Paul the Poet

Hello! Glad you stopped by to check out what's going on with the "Year of the Bible" blog. I didn't post Sunday's sermon because it wasn't really a sermon. It was more of an interactive reading through Acts 2 as part of our Pentecost celebration. Hope you enjoy the slideshow of pictures on the sidebar on the right.

Here's the question and answer from Sunday:
What was the messenger supposed to do after he anointed Jehu as king? (2 Kings 9)
2 Kings 9:2-3 2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. 3 Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run; don't delay!"

And here's the question and answer for Monday:
What was put into baskets and sent to Jehu in Jezreel? (2 Kings 10)
2 Kings 10:7 7 When the letter arrived, these men took the princes and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.
(Eww, I know.)

And here's the question for today:
There is one LOOOONG sentence in 2 Corinthians 6. How many verses long is it?

And here's the reflection of the day:
I am a little distracted by one of Paul's many run-on sentences, particularly the one in 2 Corinthians 6. According to www.dictionary.com, to "commend" is "to present or mention" or "to entrust."

Paul is continuing to work himself back into the good graces of the Corinthian Christians. He is working to prove to them that he, and his fellow teachers, are worthy of their trust. He lists all of the cirumstances they have gone through--"troubles, hardships and distresses; beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger" (vv 4-5).

Through all these situations, they have remained faithful to the calling God has put on their lives. "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us." Paul continues to try to reconcile with the Corinthians, asking for their love and affection once again--something that is generally seen as weak and to be avoided. It's much preferable to be independent, right?

What humility it must have taken to write this letter! Apologizing is never easy, particularly when you know an apology does not guarantee reconciliation, as in Paul's case. I am a little afraid to spend too much time reflecting on this passage--it hits a little close to home when I consider those who I may owe an apology. . . or even a chance to ask for their love and affection once again. . . .

So, to avoid the log in my own eye as I point out the speck in yours, instead, I'll close with some of Paul's most beautiful lines--isn't he great when he gets a little poetic?!

". . . genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (vv 8-10)"

Have a splendid day!
Allison