QUESTIONS ON WEEK 1
ThePinkAlligator
Posts: 142
While reading Day 1, I asked Katie the following questions:
1.) Is it wrong to drink? Many people cite that it is okay to drink because Jesus turned water into wine. However, Gabriel instructed Zechariah to never let John touch wine or hard liquor - how does this apply to me?
2.) When Zechariah asked Gabriel how it was possible for his wife to conceive (apparently not believing Gabriel?) - Gabriel took away his ability to speak until John was born. I'm not sure what to take from this... my instant reaction is not comfort, it seems very harsh and uncompassionate, especially given that Zechariah was righteous in God's eyes. Are we not supposed to question God's word? I'm just a bit confused how I should interpret this....
She responded:
Answering your Questions:
Zachariah was given instructions that John was not drink or touch any strong wine because John was to be a nazarite. Nazarites were not allowed to drink strong drink or cut their hair or shave their beards they were to be set apart and have taken a vow.
It can apply to you in the fact God may have a special purpose for you and there are certain things we could do or not do that can effect our ministry. for a personal example: God told my sister about my older nephew he has to be schooled a certain way he had a special calling on his life it could effect him if she chose to disobey. which my sister did. She sent my nephew to the school God told her not to and it effected him greatly. He made straight F's in school and was also kicked out of school had to go to an alternative night school. It's effected him through out his life.
To answer your question about Zachariah. when the angel of the Lord appeared before him to tell him God has heard his prayer and that Elisabeth was going to bear a son and his name shall be called John. Zachariah sin was not believing the angel of the Lord. Zachariah had asked the angel of the Lord for a sign so he would know if this was true or not. So that was when the Angel told Zachariah that because he didn't believe and he asked for a sign , a sign would be given him but it would be a painful one. He would become deaf and dumb and will not be able to speak until John was born. The angel of the Lord was showing that while God is loving there are consequences when we walk in unbelief . by asking for a sign he was questioning the angel of the Lord whom God sent to speak a message to him. That was where the problem lies.
It is okay to ask God questions about things we don't understand I do it all the time. I hope this helps some.
1.) Is it wrong to drink? Many people cite that it is okay to drink because Jesus turned water into wine. However, Gabriel instructed Zechariah to never let John touch wine or hard liquor - how does this apply to me?
2.) When Zechariah asked Gabriel how it was possible for his wife to conceive (apparently not believing Gabriel?) - Gabriel took away his ability to speak until John was born. I'm not sure what to take from this... my instant reaction is not comfort, it seems very harsh and uncompassionate, especially given that Zechariah was righteous in God's eyes. Are we not supposed to question God's word? I'm just a bit confused how I should interpret this....
She responded:
Answering your Questions:
Zachariah was given instructions that John was not drink or touch any strong wine because John was to be a nazarite. Nazarites were not allowed to drink strong drink or cut their hair or shave their beards they were to be set apart and have taken a vow.
It can apply to you in the fact God may have a special purpose for you and there are certain things we could do or not do that can effect our ministry. for a personal example: God told my sister about my older nephew he has to be schooled a certain way he had a special calling on his life it could effect him if she chose to disobey. which my sister did. She sent my nephew to the school God told her not to and it effected him greatly. He made straight F's in school and was also kicked out of school had to go to an alternative night school. It's effected him through out his life.
To answer your question about Zachariah. when the angel of the Lord appeared before him to tell him God has heard his prayer and that Elisabeth was going to bear a son and his name shall be called John. Zachariah sin was not believing the angel of the Lord. Zachariah had asked the angel of the Lord for a sign so he would know if this was true or not. So that was when the Angel told Zachariah that because he didn't believe and he asked for a sign , a sign would be given him but it would be a painful one. He would become deaf and dumb and will not be able to speak until John was born. The angel of the Lord was showing that while God is loving there are consequences when we walk in unbelief . by asking for a sign he was questioning the angel of the Lord whom God sent to speak a message to him. That was where the problem lies.
It is okay to ask God questions about things we don't understand I do it all the time. I hope this helps some.
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Replies
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I have always understood that the reason Zechariah's mouth was shut was because of his unbelief he would speak unbelief & could block the plan of God . In the situation of Sarah, she laughed inside her tent & her & Abraham devised all sorts of plans of their own. God changed their names so that others would speak the prophecy when they spoke their names. We have a lot to do with our future by what we say.0
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All the Bible tells us is that God closed his mouth because he did not believe.
Luke 1:20 ESV
"And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.""
The Bible does not say it was to keep him from spreading negative words or because being silent gave him to think or any other extended reason. The Bible just tell us He did not Believe that God would fulfill His word and God silenced him.
The Spirit reveals things to us about God's word, but we can't really be saying things that are not said in scripture.
Mary just asked God how he'll do it, because she didn't understand. Questioning "how and why?" is not the same as disbelief and telling God he has to do more to prove what he said is true.
That's the difference I see there, anyway.
Good question/ points to ponder!( Same with the drinking question.)0 -
I have a study bible that has foot notes in it. to explain what the context is. so I was replying from that angle. what I learned about Zacharis that he asked for a sign. God looks at unbelief as sin.0
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All the Bible tells us is that God closed his mouth because he did not believe.
Luke 1:20 ESV
"And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.""
The Bible does not say it was to keep him from spreading negative words or because being silent gave him to think or any other extended reason. The Bible just tell us He did not Believe that God would fulfill His word and God silenced him.
The Spirit reveals things to us about God's word, but we can't really be saying things that are not said in scripture.
Mary just asked God how he'll do it, because she didn't understand. Questioning "how and why?" is not the same as disbelief and telling God he has to do more to prove what he said is true.
That's the difference I see there, anyway.
Good question/ points to ponder!( Same with the drinking question.)
Very good point! Thank you!0
