Genesis 34:1-4
Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this girl for my wife.”
The prince's infatuation with Dinah was lust, not love.
Lust consumes, love constructs.
Lust looks for what it can get out of something.
Love looks to what it can give to it.
The prince didn't know her last name, her interests, her hopes or her dreams. He only knew his interests in her and his hopes and dreams associated with her.
Lust seeks to serve itself at the expense of others.
Love seeks to serve others at the expense of itself.
Ecclesiastes 10:16-17
Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Feasts are meant for the end of the day.
Sex is meant for marriage.
A land where princes delight in doing things out of order will experience a boom of disorder. When your prince and principles are out of order, everything that flows downstream from them will produce increasing measures of disorder and inordinate affection.
Friday, January 31, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
day no. 15,074: from, for, and through
1 Corinthians 8:6
There is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
All things find their origin in God, the Father. He is the only Creator. Everything else is creation. All things find their chief end in glorifying God, the Father. He is the only End for which we are. He is the Source and the Destination.
All things were made through Jesus, the Son of God. He is the only one through which everything else was made. Everything that has been made was made through Him. He was not made. All things are held together by Jesus, the Son of God. He is the Connection between who we are and why we are. He is the Cause and the Commotion, the Start and the Sustenance.
All things were made through Jesus, the Son of God. He is the only one through which everything else was made. Everything that has been made was made through Him. He was not made. All things are held together by Jesus, the Son of God. He is the Connection between who we are and why we are. He is the Cause and the Commotion, the Start and the Sustenance.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
day no. 15,073: know what I mean?
"Bold-hearted men are always called mean-spirited by cowards." — C.H. Spurgeon
The coward does not dare to say what he means unless he's saying the daring are "mean." The courageous dares to say what he means even when it means being called names.
Cowardice is not just content with niceness, it aims at it. It prefers milquetoast to the toaster. As a result, it considers meanness the deadliest vice and niceness the cardinal virtue.
But Christ did not command niceness, but kindness; He did not condemn being mean, but malice, clamor, slander, wrath, etc.. (Eph 4:31-32)
Boldness is not callous indifference, but it does develop callouses from counting the cost of being considered mean and paying the bill in cash.
To be bold will mean being considered mean by some.
To be kind will mean being considered unkind by many.
By the standard of niceness, boldness is mean.
By the standard of righteousness, boldness is a mean.
The coward does not dare to say what he means unless he's saying the daring are "mean." The courageous dares to say what he means even when it means being called names.
Cowardice is not just content with niceness, it aims at it. It prefers milquetoast to the toaster. As a result, it considers meanness the deadliest vice and niceness the cardinal virtue.
But Christ did not command niceness, but kindness; He did not condemn being mean, but malice, clamor, slander, wrath, etc.. (Eph 4:31-32)
Boldness is not callous indifference, but it does develop callouses from counting the cost of being considered mean and paying the bill in cash.
To be bold will mean being considered mean by some.
To be kind will mean being considered unkind by many.
By the standard of niceness, boldness is mean.
By the standard of righteousness, boldness is a mean.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
day no. 15,072: all that God wants to say has been said in Christ
"All that God wants to say has been said in Christ. All." - Steven W Smith, Recapturing the Voice of God: Shaping Sermons Like Scripture
Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
A preacher's mission is to connect his listeners to the Word of God. The Word of God leads a person to Christ and Christ leads a person to the Father and there is nothing beyond Him.
Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
He is the be all, end all of all things.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is the first and final Word.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
A preacher's mission is to connect his listeners to the Word of God. The Word of God leads a person to Christ and Christ leads a person to the Father and there is nothing beyond Him.
Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
He is the be all, end all of all things.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is the first and final Word.
Monday, January 27, 2020
day no. 15,071: more observations from hovering over Genesis 38
God's design for intimacy requires responsibility.
We cannot have one without the other without causing trouble. If you want intimacy without responsibility, like Onan, you hurt other people and himself was judged by God. If you don't want to father a child, don't have sex. It is also of note, that no one in this passage is attempting to divorce intimacy from responsibility. That does happen and we see it sometimes in the church where married couples become glorified roommates who go long stretches without sexual intimacy, which Paul tells the Corinthians in chapter 7 of his first letter is sin. Do not forsake coming together except for a particular reason and a specified season.
Intimacy behind closed doors should equal responsibility out in the open.
Onan was ok being intimate with Tamar behind the doors, but didn't want to associate or take responsibility for her in public.
You should not be in private what you're not willing to be in public. There are things you do in private that you shouldn't do in public, but the part you're playing in the bedroom should not be one you stop playing in public. If you're acting like a husband, then be one. If you're acting like a lover, then be one. But don't play two different roles depending on where the actions are taking place.
Intimacy is not secrecy.
Intimacy is private. But healthy intimacy goes public. If it's done in secret without no intention of being brought into the light, it is sin.
Judah becomes an additional example of this phenomenon later in the passage, pursuing intimacy and secrecy. He attempts to cover up his intimacy and to keep it at a distance. He doesn't own his actions or take responsibility until he is forced to. He is aware of the principle and demonstrates that he even holds the right ideal when it is hypothetical and "out there." He would know enough about how to complain about music videos or TV sitcoms, but doesn't see it in his own dealings. When he does it, he has good reasons. When he hears about it on pop radio, he is disgusted. He is not wrong to be disgusted by what he hears on the airwaves, he is wrong to be complacent with it in his own bedroom, on his own computer, on his own phone.
We cannot have one without the other without causing trouble. If you want intimacy without responsibility, like Onan, you hurt other people and himself was judged by God. If you don't want to father a child, don't have sex. It is also of note, that no one in this passage is attempting to divorce intimacy from responsibility. That does happen and we see it sometimes in the church where married couples become glorified roommates who go long stretches without sexual intimacy, which Paul tells the Corinthians in chapter 7 of his first letter is sin. Do not forsake coming together except for a particular reason and a specified season.
Intimacy behind closed doors should equal responsibility out in the open.
Onan was ok being intimate with Tamar behind the doors, but didn't want to associate or take responsibility for her in public.
You should not be in private what you're not willing to be in public. There are things you do in private that you shouldn't do in public, but the part you're playing in the bedroom should not be one you stop playing in public. If you're acting like a husband, then be one. If you're acting like a lover, then be one. But don't play two different roles depending on where the actions are taking place.
Intimacy is not secrecy.
Intimacy is private. But healthy intimacy goes public. If it's done in secret without no intention of being brought into the light, it is sin.
Judah becomes an additional example of this phenomenon later in the passage, pursuing intimacy and secrecy. He attempts to cover up his intimacy and to keep it at a distance. He doesn't own his actions or take responsibility until he is forced to. He is aware of the principle and demonstrates that he even holds the right ideal when it is hypothetical and "out there." He would know enough about how to complain about music videos or TV sitcoms, but doesn't see it in his own dealings. When he does it, he has good reasons. When he hears about it on pop radio, he is disgusted. He is not wrong to be disgusted by what he hears on the airwaves, he is wrong to be complacent with it in his own bedroom, on his own computer, on his own phone.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
day no. 15,070: not without a reason and a season
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
A married couple should not forsake the regular coming together in sexual intimacy without a good reason and for a defined season.
You need a reason and a season to justify forsaking oneness.
God's design for a spouse is not a glorified roommate. He doesn't desire that you become such good friends that sex isn't necessary. Granted, you should have a growing, healthy relationship outside of having sex, but God is saying you do not have a healthy, growing relationship if you are not regularly having sex. You may like it and enjoy it, but God doesn't. Your preferences do not get to drive this, God's do. So it's not a matter of "what works for you and your spouse," it's a matter of how it's supposed to work according to God's decree and design.
Without a good reason and a specified season, sex should be a regular occurrence in a Christian home.
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
A married couple should not forsake the regular coming together in sexual intimacy without a good reason and for a defined season.
You need a reason and a season to justify forsaking oneness.
God's design for a spouse is not a glorified roommate. He doesn't desire that you become such good friends that sex isn't necessary. Granted, you should have a growing, healthy relationship outside of having sex, but God is saying you do not have a healthy, growing relationship if you are not regularly having sex. You may like it and enjoy it, but God doesn't. Your preferences do not get to drive this, God's do. So it's not a matter of "what works for you and your spouse," it's a matter of how it's supposed to work according to God's decree and design.
Without a good reason and a specified season, sex should be a regular occurrence in a Christian home.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
day no. 15,069: rest is preparation for work
Proverbs 12:11
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Proverbs 28:19
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
Everyone will have plenty of something. That something is determined by to what one applies themselves. If you work the land with your hands full of toil, you will reap plenty of fullness. If you work people over with empty-handed excuses, you will reap plenty of emptiness.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
The diligent benefits from plans, the hasty employ relentless planning as an excuse to avoid being diligent.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The lazy, while able to calm his fingers, cannot calm his cravings. He can keep himself from work, but he cannot keep himself from wanting. Wishing may fill his dreams, but it cannot fill his belly.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
Sweet is the sleep of a laborer
Rest prepares for work,
Laziness for poverty.
Rest without work is laziness.
Work without rest is slavery.
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Proverbs 28:19
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
Everyone will have plenty of something. That something is determined by to what one applies themselves. If you work the land with your hands full of toil, you will reap plenty of fullness. If you work people over with empty-handed excuses, you will reap plenty of emptiness.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
The diligent benefits from plans, the hasty employ relentless planning as an excuse to avoid being diligent.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The lazy, while able to calm his fingers, cannot calm his cravings. He can keep himself from work, but he cannot keep himself from wanting. Wishing may fill his dreams, but it cannot fill his belly.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
Sweet is the sleep of a laborer
Rest prepares for work,
Laziness for poverty.
Rest without work is laziness.
Work without rest is slavery.
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