Everything that happens, happens with God's permission. It's a comfort because of the feeling that someone is in control. And yet I wonder how it impacts on free will. One way to look at it is that the purpose of God for creation will be accomplished no matter what. Of course you can also view it as a form destiny, but being brushstrokes, it does not have respect who will be the players.
Is it possible that God, in the fulfillment of His plans, takes away certain people's free will for a time? For example, in the case of Egypt during the time of Moses. Is the heart of Pharaoh hardened for the duration of the time that God would show His power through the plagues? Or is repentance available for Pharaoh in between the plagues? If I simply read the account, it appears that the latter is not the case. Plus the fact that the Passover must come to pass. And without the deaths of the firstborn, how would the symbolism of Passover be made?
January 23, 2011
January 13, 2011
Job 1- 3
6:19 PM 1/9/2011
Job 1
For someone who is bent on the destruction of mankind, it sounds awkward, even absurd, to allow Satan to appear before God.
The series of tragedies that came to Job in one day is a combination of natural disasters and violence. And yet, all of these were allowed by God, since when He allowed Satan to do harm to Job, it was not specified how or in what manner.
Is it possible that Job had considered how all of these can happen in one day if not for something supernatural happening? Hence his reaction.
Job 2
I am wondering what is the nature why the "sons of God" needed to present themselves.
I am also wondering how long it has been since the disasters that happen to Job's life and this period.
These passages also show the extent of power that Satan has, in terms of controlling nature as well as human will.
To accept adversity from God may be such a strange concept to modern Christians who are sees God thru the lens of a generous Father.
Job's friends did not went out to see Job during the first set of tragedies that happened to him. Either he did not went so far as to make too much news of it. Or his friends have come to realize how serious things now are.
Job 3
I wonder what is the purpose of Job's speech. Maybe it's a simple way of finding consolation, of reaching out to people who are now there to possibly listen to him.
Job 1
For someone who is bent on the destruction of mankind, it sounds awkward, even absurd, to allow Satan to appear before God.
The series of tragedies that came to Job in one day is a combination of natural disasters and violence. And yet, all of these were allowed by God, since when He allowed Satan to do harm to Job, it was not specified how or in what manner.
Is it possible that Job had considered how all of these can happen in one day if not for something supernatural happening? Hence his reaction.
Job 2
I am wondering what is the nature why the "sons of God" needed to present themselves.
I am also wondering how long it has been since the disasters that happen to Job's life and this period.
These passages also show the extent of power that Satan has, in terms of controlling nature as well as human will.
To accept adversity from God may be such a strange concept to modern Christians who are sees God thru the lens of a generous Father.
Job's friends did not went out to see Job during the first set of tragedies that happened to him. Either he did not went so far as to make too much news of it. Or his friends have come to realize how serious things now are.
Job 3
I wonder what is the purpose of Job's speech. Maybe it's a simple way of finding consolation, of reaching out to people who are now there to possibly listen to him.
Isaiah 4 - 6
5:55 PM 1/8/2011
chapter 4
The concept of being destined is once again seen in verse 3.
Isaiah 5
on verse 10, it would be more helpful for me if I am aware of how much should the planting area mentioned normally yield.
Quite interesting that excessive wine/beer drinking is associated with lack of discernment of God's actions, and even worse, of evildoing.
Isaiah 6
What made Isaiah heed the call of the Lord? Is it the knowledge that he now stands righteous before God?
chapter 4
The concept of being destined is once again seen in verse 3.
Isaiah 5
on verse 10, it would be more helpful for me if I am aware of how much should the planting area mentioned normally yield.
Quite interesting that excessive wine/beer drinking is associated with lack of discernment of God's actions, and even worse, of evildoing.
Isaiah 6
What made Isaiah heed the call of the Lord? Is it the knowledge that he now stands righteous before God?
Ephesians 4 - 6
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 5
v. 32 - something profound happens around us everyday. It remains to be profound, and yet we take it for granted as it is common. But its profoundness is not reduced one bit by its commonness.
Ephesians 6
Ephesians 5
v. 32 - something profound happens around us everyday. It remains to be profound, and yet we take it for granted as it is common. But its profoundness is not reduced one bit by its commonness.
Ephesians 6
Matthew 4 - 6
1:33 PM 1/9/2011
Matthew 4
Led to be tempted.
In contrast to the Israelite's experience (Deut 8:3) where they did not have a choice in the desert but to rely on God's provision, Jesus' action to fast is a deliberate one of reliance. I supposed the same effect have been brought upon to Jesus as it is to the Israelites for this experience.
Jesus only started his ministry after the temptation, and not immediately after his anointing. But of course it was two events immediately happening after one another.
Matthew 5
verse 11 - are those who are following Jesus already experiencing some form of persecution, or is this more of a prophetic statement?
v. 17 - Jesus mentions The Law and The Prophets as two categories of Scriptures in what we know now as Old Testament. So I guess the rest of the non-Prophet books are also categorized together with The Law, which is more than the first 5 books attributed to Moses?
It is quite interesting how the laws that the people has been taught either omits something or adds something, the effect of which becomes legalistic or even contrary to the Bible.
Matthew 6
5 - How is prayer supposed to be? You approach a God who already know what you want, and in addition knows what you need, which can be the same thing or two entirely different things.
13 - Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted, and yet in the prayer He taught it includes a request not to led to temptation.
Matthew 4
Led to be tempted.
In contrast to the Israelite's experience (Deut 8:3) where they did not have a choice in the desert but to rely on God's provision, Jesus' action to fast is a deliberate one of reliance. I supposed the same effect have been brought upon to Jesus as it is to the Israelites for this experience.
Jesus only started his ministry after the temptation, and not immediately after his anointing. But of course it was two events immediately happening after one another.
Matthew 5
verse 11 - are those who are following Jesus already experiencing some form of persecution, or is this more of a prophetic statement?
v. 17 - Jesus mentions The Law and The Prophets as two categories of Scriptures in what we know now as Old Testament. So I guess the rest of the non-Prophet books are also categorized together with The Law, which is more than the first 5 books attributed to Moses?
It is quite interesting how the laws that the people has been taught either omits something or adds something, the effect of which becomes legalistic or even contrary to the Bible.
Matthew 6
5 - How is prayer supposed to be? You approach a God who already know what you want, and in addition knows what you need, which can be the same thing or two entirely different things.
13 - Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted, and yet in the prayer He taught it includes a request not to led to temptation.
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