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12 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — Mark 11:1-19

Study 23 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 11:1-19


1.      What truths concerning our Lord’s Person are specially evident in the incidents here described?  Jesus had previously refrained from publicly declaring His Messiahship. See 3:11, 12; 8:30; 9:9.  Why then did He declare it now?
2.     Verses 1-6. When the two disciples were sent out by the Lord on this special errand, in what ways were they put to the test, and how would they benefit from the experience?  Do we display the same faith and boldness in our service for Christ?
3.     In what way does the fig three described here typify Israel as a nation? What was Jesus seeking to teach His disciples from this acted parable? Before passing judgment, ought we not first to search our own hearts? Cf. Rom. 11:20, 21.
Note. Verse 13. ‘It was not the season for figs’: it is fair to presume that the Lord was looking for the small early ripe figs that ripen with the leaves before the main crop.


11 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Mark 10:32-52

Study 22 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 10:32-52

1.      Verses 32-34, 45. What new aspects of His sufferings does Jesus introduce here? Cf. 9:31. Why does He continue to stress this subject? Why were His disciples amazed and afraid, and what ought we to be?
2.     What motives do you think were behind the request of James and John, and what was the meaning of Christ’s reply to then? Do our own aims in life also reveal the same spiritual shallowness? What is the governing principle of true Christian greatness?
3.     What were the progressive steps which led Bartimaeus to the recovery of his sight?  What can we learn from this incident that will both guide and encourage us when trying to help those who are spiritually blind to find their way to Christ.
Note.  Verse 28. The terms ‘baptism’ and ‘cup’ are sometimes used symbolically in Scripture to denote suffering which has to be endured.  In this passage they are forceful reminders of the cost of following Christ.  Cf. Lk. 12:50; Mk. 14:36.


10 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — Mark 10: 17-31

Study 21 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 10:17-31


1.      What basic wrong assumption was made by this man about salvation and eternal life? Cf. Eph. 2:9.   Why did Jesus stress to him the demands of the law? What was the real hindrance that held him back?
2.     Why did Jesus say it would be hard for those with riches to enter the kingdom? Cf. Lk. 14:33. Are there any things in my life that are holding up spiritual progress?    
3.     What promises does Jesus make to those who are willing to renounce earthly wealth to follow Him without reservation? What is the meaning of the warning in verse 31? Cf. 1 Cor. 13:3.
Note. Verse 25.  ‘There does not seem to be good early evidence for the view that the eye of a needle is a postern-gate in the city wall’. The phrase is better understood as a vivid description of sheer impossibility.



09 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Mark 10:1-16

Study 20 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 10:1-16


1.      Verses 1-12.  What is Christ’s teaching about divorce, and on what grounds does He base it?
2.     Verses 13-16. No doubt the disciples were trying to the thoughtful here by guarding their Lord from unnecessary intrusion; why then was Christ so indignant? In what ways am I also in danger of obscuring Christ from those who are seeking Him?
3.     Verse 15. What does it mean to ‘receive the kingdom of God like a child’, and why is this so essential? Cf. Mt. 18:2-4.



08 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — Deuteronomy 32:48-34:12

Study 24 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 32:48-34:12
With this lesson we end the book of Deuteronomy and tomorrow we will go back to the book of Mark and will pick up where we left off which means study 20.


Chapter 33. Like Gn. 49, requires for its full understanding much research.

1.      Chapter 33.  Whence and why did these blessings come to the Israelites? Define for yourself the character or significance of each o the blessings here promised, and compare with them our blessings in Christ.
2.     32:48-52; 34: 1-12. Ponder (a) the character and work of Moses, and (b) the time and manner of his death. What may we learn from this record?



07 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — Deuteronomy 32:1-47

Study 23 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 32: 1-47
  
The analysis of this magnificent poem is as follows:
(a)             The writer’s purpose and hope, verse 1-3 (see Note 1 below).
(b)             God’s perfection, and Israel’s perversity, verses 4-6.
(c)              God’s goodness to Israel, verses 7:14
(d)             Israel’s backsliding, verses 15:18
(e)              Divine judgement upon Israel, verses 19-29.
(f)               The victory of heathen nations over Israel is of God’s permitting, verses 30-35.
(g)             But He will finally avenge His people and show them His mercy, verses 36-43.
1.      What is said of God is His essential attributes?  And what, in contrast, of the nature of Israel?
2.     What did God do for Israel (at least seven things are mentioned in verses 7:14), and how did Israel requite His loving-kindness?
3.     What is God’s purpose in His judgements, and what will be the final outcome?
Notes
1.      Verse 2. ‘May my teaching drop as the rain’: an expression of the writer’s hope that this words may act upon the hearts of men as the rain and dew upon the soil. 
2.     Verse 4. ‘The rock’ (see also verses 15, 18, 30, 31, 37): a figure expressing the through of a refuge and place of defence.
3.     Verse 8. ‘According to the number…’: i.e., He reserved for Israel an inheritance adequate to their numbers.
4.     Verse 15. ‘Jeshurun’: a poetical name for Israel, signifying ‘the upright one’ Cf. Dt. 33: 5, 26; Is. 44:2
5.     Verse 29. “Discern their latter end’; i.e., discern whither their perversity must lead.
6.     Verse 34. God is not unmindful of the sins of Israel’s enemies.



06 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Deuteronomy 31

Study 22 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 31


1.      What made it possible for Israel, and what makes it possible for us, to ‘be strong and of good courage’ and not to ‘fear or be in dread’ even when great human leaders pass away? See verses 1-8 and cf. Heb. 13:7, 8.
2.     In how many different ways did the Lord, through Moses, seek to safeguard Israel against the backsliding which He knew, nevertheless, would take place?  What alone can keep us steadfast?  Cf. 1 Pet. 1:5; Gal. 5:16. Cf. also Dt. 32:46, 47.
3.     How does this chapter emphasize the need for something beside the law of God to promote obedience? Cf. Rom. 8:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:5, 6.  



05 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — Deuteronomy 29 and 30

Study 21 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 29 and 30


1.      Picture the moving scene described in 29:1, 2, 10, 11, and consider what strong reasons the people had for being loyal to the Lord. Why, then did Moses fear that they would not prove steadfast? See 29:4, 18, 19; cf. Acts 20: 29, 30.
2.     For what purpose is revelation given, according to 29:29? Cf. Jas. 1:22. What is God’s character as revealed in chapter 30? And what is His people’s responsibility?
3.     Compare 30:11-14 with Rom. 10:6-9 and note ways in which the Old Testament law and the New Testament gospel are identical.

Note. 29:19. ‘The sweeping away of moist and dry alike’: a proverbial expression meaning ‘to destroy all’.  It expresses here that the outcome of the idolater’s attitude and action is utter destruction. 
  

04 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Deuteronomy 28: 15-68

Study 20 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 28: 15-68


Verses 15-19 are in direct contrast to verses 1-6. Thereafter the curses are described in five paragraphs, which are somewhat similar in content: (1) verses 20:26; (2) verses 27-37; (3) verses 38-44; verses 45-57; (5) verses 58-68.

1.      Examine these five paragraphs, noting their similarities.  What are the evils contained in these curses?
2.     This chapter shows God’s people brought under a judgement worse than any that has befallen a heathen nation. It was fulfilled to some degree in the Assyrian and Babylonians captivates, but mainly in the Fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the subsequent history of the Jews. How does this emphasize the teaching that it is better not to begin to seek God rather than subsequently to turn away?  Cf. Mt. 12:43-45; Heb. 2:1-4; 10:26-31; 2 Pet. 2:20-22.
Note. Verse 46. ‘A sign and a wonder’: a sign of divine judgement, and a wonder causing astonishment.


03 May, 2016

Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Deuteronomy 27: 1-28:14

Study 1 9 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 27: 1-28:14


  1. What ways does God use, through His servants, Moses, the elders and the priests, to impress upon His people how absolutely He requires obedience to all the laws of chapters 5:26?
  2. What abiding principles emerge from chapter 27 concerning (a) the authority of ministers to pronounce judgment on sinners in God’s name (cf. 1 Tim. 5:20; Tit. 1:13; 2:15), and (b) the failure of the law to bring life? E.g., although Israel literally obeyed verses 2-8 (see Jos. 8:30-35), they soon broke the other laws. Cf.  Rom. 8:2-4; Gal. 3:10-12.
  3. Contrast the nature of the blessings of 28:1-14 with the New Testament phrase ‘every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3). What difference between the old and new covenants is here indicated?  To what extent do the promises of Dt. 28:1-14 still apply to us?
Note.  27:15-26. Note that the offences mentioned here are mainly such as might escape the detection and punishment of courts of law.