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July
19
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Reading
1 - 2Samuel 3
Click
here to Listen
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v.15
- Bathsheba, it seems, was not the only wife that David took from her husband
to be his own, though v.14
refers to the events of 1Sam.18:25-27
that gave him that authority in this case.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.3-5
- The fact that the arrival of these sons is mentioned here gives an idea
of the passage of time. We often miss the passage of time as the record
is just snapshots of the lives of the people it describes.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.3
- Notice that Absalom is the son of a woman from Geshur. This will become
relevant later in the record. Early details, places and names, should be
noticed rather than just glossed over.
Peter Forbes |
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3:7
The way in which Abner went in unto Saul's concubine, and Ishbosheth's response
demonstrates that Abner was more concerned with his own position rather
than bringing Ishbosheth to the throne.
Peter Forbes |
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:39
The words of David 'The Lord
according to his wickedness' is quoted
(2
Timothy 4:4) by Paul. David's willingness to leave things in God's hand
- another characteristic of a man of God - is seen also in the apostle Paul
- can we manifest this characteristic? Or do we see the need to avenge ourselves?
Peter Forbes |
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Reading
2 - Jeremiah 9
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here to Listen
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v.7
- This concept of refining by fire or heat using the idea of metal seems
to recur over and over in scripture. e.g. ch.6:29-30,
Isa.1:25, Eze.22:18-22, Zech.13:9, Mal.3:3, 1Pet.1:7, 4:12.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.3,5,8
- All warnings to us of the danger we carry each day in our words that we
speak. Psa.64:3,4,8.
A great example is that of Judas - Matt.26:48,49
Peter Cresswell |
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v.15
- The mention of 'wormwood'
draws on the warning of [Deuteronomy
29:18] This warning
is likened to the deceit of the 'strange
woman' who is actually idol worship. [Proverbs
5:4] Because
Israel did not listen to the words of Jeremiah he lamented [Lamentations
3:15,19] that
the judgement had come.
Peter Forbes |
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9:16
The promise of the scattering quotes Deuteronomy
28:64 - the same point as we made yesterday is relevant here.
Peter Forbes |
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:17
The coming of the mourning women echoes Ecclesiastes
12:5 -. There are other echoes of Ecclesiastes 12 in Jeremiah.
6:25 'fear is on every side' quotes Ecclesiastes
12:5. Ecclesiastes 12 describes the overthrow of Israel and it's words
are taken up by Jeremiah to make this point.
Peter Forbes |
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Reading
3 - Matthew 20
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here to Listen
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v.6
- This is our job now - in this eleventh hour before the culmination of
all things - to go out and find those who are spiritually 'standing
idle' in the market place, waiting for us to 'hire' them into an understanding
that will allow them to be rewarded just as highly as those of old that
have 'borne the burden and heat of the day'. Let us take our position
seriously as masters of this vineyard here on earth.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.8
- 'last ... first' catches Jesus words to the sons of Zebedee in
Chapter 19. As we have seen this parable continues from the discussion about
who would sit on Jesus' right and left hand in the kingdom.
v.26
- The concept of the one who wishes to be great serving is so contrary to
the thinking of the flesh that we cannot do it. It is so easy to see the
serving brethren or the speaking brethren as the leaders, or ones in authority.
However those brethren are servants. A consequence of that is that they
should be listening to the others. Not simply giving our instructions.
Peter Forbes |
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20:2
This geographical comment - that they left Jericho - tells us the way that
Jesus has travelled. John
11:54 tells us that Jesus went to a city called Ephraim. Here we see
Jesus returning from that area very close to the time of the crucifixion.
Peter Forbes |
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:1
The arrival at Bethany was six days before the Passover when Jesus was killed
(John
12:1) so we can start to count down the days to Jesus' death.
Peter Forbes |
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| How
is it that the first will be last, and the last first? The context of the
chapter shows a rising feeling among the disciples that they might be able
to be great men, once Jesus had set up his kingdom. They didn't as yet appreciate
that his kingdom would be a heavenly one, but rather they thought he would
deliver them from the Romans. The request from James & John was in the
hope that they could rule Palestine with Jesus, sitting on his right and
left. (19v28,
20v21).
Jesus'
reply is illuminating "you don't know what you ask!". He then
explains how that if they are to inherit that place of honour, they would
have to drink of the cup that he was about to drink. We know from 26v39
that this cup was his death on the cross. Now have a look at this wonderful
comment on Jesus' death on the cross, which explains what that cup was:
Philippians
2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself
and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross."
Jesus,
who was the first and only son of God, who was the first and best and
only keeper of the law, humbled and abased himself to a shameful and dishounourable
death, for the sake of his brothers and sisters. In this, he made himself
last, because he looked to his own welbeing last of all.
Philippians
2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name.
Therefore,
God has made him the first. So Jesus who made himself the last, became
the first. Jesus wanted his followers to have the same state of mind "just
as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his
life a ransom for many" (see Phil
2v5-10)
Robin
de Jongh
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