Thursday, November 14, 2024
Psalm 85 comments
Psalm 85:1 ¶
«To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.» LORD, thou hast
been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy
people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast
turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. 4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause
thine anger toward us to cease. 5 Wilt
thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that
thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Shew
us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
Here is a plea for God’s mercy and
deliverance and also that His anger will be withdrawn from His people. Some
Jewish writers, according to John Gill, said that this Psalm was written about
the Babylonian Captivity while others suggested that it foretold of the Jews’
suffering in the two thousand years after the fall of Jerusalem and the
destruction of the Temple by the Romans. Of course, it could be both. Bible
verses, prophecies in particular have multiple applications; for immediate
context and for future prophecy. This brilliant pattern by God keeps the Bible
from being thousands of volumes as opposed to the not much over a thousand
pages it is.
The Psalmist refers to the land belonging to
God. Now we know that the whole earth belongs to God.
Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the
earth is mine:
But God claims the area of Israel as His
particular inheritance.
Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity
and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine
inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
He brought the captives of Jacob out of
Egypt, out of Babylon, and particularly out of Satan’s control and of sin. He
took them from the Gentile world, who are under Satan’s captivity.
2Timothy 2:26
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who
are taken captive by him at his will.
2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Then, see;
Psalm 32:1 ¶
«A Psalm of David, Maschil.» Blessed is he whose transgression is
forgiven, whose sin is covered.
The psalmist in this passage is declaring the
mercy and forgiveness of God, which we know more fully through Christ, and
pleading that God’s anger will not abide on His people for all time.
1Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that
they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon
them to the uttermost.
The psalmist pleads for revival which clearly
shows that we don’t “have a revival” as revival can only come from God. I call
so-called “revival meetings” as “hopeful revival meetings.” We, as they did,
need God’s mercy and God’s salvation, which in this context might be saving
from temporal, earthly distress but, in our case, can be thought of as the
salvation that leads to eternal life with our Creator.
We should pray this Psalm often as it applies
so well to our current state. God has had mercy on us in saving us and we pray
for God to continue to have mercy on us in our pathetic, sinful behavior and
thought processes.
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I pray for God’s mercy every day in this
perilous time of life that I live. I hope you will too as God’s grace, His
mercy, and His salvation is abundantly poured on us, if we are saved.
Psalm 85:8 ¶
I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto
his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that
fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each
other. 11 Truth shall spring out of
the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is
good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of
his steps.
We can let God speak to us through His words
in the Bible, through our experiences judged by His word, and He will save us
from our sins. Let me repeat;
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Apparently, this requires a relationship as
God takes the desire to commit our preferred sins away or perhaps makes the
consequences, if we persist in doing them anyway, unpleasant. God’s word is
designed to always produce peace between Himself and His saints. Here in verse
8 we see that His people and His saints are synonymous. A saint
is not some glorified spiritual “medal of honor” winner who performed some
outrageous miracle and were deified by church elders. They are simply God’s
sanctified ones, who belong to Him.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
For the Israelites the fear of the Lord would
protect them and God’s glory would cover the land if they were obedient. We are
not promised a painless existence if we obey but we are promised God’s strength
and that He will stand with us in our trials.
2Corinthians 12:9 And he
said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace are personified here. These
are things we should seek, that which is good. In doing so, God will
establish us in His ways and we shall be, of all people, most blessed. He will
walk with us. I find that a very comforting thought and very frustrating in
that I did not seek those things in my heart before I was a Christian and for
long after as well.
God has forgiven us through our receiving Christ as our Saviour
and His anger and wrath no longer rest on us.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
2Timothy, chapter one, comments
2Timothy 1:1 ¶ Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life
which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my
dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God,
whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without
ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful
of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded
that in thee also.
While the first letter to Timothy was written from Laodicea, it is
said in the postscript that this letter to Timothy was written from Rome where
Paul was a prisoner. It shows that Timothy was the first pastor/bishop of the
Church at Ephesus.
Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s own will, according to
the promise of eternal life in Christ. See how we all come to Christ.
John 1:12 But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name: 13 Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.
Notice Paul’s declaration before of his apostleship.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to
you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine
office:
1Titus 2:7 Whereunto I am
ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie
not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
He regards Timothy as his spiritual son and blesses him praying
for grace, mercy, and peace from God. And Paul is very thankful for Timothy and
prays for him unceasingly. He longs to see him, understanding Timothy’s tears
of grief over Paul’s condition possibly as Timothy brings Paul joy with his
pure faith that he learned from his mother and grandmother, making the
importance of women in the propagation of the gospel apparent. Having the main
hand in teaching their children women like these instilled their faith in those
children living by example as well as teaching. There is no greater ministry
than your own family which makes it disturbing that so many Christian parents
today have children who turned their back on the faith in Christ. Did their
parents teach them and live as an example before them or did they leave that up
to the church one or two days a week? It is a sad state of affairs.
We can see great women of the Bible from Sarah, Deborah, Hulda,
Mary, Elizabeth, Lydia, Dorcas, Phoebe, and others (look them up) whom God used
and who had their own impact on God’s ministry of reconciling mankind to
Himself. Review the study on Acts to see some examples of the role of women in
the early church.
2Timothy 1:6 ¶ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
The laying on of hands was a symbolic act of transferring
authority and, in fact, a responsibility to another person. It was an
acknowledgement of passing on authority like Moses laying on of hands on Joshua
in Deuteronomy 34:9.
1Timothy
4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in
thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery.
Paul has laid hands on Timothy.
The context of this passage shows that we are not to be afraid of
delivering the Gospel message. God has given us, not the spirit of fear, but of
the power of His word, a love for the lost and for the church, and a mind and
spirit that is well-ordered, filled with wisdom and understanding, calm and
assured, and generally just, as it says, sound.
Timothy should not be ashamed of either the testimony of Christ or
of Paul, who admits here that he is writing to Timothy from confinement, a
prisoner. Timothy, too, would share in the trouble that came from giving the
Gospel to a dying world, but by the power of God.
2Corinthians 1:3 ¶ Blessed
be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and
the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth
us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Paul reminds Timothy that we are saved by God, then called
according to His purpose, not according to our works, from before the world
began.
John 1:12 But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name: 13 Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but
of God.
Where else are people referred to as the called? In chapter
1 of Romans it was the Christians at Rome whom Paul was writing to as well as
Paul Himself.
Romans 1:1 ¶ Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of
God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by
his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of
David according to the flesh; 4 And
declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness,
by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By
whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among
all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom
are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to
you and peace
from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
When you believe you are called to something, called to be saints,
sanctified ones set apart for God. In Romans 8:28 loving God precedes the
calling.
In Paul’s argument in 1Corinthians 1 the calling is for those that
believe, that they be sanctified, set apart for God’s purpose.
1Corinthians 1:17 ¶ For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the
scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? 21 For after that
in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks
seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach
Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks
foolishness; 24 But unto them which are
called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is
wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that
not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things
of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things
which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought things that are: 29 That no flesh
should glory in his presence. 30 But of
him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that
glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In fact, those who are called are also elected, known beforehand
by God, by virtue of their calling.
1Peter 1:2 Elect according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied.
2Peter 1:10 Wherefore the
rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if
ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
And yet, that we would be sanctified, those who believe, was from
before the world began, based on His foreknowledge. We are chosen that we would
be holy and without blame before him in love.
Ephesians 1:4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love:
This is not according to our own works, or our own effort.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them.
Christ has made this clear by abolishing death and bringing
eternal life through the Gospel.
Hebrews 2:14 ¶ Forasmuch
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise
took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil; 15
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage.
Daniel 12:2 And many of
them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life,
and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Matthew 19:29 And every one
that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or
wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit everlasting life.
John 3:16 For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life... 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
John 4:14 But whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into
everlasting life.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life.
Romans 5:21 That as sin
hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 For the wages
of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Paul again declares himself the apostle to the Gentiles. This is
why he has suffered.
Romans 15:16 That I should
be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God,
that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by
the Holy Ghost.
2Corinthians 11:23 Are they
ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant,
in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty
stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten
with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I
have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings
often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own
countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings
often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that
which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Paul is not ashamed and is completely trusting in God that Christ
will keep Paul’s soul to the end. He admonishes Timothy to remember Paul’s
teachings in the faith and love of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost who
indwells both Paul and Timothy, guarding and growing the Gospel message and the
ministry that was imparted to Timothy, that good thing.
2Timothy 1:15 ¶ This thou
knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are
Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord
give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not
ashamed of my chain: 17 But, when he was
in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find
mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at
Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
In the final part of this chapter of Paul’s second letter to
Timothy he makes mention of two Asian Christians who turned their back on him.
Asia was a province of Rome that would correspond to much of the nation of
Turkey today. Asia began to be used for that entire part of the world including
the Far East during the age of Imperialism in the 19th century when
Europeans went aggressively out to conquer foreign lands.
Paul asks for mercy to Onesiphorus who has been kind to Paul and
was not embarrassed or offended by his imprisonment. Paul prays for Onesiphorus’
salvation.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
2Samuel 16 comments
2Samuel 16:1 ¶ And when David was a little past the top of
the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple
of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an
hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of
wine. 2 And the king said unto Ziba,
What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s
household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat;
and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3 And the king said, And where is thy
master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for
he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold,
thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I
humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
Read 2Samuel, chapter 9, for David’s charge
to Ziba concerning his master, Mephibosheth. Ziba is lying and his betrayal of
his master, one would think, would warrant death but it will not be done so.
Ziba is a servant playing politics.
Mephibosheth is the last of Saul’s line and
is lame. This is typical of the confusion and gamesmanship played in a time of
rebellion.
2Samuel 16:5 ¶ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold,
thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was
Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the
servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were
on his right hand and on his left. 7 And
thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou
man of Belial: 8 The LORD hath returned
upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned;
and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and,
behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody
man. 9 Then said Abishai the son of
Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me
go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so
let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then
say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11 And
David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came
forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this
Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath
bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD
will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his
cursing this day. 13 And as David and
his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him,
and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that were
with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
Shimei, of the house of Saul, certainly not
in line to claim the kingship but a member of that family nonetheless comes out
and curses the exiled King David.
Joab’s brother, Abishai, encourages King
David to let him kill the unfaithful subject. However, David, perhaps in
consideration of his weakened political position refuses the request to kill
the obnoxious Shimei. Perhaps God will have mercy on David for the suffering he
is enduring. He will give strikingly different orders to his son, Solomon,
later.
2Samuel 16:15 ¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of
Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite,
David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save
the king, God save the king. 17 And
Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou
not with thy friend? 18 And Hushai said
unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of
Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I
abide. 19
And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the
presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in
thy presence. 20 Then said Absalom to
Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto
thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel
shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all
that are with thee be strong. 22
So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom
went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he
counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of
God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with
Absalom.
Following the traitor, Ahithophel’s advice,
Absalom shows his authority over David’s kingdom in one way by having sex with
David’s concubines. This is a very important way of establishing an ancient
king’s claim of authority from a previous king. This will be revealed again when
Solomon takes the reins and a brother tries to supplant him by desiring to do
this same thing. Apparently if they had sex with the king’s women then they had
assumed his authority and legitimacy. On the other hand, Absalom does not
understand that Husai is a plant, a double agent.
Monday, November 11, 2024
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Friday, November 8, 2024
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Psalm 84 comments
Psalm 84:1 ¶
«To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.» How
amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the
courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the
swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine
altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still
praising thee. Selah. 5 Blessed is
the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of
them. 6 Who passing through
the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, every
one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
This remarkable Psalm opens with one of the
most interesting verses in the Bible. The Psalmist first pleads how wonderful God’s
tabernacles are and how he cries out for the living God.
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I
desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of
the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to
enquire in his temple.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.
Then, he speaks of the sparrow and the
swallow finding a house and a nest on the altars of God. Clearly there is a
link here between the tabernacle that God had the Israelites build and the
tabernacle of His creation, the book of nature He has written. But it says literally that those birds find
safety in their home on God’s altars. It can also refer to the Psalmist saying
that even the seemingly unimportant creatures find a home in God’s tabernacle,
something the Psalmist envies as he wishes to be close to God at all times. Do
the birds in the morning sing praises to God?
In whatever case, those that dwell in God’s
house are blessed and will praise God as the source of their strength. The
priests and the Levites are there. A reference is made to the valley of Baca as
a valley of springs. Since Baca refers to a valley of weeping according to
Strong’s dictionary it seems like the Psalmist is saying that tears shall be
turned to blessings under God’s care. The idea in these last verses of this
passage is that those who dwell in God’s tabernacles are overflowing with
blessings as they stand before the God of Israel and the whole earth.
Psalm 84:8 ¶
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look
upon the face of thine anointed. 10 For
a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and
shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he
withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalm 27:1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» The LORD is my light and
my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid?
See the sentiment expressed early in the Psalms.
Psalm 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my
glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with
favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
And then later in Psalm 91.
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and
under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Pleading with God to hear his prayer the
Psalmist symbolizes God as a shield to His people, those set apart for His
purpose and here, with the use of thine anointed perhaps speaking
directly as the king or for the king, God’s king. He would rather work the
lowest post in the temple than live with the wicked or to particularly wallow
in their filth. God is our protection from wickedness, from wanting to do
wickedly. If we pursue God’s ways no good thing will be withheld from us and
all are blessed who trust in Him.
Speaking of the doorkeeper reference think of
this verse;
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in
the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him
the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new
name.
These promises of God fall on the Old Testament
Jew as well as the New Testament Christian, both Jew and Gentile. God is our
protection, not only from our enemies, but from the sin that grinds us down to
poverty, helplessness, disease, and despair. We have only to turn to Him to be
freed from the sins that so easily beset us.
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This Psalm promises God’s enduring protection
and consolation, and, in fact, pleads for them.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024
Thursday, October 31, 2024
1Timothy, chapter 6, comments
1Timothy 6:1 ¶ Let as many
servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour,
that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let
them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These
things teach and exhort. 3 If any man
teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but
doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse
disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that
gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Under the yoke indicates slavery not mere hired servanthood. Slavery was and is
a commonplace condition throughout history and in all regions of the earth. It
has been credibly noted that there are more slaves in the world today than
there have ever been in history. A slave has little or no bodily or economic
autonomy and is under the control of a master who owns them. In Ancient Rome a
slave might work as a doctor or as a common farm laborer and were often made
that way by being prisoners of war, criminals, or even, in some cases, selling
themselves into slavery to receive some financial stability and safety.
However, it was unlikely that the color of your skin in Ancient Rome determined
your slave status or called your freedom into question as it was in America
before the Civil War although slaves in America, it has been determined by
credible historians, were typically better fed and clothed than European or
Northern American laborers of the time who thought of themselves as free. The
most impartial source for this I’ve found is Without Consent or Contract: The
Rise and Fall of American Slavery by economic historian, the late Robert
William Fogel.
I have read that Samore Toure, called by some historians “The
Napoleon of Africa,” sold himself into slavery at the age of 12 to an Arab
merchant to get an education and to be able to eat regularly.
I would also remind you that some people in American History
regarded working for others in any capacity for an hourly wage to be
“wage-slavery”. This is not to glorify slavery. It is a deplorable condition
and racial slavery is a crime against humanity. But slavery simply is, then and
now.
The slave or servant or employee, whichever you would like this to
show as an example, was to represent God to their master. They were especially
not to be contemptuous of their masters who were brothers or sisters in the
faith. Paul also wrote this;
Colossians 3:22 Servants,
obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as
menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to
the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing
that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve
the Lord Christ.
He admonished masters as well, though.
Colossians 4:1 ¶ Masters,
give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have
a Master in heaven.
And even established the doctrine that the Christian servant of
the Christian master was also his brother in Christ and both were brothers and
sons in Christ to Paul.
Philemon 1 ¶ Paul, a
prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly
beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to
our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy
house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou
hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may
become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in
Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy
and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by
thee, brother.
8 ¶ Wherefore, though I might be much bold in
Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee,
being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I
have begotten in my bonds: 11 Which in
time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore
receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that
thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a
season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a
brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the
flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count
me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought,
put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have
written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how
thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me
have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I
wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I
trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner
in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus,
Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
«Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.»
Christianity was not trying to overthrow the established political
order, was not a secular revolution in that regard, but sought something more
deeper spiritually and more permanent in eternity when all human institutions
had been erased by Christ. Paul rejected those who would preach rebellion just
for the sake of it. This has prompted many today to say that Christianity
justified slavery which is nonsense. God does not create civilization or
culture. He modifies what man has created to bring it closer to His perfect
will. Slavery is a permanent social and economic condition of mankind and will
probably never be eradicated completely until Christ returns. In fact, it is
growing in numbers. The Christian servant was to use their position to lead
other servants and their masters to the Lord, not seek to be relieved of their
own burden. The Christian master was to treat the Christian servant as a
brother in Christ.
1Corinthians 7:20 Let every
man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for
it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a
servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is
Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with
a price; be not ye the servants of men.
This is difficult for us today to accept living in a country where
slavery by name is banned by law but where slavery in practice still goes on
while we pretend an air of superiority over cultures that have no such restrictions.
Paul has laid out quite a few doctrines here in this letter for
the Christian’s sake, particularly for someone leading a church body. He goes
on to condemn those who would go against the doctrines he has set forth. Paul
suggests that the people who would deny the doctrines he has laid out would be
motivated by money, greed, the love of money. Peter warns about those who had
that as their motivation.
2Peter 2:1 ¶ But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers
among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with
feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
America has had its share of preachers who used the church they
led as a moneymaking enterprise. One famous old-time preacher said that if
something didn’t make sense you could be sure there was a buck in it.
1Timothy 6:6 ¶ But
godliness with contentment is great gain. 7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain
we can carry nothing out. 8 And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of
all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay
hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses.
Godliness with contentment is indeed a great return on your
investment in Christ if I can make a parallel with the financial world. We
start with no physical possessions and end up the same way. “You can’t take it
with you,” is a common saying and you literally can’t. We should be happy if we
have enough, enough to eat and clothes on our back.
Matthew 6:25 ¶ Therefore I
say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye
shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more
than meat, and the body than raiment? 26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they? 27 Which of you by
taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider
the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much
more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for
the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof.
Certainly, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, many of whom would
follow Him to a cross. But the principle of not having anxiety and worry over
our needs is very important for the Christian today. We need to learn to be
content with what we have and trust God for what we need while we work as hard
as necessary for it.
Philippians 4:19 But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
But it is a common American state of mind to desire to be wealthy,
to covet riches. In fact, being ambitious is lauded in our culture as being a
sign of character if it is accompanied by some reasonable form of honesty
although the outlaw who gains fame and fortune is secretly and openly honored
in our hearts.
But God told His people.
Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to
be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
While prudent behavior, hard work, and minding your own business
both literally and figuratively is recommended in God’s word we must guard
against the love of money, greed.
Luke 16:13 No servant can
serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else
he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [personification of
money and the economic system as a god of sorts].
Any dreams of wealth and power a man or woman has is not of God. We
literally can drown ourselves and our families, particularly our children, in destruction
and perdition with the foolish and hurtful lusts created by a hunger
for more than we need and not depending on God for our sustenance.
The love of money isn’t the cause here of every evil. Your
desire to gossip or cheat on your spouse probably has nothing to do with your
sense of greed. But the use of all in the Bible can be without
distinction or without exception and here the first meaning seems to be
apparent. There is no sin that cannot be prompted and promoted by an ungodly
love of acquiring money. It can be the root source of every sin you can
imagine. As Dr. Ruckman once said, “if something doesn’t make sense, there’s a
buck in it.”
Many wealthy people have family problems you’ve never imagined and
I’ve known a few whose children were bored, angry, self-centered, incompetent,
and led pointless, self-absorbed lives. Money was always a key factor, too much
of it, no respect for it ultimately, and letting it be a burden to happiness
rather than an instrument of in several situations I grew up around. And it
didn’t have to be great wealth either. Just a good upper middle class striving
could produce virtually all the pain we used to see on TV shows like ‘Dallas’
and ‘Dynasty’ or modern shows that aren’t even mentionable in a Christian
venue.
Paul warns Timothy not just to turn from but to flee these things
with incredibly great advice for how we as Christians should live, something
I’ve failed miserably at in my life. The following should be up somewhere on
the walls of your house or on your computer to remind you every day of what is
best, what God wants from you and for you.
11 But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good
fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and
hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1Timothy 6:13 ¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready todistribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. «The first letter to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.»
Paul gives Timothy his orders before God who created all living
things, made alive being what quickeneth means and before Jesus
Christ whose testimony in front of the Roman governor, Pilate, was pure and true.
Read the descriptions, especially in the Gospel of John, of Christ’s response
to Pilate.
Luke 23:3 And Pilate asked
him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest
it.
John 19:11 Jesus answered,
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from
above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
See one of Paul’s goals here as repeated elsewhere regarding the
church presenting it spotless to Christ at His return.
2Corinthians 11:2 For I am
jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Paul then describes Christ’s
authority and power and His revealing to all at the end of human history.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus
came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth.
Revelation 21:6 And he said
unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will
give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Finally, Paul wants Timothy to warn those in his care who have
money to not be trusting in their riches but only in God understanding everything
comes from Him. Laying up their treasures in Heaven, not on Earth.
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal:
He calls on them to good works. You can read Romans, chapter 12 to
see Paul’s admonitions to the Christians at Rome.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
To lay hold on eternal life can mean to realize it, to
secure the understanding of it like what he says in Philippians.
Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead.
Everyone is going to be resurrected. He’s not talking
about ATTAINING something that everyone is going to attain. He didn’t say EARN
either. He wants to ATTAIN UNTO, to arrive at something, like wisdom. Go
further. Paul doesn’t understand why he was saved. He doesn’t understand but he
hopes to understand.
Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for
me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will
increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Paul then recaps some of his earlier warnings to Timothy making
mention of false science, which in his day would have referred to the many
Gnostic cults that with ridiculous arguments and endless genealogies would
oppose Christ much like militant atheists today spouting atheistic determinism
under the guise of the noble calling of science. I refer you to the renowned
geneticist who insists that since there are too many mutations that would have
to occur between apes and men that he believes that mankind resulted from random
matings between pigs and chimps. This is allowed and not mocked because it is
all in the name of atheistic science. (see macroevolution.net). And sadly, this
is even apparent among those of the community of faith. Finally, the letter finishes
with the postscript that Paul wrote this letter in Laodicea.
Colossians 4:16 And when
this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the
Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
So, the first letter to Timothy ends.