Mutual Admiration Society of Legendary Figures (MASLF for short)

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study group meeting January 22 to study 2 Samuel 7.  This is an odd chapter.  Essentially, it's a lot of superlatives connecting rejection and mutual admiration.  God speaks highly of David, so highly it's amazing.  And David speaks highly of God, humbly and meek.  It's so sappy it's sick, and yet, there are vital elements we need to consider emulating in our own relationship with God.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Look for the word usage differences between versions, however many you have.  Jot them down, note the more interesting ones, think of the similarities and differences in word meaning.  The flow of 'plot' or action isn't difficult to follow, but consider that as well.  Who is involved here?  What do they do? Then consider what they say.

After reading through a few times, making your own notes, read through again using the questions below:

• The setting is that all is going well for David.  So why do you think it bothers him that God is still in a 'tabernacle'?
• David speaks to Nathan (who's last name seems to be 'prophet') about his concern and Nathan gives him the 'go ahead'.  Why do you think Nathan would do that?  Try and ignore the rest of the chapter, what do you think Nathan is thinking?
• God corrects Nathan that night in a dream.  The first thing God addresses is the whole, 'tent' issue.  What's God's point about the tent?  Why do you think God is happy in a tent at this time?
• God then recites what He has done for David, and continues into a statement that He will 'build the house of David'.  What do you think God is doing here?  Why do you think God would take the position of 'house-builder' with David, and not the 'house dweller'?
• Verse 9 is worded strangely, in that God will make David's name 'like that of the greatest in the land."  Who else is there?  Who are these 'greatest in the land' of whom God speaks?  What do you think it means for God to word this the way He does?
• God speaks of David's death and descendants.  In a sense, God does not establish David's throne, but Solomon's.  Why word it that way?
• Nathan passes on the word of God to David.  Then David goes and sits in the Lord's presence.  Where do you think David goes?  Why is David able to go there?
• Translations vary with verse 19, especially the ending.  Essentially, it says '...and this the 'torah' of adam (human as made from dust/dirt)...'  Think about that term, 'torah of adam'.  Considering what 'torah' usually means with Scripture, what do you think it's use here might mean?
• David claims that God has done for him what He did because of God's heart and own word.  What do you think David is saying by that?  What do you think he means?
• Verse 22 is what David concludes from what God has done, what he believes about God.  What do you think is interesting about this claim, considering he and his men capture idols from their enemies?
• David then recounts that the people of Israel are unique.  Other people's considered themselves to be 'chosen' by gods to do stuff.  What do you think or see here that makes Israel different?
• Verse 25 is the turn into David's conclusion.  David now asks for what God has promised.  What does this teach you about your relationship with God?  Remember the 'Favor Of God' lessons?  How does this relate?

This isn't a long chapter, but it's not short either.  There's a lot more in it than I went over in these questions.  Be sure to bring your notes and questions as we go through it together.

Streaks of Color and "Colorful People"

Coming up this Thursday, April 5, we will be studying Genesis 9.  The oddities in the chapter should make for great conversation.  Read it over a few times, jotting down questions that occur to you.  Also, if you have the opportunity to read it in a few different versions, that might generate some additional questions; jot those down too.

Consider the following on your third or fourth trip through the chapter:

• Read this blog entry I made way back in January this year.  It examines the first seven verses.
• Who is the "bow in the cloud" a reminder for, us or God?
• Look at Gen 8:20-22, then Gen 9:1-7, then Gen 9:8-17 as separate pieces.  Can they rearranged?  Are they "sequential"?  And what are the distinct emphases of each?
• What different (or similar) element of God's character shows in each piece?
• What is up between Noah and Canaan?  Is this a mean "grandpa" or what is it?
• Follow this link to see the range of meaning of this Hebrew word.  It was used in the blessing of Japheth in the first part of verse 27.  Was it necessarily a "blessing"?

That should shake it up enough for now. I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!  Have a blessed week, and be sure to post questions and/or prayer requests.

By the way, if you "join" this blog, you get automatic notifications of each posting, and it's easier to post comments.  It's not hard to do, but Google does want you to have a Google account.

Waiting on the Memory of God? No, Not Really.

This Thursday (March 29), we'll be studying Genesis 8.  This is one of the best "story" chapters, because imagining what Noah and his family are enduring is dramatic.  It's not hard to "fill-in" family dynamic back-story to what we read. One of the most poignant sentences is the first.

Read all through Chapter 8, and consider these few questions:

• Did God "forget" everyone on the ark?
• What might have been Noah's family's reaction during the waiting, after the ark came to rest?
• What might have been going on in Noah's mind and heart during the waiting?
• Do you hear the song, "Anticipation" (or whatever it's called) playing as theme music during the story?
• How does a dove with an olive branch in its mouth become the symbol for world peace?
• Follow this link and look a the meanings for this Hebrew word "chuwl" and see the variety of ways it can be translated.  This word appears in verse 10 and is normally translated here as "waited".  What sort of "waiting" is Noah doing?  Consider possible common themes in all the different ways to translate it.
• The word for "wait" in verse 12 is different, it's "yachal" and normally means waiting. 
• What do the first two things God did in response to the sacrifice tell you about His character?

That should do it for now.  Remember, one of the best points of this text is the word "remember in verse 1.  I hope you enjoy this study as much as I have.  See you Thursday!