Father, give me Your eyes and Your heart for the things I encounter in my day. It’s about showing others – especially my family – Your love, not about getting everything done, fixing everything, and improving everyone. Let me love the way You love today, with mercy and compassion and truth.
I think the queen of Sheeba came to Solomon to get advice- I’m 90% through with this reading plan so I read that in one of the books (one of the kings or one of the samuels?) last year
Amy’s right. Biblical scholars aren’t 100% sure who it was, but they believe Sheba was in Yemen or Ethiopia, making it south of Israel. “…The queen of the South will rise up at judgement with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”
It’s a hard topic, as we immediately associate Hebrew slavery with American slavery which was so much more darker and inhumane than what Hebrew slavery (more like indentured servant) was. I think Katie’s post from a year ago addresses it well. (The one that starts with “Incase anyone is struggling with the slavery verse…” Check out her response!)
I am so glad Jesus came to earth to show us what following law should look like. He gets to the heart of God’s intentions for law, and reveals the love that motivated that law. Law should not be a place of fear, but a place of refuge. It’s scary to think of how society changes over time and has seemingly forgot God in its laws.
I love this contrast between the passage of Exodus where there are lists of rules, and then the beginning of Matthew where Jesus says just following the rules is not enough. What a clear picture that no matter how hard we try, we can’t be good enough–we have to rely on Jesus
This is what my study Bible says: ‘Matthew’s application of this parable suggests that the generation of people Jesus addresses refused His kingdom offer. Consequently, their rejection created a void that demons would fill. While Jesus may simply be using this parable as a metaphor for evil, he indicates that they would be worse off than prior to hearing His teaching. Here, Matthew may have the fall of Jerusalem (ad 70) in mind.’ I think perhaps the unoccupied house is a person who has not embraced the Gospel upon hearing it? He helps them, but if they do not acknowledge him then they are worse off than before … Maybe someone can add to that!
My understanding is that when we repent of our sins, it doesn’t mean that trials or temptations won’t come again. In fact, satan will bring temptations to lure us in again, which is so important to guard our hearts all the time.
Father, give me Your eyes and Your heart for the things I encounter in my day. It’s about showing others – especially my family – Your love, not about getting everything done, fixing everything, and improving everyone. Let me love the way You love today, with mercy and compassion and truth.
What in the world does Jesus mean when he says “The Queen of the South” in Matthew?
I think the queen of Sheeba came to Solomon to get advice- I’m 90% through with this reading plan so I read that in one of the books (one of the kings or one of the samuels?) last year
Amy’s right. Biblical scholars aren’t 100% sure who it was, but they believe Sheba was in Yemen or Ethiopia, making it south of Israel. “…The queen of the South will rise up at judgement with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”
I’m really struggling with why God allowed slaves and allowed them to be treated in such a way..
It’s a hard topic, as we immediately associate Hebrew slavery with American slavery which was so much more darker and inhumane than what Hebrew slavery (more like indentured servant) was. I think Katie’s post from a year ago addresses it well. (The one that starts with “Incase anyone is struggling with the slavery verse…” Check out her response!)
It’s hard to imagine but the key is cultural context. God allows things that He hates, but this doesn’t equal condoning them.
I am so glad Jesus came to earth to show us what following law should look like. He gets to the heart of God’s intentions for law, and reveals the love that motivated that law. Law should not be a place of fear, but a place of refuge. It’s scary to think of how society changes over time and has seemingly forgot God in its laws.
I love that Jesus calls us his friend and sister! What an awesome, loving God we serve!
I love this contrast between the passage of Exodus where there are lists of rules, and then the beginning of Matthew where Jesus says just following the rules is not enough. What a clear picture that no matter how hard we try, we can’t be good enough–we have to rely on Jesus
Thank You guys so much. That was heart warming.
Can someone explain Matthew 12:43-45? I don’t think I fully understand this part
Me either
This is what my study Bible says: ‘Matthew’s application of this parable suggests that the generation of people Jesus addresses refused His kingdom offer. Consequently, their rejection created a void that demons would fill. While Jesus may simply be using this parable as a metaphor for evil, he indicates that they would be worse off than prior to hearing His teaching. Here, Matthew may have the fall of Jerusalem (ad 70) in mind.’ I think perhaps the unoccupied house is a person who has not embraced the Gospel upon hearing it? He helps them, but if they do not acknowledge him then they are worse off than before … Maybe someone can add to that!
My understanding is that when we repent of our sins, it doesn’t mean that trials or temptations won’t come again. In fact, satan will bring temptations to lure us in again, which is so important to guard our hearts all the time.