My wife and I are going to be doing a question and answer session with a local church's High School group. The High School group is going through a lesson plan to discuss sex. I didn't realize until after I had preped the following study, that we would only be doing a simple question and answer about our relationship, and not leading the discussion. I didn't want my notes to be in vain, or only for myself. Here you go:
Genesis 2:16-17
The Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From an tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."
Notice that Eve wasn't around yet. Eve is created in verse 22 of Chapter 2.
Genesis Chapter 2 shows an interesting progression:
Genesis 2:18 - God notes that "it is not good for the man to be alone."
Genesis 2:20 - "there was not found a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:22 - God creates woman to be the suitable helper.
In this progression, we could see that God is noting that Adam can use a helper, he has Adam go through all the animals and see that there is nothing that would be suitable for him, and then God creates what Adam needs foa suitable helper.
God is showing that He can be trusted.
There is a lot of stuff going on in the following verses (Chapter 3:1-7). What it seems to boil down to is that Adam and Eve decided not to trust God, and felt that they had a better way. They were selfish. The wanted something that they weren't allowed to have.
Where are the places in my life where I have decided that I know better than God? Where have I decided that He isn't doing the best thing for me? Why am I not trusting Him?
Genesis 1 shows the creation of the world. God creates good things. His designs are good, but what we do with His creation is not always good.
At the end of verse 10, we see "and God saw that it was good."
At the end of verse 12, we see "and God saw that it was good."
At the end of verse 18, we see "and God saw that it was good."
At the end of verse 21, we see "and God saw that it was good."
At the end of verse 25, we see "and God saw that it was good."
In verse 31, we see "God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good."
God gives us good things, he shows us he can be trusted and we still turn away.
God's creation of woman in Chapter 2:22 states that "The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.
Matthew Henry has a beautiful commentary on this portion:
The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampeled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.
Ephesians 5:25-33 NASB says:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Emphasis in this case is on verse 25 and 33:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ...Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Notice that Chapter 3:6 says that the tre was good for food, it was a delight to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise.
1 John 2:15-17 NASB says:
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Eve had not believed or trusted God to do what he said in Chapter 2:17. The serpent was crafty and had Eve doubting that what God said was true.
Our sin is just like Eve's. We don't belive that God is good enough to follow through with his promises. God had directly provided for Adam in the prior verses, but yet Eve didn't trust Him with what He said.
We fall in the same way Eve did, with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We think we know better. In the moment, we feel like we have a better way.
We say:
How far is too far? / How much can I touch?
He says:
Wait till you're married, I have a better plan (Genesis 2:24-25)
We say:
Pornography is okay / Cosmo is okay / Romance novels are okay
He says:
"but i say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultry with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
We say:
I will be ok / I know better / This just feels right / It feels so right, it can't be wrong
He says:
Don't go near it. (Genesis 39:7-12 / Proverbs 7:6-8, 21-22)
We shouldn't be asking the wrong questions. We should focus on asking the right questions.
What are the right questions?
What does God say?
Who can I call before I find myself in a bad place?
When am I most vulnerable?
As believers in the Messiah, we should understand even more that God is faithful with his promises. He promised that he would send a redeemer, and we know that our redeemer is Yeshua. He has fulfilled the most important of His promises, how too will he be faithful with the small things.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1 - 13:16]
Parasha Bo [Exodus 10:1 – 13:16] is probably one of the most important portions to the history of the Jewish people. This is the Parasha that establishes Passover, and the feast of unleavened bread. If I am not mistaken, these may be the first feasts that are established as a permanent ordinance throughout all generations. It is the portion where God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, saves his people, the Israelites, from the slavery of the Egyptians. The 10th plague inflicted on Egypt what breaks the will of the Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s land is now desolate with the destruction of the vegetation and livestock. The final straw, as it were, was the death of the firstborn male (the 10th “plague”). Exodus 12:29 tells us that “the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle (NASB). I have learned that traditionally, the firstborn is to be the head of the family when the father is away. He is to be the high priest on occasions that the father is away. In this case, he would have crippled the religious heritage of the Egyptians.
One thought that just struck me is that the Pharaoh would not have been the firstborn male in his family. Verse 29 states that “the LORD all the firstborn in the land of Egypt” (emphasis mine). This would have included Pharaoh had he actually been the firstborn in his family. Would this have been something that he had hidden? Would that have been disgraceful for him to be recognized as not the firstborn? Did he somehow manage to get the position in a way that he did not deserve? Would this have undermined his leadership of the Egyptians? I am not sure of the implications. Any thoughts?
I was interested to see hyssop mentioned in this portion. Hyssop specifically is to be used to apply the blood to the doorposts of the house (Exodus 12:22). I was interested because immediately I recalled Psalm 51:7 “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” I have heard of “the principle of first use” in the Bible, which basically notes that subsequent uses of a word or concept in the Bible points to the first use of the word or concept. I wonder if King David would have been thinking of the Passover and the use of hyssop when he penned the Psalm. As a King of Israel, would he be thinking of the great mistakes that the Pharaoh (King) of Egypt had made and be requesting god to blot out his iniquities and pass over him and his home? Interestingly enough, David’s firstborn son by Bathsheba dies as a result of his sins.
Easton’s Bible History online has this information:
http://www.bible-history.com/eastons/H/Hyssop/
Hyssop
(Heb. 'ezob; LXX. hyssopos), first mentioned in Ex. 12:22 in connection with the institution of the Passover. We find it afterwards mentioned in Lev. 14:4, 6, 52; Num. 19:6, 18; Heb. 9:19. It is spoken of as a plant "springing out of the wall" (1 Kings 4:33). Many conjectures have been formed as to what this plant really was. Some contend that it was a species of marjoram (origanum), six species of which are found in Palestine. Others with more probability think that it was the caper plant, the Capparis spinosa of Linnaeus. This plant grew in Egypt, in the desert of Sinai, and in Palestine. It was capable of producing a stem three or four feet in length (Matt. 27:48; Mark 15:36. Comp. John 19:29).
Among the other thoughts that I had, was how in Exodus 12:40 it notes that they were in Egypt for 430 years. Verse 41 notes that it was 430 years…to the very day. Genesis 15:16 notes that the Israelites will be in slavery for 400 years. Was it only 30 years before the Israelites were put into slavery by the Egyptians?
There are more thoughts, but this is it for today.
One thought that just struck me is that the Pharaoh would not have been the firstborn male in his family. Verse 29 states that “the LORD all the firstborn in the land of Egypt” (emphasis mine). This would have included Pharaoh had he actually been the firstborn in his family. Would this have been something that he had hidden? Would that have been disgraceful for him to be recognized as not the firstborn? Did he somehow manage to get the position in a way that he did not deserve? Would this have undermined his leadership of the Egyptians? I am not sure of the implications. Any thoughts?
I was interested to see hyssop mentioned in this portion. Hyssop specifically is to be used to apply the blood to the doorposts of the house (Exodus 12:22). I was interested because immediately I recalled Psalm 51:7 “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” I have heard of “the principle of first use” in the Bible, which basically notes that subsequent uses of a word or concept in the Bible points to the first use of the word or concept. I wonder if King David would have been thinking of the Passover and the use of hyssop when he penned the Psalm. As a King of Israel, would he be thinking of the great mistakes that the Pharaoh (King) of Egypt had made and be requesting god to blot out his iniquities and pass over him and his home? Interestingly enough, David’s firstborn son by Bathsheba dies as a result of his sins.
Easton’s Bible History online has this information:
http://www.bible-history.com/eastons/H/Hyssop/
Hyssop
(Heb. 'ezob; LXX. hyssopos), first mentioned in Ex. 12:22 in connection with the institution of the Passover. We find it afterwards mentioned in Lev. 14:4, 6, 52; Num. 19:6, 18; Heb. 9:19. It is spoken of as a plant "springing out of the wall" (1 Kings 4:33). Many conjectures have been formed as to what this plant really was. Some contend that it was a species of marjoram (origanum), six species of which are found in Palestine. Others with more probability think that it was the caper plant, the Capparis spinosa of Linnaeus. This plant grew in Egypt, in the desert of Sinai, and in Palestine. It was capable of producing a stem three or four feet in length (Matt. 27:48; Mark 15:36. Comp. John 19:29).
Among the other thoughts that I had, was how in Exodus 12:40 it notes that they were in Egypt for 430 years. Verse 41 notes that it was 430 years…to the very day. Genesis 15:16 notes that the Israelites will be in slavery for 400 years. Was it only 30 years before the Israelites were put into slavery by the Egyptians?
There are more thoughts, but this is it for today.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Parashat Va'era
Parashat Va'era is an interesting Portion with quite a bit to work through. Several of the pieces that I found interesting, were:
What I can say, is that my wife and I had a great evening sitting at the table and studying the word together.
- Noting that it was Aaron's staff that G-d instructed to be used to bring about the sign and miracle of the pre-plague and the first plague. Chapter 7:10, 12 note that it was Aaron's staff that becomes a serpent (tanin). I know that Aaron's rod blossoms, and is what Moses uses to strike the rock, but what else did it go through before it's final resting place in the ark?
- I am interested in knowing which Egyptian god or gods each of the plagues was standing against.
- I read on http://graspingmashiach.wordpress.com/ from Jan 17, 2010 that when Moses was instructed to throw down his rod in 4:3, that it became a Nachash, but when the sign was performed in front of Pharaoh with Aaron's staff, that it becomes a Tanin.
- In the opening of Chapter 6, G-d notes that he had not shown Himself as the LORD, but I was interested in the first use of the tetragrammaton.
What I can say, is that my wife and I had a great evening sitting at the table and studying the word together.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Shemot [Exodus 1:1 - Exodus 6:1]
So I have been trying to read the Torah portion for the week. I am hoping to spend more time doing this. I dont just want to read a passage and move on, I want to consume it and make it part of who I am. While reading last night, I came up with several questions on the first few chapters of Exodus. I am going to continue to list these here as well as some of the information I collect on the questions. Hopefully it will be a good reference for me to come back to in future years.
So, I will collect information here regarding my questions.
Pithom and Raamses.
According to http://www.thebible.net/modules.php?name=WC&op=read&vol=6&num=24 it seems that they unearthed Pithom and Raamses in the late 1800s. One interesting fact is that the lower bricks used for the city were made of bricks made with straw, and the higher bricks were made with roots and stubble. This would seem to show the validity of Exodus 5:7.
There doesnt seem to be too much indicating the exact location of these cities. Maybe I will find more later.
Egyptian god "On"
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown have the following note (as seen on http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=7&contentID=1922&commInfo=6&topic=Genesis&ar=Gen_41_45)
On--called Aven ( Eze 30:17 ) and also Beth-shemesh ( Jer 43:13 ). In looking at this profusion of honors heaped suddenly upon Joseph, it cannot be doubted that he would humbly yet thankfully acknowledge the hand of a special Providence in conducting him through all his checkered course to almost royal power; and we, who know more than Joseph did, cannot only see that his advancement was subservient to the most important purposes relative to the Church of God, but learn the great lesson that a Providence directs the minutest events of human life.
It sounds like "On" may have also been know as Heliopolis (Sun Temple). Of the Heliopolis, Atum was the chief god. Atum was also known as the creator god.
Shiprah and Pu'ah
According to http://www.bible-name.com/Show-Biblical-Hebrew-Name-en555.htm, Shiprah means beauty and grace. According to http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0018_0_18356.html, Puah means girl.
According to the Talmud Sotah 11b, it appears that some of the Rabbis believe that Shiprah was Moses' mother and that Puah was Moses' sister.
Where was Midian
Not sure I can get too much info on this. Theories abound. Some seem to think that it couldnt have been in the Saudi Arabia area and would have had to be in Africa. Others indicate a belief that Midian was a group of travelers that were nomadic. Others note that Midian was an offspring of Abraham, and they would have known of the one true God, and therefore God brought Moses to be with family as it were.
Acts 7:25 commentary
There is something in this verse that at first glance indicates that Moses knew he would be a tool in the hand of God. JFB seems to indicate that he might have seen the murder of the Egyptian as an opportunity to have the Israelites rally and follow him. Honestly, I dont see that specifically in the passage. Verse 11 notes that he looked this way and that before killing the Egyptian. This would seem to show he had wanted to do it in private.
Exodus 2:14 - commentary and word prince
Why would someone need to be over you to give appropriate reproof? Not sure. Prince seems to be able to be used as ruler, governor, taskmaster, etc.
Exodus 3:5
JFB seems to have an interesting take on it. http://bible.cc/exodus/3-5.htm
It is not so much like our western thought of reverence, but the eastern thought of realization of personal defilement.
5. put off thy shoes-The direction was in conformity with a usage which was well known to Moses, for the Egyptian priests observed it in their temples, and it is observed in all Eastern countries where the people take off their shoes or sandals, as we do our hats. But the Eastern idea is not precisely the same as the Western. With us, the removal of the hat is an expression of reverence for the place we enter, or rather of Him who is worshipped there. With them the removal of the shoes is a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.
Exodus 3:8
Incidently this is the first use of this phrase in the Bible. From what I gather, it is indicitive of the fact that the land was good for agraculture and for raising animals. It was to show that the land would be abundant for them.
Distance from Egypt to Sinai
It would help to know which mountain was Sinai or Horeb. I was wondering due to God's repetition of a three day journey into the wilderness.
Misc thoughts:
- Find out more about Pithom and Raamses (the cities that were built by the Israelites in Exodus 1)
- Get some information about the Egyptian god "On" (Genesis 41: 45 says that Joseph married the daughter of a priest of "On." The priest was named Poti-Pherah, was that related to the Potiphar of Genesis 39?
- Look up the meaning of the names Shiprah and Puah (From Exodus 1:15).
- Look up where Midian was located
- Find out some information about the verses in Acts 7:25 that reference the murder by Moses.
- Find out the meaning of the word Prince in Exodus 2:14
- Review commentary about Exodus 3:5
- Review commentary about Exodus 3:8, specifically milk and honey
- How long is the walk from Egypt to Sinai? God keeps mentioning a three day journey into the wilderness (Exodus 3:18)
So, I will collect information here regarding my questions.
Pithom and Raamses.
According to http://www.thebible.net/modules.php?name=WC&op=read&vol=6&num=24 it seems that they unearthed Pithom and Raamses in the late 1800s. One interesting fact is that the lower bricks used for the city were made of bricks made with straw, and the higher bricks were made with roots and stubble. This would seem to show the validity of Exodus 5:7.
There doesnt seem to be too much indicating the exact location of these cities. Maybe I will find more later.
Egyptian god "On"
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown have the following note (as seen on http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=7&contentID=1922&commInfo=6&topic=Genesis&ar=Gen_41_45)
On--called Aven ( Eze 30:17 ) and also Beth-shemesh ( Jer 43:13 ). In looking at this profusion of honors heaped suddenly upon Joseph, it cannot be doubted that he would humbly yet thankfully acknowledge the hand of a special Providence in conducting him through all his checkered course to almost royal power; and we, who know more than Joseph did, cannot only see that his advancement was subservient to the most important purposes relative to the Church of God, but learn the great lesson that a Providence directs the minutest events of human life.
It sounds like "On" may have also been know as Heliopolis (Sun Temple). Of the Heliopolis, Atum was the chief god. Atum was also known as the creator god.
Shiprah and Pu'ah
According to http://www.bible-name.com/Show-Biblical-Hebrew-Name-en555.htm, Shiprah means beauty and grace. According to http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0018_0_18356.html, Puah means girl.
According to the Talmud Sotah 11b, it appears that some of the Rabbis believe that Shiprah was Moses' mother and that Puah was Moses' sister.
Where was Midian
Not sure I can get too much info on this. Theories abound. Some seem to think that it couldnt have been in the Saudi Arabia area and would have had to be in Africa. Others indicate a belief that Midian was a group of travelers that were nomadic. Others note that Midian was an offspring of Abraham, and they would have known of the one true God, and therefore God brought Moses to be with family as it were.
Acts 7:25 commentary
There is something in this verse that at first glance indicates that Moses knew he would be a tool in the hand of God. JFB seems to indicate that he might have seen the murder of the Egyptian as an opportunity to have the Israelites rally and follow him. Honestly, I dont see that specifically in the passage. Verse 11 notes that he looked this way and that before killing the Egyptian. This would seem to show he had wanted to do it in private.
Exodus 2:14 - commentary and word prince
Why would someone need to be over you to give appropriate reproof? Not sure. Prince seems to be able to be used as ruler, governor, taskmaster, etc.
Exodus 3:5
JFB seems to have an interesting take on it. http://bible.cc/exodus/3-5.htm
It is not so much like our western thought of reverence, but the eastern thought of realization of personal defilement.
5. put off thy shoes-The direction was in conformity with a usage which was well known to Moses, for the Egyptian priests observed it in their temples, and it is observed in all Eastern countries where the people take off their shoes or sandals, as we do our hats. But the Eastern idea is not precisely the same as the Western. With us, the removal of the hat is an expression of reverence for the place we enter, or rather of Him who is worshipped there. With them the removal of the shoes is a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.
Exodus 3:8
Incidently this is the first use of this phrase in the Bible. From what I gather, it is indicitive of the fact that the land was good for agraculture and for raising animals. It was to show that the land would be abundant for them.
Distance from Egypt to Sinai
It would help to know which mountain was Sinai or Horeb. I was wondering due to God's repetition of a three day journey into the wilderness.
Misc thoughts:
- Exodus 2:2 notes that Moses was hidden by his mother for three months. That would seem to suggest that he would have been circumcised (on the 8th day). He would have been set apart from his Egyptian family by the circumcision. This would have happened to him, but he failed to circumcise his own son, and his wife did it to save him in Exodus 4:24.
- I hadn't realized or paid attention enough to notice that God fully walks Moses through what he is going to do during his and Aaron's confrontation with Pharaoh. God tells him what will happen during the encounter at the burning bush.
- There is a famine of the bread of life. Are we being God's storehouses and giving out the good news to the nations?
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