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May
12
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Reading
1 - Deuteronomy 29
Click
here to Listen
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v.6
- There is an interesting reversal here under each covenant. The bread and
wine here were denied, that they might know that God was the Lord. He fed
them with manna and water - he kept their clothes and shoes from wearing
out (v.5)
- an amazing miracle - so that they might appreciate his power. In fact
their provision was 'higher' than bread and wine, as it was the direct provision
of God (angel's food - Ps.78:25).
Let us not turn away from the food of our covenant the way that they despised
the manna. See also 1Cor.10:4,
Eph.5:18 and make your own conclusions!
Peter Cresswell |
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v.7
- We are constantly reminded that God fights for His people - for those
that are His. We need to recognise that because of this, we should not be
harbouring the fears we have of what man can do to us.
Peter Cresswell
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v.5
- 6 Nehemiah
reminds Israel of Yahweh's provision - that should have taught them where
to place their reliance, Nehemiah
9:21 Nehemiah
draws on Deuteronomy extensively. An area for personal consideration when
we read Nehemiah. The time of Nehemiah answers quite markedly with the time
of Deuteronomy.
Peter
Forbes |
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29:1
So Yahweh made two covenants with Israel between Egypt and Canaan. The first
at Sinai that second at the border of the land. The first was a series of
commands to which the people did indeed say 'all that the Lord has spoken
we will do' but the people were commanded to acknowledge 'say amen' the
terms of the second.
The second
more clearly related to the way that they were to live - not that the
first one didn't, but was not presented as being so closely related to
everyday life as the second one given here.
Peter
Forbes
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:5
Israel had been fed in the wilderness for 40 years with Manna. Now Moses
reminded Israel that God had also cared for their physical needs in the
matter of clothing. So we see that God provided all that they needed. Of
course we would say that He has provided everything we need. However Israel'
clothes and shoes did not wear out. They were not replaced with the latest
fashion items. Now whilst it is not suggested that our clothes should be
made to last 40 years we must realise that God provides what is necessary
- not the luxuries of this world.
Peter
Forbes
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Reading
2 - Isaiah 1
Click
here to Listen
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v.
3 - The analogy is beautiful here - we (using Israel's sin as an example
of what to avoid) need to have the sort of dependence on God that an animal
has on its master. Desiring to be in his presence at all times and having
wholehearted faith in his perfection - developing, as it were, almost an
animal instinct about our ways before our Master. Jer.8:7.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.4
- It is clear that the prophets were sent by God at times when the people
needed guidance because of their wrongdoing - to bring them back to Him.
We have the God's word constantly with us - let us not ignore it - let us
be chastened and exhorted by its words just as the people of old should
have been by the prophets in their midst.
Peter Cresswell
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v.1
in the days of Uzziah Isaiah
1:1 Hosea 1:1 Amos 1:1 Micah 1:1
| UZZIAH |
JOTHAM |
AHAZ |
HEZEKIAH |
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JOTHAM |
AHAZ |
HEZEKIAH |
| <
---------------- Isaiah Hosea -------------- > |
| <-Amos-> |
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<
------------- Micah -----------> |
Relating
the prophets to each other and the kings in whose reigns they spoke enhances
our understanding of the message of each prophet.
Peter
Forbes
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1:7
Burned with fire, in quoting Psalm
80:16, is the first indication that Israel is a vineyard which has been
destroyed as is developed in Chapter 5. The use of Deuteronomy
28:6 'from the sole of thy feet here (1:6)
and Leviticus
26:25 'devoured with the sword' (1:20)
show that these events are a consequence of Israel not listening to the
blessing and curses that their fathers assented to at the border of the
land under Moses.
Peter
Forbes
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This
chapter speaks of the uncleanness of the nation in the days of Uzziah, because
of his unfaithful kingship :6
'from
head' quotes Deuteronomy
28:35 - one of the curses that would come upon Israel if they were unfaithful.
Peter
Forbes
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ch.
1 "THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE SCARLET"
Israel were in a very sinful state. The beginning of Isaiah opens with an
expression of God's wrath for all the terrible things that Israel had done.
But it is a chapter that can be every encouraging for us when we get discouraged
because of our sins. Israel had done just about all the wicked things that
we could ever think of doing. They forsook the LORD, rebelled against him,
offered meaningless sacrifices - going through the form of religion without
the heart, and even their gatherings were offensive to God. Their prayers
were not worth God listening to, they did evil deeds, did wrong, were unjust,
had blood on their hands and did not look after the poor of the land. They
were thieves, murderers, harlots, rebels and even accepted bribes. God likened
them to Sodom and Gomorrah which were totally destroyed because of their
wickedness. Yet he offered to forgive them, to return to them and to bless
them if they would just change their ways.
The same offer is open to us. No matter how bad we have been we can be forgiven
when we make a move toward God.
"Though your sins are as scarlet they shall be white as snow."
Robert
Prins |
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Reading
3 - Acts 27
Click
here to Listen
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v.
21 - 37 - This is a wonderful example of preaching which we do well
to take on board. Seize the opportunity! Ps.40:9,
Jonah 3:2, Rom.10:15, 2Tim.4:2.
Peter Cresswell |
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ch.27
The shipwreck in the chapter is a most vivid account of a shipwreck. However
this was not the only time that Paul was shipwrecked for he told the Corinthians
[2
Corinthians 11:24]
that he had been shipwrecked three times. From this comment in Corinthians
we realise that, despite all the detail Acts contains, it is but a summary
of some of the events in the life of Paul and others. It is Gods record
of the growth of the first century ecclesia and as such present data which
He wants us to reflect on.
Peter Forbes |
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27:6
The journey that Paul was on using more than one ship indicates that there
was a very effective communication network across the Mediterranean during
the Roman Empire.
Peter Forbes
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:1-5
The repeated use of 'we' shows that Luke was with Paul on the journey to
Rome.
Peter Forbes
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