|
 |
May
2
|
|
|
|
|
Reading
1 - Deuteronomy 19
Click
here to Listen
|
v.5
- In a spiritual way, how often we find ourselves in this position - quite
unintentionally having caused grief to a fellow man. How comforting it is
to know that we have a place of refuge to turn to. Ps.9:9,
14:6, 46:1,7,11, 48:3 etc.
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.10,13
- The stark contrast between the fates of the innocent and the guilty is
shown here. It also suggests that there is a time not to pity. There were
strict instructions from God here NOT to pity the on who was guilty of the
murder of an innocent man. There is, therefore, it seems, an argument for
care about what we tolerate, even though tolerance as a general principle
is taught throughout the New Testament.
Peter Cresswell
|
|
v.9
Chapter 19 restates the laws regarding the cities of refuge. That three
more cites of refuge were never added is a demonstration that Israel were
not faithful.
Peter
Forbes |
|
19:14
The removal of the landmark was a serious offence mentioned here. It is
also included in the blessing and cursing which were to be recited by the
people. (Deuteronomy
27:17) And referred to and warned against in terms of robbing the disadvantaged
(Proverbs
22:28 23:10)
Peter
Forbes
|
|
:15,20
The requirement of 'two or three witnesses' was not a way to minimise right
judgement. It was to ensure it. Therefore the 'false witness' was to receive
no pity. As this highlights God's view of false witnesses we should think
carefully about how we speak of others.
Peter
Forbes
|
|
|
Reading
2 - Ecclesiastes 11
Click
here to Listen
|
v.1
- Acts of unselfish charity are applauded by God - Deut.15:7-11,
Prov.11:24-25, Prov.22:9, Ps.41:1,2, 126:5,6, Matt.10:42, 2Cor.9:6, Gal.6:8-10
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.2
- I am quite a sceptic when it comes to the significance which so many place
on numbers in scripture, but here is seems that maybe it is saying that
we should do our acts of giving to all, not just to those who we consider
are going to be judged righteous. Although the greatest act of love is to
preach the gospel to people, it seems that here the emphasis may be on physical
needs. We live in a world with a great deal of physical need. Maybe there
might be some little thing we each could do about it if we put our minds
to it.
Peter Cresswell
|
|
v.5
this comment on the way that bones grow in the womb and the way the wind
blows forms the basis for Jesus comments and Nicodemus' response in John
3:8 'wind bloweth'
John
3:4 'mother's
womb and be born'.
Peter
Forbes |
|
11:9
In counselling the young man to 'walk in the ways of thine heart and in
the sight of thine eyes' Solomon is quoting the reason why the Israelite
should wear a fringe on their garment from Numbers
15:39. - this is why Solomon continues 'God will bring thee into judgment'.
Peter
Forbes
|
|
:1
Casting bread and receiving a benefit later echoes Deuteronomy
15:10 - the generous spirit that the Israelite was to show - because
he had benefit from God's generosity. This principle should govern us in
our lives also.
Peter
Forbes
|
|
|
Reading
3 - Acts 10
Click
here to Listen
|
v.
11 - The concept of 'seeing heaven opened' to receive a vision was quite
a common one. We look to see heaven opened to reveal the return of our master
- May we always be ready for our vision which will surely become reality.
Eze.1:1,
Luke 3:21, John 1:51, Rev. 4:1.
Peter Cresswell |
|
v.22
God speaks of a number of people as 'just' / 'righteous' Genesis
6:9 Noah Matthew
1:19 Joseph [Mary's
husband] Mark
6:20 John the
Baptist Luke
1:6 Zacharias
& Elizabeth Luke
2:25 Simeon Luke
23:50 Joseph
of Arithamaea Acts
10:22 Cornelius
Hebrews
11:4 Abel 1
Peter 3:18 Jesus
2
Peter 2:7 Lot.
By examining the way in which these individuals behaved we can learn how
we can be viewed as just by our Father.
Peter Forbes |
|
10:14,15
The unclean beasts in the sheet was to help Peter to deal with his firmly
entrenched Jewish views about the gentiles. It is interesting to note that
even the great apostle Peter had difficulties applying the gospel in his
life - and even on a later occasion he was still struggling with the same
problem for Paul had to rebuke him for it. (Galatians
2:11-14)
Peter Forbes
|
|
Acts
8 shows an element of the expansion of the gospel in the baptism of a man
from Ethiopia - a son of Ham. Now we have an Italian, it seems, a son of
Japheth. So the gospel is accepted by sons of Shem (the Jews) of Ham and
of Japheth. An indication of the spread of the gospel to all creatures.
Peter Forbes
|
|
