Sanctify! TNBS

TNBS Blogging returns with the Shema

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011, we began a journey through the Shema readings.

We started with Deut. 6:4-7, about which I will post more later.

We're also experimenting with a new preparation method: we prep by writing out the passage and then journaling questions and ponderings. We're still working out what the in-person study looks like.

What’s the difference between “knowing about” and “knowing””?

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:59:00 +0000

In our brief study of Bel and the Dragon this past Tuesday, three key topics rose in the discussion: culture, canon, and Trinity. For each of these, there is an important difference between “knowing about” the topic and “knowing” it.

Knowing about culture involves research and dabbling, while knowing culture involves lived experience.
Knowing about the canon involves bibliology and history, while knowing canon involves personal recognition.
Knowing about the Trinity involves philosophy and creeds, while knowing the Trinity involves relational dependence.

Though Bel and the Dragon is not inspired Scripture, it highlights an important truth that is also central to the canonical book of Daniel: Daniel was able to stand firm, not because he was theologically or culturally informed, but because he was personally dependent on Yahweh, whom he knew and loved.

If leadership is not decision-making, then what is it?

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Last night at TNBS, we discussed a post on Alan Knox's blog: Leadership is Not Decision-Making. Alan offers that leadership is about service. We agree and through our normal tangentizing method, we discussed many things. These are my conclusions based on our discussion.

I propose three tasks under the general heading of service: prayer, pondering, and policy-making. Regarding this, I ask the following of my fellow TNBSers and of the leaders of TFB.

What if praying transformed from duty, through modeling toward dialogue with God?
What if pondering transformed from knowledge, through wisdom toward relationship with God?
What if policy-making transformed from safety, through growth toward Kingdom?
What if serving transformed from skills, through delegation toward communal partnership?

Over the course of such transformation, what might we become?

Isaiah 63-64

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:17:00 +0000

remember the past
know, confess to, call yahweh
see his face again

Isaiah 61-62

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:28:00 +0000

woe, destruction gone
messiah comes with mission
respond with hope, praise

Isaiah 60

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:06:00 +0000

yahweh's light rises
drawn nations gather and serve
blessings to zion

Isaiah 59

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:14:00 +0000

injustice abounds
yahweh plows through fully armed
redeemed will proclaim

Isaiah 58

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:13:00 +0000

what's this ritual
worship pleases and blesses
seek yahweh's pleasure

Isaiah 56-57

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:49:00 +0000

shelter for rejects
malfeasant leaders questioned
healing for contrite

Isaiah 56-66

noreply@blogger.com (Sanctify!) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:23:00 +0000

56-57: Contrast of obedient outsiders and insiders with disobedient aloof insiders

56:1-8 Yahweh offers shelter to all who trust in him, even those rejected by the "religious."
56:9-57:13 Yahweh exposes the malfeasance of Israel's wicked leaders and interrogates them.
57:14-21 Yahweh brings healing to all who come and are contrite; the muckraking wicked receive no peace.

58: Honest obedience is blessed; dishonest obedience is cursed

58:1-5 Yahweh introduces Israel's hypocritical worship and demanding prayers to Isaiah; Yahweh counters Israel's shallow, needy righteousness with a pointed query into the heart behind ritual.
58:6-12 Worship of Yahweh, lived out in loving justice for the other, pleases Yahweh and results in the blessings and light bearing of a life well lived.
58:13-14 Honoring the Sabbath by seeking Yahweh's pleasure rather than one's own creates delight for Yahweh and results in covenant blessings.

59: Israel's sin and deception are pointed out; they confess and display remorse; redemption is delivered.

59:1-8 Yahweh is an ultimately capable Savior, but lying, deceptive, murdering, unjust Israel rejects salvation by separating themselves from the only Savior.
59:9-15a As a result, hoping, searching Israel confesses it finds neither justice nor hope, because their sin increases exponentially,justice flees, and truth cannot be found.
59:15b-19 Yahweh is most seriously displeased; making no distinction between unrepentant Israel and the heathen nations, he dons his armor and comes in battle array.
59:20-21 Yahweh declares his covenant with true, repentant Zion: you shall proclaim my Spirit and my words forever.

60: Blessing promised to replace wrath

60:1-3 Jerusalem is commanded to arise and reflect Yahweh's light that has arisen upon her; in response the nations will be drawn to her.
60:4-9 Jerusalem is commanded to see the return of her children to her as the the nations gather toward God's beautiful house.
60:10-14 God uses the nations to bless Israel as a sanctuary for all who come to worship; those who do not serve her will perish.
60:15-18 Yahweh will bring Jerusalem from being despised to being blessed with abundant peace and wealth.
60:19-22 Redeemed Israel sees by the light of Yahweh; exponential blessings abound.

61-62: Zion and its inhabitants will be redeemed by Yahweh

61:1-4 Isaiah brings good tidings of the comfort and justice of the Messianic mission.
61:5-7 Isaiah describes the good results of the Messianic mission: prosperity, rejoicing, and honor.
61:8-9 The good results will come because Yahweh promises eternal righting of wrongs and prosperity of offspring to the above.
61:10-11 Isaiah responds to Yahweh’s promise and blessings with praise and rejoicing.
62:1-5 Isaiah continues to tell of Yahweh’s commitment to blessing and Jerusalem’s favored status.
62:6-9 Yahweh send watchmen who will guard Jerusalem, protect her from invaders, and allow her to reap the rewards of her labor.
62:10-12 Hearers are commanded to respond properly to Yahweh’s mission, which he will bring to pass through his Messiah.

63-64: Vengeance, remembrance, confession, prayer for deliverance

63:1-6 Yahweh justifies his wrath: his people were inattentive when the time came for redemption.
63:7-14 Yahweh prescribes his covenant; the people rebelled and received their “just desserts.”
63:15-19 Isaiah petitions Yahweh to soften Jerusalem’s hearts despite unrecognizability due to rebellion.
64:1-7 Isaiah proclaims Yahweh’s awesome might and power; begs pleadingly on behalf of Jerusalem
64:8-12 Isaiah petitions Yahweh to restrain himself and once again bless his people.

65: Answer to prayer for deliverance and promise of kingdom blessings, though not to all. (outline for 65-66 modified from Dr. Constable's Expository Notes)

65:1-16 The Lord responded, through the prophet, to [the vengeance, remembrance, confession, and prayer for deliverance in 63-64].
65:17-25 God not only will be faithful to His promises in spite of Israel's unfaithfulness (63:1—
65:16), but He will demonstrate His ability and desire to provide [unearned] righteousness for [those who trust him] by creating new heavens and a new earth.

66: Summation and recapitulation: blessing and judgment, heaven and hell

66:1-6 [Both judgment and] hope pervade this section describing Israel's glorious future (65:17—66:24). Oppressors of the godly remnant will not prosper nor will those who depend on externals for their relationship to God.
66:7-14 The mood now reverts back to hope (cf. 65:17-25). In contrast to all the bereavement and deprivation that Jerusalem had experienced and would yet experience (cf. 26:16-18; 37:3; 51:18-20), the ultimate future of the city and its inhabitants remains bright.
66:15-24 This culmination of Israel's future (65:17-66:24), Israel's future transformation (chs. 56—66), Israel's hope (chs. 40—66), and the whole book, [declares] Yahweh's salvation [for the faithful].

Isaiah Key Theme: God works for his own glory

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:14:00 +0000

"God is actively using creation and history, and even the wrongs of man, for his own glory" (ESV Study Bible, Laridian version).

Instructions for discovering a biblical theology of an idea, word, or theme are located on the Academy blog.

A theology of glory will be added to the blog Tuesday, Dec 8

Isaiah 55

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:30:00 +0000

the call of yahweh
all who are thirsty respond
blessings eternal

Isaiah 54

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

yahweh loves his bride
they'll be renewed and built up
yahweh is still god

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

a humble servant
justice borne for the naughty
sacrifice earns spoils

Isaiah 51:9-52:12

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

awake o zion
yahweh frees from oppression
she leaves triumphant

Isaiah 50:1-51:8

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

un-faith confronted
while faithful servant submits
choose to trust Yahweh

Isaiah 49

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:30:00 +0000

yahweh's servant sent
jacob predictably doubts
rescue is promised

Isaiah 49-55

noreply@blogger.com (Sanctify!) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:45:00 +0000

49:1-7 The Servant of Yahweh declares his call to Israel and the nations and is validated by Yahweh.

1-4 Yahweh's Servant proclaims his call and his birthright, declaring Yahweh's assured reward, despite the apparent futility of the proclamation.
5-6 The Servant is sent, not just to Jacob, but to all nations, for proclaiming only to Israel brings insufficient glory.
7 The Servant, despised and subjected in the meantime, will be glorified by kings in the end.

49:8-26 Yahweh declares his redemption through his chosen Servant to desolated Israel.

8-12 Yahweh commissions his Servant as a blessing to his people, freeing prisoners and gathering the scattered.
13-18 While creation celebrates Yahweh's love for his people, Yahweh's people deny it; Yahweh declares his profound, loving devotion.
19-23 Israel, who assumes herself barren, shall bring forth a throng of descendants, causing the nations to prostrate themselves.
24-26 While Israel doubts Yahweh's ability to save, Yahweh, the Mighty One of Jacob, promises certain rescue.

50:1-51:8 Yahweh rebukes those who seek their own way, exhorts those who seek righteousness, and promises comfort to the moth-eaten.

50:1-3 Yahweh corrects Israel's misperceptions about the exile and confronts them for their lack of faith.
50:4-9 The faithful servant submits to Yahweh, stands up to his enemies, and is vindicated by Yahweh.
50:10-11 Isaiah offers two response options: 1) trust Yahweh and be delivered or 2) trust the gods and be tormented.
51:1-8 God offers three reasons.

51:1-3 Just as God made Abraham into a nation, so he will restore Israel.
51:4-6 God's justice-righteousness-salvation is certain and eternal.
51:7-8 Enemies are exceedingly temporal, but Yahweh's deliverance is forever.

51:9-52:12 Yahweh calls Israel to recognize the coming salvation through the Servant.

51:9-11 "Arm of Yahweh" is awakened; ransomed return to Zion after deliverance from Egypt as in days of old.
51:12-16 Yahweh chastises his people for fearing their impotent tormentors; he, he will protect them.
51:17-20 Isaiah calls under-Yahweh's-wrath Jerusalem, slapping them awake to realize punishment.
51:21-23 Yahweh promises to remove the cup of wrath from Israel and pass it to her tormentors.
52:1-2 Zion is awakened; she is called out of destruction and oppression into glorious restoration.
52:3-6 Yahweh, who delivers his people from rebellious oppressors without compensation, will be known by his people by Name.
52:7-10 Yahweh's deliverance is so certain the heralds announce, the watchmen rejoice, and Jerusalem sings.
52:11-12 Israel leaves captivity clean, in peace, and protected.

52:13-53:12 Yahweh describes the exaltation and suffering sacrifice of his chosen Servant.

52:13-15 Acting-in-wisdom Servant, of late marred and abused, shall astonish the nations with revelation.
53:1-3 The servant (Messiah) brings saving power, but unexpectedly comes from humble beginnings and rejection by men rather than the expected triumphal entry
53:4-6 The servant bore Yahweh's justice to save us from our wrongdoings and wanderings - not, as we perceived, as payment for his own
53:7-9 He bore this punishment undeservingly and without objection, yet his only thanks was to be buried with the wicked
53:10-11 His sacrifice, grief and anguish were the will of Yahweh to afford salvation and righteousness to others and the fulfillment of his purpose and prosperity
53:12 His sacrifice earns spoils; despite being perceived a wrongdoer, he is ultimately noble in paying for others' wrongdoings

54:1-17 Yahweh calls the afflicted to recognize Kingdom blessing.

54:1-3 Yahweh offers promise-based commands to the barren one to prepare for children.
54:4-8 Yahweh offers love and compassion to lift Israel, his bride, out of shame.
54:9-10 Based upon his eternal steadfast love, Yahweh promises to end his rebuke of Israel.
54:11-15 Yahweh rebuilds and protects battered Israel.
54:16-17a Yahweh reiterates his sovereignty.
54:17b All these blessings come from Yahweh.

55:1-13 Yahweh calls his people to enter his blessing by coming to him and seeking relationship with him.

1-5 Yahweh calls all (Israel and Gentiles) who realize they are thirsty to be satisfied by him, basing his call on his promise to David and future glorification of Israel.
6-11 Yahweh calls unable-to-be-quenched-satisfaction-seekers to seek him, who alone is able to pardon, for he is sovereign and we are not.
12-13 Yahweh's blessing--peace and abundance for Israel--are an eternal sign of his covenant.

Isaiah 48

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:14:00 +0000

telling and hiding
Yahweh restrains just anger
redeemer and judge

Isaiah 46-47

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Closing prayer: summary haiku
i am; you are not
gold idols offer nothing
babylon's pride smashed

Isaiah 44-45

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Closing prayer: summary haiku
"i am" says yahweh
the fool worships half a tree
god grasps who he will

Isaiah 43

noreply@blogger.com (Sanctify!) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:04:00 +0000

you're in such trouble
i love you; i'm god; you're not
don't you forget it

Isaiah 42

noreply@blogger.com (Prib) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Closing prayer: summary haiku

behold my servant
yahweh cries out and lays waste
deaf, blind israel

Isaiah 41

noreply@blogger.com (Sanctify!) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:08:00 +0000

fear not, o jacob,
from tiny worm to toothed sledge;
but idols? nothing.

Isaiah 40

noreply@blogger.com (Sanctify!) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:38:00 +0000

creator commands,
comfort and sovereign warning.
wait and be renewed.