Comments for October 31

v.11 - the word for 'negligent' is elsewhere translated 'deceive' (or deceitful). We must take this to heart as we are also 'chosen to stand before Him'. Consider Gal.6:7,8 in this context.

29:35 Setting 'in order' is a significant thing in the service of God Genesis 22:9 Exodus 26:17 39:37 40:4,23 Leviticus 1:7,8,12 6:12 24:8 1 Kings 18:33 2 Kings 20:1 2 Chronicles 13:11 29:35 Ezekiel 41:6  1 Corinthians 11:34 14:40 Titus 1:5

v.17 - One wonders just what it was that these people had to do that took so long, but we do learn from these things that sanctifying and cleaning at a spiritual level are not to be taken lightly, and require much work.

29:3 In telling us that Hezekiah did this in the first month of his reign indicates that whilst his father was still on the throne he was busy planning what he would do as soon as he was crowned. The work he did would have required considerable planning.

CONCIENTIOUSNESS
It reminds me of the time Paul and Silas went to Berea. It was noted that "The Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17 v 11)
The Bereans, like the Levites in this chapter, were conscientious. They fulfilled their duty properly, fully, at the right time and with the right attitude. In Hezekiah's time more Levites had consecrated themselves than the priests because they were more conscientious. The Levites were ready on time but many of the priests hadn't bothered. It is a sad reflection on the attitude of the priests of the time, that having the most important position in the nation, they were too lazy or disorganised or not motivated enough to be ready for service.
Most of us do not have a position as important as that of the priests. Most of us are not pastors, priests, church or community leaders, but we can be conscientious and prepared to do the work of the LORD at a moment's notice. In fact, we are told to always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. So be conscientious. Do the right thing at the right time with the right attitude, and may God reward you for it.

29:25 The mention of the commandments of David, Gad and Nathan shows that not only had David left written instructions about worship but these other faithful men had done so also.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Hezekiah began to reign. He became king when he was 25. For the sixteen previous years of his life, Hezekiah's father and example had been Ahaz, a wicked king, who totally turned away from the LORD and provoked him to anger, giving his all to idols. It was Ahaz who shut the doors of the temple of the LORD and turned the people away from him. So we would have thought that Hezekiah would have grown up without regard for the LORD at all. But not so.

It is encouraging to read that "In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them." (v 3) Following this, Hezekiah, still in the first year of his reign, commenced a huge cleanup of the temple and reform of the people back to God.

If we became king, I am sure that there would be a lot of pressing needs to be attended to in the first month of our reign. However, Hezekiah put the LORD as his first priority. Opening the temple and reforming the people were not put off until a more opportune time - Hezekiah gave God first place. We must also make the LORD our highest priority in life. Let's begin right now to open the doors of our hearts, to let God back in, and reform to become more like him.

29:8 In speaking of 'hissing' Hezekiah is reminding the people of the sorry state that they had been in because of the sins of his father Ahaz (Mic 6:16)

V.34 The appeal of the king to the priests and Levites to sanctify themselves was taken up, more readily by the Levites than the priests, who were still tainted with the faithlessness of their apostate high priest, Urijah. 2Kin 16:10-16

V.34 It took time for priests to be cleansed, according to the sanctuary, but it is evident that the Levites responded more quickly to this call than the priests.  We shall see in tomorrow's reading that not all people could be sanctified in time for the feast, and yet Yahweh allowed them to eat it (30:17-21).  This is a testimony to Yahweh's magnanimity in reading and responding to the contrite heart over ordinance (Psa 51:17).

Ahaz had "Shut up the doors of the house of the Lord," (2Chron 28:24), but his son Hezekiah opened them, in the first year of his reign (2Chron 29:3).  He had his priorities right.

V.6-7 - This former turning away from God we might view on a symbolic level with potential warning for us should we allow our love to grow cold in the last days: The shut doors may suggest not faithfully attending religious services. The put out lamps may suggest not reading or hearing God's word. The lack of incense may suggest not turning to God in prayer. The lack of sacrificial burnt offerings may suggest a lack of self-examination, or repentance of sins, etc. 

The dominant power at this time was Assyria.  Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, had allowed Judah to become subservient to Assyria.  As a consequence of the assyrianization of Judah, Ahaz had brought paganism and idolatry to the nation.  Thus, Hezekiah's religious reforms were remarkable given the damage that his father had done. 

In implementing these changes, Hezekiah necessarily pulled away from the influence of the Assyrians.  This, of course, was sure to upset the powerful Assyrians who would subsequently make their displeasure known to Hezekiah.

29:5  In calling the priests to ‘sanctify’ themselves we have to conclude that during the reign of his father they had not kept themselves ceremonially clean. However there is place for repentance. Hezekiah moves on, taking the priests with him, spiritually reformed and ready to serve God again. No recrimination – just a call to dedication. How do we view those of our brethren who fall away? Do we see them as beyond hope or do we try to encourage them to re dedication and service to our Father?

29:3  Ahaz ad shut the doors of the house of God – 2Chron 28:24 – and so one of Hezekiah’s first acts is to open them. That is to make the temple accessible again. A pre requisite for all the other reforms he was to make in his reign.

29:7 From the depths of idolatry, Hezekiah rescued and restored the nation, as none of his fathers had done since the time when Solomon sat on the throne. As soon as he ascended the throne he immediately set about his reforms. The doors of the house of the Lord had remained closed during the reign of Ahaz, as all worship had been conducted in the court, therefore the lamps had not been trimmed, and no incense had been offered. 

29:4 When he begins his reforms he ‘brings in the priests’. This might seem the natural thing to do but it is not. The natural thing would be to sort out the army. The spiritual thing to do is to get the worship right.

V.16 Kidron was a winter torrent which ran through the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It was located east of Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives. Previously it had been used as a dumping ground.  In the time of Josiah, it had been used as a common cemetery (2Kin 23:6).

29:2 Hezekiah was a good king doing what his father David did. However his father was Ahaz. The record is making the point that Hezekiah took David as his role model rather than imitating his own natural father.

V.1 Hezekiah means strength of Yahweh.

V.3 Hezekiah ascended the throne in 726 BC. The first month refers to Nisan, the first month of the religious year, and not to the first month of Hezekiah’s reign.

Vs.15,16 The priests and Levites began by cleansing the outer courts, which took eight days. Then the priests moved inside to cleanse the inner house which also took eight days (v.17).

The Levites were not allowed in the inner house. All the garbage that the priests brought out of the inner house the Levites dumped in the Kidron Valley.

Brook of Kidron is a poor translation. Kidron is better described in the RV as a ravine. The Kidron Valley is a dry stream bed that lies between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.

The Kidron Valley is also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This is the place where the nations who come against Jerusalem in the end-times will be slaughtered by Jesus and the Redeemed (Joel 3:2,12).

V.21 The magnitude of the sacrifices that Hezekiah ordered were excessive according to the Law. The sin offering for the congregation calls for only one bullock (Lev 4:13,14). However, it should be noted that this sin offering was undertaken if the congregation of Israel sin through ignorance (KJV).

It was clear to Hezekiah that the sins of the congregation were more than unintentional. The sins of the people were very grave, including: idolatry, sexual immorality, murder. And so, it is no wonder that the sacrifices Hezekiah ordered were overkill (pardon the pun).

29:9-11 Hezekiah clearly recognised the problems that had come upon Judah were not accidents or chance happenings. He realised that they were ‘of God’ because of the sins of the people.

2Chron 29:1 - "Abijah" [(29) means "Jah is (my) Father"], "Zechariah" [(2148) means "Jah remembers"], "Hezekiah" [(3169) means "strengthened of Jah, Jah has made strong"] and when combined the meanings could apply to Christ, or Hezekiah who can be viewed as a type of Christ.

2Chron 29:3 - when Christ returns to reign on earth people will be allowed to enter through the "door" (John 10:7,9) of the kingdom. 2Chron 29:15-16 - brethren are gathered, sanctified and allowed in the temple, uncleanness is cast out (Luke 13:28).

2Chron 29:10 - "covenant" [Heb. "beriyth" (1285) means "cutting, a compact (made by passing between pieces of flesh), covenant, alliance, pledge"]; Christ too made a covenant which can protect us from the consequences of our misdeeds.

2Chron 29:21 - "seven" [Heb. "sheba" (7651) means "a week, seven" and is from the Heb. "shaba" (7650) means "seven, to take an oath, to swear"] is thought by some to indicate "completeness, God's covenant number, the millenial day of rest".

2Chron 29:17 - "eight" is thought by some to indicate immortality, the two "eights" perhaps remind us of immortality offered for both Jews and Gentiles of faith.

29:17  The cleanings of the temple took just over two weeks, starting on the first day of Hezekiah’s reign which was also the first day of the first month of the year. So the temple was not completed in time for the passover. Doubtless Hezekiah and the men cleansing the temple had keeping the passover as their goal.

A Halloween Message:

It’s October 31^st. The autumnal winds blow and dislodge the brightly colored leaves from the trees. The air is brisk and clean, and the moon is high in the sky as shadowy clouds bathed in soft silvery light fly by and paint an eerie scene. This unique evening is a curious ambience highly celebrated throughout the world. Halloween is a day of bats, black cats, witches and warlocks, graveyards, spirits, haunted houses, skeletons and vampires. It is one of the strangest holidays that have kept people fascinated for centuries, indulging in fantasies about the other side – spirits that roam the globe on the night of All Hallow’s Eve. We humans have a fascination for the macabre. We see this in the proliferation of vampire, spirit possessions, haunted homes, and magic movies at this time of the year.

This pagan holiday originated with the Druids who believed that on the eve of November 1^st Samhain, Lord of Death, called together the wicked souls that within the past year had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. Druids believed black cats were reincarnated humans through whom the Priest had the ability to divine the future. This one night was their only chance to find a human body to possess. They celebrated October 31^st with human sacrifices, fortune telling for heathen augury because evil had complete power over the souls of men that night.

Halloween is a holiday dedicated to worshiping the Lord of the Dead, Samhain! The true God is “…not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt 22:32). It is also believed that on Halloween the spirits and fairies who have free reign that night to return home would cast spells creating havoc in the home if they were not entertained with food and gifts to their liking. Today, this is known as, “trick or treat”! Black is a favorite color, and rooms are usually decorated to be dark and scary. Truly, the symbols of Halloween are blackness and darkness, but  “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5).

October is a month of unprecedented witchcraft activity as witches prepare for their New Year on October 31^st. Witches are practitioners of the occult, the magical manipulation of supernatural forces by means of incantations, and invoking of spirits. The term, “occult” comes from Latin, “occultus,” “hidden,” and they perform in secluded areas in an attempt to gain and invoke supernatural powers. Some believe witches are evil, sinister beings; others believe they are friendly and docile of an ancient Pagan religion. Everyone has an opinion, or belief on, which witch is which.

Witches and witchcraft are acknowledged in the Bible, and God does not distinguish between a good or bad witch (Exo 22:18). God condemns witchcraft and sorcery because it involves blatant idolatry, and Paganism. We are commanded not to follow heathen ways (Deut 18:9-13; Jer 10:2). There is nothing “innocent” about Halloween. It is a spiritual counterfeit. Halloween is a time when our light must continue to shine through the darkness because we are conquerors over the powers of darkness through the Lord Jesus Christ, and his true followers, “shall not walk in darkness…” (John 8:12).

29:7   It was Ahaz who had shut the temple doors – 2Chron 28:24.

Based on the same events, contrast and compare Hezekiah's conclusion in v6-9 with his father's conclusion in 2Chron 28:22-25. How about us? Do we believe in God's work in our lives, or in chance?

29:18 In seeking to turn God’s wrath away Hezekiah sees the way in which his father Ahaz had ‘brought Judah low’ as an indication of the wrath of God. It was not just that the nation were at a low ebb. Their lowly position was because of their sins . 

29:17  So the deadline of keeping the Passover feast was missed.  One would imagine that there were some who would have encouraged keeping the Passover even though the temple was fully cleansed.  Of course that would have been wrong. Things have to be done correctly. That is more important than meeting deadlines or being pressurised to make a decision. In our own persona and church lives we must be careful that we do not compromise principles simply to meet deadlines. Allowing more time to reflect on an issue is often more important than making a speedy decision.

29:7  During the reign of Ahaz, at least for the latter part of it, the temple fell into disuse. It was still there but nothing was happening in it. It was but a shell.  Our lives can be just like that. The outward appearance is that we are serving God but in reality our lives are an empty sham. We must be careful not to simply put on a show but should be totally devoted to serving our God.

29:36  A later occasion when God is ascribed as the one who had done the work, even though men had been the teachers,  is seen in Acts 14:27. Hezekiah, and others recognised that they were but tools in God’s plan. We should share that view. We do not bring people to knowing God by our own strength. It is the “foolishness of preaching” 1Cor 1:21  that achieves God’s aims.  

GOING ALL OUT

Never think you are too young, too old, or too inexperienced to make a difference. Hezekiah was only twenty-five years old when he became king. His father was a wicked king, but even with the evil legacy he had been left with, as soon as Hezekiah was made king, he began to make changes that would make ripples right through Judah, Israel, and all the countries around him.

In just the first month of his reign, he reopened the Lord's temple, and cleaned it all up. No doubt there was huge opposition to his reforms, but Hezekiah pressed on to eventually enthuse all the people and turn them back to the Lord.

He was only young, very inexperienced, and only one month into his reign, but Hezekiah made a big impact for good.

Don't be afraid of doing the right thing, or using your youthful energy, just be sure what you do is wise. Like Hezekiah, always go all out for God.

29:6   Judah did actually turn their face away from God by worshipping the sun which rose in the east. Rather than looking west towards the temple they looked in exactly the opposite direction.

29:26-27       the mention of “instruments of David” and “ordained by David” is one of the indications throughout the time of the kings that David was not only involved in preparing material for Solomon’s temple but was also involved in worship that was to take place in the temple.

29:24  In offering sacrifices for “all Israel” Hezekiah, as on other occasions, seeks forgiveness for all , even though doubtless there were many who were still steeped in idol worship.

29:36 What we learn here is that when Hezekiah realised what needed to be don he wasted no time in doing it. Here is a lesson for us. Putting off ad delaying things that need to be done for our Father is not the correct way to go about serving Him.

29:10 Some perform godly acts to receive acclamation from others. But such actions are a feigned response to what is required. Hezekiah was not like that. Notice what he said “it is in mine heart” It is easy – many have – head knowledge about God which does not affect the heart (one’s emotions) As Israel were taught – Deut 6:6 – that knowledge of God had to be more than head knowledge. We need to translate what we know from our reading of scripture into a practical outworking in our life of the principles we read.

29:35-36 We might see that the way in which Hezekiah did all that he did “suddenly” was the speed with which he set about correcting the errors of his father. With Hezekiah there was not delay in getting on with the work that he saw needed to be doing.

Are we equally hasty to get on with tasks that we see are in need of doing?

29:3 It is reasonable to conclude the “the first month” was the first  month of the religious calendar because, despite all of Hezekiah’s efforts, he was unable to keep the passover in the first month because the house was not fully cleansed in time, so the passover was kept in the second month of the religious year – 2Chron 30:2.

Did you catch this? look at verse 17 again: 

...So they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.

Compare this with the fact Ahaz reigned for sixteen years (2Chron 28:1). Hezekiah was able to undo 16 years worth of damage done by his father in just 16 DAYS! No wonder the people had the reaction they did (v.36) .

...His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.(2Chron 29:1) The importance of a Godly mother, like Abi, when raising a child cannot be understated.

29:2  the way Hezekiah’s behaviour is described is better than the faithful king Amaziah –25:1. Clearly Hezekiah not only kept the law but understood the principles. A lesson for us. Knowing the “truth” and living it must go together in our lives.

v.4 onwards - Throughout this prayer Daniel classes himself along with the rest of Israel as a sinner. He does not stand aloof and talk about them, he talks about 'we'. The principles of God's love to us as contrasted with our unworthiness of that love, should also bring about the state of contrition in us that Daniel here expresses on behalf of himself and the people. 1John 1:8-10

9:2 Seventy Jeremiah spoke of seventy years of desolation Jeremiah 25:11 12 29:10 Daniel understood that this time was over Daniel 9:2 And on praying was given the 'seventy weeks' prophecy. Daniel 9:24
9:11 The 'curse' is the curses from the blessings and cursings of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

v. 9 holds much great comfort for us. Let us also throw ourselves on the mercy of God.

9:2 And now we move on to the beginning of the reign of Darius - we are in the first year of his reign Daniel understood from Jeremiah 25:12 that the Jews were to be in captivity for seventy years. Some Jews had returned and commenced work on the temple. However the work had been frustrated (Ezra 4:5) In fact Daniel had this vision in the year preceding the re commencement of the work (Ezra 4:24) So Daniel had been pondering the prophecy of Jeremiah because the work had started and had ceased for about 16 years.

TIMELY PRAYER
Daniel knew by reading the prophecies of Jeremiah that the time of the Jerusalem captivity was about up. As a result of his knowledge Daniel began a very fervent and heartfelt prayer asking for the forgiveness and restoration of his people. In time Daniel's prayer was answered and many Jews returned with Zerubbabel and Ezra to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem during the reign of Cyrus.
According to my reading of the Bible, there is not much time left before Jesus Christ returns. That means that it must be time for us to start praying. We must pray earnestly and fervently with all our hearts for the return of Jesus Christ. It is our time now to confess our sins, to repent and to plead for the restoration of God's people. It is time to pray for Israel, that God will take away their blindness and restore them. It is time now to pray for God's will to be done and for the earth to be filled with his glory for ever and ever.
So let us pray with all our hearts as Daniel did. May God answer our prayers and send Jesus back to make the earth a new and wonderful place again.

9:5 Rather like Nehemiah (1:7) Daniel identified himself with the sins of the people though it is clear that he was not amongst those who rebelled against the Word of God. When there is a problem in ecclesial life how often do we identify ourselves with those who have the problem? Or do we rather distance ourselves from them with a 'holier than thou' attitude?

9:4"In saying "O Lord ... commandments" Daniel quotes Deut 7:9. Consider the context of Deuteronomy - exiles about to return - and Daniel's hope for the return from Babylon and  we can see the reason why Daniel's mind was in Deuteronomy.

V.22 to give thee ...understanding. Dan 8:16, 26 shows that the symbolic vision had not been understood. God therefore now gives "information"  directly, instead of by symbol, which required interpretation.

V.1  It should be noted that Darius was a title rather than a proper name.  Examples of other such titles in the Bible are: Abimelech; Pharaoh; Ben Hadad; Ahasuerus; Herod. 

V.2 Notice that, although Yahweh had direct communication with Daniel (via Gabriel), Daniel still consulted the scriptures. This strongly answers those who think they can bypass reading the scriptures for some other religious experience. 

Vs.24-27 Apart from announcing pertinent time information about Christ's crucifixion, the seventy weeks' prophecy was meant to warn those living in Jerusalem in the time of Christ concerning the destruction of the city. 

Jesus reminds His listeners to take cognisance of Daniel's prophecy and prepare themselves (Mark 13:14).  Those who did escaped the horrors of the fall of Jerusalem.  Likewise, we should heed the words of prophecy concerning the coming destruction on earth and prepare ourselves.  We do that by reading the Word of God, praying without ceasing, and living our lives according to the commands of Christ whatever the conditions are which surround us (Rom 12:12).

Prophesy of the Anointed One:

V.24-27 - The period is divided into 7 "weeks"<7620>, 62 "weeks"<7620>, and 3 1/2 days. This comes out to 483 years or 486 1/2 years if Gen 29:27;Num 14:34;Eze 4:6 (a day for a year) is taken into account. Daniel 9:25 notes the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Ezra 7:7,8,11,12,13,21 - Fixes the return to rebuild Jerusalem in the 7th year of Artaxerxes reign placing the date circa 457 BC thus the Anointed One or "Messiah the Prince" would have been baptised around 26AD and "make reconciliation for iniquity" (i.e. would be sacrificed) around 29-30AD. Neh 2:1,5,6,7,8,11,14,17,19 - Refers to the granted wish to rebuild Jerusalem and perhaps has some symbolism echoing the Anointed One and his sacrifice such as the mention of timber, 3 days, riding on a mount to Jerusalem, with a few men, fountain, pool, taking away disgrace (sin?). Neh 3:1,3 - Additionally refers to sheep, fish. Luke 3:15 - Notes the people were expecting Christ at this time (perhaps as a result of this prophesy).

When was Christ born?

We don't know when Jesus was born - we can only gestimate. If we go by the above calculations Christ was perhaps baptised and starting his ministry around 26AD. He was about 30 when his ministry started (Luke 3:23) so we can subtract 30 from 26AD to arrive at an approximate date of 4 BC when Christ was born. Shepherds were in the fields tending their flocks perhaps eating grass which suggests a time other than winter (Luke 2:8-11) and some scholars believe sheep would have been brought under cover from November to March though there is no proof of this.  Christ was perhaps crucified/resurrected  (in the middle of the week) about 3 1/2 years later around 29-30AD (Easter Sunday is March 22 to April 25th) perhaps at age 33 1/2. If we subtract 33 1/2 from March 22 to April 25th 30AD as a reference point we have approximately September to October 4 BC as a possible time Christ might have been born. The traditional December 25th date celebrating Christmas is thought by some to have been borrowed from a pagan holiday.

We have a wonderful picture in this chapter of Angels working.  In Dan 9:23 Gabriel said that at the commencement of Daniel’s prayer God’s commandment was given to him to take the answer to Daniel. In other words, God sent the answer in Dan 9:4, rather than waiting until the end of the prayer in Dan 9:19. The Lord God is not limited by time, or place, as we are.  He knows what we are going to say before we say it.

9:4  Whilst ‘Lord … commandments’ quotes Deut 7:9  these very words are used in Neh 1:5 by that faithful man to identify the reason why he was in Babylon.

9:13 Daniel is lamenting that the people had not turned to Jerusalem and prayed as Solomon had said. The inference being that, as Solomon had prayed, God would hear the prayer and act to save the people. 1Kin 8:48

9:25 The ‘beginning of the commandment’ would have been taken by Daniel to be the decree that Darius made Ezra 6:1 So those who heard Daniel speaking would have been expecting Daniel’s words to be fulfilled in their life time.

V.1 Darius (538-536 BC) was probably Astyages, the last king of the Medes. He was 62 years old when he took the throne (Dan 5:31). Only the first year of his reign is described. After two years in office, he ceded the throne to Cyrus.

Much happened to Daniel during his short tenure. Daniel had the lion’s den experience, after which he was promoted to high office. The welfare of Daniel’s fellow Jews were also heightened because of His advancement.

9:1 We should remember that this part of Daniel was spoken only about 12 months before the prophet Haggai started to speak, by which time Israel had returned to the land of Israel.

Dan 9:27;Matt 24:15;Mark 13:14.

Daniel prayed and his prayer was heard. It was while he was still praying that the angel Gabriel was sent to him with this message: "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed." (Dan 9:22-23) What was it that made Daniel a man highly esteemed, not just by people, but by God? Looking back through the beginning of this episode, we can get a few clues.

1. Daniel studied God's word. He didn't just read the Bible for the sake of reading it, he read it to be understood. Having read and understood, Daniel put what he had learnt into action.
2. Daniel prayed. in fact, he did more than pray. Daniel completely humbled himself in his prayer by fasting and wearing sackcloth and ashes.
3. He praised God, lifted him up and exalted him.
4. Daniel admitted his sin, confessed it and repented of it in the presence of the LORD. (Dan 9:5) He was not prepared to point the finger at others but included himself as he confessed.
5. He turned to the LORD before he turned to anyone else.

Maybe if we had the same attributes and did the same things as Daniel, we too may be able to live a life described by God as highly esteemed.

Whence came the Godly influence on Hezekiah. As other brethren have commented , certainly not from his father Ahaz. Both  2 Kings 18 v 2 and 2 Chronicles 29 v 1 record his mother's name as Abi or Abijah " Yahweh is my father " presumably  the daughter of the Zechariah in 2 Chronicles 26 v 5 , one who is said to have " understanding in the visions of God" I suggest that the influence of his mother and maternal grandfather were the primary influences for good in the life of Hezekiah. He may also have had contact with the prophet Isaiah.

V.1 This the same Darius as in Dan 5:31, the one who succeeded Belshazzar.

Vs.4-19 Daniel prayed for whole group. He said: We have sinned etc. (v.5). Do we pray for God’s people (both those of the flesh and those of the Spirit) or just ourselves?

Daniel prayed for Jerusalem (v.16). Do we pray for Jerusalem, the city of the King, the capital of the world?

The term confusion of face (KJV) is better translated open shame (ESV) (v.8).

V.21 Gabriel appears in the Bible for only three things: To announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19); to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26); and to help Daniel with understanding his visions. I wonder if Gabriel will be the one to announce Jesus as King in Jerusalem.

Vs.25,26 Artaxerxes Longimanus gave Ezra permission to go to Jerusalem in 457 BC. Seven weeks equates to 49 years (on the day-for-a-year principle). And so, the restoration of Jerusalem by Ezra and Nehemiah would take 49 years, which it did.

That would bring the date to 408 BC. Sixty-two weeks (ESV) equates to 434 years. 434 years from 408 BC would be 74 AD. Let’s take into account that most scholars fix the date of Jesus’ birth at 4 BC. And so, the date would be 70 AD. This would be the time that the prince (Titus) who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (ESV).

Those Jews who accepted Jesus’ warning and His reference to Daniel’s prophecy would have been prepared for the disaster (Matt 24:15-21).

V.27 This concerns Antiochus IV, the Seleucid ruler, who in 167 BC forbade the Jews to sacrifice, hold feasts, and even to circumcise. In 167 BCE Antiochus ordered an altar to Zeus erected in the Temple. As was the normal practice of the Hellenic religion when sacrificing to the Greek gods, pigs were sacrificed on the altar to Zeus (Wikipedia). His ban on Jewish temple services lasted three-and-a-half years.

The Jewish revolt against the Seleucid occupiers started and lasted for a couple of years. The Jews were successful in their revolt. The temple was cleansed and sacrifices were again made. Judah Maccabee, who successfully led the Jewish revolt, commemorated victory by a festival of lights called Hanukkah. This festival is still practiced by Jews today.

In 160 BC Jonathan the high priest became the commander of the Jewish forces. His actions caused great dissent between those who wanted religious freedom and those who sought to extend Jewish power.

The time between 167-160 BC covers the events in this verse. One week = seven days = seven years. And so, for half of the week (ESV) (i.e. for three-and-a-half years), Antiochus banned the temple practices which is halfway through the seven year period. The Jews recovered their temple services and continued in relative peace until Jonathan took the Jews down a politically difficult road. Jonathan was assassinated in 142 BC.

This chapter is written in the context of the dedication of the temple (1Kin 8-9), and it's destruction (2Chron 36). In 1Kin 9:1-9 God appeared to Solomon and warned him of the captivity, the wording of which Daniel uses in his prayer (e.g. compare 1Kin 9:7-8 with Dan 9:16).

9:1 So with the introduction of Darius we pass from the time of the supremacy of the Chaldeans to the time of the Medes and Persians.

9:16  In speaking of the people becoming ‘a reproach’ we find a way of thinking which is matched by Nehemiah, the returning exile, about the city of Jerusalem – Neh 2:17

9:24 Whilst we might see that this area of Dan 9 is speaking of the work of Jesus we can be sure that this is how we should understand the prophecy because  Heb 9:26 says that this is exactly what Jesus did, quoting this verse.

9:3      The other occasions in the Bible where ‘set my face’ is used – for example Lev 20:3,5 – we see that the implication is that of great intensity. So fervent was Daniel’s  prayer.

1. Dan 9:3,13 - V3 "prayer"<8605>; V13 "prayer"<2470>.

2. Dan 9:5 - speaks of the deterioration of Israel's conduct "We have sinned<2398>, and have committed iniquity<5753>, and have done wickedly<7561>, and have rebelled<4775>".

3. Dan 9:7-8 - "but unto us confusion"(<1322> can mean shame), "to us belongeth confusion"(<1322> can mean shame).

4. Dan 9:11-13  what would happen if Israel transgressed God's law (Deut 27:15-26;30:15-19;31:17-30;28:15-66;Lam 4:6;Eze 5:8-10;Amos 3:2;Matt 23:33-35;24:12-22;Mark 13:19;Luke 21:20-24;Acts 20:28).

5. Dan 9:18,19 (NIV) "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive!...your city and your people bear your Name."

9:17    In asking for God to shine His face upon His sanctuary Daniel is reflecting on Num 6:25 where the blessing that Moses was to place upon Israel if they were faithful is given., Here Daniel is extending the application of the blessing to the temple, not just the people. 

9:24   Daniel had understood about the 70 year captivity – Dan 10:1-2– however what Daniel is now told relates to a different time period. Whilst Daniel had been thinking about the return from Babylon which was now imminent he was told about a long term prophecy about Messiah. So Daniel would not have thought that the return from Babylon would herald the coming of Messiah.

9:16    Daniel’s prayer that God will turn away His wrath is a request that the promise of Hos 14:4 might be fulfilled when the promise of the 70 years captivity ends.

9:25       Daniel has understood that the captivity was about to end. However the understanding that Gabriel gave to Daniel was that a long time was to pass before Messiah the prince would come. The book of Daniel should have caused those who did return under Ezra and then Nehemiah to understand that what they were involved in would not bring Messiah immediately.

Dan 9:24

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins…”

Yahweh created the sun to mark the seasons and years and the moon for the days (Gen 1:14). The Prophets well understood the year to be 360 days, and on which the following is calculated. There are 354.37 days in a lunar year (12 months/12 moons), and 365.24 days in a solar year. 354.37 +365.24 = 719.62. Divide this total by 2, and we get an average of 359.8 days in a year.

Using the day for a year principle, seventy weeks are seven sets of seven years plus one year making up 50 years, a Jubilee year (cf. Lev 25:8-11). Seventy weeks, or 70 periods of 50 years is 3,500 years. "Rabbi" Moses Ben Maimon, aka, Maimonides, believed that, “Daniel has elucidated to us the knowledge of the end times…” "Rabbi" Moses Abraham Levi wrote: “I have examined and searched all the Holy Scriptures and have not found the time for the coming of Messiah clearly fixed, except in the words of Gabriel to the prophet Daniel, which are written in the 9^th chapter of the prophecy of Daniel.”

Dan 9:24-26 referred to Messiah, and I believe that Daniel’s years further show a typology foreshadowing the End of the Age. Let us consider the following dates as given:

1) Dan 8:14 – In the year 281, *Antiochus (Ptolemy) 1 Soter (the saviour), being the son of a Seleucid nobleman, Lagus, a native of Macedonia, founded the Ptolemaic Dynasty. He was the first of the Ptolemies to desecrate the Temple. Josephus records: “Insomuch that all Syria, by the means of Ptolemy the son of Lagus, underwent the reverse of that denomination of Saviour, which he then had. He also seized upon Jerusalem: and for that end made use of deceit and treachery. For as he came into the city on a sabbath day, as if he would offer sacrifice, he, without any trouble, gained the city: while the Jews did not oppose him. For they did not suspect him to be their enemy…” https://penelope.uchicago.edu/josephus/ant-12.html/ Hanukkah or Feast of Dedication was subsequently instituted. 2300 days/years plus 281 is 2018 AD, a Jubilee year.

2) Dan 12:11 - In 683 A.D. construction of the Dome of the Rock began upon the holy site of Yahweh’s Temple, which would be an abomination! 1290 days/year added to 683 is 1973 – the Yom Kippur War, or Arab Israel War. Being the Day of Atonement, their holiest day for prayer and fasting, the Israelis were completely unaware and unprepared for the surprise Arab attack. Yet, in the end they won! History will repeat itself, but this time with Christ at the helm.

3) Dan 12:12 – 1335 days/year added to 683 brings us to 2018 AD, when Daniel was told he would stand in his lot after a long sleep.

The world is rapidly changing with its religious, economic, political and military upheavals. It is vital to know the season we are in. Christ rebuked the Israelites for not knowing the season they were in and so rejected their Messiah. May we never think that because every generation awaited the return of Christ in their day and he didn’t come, that he won’t in ours, either. This is a very dangerous mistake and would put us in the category of the five foolish virgins (cf. Luke 16:3; Luke 12:56)!

*Antiochus 1 Soter was succeeded by Antiochus II Theos (the god), who in turn was succeeded by Antiochus III Megas (the great), who in turn was succeeded by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (god manifest), to Antiochus XII.

9:2     We may wonder about how the books of the Bible came together to be viewed as inspired Scripture. Here we have an indication. Within the lifetime of one man – Daniel – the written words of Jeremiah are accepted as Scripture and Daniel had a copy to read for himself, even though he was a long way from Jerusalem where Jeremiah had been speaking.

Dan 9:24

A reader writes: “I have a question about the October 31st comment on Daniel 9. 
Where did you find the information about Antiochus 1 Soter desecrating the Temple in 281 BC?
I have searched the internet (and Josephus) and can't find verification for this.  I do find that Antiochus  Epiphanes desecrated the Temple later on.  (Strangely, I found a few different dates for this:  145 BC, also  167 BC.) Thank you.

My reply: 

Dan 9:24

A reader writes: “I have a question about the October 31st comment on Daniel 9. 
Where did you find the information about Antiochus 1 Soter desecrating the Temple in 281 BC?
I have searched the internet (and Josephus) and can't find verification for this.  I do find that Antiochus  Epiphanes desecrated the Temple later on.  (Strangely, I found a few different dates for this:  145 BC, also  167 BC.) Thank you.

My reply: Antiochus 1 Soter is an often disputed topic. Preterists and Futurists ascribe it to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, while Historians ascribe it to Rome. What Historians do agree on is that Antiochus 1 Soter began his rule in 281 BC. From the timeline of 2300 days/year principle given to us from the prophet Daniel, 2300 – 281 brings us to 2019 on the Hebrew calendar, which began September 2018. HistoriAntiocans record that Antiochus 1 Soter had desecrated the Temple in very similar ways to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but did not offer a pig on God’s altar. This is credited to Antiochus Epiphanes IV. Hence, it is easy to mix up the two, as read in Maccabees and Josephus. Those who hold to Antiochus IV Epiphanes have a problem reconciling dates 145 or 167 BC with Daniel, and juggle the years around, unsuccessfully, I might add.

“It was this “place” of God’s sanctuary that was to be cast down by the little horn, according to Daniel 8:11. One could apply this to what the Romans did to the temple in A.D. 70. But Antiochus never did anything to the temple which would qualify as “casting down its makon,” or place. Desecrate it he did; but, as far as is known, he did not damage its architecture in any significant way.

On the contrary, it would have been to his disadvantage to have done so, since he turned it over to be used for the cult of Zeus. Thus while it is fair to say that Antiochus suspended the daily or continual sacrifices/ministration of the temple, we have no indication that he cast it down from its place, or cast down its place. Consequently, this aspect of the prophecy is in opposition to the interpretation of the little horn as Antiochus IV.” William H. SHEA, Selected Studies in Prophecy Interpretation, pp. 38-39.

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Antiochus-IV-Epiphanes-referred-to-as-the-little-horn-in-the-prophecy-in-Daniel-8

9:20    The way in which Daniel confesses sins is seen also in Neh 1:6

9:2-4 There are two parts to Daniel’s behaviour. His study of scripture enabled him to understand aspects of God’s plan. So as a consequence he prayed that the plan would be fulfilled. This is instructive to us. We can work out from scripture that Jesus Christ is going to return to the earth to re-establish God’s kingdom on thee earth. So we should pray that it will happen.

9:26 in stating that Messiah will be cut of “but not for himself” shows how Jesus would be a sacrifice for others – you and I.

9:7 One of Israel’s problems was that they thought that they could please God by showing their own righteousness but in so doing they were actually denying that they needed God’s righteousness –Rom 10:3. Daniel, by contrast, recognised that God was righteousness and he needed God to save him.

We rightly believe that we are justified by faith –Rom 3:28. We need to be very careful that we do not slip into the way of thinking that we can “earn” salvation by the things we do. We must do “works of righteousness” Titus 3:5. We do those “works” because we want to please Him who has given us peace with God.

Dan 9:27

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week [3 ½ years] he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate [desolator].”

Daniel prophesied about the first and second coming of the Messiah. “He,” is God; “confirm the covenant” is explained in Rom 15:8 “with many” refers to those who obeyed God’s word both now  dead and those living (Dan 12:1,2); “for one week” speaks of 3 ½ years of John the Baptist’s ministry in preparing the way of the Lord and the remainder 3 ½ years  of Christ’s ministry; “in the midst of the week” reads in the LXX, “in the latter half of the week,” that being the crucifixion which came about at the end of the week, or 3 ½ years; sacrifice and oblation to cease”-  when the substance came there was no further need for the shadow. Christ is the ultimate sacrifice, no further animal sacrifices were needed; “make it desolate” by Titus and his Roman legions in 70 AD, but not forever – there is a time limit placed on it (Eze 21:25-27; Luke 21:24; Acts 3:21), “until the consummation” to occur at the second coming of Christ (Acts 15:15,16); “that determined shall be poured upon the desolator.” When Christ returns with his immortalized saints, they will desolate the antichrist who will have enthroned himself in the temple of God making himself out to be God, along with the idolatrous nations globally who worship the beast.  There will be such a time of trouble as never was from the very beginning of creation (Mark 13:19,20; 2Thess 2:4; Rev 17; cf.Isa 2:10-22; Eze 38:19-23; Dan 2:44; Joel 3:9-21; Zech 14:1-4).

While many Jews attributed the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes IV a fulfillment of Dan 9:27 based on 1Macc 1:57. “On the fifteenth day of Chislev in the year one hundred and forty-five the king erected the abomination of desolation above the altar…,” this is not correct. While the abomination here is a statue of their god, Zeus, it cannot be the desolator. The “abomination of desolation” described in the Maccabean account (1Macc 1:24-67; 2Macc 6:1-9) attributed it to be the erecting of the Greek idol, Zeus, the Olympian god, above what was God’s altar. The footnote reads: “The abomination of desolation,’ Dn 9:27; Dan 11:31, was the altar of Baal Shamem or the Olympian Zeus erected on the Jewish altar of holocausts.” They describe this idol as being the abomination that desolates! it is the act of idolatry that occurs in worshipping it.

While Antiochus Epiphanes IV was an abomination, he was not the desolator. He in no way fulfilled Dan 9:26, nor did he make a covenant with Israel for seven years (Dan 9:27). Jerusalem was overthrown, not completely destroyed – the Israelites were defeated and removed from power by him. “When he [Mattathias, son of John] saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, he said, ‘Alas that I should have been born to witness the overthrow of my people, and the overthrow of the Holy City, and to sit by while she is delivered over to her enemies, and the sanctuary into the hand of foreigners’” (1Macc 2:1-7). (Underline mine). The city and the temple were there, albeit in a ruined, defiled state, but not destroyed, unlike the events of 70 AD wherein everything was destroyed.

Daniel’s prophecies had a greater fulfilment, that being the destruction of the sanctuary and the Holy City.  Antiochus Epiphanes IV desecrated, but not desolated. Jesus’ reference to the abomination of desolation spoken of through the Prophet Daniel (Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14; Dan 9:27; Dan 11:32-451; Dan 12:11,12) indicates that Daniels prophecy as having still a future fulfilment - a greater fulfilment, that being the complete destruction of the sanctuary and the Holy City, Jerusalem (cf. Matt 23:38). Jesus tells us what the abomination of desolation is: Compare Mark 13:14 with Luke 21:20,21. It is the Roman army led by Titus. They completely destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple (Matt 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6).

9:1-2  Clearly Daniel was familiar with the prophecy of Jeremiah – he had been thinking about what Jeremiah had said. However it was not until the prophecy of the 70 years was fulfilled that Daniel actually understood how Jeremiah’s prophecy was going to be fulfilled.

We should reflect on Daniel’s experience and be wise enough to realise what we do and don’t know about future events.

9:27 “Confirm” can equally be translated “confirm”. Both words are built into the word. Jesus prevailed against sin and so the covenant was confirmed, that is made sure.

We will appreciate our  saviour if we reflect on the journey striving against sin he made that the covenant was confirmed for all the believe

9:1  In Dan 5:1-31 we read of Darius coming to power, now we learn about the first month of his reign. So we might conclude that chapters 6-8 are a sort of digression that should be read as a whole, avoiding the chapter divisions.

v.13 - How often people have made this type of reply to God. Apart from the occasion (Exo.4:13-14) of Moses complaining that he would not be able to perform the task God had set him, God appears not to be angry at the weakness of the flesh, but instead provides comfort in one way or another to allay these fears. 1Sam.16:2, Eze.3:14, Matt.10:16

9:26 The time that Paul assayed to join himself to the disciples in Jerusalem is mentioned in one of his letters - Galatians 1:16 in one of the rare biographical comments in the letters

:43 Peter was at Joppa and the disciples at Lydia heard that Peter was there. So, incidentally, we learn of an ecclesia at Lydda. Are there any other indications in Acts of groups of believers in another town in Israel at this time?

9:36-42 There is an interesting use of Greek and Hebrew words in the account of the raising of Dorcas /  Tabitha. Dorcas is the sister's Greek name. Tabitha is her Hebrew name. Twice she is called 'Dorcas' and twice she is called 'Tabitha'.  The Hebrew word 'Tabitha' occurs only twice in the Old Testament (Song 4:5, 7:3)

V.5 The question "who at thou, Lord" is asked with a good idea as to what the answer was. This is shown by the title "Lord" instead of "Sir" Acts 9:5 There was a doubt of course, but the sudden realisation that it was something Divine is shown by the use of the word "Lord"

V.18 reminds us of the necessity of baptism as a first step to salvation.  Paul had encountered the living Christ and had been given a special commission, and yet he still needed to be baptised.  This refutes the claims of some that baptism is either not necessary or that it is an option.

Dorcas was the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Tabitha meaning gazelle.

V.27 This verse tells us a lot about Barnabus. The first thing that we note is that he is the one who took the time to listen to Paul, this may not sound like much , but , how often do we take the time to listen to other's problems and difficulties. He also took the time to take Saul to the Jerusalem ecclesia after they had refused to believe what Saul had told them of his experiences on the road to Damascus. When we consider who the members of the Jerusalem ecclesia were it helps us to relate the respect that they had for Barnabus, this would include both Peter and James among others. He would have pointed out to the disciples Saul's immediate obedience and how praiseworthy it was. He was a "big brother"  to Paul during the early years of his ministry.

V.9 - After three days of  blindness Paul saw the light and with it the significance of Christ's three days and his light for the world. The number three can indicate divine perfection, complete, and figures prominently in the life of Jesus as he rose on the 3rd day, was crucified at the third hour, darkness covered the earth for three hours when Jesus was on the cross, his ministry was three years, etc. 

9:40 In sending the people out of the room in which Dorcas’ corpse lay Peter is behaving in the same way that Jesus did (Matt 9:25) when he raised Jairus’ daughter.

V.31 walking in the fear of the Lord permitting the faith to work in them, that it would bring a change in their character. This new walk was evidence of the spirit of Christ working in believers. The principle is expressed inwalk in a newness of life (Rom 6:4). The fear is not of a servant for an unforgiving lord, but, the respect of children who can call God Abba, Father 

9:9 Saul, being blind and not eating for three days, experienced his own death and resurrection – Falling to the earth – Acts 9:4 and receiving his sight – Acts 9:18

Vs.8,9 Paul suffered blindness as a result of meeting the Lord.  Later his sight was restored (v.18). I wonder, though, if Paul continued to be sight-impaired.  We have a hint of this possible incapacity in Paul's use of large letters in his writing (Gal 6:11).  Perhaps the Lord did not fully restore Paul's sight as an incentive for him to practice faith.  He reminds the Corinthians that: We live by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7).

9:6 That Saul immediately recognised who was speaking with him, no sign of doubts, indicates that Saul really already was aware of the certainty of the resurrection but did not want to recognise that fact. It is quite probable that many of the religious leaders already knew that Jesus had been raised from the dead but did not want their status undermined. Herein is a challenge for us. We know that Jesus is alive, but does that knowledge cause us to change our lives?

9:4 Notice how Jesus identifies with his servants. Saul had been persecuting the believers but Jesus sees it as persecution of him directly. This is just how Jesus spoke – Matt 25:40 –to his disciples.

V.23 And after that many days were fulfilled (KJV). If we pick up Paul’s trail we see that he went to Arabia (Seir) and then back to Damascus on a second visit (Gal 1:17). It was on his second visit that the Jews took counsel to kill him. From Paul’s first visit to Damascus until the end of his second visit was three years (Gal 1:18).

After he escaped their grasp, Paul was taken by Barnabas to the apostles at Jerusalem (vs.27,28). In Jerusalem, he saw only Peter and James (Gal 1:18,19).

V.25 The basket (Gr.spuris) in which Paul escaped was quite large. These same baskets were used to collect the leftovers after feeding the four thousand (Matt 15:37,38). The baskets used in the feeding of the five thousand (Matt 14:20,21) were much smaller (Gr.kophinos) and could not hold a man.

Today is Halloween. What do the disciples of Jesus think about this celebration? Is it o.k. to participate (or our children) in this event?  For my comments please e-mail me for: Halloween.

When Stephen prayed "Lord lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60) and "Saul was consenting unto his death" (Acts 8:1), I wonder if he knew how remarkably his prayer would be answered.  The man that pursued Stephen to death for believing in and preaching Jesus Christ was soon to embrace the same faith. But Saul had to repent before Stephen's prayer could be answered. No doubt there were many present at Stephen's death who were not forgiven of their sin because they did not repent.

9:8 That ‘he saw no man’ is explained by Paul himself in Acts 13:11 where he says he was struck blind.

9:27  This is the first time that Barnabas sought to car for Paul. Another is seen in Acts 11:25

Acts 9:1-2

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”

In this passage we read of the powerful story of Saul, a very unlikely convert to Christianity who converted to Christianity to become the apostle Paul. There are some who go so far as to identify Saul of Tarsus as a “terrorist,” in light of what we read in Acts 8:1-3; 1Cor 9:1; 1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:13-14. This statement left me thinking and dumbfounded at the same time! In light of what we define as a “terrorist” and “terrorism,” key labels for warmongers, would we be right to define the pre-converted Saul as a terrorist?

Saul was not politically motivated, but driven with great fervor and zeal in upholding the Law of Moses. It was this passion that caused the Lord to say, “”…he is a chosen vessel unto me…” (Acts 9:15), and it was this passion he brought with him as a disciple of “this Way” (Acts 9:20-22). The “Way” was the earliest name for the followers of Christ, and it showed that Christianity is more than a belief, or a set of doctrines. Following Jesus is a way of living as well as believing.

God is the author of the Law of Moses, also referred to as Divine and Biblical Law, which Saul upheld and refers to himself in his pre-conversion state as “blameless” (Phil 3:6). Everything Saul did, he did in conformity to the Law! In Heb 10:28-29, we read that anyone who “despised Moses’ law dies (present tense) without mercy”! To say the Saul was a terrorist because he upheld the Law is the equivalent of saying God is the author of terrorism!

Who are we to raise objections against the moral statues that existed under the Old Covenant? If Saul was a terrorist, then so was the patriarch, Abraham (Gen 14:14-17); so was Joshua (Josh 6) who with the Israelites was sent by God on a rampage of slaughter and destruction! Saul did what he did in ignorance and unbelief (1Tim 1:13,16). He still had to learn that the Law of Moses was the schoolmaster, or tutor, a necessary stage to bring him to Christ (Gal 3:24).

Acts 9:7

“And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.”
Acts 22:9 reads: “And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.” Did they hear a voice or did they not hear a voice?

In John 12:28-30 we read of the account of a voice coming down from heaven, and some people heard it as thunder, others thought it was the voice of an angel. They all heard something, but could not discern what it was they heard.

This kind of double sense meaning of the word, “hear” is found throughout Scripture. One sense is to hear audibly, the other is to hear not only audibly, but also with understanding (Matt 13:13-14). The hearing was more than just hearing Moses’ words. It involved understanding. Likewise, in John 8:43, the Pharisees heard the words of Jesus, but they did not “hear” them because they did not comprehend his words.

There is no contradiction with these passages when properly put together and understood. The men heard a voice, but could not comprehend what they heard. The only error is in assuming there is an error. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt 11:15; Matt 13:9; Mark 4:9,23; Luke 8:8-10,15; Luke 14:35; Rev 2:7,29; Rev 3:22).

9:17     Saul was ‘brother Saul’ even though he was not baptised because he was the brother of Ananias in the sense that they were both Jews.

Acts 9:5.

"And he (Saul, i.e. Paul) said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'" (N.K.J.V.)

Is Jesus here alluding to an ox kicking against the prodding of a goad, or is there something else to this analogy that Jesus is making?

This is one of those passages where the easy, most obvious allusion may not actually be the one Jesus was making. The Greek word that is translated "goads" here - "pricks" (K.J.V.) - is "kendron". And it is used only 5 times in the New Testament. They are here; the recounting of Paul's conversion story in Acts 26:14; twice in 1 Cor. 15 (1Cor 15:55,56); and Rev 9:10. 1 Cor. 15:55,56 reads -

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law."

The allusion Paul is making there almost has to be to the bite of the serpent and Gen. 3:15, the serpent being the originator of sin and death in Adam and Eve, but it's sting being conquered by "the last Adam", the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1Cor 15:45,57). Rev. 9:10 reads -

"They (locusts) had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months."

So again the sting comes from an animal - a symbolic one, no doubt - a locust that stung like a scorpion. Scorpions, by the way, are paired with serpents in Jesus' own words in Luke 10:19. So the point is that by its other usage (other than in Acts), the source of the sting is not an object but an animal - either the serpent or a snake-like creature.

Given this, then, what is the immortal Jesus actually telling Saul? Is it this - you (Saul) are, by your persecuting of my people, acting like you are the fulfillment of Gen 3:15 - the seed of the woman - and I and my people are the serpent. But it's impossible for you to continue to do this and think that way, for in reality, it's the exact opposite. As you can see, I'm alive and talking to you, and so the roles are really reversed. You represent the serpent, and I am the seed of the woman. So you must immediately change and come over to the right side!

There is another passage that may have this same ironic twist to it. And it's Psa. 41:9 which reads -

Even my closest friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."

This had its initial fuflillment in Ahithophel's rebellion against David but also foretold Judas' betrayal of Jesus and is quoted by Jesus himself in this way in John 13:18. the allusion here again must be to Gen. 3:15, but with Judas in the role of the woman's seed who is lifting up his heel against the one he perceives to be the "serpent" - Jesus. And, of course, the absolute reverse is what is really true. A question to ask - given this fact - is this: How does this passage then reflect on those speculations that many have had about Judas - i.e. he actually had a "somewhat pure" motivation behind his deeds in trying to provoke Jesus into an immediate display of his power and overthrow of the Roman power and establishment of God's kingdom at that time?

9:11  Saul was  blinded and had experienced a momentous event on the road. Doubtless he, as a faithful Jew, was praying for understanding of all that had happened. He recognised that the one who spoke with him was Jesus and clearly knew that he had killed Jesus’ followers and so doubtless was concerned for his spiritual position.

9:26     Maybe, remembering Ananias and Sapphira the disciples were suspicious of anyone trying to join them – Acts Acts 5:11-13.

Three days of darkness

In Acts 9:9 Saul is in the darkness, out of sight and without food or water. It reminds me of Jesus's 3 days in the tomb and Jonah's 3 days in the belly of the fish. I wonder whether the way this is phrased deliberately makes that link? I wonder how many more examples there are of a 3 day period where the person involved goes through a dramatic change? Jonah repented and obeyed God, and Saul turned around and served the one he had been persecuting, Jesus shook off death and rose to eternal life.

Doing a Bible word search I found another reference to 3 days of darkness in Exo 10:21-23. How many can you find, and what can we learn from these?

9:31    That the churches had rest from persecution once Saul was converted indicates that he was, it seems, conducting a one man campaign against the believers and that with his conversion the religious leaders were not able to find a replacement to continue his work of persecution.

9:8     Saul not seeing any man and being led  the hand is a foretaste of Elymas – Acts 13:11 on a later occasion. The contrast is that Saul responded to the voice he heard. It seems Elymas did not.

9:23     From this day forward Paul was a “marked man”. Whilst we read of a few occasions when the Jews sought to kill Paul we should realise  that all the time he must have been concerned that he would be killed – though he does not mention this fear in any communications we read of him either speaking or writing.

9:13     Saul was blinded by the bright light at midday – 26:13 as he journeyed disobeying the word of God. And so he experienced the punishment of Deuteronomy  28:29.

9:2   the obtaining of letters from the high priest gave credibility and authority to Paul’s self motivated persecution of the believers.

9:15-16 Ananias had a dilemma. He knew what Saul had been doing and the permission he had been given and yet he had been told by “the lord” to seek Saul out. The actions which followed showed an overwhelming confidence that he had actually heard the words of Jesus.

9:7 So we learn that there were witnesses to Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus. Interestingly that detail is presented again – Acts 22:7-9 – when Paul is recounting what happened.

9:3 Saul had been creating havoc amongst the believers for some time. But now Jesus wanted it to stop. The objective of scattering the disciples so that they would spread the gospel had been achieved. So Saul is stopped in his tracks.

9:2  the persecution of Saul had caused believers to flee Jerusalem – Acts 8:1 – to different parts of the land of Israel we learn here that, in fact, believers fled as far as Syria and we might conclude in sufficient numbers to cause Saul to wish to pursue them that far.

9:21 In Damascus it is clear that Saul of Tarsus was well known for his persecution of the disciples of Jesus. We should not underestimate the devastating impact Saul had on the believers shortly after the resurrection of Jesus.

9:5 the word translated “pricks” <2759> here is the same word translated “sting” in 1Cor 15:55. So we see the force of the word is far more severe than a simple prick like e might get from a thorn. This highlights the turmoil that must have been in the mind of Saul the persecutor.