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August
10
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Reading 1 - 1Kings 4 & 5
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4
v. 25 - A vision
of the kingdom under the greater Son of David, where every man shall dwell
in safety all the days of his everlasting reign.
Jer.23:5,6, 33:15-16, Mic.4:4, Zech 3:10.
Peter Cresswell
Peter Cresswell
4 v.25 - From Dan to Beersheba used to mark the extent of the land of Israel. Judges 20:1 1 Samuel 3:20 2 Samuel 3:10 17:11 24:2 15 1 Kings 4:25 The concept of sitting under the vine and fig tree has its origins in the days of Solomon, when it speaks of peace. 1 Kings 4:25 Sennacharib appeals to the days of Solomon as a means of trying to lure Judah away from trusting in Yahweh and Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18:31 But Yahweh, through His prophet, lays down the challenge to the people. Micah 4:4 Reminding them that He is the one who has spoken the words rather than Sennacherib. After the exile the prophet:- Zechariah 3:10 Again draws on the time of Solomon to look to the future.
5
v.4 - The concept
of being given rest - often from enemies passes into Biblical use. Here
are some examples. Notice how strongly it is linked with David and his
kingdom. Exodus
33:14 Deuteronomy 3:20 12:10 25:19 Joshua 1:13,15 22:4 23:1 2 Samuel 7:1
1 Kings 5:4 8:56 1 Chronicles 22:9,18 23:25 2 Chronicles 14:6 7 Isaiah
14:3 Matthew 11:28 Hebrews 4:8
Peter Forbes
4:25 That every man was 'under his vine and fig tree' is a metaphor to speak of peace and prosperity. In 2 Kings 18:31 Rab-shakeh in offering Israel a place under their own vine and fig tree was appealing to the state of things when Solomon was king.
5:12
That Solomon made a covenant with Hiram forms the basis for the reproof
(Amos
1:9) of Tyre for breaking the 'brotherly covenant'.
Peter Forbes
4:25 Notice that there is 'Judah' and 'Israel' even though at this time the kingdom was not divided - here, as in other places, we see the beginning of the rift between the north and south kingdoms.
5:4
Returning to the them of being given rest. In particular Solomon was reflecting
what was true, and had caused David to think hat he was the one to build
the house (2
Samuel 7:1)
Peter Forbes
Throughout the Bible we get a number of little insights into what we will be like when Christ returns. We read in 1 John that "We shall be like him," that is, like Jesus. We also read in another place that Jesus was greater than Solomon. The other little fact I would like to add here before I tie it all together is that, at present, we only use a very small percentage of our brains. The rest is idle, waiting for something to be unlocked so that we can use them to their full extent.
Now, "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the sea shore." Solomon was wiser than any other living man in his time and probably before and after him. He spoke 3000 proverbs, wrote 1005 songs and could describe creation like no other man. The only man who could have equaled him was the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We shall be like him. I believe Jesus also had the wisdom of Solomon and that when he returns and we are made like him, our minds will be opened and the parts of our brain that have sat idle will be activated and God will give us wisdom like Solomon's. What an awesome hope we have for the future.
Robert Prins
Solomon's chief officials are named in this chapter. Each one of those listed had their specific part of the kingdom to look after. There were priests, secretaries, advisors, commanders, administrators and governors who all had their own responsibilities to discharge in their own ways and at the right time. They were the ones who were helping Solomon rule the people of Judah and Israel, who were "as numerous as the sand on the seashore." (v 20) It was these people, and especially the district officers, who had the commendation given to them when the scripture says, "They saw to it that nothing was lacking." (v 27)
We see from this comment that they were self motivated, they did the best job they could do, they took pride in their work, were reliable, responsible and honest. What a wonderful example they are to us in both our employment, and for us in our service to the Lord. In whatever we do, we should act in the same level of responsibility as Solomon's officers. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone acted in that way. We might not be able to change everyone, but we can change our own lives and make a difference.
Robert Prins
Reading 2 - Jeremiah 31
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Peter Cresswell
Peter Cresswell
Peter Forbes
Peter Forbes
The picture of deliverance presented in this 'new convenient' draws heavily on earlier Scripture
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they
shall be my people
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Hosea
12:23
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adorned
dances
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Exodus
15:20
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adorned
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Isaiah
61:10
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Arise
to Zion
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Isaiah 2:3
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blind
Isaiah
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Isaiah
42:16
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return
thither
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Isaiah
35:10
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ransomed
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Isaiah
35:10
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watered
garden
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Isaiah
58:11
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not
sorrow any more at all
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Isaiah
35:10
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Thus
we see that Jeremiah is reminding Israel that despite the terrible things
that are coming upon them God will keep the word which He had spoken by
the former prophets.
Peter Forbes
Reading 3 - Mark 5
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Peter Cresswell
v.3-19 - The miracle of the healing of Legion draws on the language of Isaiah 65 and 1 Kings 8 to highlight that the man was a parable of the nation of Israel in their sinfulness and waywardness.
| tombs | Mark 5:5 Isaiah 65:4 |
| crying cutting himself | Mark 5:5 1 Kings 18:28 |
| what have I to do with thee ... | Mark 5:7 Isaiah 65:5 |
| mountains | Mark 5:11 Isaiah 65:7 |
| swine | Mark 5:11 Isaiah 65:4 |
Isaiah
is condemning Israel because of the way in which they have perverted the
law in the way that they sacrificed and really did not want to listen
to Yahweh. The man in the gospel record shows, in his deranged state,
the mental state of the nation.
Peter Forbes
Peter Forbes
Peter Forbes