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June 16

Reading 1 - Judges 17 & 18

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17 v. 6 - This is something that is emphasised in the time of the Judges (18:1, 19:1, 21:25). It is obvious that left without a leader, man goes his own (evil) way. Let us take this to heart - there is a 'King in Israel' now - he is in heaven and we await the establishment of his kingdom. In the meantime, let us judge in love, hastening that time
Peter Cresswell
ch.18 - In many ways this seems such a sad story. The children of Dan seemed to have gained nothing in terms of patience for their wait. They still have the desire to take the graven images with them and worship them - all the way to the captivity, v.30 tells us. It seems unusual that in this blatant show of idolatry, God still fights for them and gives them their part in the land.
Peter Cresswell

17 v.6 Another refrain in the book of Judges There was no king in Israel. [Judges 17:6 18:1 19:1 21:25 (see above)] But notice that it only occurs in the latter chapters. There is a powerful contrast between this time of the Judges and the references in the time of the kings listed below. [1 Kings 15:5 11 2 Kings 12:2 14:3 15:3 34 18:3 22:2 2 Chronicles 24:2 25:2 26:4 27:2 29:2 34:2]

18 v.7 There are only three references to the Sidonians (Zidonians) in Judges. [Judges 3:3 10:12 18:7] And the third reference shows something about their way of life which, sadly, Israel copied. This willingness to copy the way of the inhabitants of the land shows that Yahweh was correct in His demand that the inhabitants of the land be destroyed to protect Israel from false worship. [Deuteronomy 7:1 - 6]
Peter Forbes

ch 17 - This section of the book of Judges - as we saw last year Chapter 19 - mentions elements relating to Saul and David. The mention of Bethlehem Judah starts in this chapter. 17:7 8 9

18:30-31 We learn here of a competing system of worship which lasted until the captivity and the removal of the ark from Shiloh - two separate incidents. However there is no mention anywhere else about these activities. We should learn that there is no value in enquiring after the false God (Deuteronomy 12:30)
Peter Forbes

ch.17 - The reason for the Benjamin / Judah contrast in the latter part of Judges is to highlight how that the tribe of Benjamin was not fitted for kingship whilst Judah was. The scene is set for the book of Ruth.

18:7 'Magistrate' was a 'heir of restraint' Hebrew. The problem was that their was no one to give direction to the people. So Israel had no king and the Zidonians had no 'magistrate'.
Peter Forbes

IDLENESS

He was the grandson of Moses. He was a leader in Israel - leading the people into idol worship and away from God. How did it happen? This young Levite had left Bethlehem in Judah in search of some other place to stay. It seems he had nothing to do, he was idle and needed a job. So when Micah offered him something to do, a job as a priest to Micah's idols, he leapt at the chance - after all, it was better than wandering around bored.

It was the priests and Levites who were supposed to be keeping Israel on track to serve and obey the LORD. They should have been busy teaching the people, serving at the tabernacle and helping with the offerings to the LORD. But this Levite had gone wandering, having nothing to do. I believe that his idleness was what turned him to idols. If he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing he would not have had the time nor inclination to commit such a great sin. It is just the same with us. When we have nothing to do and we are idle we can find ourselves turning to other gods: Television, entertainment, gossip etc. The solution? Keep busy at all times doing the work of the LORD.
Robert Prins

Reading 2 - Isaiah 40

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v.5 - The power of this verse is outstanding on its own, but placed in the context of the next 3 verses, it is mindblowing. Look at the greatness and eternity of God alongside the transience and weakness of man, who, for all his pride, withers and dies when his allotted span is completed.
Peter Cresswell
v.9-11 - such strong words of Jesus. We see the whole purpose of God revealed here - the victory on the cross - the removal of sin for those who want it - the power of God to save and the caring nature of His grace and mercy, and that of His Son.
Peter Cresswell
v.2 - ‘comfortable words to Jerusalem’ is shown to have had a fulfilment at the time of the return from Babylon when Zechariah quotes this phrase [Zechariah 1:13]
Peter Forbes

Whilst there are many places where the language of this chapter are found elsewhere in Scripture here are just a few. Notice the links with Ruth - the gentile girl who associated herself with the hope of Israel. Also see how Zechariah uses the language of this chapter to encourage Israel at the time of the return from Babylon.

40:1 My people Ruth 2:13
40:1 Your God Ruth 1:17
40:2 Speak ye comfortably Zechariah 1:14
40:2 Warfare is accomplished Leviticus 26:43

Peter Forbes

:18-19 Isaiah speaks of Yahweh being incomparable to any of the idols that are made. Maybe that is why Paul (Acts 17:29) picks on some of the language from these verses.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - 1John 1 & 2

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ch.1 v.1,2 - Here we have an introduction very similar to that of the gospel, but with important differences that show how things have moved on since then. John recounts his personal experience of having seen and handled the risen Christ. Whilst back in his gospel, before the crucifixion, he was able to show the work that Jesus would accomplish in great depth, here in the letters, after his resurrection, they were witnesses of eternal life, and John recounts the implications of that for our life - manifest as light (v.5-7).
Peter Cresswell

1 v.3 The 'witness' of the disciples is seen in the way in which they had 'seen and heard' about Jesus. [Luke 7:22 John 3:32 Acts 4:20 22:15] and is the basis for the Apostle John's reminder.

Ch. 2 - The threefold phrase 'he that saith' [1 John 2:4,6,9] shows that there is a direct relationship between what we claim what we actually do and what we are. It is what we do, not what we say, which actually speaks of how we are.
Peter Forbes

1:6 walk in darkness Isaiah 50:10
1:7 walk in the light Isaiah 50:11

John, quoting Isaiah 50 switches the emphasis. Isaiah has those walking in light as those who walk in the light of their own making. John is showing the contrast that is consequent of putting on Christ.

2:11 The one who hateth his brother is like Cain who killed Abel and then 'dwelt in the land of Nod - wandering' (Genesis 4:16)
Peter Forbes

1:1 That John had 'handled' Jesus is seen by implication (Luke 24:39). Clearly John, who had spent three and a half years with Jesus during 'the days of his flesh' is speaking of the resurrected Jesus.

2:11 In saying that the one who hateth his brother 'knoweth not wither he goeth' John is quoting the sentiments of Genesis 4:16 which speaks of Cain
Peter Forbes