Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:15 But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.
16:27 So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct.
This passage is described as being semi-pornographic in Constable Commentary. It wasn’t Jerusalem’ beauty that was a problem but that she trusted in it.
Trusting in something other than God reduces our territory, our area of influence.
16:15 But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.
16:27 So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct.
This passage is described as being semi-pornographic in Constable Commentary. It wasn’t Jerusalem’ beauty that was a problem but that she trusted in it.
Trusting in something other than God reduces our territory, our area of influence.
17:24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
God is a God of great reversals – the tall tree becomes low, the green tree becomes dry, the low tree becomes tall and the dry tree flourishes. This gives us hope.
17:24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
God is a God of great reversals – the tall tree becomes low, the green tree becomes dry, the low tree becomes tall and the dry tree flourishes. This gives us hope.
18:22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.
It sounds like we are saved by works, however:
(Constable’s Commentary) “The stipulations of the Mosaic covenant were given to a people who were already in a trusting relationship with God. These stipulations provided a concrete, practical outworking of faith in the God who redeemed Israel from Egypt and gave the people his law … If they obey these commands, they would show their righteousness, receive God’s blessings, and live.”
18:22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.
It sounds like we are saved by works, however:
(Constable’s Commentary) “The stipulations of the Mosaic covenant were given to a people who were already in a trusting relationship with God. These stipulations provided a concrete, practical outworking of faith in the God who redeemed Israel from Egypt and gave the people his law … If they obey these commands, they would show their righteousness, receive God’s blessings, and live.”
19:14 No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ “This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”
There were no more lion cubs (v. 1-9) and no more branches (v. 11) to become rulers in the Davidic line. And God tells his people to lament. The response to such a tragedy is to lament. Although there were no more Davidic kings, God did preserve his line until Jesus came.
Sometimes our only response to tragedy is to lament. Today we use phrases like “turn into the pain” or “lean into the pain” in order to acknowledge and mourn the loss. Then we can move onto the future, albeit a different one to the one we imagined.
19:14 No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ “This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”
There were no more lion cubs (v. 1-9) and no more branches (v. 11) to become rulers in the Davidic line. And God tells his people to lament. The response to such a tragedy is to lament. Although there were no more Davidic kings, God did preserve his line until Jesus came.
Sometimes our only response to tragedy is to lament. Today we use phrases like “turn into the pain” or “lean into the pain” in order to acknowledge and mourn the loss. Then we can move onto the future, albeit a different one to the one we imagined.
20:12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.
God gave his Sabbaths as a gift of rest so they would know it was not their work that made them holy. Every week God reminded them salvation is not by their work.
20:12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.
God gave his Sabbaths as a gift of rest so they would know it was not their work that made them holy. Every week God reminded them salvation is not by their work.