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Reading 1 - 1Kings 14
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v.13
- As long as I am understanding this verse right, it seems that JereboamÂ’s
son was being allowed to die as a reward, so that he would not have to
live the rest of his life in such a terrible situation. This was salvation
for him by death, a clear example of baptism and what it does for us.
Jer.22:10
Rom 6:3-7 2Pet.2:9
Peter Cresswell |
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2002 v.6 - Ahijah here turns this mission round. Jeroboam's wife had gone to him, but he says that he is 'sent to her' with heavy tidings, showing us that however much we think that the decision to do something might be our own, it is always God's, and if it turns out to be a bad decision, we must learn from it and class the results as chastening. Every decision we make in faith is an opportunity for God to work good in our lives if we let Him. Peter Cresswell |
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2002 14:21 Notice that Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite. So in being king he was in direct violation of the law (Deuteronomy 23:3) Peter Forbes |
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Reading 2 - Jeremiah 40
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v.10
refers directly to the language of both a blessing and a curse - Deut
7:13 28:51 Peter Cresswell |
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2002 v.1-5 This release seems to have been made in recognition of the fact that Jeremiah's prophecy was being fulfilled. Whatever the reason it must have been a great relief to Jeremiah. Peter Cresswell |
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2002 40:1 One presumes that Jeremiah was freed because of the way in which he had been encouraging the Jews to go to Babylon. The Babylonians would see Jeremiah as an ally rather than a threat. Peter Forbes |
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Reading 3 - Mark 14
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v.32
- Gethsemane was an olive-yard at the foot of the mount of Olives. Olive
trees of a great age (though not verifiable) still grow there today. It
seems that Jesus left the disciples in this olive-yard - in the care of
the house of Israel, as it were, while he went outside that care to communicate
with his Father, acting, as he was, on behalf of all, not just Israel. v.33-35
Matt.26:36-39 Peter Cresswell |
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2002 :37 Jesus seems distressed that the disciples were not able to stay away whilst he was praying - even though they had no idea what he was praying about or what was going to happen next. David 'looked for comforters and found none' [Psalm 69:20] and was distressed by this also. Have we thought about how we can support our brethren and sisters in their tribulation even if we do not fully understand their dilemma? It would seem that the simple presence of the disciples - or in David's case his friends - would have provided some form of sustenance. Peter Forbes |
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