Hive Bible Study

Welcome. Looking forward to having you.

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. Was discussing a book with my brother tonight called Anti-fragile. The excerpt... "Just as human bones get stronger when subjected to stress and tension, and rumors or riots intensify when someone tries to repress them, many things in life benefit from stress, disorder, volatility, and turmoil. What Taleb has identified and calls “antifragile” is that category of things that not only gain from chaos but need it in order to survive and flourish." You see people who are broken, who don't seem stronger from their events. It takes a level of trust for God to know what is best and respond appropriately. But its hard to invite or embrace it. Hard to parent in today's culture too with anti-fragility or refined by fire or tested gold or however you may want to define it.

Bible challenge has been a struggle lately! Trying to get as much as I can from Zech. Is it bad I've been getting more from the comments than the original text? Yahweh draw me near.

Just watched a video on youtube earlier tonight about the covenants God has made with Israel. 4 of them, with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. Partly about what a covenant between God and man actually is. At one point it was very contractual, people did things for God he did things for them. No longer the case. But still plenty of ways to work with God and live as he originally intended for us!

and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, ... Thought that was interesting. Have never really thought of God rejecting the Israelites but the other way around.

Significant things needs tucked away and almost hidden in scripture. The Jews missed this one. I know I'm missing a lot.

This chapter might be the happiest words to come from a prophet. Sometimes I forget that everlasting joy is the path we're on.

That's cool, I never would have guessed based on what you hear about it in the news.

6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? It's a strange concept to me to eat or drink for the Lord. Cant say I'm not altogether sure what that would entail even after pondering it for a while.

Spirit is there, In me. Must be waiting for me to do something I haven't figured out yet, and its not asking. Maybe I need to ask more politely.

The Creator is very creative. Sometimes I hear a popular song and I can't fathom how someone came up with the lyrics but somehow its all working together to make an engaging piece of music. I think the Bible is like that sometimes on a grand scale.

Mostly in the mind indeed. Still such a struggle for me to take from mind to practice.

Lots of heavenly activity in this chapter. The melding of Gods more mysterious realm and the one we live in. It will be interesting to join it someday.

I find angels in general very confusing.

Couple comments from today had me thinking. How would an Israelite respond to these words from Zechariah. Repentance must have been partially individual but more something they did together I think. Should it be so private as it is now?

Kind of a raw deal after releasing the Israelites to rebuild it appears those kingdoms are pronounced doomed.

Our need for redirection and guidance is perpetual. What's my strategy for making sure I am not chasing squirrels? This daily routine for one. But I need now throughout the day.

Yeah that is something to ponder. Curious as I thought Jesus was sort of the first to bring us the idea of turning the other cheek. Most of the OT, including the psalms, people and God have bad things to say about those who trespass the Israelites (at least when they aren't in rebellion).

A pagan king doing the work of restoring Gods people and his temple. But surprisingly to me it's very matter of fact and not much is really said on it. I wonder what his own nation said of him.

Part of me wonders why the temple was so important. We don't really need temples now. Was Gods presence actually absent when the temple was destroyed? I doubt it, but still important work. Clearly a spiritual morale booster.

Everyday we have a chance to work on our temple. There are obstacles, setbacks, tricks, discouragement. It takes time, energy, and willpower.

I'm no stranger to this type of of verbal discouragement. I'm no pro at handling it either. But ultimately, as Greg said its confidence we've gained from consulting God (a sometimes arduous process)that will see us through. But anything important will have its opponents.

There's a clarity of purpose and direction at the beginning of a journey, or the start of a project. Inevitably, opposition will start mounting. Like Tony said, victory is found in the Lord. I'm starting to understand what that means but its not too obvious in my eyes. But I think its starting closely tethered to him through prayer/thought. Other ways to stay close are creating reminders and opportunities throughout the day, whether through fellowship, teaching, music, tradition, spiritual disciplines, the more the better!

Did the Israelites do anything to prompt their release? Were they trusting, waiting faithfully? Somehow I doubt it, but God did have a plan and made it happen. Working all things together for good is his specialty. So what role do we play in the process?

Only the wise will understand this passage says. Does God make us wise? Or is it a choice. I know we can ask for wisdom, that's a choice. We can seek wisdom, that's a choice. But wisdom is also a major component in making the right choice. It's a paradox. We need wisdom to make the choice to become wise but we need to be wise to make the choices that lead to wisdom.

All true. I know Jesus and his way is more powerful than our culture... but there is definitely one thats winning peoples hearts and minds right now. But I suppose that's the repeating message of the prophets.

There is a depth to the bible, layers upon layers. This chapter is deep in the core, deeper than I've reached. Your will be done, your kingdom come.

I don't know much about spiritual warfare. Its a strange concept though, you think of a battle as something two sides fighting to win. Obviously God doesn't need to fight. He gave us tools to fight though and wants us utilizing his power to fight. So winning is the goal, but God doesn't want to make it too easy for us. Why? That I'm not sure, seems like if Jesus said it would be worth plucking out an eye to avoid temptation that God would have a lot of incentives to make temptation less tempting.

Daniel did short of have it all. Courageous, smart, convicted and master of every spiritual gift. No flaw either that we see at least like so many other OT heroes.

I'm with Greg today. Peace is better. Interesting vision. Hard to imagine Greece ever being a world power again.