Irmela

Q3. (Isaiah 5:1-6) What was the vintner's vision for the vineyard? What did he do to accomplish his vision? What happened when the crop came in? What did the vintner say he would do with the vineyard? What does this parable mean? The vintners vision was that the vineyard would produce good/choice fruit. To accomplish this, the vintner prepared the area very well. He chose a good/fertile place. He removed all the stones from it. Digging and trenching the ground as he did so. He planted the choicest vine. Then he placed a wall around it for protection. He built a tower in the midst of it and hewed out a wine-press. The vintner took great care of it. He nurtured it. The fruit was not what was expected with all the nurturing it got. It yielded wild grapes. Bad fruit. (gross injustice and unrighteousness). The vintner would remove the protection by taking down the hedge. He would allow it to be eaten up and burnt up. It would be trodden down by enemies and laid waste. Briers and thorns would come up. He would also allow a drought to come upon it. (it would not be watered or irrigated in any way.) Judgement by exposure to destructive forces. This parable is a picture of Yahweh and His people Israel. They are the vine that He chose and 'Canaan' was the land (a very fertile land) that He chose where to plant His vineyard/people. By digging and trenching the ground first, He prepared the area ... the Children of Israel were given the Law by which to live by ... they experienced many miracles as they were led to the land away from slavery . . . He removed the 'stones', these were the heathen nations living in that land. In spite of all this they produced bad fruit. Not justice and righteousness but injustice and oppression. Because of this the protective wall would be broken down. There would be devastation by invaders. First it was Syria, then Assyria then Babylon. They came into the land of Israel and laid it waste. Yahweh judged Israel. (Later invaders were the Greeks and the Romans, who oppressed them in the land.)

Q2. (Isaiah 2:1-5) What does this prophecy of the future Jerusalem tell us about God's plan for the Gentiles? About God's plan for the Jews? About spiritual hunger? About peace? The Gentiles will also come under the "kingdom" in Jerusalem. There will be acknowledgement of the One true God. There will be peace among all peoples. The Jews will return to Israel. The instruction will go out from Zion. That can possibly be taken that the Jews will carry this out to other nations. All the people will be filled with spiritual hunger and will flock to Jerusalem to be taught of God, to learn to walk in His paths. He will be the teacher. There will be peace among all peoples. The weapons of warfare will be changed into agricultural implements. Yahweh's justice will settle disputes and not the strongest nation forcing its will on the others, by waring against them.

Q1. (Isaiah 1:2-20) In what way is Judah confused about its identity, according to verses 2-4? What are the consequences when Christians today suffer from such identity confusion? What injustices does God accuse his people of in verses 15-17? In verses 18-20 God argues that their behavior is "unreasonable." Why is it unreasonable? What does God offer as an alternative? Judah has rebelled against Yahweh. They do not turn to Him for help. They do not "know" Him anymore as their God. (They do not recognize or treat Him as their God). They have forsaken Him and turned their backs on Him. "Christians" loose God's protection and get overcome or beaten up by oppressors or oppression. The consequence is self-destruction. These days you have the open gender confusion. God accuses them of hypocrisy. They are religious but not "righteous and just" in their works. They are not obedient to God's commands. They are not merciful to the oppressed and do not work right with the widows and orphans. Their deeds and actions are insincere. Religion is an abomination unless it represents obedience to God's commands and conformity to His values. Their behaviour is unreasonable because they do not see or understand the state that they are in. God offers them forgiveness if they are willing to repent and be obedient. If they are willing to stop doing wrong. He offers peace in the land instead of them being devoured by the sword and taken into captivity.

Day 15 Meditation (Psalm 134). What does it mean to you to bless or to praise the Lord? Do you take time in your daily devotions to bless Him, to praise Him? What does it mean to you to receive a blessing from the One who made heaven and earth? To me it means to make His name great. To thank Him for His protection, His love, His being there, etc. It all falls into that category. I don't think just in devotions. All the time we should be ready to bless and praise Him. It is awesome and amazing to just quieten down and reflect all the blessings He has bestowed on me. I, though unworthy, He blesses too.

Day 14 Meditation (Psalm 133). Which word pictures in Psalm 133 do you find most compelling? Why do you think lasting unity is so hard to achieve in our world, in our countries, in our churches, in our families? What do you think is the chief obstacle to love in your life? The brethren to dwell together in UNITY. Not everybody thinks or believes the same. Even when we experience the same hardship, everyone works through it differently. Just an example: there are no shoes to be had . . . one will say, yeah! now I can go barefooted without those hated shoes. Another will think, my feet will get sore on the stones. . . . . same thing happen to two different people and they will look at it in a different light. Maybe that is just a simple example but it is reality. Many times a simple thing causes strife and a split up in families, communities, churches and nations. As one of the replies were, we should just agree to disagree on certain points. UNITY would be great though. I can usually love easily, but trusting people is a big issue. So loving will be a very careful love, from which I can easily disentangle myself. I am not "thick skinned" so I very easily get hurt and disappear into my shell. It can be called misunderstanding.

Day 13 Meditation (Psalm 132). State the Davidic Covenant or Promise in your own words. How was this promise fulfilled in Solomon's time? How was it fulfilled in Jesus? How will it be fulfilled when Jesus returns? The Davidic Covenant basically states that the 'line of David" will last for all times. There will be one of David's descendants on the throne. Solomon was David's son by Bathsheba and he reigned officially on the throne in Jerusalem after David. Jesus the Messiah was born of the virgin Mary who was a descendant of David , through his son Nathan. Jesus's earthly father, Joseph, was a descendant of David through his son Solomon. King Herod who was on the throne and known as the king of the Jews was a "puppet" king only, not a true king. When Jesus was on the cross, the Plaque nailed on the cross for all to see who He was declared Him as the KING OF THE JEWS. When Jesus returns He will reign for all eternity., not only over the Children o f Israel but also over the adopted sons or spiritual children of Israel. He is referred to as Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David.

Day 12 Meditation (Psalm 131). Why does demanding answers from God lead to stress? How have unexplained events in your life made you angry? How do you actually go about calming and quieting your soul? What does it mean to "hope in the Lord"? Demanding something is stressful in itself. Demanding from God should really not happen. Demanding is different to pleading and asking. Demanding something is like what a brat would do. After a demand generally comes a temper-tantrum and then silent-tantrum. For certain no please or 'if at all possible'. Not too sure if angry is the right thing that happened. Sooner confused and uncertain. After that determined to make the best of the situation, to prove that I can cope in it. And hope against hope that things will change. Until it was evident that it wouldn't. Then I gave in to tears and despair. Talking the situation over with the Lord sure brought peace and quietness to my heart then and still does today. To 'hope in the Lord" means trusting Him to take control of and change a hopeless situation into a more positive one.

Day 11 Meditation (Psalm 130). How does knowing that God forgives us affect our lives? Our faith? How does knowing God forgives us affect our willingness to forgive others? How is your "expectancy level"? How is your hope? How is your faith? Knowing that God forgives us sure lightens the heavy burden that comes with sin. We can continue with living and look forward to a closer walk with the Lord, as these sin tentacles are loosened one by one. Our faith grows more and more. What He has done for me He has done for others and together we can stand and know that others we are praying for will also be set free. We pray "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" . So if I do not forgive I will not be forgiven. The easiest and best way is straightway even in tears and pain or confusion of the now when forgiving someone is needed, do so and one finds the burden is lighter and the tears can sooner dry up and one can face facts with a clearer mind. I know that my Redeemer lives and that His Word is true. He has promised to be with me and to never leave me. I cling to that.

Day 10 Meditation (Psalm 129). Can you think of times in your life when God has delivered you from affliction? Or perhaps from "the cords of the wicked"? How have you dealt with the bitterness that comes from oppression? Have you been able to forgive? If not, what would it take to enable you to forgive your enemies and offer them a blessing? Yes, many times. He sure is true to His promise, that He will never leave us or forsake us. A picture of "the chords of the wicked" comes to mind. As children we were introduced to the Jungle Doctor books. In one of them there is the picture of the monkey with the snake twirled around him, ready to squeeze the life out of him. The snake had pretended to be friendly and the little monkey had been enticed to come closer than he should have. Help came in time and the snake curled off him and he was released. That is the same as being lured into sin, which gradually curls around us and eventually squeezes the life out of us. Jesus is there to cut these chords and to set us free. I retreat from company when I feel anyway threatened / oppressed / depressed etc. I easily cry and then I call out to God and He really does help me to see things differently or clear a misunderstanding. My biggest problem was to forgive myself and to move on. I have been able to forgive others and find a release. Praise God. I have tried to stand in their shoes and was able to see the situation in a different light and then the forgiveness came. (Changed my glasses)

Day 9 Meditation (Psalm 128). What does it mean to "fear the Lord"? What kinds of blessings has God showered over your life? Why does He allow remaining struggles? Does faith always result in prosperity? How do you define prosperity? To "fear the Lord", means to stand in awe of Him, to respect Him.. To revere Him and to admire Him deeply. Words are inadequate to describe it properly. I guess daily there is the blessing that I can still walk and see. There are many that are far worse-off than I am. I have many things to be grateful to the Lord, for. I understand the struggles to be there, to remind me, to call on the Lord and request His help at all times. Never think, I can do it alone. It is similar , I think, to Paul's "thorn in the flesh". Prosperity means successful and striving. I do believe you can be successful and not have much riches this world offers. My parents were successful in that they served the Lord and guided us to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has offered us the free gift of sins forgiven and eternal life with Him. So their faith resulted in them prospering in that field. Prosperity is to strive in the field the Lord has placed you in. Success is not necessarily experienced in this life. The martyrs who died in foreign fields did not experience or see the fruit of their labour. The seed was sown and others got to reap the harvest.

Day 8 Meditation (Psalm 127). Why is work without trust inadequate? Why is trust without work an illusion? How can we achieve the kind of balance that affords us good rest? Why do you think the psalmist stresses that children are both a "heritage" and a "reward"? To trust means to rely on. You can rely on nothing and no one but Christ, for something to be successfully done. . So any work you do, you need to place your trust in the Lord to help you to do it correctly etc. It is no good only trusting Him, you need to fulfill your part also and allow Him to use your mind, hands, feet etc., to accomplish the work. So trusting and working is necessary. Use God's work tactic that He has assigned to us in Scripture. Working or labouring 6 days and resting on the 7th. A reward would be like a gift. So children are seen to be a gift for a so called married couple. A reward for the fact that they love each other. A heritage or benefit would be that the parents would benefit in some way or another that they have the children. Be it with character building, or helping them in some way, be it in old age or whatever.

Day 7 Meditation (Psalm 126). Why doesn't God always do the stupendous miracles of which He is capable? Why is patient obedience over the long haul necessary to both the success of our labors and our own spiritual maturity? Can we shout for joy now, even before we receive the answers to our prayers? What might prompt that in us? For me the answer to the first two questions posed for this meditation is found in (among other Scriptures) Isaiah 55:8&9. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts, than your thoughts. Then also Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that (God, being a partner in their labour), all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. We sure can rejoice knowing that God knows best and we can truly put our trust in Him that our prayers will be answered in due time. Is 40:31 (They that wait upon the Lord ... )

Day 6 Meditation (Psalm 125). What does this psalm teach us about the security that the Lord gives us? He gives us security that is all encompassing. What examples do you see of unrighteous rulers? There are many , in fact there are few righteous rulers. What kind of government happens when rulers are unrighteous? It is evil and corrupt. What happens in the government of our hearts when we allow unrighteousness in us to continue to guide our actions and thoughts? Just as with the government of a nation or of a specific people-group, we become corrupt.

Day 5 Meditation (Psalm 124). Think back on your own life. In what circumstances have you seen God deliver you from danger from others? My first husband was very abusive to me and I many times feared the outcome of his anger. As our sons grew older, I feared for their lives, (although he was never abusive to them) and so when the opportunity came, I left him. I know that on many occasions God intervened and stopped the anger-fit, and the beating, before it was too late. I only landed in hospital once. Others have been in far worse relationships. Even from danger from yourself? God sure was there to deliver me and help me, but many times I chose the wrong way. So what I then endured was not because God was not there to deliver me but a deliberate act on my side, which then ensnared me. How do you explain God's undeserved love toward you? That I am free today is mercy from God alone. Surely undeserved favour from Him. What undeserving person comes to mind who can be the object of your love and mercy? I forgave my ex-husband totally and completely and I know that I hold nothing against him. I can only hope and pray that our sons do the same. So forgiveness will not be withheld from them. I can only see God's love to me as coming from a merciful God, for I sure do not deserve one iota of it. If God can pour such mercy on me, who am I to not show mercy on a fellow human being. Help me Lord Jesus!!!!!

Day 4 Meditation (Psalm 123). What does this psalm teach us about trust that our Master will right our wrongs? Yahweh our true Master, is just and shows mercy. If we look to Him, He is prone to show mercy. What does it teach us about contempt for others? Contempt for others brings hurt and humiliation to them and certainly does not ease the workload for them. What group of people in your particular community most bear the brunt of prejudice? Mostly the ones roaming about as they so often are the ones who break into the homes and steal and hurt the vulnerable elderly and those at home alone. What can you do to go out of your way to show active love toward them? I guess not to shun them, but to treat them with respect and kindness. Showing respect for a people who are known for wheeling and dealing is not so easy. Especially if a threat has been openly made, to your face, that you can be killed and buried and no one be any the wiser. That is only the Lord that can help one overcome that suspicion towards them and enable a genuine love to grow.

Day 3 Meditation (Psalm 122). Why do people desert the house of God in our day? Why do so many Christians believe they can mature in Christ without the help of Christ's people? How can you pray for the peace of God's house? What can you do to "seek the good" of God's house? A building is usually seen as the "House of God", yet, no building can contain Him. That same building is used for entertainment, for bazaars and other functions, etc. Is it thus only seen as the "House of God", at certain times? In the Word of God we read that where two or three are gathered together in His Name, He is in the midst of them. Is it thus not better to gather together in such a way and would it be false to say that that is also seen as the House of God. Christ's people are everywhere and yes, it is nice to gather in one place for fellowship with many of His people. Do we learn much when we are all bunched together and many wear their "Sunday, go to church faces"? Is it just a hive of activity and excitement? Maybe it is a time to visit with others, who we do not visit with at home, in a formal way. At the time when the temple was in Jerusalem, the people were encouraged to gather together for the three times yearly, as an endeavour to keep the nation united. Also it was a place where the "ark of God" had been housed. Thus seen to house the presence of God. The above are not easy questions to answer. I do see and understand that God is all over and that it is often more blessed to be together with a small group, encouraging one another, pouring over God's Word, and praying together about issues arising or issues that had been spoken about. I do feel that God is right there amongst us.

Meditation (Psalm 121). In what ways is God your Help? How does He help you? In what ways is He your Keeper? How do you perceive that He guards and protects you? How is He your Shade? How do you see that He shields you? I need the Lord in my life in every way possible and at all times. In taking decisions, small and big, in meeting with people and enabling the right words to be spoken. He sure does help and brings peace and calmness in all kinds of situations. He is the Good Shepherd, He keeps us by day and by night, in danger as well as when all is fine and calm around us. Not only keeping us from harm but also being with us in that time of danger. My family was killed many years ago, when I was a teenager and I firmly believe that God was with each one of them in that time of trauma before they left this earthly abode to ever be with Him. He also was with the two of us that survived, He was with us through that whole ordeal. I do believe that those that died experienced protection from Him as they walked through death's valley. Talking about God being a Shade always gives me a picture of the cloud that shaded the Children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness. So never mind how harsh the circumstances are I can rest assured that He will shield me from that heat and be a comforting shade in the time of need.

Day 1 Meditation (Psalm 120). In what ways does stress pull us away from God? In what ways does stress draw us closer to God? Have you given your stress points to God fully? What are you asking Him to do about your stresses? When we are overwhelmed by stress and don't look beyond it, it pulls us away from God. An example is Jonah. He was overwhelmed by stress when God sent him to Nineveh. All he saw was the enemy getting a chance to repent. He did not want that. His stress about it made him try to run away from God. It pulled him away from God. God was not finished with Jonah. When we recognize stress and hand it over to God, it in fact draws us closer to Him. We can take Peter's experience as an example. When he asked to come to Jesus on the water, Jesus said COME. While his focus was on Jesus, the wind and the waves did not stress him, but when he took his eyes off Jesus, the stress factors hit him 100% between the eyes and he began to sink. This made him call out in his distress , LORD SAVE ME. He handed his stress over to Jesus, Who was at his side immediately and sorted out the problem and saved him. His stress brought him to the point where he drew closer to the Lord. Much of it, yes. But there are times when I am overwhelmed. Lord, help me to leave that what stresses me, what freaks me out, at your feet and not fetch it back again. My children and other loved ones, Lord the problems surrounding them, I place at your feet. Their jobs, fears, disappearances, etc., Lord it is all in Your capable Hands. Thank You that You sort it all out. You handle it all, in Your way and in Your time. Amen!!!!!

Q25. (Hebrews 2:1) Why is gradual drifting more dangerous than suddenly giving in to a temptation? How can you protect yourself from drifting away from the Lord? Pay attention to what I have heard or learnt from the Scriptures. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Putting it into practice. Praying continually, keeping nothing from the Lord. He knows it anyway. Tell Him my inmost fears, joys, 'secrets', etc., withhold nothing. Confess my sins. Gradual drifting is not so noticeable as suddenly giving in to a temptation. The gradual drifting will very likely include all kinds of sins and need a difficult come back and turn around from something that has become a way of life. Whereas having done something once is almost a shock to the system and horror that you have succumbed to that. The guilt for that needs to be overcome. Confession and turning away immediately before it ensnares you and it is easier to do it again.

Q24. Of the list of 7 of Solomon's weaknesses, which two or three do you think are most damaging? Why does persistent sin ruin such an accumulation of good works that Solomon did? Solomon took foreign wives of the nations God had warned them against. This led into further sin. Solomon sacrificed on the high places. He worshiped the gods of his many wives, thus falling into idolatry. High taxes were exacted from the people, but favouritism was shown to his own tribe. Much personal wealth was accumulated.

Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Solomon built the temple and saw it through to completion. At this stage God was still number one in his life and his desire was to please Him and to lead His people justly. Solomon does take part in the sacrificial part of the worship at the temple, not only at the dedication but also at the required times as instructed by Moses. Solomon also prays to God. Solomon insists upon justice in court and also shows that he cares for the poor and the needy in his kingdom. There is relative peace and trade with surrounding nations is established. Solomon's success is ascribed to Yahweh his God. Why is Solomon so gifted? Yahweh loves Solomon and gives him the talents and abilities to accomplish his calling.

Q22. (1 Kings 11:3) Is it fair to conclude that Solomon is a womanizer who lusts after women? How does a womanizer treat a wife? How does having a womanizer for a father affect the children? Is sexual excess compatible with Christian discipleship? According to the definition in the dictionary, a womanizer is a lady's man or a flirt. He has casual affairs, no lasting relationships. He likes to spend a lot of time in the company of women,usually in order to have a short sexual relationship with them. We do read that one of Solomon's downfalls was that he 'loved' many foreign women. With all the building that went on with Solomon as planner and putting them into place, he didn't have very much spare time. Not only that, but also seeing to the people who came to hear his thoughts on numerous topics, this must have taken a lot of his time. Then also judging the people etc., I guess this was quite stressful. So his relaxing time was then spent on women and sex, relieving himself of his stressful lifestyle. There was never a long relationship. Many of the wives were daughters of neighbouring 'kings' or chieftains. These were political arrangements. No authentic love. In a way I think he was an extremely lonely man in spite of his busy schedule. I think he lusted after real love and peace and unfortunately tried getting it by 'loving' one woman after another. Each child is different. So it is not really easy to say how this would affect the child. Some children are happy with just short times with a parent and others need oodles of time with them. Quality time is the important thing. I don't know how such a thing would affect a child. An absent parent is often idolized. Sexual excess, is also a description that is different for each individual. If it is **** and uncontrollable, then the answer is no, it cannot co-exist with Christian discipleship.

Q21. (1 Kings 10:18-25) Solomon is both rich and showy. ( 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 6:6-10, 17-19). In Paul's letter to Timothy at Ephesus, what kinds of guidelines are given for avoiding ostentation and flaunting wealth? What should the wealthy do to please God? 1 Timothy 6:17 indicates a connection between wealth and arrogance. How can wealth breed arrogance? Riches, so far as money is concerned, is truly a very controversial subject. We need to be aware and keep before our eyes always that we came into the world with nothing and rich and poor alike will leave the world with nothing. Nothing of the wealth that was accumulated can be or will be taken with us into eternity. Remember that all the wealth actually belongs to God. If we are given a little or much in this life, we are responsible before God, as to the way we use it.

Q20. (Proverbs 19:17; 22:9) Why is giving to help the poor so basic a practice in Judaism and Christianity? Why are we sometimes hesitant to help the poor we see in our streets? What are some wise ways by which we can make a regular practice of giving to help the poor? Much has been said in the answers given above. Wisdom is indeed needed in this field of giving. We need to be wise in the who to give to, the when to give and the what to give, and the why we give. It is so true that there, but for the GRACE of God, go I, in that I maybe made a different choice. Also many times the way to help is rather to teach them how to fish rather than just hand out the fish, left right and centre. Yeah, we sure need God's help in this.

Q19. (Luke 11:31; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:2) How does Jesus' wisdom contrast with worldly wisdom? In what sense are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" hidden in Him? Just how do you go about becoming "wise" in Jesus? Jesus is everything that we need. Our righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Whatever we need we find in Him. It is only in Him we find real unity. The heart is the inner man, the nature, the humanity, the whole person. Jesus changes all that if we allow Him. Worldly wisdom is selfish and makes one look to one's own or man's own achievements and workings. It's egotistical. It concentrates on what is important at that particular time and not for the just now, the result of the circumstance or happening. (An example worldly "wisdom" will be to hate your enemy, to strike him; Jesus's wisdom says, " Love your enemy, do good to them that hate you". It is a total contrast and the result or outcome of the action sooner promotes peace and unity than what worldly wisdom promotes.) If we give ourselves over to Jesus and allow Him full control, then that wisdom which is hidden in Him flows also through our actions and thought patterns and we act as He would act and talk as He would talk. To become 'wise' in Jesus we need to give Him full control of our lives. Pattern our lives according to His, by spending time in prayer, in studying the Scripture and being with like-minded brethren.