Comments for August 16

v.6 tells us a number of things - firstly that wisdom in itself is not guaranteed to make us follow God. Wisdom is only a tool upon which each of us can exercise free will and can (as we see here) be a dangerous tool if not used correctly. Secondly we are reminded of the fact that even though his specific sins were great in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah, David walked fully after the Lord. This causes us to reflect on the two others to whom this phrase is applied: Joshua - Josh.14:14 and Caleb - Num.14:24 Josh. 14:14

We see that the men that God caused to come up against Solomon were more or less exclusively those who had some matter against David, but who God had kept from David during his life. David's adherence to God's law had made him many enemies. Such is the jealousy of man. We must beware. If we follow with all our hearts we too will have many who are our enemies, but who we are instructed to love.

11:4 In saying that Solomon's heart was not 'perfect' he is contrasted with Abraham  (Genesis 17:1) who was called upon to walk and be perfect. Solomon had already been called upon (1 Kings 9:4) to walk before God - as was Abraham. So we see in this refrain that Solomon was not like faithful Abraham.

Notice the refrain relating to the turning away of Solomon's heart :2, 3, 4, 9. The lesson is clear. The main focus is not that it was women who turned away his heart. It was the worship they were involved in. Solomon's experience passes into Proverbs where false worship is styled as a women - but so is 'wisdom' So we have to take heed to which 'woman' we listen to!

11:1 In loving 'many strange women' Solomon was disregarding his own counsel (Prov 5:3)

V.1; 6-8 This lead given by Solomon was followed by many of the kings of Judah. The neighbouring nations displayed their deities and Jerusalem was seduced, rushing headlong to offer herself to the pagan god. Eze 16:15

Solomon made the Lord God angry (1Kin 11:9).  We must never forget that the Lord is watching us, and despite the fact that we haven't been given the great blessings Solomon had, we can still make our Father angry. Let us pray that we are wise enough not to.

Vs.1-3 Solomon chose to ignore the wisdom of Yahweh to follow his own free-will path (Deut 17:17).  The abominable things that he did set the stage for the destruction of the kingdom.  Let us read the Word every day, as Solomon was supposed to do, and match our decisions with Yahweh's commands.  That way, Yahweh will not take the kingdom away from us.

V.9 "The LORD was angry with Solomon" The Divine appearance, first at Gibeon (1Kin 3:5), and then at Jerusalem (1Kin 9:2), after the dedication of the temple, with warnings given him on both occasions (1Kin 3:11-14 , 1Kin 9:3-9 ), had left Solomon inexcusable, and it was necessary that on one who had been so favoured with blessings, but had abused them, a terrible judgement should fall. The Divine sentence was announced; but there was mercy mingled with judgement, in the fact that it should not be inflicted on Solomon personally, and that a remnant of the kingdom should be saved, that the promise to David might stand. 

11:3-4  Normally one expects increased wisdom, not increased folly, with increasing age. Of course the increasing wisdom comes for association with the word of God. Solomon’s increasing folly came from associating with ‘strange women’ a synonym for false worship.

1Kin 11:31-37 This prophecy of Ahijah (which God also spake to Solomon in vs 11-13) was fulfilled in 1Kin 12:20-21.

Jeroboam, though chosen by God to be the ruler of the ten tribes, but like Solomon, there were conditions. Solomon had been warned that his reign was conditional. (1Kin 3:14) We read that the same terms and conditions were given to Jeroboam, by Ahijah's words to him. (V.38)

11:2-4 Notice the threefold "turn away .. heart". We are left in no doubt about what association with the world will do to use. There are sufficient warning about the influences of the ‘Strange woman’ – Prov 2:16, 5:3,24, 7:5

We must appreciate that Jeroboam was not just a rebel servant, seizing the opportunity of leadership at the right time. He was a divinely appointed ruler, chosen before by God, and therefore a rightful king over the ten tribes in every sense of the word. 

You've heard of "the promises to David" (2Sam 7:12-16), but have you heard of the promises to Jeroboam? Well, in v38 we have almost the same promise made to David, given to Jeroboam; but not quite the same. The word "forever" has been replaced with "enduring". It may not seem much, but it's an important omission.

So what does that mean? It means that the most important part of the promise, the everlasting bit, wasn't passed on. So we learn that Solomon couldn't lose everything his father gained. Instead, the promise remained with David, and waited as it were for another son, even though he was already dead. Thus Jesus, called the son of David (Matt 1:1) was to be the everlasting house. This concept is described in Isa 11:1-2 by means of a new branch growing up from the trunk of a cut down tree.

11:2  In saying ‘which the Lord said …’ we are being reminded that Scripture had already spoken about the sort of alliance that Solomon was making in Deut 7:3-4

V.4 Solomon turned to idolatry.  As a response, Yahweh sent three men for punishment:

-Hadad (v.14)

-Rezin (v.23)

-Jeroboam (v.26)

The one who had the most long-lasting effect was Jeroboam.  He became the ruler of the ten tribes of Israel, for twenty-two years, when the kingdom became divided.  He caused Israel to commit idolatry by setting up two statues of golden calves (one in Dan, and the other in Bethel) to worship.  He did this in order to avoid Israel's worshipping in Jerusalem. 

11:15-22 Here we have a digression – a summary of some things that happened during the reign of David as recorded in 2Sam 8:14. This historical data explains subsequent events in the time of Solomon. So the details in the lift of David were relevant at the time as they set the scene for future events.

1Kin 11:43 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
2. Saul was made king 1Sam 9:15,16,27, 1Sam 10:1 followed by David 1Sam 6:13, Solomon 1Kin 1:32-34, 1Chron 28:5 then Rehoboam 1Kin 11:43, 2Chron 9:31.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

V.4 When Solomon first began to reign he felt like a child in charge of such a great people (1Kin 3:7). Child, in this case, comes from the Hebrew word nahar, which means youth.  It is the same word as the word translated children to describe the youths who mocked Elisha (2Kin 2:23).

Solomon felt inadequate to govern Yahweh’s people.  And so, Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom (1Kin 4:29).  But, now, Solomon had become old and foolish in Yahweh’s eyes. 

Scripture says: Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished (KJV) (Ecc 4:13). The word child, in this case, comes from the Hebrew word yeled which means boy, but which connotes a young boy.

And so, we can appreciate scripture better when we see the contrast between: youth to young wise king; and young boy to old foolish king.

V.9 See 1Kin 3:5; 9:2.

Vs.13,36 The one tribe referred to is Judah.  However, the tribe of Benjamin also became part of the Southern Kingdom, with Jerusalem as the capital (1Kin 12:21).  Jerusalem was situated in Judah, but on the border with Benjamin.

V.28 Solomon had put Jeroboam in charge of supervising labour and collecting taxes from the tribe of Ephraim.  We will consider, in tomorrow’s reading, how his position helped him to become the leader of the ten-tribe Northern Kingdom.

V.40 Solomon knew that Jeroboam, his trusted official, had ambition.  Since the prophecy of Ahijah (v.29 etc.), Solomon saw Jeroboam (correctly) as a threat to his kingdom.  He thought that if he killed Jeroboam, his kingdom would be saved.  Solomon really had become a foolish old king by trying to thwart the will of Yahweh (v.11).

11:26 So early in the time of the kingdom and we see the beginnings of division and strife. We are so familiar with the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah that we may even take it for granted. But it was not good! Disunity among brethren cannot ever be right and good. We may be so familiar with tension and disagreement amongst believers that we think it is normal. It might be normal, but just like the divided kingdom of Israel, it is not good.

1Kin 11:14 - the Lord raised up an "adversary" [Heb. "satan" (7854) means "adversary, opponent, satan"] in Hadad the Edomite. 1Kin 11:20 - "Genubath" (1592) means "theft". 1Kin 11:26 "Jeroboam" [(3379) means "whose people are many" according to Smith's Bible Dictionary and "the people will contend" according to Strong's and Brown-Driver-Briggs].

11:7   The hill before Jerusalem was the Mount of Olives.  This abomination which Solomon had built remained in place right up to the times of the reforms of Josiah where the place is called ‘the mount of corruption’ 2Kings23:13

11:6     In not following fully after the Lord Solomon differed from faithful Caleb –Num 14:24

11:1    Whilst Solomon was a man who loved God and sought to do His will he also sought to protect his assets by making alliances with the surrounding nations.  How often do we profess a total reliance on God with our words and contrast this with actions which show that we feel it important to try and provide for ourselves as well?

When were Solomon's high places removed?

The effect of Solomon's actions in verses 1Kin 11:7-8 are very far reaching indeed. How long do you think these high places lasted? Perhaps just for Solomon's lifetime? Or until the next righteous king? Asa wouldn't have allowed them to stay there, would he? Surely Uzziah's reforms will have removed them - and I can't imagine for one minute that the righteous Hezekiah worshipped in Jerusalem while a high place to Molech and one for Chemosh existed within view. Actually, wrong on all counts. Read 2Kin 23:13 to find out when these idolatrous places were finally removed. What does that information tell us about the intervening years?

11:4-5  One usually thinks old age brings wisdom. Solomon had wisdom at the beginning of his reign. However wisdom which is not applied and is replaced with unwise alliances (strange wives) will cause folly to be seen in a wise man.  Thus Solomon followed other gods. 

11:9   In saying that Solomon’s heart was turned away from serving God we see what God, through Moses, has said – Deut 7:3-4.

11:7-8  We see the extent of Solomon’s compromise. He truly was into ecumenism! Something which clearly violates God’s teaching  Exo 34:14,

11:16    this is possibly the only time we are told how long a particular military campaign lasted in David’s reign.

11:27  So the peace of Solomon’s reign is faltering. Hence he has to repair the city walls. We are seeing the falling away of Solomon and the consequences.

11:28  We have to assume that Solomon had no idea that Jeroboam would seek to take the kingdom when  he promoted him to a powerful position in the army.

11:29-31 Jeroboam doubtless was surprised at the actions and words of Ahijah. He must have realised that he was rising against the Lord’s anointed when he opposed Solomon. However the seeds of the division had been set many years ago, even in the days of Saul and then David.

11:29 The Hebrew for “garment”, ślmh, is spelt the same as ‘Solomon’ (šlmh). Christ makes a play on this similarity when he uses the language of clothing to speak both of flowers and the glory of Solomon’s kingdom: “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field … ” (Mt. 6:28-30).

11:2 We understand Paul’s injunction – 2Cor 6:14 – but here we see the practical consequences of such inappropriate unions. Scripture abounds with warnings about how inappropriate company will turn us away from His. And yet we – though marrying fellow believers – court the world often with the friends we keep, the things we read and the things we watch. We truly are slow learners!

11:1 “but” is so telling. However rather than criticising Solomon maybe we should reflect on how our Father might say “but” with respect to aspects of our lives.

11:14-24 Notice how the seeds were sown for conflict with Solomon because of things that David did during his reign – at least 50 years earlier. God was working to establish David’s throne and at the same time preparing for the time when Solomon would turn away from Him. Yet another example of God in His wisdom and control of all events in the word, to bring about His will. How can we doubt that he is at work in our lives? As Paul wrote encouragingly in Rom 8:20

LIKE KING, LIKE PEOPLE

It was Solomon whose heart got turned away from God by his wives. It was Solomon who went after other gods: Ashteroth, Milcom, Chemosh and Molech. He also built up high places for them.

Solomon was the king of Israel. He was the leader of God’s people. He may have intended that no one more than he and his foreign wives would worship these idols, but this is not what happens when you are a leader and other people follow. The Bible not only describes Solomon following foreign gods in 1Kin 11:4-8, but it describes almost exactly the same things about all of Israel. God said, “They have forsaken me and worshipped Ashteroth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Amorites, and have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and rules, as David his [Solomon’s] father did.” (1Kin 11:43).

The decay in the pure worship of God followed through from the king to the people. Let’s make sure that our leadership leads people to God and not away from him.

11:4 It really is sad that Solomon, by not listening to God’s commands, did not live up to the appeal he made in his prayer –  8:61 – not the command of God – 9:4. Talking the talk is quite easy. It is the putting into practice the things we say that is the hard part of living the gospel.

It is ground-breaking chapters of Scripture that we see a very interesting insight into God. We are all familiar with the command to not only keep peace, but to create peace (Matt 5:9), but what about unity? Its important to note "peace" and "unity" are different, in definition and Biblical usage. God breaking up the kingdom of Israel into two, Is Him purposely creating disunity among the people. However, as we'll see in tomorrows reading, God still expected both Israel and Judah to stay at peace with one another (1Kin 12:24)

Peace is a command and requirement. Unity is the ideal. You must always have peace with one another, but you might not always have unity. 

Ideas from Jason Hensley's classes: Gospel of Peace

11:3 The prophets asks how two who do not agree can walk together – Amos 3:7 – Outward appearance can be very deceptive. It is the focus of the heart that is all important. Beauty may fade but a unity of purpose will remain and, ultimately, make life far easier.

v.10 Here we are reminded yet again of the futility of working against the word of the Lord God. Might this have an impact on the attitude we should have when we have put a matter into God's hand? Do we then continue to try to influence His decision to meet ours? Joel 2:11. We should surely rather adopt Jesus' attitude - Matt. 26:39

v.21 - Although this was something of a compromise between the terrors of the dungeon and the freedom Jeremiah sought, it was a great improvement on his previous circumstances which he had suffered many days. When we look at the sufferings that these men of God had to go through, we have no reason to complain about anything that happens to us.

37:9 The exhortation not to be deceived is taken up by Jesus (Matthew 24:4) so the Babylonian invasion is typical of AD70 and the warnings are just the same. God will care for His servants in times of great distress.

:11-12 The departure of the Babylonians would doubtless have encouraged many of those who did not want to believe the words of Jeremiah. The same thing happened when the Romans surrounded Jerusalem in the 1st century. The believers understood it was a provision from their Father that they could 'flee'

37:1 At this time Babylon was in charge of appointing kings over Judah. The kingdom was no longer the kingdom of God - the Lord had in reality forsaken it even though some of the people were still there. Babylon was in charge of appointing kings over Judah. The kingdom was no longer the kingdom of God - the Lord had in reality forsaken it even though some of the people were still there.

V.17 The people did not want to hear Jeremiah's warning of doom. They became impatient with him. In the end, he went to the king with a final admonition that his folly would result in national destruction.

V.1 The eleven-year reign of Zedekiah would soon be over.  After a three-month reprieve from the Babylonian siege, Jerusalem would be destroyed (587 BC).  Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, would be taken to Babylon to die, and the crown would not be worn again until the return of Jesus (Eze 21:26,27). 

V.12 During the time of the Babylonians' withdrawal from Jerusalem, Jeremiah attempted to leave the city to go to Benjamin.  He had bought a piece of redeemed land there and had not been able to claim it (Jer 32:7-9).  This attempt was construed as an effort to escape, which had some negative fallout.   

Zedekiah took over the throne of David, but neither he nor his servants listened to Jeremiah (Jer 37:2). A wonderful thing happened and Pharaoh’s Egyptian army caused the Babylonians to return from besieging Jerusalem.  This could have been a turning point for Zedekiah.  He had been given another chance – Babylon would come back, said Jeremiah, but they weren't there yet!  Some time later the king brought the prophet out of the dungeon, and asked him for any messages from God.  This had the benefit of getting Jeremiah out of the terrible dungeon, but the message didn't do much good to the king!

37:3 It was futile of Zedekiah to ask Jeremiah to pray for him – though he probably did not know that Jeremiah had already been praying for the people and had been told not to pray – Jer 7:16, 11:14, 14:11. The time for praying was over and the time for responding to the word of God was still present. Zedekiah now had to decide whether he would serve God or not.

37:10 The Chaldean captivity had been promised by God. It was, therefore, futile for Zedekiah to resist. In resisting he was not fighting against the Chaldeans but against God.

V.8 The Babylonian invasion, which Jeremiah forecast, had proven him to be a true prophet. Now he warned that the Babylonians' withdrawal from Jerusalem would not last. They would return and destroy the city.

But who really believed this? Human nature's weakness invariably sees present conditions as the only reality - in this case the backing away of the Babylonians from Jerusalem (which was perceived as permanent).

We should also be careful not to become bogged down in the present conditions and fooled by them, knowing that what is does not constitute Yahweh's ultimate reality.

37:1 Though Zedekiah was king it was not at the appointment of God. He was put in power by the Chaldeans - 2Kin 24:17 - and so his allegiance was to them.

V.21 Bread would eventually run out in Jerusalem.  Before the destruction of the city in 587 BC, Jerusalem experienced a three-year siege.  And so, when there was no more food left, starvation set in.  Imagine the panic of a desperate people, and the horror as they turned to cannibalism, just as Jeremiah had predicted (Jer 19:9). 

37:19-20 Zedekiah, now fearful of the Chaldeans, seeks to speak with Jeremiah. Jeremiah takes the opportunity to remind the king that he had his own prophets whose words have not come true. So we see even at this late point in his ministry Jeremiah is preaching repentance.

V.3 The chapters in the Book of Jeremiah are not in historical sequence. For example, in this verse, Jehucal is mentioned.  But, in Jer Jer 38:1,2 Jehucal (Jucal), and others, heard the answer to Jeremiah’s prayer.  Notice, that the answer in Jer 38:2 is the same as that of Jer 21:9.  And so, the conclusion is that Chapter 37 was written before either Chapter 38 or Chapter 21.

V.5 This was Pharaoh-hophra, son of Pharaoh-Necho.

V.16 The dungeon was a deep pit which was divided into separate compartments (cells) to hold multiple prisoners.

V.17 Zedekiah was concerned about what might happen, but he did not want to be at odds with his officials in their opposition to Jeremiah.

The similarity between the ministry of Jeremiah and that of Jesus is striking. And it helps us to understand Jesus' message when we see them in the context of Jeremiah's story. Much of what Jesus said was aimed at averting the disaster of AD70, the Roman version of this Chaldean invasion. And as we know from Daniel that Rome and the Babylonians are all part of the same empire, as they are parts of the same image (Dan 2:31-41).

So Jesus's ministry was a repeat of Jeremiahs, aimed at averting the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the people amongst the nations. And much of his teaching should be seen in this context. v2 states the fundamental problem Jeremiah came up against, namely people simply not listening, which is repeated in John 3:19 of Jesus. This is why God Himself called down from heaven and said "This is My beloved son. Hear him!" (Luke 9:35). Jesus' parable ties the two together (Luke 20:9-16) notice in particular the references to beating/wounding (cp Jer 37:15) and "my beloved son".

37:4  Here is another indication that the prophecy of Jeremiah is not in chronological order, even when dealing with the same king. The point being made that Jeremiah had not yet been cast into prison means that the events of chapters 32 and 33 took place after the events in this chapter.

37:5  Doubtless those Jews in the city, when the Chaldeans departed, thought that they would be secure  -  as if they could be saved by Egypt!  This is rather like the way in which the Romans besieged Jerusalem, retreated and then came again and destroyed the temple.

37:6-7   Israel, having been saved out of Egypt, repeatedly sought to Egypt for support against their enemies – seemingly missing the point that Egypt was in fact the enemy. How often do we see the ‘world’ as the source of help for ourselves? In reality it is ‘the world’ that we need to escape from, not turn to.

37:12-14        Faithful actions are easily misread by those who are not Godly. So it was for Jeremiah. Of course the fact that our actions might be misread is no reason not to do them.

37:1-2  One presumes that the king of Babylon had put Zedekiah on the throne because  he was of the seed  royal. Maybe an attempt to both win over the people and yet control Judah at the same time. 

37:21   Zedekiah’s behaviour is most strange. He commits Jeremiah to prison but then ensures that he is fed despite the fact that the city is under siege. One cannot but feel that Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah to pacify his princes he, maybe secretly, believed what Jeremiah said and recognised him as a prophet of God.

37:3 Jehucal here is the same person called Jucal in Jer 38:1. So in this chapter he was one of the men sent by the king to enquire of God.  So it is not surprising in the next chapter that he was amongst those who wanted the king to hear what Jeremiah had said.

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

PART TWO -- THE PROPHECIES TO JUDAH (JEREMIAH 2:1 to 45:5)

IV. The Present Fall Of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:1 to 45:5)

   B. Events Before The Fall (Jeremiah 37:1 to 38:28):

      1. Jer 37:1-10 - Zedekiah's inquiry and a prophetic answer - 

         a. V1- Zedekiah reigned in place of Jehoiachin AKA Coniah the son of Jehoiakim

         b. VS 2-3 - Zedekiah didn't much revere the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah but he asked Jeremiah to pray for deliverance when he perhaps saw no other alternative he could turn to.

         c. V3 - "Jehucal<3081>", "Shelemiah<8018>", "Zephaniah<6846>", "Maaseiah<4641>".

         d. V4 - "him into prison<1004><3628>".

         e. V5 - the advance of Egyptian troops temporarily lifted the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Jer 21:8-9 and Jer 37:5 - there was a brief time to escape Jerusalem in Jeremiah's day and years later when the Roman's attacked Jerusalem there was a brief time to escape also. V5 - "Pharaoh<6547>".

         f. V7 - Jeremiah told the king of Judah that Pharoah's army would go back to Egypt and thus fail to deliver Jerusalem.

         g. VS 9-10 - the Babylonians would burn Jerusalem down.

      2. Jer 37:11-15 - Jeremiah is arrested -

         a. V11 - the Babylonian army had withdrawn from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh's army.

         b. V12 - property at Anathoth (Jer 32:6-15).

         c. V13 - Jeremiah was accused of deserting to the Babylonians; was this the Hananiah<2605> who met his death in the 4th year of Zedekiah by the sentence of Jeremiah in the name of the Lord (Jer 28:15-17)? If it was Irijah<3376> would be settling an old multi-generational score by having Jeremiah arrested.

         d. V14 - Jeremiah was not deserting to the Babylonians.

         e. V15 - "him in prison<1004><612>", "that the prison<1004><3608>".

         f. Jer 37:15-16 - Jeremiah was beaten, and imprisoned for a long time.

IV. The Present Fall Of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:1 to 38:28):

   B. Events Before The Fall (Jeremiah 37:1 to 38:28):

      3. Jer 37:16-21 - 

         a. V16 - "the dungeon<1004><953>", "the cabins<2588>".

         b. V17 - Zedekiah still had regard for Jeremiah who prophesied to the king that he (the king) would be handed over to the king of Babylon.

         c. VS 18-19 - Jeremiah asks Zedekiah what was his crime for which he was imprisoned and where are the prophets

who said the king of Babylon would not attack Zedekiah or this land.

         d. V20 - Jeremiah besought the king to not give him over to death in the prison.

         e. V21 - Zedekiah appreciated Jeremiah's prophecy enough to move him to better quarters and provide him with bread while it still existed (Jer 52:6).

         f. V21 - "of the prison<4307>", "of bread<3899>"

37:20    This is what Jeremiah did eventually say to the princes – Jer 38:26 – when Zedekiah encouraged him not to say that he had spoken with the king Zedekiah.

37:2    As Zedekiah was appointed by the king of Babylon rather than God it is not at all surprising that he did not listen to God. Jesus teaches about loyalty – Matt 6:24

37:1-2 the king was supposed to write him out a copy of the law – Deut 17:18  - but clearly Zedekiah did not. Rather he treated God’s words with contempt. We can well understand why Ezekiel calls him that “wicked prince”  - Eze 21:25

37:7 Trusting in Egypt was vain. The Egyptians provided no help against the Chaldeans. This is like the way the contemporary prophet –Eze 17:17 – speaks to those in captivity

37:1 doubtless there were others around that Nebuchadnezzar could had appointed as king rather than Zedekiah.  He had learnt by now that the three previous kings descended from Josiah were unreliable.  However, from Yahweh’s perspective there had to be a descendant of David on the throne as long as it existed.  So Zedekiah was appointed despite the family track record.

37:3-10 Visualise the situation. The Chaldeans were surrounding Jerusalem and the Egyptians came up which caused the Chaldeans to depart. Deliverance, it seemed, was at hand. Zedekiah wanted Jeremiah to give counsel – hoping for good words. Jeremiah did say that the Chaldeans would depart but continued saying that the city would be delivered into the hand of the Chaldeans. Short term hopes are of no value against the longer term promises of God. The judgment against Jerusalem by the Chaldeans might have seemed to be over but God’s word will be fulfilled.

We see the varying fortunes of Israel and her enemies but know for certain that “all Israel will be saved” when their Messiah – our saviour – returns.

37:1-2 The king of Babylon, doubtless, put Zedekiah on the throne because he felt that Zedekiah would be more willing to submit to the Babylonians than to Yahweh and the words spoken by Jeremiah and the other faithful prophets. However as time passed it became clear that not only was Zedekiah rebellious against Yahweh but was also rebellious against the king of Babylon. It looks as if Zedekiah was unwilling to be instructed by anyone! What a sad position for one in authority!

37:7-9 Maybe Pharaoh was willing to fight at Jerusalem against the Chaldeans because he thought that it might save him form an invasion later  on.  Zedekiah saw the Egyptians as his saviour.

Neither Zedekiah nor Pharaoh recognised that deliverance was available – deliverance based on Yahweh’s conditions.

JERUSALEM HILTON

Of all the people in Jerusalem in the days before it was captured by the king of Babylon, Jeremiah was one of God’s most faithful people in the city. As a result, some would expect to see Jeremiah enjoying a prosperous life while everyone around him suffered for their sins. But this was not the case. Jeremiah was put into prison and treated harshly by the people that did not agree with the message he was teaching.

But rather than being a curse, the imprisonment of Jeremiah could well have been a blessing. While the Babylonian army was besieging the city, Jeremiah was in a safe place away from the fighting. He was fed while other starved. Had he been free to roam the city like everyone else, he could have been killed in the fighting, but left in prison, Jeremiah was safe. And if he had been free and had to fend for himself, he, like all the others, would have run out of food. God’s mercy was great toward Jeremiah, because locked away in prison he wasn't around to see the pain and anguish of the people he loved as they suffered. It wouldn't have been comfortable, but God gave Jeremiah a very safe place to live during the last days of Judah.

Jeremiah was faithful and God watched over him. We might not see it at the time, but the way God works with us is also always for the best.

37:11-12 Jeremiah had bought a parcel of land in the land of Benjamin –  32:7 – and so his departure from Jerusalem was not to go to the Chaldeans but to his inheritance.  His desire was to be separate from those in Jerusalem because of their wickedness.

Do we try to avoid the company of wicked individuals?  We might say that we do but do we associate with them “second hand” so to speak with the things we read and watch?

v.15-18 emphasises the motivation behind the action of the chief priests and scribes against Jesus, which clearly involved monetary loss, due to Jesus' clearly righteous act in the temple. This is a separate incident from that recorded in John 2:13-17, which, if would seem, is some 3 years earlier. One wonders how many times Jesus actually did this. Matt.21:12-13 and Luke 19:45 are almost certainly the same incident, but do they match either of the others? I suspect there are 3 occasions. Anyone any thoughts on this? Click my name below and tell me!

:21 When Peter draws Jesus' attention to the withered fig tree which had been cursed the previous morning Peter says 'behold the fig tree'. This conversation must have taken place somewhere between Bethany and Jerusalem - probably on the mount of Olives which is close by Bethany on the route that they would take to go into the city.

In the Olivet prophecy, which was spoken on the mount of Olives [Mark 13:3] during that discourse Jesus also says 'behold the fig tree' [Luke 21:29]. Is Jesus actually pointing to the very fig tree he cursed a couple of days ago when he says this?

:16 In preventing anyone from carrying things through the temple Jesus is enacting the command (Leviticus 14:38) that the house was to be sealed up - things not be taken in or out - until it be established that the house was leprous. Jesus saw Jerusalem and the nation as leprous.

Some questions:

In v23, Jesus says "whoever says to this mountain…". Which mountain did he mean? Are there any other mountains in scripture which are cast into the sea?

In v13 we find that it was not the season for figs, so why did Jesus curse the tree? Wasn't this a bit harsh, or was Jesus trying to get at something? Is there any where else in scripture where we find fruit being yielded in, or out of, it's season?

In v11, Jesus comes and looks round the house of God. The next day he comes and cleanses it. Is there anywhere else in scripture where someone comes into a house to look, then comes back later to cleanse it?

11:12-19 The details contained in these few verses would not occupy very much time in a day. So we have to conclude that the events recorded are particularly significant.

By means of what the Lord did to the tree,(V.12-14) and to the temple.(V.15-19) Christ was predicting the fall of Israel.

11:1-3 - For the triumphal entry approaching Jerusalem they came to Bethphage (house of figs and perhaps a reference to the Jews) and Bethany (house of dates or misery and perhaps a reference to the Gentiles). Matt 21:2-3 - Refers to a donkey and her colt that were to be untied (Jews and Gentiles both untied for freedom in Christ?) as the Lord needed them..

Mark 11:13 - It was not the time for Israel to be elevated or Christ to be king. With a fig tree the fruit oddly appears before the leaves. It was a useless tree that looked good from a distance. Perhaps it reflects a hypocrisy or deception as Israel had the appearance of religion but not the fruits.

Vs.13,14 The fig was representative of Israel.  The fig was a summer fruit.  However, Israel should have been ready to receive their Messiah and God's Truth at any time.  Perhaps the Lord's frustration at Israel's not being ready is reflected by the words of Micah (Mic 7:1,2).  Amos was also shown an illustrative lesson (Amos 8:1,2). 

It is clear for us, spiritual Israel, that we should be ready to do the Lord's work at all times (2Tim 4:2).

Vs.15-17 The cleansing of the temple occurred at the end of the Lord's ministry.  Another temple cleansing had happened at the beginning of his ministry (John 2:14-16).  For the significance of these two occasions, please see my note on John 2 for Oct. 11.

11:21 Peter's comment 'behold the fig tree' is used by Jesus (Luke 21:29) to emphasise the parallel between the cursing of the fig tree and the forthcoming destruction of the temple.

11:12 Why was Jesus hungry? It was only a short journey from Bethany to Jerusalem. He had stayed with Mary and Martha who, surely, would have fed him. Maybe his hunger is just a little example of the way in which the stress of the coming days affected his body. How often have we said ‘I’m not hungry’, when food is offered, because of worries or concerns?

V.1 Jesus' visit to Bethphage and Bethany, before entering Jerusalem, was significant.

Bethphage means House of Figs. Figs symbolized Israel. In his demonstration, Jesus deemed the nation faithless, and, therefore, doomed to destruction (in 70 AD) (vs.13,14).

Bethany means House of Dates. When David brought the ark to Jerusalem, he gave the Israelites a cake of dates (amongst other things) in celebration (2Sam 6:19 NIV). The Ark of the (Old) Covenant came to Jerusalem; and now Jesus (of the New Covenant) was coming.

11:23 The ‘mountain’ that could be removed by prayer is, in fact, sin – see Mic 7:19

Vs.13,14 Jesus' expectation of the fig tree, and His subsequent curse on it, might seem unreasonable.  Although it was not the season for figs, He singled out this (abnormal) tree full of leaves. 

As the fruit of a fig tree always precedes the leaves, it was reasonable to expect that there would be fruit.  But there was none.  And so, the fig tree was cursed, and would no longer bear any fruit. 

Of course, this whole episode was an enacted parable to show the state of Jewish spirituality.  Judaism presented a great outward display but lacked the fulfilling Truth that Jesus brought.  And so, Israel (fig tree) bore no spiritual truth (figs), but had a grand outward show (leaves). 

Yahweh singled out Israel with the expectation that this nation would accept His Truth.  Having rejected the Truth that Jesus represented, the nation was cursed, just as the fig tree was cursed.    

11:18 If the religious leaders had any moral fibre they would have acted to protect the people from this teacher. However they ‘feared the people – Mark 12:12 - as it says of them a few days later, and so they did nothing.

WAIT

As Jesus wandered through the temple and looked at everything, I can understand why he might have been angry enough to put it all right then and there. The temple had been built as a place to give glory to God, and yet it was filled with people who were only interested in the honour they themselves were getting, or the gold with which they fleeced their pockets as they sold 'perfect' animals to those who truly came to worship. The temple that was supposed to glorify God had become a disgrace, a common market of thieves and people attempting to take God's honour for themselves.

On seeing circumstances such as these, we would want to sort things out then and there. But not Jesus. Mark tells us, "Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve." (Mark 11:11) His decision was a good one because it allowed time between his anger and his action to think, plan and pray. When he came to the temple to cleanse it the next day, he was not only able to carry out his actions with zeal, but also to teach the people as he worked, and to avoid sinning on the way.

So when we come across circumstances that make us angry, whether because of our zeal for God or otherwise,  let's think about slowing down and waiting a bit before we take any action. Take some time to think, to pray, and to plan our actions so that what we do will be pleasing to God.

V.1 Bethphage and Bethany figure significantly in Jesus’ return to earth. Here is a portion of The Return of Jesus and End-time Prophecy (please e-mail me for a copy):

The ascension of Jesus into heaven took place about seven-and-a-half furlongs (a Sabbath Day’s journey) from Jerusalem (Acts 1:12).  Josephus states that the distance from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives is five furlongs.  Therefore, Jesus ascended from a place on the down slope of the Mount of Olives, away from Jerusalem.  Bethany is fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem, on the south-east slope of the Mount of Olives, on the road to Jericho; Bethphage is just to the east of Bethany.  And so, it was in the Bethany/Bethphage triangle that Jesus ascended to heaven… Why are these facts important?  Note the statement of the angels: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). 

V.8 The Gospel of John tells us that the branches were palms (John 12:13).

Palms are a symbol of righteousness (Psa 1:1-3; 92:12).  They decorated Solomon's temple (2Chron 3:5), and figure prominently in Ezekiel's temple (Eze 40:16 etc.).

The Redeemed will display palms before Christ in the future (Rev 7:9). Palms reflect Jesus as the one who is the righteous branch (Isa 11:1).

11:32 This is not the only time that we see the leaders ‘feared the people – Mark 11:18, 12:12 Their authority was compromised by their thoughts about themselves.

11:25  Our praying can be hindered by our attitude to others.  Jesus here repeats the injunction that he gave his disciples in the sermon on the mount – Matt 6:12

Mark 11:12-14

“And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”

Many misunderstandings stem from our lack of knowledge of the fig tree. Alfred Edersheim in his book, “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” draws attention to the fact that in Palestine fig trees begin to produce fruit before the leaves! To see a leafed fig tree, even in an unseasonable time, warranted the assumption that there would be fruit on the tree.

Fig leaves usually appear around the end of March, and are accompanied by a crop of small knobs called taqsh. These are edible and a forerunner of the real figs (Song 2:13). When Jesus turned to the fig tree to assuage his hunger with these taqsh, and saw there were none, he knew that there would be no figs on that tree at the time of figs some six weeks later!

This fig tree represented the nation of Israel (Jer 8:13;Jer 29:15-19). The meaning behind Jesus cursing the fig tree was as a sign that God came looking for spiritual fruitfulness among His covenant people but saw none, and would therefore bring destruction upon them. While the fig tree (Israel) has been “planted” (1948) and Israel is “budding,” their “blossoming” will take place at Christ’s second coming, and then Israel will produce “fruit.”

11:33 Jesus’ unwillingness to answer the leaders’ question must have frustrated the leaders. However they surely appreciated that they had created a trap into which they had fallen.

11:30   We know – 11:7-10– what Jesus thought of John. This confirms our earlier comments on this chapter that Jesus was forcing those opposed to him to make a decision about John so that they might then recognise Jesus as Messiah – as John had said he was.

11:28  This is one occasion when Jesus’ authority is questioned. Probably because he had overthrown the money changer’s tables. The same men later asked the apostles – Acts 4:7 – the same question. So even the resurrection of Jesus did not change their way of thinking. 

11:19,20         Just a little point. A careful reading of the text here indicates that the two verses speak of different days.

FIG TREES AND FAITH

I have heard many different lessons from various people based on the cursing and withering of the fig tree. But there is only one that holds it's own when it comes to credibility. As Jesus and his disciples passed the fig tree he had cursed the previous day, "they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, Look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!' 'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered." (Mark 11:20-22).

The lesson Jesus wanted his disciples to get from the fig tree was a lesson in faith. As Jesus went on to explain, faith without doubt, coupled with prayer and forgiveness is an unstoppable force.

How did Jesus know that at his word a fig tree could wither in a day? A very similar thing had been done before. Jonah rested under a vine while he waited for the destruction of Nineveh. And as he was waiting, God caused a worm to kill the vine. Having known this miracle had happened before would have given Jesus the faith that the same thing could happen again.

Our faith can be built up in the same way. Read of the way God worked through the Bible, talk to others about how God has answered prayer and worked in their lives, pray, forgive, and trust God to grow the measure of faith that you have been given.

11:9-10    Whilst does not record all the events of Jesus’ entering into the city we can add the fact that the whole procession must have stopped when Jesus wept over the city – Luke 19:41.

11:1     It might seem to be a trivial details that Jesus sent “two” of his disciples. But we will notice that Jesus’ normal practice was to send the disciple sin pairs. Maybe the only time we read of a disciples going on a mission on his own was when Judas went to betray Jesus.

11:11   In being told that Jesus “looked round” we are seeing a phrase unique to Mark’s gospel account. It is found in 3:5,34, 5:32, 10:23, 11:11 and once of the disciples  9:8.

11:14  it might not be surprising that the disciples heard Jesus curse the fig tree. However our attention is drawn to this fact because it becomes important later when the disciples saw the withered fig tree. They had to see a connection between what Jesus said and what happened.

11:15 In casting out those that sold doves Jesus is attacking the very foundation of the Jewish system devised and run by the religious authorities. The Romans has a presence on the temple mount where these events took place and doubtless watched in amazement and trepidation that there could have been a riot.

11:3-6 It is reasonable to conclude that Jesus had already made a prior arrangement with the owner that he could use the animal. We should not presume that the gospels record all that Jesus did. It is evident that he planned events so that things went smoothly, probably unbeknown to the disciples.

11:2 The untamed animal typified untamed human nature. Jesus had tamed his own human nature and was totally obedient to his Father. In like manner his authority tamed the wild animal. His authority can “tame” us if only we listen to him. We do this by reading about him in scripture and putting what we read into practice in our lives.

11:3-5 One can only conclude that Jesus had already made arrangements to use the animal and the words of the disciples were what those in the village were expecting.

So we see that Jesus must have done many things to make the disciples’ lives easier by planning ahead about which we are told nothing.

So we learn something about the way Jesus worked, planning for future events.

11:27  In saying that a number of individuals form different groups came to speak with Jesus at the same time we should consider how we would feel if half a dozen or so people who had status in society were to confront us in public how we would feel. Doubtless we would feel intimidated. Now think about Jesus’ feelings as he responded to their challenge.

Mark 11:14 It seems like a strange inclusion to say: "And His disciples heard it." Like no dip! However, this cursing of the fig tree comes after Jesus's transfiguration where Peter, James, and John were sternly commanded by God to 'Hear Him!' (Mark 9:7) Which was only said because His disciples, a chapter before, denied and refused to hear Him (Mark 8:32-33)

So it seems now (finally) the Disciples are actually being hyper-focused on Christ's actions and to their credit, recognized the cursings full effect (Mark 11:21)

11:7 One wonders what was in the disciples’ minds as they put their garments on the ass in readiness for Jesus to ride on it. Clearly as they approached Jerusalem others cast their garments on the ground for Jesus to ride over.

There was a great expectation at that time that Messiah would come. There was a willingness both among the disciples and those watching to see that Jesus was Messiah and so they responded as they did – only to be disappointed as he wept over the city – Luke 19:41.