And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land" (ESV). Jonah feared the Lord? Why did he run away? Where'd he think he could flee? Fleeing the Maker on a boat on seas he created?
Until when shall I hold counsels in my soul, have pains in my heart by day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (Ps 12:3, NETS [13:2 in English versions]). The enemy prevails. Darkness grows. How long, God? You can do something about this darkness. You can kill the enemy. When will you … Continue reading Psalm 13:2—Jot Scriptures
"Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us" (NRSV). Stay away from the idle believer. Not because they aren't nice, believing people, but because they are going about doing … Continue reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6—Jot Scriptures
"Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight." Immaturity is the same as naïveté in this verse. Don't be naïve. If you play with fire, you will get burned. Understand this, and live.
"I saw in the spoil a beautiful, many–colored carpet and two hundred didrachmas of silver and one golden tongue–shaped object of fifty didrachmas, and I coveted them and took them. And look, they are hidden in the ground in my tent, and the silver is hidden underneath them” (NETS). Just a small prize for my … Continue reading Joshua 7:21—Jot Scriptures
It is the humility of the believing scientist, who respects the way God has made nature, studies its laws, and thereby gains the power over it that God intends humanity to have (Richard Bauckham, Living With Other Creatures: Green Exegesis and Theology [Waco, Tex.: Baylor University Press, 2011], 51). Though he had a humble outlook in … Continue reading Francis Bacon’s Believing Scientist
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned (ESV). One ought to think of oneself. It is necessary to consider one's … Continue reading Romans 12:3—Jot Scriptures
If anyone laughs when he sees our subtlety, to use the Psalmist’s words, about syllables, let him know that he reaps laughter’s fruitless fruit; and let us, neither giving in to men’s reproaches, nor yet vanquished by their disparagement, continue our investigation (Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit, 1:2; trans. B. Jackson, Accordance Module "Basil-E"). … Continue reading Basil—The Details of Theology
The Lord has become like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel; he has swallowed up all its palaces; he has laid in ruins its strongholds, and he has multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation (ESV). Like an enemy. All the former glory is lost; all the strong, safe places are gone. … Continue reading Lamentations 2:5—Jot Scriptures
Save me, O Lord, a devout one has failed, because truths became scarce among the sons of men (Ps 11:2 NETS). Truths became scarce. How? People stopped telling the truth. This is the reason given for the failing of a devout person of faith. Be bold.
Brian P. Baucom 