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June 29

Reading 1 - 1Samuel 10

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v.9 - Here we have an example of a prophecy being fulfilled immediately, within hours of it being spoken. This is the way that prophets are tested. Deut.13:1-5, Matt.7:15-16, 1John 4:1-3, Short term prophecy with this degree of detail is a strong sign of God's power in certain individuals. Isa.38:7,8, Mark 14:16.
Peter Cresswell
v.3,4 - Of the three loaves of bread being carried in v.3, only two are given in v.4 - it is a sharing of the bread, not just a giving. We share the bread that is given for us. At this point, it seems, Saul's attitude was quite good. It was later that the power seemed to go to his head.
Peter Cresswell
v.1 The word translated 'vial' is only used on three occasions in Scripture. 'Vial' [1 Samuel 10:1] 'Box' [2 Kings 9:1 3] Whereas David was anointed with a 'horn' or oil. [1 Samuel 16:13]
Peter Forbes
Rachel's sepulchre (at Bethlehem)
Genesis 35:19
Plain (Heb Oak) of Tabor
Genesis 35:8

These two references to the events associated with the death of Rachel are interesting because she died in the process of bearing Benjamin - Saul was a Benjamite. Saul was being taken on a tour of places associated with the events around the birth of his forefather.
Peter Forbes

:11-12 The surprise at Saul's prophesying is another indication that Saul was not the sort of man that God would have chosen to be His king. Spirituality, it seems, was not Saul's scene.
Peter Forbes
A MATTER OF THE HEART

One of the most amazing things God can do to people is to affect their hearts. Saul was one man whose heart God changed. We read that, "As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart." (verse 9). It seems that there was a huge difference in the character of Saul, because those who had known him in the past wondered about the difference. But while God can change hearts and give people a kick start or a helping hand to turn their hearts towards him, he cannot make someone love him who is determined not to. Saul was stubborn and not at all interested in God, and so God eventually gave up on him.

There were others whose hearts God touched in the life of Saul too. After Saul was anointed we read that "Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched." (verse 26) Almost certainly these men became the great men of Saul's kingdom - but it all began with God touching their hearts.

One of our prayers at the Bible Campaign in Hamilton this past week, was that God would soften the hearts of the people of Hamilton so that they would be responsive to his word. This has proved to us that God still touches hearts because so far more that 120 people have eagerly sought for God's message. Let us continue to pray for him for change and touch hearts. It can make a world of difference.
Robert Prins

Reading 2 - Isaiah 54

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v. 1,2 - This is the result of the happenings of ch.53. This is the salvation which God is offering to the whole world, but note that it is offered as an extension of the existing covenant and within the context of it - 'enlarge the place of thy tent'. Surely, like so much of the later part of Isaiah, this refers to the inclusion of the gentiles. Also, as you read on (v.6-10) it is clear that the Israelites in the flesh - the actual people of God - will not be cast off ultimately. The inclusion of gentiles then is just that - as well and not instead.
Peter Cresswell
In v.4 and 5 we have a picture of the kingdom age woven into the words. The end of verse 5 confirms this as the kingdom is the time when he shall be called the King of the whole earth. We see then a turning back from the shame which we have had ever since the fall at the beginning, we see also the forgetting of the former things. It is a great blessing that our current way of thinking will be removed so far away that we will no longer recall it.
Peter Cresswell
v.14 marks the final use of 03928 learned / taught / disciple in Isaiah. The other uses are Isaiah 8:16 50:4. The prophet has disciples - that is men and women who learnt from his teaching. We are 'learners' of Jesus. Just as learning from Isaiah was hard at times - his message was not appealing to the natural man - so we will find Jesus' teaching hard at times.
Peter Forbes
54:1 This verse is speaking of the call of the gentiles - See Galatians 4:27. 'break forth' is a recurring theme in Isaiah. We find it in 44:23 49:13 52:9 54:1 54:3 55:12 58:8 All these occasions use the same Hebrew word. Isaiah is developing a pattern to show the extent of the work of God and the scope of the salvation that is brought through Jesus.
Peter Forbes
:3 'break forth' RV 'spread abroad' quotes Genesis 28:14 - Isaiah is speaking of the fulfilment of the promises to the patriarchs.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Revelation 17 & 18

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18 v. 5 - This idea of sins reaching up to heaven is found in odd other places too. It is a picture of sin so great that God chooses to punish rather than forgive, and appears to be reserved for description of only the worst situations. Gen.18:20,21 - Sodom and Gomorrah, 2Chr.28:9 - Judah, Ezra 9:6 - Israel, Jer.51:9 - Babylon, Jonah 1:2 - Nineveh.
Peter Cresswell

17 v.5 - Mysteries are things that the mind of the flesh loves to think about. However the 'mystery' which we are to be concerned with has been revealed. [1 Corinthians 2:7-10]. We should not investigate the mysteries that the world offers in the various religions and philosophies. Our Father has revealed the most beautiful mystery to us - and we are involved in it.

18 v.4 - The call to 'come out of her' is not restricted to the time of the destruction of Babylon. Believers at all times must avoid association with the Babylonian systems of their age. If we cannot dissociate ourselves from Babylon now we will not heed any call from the Lord at the time of the overthrow of this world's order.
Peter Forbes
that sitteth upon many waters
Jer 51:13
with whom the kings of the earth have have committed fornication
Isa 23:17
have been made drunk
Jer 51:7
ten horns
Dan 7:7
precious stones
Eze 28:13
having a golden cup in ... hand
Jer 51:7
Babylon the great
Dan 4:30
ten horns
Dan 7:7
bottomless pit
Isa 14:15
written in the book of life
Dan 12:11
ten horns
Dan 7:7
ten horns ... are ten kings
Dan 7:24
ten horns
Dan 7:7

Once again we are introduced to the fall of Babylon. On this occasion by quotation from a number of Old Testament areas which speak of the fall of Babylon. Maybe the extent of the range of quotations will help us to realise that the overthrow of Babylon is a major theme right through the Old Testament.

and the earth was lightened with his glory
Eze 43:2

And so again we are transported to the kingdom and the time of Ezekiel's temple.
Peter Forbes


written in the book of life
Dan 12:1

Given that we hope to be amongst those who are judged worthy at the return of Christ and the resurrection we must be amongst those whose names are written in the book of life - so we must make sure that we are not associated with the powers which are to be destroyed at the return of Christ - we ought to remember that we are 'strangers and pilgrims … ' (Hebrews 11:13 1 Peter 2:11)

shall bewail her and lament for her
Eze 27:31

We notice that the nations will wail when 'Babylon' and all it's systems are destroyed. What would our reaction be? Are we so locked into this world's way that the overthrow of it and it's governments would distress us also?
Peter Forbes

TAKEN BY SURPRISE

They thought they were doing well. They bought, they sold, they traded, they married and were given in marriage, they got rich, they lived by their own rules and they lacked nothing - except God. But then the door of the ark was shut and the rain fell bringing sudden destruction on all that were ungodly. It was the same for Sodom and Gomorrah. All of a sudden time was up and fire and brimstone rained down from the heavens. God's judgement on the world we live in will be just the same. People will be so busy getting rich, getting power, doing the things they want to do, living the way they want to live that the fall of Babylon and the battle of Armageddon will take them completely by surprise. They will even have been persecuting the people of God - perhaps to stop the warnings of the coming judgement - but it will all be too late. God's wrath will be poured out on the world whether they are ready or not. The big question is, will you be ready? Do we get so caught up in the things of this world that we will not be ready for the return of Jesus? We need to make room for God in our lives now while there is still time.
Robert Prins
CALLED, CHOSEN AND FAITHFUL

The kings and the beast will make war with the Lamb, but we read, "the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." (Revelation 17 v 14). Those who are with Christ will be those who have "overcome," as we read in chapters 2 and 3. But those who are not with him will be overcome, defeated, and will bow to his power. So it must be our aim to be part of the company who are with Christ who are called, chosen and faithful. Someone else termed it like this: Selected, Separated and Dedicated.

We do not have much control over the calling or being chosen, but what we do have control over is how we respond to the calling we have received. Will we accept it and respond to it, or have we rejected his calling and turned away from it? And we also have control over how we respond to being chosen. Do we separate ourselves to God from the world or do we just keep doing our own thing our own way? And most of all we have control over how faithful we will be. How firmly will we stand by our Lord? How long will we dedicate ourselves to him?

Will we be one of that faithful crowd who have overcome and stand on the side of Jesus facing eternity?
Robert Prins
"COME OUT"

It would be nice to live in a world that stands by godly principles in its business, pleasure and in any other aspect of life. But unfortunately we have to live in a world and operate our daily lives, as far as it is possible, within the systems of the world. We are told that the time will come when the world's systems and everything the world stands for will be brought to ruin. At that time, just before the fall of Babylon, the call will go out to God's people, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not receive any of her plagues."

My question is, what will our response be to this calling? We are supposed to be living in the world but not as part of it. But it is so easy to get tangled up in business, politics, or just with living, that we would feel it a terrible strain to be called out. Lot's wife seemed to feel that way, and many of Lot's other relations would not leave because they had too much to lose in Sodom. Then it was destroyed.

Let's keep our priorities right. If God is the centre of our lives we will have no problem coming out as Babylon is destroyed. We will feel no regrets that business is gone because we have eternal joy in the Lord.
Robert Prins