Genesis 6:11-13
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
When we think about the flood during the days of Noah, it is hard to see this story for as horrifying as it really is. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the least sitting in judgment over God and his actions. He was absolutely right to do what he did—he is God, after all. What I mean by using the word horrifying is that the story should cause fear, horror, terror.
Can you imagine if you were Noah? What would you feel? How would you tremble? The god who made the universe speaks to you and tells you that he is about to destroy the entire world because of the sinful corruption of mankind. You know that you are not perfect yourself.
Again, not to belabor the point, I fear we do not think clearly about this. God said he was going to destroy the whole world. People were going to die. Animals were going to die. It was going to be a cataclysm the level of which Hollywood has never come close to depicting. Think of the worst disasters you have ever heard of. The flood trumps them all. Every tornado, every earthquake, every tsunami, every volcanic eruption, every hurricane, every nuclear blast, every destructive thing we have ever dreamed of falls far short of the horror of the flood.
What we must also realize is that the account of the flood is the clearest and most natural outworking of the intersection of God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness. God looked at the earth, saw how far man had fallen, and determined to do what was right. God chose to destroy the world because of the corruption of sinful man
This teaches us an invaluable lesson. God’s holiness is far greater, far more amazing, and far more deadly than we realize. God is infinitely above us. Our corruption is offensive to his holiness. His judgment of us is the logical outcome.
And that thought teaches us another valuable lesson. God is so incredibly merciful. We are just as corrupt today as the people of old were. We deserve God’s wrath just as much. And yet, God has chosen to have mercy on us. He has chosen to let us live. He has chosen to let us experience joy and goodness. He has chosen to bring salvation through the person and work of Jesus. This should cause us to love and worship God.
God could have left us hopeless. God could have swept us away in his wrath. But God showed love. AS he provided the ark to rescue Noah and his family, God has provided the sacrifice of Jesus to rescue all who will trust in him. And this is not all. God did not just rescue us from death. In Jesus, God loves us, adopts us into his family, and grants us eternal joy. God is truly great. His mercy is truly amazing. His kindness is truly overwhelming.
Common Grace in Cain’s Kids (Genesis 4:20-22)
Genesis 4:20-22
20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron.
Here we find ourselves in the middle of a list of the descendants of Cain. What a strange thing it is that God would include this genealogy. And here we see that 3 of Cain’s children are these three men who basically founded vital fields of human development.
One thing that we can take from this strange passage is that God is very merciful. God could have killed Cain. He could have prevented Cain from reproducing. But God chose to allow even the sinner, Cain, a family. He chose to bless Cain’s descendants with creativity and ingenuity. God chose to bring beauty into his world through the creativity of people, even people who did not follow him.
Sometimes we call this principle common grace. Common grace is the grace of God made evident in the lives of people, perhaps even people who do not follow him. God blesses all sorts of people with gifts of music, art, science, and so much more. God’s kindness is evident in the fact that he allows all sorts of people from all sorts of faiths the opportunity to bring good things into his world.
So, as you read through the Bible and see these odd little records of people having kids, even people who are not the people of God, remember that it is evidence of God’s kindness and mercy. God has chosen to allow life to thrive on earth and to allow people who do not know him to have families and to experience much beauty. Thank God for being so kind.
Quick Thought on Worship (Genesis 4:3-5)
Genesis 4:3-5
3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Why was Cain angry? He was supposed to be bringing an offering to God. He was supposed to be worshipping God. If God is God and not merely another guy like Cain, does God not have the right to declare what worship he will and will not accept? It is one thing to be disappointed that you did not do rightly, but Cain was enraged.
Do you see how wrong Cain’s heart was? How do we learn from this?
God is God. God has the right to declare what is acceptable to him in worship. We do not come to God in our own way and demand he accept what we give. We are not in the position of power. We do not have the right to declare what God must want or not want. We are the ones who need to submit to God’s revealed word as we seek to honor him.
A Massive Claim (Luke 6:5)
Luke 6:5
And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Have you ever heard someone attempt to argue that Jesus never claimed deity? This passage in Luke 6 is a good example of a way in which Jesus showed us that he is God without saying those exact words.
In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus found himself accused about his Sabbath-keeping. The religious leaders argued that Jesus could not be a good person since he was allowing his disciples to pick and eat grain on the Sabbath. This, of course, was nonsense. Jesus’s disciples were not actually working, not farming. They simply were grabbing a snack in a field. The religious leaders did not recognize that they had perverted God’s law into their own set of rules.
But here is what caught my attention today. In his response to the religious leaders, Jesus claimed to be “Lord of the Sabbath.” A little deductive reasoning shows this to be a giant claim. Who instituted the Sabbath? Of course, it was God who did so (cf. Exodus 20:8-11). In instituting the Ten Commandments, God included the Sabbath regulation. What are the Ten Commandments? They are terms of the covenant between God as the Ruler (Suzerain) and Israel as his servants (vassals). The Ten Commandments came in a very familiar form as terms of a type of ancient treaty.
Now, here comes the simple conclusion. Who can claim to be Lord over the Ten commandments? Can one of the people claim to be lord, or can only the rightful Ruler claim to be Lord? Of course, only the rightful King, only the one who instituted the rules, only he can claim to be “Lord of the Sabbath.” If Jesus claims to be “Lord of the Sabbath,” he is claiming the position of Ruler, of King, of God who instituted the Ten Commandments.
This argument reminds us of C. S. Lewis’s logical response to Jesus. Since Jesus claims what he claims, we dare not consider him to be merely a good man or good moral teacher. Jesus has not left the door open. He must either be crazy, cruel, or actually the God he claims to be. It is logical to reject him outright as a lunatic or liar, but it is not logical to consider him to be just a good guy. If you do not reject him outright, you must accept the fact that Jesus is Lord, God who made us. He is the One who has the right to rule over our lives. If Jesus is “Lord of the Sabbath,” then he is Lord of all. If Jesus is Lord of all, he is Lord over you and me and all that is. Our only right response is worship and surrender to our Lord Jesus.
Beginning with a Blessing (Psalm 1:1-3)
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
As I get started with Bible reading for 2014, it is encouraging to read this passage first. Who is blessed? Who is given prosperity and goodness from God? It is the person who regularly meditates on and delights in God’s word.
Of course I know that this is not about worldly prosperity. It’s not about money or health. But the truth is to receive blessing and goodness from God is to receive joy. God will help the person mentioned here in the psalm to do the things that honor God. Delighting in God’s word will lead to not thinking and acting like those who oppose God.
I don’t respond to this text with a legalistic regulation about how much or how often to read the word of God. However, I do see that the poet calls us to spend our days and nights in contemplation of the sweet truth of God’s word. This makes sense. There is no way to know God apart from his written revelation of himself. You can read it, you can listen to it, you can hear it taught, but the truth is, however you do it, you must make God’s word central in your life if you are going to prosper in your walk with God.
The Magi: A Prediction Fulfilled and a Promise Made (Isaiah 60:6; Matthew 2:11)
Isa 60:6
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
Matthew 2:11 (ESV)
And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Isaiah 60 is a prophecy that points the people of God toward his ultimate promise of restoration. While the world has been dark, the promise is that the light of God will come and shine upon his people. God promises healing and a reversal of fortune for his children. He promises that his people will be, like a restored city, made strong and beautiful.
I don’t know that, though I have read this passage many times before, I have ever noticed verse 6. As God points his people toward his promise of restoration, he mentions that people from other nations will come to his people bearing gifts. The Bible tells us, “They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.” How fascinating. As God points toward the fulfillment of his promise of favoring his people with everlasting peace and joy, he indicates that people from foreign lands will bring gold and frankincense.
Of course, many of us are familiar with the passage in Matthew 2 that tells us of the magi bringing gifts to the young Jesus. They bring the promised gold and frankincense. What does this mean? It means that the child born to Mary is very special. The child born to Mary is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Somehow, the little one the magi bow down to worship is the one who will bring about the perfect fulfillment of all of God’s promises.
By the way, also note that the magi bring one more gift, myrrh. Add to the kingly gift of God and the godly (worship) gift of frankincense, the gift of something often used to perfume a body and prepare it for burial. God had these men from afar bring the perfect gifts to point to the person and work of Jesus. Jesus is God. Jesus is King. Jesus is the one who would bring about all of God’s promises of restoration. And, somehow, Jesus would do this, not through initial conquest, but instead, he would accomplish God’s plan by dying as a sacrifice for the sins of all who would put their faith in him.
I write this while sitting at my mom’s house, the remnants of Christmas day still all around. How fitting it is to recognize that the coming of Christ, even the coming of the magi, is a perfect fulfilling of God’s promises as well as a pointer toward the final fulfillment of all of God’s promises. God will always be faithful. God will restore his people. There is a perfect eternity ahead of the people of God because of the person and work of Jesus. And the gifts of the magi, predicted centuries earlier, help us see the certainty of our hope in Jesus.
2014 Bible Reading Plan
As 2014 is drawing near, I know I need to develop my plan for Bible reading. As a Christian, I know that reading God’s word is vital to my spiritual health. As a human, I know that I am given to laziness and procrastination. As a realistic thinker, I know that I will fail to read well if I do not read with some sort of plan in place.
My plan for 2014 is to use this reading plan from BibleStudyTools.com. It is an older plan that I have done before which has its strengths and weaknesses. On the plus-side, this plan has 3 daily readings including both Old and New Testament passages. Because this plan includes only 1 New Testament reading daily, I will read from a larger portion than other plans that include both gospels and epistles in the daily plans. The biggest weakness of this plan for me is that it does not include days off or make-up days.
One of my favorite plans out there is this one from Discipleship Journal. It includes only 25 readings per month, thus allowing for me to catch up if something disrupts my reading schedule. The reason I did not choose the Discipleship Journal plan for 2014 is that I have done it several times and would like a change. The Discipleship Journal plan has 4 readings, 2 from the Old Testament and 2 from the New Testament daily, which I consider to be a weakness as it makes for very short readings in the gospels. I prefer slightly longer New Testament readings in order to allow context and flow to stand out more clearly.
Of course, there are many daily Bible reading plans out there. You can read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation, chronologically, thematically, in 1 year, in 2 years, or in any number of ways. You can purchase a 1-year-Bible, choose a plan for your smart phone, find one on the Internet, or even have daily readings emailed to you. I can’t tell you what will be best for you.
I would, however, make a couple of recommendations for you as you get ready to start the new year.
· Pick a plan and get started – January is a great time to choose a Bible reading plan and develop the discipline.
· Read at the same time each day – Schedule a time that you will become accustomed to. If you do not plan this time, just taking it as it comes, you will struggle to find the time. Fail to plan and you plan to fail.
· Read with someone – If a friend or family member would be willing to do the same reading plan as you, you might find that you are more accountable to your daily reading. You also may find that you both grow as you discuss your readings.
· Journal – If you are the kind of person who enjoys writing at all, take a few moments to record thoughts and questions that you have as you read through Gods’ word each day.
· Don’t be discouraged – if you get off-track, don’t give up. Keep at it. Maybe your Bible-in-a-year takes you a year-and-a-half. That’s OK. The important thing is that you regularly keep in God’s word and grow as you come to know your Lord better.
For more on daily bible reading, you might check out these older blog posts :
Justin Taylor on Bible Reading Plans for 2013
Two articles from my blog on quiet times and tips on daily Bible reading.
Judges for You – A Review
Timothy Keller. Judges For You: For Reading, For Feeding, For Leading. Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company, 2013. 224 pp. $15.98.
Tim Keller has done an outstanding job of combining solid scholarship, readability, and application in Judges for You. This installment in Keller’s Bible Study series approaches the tough issues without blushing, studies the deep things without being dense, never loses sight of the Bible’s big picture, and always brings us back to the gospel.
This book is a 13-chapter walk through of Judges. This is not a commentary. Nor is it a super-simple Bible study. Keller has found a seemingly perfect balance of deep thinking and real-life application.
I would recommend this book to any small group that is interested in taking on the Book of Judges for its study. I would also recommend this book to Sunday School classes that are ready to work through this material—especially since it fits a 13-week cycle. However, I also very much enjoyed reading through this book as an individual and thinking through some familiar accounts in a much stronger way.
I received a free audio copy of this work from ChristianAudio.com as part of their reviewers program. The audio quality here is superb, and the narration is very fitting.
5 Points – A Review
John Piper. Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace. Scotland: Christian Focus , 2013. 96 pp. $8.09.
What is this thing called Calvinism that is so hotly debated among Christians today? Arguments about God’s sovereignty, predestination, and the extent of the atonement have generated quite a bit of heat among believers, and sadly, caricatures of each side’s doctrinal positions have abounded. Thus, when a leading thinker presents his position in a clear way, without rancor toward others, it is worth the read.
John Piper has put forth a very readable and brief explanation of the five points of Calvinism in his new book 5 Points. If you are familiar with Desiring God Ministries, you may have already read a shorter version of Piper’s teaching here. This book appears to be an expansion of things that I have read on the DG web site previously. In 5 Points, Piper presents the history behind Calvinism, a discussion of each of the 5 points, and a look at how he believes these points effect his life and ministry.
The beauty of reading this work is its simplicity and its Godward focus. Piper does not overly complicate the argument with confusing theological jargon. Instead, Piper briefly explains the points with simple, Scriptural defense. He also does not leave this book to be a dusty defense of a position, but shows how each point serves to magnify the person and work of Christ in his own life.
Of course, those who agree with the 5 points of Calvinism are likely to love this book while those who disagree are likely to find fault. It is not my purpose in this review to argue for or against the points. What I will say is that, if you would like to read a simple presentation of the 5 points from someone who believes them, Piper’s work would not be a bad place to start.
Note: You can find a free electronic copy of this work which you can then read on an iDevice or Kindle at the Desiring God Site.
The God Who is There – A Review
D. A. Carson. The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2010. 240 pp. $13.82.
I’ve been looking for a little while for a book that tells the big story of the Bible in an accessible way. D. A. Carson has done a fine job of gospel-based, simple, biblical theology in The God Who is There.
In this work, Carson takes his readers through the entire narrative of the Scriptures in order to help us to see how we fit into God’s great story. Carson begins with Genesis, walks through Revelation, and spends a great deal of time in the theology of the gospels. In all this, he shows us how the Bible tells our story as it tells us of God’s great plan.
The God who is There would be a great book for any Christian who wants to have a better glimpse of how the whole Bible comes together to tell a single, unified story. If you wish to better understand the Bible, I would recommend this book to you. If you would like to better understand the gospel, I would recommend this book to you. If you would like to be able to teach others the simple content of God’s story, I would recommend this book to you.
Pastor Travis Peterson 