Joshua 7:16-9:2

Core Claim

The passage in Joshua 7-9 demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the punishment of Achan and the subsequent victory over Ai.

Commentary

The passage begins with Joshua's investigation into the defeat at Ai, which reveals Achan's sin of taking spoil from Jericho.

Achan's confession and punishment serve as a warning to the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience.

The LORD's instructions to Joshua for attacking Ai demonstrate God's sovereignty and provision for Israel's victory.

The use of an ambush and the LORD's promise of victory emphasize God's involvement in Israel's battles.

The reading of the law to the people of Israel and the building of an altar on Mount Ebal highlight the importance of covenant and worship in Israel's life.

The gathering of the kings to fight against Israel serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat to Israel's existence.

Doctrinal Links

• The passage demonstrates the importance of covenant and worship in Israel's life, as seen in the reading of the law and the building of an altar on Mount Ebal.

• The use of an ambush and the LORD's promise of victory emphasize God's sovereignty and provision for Israel's victory.

• The punishment of Achan serves as a warning to the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience, highlighting the importance of maintaining God's holiness in the midst of His people.

• The gathering of the kings to fight against Israel serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat to Israel's existence and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty.

Common Objections

<objection>

Response: The LORD's punishment of Achan seems harsh and unjust.

> This objection overlooks the severity of Achan's sin and the importance of maintaining God's holiness in the midst of His people.

Response:

<objection>

Response: Why did the LORD allow the defeat at Ai in the first place?

> This question assumes a level of control and sovereignty that God has not given to humans, and overlooks the importance of Israel's obedience and trust in God.

Response:

<objection>

Response: The use of an ambush seems like a clever tactic, but doesn't it undermine the idea of God's sovereignty?

> This objection misunderstands the nature of God's sovereignty, which is not limited to miraculous interventions, but also includes the use of human means to accomplish His purposes.

Response:

Tensions

The tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility is evident in the passage, as seen in the LORD's instructions to Joshua and the Israelites' obedience (or lack thereof).

The contrast between Achan's disobedience and the LORD's mercy is also a tension in the passage, highlighting the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.

The tension between the Israelites' victories and the ongoing threat from surrounding nations serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between God's people and the forces of evil.

Application Questions

1. How can we apply the importance of obedience to God's commands in our own lives?
2. What are the consequences of disobedience, and how can we avoid them?
3. How can we trust in God's sovereignty and provision in the midst of challenges and struggles?
4. What role does worship and covenant play in our lives as believers, and how can we prioritize these aspects of our faith?

Luke 16:1-18

Core Claim

Jesus teaches that faithfulness in small things is a sign of faithfulness in larger things, and that serving two masters is impossible.

Commentary

The parable of the dishonest manager is used to contrast the sons of this world with the sons of light, highlighting the shrewdness of the former.

The master commends the manager for his shrewdness, but Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach about the dangers of loving money.

The concept of "unrighteous wealth" is used to describe the wealth of this world, which is contrasted with the "true riches" that come from God.

Jesus warns that if we are not faithful in the unrighteous wealth, we will not be entrusted with the true riches.

The parable also highlights the importance of making friends through unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, we will be received into the eternal dwellings.

Jesus' teaching on divorce and remarriage is also connected to the theme of faithfulness and serving two masters.

The Pharisees are criticized for loving money and justifying themselves before men, highlighting the tension between serving God and serving money.

Doctrinal Links

• The concept of "unrighteous wealth" is connected to the doctrine of the image of God, which teaches that humans are created in God's image and are responsible to manage God's resources.

• The teaching on faithfulness and stewardship is connected to the doctrine of the covenant, which teaches that God has made a covenant with his people to be their God and to bless them.

• The concept of "true riches" is connected to the doctrine of the atonement, which teaches that God's wealth is not measured by material possessions, but by the riches of his love and mercy.

Common Objections

<objection> The parable of the dishonest manager seems to condone dishonesty.

Response: <response> This is a misunderstanding of the parable. Jesus is not condoning dishonesty, but rather using the manager's actions to illustrate the shrewdness of the sons of this world. The master commends the manager for his shrewdness, but Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach about the dangers of loving money.

<objection> Why does Jesus seem to be saying that it's okay to use unrighteous wealth to make friends?

Response: <response> Jesus is not saying that it's okay to use unrighteous wealth, but rather that we should use it to make friends who will receive us into the eternal dwellings when it fails.

<objection> The teaching on divorce and remarriage seems harsh and unrealistic.

Response: <response> Jesus is not saying that it's impossible to get divorced, but rather that remarriage after divorce is considered adultery. This teaching is connected to the theme of faithfulness and serving two masters.

Tensions

The tension between serving God and serving money is a central theme of the passage.

The contrast between the sons of this world and the sons of light highlights the tension between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom.

The teaching on divorce and remarriage creates tension between the Pharisees and Jesus, who are criticized for loving money and justifying themselves before men.

Application Questions

1. How can we apply the teaching on faithfulness and stewardship to our own lives?
2. How can we use unrighteous wealth to make friends who will receive us into the eternal dwellings?
3. What does it mean to serve two masters, and how can we avoid this trap?
4. How can we apply the teaching on divorce and remarriage to our own lives and relationships?

Psalm 82:1-8

Core Claim

God rebukes the gods in the divine council for judging unjustly and commands them to give justice to the weak and needy.

Commentary

The psalm is a call to justice and righteousness in the divine council, where God presides over the gods.

The divine council is a gathering of gods, but they are expected to judge justly and protect the weak and needy.

The psalm highlights the importance of justice and righteousness in the world, and God's expectation that the gods will uphold these values.

The psalm also emphasizes the consequences of injustice, as the gods are threatened with death for their failures.

The psalm is written in a way that is both a rebuke to the gods and a call to action for God to judge the earth.

The use of the phrase "Selah" marks a pause in the psalm, emphasizing the importance of the message.

The psalm is a reminder that God is the ultimate judge and ruler of the world, and that all nations will be inherited by Him.

The psalm also highlights the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and authority in all areas of life.

The psalm is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's expectation for justice and righteousness in the world.

Doctrinal Links

• The concept of "unrighteous wealth" is connected to the doctrine of the image of God, which teaches that humans are created in God's image and are responsible to manage God's resources.

• The teaching on faithfulness and stewardship is connected to the doctrine of the covenant, which teaches that God has made a covenant with his people to be their God and to bless them.

• The concept of "true riches" is connected to the doctrine of the atonement, which teaches that God's wealth is not measured by material possessions, but by the riches of his love and mercy.

Common Objections

<objection> The psalm seems to be addressing other gods, but what about the Christian understanding of monotheism?

Response: <response> The psalm is addressing the gods in the divine council, but this does not contradict the Christian understanding of monotheism. In fact, the psalm is highlighting the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and authority in all areas of life.

<objection> Why does God threaten the gods with death if they fail to judge justly?

Response: <response> The threat of death is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of upholding justice and righteousness. It is also a reminder that God is the ultimate judge and ruler of the world.

<objection> How does this psalm relate to the Christian understanding of salvation?

Response: <response> The psalm is highlighting the importance of justice and righteousness in the world, and God's expectation that the gods will uphold these values. While the psalm does not directly address the Christian understanding of salvation, it does emphasize the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and authority in all areas of life.

Tensions

The psalm seems to be addressing other gods, which can be difficult to reconcile with the Christian understanding of monotheism.

The threat of death for the gods can be seen as harsh and unloving.

The psalm's emphasis on justice and righteousness can be seen as conflicting with the Christian understanding of salvation by grace.

Application Questions

1. How can we apply the psalm's emphasis on justice and righteousness in our own lives?
2. How can we recognize and uphold God's sovereignty and authority in all areas of life?
3. What are the consequences of sin and injustice in our own lives and in the world around us?
4. How can we respond to the psalm's call to repentance and recognition of God's sovereignty?

Proverbs 13:2-3

Core Claim

The words we speak have a direct impact on our well-being and can either preserve or ruin our lives.

Commentary

The phrase "fruit of his mouth" is a metaphor for the consequences of one's words (Verse).

In biblical Hebrew, "fruit" (tôv) can also mean "good" or "well-being" (Notes).

The treacherous desire for violence is a destructive force that can lead to ruin (Verse).

The contrast between good and violence is a recurring theme in Proverbs (Contrasts).

The concept of preserving life through guarding one's mouth is a means of self-protection (Notes).

The idea that opening one's lips leads to ruin suggests that careless speech can have severe consequences (Verse).

The phrase "desire of the treacherous" implies a deliberate choice to pursue destructive behavior (Verse).

The contrast between preservation and ruin highlights the importance of wise speech in maintaining a healthy life (Contrasts).

The use of "eats what is good" and "comes to ruin" emphasizes the tangible consequences of one's words (Verse).

Doctrinal Links

• The concept of the fruit of one's mouth is linked to the doctrine of the image of God, which emphasizes the importance of responsible speech (Genesis 1:26-27).

• The idea that our words can have a direct impact on our lives is supported by the doctrine of the consequences of sin, which emphasizes the tangible consequences of our actions (Romans 3:10-18).

• The contrast between preservation and ruin is linked to the doctrine of the covenant, which emphasizes the importance of wise speech in maintaining a healthy relationship with God and others (Genesis 2:17).

Common Objections

But what about free speech? Shouldn't we be able to say whatever we want?"

Response: This objection overlooks the biblical emphasis on wise speech and the consequences of our words (Proverbs 10:32).

How can we be sure that our words will have such a direct impact on our lives?"

Response: The biblical text assumes a direct connection between our words and our well-being, and this is supported by the broader biblical theology of the consequences of sin (Romans 3:10-18).

Isn't this just a matter of being careful about what we say, but not necessarily a moral issue?"

Response: The biblical text portrays the consequences of our words as a moral issue, with the treacherous desire for violence being a deliberate choice (Verse).

Tensions

The tension between the importance of wise speech and the freedom to express oneself is a real difficulty in applying this passage.

The idea that our words can have such a direct impact on our lives can be difficult to accept, especially in a culture that emphasizes individualism and personal freedom.

The contrast between preservation and ruin can be a source of tension for those who struggle with feelings of guilt or shame related to their speech.

Application Questions

1. How can we cultivate wise speech in our daily lives, and what are some practical steps we can take to guard our mouths?
2. How can we balance the importance of free speech with the need to be mindful of the consequences of our words?
3. What are some ways in which we can apply the concept of the fruit of our mouths to our relationships with others, and how can we work to create a culture of wise speech in our communities?