Week of 21 Pentecost - Even - 11/02 - 08/2014

Week of 21 Pentecost - Even - 11/02 - 08/2014

This Bible Study was originally published at:

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It is based on the Lutheran Book of Worship two-year Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978.
 
The daily readings are according to a Calendar  based on the Church Year, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent, usually sometime at the end of November in the year preceding the secular calendar year.

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Podcast Download: Week of 21 Pentecost - Even
Sunday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/23/04;
Podcast: Sunday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 5:8-6:6   -  The Day of Punishment; 
1 Corinthians 2:6-16  -  Wisdom of God;
Matthew 14:1-12  -  Death of John the Baptist;
 
Hosea Background:

Gibeah was the site of an ancient sanctuary used for idolatrous worship, and the site of great sin by, and reprisal against, the tribe of Benjamin (Judges Chapters 19 & 20). Ramah (Rama) was the site of Rachael’s weeping for her children (Jeremiah 15); a prophecy fulfilled by the re-awakening of that mourning over Herod’s infanticide at Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16-18). Beth-aven (“house of idols”) is the name given to Bethel (“house of God”) because Bethel had been corrupted by idolatry.

Hosea was speaking in the context of the Assyrian war against the Northern Kingdom of Israel and near-anarchy of the Northern Kingdom at the time. The Lord had turned against Israel. The situation was seen as the punishment of Israel for her idolatry. “Those who remove a landmark” are those who alter the boundaries of an inheritance.

Hosea Summary:

Ephraim is under judgment because they went against God’s command. Therefore God has become Ephraim’s destroyer, like a moth, or like dry rot. Ephraim tried to make a deal with the Assyrians, in whom there was no real help (instead of turning to the Lord). Therefore the Lord has become their enemy.

The Lord declared that he would remove himself from them until they acknowledged and sought him, turning to the Lord in faith that he would heal and bind up again. “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” Israel is encouraged to press on to know the Lord, because his existence is as certain as the dawn and his faithfulness is as sure as the spring (latter) rains. Israel’s love of God is as transient as a morning cloud or dew. Because of their faithlessness God’s judgment is upon them. God values faithful love more than sacrifices, and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

1 Corinthians Paraphrase:

Divine wisdom is imparted to the spiritually mature (those who have been taught by the Holy Spirit). Divine wisdom (the wisdom of God by which the world was created) is different from worldly wisdom (what the world falsely considers wisdom). Those who are worldly-wise will pass away. But those who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit impart a wisdom which is secret and hidden from the world, according to God’s eternal plan, that we might be glorified. The rulers of this world (demonic forces; Ephesians 6:12) did not understand this wisdom, or they wouldn’t have crucified Jesus (because they were defeated through the crucifixion of Jesus (Colossians 2:14-15).

God reveals, through the Spirit, what no man has seen, and no human imagination can conceive. Just as no one can truly know our innermost thoughts except our own spirits, so only the Holy Spirit knows the inner thoughts of God. Those who have been born-again have received not the spirit of the world, but God’s Spirit, so that we might understand the gifts which are from God. We teach not human wisdom but spiritual wisdom, “interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the (Holy) Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:13 RSV). (I believe Paul quoted Ezekiel 40:4 to show that this prophecy has its fulfillment in the gift of the Holy Spirit.)

“The unspiritual person does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 RSV). The spiritual person has the mind of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit and thus has sound spiritual judgment which unspiritual people do not possess.

Matthew Paraphrase:

Herod (Antipas, son of Herod the Great) was ruler of the province of Galilee (and Perea). Herod had John the Baptizer imprisoned because John had criticized Herod for having married Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip (Herod Philip I; not the tetrarch of Iturea, Herod Philip II; Luke 3:1). Herod would have executed John except that the people regarded John as a prophet, and John’s execution would have been unpopular.

But at the celebration of Herod’s birthday, Salome, the daughter of Herodias and Philip, danced for the guests and pleased Herod. Herod rashly promised Salome publicly anything she might ask. Prompted by Herodias, Salome asked for John’s head on a platter. Herod was sorry that he had made such a rash promise, but he gave the order and John was beheaded. John’s head was brought to Salome on a platter, and she gave it to her mother.

John’s disciples claimed his body for burial, and told Jesus of John’s death. When word of Jesus’ ministry came to the attention of Herod, he told his servants, as an explanation for the powers that were at work in Jesus, that Jesus was John the Baptizer who had been raised from the dead.

Commentary:

Israel had turned from following God to idols. Therefore God had become their enemy. God had allowed Israel to waste away, like a moth-eaten garment or a house with dry-rot. God had removed himself from them until they acknowledged him and sought him in faith that God would heal and bind them up again. God promised that he would revive us from the dead after two days and would raise us up (to eternal life) on the third day, that we might live (eternally) before him (Hosea 6:2).

That promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead on the third day, through whom we have eternal life in Heaven with the Lord! We are urged to “press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3 RSV; personally, through his indwelling Holy Spirit). His existence and his faithfulness are certain, unlike human love and faithfulness. God values faithful love and the knowledge of God more than religious ritual.

That knowledge of God (and faithful love) comes only through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we truly understand the scriptures and come to a personal knowledge of and relationship with the Lord. Only those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit can interpret and impart the wisdom of God and spiritual truths, and only those who have received the Holy Spirit can understand those spiritual truths and know the wisdom of God.

Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great who had ordered all the male infants two years old and younger to be killed in an attempt to destroy Christ. John the Baptizer spoke spiritual truth to Antipas, but Antipas didn’t heed it. The people regarded John as a prophet, but Herod did not. Herod’s promise to Salome was obviously unwise. Instead of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, acknowledging that God’s Spirit dwelt in Jesus (John 1:32-34; Colossians 2:8-9), and receiving forgiveness and salvation, Herod was “haunted” and condemned by the “ghost” of his guilt and sins.

Will you come to Jesus and be forgiven and restored to eternal life with the Lord in heaven, or will you be haunted and condemned to eternal destruction with all evil in Hell?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Monday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/24/04;
Podcast: Monday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 6:7-7:7  -   The Lord’s judgment on Israel;
Acts 22:30-23:11  -  Paul before the Sanhedrin; 
Luke 6:39-49  -  Parables;

Hosea Paraphrase:

The Lord judged Israel’s apostasy. As Adam broke his covenant with God, so had Israel. The Lord wanted to heal and restore, but Israel had not cooperated by keeping the covenant. The leaders of the people were pleased with wickedness and treachery. [Shechem was the site of idol worship at the Tower of Shechem (Baal-berith) after the death of Gideon (Judges 8:33; 9:4, 46)]. Ephraim was also condemned by Hosea for idolatry.

Hosea foresaw a Day of Judgment appointed for Judah also. All the people were (spiritual) adulterers; they were like a heated oven. On the day of the king’s enthronement the princes had become drunk (with the heat of their sin -their wickedness- as one becomes flushed with wine; Hosea 7:5). Their hearts burned with intrigue, like a hot oven. Their anger smoldered and then blazed like a roaring fire. Their heat devoured their rulers. Their leaders had fallen and none called upon the Lord.

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul had been attacked by Jews in the Temple and had been arrested by the captain (tribune) of the Roman garrison. The next day the captain commanded the Sanhedrin to assemble and had Paul brought before them to investigate the charges against him. Paul declared that he had a clear conscience before God, but Ananias, the high priest, commanded him to be struck on the mouth.

Then Paul told Ananias that God would strike Ananias, and called him a whitewashed wall. Paul rebuked him for presuming to judge Paul according to the law, and yet violating the law by ordering Paul struck. Bystanders rebuked Paul for reviling the high priest, and Paul apologized, because he had not realized that Ananias was high priest, and would not have intentionally dishonored the office the high priest held, citing Exodus 22:28.

When Paul perceived that the Sanhedrin was composed of Sadducees and Pharisees, he declared his background as a Pharisee and used it to divide the council. The Sadducees do not believe in resurrection, angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees do. The Pharisees therefore took Paul’s part. When the dissention became violent the captain ordered the soldiers to remove Paul from the council by force and bring him back to the barracks. The following night the Lord was present with Paul and told him to have courage, because Paul would have to testify also in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem.

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus taught in parables (comparisons drawn from everyday occurrences through which spiritual truth is conveyed). Jesus suggested that a blind man cannot lead another blind man, because they will both stumble into disaster. A disciple is not better than his teacher, but will be like his teacher when he is fully trained. We tend to see minor faults in others, while oblivious of serious faults in ourselves. How can we presume to correct the minor faults of others, when we have not corrected our own serious faults? We should make the corrections we need to make in ourselves first; then we will be qualified to correct others.

Fruit trees bear fruit according to their nature. A bad tree won’t produce good fruit, nor will a good tree produce bad fruit. Plants are known by the fruit they produce. You won’t find figs on thorns, or grapes on brambles. Likewise good people produce good fruit, and evil people produce evil. The words and actions of a person come from and indicate the condition of his heart.

Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say (Luke 6:46)? Those who come to Jesus and hear his teachings and apply them in their daily lives are like one who builds a house founded firmly on a rock. Such a house will survive storms because it has been well-built. But those who hear Jesus’ teachings and do not do them are like one who builds a house on sand, without any foundation. The first storm to come along reveals the unsoundness of the house and it collapses causing a great disaster.

Commentary:

Hosea’s prophecy was fulfilled; Israel was conquered by the Assyrians and the Northern Kingdom of Israel ceased to exist. The people were scattered throughout the world. Later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians and their people were exiled in Babylon for seventy years. The prophecy was also fulfilled by the Jewish leaders at the time of Christ’s coming (Hosea 7:5). In the day of Christ’s “enthronement,” the Pharisees and Sadducees, the “princes” of Israel, were filled with anger and intrigue. They killed their Messiah, and didn’t call upon the Lord (Hosea 7:6-7).

Paul’s interrogation by the Sanhedrin is an illustration of the truth of Hosea’s prophecy. The Sanhedrin was so divided with intrigue and animosity that it was ineffective. Paul didn’t realize that Ananias was the High Priest because Ananias didn’t act like the Lord’s High Priest.

Jesus’ parables were describing the state of Judaism in his day. The spiritually blind were being led by those who were equally blind. Those who were correcting others had not corrected their own deficiencies. Jesus said that the tree would be known by its fruit; one can examine the fruit and determine the type of the tree.

The words of Hosea and Jesus are still relevant to the Church and to society today. Are we following leaders who personally know the Lord through his indwelling Holy Spirit, or do they just claim to be the Lord’s representatives? Are we following leaders who have truly been healed of their spiritual blindness? Are we examining their fruit to determine their true nature? How about ourselves; are we bearing the fruit of Christian discipleship?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Tuesday 21 Pentecost - Even
First Posted 10/25/04;
Podcast: Tuesday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 7:8-16  -  Chastisement of Israel; 
Acts 23:12-24  -  Plot against Paul;
Luke 7:1-17  -  Jesus’ power over death;

Hosea Paraphrase:

Ephraim was part of what would later become Samaria. At the time of the Assyrian conquest, the Israelites were deported and were replaced, as a means of subduing the territory, by people of other lands conquered by the Assyrians. These foreigners intermarried with the remnant of the Jews who had not been deported (Hosea 7:8). Ephraim became a “half-baked cake;” aliens devoured his strength (and he wasn’t there to know it; Hosea 7:8b-9a).

In all these tribulations, Israel did not return to the Lord or seek him. Ephraim is portrayed as a dove, seeking peace by alliances with Egypt (from which they had been delivered by God from captivity), and also with Assyria. Israel fell because they had rebelled against the Lord and had strayed from him.

The Lord was willing to redeem them, but they believed lies against the Lord. They did not sincerely call on the Lord from their hearts. Their real desire was not to do the Lord’s will, but to satisfy their own desires, and they sought their fulfillment from Baal (idols; false gods) instead of from the Lord; they rebelled against the Lord; they “gash themselves;” (ritual mutilation to gain an idol's favor; idolatrous practice forbidden by the Lord; Hosea 7:14 RSV; see Deuteronomy 14:1).

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul had been attacked in the Temple by Jews, and had been arrested and jailed by the Romans. He had been examined before the Sanhedrin, and the Sanhedrin had been divided by dissension between the Sadducees and Pharisees. The next day, a group of more than forty Jews made a plot to kill Paul and vowed not to eat or drink until it was accomplished. They went to the members of the Sanhedrin and told them their plot. They asked the Sanhedrin to send for Paul to be brought before them again on the pretext of further examination the following day, and then the plot would be carried out as Paul was being brought.

The son of Paul’s sister heard of the plot and went to Paul in prison and told him. Paul summoned the guard and asked the guard to take his nephew to the captain of the garrison. When the nephew was brought to the captain he told the captain privately about the plot, which was to be carried out the next day, and the captain told the nephew to tell no one that the captain had been informed of the plot. Then the captain ordered a large force of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to take Paul on horseback to Felix, the governor of Judea, in Caesarea.

Luke Paraphrase:

At Capernaum, a Centurion had a slave who was dear (or valuable) to him who was sick and dying. The Centurion heard about Jesus and sent Jewish elders to Jesus asking him to come and heal the slave. The elders urged Jesus to do this because the Centurion loved Israel and had built a synagogue there.

As Jesus drew near to the Centurion’s home, the Centurion sent friends to Jesus, asking Jesus not to bother coming further. The Centurion felt unworthy to have Jesus in his home, and since the Centurion was a man of authority whose command was obeyed, he believed that Jesus had the power and authority to command that the slave be healed and it would be done. Jesus commented that even in Israel he hadn’t found such faith. When the delegation returned to the Centurion’s home they found that the servant had been healed.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to the city of Nain (perhaps 25 miles southwest of Capernaum). As he approached the gate of the city a large funeral procession was coming out. The man who had died was the only son (and only means of support) of his mother who was a widow. Jesus had compassion on the mother and told her not to weep. Jesus touched the bier and the bearers halted. Jesus commanded the dead man to rise and he sat up and began to speak. The entire crowd was awed, and they glorified God, and declared that a great prophet had arisen, and that God had visited his people. This incident was widely reported throughout Judea and Galilee.

Commentary:

The Lord wanted to redeem Israel, but Israel refused to return to the Lord and call upon him. Israel’s desire was not to accept God’s will; they wanted God to do their will. They tried to have their own way by turning to “other gods” and “other rulers,” but their plans did not produce the results they hoped to receive. If they had returned to the Lord, the Lord would have redeemed them, and they would not have been deported from the Promised Land.

In Paul’s time, the Jews were still pursuing their own will instead of turning to the Lord and doing it his way. Paul was proclaiming God’s plan of redemption in Jesus Christ, but they refused to accept that plan. They created their own plan and alliances to kill Paul so they could continue with their own way of doing things. But their plans didn’t work out because they were not in accordance with God’s plan (see Acts 23:11).

Jesus is God’s only plan for our redemption (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). All have sinned and have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus came to redeem us from sin and death, so that we could live eternally with him in the Promised Land of Heaven.

Jesus has the power and authority of God to do what he says, far beyond human ability or understanding. He is able to keep the mortally sick from dying, and he is able to raise the dead to life. What Jesus promises will be done. The Centurion understood power and authority, because he possessed worldly power and authority, but the Centurion realized that his power and authority were limited, and that he needed Jesus to accomplish what he could not. The Centurion (a Gentile) put his trust not in men, but in the Lord Jesus.

God’s dealing with the people of Israel is a parable as well as historical fact. The Assyrian deportation is an illustration of life in this world. If we turn to the Lord and become obedient to his will, we will be redeemed and will be healed of sin and raised to eternal life from death. If we refuse to turn to the Lord and accept his will, we will ultimately be sent off to eternal captivity and destruction in Hell.

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Wednesday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/26/04;
Podcast: Wednesday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 8:1-14  -  Sow the wind; reap the whirlwind;
Acts 23:23-35  -  Paul sent to Felix in Caesarea;
Luke 7:18-35  -   Jesus and John the Baptizer;

Hosea Paraphrase:

The trumpet warns of the approaching enemy. The vulture closes in on Israel because Israel has broken the Covenant and the Law of God. They claim to know God, but have turned from what is good. They make kings, but not according to God’s will and direction. They make idols of silver and gold. The calf of Samaria (Hosea 8:5) is idolatry (compare 1 Kings 12:28-30). They sow the wind (they strive for what is foolish and impossible) and reap the whirlwind (judgment; destruction).

Their deeds have determined their future. Israel will not receive the benefits of her labor; aliens will. Israel will be swallowed up and scattered among the nations. Israel is punished because she sought political alliances with Assyria and Egypt (Hosea 8:9-10a, 13) and spiritual alliances with idols (Hosea 8:5, 11) instead of turning to the Lord (Hosea 8:14). Ephraim (Samaria) attempted to “hire lovers” (instead of turning to the Lord who truly loved her).

Israel couldn’t remember God’s Laws no matter how many times God reminded them. They sought security through alliance with Egypt; instead they returned to captivity like the Egyptian captivity from which God had delivered them. Israel had built palaces and fortified cities instead of trusting and obeying God; their palaces would do them no good, because they would be forced to cease anointing kings and princes (Hosea 8:10b RSV) and their fortified cities could not protect them against their enemy.

Acts Paraphrase:

The Captain of the Roman garrison had been informed by Paul’s nephew, of a plot by the Jews to assassinate Paul. The Captain had arranged for a large military guard to take Paul to Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, in Caesarea, for safety.

The captain sent a letter to Felix, explaining that Paul had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed. The captain had rescued Paul, having learned that Paul was a Roman citizen. Paul had been examined in the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and the captain had found that Paul had been accused of matters in regard to Jewish Law, but nothing warranting death or imprisonment. The captain had discovered a plot to assassinate Paul, and had therefore sent him to Felix, and ordered the Jews to present their charges to Felix.

The soldiers took Paul by night to Antipatris which was about halfway between Jerusalem and Caesarea. The foot soldiers returned to Jerusalem the next day, leaving the horsemen to escort Paul on to Caesarea. When they arrived in Caesarea they delivered Paul and the captain’s letter to Felix.

After Felix had read the letter he asked Paul what province he was from, and Paul replied that he was from Cilicia. Then Felix told Paul that he would hear Paul’s case when Paul's accusers arrived. Paul was placed under guard in Herod’s praetorium (formerly Herod’s palace; then the governor’s residence.

Luke Paraphrase:

John the Baptizer had been imprisoned by Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) because John had criticized Herod for marrying Herod’s brother’s wife. John’s disciples had told John the things that Jesus was doing, and John sent two disciples to Jesus seeking confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah.

While the disciples of John were with Jesus, Jesus was healing the sick and blind and demon-possessed. Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John what they had seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear good news (compare Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6, Isaiah 61:1-2).  Those who are not offended by Jesus will be blessed.

After John’s disciples had returned to John, Jesus began to talk to the crowd concerning John. Jesus asked them what they had expected of John. John wasn’t just a pointless noisemaker, nor was John someone grand to look at. He was a prophet, but more than just a prophet. He was the messenger sent by God to prepare for the coming Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi 3:1. John is the greatest of the prophets who had gone before, but could not compare to the least of those coming after in the kingdom of God.

When the people heard this, they believed Jesus’ word of God’s purpose in John, since they had received the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and scribes (teachers of the law) who had rejected John’s baptism had thus rejected the God’s purpose for themselves. Jesus compared the people of the time to children who expect others to conform to their will; they expect to get their own way. Because John the Baptizer practiced asceticism (an austere lifestyle) the people accused him of being crazy; on the other hand Jesus wasn’t enough of an ascetic to suit the people, so they accused him of being a drunkard and a glutton. But the children of wisdom recognize wisdom.

Commentary:

The Israelites were pursuing their own plans, rather than relying on God. They thought they could protect and provide for themselves. They thought they could create spiritual and political alliances which would further their own interests. They thought they could buy friends. They found out that building palaces did not guarantee good government; that building fortresses did not guarantee peace and security.

God’s Word through Hosea was fulfilled. The Israelites had turned from God to idols and to the pursuit of their own selfish interests. They didn’t get to enjoy what they had worked for. They lost their land, which was occupied by foreigners. The people of the Northern Kingdom were scattered among the nations. They were returned to bondage like the bondage in Egypt from which God had delivered them.

Paul was no longer pursuing his own plan; since he had encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road and had been converted and filled with the Holy Spirit he was obedient to God’s plan and direction (Acts 9:1-22). Paul had lots of enemies, but the Lord was able to protect Paul from them. The Jews who were trying to assassinate Paul were pursuing their own plans instead of God’s plan, but they did not succeed.

The people of Israel heard Jesus’ words and saw what he was doing. They had to decide for themselves whether to believe Jesus and cooperate with God’s plan or not. Many of the people in Israel in Jesus’ day were like children who want to have their own way, and who expect others to conform to their self-centered goals. They weren’t seeking God’s will and purpose. They were pursuing the same course that their ancestors had followed, and they had the same results.

Their rejection of Jesus as God’s purpose for themselves led to the conquest of Judea and the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.. Israel effectively ceased to exist as a state until the end of World War II, Judaism effectively ended (the temple sacrificial system on which it was based ended with the destruction of the Temple, which has never been rebuilt) although it is still practiced, and the people were scattered among the nations.

God’s Word was fulfilled by the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Judah was also carried off into Babylonian captivity, but they hadn’t learned from their past, and so they repeated their mistake in the day of Jesus.

God’s Word is eternal. God’s dealing with Israel is a parable of life in this world, as well as historical fact. Those who reject God’s plan for our salvation and pursue their own plans, and try to create their own security, will fail, and will ultimately be carried off to bondage of sin and eternal death in Hell. Those who trust and obey God’s plan of salvation (see sidebar, top right, home) in Jesus Christ will be saved from sin and death and receive eternal life in the kingdom of God in Heaven.

Each of us must evaluate Jesus for ourselves and choose whether to believe him and cooperate with God’s plan or not. Are you cooperating with God’s plan?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Thursday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/27/04;
Podcast: Thursday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 9:1-9  -  The days of punishment have come;
Acts 24:1-23  -  Paul’s trial before Felix;
Luke 7:36-50  -  The woman who was a sinner;

Hosea Paraphrase:

Israel has turned away from God and has committed spiritual prostitution with idolatry. She has delighted in the proceeds from her idolatry. Therefore God declared that the rewards of their labor would not satisfy. They would not be able to remain in the Promised Land, but would be forced to return to Egypt (the land of their former bondage) and to Assyria, where they would be forced by circumstances to cease the practice of their religious laws and cultural traditions.

They would no longer have access to the sacrificial system (which provided forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God). Their bread (all their physical resources) would supply only their physical (not spiritual) need. There would be no provision to continue the spiritual aspects of the religious feasts and festivals. Their possessions and dwellings would be replaced by nettles and thorns.

God declared that Israel would experience days of punishment and recompense. The prophets, who are the spiritual watchmen of God’s people, no longer speak God’s Word because of the sin of the people (perhaps because God has ceased to make his Word known through them). They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah (where the tribe of Benjamin raped the Levite’s concubine to death and were almost completely wiped out in retribution; Judges 19 & 20). The Lord will remember their sins and punish them.

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul had been attacked in the temple in Jerusalem and had been imprisoned awaiting trial. A plot to assassinate Paul had been discovered and he had been transferred to the custody of Felix, the governor of Judea, at Caesarea.

When the Jewish prosecutors arrived, Paul was brought before Felix and the Jews presented their charges against Paul. They charged Paul with being an agitator and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5;  followers of Jesus of Nazareth). They said that they had seized Paul in order to prevent him from profaning the temple in Jerusalem.

Then Paul was given an opportunity to respond to the charges. Paul said that in the twelve days that he had been in Jerusalem there was no evidence to support their charge that he tried to stir up anyone in the temple, synagogue, or in the city. Paul declared that he worshipped the God of Israel according to the Way (of Jesus Christ; John 14:6), which the Jewish authorities called a sect. Paul declared that he believed everything in the law and the prophets (the Jewish scriptures), and hoped in the resurrection of the just and the unjust (everyone; the forgiven to eternal life, and the unforgiven to eternal destruction; John 5:28-29). Paul declared that he always tried to do what was right in God’s sight. Paul had come to Jerusalem bringing alms and offerings to God. The Jews had found Paul ritually purified (not profaning) in the temple; not attracting a crowd or raising a disturbance.

Paul said that the instigators of the disturbance were Jews from Asia (the Roman Province; now western Turkey), who had not come to testify at the hearing before Felix. Paul also pointed out that the Jewish authorities hadn’t found any evidence against Paul when they had examined him before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Court). The only thing the Sanhedrin could charge Paul with was belief in the resurrection (which the Sanhedrin itself was divided over; Acts 23:6-10).

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus was invited to dinner at a Pharisee’s house. A local woman learned that Jesus was the Pharisee’s guest, and she came, bringing an expensive ointment, and, weeping, began to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. She kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

The Pharisee, named Simon, thought to himself that if Jesus were a prophet Jesus would know what sort of woman this was who was touching Jesus, for she was a sinner. (The Pharisee presumed that if Jesus knew the woman's background that he would not have anything to do with her.)

Jesus knew what the Pharisee was thinking (and also that the woman was a sinner), and posed a question in the form of a parable (a comparison drawn from everyday occurrences through which spiritual truth is conveyed). Jesus asked which of two debtors would be more grateful for the forgiveness of a debt; the one who owed a great amount, or the one who owed a small amount. The Pharisee supposed that the one forgiven the larger amount would be more grateful.

Jesus then told the Pharisee that he had provided no means for Jesus to wash his feet (a customary form of hospitality) but the woman had not only provided water, but had washed, dried, and kissed Jesus’ feet. The Pharisee had not anointed Jesus' head with oil (a customary sign of respect) but the woman had anointed Jesus' feet with ointment. One can tell that she has been forgiven much, because of her love. One who loves little has not been forgiven much. Then Jesus declared to the woman that her sins were forgiven. The guests at the table discussed with one another who Jesus was, that he forgives sins. Jesus told the woman that her faith had saved her; she could go in peace.

Commentary:

Israel had turned away from God and had pursued spiritual prostitution through idolatrous worship (literally as well as  figuratively; temple prostitutes were part of idolatrous worship associated with fertility cults). God offered forgiveness but she refused to come to him to receive it. So she was judged and punished for her sins. Israel's exile in Assyria and return to Egypt are parables of God's judgment on sin, as well as historical fact.

Egypt and Assyria are metaphors for exile to eternal bondage and destruction in Hell. Bread was used in the Temple worship as a symbol of the covenant between God and Israel, and as an offering to God. It was made holy by being in the presence of God. Because of God’s judgment, the sacred aspects of bread were no longer available for the Israelites. In exile the Israelites might still keep the physical aspects and traditions of the feasts and fasts but would have lost the spiritual benefits. Their prophets might still speak, but their words would not be the Word of God, and therefore would not be true or meaningful.

The religious leaders of Israel in Jesus’ time were in the same situation. They rejected God’s plan in Jesus Christ, and pursued spiritual prostitution. They regarded themselves as just, but their judgment of Paul was unjust. They were using religion to serve their own ends. They could maintain the traditions, but they had lost the spiritual significance and benefits. The chief priests claimed to be speaking for God, but what they said was not true or spiritually meaningful, as their charges against Paul, and Paul's own testimony, indicate.

The Pharisee was observing the traditions of his religion, but he was not receiving the spiritual benefit. The Pharisee regarded himself as righteous because he kept the traditions and the appearance of the Law. So he judged the local woman, who had the reputation of being a sinner (probably a known prostitute).

If the woman was a prostitute in the physical sense, she at least was not a spiritual prostitute; she had turned to Jesus for forgiveness, rather than trying to obtain favor with false gods. She recognized her sinfulness and need for forgiveness, which she demonstrated by her tears and her gratitude to Jesus. The Pharisee on the other hand was the real prostitute spiritually, trying to gain favor with God by the outward appearance of keeping the Law without a real inner change and commitment to obeying God; without loving Jesus, the Son of God and Messiah, or his neighbor, the sinful woman.

How are we doing? Are we trusting in the Lord for our provision and security, or are we turning to false gods such as materialism, humanism and militarism, and to worldly powers and alliances? Do we acknowledge our need for forgiveness and come to Jesus, God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), or do we think we’re good people and don’t need forgiveness? Have we committed to follow Jesus in faith (obedient trust), or are we trying to get God to do our will and give us what we desire? Are we truly worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth, or are we “just going through the motions;” keeping the traditions? Are our spiritual "watchmen" preaching God’s Word, or are they babbling nonsense?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Friday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/28/04;
Podcast: Friday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 9:10-17  -  Israel’s disobedience;   
Acts 24:24-25:12  -   Paul before Festus;
Luke 8:1-15  -   Parable of the sower;

Hosea Paraphrase:

God delighted in Israel, in the wilderness, as one would delight in finding grapes in the wilderness, or in the first fruit in the first season of a fig tree. But as soon as they came into Canaan they began to turn to Baal (the fertility god of the people of the land) “and became detestable like the thing they loved” (their idol; Hosea 9:10d). Because they committed spiritual adultery with the fertility god, God made them barren.

Near where Abraham had erected his first altar (Gen. 12:6, 7), Gilgal was the first permanent camp, after Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land (Josh. 4:19, 20; 9:6), and where they first began to disobey God’s command to destroy and drive out the people of the land (see Joshua 9:3-27), right after the solemn reading of the Law (Joshua 8:30-35). It later became a center of idolatrous worship.

God declared that because of Israel’s spiritual adultery, God would drive her from his house, like a husband would deal with a faithless wife. The tribal allotment of Ephraim (which means “double fruitfulness”) included most of what became Samaria. God declared that God would make them barren, and scatter them among the nations, because they have not obeyed him.

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul had been attacked by Jews in the Temple in Jerusalem, and was arrested and transferred to the custody of Felix, governor of Judea at Caesarea, for Paul’s safety, after an assassination plot against him was discovered. Felix had heard Paul’s case, but put off making a decision, and kept him in custody (Acts 24:22-23).

After a number of days, Felix brought his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, and summoned Paul to tell them about Jesus, but as Paul talked about justice and self-discipline, and the Day of Judgment, Felix became alarmed, and sent Paul back to his confinement. Felix was hoping Paul would offer him money for his release, so he kept summoning Paul frequently over the course of two years. But then Felix was succeeded by Portia Festus, and Felix wanted to please the Jews so he left Paul in prison.

When Festus took office, he went to visit Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders informed Festus of their charges against Paul, and asked that he send Paul to Jerusalem as a favor, intending to have Paul assassinated on the way. But Festus told them to come to Caesarea to present their case to him. After eight or ten days he returned to Caesarea, and the next day he ordered Paul brought and tried. The Jews had come from Jerusalem and made many charges against Paul, but without any evidence.

Paul declared himself innocent of any wrongdoing against the Jewish law, the temple or against Roman law. Trying to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Festus asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem for trial by Festus. Paul replied that he was being tried in the proper venue already. Paul said that he was not trying to avoid justice, but unless the Jews could substantiate their charges, they should not have any jurisdiction over him. Paul therefore appealed to Caesar (as a Roman citizen, Paul had a right to trial under Roman law). After conferring with his advisors, Festus ruled that Paul would have a Roman trial.

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus traveled through the cities and villages of Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, accompanied by the twelve disciples, and a larger group of followers, including Mary Magdalene, who had been healed of seven demons, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, Susanna, and others, who provided for the group from their own resources.

When a great crowd gathered from surrounding towns, Jesus told a parable about a sower. The sower scattered seed, and as he did, some fell along the path, where it was walked on, and eaten by birds. Some seed fell on rocks, where it sprouted, but quickly withered, since it had no soil to retain moisture. Some seed fell among thorns; the thorns choked the young seedlings. Some seed feel on good soil, and grew and produced a great harvest. Jesus said that those who have ears that hear should listen and understand.

Jesus’ disciples asked what the parable meant, and Jesus told them that God had granted the disciples to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but that to others Jesus spoke in parables so that they were free to not understand if they chose. The seed is God’s Word. People are represented by the different types of soil.

Those represented by the path are those who hear, but the devil “takes away the Word from their hearts” (Luke 8:12), so they fail to believe and be saved. Those represented by rock are those who receive the Word gladly, but don’t allow it to take root in their lives through obedience in applying it. They believe for a while, but when testing comes along, they fall away. Those represented by thorny ground are those who receive the Word, but allow it to be choked out by worldly cares, material things and physical pleasures, so that the Word does not grow to maturity and produce fruit. But those who are represented by good soil are those who hear the Word and apply it, grow to maturity and ultimately produce fruit.

Commentary:

Israel had been trained by God in the wilderness. They should have learned during that forty year experience to trust and obey God’s Word. God had brought them through the wilderness, across the Jordan River on dry ground, and into the Promised Land. God had given them victory over their enemies and they had gained possession of the land. They had heard God’s Laws read again, so they knew how to live in the Promised Land, but almost immediately, as they began to prosper, they turned from seeking God’s will and began to pursue their own will and interests.

God repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them and urge them to return to the Lord, but they ignored the warnings until the day of God’s judgment finally came. The prophecy of Hosea was fulfilled. The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel were deported by the Assyrians and scattered among the nations. The ten northern tribes effectively ceased to exist. The remnant of the Jews, who were allowed to remain, intermarried with the people of other lands conquered by the Assyrians who were brought in to occupy Israel, and became the Samaritans.

Paul was “good soil;” he had received God’s Word and trusted and obeyed. He put it into practice in his life, he grew to spiritual maturity and he produced much “fruit.” He was led by the Holy Spirit, and he was “sowing” the Word in trust and obedience. He proclaimed the Gospel at every opportunity, at great personal cost.

Not everyone who heard Paul bore the fruit of the Gospel. The Gospel made the Jews in Jerusalem angry enough to want to kill Paul (Acts 22:22; 23:12). Felix heard Paul's testimony, but put off making a decision (Acts 24:22). Paul’s warning about justice and self-discipline and ultimate judgment made Felix uncomfortable and afraid (Acts 24:25), so Felix stopped listening. Instead of heeding Paul and benefiting spiritually, Felix tried to profit politically and financially from Paul, by using Paul to ingratiate himself with the Jews, and by giving Paul the opportunity and incentive to offer a bribe for his release. Festus also was more interested in material and political benefits than in spiritual benefits (Acts 25:9).

Jesus’ followers heard the Gospel and trusted and obeyed Jesus. They dedicated their resources to supporting Jesus’ mission. Jesus discipled them and then sent them out to be “sowers” of the Word.

What kind of “soil” are we? Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Saturday 21 Pentecost - Even
First posted 10/29/04;
Podcast: Saturday 21 Pentecost - Even

Hosea 10:1-15  -   God’s judgment on Israel;
Acts 25:13-27  -    Paul to testify before King Agrippa;
Luke 8:16-25  -   Obedience;

Hosea Paraphrase:

As Israel prospered in the new land, the more she turned from the Lord to idolatry. Her heart was not loyal to the Lord, so she bore the Lord’s judgment. The Lord declared that he would break down the altars and pillars they had erected to false gods. Since they don’t fear the Lord (honor him as their king) they will have no king; what could a king do for them (more than the Lord)? Their word is unreliable; their oaths are meaningless; “so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds” in a plowed field (Hosea 10:4c).

The people of Samaria worshiped a golden calf set up at Bethel (Beth-aven: i.e., “house of wickedness” or “house of idolatry”) by Jeroboam, king of Israel, to prevent the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel from worshiping in the temple at Jerusalem; 1 Kings 12:28-29). Hosea said that the people and its idolatrous priests would mourn for it; it will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the Assyrian king. (It was carried off in the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, by Shalmaneser; 2 Kings 15:29; 17:33 RSV.)

The territory of Ephraim constituted most of what later became Samaria. (The people were scattered by the Assyrian conquest, and the remnant intermarried with aliens brought in to settle the conquered territory.) “And they shall say to the mountains, ‘Cover us,’ and to the hills, ‘fall upon us’” (Hosea 10:8c; compare Amos 9:1; Luke 23:30; Revelation 6:16). Israel has sinned since the days of Gibeah; she can anticipate a similar retribution. (Gibeah was where the tribe of Benjamin raped the Levite’s concubine to death and were almost completely wiped out in retribution; Judges Chs. 19 & 20).

Ephraim means “double fruitfulness;” they will be chastised for their “double iniquity” (Hosea 10:10c). Repentance is visualized in terms of plowing a field (to remove weeds and prepare for crop production). Ephraim loved to “thresh” (perhaps to gather the fruits without the labor of repentance and self-discipline).

Now is the time to repent, in order to be ready to receive the “rain” of the Lord’s salvation. “You have [sown] iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies” (Hosea 10:13a). They have trusted in military might; they will be destroyed by military conquest by Shalman (probably Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria; 2 Kings 17:3) at Beth-arbel (unknown location; meaning “house of God’s court” or house of God’s “ambush” or “den”). Thus it will be done to Israel because of her great wickedness; the Kingdom of Israel will end.

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul had been accused by Jewish leaders of capital crimes and was in the custody of Festus, who had recently become governor of Judea. Herod Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the Great, was king of the Roman provinces of Philip and Lysanias in Northern Israel. He and his wife visited the new governor of Judea and Festus told Agrippa that Paul had been left imprisoned by Festus’ predecessor.

Festus had heard the case against Paul and found no violations of law, but that there were disputes over religious beliefs regarding Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul claimed was alive. Festus said that since he couldn’t determine the truth of these matters, he had asked Paul if he was willing to be tried in Jerusalem, but Paul had appealed to be tried by Caesar in Rome.

Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul, and Festus arranged it. The next day Paul was brought in to testify before Agrippa. Festus told Agrippa that the Jews wanted Paul executed, but that he had found nothing deserving death. Since Paul had appealed for trial by Caesar, Festus needed to write charges to accompany Paul, and hoped by further examination to find some charge against him.

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus had just told the parable of the sower (how people respond to the Gospel like different soils respond to seed). Then Jesus said that no one lights a lamp and then hides it, but instead places it on a stand so that it gives light that all present can see. Nothing is hidden that will not become known. So Jesus said we should be careful how we hear, because one who has, will receive more, but one who has not, will lose even that which he thinks he has.

Jesus was surrounded by a crowd and his mother and brothers were trying to get to Jesus but were unable to reach him. When he was told that they wanted to talk to Jesus, Jesus replied that those who hear God’s Word and do it are his real mother and brothers.

One day Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee by boat. On the way Jesus fell asleep. A windstorm arose and threatened to swamp the boat. The disciples awakened Jesus and said they were about to perish. Jesus awoke and commanded the wind and waves to cease, and there was a calm. Jesus asked his disciples what had happened to their faith. They were afraid and amazed, wondering who Jesus really is, that he commands wind and wave and they obey him.

Commentary:

Israel should have learned to walk in obedience to the Lord during the forty years of wilderness wandering, but as soon as she came into the Promised Land and began to prosper she turned from the Lord to idolatry and disobedience. The Lord repeatedly sent prophets to call her to repentance but they were ignored and often killed. Hosea’s prophecies of God’s judgment on the Northern Kingdom were fulfilled. 

Paul is an example of obedience to God’s Word. Paul had thought he was serving God by persecuting Christians. When he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9), he realized his sin, he repented, and changed his life. He came to a new understanding of God’s Word and will, and he applied it immediately and fully in his daily life.

The Jews who sought Paul’s execution were not receptive to new understanding of God’s Word. They were repeating the error of their ancestors. They refused to listen to Paul’s testimony. They wanted to kill Paul for proclaiming God’s Word, even though impartial observers concluded that Paul had done nothing deserving punishment.

Jesus had just told the parable of the sower to illustrate how people respond to God’s Word. Jesus taught in parables so that people were free to not understand his point if they so chose. Jesus can command even wind and waves and they obey him, but he allows us to choose whether to obey him or not. It’s our choice, but the choice bears eternal consequences.

If we have seen the light of God’s Word we should be sure to apply it in our lives so that we can benefit from its application, and so that others may see the light also. We should be careful how we hear God’s Word.

We’re free to not understand and to not obey if we choose, but if we make that choice we will lose everything eternally, even what we think that we possess. But those who choose to understand and obey will receive more, now and eternally. Jesus used the occasion of his mother and brothers’ attempted contact to illustrate how important obedience of God’s Word is to a relationship with Jesus.

The Church is the “New Israel;” the historical wilderness wandering of Israel is also a metaphor for life in this world. We’re to learn to walk in obedience to the Lord, so that we’ll be able to enter the Promised Land of Heaven. Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin and death, if we trust and obey him. Hosea’s prophecy regarding the Northern Kingdom was fulfilled, but God’s Word is eternal, and it also applies to us today. Those who don’t heed and obey God’s Word will suffer similar consequences.

The fall of the Northern Kingdom is a metaphor for eternal condemnation and destruction in Hell. In a sense America is the “New Israel” and the new earthly “Promised Land.” Has she turned away from God as she has prospered? Has she turned to false gods of materialism, humanism and hedonism? Has she placed her trust in scientific, political and military solutions instead of relying on God? Do we want the fruit of salvation without the work of repentance and obedience?

Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you" (Luke 6:46). Jesus says that not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of God (Matthew 7:21). Those who hear God’s Word but don’t do it may think that they have salvation, but what they think they have will be taken from them (Matthew 7:22-24; Luke 8:18).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?