A Woke Rejection of the Masculine Description of God in the Bible

Someone shared his reading from a book that does not like identifying God as masculine:

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Exposition of Nahum Series: Table of Contents

I enjoyed teaching through the book of Nahum for the last few weeks/months.

I appreciate all those who prayed, listened, read and showed support and also insights into the passage!

Below are the table of contents to the outline to the lessons!

 

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Exposition of Nahum Part 10: Compassion in the midst of Judgment

Last installment: Part 9: Military Taunts 

Nahum 3:15b-19

Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the migratory locust. 16 You have made your traders more numerous than the stars of heaven— The creeping locust sheds its skin and flies away. 17 Your courtiers are like the migratory locust. Your officials are like a swarm of locusts Settling in the stone shelters on a cold day. The sun rises and they flee, And the place where they are is not known. 18 Your shepherds are sleeping, O king of Assyria; Your officers are lying down. Your people are scattered on the mountains And there is no one to gather them. 19 There is no relief for your collapse, Your wound is incurable. All who hear [j]about you Will clap their hands over you, For upon whom has your evil not come continually?

 

Purpose: We will see two prediction that shows God’s Word is true and we submit to His authority.

• God predicts Assyria’s weakened economy (v.15b-17)
• God predicts Assyria’s king’s demise (v.18-19)

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Exposition of Nahum Part 9: Military Taunts

Last installment: Part 8: A Tale of Two Cities 

Nahum 312-15a

Establish the need: Have you know guys in the military that like to brag?

All your fortifications are fig trees with ripe fruit— When shaken, they fall into the eater’s mouth. 13 Behold, your people are women in your midst! The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies; Fire consumes your gate bars. 14 Draw for yourself water for a siege! Strengthen your fortifications! Go into the clay and tread the mortar! Take hold of the brick mold! 15 There fire will consume you, The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the creeping locust consumes a crop. Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the migratory locust.

 

Purpose: We will see two points that shows God predicting Assyria’s fall so that we believe God’s Word with what it says and submit to His authority.

1. God predicts Assyria’s vulnerabilities (v.12-13)
2. God mocks Assyria’s futile strength (v.14-15)

 

Context

• Nahum 3 has five sections: A woe oracle in verses 1-7, three taunts and a dirge for the Assyrian king (Timmer, 147).
• Two weeks ago we looked at Nahum 3:1-7 that gives us the reason why God is judging Nineveh and here this section doesn’t focus on Nineveh’s wrong but focus on Nineveh’s downfall (Timmer, 158).
• Last week we saw Nahum 3:8-11 the taunt: Will Nineveh be far better than Thebes (Timmer, 158)?
• Today’s passage we look at God’s taunt of Assyria’s military.

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Exposition of Nahum Part 8: A Tale of Two Cities

Last installment: Part 7: The Heinous Sins of Nineveh 

Nahum 3:8-11

Establish the need: Will evil countries and evil leaders get away with their sins?

 

Are you better than No-amon, Which was situated by the canals of the Nile, With water surrounding her, Whose rampart was the sea, Whose wall consisted of the sea? 9 Ethiopia was her might, Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers. 10 Yet she became an exile, She went into captivity; Also her small children were smashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound with shackles. 11 You too will become drunk, You will be hidden. You too will search for a refuge from the enemy.

 

Purpose: We need to know three condemnation God bring against Nineveh and its result so that we desire to see God’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

1. The advantages of Thebes over Nineveh (v.8-9)
2. Yet Thebes was destroyed (v.10)
3. Therefore Nineveh too will fall (v.11)

 

Context

• Nahum 3 has five sections: A woe oracle in verses 1-7, three taunts and a dirge for the Assyrian king (Timmer, 147).
• Last week we look at Nahum 3:1-7 that gives us the reason why God is judging Nineveh and here this section doesn’t focus on Nineveh’s wrong but focus on Nineveh’s downfall (Timmer, 158).
• The main question for the first taunt is: Will Nineveh be far better than Thebes (Timmer, 158)?
• Nineveh here is address as “you” which in the Hebrew is a feminine singular, consistent with other parts of the book to talk about Nineveh.

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Exposition of Nahum Part 7: The Heinous Sins of Nineveh

Last installment: Part 6: The Shepherd Versus the Lion

Nahum 3:1-7

Establish the need: The world is filled with stories of dark heavy sins.  Be warned, this passage we will look at involves some dark and heavy sins.  And from this we know that God condemns them and He is one day going to have a day of reckoning for those who commit vile sins.

Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; Her prey does not leave. 2 The sound of the whip, The sound of the roar of the wheel, Galloping horses And bounding chariots! 3 Horsemen charging, Swords flashing, spears gleaming, Many killed, a mass of corpses, And there is no end to the dead bodies— They stumble over the dead bodies! 4 All because of the many sexual acts of the prostitute, The charming one, the mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations by her sexual acts, And families by her sorceries. 5 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of armies; “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, And show the nations your nakedness, And the kingdoms your shame. 6 I will throw filth on you And declare you worthless, And set you up as a spectacle. 7 And it will come about that all who see you Will shrink from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated! Who will have sympathy for her?’ Where shall I seek comforters for you?”

 

Purpose: We need to know three condemnation God bring against Nineveh and its result so that we desire to see God’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

• Be warned God condemn Nineveh’s violation of the second table of the Ten Commandments (v.1)
• Be warned God condemn Nineveh’s militarism (v.2-3)
• Be warned God condemn Nineveh’s human trafficking (v.4)
• We need to know God punishment of Nineveh and its outcome (v.5-7)

 

Context

• Nahum 3 has five sections: A woe oracle in verses 1-7, three taunts and a dirge for the Assyrian king (Timmer, 147).
• For this woe, there’s about equal amount of words dedicated to condemnation as to the description of God’s punishment (Timmer, 147).

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Exposition of Nahum Part 6: The Shepherd Versus the Lion

Last installment: Part 5: Nineveh’s Inevitable Fall

Nahum 2:11-13

Establish the need: In light of God’s enemies being described as lions, who will you turn to when God’s enemies are active?  Is there a Shepherd that can take on these lions?

11 Where is the den of the lions And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion, lioness, and lion’s cub went With nothing to disturb them? 12 The lion tore enough for his cubs, Killed enough prey for his lionesses, And filled his lairs with prey And his dens with torn flesh. 13 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of armies. “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, and a sword will devour your young lions; I will eliminate your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”

Purpose: We need to know three focus of God’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s fall so that we desire to see God’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

• We need to know the elimination of Assyria is astounding news (v.11)
• We need to know the oppression of Assyria is fierce (v.12)
• We need to know the causation of Assyria’s fall is the Lord (v.13)

 

Review: Last week we saw three focus of God’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s fall so that we desire to see God’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

• We need to know it is ironic to prepare for God’s attack (v.1)
• We need to know the description of Nineveh: Before and after Fall (v.3-10)
• We need to know the blessing for Judah with Nineveh’s Fall (v.2)

 

Context

While other portions of the book so far seems to be more direct prophecies here we see symbolic prophecies using the imagery/motif of lions.

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Exposition of Nahum Part 5: Nineveh’s Inevitable Fall

Last installment:  Part 4: Nahum in a Nutshell Part 2

 

Nahum 2:1-10

Establish the need: If you were to have a summary nutshell of the book of Nahum this would be the passage; do you know its message?

The one who scatters has come up against you. Keep watch over the fortress, watch the road; Bind up your waist, summon all your strength. 2 For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though destroyers have laid waste to them And ruined their vines. 3 The shields of his warriors are dyed red, The warriors are dressed in scarlet, The chariots are fitted with flashing steel When he is prepared to march, And the juniper spears are brandished. 4 The chariots drive wildly in the streets, They rush around in the public squares; Their appearance is like torches, They drive back and forth like lightning flashes. 5 He remembers his officers; They stumble in their advance, They hurry to her wall, And the mantelet is set up. 6 The gates of the rivers are opened And the palace sways back and forth. 7 It is set: She is stripped, she is led away, And her slave women are sobbing like the sound of doves, Beating their breasts. 8 Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days, Yet they are fleeing; “Stop, stop,” But no one turns back. 9 Plunder the silver, Plunder the gold! For there is no end to the treasure— Wealth from every kind of desirable object. 10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees wobbling! Also trembling is in the entire body, And all their faces have become pale! 11 Where is the den of the lions And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion, lioness, and lion’s cub went With nothing to disturb them? 12 The lion tore enough for his cubs, Killed enough prey for his lionesses, And filled his lairs with prey And his dens with torn flesh. 13 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of armies. “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, and a sword will devour your young lions; I will eliminate your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”

 

Purpose: We need to know three focus of God’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s fall so that we desire to see God’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

1. We need to know it is ironic to prepare for God’s attack (v.1)
2. We need to know the description of Nineveh: Before and after Fall (v.3-10)
3. We need to know the blessing for Judah with Nineveh’s Fall (v.2)

 

Context

Remember earlier in Nahum 1:2-8 it reveal God’s future universal judgment so here in Nahum 2:1-13 show us a historical partial manifestation of that judgment of God against an empire that mocks God (Timmer, 118-19).

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Family Genealogy a Motivation for Christian Obedience

Exodus 6:13-27

Establish the need: When serving and following God seems hard and there’s opposition, can God’s work in the past in your family be a fuel for obedience?

 

Nevertheless, the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron and gave them a command concerning the sons of Israel and Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 14 These are the heads of their fathers’ households. The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn: Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben. 15 And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon. 16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and the length of Levi’s life was 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. 18 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel; and the length of Kohath’s life was 133 years. 19 And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Now Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was 137 years. 21 And the sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 And the sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 24 And the sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. 25 Now Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites according to their families. 26 It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their multitudes.” 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the sons of Israel from Egypt; it was the same Moses and Aaron.”

 

Purpose: We need to see the five motivation fueled from thinking about God and one’s family to motivate one to follow and obey God even when it is difficult.

1. Be motivated to obey God because God works through quirky family (v.16, 21, 24)
2. Be motivated to obey God from past family members’ remembrance of God (v.15, 20, 22-24)
3. Be motivated to obey God with the family’ privilege to serve God (v.16-19)
4. Be motivated to obey God with warning of family members who rebelled against God (v.21, 24, 23, 20)
5. Be motivated to obey God from the zeal for God from other family members (v.25)

Context

• In the context Moses had earlier told Pharaoh to let Israel go (Exodus 5:1) and Pharaoh ordered that the Hebrews have to work harder with no straws (Exodus 5:6-9).
• The leaders of the sons of Israel then complained to Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:19-21) and Moses was discouraged and talked to God about it (Exodus 5:22-23).
• So God in Exodus 6 addresses Moses.
• At first Exodus 6:13-27 seems to stick out; why suddenly a genealogy?
• To answer note the structure of this section.
• Both the first verse (v.13) and last verse (v.27) mentioned about Moses having the task of bringing out the sons of Israel out of Egypt.
• But sandwiched in between that is a genealogy (v.14-25).
• The genealogy mentioned only three tribes of Israel: Ruben, Simeon and Levi (Garrett, 260).
• Ruben is mentioned in verse 14 and Simeon in verse 15.
• However for both Ruben and Simeon only the immediate sons are mentioned (Garrett, 260).
• The focus is on the sons of Levi beginning in verse 16.
• For Levi’s line it actually go through six generations (Garrett, 260).
• This lineage cover that of Arron and Moses (Garrett, 260).
• I think the genealogy inserted in here is intentional as encouragement for us to see why Moses should be obedient to God’s calling.  Thus we too must be motivated by these truths to obey God.

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Exposition of Nahum Part 4: Nahum in a Nutshell Part 2

Last installment: Part 3: Nahum in a Nutshell Part 1

 

Nahum 1:9-15

Establish the need: If you were to have a summary nutshell of the book of Nahum this would be the passage; do you know its message?

Whatever you devise against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice. 10 Like tangled thorns, And like those who are drunken with their drink, They are consumed Like stubble completely dried up. 11 From you has gone out One who plotted evil against the Lord, A [a]wicked counselor. 12 This is what the Lord says: “Though they are at full strength and so they are many, So also they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. 13 So now, I will break his yoke from upon you, And I will tear your shackles to pieces.” 14 The Lord has issued a command concerning you: “Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will eliminate the carved image and the cast metal image From the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, For you are contemptible.” 15 Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, Judah, Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is eliminated completely.

Structure: The 4 address structure of this passage

• First address to Assyria (v.9-10)
• First address to Judah (v.11-13)
• Second address to Assyria (v.14)
• Second address to Judah (v.15)

Purpose: For this session we will focus only with the two addresses from God towards Judah that summarize the “good news” found in book of Nahum so that we be move to trust in Jesus for saving grace and avoid His wrath.

• First address to Judah (v.11-13)
• Second address to Judah (v.15)

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Exposition of Nahum Part 3: Nahum in a Nutshell Part 1

Last installment: Part 2: God has the power to Judge and Save

Nahum 1:9-15

Establish the need: If you were to have a summary nutshell of the book of Nahum this would be the passage; do you know its message?

Whatever you devise against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice. 10 Like tangled thorns, And like those who are drunken with their drink, They are consumed Like stubble completely dried up. 11 From you has gone out One who plotted evil against the Lord, A [a]wicked counselor. 12 This is what the Lord says: “Though they are at full strength and so they are many, So also they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. 13 So now, I will break his yoke from upon you, And I will tear your shackles to pieces.” 14 The Lord has issued a command concerning you: “Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will eliminate the carved image and the cast metal image From the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, For you are contemptible.” 15 Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, Judah, Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is eliminated completely.

Structure: The 4 address structure of this passage

• First address to Assyria (v.9-10)
• First address to Judah (v.11-13)
• Second address to Assyria (v.14)
• Second address to Judah (v.15)

Purpose: For this session we will focus only with the two addresses from God towards Assyria that summarize the “bad news” found in book of Nahum so that we be move to trust in Jesus for saving grace and avoid His wrath.

• First address to Assyria (v.9-10)
• Second address to Assyria (v.14)

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Exposition of Nahum Part 2: God has the power to Judge and Save

Last installment: Part 1: Why God Judges Nations 

Nahum 1:3b-8

And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. 4 In the gale and the storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, The blossoms of Lebanon wither. 5 Mountains quake because of Him, And the hills come apart; Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, The world and all the inhabitants in it.  6 Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath gushes forth like fire, And the rocks are broken up by Him. 7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of [b]its site, And will pursue His enemies into darkness.

Establish the need: We saw last time God has the attributes that will make Him judge the wicked; but does He have the power to do so?

Purpose: We need to know God will one day come down to earth to give a global Judgment and still God will graciously save those who trust in Him.

• We need to know God has the power to judge with His power over nature (v.3b-5)
• We need to know God has the power to judge with His power over humans (v.6-8)

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Exposition of Nahum Part 1: Why God Judges Nations

Consult our introduction to the book: Survey of the Book of Nahum

Nahum 1:2-3a

A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; The Lord is avenging and [a]wrathful. The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.

Establish the need: Why do God judge the nations? We need to understand who God is and His attributes.

Purpose: We need to know God will judge sin because of His attributes, five we will see here in Nahum  so that we will repent and trust in Christ to be saved.

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Review: The Family at Church

Joel Beeke. The Family at Church.  Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, August 26, 2012. 80 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Are you looking for a book that helps you to think about a Christian family in relations to the Church?  This book might be for you.  It is authored by Joel Beeke who is a minister and president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.  I enjoy Beeke’s pastoral heart with his writings in the past and also how he writes practically while also have a high view of God and worshipful spirit.  This book was no different and I was edified.  The book for some might seem to be rather short (coming in at 80 pages) nevertheless I thought it was helpful than some longer books on Christian family that I read.

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Review: What If I’m Discouraged in My Evangelism?

Edited: I did enjoy this work but someone brought to my attention that the author’s politics is not something I support.

Isaac Adams. What If I’m Discouraged in My Evangelism?  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, March 10, 2020.  64 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Have you once love to share the Gospel but lately have not been sharing the Gospel to unbelievers?  Do you realize you might be discouraged with evangelism?  Is there any help from God through the resources of His Word and books based upon His Word?  In this booklet titled What If I’m Discouraged in My Evangelism? the author write pastorally to minister to those discouraged or have stopped evangelizing.  I thought this booklet was very helpful and packed a powerful punch despite the booklet’s size.  It is written in an easy to read matter and yet it was profoundly biblical and Gospel-centered.  This might be a booklet a believer might have to read more than once and during different seasons when they feel discouraged to share the Gospel with others.

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