Sojourning Under the Sun: Our Sabbath Jesus (Matthew 1)

The name Jesus is a name that we have heard before in this series because it is the same name as Joshua.  Joshua was a great military leader and reformer in the midst of Israel.  He called Israel to look to their God, to serve their God exclusively, and to set the tone for their houses to serve the Lord.  Israel fell pretty far from this as a new people.  Their priests lost sight of their God, and the people lost sight of the priest’s significance.  The priest was supposed to bring them to God rather than being some sort of good luck charms to manipulate the true God.  So, is the Lord able to redeem such a people?  If the Lord can redeem such a people then who has to be the redeemer?

The Christmas Servant (Isaiah 50:4-51:16)

The servant is the one who lives out the promises of the Lord.  This is great, it is encouraging, and it is very significant for his mission.  However, why would we appeal to this text for Christmas rather than Isaiah 9 or Isaiah 7 if we were going to use a passage from Isaiah?  What does this servant teach us about the significance of Christmas?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Anti-Sabbath (Judges 19)

There are stories in the Bible where we can see the victory of God’s plan working out.  We think of Moses leading israel out of Egypt.  That is a great story and a great time in covenant history.  We think of Joshua saying his farewell to Israel.  Yes, it is tragic to say good-bye to godly leader.  However, at the same time there is the wonderful reminder for Israel to see that their life and identity is to be found in the Lord and the Lord alone.  There are also other stories in the Bible that are just downright tragic.  Judges 19 recalls such a tragic history where a Levite should know better, but he refuses to do what is honorable to the Lord.  So, what do we make of Judges 19 with the Levite and his concubine?  What does this reveal about our sojourning under the sun?

An Unarmed Warrior (Isaiah 49:1-13)

The promised warrior is supposed to secure a life that never ends.  You would expect such a warrior to be well armed, and be dressed for battle in the most intimidating way.  This is what we want as humans to know that this warrior is an intimidating being.  The problem with this is it is not the picture that Isaiah casts for the redeeming warrior.  What kind of warrior will deliver and why is this the warrior that we need?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Ironic Cleansing (Judges 16)

Hopefully Samson has learned that his desires and his departing from his nazarite vow has not brought him the relief that he wanted.  In fact, his trying to be an ordinary man has not made his life easier, but more difficult.  Will Samson fulfill his mission?  Will Samson be able to rise up and fulfill his mandate?

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A Weak Warrior (Isaiah 42:1-9)

We can talk about the Advent of Christ, but do we really understand the nature of his mission?  Do we really understand the state of His people?  We can claim that this is only a problem for Israel, but are they the only broken people in the Lord’s Word?  How does this old prophet relate to us today?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Ironic Cleaning (Judges 14)

Samson’s family has lost sight of Israel’s significance in the grand scheme of life right now.  One would hope that Samson would provide the deliverance that Israel needs.  Samson is certainly the judge that Israel deserves, but does Samson actually provide any cleansing for Israel?

Wisdom Through Experience (Job 21:1-34)

The counselors have been very clear that you reap exactly what you sow and there is nothing more and nothing less that is present.  Job wants to know if the counselors have surveyed anyone with this claim or if this is just what they believe and think.  Job invites the counselors to interact with the common person on the street to see what such a person might say about the wicked receiving instant justice.  What wisdom has Job gleaned through his experience?

No, You Are Wicked! (Job 20:1-29)

It is time for Zophar to express his concerns regarding Job’s convictions.  He is going to continue his conviction about traditional wisdom making clear that this is the wisdom that has been manifested since man walked the earth.  If Zophar has surveyed human history then he has to be right in his assessment of the problem right?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Stall…. Again (Judges 13)

Joshua left God’s people in a good place as people who can find rest in the land.  In many ways they were tasting a promised sabbath rest in the land that God had given them.  The Lord has been merciful to His people and has given them judges to rule over them, to deliver them, and to provide some wise guidance.  Judges records for us a tragic history of Israel continually sliding down away from the Lord, but the Lord still gives them a judge.  What is the significance of Samson?  How does he represent the current state of Israel? 

My Redeemer! (Job 19:1-29)

Job continues to consider his life, his struggle, and what he has become.  He has moved from a man who possessing great prestige in society, among the wealthiest, but has been reduced to one who hopes that there is someone who will take his case to the highest court.  In chapter 19 Job moves from one who hopes there is a lawyer/advocate who can plead his case to now clinging to a redeemer.  Why is this is a significant shift for Job?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath? (Joshua 24)

The people of Israel are about to find themselves in a situation where they are no longer lead by a physical leader.  This is Joshua’s farewell and it would see that as Israel is now situated in the land that Israel has secured rest.  First, why should Israel want to enjoy the rest?  Second, how is Israel supposed to transform this land?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Warrior (Joshua 5)

The people of Israel finally have the joy of celebrating their passover in the promised land.  They are finally cut off from the manna that sustained their life in the wilderness.  Now, it is time for them to secure this land.  Will Israel recognize that it has been the Lord this whole time sustaining and giving them life?  Will Israel see that God is the one who fights for His people?  How is our Lord going to communicate this to the Israelites?

Repent! (Job 18:1-21)

Job has made a passionate speech about someone taking his case to the heavenly courts.  He is done with the counselors for they are not taking his case seriously.  Bildad has heard these words and he responds to Job.  Will this man, who is most likely a grandson of Abraham, respond with the promises of the Gospel?  Will they come together and realize that maybe the Lord’s purpose is bigger than their understanding?

You Lousy Witnesses! (Job 16-17)

The interactions between Job and the counselors has not been overly positive.  In fact, Job has been beaten up pretty badly in this process and their interactions have by and large bypassed each other.  One would hope that at some point the gospel would come out.  Unfortunately, Job continues to cling to his righteousness, but is he beginning to see that his righteousness is not enough?  Is Job finally starting to see that retreating into the pit of Sheol is not a refuge at all?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Restoring (Deut. 32)

Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell address to Israel.  This address is tragic as Moses is about to die.  However, the day Moses delivers this speech is not just a day of mourning because this is a context where Moses is close to passing the baton to Joshua. Israel is about to finally enter into the promised land.  Is this finally a time when the Sabbath will be fully realized?  Is Moses optimistic about Israel’s performance?  What does Moses have to say as he says goodbye to this exodus people?

New Wisdom or Shouting Louder? (Job 15:1-35)

The book Job progresses into the second cycle of speeches.  Job and the counselors have had a few interactions regarding Job’s trial.  You would hope that they would start to think about this life and suffering in light of the Gospel rather than whether or not Job is righteous enough for God to love him.  So, as we start the second cycle do they actually start talking about a cross shaped logic/wisdom or do they just shout louder? 

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Mission (2) (Deuteronomy 7:1-26)

Israel has a very unique mission to go and establish a heavenly kingdom on this earth.  They have a unique calling to dominate a land, setup a place for God to dwell, and worship our God in the midst of the Canaanite land.  One would think that Israel has this calling because they are a great people with a wonderful history.  Does the Lord pick them because there is something special about them as a people?  Or does the Lord pick them to make clear that there is something special about God?

God Needs to Listen! (Job 13:6-14:22)

Job has tried to reason with the men who have come to encourage him.  However, in Job’s mind he is not gaining any traction.  The counselors are still convinced that Job has unconfessed sin or a specific sin that warrants God’s punishment.  The irony is that Job and the counselors are not in complete disagreement, but Job has been trying to tell the counselors that there is something wrong with the world as they know it.  What is Job going to say to the Lord? What is the basis of Job’s trial?

Is Wisdom Traditional? (Job 12:1-13:6)

We can learn a lot from tradition and from many who have gone before us.  We can learn because they are people who have had struggles, setbacks, and experienced success like we have.  We can learn how to cope in each of these situations from the generations before us.  However, Job does not seem that persuaded by the generations who have gone before him.  In fact, Job pretty much rebukes the counselors for listening to wisdom that is traditional for them.  What is Job’s problem?  Why does Job seem to doubt the credibility of wisdom and those who have gone before him?