Parables were stories that Jesus told to help people who had good hearts to understand His teaching. Some have referred to parables as “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” When you study the parables, you should learn more about how to live so that God will be pleased with your life.

How to interpret the parables   

Here are four ideas for how to understand the parables better. These are not inflexible rules, simply suggestions for looking deeper into the meaning of these inspired stories.

1)  Find the central truth.

Overall, what was Jesus trying to teach? Parables always teach one main truth. There may be other lessons as well, but do not get too far away from the major thought of each parable.

2)  Read the verses before and after the parable.

As a matter of fact, that’s a good idea for any passage of scripture. The context sometimes explains the reason Jesus told that parable on that occasion. As an example, read Luke 15:1-2. Jesus answered the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees with three parables about God’s love for the lost

3)  Do not worry about the details.

Not every detail in a parable is important. Not everything represents something else that has a deep spiritual meaning. It is easy to get caught up in trying to define these specifics and sometimes this keeps us from knowing the major lesson Jesus was teaching.

4)  Two are interpreted by Jesus.

The parables of the sower and the tares are explained by Jesus. This leaves no room for misunderstanding. If we can examine how He explained those two parables, it should help us to understand and interpret correctly some of the others.

Purpose of the Parables

Why did Jesus use parables in His teaching? There are three reasons.

1)  To conceal the truth

Read Matthew 13:10-15. Some people were unworthy to receive God’s truth because of their attitude. They had closed their eyes, ears and hearts to God’s will. To them, the parables were just silly little stories with no meaning.

2)  To reveal the truth

Read Matthew 13:16-17; 34-35. Jesus told parables to draw a comparison between earthly things they could understand and spiritual lessons they would have difficulty with. To people with good hearts, parables would illustrate the truth.

3)  To preserve the truth

Everyone loves a good story. The parables would be easily remembered, along with the spiritual truths they teach.

 --Roger Hillis

Hello everyone. Lord willing, I plan to post a series of articles about the parables of Jesus, beginning on June 1. I trust you will find them interesting, challenging and helpful to your walk with God. Hope you will join us regularly.

--Roger Hillis

The final chapter of the book of Judges does not redeem Israel. Instead of a happy ending we are witness to Israel going their own way once more. But tonight’s study does not dwell on negativity. In fact there are some very inspirational lessons to be learned from the poor example exhibited by Israel.

The disgraced tribe of Benjamin has been shunned by the rest of Israel. After their participation in the actions of the previous chapters, the other tribes have refused to allow any of their daughters to marry into the tribe of Benjamin. This leaves Benjamin at a great disadvantage for they need to be able to have children so that the tribe can continue.

To help Benjamin, the other tribes of Israel make plans to provide wives for the Benjamites. They accomplish this by killing the inhabitants of Jabeth Gilead except for the virgin girls, which they give to Benjamin. These virgins were chosen because people from Jabeth Gilead did not attend an assembly planned by the other tribes. 

But the wives provided from Jabeth Gilead are not enough for the tribe and Israel makes arrangements for Benjamin to steal women from Shiloh. With these, the Benjamites have enough wives. 

Israel’s methods of providing wives to Benjamin are arbitrary and foolhardy. First, they denied wives from among their own people. This forced them to find wives elsewhere for the tribe. The conflicted nature of Israel is apparent when we realize that Israel is judgmental of Benjamin enough to withhold intermarrying, yet still feels responsible enough for a fellow tribe to make sure they have wives. Israel should have repented of their sins, made sacrifices in accordance with the law, and prayed to God to help them deal with the Benjamites. Instead they make a bad situation worse with more killing (Jabeth Gilead) and employing strange logic to provide wives. Surely this is not how God would have directed the outcome?

An honest appraisal of this chapter can begin with its’ending; verse 25 says: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The children of Israel are trying to do what is right in this chapter, yet they are doing so without keeping God at the center of their plans. 

It reminds us of ourselves, when we drift away from Him: I can convince myself that I don’t need God for every situation in my life. I can certainly handle a few things on my own. After all, I have been a Christian for a number of years now, so if I forget to pray today, I will still be able to make wise choices. Right? Ultimately I will end up doing what I think is the right thing and saying what I think is the right thing if I think like this.

This independence of thought is a temptation of sorts, is it not? It is an allure of independence that tells me that I do not need God in every case. And temptation is a lie that takes effort to refute. In fact I do need Him to help me. Every day I need to operate with the assumption that I do not always know what is best for myself. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:16: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”

So does this mean that I am paralyzed from action? Should I be afraid to make decisions or take actions? As Paul would say, “Certainly not!” Rather, a meditative and prayerful knowledge of God’s will and His presence ought to always be in the back of my mind. If my conscience is a building, God is the architect. When I weigh the pros and cons of a tough decision, God holds the scales. If He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, how could I not consult Him? ‭Revelation‬ ‭22:12-13‬: ““And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”” God knows all!

‭I retain confidence in my ability to live life as life comes, but I do so relying on the strength and wisdom provided by almighty God. 

In closing of tonight’s study and this wonderful book of Judges, we will look at three short verses that will serve as an explanation on how to live with God directing your steps. First consider ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭10:23: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

We know that we need help from God in living our life. Left up to me, selfishness, petty actions, jealousies, gossip and ill will abound soon enough. So then, I need to invite God to help me live and rely on His strength to stay away from sin: “Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.”‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭119:13

When I make a conscious effort to have God play that role in my life, He will guide me to all the success I could ever want: “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬

— Cory Byrd

This post originally appeared on Monday Night Bible Study.

After the children of Israel saw the results of the sin that took place in Gibeah, they assembled armies and prepared for retribution. The man whose concubine died tells them the story of what happened and the armies commit to taking vengeance on Gibeah, where the concubine was victimized by the evil men.

The tribe of Benjamin resides in or near Gibeah. The other tribes together inquire of them about the wicked deed. They also ask the tribe of Benjamin to hand over the evil men. But instead Benjamin took up arms against the other children of Israel. 

Judah is decreed to go first into battle. The children of Israel are defeated twice by the forces of Benjamin, each time asking God whether they should continue fighting. God says yes each time. The third time they ask, God says yes once more and also says that He will deliver Benjamin into their hands. 

Using a new battle strategy was the providential tool needed to defeat Benjamin on this third day. The children of Israel took the city of Gibeah and set the whole city up in smoke. They chased the Benjamites, killing and pursuing them into the wilderness. Only 600 Benjamites escaped to the rock of Rimmon for about four months. The Israelites continued hunting down and killing Benjamites among the cities, burning every city they came to.

This violence served to repay the evil that took place in Gibeah under Benjamin. In light of so much carnage, what is the spiritual application for this chapter? Well, there is a sequence that we can follow, revealing learning opportunities from these events:

– Had the Israelites driven out all of the inhabitants of the land as instructed by God, this evil influence would not have manifested

– Had the Benjamites been true to God, they would not have endorsed and protected the sinful activity taking place in Gibeah

– The punishment of the city of Gibeah and the tribe of Benjamin, however horrible and severe, cannot compare with eternal punishment, where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:47-48)

These last chapters of the book of Judges are sobering, but let that not take away from their importance: to ignore God is not only folly, to ignore God is death. 

Take comfort, rest and instruction then from the Lord. In Him are all the answers, protection and love that a soul could ever need. God is great and merciful and His grace reaches every one of us that seek it. 

Tonight let us conclude this study of Judges 20 with an uplifting meditation on God’s salvation of His people, for those that follow, have faith and obey. As we read this chapter, compare the discussion of the righteous and the wicked with the children of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin and Gibeah the wicked city. Also consider the battle that rages daily in the human heart, the struggle to do what is right amidst a sea of temptations. Commit to righteousness!

Psalm 17

“Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; 

Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. 

Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 

You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 

Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 

Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 

I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 

Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. 

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. 

They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. 

Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, With Your hand from men, O LORD, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. 

They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes. 

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”

— Cory Byrd

This post originally appeared on Monday Night Bible Study.

Verses 1-3 contain the only rebuke found in the book of Philippians. It is directed at two women, Euodia and Syntyche, and shows that Christians need to live and work together in love. If there are problems between you and another Christian, please go to that person, talk it out and pray together about the problem.

In verses 4-8, there are two key thoughts, joy and peace. Both are described in other places as “fruit of the Spirit.”

Joy is the theme of this letter. Christians are to rejoice in all things, even in times of suffering. Christianity alone can teach us how to properly enjoy live.

Peace is that quality of mind and attitude that enables us to live calm and tranquil lives, free of anxiety and fear.

The key to having such joy and peace is found in Philippians 4:8. Having the right attitude and thinking on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report will bring the peace of God into one’s life.

This is one of the problems caused by pornography, movies and television programs which promote ungodliness and sexual immorality, listening to inappropriate music or comedy, being around people who tell filthy jokes or use bad, sinful language, including taking the Lord’s name in vain, those who would blaspheme God and His will. Once these sinful thoughts, words or images, get into our minds, it is difficult to remove them.

When the apostle wrote Romans 12:1-2 about presenting our bodies as living sacrifices to God and being transformed into the image of His Son, he told us that the method through which those positive actions come about is “the renewing of your mind.” We need to think about good things so that we will do good things.

In verses 10-23, Paul turns to the subject of contentment with the physical blessings that the Lord has given us.

The brothers at Philippi were concerned about Paul’s material welfare, as they should have been. In the past, they had been blessed with opportunities to help Paul in his work of spreading the gospel. At the time of the writing of Philippians, they had no such opportunity.

Paul wanted them to know that he was going to be all right. God would take care of him and, whether he had much or little, he was content. He had been instructed by the harsh realities of life and had come to the realization stated in verse 13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The apostle points out to them that, when they helped him financially, the fruit that resulted would be credited to their account. Their financial support would result in souls being saved eternally and God would remember their sacrifice and faithfulness in the Day of Judgment.

--Roger Hillis

After chapter 18, we know that the group of Danites was sinful, murderous and idolatrous. They took the Levite “priest” from Micah, among with the attending idol, ephod, etc., and took Laish for their own. This story clues us in on the godlessness of the Lord’s people. Here in Chapter 19, we delve deeper into the sin caused by turning away from God.

This chapter, and the remaining chapters of the book of Judges are unsettling. As we close out this book, let our studies serve as reminders to dwell with the Lord in our minds, spirits and hearts. No earthly temptation is worth spiritual death. 

A Levite’s concubine leaves the Levite and goes to her father’s house. Her husband pursues her there (with kindness) to bring her home, but his father-in-law, the concubine’s father, will not let them leave. It is for good reason. When the couple finally does leave his home, they cannot find a place to stay and the man is in the town square. Shortly there comes along an old man that knows of the dangers of being out alone in the town at night. The older man urges for the man and his wife to come and stay at his house, which they do.

(This passage echoes the story of Sodom from Genesis 19)

Not long after, a group of perverted men with sinful desires is pounding at the door, wanting the man. The old man offers them his virgin daughter and the concubine of the visiting man. They refuse. 

The episode concludes with the man’s concubine losing her life to the mob of men via abuse. Reading this passage, it is painful to imagine what it must have been like for her. 

The next gruesome act had significance: The man takes her back to his place and cuts her body into twelve pieces and sends each of the pieces to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The man was trying to alert the tribes to the abject state of sin that led to her death. The people of God were to be ashamed. The tribes, upon receiving his “message” remark that “No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day.” He definitely got their attention. It is not clear, however, whether they were referring to her dismembered body or her manner of death when they said this.

In any case, the death of this concubine was brought upon by bold sin and a disregard for God. The man knew this and his methods to promote awareness of the awful actions were callous. Yet they matched the brutal and abhorrent nature of the sin that led to her death.

— Cory Byrd

This post originally appeared on Monday Night Bible Study.

One of the most common problems in the first century church was the question of circumcision, an Old Testament sign of purity. Judaizing teachers (those who wanted to keep parts of the old law) kept trying to bind it, while the apostles insisted that it was not essential.

Paul reminds his readers that, if anyone had a right to trust in his fleshly heritage, he did. After describing his Jewish credentials, Paul tells them that he had not only abandoned these things to follow Christ, he counted them as rubbish, totally unimportant compared to eternity (verses 1-11).

All of Paul’s life could now be described by the phrase, “one thing I do.” Forgetting all else, he pressed forward in pursuit of his goal, heaven. In verses 12-14, Paul uses the illustration of a runner in a race who has not yet reached the finish line. He would not look back. He would not quit short of the goal. He would press on, reaching forward to win the prize.

His goal, and ours, is the “prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Beginning in verse 15, Paul reminds us that we are all at different stages of spiritual maturity. Wherever we are, there we ought to do all we can, using our abilities and taking advantage of our opportunities. (By next year, we should have grown enough to do more.)

Enemies of the cross, the worldly minded, will do all they can to oppose our efforts to serve the Lord. Paul makes it very clear that their “end is destruction.” We must not love the world (1 John 2:15) and must not allow ourselves to be caught up in the sinful pleasures that the world offers. Any pleasure in wickedness is temporary and not only will it not last, it will cause our souls to be lost throughout eternity.

In contrast, as Christians, we are to set our minds on things above. We face daily choices about right and wrong. Our citizenship is in heaven, not on this temporary world. Realizing that “this word is not our home,” we must love God and the things of the Spirit, not of the flesh. As we eagerly anticipate the return of Christ, let us submit to the Lord in all things.

--Roger Hillis

Unity in the Lord’s church is absolutely essential. To please God, there is no other option.

Unity begins with one’s attitude (verses 1-4). If we have the proper attitude toward other Christians, division will not be impossible, but it will be rare. The so-called “Golden Rule” is not just good advice. It is a matter of obedience or disobedience. “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Treat other people, and especially fellow disciples, the way you want to be treated, with dignity and respect and honesty.

Jesus is the perfect example (of course) of the selfless attitude we must have (verses 5-11). Christ had every right to remain in heaven, but He left those glories behind to serve the needs of others, a dying mankind (us!). It required humility and selflessness. We must have the mind (attitude) we see in Jesus Christ.

In verses 12-18, Paul describes what he means by “work out your own salvation.”

“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17). Man (the creation) is expected to obey God (the Creator). This obedience from the heart is one of the ways we demonstrate our faith (James 2:14-26) and our love for the Lord (John 14:15). One who does not obey the gospel of Christ will be lost eternally (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Matthew 7:21).

As Christians, we are to shine as lights in a dark world of sin. The greater the wickedness (the darkness), the greater is the need for light. If Christians do not let their lights shine, how will the lost world see the Lord in us?

Earlier in this chapter, Paul uses Christ as the example of selfless humility. The Son of God became the Son of Man to serve dying humanity’s need for salvation. In all areas of life, the Lord is our perfect role model and we must seek to be like Him in this area as well.

In verses 19-30, Paul describes two other excellent examples of this type of attitude. He first mentions Timothy, his “son in the faith” who had proven his character and purity of heart by the way he served others. Paul says he has no other companion and fellow worker like Timothy.

Then he brings up Epaphroditus who had risked his own life to serve Paul’s needs. You never forget someone like that. The impact we can have on others can be powerful when we show our love for them by serving their needs, whatever they might be.

--Roger Hillis

The theme of the book of Philippians is joy. In what has been called the most positive book of the New Testament, Paul encourages them (and us) to realize the overwhelming joy of living for God.

This is all the more interesting when you realize that this letter was written while Paul was in prison for his faith. There are four letters that are commonly referred to as “prison epistles.” They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Paul had fond memories of the Philippian Christians and longed to see them. The church had done well since its planting and they had matured to the point of appointing overseers and deacons. This is always a positive thing in the history of a congregation. He had been touched by their love and the joy can comes from this mutual relationship in Christ.

Rather than painting a picture of gloom and despair, Paul proclaims victory for the cause of Christ. His imprisonment was not going to bind the gospel. In spite of circumstances and mistreatment that would cause man to give up, the apostle Paul was greatly encouraged (verses 12-18).

Some were preaching Christ out of good will. Others were doing so out of envy and strife, desiring glory and recognition. They were jealous of Paul and hoped to cause him some additional problems. However, they were preaching truth, not error. Those who were converted by their message were genuine Christians and their purity was not compromised by the less than pure motives of their teachers. Paul was grateful they had become disciples of Christ. And his own faithful example was encouraging many others.

No matter what others do, serve God faithfully. Jesus did not allow the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes to make Him quit. The other apostles did not leave the Lord because Judas fell away. Paul did not give up because others fell short.

But Paul was “between a rock and a hard place.” He couldn’t decide whether he would rather live or die.

The overriding principle of Paul’s life was “to live is Christ.” Whatever else happened, he was a servant of the Lord, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Knowing the power of a positive influence, he was determined that, in everything he did, Christ would be exalted. And because Paul lived every day for Christ, he knew that “to die is gain.” Paul did not fear death. He knew the separation of his body and spirit would allow him to live in the presence of the Savior forever.

Paul hoped to visit the Philippians soon (Philippians 2:24). But, of course, he was still a Roman prisoner and could not know for certain that he would have that opportunity. So he wanted to encourage them to live godly lives, even in his absence.

--Roger Hillis

There are numerous relationships that most/many people sustain in life. Ephesians 5:22-33 dealt with the husband and wife relationship. In verses 1-9, Paul describes some of the duties and obligations of four groups – children, fathers, bondservants and masters.

Many of these responsibilities can be summarized by a look at the verbs used in each situation – obey, honor, do not provoke, bring them up, be obedient, and do the same.

Children are taught to both honor and obey their parents, as God would have them to do.

Fathers, while rearing their children as the spiritual head of the family, should be careful not to anger them, in case that might cause them to rebel against both the Father and God. The New International Version says that fathers must not “exasperate” their children. A father’s goal is to train his children to love and serve God, not to run them away by harshness and inconsideration.

Bondservants are encouraged to obey their masters in all things that right and good. He uses words like sincerity, with fear and trembling and tells them not to be men-pleasers, but willingly and freely serve their master on earth. He does tell them that they will receive a good reward for being the kind of servants the Lord would have them to be.

And he admonishes masters to treat their workers properly. He reminds them that they (the masters) also have a Master in heaven to whom they will answer some day.

The next section of the chapter, verses 10-20, calls us to be faithful and true soldiers of Christ, in the spiritual battle we wage against sin and wickedness.

It is not easy to be a Christian. Sin, the world, temptation, and Satan are very real and very difficult to overcome sometimes. We are in a war against the devil and all of his forces of evil. In another place, Paul reminds us to “Fight the good fight of faith” (1Timothy 6:12).

Left to our own defenses, we don’t do very well (Romans 3:10,23). However, we must never forget: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). When we learn to properly utilize “the whole armor of God,” there is no evil power that can overcome us. We can win every battle. We will be victorious, eternally.

Verses 21-24 close out the book with some compliments about Tychicus and a prayer that God’s peace and grace will be with them.

--Roger Hillis