Friday, December 27, 2013

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                   For the week beginning Sunday December 29, 2013                                 
____________________________________________________________

AUTHORITY ACKNOWLEDGED
(Submitting fully to JESUS’ authority)
John 2

The, now famous, “wedding at the village of Cana” in Galilee, that is recorded in John chapter 2, is regarded as the site of the first of the “seven signs, or miracles of the MESSIAH” that are recorded in his Gospel account. It was a “private miracle”, known only to Jesus’ disciples, a few wedding servants and quests, and, to Mary, the mother of JESUS.
Perhaps this event is unique to the Gospel of John, because, of the four Gospel writers, only the Apostle John was actually present at this wedding. John, perhaps, uses the word “sign” (semeion), instead of “miracle” (teras), in order that he might draw away from the spectacle of the event, so that we may be better able to focus on the significance of the event.
The turning of the water into wine is also the first of any of the “35 miracles of JESUS” that are recorded in all of the four Gospel accounts, combined. It occurred three days after JESUS’ calling of Philip and Nathanael. JESUS’ disciples, HIS mother, and, HIS brothers were all invited. A wedding feast of this nature would typically last for seven days, and it would begin following the groom’s taking of his bride to his home, or, to his father’s home, for consummation of the marriage.
After all of the wine had been consumed (v. 3), JESUS’ mother, Mary, turned to HIM for help. In verse 4, JESUS’ response, and use of the word “woman” to respond to HIS mother, in those days, was a polite term, even though it may not be for us today. The expression “What have I to do with thee”, also in verse 4, in the Greek, was “a common expression that referred to a difference in relations, or realms”. It also can be translated, “How does that concern you and me?”, which would seem  more likely what JESUS was stating.
According to Jewish custom, the host at a wedding feast always treated the guests with wine, and the guest’s name was mentioned when the wine was poured. The statement spoken by JESUS, “MY time has not yet come” (still in verse 4) may simply mean nothing more than, “It is not MY turn to treat”. Of course, it may also mean that “the time of HIS manifestation was up to GOD the FATHER, and no one else”.
JESUS did “treat”, however, and the water was miraculously turned into the best wine of all. Six large stone water pots were there, that were normally used for Jewish ceremonial purposes. Each pot could hold twenty to thirty gallons of water. JESUS instructed the servants to fill the pots with water. After the pots were filled to the brim with water, JESUS told them to dip some out and take it to the master of ceremony. When the master of ceremony tasted the water that had now been transformed into wine, he called the bridegroom over and said to him, “Usually the host serves the best wine first, then, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now”.   
Some scholars believe that all of this was a clear signal that Mary must now face the fact that her SON JESUS was now committed totally to the will of HIS FATHER GOD, and to the completion of HIS mission here on earth. And although she had given birth to HIM, and raised HIM from a child, she must now submit herself to JESUS as her LORD and SAVIOR, just like all the rest of humanity would have to do, in the process of time. And while she did not completely understand this at the time, she had decided, from that moment on, to trust in HIM completely.
The, significance of this miracle is explained by John, in verse 11 as “the initial manifestation of the glory of CHRIST to men here on earth”. JESUS’ first miracle of transforming water into wine at a joyful event such as this wedding was “a sign of the joy that HE would bring to all mankind, through a transformation of hearts”. HIS ministry would be a transforming one, and the transformation that HE would bring, would come by way of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Taking up at verse 13, of chapter 2, we see that, unlike the three Synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke, John’s Gospel account of JESUS’ cleansing of the temple at Jerusalem comes at the beginning of JESUS’ ministry, rather than near the end. This fact, and, the differences in their narrations, leads most scholars to believe that there were probably two temple cleansings performed by JESUS, during HIS three-year ministry, one at the beginning, which caught the people by surprise, and a second in the third and final year, probably during HIS “passion week”. This second cleansing probably contributed more heavily to the Jewish leader’s plans and desires for JESUS’ death.
At the time of the annual Jewish Passover, JESUS went up to Jerusalem, as was HIS custom, and visited the temple, most likely to teach and preach. However, in the “court of the Gentiles”, the outermost court of the temple, the Jews had begun a tradition of buying and selling animals used for sacrifices at the temple, during Passover. They rationalized these activities, as providing a convenience for the pilgrims, who had journeyed into Jerusalem from afar, and needed lambs, or doves, or, needed their currency changed over to the local currency so that they could participate in the Passover rituals and celebrations. 
Unfortunately, like all of the best-laid plans of men, abuses soon developed, and pilgrims became, more often than not, victims of scams and high prices, by corrupt dealers and merchants. For instance, they had even begun to charge an admission fee, or dues, in order to enter into the temple during Passover.
When JESUS saw all of this corrupt activity, taking place in the House of GOD, HE made HIMSELF a whip from some ropes and chased all of the merchants and moneychangers, and their livestock, out of the temple. HE then walked over to those who sold doves and instructed them to take their birds and leave the temple also, because they were turning the house of GOD into a marketplace that was attracting robbers and thieves.
When the angry Jewish leaders, who were, no doubt, getting their cut from the temple proceeds, asked JESUS, “What right did HE have to clear the temple?”, and, to show them a miraculous sign if HIS authority came from the LORD, JESUS responded by telling them to “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”.
Now it had been 46 years since King Herod the great had started rebuilding on the temple that Zerubbabel and his crew had constructed, following the Israelites 70-year stint in Babylonian captivity. Herod had decided that he would restore the temple back to the glorious state that King Solomon had brought to it, during his prosperous reign. However, the temple that JESUS spoke of was the temple of HIS OWN body, a statement that the spiritual-less Pharisees were incapable of hearing, and actually, so too were HIS disciples, at that time. The disciples, however, did recall this statement after JESUS’ Resurrection, and because of the many miraculous signs and wonders that JESUS performed at the Passover, many other people were also convinced that HE was truly the MESSIAH. However, JESUS didn’t trust them, because HE knew what people were like. After all, HE was present at the beginning of creation (John 1:1), and so no one needed to tell HIM about human nature.
JESUS disrupted the ungodly activities that were taking place at the temple in Jerusalem because it had become a den of robbers and thieves whose greatest sin was, that, they were blocking the poor, who couldn’t afford their services, from worshiping GOD in the temple during Passover.
Notice how differently JESUS handled those who sold doves (John 2:16). The dove was mostly used by the poor as an acceptable sacrifice for Passover worship, but their product may have been hard for the poor to acquire because of temple admission fees, and the exorbitant money exchanging fees, that were required before the purchase. JESUS was not protesting against the sacrificial system itself, however, here the purpose of the sacrifices was being lost to the criminal element. Then too, the merchants were also transacting their business inside the temple in the only area where the Gentiles were permitted to enter, thus, they were also blocking their opportunity and right to worship peacefully.
And so, even though the dove merchants were providing a similar temple service for the poor, they were still, in tandem with the other merchants, blocking another segment of GOD’s people from worship, in this case, the Gentiles. Here in this passage, JESUS is clearly showing us that GOD will not hold blameless, anyone, who blocks another human being, made in HIS spiritual image, from worshipping HIM, at any time, not in the Christian Church of the first century, and certainly not in the Christian Church today. And JESUS’ authority will be acknowledged, in HIS OWN Church, and eventually, in all the world.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



Saturday, December 21, 2013

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                   For the week beginning Sunday December 22, 2013                                 
____________________________________________________________

JESUS IDENTIFIED
(The first disciples)
John 1:29-51

The phrase, “The LAMB of GOD”, that is used by John the Baptist to identify JESUS in chapter 1, verse 29, in the Apostle John’s Gospel account, reflects the true atonement value of GOD’s only begotten SON. John, by way of the HOLY SPIRIT, and through Old Testament analogies, saw JESUS as the “sacrificial victim” who came to give up HIS human life to atone for “the sins of the world”.
Here John quickly identifies JESUS and connects HIM to the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah, some 700 years earlier. JESUS is the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah 53:7, and HE is the recognized sacrifice that was provided by GOD as a propitiation for our transgressions. No animal sacrifice could qualify as a ransom to permanently remove the stain of sin and death from mankind. Only JESUS could fulfill the role of the “Suffering Servant of GOD”.
In verse 31, the Apostle John records that John the Baptist uttered the unusual statement, “I did not know HIM”, in reference to JESUS. This statement can be easily explained by a quick visit to two of the three other “synoptic” Gospel accounts. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38) tells us that JESUS’ mother, Mary, was a cousin of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and so the two had to be related (cousins), and even we have relatives whom we do not know, or have never met. Therefore, the word “know”, in this instance, means “recognize”. Apparently John did not recognize his cousin JESUS as the ONE WHOM GOD had sent to be the SAVIOR of mankind.
The Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 3:14), on the other hand, hints that John must have known JESUS quite well, and in fact, knew HIM so well that, at first, he refused to Baptist HIM, because he knew that JESUS was not a sinner like the others he had baptized. John’s baptism was for sinners, and he knew JESUS, WHO was without sin, had no reason for repent, and thereby, had no need for his baptism. He probably felt that, to baptize the MESSIAH, at best, would be an insult, and at worse, would be blasphemous.
And so, even though he knew of the prophecy of a “coming SAVIOR”, he certainly did not know, beforehand, that the coming SAVIOR would be a relative of his. That particular information had previously been withheld from John the Baptist, by GOD. He knew only that GOD would identify such a person by the descent of the HOLY SPIRIT, in the form of a dove, upon the man whom HE would send (John 1:32-34).
The initial contact that JESUS made with the men, who would later become HIS disciples, was made when John the Baptist pointed the SAVIOR out to two of his own students. The two men curiously followed after JESUS, and when the MESSIAH looked around and saw them, HE asked them what it was that they wanted. The two men requested to know where it was that JESUS was staying, and JESUS invited them to come and see.
It was about four o’clock in the afternoon, and they went with JESUS, and abided with him for the remainder of the day. One of these men was named Andrew, and he was the brother of Simon Peter. After spending the afternoon with JESUS, the first thing Andrew thought to do was to bring his brother, Simon Peter, on board by giving him the good news about CHRIST. He ran and told his brother that he had found “the long-awaited MESSIAH”, and then, he took him back to meet JESUS.
Those three men were the first to get to know JESUS, in the literal sense. Today we get to know JESUS through HIS written word, and, by associating with HIS people, or, those who genuinely believe on HIM. John the Baptist knew JESUS spiritually, (He saw the doves descend on JESUS and remain with HIM) and because of that, he recognized JESUS was without sin.
The next day JESUS decided to go to Galilee, where HE found Philip and invited him to be HIS disciple. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Now the first thing Philip does, is, go and find Nathanael, who was “an honest man”, to tell him the good news about CHRIST. After learning that JESUS was from Nazareth, a curious Nathanael asks, “Can anything good come from there?”
After coming face to face with JESUS, JESUS shows Nathanael a bit of HIS supernatural knowledge by telling him of HIS knowledge of Nathanael’s character and reputation for being an honest man. JESUS also discloses to him that HE had already seen him “underneath a fig tree”, an expression that often meant “in a place of safety and leisure”. Impressed by JESUS’ knowledge of him, Nathanael was prompted to confess JESUS as both the “SON of GOD” and the “KING of Israel”.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, JESUS refers to HIMSELF as the “SON of Manmore than 80 times, and in this particular passage, we are presented with one of those occasions (v.51). It is a term that speaks of HIS humanity and suffering, and, of HIS work as the ideal man. In other words, JESUS sought to convey to us, that, HE had come to be a living, “100 % human example” of what the life of every man, who wishes to worship GOD in Spirit, and in Truth, should be like.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Friday, December 13, 2013

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                   For the week beginning Sunday December 15, 2013                                 
____________________________________________________________

JESUS IDENTIFIED
(The first disciples)
John 1:29-51

The phrase, “The LAMB of GOD”, that is used by John the Baptist to identify JESUS in chapter 1, verse 29, in the Apostle John’s Gospel account, reflects the true atonement value of GOD’s only begotten SON. John, by way of the HOLY SPIRIT, and through Old Testament analogies, saw JESUS as the “sacrificial victim” who came to give up HIS human life to atone for “the sins of the world”.
Here John quickly identifies JESUS and connects HIM to the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah, some 700 years earlier. JESUS is the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah 53:7, and HE is the recognized sacrifice that was provided by GOD as a propitiation for our transgressions. No animal sacrifice could qualify as a ransom to permanently remove the stain of sin and death from mankind. Only JESUS could fulfill the role of the “Suffering Servant of GOD”.
In verse 31, the Apostle John records that John the Baptist uttered the unusual statement, “I did not know HIM”, in reference to JESUS. This statement can be easily explained by a quick visit to two of the three other “synoptic” Gospel accounts. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38) tells us that JESUS’ mother, Mary, was a cousin of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and so the two had to be related (cousins), and even we have relatives whom we do not know, or have never met. Therefore, the word “know”, in this instance, means “recognize”. Apparently John did not recognize his cousin JESUS as the ONE WHOM GOD had sent to be the SAVIOR of mankind.
The Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 3:14), on the other hand, hints that John must have known JESUS quite well, and in fact, knew HIM so well that, at first, he refused to Baptist HIM, because he knew that JESUS was not a sinner like the others he had baptized. John’s baptism was for sinners, and he knew JESUS, WHO was without sin, had no reason for repent, and thereby, had no need for his baptism. He probably felt that, to baptize the MESSIAH, at best, would be an insult, and at worse, would be blasphemous.
And so, even though he knew of the prophecy of a “coming SAVIOR”, he certainly did not know, beforehand, that the coming SAVIOR would be a relative of his. That particular information had previously been withheld from John the Baptist, by GOD. He knew only that GOD would identify such a person by the descent of the HOLY SPIRIT, in the form of a dove, upon the man whom HE would send (John 1:32-34).
The initial contact that JESUS made with the men, who would later become HIS disciples, was made when John the Baptist pointed the SAVIOR out to two of his own students. The two men curiously followed after JESUS, and when the MESSIAH looked around and saw them, HE asked them what it was that they wanted. The two men requested to know where it was that JESUS was staying, and JESUS invited them to come and see.
It was about four o’clock in the afternoon, and they went with JESUS, and abided with him for the remainder of the day. One of these men was named Andrew, and he was the brother of Simon Peter. After spending the afternoon with JESUS, the first thing Andrew thought to do was to bring his brother, Simon Peter, on board by giving him the good news about CHRIST. He ran and told his brother that he had found “the long-awaited MESSIAH”, and then, he took him back to meet JESUS.
Those three men were the first to get to know JESUS, in the literal sense. Today we get to know JESUS through HIS written word, and, by associating with HIS people, or, those who genuinely believe on HIM. John the Baptist knew JESUS spiritually, (He saw the doves descend on JESUS and remain with HIM) and because of that, he recognized JESUS was without sin.
The next day JESUS decided to go to Galilee, where HE found Philip and invited him to be HIS disciple. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Now the first thing Philip does, is, go and find Nathanael, who was “an honest man”, to tell him the good news about CHRIST. After learning that JESUS was from Nazareth, a curious Nathanael asks, “Can anything good come from there?”
After coming face to face with JESUS, JESUS shows Nathanael a bit of HIS supernatural knowledge by telling him of HIS knowledge of Nathanael’s character and reputation for being an honest man. JESUS also discloses to him that HE had already seen him “underneath a fig tree”, an expression that often meant “in a place of safety and leisure”. Impressed by JESUS’ knowledge of him, Nathanael was prompted to confess JESUS as both the “SON of GOD” and the “KING of Israel”.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, JESUS refers to HIMSELF as the “SON of Manmore than 80 times, and in this particular passage, we are presented with one of those occasions (v.51). It is a term that speaks of HIS humanity and suffering, and, of HIS work as the ideal man. In other words, JESUS sought to convey to us, that, HE had come to be a living, “100 % human example” of what the life of every man, who wishes to worship GOD in Spirit, and in Truth, should be like.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Saturday, December 7, 2013

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                    For the week beginning Sunday December 8, 2013                                  
____________________________________________________________

GOD REVEALED
(Knowing for sure what GOD is like)
John 1:1-34

It is the belief of most scholars that the Gospel of John is the fourth Gospel. It was most likely written sometime between A.D. 85 and 95. John’s depiction of JESUS is the most theological of the four Gospel accounts. He presents to us, a JESUS WHO existed with GOD, and, as GOD, even before the creation of the universe itself. John’s unique style confronts us with an overwhelming necessity to believe on our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, as the word, “believe” (pisteuo in the Greek), is used in his gospel account 98 times. He presents JESUS as the focus of a cosmic struggle between light and darkness, truth and deceit, love and hate, and most of all, life and death.
Each Gospel writer seems to deliberately try to emphasize a slightly different aspect of the life of CHRIST and HIS works, but none of the writers seem to observe a strict chronological order. In fact, all four Gospels are much more “interpretation”, than they are “chronicles”, with Luke’s Gospel coming the nearest to being chronologically in order.
Scripture itself gives us considerably more information about John than it does about any of the other Apostles. John Mark tells us in his Gospel that John was the brother of James, and son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19). He also tells us that John and James worked with the “hired servants” of their father (Mark 1:20). Most scholars agree that John’s mother was Salome, one of the women who observed JESUS’ crucifixion (Mark 15:40). And, if Salome were the sister of Mary, JESUS’ mother (John 19:25), then, that would make the Apostle John “a cousin of JESUS”.
John may not have been as outspoken as the Apostle Peter, but he did possess a bold personality that served him well at the time of JESUS’ death. We know this, because scripture tells us that he was the only apostle, who dared to stand at the foot of cross, on that terrible day of JESUS’ crucifixion at Golgotha.
Jewish tradition tells us that John was obedient to JESUS’ command to take care of HIS mother Mary, and he did so, while pasturing a church in the city of Ephesus, the city where Mary is said to have died. Tertullian, the great Church Historian, tells us that the Apostle John, who lived longer than all of the original disciples, was taken into Rome in his later years, and plunged into boiling oil, and was miraculously unhurt. He was then exiled to the Greek island of Patmos, where he later penned the book of Revelation, after receiving his, now famous, vision from JESUS CHRIST.
Jerome, the author of the “Vulgate”, the first Latin translation of the bible, tells us in his commentary on Galatians, that, when the Apostle John was old in age and could no longer walk, they used to carry him into the temple. At that time, his sermon consisted of one sentence; “Little children, love one another”. It is an astounding testimony to the affirmation and belief that John had in his heart, for the doctrine and teachings of CHRIST JESUS.
He was a man who was truly prepared for spiritual service to the LORD. He had thoroughly learned from the instructions of CHRIST JESUS, and he lived a long life in conformance to the will and ways of the MASTER TEACHER. And perhaps, John, with his own life, demonstrated to us more clearly than all the other disciples that, “JESUS is Faithful”, “JESUS is longsuffering”, and, most of all, “JESUS is love”.
In verses 1-14 of his gospel account, the Apostle John seeks to put the Word of GOD into perspective, and show us the true power of its meaning, and, its effect upon the world. Here John reminds us that the Word of GOD is already here, and in fact, has been with us since the beginning of time. It simply cannot be, nor will not be disregarded. We cannot ignore GOD’s Word and get away with it. It has always been, is now, and will forever be synonymous with life. It is effective and penetrating, and it absolutely scrutinizes all of our thoughts, desires, and intentions.
In the biblical Greek, the term used for “word” is “logos” (log-os), and it, more or less, emphasizes the message of that which is spoken. Here John expresses to us that our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST personifies the Word of GOD in the flesh. He is trying to get us to understand that one of the key reasons for JESUS’ first advent, was and is, for “communication”. JESUS is the “Spoken Word”, and “Living Expression” of all that which GOD ever sought to communicate to us about HIMSELF. John is saying, particularly in verse 1, that, JESUS is both, “identical” to the GOD of the Old Testament concept, and yet, is distinct from HIM.
One can imagine how stunning this must have been to the people of the first century. Even today, many people have a problem with embracing this concept, which has now become familiar, and yet still remains just as mysterious as it ever was. Here though, we can see that, while the concept may be difficult, John’s teaching seems to be very clear. He is saying that JESUS existed eternally with GOD the FATHER, as one GOD, yet, with a distinct and separate personality. Those of us, who understand the concept which unity in a family and marriage represents, can certainly grasp the concept of “unity as one” between the FATHER and the SON.
In John chapter 1, verses 6-34, the Apostle John writes of the fulfilling of the role of the “witness” (martus- mar-toos), John the Baptist, that had first been prophesied by Isaiah some 700 years earlier (Isaiah 40:3), and then again by the prophet Malachi 300 years later (Malachi 3:1). John the Baptist was born to be the “forerunner” for JESUS’ ministry, and he fulfilled his mission well. He came to announce the coming of the “bearer” of the gift of Salvation.
It is true that in human society, if someone hands someone else a gift, and that person doesn’t perceive that gift to be real, then they probably aren’t going to reach out and accept it. Our believing in GOD, in all of HIS fullness, can be likened to that. GOD is giving us the gift of eternal life through HIS only begotten SON, JESUS the CHRIST. Believing in HIM involves seeing HIM as real, and, as coming from GOD, and then, reaching out and accepting HIM. By accepting JESUS, one also accepts GOD the FATHER’s wonderful gift of eternal life in Heaven, and, at one and the same time, becomes what they weren’t before, and that is, quite simply, “a child of GOD”.
JESUS came into the world to teach us how to live our lives under GOD, and, to teach us how to die and live again with GOD. HE taught us how to give and forgive, and, HE taught us how to love, and how to give thanks. John points to JESUS as being the LIGHT of the world, a true light for all people. In HIM we see exactly what GOD is like, and only HE can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
  


Saturday, November 30, 2013



 BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                    For the week beginning Sunday December 1, 2013                                  
____________________________________________________________

WHAT’S THE ANSWER?
(Pursuing GOD as our greatest goal)
Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 & 12:13-14

One of the key points that Solomon continues to make in the book of Ecclesiastes is that, as human beings we are, for the most part, ignorant concerning GOD’s sovereignty, providence, and control over our existence, time, and the function of all creation in general. However, when we become aware of the greatness of GOD, we should not let that knowledge lead to “gross inactivity” and “a giving up on life”, taking on an attitude of, “What’s the use in trying”.
GOD still blesses us with “wills that are free”, or a “freedom of choice”, and life’s circumstances are dictated by those choices, and not by some “personal pre-destined path that we are forced by GOD to go down, whether we want to or not”. It is in that light of understanding that one must approach his or her study of this “divine”, but also, “humanistic” book called Ecclesiastes.
Here is chapter 11 Solomon begins by advising us on the benefits of giving. However, Solomon is not suggesting that, by doing so, we are putting GOD in our debt, or putting another person into our debt. That would be “lending”, not “giving”. And while some lending can be good, we can’t lend to GOD, and giving to someone in need is always better than lending. Our generosity should always come from the heart, and not from “selfish motives” such as self promotion, trying to compete with others, or giving expecting something in return (Vs.1-2).
In verses 3-6 we see a somewhat peculiar analogy being used by Solomon, of “clouds” and “trees”. Here he imparts wisdom, seemingly to the farmer, but upon closer examination we see that this advice can also be applied to anyone’s trade.  It is a reminder to remain diligent in plying our trade, or, even in our approach to any of life’s many situations.
Even though a farmer can’t always rely on the proper amount of rainfall that is needed to water his crops, and sometimes gale force winds capable of uprooting trees can thoroughly destroy the crop that he has sown for later harvest, he still must not give up on his work. A fallen tree can still be used for firewood to keep him warm when the days grow cold (v.3).
None of us can afford to wait on perfect conditions before we begin to act on a task. As mere humans, we have no earthly idea what GOD may choose to do regarding the weather, or anything else. GOD’s ways are as mysterious as the intricacies of a child being formed in a woman’s womb, and is as unpredictable as the wind (Vs.4-5). That is why it is best not to put all one’s eggs into one basket, but rather, we would be better off planting a variety of crops, or investing in a variety of ventures, and we never know which ones will be fruitful, and just maybe, they all will (v.6).
In Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8, Solomon, for the most part, urges us to rejoice in our youth, through “responsible living”. In fact, this passage can actually be divided into three sections;

·         The first section, 11:7-8, is a call for us to enjoy life, even in the view of impending death. In this section, Solomon writes metaphorically of light and darkness, as elements of life and death. He encourages his readers to enjoy life as it comes, because life, like the pleasant light of the sun, should be enjoyed before the coming darkness of “night”, or “death”. The grave, in Old Testament understanding, was called one’s eternal home.
·         In the second section, 11:9-10, Solomon warns that our enjoyment of life should begin in our youth, because youth gets away from us quickly. However, he also warns, that our enjoyment should be resigned to responsible living, because ultimately, everyone is answerable to GOD, and all of us will have to make an account to GOD, for the deeds done in our lifetimes.
·         In the third section, 12:1-7, Solomon stresses the importance of the responsible enjoyment of youth, because old age is a time of increasing decay and corrosion of one’s physical body that, ultimately, culminates in death. Solomon brilliantly uses this description of death to motivate responsible living in our youth. It is, in effect, a reversal of Creation, as our spirit returns to GOD, who gave it, and we are in the end, judged by HIM.

In Ecclesiastes 12, verses 12-13 Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes with these thoughts and admonitions for all that are wise enough to accept them. We find here in this passage, perhaps the first sign, or inkling, that its author is clearly aware of GOD’s special revelation in Scripture. And even now this final verse may only refer to the “moral nature” and “knowledge” that GOD innately places in every human being. Here Solomon states:

“There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting! Here is my final conclusion: Fear GOD and obey HIS commands, for this is the duty of every person. GOD will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (NLT).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Sunday, November 24, 2013

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                  For the week beginning Sunday November 24, 2013                                 
____________________________________________________________

IS THERE ANY HOPE?
(Being content in life)
Ecclesiastes 9

King Solomon loved wisdom and he seemed to embrace it closer than anything else in his life, most of the time. He wholeheartedly believed in the precious value of incorporating GOD’s wisdom in all of life’s situations, and he lent very little credence to relying on “human wisdom” to solve the problems he faced during his reign as king.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-11:6 is characterized by the repeating of the phrases “no man knows” and “you do not know”, as this section deals with “man’s inability to predict what will happen in life, be it good or bad”. However, probably the key phrase to consider in the book of Ecclesiastes is the one “under the sun”, which is used 29 times in this book. Whenever we see this phrase, it describes how Solomon was looking at life from a human, rather than a heavenly, perspective, and we all know, life from a human perspective can often look bleak, hopeless, and meaningless.
Whenever we choose to go “our own way”, we automatically move farther and farther away from GOD, and, in the end, the separation becomes so wide, that GOD is reduced to this obscure figure in our minds and lives, whom we once knew, and, of which at that time, we will seek only to avoid. The farther Solomon got away from GOD, the emptier, and more meaningless his life became. He began to see no advantage to following GOD, because the same experiences and fates befell people, regardless of their spiritual perspective (Ecclesiastes 9:3-7). In other words, GOD’s “fair judgment” (justice) awaits all people, regardless of their chosen faiths and lifestyles, and they all face the same proportion of “adversity” and “prosperity” in life.
When good things happen to righteous people, they serve to bless GOD, and the people around them, however, when good things happen to unbelievers, it only serves as a test to those observing believers whose faith in GOD is not where it should be. Whenever Christians envy worldly people, it is a sign that their hearts are not fixed on GOD as it should be, and they are not sold on the truth that “GOD is in control”.
In verses 8-10 Solomon says again that a man should enjoy the brief life that he has and even partake in all of the finer things that GOD provides him with. He should live happily with the wife he loves throughout his whole life. The wife GOD gives us is our reward for all of our earthly toil (v.9). For when we die there will be no work or planning, or knowledge or wisdom (v.10).
In verse 11 Solomon gives us a list of some other things that he observed during his short lifetime regarding human abilities:

·         The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race.
·         The strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.
·         The wise are often poor.
·         The skillful are not necessarily wealthy.
·         Those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives.

All people are subjected to times of misfortunes in life that do not necessarily lead to death. GOD is in control of all of our fates and fortunes, including life and death. HE allows us to make our own choices, not our own circumstances. We never know when and if GOD might allow us to have great fortune or fame, mediocre lives, or very humble existences. It’s up to HIM, at all times. We can never control, or predict, when prosperity, or hard times might come. Like fish in a net, or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy (v.12).
In Ecclesiastes 9:13-18, Solomon relates the story of a small town whose citizens faced the threat of being overtaken by a powerful king, and it is in his darkened human perspective that he recalls this incident. There was a poor, but wise man who dwelt among the citizenry of that town that knew of a way to save this town from certain doom. Solomon doesn’t say exactly how the man managed to rescue the town, however, one can only surmise that it was through some sort of cleaver negotiations since, apparently, no shots were fired. We are told, also, that the poor man was soon forgotten, because of his insignificant social status in the town, and, that he lived out the remainder of his life in obscurity despite his valuable contribution to their survival.
Solomon was highly impressed by this incident and he seemed to draw very strong conclusions from it. He says he learned from it, that, even though wisdom is better than physical strength, those who are wise may be despised if they are poor, and what they say, won’t be appreciated for long. Even so, the quiet words of a wise person are better than the shouts of a foolish king. A wise person can overcome strong weapons of war, but one foolish sinner can destroy a multitude of good things (Vs. 16-18).
And so, Solomon concedes in the end that GODly wisdom is greater than physical strength, but he still seems irritated by the fact that no one else seems to notice. However, even when doing the right thing seems to go unnoticed by man, or does not result in personal victory or recognition, what’s important is that GOD is taking note, and we need to always try to do the right thing every single time anyway. Doing the right thing will never go unnoticed by GOD, no matter how stupid the world may make you feel for doing it. After all, we have to keep in mind that “it is the world” and all of scripture tells us, that, the world belongs to satan, and is thereby, anti-CHRIST. At some point, we have to stop expecting good things from a world that insists on being apart from GOD. “Only GOD is good”- JESUS CHRIST (Mark 10:18).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
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