Texts:
2 Chronicles 18-20
Acts 16
November 21, 2009
Texts:
Psalm 73
2 Chronicles 13-15
Psalm:
This psalm is a reminder of the problems that come with comfort. Where do you see yourself in this psalm?
Chronicles:
Hey, look! Another good king! Let's hear it for King Asa!
Psalm 73
2 Chronicles 13-15
Psalm:
This psalm is a reminder of the problems that come with comfort. Where do you see yourself in this psalm?
Chronicles:
Hey, look! Another good king! Let's hear it for King Asa!
November 20, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 10-12
Acts 14
Chronicles:
Moral of today's text--listen to the advice of your elders! Let's make guesses about which generation wrote this text, shall we.
And this text is also another reminder that marriage being defined as between one man and one woman is not the only biblical standard. Polygamy was practiced and supported, at least by the kings of Israel and Judah.
Acts:
Paul is stoned by his own people for his work for the gospel. Their preaching and healing leads people to call them Gods and it seems that no words from Paul will change their mind. Who do we insist to be gods, even after they remind us that they are human?
2 Chronicles 10-12
Acts 14
Chronicles:
Moral of today's text--listen to the advice of your elders! Let's make guesses about which generation wrote this text, shall we.
And this text is also another reminder that marriage being defined as between one man and one woman is not the only biblical standard. Polygamy was practiced and supported, at least by the kings of Israel and Judah.
Acts:
Paul is stoned by his own people for his work for the gospel. Their preaching and healing leads people to call them Gods and it seems that no words from Paul will change their mind. Who do we insist to be gods, even after they remind us that they are human?
November 19, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 8 and 9
Acts 13
Chronicles:
Solomon's wisdom and success are writ large in this text, but it is hard for me to read about his golden shields, etc, and not think, "I bet we could have made some better decisions with our money, Solomon." I recognize that I could make better decisions with my money too, but how do we discern when the gold we're spending glorifies God or when it glorifies our own egos?
Acts:
The Bar-Jesus story is a little confusing. His name means "son of Jesus". Presumably not son of our Jesus, but of some other guy named Jesus. The confusion is in saying the translation of his name is Elymas. Because it isn't. Not sure what's up with the text here.
But I digress.
What do you think of their tactics to bring joy to the Gentiles while angering the establishment? What would be a modern equivalent?
2 Chronicles 8 and 9
Acts 13
Chronicles:
Solomon's wisdom and success are writ large in this text, but it is hard for me to read about his golden shields, etc, and not think, "I bet we could have made some better decisions with our money, Solomon." I recognize that I could make better decisions with my money too, but how do we discern when the gold we're spending glorifies God or when it glorifies our own egos?
Acts:
The Bar-Jesus story is a little confusing. His name means "son of Jesus". Presumably not son of our Jesus, but of some other guy named Jesus. The confusion is in saying the translation of his name is Elymas. Because it isn't. Not sure what's up with the text here.
But I digress.
What do you think of their tactics to bring joy to the Gentiles while angering the establishment? What would be a modern equivalent?
November 18, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 6 and 7
Psalm 72
Chronicles:
It is interesting, as we prepare for Advent and the coming of Immanuel, "God with us", to read this prayer from Solomon:
‘But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you. 20May your eyes be open day and night towards this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. 21And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray towards this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling-place; hear and forgive.'
What does it mean for God to reside with mortals on earth?
2 Chronicles 6 and 7
Psalm 72
Chronicles:
It is interesting, as we prepare for Advent and the coming of Immanuel, "God with us", to read this prayer from Solomon:
‘But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you. 20May your eyes be open day and night towards this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. 21And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray towards this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling-place; hear and forgive.'
What does it mean for God to reside with mortals on earth?
November 17, 2009
Texts:
2 Chronicles 3-5
Acts 12
Chronicles:
There are lots of websites that will tell you exactly what the temple looked like, but the archaeological record is not as clear. They have found evidence of human activity at the site from the time, but the remains of the temple are gone.
One thing that was different in Solomon's temple than in any of the other temples of its day, is that it didn't house an idol. There wasn't a statue of God. It housed the ark, but not an image of God. It was pretty counter cultural to have a god you couldn't "see".
Acts:
While this chapter is usually known for Peter's release from prison, I noticed the death of Herod at the end. It says that the people, after he addressed them, were saying he had the voice of God and not a mortal. And since he hadn't given glory to God, he was struck down, eaten by worms, and died.
Interestingly, the contemporary (but non-Christian) historian Josephus records his death in a similar manner.
"After Passover in 44, Agrippa went to Caesarea, where he had games performed in honor of Claudius. In the midst of his elation Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head. During his imprisonment by Tiberius a similar omen had been interpreted as portending his speedy release, with the warning that should he behold the same sight again, he would die within five days. He was immediately smitten with violent pains, scolded his friends for flattering him and accepted his imminent death. He experienced heart pains and a pain in his abdomen, and died after five days." (Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae xix. 345-350 (Chapter 8 para 2))
2 Chronicles 3-5
Acts 12
Chronicles:
There are lots of websites that will tell you exactly what the temple looked like, but the archaeological record is not as clear. They have found evidence of human activity at the site from the time, but the remains of the temple are gone.
One thing that was different in Solomon's temple than in any of the other temples of its day, is that it didn't house an idol. There wasn't a statue of God. It housed the ark, but not an image of God. It was pretty counter cultural to have a god you couldn't "see".
Acts:
While this chapter is usually known for Peter's release from prison, I noticed the death of Herod at the end. It says that the people, after he addressed them, were saying he had the voice of God and not a mortal. And since he hadn't given glory to God, he was struck down, eaten by worms, and died.
Interestingly, the contemporary (but non-Christian) historian Josephus records his death in a similar manner.
"After Passover in 44, Agrippa went to Caesarea, where he had games performed in honor of Claudius. In the midst of his elation Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head. During his imprisonment by Tiberius a similar omen had been interpreted as portending his speedy release, with the warning that should he behold the same sight again, he would die within five days. He was immediately smitten with violent pains, scolded his friends for flattering him and accepted his imminent death. He experienced heart pains and a pain in his abdomen, and died after five days." (Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae xix. 345-350 (Chapter 8 para 2))
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