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May
18
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Reading
1 - Joshua 2
Click
here to Listen
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v.
9-11 - It seems amazing doesn't it that this woman of Jericho could
develop a correct perception of the power and glory of God and display such
amazing faith in Him, when his own chosen people so often chose to ignore
that. There have always been individuals who recognise these things. God's
way is for individuals - Ex.18:11,
2Kings 5:15, Ecc.8:12
Peter Cresswell |
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v.4
- It is clear from v.9
that she did in fact know where these men were from. So here, it seems,
we see one of the rare occasions when it is right to lie so that God's people
might be protected from evil.
Peter Cresswell
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v.9,10
Rahab, in commenting upon the drying up of the Red Sea is remembering events
40 years earlier. Further, the inhabitants of Jericho would have heard about
the way in which Israel had dealt with Sihon and Og and would doubtless
have been able to see the pillar of fire by night and cloud by day across
the river Jordan.
Peter
Forbes |
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Here
the two spies make reference to the commandments given with respect to
the keeping of the Passover.
| 2:18 |
when
we come into the land |
Exodus
12:25 |
| 2:19 |
Whosoever
shall go out of the doors of thy house |
Exodus 12:22 |
Rahab's
deliverance was typical of Israel's deliverance from Egypt.
Peter
Forbes
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:13
It is as if Rahab is requesting that Joshua and Caleb disregard the command
of Moses (Deuteronomy
20:16) because of her provision for them. Whether she knew what Moses
had said or not we cannot know. It may be that Joshua and Caleb had told
her what was to happen to the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. However
her request is based upon a faith in the God of Israel. She could well have
echoed the comment of Abraham 'wilt thou destroy the righteous with the
wicked?' (Genesis
18:23)
Peter
Forbes
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Reading
2 - Isaiah 8
Click
here to Listen
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v.1-3
- Mahershalahashbaz means 'plunder speeds' or 'spoil hastes' (compare Zeph.1:14).
Isaiah was instructed to give this name to his son as a prophecy of the
sudden attack on Damascus and Syria of the Assyrian army. This is not by
any means the only time that sons have been named as prophecies. Another
example is in Hos.1:8,9.
Peter Cresswell |
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v.9
We have here not only another encouragement not to be taken in by the temptations
of the world, but also an exhortation to remind us that it is God that defends
us - i.e. if we gird ourselves, as opposed to allowing the power of God
to gird us, we aim for destruction. We must rely on God for all things.
Peter Cresswell
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v.
14 - Romans
9:33
'Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and
whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.' Draws on the following
passages in Isaiah [8:14
28:16] The bold text is from Isaiah 8, as the integration below
shows.
Romans
9:33 Behold,
I lay in Sion
Isaiah
28:16 Behold,
I lay in Zion
Romans
9:33 a stumblingstone
and rock of offence:
Isaiah
8:14 a stone
of stumbling and for a rock of offence
Romans
9:33 and whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Isaiah
28:16 he that
believeth shall not make haste.
Peter
Forbes |
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8:8
The warning that the invading river (army) would go to 'the neck' was what
actually what happened when the Assyrians came through the land in the days
of Hezekiah. Jerusalem was surrounded and then the army was slain in one
night.
Peter
Forbes |
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:1
Maher-shalal-hash-baz means In making speed to the spoil he hasteneth the
prey and as such echoes sentiments already spoken (5:19)
'Let him make speed and hasten his work'
Peter
Forbes |
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Reading
3 - 1Thessalonians 3 & 4
Click
here to Listen
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3
v. 3-5 - It is quite clear here that Paul's concern is that the afflictions
which came upon the apostles could shake the faith of the people here. He
therefore took steps to prevent that. This, surely, has interesting implications
for us. We may take steps to ensure the spiritual well-being of those who
are being afflicted and tested in their faith, but what of those who are
just observers of these things? Do we support them? How we should be is
described in these passages.
Ps.112:6, Ac.2:25, 20:24, 1Cor.15:58.
Peter Cresswell |
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3
v.5
Having established the ecclesia at Thessalonica the Apostle Paul did not
leave them to his own devices. His concern was that they should grow in
Christ and not fall away from the gospel. To this end he 'sent to know
their faith'. How much care to we take of those who we have 'taught the
truth'?
4
v.9 The exhortation
to 'brotherly love' is set against the warning against 'fornication'.
The brother who loves will not 'defraud' [4:6]
or 'despise' [4:8].
Thus 'holiness' [4:7]
is not a theoretical issue but has real application in day to day living.
Peter Forbes
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3:4
That Paul told the brethren that he expected affliction indicates that
he explained why he had suffered as he did when he was with them - and
by implication that they should expect the same sort of treatment. One
would think that such comments would be a deterrent to those to whom the
gospel was being preached. But clearly it did not deter the brethren.
4:1
That walking to please God is a description of Enoch. Hebrews
11:5 tells us that he pleased God and Genesis
5:24 tells us that he walked with God . Enoch 'walked' in an evil
time - this matched the situation that the brethren and sisters at Thessalonica
were experiencing.
Peter Forbes
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3:9
Do we thank God because of the faith of brethren and sisters who we know?
Paul did for the brethren at Thessalonica.
4:16
'The Lord
with a shout
with the trump of God' quotes Psalm
47:5. The Psalm speaks of the kingdom (Psalm
47:7)
Peter Forbes
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