June 24

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June 24

Reading 1 - 1Samuel 3

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v.1 - This description is a demonstration of how far the house of Eli had slipped from the true worship of the Lord. The word was precious, suggests that it was possessed by, or heard by, only a precious few (of which Samuel is about to be one). This chapter was obviously written some time later, as it makes the point that there was no 'open vision'. This is the first occasion in scripture where the word 02377 (vision) occurs, so it could not refer to the past, but must instead be referring back from a future time when there was open vision through the prophets.
Peter Cresswell

The change in Samuel's life from v.7 to v.11 of this chapter in a matter of minutes was immense. Suddenly he became a responsible citizen of God. God, in His foresight, knew that Samuel was a chosen one, but we should learn from the childlike simplicity of his faith, which is required also of us, whatever our age. (Luke 18:17)
Peter Cresswell

v.11 'Ears tingle' This phrase, which is first used in the time of Samuel passes into use by the prophets to remind Israel that they are following the sins of the house of Eli. [1 Samuel 3:11 2 Kings 21:12 Jeremiah 19:3]
Peter Forbes

3:1 So things were bad./ Eli received no open vision. This is to be contrasted with the way in which God spoke to Samuel (3:4, 6, 8, 21 4:1) The repetition stresses the difference between Eli and Samuel. Notice that it took three attempts before the 'blind' Eli actually understood what was going on.
Peter Forbes

:15 That Samuel 'opened the doors of the house ' indicates that the tabernacle was part of a more elaborate structure. Of course this structure was of man's device - it is interesting therefore that we can only glean details about it from incidental comments by contrast to the detail given of the tabernacle which was God's design.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Isaiah 49

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v. 5 - Isaiah's job was to bring back Israel to God. It didn't work, but it was a type of the work of the Lord Jesus. Matt.15:24, which in this respect also failed - Matt.21:37-41, 23:37.
Peter Cresswell

v.6 - The concept of the light for the gentiles is a firm theme of this prophecy, leading eventually to a recognition that Messiah would come for the gentiles - ch.60:3 - a clear reference to the comingof the wise men to Jesus and a clear reference of the universal nature of the new covenant, whereby we all can come to the bright and morning star. (Rev.22:16)
Peter Cresswell

v.18 'as ... I live saith the LORD' is a mark of the certainty of Yahweh acting on his own behalf. Numbers 14:28 Isaiah 49:18 Jeremiah 22:24 Zephaniah 2:9
Peter Forbes

Consider this chapter is, so to speak, a conversation between Jesus and his Father.

:1-5 Jesus speaks	:5 shows Jesus despair at the lack of response to his teaching
:6-12 God responds	:6 Showing that not only will Jesus be 'raised up' but his work will also encompass the gentiles.
:13-15 Jesus responds	He is now encouraged knowing that even though his work seems to be ineffective it will bring forth great results.

He spoke to the two on the road to Emmaus from 'all the Scriptures' (Luke 24:27)
Peter Forbes

A couple of links with 2 Kings

:18	lift up behold	2 Kings 6:17
:25	captives shall be delivered	2 Kings 6:23

The circumstance of the deliverance in the days of Elisha are used by Isaiah to remind Israel that God does actually deliver His people - maybe Isaiah was speaking this about the way in which the Assyrians were destroyed upon the mountains of Israel by the angel.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Revelation 7,8 & 9

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7 v. 1-9 - Here we have evidence that there is still salvation for some small number of God's people.
v.9 shows us that it is no longer exclusive, but there is a remnant of Israel to be saved along with multitudinous hosts of the gentile nations from throughout the ages. Notice the palms in their hands (v.9), ready to welcome Jesus in his truly triumphal entry into Jerusalem as King of the World.
Peter Cresswell

7 v.3 The sealing of the servants in their foreheads before the judgements of God further shows His concern for His servants and catches the way in which He, figuratively marked out those in Jerusalem in the Days of Zedekiah before the Babylonians overthrew the city. [Ezekiel 9:2-11]

8 v.2 The association of prayer with incense is seen in the words of the Psalmist [Psalm 141:2]. [Exodus 30:34-38] describes the manner of the manufacture of the incense. Notice that the constituent parts were to be beaten 'very small' - an indication of the need to offer prayer regularly and often. The quantity of each spice is not mentioned, just the relationship - 'like weight' indicates that there is no limit to the amount of prayer that we offer, just that our prayers must be 'balanced'. It was not to be imitated marking the need to recognise that we pray only to the Father. We have no other God to whom we make petition.

9 v.3-4 A swarm of locusts normally would devastate the grass of the earth. That these locusts do not, but only attack those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads shows the wonderful power and care that our God has. He is able to differentiate between those who serve Him and those who do not when he judges the earth.
Peter Forbes

7:4	thousand ... Israel	Num 1:16
7:5	Judah	Num 1:7
7:5	Reuben	Num 1:5
7:5	Gad	Num 1:14
7:6	Asher	Num 1:13
7:6	Nephthalim	Num 1:15
7:6	Manasses	Num 1:10
7:7	Simeon	Num 1:6
7:7	Levi	Num 1:4
7:7	Issachar	Num 1:8
7:8	Zabulon	Num 1:6
7:8	Joseph	Num 1:10
7:8	Benjamin	Num 1:11

Numbers 1 records the numbering of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey. We will remember that none of those numbered at this time except Joshua and Caleb, were alive at the end of the wilderness journey. Do we see ourselves as being among the first or last numbering?

8:8	mountain burning	Jer 51:25
8:8	burning with fire	Jer 51:32
8:8	cast into the	Jer 51:63

Whilst we certainly see references to Babylon in later chapters in Revelation it is important to note that the demise of 'Babylon' in Revelation starts early in the book.

9:1	fall from heaven	Isa 14:12
9:1	bottomless pit	Isa 14:15
9:2	bottomless pit	Isa 14:15

Even before the Assyrian invasion of Judah Isaiah predicted the fall of Babylon (Chapter 14 and 15)

As Isaiah was reminding Israel about the demise of an upcoming enemy so the sixth angel predicted the demise of an evil system which sought to oppose truth.
Peter Forbes

7:11-12 Again we see God and the risen Jesus being praised. This time by the redeemed.

8:4 The smoke of worship and sacrifice here contrasts with the smoke of the bottomless pit (9:2)

9:2 Smoke rose as a furnace when Sodom was destroyed (Genesis 19:28) - an indication of the judgements of God against the wicked upon the earth.
Peter Forbes