Category Archives: Scripture

Lessons from Genesis, Part 1

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2018

Genesis 16:13, El-Roi

When Abraham’s concubine Hagar fled to the desert, she said to the Lord who met her there, “You are the God (Hebrew El-Roi) who sees me” (NIV).

God sees me …

When I was a little girl, we sang the chorus, “Oh be careful little hands what you do (eyes what you see; ears what you hear; feet where you go), for the Father up above is looking down in love ….” I skipped over the “in love” part and concluded this meant I better not be naughty because God was watching my every move.

Later it became a comfort to think that He was always with me, no matter what I did or how I messed up.

But my Hebrew Bible commentary suggests a different thought. The ancients believed that if you saw a divine being, you’d die. The Hebrew Bible reads, “Have I not gone on seeing after He saw me?”

Which of the three explanations is correct? Perhaps the third, but there is truth in all three. A God who sees can be a deterrent to trying to hide, a comfort when we come out of hiding (when shame is gone, there is joy in the relationship), and an awe-filled realization that He is merciful.

Woman kneeling on prayer rug in desert during sunset

Genesis 17:1, El Shadai

We often translate El Shadai as “God Almighty,” but El Shadai originally meant “God, the one of the mountain” or “The Lord, Him of Sinai” (Judges 5:5). This was how God revealed Himself to the patriarchs.

Genesis 17:20, Ishmael’s 12

Numbers are important in the Bible. I find it fascinating that God told Ishmael he would become the father of 12 chieftains (cf. the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples).

Genesis 17:23, Slavery

Abraham, the Father of 3 religions, owned both purchased slaves and home-born slaves, and all had to be circumcised. Ever since the Civil War, we in the USA have a profound belief that all men deserve to be free. Slavery is abhorrent to us. In Abraham’s day it was the norm, a common practice to conquer a city and enslave the inhabitants.

Is the act of enslavement a sin in God’s eyes, or is the greater issue how the master treats the enslaved? Did Abraham treat his slaves kindly and with respect? A deeper dive into the subject suggests that perhaps these were indentured servants or bondservants. See what you think.

Did Abraham Own Slaves? Unpacking Biblical Servitude in the Ancient World – genesishow.blog

Genesis 18:15, Sarah’s Laugh

When the Lord told Sarah she had laughed at the mention of pregnancy in her old age, she denied it. The text tells us it was because she was frightened. (Fear is usually the motivation for lying.)

But what if lying is for the purpose of saving a life, or smuggling Bibles into China or hiding Jews in the Holocaust? I’ve never been able to figure this one out. Is it the act or the motive that makes it sin?

[I learned that the rabbis explain that when two moral beliefs collide, the higher moral standard (e.g. saving a life) trumps the lower (e.g. lying to hide someone).]

Why do we always fault Sarah for laughing and forget that Abraham did too? At one time his faith wobbled when he suggested God should use Ishmael to fulfill His promise for an heir. Abraham’s summary word for his life was faith, but he had to learn to trust. It didn’t come automatically. Yes, Abraham had great faith, but he laughed when God announced he would hold a son within a year. Could Abraham’s laughter have come from a heart of sheer joy? The text doesn’t say.

I wonder what word summarizes my life? When have I wobbled?

Genesis 19, Lot’s Two Daughters

Talk about redemption! Lot’s incestual relationship with his daughters produced the following:

  • Moab, the ancestor of Ruth, the ancestor of King David, the ancestor of King Jesus
  • Ammon, the ancestor of Naamah (King Solomon’s wife), the ancestor of Rehoboam, King of Judah

“Out of the ashes of Sodom … a seed of messianic redemption thus lies in the squalid events of Genesis 19:30 – 38.” (Gen Rab 41:4, Hebrew Bible, p. 42)

On Holiness

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2018

One of the most profound and moving hymns of my childhood was Holy, holy, holy. In my little mind, I defined holiness as moral purity or perfection—a quality belonging only to God and something I could never attain. Thus “holier than thou” turned into a derogatory term meaning pride.

Some dictionary definitions of holiness include absoluteness, majesty, exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. With these definitions, only God is truly holy, so why do the Scriptures tell humans to be holy? (Lev. 11:44; 19:2)

Another aspect of holiness suggests divine separation from all that is earthly, set apart, sacred, dedicated or consecrated to God. With this definition, a person cannot be holy-er. Either you are set apart or you’re not. You cannot be both holy and unholy. A vessel that was set apart in the temple was either used in the temple or it wasn’t. It’s like either you’re pregnant or you’re not.

Here’s a quick Bible verse search for the word holiness. Something to chew on.

  • Holiness adorns your house for endless days O Lord. (Ps. 93:5)
  • Glorious is holiness (Ex. 15:11)
  • The beauty of holiness (I Chron. 16:29)
  • Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (Ps. 30:4)
  • The throne of his holiness (Ps. 47:8)
  • The mountain of his holiness (Ps. 48:1)
  • Highway … called The Way of Holiness. (Isa. 35:8)
  • Courts of thy holiness (Jer. 23:9)
  • Words of his holiness (Jer. 23:9)
  • The spirit of holiness (Rom. 1:4)
  • Put on the new man, which after God is created in … true holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
  • God hasn’t called us to uncleanness but unto holiness. (I Thess. 4:7)
  • Partakers of his holiness (Heb. 12:10)
  • Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14)
Lit candle in a ceramic holder on a rustic wooden table with a book nearby

Lessons from Hebrews

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2018

It’s a little disturbing to me to see how the author of Hebrews glibly quotes the Old Testament out of context.

  • If 1:5 refers to II Samuel 7:14, the author is misquoting, I will be his father, and he will be my son. (NIV)

In the Samuel context, the next statement says, “when he commits iniquity, I will correct him.” This obviously refers to Solomon, not to the Messiah. So how can the author of Hebrews apply it to Christ?

  • The statement He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire (1:7) seems to be quoting Psalm 104:4. But in that context, there is no reference to angels. In fact, in that Psalm every reference is to things in nature, and Hebrews seems to do violence to the text to make it refer to angels.
Armored female warrior with flaming wings flying over mountains at sunset
AI-generated

Now, I admit I’m no Hebrew scholar, but this is how it appears to me. Is there an overlay of truth, a phrase with hidden meaning in the text? I’m confused. Either the scriptures are inspired or they are not. Either the author of Hebrews stretches and misquotes scripture, or he doesn’t.

After reading numerous commentaries, I see I’m not the only one who has questioned these passages. But if we believe the Scriptures are accurate and inspired, there must be a logical explanation. Since the author uses these quotes without further argument or commentary, it is assumed that the readers understood and agreed with his application of the phrases referring to the Messiah and to the angels. The overall conclusion of Hebrews is that Christ is superior to men and angels no matter what arguments or quotations the author uses, and that is the important matter here.

On September 20, I listened to Michael Rydelnik on “Chris Fabry Live,” Rydelnik believes the entire Psalter is a messianic book arranged deliberately in a certain order. For example, Psalms 22 and 24 are clearly Messianic. My God, My God . . . they pierced my hands and feet . . . Who can stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands … the King of glory.

Sandwiched in between the two is the oft-quoted Psalm 23, which Rydelnik says is another messianic Psalm regarding the death and resurrection of Christ. We can certainly gain comfort from this Psalm while “in the valley of the shadow of death” and can certainly find application to our personal lives, but it primarily gives us a glimpse into the Messiah’s experience. Rydelnik says the ancients understood the messianic nature and subject of the Psalms. So perhaps the author of Hebrews draws from that matrix and viewpoint.

He must increase

Posted on by under Emotions, God, Scripture

Journal 2018

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30 KJV)

Fresh out of college, I landed a job teaching English and speech at a private Christian school. Inexperienced and apprehensive, I tried to put on a confident mask as I entered the classroom and directed the school’s plays and programs. The more insecure I felt, however, the more I craved affirmation and accolades.

I want to follow John the Baptist’s example, but how do I decrease while Jesus increases? How do I avoid seeking accolades and point people to Jesus instead? Mother Teresa and Johnny Earickson Tada come to mind as humans who have accomplished great things for God with few resources, yet they always point people to the One they worship. How would that look to me?

Visual: I am at a Y junction of a channel of water (i.e. man’s accolades) rushing toward me. When the waters arrive at the Y, I close the gate on my side and divert the water to the right fork, causing the water to flow toward Christ instead. When praises come my way, I divert them to my Lord. If I don’t, I may drown in the force of the water. He alone is strong enough to receive the full force of gushing praise. I cannot prevent the water from flowing, but I can divert the water to the proper channel.

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Lessons in Psalms

Posted on by under Scripture

Journal 2018

Psalm 88

In deep despair, the Psalmist Heman cries out to God, who seems to be silent. He blames God for his predicament and pain, claiming He has taken his companions and loved ones from him, and he feels God’s wrath.

Blame is a shifting of pain. I find when I quit blaming others (especially God) for my pain and turn around and face it, then pain can pour out and release, and God’s sweet and gentle voice will answer.

When a person blames me for her pain, it’s okay to examine my heart to see what actions of mine might have hurt her, but as long as she is deflecting her pain by blaming me, she will not heal inside.

Psalm 90

Because of his life experiences, Moses is keenly aware of the power of God’s wrath. I can’t identify with Moses, for my life experiences don’t include tragedy, earthquakes, rebellious neighbors, war, desert hardships, or enemies chasing me and threatening me. I am grateful that I get to live in America, in a strong brick house, with enough food that I never go to bed hungry, on a safe street, with freedom to worship. I don’t take my life for granted.

But I echo Moses’ prayer:

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. (v. 17 NIV)

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (v. 1))

I need rest—not just physical, but emotional and spiritual. The key, according to this verse, is to dwell. Dwelling somewhere is not work. It just is. I don’t have to work at dwelling in my house. It’s where I live, work, sleep, eat, enjoy relationship. I don’t live at your house; I live in mine, where I’m most comfortable. Things are familiar.

My body is God’s temple, and He dwells in me. He never leaves, He’s always there, and I want Him to feel at home here in my house. Sometimes I go to a different room and shut the door on Him, but He’s still there waiting outside the door for me to unlock it so we can have sweet fellowship once more.

Psalm 92

The righteous… Will still bear fruit in old age. They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright. He is my rock and there is no wickedness in him.” (vv. 12-15)

I don’t consider myself “old age,” but this brings comfort to my soul. Still bearing fruit, staying fresh and green, still proclaiming. Some days I don’t feel fresh and green, but I like the thought of still bearing fruit.

I watch some friends who never seem to age, and others who are withering. I suspect this has to do more with the physical and perhaps even the mental, but the spirit can stay strong.

Psalm 136

God used the same water (the Red Sea) to rescue Israel and to annihilate the Egyptian army. Same water, different results. This started me thinking of other scenarios where something has a dual purpose or outcome.

  • The tongue: bless or curse
  • Wind: provide cool in the heat or destroy as a tornado
  • Fire: warm and cook or decimate forests and homes
  • Trauma: keep us stuck in hurt or result in a healing ministry
  • Roots: grow a tree or demolish a house foundation
  • Internet: spread the gospel or spread gossip

Lessons from Mark, Part 2

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2018

“That’s why I have come.” (Mark 1:38)

Jesus declares He’s there to preach, but He keeps getting sidetracked by people just wanting their physical needs met. Yet He doesn’t view meeting people’s needs as a distraction. He has compassion on them, even as He continues to fulfill His mission to preach. But there were consequences to His compassion (v. 40). Jesus is hindered from preaching in the villages after He agrees to heal a leper who disobeys Jesus’ command to go to the priest and to keep quiet about it. Jesus may not have been as comfortable sitting on a rock in the sun outside the village instead of meeting people in the privacy of a home or in the synagogue. But God’s Word will not be thwarted. The people find Him and come to Him.

The Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:3)

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When Jesus gave instructions to His disciples about finding a colt, they were to say to the owner, “The Lord needs it AND will send it back here shortly.” I’ve never before noticed the “and.”

Who kept up with it the whole time they were in Jerusalem? Who returned the colt and when? I know the donkey incident fulfilled scripture, but I still ask, on a practical level, why He did it. Why ride when no one else does? And why a colt?

On Regret (Mark 14:72)

After he denied Jesus three times, Peter broke down and wept.

This strong, overconfident braggadocio with a choleric temperament falls apart when confronted with his own failure. Weeping and repentance are appropriate, but regret can paralyze. Afterwards, shame rushes in to keep one bound. Only Jesus’ gentle question, “Peter, do you love Me?” releases all the shame and regret.

On Envy (Mark 15:9)

Pilot knew that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him out of envy. Envy so blinded their hearts and minds that they were ready to commit murder and release a murderer, Barabbas. How ironic and twisted is that?

Why envy and jealousy? What did Jesus have that they didn’t and that they wanted? A following? Respect? Their pride revolved around self-righteousness. Keeping and teaching the law required years of study and hard work. They had their Ph.D. in the subject, after all, and along comes an uneducated Galilean who has more wisdom and more knowledge than they’ve gained in a lifetime of study. And something else—He has power. They’d never seen anything like it, and they were afraid because they were losing control. When we lose control, we feel powerless and vulnerable, and we don’t like that feeling. What if Jesus was teaching the truth? Then my lifetime of self-effort turns to dust, and I am left humble and humiliated like Saul.

Humble yourself in the sight of God and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

The way up is down. Counterintuitive. “Let go and let God” is more than a cliche.

Jesus’ Torture (Mark 14)

We usually focus on the whipping, which would be pain beyond endurance in itself, but today as I read this account, I realized He most likely had brain damage or a concussion due to the blows on His thorn-crowned head. And add to that, sleep deprivation. No one without supernatural ability could stay present through this all and have a coherent thought in his head. All a person wants in the midst of torture is for the pain to cease. How did Jesus stay true to Himself?

“My God, My God” (Mark 15:33)

A popular song claims that the Father turned His face away at the cross. What utter nonsense. Jesus was feeling temporary separation from His Father, but God does not turn His back on us when we suffer or sin. The Father’s love is infinite and complete, and He embraced the pain along with His Son. Turning away would be avoidance or denial. Pain yes, but not separation. As part of the Trinity, the Spirit felt pain at the cross as well.

My trauma clients often ask, “Where were You, God, when it happened?”

And He always answers, “I was there. I felt your pain along with you.”

Lessons from Mark, Part 1

Posted on by under Scripture

Journal 2018

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Mark 4:35-41

The waves crash over the little boat, and the disciples shake Jesus awake. Their accusation intrigues me:

Don’t you care if we drown?

I hear the same cry from some of my clients: Don’t you care that I’m hurting?

Jesus was asleep, oblivious to the storm, so how could they accuse Him of not caring?  In His humanity He was exhausted and needed rest. It’s ludicrous when a client accuses me of not caring because I’m not available to process with her the moment she gets triggered. Of course I care, but there’s not much I can do for her in the moment except pray she’ll have the strength to keep rowing.

Fear drove the disciples’ words and deeds. What did they want Jesus to do when they woke Him up? Help row? Be prepared to swim if they sank? Perhaps they felt alone and wanted His comforting presence. The storm was bothering the ones who were afraid. It wasn’t bothering the One who was resting.

What if the disciples hadn’t woken Him up? Would they indeed have drowned? What if they’d stopped struggling, stopped rowing and gone to sleep? They weren’t really in any danger, for God still had work for each of them to do. At the right time, Jesus stilled the storm.

May I rest in you today, Lord, no matter what storm rages around me.

Mark 6:5

He was not able to do a miracle there [in Nazareth], except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Why?

Mark says, “Because of their unbelief.”

Perhaps this verse is the source of the false teaching that if you’re sick, it’s your own fault because of your lack of faith—you just didn’t believe hard enough. The issue, however, is not about one’s self-effort but a disbelief in who the Healer is. If you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the creator of the universe, no amount of “faith that I will be healed” is good enough.

Faith is not quantifiable. How do you know when you have “enough faith”? Either you believe that Jesus is who He said He was, or you don’t. Faith is better demonstrated in, “If You will, You can make me whole.” The focus is not on me, but on Him.

Mark 6:56

After the incident with the woman who had an issue of blood, people would ask Jesus if they could touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed. I suspect her story spread like wildfire—that she had the audacity to believe and act on it, but Jesus had called her out for it, so now they asked first.

Were there any who asked that got turned away by him? Did He ask them questions first and interview them? Did He simply ignore or tune out the ones who were suspect? Did He have the human capability of selective hearing and blocking out extraneous noise or visual cues? Did He take time with each person to connect with him or her, or did multiple people touch Him, and there were mass healings? Did touching people and ministering to them drain Him physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? Was He more introvert or extrovert? (Even an extrovert requires downtime.)

We learn from other people’s successes. The bleeding woman had audacious faith. She was desperate, willing to do whatever it took to receive her healing. Her act of boldness, in turn, I believe, gave courage to others to try the same thing.

May I, Lord, have audacious faith, believing You are all powerful, all knowing, omnipresent. But I want to be polite enough to ask if You’re okay with my actions to find healing.

God’s Intimacy and Immensity

Posted on by under God, Scripture

Journal 2018

As a child, I was taught the immensity of God. I was not taught the intimacy of God. As an adult, I experience the intimacy but sometimes forget the immensity—Someone who is so foreign and beyond my comprehension. Our minds are incapable of understanding billions of galaxies and a God who lives outside of time. Man is a miniscule speck of dust in the universe, yet God loved that speck, for He created it. We are part of His creativity. We are not equals. We are the recipients of His grace and mercy.

How then should we view God? I Timothy 6 describes Him as:

  • The blessed and only ruler
  • The King of Kings
  • The Lord of Lords
  • Who alone is immortal
  • Who lives in unapproachable light
  • Whom no one has seen or can see
  • To him be honor and might forever

How can He be all that Paul states, yet live within my heart? How can He dwell in unapproachable light when His very Spirit interacts with mine? We say we approach the throne of grace, yet Paul says God is not approachable. (When I go to heaven, will He be approachable then because I will be in a different state?)

God is both-and. I recognize that my finite mind cannot and never will understand the mysteries of God.

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Life’s Brevity

Posted on by under Emotions, Scripture

Journal 2018

Teach [me] to number [my] days that [I] may gain a heart of wisdom . . . May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon [me]. Establish the work of [my] hands for [me]—yes, establish the work of [my] hands. (Psalm 90:12, 17 NIV).

Visual: I’m fidgeting on a hard and uncomfortable seat, knees pulled up to my chest in front of a large, floor-to-ceiling curtain. Why am I not in the audience? What am I waiting for?

Suddenly the curtain lifts and the show begins. Apparently I’m one of the performers in a cabaret. I wait for my cue. I’m on in . . . 3-2-1. Perform, do the best I can, enjoy the process, and then I’m off the stage, panting from the exertion as I watch the show from the other side of the stage. It’s over—only a brief participation award in the grand experience of life on this earth. My part is done. I have the rest of eternity to analyze my performance.

That’s the big picture.

But for the moment I’m still on stage. I’m just a bit player, but every character is important to the plot. I need to remember my lines, do cartwheels in time with the music, sing with the chorus, and remain quiet when others are speaking. I’m under the Director’s watchful eye. Someone steps out of line and the production halts. I sit on the edge of the stage and wait. Apparently, we’re in a rehearsal. It’s not performance night. The Director is giving instructions, making changes, fixing footing and lighting, and I sit and wait. It’s a time of rest till we’re instructed to move again, and I’m okay with that. Dancing can be fun, but it’s hard work keeping in step with the whole group. I trust the Director. He sees the whole picture. He knows what He wants to accomplish.

Time sometimes appears to speed up and sometimes it appears to slow down. What makes the difference? The intensity of the emotion, or perhaps the degree of pain? I want to learn “a heart of wisdom” and have “hands that are established” in the dailiness of life as well as in the crisis moments. To the best of my ability, I want to care for my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. I fail, I make goals, I try again. I trust God to direct my steps. He knows what’s best.

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Slander

Posted on by under Choices, Emotions, Scripture

Journal 2020

 Rid yourself of . . . slander. I Peter 2:1

Webster defines slander as “false and damaging statements about someone.”

This verse convicts me. I never intentionally say false things about others, but I can make assumptions that might not be accurate. I know it’s not right or fair or honoring, but my words of judgment fly out when I’m feeling triggered. We are all made in the image of God, part of the same race, so when I slander another human being, I hurt myself in the process.

What is the difference, I wonder, between stating a fact about someone (e.g. he’s an alcoholic) and slandering him (e.g. you’ll never believe what Michael did yesterday…) The first may just be acknowledging the truth, while the motive of the second is clearly meant to spread gossip. Is my intent to bring this person down to my level? To delight in sharing a juicy bit of news?

I heard recently someone’s recollection of her mother—that she never said an unkind word about other people. How commendable! “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all,” is often attributed to the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. I want my words as an older, mature woman, to protect others in my speech, not tear them down because of my stuff coming to the surface—which, in the end, merely reveals the darkness of my own heart.

I repent and ask God’s forgiveness and mercy as He teaches me to #1 work through my triggers, and #2 hold my tongue.

Do not pay attention to every word people say or you may hear your servant cursing you …. For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (NIV)

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