Googling God's Word

October 27^th, 2020

Jeremiah 51:1-53

Titus 2:1-15

Psalm 99:1-9

Proverbs 26:17

 

I encourage you to read the passages listed above. There are some great connections between them. But before you read them, contrary to all usual advice, I suggest having your phone out with google in hand. Stay focused on what you are reading, and use your phone (or computer) as a tool: When you don't understand the meaning of a word, the context of a sentence, or have any other question, look it up. It can transform how we interpret scripture. I'm going to spend today sharing a few of my takeaways based on this tactic:

 

1)      Jeremiah 51:1

Who are the people of Leb Kamai?

I couldn't get past the first verse of Jeremiah's reading without a quick "google" of the above question. After a brief search, I found out that Leb means "heart" and Kamai "rising up against", so God is sending the destroyer to the people whose hearts are rising up against him. This makes more sense in setting a context for the chapter we are about to read, about why God is sending a "destroyer" to these people.

 

2)      Jeremiah 51:2

What is winnowing?

In Jeremiah 51:2, God says he will send foreigners to Babylon to winnow her. I had no idea what this meant, but after a little research, I found that winnowing is a method used to separate wheat (or grain) from chaff (if that word generates a question mark for you, go ahead and google: what is chaff?). It is when a current of air is used to blow the chaff away and keep the good grain by having it fall to the ground. It can also be used to remove pests from stored grain. What a great metaphor for us in our walks of faith. If we have a current of air blown our way, will be blow away like the chaff or the pests, or will we fall to the floor from the weight of our faith?

 

3)      Titus 2:9-10

How does the teaching on slavery apply today?

Ok, this one I cheated and used the footnotes in my Bible (also a great resource!). This is what is says: "Slavery was common in Paul's day. Paul advised slaves and masters to be loving and responsible in their conduct. The standards set by Paul can help any employee/employer relationship. Employees should always do their best work and be trustworthy, not just when the employer is watching. Businesses lose millions of dollars a year to employee theft and time-wasting. If all Christian employees would follow Paul's advice at work, what a transformation it would make!"

This was a great reminder to me to have that spirit of integrity not only at work, but in my daily life. Titus is a book that teaches us sound doctrine, and we must teach others not only through our words, but through the way we live. This applies in work, in church, in family life, and in all of our relationships. Are you teaching others simply in living your daily life? That is what we are called to.

 

4)      Proverbs 26:17

What happens when you grab the ears of a stray dog?

This one didn't really require much googling. I can imagine you are very likely to get bitten if you engage in this type of behavior, much like you are likely to get hurt if you get involved in the argument of others. Clearly it's better to stay out of arguments altogether, but there's a special emphasis on the fact that when you don't know the person, and are simply a "passer-by", there is harm that could come to both you and the other. There is extreme value in nurturing a "stray", meeting its needs, showing it a safe place, and developing a relationship. We need to invest in others to know and understand them before we can get involved.

 

Friends, there is so much more that can be delved in to in today's reading. I urge you to dig deeper in to scripture so that you may grow deeper in your faith, stronger in your relationship with God, and that you may stand firm when the wind blows. My prayer for you is a heart that desires to understand His Word, and for encouragement and joy in every little thing you learn about our great God. Now go read and dig deeper!