Genesis 11:10-26 - This is the account of Shem.
Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad. And after he became the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah. And after he became the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Shelah had lived 30 years, he became the father of Eber. And after he became the father of Eber, Shelah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Eber had lived 34 years, he became the father of Peleg. And after he became the father of Peleg, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Peleg had lived 30 years, he became the father of Reu. And after he became the father of Reu, Peleg lived 209 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Reu had lived 32 years, he became the father of Serug. And after he became the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Serug had lived 30 years, he became the father of Nahor. And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.
When Nahor had lived 29 years, he became the father of Terah. And after he became the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters.
After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
Noah, Shem, and Abram were all alive at the same time. I wonder if Abram ever got to meet Noah or Shem. I think I remember hearing that Martin Luther speculated that Melchizedek might have been Shem.
I wonder how many times Noah and Shem got to retell the account of the Flood. How many generations got to hear about it from these eyewitnesses? There were at least 9 generations who had the opportunity from Shem to Abram over a period of about 500 years!
I'm curious. Could you please tell me what brought you to this page by mentioning it in a comment? I won't publish the comment, if you ask me not to.
5/28/2008
5/26/2008
Months and Years
Genesis 7:11-8:14 - In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.
On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.
For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.
The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.
After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
By the first day of the first month of Noah's six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.
I often wonder if times -- especially months -- were measured differently in Old Testament times compared to today. The account of the Flood seems to hint that they were.
From the 17th day of the 2nd month to the 17th day of the 7th month is calculated here as 150 days. That's a nice round 30 days per month. Assuming full moon to full moon equals a month (since that's part of the reason God put the heavenly bodies there in the first place -- Genesis 1:14), that works out to 360 days per year, if the year had 12 months.
Noah and his family were in the ark for 1 year and 10 days. That makes a total of 470 days by this reckoning -- not 375 by modern-day counting.
Assuming modern scientists are correct in saying that it now takes a little over 365 days for the Earth to orbit the sun once, that means that the length of a year is very gradually growing longer as time passes. At the same time, the length of a month is getting shorter -- from 30 down to about 28 days from one full moon to the next.
I don't doubt that all of this is possible. In fact, I'd be surprised if things weren't changing, especially considering that everything in the universe is pretty much always on the move and that the effects of sin affect the whole creation. If it weren't for sin, we might still have 30-day months and 360-day years.
On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.
For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.
The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.
After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
By the first day of the first month of Noah's six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.
I often wonder if times -- especially months -- were measured differently in Old Testament times compared to today. The account of the Flood seems to hint that they were.
From the 17th day of the 2nd month to the 17th day of the 7th month is calculated here as 150 days. That's a nice round 30 days per month. Assuming full moon to full moon equals a month (since that's part of the reason God put the heavenly bodies there in the first place -- Genesis 1:14), that works out to 360 days per year, if the year had 12 months.
Noah and his family were in the ark for 1 year and 10 days. That makes a total of 470 days by this reckoning -- not 375 by modern-day counting.
Assuming modern scientists are correct in saying that it now takes a little over 365 days for the Earth to orbit the sun once, that means that the length of a year is very gradually growing longer as time passes. At the same time, the length of a month is getting shorter -- from 30 down to about 28 days from one full moon to the next.
I don't doubt that all of this is possible. In fact, I'd be surprised if things weren't changing, especially considering that everything in the universe is pretty much always on the move and that the effects of sin affect the whole creation. If it weren't for sin, we might still have 30-day months and 360-day years.
5/24/2008
From Adam to Noah
Genesis 5 - This is the written account of Adam's line.
When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."
When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.
When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.
When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.
When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.
When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.
When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.
When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed." After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
I wondered earlier if Noah had more sophisticated and advanced technology at this disposal than most people probably think. Consider that, when Noah was 500 years old, the earth was 1556 years old. A lot can happen (i.e. be invented) in a millennium and a half. Just think how far modern man has developed since A.D. 952 (2008-1556=952). In addition, some say that early man was very possibly smarter, bigger, and stronger than modern man. The reasoning there is that the effects of sin hadn't taken as much of a toll on the human body as compared to today. Perhaps. In any case, I still think it was more than likely that Noah wasn't using a hand saw to cut the timbers for the ark.
Methuselah died in the same year as the Flood. I wonder if the Flood killed him or if he died before the rains began.
When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."
When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.
When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.
When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.
When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.
When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.
When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.
When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed." After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
I wondered earlier if Noah had more sophisticated and advanced technology at this disposal than most people probably think. Consider that, when Noah was 500 years old, the earth was 1556 years old. A lot can happen (i.e. be invented) in a millennium and a half. Just think how far modern man has developed since A.D. 952 (2008-1556=952). In addition, some say that early man was very possibly smarter, bigger, and stronger than modern man. The reasoning there is that the effects of sin hadn't taken as much of a toll on the human body as compared to today. Perhaps. In any case, I still think it was more than likely that Noah wasn't using a hand saw to cut the timbers for the ark.
Methuselah died in the same year as the Flood. I wonder if the Flood killed him or if he died before the rains began.
5/21/2008
Tubal-Cain the Toolman
Genesis 4:22 - Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron.
I wonder what kinds of tools Tubal-Cain invented. What needs or problems arose for which tools were the solution or a means to it? Some of the same ones as today, to be sure, but which were some of the first?
How did Tubal-Cain discover the skill of forging? Or was it someone else who first put fire and metal together and Tubal-Cain who applied it to tool making?
Did they make alloy metals or was it only pure bronze and pure iron that they worked with at first? Did the purification of the metals go hand in hand with the discovery of forging techniques or was that learned separately?
I wonder what kinds of tools Tubal-Cain invented. What needs or problems arose for which tools were the solution or a means to it? Some of the same ones as today, to be sure, but which were some of the first?
How did Tubal-Cain discover the skill of forging? Or was it someone else who first put fire and metal together and Tubal-Cain who applied it to tool making?
Did they make alloy metals or was it only pure bronze and pure iron that they worked with at first? Did the purification of the metals go hand in hand with the discovery of forging techniques or was that learned separately?
5/20/2008
Warning: Eden
Genesis 3:24 - After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
I wonder if anyone dared to approach the cherubim (angels) and the sword in the generations to come. Was it lost to memory or was it a tourist attraction or was it known but strictly verboten? Did people visit the area just to say they saw one of the wonders of the known world or did they shy away, afraid of the unknown? Did the cherubim or sword ever have to physically turn someone away?
I wonder if anyone dared to approach the cherubim (angels) and the sword in the generations to come. Was it lost to memory or was it a tourist attraction or was it known but strictly verboten? Did people visit the area just to say they saw one of the wonders of the known world or did they shy away, afraid of the unknown? Did the cherubim or sword ever have to physically turn someone away?
5/18/2008
Offering to the Lord
Genesis 4:3 - In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
I wonder where Cain and Abel got the idea to give an offering to the Lord. Did God suggest it to them (or to their parents)? I don't think Cain's offering would have been the first ever given. If it was, why wouldn't Cain have given his best? And why wouldn't his attitude have been better and pleasing to God?
I wonder where Cain and Abel got the idea to give an offering to the Lord. Did God suggest it to them (or to their parents)? I don't think Cain's offering would have been the first ever given. If it was, why wouldn't Cain have given his best? And why wouldn't his attitude have been better and pleasing to God?
Sewing 101
Genesis 3:7 - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
I wonder what they sewed the leaves together with. Vines or grasses possibly? How tough are fig leaves that they can withstand being sewn together into a garment? Does anyone use them similarly today?
I wonder what they sewed the leaves together with. Vines or grasses possibly? How tough are fig leaves that they can withstand being sewn together into a garment? Does anyone use them similarly today?
The Serpent Speaks
Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
I wonder if Adam and Eve could talk with all of the animals a la Dr. Dolittle. C. S. Lewis has the animals talking in The Magician's Nephew, which is a story about the creation of Narnia. I wonder if Lewis thought Adam and Eve could speak to the animals at the beginning.
Of course, the conversation here is really between Eve and Satan. I won't read too much into the silence of Scripture, but it doesn't seem as if Eve was surprised that the snake could talk. This is mainly what leads me to wonder whether talking to the animals was commonplace.
Then again, everything was probably still quite new to her. Maybe nothing and everything surprised her.
I wonder how long after they were created that this conversation took place.
I wonder if Adam and Eve could talk with all of the animals a la Dr. Dolittle. C. S. Lewis has the animals talking in The Magician's Nephew, which is a story about the creation of Narnia. I wonder if Lewis thought Adam and Eve could speak to the animals at the beginning.
Of course, the conversation here is really between Eve and Satan. I won't read too much into the silence of Scripture, but it doesn't seem as if Eve was surprised that the snake could talk. This is mainly what leads me to wonder whether talking to the animals was commonplace.
Then again, everything was probably still quite new to her. Maybe nothing and everything surprised her.
I wonder how long after they were created that this conversation took place.
5/14/2008
The man speaks
Genesis 2:23 - The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man."
I wonder what language Adam (and everyone else before the Flood) spoke. Was it a language still spoken today? Was it Hebrew?
Over the (hundreds of) years, did dialects and accents develop? Drawls, twangs, and such? Did the ancient equivalent of ebonics show itself?
Probably.
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man."
I wonder what language Adam (and everyone else before the Flood) spoke. Was it a language still spoken today? Was it Hebrew?
Over the (hundreds of) years, did dialects and accents develop? Drawls, twangs, and such? Did the ancient equivalent of ebonics show itself?
Probably.
5/13/2008
Omega and Alpha
I have reached the end of the Bible. I'm now starting over at the beginning again. As I read through it again, I'll either add to existing posts when that seems best or simply post a new entry following this one. Perhaps sometimes I'll do both. It will probably depend on the nature of what I have to wonder about.
"You mean you haven't wondered about all you have to wonder about already?"
Nope. Just as I find something "new" in the Bible every time I read through it, I know there are more things I'll wonder about that aren't spelled out. I've already thought of some that I'll post when I get to the corresponding verses this next time around.
"What do you mean you find something 'new' every time you read through the Bible?"
I've read the whole thing cover to cover more times than I can remember. (It's really not as difficult or as dry as some would lead you to think.) Every single time through, I've found something that I'd almost swear wasn't in there before. Of course, it's just something that I've forgotten (It is a big book.), but it feels sorta like a new revelation and makes me glad I took the time to reread it yet again.
For example, in Genesis, chapter 1, the account of the creation of everything, it just dawned on me -- like it never had before -- that the universe wasn't all created at once. The Earth was first; the sun, moon, stars, etc. came later. Obvious? Sure, but the idea of just the Earth being there all by itself really struck me this time.
So much for the Big Bang Theory. The Earth is the focus of it all, not some "starting point" billions of light years away. The universe was created for us to wonder about and discover things in. The Earth didn't come from the creation of the rest of the universe; that is, it didn't come spewing out of a massive explosion that got it all started.
I wonder if there's anyone or anything else living out there.
"You mean you haven't wondered about all you have to wonder about already?"
Nope. Just as I find something "new" in the Bible every time I read through it, I know there are more things I'll wonder about that aren't spelled out. I've already thought of some that I'll post when I get to the corresponding verses this next time around.
"What do you mean you find something 'new' every time you read through the Bible?"
I've read the whole thing cover to cover more times than I can remember. (It's really not as difficult or as dry as some would lead you to think.) Every single time through, I've found something that I'd almost swear wasn't in there before. Of course, it's just something that I've forgotten (It is a big book.), but it feels sorta like a new revelation and makes me glad I took the time to reread it yet again.
For example, in Genesis, chapter 1, the account of the creation of everything, it just dawned on me -- like it never had before -- that the universe wasn't all created at once. The Earth was first; the sun, moon, stars, etc. came later. Obvious? Sure, but the idea of just the Earth being there all by itself really struck me this time.
So much for the Big Bang Theory. The Earth is the focus of it all, not some "starting point" billions of light years away. The universe was created for us to wonder about and discover things in. The Earth didn't come from the creation of the rest of the universe; that is, it didn't come spewing out of a massive explosion that got it all started.
I wonder if there's anyone or anything else living out there.
5/01/2008
The body of Moses
Jude 9 - But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
I wonder how that conversation/argument went.
What interest could the devil have had in Moses' body? God had buried Moses, and no one knew where. Was that (for some reason) what they were disputing -- the location of Moses' dead body?
I wonder how Jude came by this information. Perhaps it was something that Jesus had told his followers, and it's just not a conversation recorded by any of the other New Testament writers.
I wonder how that conversation/argument went.
What interest could the devil have had in Moses' body? God had buried Moses, and no one knew where. Was that (for some reason) what they were disputing -- the location of Moses' dead body?
I wonder how Jude came by this information. Perhaps it was something that Jesus had told his followers, and it's just not a conversation recorded by any of the other New Testament writers.
4/12/2008
The unused room
Philemon 22-25 - And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
I wonder how long Philemon kept the guest room ready for Paul. I don't think Paul ever had a chance to use it. He and Epaphras were prisoners (probably in Rome). As far as I know, Paul never left Rome as a free man.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
I wonder how long Philemon kept the guest room ready for Paul. I don't think Paul ever had a chance to use it. He and Epaphras were prisoners (probably in Rome). As far as I know, Paul never left Rome as a free man.
4/08/2008
Onesimus
Philemon 1-21 - Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
I wonder how things turned out for Onesimus. Very well, I should think.
I also wonder how many people were in the church that met at Archippus' house. The bigger the house, the more that could meet there, I suppose. But wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in Jesus' name, that is enough to call it a church. It's his body, the communion of saints.
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
I wonder how things turned out for Onesimus. Very well, I should think.
I also wonder how many people were in the church that met at Archippus' house. The bigger the house, the more that could meet there, I suppose. But wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in Jesus' name, that is enough to call it a church. It's his body, the communion of saints.
3/31/2008
Paul's own hand - Part 2
2 Thessalonians 3:17 - I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
Here is the explanation to why Paul wrote as he did at the end of Galatians (and elsewhere). It was simply his signature.
I wonder how many letters he wrote that have not been passed down to us. We can be certain that every letter that we need, we have. God has seen to that.
Here is the explanation to why Paul wrote as he did at the end of Galatians (and elsewhere). It was simply his signature.
I wonder how many letters he wrote that have not been passed down to us. We can be certain that every letter that we need, we have. God has seen to that.
3/25/2008
Epaphroditus
Philippians 2:25-30 - But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
I wonder what almost killed Epaphroditus. Did he stay outside in the cold too long and catch pneumonia? (How cold does it get where Paul was? Was he in Rome?) Did Epaphroditus go into a remote area and get bitten by some critter or poisoned by some plant that made him very ill? Did he have some more common ailment like a cold that he just didn't take care of properly letting it nearly cost him his life?
Was he over-devoting (if that's even possible) himself to the spreading of the gospel, so much so that he neglected his health? Or does Paul simply mean to say that the illness came to him in the normal course of his service to the Lord?
I wonder what almost killed Epaphroditus. Did he stay outside in the cold too long and catch pneumonia? (How cold does it get where Paul was? Was he in Rome?) Did Epaphroditus go into a remote area and get bitten by some critter or poisoned by some plant that made him very ill? Did he have some more common ailment like a cold that he just didn't take care of properly letting it nearly cost him his life?
Was he over-devoting (if that's even possible) himself to the spreading of the gospel, so much so that he neglected his health? Or does Paul simply mean to say that the illness came to him in the normal course of his service to the Lord?
3/18/2008
Paul's own hand
Galatians 6:11 - See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
I wonder why Paul decided to write part of this letter with his own hand. Did he want to prove he was actually present dictating the rest of it to his scribe? Would there be any doubt about that in the Galatians' minds?
Had his scribe stepped out of the room for a break leaving Paul with nothing better to do? Did Paul write more than this one sentence in his own hand? Did he finish the letter himself?
Why did he use large letters? (Some think he may have had poor eyesight.) Was it just to distinguish his writing from that of his scribe? What made him think to write those particular words; that is, that particular self-referential sentence? Was he trying to be humorous?
Did later scribes copy Paul's handwriting in large letters to help preserve the difference and meaning? Do any handwritten copies in existence today (We don't have the originals.) have larger print for this verse?
Did Paul have neat penmanship?
I wonder why Paul decided to write part of this letter with his own hand. Did he want to prove he was actually present dictating the rest of it to his scribe? Would there be any doubt about that in the Galatians' minds?
Had his scribe stepped out of the room for a break leaving Paul with nothing better to do? Did Paul write more than this one sentence in his own hand? Did he finish the letter himself?
Why did he use large letters? (Some think he may have had poor eyesight.) Was it just to distinguish his writing from that of his scribe? What made him think to write those particular words; that is, that particular self-referential sentence? Was he trying to be humorous?
Did later scribes copy Paul's handwriting in large letters to help preserve the difference and meaning? Do any handwritten copies in existence today (We don't have the originals.) have larger print for this verse?
Did Paul have neat penmanship?
3/11/2008
The brothers who shall not be named
2 Corinthians 8:16-22 - I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
I wonder why Paul doesn't hesitate to mention Titus by name but seems to go out of his way not to mention two other brothers. Was it for their protection? Was it to keep the Corinthians in suspense as part of a surprise? Paul sometimes used a secretary to do his letter-writing for him. Did he not want that man to know the identity of the two brothers? Was someone else listening, as he dictated to the scribe, who wasn't supposed to know who was being sent to Corinth? Was it one or both of those brothers?
In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
I wonder why Paul doesn't hesitate to mention Titus by name but seems to go out of his way not to mention two other brothers. Was it for their protection? Was it to keep the Corinthians in suspense as part of a surprise? Paul sometimes used a secretary to do his letter-writing for him. Did he not want that man to know the identity of the two brothers? Was someone else listening, as he dictated to the scribe, who wasn't supposed to know who was being sent to Corinth? Was it one or both of those brothers?
3/10/2008
Generous to a fault
2 Corinthians 8:1-3 - And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
I wonder what the "severe trial" was. Was it the poverty itself that they were subjected to? Was it something economic that caused the poverty? A natural disaster? Poor investments? A sharp decline in (the equivalent of) their stock market?
If they were already facing "extreme poverty," how could they give "beyond their ability"? Amazing how the Spirit can move someone no matter what their status or station in life!
I wonder what the "severe trial" was. Was it the poverty itself that they were subjected to? Was it something economic that caused the poverty? A natural disaster? Poor investments? A sharp decline in (the equivalent of) their stock market?
If they were already facing "extreme poverty," how could they give "beyond their ability"? Amazing how the Spirit can move someone no matter what their status or station in life!
3/01/2008
Going out for supper?
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 - Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
Why would a Christian eat in an idol's temple? Was it just like going to a fancy restaurant? I imagine they did have good food there. After all, whoever brought the sacrifice probably gave the best they had in order to appease the god.
Why would a Christian eat in an idol's temple? Was it just like going to a fancy restaurant? I imagine they did have good food there. After all, whoever brought the sacrifice probably gave the best they had in order to appease the god.
2/26/2008
The Duck-billed Platypus
The female duck-billed platypus does not nurse its young with nipples.
Think about it.
Think about it.
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