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July
8
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Reading
1 - 1Samuel 20
Click
here to Listen
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v.8
- We have language here which mirrors that of the time recorded in Gen.47:29
when Jacob called Joseph to him to ask him not to bury him in Egypt. The
phrase 'deal
kindly [and truly] with ..." seems to be reserved for just these
special type of occasions: Gen.24:49,
Josh.2:14, Ruth 1:8.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.2
- Jonathan speaks with insight here when he says 'God forbid, thou shalt
not die'. If nothing else he knew that David had been anointed to be king
but had not yet taken up that office. We see a number of occasions in Jonathan's
life that show him to be a man of faith.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.6
- There were three times in the year when all the males had to go and present
themselves before Yahweh. [Deuteronomy
16:16] There
are only three times in the whole of Scripture where 'yearly sacrifice'
occurs. [1Samuel
1:21 2:19 20:6]
We must conclude that it is one of the three main feasts.
Peter Forbes |
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20:1
The way in which David asks Jonathan why his father is seeking to kill him
indicates that even though David told Samuel all that Saul had done unto
him (1
Samuel 19:18) Samuel had been unable to satisfy David's questioning.
We should realise that our Spiritual mentors do not have all the answers.
Samuel certainly did not.
Peter Forbes |
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David
is becoming more and more estranged from all those he loves and trusts.
He has fled from home. Samuel could not answer his questions and now Jonathan
does not seem to appreciate Saul' murderous intent.
Peter Forbes |
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chs 19
and 20 - UNDIVIDED LOYALTY
Jonathan was in a tough position. He loved David with all his heart, yet
he also loved and respected his father, King Saul. But Saul and David were
enemies. Whose side should Jonathan take? If he took David's side he would
either have to flee with David or Saul would kill him. If he too Saul's
side he would be forced to give David up and break the oath of friendship
they had sworn.
There are times when we find ourselves in similar positions where two of
our best friends become enemies and both use us as the sounding board. What
do we do?
Jonathan did not side with either. He was loyal to the end to both Saul
and David. How did he do it? Jonathan's principles and foundations were
pure. His life did not resolve around people - either David or Saul, but
on the principle of doing the right thing. His job as the crown prince was
to be loyal to king Saul - and he stayed loyal. He stuck with Saul right
to the bitter end. He also loved David right to the end, stood up for him
and remained faithful. Jonathan remained true to his principles and it is
that that got him through. When we are in the same situation we must pray
for strength to remain true to our principles and ask God to open our eyes
to the right way and let him direct our paths.
Robert
Prins |
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THE
MARKS OF FRIENDSHIP
One of the most beautiful friendships in the Bible is that between Jonathan
and David. There are three things in this chapter that show this friendship
so special.
David needed to know how Saul, Jonathan's father, really felt about him.
Did Saul want to kill David, or not? As David explained the situation to
Jonathan, Jonathan showed the response of a true friend for whom nothing
would be too difficult. He said, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll
do for you." It was an attitude of self sacrifice, love and humble
service.
Another mark of the friendship between Jonathan and David was in their covenant
of friendship. Both Jonathan and David made promises to each other that
they would be friends for ever, whether separated or together.
The third binding fact that held both Jonathan and David together was their
love for the LORD. Both were dedicated to the LORD, and loved and trusted
him with all their hearts. The LORD was the witness to their friendship.
May we show the qualities of true friendship in our lives, loving others
as ourselves, serving one another in love, and in unity with the LORD.
Robert
Prins |
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Reading
2 - Isaiah 64
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here to Listen
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v.
1,2
- The suggestion here is that God himself might be revealed as he was at
Sinai in Exo.19-20, so that, as the people then were terrified, so the ungodly
might be. This will be fulfilled in the return of Jesus to the earth. Will
there be this heat that causes the earth to flow at that time. Peter says
so [2Pet.3:10],
and goes on to make the point that the heat will indeed purge the earth
of wickedness, hence the question he goes on to ask in v.11,12.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.4
- Some of what God has in store for us is beyond our comprehension - and
it all is if we cannot develop the eye of faith with which to see it, but
through the Spirit much is revealed - 1Cor.2:9,10
Peter Cresswell |
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v.4
- Whereas man has sought to know what Yahweh planned as the solution to
the consequences of Adams transgression we have been shown. [1
Corinthians 2:8-9]
What a wonderful privilege.
Peter Forbes |
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64:1
Is this our prayer? Or are we happy with the way things are in our lives
and so would rather delay the day of the coming of the Lord?
Peter Forbes |
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:6
That man will 'fade as a leaf' returns to a theme Isaiah has already spoken
of (40:6)
Peter Forbes |
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Reading
3 - Matthew 9
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here to Listen
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v.2
- It is quite clear from this and many other scriptures that healing is
available only to those who have faith. This must be true of spiritual healing
too. We cannot expect grace at all, but we know we will not be granted it
without faith.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.6
- The man sick of the palsy who has his sins forgiven is found in [Matthew
9:6 Mark 2:7 10 Luke 5:21 24] There is only one other occasion in the gospels
where Jesus forgives sins. [Luke
7:48] First we
must realise that Jesus' mission was to reconcile man to God. It is our
sins and not our sickness that separates us from Him. Therefore if Jesus
was not able to provide the forgiveness of sins then his mission would be
of no lasting benefit. [Isaiah
61:1] Predicts
the work of Jesus [Luke
4:18.] Notice
that he is to bring 'the
opening of the prison' - this is reconciliation to God through the
forgiveness of sins. That his work could achieve this had to be seen in
his ministry. Therefore he, on the occasion of the man sick of the palsy,
forgives sins. The animosity of the leaders at this shows that they did
not understand the work of Jesus. They are correct, of course. Only God
can forgive sins. However Jesus says [John
5:36]
Peter Forbes |
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9:1
Jesus' 'own city' is Capernaum - see Mark
2:3 - indicating that by this time Jesus had relocated from Nazareth
to Capernaum.
Peter Forbes |
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:2
In saying 'thy sins be forgiven thee' Jesus is taking upon himself the responsibility
of God (Isaiah
43:25) as the leaders said, however this is why he did it - to confirm
his position, not to usurp God's authority.
Peter Forbes |
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In
verses
2, 22, and 29, Jesus calls our attention to the fact that people were
healed in accordance with their faith. The first instance is interesting
because it was the faith of the friends, rather than the sick man himself,
that allowed him to be healed. Does this apply to us today? James 5 seems
to suggest that this is in fact the case: "and the prayer of faith
will save the sick". It is noticeable that prayer was the agent through
which the elders would heal, and not the holy spirit gift of healing. It
would seem, then, that we have immense capacity to effect the healing of
our brothers and sisters through prayers of faith.
Robin
de Jongh |
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