Jul 16, 2022
2KINGS 21-22:
The Assyrian king mocked the God of Israel at
the end of chapter 18. We heard God's answer yesterday in chapter
19, and we were introduced to the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah asked to
live for a longer time, and his request was granted. I have heard
that there is actually scientific proof of the long day miracle
that was given to Hezekiah. What a shame that he did not ask God
not to send his sons to Babylon!
PSALM 133:
This Psalm of Ascent comes at a very fitting
time in relation to our readings yesterday and today in John. If we
are _one_ with Jesus, then we are _one_ with one
another.
Rereading JOHN
15:
Today we hear again about our vital
relationship of oneness with Jesus. We didn’t actually choose Him!
Before we chose Him He had already chosen us. If you are one who
has difficulty believing that there is anything good about you, let
your identity and worth be based on this passage! Here also we find
the promise repeated of answered prayers when we pray for the sake
of Jesus’ name— which is to say, for his cause or for his glory.
Note that this is not just ‘dropping or using Jesus’ name’. God
realizes when we are praying selfish prayers, and He is not fooled
by our tacking on ‘in Jesus name’ at the end.
NLT Translation
notes:
John 15:4
Remain [joined to//in] me, and I will remain [joined to//in] you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain [joined to//in] me.
(Similarly in 5-7.)
[When
talking of the organic unity of a branch and a vine, we don’t say a
branch ‘in’ a vine, do we?! Greek says it that way. But it is much
more natural it English to say a branch is ‘joined’ or is
‘connected’, and various other words. Because of this, we also tend
to miss out on the meaning of ‘in Him/Christ’ that comes up so
often in the New Testament. The meaning is NOT that we are ‘inside’
Him, but that we are joined as one with
him.]
16
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and
produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever
you ask for, [for my name’s sake/for the sake of my glory//using my
name].
[This promise is
NOT about ‘dropping’ or ‘using’ Jesus’ name! Ending a selfish
prayer with, “in Jesus’ name” does not transform it into a good
prayer. We don’t simply ‘use’ Jesus’ name and cash in on this
promise! God can tell the difference when people unselfishly pray
for things in the cause of bringing glory to
Christ.
This must be one
of the worst mistakes in the NLT! This translation shows that the
translator has been affected by modern Christian culture and did
not consider what this really means. But then, I must admit, every
translator, including me, falls in this regard from time to time,
and that is why it is said in the NIV introduction, “No translation
is perfect.”]
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.