(Originally Written June 4, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on City of God by Augustine
Introduction
"The great lesson of the City of God is that out of all things come good" (Augustine, ix)
Book I
Great effort is needed to convince the proud of the power of humility.
The city of this world seeks to dominate but is dominated by its lust for domination.
"God's providence constantly uses war to correct and chasten the corrupt morals of mankind, as it also uses such afflictions to train men in a righteous and laudable way of life, removing to a better state those whose life is approved, or else keeping them in this world for further service" (Augustine, 6).
It is foolish to trust in gods who can be conquered and yet saved by man's hands. A god ought to be unconquerable and capable of saving man, not the other way around.
The god of Rome would have perished long ago if the Romans had not so painstakingly preserved them.
It is foolishness for men to blame the collapse of Rome on Christ when they invoked his name to save their very lives! The fall of Rome was brought about by their corrupt morals.
In the sack of Rome, the savagery of war was tempered by something new: Christianity. Pagan and Christian alike were spared in the temples of Christ. How then can Christ be blamed for the fall of Rome?
The mercy of the Lord extends to both the good and the bad. This is so the wicked can repent and come to the Lord, for God waits for all men to come. Some choose to harden their hearts, but that is their own task for destruction.
The mercy God extends will someday in the future only extend to those who accept Him.
God has willed that temporal goods and temporal evils will befall good and bad alike.
"The good man is not exalted by this world's goods; nor is he overwhelmed by this world's ills" (Augustine, 13-14).
Not all evil doing is punished in this world. Some punishment is stored up for the final judgment.
God punishes some sin in this world so that the belief in providence never ceases.
God rewards some good deeds here so that we do not believe God has no concern for temporal blessings, but other good deeds have blessings that are bestowed after this temporal life is done.
Though the suffering of the good and evil are alike, the sufferers are different. The wicked curse God under affliction; the good offer prayers to Him.
"Stir a cesspit, and a foul stench arises; stir a perfume, and a delightful fragrance ascends. But the movement is identical" (Augustine, 14).
The suffering of Christians have caused their moral improvement because they viewed them with eyes of faith.
Christians suffer justly when they do not admonish sins, for not to admonish sin is a sin itself.
The good and bad suffer because though they do not live equal lives, they both love this temporal world too much.
The worldly advantages of life are not discreditable in themselves. What is discreditable is when the Christian is unduly attached to those advantages.
The Christian loses nothing in the deprivation of temporal goods. A man can be poor in life, yet rich in spirit. A Christian ought to be content with that they have and bless the Lord for it.
Those Christians who grieve the loss of their temporal goods, though they do not love them as much as they love Christ, can learn how much sin they have committed in losing those temporal things. These Christians refused to be taught by words and so God taught them by experience.
Christ condemns the desire for riches, not the opportunity riches afford.
Those who suffer torture who have no wealth on account of wealth confess Christ. If the torturer is not swayed the tortured will still be justly rewarded in heaven.
The only thing that makes death an evil is what comes after death. We ought not worry about death because all die; we should instead focus on our destination after death.
We need not worry over the body of a man who has died. Those who can kill the body have no power over the soul. The saints who have fallen but not been given a proper burial will still be resurrected.
Suicide is never justifiable.
Purity is a virtue of the mind, not the body.
Courage endures evil, but does not condone it.
We cannot commit suicide for the Bible says we cannot kill (which implies a human being) and to kill one's self is to kill a human being.
Not all homicide is murder. God orders killing, but when He does so the man does not do the killing. He is just an instrument of God. He is like the sword that God is wielding.
Though gods may be false, worship of those gods can be sincere.
The judgment of God is inscrutable and His ways are mysterious. Sometimes we cannot comprehend why we suffer, but we can take consolation in the fact that Divine Providence is at work.
God always works suffering to result in our justification or our correction.
The saints ought not to regret this temporal life for it is their schooling for eternity.
Those who rebel against the Christian era do so that they may indulge themselves in extravagant sin.
The Church has members hidden amongst the world as the Church has ungodly hidden in its midst. But, God knows these men.
The city of God and the city of man stand interwoven and intermixed, awaiting separation on the Judgment Day.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Brief Notes on The Didache
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
The Didache seems to have been written in the mid first century A.D. Its origins may be either Egyptian or Syrian.
The Didache
There are two ways: the way of Life and the way of Death.
The Way of life is this: love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others as you wish to have done to you.
If you love those who hate you, you will have no enemy.
Do not be equivocating in speech or thought.
Be not hypocritical, spiteful or show superiority.
Be wary of blasphemy.
"Accept as good whatever experience comes your way, in the knowledge that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 192).
Never claim anything as your own.
The Way of Death is evil. The Way of Death abhors truth and loves falsehood. You must flee from the Way of Death.
Wednesdays and Fridays are days of fasting.
Say the Lord's prayer three times a day.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in Heaven and Earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive our trespassers. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
In everything you do, be guided by what you read in the Gospel of the Lord.
May the Lord forgive me of my sins. May He instruct me in His ways so that I may follow Him in all of my doings. Lord look upon me in mercy and pity. Restore me to you. Make me whole again. I feel so empty, so lost. I have lost the one I love. Lord I offer you this relationship as a sacrifice if that is what you require. If it is not then I beg of you to return her to me. Watch over her and comfort her. Draw her close to you. Do not feed her to the wolves or let harm befall her.
Lord grant me wisdom from the Book. Do not allow me to substitute anything for it, but keep me in your Word daily so that I can follow your path, neither saying to the left nor the right.
The Didache seems to have been written in the mid first century A.D. Its origins may be either Egyptian or Syrian.
The Didache
There are two ways: the way of Life and the way of Death.
The Way of life is this: love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others as you wish to have done to you.
If you love those who hate you, you will have no enemy.
Do not be equivocating in speech or thought.
Be not hypocritical, spiteful or show superiority.
Be wary of blasphemy.
"Accept as good whatever experience comes your way, in the knowledge that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 192).
Never claim anything as your own.
The Way of Death is evil. The Way of Death abhors truth and loves falsehood. You must flee from the Way of Death.
Wednesdays and Fridays are days of fasting.
Say the Lord's prayer three times a day.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in Heaven and Earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive our trespassers. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
In everything you do, be guided by what you read in the Gospel of the Lord.
May the Lord forgive me of my sins. May He instruct me in His ways so that I may follow Him in all of my doings. Lord look upon me in mercy and pity. Restore me to you. Make me whole again. I feel so empty, so lost. I have lost the one I love. Lord I offer you this relationship as a sacrifice if that is what you require. If it is not then I beg of you to return her to me. Watch over her and comfort her. Draw her close to you. Do not feed her to the wolves or let harm befall her.
Lord grant me wisdom from the Book. Do not allow me to substitute anything for it, but keep me in your Word daily so that I can follow your path, neither saying to the left nor the right.
Brief Notes on The Epistle of Barnabas
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
The Epistle of Barnabas seems to have been written between 70 - 200 A.D. It is not believed that this Barnabas is the same Barnabas as Paul's companion.
The Epistle of Barnabas
"For on the way of righteousness I have had the companionship of the Lord" (Early Christian Writings, 159).
There are three principles of the Lord:
1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Love
The Lord has made known to us that He has no need of oblations and sacrifices. The Lord seeks us to give to the needy and give the Lord a contrite heart as sacrifice.
We as Christians are not to withdraw within ourselves and live in solitude. We must make ourselves into the temple of the Living God.
The Lord sanctified us by the remission of our sins in His death.
Ruin justly awaits those who know the way of Holiness but choose the way of Darkness.
The prophets of Israel can only be understood through their fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
Though Jesus Christ was fully God, He came into this world as a man and suffered so that His affliction would win life for us.
Moses spoke of the dietary laws for which the Israelites understood carnally, but we, as Christians, understand them spiritually.
There are two ways of teaching, two wielders of power: the light and the darkness.
To follow the Way of Light is to give glory to Him who redeemed you from death. The Way of Light is never marred by hypocrisy. The Way of Light loves its neighbor more than itself.
"Never do away with an unborn child, or destroy it after its birth" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
"Whatever experience comes your way, accept it as a blessing, in the certainty that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
Be as pure as you can. Detest evil. Be generous. Do not come to prayer with a bad conscious.
The Way of Darkness is defiance of God. Those in the Way of Darkness are sunk in sin.
The Epistle of Barnabas seems to have been written between 70 - 200 A.D. It is not believed that this Barnabas is the same Barnabas as Paul's companion.
The Epistle of Barnabas
"For on the way of righteousness I have had the companionship of the Lord" (Early Christian Writings, 159).
There are three principles of the Lord:
1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Love
The Lord has made known to us that He has no need of oblations and sacrifices. The Lord seeks us to give to the needy and give the Lord a contrite heart as sacrifice.
We as Christians are not to withdraw within ourselves and live in solitude. We must make ourselves into the temple of the Living God.
The Lord sanctified us by the remission of our sins in His death.
Ruin justly awaits those who know the way of Holiness but choose the way of Darkness.
The prophets of Israel can only be understood through their fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
Though Jesus Christ was fully God, He came into this world as a man and suffered so that His affliction would win life for us.
Moses spoke of the dietary laws for which the Israelites understood carnally, but we, as Christians, understand them spiritually.
There are two ways of teaching, two wielders of power: the light and the darkness.
To follow the Way of Light is to give glory to Him who redeemed you from death. The Way of Light is never marred by hypocrisy. The Way of Light loves its neighbor more than itself.
"Never do away with an unborn child, or destroy it after its birth" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
"Whatever experience comes your way, accept it as a blessing, in the certainty that nothing can happen without God" (Early Christian Writings, 180).
Be as pure as you can. Detest evil. Be generous. Do not come to prayer with a bad conscious.
The Way of Darkness is defiance of God. Those in the Way of Darkness are sunk in sin.
Brief Notes on The Epistle to Diognetus
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
The Lord is good and faithful, merciful and just. He fills my cup when it is empty and restores me to health when I am sick. Though my world collapses around me, I stand firm for my feet rest upon the Rock. Give me strength to make it through today Lord. Grant me the wisdom to follow you. May you treat my enemies severely in your time, but give me the grace to treat them with love. Lord be with her. Do not cut her off form you. She seeks that which she knows not. Though you know perfectly well she seeks you in the wrong places. Guide her aim to you. Fill her cup and restore her to you. If it is in your will restore her to me as well. Teach me today Lord that I may be more fit to serve you.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
The Epistle to Diognetus is a treatise that was most likely written between 120-200 A.D. Diognetus seems to have been a Greek official and a pagan who had an interest in Christianity.
The Epistle to Diognetus
The author starts by criticizing idols as they are made by man with perishable substances. The fact is that these gods could be refashioned into everyday, common items. "In a word, are they not, one and all, nothing but dumb, blind, lifeless things, without sense, without movement, rotting and decaying?" (Early Christian Writings, 143). It is interesting that the gods made of stone and pottery are left unprotected, but those of gold and silver are guarded. This shows that the material is even more valuable to you then the gods themselves.
The Jews, while serving the true God, make use of the absurd rituals of the pagans. If these rituals are absurd to stone, lifeless things, then who could expect the living God to see them as acceptable?
"One party, it seems, makes its offerings to creatures which cannot partake of the gifts, the other to the One who needs none of them" (Early Christian Writings, 144).
The unique things of Christians is that they live among their people, but are citizens of heaven. "They obey the prescribed laws, but in their own private lives they transcend the laws. They show love to all men - and all men persecute them" (Early Christian Writings, 145).
Christians are to the world as the soul is to the body. The soul is through the whole body and likewise Christians live throughout the world. The soul is in the body but does not form part of it. So too are Christians in the world but not part of it. The soul is immortal but must live in the mortal body, so too the Christian.
It is the moral duty of a Christian not shrink from sufferings and persecutions.
There is no compulsion found in the Word of God. He came to save us by persuasion, not compulsion.
The more the Christians suffer, the more men join their ranks.
Christianity is not the product of man, but of God.
Only through faith are we permitted to know God.
The Lord was loving and long-suffering toward mankind.
The wickedness of the masses was covered by the Innocence of Jesus Christ. The Lord set out from the beginning to exchange the Holy for the wicked because He loves us so.
God has not willed man to be imitators of Him.
"Without knowledge there can be no life, and without life there can be no trustworthy knowledge" (Early Christian Writings, 150).
The Lord is good and faithful, merciful and just. He fills my cup when it is empty and restores me to health when I am sick. Though my world collapses around me, I stand firm for my feet rest upon the Rock. Give me strength to make it through today Lord. Grant me the wisdom to follow you. May you treat my enemies severely in your time, but give me the grace to treat them with love. Lord be with her. Do not cut her off form you. She seeks that which she knows not. Though you know perfectly well she seeks you in the wrong places. Guide her aim to you. Fill her cup and restore her to you. If it is in your will restore her to me as well. Teach me today Lord that I may be more fit to serve you.
Notes on Early Christian Writings
The Epistle to Diognetus is a treatise that was most likely written between 120-200 A.D. Diognetus seems to have been a Greek official and a pagan who had an interest in Christianity.
The Epistle to Diognetus
The author starts by criticizing idols as they are made by man with perishable substances. The fact is that these gods could be refashioned into everyday, common items. "In a word, are they not, one and all, nothing but dumb, blind, lifeless things, without sense, without movement, rotting and decaying?" (Early Christian Writings, 143). It is interesting that the gods made of stone and pottery are left unprotected, but those of gold and silver are guarded. This shows that the material is even more valuable to you then the gods themselves.
The Jews, while serving the true God, make use of the absurd rituals of the pagans. If these rituals are absurd to stone, lifeless things, then who could expect the living God to see them as acceptable?
"One party, it seems, makes its offerings to creatures which cannot partake of the gifts, the other to the One who needs none of them" (Early Christian Writings, 144).
The unique things of Christians is that they live among their people, but are citizens of heaven. "They obey the prescribed laws, but in their own private lives they transcend the laws. They show love to all men - and all men persecute them" (Early Christian Writings, 145).
Christians are to the world as the soul is to the body. The soul is through the whole body and likewise Christians live throughout the world. The soul is in the body but does not form part of it. So too are Christians in the world but not part of it. The soul is immortal but must live in the mortal body, so too the Christian.
It is the moral duty of a Christian not shrink from sufferings and persecutions.
There is no compulsion found in the Word of God. He came to save us by persuasion, not compulsion.
The more the Christians suffer, the more men join their ranks.
Christianity is not the product of man, but of God.
Only through faith are we permitted to know God.
The Lord was loving and long-suffering toward mankind.
The wickedness of the masses was covered by the Innocence of Jesus Christ. The Lord set out from the beginning to exchange the Holy for the wicked because He loves us so.
God has not willed man to be imitators of Him.
"Without knowledge there can be no life, and without life there can be no trustworthy knowledge" (Early Christian Writings, 150).
Brief Notes on 2 Kings 1-6
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 1
After the death of King Ahab the Moabites rebelled against Israel.
Ahaziah fell and injured himself. He sent for Baalzebub to see if he would survive his injuries. The Lord sent Elijah to him and told him that he would die because he had sought the counsel of another god.
Chapter 2
Elijah was taken up to the Lord in a fiery chariot and the spirit of Elijah passed on to his pupil Elisha. Elisha then purified water in the name of the Lord for a city.
On the way up to Bethel children came and mocked Elisha for being bald. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and two she bears came and mauled 42 of the children.
Chapter 3
Joram succeeded his father Ahab as the king of Israel. He did away with the Baal worship, but not with the sins of Jeroboam.
Now Moab rebelled against Israel so Joram called Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to join him against Moab. Elisha prophesied that they would crush Moab through the Lord.
Chapter 4
Elisha then performed a miracle through God to save a widow's children from slavery.
A woman named Gehazi showed kindness to Elisha. She was without children and her husband was old. Elisha said the Lord would give her a son. The boy was born but died very young. Gehazi went to Elisha and wept over her son. Elisha went to her house and found the boy dead. Elisha prayed to God and the boy rose from the dead.
Elisha then fixed a stew that was poisoned. He put meal in it and it became poisoned no more.
Chapter 5
Naaman was the captain of Aram and won many victories in the Lord, but was a leper. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River and be clean. Naaman became angry at this but was convinced to listen and was healed. Naaman tried to pay Elisha for this healing, but Elisha refused. Finally Naaman asked for dirt of Israel to worship the true God and Elisha consented. Elisha's servant however ran behind Elisha's back and asked for payment. When Elisha learned of this he inflicted the servant with leprosy.
Chapter 6
While getting wood for their lodging a prophet lost the iron of his ax in the Jordan River. Elisha raised it to the surface.
Aram tried to attack Israel but Elisha warned the king of Israel every time the Arameans mounted an attack and they were defeated. The king of Aram set out to kidnap Elisha.
Elisha blinded his kidnappers and took them to Samaria. The king of Israel served them food and drink and then sent them home. No more raiders of Aram entered into Israel.
All of Aram then came and besieged Samaria. The famine became severe and the people turned to cannibalism. The king of Israel was angry and set out to behead Elisha for this.
The Lord caused the army of Aram to hear phantom chariots coming for them and they fled their camp in fear.
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 1
After the death of King Ahab the Moabites rebelled against Israel.
Ahaziah fell and injured himself. He sent for Baalzebub to see if he would survive his injuries. The Lord sent Elijah to him and told him that he would die because he had sought the counsel of another god.
Chapter 2
Elijah was taken up to the Lord in a fiery chariot and the spirit of Elijah passed on to his pupil Elisha. Elisha then purified water in the name of the Lord for a city.
On the way up to Bethel children came and mocked Elisha for being bald. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and two she bears came and mauled 42 of the children.
Chapter 3
Joram succeeded his father Ahab as the king of Israel. He did away with the Baal worship, but not with the sins of Jeroboam.
Now Moab rebelled against Israel so Joram called Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to join him against Moab. Elisha prophesied that they would crush Moab through the Lord.
Chapter 4
Elisha then performed a miracle through God to save a widow's children from slavery.
A woman named Gehazi showed kindness to Elisha. She was without children and her husband was old. Elisha said the Lord would give her a son. The boy was born but died very young. Gehazi went to Elisha and wept over her son. Elisha went to her house and found the boy dead. Elisha prayed to God and the boy rose from the dead.
Elisha then fixed a stew that was poisoned. He put meal in it and it became poisoned no more.
Chapter 5
Naaman was the captain of Aram and won many victories in the Lord, but was a leper. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River and be clean. Naaman became angry at this but was convinced to listen and was healed. Naaman tried to pay Elisha for this healing, but Elisha refused. Finally Naaman asked for dirt of Israel to worship the true God and Elisha consented. Elisha's servant however ran behind Elisha's back and asked for payment. When Elisha learned of this he inflicted the servant with leprosy.
Chapter 6
While getting wood for their lodging a prophet lost the iron of his ax in the Jordan River. Elisha raised it to the surface.
Aram tried to attack Israel but Elisha warned the king of Israel every time the Arameans mounted an attack and they were defeated. The king of Aram set out to kidnap Elisha.
Elisha blinded his kidnappers and took them to Samaria. The king of Israel served them food and drink and then sent them home. No more raiders of Aram entered into Israel.
All of Aram then came and besieged Samaria. The famine became severe and the people turned to cannibalism. The king of Israel was angry and set out to behead Elisha for this.
The Lord caused the army of Aram to hear phantom chariots coming for them and they fled their camp in fear.
Brief Notes on 1 Kings 9-22
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on 1 Kings
Chapter 9
The Lord spoke to Solomon through Gibeon, telling Solomon that the Lord would remain faithful to the temple so long as Solomon and Israel remained faithful to the Lord. But, He warned Solomon if they turned to idols He would put the Temple to ruins.
Chapter 10
The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to see if he was as wise as his fame reported. She found it to be so and gave Solomon the largest gift ever given to a king. Solomon grew to be the wealthiest man in the world and all kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. (It is interesting that the Scriptures state that the men came to hear the wisdom that God had given him, not to see the fortune of Solomon).
Chapter 11
Solomon sinned and married many foreign women. Solomon was swayed by the gods of his wives and did not follow the Lord with his whole heart as David had done. The Lord grew angry with Solomon and told him that He would split the kingdom, not in the lifetime of Solomon though on account of the Lord's love of David. God raised up Hadad, heir to Edom against Solomon. Also the Lord raised up Rezin, who became king of Damascus, against Solomon. The Lord raised up Jeroboam and gave to him 10 tribes of Israel to be king over.
Chapter 12
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went up to Schechem and spoke to Israel. They told Rehoboam they would follow him if he had an easier yoke for them than Solomon. Rehoboam consulted his father's advisors and they told him to do such. He then consulted young men of his age and they told him to press the Israelites even harder. Rehoboam took the latter advice and Israel abandoned him as king, leaving only Judah for him to rule.
Jeroboam was then made king of Israel's other ten tribes. Jeroboam then sinned against the Lord by erecting idols to the Lord to have the people worship at, rather than traveling to Jerusalem.
Chapter 13
The Lord sent up a man from Judah to the altar where Jeroboam was offering sacrifices and spoke out against Jeroboam. He told everyone that Josiah would rise up out of Judah and slaughter Israel on this altar for their sins. A prophet of Israel tricked the man of God from Judah into coming home with him and eating. As punishment the man of God from Judah was slain by a lion on his trip back home.
Chapter 14
Abijah, the son of Jeroboam grew ill so Jeroboam sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen to his son. It was Ahijah that told Jeroboam initially that he would become king. Ahijah told Jeroboam's wife that her son would die because of the sins of Jeroboam. All Ahijah said happened and all of Israel mourned the death of Abijah. Jeroboam died and his son Nadab succeeded him. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.
Rehoboam, the king of Judah sinned and the Lord punished Judah. The Egyptian king carried off the wealth of the Temple of Solomon.
Chapter 15
Abijam succeeded Rehoboam as king of Judah. Abijam warred with Jeroboam and reigned over Judah for three years. He sinned as his father Rehoboam had.
Asa, son of Abijam, succeeded Abijam and reigned for 41 years. Asa banished the prostitutes and tore down the idols of his fathers. Asa pleased the Lord.
Nadab, son of Jeroboam, king of Israel was wicked in the eyes of the Lord. He only reigned for two years over Israel.
Baasha, a son of Issachar, deposed Nadab and became king over Israel. Baasha killed off the entire house of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned for 24 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Chapter 16
Elah, son of Baasha, succeeded him as king of Israel.
Zimri plotted against Elah and killed him. He then killed the whole house of Baasha as the Lord had said would happen through the prophet Jehu.
Zimri reigned for only seven days and was replaced by Omri, the general of the Israelite army.
Omri reigned for 12 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Ahab succeeded his father Omri as king. Ahab reigned for 22 years over Israel, but was even more wicked than his father. Ahab turned to Baal worship. During the reign of Ahab a man from Bethel named Hiel rebuilt Jericho. He lost his two sons as the Lord said would happen through Joshua.
Chapter 17
Elijah rose up and went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would send a drought on him. Elijah then hid in the Wadi Cherith where the Lord had ravens feed him. The wadi grew dry and the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Sidon. There the Lord made the widow's cup of flour and cup of oil sustain her, Elijah and her son for a whole year. Elijah called upon the Lord to heal the boy and the Lord did so.
Chapter 18
Obadiah hid 100 prophets of the Lord when Jezebel, queen of Ahab began to murder the followers of the Lord.
Elijah then went to Ahab as the Lord commanded. Elijah commanded Ahab to summon Israel to Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah spoke to the people of ISrael and said, 'if the Lord is God then follow him; if Baal is God then follow him'. Elijah called for two bulls, one for himself and one for the prophets of Baal. He said the true God would start the fire for the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on Baal to start the fire for hours, but Elijah mocked them. Elijah then prepared the bull on the altar to the Lord he had built and poured twelve jars of water on the holocaust. He prayed to the Lord and the fire of the Lord came down and consumed the holocaust and the altar itself. Elijah told the Israelites to kill the prophets of Baal and the Lord sent rain to parched Israel.
Chapter 19
Jezebel cursed Elijah for what he did to the prophets of Baal. Elijah walked across the desert for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel. Elijah then went and anointed Elisha as his successor as the Lord commanded.
Chapter 20
Ben-hadad, king of Aram went to war against Ahab of Israel. The Lord then delivered the Arameans into the hands of Ahab. Ben-hadad attacked again and the Lord handed him a defeat through Israel. But, Ahab set Ben-hadad free, so the Lord's anger flared up against Ahab.
Chapter 21
Ahab went to Naboth and asked him to sell his vineyard to him, but Naboth refused because it was his ancestral heritage. Jezebel then had Naboth stoned to death and told Ahab to go and claim the field. Elijah then went and doomed the line of Ahab on cue from the Lord. Ahab humbled himself before the Lord at the news, so the Lord told Elijah that because Ahab had humbled himself he would not bring about the doom during Ahab's life.
Chapter 22
King Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab went to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Four hundred prophets of the Lord told Ahab to go, but Micaiah told him that he would be defeated. Ahab locked Micaiah in prison until he returned. Micaiah said that if he returned then the words he had spoken were not from the Lord. King Ahab was killed while he was in disguise by a stray arrow. The Israelites then fled in terror.
King Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years over Judah. He followed his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Ahaziah was wicked and worshiped Baal. He reigned only two years.
Notes on 1 Kings
Chapter 9
The Lord spoke to Solomon through Gibeon, telling Solomon that the Lord would remain faithful to the temple so long as Solomon and Israel remained faithful to the Lord. But, He warned Solomon if they turned to idols He would put the Temple to ruins.
Chapter 10
The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to see if he was as wise as his fame reported. She found it to be so and gave Solomon the largest gift ever given to a king. Solomon grew to be the wealthiest man in the world and all kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. (It is interesting that the Scriptures state that the men came to hear the wisdom that God had given him, not to see the fortune of Solomon).
Chapter 11
Solomon sinned and married many foreign women. Solomon was swayed by the gods of his wives and did not follow the Lord with his whole heart as David had done. The Lord grew angry with Solomon and told him that He would split the kingdom, not in the lifetime of Solomon though on account of the Lord's love of David. God raised up Hadad, heir to Edom against Solomon. Also the Lord raised up Rezin, who became king of Damascus, against Solomon. The Lord raised up Jeroboam and gave to him 10 tribes of Israel to be king over.
Chapter 12
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went up to Schechem and spoke to Israel. They told Rehoboam they would follow him if he had an easier yoke for them than Solomon. Rehoboam consulted his father's advisors and they told him to do such. He then consulted young men of his age and they told him to press the Israelites even harder. Rehoboam took the latter advice and Israel abandoned him as king, leaving only Judah for him to rule.
Jeroboam was then made king of Israel's other ten tribes. Jeroboam then sinned against the Lord by erecting idols to the Lord to have the people worship at, rather than traveling to Jerusalem.
Chapter 13
The Lord sent up a man from Judah to the altar where Jeroboam was offering sacrifices and spoke out against Jeroboam. He told everyone that Josiah would rise up out of Judah and slaughter Israel on this altar for their sins. A prophet of Israel tricked the man of God from Judah into coming home with him and eating. As punishment the man of God from Judah was slain by a lion on his trip back home.
Chapter 14
Abijah, the son of Jeroboam grew ill so Jeroboam sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen to his son. It was Ahijah that told Jeroboam initially that he would become king. Ahijah told Jeroboam's wife that her son would die because of the sins of Jeroboam. All Ahijah said happened and all of Israel mourned the death of Abijah. Jeroboam died and his son Nadab succeeded him. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.
Rehoboam, the king of Judah sinned and the Lord punished Judah. The Egyptian king carried off the wealth of the Temple of Solomon.
Chapter 15
Abijam succeeded Rehoboam as king of Judah. Abijam warred with Jeroboam and reigned over Judah for three years. He sinned as his father Rehoboam had.
Asa, son of Abijam, succeeded Abijam and reigned for 41 years. Asa banished the prostitutes and tore down the idols of his fathers. Asa pleased the Lord.
Nadab, son of Jeroboam, king of Israel was wicked in the eyes of the Lord. He only reigned for two years over Israel.
Baasha, a son of Issachar, deposed Nadab and became king over Israel. Baasha killed off the entire house of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned for 24 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Chapter 16
Elah, son of Baasha, succeeded him as king of Israel.
Zimri plotted against Elah and killed him. He then killed the whole house of Baasha as the Lord had said would happen through the prophet Jehu.
Zimri reigned for only seven days and was replaced by Omri, the general of the Israelite army.
Omri reigned for 12 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Ahab succeeded his father Omri as king. Ahab reigned for 22 years over Israel, but was even more wicked than his father. Ahab turned to Baal worship. During the reign of Ahab a man from Bethel named Hiel rebuilt Jericho. He lost his two sons as the Lord said would happen through Joshua.
Chapter 17
Elijah rose up and went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would send a drought on him. Elijah then hid in the Wadi Cherith where the Lord had ravens feed him. The wadi grew dry and the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Sidon. There the Lord made the widow's cup of flour and cup of oil sustain her, Elijah and her son for a whole year. Elijah called upon the Lord to heal the boy and the Lord did so.
Chapter 18
Obadiah hid 100 prophets of the Lord when Jezebel, queen of Ahab began to murder the followers of the Lord.
Elijah then went to Ahab as the Lord commanded. Elijah commanded Ahab to summon Israel to Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah spoke to the people of ISrael and said, 'if the Lord is God then follow him; if Baal is God then follow him'. Elijah called for two bulls, one for himself and one for the prophets of Baal. He said the true God would start the fire for the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on Baal to start the fire for hours, but Elijah mocked them. Elijah then prepared the bull on the altar to the Lord he had built and poured twelve jars of water on the holocaust. He prayed to the Lord and the fire of the Lord came down and consumed the holocaust and the altar itself. Elijah told the Israelites to kill the prophets of Baal and the Lord sent rain to parched Israel.
Chapter 19
Jezebel cursed Elijah for what he did to the prophets of Baal. Elijah walked across the desert for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel. Elijah then went and anointed Elisha as his successor as the Lord commanded.
Chapter 20
Ben-hadad, king of Aram went to war against Ahab of Israel. The Lord then delivered the Arameans into the hands of Ahab. Ben-hadad attacked again and the Lord handed him a defeat through Israel. But, Ahab set Ben-hadad free, so the Lord's anger flared up against Ahab.
Chapter 21
Ahab went to Naboth and asked him to sell his vineyard to him, but Naboth refused because it was his ancestral heritage. Jezebel then had Naboth stoned to death and told Ahab to go and claim the field. Elijah then went and doomed the line of Ahab on cue from the Lord. Ahab humbled himself before the Lord at the news, so the Lord told Elijah that because Ahab had humbled himself he would not bring about the doom during Ahab's life.
Chapter 22
King Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab went to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Four hundred prophets of the Lord told Ahab to go, but Micaiah told him that he would be defeated. Ahab locked Micaiah in prison until he returned. Micaiah said that if he returned then the words he had spoken were not from the Lord. King Ahab was killed while he was in disguise by a stray arrow. The Israelites then fled in terror.
King Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years over Judah. He followed his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Ahaziah was wicked and worshiped Baal. He reigned only two years.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Notes on Polycarp
(Originally Written June 2, 2008 in the Journal)
Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, appointed there by the apostle, St. John.
Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians
He warns the Philippians against the vapid discourses of the vulgar (heresies and the philosophies of the pagans).
A man's mind should always be bent on faith, hope and love of God and Christ, and love of neighbor.
He warns that troubles stem from the love of money. He warns against loose living.
"If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving" (Early Christian Writings, 121).
We must not associate with hypocritical Christians.
We must imitate the patience of Christ and if we must suffer than we ought to give glory to God for it.
Keep yourself from even the slightest taint of wrong.
What am I to say Lord? I have been made a fool, a disgrace, There is no love or respect. I am chastised for every action, for every word. The Lord has called me to love a woman who despises me. Turn your eyes upon me in mercy. Lord, my heart is failing. I have no joy in me. Why do you so easily take what I hold most dear? Lord I give it to you willingly, though I choke back these tears. My soul is in utter anguish and my heart aches with such tenacity I know not how to describe it. I see the world mocking me and jeering. There is no comfort, no solace. Even bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh is of no comfort. She causes me such strife and pain.
Where are you Lord? I call out in utter despair and do not hear your voice. I do not feel your warm embrace. My eyes well with tears and stream down my face. I am no man, I am but a lost child. When will you raise me up? How long oh Lord must I suffer? Will you allow the enemy to tear me apart? If so then give me the strength to endure in your Holy name. Make my misery and down fall so public that the whole world will know it that I may be a testimony to you. Lord how do I thank you for this? How do I praise your name when you bring ruin upon me? I offer not lip service, but genuine faith. Praise be to the Lord for He is good. Though we may be afflicted and suffer cruel injustice, we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. None of us Lord is perfect, all deserve a sinner's death. Yet, you in Christ Jesus our Lord and savior made us blameless in your sight. The Lord is truly faithful. Though all mankind forsake me, I will rejoice gladly for the Lord shall never leave me.
She is leaving today Lord. Watch over her and draw her back to you. Do not let her fall into temptations. Do not afflict me any more. Love her as you do and show her mercy and kindness. Circumcise her heart and mind and ears. May she come to see you as I do and better, for I am but beginning to see you. Bless her in all she does and if it is your will restore her to me, for I love her dearly.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
A young man named Germanicus was martyred at the hands of beasts. He was offered out of this death on account of his youth, but dragged the beast nearer to him to speed to God.
Quintus of Phrygia went voluntarily to the slaughter, but lost heart at the sight of the animals. He recanted and offered incense to the false gods of the Romans. For this reason, and for the fact that it is contrary to the gospel, men ought not offer themselves up spontaneously.
When the men caught Polycarp they were surprised that the death of such an old man was such urgent business. The governor asked Polycarp to renounce Christ, or even just utter "down with the infidels" to be free of punishment. But, Polycarp swept his hand at the heathen crowd and uttered "down with the infidels". The governor then threatened Polycarp with beasts and Polycarp called them up. He threatened Polycarp with fire and still Polycarp showed no fear. He was 86 years old at this time. Polycarp then prayed to God as he was attached to the pyre. The fire was lit, but would not burn high enough to kill Polycarp. Polycarp was then stabbed to death. The blood of Polycarp poured out of his body and put the flames out and the crowd was amazed.
Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, appointed there by the apostle, St. John.
Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians
He warns the Philippians against the vapid discourses of the vulgar (heresies and the philosophies of the pagans).
A man's mind should always be bent on faith, hope and love of God and Christ, and love of neighbor.
He warns that troubles stem from the love of money. He warns against loose living.
"If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving" (Early Christian Writings, 121).
We must not associate with hypocritical Christians.
We must imitate the patience of Christ and if we must suffer than we ought to give glory to God for it.
Keep yourself from even the slightest taint of wrong.
What am I to say Lord? I have been made a fool, a disgrace, There is no love or respect. I am chastised for every action, for every word. The Lord has called me to love a woman who despises me. Turn your eyes upon me in mercy. Lord, my heart is failing. I have no joy in me. Why do you so easily take what I hold most dear? Lord I give it to you willingly, though I choke back these tears. My soul is in utter anguish and my heart aches with such tenacity I know not how to describe it. I see the world mocking me and jeering. There is no comfort, no solace. Even bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh is of no comfort. She causes me such strife and pain.
Where are you Lord? I call out in utter despair and do not hear your voice. I do not feel your warm embrace. My eyes well with tears and stream down my face. I am no man, I am but a lost child. When will you raise me up? How long oh Lord must I suffer? Will you allow the enemy to tear me apart? If so then give me the strength to endure in your Holy name. Make my misery and down fall so public that the whole world will know it that I may be a testimony to you. Lord how do I thank you for this? How do I praise your name when you bring ruin upon me? I offer not lip service, but genuine faith. Praise be to the Lord for He is good. Though we may be afflicted and suffer cruel injustice, we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. None of us Lord is perfect, all deserve a sinner's death. Yet, you in Christ Jesus our Lord and savior made us blameless in your sight. The Lord is truly faithful. Though all mankind forsake me, I will rejoice gladly for the Lord shall never leave me.
She is leaving today Lord. Watch over her and draw her back to you. Do not let her fall into temptations. Do not afflict me any more. Love her as you do and show her mercy and kindness. Circumcise her heart and mind and ears. May she come to see you as I do and better, for I am but beginning to see you. Bless her in all she does and if it is your will restore her to me, for I love her dearly.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
A young man named Germanicus was martyred at the hands of beasts. He was offered out of this death on account of his youth, but dragged the beast nearer to him to speed to God.
Quintus of Phrygia went voluntarily to the slaughter, but lost heart at the sight of the animals. He recanted and offered incense to the false gods of the Romans. For this reason, and for the fact that it is contrary to the gospel, men ought not offer themselves up spontaneously.
When the men caught Polycarp they were surprised that the death of such an old man was such urgent business. The governor asked Polycarp to renounce Christ, or even just utter "down with the infidels" to be free of punishment. But, Polycarp swept his hand at the heathen crowd and uttered "down with the infidels". The governor then threatened Polycarp with beasts and Polycarp called them up. He threatened Polycarp with fire and still Polycarp showed no fear. He was 86 years old at this time. Polycarp then prayed to God as he was attached to the pyre. The fire was lit, but would not burn high enough to kill Polycarp. Polycarp was then stabbed to death. The blood of Polycarp poured out of his body and put the flames out and the crowd was amazed.
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