Reading Matthew 22 really struck me today. We are so absorbed in our Earthly lives, that we completely lose track of our priorities. How many people around us, and often times we ourselves, don't seem to have time for God? We are too tired to get up for church, or we are too busy to make it to Wednesday nights.
In this parable, it talks about a king summoning his guests. How many of us would bend over backwards to find time if invited by the President, or maybe our favorite musician, but we can't find time for God.
I know my priorities have certainly been lacking. Its easy to go to church when there is nothing else going on, but what about missing a football game to go to church? Or maybe on your only day off? What is more important then?
One of my favorite lines is: "The eye is the lamp into the soul." Judging by what I look at, my soul seems to be on espn.com, or facebook... I guess its time to change my priorities
Wow, boy. Genesis 34 was another doozy of a chapter for me. I think I'm developing a better understanding of the Old Testament as I plug along in these daily readings, but this particular chapter threw me for a loop.
Not too sure what I'm supposed to be learning about God through this one. I'm craving more information for a better insight!
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Or perhaps a commentary to suggest? I read this one, but really didn't like it as it seems a little dated: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/Matthew-Henry/Gen/Dinah-Defiled-Shechem
"And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'." Wow, I truly struggle with this sometimes. I want to strive to be more loving to people. I have a very hard time being accepting of people here at school especially, I guess because I feel as though I am not accepted, or loved, so how could I possibly love people that are rude to me and see me as almost, invisible it seems at times?.. I'm working on it. ;-)
Another thing I thought about in Matthew 22 was the idea of marriage and how in heaven and the resurrection there will be no marriage. I have heard this spoken before, I am interested in what God is trying to say here, if there is a different meaning behind it than what I understand it to be. I guess I'll go ask my fiance and his masters degree in theology self... haha!
One of the most helpful notes I came across in my bible was. "All this takes place without any reference to God."
So, what are we supposed to be learning about God?
I am walking away with the idea that when we do not include God or submit to his authority and will for our lives we can be sure to fall into sin.
This whole chapter seems like one giant snowball that gets bigger and bigger as nobody seems to be in communion with God. Dinah's curiosity may have put her in a dangerous place. Joseph's sons let there anger overcome leading to acts of deceit, lies, and murder. Jacob rebukes them and is afraid of what may come as a result of their actions. But again God is faithful and merciful to Jacob in chapter 35 to protect him from the armies he fears despite the previous chapters horrific deeds. God protects Jacob, because through his line will come a Savior!
We have a king who has invited us to an amazing feast. One that satisfies above anything we desire.
Yet I drag myself to the table when I have the time. This should never be!
I do have to say that all this reading as been a very good way to focus and get the know our King in a new way. I find myself excited to spend time learing about Him and the distractions seem less and less appealing.
The brothers took revenge into their own hands, instead of allowing God to be the judge. And they didn't consult the father. (God responds to their violence in genesis 49:7.)
They were scattered and cursed, and God removed Himself from their counsel, just as they removed themselves from God's counsel by choosing to slaughter defenseless men.
The thing I get from this is that we should never run ahead of God, no matter how righteous we think our revenge is. We will reap what we sow.
"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."
i love this... darkness into light. For some reason i was just thinking to myself, What if God is somehow preparing me for bad news? but my darkness will be turned into light!! what an amazing relief for a worrier like me.
“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
I didn't understand this part. Do others understand the meaning of this parable? Why did he cast out a guest who was not wearing a wedding garment? And why are we not all called and chosen? I think I am not connecting the dots here.
The Beckster, My bible has these great little footnotes that I don't know what I'd do without. About this parable it says that it was tradition for the wedding guests to be given clothes to wear for the feast and it was unthinkable to refuse to wear them. Refusing to wear them would only insult the host and send the message that the guest thought he/she didn't need the clothes or didn't want to take part in the feast. It likens the clothes to the righteousness needed to go to heaven... 'the total acceptance in God's eyes that Christ gives every believer.'
Basically, it means everyone is invited to heaven but those who think they don't need Christ's help to do it will not make it there.
Emery & Chris-- Thanks for your thoughts on Genesis 34, that really helped to shed some light on things for me.
The Beckster-- To sort of add to Rachel's comment, I think that the guest who refused to wear the wedding garments was meant to represent the hypocrites (Pharisees and Sadduccees) who think of themselves as a worthy guest without the proper attire (or without Christ).
Thank you to everyone for posting comments on the readings-- today and every day-- it is so helpful to me to read the verses that stand out to you. Really offers a variety of perspectives. Love that!
Molly June, I have the New American Standard Bible, specifically, the "life application study bible." Here's a pic: http://ag.christianbook.com/g/product/0/00958.gif I feel like so many of my questions about passages meanings are answered before I think to ask them and further, it points out things I never would have thought HAD a deeper meaning. Especially the cultural differences. I highly recommend it (I've had it since I was 14).
15 comments:
Reading Matthew 22 really struck me today. We are so absorbed in our Earthly lives, that we completely lose track of our priorities. How many people around us, and often times we ourselves, don't seem to have time for God? We are too tired to get up for church, or we are too busy to make it to Wednesday nights.
In this parable, it talks about a king summoning his guests. How many of us would bend over backwards to find time if invited by the President, or maybe our favorite musician, but we can't find time for God.
I know my priorities have certainly been lacking. Its easy to go to church when there is nothing else going on, but what about missing a football game to go to church? Or maybe on your only day off? What is more important then?
One of my favorite lines is: "The eye is the lamp into the soul." Judging by what I look at, my soul seems to be on espn.com, or facebook... I guess its time to change my priorities
Wow, boy. Genesis 34 was another doozy of a chapter for me. I think I'm developing a better understanding of the Old Testament as I plug along in these daily readings, but this particular chapter threw me for a loop.
Not too sure what I'm supposed to be learning about God through this one. I'm craving more information for a better insight!
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Or perhaps a commentary to suggest? I read this one, but really didn't like it as it seems a little dated: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/Matthew-Henry/Gen/Dinah-Defiled-Shechem
"And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."
Wow, I truly struggle with this sometimes. I want to strive to be more loving to people. I have a very hard time being accepting of people here at school especially, I guess because I feel as though I am not accepted, or loved, so how could I possibly love people that are rude to me and see me as almost, invisible it seems at times?.. I'm working on it. ;-)
Another thing I thought about in Matthew 22 was the idea of marriage and how in heaven and the resurrection there will be no marriage. I have heard this spoken before, I am interested in what God is trying to say here, if there is a different meaning behind it than what I understand it to be. I guess I'll go ask my fiance and his masters degree in theology self... haha!
KillerB-
I agree! This chapter was crazy!
One of the most helpful notes I came across in my bible was. "All this takes place without any reference to God."
So, what are we supposed to be learning about God?
I am walking away with the idea that when we do not include God or submit to his authority and will for our lives we can be sure to fall into sin.
This whole chapter seems like one giant snowball that gets bigger and bigger as nobody seems to be in communion with God. Dinah's curiosity may have put her in a dangerous place. Joseph's sons let there anger overcome leading to acts of deceit, lies, and murder. Jacob rebukes them and is afraid of what may come as a result of their actions. But again God is faithful and merciful to Jacob in chapter 35 to protect him from the armies he fears despite the previous chapters horrific deeds. God protects Jacob, because through his line will come a Savior!
Jon
So true!
We have a king who has invited us to an amazing feast. One that satisfies above anything we desire.
Yet I drag myself to the table when I have the time. This should never be!
I do have to say that all this reading as been a very good way to focus and get the know our King in a new way. I find myself excited to spend time learing about Him and the distractions seem less and less appealing.
I still default to Facebook...way to much!
regarding genesis 34:
The brothers took revenge into their own hands, instead of allowing God to be the judge. And they didn't consult the father. (God responds to their violence in genesis 49:7.)
They were scattered and cursed, and God removed Himself from their counsel, just as they removed themselves from God's counsel by choosing to slaughter defenseless men.
The thing I get from this is that we should never run ahead of God, no matter how righteous we think our revenge is. We will reap what we sow.
"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."
i love this... darkness into light. For some reason i was just thinking to myself, What if God is somehow preparing me for bad news? but my darkness will be turned into light!! what an amazing relief for a worrier like me.
“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
I didn't understand this part. Do others understand the meaning of this parable? Why did he cast out a guest who was not wearing a wedding garment? And why are we not all called and chosen? I think I am not connecting the dots here.
The Beckster,
My bible has these great little footnotes that I don't know what I'd do without. About this parable it says that it was tradition for the wedding guests to be given clothes to wear for the feast and it was unthinkable to refuse to wear them. Refusing to wear them would only insult the host and send the message that the guest thought he/she didn't need the clothes or didn't want to take part in the feast.
It likens the clothes to the righteousness needed to go to heaven... 'the total acceptance in God's eyes that Christ gives every believer.'
Basically, it means everyone is invited to heaven but those who think they don't need Christ's help to do it will not make it there.
what bible do you gals/guys have (with the commentary)?? i need one SO bad!! any recommendations?
Emery & Chris-- Thanks for your thoughts on Genesis 34, that really helped to shed some light on things for me.
The Beckster-- To sort of add to Rachel's comment, I think that the guest who refused to wear the wedding garments was meant to represent the hypocrites (Pharisees and Sadduccees) who think of themselves as a worthy guest without the proper attire (or without Christ).
Thank you to everyone for posting comments on the readings-- today and every day-- it is so helpful to me to read the verses that stand out to you. Really offers a variety of perspectives. Love that!
I loved the rest of Psalm 18. It made me want to cheer.
"For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?"
No one!
"The Lord lives? Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!"
Amen!
Molly June,
I have the New American Standard Bible, specifically, the "life application study bible."
Here's a pic: http://ag.christianbook.com/g/product/0/00958.gif
I feel like so many of my questions about passages meanings are answered before I think to ask them and further, it points out things I never would have thought HAD a deeper meaning. Especially the cultural differences. I highly recommend it (I've had it since I was 14).
Thanks for the help Killer B and Rachel!
thanks rachael :) i'm gonna go take a looksy!
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