FaithCapo.com Bible Studies Faith Lutheran Church

Genesis 9 states there is retribution for shedding human blood, stating that those who take a life should forfeit their own life. Lifelong imprisonment for murderers is counter to this command of God. This principle emphasizes the sanctity of human life that is rooted in the truth that humans are created in the image of God. God's covenant with Noah and his descendants was made and recorded here, giving the rainbow as a sign of God's mercy and grace. This is contrasted with Satan's attempts to deceive through signs in the sky that ultimately serve to deceive and lead humanity away from God. Luther's perspective on colors in the rainbow, highlight their significance in representing God's judgment and mercy.

This session from Proverbs 27 offers valuable reminders for navigating relationships, making decisions, and living a life aligned with biblical principles:
1. Humility and Reliance on God: Proverbs 27:1 warns against boasting about tomorrow, reminding us of the uncertainty of life and the importance of humility and reliance on God's providence.
2. Parenting with Purpose: The goal of parenting transcends labels like "soft love" or "hard love." Instead, it's about guiding children on their journey toward heaven, instilling in them the fear and knowledge of the Lord while fostering independence.
3. True Friendship and Honest Counsel: True friendship entails offering honest counsel rather than excessive praise. Faithful wounds from a friend are seen as valuable, highlighting the importance of genuine relationships built on trust and truth.
4. Loyalty and Support: In times of need, loyalty from friends and neighbors is emphasized over depending solely on family ties. Meaningful relationships with those around us provide crucial support and strength.
5. Seeking Wisdom and Spiritual Integrity: The session underscores the importance of seeking wisdom from God and maintaining spiritual integrity amidst life's challenges. Beginning and ending each day with prayer is highlighted as a beneficial practice.

In Chapter 12, God gives Ezekiel two action prophecies that indicate the forthcoming deportation after Jerusalem's fall and its associated horrors. Two complaints the people use to discount God's warnings are described. Yet, God's overarching purpose in judgment is to bring forth repentance and create trust in His salvation, freely offered to Israel in Christ's death and resurrection. Chapter 13 declares that all religions do not lead to the same place. There is only one true Gospel of salvation and that is by grace through faith in Christ. False teachers who preach or practice otherwise are condemned. Throughout, God repeats the words "My people" to expresses the Lord's offer of salvation to all who believe.

This first session of this series titled Primer on the Covenants begins in Genesis 6 with a discussion of God's covenant with Noah. Humanity begins to multiply on the earth, leading to intermarriage between the "sons of God" and the "daughters of man." This intermingling produces the Nephilim, or giants, who are depicted negatively as dominating and violent figures. Two primary interpretations of this passage are discussed: the Sethite view, which sees the "sons of God" as the line of Seth and the "daughters of man" as the line of Cain, and the Angelic view, which interprets the "sons of God" as angelic beings who procreate with human women. The wickedness of humanity is described. God responds by , expressing regret for creating humanity due to their continuous evil. Despite this, Noah finds favor in God's eyes, emphasizing his faithfulness amidst widespread corruption. The session discussion delves into theological concepts such as God's transcendence and imminence, exploring the tension between God's unchanging nature and his expressions of sorrow and repentance in the text. Additionally, it touches on the significance of Noah's faith and the broader themes of God�s hierarchy and dominion over creation.

This teaching focuses on the negative traits and behaviors of the sluggard, a lazy individual who consistently avoids work by making excuses. This person is portrayed as someone who invents absurd reasons for not participating in productive activities. The sluggard's self-righteous attitude is highlighted wherein they perceive themselves as wiser than others despite their laziness. This misguided sense of superiority prevents them from acknowledging their faults and learning from the wisdom of others, including God's Word. Consequently, they remain stagnant and resistant to positive change. This teaching also advises against meddling in the conflicts or quarrels of others. It cautions against involving oneself in disputes that do not directly concern them, emphasizing the importance of minding one's own business. Seeking external validation such as therapy for relational problems may distract one from addressing internal spiritual issues. Pastor Rhode expounds on this subject in a response from minute 11:00 to 21:00. Seeking guidance from God's Word and your pastor, rather than relying on human wisdom, is specified.

These chapters in Ezekiel continue to depict God's judgment on Jerusalem for its sinfulness. God promises the departure of his glory from the temple as well as gives the promise of restoration for the repentant. In Chapter 9, Ezekiel has a vision of six men coming from the direction of the upper gate facing north, each with a weapon in his hand. Among them is a man clothed in linen with a writing kit at his side. This man is instructed to go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over the detestable things being done in the city. The others are instructed to follow him and kill without showing pity or compassion, sparing only those marked with the seal. This marks the beginning of God's judgment upon Jerusalem for its sins. In Chapter 10, Ezekiel's vision is of the glory of the Lord departing from the temple in Jerusalem. As the glory of the Lord departs, the city is left vulnerable to destruction. In Chapter 11, Ezekiel sees a group of leaders and elders of Israel who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in the city. God promises judgment upon them. Ezekiel is then taken in a vision to the eastern gate of the temple, where he sees the glory of the Lord standing. God tells Ezekiel that he will scatter the people of Jerusalem among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands. However, he also promises to gather them back to their land and give them a new heart and a new spirit, removing their heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. This chapter reveals both the judgment and the eventual restoration of Israel by God.