Author: Bill Hall

Mark 7:12
   This was related to their ideas about vows. The ‘corban’ rule was a vow to give something to God. This meant that they saw the vow as having more weight than the law.

Job 14:1-16:22

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Heavenly Father, your commands are a blessing to us, not grievous. May we always embrace the truth of your Word. Your guide for our lives will not steer us wrong. Thank you for your watch-care! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a couple of individuals going through an emotionally stressful time.

Journal 15252

Mark 7:11
   This is one of the most hypocritical law modifications that the elders invented. The traditions said that there was an exception to the rule of caring for aged parents. A man could have the means to help, but decide to dedicate that money or other thing to God. As a result, this was called ‘corban’ and he could not give it to his needy parents. It was like saying that if you give enough to God, you don’t have to give to anyone else.
  Another problem with this rule was that it was abused. Many would simply promise ‘corban’ but never actually give that ammount to the Lord. This is just one of the grosser examples of how the Jews had, by Jesus’ day, drastically modified the law.

Job 10:1-13:28

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of your Word. We don’t have to guess about the truth when we read your book, it is right there. You make the gospel plain and clear so that we may see the hypocrisy in our own lives. Thank you for this wonderful tool! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a woman who is pregnant. Pray for a man having medical tests run tomorrow.

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Mark 7:10
   The force of this command must be understood in order to connect it to Jesus’ comments about the ‘Corban’ rule in the next few verses. What this command is expressing is carried over into the new testament and is expressed eloquently by Paul in 1 Timothy 5:8, 16. As in Mark, the concept is not fully explained, but this is due to the common understanding of it among the Jews, and even Gentiles, of that time.
   The concept is simple. The financial burden for parents with grown up children lies upon those children. In other words, responsibility for the retirement years of a person’s life fell squarely upon the next generation. Just as parents are expected to endure all sorts of financial hardship for their children, adults with aged parents are to care for those parents financially in like manner.

Job 7:1-9:35

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great goodness! Regardless of our sinfulness you forgive because you have made a way for justification in Christ. Thank you for your love and kindness in giving us Jesus. We could, and shall, spend all of eternity praising you for him! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for having trouble at work.

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I’m taking a one week break from blogging for vacation. Have a great week!

Mark 7:9
   A very ironic reality! The traditions of the Jews had tied them down to all kinds of rules and regulations. Yet, the law of God, which would do them the most good to keep, was shoved aside by the traditions. Thus, they had come to to understand God’s laws wrongly, and had created their own to maximize upon their self-righteousness.

Nehemiah 1:1-4:23

James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Father, thank you for grace! As Jesus has shown us plainly, we cannot keep your law properly, we need your help. Only you can make us what we ought to be. Thank you for working in our lives! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for our churches today.

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Mark 7:8
Jesus was about to explain to them how the traditions, rather than fulfilling the law, had marginalized it. Their observance of the hand washing regulations was very strict, yet many other things were falling through the cracks because of the teaching found in their traditions.

Ezra 8:1-10:44

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Heavenly Father, your patience with us is very much a blessing to our souls. May we never stray from your commandments. Your ways are good, and we know that we must walk in them. Thank you for the blessing of living in your plan! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a baby that has some health issues.

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Mark 7:7
   Jesus doesn’t deny their devotion to their ritualism, but the lack of efficacy in it. This link between doctrine and wortship is very important. Many would say today that our doctrine matters little when it comes to worship. But, that is the furthest thing from the truth.

Ezra 4:1-7:28 

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the truth as it is. Though we do not obey perfectly, we understand how your truths bless our lives. Knowing you and loving your commandments is important to us. You can change us from our sinful ways to a life of good things. You can enable us to offer true praise and worship to you. And, we do that now, may all glory and honor be to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for our nation.

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Mark 7:6
   The Jews had found ways to make themselves look and seem pious outwardly. Their traditions were designed to give them a feeling of holiness through works, regardless of their heart’s condition.

Ezra 2:1-3:13

James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your truth. It gives us clarity for our lives. We can know what is right and wrong. We don’t have to bend to society, but can bend to reality. You enable us to live with wisdom. Thank you so much! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a little boy with health problems.

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Mark 7:5
These men freely admitted that these rules came from the Jewish teachers, and not from the law. But, they assumed that this made no difference, thinking that obedience to the traditions was to be taken as a sign of compliance with God’s law.

2 Chronicles 35:1-Ezra 1:11

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Heavenly Father, your provision for us is something we take for granted so much. But you have blessed us, and we must ask ourselves how we can be a blessing to others. It is easy for us to see that your blessings on us are good for us. But being able to bless others is good for us too. You have given so much, may we give back all that we can! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a woman who is eight weeks pregnant.

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Mark 7:4
   The ceremonial cleansing is here explained in fairly specific detail. The gospel of Mark does not have the plainly Jewish flavor of Matthew or Luke, but is written more to the gentiles than the Jews. Thus, this explanation is very helpful to those who would otherwise be unfamiliar with these regulations.

2 Chronicles 32:1-34:33

James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Heavenly Father, your wisdom is so complete. You have given us this wonderful book, your Word. Thank you for making it a part of our lives. Your gracious care and concern for our souls is wonderful. Thank you for caring so much! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man with neck pain and a woman with back pain.

Journal 15237