May 8, 2022
JUDGES 8-9:
Yesterday we heard of Gideon who led Israel in
a miraculous victory over the hoards of Midian using only three
hundred men. Gideon struggled with believing that God would
actually use him, and God was amazingly patient with Gideon— giving
him sign after sign. Because of this, Gideon really is not the best
example for us to follow of how to trust God and live a life of
faith.
PSALM 82:
Do
you ever get upset about injustice on earth? Here is a psalm for
you.
GALATIANS 4:
The
Jews called non-Jews ‘sinners’ because they did not follow the Law
of Moses. But the Jewish Christians themselves also become
‘sinners’ if they leave the old system of relying on the Law, but
then require non-Jews to be circumcised. The important thing is to
be joined as one with Christ, not simply being followers of a
religion. Being joined to Christ means dying (considering ourselves
to be dead) to old things (including religious
practices).
Yesterday in the 3rd chapter of Galatians we heard an important teaching about the purpose of the Law. The Law did not replace the promise that was given to Abraham. And the way for us to follow Abraham and become heirs to the promise given to Abraham (even if we are not his physical descendants) is through _fully believing_ as Abraham did.
GNT Translation notes:
Jdg. 9:49 So everyone cut off a
tree limb; then they followed Abimelech and piled the wood up
against the stronghold. They set it on fire, with the people
inside, and all the people [in//of] the fort died—about a thousand
men and women.
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Ps.
82:5 “How ignorant you [you oppressors] are! How stupid! You are
completely corrupt, and justice has disappeared from the
world.
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Gal. 4:5 to redeem those who
were under the Law, so that we might become God's
[sons//children].
[Paul uses the legal Roman law term for the
adoption of sons. By their law, such adoption was irrevocable! Men
feel squeamish at being included in the Bride of Christ. So in this
case, ladies, I suggest that it is good for you to rejoice that you
are included as having the rights of sons. This same term occurs in
Rom. 8:15, 8:23, 9:4, and Eph. 1:5.]
6 To
show that you are his [sons//children], God sent the Spirit of his
Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my
Father.”
7 So
then, you are no longer a slave but a [son//child]. And since you
are his [son//child], God will give you all that he has for his
[sons//children].
Gal.
4:9 But now that you know God—or, I should say, now that God
[acknowledges you (as his children)//knows you]— [it makes no sense
that you would//how is it that you] want to turn back to those weak
and pitiful ruling spirits[ that I just mentioned.//?] Why do you
want to become their slaves all over again?