Leviticus 24:1-25:46
Big Idea
The passage from Leviticus 24:1-25:46 outlines various commands and laws given by God to Moses for the people of Israel.
Commentary
The passage begins with a command to bring pure oil for the lamp in the tent of meeting, which is to be arranged before the LORD regularly.
This command is repeated throughout the passage as a reminder of the importance of worshiping God regularly.
The passage also includes laws regarding blasphemy, punishment for taking human life, and rules for the Sabbath year and jubilee.
The concept of the jubilee is emphasized as a time when slaves are released and property is returned to its original owners.
The passage also includes rules for redemption of land and houses, and instructions on how to treat one's brother who becomes poor.
Claims
- God commands the people of Israel to bring pure oil for the lamp in the tent of meeting (Leviticus 24:1-4).
- Blasphemy against the Name is punishable by stoning, regardless of whether the person is a sojourner or native (Leviticus 24:10-16).
- The Sabbath year provides food for everyone in the land, including slaves and hired workers (Leviticus 25:4-6).
- Slaves can be bought from among the nations around Israel or from strangers who sojourn with them (Leviticus 25:44-46).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The Sabbath year is a time for people to relax and have fun.
Correction
The Sabbath year is actually a time of rest and worship, when no work is allowed.
Misunderstanding
The jubilee is a time for people to celebrate and party.
Correction
The jubilee is actually a time of release and restoration, when slaves are freed and property is returned to its original owners.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to "fear your God" in the context of supporting a poor brother?
- How can you apply the principle of redemption to your own life, whether it be land or houses?
- What are some ways that you can show hospitality to strangers and sojourners in your community?
Mark 10:13-31
Big Idea
The kingdom of God is accessible to all, including children, but requires a humble and childlike faith.
Commentary
Jesus is approached by parents bringing their children for him to touch.
The disciples rebuke the parents, but Jesus allows the children to come to him.
Jesus tells the man that inheriting eternal life requires selling his possessions and giving to the poor.
Jesus comments on the difficulty of entering the kingdom of God for those with wealth.
The disciples are amazed by Jesus' words.
Peter mentions that they have left everything to follow Jesus.
Jesus responds that those who leave everything for him will receive a hundredfold in this life, but also face persecutions.
Jesus loves the man and tells him he lacks one thing: selling his possessions and giving to the poor.
Jesus uses a hyperbolic comparison (camel through the eye of a needle) to illustrate the difficulty of entering the kingdom for those with wealth.
Peter's statement about leaving everything to follow Jesus is met with a promise from Jesus that they will receive a hundredfold in this life.
Claims
- The man asking about eternal life claims to have kept all the commandments from his youth.
- Those who leave everything to follow Jesus will receive a hundredfold in this life, but also face persecutions.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<The kingdom of God is only for children>
Correction
The kingdom of God is accessible to all, including children, but requires a humble and childlike faith.
Misunderstanding
<Jesus is against wealth and material possessions>
Correction
Jesus comments on the difficulty of entering the kingdom of God for those with wealth, but also promises that those who leave everything for him will receive a hundredfold in this life.
Application Questions
- How can we apply the principle of humility and childlike faith to our own lives?
- What does it mean to "leave house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands" for Jesus' sake and the gospel?
- How can we balance the promise of a hundredfold return with the reality of facing persecutions?
Psalm 44:9-26
Big Idea
The Israelites express their feelings of rejection, disgrace, and suffering at the hands of God.
Commentary
The psalm is a lamentation of the Israelites' situation, where they feel forgotten by God.
They recall their covenant with God but feel broken and oppressed.
The Israelites attribute their suffering to God's rejection and inaction.
They acknowledge their own faithfulness to the covenant with God.
They appeal to God's steadfast love as a reason for redemption.
The psalm highlights the tension between God's people feeling rejected and God's promise of steadfast love.
The Israelites' situation is described as being "like sheep for slaughter" and scattered among nations.
They feel their disgrace and shame are before them at all times.
Despite their suffering, they claim not to have forgotten God or been false to the covenant.
They express their trust in God's knowledge of their hearts and His ability to discover any wrongdoing.
Claims
- The Israelites claim that God has rejected them and disgraced them.
- They accuse God of hiding His face and forgetting their affliction and oppression.
- They plead for God to rise up and redeem them for the sake of His steadfast love.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
We have forgotten God
Correction
They claim not to have forgotten God.
Misunderstanding
God has abandoned us
Correction
The Israelites attribute their suffering to God's rejection, but they also acknowledge their own faithfulness.
Application Questions
- How can we as individuals or communities respond to feelings of rejection and abandonment by God?
- What does it mean to be faithful to a covenant with God in the midst of suffering?
- How can we trust in God's steadfast love even when we feel forgotten or rejected?
Proverbs 10:20-21
Big Idea
The passage contrasts the characteristics and consequences of living a righteous life versus a wicked one.
Commentary
The tongue, lips, and heart are used to describe both the righteous and wicked, highlighting their importance in determining one's character.
The use of "choice silver" to describe the tongue of the righteous emphasizes its value and worth.
In contrast, the heart of the wicked is described as being of little worth, implying a lack of moral or spiritual value.
The lips of the righteous are said to feed many, suggesting that their words have a positive impact on others.
Fools, on the other hand, die for lack of sense, indicating that their foolishness leads to negative consequences.
Claims
- The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.
- The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
- The lips of the righteous feed many.
- Fools die for lack of sense.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<The passage says nothing about the tongue being made of silver.>
Correction
The tongue is described as "choice silver," which means it is valuable and precious, but not necessarily made of actual silver.
Misunderstanding
<The wicked are lazy or idle.>
Correction
The heart of the wicked is described as being of little worth, implying a lack of moral or spiritual value, rather than laziness.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to have a "choice silver" tongue?
- How can we use our words to feed many and make a positive impact on others?
- What are some consequences of living a life without sense or wisdom?