|
 |
July
20
|
|
|
|
|
Reading
1 - 2Samuel 4 & 5
Click
here to Listen
|
4
v.11
- There was much bloodshed in David's life - many thousands of his enemies
- so much so that he was unable to do as he wished and build a house for
the Lord - and he is not an indiscriminate killer, as passages like these
go to prove. It is important that only those who are clearly the Lord's
enemies are our enemies, and not others who might seem to be.
Peter Cresswell |
|
5
v.4 - Considering the bloodshed and terror in which David was personally
closely involved, we have a testimony here to God's preservation of him,
which was nothing short of a miracle.
Peter Cresswell |
|
|
4
v.8-11
- Still there are men who do not know the calibre of David. One can only
presume that they were blind to his goodness because of their own desire
for praise. How often are we concerned with our own position that we fail
to see the strengths of our brethren and sisters?
5
v.3 - So this
is the second time that David had been anointed. The first was by Samuel
[1
Samuel 16:13]
God made the choice by the hand of Samuel and now the people are assenting
that he is their choice also. Saul never had such acceptance by the people.
Peter Forbes
|
|
|
4:1
That the death of Abner caused such consternation to the sons of Saul
indicated a number of things.
1 They were not the main opponents of David.
2 Israel and Judah were already two separate entities.
3 The sons of Saul did not understand how David was a man after God's
own heart.
5:17
Whilst it seems tat the Philistines were not concerned when David a crowned
in Hebron they were when he was crowned in Jerusalem. Nor is there any
indication that David had a battle to take Hebron but he certainly had
to fight for Jerusalem. Maybe this explains whey the Philistines were
so concerned. Hebron was already in the hand of the Israelites. Jebus,
as it was then, was a fortified stronghold. When David took it he automatically
became a threat to the Philistines and had to be dealt with.
Peter Forbes
|
|
|
ch 4
- The intrigue, blood letting, and family feuding and conflict between
the house of Saul and the house of David that we have seen over the last
two or three days shows that despite the fact that God had chosen David
men continued to try to exert their own will - and David strove to uphold
God's values. How often do we feel that 'the end justifies the mans'?
David did not. He allowed God to work in his life.
5:19,
23 That David 'enquired of the Lord' twice even though now he had
the backing of the whole nation shows where David saw his help coming
from.
Peter Forbes
|
|
|
Reading
2 - Jeremiah 10
Click
here to Listen
|
v.2
- Is this a reference to those that practised astrology? - Isa.47:13.
There are many that might seek to frighten by their predictions. All true
prophecy is to be found in scripture.
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.5
- Consider, as we read of these idols which were inanimate, these scriptures
- Psa.115:5-8,
135:16-18, Hab.2:19, 1Cor.12:2, and then look at the contrast predicted
in Rev.13:14-15
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.1-2
- Do we show such emotion when we know of brethren and sisters who have
strayed from the way? Do we have such feelings for the current desolation
of Jerusalem? or are we complacent about the plight of the things of God?
Peter Forbes |
|
10:25
This verse quotes Psalm
79:6-7. In the Psalm the psalmist is pleading for God to intervene to
save His city. Jeremiah is making the same plea.
Peter Forbes |
|
:23-24
I suppose we all acknowledge that we cannot 'direct our steps' but do we
go on to acknowledge our need for correction and then, in prayer, ask our
Father to correct us with His chastening hand?
Peter Forbes |
|
|
Reading
3 - Matthew 21
Click
here to Listen
|
v.12
- Matthew, Mark and Luke record this incident towards the end of Jesus'
life, only days before his crucifixion [here,
Mark 11:15, Luke 19:45,46].
John on the other hand records what must have been a different incident
as it takes place at the beginning of his ministry - the first time he went
to Jerusalem for the passover, not the last time [John
2:14-17]. We
must conclude, therefore, that he did this more than once.
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.9
- Whilst the people cry 'blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord' the leaders oppose them asking Jesus to restrain them. However
one of the last things that Jesus says to the leaders is that the time will
come when they will use the same words. [Matthew
21:9 23:39 Mark 11:9 Luke 13:35]. Look at the way that Psalm 118 is used in
the last week of Jesus' life. The people cry some of the words of the Psalm
[Matthew
21:9] Then Jesus
uses the Psalm to highlight himself as the rejected son of David. [Matthew
21:42] Jesus
tells the leaders they will not see him until they say the words of Psalm
118. Actually he says that they will cry the same things that they were
trying to get the people to stop crying. [Matthew
23:39]
Peter Forbes |
|
The
meal in Bethany (John
12:2-11) fits in before the events of this chapter.
Peter Forbes |
|
The
man in the parable was 'speechless' :12
and so the Pharisees sought to 'entangle Jesus in his talk' :15
but eventually they were indeed speechless - :46.
Peter Forbes |
|
In
v13
Jesus quotes from two passages. In Isaiah
56v6-8 we read how foreigners were to be accepted by God, and allowed
entry to His temple. The mountain of Zion was to be a house of prayer for
all nations. In Jeremiah
7v13-14 we read that this place of worship was to be torn down because
of the abominations of the people of Israel. What were these abominations?
The court that was supposed to be used to hold the foreigners and gentiles
so that they could worship God, was being used instead to sell goods and
exchange money! Who needed their money changing? Gentiles! The Jews were
profiting from the fact that the house of God was a house of prayer "for
all nations"!
Robin
de Jongh |
|
