Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10-- July 16
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Meditation
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10 addressed why God didn’t explain everything. Like the movie where Jack Nicholson bellowed “You can’t handle the truth,” some people would be inclined to reject whatever was said. So God instructed Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and Obadiah to proclaim that the descendants of Esau would suffer the consequences of refusing to listen, refusing to pay attention, refusing to understand and refusing to obey.
God had expressed his dislike, yeah, hatred, of Esau. Esau, who discarded his birthright cavalierly for a bowl of soup, and disobeyed the law of God. His heart was never willing to listen, understand and obey. His descendants followed his pattern and God held them accountable. They had access to the knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but they rejected it, as had Esau.
Obadiah’s lesson reminded the children of Israel that although they had been punished for turning away from God, that the Edomites would be punished even more because of what they had done.
The New Testament lesson elaborated further when Jesus was questioned why he taught with parables instead of telling everyone. He explained that those with a little understanding would be given more and those who didn’t follow the small bit of understanding would lose that too. Akin to the ‘use it or lose it’ axiom, the parable gave people the opportunity to test their ability to understand and seek answers versus the ones that turned away and were not interested. People would listen but not understand, see the story but not really ‘see it.’ They would completely miss the point, like the child’s question after the teacher had thoroughly explained the lesson, “Do you know I have new blue shoes?” Their interest was more about self and less about truth so they would lose the ability to see anything.
The disciples, however, were given glimpses into the real meanings of the parables and we have the advantage of their sharing their intimate knowledge. Of course, we become as responsible for that knowledge as Esau and Jacob were. We must pray our choice will emulate Jacob and not Esau…so that our knowledge and understanding becomes greater with time as Jesus promised.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 15/Proper 10
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 142;Obadiah 15-21;Matthew 13:10-17&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10
Psalm 142
Obadiah 1:15-21
Matthew 13:10-17
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV)
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 13:10-17
King James Version (KJV)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, you despise false pride and people, like Esau, who think they know better than you do. Thank you for forgiving our sins and letting us know that we can be redeemed, if only we will seek you and open our hearts to understanding. Help us to increase our ‘seeing’ things every day. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10 divided the world into two groups—those that listened and gained understanding; and those that would hear or see but didn’t care to seek understanding. The latter would lose the little sense they had, while the former would gain more knowledge and understanding.
Much of life follows this principle. Athletes know that if they stop using their muscles they would lose the skill they already had. Those that exercised their muscles would gain greater skill.
If we study the Scriptures, we can gain knowledge and increase our understanding…so we will be prepared to discern the more challenging and hidden mysteries. But people, who disregard the learning, sliding by instead of investing time and energy, will find that their spiritual muscle atrophies and they will have less sense than they first did.
Even just a little exercise makes a huge difference, so does just a little studying of the Word of God make a huge difference. I am less fazed by life the more I study because the Scriptures remind us nearly daily that God is in control and if we open our hearts, good things are in store.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10 addressed why God didn’t explain everything. Like the movie where Jack Nicholson bellowed “You can’t handle the truth,” some people would be inclined to reject whatever was said. So God instructed Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and Obadiah to proclaim that the descendants of Esau would suffer the consequences of refusing to listen, refusing to pay attention, refusing to understand and refusing to obey.
God had expressed his dislike, yeah, hatred, of Esau. Esau, who discarded his birthright cavalierly for a bowl of soup, and disobeyed the law of God. His heart was never willing to listen, understand and obey. His descendants followed his pattern and God held them accountable. They had access to the knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but they rejected it, as had Esau.
Obadiah’s lesson reminded the children of Israel that although they had been punished for turning away from God, that the Edomites would be punished even more because of what they had done.
The New Testament lesson elaborated further when Jesus was questioned why he taught with parables instead of telling everyone. He explained that those with a little understanding would be given more and those who didn’t follow the small bit of understanding would lose that too. Akin to the ‘use it or lose it’ axiom, the parable gave people the opportunity to test their ability to understand and seek answers versus the ones that turned away and were not interested. People would listen but not understand, see the story but not really ‘see it.’ They would completely miss the point, like the child’s question after the teacher had thoroughly explained the lesson, “Do you know I have new blue shoes?” Their interest was more about self and less about truth so they would lose the ability to see anything.
The disciples, however, were given glimpses into the real meanings of the parables and we have the advantage of their sharing their intimate knowledge. Of course, we become as responsible for that knowledge as Esau and Jacob were. We must pray our choice will emulate Jacob and not Esau…so that our knowledge and understanding becomes greater with time as Jesus promised.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 15/Proper 10
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 142;Obadiah 15-21;Matthew 13:10-17&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10
Psalm 142
Obadiah 1:15-21
Matthew 13:10-17
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV)
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Matthew 13:10-17
King James Version (KJV)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, you despise false pride and people, like Esau, who think they know better than you do. Thank you for forgiving our sins and letting us know that we can be redeemed, if only we will seek you and open our hearts to understanding. Help us to increase our ‘seeing’ things every day. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Wednesday, Ordinary 15/Proper 10 divided the world into two groups—those that listened and gained understanding; and those that would hear or see but didn’t care to seek understanding. The latter would lose the little sense they had, while the former would gain more knowledge and understanding.
Much of life follows this principle. Athletes know that if they stop using their muscles they would lose the skill they already had. Those that exercised their muscles would gain greater skill.
If we study the Scriptures, we can gain knowledge and increase our understanding…so we will be prepared to discern the more challenging and hidden mysteries. But people, who disregard the learning, sliding by instead of investing time and energy, will find that their spiritual muscle atrophies and they will have less sense than they first did.
Even just a little exercise makes a huge difference, so does just a little studying of the Word of God make a huge difference. I am less fazed by life the more I study because the Scriptures remind us nearly daily that God is in control and if we open our hearts, good things are in store.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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