The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Episodes
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Introduction- What is the big deal with Rahab?- Jesus - “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.” (Matthew 1:5-6 NIV11)- Faith hero held up to us as an example - “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” (James 2:24-26 NRSV)- Today - the quality of her faith and how it blessed her family
1. Faith- Her request - “The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13 NRSV)- Faith obedience -- “The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down, and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family...She said, “According to your words, so be it.” She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:17-21 NRSV)- We cannot be certain as to the origin of the significance of the crimson cord, if there was one. - In itself it is insignificant. A piece of cord is not an important object. Except, that it is — in this context.- Can you imagine how carefully she tied it to the window? I'm sure it was the tightest knot she ever made.- I wonder if she had some scarlet cord handy? Perhaps she had some blue or green cord. That was not good enough. She not only put the code in the window, but made sure it was the right colour.- Did she risk people asking her why she had put the cord out of her window? How would she explain it?- Her obedience was immediate, precise and courageous.Her face was demonstrated in this obedience. What saved her was not the chord, but her faith in the God who revealed the significance of the cord for her salvation.
2. Family- The faith reward - “So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:23 NRSV)- Rahab prioritises her family, not herself. She sees her opportunity for salvation as something she wants others to experience. - Just about the highest value for a woman in ancient society was in terms of her relation to husband, father and children. So her concern for her family is, in this passage, presented as making her ‘righteous’ (see the Proverbs 31 woman, with parallels concerning family, industry, flax and crimson clothing). - ‘The term for family is literally ‘house of the father’. This appears in the Bible as a description of an extended family governed by the eldest male. Members of a family often lived together in a cluster of dwellings… Rahab requests a sure sign (Heb. ʾôt ʾĕmet) that this deliverance will be accomplished. The sign is the oath that she wants the spies to swear for the protection of her family. It is important to see the solidarity of the family, a concept that in this case ensures blessing and salvation for many in addition to the believer. As an oath of fealty, this covenant would bring Rahab’s family into Israelite society…Rahab and her family here ceased to be Canaanite and became part of Israel’s family. Rahab is acting as spokeswoman and agent for the family. A female, rather than a male, leads this extended family and her faith delivers it.’ Tyndale
Conclusion- Rahab could not control her family — it was up to them whether they joined her in her house at the time of Joshua’s attack on Jericho — but she gave them a chance. - Why not take some time today to pray for your family? Include extended family, including any who live abroad, those you don’t see very often or others you find difficult. What could you do to give them a chance to share in your salvation?
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
God bless, Malcolm
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
'A New Thing' Lessons from chapters 1-6Introduction* Daniel is a new type of prophet in a new type of situation. We can learn a great deal about God doing 'new things' from him and his companions.* Before watching this class you might like to view a summary of the book here: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-daniel/ * In this class we will look at the first 6 chapters of the book* Normally I would not cover so much material in one class, but we are doing this because in this way we will see themes emerge.* When it comes to discussing the points afterwards you may wish to focus on one or two of the points rather than everythingChapter 1* Youth no barrier: “young men without physical defect and handsome,” (Daniel 1:4 NRSV)* Pick your battles: “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8 NRSV)* Recognition of God: “To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom;” (Daniel 1:17 NRSV)Chapter 2* God’s wisdom superior: * “The thing that the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”” (Daniel 2:11 NRSV) * ““No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27-28 NRSV)* Recognition of God * “The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery!”” (Daniel 2:47 NRSV)Chapter 3* Never Compromise: “If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:17-18 NRSV) * Faith-inspired resistance is the victory, not a specific outcome* Recognition of God: “I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”” (Daniel 3:29 NRSV)Chapter 4* God is Sovereign: “You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the wild animals. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, you shall be bathed with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and gives it to whom he will.” (Daniel 4:25 NRSV) * “O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.”” (Daniel 4:27 NRSV) * “He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.” (Daniel 4:33 NRSV)* Pride can be Redeemed: * “When that period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.” (Daniel 4:34 NRSV)* Recognition of God: “I blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured the one who lives forever. For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:34 NRSV)Chapter 5* Convictions in Old Age: “There is a man in your kingdom who is endowed with a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father he was found to have enlightenment, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods.” (Daniel 5:11 NRSV)* Be a prophet: * “you, Belshazzar his son, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this! You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven!” (Daniel 5:22-23 NRSV) * “MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”” (Daniel 5:26-28 NRSV)* Unwilling recognition of God: “That very night Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.” (Daniel 5:30-31 NRSV)Chapter 6* Who is really trapped? ““Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day. When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him. Then the conspirators came to the king and said to him, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no interdict or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”” (Daniel 6:13-15 NRSV)* Integrity & Trust in God: “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”” (Daniel 6:22 NRSV)* Recognition of God: “I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”” (Daniel 6:26-27 NRSV)Chapter 6 ChiasmDaniel emerges as best satrap His enemies plot King makes a fatal decree Daniel arrested & sentenced to death DANIEL DELIVERED-GOD WINS! Daniel released to a “new” life King makes a saving decree The enemies are destroyed Daniel confirmed as best satrapSummaryWhat do we learn about God?God: to His Servants* Inspires Daniel to test regime (Ch 1)* Gives Daniel wisdom (Ch 1, 4 & 5)* Gives Daniel boldness (Ch 4, 5 & 6) * Strengthens Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego (Ch 3)God: for His Servants* Improved appearance (Ch 1)* Promotion (Ch 2, 3, 5, 6)* Rescue (Ch 2, 3, 6)God: to His Opponents* Stuns with his Power (Ch 3, 5, 6)* Humbles them (Ch 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)God: for Himself* Causes Gentiles to honour His chosen people (Ch 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)* Causes Gentiles to worship Him (Ch 2, 3, 4, 6)What do we learn for ourselves?1. New things are often fear-inducing and uncomfortable -- even dangerous or risky2. New things put us in a place where we experience the power of God in new and more profound ways3. New things give us the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God4. New things reveal new gifts in us and our communityConclusion* God doing new things in his people almost always results in those people experiencing fear.* when his people deliberately choose faith in the midst of fear they experience God at work.* When God is at work in these people experiencing a new thing he becomes visible to the world and receives glory.* When God has an impact on this world and gets the glory he deserves, the memory of such events passes down from one generation to another.Questions to stimulate discussion* Who do you relate to most and why? Daniel, Shadrach, Misheck, Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius?* What do you think the main lesson is that God wants you to take from Daniel chapters 1 to 6?* How do the experiences of these chapters relate to any new thing in your life?* Similarly, how do the experiences of these chapters relate to anything new in your faith community?Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)God bless, Malcolm
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 477 | New Thing Series — Part 32 | “Daniel’s Humility” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Daniel. Today we explore Daniel’s humility.
“Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:3-4 NRSV)
Daniel’s Humility
Daniel was from Jewish nobility, handsome, intelligent and well-educated (Daniel 1:3, 4). He had everything going for him.
In his homeland he was used to people treating him with deference and respect. People would ask his opinion on important matters.
Now, he has to start fight to survive.“While once considered an expert, now Daniel's Jewish education was considered obsolete; he would have to retool himself if he was to survive, much less distinguish himself among the young men in the palace.” Wide Awake, Erwin McManus
Daniel demonstrates humility in two waysFirstly he shows himself adaptable to his new, less-than-ideal circumstances
Secondly, he looks to God for answers and not his own intelligence
“Then Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish.” (Daniel 2:17-18 NRSV)
“The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has disclosed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen at the end of days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed were these:” (Daniel 2:26-28 NRSV)
For Reflection
Sometimes our background, education and gifts are eclipsed by circumstances beyond our control. Paul experienced this.
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV11)
Has something ‘happened’ to you recently? Is there a possibility that God allowed it so that you ‘might not rely’ on yourself, but God?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 476 | New Thing Series — Part 31 | “Daniel’s Purity” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Daniel. Today we explore Daniel’s purity.
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favour and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.” So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king’s court. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.” (Daniel 1:8-21 NRSV)
We do not know precisely why Daniel chose this diet. Vegetables would not be any safer from ritual contamination than meat. I offer you this thought by Joyce Baldwin quoted in a commentary on Daniel:
“It would seem that Daniel rejected this symbol of dependence on the king because he wished to be free to fulfil his primary obligations to the God he served. The defilement he feared was not so much a ritual as a moral defilement, arising from the subtle flattery of gifts and favours which entailed hidden implications of loyal support, however dubious the King's future policies might prove to be."
Daniel’s purity
Is an act of faith
Is God-focused
Is effective in impressing pagans
Is blessed by God
For Reflection
We similarly make decisions which the world would find strange. We attend church services instead of having extra time to do whatever we want. We pray to an invisible God! We hold to a moral and ethical code which seems outdated to most of society. Perhaps you can relate to what Peter wrote:
“You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.” (1 Peter 4:3-4 NRSV)
Are there any current situations in your life over which you are finding it hard to make a decision because of how it might look to other people? Will doing things gods way make you look strange? Why not pray that you can take inspiration from Daniel and his friends?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 475 | New Thing Series — Part 30 | “Daniel’s Friends” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Daniel. Today we explore Daniel’s friends.
“Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” (Daniel 1:6-7 NRSV)
“Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.”” (Daniel 1:11-13 NRSV)
“At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king’s court. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” (Daniel 1:18-20 NRSV)
“Then Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish.” (Daniel 2:17-18 NRSV)
Daniel’s friends
They are in exile together
They are in training together
They are under pressure together
They stand up for their convictions together
They pray together
For Reflection
Daniel and his friends are an inspiration to us. God has wired us to be community people. We need friends in Christ. The New Testament is full of instructions to do life together. Think of all those ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ passages. You could look some of those up and pray through them. Perhaps the nearest parallel in the New Testament is Paul and Silas in Philippi:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” (Acts 16:25-26 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to ask God to help you to be a faith-friend to someone?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 474 | New Thing Series — Part 29 | “Daniel’s Exile” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Daniel. Today we explore Daniel’s exile.
“In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power,” (Daniel 1:1-2 NRSV)
“Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans.” (Daniel 1:3-4 NRSV)
“The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” (Daniel 1:7 NRSV)
Daniel is referred to by his contemporary Ezekiel (Ezek 14:12-14) who compares him to Noah & Job. Quite an accolade!
“if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals, even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezekiel 14:13-14 NIV11)
Daniel’s exile
Daniel is a thousand miles from home.
He has been removed from his family, his society, his culture and his religion.
His liberty is curtailed, he is a persecuted minority.
He has a new language to learn and doesn't know his way round.
He has been given a name and a job he didn't ask for
His convictions are tested.
For Reflection
When we follow Jesus we come home. But, we are not finally home — yet. In some ways our exile is ended. In other ways it continues but with a different context. We are no longer distant from God. We are in his kingdom and do not belong to the kingdom of the world any longer.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:1-2 NRSV)
parepidēmos: pilgrim, refugee, residing in a country not one’s own, a sojourner, stranger,
“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.”(1 Peter 2:11-12 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to ask God to give you security even while you are in exile? Ask him to make give you a Daniel-style confidence.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
*(https://lisaappelo.com/lessons-from-rahab-in-lineage-of-jesus/) Lisa Appello
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 473 | New Thing Series — Part 28 | “Rahab’s Future” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s future.
“Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.” (Matthew 1:2-6 NRSV)
The genealogy continues all the way to, “Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:16 NRSV)
Rahab’s future
We know almost nothing about Rahab and her family after they are rescued from the assault on Jericho.
We know that she appears in the genealogy of Jesus.
This means several things. She got married and she became a mother.
Someone put it like this:
God redefined Rahab —
from a fallen woman to a chosen woman,
from a bad girl to a bride,
from a mess to a mother and
from prostitute to progenitor of the Messiah.*
For Reflection
When we are baptised into Christ we are redefined by God. We become his children, part of his family. Our identity changes from stranger to friend. Our status changes from lost to found. Our future changes from horror to hope. Our destiny changes from hell to heaven.
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to pray to thank God for redefining you? Ask him to make clear all the ways in which he has changed your future.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
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*(https://lisaappelo.com/lessons-from-rahab-in-lineage-of-jesus/) Lisa Appello
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 472 | New Thing Series — Part 27 | “Rahab’s Obedience” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s obedience.
“The men said to her, “We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down, and you do not gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family. If any of you go out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be released from this oath that you made us swear to you.” She said, “According to your words, so be it.” She sent them away and they departed. Then she tied the crimson cord in the window.” (Joshua 2:17-21 NRSV)
“So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:23 NRSV)
Rahab’s obedience
We cannot be certain as to the origin of the significance of the crimson cord, if there was one.
In itself it is insignificant. A piece of cord is not an important object. Except, that it is — in this context.
Can you imagine how carefully she tied it to the window? I'm sure it was the tightest knot she ever made.
I wonder if she had some scarlet cord handy? Perhaps she had some blue or green cord. That was not good enough. She not only put the code in the window, but made sure it was the right colour.
Did she risk people asking her why she had put the cord out of her window? How would she explain it?
Her obedience was immediate, precise and courageous.
Her face was demonstrated in this obedience. What saved her was not the chord, but her faith in the God who revealed the significance of the cord for her salvation.
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” (James 2:24-26 NRSV)
For Reflection
We are baptised into Christ as an act of obedience. Something very profound and significant happens in our baptism, but it is not magic. Sins are washed away not because we get wet, but because we have faith in God. He saves us because we trust him to do so.
Why not take some time today to pray to thank God for your Salvation and ask him to continue to live a life of trusting obedience?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 471 | New Thing Series — Part 26 | “Rahab’s Family” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s family.
“The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13 NRSV)
“Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house, and bring the woman out of it and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.” So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out, along with her father, her mother, her brothers, and all who belonged to her—they brought all her kindred out—and set them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:22-23 NRSV)
Rahab’s family
Rahab prioritises her family, not herself. She sees her opportunity for salvation as something she wants others to experience.
Just about the highest value for a woman in ancient society was in terms of her relation to husband, father and children. So her concern for her family is, in this passage, presented as making her ‘righteous’ (see the Proverbs 31 woman, with parallels concerning family, industry, flax and crimson clothing).
‘The term for family is literally ‘house of the father’. This appears in the Bible as a description of an extended family governed by the eldest male. Members of a family often lived together in a cluster of dwellings… Rahab requests a sure sign (Heb. ʾôt ʾĕmet) that this deliverance will be accomplished. The sign is the oath that she wants the spies to swear for the protection of her family. It is important to see the solidarity of the family, a concept that in this case ensures blessing and salvation for many in addition to the believer. As an oath of fealty, this covenant would bring Rahab’s family into Israelite society…Rahab and her family here ceased to be Canaanite and became part of Israel’s family. Rahab is acting as spokeswoman and agent for the family. A female, rather than a male, leads this extended family and her faith delivers it.’ Tyndale
“And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NRSV)
“And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 NRSV)
For Reflection
Rahab could not control her family — it was up to them whether they joined her in her house at the time of Joshua’s attack on Jericho — but she gave them a chance.
Why not take some time today to pray for your family? Include extended family, including any who live abroad, those you don’t see very often or others you find difficult. What could you do to give them a chance to share in your salvation?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab’s Kindness” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s kindness.
“As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” (Joshua 2:11-12 NRSV)
Rahab’s kindness is a new thing
Rahab has “dealt kindly” with the spies. In return she asks them to ‘deal kindly’ with her family
The word ‘kindly’ is a very rich word. It is the Hebrew word ‘hesed’.
‘hesed’ is a covenant word expressing a commitment to faithfulness
God uses the word of himself when speaking to Moses
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love (‘hesed’) to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV11)
God is saying, ‘I am the hesed God. You can count on me to keep my covenant.’
Ḥesed is found nearly 250 times in the OT and is hard to translate. Usually a composite of English words is used: grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love and so on. Bernard of Clairvaux described it as the “love that will not let us go.”
Note in the Exodus passage how his love is lavished on thousands while the punishments for sin only last to the third or fourth generation.
These are the first things God says to Moses from within the cloud, as he prepares to give the law to Moses the second time. The very giving of the law a second time is an act of ḥesed love.
hesed is not so much about a state, but a relationship. It makes sense in the context of family and community bonds.
For Reflection
Rahab has demonstrated hesed (kindness) and wants hesed to be shown to her family. She wants in on the family of God who she trusts to show her hesed because that is at the very core of what God’s family is all about. The same is true for us in the New Testament:
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 NRSV)
Why not take some time today to reflect on some of the ways God has been lavishly kind to you in your Christian life so far?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/