Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code ‘n other things, but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    Judges 9, Acts 13, Jeremiah 22, Mark 8

    DateVersionReading Plan
    @July 26, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

    Judges 9

    Judges 9:53–54 (ESV) 53 And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

    As Abimelech came to the tower within the city of Thebez to fight against it, a woman threw an upper millstone on his head and crushed his skull. Seriously injured, Abimelech quickly summoned his armor-bearer to kill him by sword so it would not be said that he was killed by a woman. The calling of the armor-bearer reminded me of a similar incident that occurs some time later in which King Saul was badly wounded by archers and told his armor-bearer to also kill him by sword. In the case of Abimelech, the request was seated in the desire that his death not be at the hands of woman while Saul’s request was that he not fall into the hands of the Philistines and be mistreated. Abimelech’s armor-bearer heeded the plea and thrust him through but Saul’s armor-bearer, fearing greatly, did not fulfill the request and Saul proceeded to fall on his own sword. It is fascinating to be able to examine the parallels between these two men; both leaders in their own right and both meeting a similar end as they campaign against their enemies.

    Acts 13

    Acts 13:38–41 (ESV) 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41 “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ”

    As the capstone of his address to the people regarding their history from Moses to the present, Paul proclaims that forgiveness of sins is exclusively through belief in Jesus, a freedom that can not be achieved by the law of Moses. He admonishes them to beware lest they be as scoffers and succumb to unbelief that the Prophets had foretold. It was a powerful and confrontational decree but was met with a hunger among the people to hear more, “that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.” (Acts 13:42b). Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:43), but when they returned to speak on the next Sabbath, the Jews began to contradict what was spoken by Paul out of jealousy (Acts 13:45). In these passages we see the tumultuous ministry of Paul as he and his companions traveled and declared the good news of Jesus. It was not an easy path for him nor should we expect it to be for us as we carry out our role as ambassadors of Christ.

    Jeremiah 22

    Jeremiah 22:3–5 (ESV) 3 Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people. 5 But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

    Jeremiah speaks on behalf of the LORD that, if they do justice and righteousness, kings will enter the gates and sit on the throne of David. However, if they fail in their obedience, the LORD swore by Himself that the house would become a desolation. According the CSB Notes, the LORD swore by Himself as a means of “giving the strongest possible authentication to Jeremiah’s words.” As Creator and Sustainer of all things, there is no higher authority on which to swear. It is important to remember this as we read such passages, acknowledging His ultimate power and sovereign dominion.

    Mark 8

    Mark 8:38 (ESV) 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

    The BBC provides an excellent exposition on what it means to be ashamed of Jesus’ words and the shame that will befall the sinful generation at His coming in the glory of the Father:

    Our Lord realized that some of His young disciples might be stumbled in the path of discipleship by the fear of shame. So He reminded them that those who seek to avoid reproach because of Him will suffer a greater shame when He returns to earth in power. What a thought! Soon our Lord is coming back to earth, this time not in humiliation, but in His own personal glory and in the glory of His Father, with the holy angels. It will be a scene of dazzling splendor. He will then be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him now.

    Carson on Acts 13

    Roman citizens had three names. We do not know the other two in the case of “Mr. Paul” — for Paul was certainly the family name. Saul was an additional name preserved for the sake of his Jewish heritage.

    Reflecting on the church leadership in Antioch, Carson points out that Paul (a Roman citizen) would have had three names, that “Paul” was the family name and that “Saul” was an additional name preserved for his Jewish heritage. This is a truly fascinating detail about Paul and of Roman citizenry in general.

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