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May 14

Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 31

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v.6,7,23 - The number of times this phrase is repeated to Joshua, one way or another, shows us how important it is to develop this attitude of dependence upon God for all things. It is through God that we are able to be strong and of a good courage, not through our own confidence. I personally find this a great comfort. I have no confidence of my own. Many things in my life have removed it, and yet I can be confident, knowing that what I do is God's will and that he will fight for me as he did for the people so long ago, and has done for his people since. Josh.1:6-9, 10:25, 1Chron.28:10, Eph.6:10.
Peter Cresswell
v.12 - This occasion of the reading of the law was inclusive of everyone - men, women, children and the stranger. No-one was to miss out on this. Perhaps there is a lesson for us here.
Peter Cresswell
v. 2 There are three occasions in Deuteronomy where Moses tells Israel that he is not able to go over into the land of Canaan. Whilst we might be bitter towards those who had caused us to 'miss out' Moses shows no bitterness on any of these occasions. Deuteronomy 3:27 4:21 here We will remember that Moses did not know that he would not take the children of Israel into the land until the last year of the wilderness journey. Numbers 20:2
Peter Forbes
31:6 Be strong and of good courage passes into Biblical use as a refrain to trust in Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 31:6 - 7 23 Joshua 1:6 9 18 10:25 1 Chronicles 22:13 28:20)

31:8 'Fear not nor be dismayed' passes into Biblical use as an exhortation to be faithful as Yahweh will deliver. (Deuteronomy 31:8 Joshua 8:1 10:25 1 Chronicles 28:20 2 Chronicles 20:17)
Peter Forbes

:4 Israel are yet again reminded, by the use of their recent history, that God is able to deliver them from their enemies. So Israel were to reflect on the way that God had worked in their lives in the past that they might have confidence that He would work in the future. Hopefully this lesson is not lost on us.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Isaiah 3 & 4

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3 v.10,11 - The contrast is stark and quite clear. We each reap the rewards of our own actions. We need therefore to beware, as it is well known that God gives people their desire on occasions to teach them that it was an evil desire. We need to make our requests within the framework of God's blessings, that we may eat the fruit of our doings. Ecc.8:12, Rom.2:5-11.
Peter Cresswell
4:2 - Let us strive to be amongst those that are left in Zion (in Christ), written among the living in Jerusalem. We are there now, and by God's amazing grace we will remain there if we do not turn aside. This is the wonder of God's salvation. Let us rejoice that He has chosen us to be part of it.
Peter Cresswell

3 v.18 Isaiah 3 draws on language from other parts of Scripture 05914 Proverbs 7:22 stocks Isaiah 3:18 tinkling ornaments 07720 Judges 8:21,26 ornaments Isaiah3:18 tires 08597 Exodus 28:40 beauty Isaiah 3:18 bravery - Bad translation Deuteronomy 26:19 honour Isaiah 4:2 comely Ezekiel 16:17 fair. To describe the wantonness of Israel in the way that she had turned the beauty which God had given her into an abomination.

4:2 06780 Branch is a prophecy of Christ. So when the same word is used in other prophecies [Jeremiah 23:5 33:15 Zechariah 3:8 6:12] we can see that not only are these prophecies of Christ but each is part of a large picture which the Old Testament is painting for us.
Peter Forbes
Isaiah 3:10 it shall be well with Ecclesiastes 8:12
Isaiah 3:11 it shall not be well with the wicked Ecclesiastes 8:13

3:18 Isaiah 3 draws on language from other parts of Scripture

05914 Proverbs 7:22 stocks Isaiah 3:18 tinkling ornaments
07720 Judges 8:21,26 ornaments Isaiah 3:18 tires 0859
Exodus 28:40 beauty Isaiah 3:18 bravery
Deuteronomy 26:19 Honour Isaiah 4:2 comely

To describe the wantonness of Israel in the way that she had turned the beauty which God had given her into an abomination.

Chapter 4 is speaking of a time of great desolation in Israel (4:2) 'escaped of Israel' (4:3) 'Left in Zion'. It is a time when (4:4) the filth of the daughters of Zion will be washed away. These things have not yet happened - it will be achieved when Christ returns'
Peter Forbes

3:1 Continuing the use of the curses which we saw in Chapter 1 'Lord of hosts doth take away the whole stay of bread' quotes Leviticus 26:26. Leviticus 26 is the earlier recording of the curses which are later repeated in Deuteronomy 28.

4:6 The 'tabernacle' is the lord Jesus Christ. We can follow the idea of God's provision of a man to be a 'tabernacle' - a place of sanctuary through Isaiah (32:2, 41:28, 63:5)
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Colossians 1

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v.3 - Can we learn from the diligence of these prayers? Praying always for you. Do we pray always for our brethren and sisters? The power of prayer is a wonderful thing. May we develop this habit along with the apostles. Rom.1:8,9, Phil.1:3-5, 1Thes.3:10-13.
Peter Cresswell
v.23 The seeming all embracing phrase 'under heaven' has a quite specific use in Scripture. The following references demonstrate the universality of Yahweh's judgement. Genesis 6:17 Exodus 17:14 Deuteronomy 7:24 9:14 25:19 29:20 2 Kings 14:27 Not that it always speaks of the whole world as a place but rather that the judgment that is to come is complete Thus the use in [Ecclesiastes 1:13] extends this principle to speak of those things which are happening in His domain. The two New Testament references [here, Acts 4:12] expand the theme to show that the Father is indeed concerned with salvation for those who will see that life without Christ is vanity.
Peter Forbes
Here is a list of places where either the Old Testament is used in Colossians of we find similar language elsewhere in the New Testament.

I have purposely left out the links with Ephesians because we will present them separately tomorrow.

Time spent following up the quotations will prove most useful.

Quotations from the Old and New Testament
and language used later in the Epistles.
Paul and Timothy
2 Corinthians 1:1 Philippians 1:1 1Thessalonians 1:1 2Thessalonians 1:1 Philemon 1
Epaphras
Philemon 23
1:13 'power of darkness' Luke 22:53
1:15 image of ... God Genesis 1:27
1:15 firstborn Psalm 89:27
1:16 all things Psalm 8:6
1:17 all things Psalm 8:6
1:18 firstborn Psalm 89:27
1:18 firstborn from the dead Rev 1:5
1:18 all things Psalm 8:6
1:20 all things Psalm 8:6
1:21 enemies .... reconciled Romans 5:10
1:23 preached to every creature Mark 16:15
2:4 beguile ... enticing words Genesis 3:13
2:8 tradition of men Mark 7:8
2:11 without hands Dan 2:45
2:12 buried with him in baptism Romans 6:4
2:17 Shadow of things to come Hebrews 10:1
2:20 dead with Christ Romans 6:8
2:22 doctrine of men Isaiah 29:13
3:1 Sitteth on the right hand of God Psalm 110:1
3:5 mortify ... members Romans 8:13
3:9 lie not one to another Leviticus 19:11
3:10 image Genesis 1:27
3:11 neither Greek ... nor free Galatians 3:28
3:13 forgive one another Luke 11:4
3:15 peace / thankful Philippians 4:6-7
4:5 them that are without 1Corinthians 5:12 1Corinthians 5:13 1Thessalonians 4:12 1Timothy 3:7
4:6 seasoned with salt Leviticus 2:13
4:6 answer every man 1 Peter 3:15
4:9 Onesimus Philemon 10
4:10 Aristarchus Philemon 24
4:12 Epaphras Philemon 23
4:14 Demas Philemon 24
4:15 church in house Romans 16:5 1Corinthians 16:9 Philemon 2
4:17 Archippus Philemon 2

Peter Forbes

Notice the repeated use of 'all' in this chapter (:9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19) Consider the majesty and supremacy of Christ!
Peter Forbes
"WE HAVE NOT STOPPED PRAYING FOR YOU"
In this chapter we learn a lot about thanksgiving and prayer.
1. Thank God for faithful and loving brothers and sisters.
2. Thank God for the growth and spread of the gospel.
3. Pray for those brethren you know.
4. Ask God to fill them with the knowledge of God's will.
5. Ask God to fill them with spiritual knowledge and understanding.
6. Pray that the brethren may live a life worthy of the Lord.
7. Pray that brethren may please God in every way.
8. Pray that they may bear fruit in good works.
9. Pray that they may grow in the knowledge of God.
10. Pray that they will be strengthened by God's power to have great endurance and patience.
11. Pray that they might give thanks for the hope of the kingdom.
12. Do not stop praying for these brothers.
It is very important to pray for people - especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. They - we all - need strength from the power of the prayers of others. Let is fill out our prayers for our brothers and sisters and pray for them in the way that Paul and Timothy prayed for the Ephesians. And most important of all: Never stop praying for your brothers and sisters - they need your prayers.
Robert Prins