God and yet that man was responsible for his actions. Therefore, he stopped the mob rage towards the apostles based upon the fact that they must be careful just in case this was from God and not man. He quotes two examples of false leaders that came to nothing and reminds them if this Jesus “sect” is not of God it will blow over. As we can see 2000 years later, it really was from God or it would have flickered and gone out long ago. In our own situation, there may be times when new and innovative teachings come to our churches. When these come, rather than attack them, maybe we need to allow time, thought and God to sort through them. It could be they are from God and not from man. We must never be closed minded to new ideas but weigh them with prayer and patience. It does not mean we must accept them but, chances are, if they are of human origin they will die out. Our preferences and opinions must take a back seat (not to say they aren’t legitimate) they just have to be in the back ground. God may be doing a new thing and if so…don’t we want to be in on it?

The rulers then have the apostles flogged. I never realized the intensity of a flogging until I saw the move directed by Mel Gibson called “The Passion.” I have a new respect and attitude when I see in scripture that Jesus or other believers were “flogged.” That means these guys were half beat to death and this segment of scriptures ends with them rejoicing after a flogging and going right back to the temple courts and/or houses to PREACH. How can this be???? Truly, they show no thought of self, simply consumed with the risen Savior. We must ask ourselves, are we consumed with the risen Savior? Would we risk life and limb to proclaim what we have seen and heard concerning Christ? Would we rejoice upon receiving the 39 lashes (which incidentally was known to kill some) and consider it something to praise for just because we tasted some of Jesus same suffering? Just where does my love and loyalty lie?

Information obtained from: “The Acts of the Apostle’s” by William Barclay and “All the Men of the Bible” by Herbert Lockyer