Psalms 46, part two
Psalms 46, part two
Be still and know that I am God
In my writings, you see attention given to the purpose and background of the Bible book holistically (the larger context) and the surrounding verses of a particular passage being studied (the immediate context). Once we understand what the passage says in context and what it means, we can be surer of how we should respond, apply and live accordingly. This is the true joy of systematic, devotional Bible Study.
What is the context of this familiar verse in Psalms 46:10? “Be still and know that I am God.” Yesterday, we considered the horror of natural disasters and the havoc they wreak on the lives of people. “Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. Be still and know that I am God.” Read more
Psalms 46, part one
Psalms 46, part one
Be still and know that I am God
What is the context of this familiar verse in Psalms 46:10? “Be still and know that I am God.” The context always helps us reflect on the meaning of the verse in alignment with God’s original intent. What this verse says is straightforward, which is good. But is there more that we can discover from the context?Read more
Rebellion and Deliverance
I'll return to my daily posts on July 23, 2018! But for today, I hope this previous post of Psalm 106 of forgiveness and deliverance encourages you.
Psalms 106:1-48
This is an amazing Psalm of repentance that exalts the lovingkindness of God to forgive and save. I'm fortunate that I tend to live in a consciousness of grace. It's a good place to be. I didn't grow up in a religion of guilt and legalism requiring penance (voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong). So, I always lean toward grace and enjoy the comfort that I'm always forgiven. Perhaps even taking it for granted.Read more
A Cool Genealogy
I am going to be taking the next several weeks for a summer break. I'll be back later this summer to begin a devotional study of 2 Corinthians.
Please don’t miss today’s summary of Ruth!
Genealogies are usually boring. When reading the Bible, we usually skip or scan right through them. Well, Ruth ends with a genealogy and as I wrote last time, it’s a pretty cool genealogy. It begins with Perez, the son of Judah. By beginning with Perez, Ruth and Boaz are connected all the way back to Abraham. It also states that to Boaz was born Obed, who fathered Jesse and to Jesse was born David. It ends at David as Ruth was most likely written by Samuel during the time of King David. King David was the great grandson of Ruth and Boaz.Read more
Empty to Full
Ruth 4, part 2
Boaz has successfully negotiated the terms of his right to redeem the land of Naomi and to marry Ruth. Boaz fulfills the role of a kinsman redeemer for Naomi financially and to Ruth through marriage. It wasn’t long ago that Naomi returned to her homeland after the deaths of her husband and two sons. Back then she said, “The Lord Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty...the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me.” To Naomi there was no hope, no joy and the future looked bleak. Read more
The Right Thing
Ruth 4
Boaz promised to resolve the issue of redeeming Ruth and he moved on it immediately. Boaz went to the gate of the city, where most business transactions took place, and waited for his close relative. He found his relative and he found ten elders of the city to verify the transaction. The scene is set for a legitimate and legal discussion of redemption.Read more
There’s a Catch
This pic is of my grandson who achieved the rare honor of being teacher of the day!
Ruth 3, part 3
Boaz was thrilled that Ruth came forward and made it known that she desired to marry Boaz and be redeemed. Even though Ruth was a Moabite, a despised people to Israel, Boaz knew that her faith in God was true and her life and character were a testimony of a truly redeemed soul. As such, he was honored to live out the role of a physical redeemer of Ruth and honoring his God who was already her spiritual redeemer. But there was a catch....Read more
A Woman of Excellence
Ruth 3 & Proverbs 31
The village knows Ruth as a woman of excellence. When Ruth made it known to Boaz her desire to be his bride, Boaz replied, “I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.” Approximately 120 years later, Ruth’s great grandson, Solomon, writes Proverbs 31, a proverb describing a woman of excellence. Perhaps the legacy of Ruth and her upstanding qualities were passed down generation to generation. This legacy of a Godly woman made its way into Solomon’s writings.Read more
A Special Young Lady
Ruth 3 part 2
When Boaz first met Ruth while she was gleaning in his fields, he blessed her and said, “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Little did Boaz know that God would use him to fulfill this prayer toward Ruth.Read more