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May 8

Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 25

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v.4 - It is really surprising to me that this apparently trivial verse is picked up twice by Paul in his letters - 1Cor 9:9-10, 1Tim.5:17-18. It is to teach us that we have hope - that we plough in hope, and that we should also be partaker of his hope.
Peter Cresswell
v.3 - To appear vile was to be like the beasts - Job 18:3.
Peter Cresswell
v.13-15 The repetition about 'divers' weights and measures demonstrates that whilst God requires integrity man is more likely to show partiality. The book of Proverbs expounds the laws given here in Deuteronomy. Proverbs 11:1 16:11 20:10
Peter Forbes
25:19 The concept of being given rest - often from enemies passes into Biblical use here are some examples. Notice how strongly it is linked with David and his kingdom. (Exodus 33:14 Deuteronomy 3:20 12:10 25:19 Joshua 1:13,15 22:4 23:1 2 Samuel 7:1 1 Kings 5:4 8:56 1 Chronicles 22:9 18 23:25 2 Chronicles 14:6 7 Isaiah 14:3 Matthew 11:28 Hebrews 4:8)
Peter Forbes
:13-15 The requirement regarding honest weights highlights that God requires integrity. It is one of the many times that the law required integrity and honesty - The requirement to keep one's word (Chapter 23) is another example.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Song of Solomon 5

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v. 6 - surely here is a picture of the death of Jesus, the smiting and wounding of v.7, and the veil of v.7 confirm this context, but tied with all this is the rejection of Christ by the Jews. There are a number of references to God being lost to the people - here are some - Ps.30:7, Isa.8:17, 50:2. Isa 54 reminds us that Israel still has a part to play in God's purpose (v.6-8).
Peter Cresswell
v.2 - As Bro Peter said below, this is picked up in Rev.3:20. What a wonderful picture of God's love for us is painted here. This is far more than just standing at the door knocking - there is a real desire that the occupant (us) might answer. How can we not respond to such grace.
Peter Cresswell
v.2 The beloved standing and knocking to come in is alluded to by the Lord Jesus [Revelation 3:20]. Would we be reluctant to open the door to our beloved? Are we so keen to look for the return of our Lord from heaven?
Peter Forbes

These are only two of the echoes of language from the description of the tabernacle.

Gold rings
Exodus 39:16
Beryl
Exodus 28:20

From this use of tabernacle description we can conclude that the bride has to be a place suitable for the dwelling of God.
Peter Forbes

:1 The language which is quoted in Isaiah 55 shows that here we are speaking, not about natural food, but about the things of the promises to David.

Eaten Isaiah 55:1
Wine milk Isaiah 55:1
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Acts 20

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v.22 - Paul's apprehension about going to Jerusalem did not stop him. He plans his life beyond that point (ch.19:21). He listens to the warnings (ch.21:11-14). He shares this way with Jesus (Luke 9:51). There are lots of lessons for us here. 2Cor.5:14, Jas.4:14, 2Pet.1:14.
Peter Cresswell

v.18 At this point in the Acts we are with the elders from Ephesus. Paul, when writing to Timothy when was at Ephesus, draws on the language of the sea shore and the elders from Ephesus. Acts 20:23 afflictions 2 Timothy 1:8 Acts 20:24 none of those things ... 2 Timothy 1:7 Acts 20:31 tears 2 Timothy 1:4

v.29 Presenting religious leaders as wolves is seen in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 22:27 Zephaniah 3:3 And is utilised by Jesus Matthew 7:15 10:16 Luke 10:3
Peter Forbes

This chapter deals with the work at Ephesus. It is not surprising, therefore, to find language from this chapter used by Paul when writing to the ecclesia at Ephesus.

Tychicus
Ephesians 6:21
With all humility
Ephesians 4:2
counsel of God
Ephesians 1:12
With his own blood
Ephesians 1:7
inheritance
Ephesians 1:11,14

In the letter Paul was trying to reinforce the message he had preached when he was with the brethren and sisters in Ephesus.
Peter Forbes

Whilst we saw that Paul spent 2 years at Ephesus we now find him passing through a number of cities with nothing being said about the preaching. We should not assume either, that there was little response, or that little was said. Acts is not a comprehensive diary of the work of the apostles, or even of Paul. Like the gospels it focuses on specific events to help to develop our understanding of the gospel.
Peter Forbes
BE ON YOUR GUARD

Paul's warning to the members of the Church in Ephesus was urgent and compelling. "I know," he said, "that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."

Paul's warning was to the leading Christians in Ephesus, but it is no less applicable to us today. We all need to be on our guard against people who come in to distort the truth and to play power games, leading people away after personalities rather than helping them to stand firm for the Lord God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

The way we can guard ourselves against this is by prayer and by making God's word so familiar to us that it becomes part of us. Read the word of God., think about it, study it, discuss it, question it and be so familiar with it that we recognize anything false instantly. We must pray for God's help and always be alert and on guard against anything that tries to take us from the truth.
Robert Prins