Reading from Thursday, October 21

What up, yo? Starting tomorrow and running through November 8, I will be on vacation and by extension, the Adventure will be on vacation as well.I'm gonna try to catch up at least a little bit before I leave, but the blog will definitely be down for the next week or so.

Reading for October 21
Jeremiah 37:1-38:28
So there's a confusing bit of history here. These verses take place during the time of I believe 2 Kings, when there is a large war between Israel, Judah, Babylon and Egypt. Egypt began marching to protect Jerusalem and because of that, the Babylonian army withdrew from attacking them. God told Jeremiah that even though the Babylonians were leaving, that they would return and destroy the city. He urged all the Israelites to flee giving them this guarantee:

'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians ^[e] will live.

Jeremiah brought these words from God to the people of Judah and as a result he was thrown in a cistern - which is kind of like a well - only this one had no water, only mud, and Jermiah began to sink until King Zedekiah sent for his rescue. He asked Jeremiah if what he said was true about Babylon destroying them - and Jeremiah repeated that it was indeed true.

That's pretty much the story. It's nice to get back into a narrative. Ever since the end of Acts and Job, I have been drowning in a sea of straight theology. Not to say that's a bad thing, it's just nice to get a story again.

1 Timothy 6:1-21

⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

There's a very popular saying in there. Do you see it? The saying goes "money is the root of all evil" - but here we see it in its original context - "the LOVE of money is A root of ALL KINDS of evil." Big distinction. In the same way, sex can be something that ruins someone's life due to pregnancy or an STD or abandonment or whatever. So then should we call sex evil? No. I know it's completely lame and unflattering to believe this, but I am a firm believer that sex should only happen within the confines of marriage. And within that context it is awesome. Think about it. Having numerous sexual partners presents all kinds of risks and produces all kinds of worries. What if they have AIDS? What if the condom didn't work? What if she doesn't call me tomorrow? None of these things are ever a consideration within marriage and it affords us the pleasurable, guilt free sex that we were designed to enjoy.

Now, coming back around the money thing, it's the same idea. Money can corrupt people. Money can ruin and dismay people's lives. But that's only the LOVE of money. It can be used for a great good if you instead love others instead of money. It can be used in ways the glorify God, and not yourself. Money in and of itself is not evil - the same way this computer isn't evil. But loving it can lead to problems and evil scenarios.

Psalm 89:38-52
A great summation of the duality of God.

⁴⁶ How long, O LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever?
       How long will your wrath burn like fire?
 ⁴⁷ Remember how fleeting is my life.
       For what futility you have created all men!
 ⁴⁸ What man can live and not see death,
       or save himself from the power of the grave ^[a] ?
       Selah
 ⁴⁹ O Lord, where is your former great love,
       which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

Proverbs 25:28
 ²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down
       is a man who lacks self-control.

Word.