Old Testament Literature
Ever since my conversion to Christianity, I have always been an extreme fan of the Old Testament. It is therefore no surprise that one of my first five college classes would be on Old Testament Literature. I learned a lot of valuable truths from taking this class. In addition, I also made a lot of good friends by taking this class. This particular class was a blended class. That means that the majority of the class is completed online; whereas a couple of days of the class are spent on campus. Any student who signs up for a blended class is expected to fly into Cincinnati and attended these classes. Luckily for me, I live within driving distance from the college. I try to sign up for at least one blended class per semester; and I am always glad that I did.
The paper that I have included for this page has been taken from one of our weekly discussion boards. Usually the teacher provides a topic for us to debate, and then we give our thoughts or opinions on the subject. In return the other online students respond to your posts and so on and so forth. This particular post was in regards to using the examples in the Old Testament to avoid making current mistakes in our lives today. I have included a photo of my classmates from the blended class halfway through this discussion board. I am the one in the back row; on the left hand side (my hair was different then). In addition, for anonymity purposes; I have left out the last names of my class mates on our discussion thread. Finally, it is important to know that everything provided below is in chronological order; the provided dates and times will testify to that.
The paper that I have included for this page has been taken from one of our weekly discussion boards. Usually the teacher provides a topic for us to debate, and then we give our thoughts or opinions on the subject. In return the other online students respond to your posts and so on and so forth. This particular post was in regards to using the examples in the Old Testament to avoid making current mistakes in our lives today. I have included a photo of my classmates from the blended class halfway through this discussion board. I am the one in the back row; on the left hand side (my hair was different then). In addition, for anonymity purposes; I have left out the last names of my class mates on our discussion thread. Finally, it is important to know that everything provided below is in chronological order; the provided dates and times will testify to that.
Week Ten Discussion Board (Fall 2011)
Instructions
One of the objectives of this class was for you to be able to avoid the sins and errors committed by Israel through unbelief and rebellion. What are practical ways you have discovered through the lectures and reading to avoid Israel's sins and errors? Submit your response by Thursday, and respond to at least one other post by Saturday.
Chuck Chapman 12/1/2011 6:52 PM
One of the things that I have learned is that God takes rebellion and doubt very, very seriously. The following scriptures testify to this truth:
I can relate to the Israelite's, like them the Lord has brought me great victories along with mighty signs and wonders. And yet like the Israelite's I will come across some minor trail or tribulation and I will start to doubt. I don't know about everybody else in class but personally, I have enough past regrets for one lifetime, and I do not wish to add anymore to the list.
Due to my checkered past I am all too familiar with wasted time. I like the Matthew West song titled "The Motions." In the song he says "I don't want to spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything?" I dig that, because with the time wasted in my life I don't want to spend the rest of it asking what if I had given everything. Or to word it a different way; I don't want to spend the rest of my life needlessly going around the mountain while my personal promised land lye's at my feet ready for the taking.
If God takes doubt so seriously, then I do too. As far as avoiding the same sins and errors of Israel I stand on a promise of God's. It is actually the charge of all Teen Challenge graduates.
I don't call the shots in my life, nor do I wish to. Every decision that I have ever made before knowing Christ has ended in failure, emptiness, disaster, brokenness, destruction, and chaos just to list a few. So these days I do what He tells me when I am able, and when I am not able; He is. Doubts do occur, however to not follow through in trust, is where rebellion sets in, and that is what the Lord took so serious with the Israelite's. I am at a point in my life where I finally don't have to understand everything; I don't need to know why? I just need to know when, and where?
Practical Application: I don't give myself time to doubt. I just react, and if I am wrong I know my motives (obedience) was in the right, and He will clean up any potential mess I make if I am wrong.
Instructions
One of the objectives of this class was for you to be able to avoid the sins and errors committed by Israel through unbelief and rebellion. What are practical ways you have discovered through the lectures and reading to avoid Israel's sins and errors? Submit your response by Thursday, and respond to at least one other post by Saturday.
Chuck Chapman 12/1/2011 6:52 PM
One of the things that I have learned is that God takes rebellion and doubt very, very seriously. The following scriptures testify to this truth:
- Numbers 14:26-28 (NKJV) "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 27 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me".
- Numbers 32:13 (NKJV) "So the Lord's anger was aroused against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone."
I can relate to the Israelite's, like them the Lord has brought me great victories along with mighty signs and wonders. And yet like the Israelite's I will come across some minor trail or tribulation and I will start to doubt. I don't know about everybody else in class but personally, I have enough past regrets for one lifetime, and I do not wish to add anymore to the list.
Due to my checkered past I am all too familiar with wasted time. I like the Matthew West song titled "The Motions." In the song he says "I don't want to spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything?" I dig that, because with the time wasted in my life I don't want to spend the rest of it asking what if I had given everything. Or to word it a different way; I don't want to spend the rest of my life needlessly going around the mountain while my personal promised land lye's at my feet ready for the taking.
If God takes doubt so seriously, then I do too. As far as avoiding the same sins and errors of Israel I stand on a promise of God's. It is actually the charge of all Teen Challenge graduates.
- Prov 3:5-6 (NKJV)Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
I don't call the shots in my life, nor do I wish to. Every decision that I have ever made before knowing Christ has ended in failure, emptiness, disaster, brokenness, destruction, and chaos just to list a few. So these days I do what He tells me when I am able, and when I am not able; He is. Doubts do occur, however to not follow through in trust, is where rebellion sets in, and that is what the Lord took so serious with the Israelite's. I am at a point in my life where I finally don't have to understand everything; I don't need to know why? I just need to know when, and where?
Practical Application: I don't give myself time to doubt. I just react, and if I am wrong I know my motives (obedience) was in the right, and He will clean up any potential mess I make if I am wrong.
My Classmates Responses To My Discussion:
Melissa 12/2/2011 12:59 PM
“Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite verses, yet I still struggle with implementing it perfectly! The Bible gives clear direction in many areas, such as not being unequally yoked in marriage. We don't need to agonize over directions like that--the Bible is clear. However, specific day to day direction is trickier--for instance, I don't know for sure what courses I should take next semester, so I seek guidance in that, pray about it, and then take the courses that seems best and that help me to reach the goal.”
Chuck Chapman 12/2/2011 4:47 PM
You brought up marriage; I will use that as an illustration to your statement about your class selection. In a marriage after a certain amount of time has passed, you are able to speak to one another without saying a word. You could be in the room with your husband or wife, and know for example if they are in a good mood or perhaps a bad mood. In addition, after a certain period of time has passed the two of you become one. Also after a while you are able to make decisions on the behalf of the other individual because of your past experiences shared together. You are able to make these decisions while the other party in nowhere in the near vicinity, and you are able to make these decisions with the best interests of the other individual because you know what is pleasing to them.
I say all that to say this: The Holy Spirit is very specific. He typically does not use generalities. If He wants you to do something in particular He will unmistakably let you know what, where, who and so forth. In situations where you do not have a specific direction the Lord has given us discernment. Likewise to our analogy; due to our marriage to Him, we know what pleases Him to where we are able to make these decisions when His advice is absent. I hope this helps the decision making process for your classes. One more thing, if you are unsure go back to the last thing that He told you. What is the Goal? What is the direction?
Alex 12/3/2011 5:19 PM
“Chuck, I was really challenged by your post when you referenced to the song "The Motions". I know my past isn't the same as yours, but I too completely agree with what you’re saying. I don't just want to live my life and then look back saying to myself, "What if I had given it all?" It may seem like we have all the time in the world to live, but in reality this isn't true, we are only given so many years to live, and like you, I want to be spending pleasing and serving the one who loves me.”
Chuck Chapman 12/3/2011 10:00 PM
Melissa 12/2/2011 12:59 PM
“Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite verses, yet I still struggle with implementing it perfectly! The Bible gives clear direction in many areas, such as not being unequally yoked in marriage. We don't need to agonize over directions like that--the Bible is clear. However, specific day to day direction is trickier--for instance, I don't know for sure what courses I should take next semester, so I seek guidance in that, pray about it, and then take the courses that seems best and that help me to reach the goal.”
Chuck Chapman 12/2/2011 4:47 PM
You brought up marriage; I will use that as an illustration to your statement about your class selection. In a marriage after a certain amount of time has passed, you are able to speak to one another without saying a word. You could be in the room with your husband or wife, and know for example if they are in a good mood or perhaps a bad mood. In addition, after a certain period of time has passed the two of you become one. Also after a while you are able to make decisions on the behalf of the other individual because of your past experiences shared together. You are able to make these decisions while the other party in nowhere in the near vicinity, and you are able to make these decisions with the best interests of the other individual because you know what is pleasing to them.
I say all that to say this: The Holy Spirit is very specific. He typically does not use generalities. If He wants you to do something in particular He will unmistakably let you know what, where, who and so forth. In situations where you do not have a specific direction the Lord has given us discernment. Likewise to our analogy; due to our marriage to Him, we know what pleases Him to where we are able to make these decisions when His advice is absent. I hope this helps the decision making process for your classes. One more thing, if you are unsure go back to the last thing that He told you. What is the Goal? What is the direction?
Alex 12/3/2011 5:19 PM
“Chuck, I was really challenged by your post when you referenced to the song "The Motions". I know my past isn't the same as yours, but I too completely agree with what you’re saying. I don't just want to live my life and then look back saying to myself, "What if I had given it all?" It may seem like we have all the time in the world to live, but in reality this isn't true, we are only given so many years to live, and like you, I want to be spending pleasing and serving the one who loves me.”
Chuck Chapman 12/3/2011 10:00 PM
- Prov 27:17 NKJV "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."