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February
9
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Reading
1 - Exodus 17 & 18
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here to Listen
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17
v. 7
- It is interesting here that this verse presents the situation as 'they
tempted the Lord'.
It was obviously a time when they incurred his wrath through their doubt
that he was there for them Deut.9:22
... but by the time we get to Psalm
81:7 it seems
to have been turned round to describe God proving, or testing them (successfully,
apparently). The direct lesson for us is brought out forcibly in Ps.95:8
when it is quoted in Heb.3:8,9.
This cry that the Children of Israel made 'Is
the Lord among us or not?'
cannot be made now, not since John1:14,
which the whole Old Testament had been foreshadowing.
Peter Cresswell |
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ch.18
- It seems that the express purpose that God had in sending Moses' father-in-law
was that Moses should be guided to establish a heirarchy of command. Moses
would presumably have taken this advice directly from God, but God chose
to teach him this particular lesson a different way. I wonder how many of
us need to learn the same thing - that we can't always go it alone. We don't
know much about this man Jethro, but he certain had Moses' love and respect,
and God's too it would seem.
Peter Cresswell
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| 17:14
In speaking thus of Amalek Saul should have really understood why he had
to fulfil the command of God 1
Samuel 15:3 so his compromise is the more wrong. He was not simply disregarding
a command from the prophet. He refused to implement the words of God through
Moses in the wilderness. A word which, if he had been a faithful king who
had written out for himself a copy of the law [Deuteronomy
17:18] he would have understood that the words spoken to him were actually
a re statement of what had been already said and he would have seen himself
as the one who was to fulfil the words of Moses.
18:13-16
The way in which Moses was willing to sit all day answering the people's
questions and the way that he spoke to Jethro - as if Jethro should have
understood why he did it - shows that Moses was completely selfless in
his service to the nation of Israel. We tend to use excuses - I am too
tired - I have been at work all day - the children have tired me out -
and then neglect the needs of our brethren and sisters.
Peter
Forbes
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17:2
has the people saying to Moses 'Give us water �' It is interesting
that this request is seen by Moses as 'tempting God' (17:2)
and as saying 'is the Lord among us or not?' by Yahweh. The way that we
speak or think speaks volumes about what we think about God.
18:10
In saying 'Blessed is the Lord who �' Jethro seeks to bless God because
he has done something. There are a number of occasions when we see similar
language.
Genesis
24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who
hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being
in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
2
Chronicles 2:12 Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel,
that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son,
endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for
the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
2
Chronicles 6:4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who
hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my
father David, saying,
Psalms
68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even
the God of our salvation. Selah.
Psalms
72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous
things.
Psalms
124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their
teeth.
Ephesians
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Knowing
that God has worked in our lives should cause us to want to praise Him.
Peter
Forbes
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Exodus
17 - They began to question whether God was with them or not. This
is called their "tempting God," which signifies distrust of Him after
they had received such proofs of His power and goodness. Moses mildly
answered them. It is folly to answer passion with passion; that makes
bad worse. God graciously appeared to help them. How wonderful the patience
and forbearance of God toward provoking sinners! That He might show His
power as well as His pity, and make it a miracle of mercy, He gave them
water out of a rock. God can open fountains for us where we least expect
them. Those who, in this wilderness, keep to God's way, may trust Him
to provide for them. Also, let this direct us to depend on Christ's grace.
The apostle says, that Rock was Christ, 1Corinthians
10:4, it was a type of Him.
�
Exodus
17:8 - "Then came Amalek" - Josephus tells us that
a confederacy of tribes joined with Amalek at this time to come against
Israel and take their water resource. With about 2 million people encamped
with all their animals and flocks in this "mobile refugee camp," the quantity
of water required to satisfy such a number would have been considerable.
Fresh water is a precious resource - especially in this part of the world.
Even today, Israel faces huge problems securing enough fresh water for
her people, and it is possible that a future confrontation with her neighbours
may again involve water.
�
�
Exodus
17:9-16 - What a graphic account is given here of Joshua's victory
over "sin" (Amalek). Joshua ('The Salvation of Yah') makes war in the
valley (rep. Christ in His mortality) against the forces of "sin" (Amalek),
whilst Moses ('one drawn out of water' - rep. those drawn out of the sea
of nations by the elevating power of the Sun of God), takes a seat upon
a rock (rep. - God our immovable Rock and our salvation) and his prayerful
hands are supported - on the one side by Aaron ("light or illumination"
rep. the Word of Light) and Hur ("white" rep. purity of God's righteousness.)
Cliff
York
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Reading
2 - Psalms 72
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here to Listen
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v.6
-
The aspects of nature that bring about plant growth - mainly water and light
- are used throughout scripture as metaphors for the way that God cares
for us and deals with us, and for what he makes available to us to enhance
our growth in Him. Deut
32:2, 2Sam.23:4, Prov.16:5, Hos.14:5-7 ... or what he withholds as a
punishment for wilful faithlessness - Isa
5:6. Eze.34:23-26 paints a picture of the kingdom using the same language.
Peter Cresswell
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v.3
- The idea of the mountains bringing peace is not only here [Isa.52:7,
Eze.34:13,14, Joel 3:18]. Tied in with this idea too is the principle
of Psa.85:11
where we learn that truth shall spring out of the earth - a clear prophecy
of the coming of Jesus.
Peter Cresswell
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This
Psalm seems to have been written for the coronation of Solomon. David speaks
of his hopes for Solomon - which hopes will be fulfilled in the rulership
of the risen Jesus when he returns to sit on David's throne.
Peter
Forbes |
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:2
That Jesus will judge righteously shows that God does not change. In
the kingdom the same God will be there so it is not surprising to see that
this judgement was required by the law of Moses (Leviticus
19:15)
Peter
Forbes |
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A
KINGDOM PICTURE
This Psalm of David was not fulfilled in either David's day or his son Solomon's
or in the life of any other king of Israel or Judah. It will come to pass
when Jesus returns and is king. But to share in that time described here
will not happen because we are just lucky. Our life now is the time to get
ourselves right with God and to prepare for the kingdom.
This glimpse we have of the wonderful time when Jesus is king, describes
what his personal reign will be like. It will be like nothing we have ever
experienced before from any other ruler - any place or any time.
He will judge the people in righteousness and justice. He will defend the
needy and afflicted and he will care for his people. All the decisions he
makes will be the right ones. Not only will he be the best ruler ever, but
his reign will last forever and ever. It will be refreshing to have Jesus
as king. The righteous will flourish and prosperity (the economy) will boom.
There will even be changes in nature when food grows freely on the tops
of the mountains. All the earth will be filled with his glory.
Now is the time to decide whether we will be there or not. Luck has nothing
to do with it.
Robert
Prins |
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Psalm
72 - How marvelously the daily readings link together so often. In Exodus
today, we learned of the battle and the victory Joshua (Jesus) the son
of Nun had over the power of sin. In�Psalm 72, (surely one of our
all time "Kingdom Favourites") we learn of the care and the concern Jesus
will tenderly exercise when He is King over all the earth. The poor and
the needy will attract His special care. And all God's enemies will be
dealt with in righteousness. In that day, there will be plenty of food
and water, and God's blessings will be enjoyed by all His people.
�
Psalm
72:17 - "His name shall be continued as long as the sun"
- As long as the sun�continues to shine - an expression designed
to express perpetuity.� The margin here is, "shall be as a son to
continue his father�s name forever." The Hebrew word - nu^n
- means "to sprout, to put forth;" and hence, to "flourish." The idea
is that of a tree which continues always to sprout, or put forth leaves,
branches, blossoms; or, which never dies. This is the only place�in
the OT where this Hebrew word - nu^n
- occurs. It is the root word for the name of the father of Joshua mentioned
in the Exodus record:- "Joshua son of Nun" = 'The Salvation of Yah, the
family builder (son - heb. "ben") whose Father lives forever
and ever'. The related idea of "flourishing as a Branch" surely takes
our minds to Zechariah
3:8.
Cliff
York
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Reading
3 - Mark 5
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here to Listen
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v.11-13
- Pigs are used as a symbol of wickedness on a number of occasions. It was,
of course, wrong, or at least inappropriate for there to a herd of pigs
at all. Were they for export to the gentiles? The Jews, according to the
law, though, were just restricted in their eating of them, Lev.11:7,
but also in the touching of a dead carcass of a pig Lev.11:8,
Deut.14:8. It becomes symbolic of evil worship - Isa.65:4,
66:3.
Peter Cresswell
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v.3
- 19
The miracle of the healing of Legion draws on the language of Isaiah
65 and 1 Kings 18 to highlight that the man was a parable of the nation
of Israel in their sinfulness and waywardness.
v.5 tombs Isaiah
65:4
v.5 crying cutting himself 1
Kings 18:28
v.7 what have I to do with thee ... Isaiah
65:5
v.11 mountains Isaiah
65:7
v.11 swine
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
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:25-34
The way in which the woman behaved demonstrated exceptional faith and great
humility. Her behaviour contrasted very much with many of those around her
- in particular the religious leaders - who were concerned for a great show
in their actions. She was so sure that Jesus could heal here that she did
not even see the need to speak to anyone. All it would need as for her to
touch him and then she would be able to go on her way without disrupting
Jesus' schedule. Indeed Jesus did not have to say anything when he realised
what had happened. However he wished to present the woman as an example
of great faith.
Peter
Forbes
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:1
:21 'passed over to the other side' These phrases mark the beginning
and end of the event of the healing of Legion. It would appear that Jesus
had gone with the single intention of healing the man. How often are we
willing to make a journey or put ourselves out for the benefit of just one
other person?
Peter
Forbes
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Mark
5:1-5 - We are introduced to one here, who we learn later is known
as Legion, who represents Israel under the Law - his behaviour could not
be modified or restrained by the shackling of fetters and chains (law).
�
Mark5:15
- Legion needed to get into the presence of Jesus to be cured, and when
he did, he was found "in his right mind" and clothed
with the garments provided by our Lord. Does this describe ourselves?
Or are we still trying to tame the flesh by following and imposing laws,
rules and regulations? - Matthew
24:49-51.
�
Mark
5:22 - "And Behold!" - as if to say, "Who would have
expected this?" Here comes the ruler of the synagogue that we met a couple
of chapters before, who had set up a man with a withered hand in the congregation
to test� whether Jesus would break "their sabbath law" and heal a
man on that day - Mark
3:1-6.
�
Mark
5:25 - "Had an issue of blood twelve years" - this
woman had been banned from formal worship in Jairus' synagogue for the
same length of time that his little daughter had been a part of his family.
Neither Jairus nor his system of religion could heal the woman with the
issue of blood, and neither can he heal his darling daughter, his only
child, his only link with the future.
�
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�
A
Golden Thread:- Only Joshua the son of Nun (Jesus Christ
Son of the Living God) can save us from Amelek, raise us from death, heal
all our diseases, cloth us with salvation, have us in our right mind,
and administer the affairs of the coming age. Please Father... send Him
soon!! In fact Father, yesterday would have been great!
Cliff
York
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