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April 23

Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 6 & 7

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6 v. 7 - This commandment to bind the law into their hearts and to teach it to the children is emphasised a lot during these last months of the wilderness journey. There is a great deal of wisdom in making this a regular topic of conversation, as is suggested in this verse. Is it in your house? ch.4:9, 11:19, Ex.13:14, Ps.78:4-6, Eph.6:4.
Peter Cresswell
7 v.1 reminds us that God will cast out our enemies even if they are greater than us. The way in which God fought for His people is well worth dwelling on. He will do the same for us as long as our pursuits are according to His will.
Peter Cresswell

6 v.6 There is a development and contrast in Proverbs regarding the heart. Proverbs 3:5 4:21 Which develop the principle laid out in the law here in Deuteronomy. Proverbs 6:14 The following passages show why we must have the law in our hearts - to drive out 'foolishness' Proverbs 12:20, 22:15, 23:7, 28:26

7 v.6 special people The concept of Israel [and us] being a special or peculiar treasure is a theme which runs through the Scriptures. However notice how the same word is used in 1 Chronicles 29 and Ecclesiastes 2 to speak of monetary wealth as well. Exodus 19:5 here Deuteronomy 14:2 26:18 1 Chronicles 29:3 Psalm 135:4 Ecclesiastes 2:8 Malachi 3:17 Titus 1:14 1 Peter 2:9
Peter Forbes

6:10 Another use of the words of Joseph (Genesis 50:24)
6:14 When Moses reminded the people that they should not go after other Gods they must have still had clear in their minds the matter of Balaam and the punishment that was meted out to those who were joined to Baal-Peor.

7:1 When Abraham learnt about the deliverance from Egypt (Genesis 15) he was told that 'the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full' (Genesis 15:16). Their iniquity was not filled up - so the children of Israel had no reason to fear them. Just as God had brought them out of Egypt He would give them the land.
But notice that whereas Genesis 15:19-22) lists ten nations Deuteronomy 7:1 only lists seven. What happened to the other three?
Peter Forbes

6:3 God's commands are not given just to place a burden upon Israel. There were to be benefits which flowed from keeping them. Sadly the Pharisees made them a burden.

7:2 The command about not making covenants with the inhabitants of the land was re presented to Israel almost as soon as they entered the land under Joshua (Judges 2:2) - sadly over time the commandment was forgotten to Israel's hurt.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Ecclesiastes 2

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v. 1-11 - I don't suppose any of us read these words without a feeling of jealous indignation, that Solomon should have, as it were, the divine authority to behave in this outrageously selfish way just that we might have on record words which tell us how vain this type of pursuit is! Nevertheless, if we can throw aside our jealousy, we do come to realise that there is a chance here for those who are so minded to learn without the need to experience these things for themselves, and so become mature and wise sooner in life than would otherwise have been possible. Can you do it? Contrast v. 11 with Ex.39:43 and add 1John 2:16-17.
Peter Cresswell
v.14 - the event that happeneth to them all is surely death (Psa.49:10). The wise and the foolish both go the same way. The difference is whether they stay there. This passage also reminds us of the sentiments of ch.9:11 - time and chance refers also to finite life and inevitable death, but as well as that to the opportunities. We each have the same opportunities. It is up to us to use those wisely.
Peter Cresswell
v.7 The assurance that the king would make servants of the young men and women in Israel was seen to be fulfilled in Solomon who even said that he had done such a thing. 1 Samuel 8:16
Peter Forbes
In more details we see that in a number of ways Solomon violated the requirements of the law in his lifestyle
2:5 all kinds of fruits Deuteronomy 22:9
2:7 servants and maidens 1 Samuel 22:9
2:8 silver and gold Deuteronomy 17:17
2:8 peculiar treasure <05459> Exodus 19:5

Solomon , in using this language, is showing how he systematically violated the commands of God.
Peter Forbes

:18 One hopes that our feelings towards out material wealth are not driven solely by the fact that we will leave them all behind!
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - John 19

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v. 5 - Pilate's words - 'Behold the man' - were quite telling. They reflect John's words in ch.1:29, and the words of Isaiah 40:9, but mostly they give the people the final opportunity to see Jesus for what he really is and repent, Heb.12:2, but their reaction was contrary. (John 19:6)
Peter Cresswell
The Jews and gentiles joined forces to condemn Jesus. However he was declared fault free by both Pilate [18:38 19:4,6] and Herod [Luke 23:15]. Whereas the witnesses against Jesus could not agree [Mark 14:59] thus violating the command [Deuteronomy 17:6] Jesus was vindicated by two witnesses.
Peter Forbes
18:38 19:4 :6 Here we have the threefold assertion by Pilate that Jesus was innocent. During his life the Jews had never been able to convince him of sin. He truly was a Passover lamb without blemish.
Peter Forbes
:4 In saying 'Pilate went forth' we realise what we learn elsewhere (John 18:28) that the Jewish leaders were hypocrites. They were more concerned with ceremonial cleanness that righteous judgement.
Peter Forbes
THE SIGN

"Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests protested to Pilate, 'Do not write, "The King of the Jews," but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.'
Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written.'" (John 19 v 19 - 22)

The sign, written by Pilate and no doubt inspired by God, was written in languages that everyone could understand. It was written in Aramaic, the language of religion. It was written in Latin, the language of law and order. And it was written in Greek, the language of culture. It was written for you and me - no matter who we are, so that no matter what language we speak or whatever our natural inclinations are, the sign is there for us. There is no mistaking it. This is not just a man who said he was the King of the Jews. The sign says it all and we have no choice but to read it in our own language and no excuse for not understanding. "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Read it. Believe it.
Robert Prins