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August 16

Yesterday --- Contribute --- Tomorrow

Reading 1 - 1Kings 11

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v.6 tells us a number of things - firstly that wisdom in itself is not guaranteed to make us follow God. Wisdom is only a tool upon which each of us can exercise free will and can (as we see here) be a dangerous tool if not used correctly. Secondly we are reminded of the fact that even though his specific sins were great in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah, David walked fully after the Lord. This causes us to reflect on the two others to whom this phrase is applied: Joshua - Josh.14:18 and Caleb - Num.14:24 Josh. 14:14
Peter Cresswell
2002
We see that the men that God caused to come up against Solomon were more or less exclusively those who had some matter against David, but who God had kept from David during his life. David's adherence to God's law had made him many enemies. Such is the jealousy of man. We must beware. If we follow with all our hearts we too will have many who are our enemies, but who we are instructed to love.
Peter Cresswell
2002
11:4 In saying that Solomon's heart was not 'perfect' he is contrasted with Abraham who was called upon (Genesis 17:1) who was called upon to walk and be perfect. Solomon had already been called upon (1 Kings 9:4) to walk before God - as was Abraham. So we see in this refrain that Solomon was not like faithful Abraham.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Jeremiah 37

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v.10 Here we are reminded yet again of the futility of working against the word of the Lord God. Might this have an impact on the attitude we should have when we have put a matter into God's hand? Do we then continue to try to influence His decision to meet ours? Joel 2:11. We should surely rather adopt Jesus' attitude - Matt. 26:39
Peter Cresswell
2002
v.21 - Although this was something of a compromise between the terrors of the dungeon and the freedom Jeremiah sought, it was a great improvement on his previous circumstances which he had suffered many days. When we look at the sufferings that these men of God had to go through, we have no reason to complain about anything that happens to us.
Peter Cresswell
2002
37:9 The exhortation not to be deceived is taken up by Jesus (Matthew 24:4) so the Babylonian invasion is typical of AD70 and the warnings are just the same. God will care for His servants in times of great distress.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Mark 11

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v.15-18 emphasises the motivation behind the action of the chief priests and scribes against Jesus, which clearly involved monetary loss, due to Jesus' clearly righteous act in the temple. This is a separate incident from that recorded in John 2:13-17, which, if would seem, is some 3 years earlier. One wonders how many times Jesus actually did this. Matt.21:12-13 and Luke 19:45 are almost certainly the same incident, but do they match either of the others? I suspect there are 3 occasions. Anyone any thoughts on this? Click my name below and tell me!
Peter Cresswell
2002
:21 When Peter draws Jesus' attention to the withered fig tree which had been cursed the previous morning Peter says 'behold the fig tree'. This conversation must have taken place somewhere between Bethany and Jerusalem - probably on the mount of Olives which is close by Bethany on the route that they would take to go into the city.

In the Olivet prophecy, which was spoken on the mount of Olives [Mark 13:3]. During that discourse Jesus also says 'behold the fig tree' [Luke 21:29]. Is Jesus actually pointing to the very fig tree he cursed a couple of days ago when he says this?
Peter Forbes