Day 302 continued ~ :-) - just to much to contain all in one post.
Woe - a primary exclamation of grief. Listed eight times in verses 13-29 of Matthew 23.
Jesus calls them hypocrites 7x and blind guides once - hypocrites? blind guides? fools? serpents? vipers?
hypocrites - G5273 - From G5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler (“hypocrite”).
blind - G5185 - From G5187; opaque (as if smoky), that is, (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally).
guides - G3595 - From G3598 and G2233; a conductor (literally or figuratively [teacher]).
fools - G3474 - Probably from the base of G3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd.
serpents - G3789 - Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan.
vipers - G2191 - Of uncertain origin; an adder or other poisonous snake (literally or figuratively).
Jesus admonition? "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widows' houses and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation."
There is the 'true' church, those who are truly HIS children and desire to walk in HIS ways,. Then there are those who are 'playing' at church. I wonder when our Savior looks at the visible church, does HE see the same type of people? Pharisees? Sadducees? Scribes? Hypocrites? Blind guides? Serpents? Vipers?
Those who give the appearance of righteousness (white washed sepulchres), but inside are dead (full of dead men's bones). This is a very scary thought - think of all the 'churches' we have in this nation. Thousands...yet how many are no different than those synagogues which were in existence when our Lord trod this dusty land?
How many pastors/teachers are standing up in pulpits or other venues and preaching and teaching no differently than the 'religious' leaders of HIS day?
How readily are we able to discern good teaching versus bad?
Do we have a desire to spend time in HIS word (that we might not be so easily deceived) which matches the other 'desires' in our life? If we equated spiritual eating versus physical eating, would we even come close to spending the same about of time?
How important is it to spend time getting to know the ONE who suffered and died that we might have eternal life? If we do not have a fervent desire to spend time with HIM now, why would we long and desire to spend eternity with Him?
Or, are we so focused on this life, that the passion and desire to be with Him has either waned or never been ignited?
A few verses which I have been pondering upon:
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Lord, may we be harmless as doves, wise as serpents in discerning the times and those who are teaching and/or proclaiming Your word. Father you have stated that we need to be studying to show ourselves approved, workmen that need not to be ashamed. Father, help us Your people to be obedient to study and grow in our intimate knowledge and love of You. Help us to be focused on the goal - to step into Your presence and hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
guides - G3595 - From G3598 and G2233; a conductor (literally or figuratively [teacher]).
fools - G3474 - Probably from the base of G3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd.
serpents - G3789 - Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan.
vipers - G2191 - Of uncertain origin; an adder or other poisonous snake (literally or figuratively).
Jesus admonition? "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widows' houses and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation."
There is the 'true' church, those who are truly HIS children and desire to walk in HIS ways,. Then there are those who are 'playing' at church. I wonder when our Savior looks at the visible church, does HE see the same type of people? Pharisees? Sadducees? Scribes? Hypocrites? Blind guides? Serpents? Vipers?
Those who give the appearance of righteousness (white washed sepulchres), but inside are dead (full of dead men's bones). This is a very scary thought - think of all the 'churches' we have in this nation. Thousands...yet how many are no different than those synagogues which were in existence when our Lord trod this dusty land?
How many pastors/teachers are standing up in pulpits or other venues and preaching and teaching no differently than the 'religious' leaders of HIS day?
How readily are we able to discern good teaching versus bad?
Do we have a desire to spend time in HIS word (that we might not be so easily deceived) which matches the other 'desires' in our life? If we equated spiritual eating versus physical eating, would we even come close to spending the same about of time?
How important is it to spend time getting to know the ONE who suffered and died that we might have eternal life? If we do not have a fervent desire to spend time with HIM now, why would we long and desire to spend eternity with Him?
Or, are we so focused on this life, that the passion and desire to be with Him has either waned or never been ignited?
A few verses which I have been pondering upon:
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Lord, may we be harmless as doves, wise as serpents in discerning the times and those who are teaching and/or proclaiming Your word. Father you have stated that we need to be studying to show ourselves approved, workmen that need not to be ashamed. Father, help us Your people to be obedient to study and grow in our intimate knowledge and love of You. Help us to be focused on the goal - to step into Your presence and hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NOTE: All headings and scripture references are taken from the Reese Chronological Bible.
Most, if not all definitions are taken from E-sword.net (free Bible program).
Commentaries are from the same source, unless a link is provided.
My apologies for the excessive spacing - I have tried to tweak the posts, but am unable to determine how or why a double space in draft form appears as a triple or quadruple spacing when posted.
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