|
Post by sarah on Feb 5, 2007 21:25:17 GMT -8
11/05:
Ah the wind down of Romans. Is it just me or does it sound a bit like Paul was smoothing some ruffled feathers and encouraging some fund raising with the Romans?
So I love vs 5-6 and especially 13. It made me curious about how many places Paul uses the "May the God..." It always seems to precede a blessing/prayer for the readers. I think I will go on a little hunt to see how many other places I can find this pattern. Does anyone else know of any?
We were talking a little about personalizing scripture today and using that in prayer. These kind of verses lend themselves particularly well to that.
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 5, 2007 21:40:30 GMT -8
11/05:
In verse 16 Paul mentions the "offering of the Gentiles". I believe this is more than just money (which comes into the picture later in the chapter). Remember in Romans 12:1-2 when Paul said we were to present ourselves as living sacrifices? Well, Isaiah 66:18-20 prophesies that God will make the Gentiles an offering (or sacrifice) to God. How exciting for Paul to have realized this was now finally coming true! When we get into studying the Old Testament sacraficial system, we need to remember this New Testament understanding. Animal sacrifices were symbolic of the deeper intention of God that the people of God would become living sacrifices. Animal sacrifices were the 'shadow' of the reality of the sacrifices that we would become. In short, sacrifices are now people- we are the sacrifice, following after the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
I guess what I'm saying is that I think we can learn some cool things about what our sacrifice is to be like by studying the Pentateuch.
|
|
|
Post by sarah on Feb 5, 2007 21:49:36 GMT -8
11/05:
I am looking forward to our OT adventures. I remember watching a video that talked about the significance of the sacrifice God asked Abraham to make in Genesis 15 and the significance of God actually being the one to walk between the halves. It was very powerful and I look forward to learning more about the other sacrifices as well.
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 5, 2007 21:50:21 GMT -8
11/05:
Paul's plea that the Romans 'agonize together with me in your prayers' is quite powerful. How do other translations have it?
Acts 20:17-28:31 tell the story of what did indeed happen on his return to Jerusalem. Here's the trippy thing: his prayer was and it wasn't answered. He wasn't in some ways and was in others "rescued from the unbelievers in Judea". He was enabled to come to Rome to visit the Romans, but IN CHAINS. Quite ironic, and very like what little I've experienced with God.
|
|
|
Post by michelle on Feb 5, 2007 22:04:07 GMT -8
11/05:
My translation says "join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" (NIV).
I really like verses 5-7, "5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." I know that Paul is speakly directly to the Jews and the Gentiles and talking about their relationships with one another, but I can't help but apply this all believers as a whole.
It frustrates me a little because there are so many denominations that there is not "spirit of unity" and there are more than "one heart and mouth". Is it possible to have multiple hearts and mouths and still be able to glorify God in the same way?
|
|