BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 27, Day 5: Genesis 40

Summary of passage:  Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker offended him so he threw them in jail.  Potiphar assigned them to Joseph.  After some time, both men had a dream and Joseph noticed they were downcast about it.  So he asked them why they were gloom and they said because they had a dream they did not understand.  Joseph asked them to tell him his dreams because God can interpret them.

The chief cupbearer dreamed of a vine with three branches.  Grapes bloomed on the branches and the cupbearer squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup and gave him the cup. Joseph said in three days time the cupbearer will be restored to his position as cupbearer.  He asked him to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh so that Joseph may be released.

The chief baker dreamed of three baskets on his head of which the first baskets contained baked goods for the Pharaoh but birds were eating all the food.  Joseph said in three days Pharaoh will remove his head and hang him on a tree while the birds eat his flesh.

In three days time, it was Pharaoh’s birthday and he gave a feast for all of his officials. Just like Joseph had said, the chief cupbearer was restored and the chief baker was hanged (or impaled).  The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

Questions:

11a)  To remember him and show him kindness and to mention him to Pharaoh to get him out of this prison.

b)  It is not recorded if the cupbearer agreed or didn’t agree to mention Joseph to Pharaoh.  All we know is that the cupbearer did not; he promptly forgot about Joseph.

12)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I think Joseph was discouraged at times and did lose heart.  Those times are just not recorded.  Joseph was human.  What happened to Joseph would make anyone cry.  It was deplorable, unimaginable conditions and Joseph must have lamented his lot.  However, Joseph never forgot he had God.  God was with him. Joseph had outward signs of this due to how others saw God in him and put him in charge of all the prison and all that was done there.

Joseph never let his circumstances dictate his actions.  He probably was bummed for a while but then would pray and be cheered.

I’m sure Joseph was disappointed the cupbearer forgot him for Joseph was pinning his hopes on this for release.  But Joseph knew God was still with him.  And the time was just not right.

13)  Jesus is saying that if a kernel of wheat remains on the stalk, nothing happens.  But when the kernel falls to the ground it “dies” meaning it is no longer a seed but it grows anew, into a plant that is useful and will feed people and eventually produce many more seeds.

Joseph “died” to who he was.  He was given a new name by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:45), Zaphenath-Paneah, married an Egyptian woman, and became Egyptian for all purposes. He dressed like one.  He led an Egyptian life.  But out of this life, he fed people and produced many more seeds (including the seed for Jesus when he saved his family) through the saving of these people as they survived and had children.  But Joseph had to “die” first.

This is the literal meaning.  Spiritually, Jesus had to die in order to give life to many. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:36-38; 42-44 that you must die first in order to be raised from the dead and have eternal life.  You plant the seed and God gives it a body, which is perishable, weak, natural, and in dishonor.  But then God raises the body in glory, honor, power, and spiritualness.

Conclusions:  We must remember that the cupbearer and the baker were in prison for the sole reason of meeting Joseph and having their dreams interpreted.  God sent them their dream and gifted Joseph to interpret them all to get the attention of Pharaoh (whom God sent dreams as well).  God is everywhere in our circumstances and the story of Joseph in particular is a great example of God’s hand in every facet of our lives.

Question 13 nailed the lesson on the head:  you must die to who you were in order to become who you were meant to be.  Die to self in order to live forever.

The moment Joseph’s life changed forever and he died to self is recorded powerfully in Scripture–when his brothers sold him to slavery.  He ceased being Joseph and became God’s instead–living, trusting, and doing God’s work.

Great lesson for Easter.  Jesus died so that we may live.  Something we cannot praise God enough for.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 27, Day 4: Genesis 40

Summary of passage:  Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker offended him so he threw them in jail.  Potiphar assigned them to Joseph.  After some time, both men had a dream and Joseph noticed they were downcast about it.  So he asked them why they were gloom and they said because they had a dream they did not understand.  Joseph asked them to tell him his dreams because God can interpret them.

The chief cupbearer dreamed of a vine with three branches.  Grapes bloomed on the branches and the cupbearer squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup and gave him the cup. Joseph said in three days time the cupbearer will be restored to his position as cupbearer.  He asked him to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh so that Joseph may be released.

The chief baker dreamed of three baskets on his head of which the first baskets contained baked goods for the Pharaoh but birds were eating all the food. Joseph said in three days Pharaoh will remove his head and hang him on a tree while the birds eat his flesh.

In three days time, it was Pharaoh’s birthday and he gave a feast for all of his officials. Just like Joseph had said, the chief cupbearer was restored and the chief baker was hanged (or impaled).  The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

Questions:

8a)  He asked them why they appeared so gloom.  So he had to have noticed a change in them, meaning he had to have been monitoring their condition.  He offered to help through dream interpretation and give them hope by mentioning God.

b)  Several opportunities.  On a personal level he was able to lift one man’s spirits with good news and warn the other man to cherish his last days before his life was taken.  He had the chance to prove that God was with him and that God was interpreting dreams correctly–so to show God’s powers.  It gave him a chance to tell them about God and perhaps convert them before their death.

And it gave Joseph an opportunity to get out of jail if the cupbearer mentioned him to Pharaoh.  It gave Joseph hope that he may still be free.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Take note of people.  See when they are down.  Ask them about it.  Encourage them with the Word.  Tell them of God and His strength to lift them up.  Pray over them.

9a)  Omnipotent, omniscient, control the future, blesses those who belong to Him and believe in Him.  God is good, faithful, and just.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Acknowledgment from others.  That the cupbearer forgot him.  That he may languish in prison for the rest of his life.  I don’t think he ever doubted God.  But we all get depressed and down by our circumstances.  And I’m sure Joseph did as well.  He was probably disappointed he had to wait another two years in prison.  But he trusted.  And that made all the difference.

10)  Leadership, trustworthiness, caring, empathy, dream interpretation, desire to help others, patience, kindness, trusting in God, honesty

Conclusions:  I liked how Joseph approached the cupbearer and baker.  That they did not come to him.  That Joseph took the initiative and noticed they were down.  If Joseph hadn’t of said anything, Pharaoh would have never of known of his abilities.  Joseph took concrete action about his circumstances.  He still had a heart when many would have lost it long ago.

Note Joseph never abused his power.  ”He attended them” (Genesis 40:4).  He served. He cared about others.  Just like Jesus.

God notes our good deeds even when others do not.  God remembers us even when others do not.  God rewards us even when others do not.  God promotes us and demotes us–all according to His will–not our own.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 27, Day 3: Genesis 39

Summary of passage:  Joseph was taken to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.  Because the Lord was with Joseph, he became Potiphar’s attendant and then put in charge of his household and everything in it.  Because of Joseph’s presence, the Lord blessed Potiphar and everything in his house and in his fields.

Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to sleep with her but Joseph refused, saying he is to care for everything that is his master’s and he cannot sin against God committing adultery.  She tried daily and he avoided her.

One day Joseph was alone with Potiphar’s wife and she grabbed him by his cloak.  He slipped out of his cloak and ran outside.  She told her servants that he had come to her to try to sleep with her and had left his cloak behind.  She told Potiphar who put Joseph in prison.

Still, the Lord was with Joseph so Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners and all the happenings there and had success in whatever he did.

Questions:

6a)  He refused, telling her it would be a sin against God and a wicked thing to betray his master’s trust. He avoided her the best he could.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Same.  Try to avoid whatever is causing the sin.  Pray to God for strength to overcome.

7a)  He gained experience running a household that I imagined was quite large.  He had to delegate tasks.  He had to learn about both the farming and the domestic aspects.  He then ran a prison, which probably entailed much of the same tasks but some new ones.  All throughout God was building Joseph’s trust in Him, which is the most important skill Joseph would need to lead others.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I don’t know.  Honestly.  Not sure where I’m supposed to be.

Conclusions:  Yesterday I was mixed.  Today I’m just disappointed.  There was a lot of history in this chapter that was just glossed over.  I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on how these events could only have happened because of God.  A Hebrew (foreign) slave running a household?  Never.  Running a prison?  Doubtful.

BSF usually sends us to other places in the Bible when we discuss a topic such as temptation.  This lesson they did not.  I would have liked to have read more on that.

Not all of us are called to be leaders.  We just can’t be.  Then we’d all be butting heads for decision making.  I’m just not for sure I’m being trained for leadership for God and how (or if) my present circumstances are contributing to that.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 27, Day 2: Genesis 39

Summary of passage:  Joseph was taken to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.  Because the Lord was with Joseph, he became Potiphar’s attendant and then put in charge of his household and everything in it.  Because of Joseph’s presence, the Lord blessed Potiphar and everything in his house and in his fields.

Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to sleep with her but Joseph refused, saying he is to care for everything that is his master’s and he cannot sin against God committing adultery.  She tried daily and he avoided her.

One day Joseph was alone with Potiphar’s wife and she grabbed him by his cloak.  He slipped out of his cloak and ran outside.  She told her servants that he had come to her to try to sleep with her and had left his cloak behind.  She told Potiphar who put Joseph in prison.

Still, the Lord was with Joseph so Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners and all the happenings there and had success in whatever he did.

Questions:

3a)  Genesis 39:3, 23:  When God is with you, you have success in whatever you do.

Genesis 39:21:  When God is with you, God shows you kindness and others see you favorably.

Joshua 1:7-9:  Follow and obey the law and meditate on it day and night and you will be successful and prosperous wherever  you go.

b)  Joshua 1:  God promises to never leave us or forsake us.  No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.  Be strong and courageous.  Follow and obey the law and meditate on it day and night and you will be successful and prosperous wherever you go.  God will be with us wherever we go.

Psalm 1:  Blessed is he who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.  Whatever he does prospers.  The Lord watches over the righteous.

4)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Potiphar probably witnessed the abundance Joseph brought in whatever tasks he was doing before he was promoted.  Joseph was honest (as shown by not sleeping with his wife), which was hard to find in slaves back then.  I would imagine Joseph was one of those people whom you just know God is with him.  He probably had an aura about him that just attracted others to him.

5a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  He trusted in God and God’s plans.  He was also young.  He hadn’t experienced yet how hard the world could be until this moment so he probably took a positive attitude and made the best of every situation.

b)  By prospering those around Joseph.  It was like Midas and the Golden Touch.  Everywhere it seemed Joseph made everything turn to gold so to speak and everyone knew it.  Even in prison God blessed him and made that life tolerable.  God allowed others to see how Joseph was the reason for all the good in their lives; hence, they showed him favor.

Conclusions:  Mixed on this lesson.  The theme was if you obey and trust in God you will prosper no matter your circumstances, which is a good lesson.  God blesses. However, something was missing–depth perhaps?

Prisons of ancient times were NOTHING like prisons of today.  No regular meals.  No sanitary conditions.  No toilets.  No showers.  And definitely no human rights.  Prisoners were tortured, beaten, and starved to death.  No one cared if you lived or died back then and if you were thrown in prison for a crime (like Joseph was), odds are you’d never get out and you would die there.  You’d literally be left to rot, especially if you had no money in which to buy your freedom.

A prisoner being put in charge of prisoners was rare.  Yet God had to intervene here or Joseph would die.

Fun Fact:  The name Potiphar means “devoted to the sun”.  In Ancient Egypt, the Sun God, Ra, was considered the King of the gods and was worshipped by some as the creator god.  Pharaoh was seen as the son of Ra.  He was said to command the chariot that rode across the sky and brought day to the world.  He was universally worshipped throughout the entire Ancient Egyptian reign (3000 years).

Hence, Potiphar’s name means devoted to this god as well as to Pharaoh since Pharaoh is the son of Ra and considered his embodiment on earth.

Potiphar’s job was personal security to Pharaoh.  He wasn’t in charge of the army. Hence, he was very important in Egypt.

Joseph was in Potiphar’s house for 11 years.  We are not told how long it took him to work his way up but we can assume it took a bit of time.  We must remember Joseph is a foreigner.  He didn’t know the language, the culture, the customs, the religion, etc.  There had to have been a learning time and an adjustment period.

Interesting Fact:  Joseph is one of only 3 men called handsome in the Bible.  The other two are David (1 Samuel 16:12) and Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25).  Hence, I think it is safe to say he would have been voted Time’s Sexiest Man Alive!

Why is Potiphar’s wife coming on to Joseph?  Besides the fact Joseph is handsome, there is debate amongst scholars on whether or not Potiphar was a eunuch.  The Hebrew word for “official” in verse 1 may be translated as eunuch and it was common for high officials serving the Pharaoh to be castrated in order to ensure complete loyalty.  This may be another reason his wife was seeking attention elsewhere.

Plus, Joseph, a mere slave, said no to a woman of noble status–very rare in ancient times. I’m sure she felt the need for retribution (and indeed she had her revenge).  When she tired of the challenge, she had Joseph thrown in jail.  End of story.

Egyptian religion was lax when it came to marriage rites and being unfaithful was not uncommon.

The temptation Joseph endured could have gone on for years.  We are not told–only that it happened “day after day”.  This was definitely a test of strength for Joseph–one in which we are to gain strength from.

Joseph did everything right:  he avoided temptation, never being alone with her; he knew it was a sin; he said no; and then he ran when she trapped him.  Yet he still paid a price for following God.  As we all do.

Joseph could have been killed but instead was put in prison.  This hints that Potiphar probably suspected his wife’s lies (what husband doesn’t know his wife is flirting in his own household?).  Also, this shows how God saves.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 5: James 5

Summary of passage:  James addresses the rich saying their misery is coming in the form or rotted wealth and clothes and corroded silver and gold because they have cheated workmen out of wages, lived in luxury and self-indulgence, fattened themselves while others starved, and condemned and murdered innocent men.

Be patient like the farmer is for his crops for the Lord’s coming and stand firm.  Don’t grumble against each other or you will be judged.  Have patience when suffering like the prophets did and persevere.  Wait for what the Lord will bring about. Do not swear oaths. Your word is enough.

Pray when in trouble or happy.  Have others pray for you when you are sick.  A prayer offered in faith will make you well and you will be forgiven.  Confess your sins and pray for each other.  Prayer is powerful and effective like Elijah’s prayer.  Those who turn sinners who have wandered from the truth back will be blessed.

Questions:

14a)  The wages they failed to pay the workmen, lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence, fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter, condemned and murdered innocent men.

b)  Yes because James is speaking to them and writing to them in this letter.  In Chapter 1, he opens with, “to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” so they are at the very least Jews (God’s chosen people) and I would say they are new Christians.

c)  Human nature has not changed since Adam and man is inherently selfish and greedy. This includes Christians.  Men cheat others who work for them and pay them sub-par wages for the work they do.  People live in luxury and self-indulgence and extravagance. We over-indulge (look at the obesity rates in this country).  Christians condemn and murder innocent men (or in some form such as slander that we talked about yesterday–severely hobbling people to the point they cannot support themselves, etc).

Despite our best intentions, the devil can still cause us to choose him instead of God.  I do not see this ever changing in the future for we are human.

15)  Stand firm, don’t grumble against each other, persevere, and do not swear

16a)  We should pray when we are in trouble, happy, or sick.  Prayer in faith will result in healing, forgiveness for sin, and be powerful and effective.  If you pray earnestly, your prayer will be answered.  Have others pray for us especially when sick. Confess our sins to others and pray for each other so we may be healed.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Probably every facet of my life.  I’m trying to pray more and more and I think if I do, I will see more prayers answered.

c)  We are saved from death and our sins if we turn towards the truth (i.e. God).

Conclusions:  I like how James tells us not to be grumblers or complainers, a habit we all battle at points in our lives.  I like how James tells us not to swear oaths.  Our word should be enough.

I love the prayer part.  As you know, prayer has been a theme for me throughout the second half of Acts and this is just another great passage on the power of prayer.

I believe we can’t pray enough.  I think of the monks who devoted their lives to Christ and spent most of the day in prayer.  Obviously, most of us are not called to such a life but we do need to follow their example and pray in everything as much as possible.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 4: James 4:11-17

Summary of passage:  James says not to slander one another for this is in essence slandering the law and judging it.  There is only one Lawgiver (God) and Judge (God and Christ).  Who are we to judge?

James blasts those who make plans without God.  For our life is a mist that vanishes after a while and we do not know what tomorrow will bring.  We must ask first if it is the Lord’s will, then we will do this or that.  Otherwise, you are boasting, which is evil. Anyone who knows the good and doesn’t do it sins.

Questions:

11)  Everyone is open for criticism especially if you are in the public eye.  When I wrote my column, it somehow became okay to attack me personally (and my family).  And anonymously.  I love the Internet.  But not everything about it is positive.  We all need constructive criticism so we can become better people.  But when it turns personal and is given without a loving heart, I think this is when this Scripture applies.  Then we have crossed the line into judgment and Christ’s realm.

As Paul keeps repeating, we are not to speak unless it is encouraging and uplifting, not to tear down and hurt.  We must tame our tongue as James says in James 3.  I think this coincides with these warnings.

I tell my kids, “If  you can’t say anything nice, don’t say it at all.”  Exactly what this scripture says.

12)  Leviticus 19:16:  ”Do not go about spreading slander among your people.  Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.  I am the Lord.”

13a)  Boasting, bragging, pride, not relying on the Lord but relying on yourself

b)  If it is and aligns with God’s will.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  We must rely on God for everything.  We do nothing on our own.  Before making plans, I need to pray first and make sure it is in accordance with God’s will for my life and not my will.

Conclusions:  Another good lesson that aligns with a common theme in this study:  If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say it at all, especially slander or speech with malicious intent.  We are too free sometimes in this society to say what we want without thinking of the consequences to others.  Guard our tongue as James say and speak only uplifting words.

I liked James question, “What is your life?” (verse 14)  I think sometimes we do get prideful when in reality we are an ant compared to God.  God can snuff us out with one step of His foot.  Good thing to keep in mind when we are tending towards arrogance and need to turn back towards humility.

I loved the last verse.  I apply this to our purpose (which is always good since it’s from God).  If you are not doing it, you are sinning.  Also, this verse speaks to doing what is right versus ignoring the situation.  I think of how many videos or exposes we see recently where people walk by someone in need (apparently this is human nature since it happened to the Good Samaritan as well millenia ago).  We must do the right thing no matter the cost to ourselves.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 3: James 4:1-10

Summary of passage:  James says fights and quarrels are caused by our desires.  You want something but don’t get it.  And you do not ask God for it.  If you ask with wrong motives, you will not receive.

If you are a friend of the world then you are an enemy of God.  God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Submit yourselves to God and resist the devil.  Come near to God and purify your hearts.  Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.

Questions:

7a)  Your desires that battle within you (point being they are not God’s desires yet you strive for them anyways).

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  There are many things I am praying about right now but the paramount one is this:  my novel published.  I believe with all my heart and soul it is God’s and I am praying He gets it out there to have the impact on others I believe it will.  I am praying that this is His will and that it aligns with mine.  I believe it is His will but I pray this over and over again throughout the process so I know it all aligns.  I am praying to finish the editing process quickly.

8 )  The world hates us (Christians) because we do not belong to it.  The world is foolish and God hates things of the world.  We do not wage war as the world does.  Do not love anything of the world for then the Father is not in him.

9a)  Submit to God, resist the devil, come near to God, purify your heart, humble yourself before the Lord.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  It’s okay to make decisions on your own.  It’s not. You must consult God and your husband.  Wait for an answer.  Then respond.  I am also fighting rising resentment towards my mother-in-law again.  So I am trying to respond out of love and how Jesus would.

10)  Try to always be humble in every facet in my life and if I can model this, then I will be able to teach it more effectively to my kids and others.  Remember I am nothing and God is everything.  Everything I do and accomplish is from God and for God.  I am merely the vessel.  He is the rudder.

Conclusions:  I liked the last question.  It was neat to see how many times “humble yourself” is repeated in the Bible and when I looked up these verses, I had underlined it every time!  Now that was cool!

Great reminder that prayer is for His will to be done, not our will which can be worldly.

It is sobering to think that the world hates us (John 15:18-19).  Hate is such a strong word and I’d never thought of it before like this.  It reminds us that this world is merely a temporary existence.  We are not of this world but we must live in this world until our time is up.  Great reminder of our motives and our thinking compared to God’s.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 2: James 3

Summary of passage:  James begins by stating that teachers are judged more strictly. We all stumble in our walk with God.  Small things can control big objects:  a bit controls a horse, a rudder controls the ship.  The tongue can as well.  A tiny spark can burn and destroy the whole forest.  So can the tongue:  it can corrupt the whole person.  No man can tame it (implying only God can).  It is evil.

For out of the same mouth come praises to God and curses to men.  This should not be.

The wise are shown by a good life and deeds done in humility.  Earthly wisdom harbors bitter envy, selfish ambitions, boasting, denying the truth, disorder, and evil.  Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, and sincere, leading to righteousness.

Questions:

3)  They have more opportunity to sin due to the authority they have over others.  Teachers should set the example and stumble less in their walk with Christ.

4a)  Control:  A small bit can control a horse, a rudder turns the whole ship.  Destroy:  a small spark can burn a whole forest.  The tongue can be either.  It can boast or corrupt the whole person.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I don’t like this question so I’m going to hold my tongue in answering it.  I’m not sure how re-living others’ past hurts can help us improve our walk with the Lord.  I think we are all mature enough to realize what we say to others is powerful.  This question would have been great if it had focused on the positive aspect of hurtful words: overcoming and forgiving the person who said them.

c)  Hold it

5)  Wisdom is knowledge of what is right.  When you act out of what is right, you are humble.  For pride is not wisdom.  You do good works because it is the right thing to do, leading to humility.  You know pride is destructive; therefore, you are wise to be humble.

6a)  Earthly wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition, boasting, denying the truth, disorderly, and evil.  Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere and thus righteous.

b)  Pray.  To turn your heart.  To heal your wounds.  To know Him more.  Read the Word. Soak in its truths so you are more able to push out the evils of this world.  And act.  Be more pure, peaceful, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, and sincere in your life towards others and your wisdom will grow.  Practice makes perfect!

Conclusions:  Holding of the tongue has been repeated throughout this study, which I like.  Something I need to hear.

My overarching theme this year seems to be prayer.  In every personal answer, I have been answering prayer.  For God promises He will answer our prayers.  I am constantly striving to pray more in my daily life.

I also like how judging is repeated this year as well.  It’s important to remember that we will be judged and what we do matters.  The reminder that we are held to a higher standard should be paramount in our minds.  We are examples to others in all things.

BSF Study Questions Isaiah Lesson 27, Day 5 Isaiah 60:19-22

Summary of passage:  The Lord will be your everlasting light and glory instead of the sun and the moon to light our way.  The people’s days of sorrow will end.  They will be righteous and possess the land forever for they are the work of my hands, the shoot I have planted, the display for my splendor.  The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation.

Questions:

11a)  A happy, perfect life.  The Lord will be our everlasting light and glory.  Sorrow will end.  The people will be righteous and will possess the land forever.  The least of you will become great and will display God’s splendor.

b)  Both say all nations will flock to the city to see the Light; Jerusalem/Israel does not need the Sun or the Moon’s light for the glory of God is its light; the nations and kings will bring Jerusalem their splendor (riches, wealth); the gates shall forever be open; there will be no violence, shame or deceit.

c)  By faith and belief in what the Bible says.

12)  There is hope and something better to come.  God’s will and peace will prevail.  When I’m down in the muck of life, remembering God’s promises gives me strength to carry on.

Conclusions:  Another relatively easy day.  I like these days. It’s encouraging to know I don’t have to struggle to “get it” sometimes.  Either that or I’m just getting better at this after 9 months.  Studying the Bible is like anything you work hard at: you have to practice to get better and this year has definitely given me practice that’s for sure!

Just after this one year at BSF I feel much more confident in my knowledge of the Bible, reading the Bible, studying the Bible, praying to God and above all closer to God.  Not that its been easy–most definitely not. But I never gave up.  And the results show.

BSF Study Questions Isaiah Lesson 27, Day 4: Isaiah 60:15-18

Summary of passage:  God will make Israel the everlasting pride and joy of all nations and will drink the milk of nations and be nursed by royal breasts so they will know He is their Redeemer, Savior, and Mighty One.  God will bring the better material (gold instead of bronze, silver instead of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones) and will make peace and righteousness their ruler.  Israel’s walls and gates will be Salvation and Praise.  Violence will be vanquished.

Questions:

9a)  God will make Israel the everlasting pride and joy of all nations and generations.  Israel will drink the milk of nations and be nursed by royal breasts (will receive the wealth of nations freely as a mother nurses her baby).  God will replace bronze with gold, iron with silver, wood with bronze, and stones with iron (give better things).  God will give peace and righteousness, vanquish violence, ruin and destruction, and call Israel Salvation and Praise.

b)  God can make our walls (be it of our home or those around us) a place of salvation, peace, and righteousness.  He can turn whatever we have into something better.  We can be the pride and joy in our generation especially amongst our family.  We can receive God’s riches freely–as freely as a babe nurses (a mother gives her baby milk).

10)  Personal Question.  My answers:

Lord:  Ruler of my life

Your Savior:  God’s unfathomable love for me

Your Redeemer:  I can fall but God will catch me

The Mighty One of Jacob:  God can do anything for me, through me, and with me.

Conclusions:  It’s nice to have an easy day now and then.  The image of God blessing Israel as freely as a mother gives her milk to her baby speaks to me because I remember those days where baby came first in everything including when she or he wanted to nurse.  Great stuff!