Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 26 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of King and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "The Coming Judgment of Israel"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Micah 1:1-16
Today's Blog Key Verse: Micah 1:3-4 "For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.  The mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place."

Micah means, "Who is like the Lord?"  This question presents a major Biblical theme, the idea that God is incomparable.  Micah's ministry centered on the Assyrian threat to Samaria, the  capital of Israel that was destroyed in 722 B.C., and Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.   

In verse 2, all the earth was to know that God was witnessing against His people.  The announcement of judgment is based on the people's breach of the covenant.  The faithlessness of the people provoked the "Lord God" to enter into a judicial dispute with them.

"The Lord is coming," is the language of epiphany, the dramatic coming of God to earth, here in a solemn procession of judgment.  The expression "high places" is ironic.  Jerusalem and Samaria were the "high places," or "evaluated capitals" of Judah and Israel; but "high places" were also sites of idolatrous worship.

"Jacob," in verse 5 is used to refer to the northern kingdom, Israel, whose "transgression" was centered in its capital Samaria.  Judah's sins were centered in its capital Jerusalem.  In this verse, the intent of the term "high places," is made plain.  Jerusalem, which was once "beautiful in elevation," was nothing more than another platform of pagan worship, like the "high places" of the Canaanites.

God's judicial decision was to destroy Samaria so thoroughly that it would be a place fit only for vineyards among the rubble.  Idolatry is often described in the Hebrew Bible as spiritual adultery.  Israel is pictured as a wife who is unfaithful to her husband.

Micah's immediate response to God's message was an overwhelming sense of dread.  Micah's words in verse 8, describe mourning rites in which the outer garments were laid aside in deep humility  The mourning person thought no longer about himself but the calamity that had overcome his senses.

The name "Shaphir" in verse 11 means, "Beautiful."  Ironically, its inhabitants would be shamed by their nakedness.  The name "Zaanan," speaks of "sheep" who "go out on their own."  However, this would be longer the case for the citizens  of Zaanan, who would no longer go out because of their fear.

"Maroth" in verse means "Bitterness."  The name "Jerusalem"  suggests "Peace."  Thus the inhabitants of the town of "bitterness" would be sickened with dread and the inhabitants of the town of peace would experience God's judgment.

In verse 13, Lachish, the famous guard city to Jerusalem was judged as being among the first places in Judah to adopt the sins of Baal worship.  The words "heir" and "the glory of Israel" might lead one to assume that this is a messianic verse, a promise of hope in the midst of despair, yet in verse 16, the context is judgment.  The point here may be that the situation would be so bad that the proper heir and glory of the nation, the members of the royal family, would have to flee in terror to remote hiding places. 

In verse 16, in a culture in which a man's hair was highly valued, to "cut off" one's "hair" was the ultimate sign of mourning.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your  life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Scripture Reading from Romans 8:38-39.

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be, In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi



 

  

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 20 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings, and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction into the Book of Micah"

Today, we will begin with an Introduction to the 5th Book of the Minor prophets, the Book of Micah.  Old Testament Prophets are often thought of as providing not much more than "doom and gloom" predictions, but the Book of Micah presents an impassioned and artistic interplay between oracles of impending judgment and promises of future blessing on Israel and Judah, for the peoples of both nations had broken covenant with God.  Through His messenger Micah, God confronted His people, but He also promised to bring future blessing through the One who would be coming.  This One would be the true Shepherd of God's flock. 

Much of Micah's prophecy is very severe in tone, though it does contain much beauty similar to that of Isaiah.  In many ways the Book of Micah is a "sister-book" to Isaiah.  It has been called "Isaiah in shorthand."  The theme of the prophecy is sin, judgment, and restoration.  This can be seen by the fact that the book consists of three discourses, each of which sets forth: the sins of the people (2) God's Judgment and (3) God's ultimate restoration of His sinning people.

The author of this prophecy is identified as "Micah the Morasthite."  He was a native of Moresheth-gath in Judah where he prophesied against his own city which did not help in his popularity with the local population.  Micah's name means, "Who is like Yahweh?"   In Chapter 7, verse 8, he apparently plays upon the meaning of his name as he asks the question, "Who is a God unto Thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression?"

The purpose of the Book of Micah, and his prophecy, is to face the people with their sins and to speak the word of God's judgment that must fall because of their persistent sinning.  Micah completes the purpose of his book by ending each discourse with a word about restoration.  Micah pictures the restoration in two phases: (1) immediately, after the Babylonian captivity and (2) ultimately, at the Millennium.

The key Themes in the Book of Micah are:

Social Sins (Micah 2:2; 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:8): God cannot tolerate corruption in society or in individuals.

The Promised Ruler (Micah 5:1-5): A king to be born in Bethlehem will rule Israel's future kingdom.

God's Moral Requirements (Micah 6:8): Perhaps the Old Testament's simplest, clearest statement of God's expectations of a believer.

Israel's Ultimate Restoration (Micah 7:8-20): A fresh vision of the coming day when God will personally Shepherd His people and exalt them.

The theological Outline of Micah is:

JUDGMENT: Chapters 1-2
PURIFICATION: Chapters 3-5
VICTORY: Chapters 6-7

The Prophet Micah is remembered more for his stunning prediction of the birth of Jesus, and his warm and positive description of a live lived in fellowship with God.  So sit back and get ready for an interesting study into the Book of Micah.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Philippians 4:6-7.


Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your live, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 15 April 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Jonah's Anger and God's Kindness
Today's Blog Scripture Reading" Jonah 4:1-11
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 4:10-11 "But the LORD said, "You have pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.  And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand an their left--and much livestock?"

In verses 1-3, Jonah still maintains a false Jewish nationalism and hatred of all non-Jews, especially Assyrians.  Jonah had experience God's Grace when he had been rescued and given a second chance to obey.  But he objected to God's acting in character in withholding judgment when Nineveh repented.  We who are undeserving ourselves of God's Mercy can hardly object
when God showers His Mercy on others who may be undeserving too.

In verse 3, Jonah says, "Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."  We need to look at the request of Jonah and that of Elijah.  Jonah's death wish came from disgust at the people's repentance, while Elijah's came from a yearning for the people's repentance in 1st Kings 19:4.  Only a few days, Jonah had screamed for God to keep him alive.

Jonah, in his steadfast and continuing stubbornness and lack of compassion, held out hope that God would judge Nineveh, and this was God's chief complaint against Jonah. In verse 6, the nature of the pant mentioned is unknown.  Some have speculated that it was a castor-oil tree or a bottle-gourd vine.  It may have been a species that grew especially fast.  The Lord had rescued Jonah from drowning, now He wished to relieve His prophet from the misery of the sun.  The reach of God's Mercy to the undeserving is a theme that continued to elude Jonah even as he experienced it from God.

In verse 7, and throughout the Book of Jonah, depicts the Lord as both sovereign, and free to act in creation.  God placed the worm in the plant to serve as His agent in Jonah's life.  The scorching "sirocco wind" blows in from the desert draws moisture from plants, causing them to wither. Jonah then pitied himself more than the plant.  Jonah's anger in verse 1 did not rise from a desire for justice, but from his own selfishness, for he continued to justify his rebellious attitude. 

"Pity" is the same word used to describe Jonah's feeling toward the plant in verse 10, is also used by God and His feelings toward the people of Nineveh. People are of more value than animals, and animals of more value than plants, but the Lord has a concern that extends to all His Creation. The Lord's "pity" comes from His character.

If Jonah could take "pity" on a plant, which is even less important than an animal, it only made sense that God would take "pity" on human beings, who are made in God's image.  The Book of Jonah ends, on this note of contrast between Jonah's ungracious heart, and the kind heart of the Lord.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi   

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for Monday 8 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog's Title: "Jonah's Prayer and Deliverance"
Today's Blog's Scripture Reading: Jonah 2:1-10
Today's Blog's Key Verse: Jonah 2:10 "So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."

Jonah is often called the "gospel of the second chance."  God is gracious and will not let us run away from obedience, even if He has to place storms and great fish in our pathway.

In verse 1, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God and acknowledges God's help and thanks Him for it.  The phrase "the LORD his God" shows that Jonah, even though he was disobedient, was a true believer in God.

In verse 2, "I cried...I cried" are terms that come from two different verbs.  The first is a more general term meaning "to call aloud," with a wide range of usage in the Bible.  The second is a term that means a "cry for help," particularly as a scream to God.  Jonah was terrified.  When the sailors threw Jonah into the sea, he seemed  to be "as good as dead."  The use of the pronouns "You" and "Your" in verse 3, are not accusations, but acknowledgments of the Lord's sovereign control of his life.

The man who had run from God's Presence was alone, yet he clung to the hope that God would not abandon him.  "The deep" in verse 5, is the same term used in Genesis 1:2, to describe the mysterious and terrifying sea.  In the Bible, the sea is described as a part of God's creation that bring Him joy, but it also appears as a symbol for hostile forces, which the Lord nevertheless holds in His firm control.

In verse 7, Jonah reaffirms his faith in the Lord and renews his commitment to Him.  Mercy (loyal love), is the term that so often describes God's faithfulness to His covenant and to His people.  God acts on behalf of His creation and the redeemed  community to insure a relationship with them.

The focus in the story of Jonah is on the Lord's sovereign control over creation to bring about His purpose.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be, in Complete and Total Control!!! 

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi      

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 April 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Jonah Flees From God"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:1-17
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 1:12 "And he said  to them, "pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you.  For I know that this great tempest is because of me."

"Jonah, the son of Amittai," nothing further is known of the prophet's identity except the reference made to him in 2nd Kings 14:25.  "Nineveh" which was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, was east of Israel and located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River.  "Tarshish" was situated westward of the Mediterranean Sea.  "Joppa" which was later known as Jaffa, is located just south of modern day Tel Aviv.

The name "Tarshish" means "to smelt," and which the city was associated with metal trade.  The furthest known metal producing in the 8th century B.C. was Tartessus, in Spain.  Most believe this port was Jonah's destination.  The identification is not vital, however.  What is key is that metal producing areas along the Mediterranean were in the opposite direction of Nineveh.

In verses 6-16, Jonah even when out of fellowship with God had an evangelistic impact on the sailors.  His admission that he was the reason why God brought the great storm; his demand the sailors throw him overboard; the sudden stilling of the storm as soon as Jonah left the ship; all these witnessed to God's greatest and led the crew to greatly fear "the Lord" and to make "vows to Him."

It's a mistake to assume just because God is using someone  in other's lives that, that person  must be godly. The Lord uses imperfect agents and even some who are actively disobeying Him at the very time they serve as channels of grace!  Out of fellowship, Jonah was God's agent to bring knowledge of God to a boatload of sinners.  Later we will see that when Jonah was in fellowship of God, he became God's agent of deliverance for a great city.

There are several "miracles" in the passage, not just one.  God's control of the sea by bringing a great storm, shows He controls nature.  When lots were cast to determine who had offended God and had brought down the unusual storm, Jonah was chosen.  When Jonah was thrown overboard the storm stopped. Why then be surprised when the text tells us God "provided" a "great fish" to swallow Jonah, or that he was preserved alive in its belly?  Either God is fully capable of controlling all events in this world, or He is not.  It is not the miracles of Scripture that are questionable, but the critics limited view of God.

We as Christians need to live in fellowship with God, and be clear channels through which His grace can flow unimpeded.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will be in Complete, and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi