4-2-23 (Week 4, Day 2, Year 23)
PSALM 4
Psalm 4 is prayed when we feel someone or a group is against us. God will vindicate us if we follow three simple things. First complain to God not at others. Second be silent and seek to be encouraging. Third wait for God to act. There is a futility to life if one does not realize that THE LORD is in charge. It is wise to accept providence in one’s life. We are to be overwhelmed with what THE LORD has done. Sleep well. The joy of the LORD is the best joy.
Psalm 4 is an Evening Meditation. The Interpreter’s Bible author believes the Psalm could have been written as late as the Maccabean era and may have been written by a high priest. The Psalm speaks about how to react to trouble with meditation in the evening: “the evening meditation of God-fearing statesman.” The Psalm begins with an appeal to God to be heard. Because of God’s righteousness and graciousness, our prayers are heard. The author has been shamed by his lying enemies (verse 2) but he will be heard in his honesty (verse 3). The excellent wise advise is given next (verse 4). These three recommendations are given as the author ends his day (1) Do not allow one’s anger to lead to sin, (2) meditate in one’s mind in silence, and (3) allow one’s prayers to be sacrifices. The last verses (6-7) contain the core value of the Psalm. This is a prayer of gratitude for the joy God gives. My advice is to list the people, material blessings, and salvation given by the LORD and Jesus Christ. The Psalm ends as a lullaby. Sleep is trust in God and a wonderful gift for a busy life. Remember the children’s prayer taught to me by my mother:
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the LORD my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the LORD my soul to take. If I should live for another day, I pray the LORD to guide my way.
“In peace, all whole, let me lie down and sleep. For You, LORD, alone do set me down safely.” (Robert Alter’s translation of Psalm 4:8)
MATTHEW 23: 1-39: This entire chapter is devoted to Jesus’ critical judgment against the religious leadership JESUS JUDGES THE PHARISEES AND THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW. RELIGIOUS FASHION SHOWS- FRAUDS!
MATTHEW 23: 1- MATTHEW 24:46 THE FIFTH DISCOURCE. THE MESSIAH’S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
MATTHEW 23-25 could constitute a single discourse directed to judgment upon national religion. These sayings by Jesus are edited by Matthew and directed to correct the Judaism of Jesus’ day. Modern interpretations must be made with great caution.
MATTHEW 23:1-12 CHRISTIAN AND PHARISAIC TEACHERS CONTRASTED
Matthew uses the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish Religious Leaders to seek to correct Christian teachings in the time period after the war between Rome and Jerusalem (66-73 CE). The important questions the Church needed to answer in the first century were: (1) why the Parousia (Jesus; second coming) was delayed? And (2) why the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah? Four reasons are given to criticize the teachings of the Jewish Religious Leaders. First, the Jewish Religious Leaders do not practice what they preach. This is true of any leader. Church leaders must show the Gospel as well as teach it. Second, the Jewish Religious Leaders create burdensome laws and regulations. Third, the Jewish Religious Leaders desire and demand to be glorified. This public glorification is soundly criticized. Finally, the Jewish Religious Leaders seek to be called by the revered teacher name, “rabbi”. Jesus explains that The Father in Heaven has sent Jesus as Master and he is to be called teacher of rabbi.
The last part of the passage explains the main idea in the mind of Jesus to explain Christian leadership. This is servant leadership exemplified by Jesus himself. It seems to create the idea to abolish ordination or any exaltation of the Church teacher or leader.
MATTHEW 23:13-33 SEVEN WOES CONCERNING THE PHARISAIC TEACHERS
I believe Jesus speaks in the authority of the prophets. The Jewish Religious Leaders failed to listen to Jesus as they ignored the prophets. Micah 6:8 tends to challenge believers as to the requirements of being a follower of Yahweh (the LORD God) and then a follower of Jesus. “And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? The major sin of the Jewish Religious Leaders is hypocrisy and neglecting the ethical standards of the law.
MATTHEW 23:34-39 THE FINAL CONDEMNATION
The saying of Jesus about the prophets and Jerusalem provides an explanation of why the Messiah is rejected by the Jewish Religious Leaders. Here is a difference between Matthew and Paul in their reflections on the rejection of Jesus as Messiah. Matthew seems to have given up on the Jewish Religious Leaders and Paul holds out hope that the Jews will finally accept Jesus as the Messiah. The ultimate rejection of Jesus is given as his crucifixion. The final and most important reason for belief in God’s faithfulness is the resurrection and the promise that gift is for all who believe Jesus is the Messiah.
GENESIS 45-46
GENESIS 45: 1-28 JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BROTHERS AND FATHER Joseph and his brothers.-JOSEPH TELLS HIS BROTHERS WHO HE IS. The scene of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers is emotional. It is an example of God’s providence not only for Joseph but also for the nation of Israel.
GENESIS 46: 1-27 JACOB’S MIGRATION TO EGYPT: JACOB GOES DOWN TO EGYPT
GENESIS 46 28-34 JACOB’S FAMILY SETTLES IN EGYPT. A very interesting fact is that the Egyptians did not associate with shepherds. Did the Egyptians look down at the Israelites from their entrance into the land?
The man of destiny, Jacob, is now old and must be brought to Egypt to survive the famine. The family now numbers 70 people who are listed in Genesis 46.
ACTS 23
ACTS 23: 1-11 PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN: BEFORE THE HIGH COUNCIL
ACTS 23:12-35 A PLOT TO KILL PAUL RESULTS IN HIS TRANSFER TO CAESAREA. A PLOT AGAINST PAUL-THE PLAN TO KILL PAUL
ACTS 23:23-35 PAUL IS TAKEN TO CAESAREA
The preaching of Paul is seen as a threat to the Judaism of the temple in Jerusalem. The preaching of Jesus as the Messiah must be stopped. Paul becomes the intended victim of the preaching of the Christian message. The irony of ACTS is that Paul now becomes the defender of the Church instead of its persecutor. Also the book of ACTS shows how Rome protects Paul.