Thoughts/questions:
Gen 4 - Cain and Abel
Why does God reject the fruit of the ground offering? we aren't told whether Cain and Abel had been instructed on what to offer the LORD - if they had, then the LORD's response makes sense - if you do well, will you not be accepted etc. I'm not sure what it means when it says - if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door - or how the two link together. Perhaps a point to note is that the LORD determines what is acceptable as an offering/worship?
At this stage, Cain and Abel are still in the presence of the LORD, although not on the garden of Eden.
At this stage in history, man still has a length lifespan (and women still fertile!) - Cain's brother Seth appears to be born at around the same time Adam's great great great grandson, Lamech (if I'm counting the generations correctly).
Lamech repeats Cain's sin of murder (Lamech's revenge is seventy-seven fold).
Matthew 4
I've often thought that the devil is not clearly mentioned in the Bible (25 instances in the NT). I'm probably not explaining myself particularly well. The devil is clearly lurking behind, tempting to sin - it is just that this is one of the clearest passages of the devil acting. Don't think that I've explained myself clearly there either. Interesting to note that the devil tries to use Scripture to persuade Jesus to adopt a course of action (throwing Self off temple etc.) . Update: clearly I am insufficiently well read. There are a further 49 references to Satan. I ought to collate and do some notes.
John is arrested before Jesus begins His ministry (not after). Exciting to see OT prophecy fulfilled in Him. Simon Peter and Andrew follow Jesus immediately - there's no debate/discussion. Presumably clear authority, although no form or majesty that we should look at Him. Jesus teaches, proclaims, and heals.
Ezra 4
Given that the opponents of Judah and Benjamin eventually write to Ahasuerus to stop the rebuilding of the temple, why do they ask to join with them in the beginning?
Acts 4
Who is the captain of the temple?
Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and those of the high-priestly family seem to avoid the issue. They see the healed man (who was over forty! although yes, yes, clearly forty was quite old then) and cannot deny that he has been healed, but then avoid drawing any conclusions from that healing and just try to sweep under the carpet.
Twice in this passage there are references to being filled with the Spirit (v8 Peters speaking, v31 after praying "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." ) This is post Pentecost so do they not already have the Spirit? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit. I'm wise enough to know that that is a controversial question. Will have to look into it.
