There Arose Such a Clatter

 This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 9, to study Acts 2. And it's late...sorry about that.

Read through the chapter a few times and note details of action. There is a lot of speech in this chapter but try to focus on the action. Make notes of who's doing what. That should help you put yourself into the scene in different places. Jot down what you think about what's happening. And write down questions about the text. What Luke wrote, why that particular way, and so on. You will have more questions if you read the chapter in more translations.

Once you have your notes, go back through with a commentary or study Bible and make any modifications to your own notes and questions. You may have more questions after looking at a commentary. Bring these to the study group.

After you go through a commentary, go back through with the questions below:

• The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit who then gives them the ability to speak clearly in other languages. Why do you think it was important for the Holy Spirit to enable them to speak clearly? And yet, everyone seems to know they are Galileans. If it wasn't their accent, then how do you think the people knew?
• Some think they're drunk. If all could hear clearly spoken things of God in their own language, why do you think that would suggest drunkenness? When does drunkenness increase intelligibility?
• Peter draws from the end of Joel, who prophesies about the "Great Day of the Lord". How do you think Jesus' life and ascension is the "Great Day of the Lord"? How did His life, death, resurrection, and ascension match the description Peter quotes?
• So, of those from all over (see verses 9 to 11) join the 120, adding 3,000 to their number, how many stayed in Jerusalem? Did some go back to those areas? What can you find out about the Jewish pilgrimage process in the first century AD?
• If the group of disciples grew from 120 to 3,000, what sort of problems do you think that would cause? What do you think of their solution in verses 44 and 45?

I'll stop there. I have lots more questions. The chapter makes my head spin. Bring your clarity and prayer requests.

See you Thursday!

Why A Twelfth?

 When I was  a kid, it never occurred to me to ask why the disciples wanted to choose a twelfth man. Never. And then one day, later in my Bible learning days, I was part of a discussion where some guy claimed that the disciples were jumping the gun. His claim was that Luke's point in Acts was that the disciples chose Matthias, but God chose Paul.

That had seriously never occurred to me. His reasoning was flimsy, somewhat. And I thought his definition of 'apostle' was lacking, or at least was more narrow than the biblical range of meaning. Yet, I didn't have an alternate theory. It never occurred to me to ask. Honestly I still don't have a great theory, and merely critique the views of others. That critiquing is so easy is one reason I haven't come up with one myself.

If you use internal evidence, though, a theory may not be necessary. Let's look at the reason(s) Peter gives:

“Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Acts 1:16-17 NASB)

“For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE,
AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’;
and,
‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’
Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” (Acts 1:20-22 NASB)

If you have never checked Peter's references, he uses Psalm 69:25, and 109:8. If you decide to look those verses up, you find he didn't use the entire verse (to be fair, the Psalms weren't divided up into verses at that time). And if you check the context, you find one Psalm commonly thought to describe Jesus (Psalm 69), and another that certainly could (Psalm 109).

On the surface, if you don't check those Psalms, or check the context of what Peter used, you may think Peter is merely proof-texting. But context sort of supports his use. That was my first surprise. But the other surprise was more important. Look at the last sentence. There, right on the surface, is the  reason for the twelfth man.

It wasn't to ensure they had someone to judge the twelve tribes in Judas' absence (at least one commentary had that one). It wasn't an error, jumping ahead of God who wanted Paul, because he couldn't be a witness to the entire life of Jesus. It wasn't any other of a dozen other options...ok, maybe two others. Anyway, what Peter says is actually what makes the most sense.

The only record of the life of Jesus was in those who were there, those who ate with Him, who walked, literally walked, with Him. Only they could attest to the words and deeds of Jesus while He was among His human creatures. Consider the words with which John ends his Gospel, where he claims that not all the words and deeds were recorded because that wasn't possible (John 21:25). We miss a lot because those witnesses are no longer among us.

But one question remains. Why twelve? There were obviously options among them who had been with Jesus in the period Peter describes. The people reduced the options to two, and God chose 1 of them to make 12. But why twelve? Maybe it was to round out the judges of the twelve tribes, but then, wouldn't their tribal heritage be important? Maybe it was to correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel. Although that simply runs into the same problem. 

The truth, the reality we have, is that our Savior didn't think it was important to tell us why. Maybe the people of that day didn't need to be told, they had received that knowledge verbally already. Maybe it just sucks to be us, 2,000 years later, wishing we could be flies on walls of the early churches.

I think it's likely that this piece of the information, while interesting, isn't important to our Savior. He had His purpose, it was fulfilled in the choice, now move on. This is my theory. I don't know if I'm right or not, our Savior doesn't tell us. But there are a lot of other things He does tell us. I think I'll move on to those.

What's Going On, Where'd He Go, And Who are These Guys?

 This is the Weekly study guide for the Thursday Bible Study Group meeting November 18 to study Acts, Chapter 1. Hopefully, you've had a chance to read the whole book of Acts, at least once. If not, do that. 

After you've read the entire book, read through Chapter 1 carefully. Think through what Luke thinks is important. Try to imagine you are Theophilus, and imagine what he might think of this beginning. It may help to read the last chapter of Luke's Gospel.

As you read, jot down questions, and make notes to bring to the meeting. The Holy Spirit, having inspired these words, wants to illuminate our hearts and minds to understand them. It's so important to Him, that He preserved these words above all others on this planet, more than the words of any other culture. Consider what you read as that important.

Once you've gone through with a commentary or your study Bible notes. Make any adjustments to your questions and notes. Once you've done that, go back through with the few questions below:

• In Luke 1:3, Luke refers to Theophilus as “most excellent”, an honorific term he reserves for Roman governmental officials. That reference is missing here, in verse 1. Why do you think Luke would not feel the need for the honorific reference in his “second work”?
• In verse 3, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God, and in verse 6, the disciples ask about the Kingdom of Israel. Considering that Luke is a Gentile, and probably writing this for Gentiles, why do you think he chose this wording difference? Consider how new Gentile believers might have read and understood it, what do you think it meant to them?
• The term “baptism”/”baptize” occurs 26 times in the NASB translation of Acts. Only here is it used as “baptism of/in/by the Holy Spirit” in all of Acts. Prior to this, only John the Baptist uses the term to refer to Jesus, comparing his baptism (with water) and Jesus’ (with the Holy Spirit and fire). What do you think baptism of/by/in the Holy Spirit means? And how do you think it is like, or unlike, being baptized in water?
• Why the angels? Were the disciples there so long, it was necessary for an angelic appearance to move them along? The term means “messenger”, so consider their message. Why do you think that message was so important?
• Peter quotes Psalm 69 and 109 to explain that Judas needed to be replaced. Consider the context of the verses he uses (Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8). Why do you think those verses told Peter that Judas was to be replaced by someone else? 

Remember to bring your questions and notes to the group to share, and be ready to hear from others.

See you Thursday!

Road Map for our Journey Through Acts

It seems like forever since I've posted to this page, and it was surreal to review some of the last entries. In our Bible study group, we have decided to go through Acts, stopping to read the letter of Paul where we think it may have been written, and returning to Acts. Many of them are considered "Prison Epistles" meaning they were written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Those would covered after we finish Acts.

Below is a brief outline of how Acts and the Epistles of Paul may correlate:

1. Acts 1 through 14 - Up through Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey, but before the council in Jerusalem.
2. Galatians (written from Antioch)
3. Acts 15 through 18:17
4. Thessalonians (both) (written from Corinth)
5. Acts 18:18 through 19
6. Corinthians (both) (written from Ephesus)
7. Acts 20:1-3, and Romans (written from Corinth)
8. Acts 20:4 through Acts 28
9. Prison Epistles: Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Timothy (both), and Titus.

This outline is one I've come up with after looking through Reading God's Word: A Chronological Daily Bible by George H. Guthrie. I've deviated slightly where I thought it made more sense.

Another good resource online is at one of my favorite online Bible study resource sites, The Blue Letter Bible. There I found another timeline for Acts and the other New Testament writing:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/pnt02.cfm

Now, regarding an approach to studying Acts (or any Bible passage), I have my opinions, and I hold them strongly. You are obviously permitted to follow whatever approach you like. My basic approach is as follows:

1. Read it for yourself first. Make your own notes, jot down your own questions.
2. Read it again and revise your notes/questions.
3. Now read other stuff, study Bible notes, commentaries, whatever.
4. Revise your notes/questions based off further reading/opinions.
5. Come ready to discuss and share your experience (notes and questions).

I have my reasons for this approach, but it is partly rooted in a foundational distrust for commentaries and study notes. I don't really trust a particular translation entirely, and will use several.

So, to prepare for our study, I highly recommend reading through as much of Acts as you can in a single sitting. I urge you to set aside time to push through as much as possible at a time. This provides the best overview of the book, enabling you to see it more as a whole than to get lost in its parts. We will get into the details, I promise.

You may also want to have access to a few different translations as we go through our study. I recommend trying very diverse translations, but to try and stick to translations, not paraphrased Bibles. I still consider paraphrases as Bibles, it's just they obscure the word choices of translators. If you want to spot places where rendering the Greek or Hebrew into English was especially difficult, use diverse translations. The benefit is the insight into the range of possible meaning of passages.

There are a number of "introductions" to the book of Acts available online. As I explained above, I encourage you to read through it at least once before looking at an introduction. The link/URL below has a few from which to choose (just scroll down to Acts). Try starting with the bottom one and work your way up.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/resources/intros.cfm

I will bring a timeline I found on my bookshelf, and we can share other resources we've found to help set the stage and tone for Acts. I'm not planning on starting into the text this coming week, but we may.

I hope to see you all there!

Blessings upon you all!

The Inglorious Beginning

This is the Bible study page for the study of Exodus 5. This chapter begins the confrontation of Pharaoh by Moses and Aaron. There are no plagues, only the response of Pharaoh to the request to go worship Yahweh in the wilderness.

Read through chapter 5 by itself a few times. Then read it again, continuing into chapter 6. Be sure, at this point to read all of chapter 6 along with 5. The point is both to gain context, but also a prelude to the study of the problems presented by the structure of chapter 6. Makes notes on what you discover in chapter 5. You may find it helpful to jot down some notes to set aside regarding chapter 6 as you read that for context. The comparison of the two chapters may be helpful.

Once you have your notes and questions from your own study, go back through the chapter with a commentary or two. Revise your own notes and questions from what you learn from the commentaries. After you have made any revisions you see fit, go back through chapter 5 with the questions below:

• After Moses and Aaron meet with the elders of the sons of Israel (Ex 4:29-31), they go to Pharaoh. Consider the statement of Moses and Aaron in verse 1. Imagine you are Pharaoh of Egypt, and everything happens because you say so. What would you think of Moses' attitude in relaying this demand?
• Pharaoh responds, predictably, that he neither knows Yahweh, nor will he listen to Yahweh. Why do you think that Moses doesn't drop the staff, or pour out water, or stick his hand in his shirt or something to show Pharaoh he's serious?
• Moses tries again using both a different reason of why they want Pharaoh to let them go, and also a different name for the people, Hebrews. Why do you think Moses would switch around the terms this way? What do you think he gains by this approach?
• In verses 4 and 5, Pharaoh responds with, "Get back to work, you slackers!" What do you think of his response? What if it were your kids asking to go out into the wilderness to party, because "God told them so", what do you think you would say?
• Pharaoh then makes a change to the workload of the sons of Israel. Now they have to gather straw as well as make the same amount of bricks. What do you think Pharaoh is doing here? How likely do you think it will be that this will become the new "normal", a sustainable solution?
• There are two groups listed in who Pharaoh delivers this edict to. The first are the slave-drivers (Strong's H5065), and the second are the "foremen" or "officers" (Strong's H7860). The foremen are later shown to be Hebrews themselves. These "layers" of officials is consistent with evidence we see in Egyptian writings about forced labor. Why do you think, if Pharaoh gives this edict to the foremen, they, later, go to him to get it repealed?
• In response to the edict, the people scatter all over the land of Egypt seeking straw, but find only the dry stuff, which isn't good for bricks. Why do you think the king would give the workers a directive that would result in defective bricks? What do you think he is after if it's not exactly "quality"?
• The group of "slave-drivers" or "taskmasters" were insistent upon the people also completing the required amount of bricks. And the "foremen" were beaten when the bricks ran short. Now look at verse 15. Why do you think the foremen complain there if they were already aware of the edict in verses 6 through 9? Keep in mind, they are also involved in communicating this edict to the people in verses 10 and 11. 
• The complaint does not change Pharaoh, and he repeats the edict to them, supporting it with the same support, the people are lazy. The foremen return to Moses and Aaron and complain to them, but not about Yahweh. They call Yahweh to judge between the people and Moses. Why do you think they view Moses as the one in error? Notice they don't deny the name of God, nor question His existence. Why do you think they question the role and calling of Moses?
• The wording used in this chapter is interesting. The word, "cried" in verse 15 is normally used for the crying out to God (Strong's H6817). Pharaoh uses this word to describe the plea of Moses and Aaron to him (v. 8). The idea in how this word is used in this chapter has Pharaoh as the object being cried out to, not Yahweh. How do you see this as important for plot of this story? Remember that the foremen go and cry out to Pharaoh for relief, not Yahweh. Therefore, the people are not yet crying out to Yahweh (not using this word anyway).
• Another word used in this chapter that carries an ironic meaning is "serve" and "servant". In chapter 3, God uses this term to refer to the "worship" that the sons of Israel will do at the mountain of God (Ex 3:12 Strong's H5647). So, the word includes both serving and worshiping (or worshiping through service). Look at all the occurrences of "servant" in chapter 5. In verse 15 and 16, the word occurs three times in reference by the foremen to themselves. And then again in verse 21 to refer to the taskmasters. What do you think of the focus of the foremen? Whom do they "serve", and how do you think this will need to change as the people leave the land?
• Moses complains back to God. Look at his statements, that God has not delivered the people at all. Why do you think Moses would have expected God to deliver without any sort of act of power, or some other sort of proof to Pharaoh? Consider all the things that Moses has been told by God so far. How does his complaint make any sense to you?

That should keep us busy as we go through the chapter. Remember to be thinking and seeking the character of God through all your searching, notes and questions.

A Strange Beginning

This is the Bible study page for the study of Exodus 4. Be sure to start with chapter 3, and read through to chapter 4:17. That will provide the entire conversation. The remainder of chapter 4 is very strange. Read that separately, and probably a few times. Make notes and jot down questions, you may have a few questions.

Remember, as you read, you are seeking to understand the character of God better. Think about how He reveals Himself, what He reveals about Himself, and what seems to be important to Him? There are lot of questions we can ask that seem to have no importance to Him, and that may tell you something about Him as well.

Once you have your own questions and notes, go back through with a commentary or two. Revise your notes as you consider the views from commentators. After you have done both your review, and reviewed the views of commentators, go back through with the questions below:

• The protests of Moses continue unabated in chapter 4 (through verse 17). In chapter 3 he protested that he was nobody, and then that he didn't know God's name. Now, in verse 1 of chapter 4, Moses asks what happens if they don't believe him. God answers by providing 3 signs by which the sons of Israel will be convinced. What do you think of the progression/explanation of the signs? Why do you think the last one was thrown in there? And what do you think is the relationship between these signs and the plagues God will use with the Egyptians?
• Moses then complains that he is slow of speech. Literally, he is "heavy of mouth and tongue". What do you think this means? Why do you think Moses brings this up now, when it didn't seem to matter before when he tried to rescue the sons of Israel? He claims he has always been this way, how likely do you think that really is?
• God's response to Moses' problem speaking is that He will make him able to speak. It's not the answer Moses is looking for because of his next complaint. Why do you think that God making Moses able to speak isn't sufficient for Moses? God claims He will be with Moses, and will make him able to speak. What clues do you see as to Moses' deep reluctance to accept this calling from God?
• Moses tells God to send whoever else He would like. God gets angry (literally, His nose becomes hot). Why do you think God becomes angry? Why do you think Moses would say that since God is clearly choosing to send Moses?
• God then accommodates Moses and chooses Aaron to help Moses go before the sons of Israel and Pharaoh. Why do you think this partial acquiescence to Moses achieves God's purpose? What could have been the result had Moses not had the final protest?
• Moses goes to Jethro to request to return to Egypt, and Jethro tells him to "go in peace." Moses then puts his family on the donkey, and takes off. So, if Moses is already on the way, why do you think God again speaks to him about facing Pharaoh and what plague will happen? Why do you think God gives Moses the final plague right here? What purpose do you think verses 21 through 23 serve at this particular spot in the narrative?
• Verse 24 switches back to Moses traveling. He stops along the way, and God sought to kill Moses. God was seeking the death of the one He chose to lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt. And He sought it personally, not through some avenging angel or other agent. Yahweh met Moses seeking to kill him. So, why? Why do you think God, the Great IAM is seeking to kill His chosen deliverer?
• Moses' wife, Zipporah, circumcises her son (one of two?), and "touches" the foreskin to his feet. So, we're not sure who "he" is who gets the foreskin on his feet, but her comment on this business is, "You are a marriage-relation of bloods to me." Egyptians and the sons of Israel both circumcise. Midianites probably don't (it actually never says). What do you think this is for? Why do you think Zipporah circumcises her son, and why do you think she says that to Moses?
• Yahweh relents, and lets Moses live. And there is a cryptic explanation of why Zipporah calls Moses a "marriage-relation of bloods". How do these two things help you understand this short passage? What do you think is happening between Yahweh and this family?
• Yahweh tells Aaron to go out and meet Moses. And he goes out and meets Moses by the Mountain of God (Horeb). How do you think Aaron was able to just wander out of Egypt like that? What does this tell you about how thoroughly the Egyptians were able to control the movements of the sons of Israel? 
• Moses and Aaron assemble the elders of the sons of Israel. Aaron speaks to them, and Moses shows them the signs that God had given him as proof.The response of the people is to worship. Why do you think there's no other detail given here? Did they believe Moses? Did they ask the name of God? How realistic were Moses' protests? Why do you think those things aren't important now? What does that tell you about Moses' protests in the first place?

That should occupy our time in group study. Remember to be seeking what these passages reveal to us of God's character. What is Yahweh like? Does anything about Him bother you? What can you do to address that with Him?

The Calling of a Hebrew Egyptian - Part 1

This is the Bible study page for Exodus 3. Read this chapter along with 4 to get a sense of the more complete context. Reading in a few translations may help, although the language isn't as much of an issue as the structure. The account of the call of Moses is very complex.

Read through a few times, jotting down questions and noting observations. Try and place yourself in the scene, listening and watching God and Moses. Try to imagine vocal tones as you hear God speak to Moses. Consider the flow of the conversation, and attempt to trace the direction of God versus Moses direction and intent. Part of that will be answered in chapter 4.

Once you have your questions, look through a commentary or two (there are some at the church). Revise your notes and questions as you find more information. Then go back through with the questions below:

• Moses takes the flock of his father-in-law (now Jethro) somewhere else. Look at verse 1 in a few translations. Most have "west side", but many also use "far side", and one uses "out of" to translate where Moses led the flock. Literally, the word is "behind" or "after", and is a common Hebrew word. Why do you think this was so difficult to render into English for translators? Why not just put "after" or "behind"?
• Horeb is referred to throughout Exodus as the Mountain of God. Even Elijah comes to it as the Mountain of God. Considering that this word for God is plural, what do you think is the possibility that this was an ancient place of worship of many gods? It could also be that, when Moses finally writes this, everyone already refers to the place as the Mountain of God. What do you think is most likely?
• The Angel of Yahweh appears to Moses as a flame within a bush (thorn shrub). What gets Moses' attention is that the shrub isn't consumed and the fire continues to burn the shrub. Why do you think that the fire itself wasn't enough to gain Moses' attention? Or was it?
• Moses turns aside to go see the burning bush. It is written that Yahweh "saw" that Moses turns aside to look at the bush. Think about that. What does that tell you about God's methods and character in reaching out to people He intends to use?
• God calls out to Moses in much the same way He calls Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Moses responds much like Abraham, "Behold, I" (Genesis 22:1). This is pretty common in Hebrew. It's typically translated as, "here I am". How can you respond to God in this same way? What would that look like for you?
• Moses is standing on holy ground, and is required to remove his sandals. Why do you think bare feet are more appropriate to holiness than sandals?
• Look at how God speaks about who He is to Moses. He is the God of "your fathers", then lists them, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why do you think this is how God starts? What do you think is the significance of the "fathers"?
• Look at verses 7 and 8. Now read 9 and 10. Do you spot the repetition? Why do you think God "starts" over with His reason for calling Moses?
• The second "start" continues with Moses first protest. "Who am I to go before Pharaoh?" Why do you think Moses would ask this? Who else would God send, doesn't Moses have the perfect background for this? Moses seemed so gung ho before, so why the hesitancy now? 
• God's answer is His presence with Moses, and the sign promised Moses is that the people will worship God on that mountain. Why do you think Moses' question about his qualification is answered by God's presence?
• The people wouldn't worship at the mountain until well after Moses does what God is calling him to do. So, how can that be a "sign" that God is truly with or calling Moses?
• Moses next wants to know God's name. If Moses says that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob appeared to him, why do you think the people would ask His name? Look at Exodus 6:2, 3. Why do you think that God didn't answer Moses' question with the name that would have been the name their fathers knew?
• God refers to Himself as "I AM", and then "Yahweh". The two are different in "person", so in English, it would be I AM, and HE IS. Why do you think that, when Moses asks His name, God bases His answer on "is". What does that tell you about what God wants His people to know about Him and how He wants them to refer to Him?
• After the naming question, we have another repetition. God sends Moses to Pharaoh in verse 10, but then, in verses 16 through 18, to the elders first, and then to take the elders with him to Pharaoh. How do you understand the relationship between these two sets of instructions?
• Notice the repetition of the description of where God is leading them. Yet, what are they telling Pharaoh? Why do you think God would tell Moses essentially to lie to Pharaoh? 
• God then tells Moses that they will only go out once Pharaoh has seen miracles. And when the people go, they will plunder the Egyptians. Why do you think these two details are so important for Moses' calling? 

That should be plenty to think about. Be sure to bring your notes and questions to the Bible study.