May I have a WORD with you?

John
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Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 124 (S7E9) Joel - Part 1

    References: Setting and background/context of JoelWho was Joel?When did Joel work as God’s Prophet?Some suggestions from the textTemple - JerusalemNo kings - ?Most likely post-exhile in the time of Ezra/NehemiahJoel shows familiarity with many other prophetsJoel never identifies any specific sin on Israel’s partHe announces God’s judgment, but doesn’t say why.Perhaps he assumes that the people, like himself, are familiar with the work of the other prophets.How is this short book layed out?Mirror image prophetic poems - sin leads to disasterCh 1 - a past Day of the LordCh 2 - vss 1-17 - a future Day of the LordCh 2 - vss 18-27 - God’s response - mercy leads to hopeGod’s defeat of enemiesGod’s restoration of the landGod’s presence among His peopleCh 2&3 - vss 2:28-3:21 - THE Day of the Lord - God’s Kingdom in its fullnessGod’s Spirit poured out - 2:28-32God’s defeat of evil among all nations - 3:1-16God’s renewal of all creation - 3:17-21Joel 1:1-4 - announcement of disasterThe mystery of v 4The four types of “locusts”Locust #1 גָּזָם (gaw-zawm)Locust #2 אַרְבֶּה (ar-beh’) most common in OTLocust #3 יֶלֶק (yeh'-lek) young locustLocust #4 חָסִיל (khaw-seel') A literal biological view - an infestation of desert locust described at each stage of its biological development from larvae to winged adultA political view - metaphor for four successive empires that invaded IsraelThe BabyloniansThe Medo-PersiansThe Greeks (Macedonians)The Romans A looking back - the 8th plague upon Egypt (Ex 10) has come upon IsraelTHE Day of the Lord view - Acts and Revelation draw from Joel’s imageryActs 2 - Pentecost: Peter says is a fulfillment of JoelRev 9:1-11 - the 1st terrorJoel 1:5-18 - a call to repentanceDrunkards, for there is no more wine, like a bride in black mourning her dead husbandPriests, farmers, leadersPut on sackcloth (burlap) שַׂק (sak)First mentioned in Gen 37:34 as Jacob mourned for his son JosephJoel 1:19-20 - Calling out to the Lord (an act of repentance)

    34 min

  2. FEB 20

    Ep 123 (S7E8) Ashes and the Day of the Lord

    References: 40 Days of LentA season of introspection, devotion and journeying to the cross and the empty tombConsider Biblical 40 day/night periodsNoah and the flood - Gen 7 (purifying)Moses on Mt Sinai - Ex 24 (law-giving)Elijah’s journey to Mt Sinai - 1 Kings 19 (preparing)Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness - Mt 4; Lk 4 (fighting for us)Sackcloth, dust and AshesA sign of mourning - Esther 4:1A sign of repentance - Job 42:6; Jonah 3:6Nathan in The ChosenSpiritual disciplines: Prayer, Fasting and Alms-givingMat 6:1-6, 16-21In secret - κρυπτός from κρύπτω (kryptō)Reward - ἀποδίδωμι (ap-od-eed'-o-mee)Joel and the Day of the LordOne’s heart vs one’s outward appearanceOne of the most famous lines in the passage is: “Rend your hearts and not your garments.” This is crucial for Ash Wednesday because it prevents the ritual of receiving ashes from becoming a mere outward show. It sets a mandatory annual reminder that the 40-day journey ahead is an internal transformation that God works as we humbly align with Him.A total communal responseThe great refrain: "For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love..."

    32 min

  3. FEB 13

    Ep 122 (S7E7) Malachi Part 5: The Sound of Silence

    References:  The Day of the Lord - v 1Burning בָּעַר (bāʿar) - see Ex 3:2Joel 2:28-32Acts 2:16-21The זֵד (zade') arrogant and the רִשְׁעָה (rish-aw') wickedSame words as in 3:15 - the reversal making evil good and good evilFrom now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.Not only consuming the arogant and wicked, but their legacy and influence as wellRoots שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheh'-resh)  andBranches עָנָף (aw-nawf')Judgement: historical and future/finalSun of Righteousness - v2  Compare the judgement images in Joel with v 2The sun is turned to darkness Joel 2:10, 31, 3:15The sun brings healing - Mal 4:2Translator’s use of upper case for Sun or RighteousnessInterpreting this as Messianic prophecyHealing in (His/his/its) wingsSee Matthew 9:20-21 (fringe, hem, tassels)Vs 3 - the restoration of God’s justice and good/evil standardThe Law and the Prophets - vss 4-6The תּוֹרָה (Torah) of Moses: instruction, directionElijah to return BEFORE… devout Jews, particularly in Orthodox Judaism, are still waiting.During the Passover Seder, a cup of wine is poured and a chair is left empty for ElijahElijah will arrive to resolve disputes, reconcile families (v 6), and announce the final redemption.The arrival of Elijah is considered a direct precursor to the MessiahV 6: He will turn the heart (singular) of fathers (plural) to their children (plural) and the heart (singular) of children to their fathersA singular “heart” implies restoring a singular, unified, and loving relationship rather than fragmented, individual feelings.“Fathers” often refers to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and their covenant, meaning the hearts of the children (current generation) are to be turned toward that singular, ancestral, and righteous covenantal foundation.Matthew 17:3Each of the stories of Jesus’ transfigurationLuke 24:27 - post resurrection, Jesus took them through all the scriptures beginning with Moses and all the Prophets.“Otherwise” - the OT concludes and a period of four hundred odd years of Prophetic silence ensues.Mat 11:13-15Prophets and LawJohn IS ElijahThe Sound of 400 years of silence?Cultural unification under the Greeks (Hellenization)Political infrastructure under the RomansSpiritual preparation in Jewish diaspora with the establishment of the system of synagogues. Galatians 4:4-7… Period. Prophecy of Malachi 4:6 fulfilled

    37 min

  4. FEB 6

    Ep 121 (S7E6) Malachi Part 4: Written in the Book of Life

    References:  The sixth argument - 3:13-15God says “You’ve been hard on me” v 13The peoples’ typical response, “what are you talking about? How?”Vss 14-15 - “Why do the evil prosper and the righteous suffer?”A prominent question being wrestled out in JobThe theory of “temporal retribution.”See John 9 - “Who sinned that this man was born blind?”The Scroll of Rememberance - 3:16-18The remnantRemember Elijah’s morose assessment andGod’s correction - 1 Kings 19:9-18Names of the faithful recordedSee Dan 12:1; Lk 10:20; Heb 12:23; Rev 21:27Personal see Isa 49:16 - Don’t you love the image?Vss 17-18 - the answer to the peoples’ question in vss 14-15 What sense do we make of this?

    33 min

  5. JAN 30

    Ep 120 (S7E5) Malachi Part 3: The immutable God and prideful humanity

    References:  The fifth argument - 3:6-12Immutability of God - vs 6See Hebrews 6:16-20Also Hebrews 13:8Therefore… People referred to as children of, or descendents of JacobAnother point back to Genesis; Jacob as deceiver, cheater, robber.An unanswered question of the people? Vs 7Consider God’s question to Adam “Where are you?” Gen 3:9To Cain “Where is Abel?” Gen 4:9Is it unanswered? God goes on to argue that the people have cheated (NLT) robbed (ESV, MSG) “Should people קָבַע (kaw-bah') cheat, robA word used only here in vss 8 & 9, and in Prov.See Prov 22:22-23 (used 2x in v 23) - context Vs 10 - Bring the full tithe… An answer to the peoples’ question in vs 7? Abraham - Gen 14:18-20Jacob - Gen 28:20-22Torah - Lev 27:30Nehemiah - Neh 13:10-12Putting God to the testDeut 6:16 - do NOTMat 4:7 - do NOTMal 3:10 - “Put me to the test!”Can we make sense of all this?

    34 min

  6. JAN 23

    Ep 119 (S7E4) Malachi Part 2: May I not call evil good or good evil.

    References:  Review Malachi 1:1-2:9Love vs hateLove = God’s covenant faithfulnessHate = God’s disdain for prideful self relianceHonor vs contemptCorrecting from Part 1 - Mal 1:14The “cheat” נָכַל (naw-kal') - to be deceitful, be crafty, be knavishCurse - Septuagint ἐπικατάρατοςJesus becomes the curse (Gal 3:10-13)NOT the “cheat”The third argument - Mal 2:10-16Vss 10-12Vs 10: Imageo Dei - we are all created in the image of GodCreated - בָּרָא (baw-raw') see Gen 1:1, 27Betray - בָּגַד (baw-gad') - to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherouslyThis word runs through the whole section“Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?”Consider Cain and Able - Gen 4The Prophet wants the reader to re-immerse in the primal stories of GenesisVss 13-16Men of Israel have married women of other people groups who worship idols.Oneness of marriage - v 15See Gen 2:24See Gen 1:29See Eph 5:31-33Marriage and divorceJesus’ words - Deut 24:1-4; Mt 19:3-121 Corinthians 7Divorce (putting away) (see Gen 3:23) is to cover with violence ( חָמָס - ḥāmās) The fourth argument - Mal 2:17 - 3:5Calling evil good and good evilImagine calling divorce a good thing and saying it is perfectly acceptable for any reason.Think of other things our world says that are contrary to God’s word. This is the temptation from Gen 3God’s messenger and the Day of the Lord3:1 describes the coming of both John the Baptist and Jesus.Refining - Handle’s Messiah (But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming)Worship song “Mighty Breath of God” - “Burning everything”

    34 min

  7. JAN 16

    Ep 118 (S7E3) Malachi Part 1: Love vs hate, honor vs contempt

    References:  Historical settingWhere this book fits in the Old TestamentWhat was going on with the people of IsraelThe PastBabylonian captivity - Prophetic hopesReturn to Jerusalem - see Ezra & Nehemiah100 years after the returnRather than the New JerusalemWe see poverty, injustice and corruptionThe “burden” of Malachi (a name which means messenger)The first argument between God and God’s people - Chapter 1 vss 2-5LOVE vs hateאָהַב (aw-hav') - Septuagint ἀγαπάω (ag-ap-ah'-o)שָׂנֵא (saw-nay') -  Septuagint μισέω (mis-eh'-o) Jacob vs EsauLove = God’s covenant faithfulnessHate = God’s disdain for prideful self relianceSee Genesis 25 & 27See Obadiah (MIHAWWY Ep 38)  Consider the words in 1:3Desert - wildernessJackels - (KJV- dragons)The second argument - 1:6 through 2:9Honor vs contemptכָּבַד (kaw-vad') - to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honouredבָּזָה (baw-zaw') - to despise, hold in contempt, disdain, to consider worthlessActions in worship that reveal an attitude of carelessness The “cheat” נָכַל (naw-kal') - to be deceitful, be crafty, be knavish - Septuagint ἐπικατάρατοςGalatians 3:10-13 - Jesus became the “cheat” (the accursed) in our place.Application to our lives of these argumentsLove vs hate and the cost of discipleship Luke 14:25-27How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways.  Honor vs contemptApply Jesus’ words in Luke 14 to your worshipIn what ways do you offer God your "leftovers" (time, energy, finances) instead of your best?If you offered your current level of devotion to God to your spouse or your boss, how would they respond?Grace vs works

    37 min

  8. JAN 9

    Ep 117 (S7E2) Gratitude Waves - Words never fit...

    References: This podcast has been about words, specifically God’s words.As another season and year gets going I’d like to direct us to the connections betweenOld and NewThe past, present and futureThe TimelessMalachi to John the BaptistThe burden (מַשָּׂא - mas-saw’) of the messageThe timeless vision Mal 1:11 (Holy ambiguity)Is orShall beCan we be grateful for 400 years of silence?What good are words in the silence?My favorite American author - William Faulkner“As I Lay Dying”“Words never fit even what they are trying to say atInvented by those who need them to fill up their lack”My words set to music by AI. Yikes! (Title: Gratitude Waves) [Verse 1] Tender footed first class, Never seeing star light Or the life of eagles But the life of the master Float across the stage of Make believe romances Baroness who dances in The set builder’s eyes [Pre-chorus] Words never fit even what they are trying to say at Invented by those who need them to fill up their lack [Verse 2] Simple strength of quiet fortitude Crowning servitude Ethic born of a Navy blue collar Never asked permission Of the man whose mission Is to hold tradition up more loosely than love [Pre-chorus] [Chorus] Gratitude waves crashing on the shoreline of sorrow Levying back all the tears All the todays make me hungry for more tomorrow Adding to hope not to fears [Verse 3] Build a house or maybe Build a home for baby And a baby’s siblings Home is wherever the heart is Generations progress Joyful heart reflection The giver’s given shines in the giving back [Bridge] Wings of the Dawn glowing red warning  Mercy’s kairotic passage to come [Verse 4] Half a cent to sixty Rushing’s not your forte Height and depth and length and breadth The breath of a lifetime Waiting for your room to be prepared No need to be scared Simply fall into His arms. Next Series - Malachi, in four or five parts

    32 min
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Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

Information

  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 May I have a WORD with you?
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    May I have a WORD with you?