Matthew 14-16

• Death of John the Baptist (14:1-11)
• It all arose from revenge for John not agreeing Herrod with wife, hence wife asked the daughter to behead him. (v8,11)
• Did Jesus want some time out? (v13)
• He had compassion on them though. (v14) Putting others' need first.
• Five loaves two fish became twelve basket-full always is facinating if you think closely. (v16-21) 5000 men excluding women and children
• Only now did he get some time to himself (v23)
• Jesus walks on water (v24-32): Often we are like Peter when we are walking our Christian life. We ask for Jesus' approval (v28), he grants (v29), we step forward to do it but often get clouded by the worries (winds) around us (v30) and we lose confidence. Jesus assures that he is there to reach us if anything happens (v31)

it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.

-- Matthew 15:11

• Jesus explains: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (v18-19)
• Why did Jesus reject the Canaanite woman? She acknowledged him as Lord and son of David. Why was Jesus so exclusive here? (v22-24) Was he just making it clear that he is the Savior promised for Israel, hence he said this?
• Israel = children; Gentiles=dog? (v26)
• Her faith was tested. (v28)
• Performs miracle again (v31-39)

• No sign is to be given except of Jonah (16:4)
• Is he indicating the parallel of his resurrection?
• Many people get asked the question of who Jesus is. (v13) Peter gives a general answer (v14) but Jesus is concerned about what his personal response is (v15). That goes with us too.
• The most debated verse between Catholics and Christians (16:18) - The focus is on Jesus with the "I" and "my", not Peter. (Ephesians 2:20)

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

-- Matthew 16:24-26

Isaiah 29-33

• Fall of Jerusalem into the hands of enemies (29:1-8)
• God closes Jerusalem's eyes (v9-10)
• Appears that even when Isaiah prophesies, no one will understand (v11-12) [certainly what I am thinking right now! :P]

And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, 14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.

-- Isaiah 29:13-14

"You turn things upside down!
Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,
that the thing made should say of its maker,
He did not make me;
or the thing formed say of him who formed it,
He has no understanding?

-- Isaiah 29:16

• God speaks to those who do not follow God's plan (30:1), and those who do not consult him for directions (v2), and warns them of the consequences of going down the wrong path (v3-7)

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

-- Isaiah 30:18

• Consequences of those who do not rely on God but go for Egypt (Chapter 31)

• Is Isaiah prophesising Jesus? (32:1-4)
  

Job 11-12

• Job's friend assumes that it is just for God to punish Job (11:1-6), in fact God is punishing him less than what he deserves. Tells Job to stop complaining. Complaining won't change anything.
• His friend still thinks he is not right with God, that is why he is facing all these punishments (v13)
• Tells Job to repent (v14)
• Then, you will be made good and you can face God (v15)
• Shows Job that life will be much better if he repented (v17-20).

Psalms 15-17

Psalms 15

Qualities that we should aim for:

• Blameless;
• Right;
• Speaks the truth;
• Does not slander with tongue;
• Does no evil to neighbour;
• No reproach;
• Honours and fears the LORD;
• Does not burden by charging interest; and
  
• No bribes.

So much qualities, only the Holy Spirit may help us achieve.

Psalms 16

• Comes to God for refuge.(16:1)
• Acknowledges he is not whole. (v2)
• God protects (v5)
• God guides (v7)
• God is of utmost priority (v8)
• All these brings assurance which in turns bring joy (v9)

Psalms 17

• David appears to be very confident that he is whole-heartedly with God. His prayer is from tongue free from deceit (v1). He claims that he has been tested by God but has passed and his mouth will not transgress (v3)
• Throughout, David has been able to distant himself away from the violence (v4) and keep to the paths of God (v5)
• He know God will answer (v6-7)
• What is "the apple of your eye"? (v8) Is it supposed to be good? Why are apples good?

----
edited: (thanks to Sharon)
according to Wikipedia, the phrase "apple of my eye" is:

The saying originally meant the central aperture of the eye, presumably because apples were the most common sphere-shaped object around. The apple and apple tree were also a sacred symbols for the early British peoples. This is reflected in such stories as the Island of Avalon (which literally means Apple Island). Now, this phrase is usually figurative meaning something, or more usually someone, cherished above others.

----

• I wonder under what situation he wrote this psalm? He seems to be attacked around (v9-13)
• God delivers (v14-15)
  

Judges 1-6

• Were they supposed to drive the Canaanites out completely? (1:27-34) Was there a direction from God to drive them out completely and it did not happen?
  

• It is revealed in 2:2 that Israel has disobeyed God's command. Israel has chosen not to follow God, and hence God departs from them in v3.
• Often, we only do so much when it comes to following God. We often sit back and relax when we feel we have done enough. We never thought of thinking whether God thinks that is enough done from us. Israel would have thought we now have control over the land, who cares if the Canaanites are slaves or whether they get driven out. They never thought back to see whether that is what God intended.
  
• Israel served Baals (?) (v11) and abandoned the LORD (v12). They have chosen to serve gods and abandon the LORD God. Reminds me of Romans 1:21-23
  
• One god (Baals) was not enough, they had to bring on Ashtaroth! (v13)
• The Almighty God just gave them over to plunderers. It is not because he was not capable of protecting Israel, he had the capability but just handed them over. (v14)
• God gives them a chance by raising up judges (v16), but they do not repent (v17) and still continue to sin.
• God loves for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them (v18b)

• Asheroth vs Ashtaroth (2:13 vs 3:7 - typo or two separate Gods)
• God was loving (v9, and v15, 4:3, 6:7-10), whenever they came back to Him, He would save.
  
• Gideon sees angel of God, thought he was going to die (6:22, Exodus 33:20), but God decides that he lives on.
  

Genesis 20-23

• Why does Abraham love to declare Sarah as his sister? (20:2)
• God intervenes (v3)
• Abimelech acknowledges God by calling him Lord. (v4) He pleads for being innocent from the heart (v5)
• God knows and explained that is why He has intercepted. (v6) Why does people assume when God shows up, He is to bring punishment? Or is that the characteristic of being God fearing?
• Is he not trusting God again? Does not apologise but seeks to find excuses to cover up. So much for the father of faith (v11-13)
• And he still gets blessed with land being given to him. (v14-15)
• All God said to Abimelech was that he was a dead man, when did He curse the women in not being able to bear children? (v17-18)

• God delivers His promises (21:1-2)
• Sarah wants to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. (v10)
• God sees Abraham displeased but promises God that they will be protected (v11-14)
• When they felt left alone and not wanted, God brings assurance and peace (v15-21). God is with you and provides your needs (v19)

• Abraham teaches his son well. Being young, he already knew to sacrifice a lamb as burnt offering (v7b).
• v12 - the ideal role-model characteristics for a follower of God: (1) Fear God; and (2) nothing between God and yourself (eg family members and other earthly attachments).
• God delivers a ram (v13) is answer so that Abraham may fulfill what he has promised his son saying that God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering in v8.
• This is a sign where Abraham has matured into a God-fearing person. He understood that God was the one who gave him Isaac at such an old age, but yet only gave his only son as a sacrifice back to the Lord without reservation. God blesses (v17-18)

• Sarah lived 127 years: wasn't there a cap of 120 years? (23:1, cf Gen 6:3)
• What was the whole thing about burying Sarah? (rest of Chp 23)
  

Genesis 12 and 20

12:14-20

Egypt - Sarai was taken to Pharaoh - Pharaoh gave Abram many things - God sent diseases to Egyptians - Pharaoh sent Sarai back and asked Abram to go away

14When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18So Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go." 20And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

20:2-18

Gerar - Abimelech took Sarah - God warned Abimelech - Abimelech returned Sarai to Abram - Abimelech gave Abraham many things - Abraham prayed to God and Abimelech and his family - Abraham stayed

2And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife." 4Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this." 6Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

8So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done." 10And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you did this thing?" 11Abraham said, "I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. 12Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, 'This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.'"

14Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you." 16To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated." 17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Is there anything significant about the two situations?

Week 6

Mon 02 Jun 2008	Genesis 20-23
Tue 03 Jun 2008	Judges 1-6
Wed 04 Jun 2008	Psalms 15-17
Thu 05 Jun 2008	Job 11-12
Fri 06 Jun 2008	Isaiah 29-33
Sat 07 Jun 2008	Matthew 14-16
Sun 08 Jun 2008	Romans 11-12

Week 5 Summary

Praise the Lord we have been blessed to follow our commitments in reading the bible for a little over one month now! May the Lord continue to guide each and every one of us to continue our journey in reading God's word in the remaining of our 365 days!

Jot has embarked on his Europe holiday trip yesterday at around noon with Chun, Lisa, and Wei (is there more?) We shall continue to remember them in our prayers so they may have safety, guidance, and health throughout the entire trip. Also to keep in prayer that Jot may continue to read his bible readings every day so he does not have any "reading-debts" to pay off when he returns?

Speaking of "reading-debts", work has been very busy lately. Studying for the exams which is just round the corner has made this commitment more the challenging. This would also apply to Sharon as well. Hope the Lord will provide us guidance in utilising our times wisely. Do you think I can go on "credit" just for the next few weeks?

Very tempting.

馬太福音 11

8-9
你們出去到底是要看甚麼？要看穿細軟衣服的人麼？那穿細軟衣服的人是在王宮裡。
你們出去究竟是為甚麼？是要看先知麼？我告訴你們，是的，他比先知大多了。

It used to be very meaningful to me. and it still is...

28-30
凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。
我心裡柔和謙卑，你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式；這樣，你們心裡就必得享安息。
因為我的軛是容易的，我的擔子是輕省的。

Romans 9-10

• Paul says do not take it for granted by through being a descendant that you are God's chosen, for 'not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel (v6).
  
• Paul clarifies that it is not anyone born after Abraham are chosen, but those through Isaac are chosen (v7, cf Gen 21:12). The emphasis is still God's plan, the focus is not on some person's descendants.
  
• Again, Abraham or Isaac did not "earn" their way to be chosen by God through their works. They were called upon by God (v11).
  
• It is not our will, but God's will (v16).
• God's the creator, are we to question what the creator has made, as creation? Compares ourselves as the 'moulded' with God as the 'moulder', or God as 'potter' and we as 'clay'. The relationship does not render us a chance to be eligible to question (v19-21)
• Paul addresses the question where if the Gentiles who has not been chasing for a righteous life attain righteousness by faith, how would it be fair for Israel not to be able to gain righteousness when they have practiced all the laws to gain this righteousness? (v30-31)
• Paul answers the above by saying Israel missed it by not doing what God has told them to do by faith, but thought doing it will earn it by salvation (v32).

• Paul said that Israel missed it by thinking if they practiced good enough, they establish their own righteousness, not the righteousness that comes from God (10:2-3). They did not follow what God intended them to do.
  
• Christ ended that confusion with the law (v4).
• The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (v8) - You declare it and you acknowledge it and accept it in your heart
  
• you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (v9) - God's assurance of salvation if that is what you have declared and believe.
  
• Mouth confession - Salvation; Heart believes - Justified. (v10)
• For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him (v12-13)
• Unbelievers don't just call on someone whom they not yet know! Paul challenges us to go out and spread the gospel (v14-15, cf Isaiah 52:7)