Month: January 2020

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Introduction

This one is pretty simple. Peter is writing to Christians in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), most likely from Rome in the early 60’s. Although there is no universal decree against Christians, even during the reign of Nero (who would use Christians as human torches in his garden), there are certainly pockets of persecution and pressure to either deny Jesus or express joint fealty between Him and the emperor. This theme under-girds the letter, reminding the recipients that following Jesus is a perseverance game and to delight not only in what awaits them in the afterlife but also in what that means for their current days on earth. Peter will be martyred within 5 years of this letter, crucified upside down next to his wife.

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Chapter 1

This letter is from Peter, a “sent one” of Jesus Christ. He’s writing to the elect exiles in various places of Asia Minor. Not to wade too far into what is an often contentious discussion, but the word “elect” here is linked to the items that follow, “…according to…” So, these folks are identified as “chosen” or “elect” based upon 1.) the foreknowledge of God, 2.) evidence of the work of the Spirit, 3.) their obedience to Jesus and 4.) because of what Jesus did on the cross. There is still a response, an obedience in here (as opposed to a blanket “God chose you and that’s it” type of thing) and this will generally drive the context as we continue to see language like this from Peter going forward.

Peter’s encouragement starting in v.3 is the assurance of not only what has been graciously given to these folks but of the fact that what awaits them is protected. Don’t read too quickly over “living hope” as it rightly casts the impact of how the promises of the future inform how we live today. We are a hopeful people, a joyful people, because we live in our current state full of anticipation of what is yet to come. If you’re missing this in your life, it may be because you’re missing a long-term view on not only what is yet to come but also how what you do today points to that and shares it with others.

This inheritance is imperishable, undefiled and unfading and they are being guarded as they wait by God’s power, even as they see persecution and trials currently. What feels odd here is the element of “testing” that Peter describes in this section. I think the right way to look at it is being able to see how God’s power has given you the ability to persevere through various circumstances, which actually results in your faith being emboldened because the genuineness of your faith is revealed to you through the trial. Refinement is good. Sometimes it seems corny when people talk about God putting them through a refining process, and it comes off that way because it implies God is doing something specifically that is more likely to be just a circumstance of the world. However, the concept is still good. We praise God when we find ourselves being sifted or tested because we know it produces stronger faith on the other side (or reveals no faith at all. Might as well deal with reality either way).

And this faith, worth more than the most refined gold, results in praise and glory and honor when Jesus is finally revealed forever. And this faith is all the more beautiful because these folks, like us, and unlike Peter, have never seen Jesus, yet they love him and believe in him and rejoice at what he has done. And like us, they obtain the outcome of that faith, that trust, and that’s the eternal reward and rest for our souls.

The anecdote about salvation is an interesting one, especially concerning Peter’s most likely Gentile audience here. He says that the prophets, whom the Holy Spirit worked through to proclaim that these things of Jesus would come to pass some day, were knowingly working in the service of those who get to experience the world post-Jesus. And the things these dispersed Christians now know are things the angels have longed to know. Nothing theologically huge here, just kind of an interesting perspective.

Peter ends the chapter talking about the right reaction today based upon what they know is ahead. Basically, in light of the promise, how then shall we live? Well, they keep calm, remain hopeful, and walk righteously by being obedient to Jesus and not falling back into old habits (like people who have no hope and don’t know any better. That’s not them and it’s not you either.) God is set apart from the world and he asks His people to be that same way as well. Once you proclaim your fealty to Jesus, you’re a citizen of His Kingdom which means your citizenship doesn’t belong to this earthly world and your behavior shouldn’t reflect it either. Live like a Kingdom citizen (see Matthew 5-7 for a quick reminder).

And as you call upon God as your Father (which indeed He is), stay consistent with the identity of people who are permitted to do such a thing. Basically, your relationship with God should be consistent. If you’re going to call Him Father, obey Him like one, don’t go back to your old ways acting as if your brother Jesus didn’t pay a huge ransom for your return to the family. Stay reverent, hopeful, obedient; it’s how you shall live as you wait to live forever.

The chapter ends with a note to remain steadfast (same theme), be confident in the good news you have heard and to love one another purely. Peter continues to intertwine forever promises of God with what that means for your day to day earthly living. It’s not just a “hey, you should consider doing x, y an z while you wait to go to heaven” Instead it’s, “Because heaven awaits you. live like this right now!”

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Chapter 2

Peter continues to lay out the reaction to the “…good news that was preached to you.” As we’ve noted before, what we’ve heard and what we believe impact what we do. Peter says this good news causes us to put away all evil, to speak only true things, whatever may result in them. I’ve found that’s a pretty good bell-weather on where I’m at in obeying Jesus, my willingness to tell the truth no matter the consequences. Watch yourselves, the minute you start couching stuff in half-truths, silence or flat out deceit, there are bigger things at risk in your life. Honesty is refreshing, necessary and the foundation of true freedom. Examine this directly in your life, anything short of integrity in this area is bondage and Jesus has more for you to do than shackle yourself yourself by doing dishonorable things to try and protect your honor (yes, it’s as silly as it sounds).

Peter uses the example of an infant, who will reject any other food except that which is pure and meant for it. Through that, they grow healthy into who they are meant to be. Similarly, as we pursue pure spiritual milk (Scripture, most likely), we grow healthy into the salvation that we have been given. Don’t get too caught up in this example, sometimes we read an implication that you “grow” into salvation as in you demonstrate that you’ve earned it. That’s not the case. It’s basically a connection of keeping what you take in pure so that you get the full freedom Jesus has given you. You take in less than that and it will result in you growing up and not getting the fullness of what Jesus died for. Don’t do that.

Then we get a cool reminder of who Jesus is and who we are in light of that. Jesus is a living stone, the foundation of a Kingdom built upon who He is and what He has done. In Him, we are a spiritual house (the new Temple, if you will. God’s presence used to be in the Holy of Holies in the Temple, it was the place where heaven and earth literally intersected. Now, the Spirit lives in us, we are where heaven and earth intersect.) And, we offer spiritual sacrifices (you can twist this all you want, but the sacrifice is ultimately your works. Think Romans 12 where Paul says we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. You’re taking your life and offering it to God as his to do with as He pleases. If that’s not appealing to you, you’re not ready for Kingdom living.)

The quote is from Isaiah 28 (read at least part of that, it’s fierce. Folk making covenants with death and Sheol like a bunch of goons and God pointing out how dumb that was to do.) In either case, the promise there, as well as here, was that God sets things right and rebuilds with a cornerstone that is true and right and those who believe in Him will not be put to shame, unlike those folks who have gone into cahoots with death.

Peter reasserts here that the honor is for you who believe (keep this in context, it’s important to not allow some of the words that follow drive you off a cliff.) Then he switches to what happens to those who don’t believe. They reject the cornerstone and the denial of that truth starts jacking with their lives. They disobey because they do not believe, as was always going to be the case. Don’t think “destiny” as in “God made sure it would happen this way because he doesn’t like these folks.” Think of it as a natural consequence, like the phrase, “those who ignore the past are destined to repeat it.” Because of something they are doing (not believing, rejecting the cornerstone), they disobey the word (obviously because they didn’t believe it in the first place).

But those who do believe are destined for other things. They are chosen to be a royal priesthood, a nation set apart from all else, belonging to God. If you didn’t know you were a priest, congratulations! Your Father gives good gifts and loves His children. Now, go forth in obedience, your majesty. And don’t forget what God has done for you. He has given you mercy and a fresh identity as His people, His church.

And…this Bud’s for you. Back to “how then shall we live?”, Peter says that us sojourners and exiles (from where? Earth. We’re Kingdom folk now, as soon as you commit to King Jesus you are now an alien in a foreign land), need to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. That’s not soft language, boys, and it ought not be. There is a war against your soul being waged on computer screens, mobile phones, magazines, your average beach, loose commitments, false promises, low-cut tops showing cleavage that doesn’t belong to you, and sundry other temptations and distractions that are meant to make you feel good while they stab you in the back, take your wallet and spit on your family. This is a war, fellas, and we often fight it with all the tenacity of a co-ed ping pong tournament where the loser buys a couple rounds of Milwaukee’s Best for the winner. If you’re not married to her, the sight or use of her parts doesn’t belong to you, even if she’s offering it, giving the image away for free, or making it easy to find on the internet. Gotta do things God’s way (remember, they’re His way for a reason, because He loves you and knows what’s best.) I don’t know a man who doesn’t struggle with this in some way or another, me included. Watch out for one another in this, be loving but be helpful, don’t forget we’re in a war here.

What’s the impact? Paul talks about others but Peter is aware here of how those who aren’t currently in God’s Kingdom will see it (because what you do matters.) Peter just got done laying the foundation of those who are holy, set apart for God, and their job is to act like it, be good examples, shine God’s goodness through in what you do.

The hard words continue. Peter says to not act like a bunch of anarchist apes when it comes to worldly powers and authorities. You follow Jesus, show respect to those in authority, and do good. The Lord seems to think that doing good will silence ignorant, foolish people, and it seems prudent to agree with Him on the matter. (This happened with Jesus, yes? One of the same soldiers who beat him on the way to the cross acknowledged that He was indeed the Son of God at the foot of the cross. His senseless, foolish talk and actions were silenced by the good Jesus has done and the way he handled himself.)

Tattoo option #2: Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. This stuff is so simple. God likes pure things. Live free for freedom’s sake, not as a facade so you can be shackled to sin. Be servants of God, do as He asks, for your joy, His glory and the benefit of others. Simple stuff. There’s no loophole, trapdoor or excuse; just do the thing and live in freedom.

Peter, deciding to put every possible point of contention in the same chapter, Peter addresses slaves and masters. Although not the same as slavery in America’s history, masters often mistreated those who worked for them (think indentured servants for a loose understanding of the arrangement, see study on 1 Timothy 6 for additional information.) Even so, Peter says to be faithful in the means, Do good even to those who do not do good to you. This has kind of been the theme here, God’s people staying faithful and true as an example to a blind and sinful world. It impacts Gentiles (non-believers), the emperor and his top man, as well as slave masters. Perseverance and persistence in the face of evil is where good shines the brightest.

And Jesus was the example. Jesus’ purity was so stark against the sinfulness that put him on the cross; the evil acts and treatment that physically made it happen. He left us an example that we may follow in his steps. This is radical trust in God to love those who hate you, serve those who mistreat you, be an example for good even when harsh words, violence, and other retaliations seem justified. Those are all reasonable in this world. But we’re Kingdom citizens, that’s not how Jesus fights so it’s not how we fight. Peter reiterates here that Jesus didn’t respond wrongly because he trusted himself to him who judges justly. When we take all that into our own hands, we basically tell God that we don’t trust that he’ll handle the situation rightly so we’re going to do the what needs to be done and yell at the guy who made us angry or puncture his car tires or cut the Mediacom cable on the outside of his house so he loses his 200 channels of crapola. We don’t do that stuff (ah hem, you know, anymore).

All this because…we’ve been healed. We were once like everyone else, but Jesus has sacrificed and served us that we may return to the good and perfect care of our Shepherd, the one who protects and keeps our souls. Jesus. And the guy that made you angry? He can have that, too. And you want it for him (start praying for him, you’ll find that you’re much more gracious with people when you’re praying for them.)

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Chapter 3

“Likewise…” If you’ve been playing along on the home game, alarms and whistles should be going off here. When sentences start with therefore, so, likewise, your immediate reaction should be to start looking for context. In this case, likewise tells us that what he is about to say about wives is similar to something he’s already talked about. On the more difficult side, the thing that is similar is his recent discussion on servants and their masters. (And…cue open season on reading this text lazily.)

Keep the whole sentence in context. Peter says wives should obey their husbands even if they don’t obey God’s word so that the respectful and pure conduct may be enough to win the husband to Jesus. See the connection now? Peter was advocating for the same thing for servants, that they persist in doing good even in the face of someone who is not treating them in the way they deserve. It’s a continuing theme as this was the same point Peter was making about abstaining from passions of flesh to remain a good example to those who don’t know Jesus.

The point is continued in the talk of not focusing on external adorning. The point is not that ladies can’t wear gold jewelry or nice clothing, it’s that true beauty that never dies and is precious in the sight of God are the things of the heart and the spirit. It is these same things that are intended to influence the husband who doesn’t know Jesus. It is a virtue to show honor to your husband (that’s what the Sarah submitting to Abraham story is for, “lord” is a reference of respect and honor).

Husbands, similarly, are called to show honor to their wives, living with them in a knowledgeable and understanding way. (This means you don’t get to be some kind of ape, you have to “know” your wife, do your best to understand her, care about what’s going on, etc.) Peter says she’s the weaker vessel, which seems to be a point of contention for some. However, ask any 8 year old and they will be able to tell you that, generally speaking, fellas are stronger than ladies. (Weaker “vessel”, think “container”. It’s a physical description, don’t over-invest beyond that.)

If ladies don’t follow Peter’s instruction, they may draw the wrong kind of attention and not make any progress with their non-believing husbands. If fellas don’t follow and care for their wives who share the grace of life with them, God may stop listening to their prayers. With the honor comes the responsibility, boys. And this doesn’t change the general description of Jesus for you to be a servant of all, that includes your wife. Jesus has high expectations for you as an example, fight for it.

This idea of sacrificing, perseverance and persistence in faith continues holistically. Peter encourages the church to stick together, love one another, care for and be kind, and don’t think higher of yourself than you should. You see evil or people hating, you don’t respond in kind. In fact, you bless them and in return you will be blessed. (I mean dang, evil comes your way and you are supposed to bless in return. Only in the Kingdom of Jesus can that be right. In any other circumstances it’s just foolish. Jesus makes all the difference, though.)

The quote is from Psalm 34. Read the whole Psalm, it certainly reinforces the point Peter is making here and is a cool reminder of how God is with us in our suffering. (I mean it, go read it. The point of studying Scripture isn’t speed or a false sense of human accomplishment, soak it in.) v.13 and forward continue on the same trajectory as the quoted Psalm.

Peter tells us we need to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Now, although we often use this verse as a foundation for having a good apologetics framework (the study of the defense of Scripture and the truth it contains), I think in context the real thrust is hope in the context of suffering. When folks see us persisting in good even in the midst of evil, in trust of God even when by the world’s standards things are not going well, can we provide an answer? Psalm 34 is exactly the type of answer we could provide, even further fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. So yes, it’s great to know and study answers to people’s big questions about God, faith, science, creation, etc., just remember that Peter’s more relevant point is faith in the goodness of God, the hope in his sovereignty, even in the face of danger, mistreatment, and evil.

And how do we give that defense? With gentleness and respect, with a clear conscience. Why? Because when people attempt to slander you because of what you believe and the things you are saying, your conduct will testify on your behalf. You may still suffer for it, yes, but Peter says it is better to suffer for doing good than to suffer anyway and do the wrong thing. We do it because Jesus did it first and we follow Jesus.

Then Peter talks about Jesus proclaiming to spirits in prison. How to understand this one will get you in a shank fight at a theologian’s Bible and brew event somewhere on the West coast. Some tie it to the connected Noah story and say that Jesus was proclaiming to those just prior to the flood “through” Noah and other prophets. I mean, ok, but that really seems to jump context since this “proclaiming” seems to follow Jesus’ death in Peter’s description. Other options include Jesus going to hell and giving people or angels second chances, which you’d kind of have to bend other Scripture around to make that seem reasonable. I probably lean on “they” being a broad group of people (those who rejected God’s promise to be rescued through water) who are now listening based upon the life and example of Jesus (and they are now rescued through baptism, identifying with this community of believers that follow Jesus.) This explanation makes a whole lot of sense relative to what Peter has been talking about the last two chapters (saying the example of persistence and suffering helps change folks.)

On baptism, certainly Jesus work on the cross saves you (Peter says that it is through the resurrection of Jesus you have the ability to appeal for a good conscience), but he is pretty clear on getting baptized. More Bible and brew debates aside, Jesus says to do it and we obey Jesus so just get it done. Think of it as the public celebration of you entering the Kingdom. If you haven’t done it as an adult, let’s figure it out directly, always a good reason to have a celebration!

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Chapter 4

Peter’s still building on what has come before it. We ended the last chapter with a reminder of what Jesus has done and what He is now doing (ruling over stuff), and are now presented with Him as an example of suffering. Of course, this order brings the servanthood and suffering of Jesus into stark relief given his true position in the grand scheme of things (compared to us who have no throne to descend from and who ultimately cause most of our own suffering.) In either case, we’re to follow Jesus (as always, that’s more literal than we tend to take. Do the things he did for the people he did in the way he did it.) In this case, we’re potentially suffering at the hands of people who don’t like to hear true things or who don’t like to stop doing things that they enjoy, even though they’re bad for them.

So, we follow Jesus, even in suffering. Doing so is pretty good evidence that you’ve taken up your cross and generally pretty alright on not following human passions (most people don’t consider suffering a passion except…well, nevermind.) I don’t think this sentence is intended to imply folks have stopped sinning completely just because they suffer, I think the gist is that when you’re being selfless and sacrificing for Jesus sin doesn’t present the same level of temptation. Kind of an idle hands kind of thing, just up a couple of notches.
So, we don’t end up living how those who aren’t part of the Kingdom live, no orgies or drinking parties or lawless idolatry. (Note that I gave three things from the list, one of which you know for sure is problematic, one you may not completely understand, and one you may consider a gray area up for debate. Peter doesn’t make those additional qualifications, just for the record.) Not being part of this kind of thing is surprising to those who are doing it but note that ol’ Pete says you still say out of it and that there’s ultimately a right and wrong side of things that that powerful judge of a character from the end of the last chapter will hold them to account.

Theology and Brews debate #3 comes from the gospel being preached to the dead. Although there are other viable options, I most lean on this being a sinner=dead, Kingdom person=living/spirit kind of action. The gospel goes to those who are dead (us, sinful humanity) that they might live (…in the spirit the way God does, ultimately us redeemed in Christ). Other options include Jesus preaching in hell or other types of oddness. Either way, I’m not too concerned that we’re missing the heart of Jesus by not having a firm grasp on what Peter is getting at here.

And in case the preaching to the dead thing doesn’t grab your attention, Peter brings to reminder that the end of all things is at hand. This ties a little into how you may believe Jesus second coming is to occur but I generally read this to be an acknowledgment that all the things that needed to be completed prior to Christ’s return are done. He could show up at any time and close down the whole show. I don’t believe it requires us to think that Peter believed Jesus would return imminently in that time.

Notice, though, that he introduces the fact that the end of all things is at hand just so he can use a “therefore” to tell you how we should live in light of that. The Lord could return at any time so keep it under control, play it cool for the sake of your prayers (so if you can’t keep it cool and don’t know how to treat your wife, Peter basically implies you’re talking to yourself when you’re praying.) Above all of that, love each other, forgive each other, show hospitality to one another without complaining.

The gift thing is kind of interesting, the implication is that your gifts are intended to serve others and it is through those that, at least in part, God’s grace is distributed to the world. When you don’t use your gifts in that way, you’re a poor steward of what the Lord has given you. Dang, fellas. Focus on that over the next few days/weeks. Petition God, see if you can discover anywhere where you are denying grace to the world and being a poor steward of your gifts. They aren’t there to glorify you, that’s for sure. Put them to proper use.

Then back to suffering. Peter expects suffering so much that he posits some kind of Christian doofus who would act surprised that a trial has come upon him (a fiery one at that.) Not only should we expect it, we should rejoice in it! When we share in the same suffering that Jesus did, Peter says the glory of God is revealed. (This is interesting, certainly, in light of Peter’s own death on a cross where he asked to be crucified upside down, not feeling worthy to die in the exact same way as Jesus did.)

Where people insult you, you are blessed. It’s the whole deal, the world is turned upside down. This is no half-in Kingdom, we’re rejecting the way the world thinks and trading it for what Jesus thinks. They insult you, Jesus says it’s a blessing. They call it suffering, you call it glory. I didn’t fully feel the weight of these dichotomies until I began thinking of what I was teaching my children, what I was asking them to do and how to live. I’m teaching them to accept insults from the world, to suffer as need be. It puts the demands of the Kingdom and the fealty to Jesus in the right relief to place those same things onto the heads of your children. It kind of hit me hard at the time in the sense that it became more real to me personally as well.

The Old Testament rounds out the chapter with references from Ezekiel and Malachi, as well as Proverbs. Broad point is that there is a purification within God’s people, a refining. Suffering seems to serve this purpose, in addition to being a good witness to those around us. And they need it, because if the righteous are scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

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Bible Study 1 Peter

1 Peter | Chapter 5

The normalization and expectation of suffering (even as a potential purifier of the church) leads to a call for those who lead and influence God’s people to stay on their game. Peter’s in this business, has been for a long time, so he knows the right ways to get things done. Basic instructions are to 1.) exercise oversight, basically, do the work, take the responsibility, 2.) do it willingly, 3.) lead humbly for the benefit of those you serve, just like family headship, elder-action is a call to service and sacrifice, 4.) be a an example (we saw this over and over again in Paul’s letters as well. Follow me as I follow Christ, that’s the deal.)

If you’re younger, let faithful folks who the Lord has called lead you. And for both leaders and otherwise, wear humility like a cloak, let it surround you and be with you always. God opposes the proud (it’s really the root of all sin), but God will react with grace when you act in humility. Not to let this slip by too quickly, every thing you’ve ever hidden from someone has pride at its root. Unconfessed sin, fear of sharing good news, lacking of service to others; pride undergirds all of these. Be careful on this. You’re likely not falling for abrasive, obvious pride issues but you are likely susceptible to much more insidious versions of pride (illusions of your own importance, protecting your image in lieu of repentance, half-truths about how things currently are. All risky.)

Humility, Peter tells us, leads to exaltation (by the mighty hand of God, who offers much better exaltation than whoever you’ve been trying to impress up to this point.) And to be clear, humility isn’t asking you to think less of yourself, it’s to act lower than what you are owed in the service of others because that’s how the Kingdom measures greatness. We’re a kingdom of priests, after all, we are certainly lifted up by the good graces of the King. But in response, we follow the example of the King and live in service to Him and the world He is calling to repentance and redemption. He knows what he’s calling you to, and cares for you greatly, so go to Him with your anxieties.
All the same, keep your eyes open and know that there is an enemy who is after you. Although some think there is true application to this broadly, the context here most likely points to buckling under the weight of suffering and anxiety, especially in attempts to retain humility (pride is a very strong temptation, as the Tempter himself could attest.) But be watchful, know that you are surrounded by a community who suffers along with you and a God who will bear you up. (Notice that many of the persecution and martyrdom accounts both inside and outside of Scripture have moments of calm and joy in the midst of them.)

In the end, you’re in God’s hands. You have been called to eternal glory and will be restored, confirmed, strengthened and established by Almighty God. It comes down to faith, trust. If God is who He says He is and keeps his promises, earthly suffering and anxiousness and whatever else are a small price to pay (and price that comes with the honor of serving He who loves better than anyone ever.) If not, well, the suffering is foolish and wasted.

The letter ends with references to a few known characters. Silvanus (or Silas) seems to be the man who delivered the letter for Peter, who thinks highly of him. As with any writer, Peter hopes they read it and, you know, pay attention to what’s in there. Also, he passes on greetings from “she who is at Babylon”. THIS COULD BE SOMEONE SUPER MYSTERIOUS!!! Or, as NT authors tend to do, they refer to Rome as Babylon, a stock OT character for a government or system who opposes God or His authority. The church in Rome says “Hi”. That makes more sense than some conspiratorial anger.

Finally, he mentions Mark, the John Mark who’s Mom likely owned the house the Upper Room from Acts was in and the same Mark who is believed to have written his gospel based upon the sermons/teachings of Peter himself. Peter’s obvious fondness for him (calling him “son”, much like how Paul refers to Timothy) affirms the likelihood the story of his authorship of the gospel as true.

Peter says peace to all those in Jesus, he out.

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Bible Study Jonah

Jonah | Chapter 4

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was angry.” What’s that you say? The “it”, the repentance of Nineveh and the relentance (not a real word) of God. The thing that generally makes us rejoice (and that we find ourselves part of not all that often) has pissed Jonah off. It all comes together here. Up to this point, we haven’t been told why Jonah fled from God’s command. He doesn’t mention it on the boat, he doesn’t mention it in his prayer and it doesn’t come up as part of his explanation of what happened in the city. Up to now, we just have a dude who heard God and thought he’d do the other thing. Now he speaks.

“That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” Ah, this seems outlandish, but as with the rest of the story, I think there is more here for us than perhaps we first note. You see, at its core this is a gap between our sense of justice and God’s. It’s a gap between what we think people deserve and what God does. You might not be currently plotting to flee Christ to deny a major city God-offered salvation, but it’s possible that there are certain people who you think deserve the full force of whatever justice God has coming because of how they’ve treated you. It’s possible that you are surrounded by one or more people who are inept, selfish, lazy, stupid, evil, deceitful, rude, hurtful, prideful baboons (or any combination therein) and you can think of nothing better than they receive their comeuppance.

I’m not saying that any of those adjectives don’t accurately and adequately describe these people that are around you. However, picture that person or persons in your mind. And now imagine what it would be like for you to approach them straight on with an offer from God for all of their ineptness, selfishness, laziness, evilness, pride, deceit, etc. to be forgiven. And as part of that, realize that they won’t get the comeuppance they truly deserve. They will not feel the weight of the hurt they have caused others, they will not suffer for their foolishness, they will not “learn their lesson”. In short, in your eyes, justice will not be done.

Will you make the offer? Will you take the good news to this baboon who doesn’t deserve it? Who, if all was right in the world, would face the consequences they have earned? And before you answer, consider whether that is true of your life. You have sinned against man and God. Every deceit, every harsh word, every dirty thought, all of it. The cost of this is death (I know, you think it’s harsh, but all of these degrade a perfect creation, one God has intended to live forever. This sin has tainted it, separating you from a perfect Creator and trashing the perfect Creation around you with selfish things that are intended to either serve or protect you and you alone at the expense of those around you.) So you deserve death. That’s just. It’s right. It’s the truth.

But you, follower of Jesus, will not die. Because you did something to redeem yourself? No, we both know you haven’t done anything that could put all that you’ve done wrong back to right. You couldn’t do it even if you wanted to, and if we’re honest, you don’t spend all that much time wanting to and even less time actually trying. No, you will live forever because at some point, through someone or some circumstance, you came to hear of the good news; the news that Jesus came to pay the penalty for all that you have done. That Jesus came to deny you your comeuppance, to refuse your enemies the satisfaction of everything you’ve done wrong piling upon your head and squashing you unto death. That, if you would trust him and pledge fealty to the Him as your King, he would declare you “not guilty” and insist that everyone in His Kingdom treat you as such.

Did you deserve that? Of course not, you deserved to be buried under the weight of all you’ve done to jack up a perfect world. But God disagrees. He says justice is the offering of forgiveness. He says justice is the chance to repent and be redeemed and to have your offenses forgiven forever. That’s what God says is just. Do you agree with that for you? Do you agree with God’s justice when it comes to those inept baboons? And do you agree with God’s call that it is likely you personally who is to take the good news of God’s justice to those very baboons? Now you understand Jonah’s position better. It’s still ridiculous, but perhaps how you view those around you shares a bit of that as well.

Back to Jonah. He proposes that because God has shown mercy to the Ninevites, it is better that he die. And the Lord casually asks whether his anger is really appropriate. No answer from Jonah, who heads outside of the city, prepares a tent for himself (that’s the booth), and hangs out to see what would happen to the city. He seems to still be hopeful that God will destroy it, otherwise why wait and watch? Perhaps he thinks God’s question about anger to him is rhetorical, like, “don’t overreact Jonah, you know I’m going to lay waste to these posers anyhow. West Coast!” (I hope we would all agree the Lord would not react like a Cali gangster.)

In response to this, God calls nature into action. He “appoints” this plant just like he “appoints” the fish to get Jonah from the sea. The Lord has this thing under control. Anyway, he creates a giant plant to give Jonah shade while he waits. Jonah is “exceedingly glad” for this personal comfort (mirroring his “exceedingly angry” reaction to Ninevah’s repentance.) Then, God puts the plant under siege by a worm, exposing Jonah to a harsh east wind and sun. Jonah then returns to the thought that death might be the right answer given how uncomfortable all of this is for him.

God asks him the same question as before, except for this time it’s directed at whether it seems ok for Jonah to be angry that the plant has been destroyed. Giving up all pretense, Jonah affirms that he indeed is right to be angry, even unto death!” This is what you look like when arguing with God about justice as well.

God makes a pretty reasonable argument in response. Basically, you pity the plant that you had no part of creating or sustaining and that was only around for day. It’s perishing is enough to anger you so that you think dying is the right reaction. Yet, God shows pity on over 100,000 folks who were blind to knowing the true God and you’re upset at that? Perhaps the presence of a bunch of cattle could at least rile up from sympathy from you?

And the book ends with no answer from Jonah to God’s question.

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Bible Study Jonah

Jonah | Chapter 3

Chapter 3 starts very similarly to chapter 1. God calls Jonah to “Arise…” and go to Ninevah and, “…call out against it…” this time in the message God will tell him (instead of something about their evil coming to God’s attention, which was the last part of that same declaration in chapter, verse 2). This time, Jonah obeys.

Nineveh as a “great city” is kind of interesting. The ESV footnote has it saying, ”great city to God”, implying that it holds value to him in some way or another. That said, the rest of the sentence that footnote comes from talks about the size of the city itself and how long it takes to get across it. Not sure any of this makes a difference in the interpretation.

Only other thing to note is that being called a “great city” seems to imply eventual doom in the Bible as this reference is constantly being used to major earthly cities that are positioned against God. (See Revelation 11 for an interesting twist where Jerusalem is tagged with this distinction as well.) For references, see here: http://bit.ly/2v1Gisz

Jonah enters Ninevah and preaches the long and short of it: “40 days and Nineveh will be overthrown!”. Great, we think, he’s finally done what YHWH told him to do. But that’s not really what happened. We’re told that Ninevah is a 3 day’s journey but Jonah only goes a day in. He basically doesn’t go all the way to where the king is at to take the prophecy directly to him. He also doesn’t tell the people who will bring the prophecy to fruition (God, of course, but he doesn’t message it) nor does he provide any indication of what it would look like to repent. While God intends for a call to repentance, Jonah is mute on who (lest they try and petition YHWH to relent) and that there is even a chance for repentance. What looks likes obedience is not really that at all.

Either way, what Jonah ultimately proclaims is a call to destruction, Sodom and Gomorrah style. And the people receive it! I mean, they straight up accept the warning and believe it, calling for a fast, throwing on sackcloth (an indication of mourning and repentance) and turn from their ways. Even the king reacts to the same message, arising from his throne (notice his obedience in arising to mourn and repent in reaction to God’s word vs. Jonah’s failure to “arise” in similar obedience.)

We shouldn’t miss the reactions here as a whole. What you believe is reflected in what you do. When Jonah speaks, people believe God and mourn, repent and hope that God will relent so that they will not perish. There’s a consistent theme here of pagans/gentiles being concerned about people being saved compared to Jonah’s relative lack of concern for the matter. His obedience to God leads to their repentance, even if he did it begrudgingly, but we are probably well-served by the reminder that we are bearers of Good News (certainly more positively framed than what Jonah had to say) and people can be saved because of it.

And God does indeed relent, deciding not to destroy them in response to their repentance. Sounds like a good end of the story, except this story isn’t about the Ninevites really, it’s about Jonah (and likely Israel by extension). Thus we anticipate chapter 4.

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Bible Study Jonah

Jonah | Chapter 2

Notice that even the fish is obedient to God, along with the pagans and the sea; basically everyone obeys God in this book except His prophet. 

In chapter 2, Jonah prays. I think we should read this with a bit of skepticism, especially in light of his actions later on. That said, his full commitment and right submission to God in one breath and a total flip-flop with his actions in the next is something we’ve already seen in chapter 1 and is kind of the M.O. of most Christians so perhaps it’s not that far fetched.  

Jonah prays from the belly of a giant fish. His situation is a desperate one as he starts to feel the weight of being chased down by God Himself. Although the “…belly of Sheol” is obviously figurative (since he wasn’t literally in the place of the dead), any situation without God sending a giant fish to give him refuge would have ended up there so it’s certainly a relevant perspective.  

I do wonder if we’re supposed to get an image of those who were not Noah and his family from the “…and the flood surrounded me, all your waves and your billows passed over me” stuff. Jonah was thrown into an existing body of water, not a flash flood or something. He could be using the language to reflect the positioning of him not repenting and basically facing God’s consequences (although God’s patience and persistence are the prime aspects of this whole book.)  

In fact, the back half of the prayer trades between a reminder of the circumstances Jonah has brought upon himself through rebellion and God’s patience within it. Jonah has hope that he will pray again, on dry land, towards the Temple (like a good Jewish boy.) Then  back to the situation, which pictures nature surrounding him, almost attacking him, and being near death (that’s the “…land whose bars closed upon me forever”, which is again Sheol action.) Then the  reminder that God brought him up from the pit (not literally, he was rescued from death by the fish/whale/creature.)  

The temple image shows back up again, with God hearing the prayers of the man who was perishing in his own rebellion. (Ah hem, like the mariners. And the Ninevites. Will this lesson be lost on him? Yes, yes it will.) He brings in a reference to those who follow false idols as bad and his thanksgiving voice and sacrifice as good. This is ironic, of course, because the only folks who have sacrificed so far to God in the story are those who were likely vain idol-followers prior to this Jonah incident on their boat. 

Regardless of whether Jonah lacks integrity here, his words about God are still true. Salvation does indeed belong to the Lord. And, as we will see again in a story of Jesus asking for a fish to spit something out, God talks to the fish and Jonah gets expelled onto dry land, hopefully to fulfill what God told him to do in the first place. Notice that even the fish is obedient to God, along with the pagans and the sea; basically everyone obeys God in this book except His prophet. 

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Bible Study Jonah

Jonah | Chapter 1

The opening cuts to the quick. The word of the Lord comes to Jonah (in some way or another) instructing him to head to Nineveh and call out their evil because God has caught wind of it (as He tends to do). Nineveh is in the heart of Assyria, and although they are weakened at the moment, it’s not an intriguing proposition to be sent to in effect “serve” the city by warning them on God’s behalf. So, Jonah decides to haul tail the other way.

God tells him to “arise” and do what he’s told to do (kind of the prophet’s job) and Jonah instead decides to rise and go to the port city of Joppa so he can catch a skiff heading due west, the opposite direction of Nineveh which lies to the north and east. This man, who supernaturally received the word of the Lord appears foolish enough to think he will physically flee from the “presence of the Lord”. Silly prophet.

Now, we laugh at Jonah for being ridiculous, but given the calls to serve others and make disciples that are clear words from the Lord to us, I’m confident you’ve hitched a boat to Tarshish many a time instead of doing the thing that God called you to do. That’s not a clever anecdote, boys, put the think on it.

God, of course, wants this thing accomplished and he appears to want Jonah to do it. So, he sends a storm to bring attention to that matter. The other sea-faring folk, a superstitious group as sailors tend to be, start chucking stuff off to reduce weight and crying out to their respective “gods”. Jonah, on the other hand, is taking a snoozer in the inner part of the boat. (This story should sound familiar, Jesus kind of does the same thing. Although, he was being obedient and Jonah was being a doofus, so, there’s that.)

Again, someone has to come to Jonah and say, “Arise…”, a call to a legit prophet who actually does work for the legit Lord God to wake up and pray so that people could be saved. He’s already bailed on this responsibility once to work with God and save the Ninevites, he’s now given chance number 2. Note, here, that the pagan sailors have a better concept of the power and sovereignty of “god” (in principle), even if this concept may not have them thinking in the beginning of the true God. Of course, the one guy on the boat who could speak to that is sleeping. (Ah hem, application, ah hem, for you…yes you.)

Then they cast lots, kind of like picking marbles out of bag and the dude who gets the black marble is the trouble maker. This isn’t just for pagan action, God’s people did this as well and just trusted God would handle the outcome. Scripture seems to at least passively affirm this practice, although I’m not sure if that has implications for whether we are to carry around a bag of marbles for similar occasions or not. Either way, Jonah gets pegged, sailors interrogate him and find out that he is Hebrew who “fears” the Lord God of heaven “…who made sea and the dry land.” Jonah is a real piece of work. His actions don’t obviously match his supposed “fear” of God and his belief that He controls the land and sea (which ironically is after him at the moment).

And the reaction of the mariners seems fitting. “What is this that you have done?” I get that we’re surrounded by a bunch of people who currently don’t know God, but once they start to open their eyes to it they’ll look at the Christians around them who haven’t said anything to them and who largely bailed on what God had them up to and say, “What is this that you have done?”

Either way, the problem is solved by them chucking Jonah out of the boat, a suggestion made by Jonah himself. Although he didn’t just jump in, I do wonder if that was an option. Was it important that he be thrown in by the boat bros? It’s unclear. They first tried to solve problems the man way, rowing harder, trying to get away from the problem. That fails. Then they, the pagan sailors, cry out to the Lord, ask for forgiveness for the throwing of a man overboard that is about to commence, and hope that it pleases Him. Then they chuck Jonah, offer a sacrifice and make vows (kind of a thing that happens when people rightly fear God.)

Then Jonah gets swallowed by a giant fish and is trapped in there for the 3 days. You know, like can happen.