Nebi Samwil

Todd Bolin has an excellent discussion of a recent Biblical Archaeology Review article on Nebi Samwil. Todd demonstrates persuasively that one of the premises in the BAR article, that Nebi Samwil is Mizpah is incorrect.

"Does a Literal Translation Matter with a Digital Bible?"

Hall Harris has an interesting post in which he asks, "Does a Literal Translation Matter with a Digital Bible?" Make sure that you also read the comments posted as well.

Substitutionary Atonement and Proverbs

Dan Phillips at the Pyromaniacs blog has an interesting two-part post on "Substitutionary Atonement and Proverbs" here and here.

Father, Son and Spirit: The Trinity and John’s Gospel

See Andreas Köstenberger's blog for a write up on his forthcoming book entitled Father, Son and Spirit: The Trinity and John’s Gospel.

Genesis 1 and Creation

John MacArthur at Pulpit Magazine has a couple of posts on "Genesis 1 and Biblical Authority" and "Taking Genesis at Face Value."

Bible Quiz Boycott

A story in the Jerusalem Post notes that,

A group of religious Zionist rabbis have called for a boycott of this year's International Bible Quiz after discovering that one of the four finalists from Israel is a Messianic Jew who believes Jesus is the true Messiah.

John Hannah on Job 38-42

The latest PreachingTodaySermons.com e-mail newsletter has the following points from John Hannah on Job 38-42.

Is There Any Comfort?
by John Hannah
Text: Job 38-42
Topic: How God comforts us even when there are no answers
Big Idea: When Job questioned God, God responded not with answers, but with his character, which brought Job comfort.
Keywords: Comfort; God, goodness of; God, sovereignty of; Peace; Suffering

Introduction: God's deepest comforts are not attached to answers.

Job shares some insights gained on the anvil of experience.

• Job lost everything - possessions, family, health - and had 3 lousy friends to boot.
• Job answers his friends with 3 answers: one correct answer, but 2 wrong ones:
  - He's correct to say it wasn't his personal sin that caused his tragedy.
  - He's incorrect to say 1) God is uncaring, and 2) God is not in control.
• We sometimes make the same incorrect assumptions about God when in crisis.
• In Job 31:35, Job asks the universal question: "Why?"

God responds to Job's questions.

• Job 38-42 is the longest discourse in the Bible in which God speaks.
• God responds to Job's questions by raising seventy questions of his own.
• In Job 38:4-39:30, God answers Job's charge that he is unkind.
• In Job 40:6-41:34, God answers Job's charge that he is not in control.

Job responds to God's replies.

• In Job 40:3, Job essentially says he has no right to accuse God of not caring.
• In Job 42:6, Job repents for saying God didn't care.
• The point: Job had a terrific change of mind, even though God gave no answers.
• Job found comfort not in answers, but in God's revealed character. We can too.
  - Illustration: Hannah tells of the time his wife discovered a lump on her breast, and he found comfort in God's character.

Conclusion: What is the source of your comfort? The answer is in God's character.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13: A Summary

In 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13, Paul continues to respond to criticisms leveled against him by some in Thessalonica. Apparently his opponents suggested that he did not really care about them, an attitude confirmed by his failure to make a return visit to the church. Paul addresses this spurious criticism in at least four ways.

First, Paul tells the Thessalonians that despite the criticism he has received he still cares for them deeply, and thus, desires to revisit them, and rejoices in them, especially in light of the expectation of Christ’s return (2:17–20). Paul’s failure to pay a return visit was not spiritual indifference but rather satanic interference (v. 18).

Second, Paul tells the Thessalonians that although he could not come personally, his concern for them was reflected in the fact that Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage them (3:1–5). Paul’s explanation that “we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone” should be read in light of the difficulties and challenges of ministry in a pagan environment and the uncertainties of travel and communication in the ancient world. Yet Paul was willing to sacrifice the support and companionship of one of his most trusted coworkers for the Thessalonians sake. How many pastors today would be willing to release a key member of their ministry team for the welfare of another church?

Third, Paul gives evidence of his concern for the Thessalonians by noting his rejoicing at Timothy’s return and positive report and by his desire to return to them for further ministry (3:6–10). Paul was comforted: “now we really live” (vv. 7–8), thankful (v. 9, cf. 1:2; 2:13), and prayerful (v. 10–13). Coincidentally, note that Paul prays for three things: (1) that he might come again (v. 11b); (2) that they might continue in love (v. 12); (3) that they might be consecrated in holiness (v. 13).

I conclude with the following observations/questions/ applications.

• One of the undeniable observations that can be made in this passage is Paul’s great love and concern for the church. Do you take your church for granted? Are you concerned for your fellow believers? If not, commit yourself to becoming personally involved in the mission and ministry of the church. Where there is commitment there will be concern.
  
• The Christian dynamic involves having a faith toward God and love for one another (v. 6).