The one who exegeted God

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (6)

The one who exegeted God

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2373

John 1:14-18

Joh 1:14 The Word became flesh and lodged among us. We took notice of how bright he shown, the brightness that the one and only Son from the Father can show, full of grace and truth.
Joh 1:15 (John testified about him and exclaimed, “He was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks in front of me, because he existed before me.'”)
Joh 1:16 Because, we have all received grace after grace from his fullness,
Joh 1:17 Because the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Joh 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side– he has explained him.

The one who exegeted God

When a preacher studies a Bible passage so well that she can explain the passage clearly to her listeners, we call her an exegete. That is what Jesus did for us. Nobody had ever seen God, but he did. He had been — and now is — at the Father’s side. He knows what God is like, because he is his only Son. Jesus has exegeted (ἐξηγήσατο) God for us.

Thank you, Lord, for explaining who God is, and what he wants.

 

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welcoming our creator

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (5)

welcoming our creator

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2372

John 1:10-13

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and the world did not recognize him.
Joh 1:11 He came to his own creation, and his own creation did not welcome him.
Joh 1:12 But to everyone who did welcome him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to the believers in his name,
Joh 1:13 who were produced as offspring, not from blood relations, nor from carnal desire, nor from the desire of a husband, but from God.

welcoming our creator

If I were inclined to push Calvinism or Arminianism, I could do either with this passage. Instead, I think John wanted to emphasize the fact that Christ came into a world that refused to welcome him. As an evangelist, he would want to encourage all his readers to join him in welcoming Christ, and he assures those who dare to believe that they can become children of God. As a worshiper, he would want to praise God for his loving choice to produce children among us for eternity.

LORD, we praise you for your love, and we ask you to use us to reach a world who does not recognize its creator.

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the attester

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (4)

the attester

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2371

John 1:6-9

Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 He came as an attester to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him.
Joh 1:8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.
Joh 1:9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

the attester

I do not like the word “witness” to translate μαρτυρίαν because our modern word witness connotes someone who saw something. John was not witnessing something he had seen as much as attesting someone he believed in. That is what we do as well when we share our faith. Faith is faith, it is not sight. When we share to others that we believe in Jesus as the savior of the world, all we need to prove is our belief. We do not need to prove anything beyond that. The Holy Spirit will open people’s eyes so that they can see the light that Jesus gives.

LORD, give us the courage to share our faith, and the trust to leave the rest to you.

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a difference in our darkness

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (3)

a difference in our darkness

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2370

John 1:1-5

Joh 1:1 At first there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was with God at first.
Joh 1:3 Everything else was created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
Joh 1:4 Life was in him, and that life was humanity’s light.
Joh 1:5 That light is now shining in the darkness, and yet the darkness has not overcome it.

a difference in our darkness

John’s story is about our creator, who has pierced the darkness of our own existence with his light. We owe our existence to him, but that was not enough for him. In love, he sought us out, and shared his life with us, even though he lives in unapproachable light, and we live in darkness. John tries to convey the enormous distance there now is between us and our creator. Then he tells us that God has done something about that distance. He is now shining. His life among us has made a difference in our darkness.

LORD, thank you for sharing your light in our dark universe.

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free, but disciplined

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (2)

free, but disciplined

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2369

Numbers 36:1-13

Num 36:1 The heads of the fathers’ houses of the clan of the people of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of the people of Joseph, came near and spoke in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the leaders, the heads of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel.
Num 36:2 They said, “Yahveh commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by Yahveh to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.
Num 36:3 But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.
Num 36:4 And when the liberation of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”
Num 36:5 And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of Yahveh, and this is what he said “The tribe of the people of Joseph is right.
Num 36:6 This is what Yahveh commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: ‘Let them marry whom they think best, only they will marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.
Num 36:7 The inheritance of the people of Israel will not be transferred from one tribe to another, because every one of the people of Israel will hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
Num 36:8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel will be wife to one of the clan of the tribe of her father, so that every one of the people of Israel may possess the inheritance of his fathers.
Num 36:9 So no inheritance will be transferred from one tribe to another, because each of the tribes of the people of Israel will hold on to its own inheritance.'”
Num 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as Yahveh commanded Moses,
Num 36:11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to sons of their father’s brothers.
Num 36:12 They were married into the clans of the people of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s clan.
Num 36:13 These are the commandments and the rules that Yahveh commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

free, but disciplined

This final passage in this wonderful book once again visits the daughters of Zelophehad. These heroes of the book are not mentioned enough in our sermons and books about this time. They stood up for their rights in a time when that was unheard of. Good on them!

But this last story tells us that the daughters of Zelophehad were not just wide eyed activists. They were also disciplined citizens of the community of Israel. When the LORD commanded that they maintain their father’s inheritance by marrying only within the clan of Manasseh, they heartily agreed to the regulation. Their concern was not just their rights, but doing what it right.

LORD, thank you for the privilege of citizenship in your coming kingdom. Show us how to discipline our lives so that we represent your kingdom well.

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accept no ransom

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (1)

accept no ransom

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2368

Numbers 35:26-34

Num 35:26 But if the killer will at any time go beyond the boundaries of his city of refuge to which he ran away,
Num 35:27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the boundaries of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the killer, he will not be guilty of blood.
Num 35:28 Because he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the killer may return to the land of his possession.
Num 35:29 And these things will be for a prescription and rule for you throughout your generations in all your staying places.
Num 35:30 “If anyone kills a soul, the murderer will be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person will be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
Num 35:31 Moreover, you will accept no ransom for the soul of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he will be put to death.
Num 35:32 And you will accept no ransom for him who has ran away to his city of refuge, that he may return to stay in the land before the death of the high priest.
Num 35:33 You will not pollute the land in which you live, because blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
Num 35:34 You will not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I stay, because I Yahveh stay in the midst of the people of Israel.”

accept no ransom

There are two cases indicated in this instruction which are exceptions to the rules about purchasing ransom for a criminal. The person convicted of premeditated murder had to be executed, and could not be ransomed. The person guilty of unintentional killing could not be ransomed and return to his original residence.

Both of these rules are designed to prevent feuding. When family targets family in an unending cycle of hate and murder, the land becomes polluted. God wanted his promised land to be filled with families who respected each other.

LORD, show us how extend our love, forgiveness and respect beyond our immediate families.

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the congregation will rescue

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky April 2018 (30)

the congregation will rescue

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2367

Numbers 35:9-25

Num 35:9 And Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said,
Num 35:10 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
Num 35:11 then you will select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the killer who strikes down any soul inadvertently may escape there.
Num 35:12 The cities will be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the killer may not die until he stands in the sight of the congregation for judgment.
Num 35:13 And the cities that you give will be your six cities of refuge.
Num 35:14 You will give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge.
Num 35:15 These six cities will be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the foreign guest and for the temporary resident among them, that anyone who strikes down any soul inadvertently may escape there.
Num 35:16 “But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
Num 35:17 And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
Num 35:18 Or if he struck him down with a wooden tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
Num 35:19 The avenger of blood will himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he will put him to death.
Num 35:20 And if he pushed him out of hatred or hurled something at him, lying in wait, so that he died,
Num 35:21 or in animosity struck him down with his hand, so that he died, then he who struck the blow will be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood will put the murderer to death when he meets him.
Num 35:22 “But if he pushed him suddenly without animosity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait
Num 35:23 or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm,
Num 35:24 then the congregation will judge between the killer and the avenger of blood, in accordance with these rules.
Num 35:25 And the congregation will rescue the killer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation will restore him to his city of refuge to which he had escaped, and he will live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

the congregation will rescue

God had given his people the wisdom and insight they needed to rescue those who made terrible mistakes, leading to the death of someone. God wanted the congregation to intervene in these circumstances, judge between the killer and the avenger of blood, and rescue the innocent. Instead of giving license to vengeance, God set up a system of protection.

Why would God entrust people with such power? He has given us the ability to discern right from wrong.

LORD, thank you for the wisdom you have given us. Help us to see opportunities of using that wisdom to rescue others.

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learning consideration

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky April 2018 (29)

learning consideration

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2366

Numbers 35:1-8

Num 35:1 Yahveh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, and this is what he said,
Num 35:2 “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance they possess as cities for them to stay in. And you will give to the Levites pasture-lands around the cities.
Num 35:3 The cities will be theirs to stay in, and their pasture-lands will be for their herds and for their flocks+- and for all their animals.
Num 35:4 The pasture-lands of the cities, which you will give to the Levites, will reach from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.
Num 35:5 And you will measure, outside the city, on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This will belong to them as pasture-land for their cities.
Num 35:6 “The cities that you give to the Levites will be the six cities of refuge, where you will permit the person who unintentionally kills someone to run away, and in addition to them you will give forty-two cities.
Num 35:7 All the cities that you give to the Levites will be forty-eight, with their pasture-lands.
Num 35:8 And as for the cities that you will give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you will take many, and from the smaller tribes you will take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, will give of its cities to the Levites.”

learning consideration

The LORD built consideration into his economy. The tribes were to be considerate of the Levites, who owned no land as an inheritance, and they were to be considerate of the person who unintentionally kills someone, by providing cities of refuge for them to seek asylum in.

Not everyone is going to be able to make it in this world without some help from us. If we wonder what God wants us to do for the homeless and poor and refugees, we can take a clue from passages like this. God wants us to be considerate of them.

LORD, show us how to help those who need our help.

 

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a God who acts for his people

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky April 2018 (28)

a God who acts for his people

devotions from Jefferson Vann #

Numbers 34:16-29

Num 34:16 Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said,
Num 34:17 “These are the names of the men who will divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 34:18 You will take one leader from every tribe to divide the land for inheritance.
Num 34:19 These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Num 34:20 Of the tribe of the people of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
Num 34:21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
Num 34:22 Of the tribe of the people of Dan a leader, Bukki the son of Jogli.
Num 34:23 Of the people of Joseph: of the tribe of the people of Manasseh a leader, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
Num 34:24 And of the tribe of the people of Ephraim a leader, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
Num 34:25 Of the tribe of the people of Zebulun a leader, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
Num 34:26 Of the tribe of the people of Issachar a leader, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
Num 34:27 And of the tribe of the people of Asher a leader, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
Num 34:28 Of the tribe of the people of Naphtali a leader, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.
Num 34:29 These are the men whom Yahveh commanded to divide the inheritance for the people of Israel in the land of Canaan.”

a God who acts for his people

Just look at the names listed here which contain the word El (God) in them. These are a testimony of faith in a God who acts for his people.

God has helped
God has heard
God has loved
God has shown grace
God has risen
God is my protection
God is my deliverance
God redeems

LORD, may we never lose sight of who you are, and what you can do for us.

 

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border words

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky April 2018 (27)

border words

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2364

Numbers 34:1-15

Num 34:1 Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said
Num 34:2 “Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that will fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders),
Num 34:3 your south side will be from the desert of Zin alongside Edom, and your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea on the east.
Num 34:4 And your border will turn south of the ascent of Scorpions, and cross to Zin, and its limit will be south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon.
Num 34:5 And the border will turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and its limit will be at the sea.
Num 34:6 “For the western border, you will have the Great Sea and its coast. This will be your western border.
Num 34:7 “This will be your northern border: from the Great Sea you will draw a line to Mount Hor.
Num 34:8 From Mount Hor you will draw a line to Lebo-hamath, and the limit of the border will be at Zedad.
Num 34:9 Then the border will extend to Ziphron, and its limit will be at Hazar-enan. This will be your northern border.
Num 34:10 “You will draw a line for your eastern border from Hazar-enan to Shepham.
Num 34:11 And the border will go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain. And the border will go down and reach to the shoulder of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east.
Num 34:12 And the border will go down to the Jordan, and its limit will be at the Salt Sea. This will be your land as defined by its borders all around.”
Num 34:13 Moses commanded the people of Israel, and this is what he said, “This is the land that you will inherit by lot, which Yahveh has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe.
Num 34:14 Because the tribe of the people of Reuben by fathers’ houses and the tribe of the people of Gad by their fathers’ houses have received their inheritance, and also the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Num 34:15 The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

border words

Borders specify limits to the inheritance. Even the children of Israel did not get carte blanche, free reign over everything they might want. No, God’s grace is defined for them in terms they could understand.

In the same way, the New Testament speaks of God’s grace giving us everything we need, but defines that inheritance by border words: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

But consider what a great inheritance that is! Life, today and tomorrow, and godliness that makes that life worthwhile.

LORD, thank you for the immense inheritance we have in Christ.

 

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