Judges 2:10-3:31
Core Claim
The people of Israel repeatedly disobeyed the Lord, leading to their oppression by surrounding nations, but God raised up judges to deliver them.
Commentary
The passage begins by stating that the generation that followed Moses did not know the Lord or his works (Judges 2:10).
The people of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, abandoning the Lord and serving other gods (Judges 2:11-13).
The Lord gave them over to plunderers and sold them into the hand of their enemies, but raised up judges to save them (Judges 2:14-16).
The people of Israel did not listen to their judges and turned back to their evil ways after each judge died (Judges 2:17-19).
The Lord left nations in Israel to test them, whether they would walk in the way of the Lord (Judges 2:20-23).
The people of Israel lived among the Canaanites and served their gods, forgetting the Lord their God (Judges 2:10-13).
The Lord raised up Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar to save Israel from Cushan-rishathaim, Eglon, and the Philistines (Judges 3:7-11, 20-22).
Each judge was raised up by the Lord to save Israel, but the people did not listen to their judges and turned back to their evil ways (Judges 2:16-19).
Doctrinal Links
- The passage emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience (Judges 2:10-23).
- The passage also emphasizes the role of God's Spirit in empowering his people, as seen in the judges who were raised up to deliver Israel (Judges 3:10).
- The passage highlights the importance of faithfulness and loyalty to God, as seen in the people of Israel's repeated turning back to their evil ways (Judges 2:17-19).
Common Objections
<objection> The passage presents a negative view of the people of Israel, implying that they were consistently disobedient and unfaithful.
Response: <response> While it is true that the passage highlights the people of Israel's disobedience, it also emphasizes God's faithfulness and mercy in raising up judges to deliver them. The passage is not meant to portray the people of Israel as consistently disobedient, but rather to highlight the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance that characterized their history.
<objection> The passage seems to suggest that God is responsible for the oppression of Israel by surrounding nations.
Response: <response> This objection misunderstands the passage. The Lord gave Israel over to plunderers and sold them into the hand of their enemies, not because he was punishing them, but because he was testing them to see if they would obey his commandments (Judges 2:20-23).
<objection> The passage implies that God's deliverance of Israel was solely dependent on the actions of the judges he raised up.
Response: <response> This objection is partially correct. While the judges were raised up by the Lord to deliver Israel, the passage also emphasizes the role of God's Spirit in empowering them (Judges 3:10).
Tensions
The tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility is evident throughout the passage, as the people of Israel's disobedience and God's judgment are intertwined.
The passage highlights the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance that characterized the people of Israel's history, raising questions about the nature of God's relationship with his people.
The passage also raises questions about the role of the judges in delivering Israel, and whether their actions were solely dependent on God's empowerment.
Application Questions
- How can we learn from the people of Israel's history and apply it to our own lives?
- What are the implications of God's sovereignty and human responsibility in our own lives?
- How can we cultivate a deeper sense of faithfulness and loyalty to God in our own lives?
Luke 22:14-34
Core Claim
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper as a new covenant in his blood, where believers remember his sacrifice and participate in his kingdom.
Commentary
The Passover meal was a significant Jewish tradition, but Jesus transforms it into a new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20).
Jesus' desire to eat the Passover with his apostles before suffering highlights the importance of community and shared experience in the Christian life (Luke 22:15).
The cup and bread are symbols of Jesus' body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20).
Jesus' use of "I tell you" emphasizes the importance of his words and the authority behind them (Luke 22:15, 17, 21, 31).
The apostles' question about who will betray Jesus shows their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of his kingdom (Luke 22:23).
Jesus' teaching on servitude and leadership emphasizes the importance of humility and selflessness in the Christian life (Luke 22:25-26).
Jesus' promise to Peter that he will strengthen his brothers after his own faith has been restored highlights the importance of perseverance and support in the Christian life (Luke 22:32).
The dispute among the apostles about who is greatest shows their misunderstanding of Jesus' teachings and the nature of his kingdom (Luke 22:24).
Doctrinal Links
- The Lord's Supper is a sacrament that participates in the new covenant in Jesus' blood (Luke 22:20).
- Jesus' death is a necessary part of the atonement, demonstrating God's justice and mercy (Romans 3:25-26).
- The Christian life is characterized by humility and selflessness, as Jesus teaches in Luke 22:25-26.
- Jesus' promise to Peter that he will strengthen his brothers after his own faith has been restored highlights the importance of perseverance and support in the Christian life (Luke 22:32).
- The kingdom of God is a present reality, but also a future hope, as Jesus teaches in Luke 22:16, 18.
Common Objections
<objection> The Lord's Supper is just a Jewish tradition, not a Christian practice.
Response: <response> While the Passover meal was a Jewish tradition, Jesus transforms it into a new covenant in his blood, making it a unique Christian practice (Luke 22:20).
<objection> Why does Jesus have to die? Can't he just forgive sins without the sacrifice?
Response: <response> Jesus' death is a necessary part of the atonement, demonstrating God's justice and mercy (Romans 3:25-26).
<objection> Why does Jesus have to predict Peter's denial? Can't he just forgive Peter's sin?
Response: <response> Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial serves as a warning and a call to repentance, highlighting the importance of humility and self-awareness in the Christian life (Luke 22:31-32).
Tensions
The tension between Jesus' desire to eat the Passover with his apostles and his knowledge of his impending death and betrayal.
The tension between the apostles' misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of his kingdom.
The tension between Jesus' teaching on servitude and leadership and the apostles' desire for power and prestige.
Application Questions
- How can I participate in the new covenant in Jesus' blood through the Lord's Supper?
- How can I apply Jesus' teaching on servitude and leadership in my own life?
- How can I support and strengthen my brothers and sisters in Christ, as Jesus promises to Peter in Luke 22:32?
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Core Claim
The Psalmist declares that the LORD is sovereign and eternal, and that His steadfast love and faithfulness are unwavering.
Commentary
The Psalm is a song for the Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of worship and praise on this day.
The LORD is described as "Most High" and "on high forever", emphasizing His sovereignty and eternity.
The Psalmist expresses gratitude and praise to the LORD for His works and steadfast love.
The Psalmist contrasts the fate of the wicked and the righteous, declaring that the wicked are doomed to destruction, but the righteous flourish like palm trees and cedars.
The LORD's throne is established from of old, emphasizing His eternal reign.
The floods are described as lifting up their voice, emphasizing the LORD's power over nature.
The Psalmist's horn is exalted like that of the wild ox, symbolizing strength and power.
The LORD's decrees are described as "very trustworthy", emphasizing their reliability and faithfulness.
The Psalmist declares that the LORD is upright and that there is no unrighteousness in Him.
The LORD reigns and is robed in majesty, emphasizing His sovereignty and power.
Doctrinal Links
- The Lord's Supper is a sacrament that participates in the new covenant in Jesus' blood (Luke 22:20).
- Jesus' death is a necessary part of the atonement, demonstrating God's justice and mercy (Romans 3:25-26).
- The Christian life is characterized by humility and selflessness, as Jesus teaches in Luke 22:25-26.
- Jesus' promise to Peter that he will strengthen his brothers after his own faith has been restored highlights the importance of perseverance and support in the Christian life (Luke 22:32).
- The kingdom of God is a present reality, but also a future hope, as Jesus teaches in Luke 22:16, 18.
Common Objections
The wicked seem to flourish in this life, so how can we be sure that they will be punished?
Response: This objection overlooks the fact that the wicked may appear to flourish in this life, but they are ultimately doomed to destruction forever (Psalm 92:7).
If the LORD is sovereign, why do evil things happen in the world?
Response: This objection fails to consider the broader biblical theology of sin and its consequences, as well as the LORD's ultimate victory over evil (Psalm 93:4).
The Psalmist's declaration of the LORD's sovereignty and power seems to be at odds with the apparent chaos and disorder in the world.
Response: This objection is a valid concern, but it does not negate the Psalmist's declaration of the LORD's sovereignty and power.
Tensions
The apparent contradiction between the LORD's sovereignty and the apparent chaos and disorder in the world.
The tension between the fate of the wicked and the righteous, with the wicked appearing to flourish in this life.
The difficulty of understanding the LORD's ways and thoughts, which are described as "very deep" (Psalm 92:5).
Application Questions
- How can we, as believers, express gratitude and praise to the LORD for His works and steadfast love?
- How can we, as believers, trust in the LORD's sovereignty and power in the face of apparent chaos and disorder in the world?
- How can we, as believers, live in light of the LORD's ultimate victory over evil?
Proverbs 14:1-2
Core Claim
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Commentary
The passage begins by describing the wisest of women, highlighting her virtuous character and actions.
The contrast between the wise and the foolish is established from the outset, with folly personified as a destructive force.
The phrase "builds her house" is likely a metaphor for building a life or a family, rather than a physical structure.
The use of "fears the LORD" in verse 2 suggests a deep reverence and respect for God's authority.
The phrase "despises him" implies a rejection of God's authority and a disregard for His commands.
The passage assumes a relationship between moral behavior and one's relationship with God.
The contrast between uprightness and devious ways is a recurring theme in Proverbs, highlighting the importance of moral integrity.
The passage uses the LORD as a reference point for moral behavior, emphasizing the importance of fearing and reverencing God.
Doctrinal Links
- The passage assumes a covenantal relationship between God and humanity, where God's authority is to be revered and obeyed.
- The concept of uprightness is closely tied to the doctrine of the image of God in humanity.
- The passage's emphasis on fearing the LORD is related to the doctrine of the atonement, where God's authority is to be respected and obeyed in response to His gracious redemption.
Common Objections
The passage seems to imply that the wisest of women is somehow superior to men.
Response: This is not necessarily the case; the passage is highlighting the virtuous character of the wisest of women, but this does not imply superiority over men.
The concept of "fearing the LORD" is unclear.
Response: Fearing the LORD in this context means having a deep reverence and respect for God's authority, and living in accordance with His commands.
The passage seems to suggest that those who are devious in their ways are necessarily despising the LORD.
Response: While this is a common association in Proverbs, it is not a hard and fast rule; individuals can still be devious without necessarily despising the LORD.
Tensions
The passage assumes a relationship between moral behavior and one's relationship with God, which can be a difficult concept for some to grasp.
The contrast between uprightness and devious ways can be a challenging theme to apply in real-life situations.
The passage's emphasis on fearing the LORD can be seen as overly simplistic or even legalistic by some.
Application Questions
- How can I apply the concept of uprightness in my own life, and what does it mean to fear the LORD in practical terms?
- How can I avoid falling into devious ways and instead cultivate a virtuous character?
- What does it mean to build a life or a family in a way that honors God, and how can I prioritize this in my own life?