Comments for April 13

v. 16-19 The words of the Reubenites and the Gadites here represented quite a sacrifice - not only were they prepared to leave their families for however long it took to conquer the land, but they had the faith to know that by doing God's will in this way their families would be looked after in their absence. There is strength in this suggestion - and apparently faith that was throughout the tribe, without dissenters. Josh.4:12.

32:12 Caleb and Joshua Josh 14:8 are the only person in Scripture of whom it is said he 'wholly followed the LORD' Numbers 32:12 Deuteronomy 1:36 Joshua 14:8,9,14 The listing of the stopping places in the wilderness here, at the end of the journey would enable those who were now still alive - for by now all who rebelled in Numbers 13 and 14 were dead - to reflect on their journey. Depending on the age of those who remained they would be able to remember the journey from different stages. The older the person the more of the journey, and the more of the events that took place they would be able to remember. Therefore different ones would have different perceptions of the different events. The older ones would have a greater awareness of the early events than the younger ones - a pattern of our lives in Christ. As 'babes' in Christ we tend not to see the Father's providential hand, though it was always there, but as time passes we become more aware, or at least we should, of the guiding hand of the Father in our lives. This must have been true of those who were now at the end of the wilderness journey at the border of the land. These men and women knew that they would indeed enter into the land, unlike their parents. What a wonderful knowledge!

v.23 - We have here a phrase that has found its way into our language in general usage, but the special relevance here is that Moses, when he said it knew, and knew that the men with whom he spoke knew, that he personally would not be there to ensure they kept their word. It is a further reminder to each of us that God knows our every thought. Let us pray for forgiveness.

32:11 'The land which I sware unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob' might seem to be a oft repeated phrase in Scripture. It is not. It is only found in the books of the wilderness journey - Exodus - Deuteronomy (Exodus 33:1 Numbers 32:11 Deuteronomy 1:8 6:10 9:5 30:20 34:4) and in the mouth of Joseph (Genesis 50:24) It was a phrase designed to remind Israel of the faith of Joseph.

32:12 Remember - we cannot remember the names of the other ten spies! Which group do we wish to be among? Those who enter the land or the ones who perish in the wilderness?

:1 The children of Reuben had seen the land of Gilead when they took the land on the east of Jordan before the incident of Balaam. So they had been thinking about where they would like their inheritance for some time. The nation are about to cross Jordan and so now they make their request. They chose what they had seen rather than what God had specifically promised them - though the territory was part of the land promised to Abraham.

32:2-5 We should realise that when these tribes sought for inheritance on the East of Jordan the inhabitants of that area had already been subdued by Israel.  So they can be forgiven for thinking that they could settle there - especially as they were not seeking to shirk their responsibility to help their brethren.

V.17 "We ourselves will go ready armed" That is all of us in a collective body, or as many as may be deemed necessary, while the rest of our number shall remain at home to provide for the sustenance, and secure the protection of our families and flocks. (Josh 4:12)

The Gadites and Reubenites could have taken possession of their allotment east of the Jordan right away. However, Moses obliged them to help the rest of the nation to become settled in the Promised Land first. The good of the whole community was paramount.

We too should follow this example. The welfare of our community in Christ should be foremost in our thoughts and deeds.

The land to the east of the River Jordan had been conquered by God’s command. I presume therefore that it was in God’s plan to include that in "The Promised Land" given to the Israelites. That whole territory makes today’s Israel look rather small, doesn't it?

V.1 A complete conquest had been made of the country east of the Jordon, comprising of "the land of Jazer" and "the land of Gilead" .Jazer formed the southern district between the Arnon and Jabbok, while Gilead was middle region between the Jabbok and Jarmouk, which would have included Bashan. This area has always been famous for its rich and extensive pastures." It was a place for cattle."

32:6      Notice that Moses did not question whether the land east of Jordan should be given to Reuben. Rather his concern was how their actions would impact upon the other tribes.  Likewise we must always consider the impact of our choices, preferences and behaviour upon our brethren and sisters.

32:6-15 We see that Moses’ concern about the desire of the two and a half tribes being just like the nation 38 years earlier. So it seems that they would have been better expressing themselves a little differently. How often we can be misunderstood because we do not think about the implications of what we say and don’t lay out all the things that are in our minds – those two and a half tribes were willing to fight with their brethren but had not made that point clear.

32:11  ‘The land which I sware … unto Jacob’ is the words that Joseph used at the end of his life – Gen 50:24 –reminding that whilst Joseph believed the promises – his coffin was being carried with them in the wilderness – the promise would not be fulfilled in the rebels.

V.1 The lands surrounding the two cities of Jazer and Gilead were very fertile and good for raising cattle. Reuben and Gad wanted to settle there. The area had previously been conquered (v.3). However, Yahweh had designated the Promised Land to be that which was situated across (west of) the River Jordan.  And yet, Moses allowed the occupation of these lands conditionally (vs.20-22).

Joshua confirms Moses’ acceptance and maps out the territory (which also included part of the tribe of Manasseh) (Josh 13:7-12).

This episode shows that Yahweh is flexible to reasonable, alternative ideas, as long as His integrity is not compromised. Another example we read about recently, is that of Zelophehad’s daughters (Num 27:7). There was no provision under the Law for them to inherit their father’s property. But, their request to do so was reasonable to Yahweh in the spirit of justice.

It is good to know that our God is approachable and that our reasonable requests might be considered by Him.

32:8-13 The land east of Jordan had been given to Israel. By God the concern was that those who wanted to take their possession there were like their forefathers who gave an ‘evil report’ – Num 13:32 Moses did not want a re-run of the disaster which happened 38 years earlier.

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
8. The Wilderness Journey from Egypt to Canaan was 40 years long. Exo 16:35 Num 14:33 Num 32:13 Deut 2:7 Deut 8:2,4 Deut 29:5 Josh 5:6 Neh 9:21 Psa 95:10 Acts 7:36 Acts 13:18 Heb 3:9,17. Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

Num 32:10-13 - Joshua and Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Perhaps Joshua represents faithful Jews while Caleb may represent those Gentiles who have become adopted Israelites and sons of Abraham. Num 13:3-6 - Of the tribe of Judah was Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Jephunneh was a Kenezite. Gen 36:10-11 - Here a Kenaz is mentioned who was a grandson of Esau and he could have been the same Kenaz who was the father of Jephunneh. Josh 15:13;Josh 21:12 - Caleb received an inheritance in the land due to his faithfulness.  Exo 12:38,48 - Perhaps Caleb married or was adopted into the tribe of Judah and converted to become a faithful believer. There is another Caleb mentioned in the tribe of Judah and he was a descendant of Pharez but his sons (1Chron 2:18-19) were different than than Caleb the son of Jephunneh (1Chron 4:15). It seems very possible that Caleb son of Jephunneh was a Gentile who joined with the tribe of Judah. In any event, Joshua and Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

32:13 Whilst Moses mentions forty years which was the total time Israel were in the wilderness we should remember that the time of wandering after they were turned back into the wilderness after the ten spies gave their evil report – Num 13:32– was in fact 38 years.

32:28 Moses had been told that he would not enter the land – Num 20:12  -  and here we see an incidental indication that he accepted that statement from God as he instructed Eleazar to ensure that the two tribes kept their word.

32:25-27          Whilst it might have been thought that the tribes who wished to remain on the East of Jordan were just seeking an easy life clearly that was not so. For Moses charged them to make provision for their families and then support their brethren in battle until the land was conquered before going back home. They agreed willingly. Thus they, by contrast to the tribes whose inheritance was on the West of Jordan did not see their families for quite some time.

Num 32:38

“And Nebo, and Baal-meon (their names being changed) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.”

Nebo was the name of a pagan god, and Baal-meon signifies it was “Baal’s habitation,” or the place were the god Baal lives. The children of Reuben changed these idolatrous names, but what they were changed to is not recorded. We do know that the ancient names were restored when these places fell into the hands of the Moabites (Isa 15:2; Jer 48:23).

While it was customary to change the names of conquered lands, the Israelites were forbidden to mention other gods, and they were to be circumspect about it (Exo 23:13).

32:32 The way in which the two and a half tries passed over Jordan, leaving the families behind, was a massive sacrifice. Maybe they did not realise it at the time but they would be away from their families for many years, until the land was conquered – Josh 22:9

The tribes on the East of Jordan were the first to be carried captive due to their idolatry (1Chron 5:25-26). Perhaps choosing to live on this side of the Jordan wasn't such a good idea? It appears to have been their idea, not God's, and there is no indication in this chapter that God was consulted at any time. We should be careful not to put our own slant on what God commands us to do.

32:1-5 were the tribes that requested that they be allowed to dwell on the east of Jordan justified in their request? What evidence would they have to justify their request?

32:1   Whilst it is the tribes of Reuben Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh that inherit land on the East of Jordan it is not recorded that Manasseh requested inheritance on the East of Jordan. Whilst Reuben and Gad are mentioned together in :1,6,25,29,31 the first time we meet Manasseh in the record is in :33 But even there they say nothing. It is Moses who mentions their name.

32:1     We might ask “Why Reuben and Gad”? Well they were half brothers Leah was Reuben’s mother and Zilpah – Leah’s handmaid - was Gad’s mother. Further the tribes of Reuben and Gad were adjacent to each other on the South side of the camp in the wilderness.

32:16-17     Whilst the tribes who were going to settle on the east of Jordan said they would go ready armed it is clear that all the men of war did not go. Joshua 4:13 says “about forty thousand” went even thoughNum 26:7,18,34gives us a total of 136,930.

Number 32 - Reuben and Gad - cheerful givers?

Numbers 32:1-2- Israel were now assembled to the East of the River Jordan. Reuben and Gad had huge herds of cattle and sheep and requested that they possess this area of land because it was idea for grazing their cattle and sheep (v.4, 24).  Moses reminded them that their fathers' had brought discouraging reports of the strength of opposition and defences of the nations living in the land (Num.13:28-29). 

Numbers 32:12- It was only Caleb and Joshua that had "wholly followed the LORD".

Numbers 32:25-31- Once prompted by Moses the children of Reuben and Gad showed cared for their brethren. They first ensured their families were safe in cities in Gilead then crossed the Jordon with brethren to take the promised land.

Notice,Eleazer the priest and Joshua were summoned by Moses to confirm the agreement with Reuben and Gad before these two key witnesses. It was Joshua who was to lead them across the Jordan river to take the land (Numbers 32:28-29).

Num.32:33, 39-41 -Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh were blessed by the LORD with their portions of land to the East of Jordan valley. 

Lessons for Us

Do we give our time willingly in the service of our LORD or are we reluctant and only do so when shamed or prompted to do so? 

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."(2Cor.9:6-7)

32:7 “Wherefore discourage … “ is the key issue. Do we consider the impact our action or non-actions have on our fellow believers? Whilst, for example, attendance at meeting of fellow believers is not mandatory – that is a direct command from God save the breaking of bread – do we consider that our absence from other gatherings will impact on the feelings of others?

32:6 The land east of Jordan clearly was part of the land promised to Abraham. The two and a half tribes were voicing their feelings about part of the land promised. Of course they had no idea what the land was like across the river Jordan but they had made their choice known. We might debate whether they should have made the request or not. However Moses does not question their choice, just that they should help their brethren conquer the land to the west of the river Jordan.

We are not constrained as to where we live, though our choice should take account of meeting our spiritual needs. But wherever we settle we should always seeks to meet the needs of our fellow believers.

32:2-5  The nation had experience of what the land east of Jordan was like as they had conquered it. With respect to the land that was to be their inheritance on the west of Jordan their experience of it was only by hearsay. So their choice was not to wait for what God had promised but ask for land now.

We might reflect on whether the “here and now” is more appealing to us than waiting for an inheritance in the kingdom of God when Jesus returns.

32:38  Why did the children of Israel change the names of the cities that they had conquered when they took possession of the land?

It seems that it was a practice throughout time to change names to destroy evidences of the former occupants of the land. The same happened to Daniel and his friend when they were taken to Babylon – Dan 1:7 –which was designed to destroy their Jewishness.

v.1-3 - This principle is brought out for us in various parts of scripture, but the underlying principle of keeping separate from the 'dainties' of the world which attract us as human beings, is prevalent throughout. v.6, Ps.141:4, Dan.1:8, Luke 21:34, Eph.4:22.

v. 6 An 'evil eye' is a way of viewing things which is Godless. These examples show what an 'evil eye' is Deuteronomy 15:9 28:54,56 Jesus teaches us that he who has an 'evil eye' is walking in darkness. Matthew 6:23

v.29-35 - A poetic but very accurate description of those who have become dependent on alcohol. The world in which we live holds so many drugs, both real and figurative. We do well to avoid them all in every way we can.

:32 In speaking of the bite of the serpent we have an echo of the way in which listening to the serpent in the garden of Eden caused the downfall of Adam and Eve.

"DO NOT WEAR YOURSELF OUT TO GET RICH"
I once heard the saying that no-one ever said on their deathbed that they wished they had spent more time at the office. That is very true. From the deathbed our whole perspective on life comes into focus. Our focus will no longer be on how much money we have in the bank but on how we have used what we have spent. Or maybe we will wish we had used our time more profitably instead of spending it at the office earning more money. But the proverb has a stronger meaning than just sending time to get money. It tells us not to wear ourselves out to get rich. If getting rich wears us out then any benefit we would get from our riches will be of no use to us at all. Riches do wear many people out. They work hard, put in long stressful hours and on top of that have the worry of protecting all the "Assets" they have gained. They need insurance, alarms and other protections, and due to the worry involved can die an early death. There is wisdom in the words of Solomon - especially when we consider that those who possess less need God more. Riches are not worth the bother. You cannot serve God and riches. So choose God!

:20 being 'among riotous eaters' is echoed in Ephesians 5:18 so we see that the simple Proverb actually has applications in the daily living of the brother or sister in Christ.

23:1-3 The ruler seeks to take the guest off guard with his hospitality - but Prov 23:4 the guest has other ideas. He is seeking favours of the ruler.

V.15  "My heart shall rejoice" We witnessed this at the time of Christ's baptism. The joy of a father as a son follows his will. "Thou art my beloved son; in whom I am well pleased." Luke 3:22

The first three verses of today’s chapter, Prov 23:1-3, speak of the need to curb our appetite if we ever find ourselves at a king’s banquet. Solomon says that the food holds a dishonest hidden agenda.  In other words, when we have eaten and drunk far too much, then the ruler will seize the opportunity to persuade us to do something evil.  This is well illustrated with David’s gift of food to Uriah (2Sam 11:8).

V.6  The Hebrew expression having an evil eye (ayin ra) refers to someone who is mean and stingy.  We are told to avoid such false people, preferring simpler offerings given in the right spirit to grandiose ones given with the wrong attitude (Prov 15:17). 

23:21  The ‘drunken and the glutton’ is identified with the ‘stubborn’ son in Deut 21:20. We have already met the stubborn son in Prov 7 – he is the son who will not listen to the correction and instruction of the Father.

V.11 - "For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee" (KJV). In Job 19:25 we read "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". "Redeemer" in both instances is the Heb. "ga'al" (1350) meaning "to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relatives property, marry his widow, etc.), deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinfolk, ransom, redeem (-er), revenger, purchase". Christ as our mediator (1Tim 2:5) pleads and makes intercession for our cause as does the Spirit (Isa 53:12; Rom 8:26,27,34; Heb 7:25). Christ gave his life as a ransom for many (Matt 20:28). And followers of Christ have the Abrahamic promise of the inheritance  Gen 13:14-17; Gal 3:8,13,14,16,18,19,26,27,28,29.

V.13-14 - we have the idea of correction/discipline/chastening/chasteneth Heb. "muwcar" (4148)to save a "soul" Heb. "nephesh" (5315) means "life, person, a breathing creature, soul", etc. from "hell" (KJV) or "death" (NIV) Heb. "sheol" (7585) means "grave, pit, hell", etc. Heb 12:5-11 - says "the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son" (NIV). So we see loving discipline from God refining our characters and being instrumental in the delivering/resurrecting our bodies/lives (i.e. mortal souls) from the grave/death. This is the future hope upon Christ's return we have in Prov 23:18 - "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (NIV).

23:23 In saying ‘buy the truth and sell it not’ the wise man provides an origin for the language in Rev 13:17 where there would come a time when some would try to prevent the promulgation of the gospel which is bought ‘without price’ – Isa 55:1

23:4 We are enjoined to ‘labour’ – but not for riches. We are encouraged to Heb 4:11 "labour therefore to enter into that rest,"

Vs.3,6,7 Dainties are a product of luxury. Luxurious living is more often than not gained by nefarious deeds. Those who live in luxury, generally have no need or use for Yahweh. They think that they are untouchable. The person who would be simple and righteous should avoid dainties and, generally, those who live luxuriously. See Psa 141:4, and Rev 18:14 which is talking about the luxurious living of the wicked religious/political system of Babylon that has just been destroyed.

V.4 follows the wisdom of v.3.

Vs.10,11 repeats Prov 22:28 with an addition about orphans. It is a command not to mistreat any widow or orphan (Exo 22:22). The one who does will be cursed by Yahweh (Deut 27:19).

Vs.13,14 The beating and the rod can be used both literally and figuratively. The rod is an implement of correction that is applied to the child by beating. It is much more productive to apply a corrective measure to a child that is not physical. David (talking for Christ also) was not comforted by the rod that was physically beating on him (Psa 23:4). Rather, he was comforted by the (non-physical) correction (rod) and the support (staff) that Yahweh, in His care, was willing to give. David was not physically beaten by Yahweh in his process of correction. Jesus’ walk was perfect, and so He did not need to be corrected. Jesus was, of course, beaten by men as part of His trial, but that is another matter.

V.27 links with Prov 22:14. It is very difficult to climb out of a deep ditch (Heb. shuchah = chasm); or a narrow pit (be-ar = well).

23:1-3 Solomon is not simply speaking of etiquette at a guest’s meal table. Rather it is to do with how we respond to new ideas – a feast of ideas – we should always consider what we hear. As John says ‘try the spirits’ 1John 4:1

V.30 Sufficient wine will make one drunk and stupid, but mixed wine will make the process quicker.

In the ancient Near East, it was found that adding certain aromatic herbs to wine would increase the intoxicating potency of the beverage. This became so popular in the Greek world that drinking plain wine was considered distasteful and dull.

At His crucifixion, the soldiers tried to give Jesus mixed wine, but he refused (Mark 15:23). In this case, the wine was mixed with myrrh which would act as an anaesthetic.

23:10 ‘Remove not the old landmarks’ (Boundary) Margin echoes Prov 22:28 so we might see the intervening verses as explaining how this could be done. Whilst Solomon is alluding to Deut 19:14 he is speaking of the principles of the gospel and not simply physical territory.

23:7   Of course it is not just the one who invites us to a meal who is known by his ‘heart’. All men are known unto God by their ‘heart’.

Prov 23:23

"Buy the truth, and sell it not..."

Religious vendors everywhere are trying to sell us their ‘goods.’ Multitudes of sermons are preached as they “compass sea and land to make one proselyte” merely propagating falsehoods (Matt 23:15). Ignore their labels; do not buy their glittery stuff!

The truth is a piece of ‘merchandise’, if you will, that we are told to buy and never sell. What is this truth? The truth is the pearl of great price (Matt 13:45-46). Gold cankers, silver rusts, moths will eat up, and all the worldly riches will go up in smoke (James 5:2-3), but the truth, the pearl of great price, is a treasure that will last forever.

The truth we are asked to buy is not about merely knowing the truth. It encompasses: 1) doctrinal truth, “to the Law and to the Testimony” (Isa 8:20). 2) The truth is to be experienced. There is only one true re-birth (John 3:5). 3) The truth is practical, and by this I mean our moral behaviour and character must be consistent with the truth. Many believe the truth, but do not prove it in their lives. They have this feeling of confidence without self-examination (2Cor 13:5).

Failure to grasp these three points has led to too much regeneration without the faith that leads to repentance. We are to buy all the truth and never sell it at any price! When we read and study the Bible, we are not to pick and choose what we like, believe half of it, and leave off the other half that we do not like, or believe only those parts that suit our particular idiosyncrasies. No one would ever dream of breaking a valuable pearl into multiple pieces!

Some sell the truth to maintain respectability in society. Some sell the truth in exchange for their livelihood. Some sell the truth for worldly pleasures, and still some sell the truth for no reason at all. They are just not interested.

Let us never sell the truth as Esau did for a mess of pottage (Gen 25:33); as Judas did for 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:14-16), as Demas did because he loved the world (2Tim 4:10), or as Diotrephes did because he loved to have the preeminence in the ecclesia (3John 1:9). We need to buy all the truth and keep it as Jesus did, who in its fullest was all these three points: 1) “the way,” 2) “the truth,” and 3) “the life” (John 14:6).

Prov 23:2-3

“And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: For they are deceitful meat.”

There is a Hebrew proverb that goes like this: “He who eats till he is sick must fast till he is well.”

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 6:19), and as such, we are expected to take care of it. Caring for our body requires wisdom and balance, but this passage goes much deeper than just about how much we eat. It is about worldly indulgences, not just of food.

We are to remove any hindrances that would have us bear fruit (Gal 5:22-23). It is about our stewardship. This is what God really cares about, more than our weight (John 15:8). What we need to do is examine ourselves and check what bad habit(s) we are indulging in over and over again, and then go on a “bad habit diet.”

23:9   There comes a time when it is pointless trying to make a point, even though it is true. The ;fool’ is so convinced that he is right that he will not listen to reason. In such cases it is wise to simply leave the ‘fool’ to his folly. How often do we continue a debate with an individual when we know our words are fruitless? We feel, sometimes, that we need to make our point. However if the hearer is not listening then we should simply walk away from the discussion.

Prov 23:7

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.”

James Allen, author of the book, As a Man Thinketh, wrote this: “As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains”!

We truly are what we think, and without first changing what is most basic – our thinking, we cannot change. This aphorism embraces the whole man and is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of life. We are what we think, and our character is the sum total of all our thoughts.

Thinking with our heart simply means that we think emotionally based on our feelings. The hardest skill believers must learn is to make choices contrary to feelings - deciding to act out of love in accordance with the Word and not act out of prejudices, self-interest, revenge, and various other emotions (cf. Jer 17:9; Matt 15:10-11,15-20; Matt 23:25-28). Phil 4:8 itemizes how we ought to be thinking and quit thinking about what we don’t have and start thinking about what we do. We need to quit thinking about what is wrong with us and start thinking about what is right with us. We need to quit thinking about how big our problem is and start thinking about how big our God is.

Contextually, though, this passage deals with a man who has an “evil eye” (Prov 23:6) – a selfish man. This passage is a warning to remember who you are dealing with despite an outwardly friendly attitude. This host had an alternative motive.

The point of this passage is to think why a selfish person, whether a ruler (vv. 1-3) boss, or anyone else, is reaching out to do something unselfish! It is a masking of intent. At face value, generous deeds and words can be deceptive, hence the warning to look at the character of the individual. Whether a meal, or whatever we may receive, it will cost us so much in the end, that in retrospect we will wish we had never accepted the invitation or received a thing from such a person.

This passage is intended to snatch off the mask of ‘generosity’ because behind it is a fraud, and thus the intended victim has a fighting chance to get away before his trap is sprung by a person acting out of character. Some of us may have already experienced this! I have, and it is an absolutely horrible and sickening feeling to discover that someone is reaching out not from a genuine feeling, but is ‘out for a kill’ (cf. v. 8). It is a mistake we do not want to make!

23:19-21        The wise man here counsels his “son” as to which way not to go. The behaviour warned against is exactly what the “son” in the parable of the prodigal son did – Luke 15:13-14. He did not listen to his father.

1. Prov 23:1-3 - don't offend the host with gluttony (Phil 3:19); we are to eat spiritual fruit and avoid our appetite for sin (Gen 3:3-6;Gal 5:16-26).

2. Prov 23:4-5 - don't wear yourself out in an attempt to obtain transitory material riches; Prov 23:4 "wisdom"<998>.

3. Prov 23:6-8 - skill at extracting reluctant favors only earns secret dislike.

4. Prov 23:9 - (Matt 7:6) - Prov 23:9 "fool"<3684>, "wisdom"<7922>.

5. Prov 23:10-11 - God defends the defenceless (1Kin 21:1-19;Num 36:7;Lev 25:13-28;Job 19:25;Exo 22:22-24;Psa 68:5;Hos 14:3;Psa 10:14,17,18;James 1:27).

6. Prov 23:12-16 - discipline delivers from death (the example of Eli not adequately disciplining his children 1Sam 2:22-25;3:13) - Prov 23:16 "reins" [<3629> can mean "innermost being, figuratively the mind (as the interior self), the kidneys, the internal organs"].

7. Prov 23:17-21 - don't envy sinners - Prov 23:20 "among riotous eaters"<2151>.

8. Prov 23:22-25 - a wise son brings rejoicing - Prov 23:22 (John 19:25-27) - Prov 23:23 we are to spare no expense in obtaining truth and wisdom (Prov 2:1-4;4:7;Matt 13:44-46) - Prov 23:24 (Mark 1:9-11).

9. Prov 23:26 - Christ gave his Father his heart and always obeyed His ways (Matt 26:39); we can observe God's ways through nature (Rom 1:20;Psa 19:1-4).

10. Prov 23:29-35 - the dangers of alcoholism and being intoxicated by the pleasures and cares of this world (Luke 21:31-36) - Prov 23:30 (Eph 5:18) - Prov 23:32 the alcoholic's friends are the seed of the serpent (Gen 3:14-15) and alcoholism can prevent one from entering the kingdom (Gal 5:21) - Prov 23:33 "strange women"(<2114> can also mean "strange things").

Prov 23:23 - We are exhorted to buy the truth but not to sell it.  How can this apply in our lives? If we have already responded to the call of the Gospel taking on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through baptism, we have already bought the truth.  The prophet Isaiah calls for all to come and buy and drink of the water of life, without money or a price (Isa 55:1).  How can we buy without money?  We can buy the truth by spending time in searching out the truth of God’s offer of salvation.  We must listen diligently with an attentive ear and our souls will live (Isa 55:2-3).

We must take care not to betray or sell the truth by our way of life. Judas is an example of one who did this when he betrayed Jesus to 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:14-15).

23:23  the “wisdom” and “understanding” is taken up – Eph 5:17 – as instruction to the believer. 

23:6-9 Having warned us in the first three verses of this chapter about the need for restraint now the wise man counsels care in the way in which we choose people to spend time with.

23:1-6 Put simply Proverbs  is counselling restraint in circumstances where excess is easy. We do well to heed this injunction when we are involved in activities which provide an opportunity for excess. Of course this does not only relate to meals. It can be any activity we involve ourselves in.

As He Thinketh -- So Is He Proverbs Prov 23:7

What we are doing externally is secondary, though important. What we are doing internally is vital: what we are thinking, and what we are thinking about, and what we are thinking about it. What are our purposes and motives for what we do and the decisions we make?

Are we just seeking personal self-satisfaction and pleasure or do we want to be a useful part of eternity: something bigger than ourselves?

23:7-8  “morsel” makes one think of small items. The point being that the “world” actually can only give little tings but they can have a massive detrimental effect on our spiritual health.

Prov 23:14

“Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”

God has left us with instructions on how to raise children. All the worldly-wise child training textbooks are of very little help (cf. Isa 8:20).

Dr. Benjamin Spock’s Baby and Child Care and other such books are bankrupt in their results! Why? Because they advocated doing everything that was contrary to God's ways! It spawned the hippie movement, the rebellion of the 1960’s, explosion in crime, recreational drugs, and decline in test scores. If that isn’t enough, he recommended laying babies on their backs and around 60,000 babies died between the years 1970-1990’s as a result!

Later in life, Dr. Spock, a Pediatrician, saw the fruits of his psychology. He confessed his book was based on Freud’s delusions and Darwin’s debased humanity – all unproven, untested theories. He failed and witnessed his own grandson commit suicide! He thought his approach would produce a kinder and more peaceful society. Instead, the very opposite happened.

In 1967, Dr. Spock admitted: “It’s professional people – like me – who have gotten the parents afraid of their children’s hostility, and I don’t know if we can undo it. Pandora’s Box has been opened.” Well, he opened it! Laws were past throughout various parts of the globe forbidding parents to use corporal punishment on their children. It has only led to increased societal violence, in unprecedented escalations in crime! His teaching and others of his ilk have spawned a morally and socially bankrupt generation.

Hell is metaphorical here. If children do not learn to submit to parental authority, they will have trouble submitting to any kind of authority and live a dysfunctional and troubled life throughout life. We can see the results of neglecting God’s instructions of loving correction in following the worldly wisdom of permissiveness and no discipline. We witness unprecedented belligerence, proud, selfish adults, and it is coming home to roost as all hell is breaking loose.

23:6    The “evil eye” contrasts with the “bountiful eye” of Prov 22:9 especially the contrast is seen when it is realised the word “bountiful” <2896> in Prov 22:3 is more often translated “good”

Prov 23:18

“For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”

“End” is the Hebrew word, achariyth, # <319>, “the last or end, hence the future…” The NIV reads as follows: “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Even the most ardent believers get discouraged and feel cast down. We mourn and suffer many afflictions (Acts: 14:22), but if we accept our lot and humble ourselves before the Father, He will lift us up (1Pet 5:6,7). The righteous await a glorious future for there is an end to all, but with the expectation of immortality in the future. A happy end is coming for those who fear God, but It is not so with the wicked (cf. Psa 17).

We know that everything about us, all our thoughts, words, deeds will come to an end, yet it is not an end if we are faithful and order our lives in accordance with Yahweh’s precepts (cf. Deut 28:1-14; 1John 2:17). Our labours will not be in vain (1Cor 15:58).

23:26   The giving of one’s heart to God is exactly what is being spoken of in Deut 6:5. Our love for God must consume our lives to the exclusion of everything that would turn us away from Him.

23:31-33 This is not simply a warning about drunkenness. Rather getting involved in things that dull the senses will, inevitably, bring sin.

23:5 This proverb is exemplified by the Roman eagle (Deut. 28:49; Mt. 24:28) taking away the Jewish treasure which the Jews had heaped together “for the last days” (Jas. 5:3) of Judah’s commonwealth. In AD 70 the treasures of the Jewish temple did “make themselves wings” and they did “fly away as an eagle toward the (political) heaven” at Rome.

23:24 do we ever consider the pleasure that we give to our God when we show wise characteristics?

23:4-8 We are all encouraged to “get on” in this life. There are things we can do which enhance the possibility of fame and success. However we need to be aware that those who might appear to be helpful actually have their own agendas. Avoid the fellowship of those with an “evil eye”. Don’t be enticed by his “dainties”. The Proverb here speak of self advancement in the context of a meal. Whilst we might be advanced in this world’s eyes our focus should not be ”labour to be rich”. Such riches are transient. Eternal life, by definition is not transient.

23:29-35 Whilst wine is presented here as the route through which all manner of sinful behaviour comes we need to look beyond the true literal truth to an appreciation that drunkenness is used as a picture of the one who has taken hold on false teaching. False teaching leads to immoral activities

23:23  The truth is available free of charge – Isa 55:1 –the buying is commitment shown Selling the truth is swapping that commitment for something else. Like those who turn away from the gospel. They have actively forsaken the truth to embrace something else that they “buy”.

v. 19 is Jesus' answer to the accusation aimed at him in v.18 of equality with God. It is interesting that an answer like this is recorded for us by God, who in his wisdom saw that this would be a problem in generations to come. We have the same responsibility as Jesus had to follow the Lord, as we have passed from death unto life (v.24,25). The principle is emphasised further in v.30.

v. 2 There are a number of times when the Hebrew is given in the New Testament even though Greek was the common tongue. here Bethesda John 19:13 Gabbatha John 19:17 Golgotha Revelation 9:11 Abaddon Revelation 16:16 Armageddon Mark 15:34 Jesus speaks in Hebrew on the cross Acts 1:19 Aceldama We might care to think about why this is so.

5:2 There are a number of times when the Hebrew is given in the New Testament even though Greek was the common tongue. John 5:2 Bethesda John 19:13 Gabbatha John 19:17 Golgotha Revelation 9:11 Abaddon Revelation 16:16 Armageddon Mark 15:34 Jesus speaks in Hebrew on the cross Acts 1:19 Aceldama We might care to think about why this is so.

PRAISE FROM GOD
It comes down to the way we live and who we seek to please. Many people only try to please themselves, not caring about anyone else. Clearly this sort of attitude is not acceptable to God. Others, like the leading Jews, did everything so that they could receive praise from men. What they did looked godly, but in reality it was just a big show so that people would look at them and praise them. And Jesus, on the other hand, was motivated to please his Father in heaven.

Jesus said to the Jews, "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts ... How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" It is possible that this reproof applies to us just as much as it applied to the Jews. Our praise from God comes later - not now, but the praise we hear from people is instant. So in many ways it is easier to be motivated to please men rather than God. Let's change that and make every effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God.

:9-10 So we find the Jewish leaders thinking that Sabbath observance as they saw it as being more important than the healing of a sick man. The sick man typified Israel who needed deliverance from sin and death but the leaders were more concerned with the form of their worship than the needs of the people who were dying. This warns us of the dangers of mistaking our form of worship and preaching for the message itself.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

Jesus, the Son of God, the greatest man that ever walked the face of the earth knew that all he was and all he did came from his Father. He said, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these."

I wish that we could get to know God as well as Jesus, so that we would also be able to learn as effectively from him and become people like Jesus. But just as Jesus learnt all he needed from God, his Father, so he has left us his teaching for us to follow. He said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

So it is up to us to listen to the words of Jesus and believe in what he says. If we can just follow his teaching, putting it into practice in our lives we will become like him, having learnt from the greatest man that ever lived. Learning from the best and consistently following that teaching is a sure way to be successful. Best of all, his lessons are free. Enrol today!

V.1  John records four Passovers for us during the three and a half year ministry of Christ. 

5:16 Throughout John's Gospel when the title 'The Jews' is used it is speaking, not of the whole nation but of the ruling class.

Christians need to search the Old Testament to see the foundations of the true faith (46,47).

Not all manuscripts have: waiting for the moving of the water.  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had
(end of verse 3 and verse 4).  It is suggested only the less important manuscripts contain this. The KJV contains this while the RV has omitted it.  Whatever the textual veracity, the important lesson of this chapter is that Jesus had the divine power, and the willingness, to heal.

5:4       This verse stand in parenthesis/ It provides an explanation as to why sick folk were by the pool. As such it neither supports or denies the truth of the belief of those at the pool. There is no value in us speculating about what happened. This is not the purpose of the narrative. The narrative is designed to show that Jesus had the power to heal – and consequently that he was Messiah –

V.9 The fact that John, who seldom uses the word EUTHEOS (5112) at once, straightway, immediately indicates that he wishes to place special stress on this sudden and complete character of the cure. This recovery was neither gradual, nor partial, it was immediate, and complete. Once again we see the glory of the Son of God revealed.

How is it that the dead can hear Jesus, when they have a great deal of trouble hearing anyone else? We have several examples of this phenomenon, not least here in this chapter. v25 "the hour is coming and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God".

But Jesus is not speaking to the dead now, but of the dead eternally. Death is rather subjective with the eyes of faith:- A dead man who has turned to God in his lifetime is far more alive (in the long run) than a living man who doesn't know God, because of the resurrection (John 11:25). So a dead man, in the spiritually focused eyes of Jesus, is one who hasn't accepted his word (whether physically alive or dead).

This is how the dead can hear Jesus. Those around him were as good as dead in their sins. They didn't know God, and had no hope. Jesus came to rectify that situation. For this reason we have five references to hearing in this short speech of Jesus: v24 "he who hears", v25 "the dead will hear" and "those who hear will live", v28 "all who are in the graves will hear his voice", v30 "as I hear, I judge".

Hearing is absolutely fundamental to being saved. If we hear and believe in Jesus as our saviour, we are no longer dead but alive (v24). The way Jesus phrases it is that we have "passed from death into life". It is, however, very tempting to believe we are alive when we're not. We need to take the example of the stubborn, blind Pharisees, and examine ourselves to see if we are acting in the same way as them. It can be a very subtle thing which we can't easily recognise. So how can we tell? Are we drawing near to Jesus to hear him, or are we drawing back? Do we find ourselves spending more time studying the old testament than the new? (v39). Do we concern ourselves more with what others are saying than studying the actual words of Jesus ourselves? It is only by personally coming to Jesus to hear him that we can be made alive (v40).

v 45-47 Jesus says that their accuser is Moses. in fact, Moses himself had not accused them before God, but had pleaded for the people. The sad thing was that they claimed to believe in & follow Moses/his inspired writings, and yet they actually did not, but could not see this. Their own unbelief condemned them, they didn't need anyone else to do so.

So we may say that we believe in & are followers of Jesus, and that we have taken his words to our hearts. But he may return & say "I never knew you".

5:1 And so we see Jesus going back to Jerusalem from Galilee.

Can you imagine the sights and the smells of these 5 porches of the pool Bethesda? (John 5:1-16). Therein lay a great multitude of sick people, all hoping to be healed when the Angel stirred the water. They would all shuffle and hobble down to the water, scraping their poor wasted limbs on the rough stone edges, and the vast majority of them would be disappointed. Only one was healed, each time. The whole scene must have been heart wrenching. Some of the hardest words in the New Testament are here: “Sir, I have no man …”. It makes you long to preach, and to tell people who have no other hope about Jesus. “I have no man to tell me about Jesus Christ” must never be said while we have the ability and the breath to share our hope of the gospel.

V.8 What a challenge this would have been to a man who had confessed his own complete inability. Most modern versions say a mat, but the Greek word used is KRABBATOS (2895). Which we understand was a camp-bed or cot. The man was told to pick it up and walk. After not walking for for thirty eight years, he accepted the challenge, he picked up the bed and walked. What a challenge to each one of us to accept the challenge issued by Christ, to each one of us. "Follow me"

5:7     The man’s reaction to Jesus’ question highlights that the man did not know of Jesus’ capabilities. He took the question as a simple investigation, not a question to which Jesus could provide the answer.  So we must conclude that the healing was not a response to the man’s faith. Rather it was a simple demonstration of the glory of God. A fulfilment of Isa 35:6

5:1 In chapter 3 Jesus was in Jerusalem. In chapter 4 he was on his way back to Galilee. Here we see Jesus going back to Jerusalem to another Jewish feast. We must be careful not to think that each event runs on from the previous one on the next day, so to speak. There are significant periods of time between some of these events.

V.18 The Jews believed that their immortal, invisible God was unique (Deut 6:4). Then, how could a flesh-and-blood mortal man be His son? Jesus’ claim to be God’s son was not only preposterous to the Jews but blasphemous. That made Jesus worthy of death. And yet, they could not deny or explain Jesus’ miraculous works.

Christendom also, like those Jews, does not understand the relationship between Jesus and His Father. They believe that Jesus and His Father is indeed one God, who together with the Holy Spirit makes a triune God. This unreasonable doctrine of the Trinity was formulated in the fourth century A.D. at the Council of Nicea. Followers of Christ before that could not have believed in the Trinity. This includes the apostles who possessed the Holy Spirit. How could these believers be in error?

The truth is that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is indeed an immortal, invisible unique God. Jesus is His Son because He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Yahweh‘s power) (Matt 1:20,21). But His mother was human, thus making Him a man. Jesus and His Father were one - in character and purpose. But they were, and remain, two separate persons.

V.21 For example, Yahweh raised the widow’s son in Sarepta through Elijah (1Kin 17:22); or the Shunamite’s son through Elisha (2Kin 4:32-35).

5:12 So on learning why the man was carrying his bed – he had been healed! – the Jewish leaders then question who had healed the man. Doubtless they knew that Jesus was in Jerusalem. They would also know of his healings. Their questioning was not to learn who had healed Jesus. It was rather to fault the man and try to undermine Jesus’ teaching and position. How often do we try to kill the messenger when we do not like what we see or hear?

5:3  The ‘moving of the water’ is a little like the crossing of the Red Sea – deliverance from Egypt and the Crossing of Jordan – entry into the land of promise.  Likewise this event was seen only to provide a short term solution to the people’s problem. Whilst Jesus’ healing of the impotent man is only short term it signalled the coming of Messiah who would cure all illness.

John 5 is an extended discussion about the relative roles of the Father and the son. Starting from John 5:17, Jesus clearly shows that the authority with which he worked as his Father's. The authority was his precisely because what he did was not about him claiming his own authority, but about him manifesting his Father John 5:30. Furthermore he calls resurrection (attested to in their own scriptures- John 5:21, cf. Deut 32:29, 1Sam 2:6), the scriptures (John 5:39), Moses (John 5:45) to his witness, thus showing that even by the terms of their patriarchs, his authority was attested by another than himself.

So when the Jews are contesting his authority, they are completely missing God's manifesting of Himself. Likewise to read this chapter and understand Jesus as claiming personal equality with his Father, would be to miss the point that God attested to His own son (John 5:37). To have been attesting to Himself personally, by being Himself in human form would have been to make the very point of Jesus words here meaningless. This conclusion is driven home by the title he adopts for himself as "the Son of Man" John 5:27, and not only so, but the very one who executes judgement in the Lord's name! 

5:31-32            Jesus’ claim to authority was based, not on the things he said and did. Rather his claim was based on his Father’s testimony of him. So Jesus, despite the people’s adulation, does not take the glory to himself.

Summary Of John

5:1                 Feast in Jerusalem – Jesus went (Passover 2?)

5:1-16            Healing the man at Bethesda

5:16-47          Jewish opposition

John 5:24.

5:13    The way in which the healed man “wist not” echoes John 2:9 where the same words are used to speak of the way that the “ruler of the feast” was unaware of the origin of the good wine that Jesus had made. 

JUST JUDGEMENTS

Jesus was talking about judgement when he said: "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me." (John 5:30). We can know for certain that Jesus was absolutely right when he said this. His judgements both when he walked on this earth, and when he returns to judge the living and the dead, will be just.

Occasionally we too need to make judgements. For my part, I would love to be able to do what Jesus is able to do, and be absolutely correct all the time. Unfortunately that is not the case. But as Jesus told us how he judges, so we have a brilliant instruction as to how to make the best decisions. His judgements are just because he seeks not to please himself, but God who sent him.

If we can do the same, we will do well too. That means getting rid of selfish interests, preconceived ideas, prejudices, politics, and asking ourselves, praying even, to ask what outcome will be most pleasing to God? If we seek for all our judgements to be pleasing to God, we will be doing well.

5:17   When God finished the creation he “rested” – Gen 2:2. His work changed from creation to sustaining His creation. This work of sustaining creation (and working through His angels in the lives of His children) was a seven days a week work for which we should be grateful.

5:3    We have already seen that the moving of the waters is like the crossing of the Red Sea and the deliverance from Egypt. The mention of “impotent folk” contrast with the way in which Israel are described when they left Egypt – Psa 105:37

THE FEAST OF THE JEWS (John 5:1)

So what exactly is the feast of the Jews that is mentioned here? Well, the writer does not tell us exactly what feast this was, but we can discern the time frame of events which might help identify the feast.

If you take John 4:35- where Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest."

- It seems to imply that in John 4:35 Jesus spoke in December

Now if we compare it with John 6:4- it records that “Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples. 4 Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near.”

- So it must therefore be a feast occurring in the interval between December and the Passover, and this is no other than the feast of Purim

This may help solve the mystery!

5:2     Notice that John is inspired to say there is … which indicates that the pool was still in existence when John wrote the gospel. That implies that John’s gospel was written before AD70 when much of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans.

5:43    In the wilderness an angel came in God’s name – Exo 33:2. The people, by and large, did not listen to the angel. Now Jesus has come in God’s name and again he is not listened to by the majority.

John 5:46,47

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

The Bible is one book with many stories, yet it is one story that culminates in one person, Christ. The Old Testament prepared the way for and pointed to Christ, while the New Testament revealed and explained him. The Old Testament was a “shadow” of Christ whom we come to experience in the New Testament, as the “substance” (Col 2:17).

Moses was chosen by God to be His earthly representative, and what Moses said and did came from Yahweh (Exo 24:4). To disbelieve what he wrote is to disbelieve God and Christ (John 8:26,29,30; John 6:38)! Moses, like Christ, sought to teach and do the will of the Father. All the laws given fell into two categories: one changeable, the other unchangeable, and it is important to know which laws fell into which category. Not all were abolished, as too often taught, under the New Testament! The Moral Laws (cf. Exo 20:3-17; Deut 5:7-22), and read throughout the Bible,  were given directly by God (Exo 24:12) and remain unchangeable because it is the standard for all righteousness and is the expression of the Father’s will for us (cf. Rom 12:2) for our salvation (Eph 1:1-11). “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.”  “The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting…” (Psa 119:142,144; Mal 2:6; cf. Matt 5:20).

In Rom 2:13, Paul states, “… the doers of the law shall be justified,” but in Rom 3:20 he states, “Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified.” David wrote in Psa 19:7, “The law of YAHWEH is perfect, but then wrote in Heb 7:19, “the law made nothing perfect.” Paul wrote in Eph 2:8,9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…” (cf. Gal 2:16), but Titus tells us in Titus 3:8, “to maintain good works.” James wrote in James 2:24, “… that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” None of these verses contradict each other! One verse speaks of the deeds or works of the Law pertaining to the Ceremonial and Judicial Laws, the other speaks of the Moral Laws (cf. Eph 2:10)!

We must delineate and distinguish between the two categories of the Law. Scripture explains Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” (1Cor 2:13); not taking select verses out of context, “nor handling the word of God deceitfully”, (2Cor 4:2), but reading and studying the entire text to understand the context, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (1Tim 4:13; 2Tim 2:15; 2Tim 3:16; cf. 1Thess 5:21).

The Pharisees failed in this, and were but blind leaders of the blind, did not know their Messiah, let alone understand him (Matt 5:14; Luke 16:31)!

5:39      Given Jesus in John’s gospel says that the scriptures testify of him we should be looking, as we read John’s gospel, for evidences that the Old Testament does testify of Jesus. We will see such evidence in the miracles and encounters that we read.

John 5:46

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”

ISRAEL’S PROMISED MESSIAH

“THE nation was taught to expect the appearance in its midst of a person, who should be at once an Israelite and the Eternal Spirit—two beings in combination; the Spirit manifested in and through flesh…

The prophets are copious in their references to this spirit-anointed seed of Abraham. Even Balaam the son of Bosor had a glimpse of him in his regal and military glory…

David says, in his last words, that the accomplishment of the promises covenanted to him concerning the Christ was ‘all his salvation, and all his desire.’ He sings of his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, conquests, sovereignty, etc., and proclaims the joyful sound in spirit-inspired verse. To speak in detail would be to quote nearly all that he penned.

Isaiah, Jehovah’s prophet to the House of David, describes his Kingdom and glory in glowing terms—‘The joy set before him’ as recompense of suffering and obedience unto death. He styles him the son of a virgin who should name him ‘God with us’…

Jeremiah testifies that he shall execute judgment and righteousness in Palestine, and that in his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely…

And Daniel, that he shall destroy all the powers of the Gentiles, civil and ecclesiastical; and transfer the government of the world to himself and friends throughout all the earth.”

Brother Dr. John Thomas, Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, 1857, pp. 202, 203

5:45 Jesus is making it very plain. Scripture is the final arbiter in a dispute. The Jewish leaders were condemned by the very books they revered. The same will be true for us. Who would be Jesus’ disciples.

5:35 As a “a burning and a shining light” John was like the “lamps” (Judg. 7:16) of Gideon. This is one of several parallels between John and Gideon. ‘Gideon’ means ‘hewer’ and John spoke of trees being “hewn down” (Mt. 3:10). As Bro. Charles Link pointed out (Judges 7-8, 2013), “the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan” (Judg. 7:24) is possibly the same place as “Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing” (Jno. 1:28). John spoke of a “floor” and “wheat” (Mt. 3:12) and Gideon put a fleece “in the floor” (Judg. 6:37) and he “threshed wheat” (Judg. 6:11). The Midianites, Amalekites and the children of the east were “like grasshoppers (i.e. locusts) for multitude; and their camels were without number” (Judg. 7:12) and “John was clothed with camel’s hair … and he did eat locusts …” (Mk. 1:6). Gideon needed reassurance (Judg. 6:36-40) and so did John (Mt. 11:3). Gideon’s men were reduced in number (Judg. 7:2-7) and John said “I must decrease” (Jno. 3:30).

5:44 Jesus’ question makes it very clear. It is not possible to accept Jesus’ authority if one has respect to another authority than God. We do well to think about this when reflecting on theories presented by man about, for example, the origin of the world and life on it. When men’s ideas conflict with what God and His son said we have to make a choice. We cannot blend the two together.

5:45 Jesus is making it very plain. Scripture is the final arbiter in a dispute. The Jewish leaders were condemned by the very books they revered. The same will be true for us. Who would be Jesus’ disciples.

5:24  the idea of passing from death unto life is found again in John’s writings – 1John 3:14 – where John explains that a change has already taken place in the believer expanding on Jesus’ words in the gospel.

5:10 Doubtless the man who had been head healed was well aware of the law regarding carrying his bed – a law defined by the Jewish leaders. But as Jesus ad cured him he doubtless recognised that Jesus had more authority than those leaders who sought to uphold their rules, hence he was willing to carry his bed despite what the law invented by the leaders said.

5:18  Jesus was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God

Trinitarians endorse the argument of the Jews in their claims about Jesus - that is,  Jesus is claiming equality with God.

But consider the following:

1. Jesus claimed that God was his Father (v17). While this was literally true it does not, of itself, signify equality with God, except according to the Jews' theology.

2. Jesus immediately debunks the equality claim by stating "the Son can do nothing of his own accord but only what he sees the Father doing" (v19) and "I can do nothing on my own" (v30) and "I have come in my Father's name" (v43). No equality in these statements.

3. Believers all have God as their father and claim God to be their father. Yet they are not equal with God. By the same principle, Jesus' claim to a special relationship with God based on God being, in some sense, his father, does not confer equality with God. The Jews should have known this, but chose to ignore it.