Comments for June 13

ch.12 - In v.1 of ch.13 we find that Israel have once again turned from God. This is a direct result of the leadership recorded in ch.12 - leadership which in God's eyes was either significantly wrong (v.9), or of no spiritual consequence, hence no account of their lives. Where will our lives as spiritual leaders be rated? How full a report would our lives command? Food for thought.

13 v.3 The use of the phrase   ... conceive ... bear ... son is found in the following places in the Old Testament [Judges 13:3 5 7 Isaiah 7:14]

13 v.7 The idea of bearing a son as mentioned in these three times in Judges 13 matches the threefold use in the New Testament. Matt 1:21,23, Luke 1:31

13 v.6,18 - The significance of names seems to be different in the angelic realm, though we are given name for some angels. This one would not give his name to either Manoah or his wife. The same happened with Jacob in Gen 32:29

Judg 12:8-15 This small area of Judges covers a period of 25 years and 3 Judges which shows that the book of Judges is concerned to report specific events in the time of the Judges rather than be a detailed historical account of the period.

ch 13 - Continuing the theme of the links between Samson and Jesus we note that there are words used here which we later find in Isaiah 9 which are prophetic of Jesus.

12:6 The Gileadites were making their brethren 'offenders for a word' (Isaiah 29:21). So they were fighting their brethren who spoke the same language using a small pretext to justify their actions whereas they seemed to accept the presence of the inhabitants of the land who had no knowledge of Yahweh!

ch. 13 - Samson was of the tribe of Dan (2). 'Dan' means 'judge' - :12 'order' is the Hebrew word 04941 - 'judgement'.

12:4 In that the Gileadites fought with the men of Ephraim we see that the strife was somewhat more than Ephraim being offended that they had not been called to the battle. The Gileadites are accused of not really being part of Israel. So we see surfacing the tension that was there in the time of Joshua Josh 22 where the tribes on the West of Jordan presumed those on the East had fallen away from worshipping
 Yahweh.

13:2-3 The birth of Samson was miraculous. That is not after the will of man. Manoah's wife got a man with the help of the Lord Gen 4:1. Samson, being born to a barren woman through the intervention of God, is one of a long line of the 'seed of the woman' who was a deliverer of one sort or other.

12: 2 The straight forward answer of Jephthah to the issues of the Ephraimites shows that their charge was false; their complaint of not being treated as confederates and allies was entirely without foundation; and their boast of a ready contribution of their services came  with ill grace from people who had purposely delayed appearing till the crisis was past.

There had been the threat of civil war among the Israelites over the altar built near the Jordan (Josh 22:12).  But this incident, in today's chapter was really serious, and 42,000 of Ephraim were killed
(Judg 12:1-6). God's people fighting among themselves was not the way to go forward in their Promised Land.  Let's make sure our attitude towards our Brothers and Sisters, even in times of disputes and problems, does not degenerate into war.

Ch. 12. The aggressive stance taken by Ephraim with the Gileadites was unfortunate.  This is especially true of the fact that Ephraim was not geographically connected to either Gilead or Ammon.  The area known as Gilead comprised nearly all of the tribal allotment of Gad and about half of the tribal allotment of East Manasseh (Manasseh was the only tribe to occupy territory on both sides of the River Jordan).  Ammon was situated to the east of Gilead.  Instead of being glad for their brethren's victory, Ephraim took a fit which cost 42,000 of their lives.  Let us take note of this calamitous behaviour and always seek peace (Rom 14:19)

Ch. 13  The role of a Nazarite was to be dedicated to God.  There were certain physical conditions to be followed (Num 6:2-13).  Samson was to become a Nazarite for life.  The Lord Jesus, like Samson (and Samuel), was dedicated to God from birth.  He, therefore, was a Nazarite.  However, He came to fulfil the Law and, thus, overrode some of the physical requirements of a Nazarite.  We, being followers of the Lord Jesus, are, in effect, spiritual Nazarites, having a life-long dedication to Yahweh.  If we keep our vow, we will reap the reward (Col 1:23).

The approach of the angel to Manoah's wife is very similar to that of Gabriel to Mary. What I find interesting is that the Angel seems to have no interest in talking to Manoah. Maybe this is explained by the fact that she had a much better understanding than he did. She knew it was an Angel. He thought it was a man. She didn't ask Him where He was from, knowing He was from the LORD. Manoah did. She realised that they wouldn't die, but that they had a purpose to fulfil, whereas Manoah, superstitiously declared "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!". He clearly had little personal knowledge of God and His ways, whereas his wife did. However, when we come to chapter 14 (v 3,5,9,16) we see that both parents are mentioned together each time.  Both his parents had had a large effect on their son and had diligently kept the charge committed to them by the Angel.

12:5    Taking the ‘passages of Jordan’ has happened twice before Judg 3:28, 7:24 indicating that there was one place which was a good crossing place where people could escape from the land of Israel when pursued by the children of Israel.

12:7 After judging for only six years we read that Jephthah, a mighty man of valour died, and was buried in Gilead. It would appear that we are not told of all his works, but, he had to be a man of great faith and works, as he is mentioned with other worthies of old by the writer of the letter written to the ecclesia at Jerusalem in the first century (Heb 11:32).

12:8 The town of Bethlehem mentioned in is not the celebrated town in Judah.  It was one of the towns in the territory of Zebulun, which was situated considerably north of Judah (see Josh 19:15). 

12:1 So again – see Judg 8:1 – complain. Ephraim are beginning to be seen as a tribe who had a high opinion of themselves and who felt that they should be consulted on matters. There is a similar danger that we might feel that we are important and our views should, therefore, be listened to. Such is pride

JEALOUSY

Jephthah and the men of Gilead had won a great victory. Together they subdued the Ammonites and saved Israel from yet another oppressor. It was not in his own strength that Jephthah was able to do this mighty work, neither was under his own motivation. It was God's plan that this should be Jephthah's work and in God's strength it was achieved. We read, "The spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah ... and he advanced against the Ammonites. (Judg 11:29) And, "The LORD gave them into their hands." (v.32)
 
So as Jephthah and his men returned from their defeat of the Ammonites, they should have been received with celebration and joy both from their home town, Gilead, and also from the whole of Israel. Instead Jephthah and his men found the Jealousy Committee from Ephraim waiting for him. They wanted to rid the earth of Jephthah because, they said, he hadn't invited them to fight with him. What a sad attitude! "Kill the victor because we are jealous of his great exploits.!" What should have been a national celebration that day, turned into civil war instead.

When people do great things - and especially when the LORD is behind it - let's not be jealous of the good works God had planned for them to do, but rejoice with them that God's will has been done.

13:6 The appearance of the man of God (angel) to Manoah's wife, and later to him, was an example of theophany. Theophany is the manifestation of God to people. As Yahweh cannot be seen by anyone (Exo 33:20), He uses other means to show Himself. Common manifestations were:

- Angels who appeared in human form

- Visions

- Non-human displays (e.g. the burning bush that presented itself to Moses).

13:8     Manoah’s entreaty to God that he might know what they should ‘do unto the child’ might seem a strange thing to ask. After all Moses had instructed the people that they should teach them the law of God. Presumably as the child was to be special he anticipated that something different would be required in the upbringing of the child. The message of the angel is, basically, observe the Nazarite law. His education was to be the same as any other Hebrew boy. The instruction was not the issue, it was Samson’s attitude to it that mattered.

12:6 The inability of the Ephraimites to pronounce a sh sound is similar to the difficulty of a French person trying to pronounce th when s/he talks English.  Unless one is highly skilled in English, the sound will come out as a t, thus betraying their origin.

13:8-12  Notice we know Samson’s father’s name – Manoah – though his mother is never named. So whilst Samson was a deliverer he was not the ‘seed of the woman’. The focus is on the fact that he is the seed of Manoah.

Judg 13:1 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

13:2 Manoah means rest.  Through his son Samson, Israel would find rest from forty years of Philistine oppression.

13:16 This is a similar situation to that of Gideon.  He offered a meal of hospitality to the angel, and the angel offered it as sacrifice to Yahweh (Judg 6:20,21).

13:18 The word secret (KJV) is better rendered wonderful (ESV).  This is descriptive of the Lord Jesus to whom the angels are now subservient (Isa 9:6).

13:20 The angel’s ascension in the flame marked the acceptance of the sacrifice.

13:24 Samson in Hebrew is shimshon which comes from the root shamash meaning to serve. The sun (shemesh) is also derived from the same root.  And so, Samson can mean either little one of the sun or little servant.  The latter definition better fits the role of Samson.

Judg 12:8-10 - "Ibzan" (78) means "whiteness, splendour or illustrious" -  perhaps echoing the glory manifested in Christ (Mark 9:3). Ibzan, like Jesus, was of "Bethlehem" (1035) means "house of bread" (Luke 2:14-16). Ibzan, like Christ, was the father of a multitudinous seed.  The repeated mentions of "30" perhaps suggest being fit for service (Luke 3:23;Num 4:3,23,30,35;Gen 41:46;2Sam 5:4), the age Jesus began his ministry. Ibzan judged/led Israel 7 years with "7" thought by many as the number of spiritual perfection.

Judg 12:11-12 - "Elon" (356) means "an oak, oak-grove, strength" - Isa 6:13 (the link between 'elon = oak' and Christ); the stump mentioned in Isaiah 6 was to grow again from its roots (Isa 11:1-2); the 'death' and 'resurrection' of this elon would precede the kingdom (Isa 35:6-7). Buried in "Aijalon" (357) means "field of deer, male deer - hart, a place of gazelles" (Isa 35:6-7). "Zebulun" (2074) means "habitation, to dwell with" and perhaps suggests a habitation in the kingdom (Isa 35:6-7). Elon judged/led Israel 10 years with "10" thought by many as the number indicating the perfection of divine order.

Judg 12:13-15 - "Abdon" (5658) means "servile, servant". "Hillel" (1985) means "praise, praising (namely God)". "Pirathon" (6552) means "princely" - perhaps echoing that while Christ was a God praising son/servant, he was also a prince. "Amalek" (6002) means "people of lapping (or licking - as with a snake's tongue)", they were Israel's oldest enemy (Num 24:20;Exo 17:8-16;Mic 7:17;Psa 72:9) and perhaps echo the serpent/sin (Matt 12:33-34;23:30-33;Acts 28:3-6) that Christ overcame and will do away with (1Cor 15:24-28).  Riding upon an ass signifies a position of rulership in Israel (Gen 22:3,5;Exo 4:20;Zech 9:9-11). There is a parallel between Israel's firstborn and the Ass's firstborn which is identified with Israel - perhaps the concept is to redeem unclean Israel with the lamb (Exo 13:13-15). Abdon, like Christ, had many descendants/children.  40 (or a combination of 40 such as 80) is a number that occurs frequently in Judges and is thought by many as the number indicating "a time of probation, trial and chastisement"; similarly, 30 is thought to indicate "fit for service"; 70 indicates "perfect spiritual order"; 8 indicates "immortality".

Some of the above gleaned from The Gospel in the Book of Judges by Ian Giles, pps. 62-66.

Was Samson a man of the flesh?

The final assessment of Samson's character (Heb 11:32-40).

Samson a representative of Israel:

It was the role of the High Priest to represent Israel. The Nazarite's (Judg 13:5) vow took on aspects of the priestly status (Num 6:3-8;Lev 10:9;Lev 21:5,1). In Samson's (apparent) failures he typifies Israel after the flesh. In his heroic warfare and victory over sin he typifies Jesus, the perfect Israelite and High Priest.

Jesus a representative of Israel:

Both Christ and Israel were firstborn (Matt 1:25;Exo 4:22), born in land (Matt 2:1; Gen. chs. 12 -35), called out of Egypt (Matt 2:15;Hos 11:1), baptized (Matt 3:13;1Cor 10:2), tempted in the wilderness (Matt 4:1; Exo 15 to Deut 34).

Samson a type of Israel:

As a representative man Samson typified Israel in historical and prophetic ways. Both Samson and Israel were separated for God's service (Judg 13:5;Lev 20:24-26), married nonbelievers (Judg 14:3;Mal 2:11), wife taken by another (Judg 15:2;Deut 28:30), went whoring (Judg 16:1;Exo 34:15;Judg 2:17), broke their covenant and lost their strength (Judg 16:17;Lev 26:15-20;Psa 106:40-41), became blind and in bondage literally or figuratively (Judg 16:21;2Kin 25:7;Isa 43:8,10;Rom 11:25-27), grinding in captivity (Judg 16:21;Lam 5:13), mocked (Judg 16:23;Deut 28:37). As a Nazarite and a representative man Samson typically lived out the life of Israel. The consequence of this was that the curse fell upon him. Thus Samson bore the iniquities of the nation as did the scapegoat (Lev 16:21-22). In this way Samson (to some extent) suffered like that other representative man, Jesus (Isa 53:5-11).

Most of the above is from The Gospel in the Book of Judges by Ian Giles, pps.106-111.

13:22 Manoah does not show as much perception as his wife. It was she, and not he, who understood the significance of the visitation from the angel. Manoah only feared death having seen the angel.

12:8-15        The chapter division here is not too helpful. We see again a series of Judges with no details given then the comment that Israel ‘did evil in Judg 13:1. So this is like we saw in Judg 10:1-5

12:7    So Jephthah’s work is summarised in one verse.  However there is a very powerful New Testament approval of his life – Heb 11:32– where he is presented as a supreme example of faith.

13:1      That God delivered Israel into the hand of the Philistines echoes Judg 2:14. The God who had “delivered” Israel out of Egypt, thus demonstrating His saving power, now uses that same power to enslave Israel because of their unwillingness to serve Him.

13:6  Notice, the woman spoke of having seen a man of God. Later she and her husband realise that the man of God was, in fact, an angel – Judg 13:20 – indicating, as can be seen elsewhere, angels can be mistaken for normal men. 

13:6    This is the second time in the book of Judges when Israel’s evil behaviour where it is specifically said that God delivered them into the hands of the enemies. The other is Judg 6:1 when they were delivered into the hands of Midian.

13:1    This is the last occasion in the book of Judges that we learn that the people “did evil”. The others areJudg 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6

13:5        The promise of the fact that Samson would start to save the people is reflected – Luke 1:16 –in the promised work of John the Baptist.

13:24   It has been pointed out in previous posts that there are connections with the birth of Jesus. Here is another one that links with his growth. “the child grew” is a comment made about Jesus – Luke 2:40.

12:2-3   The challenge to the men of Ephraim was the prelude to a battle - :46 – so we see that the Ephraimites were unwilling to listen to reason. Sadly, therefore, there was civil war in the land of Israel with Israel’s enemies looking on.

12:5 whilst the nations living in the land of Canaan were the true enemies Israel are, repeatedly in the day so the Judges, quarrelling among themselves. God could save the nation form the Canaanites but could not save them from their godless behaviour towards each other. In fact their in-fighting sapped any godliness that they had. The same is true for all believers.

13:1 we should reflect on the fact that Israel were subdued by the Philistines for forty years. They were subdued by the Philistines because of their unfaithfulness. It seems that it took them forty years to come to their senses and realise that God was punishing them before they turned to him and He sent Samson. How long does it take us to appreciate our ways do not please our Father?

12:4-6 The real battle was between the nation of Israel – all the tribes – and the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. In the midst of that battle there was infighting within the tribes of Israel – within the family of God.  So sore was the strife that men were made “offenders for a word” – Isa 29:1. Sadly we can easily use such a trivial thing as what we think a person is saying as a basis for alienating that individual! Surely we are above such a way of living?

12:4 the charge “ye are fugitives of Ephraim” was exactly the sort of accusation that prompted the building of an alter on the east of Jordan – Josh 22

13:2 So the deliverer was born of a “barren woman”. How many other “barren” women are involved in the fulfilment of the purpose of God? I can think of 10.

12:1 the simple statement “went northward” to speak with Jephthah of itself indicates that they had chosen not to get involved in the battle in Gilead where Jephthah fought. This is despite that half of the tribe of Manasseh had an inheritance on the east of Jordan.

v.16 - Here we have a prayer recorded - the prayer of a righteous man. We have very few prayers recorded exactly, as this one is, and we do well to note its structure, as it matches with other recorded prayers. The first part of the prayer is praise of God. This is a very important pre-requisite, as it emphasises the gulf that is fixed between man and God, and the fact that we realise that it has been bridged by Jesus, so giving us, as sinful mankind, access to the supremacy of the creator. (ch.43:10,11).

37 v.30 - In speaking of ‘that which groweth of itself’ and ‘third year’ we are reminded of the Jubilee year [Leviticus 25:11] indicating that this year was a jubilee or the year of release.

v.2 - Shebna, of whom we read quite a lot in connection with Hezekiah, means 'vigour'.

I make no apology for repeating this table from chapter 22. The promises to David form such a central plank of the gospel.

9:7 Throne of David
16:5 Tabernacle of David
22:22 Key of the house of David
37:35 Defend for David's sake
38:5 The God of David thy father
55:3 The sure mercies of David

God worked in Isaiah's day because of what he said to David.

37:6-9 This deliverance could be seen as a natural event. Those that were faithless in Israel would not see the hand of God in this deliverance and consequently would not have a basis for trusting that God would work for them when the Assyrians came back.

V.29 Like a wild beast led by a ring through the nose, Sennacherib shall be forced back to his own country. This is not the first time this expression is used in scripture. Re Egypt; Eze 29:4; Re Gog, Eze 38:4. It is also used in Job 41:1-2

Isaiah was an active prophet during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isa 1:1).  The time span would be about 740-701 BC.  Isaiah's prophecy against Sennacherib concerning his death came true in 681 BC by the hands of his sons (vs. 7,37,38). 

History and archaeology confirm the event of Sennacherib's death. The Babylonians recorded that his murder was divine retribution for his destruction of Babylon in 689 BC). 

Thus, the Bible is once again proved accurate through fulfilled prophecy. In this case it is confirmed by secular history.

THE POWER OF AN ANGEL
 
Imagine being surrounded by the world's most powerful army.  Their soldiers are all well armed and practised.  Previously they have swept through country after country, and not even the most well defended forces could resist them.  They had horses and chariots and were confident of victory.  It must be a terrifying situation to be enclosed in a city in this predicament. 
 
Hezekiah was the king surrounded by the powerful, undefeated Assyrian army.  He could have put his trust in his own army, but that would have failed miserably.  Instead he put his trust in God.  God's battle strategy must have been extremely humiliating to the Assyrians that remained.  185,000 or more trained soldiers had come out to capture Jerusalem.  One angel put them to death in one night!  185,000 strong men could not stand against the power of one angel. 
 
We can be sure that this angel has not died in the meantime and neither has he lost his power.  If being surrounded by 185,000 armed soldiers would fill us with dread, imagine being surrounded by an angel!  For those who believe, angels are not to be feared.  Rather we can stand in confidence that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who would inherit salvation. (Heb 1:14)  The power with us is far greater than any that could stand against us.

Isaiah's message to Hezekiah set forth three things:

Isa 37:36 tells us how the siege of Jerusalem ended.  God’s angel killed 185,000 of the Assyrians outside the walls of the city. Hezekiah’s prayer was answered.

37:4,17  In speaking of Yahweh of ‘the living God’ Hezekiah is like David when he went out against Goliath – 1Sam 17:26,36 – the small faithful man who has a giant pitted against him.

V.33-36; Eze 38:21-23 - Assyria is almost a type of the latter day Gog.

37:1 Hezekiah being clothed in sackcloth is exactly what God said would happen when the Babylonians came – Isa 22:12

37:1 Hezekiah, like his father David, when troubled strengthened himself by going into the house of the LORD to pray. After much prayer he sent messengers to Isaiah seeking an answer from God. As we read the sixth verses we can clearly read that his prayers were heard, so it is with us at all times; our prayers are always heard, there are times however that they may not be answered as quickly as we might like, or we may not receive the answer we may be seeking; but we must always remember that our Heavenly Father knows what is best for each one of us.

V.29 The language here is similar to that of Eze 38:4. Gog (the latter-day Assyrian) will be destroyed just as decisively as Sennacherib and his army were.

37:16 In observing that God had made heaven and earth Hezekiah is making the point that God was the Lord of the world and so the king of Assyria’s words were an affront to God’s position.

V.9 Tirhakah originally came from Ethiopia (= Cush = present-day Sudan).  He moved north to Egypt when he was twenty years old.  Tirhakah became king of Egypt and reigned for twenty-six years from 693 BC until his death in 667 BC.  

The timeline of v.9 is 701 BC which poses a chronological difficulty.  Commentators suggest that, in 701 BC, Tirhakah was acting on behalf of his cousin Sabatoka who was Pharaoh until he died in 693 BC.  At that point, Tirhakah became the new Pharaoh. 

The Egyptian campaign against the Assyrians was unsuccessful, as Yahweh had prophesied.

37:20 Notice the reason why Hezekiah was asking for deliverance. It was not for his own benefit. It was not even for the benefit of the remnant of the people with him. Rather it was for the benefit of the nations round about. That they might realise that Israel’s God was the true God.

V.12 Gozan was a place in Assyria to which Israelites were deported after the fall of Samaria (2Kin 17:6).

Haran was the place where Abram sojourned after he left Ur.  He stayed there until his father Terah died (Gen 11:31,32).

Rezeph was a fortress close to Haran.  It was Sennacherib who conquered Rezeph.

Eden was a place in Mesopotamia.  The captured people from Eden were removed to the Babylonian province of Telassar (See also 2Kin 19:12).

V.13 These cities were discussed yesterday, except Hena and Ivah which were politically united with Sepharvaim.

When Hezekiah speaks to Isaiah "this is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy" (v3) he is quoting the words of Isaiah's prophecy from 22:5. Hezekiah was declaring to Isaiah that he believed all his words had come true. Chariots were in the choicest valleys, at the very gate of Jerusalem (22:7 cp 36:6). God had removed the protection of Judah (22:8) namely the water supply that would keep the besieged people of Jerusalem alive. This water had been gathered together within the city wall using the houses of Jerusalem as building material (22:9-11) yet with little regard to the God who had caused that life giving spring to exist there in the first place (22:11, 37:26). This brook of defence had been dried up by Sennacherib just as Isaiah had said it would (37:25).

Hezekiah realised that he was defenceless when he saw the Rabshakeh standing with the soles of his feet in the dried up aqueduct (compare 36:2 and 37:25). Isaiah's reply to Hezekiah is one of joy. Hezekiah had finally realised that the defence of his city was not down to clever water defences, or hiring armies to protect him, but simply in prayer to his God. The same applies to us. But does God have to dry up all our defences before we recognise it?

37:6 The Assyrian monarch had sealed his fate by blaspheming God.

37:7 ‘blast’ is simply the word for ‘wind’. It does not require much from God to overthrow a mighty nation like Assyria.

37:36-38      So the Assyrian host was destroyed – and Sennacherib was not saved by his own god either. It is worthy of note that Sennacherib, even though he recorded his exploits, does not mention the defeat outside Jerusalem. He simply mentions that he shut Hezekiah up like a bird in a cage. Political ‘spin’# is not a new phenomenon!

37:15  “but Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord...” is the response of a faithful man. Hezekiah could see that humanly speaking he could not solve the problem of the Assyrians. So he gave the problem to God. Doubtless Hezekiah would be happy to accept whatever outcome God decreed.  Are we so prayer orientated/ Are we so happy to accept the Divine decision?

Salvation for David's sake

In v35-36 we realise that God saved the city of Jerusalem "for my own sake and my servant David's sake". What did He mean by "David's sake"? Why did the salvation of that city rely on David, a man long dead?

David's city, David's throne

In 9:7 we find a prophecy relating to Hezekiah, mentioning that he would sit "on the throne of David". In 22:9 we read that Jerusalem was called the "city of David", and 29:1 "the city where David dwelt". So both the city (Jerusalem) and the King (Hezekiah) were related to David.

God's promises to David

In 1Kin 11:13 God took the kingdom from Solomon but left a tribe to David, using the same wording: "for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen." which refers to the promises to David (2Sam 7). The relevance is further explained in 2Kin 8:19

"the Lord would not destroy Judah, for the sake of His servant David, as He promised him to give a lamp to him and his sons forever."

Thus it was because of these promises, encompassing David and Jerusalem, that God would defend Jerusalem and it's King, Hezekiah. And why particularly Hezekiah? Because he was David's son! (Matt 1:6-9).

37:21   Hezekiah had prayed and God had decided how he would answer the prayer. However, even though He is not obligated to do so, God actually told Hezekiah what he planned to do. Such was the fellowship between the king and his God. In a similar way God had spoken to  Elijah – 1Kin 21:19.

37:3    Undoubtedly Hezekiah was afraid of the threat of the Assyrians. He saw that if their threat was fulfilled Jerusalem would be taken, himself included. However his concern was not for himself. He recognised that God was slighted by the Assyrian tirade. Hezekiah called is “blasphemy”. Do we rightly identify attacks on us?

1. Isaiah 37 is similar to 2Kings 19.

2. Isa 37:1-7 - Hezekiah appeals to Isaiah who conveys the Lord's message to not be afraid for the king of Assyria will return to his own country and be cut down by the sword (Isa 37:37-38); V6 God reassures that Jerusalem will be spared from the Assyrians.

3. Isa 37:8-14 - intimidating propaganda from the Assyrians designed to weaken Jerusalem's faith in God and Hezekiah; V14 Sennacherib sent his boastful manifesto to Hezekiah who took it to God in prayer.

4. Isa 37:15-20 - Hezekiah appealing to God in  prayer for protection of the people and for God's glory.

5. Isa 37:21-35 - God's response that He would protect Jerusalem; Vs 21-22 the virgin daughter of Zion despised and laughed at Sennacherib (2Kin 19:20-21); Vs 29-32 Jubilee deliverance of a remnant (Lev 25:10,20-21); V33 the king of Assyria to not enter Jerusalem.

6. Isa 37:29,36,37 - God to send the Assyrians into a retreat (2Kin 19:28;2Chron 32:21;Eze 38:4;Eze 39:1-5).

7. Isa 37:36;2Kin 19:35 - 185,000 Assyrians dead.

37:4     ‘… it may be …’ Notice that Hezekiah did not presume that Yahweh would actually respond to his requests.  We should in like manner recognise that God does not always give us what we ask.

Isa 37:30-31- The Lord’s response to Hezekiah’s prayer (Isa 37:15-20) was that the Lord would judge Sennacherib for his blasphemy against the Holy One of Israel (Isa 37:21-29).  The Lord gave Hezekiah a sign which was also a test of faith Isa.37:30).  Due to the presence of the Assyrian in the land, the agricultural timetable of ploughing, sowing, reaping was disrupted .  In that year (1^st yr.) the inhabitants of Jerusalem were to rely on the produce of the land that was already growing.  Then in the 2^nd year they were to do the same.  However, deliverance was to come in the 3^rd year when they could sow and reap and plant vineyards and Judah would take root (Isa 37:30-31).

Hezekiah would be reminded that by this message conveyed by Isaiah of the seven year cycle of Sabbath rests under the Law.  The Lord promised that He would provide blessings over a three year period (Lev 25:20-22).  In the 6^th year prior to a Sabbath of rest (for land and people), the Lord would bless them with an abundance of produce to last for 3 years.   The 7^th year was a Sabbath of rest in which they did not sow but relied on the stores saved from the 6^th year.  In the 8^th year they also drew on the stores saved from the 6^th year while they commenced a new sowing cycle.  The produce of the 6^th year sustained them into the 9^th year while they waited for the yield of the new sowing.  

In our troubled times we are reminded by this example that we should trust in the Lord and rely on His provisions, both physical and spiritual and we will be fed (Psa 37:3). 

37:4    The reproach of the Assyrians – a repeated word in this chapter – is rebuffed by God and encouragement is given to Israel later – Isa 51:7

37:14    One can visualise the scene. Messengers come from the Assyrian army. The gates to the city of Jerusalem are opened, warily, and the letter is handed over for Hezekiah to read. It might have appeared, with the retreat of the Assyrian army, that the threat was over. Now Hezekiah has to decide what to do with the letter. Was the threat credible?

37:1-2 Notice the twofold actions of Hezekiah. Whilst he went to pray to God he sent two of his trusted companions to the prophet Isaiah with words from Hezekiah. Why didn’t he go to the prophet himself? Maybe because he felt that praying to God was the priority for him. How often do we put prayer before going to the word of God?

37:38 The Hebrew for “Armenia” is the same as “Ararat” <780> (Gen. 8:4). This is one of many parallels between Noah and Hezekiah. For example, as with the Flood, so the land was overwhelmed by the waters of the Assyrians: “the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks … he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck …” (Isa. 8:7-8). “God made a wind <7307> to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged” (Gen. 8:1) and God said concerning the Assyrian: “Behold, I will send a blast <7307> upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return <7725> to his own land ...” (2 Kgs. 19:7). The language of returning is also used of the waters of the Flood: “And the waters returned <7725> from off the earth continually <7725> ...” (Gen. 8:3). Of Noah’s day Christ said “they were eating and drinking” (Mt. 24:38) and in the days of Hezekiah the people said: “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die” (Isa. 22:13).

37:36-37 Psa 124:1-3 aptly describes the situation at this time.

37:14-17 Hezekiah could have capitulated on receiving he letter and given in to the Assyrian host. He could have reasoned that a policy of non-resistance would save the lives of the inhabitants of the city. But no. Yahweh was being slighted by the Assyrians. It was God’s honour, not his own that was at stake. In reality Hezekiah had no option but to invoke Yahweh’s help.

Do we take the line of least resistance when we should rather be standing up for Christ against the powers of sin when we are tempted?

37:1  Hezekiah trusted Yahweh. He had confidence that He would answer his prayers. So why did he clothe himself with sackcloth?

It certainly was not because of fear on his part. Rather it was an act or mourning. He was mourning because God’s name was being defamed by the words of the king of Assyria.

Do we mourn because the ways of God are despised in our time?

37:10-13  Doubtless Hezekiah had “heard” of the prowess of the Assyrian against the surrounding nations. But those nations did not have a covenant relationship with Yahweh – Hezekiah and the nation of Israel did. That was the difference.

37:1  It seems that at this time Hezekiah was sorely sick and only received, on his sick bed, the news of what the Assyrians were saying. So he sends Eliakim and Shebna to Isaiah the prophet. One faithful and the other doubting! So maybe at this time Hezekiah was unaware of the way that Shebna thought things would turn out.

3 v.3-5 - This passage is not just for women, it simply uses the tendency that women have rather than men to use external beauty treatment to make a spiritual point. It is a call to all of us to keep our lives in perspective, to recognise the 'adornment' which is of the inside, not of the outside. Acts 9:36, 1Tim 2:9,10, 5:10.

3:2 - chaste / pure. Whilst we might think that this word means sexually pure when speaking of a 'chaste virgin' that is not the sense of the word. As we can see from these passages: 2 Corinthians 7:11 clear 2 Corinthians 11:2 chaste Philippians 4:8 pure 1 Timothy 5:22 pure James 3:17 pure 1 John 3:3 pure Purity is the meaning of the word and so when it is translated 'chaste' it is speaking of purity. Tit 2:5 chaste 1Pe 3:2 chaste

4 v.4 'Riot' 810 may convey to us a rather wild behaviour [Titus 1:6 1 Peter 4:4] which we might think would not be found in brethren and sisters. A 'riot' in current use relates to a wild, unruly mob behaving wildly. However we can see:- [Ephesians 5:18] That 'riot' in the above examples actually is 'excess', which is something we can understand as something which might be seen in brethren and sisters. Of course excess is most inappropriate for those who are appointed to 'rule'.

5 v.2 - Being materialistic must have been a problem in the first century because on a number of times:- [1 Timothy 3:3,8 Titus 1:7,11 1 Peter 5:2] There is the warning that those who take ecclesial office should not be greedy of 'filthy lucre'. We know that a gift perverts justice. [Exodus 23:8 Proverbs 17:23]

ch.3

In this quotation from Psalm 34 Peter reminded his audience of the words that David used to teach the 400 in the cave (1Sam 22) how they should trust God.

ch.4

If we were able to implement this teaching there would be far less strife amongst us. Rather than always seeking to highlight errors in other we would be willing to accept the repentance of others and simply not mention misdemeanours unless it was really necessary.

5:1-2 If one thinks oneself as being in positions of responsibility in ecclesial life then the responsibilities must be shouldered. The 'elders in the first century had to 'feed the flock'. Those who find speakers for meetings are involved in that 'feeding' therefore care must be taken in what is said from the platform. Responsibility lies not only with the speaker but with the ones that have selected the speaker.

3:6 Sarah called Abraham 'lord' in her heart (Genesis 18:12) - it was an attitude of mind, not just words to please Abraham. He was unaware that she had thought the words. In the same way our respect and honour to the Father must be from the heart, not just outward show.

4:9 'Without grudging' is an all pervading aspect of the gospel message. The generous spirit reflects that of our God. Think for yourselves of examples of Scripture teaching us that we should have this generous spirit. Maybe you can e-mail me with your list?

5:1 In what way was peter a 'partaker of the glory that shall be revealed'? He was still 'in the flesh' and he still sinned. The way in which he was a partaker of the glory is that he had fellowship with his God through the sacrifice of Christ. We are in the same position. We are now partakers of that glory. Once we realise this we will want to walk worthy of that position.

1Pet 5:3. They were not to think of their charges as being subject to them. These words contrast sharply with Ezekiel’s denunciation of false shepherds.(Ezek.34) They are to take oversight thereof not by constraint, but with godly willingness, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. In the ecclesia of Christ there is no room for absolute power over the flock, instead they are to be examples to the flock. We are reminded of the words spoken by the Good Shepherd in John 10.

1Pet 5:5. Peter, after providing direction to the elders, now turns to the younger members of the ecclesia with words of exhortation.
      Subjection: The young are to be submissive to those who are older.
      Humility: Clothe yourselves with humility. Humility is one of the qualities that Paul tells the Colossians that they must put on. (Col 3:12)
      Authority: Peter here quotes from the pen of the wise man. Prov 3:34.

3:8 Being of 'one mind' is the most difficult thing to do. If Peter is talking about the relationship between husband and wife he must also be talking of the way we should be in the ecclesia. It is not good enough to be harmonious at home and fractious in the ecclesia.

4:6 The 'dead' are those who are 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Eph 2:1)

5:12 Silvanus had been involved with Paul in letter writing to Thessalonica (1Thess 1:1, 2Thess 1:1)  Maybe he was originally from Thessalonica.

3:1 It may seem unusual that Peter continues after talking about Christ being our example to say ‘likewise wives …’. However it is most appropriate. All believers are, in a sense, wives as they are betrothed to Jesus. Consequently the example of Jesus given in the previous chapter is the yardstick for those who would be part of the bride of Christ. Peter is not speaking just to wives. He is speaking to all of us.

4:1 There is a relationship between suffering – that is being tempted – and Godliness. It was in the very temptations that Jesus experienced in the wilderness that he learnt firstly about himself and secondly about how God cares for His children. It is only through knowing ourselves that we can resist temptation – have the mind of Christ.

5:3  Peter stresses that those who are going to be ‘elders’ in the ecclesia must teach by example and not merely tell others what to do.

3:2 The marriage relationship is the closest relationship we have with anyone. All attempts at living a life of deceit are at variance with that relationship. One’s partner sees us ‘warts and all’ so to say that the unbeliever might be won by the ‘chaste conversation’ of the wife highlights the importance of a life of total commitment to God.

3:9     Not rendering evil for evil and railing for railing draws on Prov 17:13

CLEAR MIND FOR THE LAST DAYS

I remember feeling an urgency that I needed to be ready for the return of Jesus about twenty five years ago. At that time I thought things seemed so close and so ready for the time of the end to begin, that it could have been any day. I felt I needed to do all that I could do to prepare. Twenty five years on, things have changed. Now we are twenty five years closer to the return of Christ than we were when I first believed. If anything, there should be more urgency now than there was before. Jesus is twenty five years closer to coming. More prophecies have been fulfilled, events have lined up closer to what it will be like at the time of the end. Each day we live is another day closer to the return of Christ.

If this is the case, then the words of Peter should have extra significance for us today. "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (1Pet 4:7) This is advice for us living in the last days. We are not to let our minds get cluttered up with the stress of everyday living, with the entertainment of the world, or with the mind-bending influences of alcohol or drugs. We are to be clear-minded and self-controlled.

The reason for our clear-mindedness and self-control is so that we can pray.

Let's make the effort to clear our minds of the swirl of living life, and focus on controlling our minds enough to make prayer a major priority in our lives.

4:6The ‘dead’ are not literally ‘dead’ but not alive to God. They have not yet heard the gospel message.

In 1Pet 3:7 it tells husbands to give honour to their wives “as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” The word hinder means “to be cut off”. This is therefore a very powerful verse. Peter tells us that our spiritual life could be totally upset, or cut off, if we do not pray with and honour our husband or wife.

3:1 The western world is opposed to women being subservient men.  Equal Rights is obligatory in today’s godless, humanistic society.  However, if one intends to follow the Lord, one has to be prepared to follow by His rules. Wives' subjection to their husbands is in respect to the hierarchy that Yahweh put in place in Eden: God ---> Christ ---> Man ---> Woman.

But, wives being subject to (ESV) their husbands does not mean slavery or abuse. Husbands have a responsibility to be caring and compassionate towards their wives (v.7; Eph 5:25; Col 3:19). All members of Christ's household all are spiritually free and equal (5:1; Gal 3:28).

3:20 Jesus comments on the days of Noah (Luke 17:26,27). When Jesus returns to earth, the world will be carrying on with the cares of the flesh.  It will have no regard for the things of God.  Then, as in the days of Noah, there will be sudden destruction.  Only a relatively few people will be saved, like in Noah’s day when only eight people survived the flood.

4:2 Contrary to today’s permissive, self-indulgent society, the disciple of Jesus should obey Yahweh (Acts 5:29).

4:12 Fiery trial is a reference to metals being refined and the dross (impurities) removed.  And so, the disciple of Jesus should expect to be tested.  Trials are needed to build faith and character, and to rid oneself of the flesh (1Cor 10:13; 1Pet 1:7).

GIFTS FAITHFULLY USED

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's gift in its various forms." (1Pet 4:10)

We have all received talents from God that show in our personalities and individual strengths. Most of us make use of these talents in the occupation we choose, in the hobbies or sports we take up. But God has not given us these gifts so that we can make lots of money or enjoy a pleasurable life. Enjoying our gifts in this way is good - especially when we give thanks for them, but the reason they have been given to us is so that we can serve others.

Our gifts have not been given to us for our pleasure but because the people around us need our service in those areas. It is only by serving others in the way God has planned for us that we will be seen by God to be "faithfully administering God's gift." Any use less than serving others with the gifts we have been given when we have opportunity to do so, is to use these gifts unfaithfully. It is to disregard the plans God has for us and to turn away from the good works he has planned for us to do.

So let us look for every opportunity to faithfully administer the gifts God has given us as we serve one another in the ways God has especially given us to serve.

PRAYER AND MARRIAGE

One of the roles God has given those of us who are men is to pray. It is true that women also should pray - everyone should pray - but men have that special responsibility. (1Tim 2:8) If this is the case then we men need to make sure that, not only do we pray, but that our prayers are powerful and effective.

When Peter addresses husbands, he warns us to watch out that our prayers are effective. He says, "Husbands, in the same way be be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner, and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." (1Pet 3:7)

If we are bulldogs toward our wives and do not give them the respect and consideration they should have as our wives, the same love that Christ shows toward the church, then God will not be interested in listening to our prayers.

God said the same thing through Malachi. The people were asking why God was not accepting their sacrifices and offerings. The answer was, "It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage partner." (Mal 2:13-14)

So let us love our wives as Christ loves the church and continue to pray as we have been called to do. In doing so our prayers will be powerful and effective.

3:15 ‘Sanctify ... hearts’ quotes Lev 11:44 so we see that the Law of Moses is not just a set of laws for the Jews but lays out principles for Christian living today. If God is sanctified in our hearts then our separate lives will please Him.

3:3    ‘adorning’ may seem to convey the way a person dresses. Whilst this is clearly there the word that is translated ‘adorning’ carries the sense of ‘world’ – that is a person’s way of thinking.

                                                           Christ made like unto us(1 Peter4:1)

One reason i am a Christadelphian is because it matters what i believe. My belief is my life, what i profess as my faith is what fashions my actions and the constant challenge to keep me in track. thus its a matter of utmost importance to me that Jesus was fashioned like i am. he was man like me in whom dwells nothing good but SIN.The propensity to sin i have i believe he had, the times i desire to be selfish he went through such. Just as it is not easy for me to conquer sin so it was with Jesus, day and night he groaned and petitioned Him who could save him from death.Just as sin crouched at Cain's door seeking to master him so it crouched at Jesus' door seeking to master him. Just as the curtain in the temple veiled the Most Holy place so that no man could enter except with blood and that once a year, so Jesus could not enter heaven until the flesh(SIN) had been destroyed and his blood(= life) had been given as a sacrifice. No wonder then Peter says:

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Christ did not just suffer in the flesh by hanging on a cursed tree, infact his hanging on the tree spoke of the victory he had won (and he was winning in those last hours of his life in the flesh) over the flesh, otherwise he would have been beaten by the rods of man(2Samuel 7). Peter tells us that Christ suffered in the flesh but he does not end there, he adds an interesting fact, he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. What does this mean but that Christ ceased from sin( that is, SIN ceased to have its hold over him) by suffering in the flesh. But why the word suffer? SIN is a Master. So when you do not obey him he makes you suffer, he makes you a reproach of all those that see you.It did the same to Jesus and see how it struck him! But instead of SIN mastering Jesus as it did Cain, Jesus mastered it no wonder we call him MASTER!

1Pet 5:5

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and given grace to the humble."

"Humility" is the word, tapeinophrosune, Strong's # <5012> and has to do with the attitude of the mind. In other words, humility is when you are big enough to be small enough to give God the glory!

EAGER TO DO GOOD

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?"(1Pet 3:13)

How eager are we to do what is good? Probably all of us look forward to doing the big heroic things that the real life dramas on television portray as good works. But those sort of events are few and far between, unless we work as a paramedic, in the police force, a fire crew or such like. The rest of us, who are more "ordinary", need to be eager to do good things in smaller ways.

Those good things we should be eager to do can be found almost anywhere at any time. It might be helping your husband or wife out with some chores that need doing; reading a story to your children; becoming a Sunday School teacher; saying, "Thank You," to someone who has done something good; visiting someone sick or in prison; having people around for a meal; doing a little bit of extra work; being a listening ear to someone who needs to talk; praying for other people; mowing the neighbour's lawn; greeting people nicely; or opening a door for another person. As servants of Christ we should be eager to do these things. Are we?

SELF CONTROL AND PRAYER

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be self controlled so that you can pray." (1Pet 4:7) Self control is one of the most important things we can have if we want to be people of prayer.

1. Self control keeps us from sin. One of the biggest reasons our prayers seem to fail is that we have not confessed our sins and been forgiven, or that we have not repented. With self control we can do our best to avoid sinning and our prayers can be more effective.
2. Self control helps us to stay focused. It means that as we pray we prevent our minds from wandering and stay on the task until we have finished.
3. Self control helps us to make our prayers regular. It may mean we set aside certain times in the day to pray, or that we force ourselves to rise earlier in the morning to pray. Whatever time we dedicate to prayer, self control helps us to stick with it.
4. Self control helps us to overcome emotions that might hinder our prayers. It is hard to pray when you are angry, in the heat of passion, in a fit of jealousy, in deep sadness or when feeling irrational. Self control helps us to overcome these difficulties.

So let us stay self controlled so that we can pray. Let us also pray that God would give us the self control we need.

3:3,5   Notice the two uses of “adorning” the first occasion advises what not to do and then in the second we are shown what to do. It is not sufficient to simply stop an activity. That activity has to be replaced with something else.

 1Pet 5:8.

5:7   The appeal to cast care on God quotes Psa 55:22

Speaking God's word (not our own)

The Greek word translated "Oracles" in 1Pet 4:11 occurs only a few times in the Bible and we can see from the other references that it refers to the precise word of God. For example, in Acts 7:38 it's used for the Law given through Moses at Sinai, which were precise laws to be kept and recited precisely so that the meaning didn't get lost over time. Peter now uses the word to describe those who speak at meetings:

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God."

This means that if anyone speaks to the ecclesia, let them use the words of the Bible and not their own. How often do we find ourselves mentioning our opinion or theory, or quoting a book or reference work, when we should simply be explaining the words of God written down on the page of our Bible?

3:17-18         Whilst we might hope – or even expect – to have an easy life if we keep God’s commandments Peter makes it clear that we cannot assume that. He cites the example of Jesus. He did nothing wrong. However he suffered greatly. His suffering was precisely because he did serve God faithfully.

We know that in1Pet 1:7 and 1Pet 4:12 it is aluding to the matter of Nebs image and the incident concerning Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and the trial of their faith. This is further developed in 1Pet 3:14-15 where we have several references to this incident.in Dan 3:13-18

Daniel 3 v 15   Now if ye be ready..........................1 Peter 3 v 15  be ready always to give an answer

Daniel 3 v 16 We are not careful to answer thee..........1 Peter 3 v 15 be ready always to give an answer

Daniel 3 v 18 But if not.......................................1 Peter 3 v 14 but and if....

These 3 friends had sanctified the Lord God in their hearts 1Pet 3:15 through prayer and reading and meditation.

4:10    Are we “good stewards” of God’s grace in the way in which we respond to our fellow believers? The “hospitality” of the previous verse is a manifestation of this stewardship.  Also the way in which we show “charity” of verse 8 is another example of stewardship of God’s grace.

A BIT OF GRACE

"Each one of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's Grace in it's various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (1Pet 4:10-11).

God has gifted each of us with either speaking or serving talents (or both) that we are to use to serve each other. Serving each other is the reason God gives us gifts in the first place. One of the keys to using those gifts is the word "faithfully." "Faithfully administering God's grace..." To faithfully administer God's grace through the talents we are given, we will make sure we don't pass up any opportunity to help. We will use our gifts in the way God intended us to use them.

But administering God's grace also requires teamwork. I have something to give and you have something to give. When we all share the parts of God's grace we have been given, we will start to make up the complete grace of God in our combined lives. God's grace will be shown in various ways by all of us, and together we make a whole.

Let's use the gifts we have been given so that God's grace will increase and God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
 

5:6      Peter reminds his readers of Jesus’ teaching as can be seen in Matt 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:4

1Pet 4:16

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

This verse should read, “Yet if any man suffer as a Natsarim…” Natsarim has also been mistranslated as “Christian” in Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28.

In the Codex Sinaiticus, the word Chrestianos is written in all these three passages. The Codex Vaticanus spells it as “Chreistian.” The appearance of "Christian" in the Greek text is clearly an anachronism which has been paraded as supporting evidence for the Christian name and faith. In fact, Miniscule 81, a Greek manuscript of the New Testament on parchment, had Chrestian up until 1044 CE. The letter e was substituted for the letter i for dogmatic purposes.

The terms Christ and Christians has its roots from Chrest, a prophet and soothsayer, and Chrestians, one who serves an oracle or a god. They were borrowed from the vocabulary of the Pagans! This change in one letter is significant, just as a change from Cretan to Cretin changes it’s meaning entirely!

The original Hebrew root for Nazarene is natsar, “to watch.” Nazareth is Natsareth, and the word Gennesaret (Matt 14:34; Mark 6:53) is “Gennetsaret,” “vale of Natsar.” Natsareth was situated on high ground, providing a panoramic view of the surroundings. Natsareth means “watchtower,” and Natsarim, by extension, means “watchmen.” Messiah dwelt in Natsareth and became known as Natsari (Matt 2:23). Natsarim is the sect spoken of, not Christian. In Acts 24:5 we read, “For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes [Natsarim].”

The early followers of Christ were from the sect of the Natsarim, or Nazarenes, not Christian. Sect is the Greek word, hairesis, # <139>, from which we get the word, “heresy.” The predominant belief by the Jews was that Christ and the apostles were a group of heretical teachers! Later, it was the anti-Shemitic Church “Fathers” of Roman Catholicism that had come to look at the Natsarim as heretics adhering strictly to Jewish observances. The Catholic Bonacursus in his, “Against the Heretics” refers to the Natsarim who were also called Pasagini – i.e. speaking as a dragon! Christadelphians today are classed in the same way by the majority of Christians and Jews!

Three centuries before Christ, the worshippers of Serapis, a Greek/Egyptian god, were known as “Chrestians,” later referred to as “Christians”! The Roman Emperor Hadrian in his letter to Servianus wrote, “Egypt, which you commended to me, my dearest Servianus, I have found to be wholly fickle and inconsistent, and continually wafted about by every breath of fame. The worshipers of Serapis (here) are called ‘Christians’, and those who are devoted to the god Serapis (I find), call themselves ‘Bishops of Christ.’” - AD 134. Present day photos of Christ are actually photos of the pagan god Serapis!

The Jerome Biblical Commentary on Matt 2:23 reads, “Recently I read in a certain Hebrew book that a Hebrew from the Natsarim sect brought to me the apocryphon of Yirme Yahu, in which I found this text written word for word.” (italics mine). Christianity, in its modern form, was developed in time and believed to have been started by Simon Magus (Acts 8, whose body is claimed to be buried under the altar of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, not Simon Peter’s! http://www.hope-of-israel.org/magus.html/ Christianity was not started by the apostles Peter, Paul, or Yahoshua Messiah, nor was Peter the first Pope of Rome. The word “Christianos” – Christian, did not identify the sect, but was a derisive label, which conveyed a much different sense then than how it is taken today.

The Christadelphians, who are of the sect of the Natsarim everywhere spoken against, were derogatorily tagged, “Christian Dolphins” in the early 20^th C in the U.K.! Delphis is the Greek word for “dolphin.” Dolphins frequently appeared in Cretan pagan mythological stories, folklore, and poems. The title was most uncomplimentary when we read how Cretans were described and known for (cf. Titus 1:12). There were, however, Cretans who did convert and accepted the Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:11).

Epimenides, a Cretan and Greek Philosopher around 600 BC, characterized the Cretan Chrestians as perpetual liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.

Polybius (264-146 BC), a Greek Historian, described them as very revolutionary in spirit with an “attitude” problem.

Callimachus (305-240 BC), a Cretan Poet, also called the Cretans “liars.”

May we be animated by love, a genuine agape love for the Truth. This kind of love is very powerful. It is love that makes our work in the Truth pleasurable; it is love that makes all our trials and tribulations, but a light thing; it is love that makes us succeed even when people fail us; it is love that gives us the power to change and do all we can as best we can willingly; it is love that enables us to endure our “satans,” the wolves in sheep’s’ clothing who take pleasure in tearing us down with their lies and slanders. Agape love only comes from our continuous study and deep knowledge of the Word. It keeps us growing having the Word firmly imbedded in our minds.

1Pet 4:8

“And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.”

It has been said that marriage is like a phone call – you get a ring and you wake up!

Dating can be one of the most deceptive of times we may ever go through. We discover a lot more about the other person after marriage, yet it is the same person s/he was before the marriage. We start to see differences, which we blindly didn’t see before. Once, however, the “I dos” have been uttered, there ought to be no room for “buyer’s remorse.” When we begin to fantasize as to what could have been, know that we are on very, very dangerous ground. A change of heart brings with it a change of desire. God wants our relationship to be a physical and spiritual one. Without the spiritual aspect, the one-flesh relationship is merely a carnal one. Without holiness it breaks the type God designed for us through and in Christ. God wants obedience as to what the marriage covenant is really all about.

Then the question arises as to what extent did we really leave our parents and/or family that may intrude and meddle in the marriage and allow the meddling to spill over into the marriage? We must truly examine ourselves if we are fully dedicated ourselves to our spouses in all patience, understanding, caring, forgiveness, honesty, sensitivity, and are fully committed to make the marriage work – if we are not ready to make such a commitment then don’t get married. This is one of the biggest mistakes we can make. When marriages fail, it is because God’s blueprint for marriage is not being honoured and followed.

Marriages today are in serious jeopardy: the divorce rate is soaring; adulterous affairs are sky-rocketing and are the #1 problem in the Household of Faith. A blessed marriage is possible only if our hearts are not hardened against our mates; that we are truly born again and our hearts of stone have become new hearts of flesh (cf. Eze 11:19; 36:26). We MUST be “born again” is all about changing our lives by changing our characters (John 3:3,7,8; 1Pet 1:3,23; cf. 2Cor 5:17. Salvation is REGENERATION! This is a joint effort – both spouses must work to this end to be “heirs together of the grace of life” (1Pet 3:7).

If we do not allow the Word to effect its change in us, we may worship Christ, but it will be unacceptable because in our heart of hearts we have never changed, which the indwelling of the Word is designed to do (Heb 4:12). We are spiritually still-born. Such, while professing to be believers in Christ, are not, but deceive themselves and others. If the desire to do the Lord’s will is not in our hearts – in all things - then we are none of his. No marriage can ever be a happy marriage without a change of heart. A one-soul marital relationship is a beautiful relationship, but it takes both partners who are willing to develop a spiritual marriage bar none!

Today, the materialistic and ultra-litigacious world we live in, 50% of first marriages fail and growing exponentially; the percentage of second marriages failing is at 60%, and 75% for third marriages! While we all have our own opinions of what makes a marriage work, the only sure-fire strategy that will make any kind of an impact is found in the Word. Mutual respect, trust, acceptance, courtesy and mutually striving to have Christ in our heart and home, the marriage will work, otherwise, not, though some may still stay together for various reasons.

Marriage is not about what we can get out of it, but what we can put into it. Marriage is hard work from both spouses and if we are keeping track of who does what and how much, then the marriage is already in trouble. If we drink deeply from the well of God’s Word, we will eventually and inevitably pour out that love into each other (cf. Jer 29:11).

5:4    The “crown of glory” that “fadeth not away” is like – 1Pet 1:4 – the “inheritance” that “fadeth not away”.

1Pet 3:7

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge…”

In 1Pet 2:18-21, Peter addresses slaves, then in 1Pet 3:1 we read “Likewise,” addressing the wives, and in addressing the husbands, we see again “Likewise,” each continuous with the subject of submission. This is interesting regarding Peter’s instructions to husbands. Peter’s instructions were not calling for actions radically different from the culture of that day. Slaves and wives were expected to submit, but Peter required something more.

The phrase, “according to knowledge” is knowledge that comes from the Bible, and not any other source. It involves interpreting the word of God in that all Scripture is a unit or body of truth. All parts of the word of God are part of the whole and within the body of truth. All parts support the whole in perfect unity. It is not just about having the First Principles that defines us being “in Christ.” Husbands are to love their wives, honour their wives, dwell with their wives, and treat their wives as Christ the ecclesia. In this the husbands are commanded to be submissive.

There are distorted and false forms of knowledge, therefore, the phrase, “according to knowledge” is very significant (cf. Rom 2:20; 1Tim 6:20,21). God has given us true knowledge that pertains to life and Godliness, and it requires diligent study, pondering, and remembering, which in turn builds faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, kindness, and love (2Pet 1:3,5,6,18). This is the knowledge Peter is talking about and applies to all of us.

Peter admonishes husbands to have this knowledge and to live according to it. In 2Pet 1:8, he tells us not to be unfruitful or barren in knowledge, and those who are, are blind and forgot they were purged from their old sins (v. 9). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2Pet 2:20). Such, as Brother John Thomas wrote, “are not brethren of Christ.” Scripture is very clear on this, I would say.

5:1     Peter returns – 2Pet 1:5 – to being a partaker of the glory by speaking of being a partaker of the divine nature.

Pride wishes to do great things publically; love is happy to do little things privately. Man can only do little things. Only God can do great things. Even Christ said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." Man if he is wise and faithful, and humbles himself truly (not just pridefully) may be used as an instrument for God's great things. God resisteth the proud, and give grace to the humble (1Pet 5:5). -- J. Chukwuani

5:6 in speaking of the exaltation of those who would be humble Peter is quoting Luke 18:14. This is one of the many times that the letter quote from the gospel records indicating that the gospel records were readily available and widely spread early in the first century.

3:22 The way Peter speaks of all authority being given to Jesus echoes Jesus’ own words in Matt 28:18

1Pet 3:20,21

“… the long-suffering of God waiting in the days of Noah… the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”

1Cor 10:2: “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”

Matt 12:40: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly [after being thrown into the sea]… the men of Nineveh…. Repented at the preaching of Jonas…” (Jon 3).

Rom 6:3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death?”

Here we have the progression of the waters of baptism: We go from eight individuals, to the Israelite nation, to a Gentile nation, to Christ, who also underwent a baptism (Matt 3:16), and came to save all who would receive him (Gal 3:26,27).

The baptismal waters in all these cases symbolize judgment and salvation; death and resurrection. It goes right back to Old Testament times! A full immersion baptism identifies us with the greatest prophet, Jesus (Rom 6:4). So, while faith and baptism save us, baptism is our personal testimony that we transition from an old life to a new life. Scripture teaches that full immersion baptism symbolizes our death in Christ. (Come to think of it, while under water, we cannot breathe). Raised out of the water symbolizes our resurrection in Christ, and our newness of life. Jonah had to repent before he could preach repentance, and so must we.

Baptism is not only a command, but an obligation and an awesome privilege!

4:13 The idea of rejoicing because we are sharing Christ’s sufferings might seem strange to us. It should not. Maybe, however, the thought of being ridiculed for our beliefs prevents us talking about him and the kingdom. The ridicule, if we were to experience it, would be sharing “Christ’s sufferings” for he was ridiculed for what he preached.

4:7 as often happens in the letters Peter is inspired to remind his audience of what Jesus said. On this occasion in the Garden of Gethsemane

1Pet 3:7

“Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge” – “… not according to ignorance: not according to un-wisdom.” Robert Roberts

Robert Roberts expounds this further in FURTHER SEASONS OF COMFORT, Appearances and Realities—Husbands and Wives, pp. 186-187

“A husband of the apostolic type is governed by intelligence in his ways… He is to ‘give honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life…’ This is the opposite of telling her she is subject. To tell her of her subjection is to cast dishonour upon her. To treat her as a subject is to make her a slave and not a co-heir of eternal life. Let a man do his part and a woman is very likely to do hers. Where is the woman that would not find it easy to be subject to a man who honoured her, ‘who nourished and cherished her, even as the Lord the ecclesia?’ (Eph 5:29). There may be women who even in such a case would be insubordinate and intractable; but they would be out of the common run. If a man, however, loves, nourishes and cherishes his wife, he will not be under much temptation to lay down the law to her on the subject of her subjection. In fact he could not do such a thing, for such a course would be inconsistent with the honour he gives her…Those who act otherwise are not ‘obedient children.’ A man knowing the gospel and able to talk of it, but acting the part of a tyrant at home, is no brother of Christ, however he may pass current among men. He is what Paul calls ‘a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.’ So a woman having understanding of the ways of God, but acting an insubordinate unloving part in private, is no member of the sisterhood of Christ, however distinctly and decidedly she may be recognized as ‘a sister’ among professors of the truth. These things concern the spirit of Christ, and ‘if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.’”

5:2 In exhorting the elders to “feed the flock of God” Peter is quoting the instruction to the “shepherds” in Israel – Eze 34:2. Doubtless his Jewish readers would have seen the connection with Ezekiel’s instruction and the failings of the leaders in his day and, hopefully,  see the lesson for themselves.

1Pet 3:1 Whilst Peter is talking specifically about the impact of the life of a godly wife on an unbelieving husband the lesson is true for believing wives of brethren.

Whilst the husband is the “head” the behaviour of the wife will impact on the ease the husband finds imitating Christ in the marriage.