Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Jonah Part 7

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PREJUDICED

PREJUDICED

When one studies the book of Jonah in the Bible it is not hard to see that there is more to the story than the commonly considered portion of Jonah and the fish. Jonah’s run from God and his hatred of the inhabitants of Nineveh are really central and there is no secret made of the reason for his feelings towards those people. But at the same time, it is important to examine our own feelings as to how we look to other cultures and groups today because, in many cases, we still harbour similar feelings although hopefully not to the same extent. Looking carefully, we can see that Jonah was prejudiced against the Nineveh inhabitants in five different ways.

He mistakenly disliked them in a national way and not really individually. Not knowing each of them, he disliked the national culture of the people and so do we not still today make judgement based on a nation rather than individuals living within that country?

He disliked the people of Nineveh because of their history and past actions; not considering how the situation may change in the future. Don’t we today evaluate people in the way their ancestors behaved more that the way things are at present and get caught up in past instead of looking toward the future?

He disliked them from their physical actions and did not consider them from a spiritual sense at all. It is evident that God considered the people of Nineveh just as worthy of salvation as He did the people in Jerusalem.

The Lord is…not willing that any should perish 

but that all should come to repentance. 

(2 Peter 3:9)

And this is the reason God sent Jonah to Nineveh and the reason we are sent to various places today.

Further, Jonah looked upon the people of Nineveh in a hateful manner and not mercifully. Jonah was so consumed with hatred towards those people because of their previous atrocities that he really could not think beyond this emotion. It is difficult to consider a merciful attitude when one harbours such feelings but this is what God apparently wants us to do - put aside such emotions and to consider that all are creations of God and that He died to be…

the propitiation of our sins, and not for ours only, 

but also for the sins of the whole world. 

(1 John 2:2 KJV)

And lastly, he disliked them because of the ethnicity, because they were of a different background than he and his Jewish compatriots. Through history, and such is so clearly evidenced in the Old Testament, people were hated because of where they came from and their ethnic heritage - Jews verses the Gentiles being the most evident. One can dislike and disagree with the others beliefs, and even culture, but can still accept and cooperate with their person and being.

We all, today, may still have similar feelings toward others who are “different” but hopefully not to the same extent as did Jonah. We must learn to live in harmony with each other and look at others individually and toward the future and in a spiritual and merciful way remembering also…

…there is no partiality with God. 

(Romans 2:11)

and that…

…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life. 

(John 3:16)

All things we should continue to think about.

Caroline Barclay Oct. 27, 2024

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Jonah Part 6

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - SECOND CHANCE

SECOND CHANCE

None of us ever do everything right all the time. In fact, if we are honest to admit it, few of us do the correct thing or make the correct choice anywhere near most of the time. Some feel that what they have done is beyond forgiveness so why even bother trying. Isn’t it fortunate that God has shown us His willingness to give us, with some correction, a second chance? This He has demonstrated many times throughout the Bible.

In the book of Exodus, we read about Moses who was raised as a royal but who killed an Egyptian noble. Even after being branded a murderer, God still sent him back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of captivity and into the promised land. Moses would be written into history as one of Israels’ greatest heroes. He was given another chance to show God his loyalty but it came with a price - he had to spend 40 years as a shepherd (a far cry from his royal upbringing) - before he was given the opportunity to again serve God and his people.

In the book of Samuel, the story begins of David, the youngest son of Jesse and the one who was called upon to help defeat the Philistines. He went on to become one of the greatest kings in the history of Israel but in spite of this still developed an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and arranged for the death of her husband Uriah. In spite of all this, God still enabled him to write many of the Psalms and to be redeemed before God. David, however, still had to pay a price in that his first son with Bathsheba died and many of his other offspring rebelled. But David repented, as outlined in many of the Psalms, and was still honoured by God.

Even the prodigal son is an example of a second chance. He demanded his inheritance from his father, left home, and then spent it all in riotous living. Then, when all the money was gone, he finally decided to go back home where his father welcomed his return to the family and gave him another chance to start again. But he had to endure the pangs of poverty and humiliation before he repented and returned to his father; an allegory of how we can still be welcomed by our Heavenly Father after all we do here on earth.

Peter was told by Christ that he would deny Him three times on the night He was tried by the Sanhedrin. This came about just as predicted and Peter did deny Christ three times before the cock crowed. Peter…

 

…went out, and wept bitterly. 

(Luke 22:62)

Even in spite of this denial, however, Peter was not rejected by Christ but was greeted by Him both after His resurrection and later on the shore of Galilee.

There is also the story of John Mark who was in disagreement with Paul on one of his missionary journeys but later was commended by the same Paul in one of his later writings.

And of course, we all must consider ourselves, who have all been given more than one chance by Christ, for when He came:

He [was] despised and rejected by men… 

(Isaiah 53:3)

because…

[t]here is none righteous, no, not one… 

(Romans 3:10)

But even so… 

God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us. 

(Romans 5:8)

As a result, we are also given a second chance if we are wise enough to accept it. It is often amazing what pain and penance many go through, as did those in the past, before such acceptance occurs. Our second chance is something we should all think about. 

Rev. Steve Webb Oct 20, 2024

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Jonah Part 5

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FRIEND(S)

FRIEND(S)

It is evident from history that most, if not all, cultures throughout our past have developed religious practices. Religion has always been man’s attempt to reach out to and placate the gods. In many cases these practices have included elaborate rituals, fairly rigid rules regarding lifestyle, ways and times of prayer, and food and dress restrictions. In addition, in many cases, such practices have also included sexual activities and/or sacrifices in the form of infants, children, or young persons in an attempt to make things right with the gods.

The gods to whom a large part of the world gives worship are aloof and distant and seem to exist to keep those under their influence in a state of anxiety and trepidation. The names by which they are known are usually suggestive of power and loftiness.

Fortunately, such gods, even though worshiped by many, do not really exist. It is also fortunate that the true God is unlike those mentioned above. The Bible states that the true God is our Father, an intimate term, and that:

 

God is love. 

(1 John 4:8)

It is also reported that, in the book of Hosea, God said:

…I desire mercy and not sacrifice,

And the knowledge of God more than [sacrifice]. 

(Hosea 6:6)

This comes from the One who is not distant or aloof but intimate and concerned about those who respect and worship Him. This is the God of Christianity who wishes a relationship with those who love Him and to whom He returns love. Those who have the wisdom to fear Him in awe and humility have no need to be in a state of anxiety or trepidation in their relationship with Him for the Bible says that:

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments…

(Ps 111:10)

…But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

(Proverbs 1:7)

So, with the proper fear of God and the understanding to try and do His will, we can have a relationship with God unlike that in any other religion; a relationship built on love and respect, not anxiety or worry. No other spiritual relationship has had a god come to earth to relate to his people as has God in the form of Christ. More so by realizing and accepting that, we have the promise of not only:

 

…becom[ing] children of God…

(John 1:12)

…children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ… 

(Romans 8:17)

…but also of not being servants, always attempting to please a distant deity. As He said:

No longer do I call you servants, 

for a servant does not know what his master is doing; 

but I have called you friends, 

for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known 

to you. 

(John 15:15)

And                 

Greater love has no one than this, 

that to lay down one’s life for his friends.

(John 15:13)

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. 

(1 John 3:16)

To not be a slave to a distant deity but to be in that relationship which makes one an heir of God and a friend of the creator of the universe truly does give one something to think about and be thankful for.

Roxann Spicer Oct. 13, 2024

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Jonah Part 4

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - EVED HASHEM

 EVED HASHEM

There seem to be only a few people in the Bible who were given the praise to be called Even HaShem - “a servant of the Lord.” It really means that these people put their own needs well behind the needs of others. It also refers to the fact that servanthood is the essence of a true leader.

David, the king, was apparently such a man. He ruled Israel for forty years and they were among the most successful and prosperous years of Israel’s history. He received this title in Psalm 18 where it states:

 

A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, 

who spoke to the Lord the words of this song 

on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of his enemies 

and from the hand of Saul. 

He said: “I will love you, O Lord, my strength.” 

(Psalm 18:1)

Psalm 36 reinforces the title given to David:

A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord 

(Psalm 36:1)

Joshua, the successor of Moses led the Israelites in the conquest of the Holy Land and died at the age of one hundred and ten years. When he was instructing his followers as to the way they should go, he stated:

If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, 

then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, 

after He has done you good.

(Joshua 24:20)

Now…put away the foreign gods which are among you, 

and incline your heart to the Lord God of Israel.

(Joshua 24:23)

…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

(Joshua 24:15)

And so Joshua led the people, conquered the Holy Land, and served God, and when he died was called:

…the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord…

(Judges 2:8)

Of course, in the Old Testament, probably no one was more worthy of the title than Moses. He led the Israelites through the desert after he helped achieve their freedom from Egypt. After leading them all day, he would spend both day and night instructing them about God. He was sacrificial in his duty to God to the point that God said:

He is faithful in all my house.
(Numbers 12:7)

And over a dozen times in the Bible, Moses is called a “servant of the Lord.”

But no one could be considered more faithful to God than Jesus Himself. He was totally faithful to the One who appointed Him.

…nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.

(Luke 22:42)

Christ…

…made Himself of no reputation, 

taking the form of a bondservant, 

and coming in the likeness of man.

(Philippians 2:7)

Yeshua, more than anyone else, modeled what it means to be a true and faithful servant of the Lord.*

Now Christ, of course, was without sin and Joshua led faithfully for many years. But David did sin with Bathsheba and caused the death of her husband Uriah. He repented, however, and so, in spite of his indiscretion, he received forgiveness and remained a faithful servant of the Lord.

This is reflected in his Psalm of Repentance when he states:

Have mercy upon me, O God, 

According to thy lovingkindness; 

According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies,

 Blot out my transgressions.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(Psalm 51:1-3,10)

Even Moses did wrong. His wrongdoing, however, was trivial compared to that of David, when he apparently, in a fit of anger, disobeyed God and struck a rock to bring forth water rather than speaking to the rock as God had commanded:

“Speak to the rock..and it will yield its water…”

Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod…

Then the Lord spoke…“Because you did not believe Me, 

to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, 

therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." 

(Numbers 20:8,11-12)

Moses prayed for repentance for his people, but not for himself, when he came down from the mountain and saw the golden calf that the people had made. He said:

“…these people have committed a great sin…

Yet now, if you will forgive their sin—

but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.

 (Exodus 32:31-32)

In spite of bring called a “faithful servant” and servant of the Lord, he still endured punishment for what he did not do, and that is repent for his misdeeds. It certainly shows that God can be forgiving and merciful but even for a servant of the Lord repentance is needed for that forgiveness to be full.

It does give one something to think about.  

*Mysteries of the Messiah pg 93 by Rabbi Jason Sobel

Jean Kirk October 6, 2024

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Jonah Part 3