Friday, August 31, 2007

Week 1: Day 4

Heh...if anything this is going to help me stay very active on my blog :)

Day 4: Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5-6 (Law); Micah 4 (Prophet)


Exodus 20

The Ten Commandments: The NIV Study Bible States: "The Decalogue reflects the structure of the contemporary royal treaties. On the basis of 1) a preamble, in which the great king identified himself ("I am the LORD your God"), and 2) a historical prologue in which he sketched his previous gracious acts toward the subject king or people ("who brought you out..."), the Lord then set forth 3) the treaty (covenant) stipulations to be obeyed (in this case, ten in number vv. 3-17). Use of this ancient royal treaty pattern shows that the Lord is here formally acknowledged as Israel's King and that Israel is His subject people. As his subjects, his covenant people are to render complete submission, allegiance and obedience to him out of gratitude for his mercies, reverence for his sovereignty, and trust in his continuing care."
God deals in absolutes, in black and white. I am thankful that he does so I don't have to guess at how to be saved.

v. 5 "For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God." This commandment has always thrown me for a loop. How can God say he's a jealous God and then a couple verses later say we're not to covet anything belonging to our neighbor? NIV SB says, "God will not put up with rivalry or unfaithfulness. Usually his "jealousy" concerns Israel and assumes the covenant relationship (analogous to marriage) {LOVE THAT!} and the Lord's exclusive right to possess Israel and to claim her love and allegiance. Actually, jealousy is part of the vocabulary of love. The "jealousy" of God (1) demands exclusive devotion to himself, (2) delivers judgment to all who oppose him, and (3) vindicates His people. In some of these passages the meaning is closer to "zeal" (the same Hebrew word may be translated either way, depending on context).

v. 5 "to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." NIV Study Bible: "In covenant contexts the terms "hate" and "love" were conventionally used to indicate rejection of or loyalty to the covenant Lord." Okay...so we're expected to adhere to these commands if we've enterred into a covenant relationship with God. What about those who don't? Are they not expected to adhere to these laws? v. 5 says they're punished and generations are punished for not doing so. Are we helpd to a higher moral standard due to this covenant? I think so.

Deuteronomy 5-6


This is Moses' reiteration of the Ten Commandments. I'm not sure if Israel needed to be reminded of their covenant or not. I thought vv 26 and 27 were interesting - the Israelites had never heard of a man who has heard the voice of God speaking from fire and lived. Heh...they're TALKING to one. Moses' first experience with hearing God's voice was out of a burning bush. Had Moses not shared his testimony with Israel?

Micah 4


v. 4 "Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken." The fear is gone. Once we are all on the mountain, we'll have nothing to fear :)

1 comment:

Robert & Marisa said...

I am soooo proud of you!!! THis is exactly what you should be doing. woohoo@!!!!

I never thought to blog my notes. WHat a coooool idea~!