Saint Paul, a prisoner at Rome, wrote this letter to his Christian converts at Ephesus. After thanking God for their faith and praying that they may persevere, he exhorted them to lead a Christian life, enumerating the duties of husbands and wives, of children and their parents, of slaves and their masters.

The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians is pure as a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom! As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below. Words and phrases that are highlighted touched my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

My interpretation of this part of The New Testament starts with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter of the Scriptures. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom of this post.

Word and phases that are highlighted and in bold (like this) are the narrative I have woven to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Ephesians, Chapters 1-3:

God’s Will Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit Alive Within Us!

I believe God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are alive within each one of us! In order to manifest God’s Will we need to make our personal relationship with them as pure as possible. In this way God’s Will for each one of us becomes apparent and the God’s Power to carry out His Will is made naturally available to each one of us.

Fulfilling God’s Will is an “Us” thing. We can’t do it alone just as God through Jesus Christ did not do it alone. The Apostles, Disciples, and human beings like you and me helped down through the ages.

Most importantly The Holy Spirit is alive and thriving in each one of us. If our minds are open, if our hearts are open, and if we seek God and God’s Will for our lives, every season in our lives, it will be made known to us.

Then life becomes easy as our Splendid Spiritual Selves no matter the trials or tribulations we encounter. Amen! Al-le-lu-ia!

 

Ephesians Chapter 1:  Greeting; The Eternal Plan of the Father; Realized in the Son; Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit; Thanksgiving and Prayer; God has made Christ Head of the Church.

Greeting:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus; grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Eternal Plan of the Father:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing on high in Christ. Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish in his sight in love. He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ as his sons, according to the purpose of his will, unto the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he has favored us in his beloved Son.

Realized in the Son:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace. This grace has abounded beyond measure in us in all wisdom and prudence, so that he may make known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. And this his good pleasure be purposed in him to be dispensed in the fullness of the times: to re-establish all things in Christ, both those in the heavens and those on the earth.

Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit:

In him, I say, in whom we also have been called by a special choice, having been predestined in the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, to contribute to the praise of his glory—we who before hoped in Christ. And in him you too, when you had heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and believed in it, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for a redemption of possession, for the praise of his glory.

 

 

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

Wherefore I on my part, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in deep knowledge of him: the eyes of your mind being enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe.

God has made Christ Head of the Church:

Its measure is the working of his mighty power, which he had wrought in Christ in raising him from the dead, and setting him at his right hand in heaven above every Principality and Power and Virtue and Dominion—in short, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come And all things he made subject under his feet, and him he gave as head over all the Church, which indeed is his body, the completion of him who fills all with all.

Ephesians Chapter 2:  All brought into Christ’s Life; Gentile and Jew United.

All brought into Christ’s Life:

You also, when you were dead by reason of your offenses and sins, wherein once you walked according to the fashion of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air about us, the Prince of The Spirit which now works on the unbelievers—indeed, in the company of these even we, all of us, once led our lives in the desires of our flesh, doing the promptings of our flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.

But God who is rich in mercy, by reason of his very great love wherewith he has loved us even when we were dead by reason of our sins, brought us to life together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that he might show in the ages to come the overflowing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not as the outcome of works, lest anyone may boast. For his workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God has made ready beforehand that we may walk in them.

Gentile and Jew United:

Wherefore, bear in mind that once you, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in flesh made by human hands—bear in mind that you were at the time without Christ, excluded as aliens from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you, who were once afar off, have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, he it is who has made both one, and has broken down the intervening wall of the enclosure, the enmity, in his flesh.

The Law of the commandments expressed in decrees he has made void, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, and make peace and reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity in himself. And coming, he announced the good tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those who were near; because through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Therefore, you are now no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are citizens with the saints and members of God’s household; you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone. In him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord; in him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

Ephesians Chapter 3:  Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul; Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles; A prayer for his readers; A doxology.

Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul:

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you, the Gentiles—for I suppose you have heard of the dispensation of the Grace of God that was given to me in your regard; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I have written above in brief; and so by reading you can perceive how well versed I am in the mystery of Christ, that mystery which in other ages was not known to the sons of men, as now it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit: namely, that the Gentiles are joint heirs, and fellow-members of the same body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles:

Of that gospel, I was made a minister by the gift of God’s Grace, which was given to me in accordance with the working of his power. Yes, to me, the very least of all saints, there was given grace, to announce among the Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities and the Powers in the heavens the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have assurance and confident access though faith in him. Therefore I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.

A Prayer for his readers:

For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name; that he may grant you from his glorious riches to be strengthened with power through his Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts; so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

A Doxology:

Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with the power that is at work in us—to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus down through all the ages of time without end. Amen.

Day 172: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; God’s Will Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit Within Us!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, Chapters 1-3.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, a prisoner at Rome, wrote this letter to his Christian converts at Ephesus. After thanking God for their faith and praying that they may persevere, he exhorted them to lead a Christian life, enumerating the duties of husbands and wives, of children and their parents, of slaves and their masters.

Ephesians Chapter 1:  Greeting; The Eternal Plan of the Father; Realized in the Son; Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit; Thanksgiving and Prayer; God has made Christ Head of the Church.

Greeting:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus; grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Eternal Plan of the Father:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing on high in Christ. Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish in his sight in love. He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ as his sons, according to the purpose of his will, unto the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he has favored us in his beloved Son.

Realized in the Son:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace. This grace has abounded beyond measure in us in all wisdom and prudence, so that he may make known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. And this his good pleasure be purposed in him to be dispensed in the fullness of the times: to re-establish all things in Christ, both those in the heavens and those on the earth.

Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit:

In him, I say, in whom we also have been called by a special choice, having been predestined in the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, to contribute to the praise of his glory—we who before hoped in Christ. And in him you too, when you had heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and believed in it, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for a redemption of possession, for the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

Wherefore I on my part, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in deep knowledge of him: the eyes of your mind being enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe.

God has made Christ Head of the Church:

Its measure is the working of his mighty power, which he had wrought in Christ in raising him from the dead, and setting him at his right hand in heaven above every Principality and Power and Virtue and Dominion—in short, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come And all things he made subject under his feet, and him he gave as head over all the Church, which indeed is his body, the completion of him who fills all with all.

Ephesians Chapter 2:  All brought into Christ’s Life; Gentile and Jew United.

All brought into Christ’s Life:

You also, when you were dead by reason of your offenses and sins, wherein once you walked according to the fashion of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air about us, the Prince of The Spirit which now works on the unbelievers—indeed, in the company of these even we, all of us, once led our lives in the desires of our flesh, doing the promptings of our flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.

But God who is rich in mercy, by reason of his very great love wherewith he has loved us even when we were dead by reason of our sins, brought us to life together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that he might show in the ages to come the overflowing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not as the outcome of works, lest anyone may boast. For his workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God has made ready beforehand that we may walk in them.

Gentile and Jew United:

Wherefore, bear in mind that once you, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in flesh made by human hands—bear in mind that you were at the time without Christ, excluded as aliens from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you, who were once afar off, have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, he it is who has made both one, and has broken down the intervening wall of the enclosure, the enmity, in his flesh.

The Law of the commandments expressed in decrees he has made void, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, and make peace and reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity in himself. And coming, he announced the good tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those who were near; because through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Therefore, you are now no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are citizens with the saints and members of God’s household; you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone. In him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord; in him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

Ephesians Chapter 3:  Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul; Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles; A prayer for his readers; A doxology.

Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul:

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you, the Gentiles—for I suppose you have heard of the dispensation of the Grace of God that was given to me in your regard; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I have written above in brief; and so by reading you can perceive how well versed I am in the mystery of Christ, that mystery which in other ages was not known to the sons of men, as now it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit: namely, that the Gentiles are joint heirs, and fellow-members of the same body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles:

Of that gospel, I was made a minister by the gift of God’s Grace, which was given to me in accordance with the working of his power. Yes, to me, the very least of all saints, there was given grace, to announce among the Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities and the Powers in the heavens the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have assurance and confident access though faith in him. Therefore I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.

A Prayer for his readers:

For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name; that he may grant you from his glorious riches to be strengthened with power through his Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts; so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

A Doxology:

Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with the power that is at work in us—to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus down through all the ages of time without end. Amen.

This book tells how the pious widow Judith saved her City, Bethulia, from the cruel general Holofernes. After an account of his campaign and his siege of Bethulia, the book tells how the beautiful Judith tricked Holofernes, killed him with his own sword, and liberated her City from the Assyrians. 

My interpretation of this part of The Old Testament starts with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter of the Scriptures. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom of this post.

Words and phrases that are highlighted touched my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

Word and phases that are highlighted and in bold (like this) are the narrative I have woven to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Judith, Chapters 8-11:

God works in mysterious ways and these chapters prove one of those ways is through the beauty of women! But not just ordinary sexual beauty. Beauty beyond looks, beyond exceptional wisdom, beauty that is God’s Spirit alone and cannot be duplicated without God or without His Spirit.

Judith fasted all the days of her life, except the Sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel and she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much.

She was wise beyond humility and patience; challenging the Prince of Juda and the Ancients:  “And who are you to tempt the Lord? This is not a word that will draw down mercy, but rather may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure.”

Judith was righteous in prayer to God:

“Give me constancy in my mind, that I may despise him: and fortitude that I may overthrow him. For this will be a glorious monument for thy name, when he shall fall by the hand of a woman… the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased thee… Remember, O Lord, thy covenant, and put thou words in my mouth, and strengthen the resolution in my heart, that thy house may continue in thy holiness, and all nations may acknowledge that thou art God, and there is no other besides thee.”

“And the Lord also gave her more beauty; because all this dressing up did not proceed from sensuality, but from virtue: and therefore the Lord increased this her beauty, so that she appeared to all men’s eyes incomparably lovely.”

And although she appeared a traitor to her Hebrew brethren, she never spoke a word of deceit OF God:

“For I, thy handmaid, worship God even now that I am with thee, and they handmaid will go out, and I will pray to God…”

And Judith in her mysterious plan to save Bethulia may have saved the enemy and converted him to worship the real God:

“There is not another women upon earth in look, in beauty, and in sense of words… and Holofernes said to her (Judith)… because thy promise is good, if thy God shall do this for me, he shall also be my God, and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shall be renowned through all the earth.

The ending in the last five chapters of Judith shall be quite interesting and undoubtedly inspiring as well…

 

Judith Chapter 8: The Character of Judith; Judith urges Humility and Patience; Judith Says the Suffering is Deserved; Judith’s Mysterious Plan.

The Character of Judith:

Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words…

Her husband was Manasses, who died in the time of the barley harvest… and the heat came upon his head…

And Judith his relict was a widow now three years and six months…

And she wore haircloth upon her loins, and fasted all the days of her life, except the Sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel…

And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much…  

Judith urges Humility and Patience:

When therefore she had heard that Orais had promised that he would deliver up the city after the fifth day, she sent to the ancients Chabri and Charmi. And they came to her and she said to them:

What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us?

And who are you to tempt the Lord?

This is not a word that will draw down mercy, but rather may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure.

But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon, for God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man.

And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service, let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would show his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also may we glorify in our humility.

For we have not followed in the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshipped strange gods. For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him.

Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace.

Judith Says the Suffering is Deserved:

And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshiped their God truly.

They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.

But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord, were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents.

As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer.

But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for out amendment, and not for our destruction.

Judith’s Mysterious Plan:

Ozias and the Ancients to Judith:   All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words. Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing God.

Judith to Ozias and the Ancients:   As you know that what I have been able to say is of God, so that which I intend to do, prove ye if it be of God, and pray that God may strengthen my design… But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Ozias the prince of Juda said it her (Judith):   Go in peace, and the Lord be with thee to take revenge of our enemies…

 

Judith Chapter 9: Judith Prays to God for Strength.

…she (Judith) cried to the Lord, saying: O Lord God of my father Simeon… For all thy ways are prepared, and in thy providence thou hast placed thy judgments… look upon the camp of the Assyrians now… upon the camp of the Egyptians… The deep held their feet, and the waters overwhelmed them. So may it be with these also, O Lord… and know not that thou art our God, who destroyest wars from the beginning, and the Lord is thy name… Bring to pass, O Lord, that his pride may be cut off with his own sword…

Give me constancy in my mind, that I may despise him: and fortitude that I may overthrow him. For this will be a glorious monument for thy name, when he shall fall by the hand of a woman… the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased thee… Remember, O Lord, thy covenant, and put thou words in my mouth, and strengthen the resolution in my heart, that thy house may continue in thy holiness, and all nations may acknowledge that thou art God, and there is no other besides thee.

 

Judith Chapter 10:   The Beauty of Judith; Judith Goes Out of the City; Judith is brought before Holofernes; Admiration for the Beauty of Judith.

The Beauty of Judith:

…and going down into her house she took off her haircloth, and put away the garments of her widowhood… And the Lord also gave her more beauty; because all this dressing up did not proceed from sensuality, but from virtue: and therefore the Lord increased this her beauty, so that she appeared to all men’s eyes incomparably lovely.

Judith Goes Out of the City:

And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the Ancients of the city waiting… But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name ne in the number of the holy and just… So be it, so be it…

Judith is brought before Holofernes:

…the watchmen of the Assyrians met her… I am a daughter of the Hebrews, and I am fled from them, because I knew they would be made a prey to you, because they despised you, and would not of their own accord yield themselves, that they might find mercy in your sight…

I will go to the presence of the prince Holofernes, that I may tell him their secrets, and show him by what way he may take them, without the loss of one man of his army.

And when the men had heard her words, they beheld her face, and their eyes were amazed, for they wondered exceedingly at her beauty. And they said to her: Thou hast saved thy life by taking this resolution, to come down to our lord. And be assured of this, that when thou shalt stand before him, he will treat thee well, and thou wilt be most acceptable to his heart.

Admiration for the Beauty of Judith:

And when she was come into his presence, forthwith Holofernes was caught by his eyes…

And Judith… after she had looked on his face, bowed down to him, prostrating herself to the ground. And the servants of Holofernes lifted her up, by the command of their master.

 

Judith Chapter 11: Judith offers to Help Holofernes; Holofernes Promises to Reward Judith.

Judith offers to Help Holofernes:

Then Holofernes said to her (Judith):   Be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart: for I have never hurt a man that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor the king…

…for if though wilt follow the words of thy handmaid, the Lord will do with thee a perfect thing… For the industry of thy mind is spoken of among all nations, and it is told through the whole world…

For it is certain that our God is so offended with sins, that he hath sent word by his prophets to the people, that he will deliver them up for their sins… Moreover also a famine hath come upon them, and for drought of water they are already to be counted among the dead… it is certain they will be given up to destruction…

For I, thy handmaid, worship God even now that I am with thee, and they handmaid will go out, and I will pray to God… thou shalt have all the people of Israel, as sheep with no shepherd, and there shall not so much as one dog bark against thee, because these things are told to me by the providence of God. And because God is angry with them, I am sent to tell these very things to thee.

Holofernes Promises to Reward Judith:

…and they admired her wisdom… There is not another women upon earth in look, in beauty, and in sense of words…

And Holofernes said to her (Judith)… because thy promise is good, if thy God shall do this for me, he shall also be my God, and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shall be renowned through all the earth.

Day 173: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Beyond Beauty, Judith Serves God in Her Faith & Fear!

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Judith, Chapters 8-11

Bible Notes:

This book tells how the pious widow Judith saved her City, Bethulia, from the cruel general Holofernes. After an account of his campaign and his siege of Bethulia, the book tells how the beautiful Judith tricked Holofernes, killed him with his own sword, and liberated her City from the Assyrians. 

 

Judith Chapter 8: The Character of Judith; Judith urges Humility and Patience; Judith Says the Suffering is Deserved; Judith’s Mysterious Plan.

The Character of Judith:

Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words…

Her husband was Manasses, who died in the time of the barley harvest… and the heat came upon his head…

And Judith his relict was a widow now three years and six months…

Relict—Ecology. A species or community living in an environment that has changed from that which is typical for it; a remnant or survivor; a widow.

And she wore haircloth upon her loins, and fasted all the days of her life, except the Sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel…

Loins—the parts of the body between the hips and the lower ribs, especially regarded as the seat of physical strength and generative power; the genital and pubic area; genitalia.

And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much…  

Judith urges Humility and Patience:

When therefore she had heard that Orais had promised that he would deliver up the city after the fifth day, she sent to the ancients Chabri and Charmi. And they came to her and she said to them:

What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us?

And who are you to tempt the Lord?

This is not a word that will draw down mercy, but rather may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure.

But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon, for God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man.

And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service, let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would show his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also may we glorify in our humility.

For we have not followed in the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshipped strange gods. For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him.

Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace.

Judith Says the Suffering is Deserved:

And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshiped their God truly.

They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.

But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord, were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents.

As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer.

But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for out amendment, and not for our destruction.

Judith’s Mysterious Plan:

Ozias and the Ancients to Judith:   All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words. Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing God.

Judith to Ozias and the Ancients:   As you know that what I have been able to say is of God, so that which I intend to do, prove ye if it be of God, and pray that God may strengthen my design… But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Ozias the prince of Juda said it her (Judith):   Go in peace, and the Lord be with thee to take revenge of our enemies…

 

Judith Chapter 9: Judith Prays to God for Strength.

…she (Judith) cried to the Lord, saying: O Lord God of my father Simeon… For all thy ways are prepared, and in thy providence thou hast placed thy judgments… look upon the camp of the Assyrians now… upon the camp of the Egyptians… The deep held their feet, and the waters overwhelmed them. So may it be with these also, O Lord… and know not that thou art our God, who destroyest wars from the beginning, and the Lord is thy name… Bring to pass, O Lord, that his pride may be cut off with his own sword…

Give me constancy in my mind, that I may despise him: and fortitude that I may overthrow him. For this will be a glorious monument for thy name, when he shall fall by the hand of a woman… the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased thee… Remember, O Lord, thy covenant, and put thou words in my mouth, and strengthen the resolution in my heart, that thy house may continue in thy holiness, and all nations may acknowledge that thou art God, and there is no other besides thee.

 

Judith Chapter 10:   The Beauty of Judith; Judith Goes Out of the City; Judith is brought before Holofernes; Admiration for the Beauty of Judith.

The Beauty of Judith:

…and going down into her house she took off her haircloth, and put away the garments of her widowhood… And the Lord also gave her more beauty; because all this dressing up did not proceed from sensuality, but from virtue: and therefore the Lord increased this her beauty, so that she appeared to all men’s eyes incomparably lovely.

Judith Goes Out of the City:

And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the Ancients of the city waiting… But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name ne in the number of the holy and just… So be it, so be it…

Judith is brought before Holofernes:

…the watchmen of the Assyrians met her… I am a daughter of the Hebrews, and I am fled from them, because I knew they would be made a prey to you, because they despised you, and would not of their own accord yield themselves, that they might find mercy in your sight…

I will go to the presence of the prince Holofernes, that I may tell him their secrets, and show him by what way he may take them, without the loss of one man of his army.

And when the men had heard her words, they beheld her face, and their eyes were amazed, for they wondered exceedingly at her beauty. And they said to her: Thou hast saved thy life by taking this resolution, to come down to our lord. And be assured of this, that when thou shalt stand before him, he will treat thee well, and thou wilt be most acceptable to his heart.

Admiration for the Beauty of Judith:

And when she was come into his presence, forthwith Holofernes was caught by his eyes…

And Judith… after she had looked on his face, bowed down to him, prostrating herself to the ground. And the servants of Holofernes lifted her up, by the command of their master.

 

Judith Chapter 11: Judith offers to Help Holofernes; Holofernes Promises to Reward Judith.

Judith offers to Help Holofernes:

Then Holofernes said to her (Judith):   Be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart: for I have never hurt a man that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor the king…

…for if though wilt follow the words of thy handmaid, the Lord will do with thee a perfect thing… For the industry of thy mind is spoken of among all nations, and it is told through the whole world…

For it is certain that our God is so offended with sins, that he hath sent word by his prophets to the people, that he will deliver them up for their sins… Moreover also a famine hath come upon them, and for drought of water they are already to be counted among the dead… it is certain they will be given up to destruction…

For I, thy handmaid, worship God even now that I am with thee, and they handmaid will go out, and I will pray to God… thou shalt have all the people of Israel, as sheep with no shepherd, and there shall not so much as one dog bark against thee, because these things are told to me by the providence of God. And because God is angry with them, I am sent to tell these very things to thee.

Holofernes Promises to Reward Judith:

…and they admired her wisdom… There is not another women upon earth in look, in beauty, and in sense of words…

And Holofernes said to her (Judith)… because thy promise is good, if thy God shall do this for me, he shall also be my God, and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shall be renowned through all the earth.

 

 

 

The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians is pure as a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom! As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below. Words and phrases that are highlighted touched my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

My interpretation of this part of The New Testament starts with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter of the Scriptures. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom of this post.

Word and phases that are highlighted and in bold (like this) are the narrative I have woven to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Ephesians, Chapters 4-6 (END):

New Men Spiritually Sealed for the Day of Redemption!

Once saved, we are all ‘Prisoners of the Lord’ with unlimited spiritual freedom in life to become our True Selves doing the Will of God with our lives!

…”with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, careful to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: one holy and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all.”

One for all and all for one- Unity!

 

No longer children in the flesh are we but living and practicing ‘truth in love!’

Free of the ‘futility of our minds’ and ‘the blindness of our hearts!’

Wherefore, put away lying and speak truth each one with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

“Let no ill speech proceed from your mouth, but whatever is good for supplying what fits the current necessity, that it may give grace to the hearers.”

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Sealed in the Holy Spirit of God until the day of our redemption! Al-le-lu-ia!

“Therefore do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is… be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”

“Husbands, love your wives… as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife, loves himself… and let the wife respect her husband.”

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.”

“Honor thy father and thy mother”—such is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest be long-lived upon the earth.”

“This is a great mystery—I mean in reference to Christ and to the Church.”

Indeed life is a great mystery, getting married and having children is a great mystery!

We are pioneers!

New Men Spiritually Sealed for the Day of Redemption!

 

Ephesians Chapter 4:  Unity in the Mystical Body; Diversity of Graces; Change of Self; Vices to be avoided.

Unity in the Mystical Body:

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, careful to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: one holy and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all.

Diversity of Graces

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s bestowal. Thus it says, “Ascending on high, he led away captives; he gave gifts to man.”

Now this, “he ascended,” what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended, he it is who ascended also above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

And he himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers, in order to perfect the saints for a work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the deep knowledge of the Son of God, to perfect manhood, in the mature measure of the fullness of Christ.

And this he has done that we may be now no longer children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine devised in the wickedness of men, in craftiness, according to the wiles of error.

Rather are we to practice the truth in love, and so grow up in all things in him who is the head, Christ. For from him the whole body (being closely joined and knit together through every joint of the system according to the functioning in due measure of each single part) derives its increase in the building up of itself in love.

Change of Self:

This, therefore, I say and testify in the Lord, that henceforward you are not to walk as the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, having their understanding clouded in darkness, estranged from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

For they have given themselves up in despair in sensuality, greedily practicing every kind of uncleanness. But you have not so learned Christ—for surely you have heard of him and have been taught in him (as truth is in Jesus) that as regards your former manner of life you are to put off the old man, which is being corrupted through its deceptive lusts.

But be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which has been created according to God in justice and holiness of truth.

Vices to be avoided:

Wherefore, put away lying and speak truth each one with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

“Be angry and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down upon your anger: do not give place to the devil.

He who was wont to steal, let him steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands at what is good, that he may have something to share with him who suffers need.

Let no ill speech proceed from your mouth, but whatever is good for supplying what fits the current necessity, that it may give grace to the hearers.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and indignation, and clamor, and reviling, be removed from you, along with all malice.

On the contrary, be kind to one another, and merciful, generously forgiving one another, as also God in Christ has generously forgiven you.

 

Ephesians Chapter 5:  Walk in Love; Further Vices to be Avoided; Wife subject to her Husband; Husbands to Love their Wives.

Walk in Love:

Be you, therefore, imitators of God, as very dear children walk in love, as Christ also loved us and delivered himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God to ascend in fragrant odor.

Further Vices to be Avoided:

But immorality and every uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints; or obscenity or foolish talk or scurrility, which are out of place; but rather thanksgiving.

Scurrility—grossly or obscenely abusive; characterized by or using low buffoonery; coarsely jocular or derisive.

For know this and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (for that is idolatry) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one lead you astray with empty works; for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. Do not, then, become partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk, then, as children of light (for the fruit of light is in all goodness and justice and truth), testing what is well pleasing to God; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

For of the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful to even speak; but all the things that are exposed are made manifest by the light: for all that is made manifest is light.

Thus it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from among the dead, and Christ will enlighten thee.”

See to it therefore, brethren, that you walk with care: not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

And do not be drunk with wine, for in that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Wife subject to her Husband:

Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Let wives be subject to their husbands as to the Lord; because a husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the Church, being himself savior of the body. But just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things.

Husbands to Love their Wives:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, cleansing her in the bath of water by means of the word; in order that he might present to himself the Church in all her glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she might be holy and without blemish.

Even thus ought husbands also to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife, loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh; on the contrary he nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also does the Church (because we are members of his body, made from his flesh and from his bones).

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.”

This is a great mystery—I mean in reference to Christ and to the Church.

However, let each one of you also love his wife just as he loves himself; and let the wife respect her husband.

 

Ephesians Chapter 6:  Duties of Children and Parents; Duties of Slaves and Masters; The Armor of God; Assiduous Prayer; Conclusion; Blessing.

Duties of Children and Parents:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is right.

“Honor thy father and thy mother”—such is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest be long-lived upon the earth.”

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but rear them in discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Duties of Slaves and Masters:

Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ: not serving to the eyes as pleasers of men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart, giving your service with good will as to the Lord and not to men, in the knowledge that whatever good each does, the same he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is slave or freeman.

And you masters, do the same towards them, and give up threatening, knowing that their Lord who is also your Lord is in heaven, and that with him there is no respect of persons.

The Armor of God:

For the rest, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For our wrestling is not against the flesh and blood, but against the Principalities and the Powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness on high.

Therefore take up the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of justice, and having your feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, in all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, that is, the word of God.

Assiduous Prayer:

With all prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit, and therein be vigilant in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that when I open my mouth, utterance may be granted to me fearlessly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; so that therein I may dare to speak as I ought.

Conclusion:

But that you too may know my circumstances and what I am doing, Tychicus, our dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. Him I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Blessing:

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who have a love unfailing for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day 174: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; New Men Spiritually Sealed for the Day of Redemption!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, Chapters 4-6 (END).

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, a prisoner at Rome, wrote this letter to his Christian converts at Ephesus. After thanking God for their faith and praying that they may persevere, he exhorted them to lead a Christian life, enumerating the duties of husbands and wives, of children and their parents, of slaves and their masters.

 

Ephesians Chapter 4:  Unity in the Mystical Body; Diversity of Graces; Change of Self; Vices to be avoided.

Unity in the Mystical Body:

I THERFORE, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, careful to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: one holy and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all.

Diversity of Graces

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s bestowal. Thus it says, “Ascending on high, he led away captives; he gave gifts to man.”

Now this, “he ascended,” what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended, he it is who ascended also above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

And he himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers, in order to perfect the saints for a work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the deep knowledge of the Son of God, to perfect manhood, in the mature measure of the fullness of Christ.

And this he has done that we may be now no longer children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine devised in the wickedness of men, in craftiness, according to the wiles of error.

Rather are we to practice the truth in love, and so grow up in all things in him who is the head, Christ. For from him the whole body (being closely joined and knit together through every joint of the system according to the functioning in due measure of each single part) derives its increase in the building up of itself in love.

Change of Self:

This, therefore, I say and testify in the Lord, that henceforward you are not to walk as the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, having their understanding clouded in darkness, estranged from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

For they have given themselves up in despair in sensuality, greedily practicing every kind of uncleanness. But you have not so learned Christ—for surely you have heard of him and have been taught in him (as truth is in Jesus) that as regards your former manner of life you are to put off the old man, which is being corrupted through its deceptive lusts.

But be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which has been created according to God in justice and holiness of truth.

Vices to be avoided:

Wherefore, put away lying and speak truth each one with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

“Be angry and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down upon your anger: do not give place to the devil.

He who was wont to steal, let him steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands at what is good, that he may have something to share with him who suffers need.

Let no ill speech proceed from your mouth, but whatever is good for supplying what fits the current necessity, that it may give grace to the hearers.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and indignation, and clamor, and reviling, be removed from you, along with all malice.

On the contrary, be kind to one another, and merciful, generously forgiving one another, as also God in Christ has generously forgiven you.

 

Ephesians Chapter 5:  Walk in Love; Further Vices to be Avoided; Wife subject to her Husband; Husbands to Love their Wives.

Walk in Love:

Be you, therefore, imitators of God, as very dear children walk in love, as Christ also loved us and delivered himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God to ascend in fragrant odor.

Further Vices to be Avoided:

But immorality and every uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints; or obscenity or foolish talk or scurrility, which are out of place; but rather thanksgiving.

Scurrility—grossly or obscenely abusive; characterized by or using low buffoonery; coarsely jocular or derisive.

For know this and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (for that is idolatry) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one lead you astray with empty works; for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. Do not, then, become partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk, then, as children of light (for the fruit of light is in all goodness and justice and truth), testing what is well pleasing to God; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

For of the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful to even speak; but all the things that are exposed are made manifest by the light: for all that is made manifest is light.

Thus it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from among the dead, and Christ will enlighten thee.”

See to it therefore, brethren, that you walk with care: not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

And do not be drunk with wine, for in that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Wife subject to her Husband:

Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Let wives be subject to their husbands as to the Lord; because a husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the Church, being himself savior of the body. But just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things.

Husbands to Love their Wives:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, cleansing her in the bath of water by means of the word; in order that he might present to himself the Church in all her glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she might be holy and without blemish.

Even thus ought husbands also to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife, loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh; on the contrary he nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also does the Church (because we are members of his body, made from his flesh and from his bones).

“For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.”

This is a great mystery—I mean in reference to Christ and to the Church.

However, let each one of you also love his wife just as he loves himself; and let the wife respect her husband.

 

Ephesians Chapter 6:  Duties of Children and Parents; Duties of Slaves and Masters; The Armor of God; Assiduous Prayer; Conclusion; Blessing.

Duties of Children and Parents:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is right.

“Honor thy father and thy mother”—such is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest be long-lived upon the earth.”

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but rear them in discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Duties of Slaves and Masters:

Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ: not serving to the eyes as pleasers of men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart, giving your service with good will as to the Lord and not to men, in the knowledge that whatever good each does, the same he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is slave or freeman.

And you masters, do the same towards them, and give up threatening, knowing that their Lord who is also your Lord is in heaven, and that with him there is no respect of persons.

The Armor of God:

For the rest, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For our wrestling is not against the flesh and blood, but against the Principalities and the Powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness on high.

Principalities and the Powers—“The phrase principalities and powers occurs six times in the Bible, always in the King James Version and its derivatives (NKJV, MKJV). Other versions translate it variously as “rulers and authorities,” “forces and authorities,” and “rulers and powers.” In most places where the phrase appears, the contexts make it clear that it refers to the vast array of evil and malicious spirits who make war against the people of God. The principalities and powers of Satan are usually in view here, beings that wield power in the unseen realms to oppose everything and everyone that is of God.  

Therefore take up the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of justice, and having your feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, in all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, that is, the word of God.

Assiduous Prayer:

Assiduous—constant; unremitting—constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive.

With all prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit, and therein be vigilant in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that when I open my mouth, utterance may be granted to me fearlessly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; so that therein I may dare to speak as I ought.

Conclusion:

But that you too may know my circumstances and what I am doing, Tychicus, our dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. Him I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Blessing:

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who have a love unfailing for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Indeed the Lord works in mysterious ways!

“Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel.”

Then again there is little mystery to spiritual accountability to God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit!

“And the heart of Holofernes was smitten, for he was burning with the desire of her… And Holofernes was made merry on her occasion, and drank exceedingly much wine, so much as he had never drunk in his life.”

So there was opportunity but was there the Will of God and aligned Free Will of His servant Judith?

What activity usually aligns one’s Free Will with the Will of God?

“Praying with tears… Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayest raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee.”

Prayer…

“And she struck twice upon his neck, and cut off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body… delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her wallet.

Assassination breeds war…

What wins wars?

“And because the Assyrians were not untied together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.”

Unity and the Will of God for sure wins wars and brings peace…

Recognition of the spiritual catalyst of the Book of Judith is as important in closure as it is in the beginning…

“Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honor of our people, for thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.”

And Praise to the Lord indeed…

“Then Judith sung this canticle to the Lord, saying: Begin ye to the Lord with timbrels, sing ye to the Lord with cymbals, tune unto his a new psalm, extol and call upon his name. Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty made his soul her captive, with a sword she cut off his head. Let us sing a hymn to the Lord, let us sing a new hymn to our God. O Adonai. Lord. Great art thou, and glorious in thy power, and no one can overcome thee. Let all thy creatures serve thee… thou didst send forth thy spirit…they that fear thee, shall be great with thee in all things.”

So important was and is the musical worship of God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit…

“And on festival days she came forth with great glory. And all the time of her life there was none that troubled Israel, nor many years after her death.”

Longevity and Spiritual Righteousness certainly has its place and reward in life!

Here are the backup notes for the third section, Chapters 12-16 of the Book of Ruth:

 

Judith Chapter 12: Judith Given Freedom in the Camp; Judith Attends a Banquet of Holofernes.

Judith Given Freedom in the Camp:

…and bade her tarry there…

Judith to Holofernes: As thy soul liveth, my lord, thy handmaid shall not spend all these things till God do by my hand that which I have purposed…

She desired that she might have liberty to go out at night and before day, to prayer, and to beseech the Lord… And he (Holofernes) commanded his chambermaids, that she might go out and in, to adore her God as she pleased, for three days.

She prayed to the lord the God of Israel, that he would direct her way to the deliverance of his people. And going in, she remained pure in the tent, until she took her own meat in the evening.

Judith Attends a Banquet of Holofernes:

Go, and persuade that Hebrew woman to consent of her own accord to dwell with me.

All that shall be good and best before his eyes, I will do. And whatsoever shall please him, that shall be best to me all the days of my life.

And the heart of Holofernes was smitten, for he was burning with the desire of her.

And Holofernes was made merry on her occasion, and drank exceedingly much wine, so much as he had never drunk in his life.

 

Judith Chapter 13: Holofernes is Drunk; Judith Prays for Strength; Judith Beheads Holofernes; Judith Returns to Bethulia; Judith Reveals the Death of Holofernes; Ozias Blesses the Lord and Judith; Achior Sees the Head of Holofernes.

Holofernes is Drunk:

And Judith was alone in the chamber. But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk.

Judith Prays for Strength:

Praying with tears… Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayest raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee.

Judith Beheads Holofernes:

…and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it.

And she struck twice upon his neck, and cut off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body.

…delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her wallet.

Judith Returns to Bethulia:

And the two went out according to their custom, as it were to prayer…

Judith cried to the watchman (of Bethulia): Open the gates for God is with us, who hath shown his power in Israel.

Judith Reveals the Death of Holofernes:

…they called all the ancients of the city…

…and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace…

Praise ye the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him… Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians… where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman…

…and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory… Give all of you glory to him, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.

Ozias Blesses the Lord and Judith:

Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth.

Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth… so magnified thy name this day… hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.

And all the people said: So be it, so be it.

Achior Sees the Head of Holofernes:

Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel…

Then Achior seeing the head of Holofernes, being seized with a great fear he fell on his face upon the earth, and his soul swooned away.

But after he recovered his spirits, he fell down at her feet, and reverenced her, and said: Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation which shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee.

 

Judith Chapter 14: Judith Tells the Israelites to Attack; Conversion of Achior; The Israelites Attack; Death of Holofernes Discovered.

Judith Tells the Israelites to Attack:

Hang ye up this head upon our walls

Fear shall fall upon them

And when you shall know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the Lord will destroy them under your feet.

Conversion of Achior:

Then Achio seeing the power that the God of Israel had wrought, leaving the religion of the Gentiles, he believed God, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred until this present day.

The Israelites Attack:

And immediately at break of day…

Go in, and awake him, for the mice, coming out of their holes, have presumed to challenge us to fight.

Death of Holofernes Discovered:

For he thought that he was sleeping with Judith

He cried out in a loud voice, with weeping, and rent his garments

An intolerable fear and dread fell upon them, and their minds were exceedingly troubled.

 

Judith Chapter 15: The Assyrians Flee; Bethulia Enriched by Assyrian Booty; Joachim Honors Judith; Holofernes Possessions Given to Judith.

The Assyrians Flee:

…courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight.

And because the Assyrians were not untied together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.

Bethulia Enriched by Assyrian Booty:

Went into the camp of the Assyrians, and took away the spoils, which the Assyrians in their flight had left behind them, and they were laden exceedingly.

Insomuch that from the least to the greatest all were made rich by their spoils.

Joachim Honors Judith:

And Joachim the high priest came from Jerusalem to Bethulia with all his ancients to see Judith

Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honor of our people, for thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.

And all the people said: So be it, so be it.

Holofernes Possessions Given to Judith:

And thirty days were scarce sufficient for the people of Israel to gather up the spoils of the Assyrians.

But all the things that were proved to be the peculiar goods of Holofernes, they gave to Judith in gold, and silver, and garments and precious stones, and all household stuff, and they all were delivered to her by the people.

 

Judith Chapter 16: Canticle of Judith; A Celebration of Three Months; The Last Years and Death of Judith.

Canticle of Judith:

Then Judith sung this canticle to the Lord, saying: Begin ye to the Lord with timbrels, sing ye to the Lord with cymbals, tune unto his a new psalm, extol and call upon his name.

Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty made his soul her captive, with a sword she cut off his head.

Let us sing a hymn to the Lord, let us sing a new hymn to our God. O Adonai. Lord. Great art thou, and glorious in thy power, and no one can overcome thee.

Let all thy creatures serve thee… thou didst send forth thy spirit…they that fear thee, shall be great with thee in all things.

A Celebration of Three Months:

And it came to pass after these things, that all the people, after the victory, came to Jerusalem to adore the Lord: and as soon as they were purified, they all offered holocausts, and vows, and their promises.

And the people were joyful in the sight of the sanctuary, and for three months the joy of this victory was celebrated with Judith.

The Last Years and Death of Judith:

And chastity was joined to her virtue, so that she knew no man all the days of her life, after the death of Manasses her husband.

And on festival days she came forth with great glory.

And all the time of her life there was none that troubled Israel, nor many years after her death.

Day 175: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Peaceful Judith Sings a New Psalm to the Lord!

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Judith, Chapters 12-16 (END)

Bible Notes:

This book tells how the pious widow Judith saved her City, Bethulia, from the cruel general Holofernes. After an account of his campaign and his siege of Bethulia, the book tells how the beautiful Judith tricked Holofernes, killed him with his own sword, and liberated her City from the Assyrians. 

Judith Chapter 12: Judith Given Freedom in the Camp; Judith Attends a Banquet of Holofernes.

Judith Given Freedom in the Camp:

…and bade her tarry there…

Tarry—to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn—to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc.; linger or loiter—to wait.

Judith to Holofernes: As thy soul liveth, my lord, thy handmaid shall not spend all these things till God do by my hand that which I have purposed…

She desired that she might have liberty to go out at night and before day, to prayer, and to beseech the Lord… And he (Holofernes) commanded his chambermaids, that she might go out and in, to adore her God as she pleased, for three days.

She prayed to the lord the God of Israel, that he would direct her way to the deliverance of his people. And going in, she remained pure in the tent, until she took her own meat in the evening.

Judith Attends a Banquet of Holofernes:

Go, and persuade that Hebrew woman to consent of her own accord to dwell with me.

All that shall be good and best before his eyes, I will do. And whatsoever shall please him, that shall be best to me all the days of my life.

And the heart of Holofernes was smitten, for he was burning with the desire of her.

And Holofernes was made merry on her occasion, and drank exceedingly much wine, so much as he had never drunk in his life.

 

Judith Chapter 13: Holofernes is Drunk; Judith Prays for Strength; Judith Beheads Holofernes; Judith Returns to Bethulia; Judith Reveals the Death of Holofernes; Ozias Blesses the Lord and Judith; Achior Sees the Head of Holofernes.

Holofernes is Drunk:

And Judith was alone in the chamber. But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk.

Judith Prays for Strength:

Praying with tears… Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayest raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee.

Judith Beheads Holofernes:

…and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it.

And she struck twice upon his neck, and cut off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body.

…delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her wallet.

Judith Returns to Bethulia:

And the two went out according to their custom, as it were to prayer…

Judith cried to the watchman (of Bethulia): Open the gates for God is with us, who hath shown his power in Israel.

Judith Reveals the Death of Holofernes:

…they called all the ancients of the city…

…and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace…

Praise ye the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him… Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians… where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman…

…and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory… Give all of you glory to him, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.

Ozias Blesses the Lord and Judith:

Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth.

Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth… so magnified thy name this day… hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.

And all the people said: So be it, so be it.

Achior Sees the Head of Holofernes:

Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel…

Then Achior seeing the head of Holofernes, being seized with a great fear he fell on his face upon the earth, and his soul swooned away.

Swooned—to faint; lose consciousness—to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy.

But after he recovered his spirits, he fell down at her feet, and reverenced her, and said: Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation which shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee.

 

Judith Chapter 14: Judith Tells the Israelites to Attack; Conversion of Achior; The Israelites Attack; Death of Holofernes Discovered.

Judith Tells the Israelites to Attack:

Hang ye up this head upon our walls

Fear shall fall upon them

And when you shall know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the Lord will destroy them under your feet.

Conversion of Achior:

Then Achio seeing the power that the God of Israel had wrought, leaving the religion of the Gentiles, he believed God, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred until this present day.

The Israelites Attack:

And immediately at break of day…

Go in, and awake him, for the mice, coming out of their holes, have presumed to challenge us to fight.

Death of Holofernes Discovered:

For he thought that he was sleeping with Judith

He cried out in a loud voice, with weeping, and rent his garments

An intolerable fear and dread fell upon them, and their minds were exceedingly troubled.

 

Judith Chapter 15: The Assyrians Flee; Bethulia Enriched by Assyrian Booty; Joachim Honors Judith; Holofernes Possessions Given to Judith.

The Assyrians Flee:

…courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight.

And because the Assyrians were not untied together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.

Bethulia Enriched by Assyrian Booty:

Went into the camp of the Assyrians, and took away the spoils, which the Assyrians in their flight had left behind them, and they were laden exceedingly.

Insomuch that from the least to the greatest all were made rich by their spoils.

Joachim Honors Judith:

And Joachim the high priest came from Jerusalem to Bethulia with all his ancients to see Judith

Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honor of our people, for thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.

And all the people said: So be it, so be it.

Holofernes Possessions Given to Judith:

And thirty days were scarce sufficient for the people of Israel to gather up the spoils of the Assyrians.

But all the things that were proved to be the peculiar goods of Holofernes, they gave to Judith in gold, and silver, and garments and precious stones, and all household stuff, and they all were delivered to her by the people.

 

Judith Chapter 16: Canticle of Judith; A Celebration of Three Months; The Last Years and Death of Judith.

Canticle of Judith:

Then Judith sung this canticle to the Lord, saying: Begin ye to the Lord with timbrels, sing ye to the Lord with cymbals, tune unto his a new psalm, extol and call upon his name.

Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty made his soul her captive, with a sword she cut off his head.

Let us sing a hymn to the Lord, let us sing a new hymn to our God. O Adonai. Lord. Great art thou, and glorious in thy power, and no one can overcome thee.

Let all thy creatures serve thee… thou didst send forth thy spirit…they that fear thee, shall be great with thee in all things.

A Celebration of Three Months:

And it came to pass after these things, that all the people, after the victory, came to Jerusalem to adore the Lord: and as soon as they were purified, they all offered holocausts, and vows, and their promises.

And the people were joyful in the sight of the sanctuary, and for three months the joy of this victory was celebrated with Judith.

The Last Years and Death of Judith:

And chastity was joined to her virtue, so that she knew no man all the days of her life, after the death of Manasses her husband.

And on festival days she came forth with great glory.

And all the time of her life there was none that troubled Israel, nor many years after her death.

Saint Paul, while a prisoner at Rome, had received a sum of money from the Christians at Philippi to take care of his needs. This is the letter he wrote to thank them for their kindness, to give them news of himself, to urge them to preserve unity among themselves, and to warn them against false teachers.

The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Philippians is so pure a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom that it is presented verbatim in its entirety below.

My interpretation of this part of The New Testament starts with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter of the Scriptures. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom of this post.

Words and phrases that are highlighted (in bold like this) touched my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

Word and phases that are NOT highlighted and in bold (like this) are the narrative I have woven to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Philippians, Chapters 1-2:

Saint Paul had a way with words for sure. “Let us Joy and Rejoice” seems to me like a good way to emphasize a good thing when it is good—doubly or triply good!

Once again Saint Paul highlights the example of Christ:

“Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men.

And appearing in the form of man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient in death, even to death on a cross.

Therefore God also has exalted him and has bestowed upon him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.”

Let us Joy & Rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

 

Philippians Chapter 1:  Greeting; Thanksgiving and Prayer; Propagation of the Gospel; Sentiments of St. Paul: Firmness.

Greeting:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons; a grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ (no mention of The Holy Spirit?).

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

I give thanks to my God in all my remembrance of you, always in all my prayers making supplications for you all with joy, because of your association with me in spreading the gospel of Christ from the  first day until now.

I am convinced of this, that he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection until the day of Jesus Christ.

And I have a right to feel so about you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, as sharers in my joy.

For God is my witness how I long for you all in the heart of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Propagation of the Gospel:

Now I wish you to know, brethren, that my experiences have turned out rather for the advancement of the gospel, so that the chains I bear for the sake of Christ have become manifest as such throughout the praetorium and in all other places.

And the greater number of the brethren in the Lord, gaining courage from my chains, have dared to speak the word of God more freely and without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and contentiousness, but some also out of good will.

Some proclaim Christ out of love since they know I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; but some out of contentiousness, not sincerely, thinking to stir up affliction for me in my chains.

But what of it?

Provided that in every way, whether in pretense or truth, Christ is being proclaimed; in this I rejoice, yes and I shall rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out for my salvation, thanks to your prayer and the assistance of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, in accord with my eager longing and hope that in nothing I shall be put to shame, but that with complete assurance now as at all times Christ will be glorified in my body, whether through life or through death.

Sentiments of St. Paul:

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh is my lot, this means for me fruitful labor, and I do not know what to choose. Indeed I am hard pressed from both sides—desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better; yet to stay on in the flesh is necessary for your sake.

And with this conviction I know that I shall stay on and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, that your rejoicing in my regard may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Firmness:

Only let your lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that, whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear about you, that you are steadfast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Do not be terrified in any way by the adversaries; for this to them is a reason for destruction, but to you for salvation, and that from God.

For you have been given the favor on Christ’s behalf—not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him, while engaged in the same struggle in which you have seen me and now have heard of me.

 

Philippians Chapter 2:  Unity and Humility; Example of Christ; Fear and Joy in Serving; Paul Plans to Send Timothy to Them (Philippians); Epaphroditus.

Unity and Humility:

If, therefore, there is any comfort in Christ, any encouragement from charity, any fellowship in the Spirit, any feelings of mercy, fill up my joy by thinking alike, having the same charity, with one soul and one mind.

Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of vainglory, but in humility let each one regard the others as his superiors, each one looking not to his own interests but to those of others.

Example of Christ:

Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men.

And appearing in the form of man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient in death, even to death on a cross.

Therefore God also has exalted him and has bestowed upon him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Fear and Joy in Serving:

Wherefore, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who of his good pleasure works in you both the will and the performance. Do all things without murmuring and without questioning, so as to be blameless and guileless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation.

For among these you shine like stars in the world, holding fast the word of life to my glory against the day of Christ; because not in vain have I run, neither in vain have I labored.

But even if I am made the libation for the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you. And in the same way do you also joy and rejoice with me.

Paul Plans to Send Timothy to Them (Philippians):

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus shortly to send Timothy to you, that I also may be of good cheer when I know your circumstances.

For I have no one so like-minded who is so genuinely solicitous for you. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

But know his worth: as child serves father, so he has served with me in spreading the gospel. I hope then to send him to you as soon as I see how things stand with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly.

Epaphroditus:

But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, but for you a messenger and the minister to my need.

For he was longing for all of you and was grieved because you had heard that he was sick. Yes, he was sick, almost unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I send him the more speedily, in order that seeing him again you may rejoice and that I may be free from sorrow. Welcome him, then, with all joy in the Lord and show honor to men like him, because for the work of Christ he drew near to death, risking his life to supply what was lacking for your service to me.

Day 176: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Let us Joy & Rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians, Chapters 1-2.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, while a prisoner at Rome, had received a sum of money from the Christians at Philippi to take care of his needs. This is the letter he wrote to thank them for their kindness, to give them news of himself, to urge them to preserve unity among themselves, and to warn them against false teachers.

Philippians Chapter 1:  Greeting; Thanksgiving and Prayer; Propagation of the Gospel; Sentiments of St. Paul: Firmness.

Greeting:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons; a grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ (no mention of The Holy Spirit?).

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

I give thanks to my God in all my remembrance of you, always in all my prayers making supplications for you all with joy, because of your association with me in spreading the gospel of Christ from the  first day until now.

Supplications—an act or instance of supplicating; humble prayer, entreaty, or petition—to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition—to pray humbly to; entreat or petition humbly—to seek or ask for by humble entreaty.

I am convinced of this, that he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection until the day of Jesus Christ.

And I have a right to feel so about you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, as sharers in my joy.

For God is my witness how I long for you all in the heart of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Propagation of the Gospel:

Now I wish you to know, brethren, that my experiences have turned out rather for the advancement of the gospel, so that the chains I bear for the sake of Christ have become manifest as such throughout the praetorium and in all other places.

And the greater number of the brethren in the Lord, gaining courage from my chains, have dared to speak the word of God more freely and without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and contentiousness, but some also out of good will.

Some proclaim Christ out of love since they know I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; but some out of contentiousness, not sincerely, thinking to stir up affliction for me in my chains.

But what of it?

Provided that in every way, whether in pretense or truth, Christ is being proclaimed; in this I rejoice, yes and I shall rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out for my salvation, thanks to your prayer and the assistance of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, in accord with my eager longing and hope that in nothing I shall be put to shame, but that with complete assurance now as at all times Christ will be glorified in my body, whether through life or through death.

Sentiments of St. Paul:

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh is my lot, this means for me fruitful labor, and I do not know what to choose. Indeed I am hard pressed from both sides—desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better; yet to stay on in the flesh is necessary for your sake.

And with this conviction I know that I shall stay on and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, that your rejoicing in my regard may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Firmness:

Only let your lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that, whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear about you, that you are steadfast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Do not be terrified in any way by the adversaries; for this to them is a reason for destruction, but to you for salvation, and that from God.

For you have been given the favor on Christ’s behalf—not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him, while engaged in the same struggle in which you have seen me and now have heard of me.

 

Philippians Chapter 2:  Unity and Humility; Example of Christ; Fear and Joy in Serving; Paul Plans to Send Timothy to Them (Philippians); Epaphroditus.

 

Unity and Humility:

If, therefore, there is any comfort in Christ, any encouragement from charity, any fellowship in the Spirit, any feelings of mercy, fill up my joy by thinking alike, having the same charity, with one soul and one mind.

Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of vainglory, but in humility let each one regard the others as his superiors, each one looking not to his own interests but to those of others.

Example of Christ:

Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men.

And appearing in the form of man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient in death, even to death on a cross.

Therefore God also has exalted him and has bestowed upon him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Fear and Joy in Serving:

Wherefore, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who of his good pleasure works in you both the will and the performance. Do all things without murmuring and without questioning, so as to be blameless and guileless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation.

Guileless—free from guile; sincere; honest; straightforward; frank—not insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception; duplicity.

For among these you shine like stars in the world, holding fast the word of life to my glory against the day of Christ; because not in vain have I run, neither in vain have I labored.

But even if I am made the libation for the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you. And in the same way do you also joy and rejoice with me.

Paul Plans to Send Timothy to Them (Philippians):

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus shortly to send Timothy to you, that I also may be of good cheer when I know your circumstances.

For I have no one so like-minded who is so genuinely solicitous for you. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Solicitous—anxious or concerned—eager—careful or particular.

But know his worth: as child serves father, so he has served with me in spreading the gospel. I hope then to send him to you as soon as I see how things stand with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly.

Epaphroditus:

But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, but for you a messenger and the minister to my need.

For he was longing for all of you and was grieved because you had heard that he was sick. Yes, he was sick, almost unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I send him the more speedily, in order that seeing him again you may rejoice and that I may be free from sorrow. Welcome him, then, with all joy in the Lord and show honor to men like him, because for the work of Christ he drew near to death, risking his life to supply what was lacking for your service to me.

 

 

 

 

 

This book tells how the young Jewess, Esther, saved her countrymen from the slaughter planned for them by Aman, the prime minister of King Assuerus. Acting upon the advice of her uncle, Mardochai, she interviewed with the King. As a result her people were saved and Aman was hanged upon a gibbet.

Could things have been so bad like that written in Esther or could things still be so much the same today as written in Esther?

So bad in terms of a wife being divorced for not obeying the words of a drunken husband?

Even if we are talking about King Asseurus and his wife queen Vasthi?

“Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after very much drinking was well warmed with wine… he commanded… the seven eunuchs… to bring in queen Vasthi before the king, with the crown set upon her head, to show her beauty to all the people and the princes: for she was exceedingly beautiful. But she refused, and would not come at the king’s commandment…

Whereupon the king, being angry, and inflamed with a great fury, asked the wise men… what sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen…

Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king… for this deed of the queen will go abroad to all women, so that they will despise their husbands… will slight the commandments of their husbands: wherefore the king’s indignation is just… and let it be written according to the law… that Vasthi come in no more to the king, but another, that is better than her, be made queen in her place… give honor to their husbands… that the husbands should be rulers and masters in their houses…”

So bad in terms of a wife being divorced for not obeying the words of a drunken husband?

The new queen was Esther, the orphaned and adopted daughter of Mardochai, A Jew despised by Aman, King Assuerus’ second in command.

So much the same today whereas evil begots evil turned from another towards oneself?

Yes, all propagated by one’s enormous ego, self-centeredness, and misplaced power!

“That night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded the histories and chronicles of former times to be brought him.

What honor and reward hath Mardochai received for this fidelity?

What ought to be done to the man whom the king is desirous to honor? But Aman thinking in his heart, and supposing that the king would honor no other than himself… Thus shall be honored, whom the king hath a mind to honor… and do as thou hast spoken to Mardochai the Jew…”

 

Our Silly Ego, pride and self can lead to disastrous results in life and beyond!

Evil You Prepare for Another May Come Back to You!

Day 177: OT Esther C1–7; Evil You Prepare for Another May Come Back to You!

This book tells how the young Jewess, Esther, saved her countrymen from the slaughter planned for them by Aman, the prime minister of King Assuerus. Acting upon the advice of her uncle, Mardochai, she interviewed with the King. As a result her people were saved and Aman was hanged upon a gibbet.

Bible Notes:

Esther Chapter 1: Feast of King Assuerus in Susan; Vasthi refuses to attend Assuerus’ feast; Anger of Assuerus; Wives ordered to obey their husbands.

Feast of King Assuerus in Susan:

In the days of Assuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, when he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city Susan was the capital of his kingdom.

He made a great feast… for the most mighty of the Persians… that he might show the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the greatness, and boasting of his power…

And when the days of the feast were expired, he invited all the people that were found in Susan, from the greatest to the least… commanded a feast to be made seven days in the court of the garden… as was worthy of a king’s magnificence.

Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not willing…

Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the palace, where king Assuerus was used to dwell.

Vasthi Refuses to Attend Assuerus’ Feast:

Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after very much drinking was well warmed with wine… he commanded… the seven eunuchs… to bring in queen Vasthi before the king, with the crown set upon her head, to show her beauty to all the people and the princes: for she was exceedingly beautiful. But she refused, and would not come at the king’s commandment…

Anger of Assuerus:

Whereupon the king, being angry, and inflamed with a great fury, asked the wise men… what sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen…

Wives Ordered to Obey Their Husbands:

Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king… for this deed of the queen will go abroad to all women, so that they will despise their husbands… will slight the commandments of their husbands: wherefore the king’s indignation is just… and let it be written according to the law… that Vasthi come in no more to the king, but another, that is better than her, be made queen in her place… give honor to their husbands… that the husbands should be rulers and masters in their houses…

Esther Chapter 2: Assuerus seeks a new queen; Mardochai and Esther; Assuerus chooses Esther; Visits of maids to Assuerus; Esther becomes queen; Esther’s wedding feast; Mardochai reveals a plot against the king.

Assuerus Seeks a New Queen:

After this, when the wrath of king Assuerus was appeased, he remembered Vasthi, and what she had done and what she suffered…

Let young women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful…

Egeus the eunuch, who is the overseer and keeper of the king’s women…

And whosoever among them all shall please the king’s eyes, let her be queen instead of Vasthi.

Mardochai and Esther:

There was a man in the city of Susan a Jew, named Mardochai… and he had brought up his brother’s daughter Edissa, who by another name was called Esther: now she had lost both he parents: and was exceedingly fair and beautiful… Mardochai adopted her for his daughter.

Assuerus Chooses Esther:

Esther… was delivered… and she pleased him (Assuerus), and found favor in his sight… and he commanded the eunuch… to deliver… seven of the most beautiful maidens of the king’s house… and she would not tell him her people nor her country. For Mardochai had charged her to say nothing at all.

Visits of Maids to Assuerus:

It was the twelfth month… and being decked out, as it pleased them, as they passed from the chamber of the women to the king’s chamber… and she went in at evening, came out in the morning… under the hand of Susagaz the eunuch, who had charge over the king’s concubines: neither could she return any more to the king, unless the king desired it, and had ordered her by name to come.

Esther Becomes Queen:

And the day was at hand, when Esther… was to go in to the king…

And the king loved her more than all the women, and she had favor and kindness before him above all the women, and he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vasthi.

Esther’s Wedding Feast:

And he commanded a magnificent feast to be prepared… for the marriage and wedding of Esther… Mardochai stayed at the king’s gate… for whatsoever he commanded, Esther observed… when he brought her up, a little one.

Mardochai Reveals a Plot against the King:

Bagathan and Thares… were angry: and they designed to rise up against the king, and to kill him… And Mardochai… told it to the queen Esther: and she to the king in Mardochai’s name… and they were both hanged on a gibbet. And it was put in the histories, and recorded in the chronicles before the king.

Esther Chapter 3: Mardochai refuses to worship Aman; Aman’s anger; Assuerus decrees a massacre of the Jews; Publication of the decree.

Mardochai Refuses to Worship Aman:

After these things, king Assuerus advanced Aman… only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him… they told Aman… for he had told them that he was a Jew.

Aman’s Anger:

Aman was exceedingly angry… and he chose rather to destroy all the nation of the Jews that were in the kingdom of Assuerus.

Assuerus Decrees a Massacre of the Jews:

…that use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king’s ordinances… If it please thee, decree that they may be destroyed… Aman, the enemy of the Jews… and as to the people, do with them as seemeth good to thee.

Publication of the Decree:

And the king’s scribes… and the letters, sealed with his ring… to kill and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little children, and women… and to make a spoil of their goods…

And immediately the edict was hung up in Susan, the king and Aman feasting together, and all the Jews that were in the city weeping.

Esther Chapter 4: Mourning of the Jews; Esther learns of Assuerus’ plan; Rule for seeing King Assuerus; Mardochai urges Esther to help the Jews; Esther agrees to appeal to Assuerus.

Mourning of the Jews:

…there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, wailing, and weeping, many using sackcloth and ashed for their bed.

Esther Learns of Assuerus’ Plan:

Then Esther’s maids and her eunuchs went in, and told her.,, she was in a consternation… Mardochai… told him all that happened…. Admonish her to go in to the king, and to entreat him for her people.

Rule for Seeing King Assuerus:

Whosoever, whether man or woman, cometh into the king’s inner court, who is not called for, is immediately to be put to death without any delay: except the king shall hold out the golden scepter to him, in token of clemency, that so he may live.

Mardochai Urges Esther to Help the Jews:

Think not that thou mayst save thy life only… thou, and thy father’s house shall perish… that thou mightest be ready in such a time as this?

Esther Agrees to Appeal to Assuerus:

Go, and gather together all the Jews… and pray ye for me… I will go in to the king, against the law, not being called, and expose myself to death and to danger…

Esther Chapter 5: Invitation to Esther’s banquet; Assuerus and Aman attend the banquet; Aman prepares a gibbet for Mardochai.

Invitation to Esther’s Banquet:

She pleased his eyes, and he held out toward her the golden scepter… I beseech thee to come to me this day, and Aman with thee to the banquet which I have prepared…

Assuerus and Aman Attend the Banquet:

…after he had drunk wine plentifully… let the king and Aman come to the banquet which I have prepared them, and to morrow, I will open my mind to the king.

Aman Prepares a Gibbet for Mardochai:

I think I have nothing, so long as I see Mardochai the Jew sitting before the king’s gate… in the morning speak to the king, that Mardochai may be hanged upon it…

Esther Chapter 6: Assuerus learns of his debt to Mardochai; Assuerus commands Aman to honor Mardochai; Aman departs for Esther’s banquet.

Assuerus Learns of his Debt to Mardochai:

That night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded the histories and chronicles of former times to be brought him.

What honor and reward hath Mardochai received for this fidelity?

Assuerus Commands Aman to Honor Mardochai:

What ought to be done to the man whom the king is desirous to honor? But Aman thinking in his heart, and supposing that the king would honor no other than himself… Thus shall be honored, whom the king hath a mind to honor… and do as thou hast spoken to Mardochai the Jew…

Aman Departs for Esther’s Banquet:

Esther Chapter 7: Esther’s petition for the Jews; Esther denounces Aman; Aman is hanged.

Esther’s Petition for the Jews:

So the king and Aman went in, to drink with the queen… after he was warm with wine… give me my life for which I ask, and my people for which I request… but now we have an enemy, whose cruelty redoundeth upon the king.

Esther Denounces Aman:

It is this Aman that is our adversary and most wicked enemy.

Aman is Hanged:

Aman also rose up to entreat Esther the queen for his life, for he understood that evil was prepared for him by the king.

He will force the queen also in my presence, in my own house.

Hang him upon it. So Aman was hanged on the gibbet, which he had prepared for Mardochai: and the king’s wrath ceased.

The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Philippians is so pure a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom that it is presented verbatim in its entirety below.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Philippians, Chapters 3-4:

Paul was a man of the flesh, leading a blameless life under Jewish Law, that was directly converted and saved by Jesus Christ himself on the Road to Damascus… now has only one goal in mind—to attain the resurrection from the dead… the prize of God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

“If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, yet more may I: circumcised the eighth day, of race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as regards the Law, a Pharisee; as regards zeal, a persecutor of the Church of God; as regards the justice of the Law, leading a blameless life.”

“But the things that were gain to me, these, for the sake of Christ, I have counted loss.”

“Nay more, I count everything loss because of the excelling knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I count them as dung that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a justice of my own, which is from the Law, but that which is from faith in Christ, the justice from God based upon faith; so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings: become like to him in death, in the hope that somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul is still on a journey with the right mindset…

“Not that I have already obtained this, or already have been made perfect, but I press on hoping that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me.”

“Brethren, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it already. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind, I strain forward to what is before, I press on towards the goal, to the prize of God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”

“Let us then, as many as are perfect, be of this mind; and if in any point you are minded otherwise; this also God will reveal to you. Still in what we have attained let us be of the same mind, and let us also continue in this same rule.”

Paul is a man of Joy and Gratitude and one that is self-sufficient through his faith and belief in Jesus Christ:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“For the rest, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable, whatever of good repute, if there be any virtue, if anything worthy of praise, think upon these things.”

“And what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these things practise. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Not that I speak because I was in want. For I have learned to be self-sufficing in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to live humbly and I know how to live in abundance (I have been schooled to every place and every condition), to be filled and to be hungry, to have abundance and to suffer want.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Day 178: NT Philippians C3-4 (END); Paul is a Man of Joy and Gratitude by Faith in Jesus!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians, Chapters 1-2.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, while a prisoner at Rome, had received a sum of money from the Christians at Philippi to take care of his needs. This is the letter he wrote to thank them for their kindness, to give them news of himself, to urge them to preserve unity among themselves, and to warn them against false teachers.

Philippians Chapter 3: The Christian Spirit; Renunciation for the Sake of Christ; Exhortation; Followers and Opponents of the Cross.

The Christian Spirit:

For the rest, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write you the same things indeed is not irksome to me, but it is necessary for you.

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation. For we are the circumcision, we who serve God in spirit, who glory in Christ Jesus and have no confidence even in the flesh—though I too might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, yet more may I: circumcised the eighth day, of race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as regards the Law, a Pharisee; as regards zeal, a persecutor of the Church of God; as regards the justice of the Law, leading a blameless life.

Renunciation for the Sake of Christ:

But the things that were gain to me, these, for the sake of Christ, I have counted loss.

Nay more, I count everything loss because of the excelling knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I count them as dung that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a justice of my own, which is from the Law, but that which is from faith in Christ, the justice from God based upon faith; so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings: become like to him in death, in the hope that somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this, or already have been made perfect, but I press on hoping that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me.

Brethren, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it already. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind, I strain forward to what is before, I press on towards the goal, to the prize of God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Exhortation:

Let us then, as many as are perfect, be of this mind; and if in any point you are minded otherwise; this also God will reveal to you.

Still in what we have attained let us be of the same mind, and let us also continue in this same rule.

Followers and Opponents of the Cross:

Brethren, be imitators of me, and mark those who walk after the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is ruin, their god is the belly, their glory is in their shame, they mind the things of the earth.

But our citizenship is in heaven from which also we eagerly await a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will refashion the body of our lowliness, conforming it to the body of his glory by exerting the power by which he is able also to subject all things to himself.

Philippians Chapter 4: Two Matrons are Admonished; Peace and Joy in the Lord; Example and Teaching of Paul; Gratitude for Their Gifts; Farewell and Blessing.

Two Matrons are Admonished:

So then, my brethren, beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, stand fast thus in the Lord, beloved.

I entreat Evodia and I exhort Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord.

And I beseech thee also, my loyal comrade, help them, for they have toiled with me in the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life.

Peace and Joy in the Lord:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Example and Teaching of Paul:

For the rest, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable, whatever of good repute, if there be any virtue, if anything worthy of praise, think upon these things.

And what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these things practise. And the God of peace will be with you.

Gratitude for Their Gifts:

I have rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your concern for me has revived. Indeed you were always concerned, but lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak because I was in want. For I have learned to be self-sufficing in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to live humbly and I know how to live in abundance (I have been schooled to every place and every condition), to be filled and to be hungry, to have abundance and to suffer want.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Still, you have done well by sharing in my affliction. Bit Philippians, you yourselves also know that in the first days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church went into partnership with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.

For even in Thessalonica, you sent once and twice something for my need. Not that I am eager for the gift, but I am eager for the profit accumulating to your account.

I have all and more than enough. I am fully supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a sweet odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

But may my God supply your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory for endless ages. Amen.

Farewell and Blessing:

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren with me here greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Day 179: OT Esther C8–16 (END); GOD Grants Vintage Old Testament Revenge for Phurim!

Queen Esther tells King Assuerus the truth about her uncle Mardochai and the former letters of the now dead Aman, the traitor and enemy of the Jews…

“For Esther had confessed to him that he was her uncle… And the king took the ring… and gave it to Mardochai. And Esther set Mardochai over her house.”

“I beseech thee, that the former letters of Aman the traitor and enemy of the Jews, by which he commanded that they should be destroyed in all the king’s provinces, may be reversed by new letters. For how can I endure the murdering and slaughter of my people?”

King Assuerus’ new decree allows for the revenge of the Jews on their enemies throughout the land…:

“Then the king’s scribes and secretaries were called for… and letters were written, as Mardochai had a mind… from India to Ethiopia… according to their language and characters, and to the Jews, according as they could read and hear… to prevent the former letters with new messages… to stand for their lives, and to kill, and destroy all their enemies with their wives and children and all their houses, and to take their spoil. And one day of revenge was appointed through all the provinces… that the Jews were ready to be revenged of their enemies…”

The ‘fame of the name’ Mardochai increased and the Jews rejoiced and took their revenge:

“…extolled the Jews for fear of Mardochai, for they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have great power; and the fame of his name increased daily…”

“So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and killed them, repaying according to what they had prepared to do to them, insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men, besides the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews… And when they had slain them, they would not touch the spoils of their goods…”

The Feast of Phurim was instituted so that all Jews of future generations would know what happened…

“…and always at the return of the year should celebrate them with solemn honor… and give gifts to the poor… and since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots; because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn… so that it should be lawful for none to pass these days without solemnity… as the years continually succeed one another… and by their posterity, which is bound to these ceremonies… that they should have peace, and receive truth, and observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy in their proper time…”

And the story of Esther was retold again and again:

“…and the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his inheritance… throughout all the generations hereafter of the people of Israel.”

“a dream of Mardochai… a conspiracy is detected by Mardochai… a decree was made to destroy the Jews… Mardochai prayed to the Lord… Esther lamented and prayed… beautiful Esther pleads for the people of Israel… and God changed the king’s spirit into mildness… But Aman as the next man after the king was so far puffed up with arrogancy…”

“But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrariwise use just laws, and are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day…

And the Jews celebrated the Feast of Phurim…

Day 179: OT Esther C8–16 (END);

This book tells how the young Jewess, Esther, saved her countrymen from the slaughter planned for them by Aman, the prime minister of King Assuerus. Acting upon the advice of her uncle, Mardochai, she interviewed with the King. As a result her people were saved and Aman was hanged upon a gibbet.

Day 179: OT Esther C8–16 (END); GOD Grants Vintage Old Testament Revenge for Phurim!

Bible Notes:

Esther Chapter 8: Advancement of Mardochai; Esther Pleads for Her People; Assuerus’ New Decree; The Jews Rejoice.

Advancement of Mardochai:

For Esther had confessed to him that he was her uncle… And the king took the ring… and gave it to Mardochai. And Esther set Mardochai over her house.

Esther Pleads for Her People:

I beseech thee, that the former letters of Aman the traitor and enemy of the Jews, by which he commanded that they should be destroyed in all the king’s provinces, may be reversed by new letters. For how can I endure the murdering and slaughter of my people?

Assuerus’ New Decree:

Then the king’s scribes and secretaries were called for… and letters were written, as Mardochai had a mind… from India to Ethiopia… according to their language and characters, and to the Jews, according as they could read and hear… to prevent the former letters with new messages… to stand for their lives, and to kill, and destroy all their enemies with their wives and children and all their houses, and to take their spoil. And one day of revenge was appointed through all the provinces… that the Jews were ready to be revenged of their enemies…

The Jews Rejoice:

And all the city rejoiced and was glad. But to the Jews a new light seemed to rise, joy, honor, and dancing… there was wonderful rejoicing, feasts and banquets, and keeping holy day: insomuch that many of other nations and religion joined themselves to their worship and ceremonies. For a great dread of the name of the Jews had fallen upon all.

Esther Chapter 9: The Revenge of the Jews; The Sons of Aman are Hanged; The Number Who were Killed; Holy Days Ordained; The Feast of Phurim Instituted.

The Revenge of the Jews:

…when all the Jews were designed to be massacred, and their enemies were greedy after their blood, the case being altered, the Jews began to have the upper hand, and to revenge themselves of their adversaries…

…extolled the Jews for fear of Mardochai, for they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have great power; and the fame of his name increased daily…

So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and killed them, repaying according to what they had prepared to do to them, insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men, besides the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews… And when they had slain them, they would not touch the spoils of their goods…

The Sons of Aman are Hanged:

And the king commanded that it should be done. And forthwith the edict was hung up in Susan, and the ten sons of Aman were hanged.

The Number Who were Killed:

…the Jews stood for their lives, and slew their enemies and persecutors: insomuch that the number of them that were killed amounted to seventy-five thousand, and no man took any of their goods.

Holy Days Ordained:

And therefore they appointed that day to be a holy day of feasting and gladness… for banquets and gladness, so as to rejoice on that day, and send one another portions of their banquets and meats.

The Feast of Phurim Instituted:

…and always at the return of the year should celebrate them with solemn honor… and give gifts to the poor… and since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots; because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn… so that it should be lawful for none to pass these days without solemnity… as the years continually succeed one another… and by their posterity, which is bound to these ceremonies… that they should have peace, and receive truth, and observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy in their proper time…

Esther Chapter 10: Position and Power of Mardochai; Interpretation of Mardochai’s Dream.

Position and Power of Mardochai:

…wherewith he exalted Mardochai, are written in the books of the Medes, and of the Persians…

Interpretation of Mardochai’s Dream.

The little fountain which grew into a river, and was turned into a light, and into the sun, and abounded into many waters, is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen.

But the two dragons are I and Aman…

and my nation is Israel, who cried to the Lord, and the Lord saved his people: and he delivered us from all evils, and hath wrought great signs and wonders among the nations, and he commanded that there be two lots, one of the people of God, and the other of all the nations.

…and the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his inheritance… throughout all the generations hereafter of the people of Israel.

Esther Chapter 11: A Dream of Mardochai.

A Dream of Mardochai:

Now he was of the number of the captives whom Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away from Jerusalem…

And behold two great dragons came forth ready to fight one against another…

And they cried to God: and as they were crying, a little fountain grew into a very great river, and abounded into many waters. The light and the sun rose up, and the humble were exalted, and they devoured the glorious…

Esther Chapter 12: Mardochai Detects a Conspiracy.

Mardochai Detects a Conspiracy:

NOTE: Appears to be a repeat of the earlier chapters this time in a dream of Mardochai!

Bagatha and Thara the king’s eunuchs…

And when he understood their designs, and had diligently searched into their projects, he learned that they went about to lay violent hands on king Artazerxes, and he told the king thereof… the two eunuchs of the king were put to death.

Esther Chapter 13: Artaxerxes’ Decree to Destroy the Jews; The Prayer of Mardochai.

Artaxerxes’ Decree to Destroy the Jews:

Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought all the world under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse the greatness of my power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and lenity, that they might live quietly without any terror, and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all men.

…there was a people scattered through the whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations, despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the concord of all nations… and seeing one nation in opposition to all mankind using perverse laws… we have commanded that all who Aman shall mark out… shall be utterly destroyed by their enemies… that these wicked men going down to hell in one day, ma restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.

The Prayer of Mardochai:

But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works, and said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determined to save Israel…

Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest htat it was not out of pride or contempt, or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Aman…

But I feared lest I should transfer the honor of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God…

And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy inheritance. Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out of Egypt…

Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, O Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee…

And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.

Esther Chapter 14: Esther’s Lamentation; Esther’s Prayer for the People.

Esther’s Lamentation:

Queen Esther… had recourse to the Lord… she put on garments suitable for weeping and mourning… she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body with fasts; and all the places in which before was accustomed to rejoice, she filled with her torn hair.

Esther’s Prayer for the People:

And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord, who alone art our king… my danger is in my hands… O Lord, didst take Israel from among all nations, and our fathers from all their predecessors, to possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and thou hast done to them as thou hast promised.

We have sinned in thy sight, and therefore thou hast delivered us into the hands of our enemies, for we have worshiped their gods

Remember, O Lord, and show thyself to us in the time of our tribulation, and give me boldness, O Lord, king of gods, and of all power.

O God, who are mighty above all, hear the voice of them, that have no other hope, and deliver us from the hand of the wicked, and deliver me from fear.

Esther Chapter 15: Mardochai Tells Esther to Plead for Israel; The Beauty of Esther; The King Receives Esther Kindly.

Mardochai Tells Esther to Plead for Israel:

And do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king for us, and deliver us from death.

The Beauty of Esther:

And glittering in royal robes, after she had called upon God the ruler and savior… but she with a rosy color in her face, and with a gracious and bright eyes, hid a mind full of anguish, and exceedingly great fear.

The King Receives Esther Kindly:

And God changed the king’s spirit into mildness, and all in haste and in fear he leaped from his throne, and holding her up in his arms, till she cane to herself, caressed her with these words: What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother, fear not…

I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty… but the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.

Esther Chapter 16: The Letter of King Artaxerxes; Evil Public Officials; The Treachery of Aman; Jews to be Unmolested.

The Letter of King Artaxerxes:

Evil Public Officials:

Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and the honor that hath been bestowed upon them… and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all things… while the crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are well meaning, and judge of others by their own nature…. How the designs of kings are depraved by the evil suggestions of certain men…

The Treachery of Aman:

…and was worshiped by all as the next man after the king. But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about to deprive us of our kingdom and life… and might transfer the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.

But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrariwise use just laws, and are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day.

Jews to be Unmolested:

Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our name, are void and of no effect. For which crime both he himself that devised it, and all his kindred hang on gibbets, before the gate of this city Susan: not we, but God repaying him as he deserved.

Bit this edict, which we now send, shall be published in all cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own laws… For Almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and mourning into joy to them.

Day 180: NT Colossians C1-2; Christ is First; Our Story of Redemption!

Seems to me that every word Paul has written is meaningful and powerful to one seeking Jesus and seeking His Redemption.

This passage is clear about Christ being the First of Everything and the head of the Church. It speaks to reconciliation which leads to redemption.

I always wonder about circumcision and what it meant spiritually. That is clearly revealed in this part of the Scriptures too. A circumcision not of the flesh for health purposes but one of Christ for Spiritual Freedom!

A clear story of Redemption, our story of Redemption…

Nailing sin to the Cross!

And a bunch of other biblical phrases that caught my attention too!

In the Words of Scriptures:

Christ is First!

He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. All things have been created through and unto him (Christ), and he is before all creatures, and in him all things hold together. Again, he (Christ) is the head of his body, the Church.

For it has pleased God the Father that in him (Christ) all his fullness should dwell, and that through him he should reconcile to himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the blood of his cross.

Our Story of Redemption:

He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have our redemption, the remission of our sins.

You yourselves were at one time estranged and enemies in mind through your evil works. But now he has reconciled you in his body of flesh through his death, to present you holy and undefiled and irreproachable before him.

Only you must remain firmly founded in the faith and steadfast and not withdrawing from the hope of the gospel which you have heard.

See to it that no one deceives you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to human traditions, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ.

For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in him who is the head of every Principality and Power you have received of that fullness.

In him, too, you have been circumcised with a circumcision not wrought by hand, but through putting off the body of the flesh, a circumcision which is of Christ.

For you were buried together with him in Baptism, and in him also rose again through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead. And you, when you were dead by reasons of your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought to life along with him, forgiving you all your sins, canceling the decree against us, which was hostile to us.

Indeed, he has taken it completely away, nailing it to the cross. Disarming the Principalities and Powers, he displayed them openly, leading them away in triumph by force of it.

Therefore, as you have received Jesus Christ our Lord, so walk in him; be rooted in him and built up on him and strengthened in the faith, as you also have learnt, rendering thanks abundantly.

 

Biblical Phrases:

“by the will of God”

“because of the hope that is laid up for you in heaven”

“heard and recognized the grace of God in truth”

“your love in the Spirit”

“filled with knowledge of his will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”

“to share the lot of the saints in light”

“that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”

“no one may deceive you by persuasive words”

“I am absent in body, yet in spirit I am with you”

“puffed up by his mere human mind”

“such a one is not united to the head”

“why, as if still living in the world, do you lay down the rules”

“the precepts and doctrines of men”

“lead to the full gratification of the flesh”

Bible Notes:

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Chapters 1-2; Christ is First; Our Story of Redemption!

Saint Paul, during his first Roman imprisonment, heard that some at Colossae were denying the supreme dignity of Christ. In this letter he points out that Christ is above all creatures and denounces anyone who would belittle Him. He adds that the new life of a Christian must be a break from his former life as a pagan.

Colossians Chapter 1: Greeting; Thanksgiving; Prayer for their Progress; Christ is God, Creator, Head; Christ is the Conciliator; Christ is the Center of Preaching.

Greeting:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Timothy to the brethren in Colossae, holy and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace be to you and peace from God our Father.

Thanksgiving:

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you bear towards all the saints because of the hope that is laid up for you in heaven.

…heard and recognized the grace of God in truth…

Thus you learned from our most dear fellow-servant Epaphras. He is a faithful minister of Christ Jesus in your behalf; and it was he who made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Prayer for their Progress:

…asking that you may be filled with knowledge of his will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

…to share the lot of the saints in light.

He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have our redemption, the remission of our sins.

Christ is God, Creator, Head:

He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

 

All things have been created through and unto him (Christ), and he is before all creatures, and in him all things hold together.

Again, he (Christ) is the head of his body, the Church.

For it has pleased God the Father that in him (Christ) all his fullness should dwell, and that through him he should reconcile to himself all things, whether on the earth or in the heavens, making peace through the blood of his cross.

Christ is the Conciliator:

You yourselves were at one time estranged and enemies in mind through your evil works. But now he has reconciled you in his body of flesh through his death, to present you holy and undefiled and irreproachable before him.

Only you must remain firmly founded in the faith and steadfast and not withdrawing from the hope of the gospel which you have heard.

It has been preached to every creature under heaven; and of it I, Paul, have become a minister.

Christ is the Center of Preaching:

I rejoice now in the sufferings I bear for your sake; and what is lacking of the sufferings of Christ I fill up in my flesh for his body, which is the Church; whose minister I have become in virtue of the office that God has given me in your regard.

Him, we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

 

Colossians Chapter 2: Concern for Those who have not Seen Him; Warning against False Teachers; Speculative Errors; Erroneous Practices.

Concern for Those who have not Seen Him:

For I wish you to know what great concern I have for you and for the Laodiceans and for all who have not seen me in the flesh.

Surprised; thought he was going to reference those who have not seen Jesus in the flesh!

…so as to know the mystery of God the Father of Christ Jesus in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

Warning against False Teachers:

Now I say this so that no one may deceive you by persuasive words.

…I am absent in body, yet in spirit I am with you…

Therefore, as you have received Jesus Christ our Lord, so walk in him; be rooted in him and built up on him and strengthened in the faith, as you also have learnt, rendering thanks abundantly.

Speculative Errors:

See to it that no one deceives you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to human traditions, according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ.

For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in him who is the head of every Principality and Power you have received of that fullness.

In him, too, you have been circumcised with a circumcision not wrought by hand, but through putting off the body of the flesh, a circumcision which is of Christ.

For you were buried together with him in Baptism, and in him also rose again through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead. And you, when you were dead by reasons of your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought to life along with him, forgiving you all your sins, canceling the decree against us, which was hostile to us. Indeed, he has taken it completely away, nailing it to the cross. Disarming the Principalities and Powers, he displayed them openly, leading them away in triumph by force of it.

Erroneous Practices:

 

Let no one, then, call you to account for what you eat or drink or in regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of things to come.

Let no one—puffed up by his mere human mind—such a one is not united to the head, from whom the whole body, supplied and built up by joints and ligaments, attains a growth that is of God

If you have died with Christ to the elements of the world, why, as if still living in the world, do you lay down the rules: “Do not touch; nor taste; nor handle!”—things that must all perish in their very use?

In this you follow “the precepts and doctrines of men,” which, to be sure, have a show of wisdom in superstition and self-abasement and hard treatment of the body, but are not to be held in esteem, and lead to the full gratification of the flesh.

 

 

Day 181: Job C1–7; Disturbing Conversation with God Allows Satan to All But Kill Job?

This Book of Job takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Personally, this is quite disturbing to me that God would allow Satan to bring Evil upon any one, especially a good guy like Job! But here is the dialogue:

“Now on a certain day when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them…

Lord to Satan: Whence comest thou?

Satan to the Lord: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

Lord to Satan: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil?

Satan to the Lord: Doth Job fear God in vain? Hast not thou made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on earth? But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he blesseth thee not to thy face.

Lord to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand; only put not forth thy hand upon his person.

And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”

And Satan ruined Job: his oxen and asses stolen by the Sabeans; his sheep consumed by the Fire of God; his camels stolen by the Chaldeans and worse of all all of his sons and daughters killed by a collapsing house in a violent wind storm.

Plus all his associated servants were killed too, except the four that escaped to tell Job—and I alone have escaped to tell thee…

Why would God have a hand in bad things happening to good people? Very disturbing but as if not enough, more dialogue whereas God gives Satan permission to afflict Job himself:

“Lord to Satan: Whence comest thou?

Satan to the Lord: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

Lord to Satan: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man simple, and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil, and still keeping his innocence? But thou hast moved me against him, that should afflict him without cause.

Satan to the Lord: Skin for skin, and all that a man hath he will give for his life; but put forth thy hand, and touch his bone and his flesh, and then thou shalt see that he will bless thee to thy face.

Lord to Satan: Behold he is in thy hand but yet save his life.”

Satan struck Job with a very grievous ulcer, from the sole of the foot even to the top of his head…

Job continues his saintly ways…

“Naked come I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord. In all things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.”

Then Job’s wife gives her advice:

“Dost thou still continue in thy simplicity? Bless God and die.

Job to his wife: Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish women: if we have received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil?

In all these things Job did not sin with his lips.

Then Job’s three friends—Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar—came to visit to comfort him. Stayed a week and never uttered a word:

“For they had made an appointment to come together and visit him, and comfort him… they knew him not…

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no man spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

Job is indignant now and curses the day of his birth and hopes to die which would be a blessing… but God has other plans and maybe this is why he did not allow Satan to kill Job.

His first friend to visit—Eliphaz—has a vision; perhaps it was Job’s ego and apparently perfect righteousness that got him into trouble with God:

“And when a spirit passed before me… I have heard the voice as it were a gentle wind: Shall man be justified in comparison to God, or shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold they that serve him are not steadfast, and in his angels he found wickedness.”

Eliphaz has not come to comfort and console his friend Job. Rather he judges him as being deserving in some way of God’s Wrath:

“Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished being innocent? Or when were the just destroyed?”

Job is suffering for his sins and must turn to God in a humble manner according to Eliphaz.

But Job says that his suffering outweighs his sins including the loss of his family and prosperity:

“O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance… For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me… The things which before my soul would not touch, now through anguish are my meats.”

Job is depressed and wished that he would die and be put out of his misery; for after all he is just a human being:

“Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? And that he that hath begun may destroy me… And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, not I contradict the words of the Holy One… My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. Behold there is no help from me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.”

Job feels his friends did not understand his predicament, lacked mercy, and gave him no consolation.

Job is hopeless, depressed, and ultimately questions God who has kept him alive:

“The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling… looketh for the end of his work… My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope… As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down in hell shall not come up.”

“Wherefore I will not spare my mouth, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit: I will not talk with the bitterness of my soul… So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death. I have done with hope, I shall live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing.”

How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle?

I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men?

Why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself?

Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity?

Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.

Surely we have all felt like this at one point or another in our lives for less than the experiences of Job…

What is God’s message in this Book of Job?

Day 181: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Job, Chapters 1-7: Disturbing Conversation with God Allows Satan to All But Kill Job?

Bible Notes:

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job Chapter 1: Prosperity of Job; God Gives Satan Power Over Job; Job’s Possessions and Children Destroyed; The Patience of Job in Adversity.

Prosperity of Job:

There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, and that man was simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil… and a family exceedingly great: and this man was great among all the people of the east.

God Gives Satan Power Over Job:

Now on a certain day when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them…

Lord to Satan: Whence comest thou?

Satan to the Lord: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

Lord to Satan: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil?

Satan to the Lord: Doth Job fear God in vain? Hast not thou made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on earth? But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he blesseth thee not to thy face.

Lord to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand; only put not forth thy hand upon his person.

And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Job’s Possessions and Children Destroyed:

Oxen… and asses… Sabeans took all away, and slew the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee…

Fire of God fell from heaven, and striking the sheep and the servants, hath consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell thee…

Chaldeans… have fallen upon the camels, and taken them, moreover they have slain the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee…

Sons and daughters… a violent wind came… and shook the four corners of the house, and it fell upon thy children and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell thee…

The Patience of Job in Adversity:

Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head fell down upon the ground and worshiped, and said: Naked come I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord. In all things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.

Job Chapter 2: Satan Allowed to Afflict Job Himself; Job Afflicted with Ulcers; Job Reproves His Wife; Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar Visit Job.

Satan Allowed to Afflict Job Himself:

And it came to pass, when on a certain day the sons of God Came, and stood before the Lord, and Satan came among them, and stood in his sight…

Lord to Satan: Whence comest thou?

Satan to the Lord: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it.

Lord to Satan: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man simple, and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil, and still keeping his innocence? But thou hast moved me against him, that should afflict him without cause.

Satan to the Lord: Skin for skin, and all that a man hath he will give for his life; but put forth thy hand, and touch his bone and his flesh, and then thou shalt see that he will bless thee to thy face.

Lord to Satan: Behold he is in thy hand but yet save his life.

Job Afflicted with Ulcers:

Satan… struck Job with a very grievous ulcer, from the sole of the foot even to the top of his head…

Job Reproves His Wife:

And his wife said to him: Dost thou still continue in thy simplicity? Bless God and die.

Job to his wife: Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish women: if we have received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil?

In all these things Job did not sin with his lips.

Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar Visit Job:

Job’s three friends: Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar…

For they had made an appointment to come together and visit him, and comfort him… they knew him not…

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no man spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job Chapter 3: Job Curses the Day of His Birth; Job Wishes He had Dies; Death Would be a Blessed Release.

Job Curses the Day of His Birth:

After this (visit by 3 friends) Job opened his mouth and cursed his day… wherein I was born… let that day be turned into darkness… and let not the light shine upon it…

Let darkness, and the shadow of death cover it, let a mist overspread it, and let it be wrapped up in bitterness… let it not be counted in the days of the year, nor numbered in the months…

Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up a leviathan…

Leviathan—a sea monster defeated by Yahweh in various scriptural accounts.

Isaiah 27:1: “On that day, the Lord will punish with his sword that is cruel, great, and strong,

Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the coiled serpent; he will slay the dragon in the sea.”

Let it expect light and not see it, nor the rising of the dawning of the day, because it shut not up the doors of the womb that bore me, nor took away evils from my eyes.

Job Wishes He had Dies:

Why did I not die in the womb, why did I not perish when I came out of the belly?

There the wicked cease from the tumult, and there the wearied in strength are at rest.

The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master.

Death Would be a Blessed Release:

Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in bitterness of soul?

To a man whose way is hidden, and God Hath surrounded him with darkness?

…for the fear which I feared, hath come upon me: and that which I was afraid of, hath befallen me… and indignation is come upon me.

Indignation—strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger.

Job Chapter 4: The First Speech of Eliphaz; The Wicked are Afflicted; The Vision of Eliphaz.

The First Speech of Eliphaz:

If we begin to speak for thee, perhaps thou wilt take it ill, but who can wthhold the words he hath conceived?

…but now the scourge has come upon thee… thou are troubled.

Where is thy fear, thy fortitude, thy patience, and the perfection of thy ways?

The Wicked are Afflicted:

Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished being innocent? Or when were the just destroyed?

…perishing by the blast of God, and consumed by the spirit of his wrath.

The Vision of Eliphaz:

And when a spirit passed before me… I have heard the voice as it were a gentle wind: Shall man be justified in comparison to God, or shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold they that serve him are not steadfast, and in his angels he found wickedness.

Job Chapter 5: Job is Suffering for His Sins; Humble Turning to God; The Blessedness of God’s Correction.

Job is Suffering for His Sins:

Anger indeed killeth the foolish, and envy slayeth the little one.

Nothing upon earth is done without a cause, and sorrow doth not spring out of the ground. Man is born to labor and the bird to fly.

Humble Turning to God:

…who setteth up the humble on high, and comforteth with health those that mourn, who bringeth to nought the designs of the malignant, so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had begun…

But he shall save the needy from the sword of their mouth, and the poor from the hand of the violent. And to the needy there shall be hope, but iniquity shall draw in her mouth.

The Blessedness of God’s Correction:

Blessed is the man whom God correcteth: refuse not therefore the chastising of the Lord, for he woundeth, and cureth, he striketh, and his hands shall heal.

And Thou shalt know thy tabernacle is in peace…

Thou shall enter into the grave in abundance, as a heap of wheat is brought in its season.

Behold, this is even so, as we have searched out: which thou having heard, consider it thoroughly in thy mind,

Job Chapter 6: Job’s Reply to Eliphaz; Job’s Suffering Outweighs His Sins; Job Longs for Death; Job’s Friends Lack Mercy; No Consolation From His Friends.

Job’s Reply to Eliphaz:

But Job answered, and said:

Job’s Suffering Outweighs His Sins:

O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.

For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.

The things which before my soul would not touch, now through anguish are my meats.

Job Longs for Death:

Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? And that he that hath begun may destroy me…

And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, not I contradict the words of the Holy One.

My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. Behold there is no help from me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.

Job’s Friends Lack Mercy:

He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.

The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.

They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come even unto me, and are covered with shame.

No Consolation From His Friends:

Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.

Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?

You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.

However finish what you have begun: give ear, and see whether I lie.

Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.

And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.

Job Chapter 7: Job Declares His Miseries; Job’s Hopelessness; Job Questions God.

Job Declares His Miseries:

The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling… looketh for the end of his work.

My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope.

As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down in hell shall not come up.

Job’s Hopelessness:

Wherefore I will not spare my mouth, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit: I will not talk with the bitterness of my soul.’

So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death. I have done with hope, I shall live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing.

Job Questions God:

How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle?

I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men?

Why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself?

Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity?

Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.