Most of us who are serious about Bible study know that reading from more that one translation is a good thing, especially if we’re going to be teaching or preaching. Today’s reading is an excellent example of why this is a good idea.
The translation we’re using this week is the Good News Translation. Chapter 4, verses 4 and 5 in the GNT reads like this: “Each of you should know how to live with your wife in a holy and honorable way, 5not with a lustful desire, like the heathen who do not know God.”
As I read that, it seemed just a little “off” to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with living “with your wife in a holy and honorable way”, but tying this thought with “not with a lustful desire, like the heathen” just didn’t sit right with me, because sexual desire between a husband and wife is a gift from God. I decided that I should look at how other translations rendered this passage.
Here are some examples of verse 4:
The English Standard Version says: that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
The NIV says: that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
And for good measure, the KJV says: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
So the ESV and the NIV agree on the translation the “body”. But as you heard, the KJV said “possess his vessel”. None of the three referred to the “wife”.
So I read this verse in several other translations: the NASB, Young’s Literal Translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, New Living Translation. All of them agreed on the “body”.
The God’s Word translation, and Contemporary English Version used “wife” in one way or another.
So what to do? How should this verse be properly translated? We need to go to the original language. Thankfully, we don’t need to take a complete course in Greek, which is the language used in the New Testament. The first thing I do is consult what is called an Interlinear New Testament.
An interlinear NT has the complete text of the NT, with the greek words appearing either directly above or below the english words, so you can see which exact greek word is used. That’s the first step.
The next step, if you don’t know greek, is to use either a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance or Young’s Analytical Concordance. Today, I used Young’s. Both Young’s and Strong’s use the KJV, so I looked up the word “vessel”.
I found that there are two greek words used in the NT that are translated into the english word “vessel”. One of them is used only twice, in the book of Matthew. In this case, the word means “vessel, or utensil”. The other greek word is used eighteen times and it means “vessel, utensil or instrument”, and this is the word in our reading today.
In my opinion, the thought that Paul wanted to convey to us is this: our bodies are the vessel or instrument that contains our souls, and we should not allow our vessels to be controlled by lust, as those who do not know God do.
There is no mention of husbands or wives in the original language, and I therefor do not think that it should be included in the text of the verse. Now, in the defense of the so called translations that do include it, the argument can be made that Paul implied the thought of husbands and or wives, because sexual desire is only proper in the context of marriage. Since he was teaching against what the KJV refers to as fornication, or what we would today call sexual immorality, he would be saying that sexual desire should only be for your husband or your wife.
If you don’t have an interlinear Bible and a Strong’s or Young’s, I highly recommend you add them to your library. I’ll have Amazon links on the show notes page at 303.lifespringmedia.com. These are affiliate links, so if you use them, you’ll be helping to support the show. I’ll also have a link there where you can buy a Kindle copy of *my* book “Webb’s Easy Bible Names Pronunciation Guide”. You’ll never mispronounce a Bible name again when you have this in your library. And since you’re listening to this podcast, you are about to hear something that I have never publicly announced anywhere.
Ready?
My friend, Brad Rhodes, whom I have interviewed before on the Lifespring! show, is creating an Android app for the book, so you’ll be able to hear the pronunciation of the names as well as see the pronunciations. It’s almost ready, so be listening for the announcement. If you want to be sure you don’t miss the announcement, be sure you sign up on the email list over at easybiblenamesguide.com. I’ll send an announcement to that list when the app is ready. And as a bonus, when you sign up for the list, you’ll be able to download the entire first chapter, every name that begins with the letter “A”. Such a deal, right?
Ok, so because of the culture in which we live and the recent decision by the Supreme Court and same sex marriage, I’ll go ahead and tackle the subject of David and Jonathan’s friendship.
It’s quite a coincidence that this reading came up the same day I just spent writing my response to happenings in Washington. Of course, I don’t believe in coincidences, so there is a reason.
The argument has been made that David and Jonathan had a homosexual relationship. I don’t believe that for a moment. And I have two reasons.
The first reason is that there would be no reason for scripture to try to hide it. David’s many failures are spoken of in the Bible. He was a murderer and an adulterer. Why would the sin of homosexuality be glossed over? There is no reason to do so. No one thinks David lived a perfect life.
You might say, “It isn’t pointed out as a sin because it’s not a sin to be gay!” That’s not true because there are many scriptures that declare that it is a sin. I won’t give a complete list here today, but a few are:
Leviticus 18 lists several sexual sins, most of which are aimed at the heterosexual, but verse 22 says, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
Leviticus 20 is similar to 18 in that it lists several sexual sins, most of which are heterosexual, but then there is this in verse 13, “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” I’ll note here that the punishment called for here is not reserved for only the homosexuals. The death penalty is called for seven other times in this chapter.
Of course, the OT is not the only place where homosexuality is condemned. In the NT book of Romans 1:26-27 we read, “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
Also in the NT, 1 Cor 6:9-10 says, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
So really, if David and Jonathan had a homosexual relationship, we would have been told.
The second reason I don’t think that they did was this: I have a friend in my own life whom I would give my own life for, and I am not gay. It is possible for a man to love a friend and not be gay.
David and Jonathan were simpatico. That’s all. They were friends who loved each other.
Let’s talk for just a minute about the background of the book of Job, which is unique. There is no other book like it in the Bible, but we do know that it belongs here and it is a factual book, because 1) it is quoted in other parts of scripture (namely James 5:11 and 1 Cor 3:19), and 2) Ezekiel names Job along with Noah and Daniel in Ezekiel 14:14.
Job is a very ancient book. We don’t know when it was written or who wrote it. Some clues do exist in the text that hint that Job lived around the same time as Isaac and Jacob, though he was not part of the Abrahamic lineage. It is thought that he may have been a brother of Abraham, but of course that still does not make him an heir of the promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants.
There is much that we as Christians can get out of this book, and I hope to bring some of the nuggets of goodness to you as we read through it over the next few weeks. As I have had my own near Job-like chapters in my own life, and have a good friend who had a very Job-like chapter in his, this book has been an invaluable encouragement to me in some very difficult times. I will be eternally grateful to God for giving us this book.
And so we have been introduced to one of the Bible’s greatest figures. I love this man. What a great man of integrity and faith. He is introduced to us in the first verse as a man who was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” My goodness! What a testimony. This was a good man. But not only was he a good man, he was a financially successful man, too. He was the richest man around, but he didn’t allow his riches to draw him away from God, as often happens.
Job had ten grown children who seem to have loved and respected him.
Lastly, Job was a pious man who was careful to pray for himself and his kids, and he made burnt offerings in case any had sinned. This is a man who truly loved and feared the Lord.
And then there is Satan. I am generally loathe to use his name, because I don’t think he deserves to have his name spoken very often. But his name is used in this book, so I will use it as we discuss what we have read. It’s interesting that Satan is allowed access to God, isn’t it? But remember, Satan was an angel before he rebelled and was expelled from Heaven. So, somehow and for whatever reason, God allows him at least occasional access. And here in chapter one, Satan does what he always does. He accuses one of God believers, Job in this case, of sin. The sin of hypocrisy. How? When God brings Job to Satan’s attention as being the best of the best, Satan says, “Well that’s only because you’ve given him all this stuff. Take it all away and he’ll curse you to your face. He doesn’t love you, he loves the stuff you’ve given him.”
So here’s the angle that Satan is working. God said that Job was the finest man alive. If he can be prove that God is wrong, if he can show that Job is a hypocrite, that will mean that there was not one faithful man alive and that there was no one who truly loved God. And then Satan would be king over all mankind.
God then allows Satan to try Job’s sincerity by attacking him. And there are reasons He did so. 1) For His own glory, 2) For Job’s honor, 3) to show God’s protection, and 4) as an encouragement to God’s afflicted people for the rest of history. I mentioned at the top of today’s episode that it helped me when I went through a near-Job episode in my life. I won’t take time today to tell the story, but as we go alone in the coming weeks, I’ll try to squeeze it in. From personal experience I know that this is one reason why God allowed Satan to attack Job. I’m sure that millions of people down through the ages have found the faith and courage to stand firm because of Job.
One last thing before we say goodbye today. We see from this that Satan is still under God’s authority. God put a limit on what Satan could do to Job. He told Satan, touch his things, but don’t touch his body. There are people who think that God and Satan are equals, in terms of power or authority. That they are in a battle that sort of see-saws back and forth as to who is ahead. They think that it’s possible that perhaps evil can win, that the final chapter has yet to be written. Nothing could be further from the truth. And this little detail here in Job chapter one confirms that Satan is not equal with God. He has to conform to the limits God puts on him.
The final chapter has been written. God wins. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus made that very clear. That was the ultimate victory, and one has only to read the book of Revelation to see what Satan’s ultimate destiny is.
Before we begin, I thought you might like to know a bit of background. It’s always good to know the context, right? This is one of the letters that Paul wrote from the Roman prison. Colosse seems to have been an important city in what would now be the southwest corner of modern-day Turkey. Only ruins of the city remain today.
The Colossian church was not started by Paul, but by Epaphras, but he still cared very much for it, as you will hear once we begin reading. He was concerned for them because of the Jewish contingent that were trying to bring them under Mosaic law.
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to encourage the Colossian church to stand fast in their faith, to not succumb to the seductions of the enemy by way of false teachings.
In chapter 2, verse 6-7 he says, “Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
So he’s telling them to stay close to Jesus. Make Him the most important part of your life. If you do that, nothing can come between Him and you.
I liken this to my relationship with my wife. The lovely lady LeeAnn and I have been married for over twenty-five years, and our marriage is rock-solid. Never once in our married life have I wished that I was not married to her. Never once has any other woman been a temptation to me. Our marriage is stronger today than the day we took our vows. Why? How have we been able to survive when so many other marriages fail? Simple. Because on every single day of our marriage, each of us has reconfirmed our commitment to one another, both verbally and in hundreds, no…thousands of large and small actions. Every day we say, “I love you” with words and deeds. We are dedicated to making our marriage is good as it can be. Sure, problems arise from time to time. But never once has either of us allowed the thought of calling it quits.
When you have that kind of commitment, there is no danger of being seduced into compromising circumstances.
This is the kind of commitment Paul says we should have with our relationship with Jesus. If we are dedicated to staying close to Him, if we are firm in our love for Him, the seductions of false teachings will have no effect on us. And the way we live that out, the method to make that a reality in our lives is to not only make daily Bible reading part of who we are, but also to keep a steady flow of conversation going with Him. Pray without ceasing, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5. Don’t flirt with things that would draw you away. We are the bride of Christ, as we’ve been reading about in Song of Solomon.
If you truly love Him, this is not a hard thing to do. I truly love my wife, so it’s not a hard thing to stay close to her. Same with our relationship to Jesus. It’s not hard to stay close if you dedicate yourself to continually cultivate the relationship. It’s a daily decision. And the longer you stay with it, the easier it is to do.
First, let me say that this translation disagrees with most other translations in regards to Goliath’s height. In our translation today, the number given was “close to seven feet tall”. Most others say it was six cubits and a span. So what is a cubit, and what is a span?
Before mankind had agreed on standard lengths, they often used body parts to measure distances. Today, a foot is standardized at 12 inches. Back then, a foot was however long the measurer’s foot was. A cubit was the length of a forearm. The average was about 18 inches, but it could be a little longer or a little shorter. The span was the width from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when the fingers are extended, or widened apart. That’s about 9 inches. So a span is about a half a cubit. So, doing the math, Goliath was 117 inches in height, or 9 feet, 9 inches.
And something that might seem a little strange about this story. At the end of the chapter, we’re told that Saul asked his general, Abner, who this boy is. At first, if you isolate the story, that seems like a reasonable question. But if we take it in the context of what we have already read in previous chapters, Saul has already met David. Remember? David was the musician who’s playing had calmed Saul when he was being tormented after God withdrew His spirit from him, and afflicted him with an evil spirit, or some sort of mental disease. And that is the key as to why Saul doesn’t recognize David here on the battlefield. He has not been mentally and/or spiritually healthy. He hasn’t been in his own mind. He has been confused. And the last thing he expects is the young shepherd boy who was a skillful and talented musician, to turn up on the battlefield with more courage than he and his entire army!
But David’s courage was not based on his own strength or skill. It was based on the assurance and knowledge that God had already delivered him from both a lion and a bear when he was tending his father’s sheep. He knew that the taunting that Goliath had been doing was directed even more at God than at the Israelite army, and that God would give David the victory, if only to show that the God of Israel is alive and real.
As we’ve already discussed on a previous episode, this book can be seen as an allegory about the relationship between Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. Obviously, discussing all the imagery is far beyond the scope of this podcast, but I do suggest that you make it a point to get a good commentary and do your own study. Well worth your time.
I would like to take a couple minutes to focus on chapter 7 verse 10, where the bride (or beloved as she is referred to in the translation we read from today) exclaims, “I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”
She says this after he has told her the many ways that he finds her beautiful. It sort of reminds me of when Sally Field won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1985. Yes, it’s true. Despite our many flaws, Jesus finds us (the church) beautiful and worthy of His love. Romans 5:8 says “…God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
I can’t imagine why, to be honest. What could He possibly find in us that would cause Him to give of Himself so completely? Why would such a holy and perfect God love me (and you) so much that He would give up the glories of Heaven for even an instant, to live amongst us on this tiny, dirty, sin-filled and rebellious speck in the vastness of the universe to ultimately be tortured and nailed to a cross like a common criminal? Why would he choose to take on my sins and yours? Why would he allow Himself to be utterly separated from God the Father because of me?
The answer is truly beyond my understanding. His Word tells me, and I believe what the word says, that the only reason is because He loves me, and you. But why does He love us? 1 John 4:8 says simply “…because God is love.” Let that sink in. God. Is. Love. God is love. God is. Love. Not God *has* love, but God is love. It is His essence. It is who He is. God *is* love. And He loves you. And He loves me.
“I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”
I don’t know about you, but my response to that kind of love is to reciprocate, to return that love as much as I can in my puny, imperfect, human way. But it thrills me to no end that He sees me as worthy of His attention. And above that, that He is working in me to refine me, to purify me, so that on that day when I see Him face-to-face, I will be the bride He desires.
Would you agree with me that we live in turbulent, troubled times? Every few weeks we hear about people being murdered, either because of their race or religion. We hear about supposed man-made climate change. About a looming economic crisis. About all kinds of injustices around the world. We worry about the direction our culture is going. I could go on, but I don’t think I need to. If you are at all aware of national or world events, it’s impossible to be unaware of the plight of mankind.
The apostle Paul lived in turbulent times, too. And he bore the scars to prove it.
But through it all, he was led by the Holy Spirit to write these words in chapter 4, verses 6-8: Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Friend, the fact that there are problems in the world is not new. We live in a fallen world that is suffering the effects of sin. It was true in Paul’s time. It is true in our time. But we are called to take our concerns to God in prayer and leave them in His more-than-capable hands. And then, we are to stop focussing on the bad, and look for the good.
How can we, with any degree of authenticity, share the Good News of Jesus if we are constantly stressed out about the troubles of the world? If our life doesn’t radiate the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, why should anyone choose to follow Christ? How can we say, “Follow Jesus. Be like me?”
If you find yourself getting worked up about current events, stop listening to political talk radio. Stop watching political TV. Quit arguing on Facebook. The problems in the world are not new, and your getting all worked up about them will not change them. As a student of the Bible, you should know that problems will be a part of man’s existence until the Lord returns.
Do you want to help your fellow man? You can make an eternal difference in the lives of men and women by introducing them to the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Only He can sort out the problems in the world. And only those whose faith is in Him will experience the peace every person seeks.
Our time on earth is short. Eternity is forever, and it awaits us all. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize that Jesus bought for those who choose to follow him.
There’s a popular meme today that you’ve probably heard. “You had just one job…”
Saul was given just one job. Completely wipe out the Amalekites. Kill all the men, women, children, infants, oxen, sheep, camels, and donkeys, and destroy everything they have.
But for various reasons, none of them good, Saul failed to do what God told him to do. In case you were wondering, this is never the best course of action. When the God of the universe gives you specific instructions, He really expects them to be carried out.
I found Saul almost comical in chapter 15, verse 13. God sent Samuel to confront him about his disobedience.
It is so easy to picture Saul as a 4 year old when he’s gotten into the cookie jar after being told not to. When I was a little kid, the cookie jar we had was ceramic, and it was impossible to take the lid off without tapping it on the jar, which would make a distinctive clinking sound which could be heard throughout the whole house. If Mom said no cookies until after dinner, and I tried to sneak one before dinner, there was no way I was going to get away with it. So can’t you just see a 4 year old Saul in this situation? “No cookies until after dinner, Saulie.” “OK Mommy”. Little Saulie waits until Mommy leaves the kitchen, then takes the lid off the cookie jar, which clinks. Saulie eats the cookie as fast as he can, but Mommy heard the clink so she comes into the kitchen and sees a few crumbs on little Saulie’s mouth. Of course, Saulie is surprised when Mommy comes into the kitchen, and the first words out of his mouth, even before Mommy says anything, are “Hi Mommy. I didn’t have a cookie”. And Mommy says, “But I heard the cookie jar, and you have cookie crumbs on your mouth.” And then, if Saulie is clever he says, “You said no cookies, Mommy. I only had one cookie.”
That’s what happens here. Samuel goes to Gilgal, where Saul has begun setting up a monument to himself (How’s that for ego?). When Saul sees Samuel he says, “May the Lord bless you! I have done what the Lord said.”
Isn’t that a crack up? So Samuel says, “If that’s true, then why do I hear the sound of sheep and the sound of cattle?”
You heard the rest. As silly as this sounds to us, how silly must it be to God when we try to rationalize our own sins? Human beings are masters of excuse-making. But the bottom line is that we cannot hide our sins from God, and when we do it is as transparent to God as when a four-year-old tries to get away with raiding the cookie jar.
Saul lied to Samuel, and he lied to God. And he paid the price. God removed His spirit from him, and he descended into more sin and mental illness.
The best course of action to take when we sin is to confess it to God and turn from the sin. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.” God wants to restore us. He takes no joy in punishment, but like a good Father, He will take the action needed to bring us to the place where we can be restored. Be proactive in seeking HIs forgiveness. He will delight in that, and bring blessing into your life.
Paul spends most of these final two chapters discussing how different groups of people should behave. And then his last words, apart from the farewell at the very end, he talks to all believers about the spiritual warfare we are in, and how we can be ready for battle.
Make no mistake, my friend. We are in a war, and no believer gets an excuse from the front lines. The second you decided to become a follower of Jesus, the enemy, the destroyer of souls, satan, declared war on you, specifically and personally.
You don’t want to go into battle unprepared, and Paul told us what we must do to engage and be the best warrior we can be. Paul says to “Put on the FULL armor of God so that you can stand against the Devil.” If you’re going into battle, it is essential that you have the full armor. Why would you leave anything that can help you be victorious behind? Put on the FULL armor.
What is the full armor?
The first thing to put on is the “truth like a belt around your waist.” Truth is the base, the foundation of our armor. How can you know the truth? Well, if you’re listening to this show, I think you know the answer to that question. You must read and know what God’s Word says! And you need to know all of it. You should never stop being a student of the Bible. I have read the entire Bible several times now, and I always learn something new each time I read it. Gird yourself with the truth.
The next thing Paul says to put on as you don your armor is “righteousness like armor on your chest”. Other translations call this the breastplate of righteousness. It protects your vital organs and your heart. And as believers, we have been given the righteousness of Christ. This will enable us to resist the attacks of Satan, as Jesus resisted him in the desert.
Next, we need to protect our feet with “the sandals of readiness for the gospel of peace.” When Paul wrote this, Roman soldiers wore brass greaves, or shoes, which protected them from gall-traps (an early form of land mine) and sharp sticks placed by their enemies. The readiness for the gospel of peace refers to the steady resolve and even progress we can make in the battle.
We are to “in every situation take the shield of faith”. Some translations say, “Above all (or ‘Over all’), take the shield of faith.” How useless would we be in the spiritual battle if we did not have faith? This truly is the thing that is absolutely necessary. Satan can throw his worst at you, and if you have the shield of faith, he cannot defeat you. The Romans carried shields that could completely protect them from any attack from the front. It was tall enough to cover them from head to toe, and this is the kind of shield that Paul had in mind. The faith that God gives us can do the same.
Next is the helmet of salvation. Properly translated, this could read the “hope of salvation”. Not the kind of hope that says, “I hope I get a new bike for Christmas,” but the assured expectation of that which *will* happen. When we know that we know that we know that Jesus is the victor, the enemy will not be able to attack our minds with doubt or thoughts of giving up the fight.
And finally, we are to take the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word, the Bible. Going back to the time when Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, how did Jesus deal with the temptations the enemy threw at him? With the Word of God. He didn’t try to reason with him, or argue logic with him. He quoted Scripture. And what happened? Satan gave up. He left. The Word of God is sharper that a two edged sword. It cuts through the lies of the enemy. Use it skillfully. Familiarize yourself with it. Make it yours. Learn it. Memorize it. Know how to find what you need in it. Become a student of it.
If you daily put on the full armor of God, you will be prepared for the battles that inevitably come your way. If you aren’t facing battles, then you’re doing something wrong. If the enemy isn’t attacking you, then he doesn’t consider you a threat. A vital, effective believer should keep the enemy worried. I know I want to be the kind of Christian that makes him lose sleep every night.
Ok, so because of the culture in which we live and the recent decision by the Supreme Court and same sex marriage, I’ll go ahead and tackle the subject of David and Jonathan’s friendship.