May 13, 2022
JUDGES 18-19:
In
Judges yesterday, we heard the famous and tragic story of Samson
and Delilah. Victory, in that case, was not ‘sweet’. Then we heard
the start of the story about Micah and the not so nice background
of his personal idols and shrine. This is the first time so far in
Judges where we have heard the repeated theme sentence of this
book, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did
whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” (17:6)
PSALM 87:
This
is a prophetic psalm. The writer gives a picture of what is
foretold in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation about the glory of the
New Jerusalem. Every tribe, tongue, and nation will be found there
because they will have come to know the Lord.
1TIMOTHY 3:
In
chapter 2, Paul began his discussion of what Timothy should teach
the congregation with the topic of prayer. We pray according to
God's will if we pray for the salvation of others. God is always
pleased with this prayer because we mirror his own heart. However
the words of this chapter should not be twisted to say that every
single person will be saved, or that the saving sacrifice that
Jesus made will cover people who refuse to believe the Gospel.
Chapter 2 also contains a part of Paul’s teaching about women,
including that they should place high importance on being clothed
with good deeds, and should dress and act sensibly and modestly.
They are not to seek to take authority over men.
GNT Translation
notes:
1Tim.
3:6 He must be mature in [believing (our true teaching/in
Christ//the faith], so that he will not swell up with pride and be
condemned, as the Devil was.
9
[PET they must believe fully in the true teachings which God has
revealed to us, and must live with a clear conscience.//they should
hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear
conscience.]
13
Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good
standing and are able to speak boldly [to others about believing in
Christ Jesus//about their faith in Christ
Jesus].
16
No one can deny how great is the secret of our
religion:
[Christ//He] appeared in human
form,
was shown to be right by the
Spirit,
and
was seen by angels.
He
was preached among the nations,
was
believed in throughout the world,
and
was taken up to heaven.