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April 28

Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 15

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v.5 - Deuteronomy is full of these reminders to stay on track in order to receive the blessings promised. This so obviously applies to us in our situation under the New Covenant too. If they needed such constant reminders, surely we do too. ch.4:9, 11:13-15, 28:1-15, Lev.26:3-13, Josh.1:7, Phil.1:27.
Peter Cresswell
v.3 shows us that the release - the jubilee - the consequent rest in Jesus - is just for those who are part of the body. There are quite a number of laws of this sort which have one rule for the people and another for the stranger. In a picture this is showing us the freedom we have in Christ. Consider Jesus' question to Peter in Matt.17:25-26 and the deeper contrast made in John 8:35
Peter Cresswell
15:4 Whilst provision was made for the time when there were no 'poor' among Israel they would always have 'the poor' because of the fact that they could not keep the law. Jesus knew that this was so. (Matthew 26:11 Mark 14:7 John 12:8)
Peter Forbes
:8 Whilst the law made specific provision as to how the Israelite was to behave it could not legislate for attitude of mind. So there is the warning 'beware …' (:9). Our service to our God must not be grudging (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Ecclesiastes 7

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v.2,3 - Usually it is easy to see the wisdom of Solomon's words, even if it is not easy to keep it! but here we need to investigate what is really meant. The word sorrow is elsewhere termed affliction, and this starts to make more sense of it. Some passages in Psalms make this clear for us - 119:67,71, 126:5,6.
Peter Cresswell
v.4 - continuing the theme from v.2,3 discussed above - we see that the way of the godless is to enjoy this life, as he has nothing else. We mourn of this life because of its imperfections and look forward instead to that to come, where all will be peace and righteousness.
Peter Cresswell
v. 5 'Rebuke' is the correct way to deal with error. Leviticus 19:17 But there is no point rebuking one who has no respect for the Word of God Proverbs 9:8 The rebuke of the wise is to be heeded. Therefore we must asses the wisdom on the one who speaks to us. Ecclesiastes 7:5 This instruction from the Old Testament forms the basis for the warnings and exhortations in the New Testament. 1 Timothy 5:20 2 Timothy 4:2 Titus 1:13 2:15
Peter Forbes
Notice the repeated refrain that certain things are 'better'

7:1 2 3 [twice] 5 8 and finally a warning that we should not view the 'former days as 'better' - this is the basis of man's depression. Human nature is such that it always thinks of the things it no longer has as more appealing than what is currently available. Israel were like this in the wilderness - we remember … (Numbers 11:5)
Peter Forbes

:28 Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) - and they turned him away from God so his comment here is a comment Solomon made about his own actual experience. The problem was in the choice that he made. In Scripture women stand for teaching - either 'wisdom' or 'error' - we must be aware that there are more 'strange women' than there is 'wisdom'!
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Acts 5 & 6

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5 v. 29 - We do not often find ourselves in a position of conflict like this where there is a choice between obedience to men or to God, but when we do, there should be no doubt of our actions. To stand up, as these folk did, blatantly denying the power of the law of the land in favour of the ways of God, requires a great deal of courage and conviction. Would we be ready if faced with this? Acts 4:19, Gen.3:17, 1Sam.15:24, Mark 7:7-9, Rev.14:8-12.
Peter Cresswell

5 v.2 The word 3557 keep back Acts 5:2,3 is translated 'purloin' Titus 2:10 which shows that we can behave in a way similar to Ananias and Sapphira.

5 v.32 The disciples are told that they are witnesses to God's work with Jesus Luke 24:48 Which point they are not slow to point out in their preaching. Acts 1:8 22 2:32 3:15 4:33 5:32 10:39 41 13:31 22:15 26:16

6 v.3 The word 'ordain' 2525 can be seen, from its use in the New Testament, to encompass rulership and judgment. Matthew 24:45,47 25:21,23 (made) ruler Luke 12:14,42,44 (made) judge / rule Acts 6:3 7:10,27,35 appoint / made Acts 17:15 conducted Romans 5:19 made Titus 1:5 ordain Hebrews 2:7 5:1 7:28 8:3 set / ordained / maketh James 3:6 4:4 is 2 Peter 1:8 make The use in the epistles indicates that, when appointment was made, it was at the father's instigation, not man's.
Peter Forbes

5:41 Would we rejoice if we were persecuted and beaten? I suspect that many of us would try to hide our faith. The gospel and the certainty of the resurrection of Jesus had certainly changed these men.

6:3 The counsel to the ecclesia in Jerusalem echoes what Jethro told Moses (Deuteronomy 1:13). Indeed it is a good principle to use in Ecclesial life today. Brethren should not try to control things by holding on to power. Rather brethren and sisters must be involved in decision making. We will return to this point when we come to this chapter again later in the year.
Peter Forbes

ch 5 - The behaviour of Ananias and Sapphira shows a complete lack of understanding of Proverbs 21:27

6:7 In telling us that 'a great number of priests believed' a potential problem would raise itself. They had just been discussing matters of welfare and having resolved it they were faced with a great multitude who were now out of work.
Peter Forbes