Comments for October 15

5:10 tells us that the other contents of the ark - the pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded were already lost in the time of Solomon. As far as I am aware, God does not even tell us where or when they disappeared, showing the importance of these items was over, but the law lasted for ever, as it was to be fulfilled in Jesus.

5:13 The concept of a house being filled is seen in a number of places in Scripture. These passages:- 1 Kings 8:10,11 2 Chronicles 5:13,14 7:1,2 Ezekiel 10:3,4 speak of the glory of God in Solomon's temple Haggai 2:7 Speaks of the future filling of Ezekiel's temple. And Ezekiel describes the glory of the temple that is to be built in the age to come. Ezekiel 43:5 44:4
So when the New Testament introduces the idea:- John 12:3 in the context of the burial of Jesus the link between Jesus' death and the glory of God in the house can be seen.
After the resurrection the 'house' is the ecclesia:- 2 Corinthians 6:16 So it is fitting that the holy spirit filled those in the 'house' on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:2

6:1 'thick darkness' is a description of the manifestation of Yahweh at different times. Exodus 10:22 20:21 Deuteronomy 4:11 5:22 1 Kings 8:12 2 Chronicles 6:1 So when it is used to speak of the day of the LORD Joel 2:2 Zephaniah 1:15 We see the day of the LORD is a day of His glory being manifest. It is not just mindless punishment. Interestingly His glory is seen in the punishment of Judah. That is, He is justified by His actions.

6:1,2 - The Bible in Basic English renders these verses thus:

1 Then Solomon said, O Lord, to the sun you have given the heaven for a living-place, but your living-place was not seen by men, 2 So I have made for you a living-place, a house in which you may be for ever present.

I find this translation very helpful. Whichever translation you use, we are reminded of that great gulf that existed between God and man before the atonement. Here we see a faithful but limited attempt to heal this breach, to which God responds favourably. These two verses show how Solomon had a full understanding of the position of man before God at that time.

5:3-5 Solomon brought the ark into the temple at the time of the feast of Tabernacles. Notice also (v5) that the tabernacle was brought up also. From the time when David brought the ark to Zion until now the tabernacle was at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39). In fact this is the first time the ark and the tabernacle have been together since the ark was taken by the philistines in the days of Eli.

6:12,13 where Solomon spread forth his hands is a way of praying seen in Israel (Psalm 28:2 63:4 134:2 141:2 1Timothy 2:8)

5:11 That the priests did not serve by course is an indication that the details of all the David had worked out were implemented in stages.

6:18 The realisation that Solomon had that the earth cannot contain God contrasts powerfully with those who worshipped idols. They thought their God was small enough to copy with an image - in fact their god was like unto them. Our God is not. He is all powerful - and we are made in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26) What a wonderful privilege!

5:10 (suggested meaning)
Since Aaron's rod that budded is not present in the ark(budding meaning resurrection), it typifies that in the Kingdom age, resurrection will have already taken place.
The absence of the manna is representative of the removal of the reproach of Egypt(see Josh 5:9)
Israel ate the manna until they reached their "kingdom", symbolic of "the bread of life" we partake of now.

6:20,21,26,34,38 Solomon petitioned Yahweh to accept any prayer that was directed towards Jerusalem and the temple. Daniel shows this practice when he prayed (Dan 6:10).

That living-place, the temple, where God dwelled with man really reflects the Lord Jesus. All Solomon's pleas for forgiveness in a repentant turning towards the temple equally apply to humankind today if they would turn to the Lord Jesus. He has bridged the gap between God and humankind (1Tim 2:51Tim 2:5).  He is the spiritual temple where God dwells (Col 2:9). He is the true atonement (Rom 5:11).

5:9 In drawing out the staves of the ark Solomon was showing that the ark was now in its final resting place. Exo 25:15 which records the instructions for the manufacture of the ark states that the staves are not to be removed. God walked with Israel in their journeys (2Sam 7:6) but now the 'place' (Deut 12:11) had been established. It was now a time for no more wandering.

6:2 In saying  that the temple was 'a place for thy dwelling' Solomon is confirming the reason for the removal of the staves from the ark  (2Chron 5:9)

6:38 These words gave rise to the favorite usage of the ancient as well as modern Jews, of turning in prayer toward Jerusalem, where ever in the world they may be, and of directing their faces toward the temple when in Jerusalem itself or in any part of the holy land. (1Kin 8:44)

The ark of the testimony was put in its place, and the music sounded in perfect harmony ("to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord", 2Chron 5:13), God's glory filled the new Temple. The Lord accepted Solomon's work.  This all took place, probably, at the Feast of Tabernacles (2Chron 5:3). How appropriate therefore, that God's House should be built on firm foundations, and completed to the very best ability of the nation, at a time when Israel; was remembering its 40 years in tents.

6:22 In cases where the testimony of witnesses could not be obtained and there was no way of settling a difference or dispute between two people but by accepting the oath of the accused, the practice had gradually crept in and had acquired the force of constitutional law, for the party to be brought before the alter, where his oath was taken with all due feeling, together with the calling down of a curse to fall upon himself if his disavowal should be found untrue. We would suggest there is an allusion to such practice in this passage.

5:3  The feast in the seventh month was Tabernacles – most fitting for the time when God’s glory tabernacled with man in the temple.

6:5  Solomon quotes the words that God spoke to David his father –1Chron 17:5 – thus demonstrating, as can be seen by many other quotations of either David’s words or God’s words to David that Solomon is to be seen as the fulfilment of the promise to David. Of course this is the immediate fulfilment, the greater fulfilment is to be seen in Jesus.

6:41 arise, O Lord God into thy resting place. .These words are not found in the record of this prayer in 1 KINGS 8, but they do appear in Psa 132:8, which is thought by many to be written by Solomon in reference to this occasion.

6:17 In saying 'let thy word be verified' Solomon is quoting David - 2Sam 7:28 - which shows that Solomon saw himself as continuing the work of David with respect to the promises.

5:2-3 The feast of the dedication of the temple was on the eighth day of this seventh month. This account is also recorded in 1Kin 8:1-10

5:13 ‘as one’ signifies that the priesthood was united in its service to God. Oh that we could be so united!

6:9 Solomon was the son of David who built the physical temple.  Jesus is the son of David who built the spiritual temple.  The brothers and sisters of Jesus constitute His body, and are, therefore, part of that temple (1Cor 3:16).

6:2 In speaking of the place where the temple was and the ark placed as ‘dwelling’ it contrasts with what God said to David –2Sam 7:6

5:3 The seventh month is called Ethanim (1Kin 8:2). Ethanim is a Phoenician name signifying living waters which arrive every year.

After the Babylonian exile, Ethanim was changed to Tishri which corresponds to Sept/Oct. Besides representing the seventh month of the sacred year, it also represents the first month of the civil year. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, occurs at this time.

6:6 Jerusalem has been chosen by Yahweh. It is the capital of Israel, the Promised Land. It is the future capital of the world from where Jesus will rule (Mic 4:2).

Despite the claims on Jerusalem by Muslims and Christians, and the political wrangling that occurs, Jerusalem belongs to the Jews, and will always be jealously guarded by Yahweh, Israel’s God (Isa 62:6,7).

5:1 We learn here that not only had David dedicated silver and gold to the work of the temple -1Chron 18:10-11– but he also made items as well.

2Chron 5:5 - "congregation" [Heb. "mo'ed" (4150) means "appointed place, appointed time, appointed meeting, appointment, an assembly, the congregation"]; 2Chron 5:6 - "congregation" [Heb. "edah" (5712) means "congregation, gathering, fixture, a stated assemblage, a concourse, multitude"]; 2Chron 6:3 - "congregation...congregation" [Heb. "qahal" (6951) means "assemblage, assembly, company, congregation, multitude, convocation"].

2Chron 6:26-27 - spiritual drought yielding natural drought and prayer yielding life sustaining rain (1Kin 17:1;18:45).

2Chron 6:32-33 - mercy to Gentiles (2Kin 5:13-17).

2Chron 6:36-39 - going into captivity as a result of sin and release from captivity as a result of repentance (2Chron 36:15-23;Ezra 2:1).

6:13    This scaffold that Solomon made was the same size as the brazen altar made for the tabernacle – Exo 27:1

6:32, 33           Whilst Solomon’s prayer was given at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem Solomon included non Jews in his prayer. This was truly to be a “house of prayer for all nations” Isa 56:7

6:6    In speaking of Jerusalem as the place “that my name might be there” quoting Deut 12:11 we now learn the location that God would choose.

6:3 It may seem insignificant that the record says “Solomon turned his face ..”. However in this little details we learn that when speaking to God Solomon was looking one way – probably towards the temple. When he spoke to the people he faced them. An indication that the idea of being “face to face” when dealing with someone is right and proper. It is all too easy in these days of electronic communication to reprove someone from a distance rather than speak directly to them.

The Temple was not in Zion

It's interesting that when the temple was finished, the Ark was brought OUT of Zion, not into it. It's quite clear from scripture that Zion is the stronghold or castle where David based his reign:

"Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David." 2Sam 5:7

Whereas in this chapter we see the Ark being taken out of there to the temple:

"Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion." 2Chron 5:2

I personally find this hugely intriguing, because I had always associated Zion with the Temple with Jerusalem as if they were the same thing. The reason this distinction is important is that God's purpose is tied up with Zion, not with the Temple. See for example:

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee... They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." Psa 84:4-7

and:

"The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God... And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there." Psa 87:1-6

These Psalms are taken up in Hebrews 12 and applied directly to us:

"you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven" Heb 12:22-23

In summary, we find that God's purpose is not with the Temple of Solomon but it is tied up with Zion, a mountain set apart from the location of the Temple. Ironically, while David spent a great deal of his life preparing for the Temple to be built, God had already established Himself within David's own house. God did not need a house for Himself -- He wants to dwell with men and women who love Him and walk humbly with Him in faith.

5:5     In speaking of the ark and the tabernacle being brought into Solomon’s temple we see the parts of the tabernacle together again, probably the first time that this happened after Shiloh was burnt in the days of Eli.

2 Chronicles 6

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a building in Jerusalem where, if we prayed towards it, we would gain instant forgiveness and deliverance from trouble? This is what Solomon asked for:

"hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive... whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways" v21-30

God also accepted that prayer, and there are numerous examples of how they prayed toward the temple and gained deliverance, most notably Daniel (Dan 6:10) and Hezekiah (2Kin 19:14-15).

Eph 2:13-21 tells us how this applies to us. We are able to come near to God, through Jesus, to ask for whatever we need.

5:7    The fact that the ark was brought into its “place” is a fulfilment of Deut 12:11.

6:8     The plea of Solomon seems to be in the mind of Daniel when he prayed – Dan 9:17. The context in which Daniel prayed matched the request that Solomon makes – namely that if the people repent then he asks that God will hear and answer their prayer. This is what Daniel was doing.

5:1     The building of Solomon’s temple and all the furniture was a major project that took seven years – 1Kin 6:38 – and he continue din the work all the time. In this is a lesson for us. When we start a task we should finish it. We should not be daunted by the fact that it might take some time to complete the task.

6:23   The idea of bringing punishment upon his own head will be seen many times in Scripture 11Sam 25:29, 1Kin 2:32, Neh 4:4, Psa 7:6, Eze 17:13, 33:4, Joel 3:4,7, Obad 1:15

5:6 In telling us that the number of animals sacrifices “could not be told” we have to conclude that the animals offered were, in part at least, freewill offerings for the set sacrifices are carefully specified with the number of beasts to be offered given. So in addition to the required sacrifices we see a nation of willing people wanting to sacrifice to God and be associated with the building of the temple.

5:2 The journey from the City of David to the temple on Mount Moriah was a short distance. It could easily have been achieved in a short while with no fuss or ceremony. However Solomon saw the move to the temple as a major step in Yahweh’s plan to have a dwelling place in Jerusalem. It was important, therefore, that the nation was involved in the process. Hence the heads of the tribes as representatives of the nation. Doubtless when the heads of the tribes returned to their inheritance they would speak of the wonders of what they had seen. Do we talk to others of the wonders we see when we read scripture?

6:41 the words in Solomon’s prayer are found in Psa 132:9 and in a similar form in Isa 61:10 indicating the prophetic way Solomon was looking to the call of the gentiles and the establishment of the kingdom.

5:1 David had wanted to build a house for God but was told he could not. 1Chron 17:1-4. But notice that David still continued to prepare for it, dedicating things to the temple that was to be built.

Are we willing to continue in a work for God even when it is not what we had actually wanted to do?

6:6  These words of Solomon were used again by the inspired prophet – Zech 2:12 – to remind the returning captives from Babylon of God’s certain plan.

We are told so much detail about the measurements of this temple that they must be of more significance than just to help us to reconstruct or visualise it. Those who have done a great deal of study into the significance of different numbers in scripture could, I am sure, enlighten us on this subject.

41:18 The mention of Cherubims and palm trees echoes Solomon's temple 1 Kings 6:23, 29, 32, 35, 7:36. Further the only other place in Scripture where Cherubim and trees are found together is Genesis 3:24. So we conclude that Solomon's and Ezekiel's temple are drawing on this imagery from Genesis. The Cherubim and trees are to remind the worshippers that the only way to God is through the method of worship that he has ordained. If this is followed access to the tree of life will be open see Ezekiel 47:12.

v.25,26 - The word used for planks in each of these verses is different. In verse 25 it is 06086 ates which is a common word normally translated 'tree', where in v. 26 the rare word 05646 obe is used - the same as the 'weaver's beam' of the Samson story. This is a prepared beam, as opposed to a natural one.

Despite all the details of the temple that Ezekiel saw it is not possible to either draw an exact drawing or make an exact model of the temple. There are vital details and measurements missing. The same is true of both the tabernacle and Solomon's temple. From this we conclude that the details are not given for us to construct models - though there is benefit in making models to help us to understand the general size and shape of these structures. The lesson is that the language of the description should be carefully reviewed to enable us to draw valid Scriptural lessons from the description.

Whilst Ezekiel clearly saw a large building the vision draws on the first tabernacle that Israel made in the wilderness. 41:1 'tabernacle' is the word translated 'tabernacle' In Exodus 26:22 etc.: and is the word for 'tent'.

41:18,20,25  The combination of Cherubim and tree echoes the situation in the garden of Eden (Gen 3:24) where a Cherubim protected the way to the tree of life.

V.18-19 As has been said in other comments; the cherubims and palm trees echo Solomon's temple. (1Kin 6:29) But, does this suggest both Jew and Gentile in the House of the Lord? "a house of prayer for all nations"

Vs.18-20 The display of cherubim, palm trees, and lions are found in both the temple of Solomon (1Kin 7:36) and in Ezekiel's temple. 

Cherubim represent the righteousness of Yahweh; lions are representative of Christ who is righteous; palm trees represent the righteousness of true believers (Psa 92:12,13).  

Unlike Solomon's temple, Ezekiel's adds the representation of man (the face of man).  Could the inclusion of man's image in Ezekiel's temple signify the presence of the redeemed (the immortalised saints) which were not present in Solomon's time?

Why did God give this very detailed vision of the temple to Ezekiel? The suggestion which makes sense to me is that this temple will be built in Jerusalem for the millennium reign of Christ, and will be used for the world to come and worship King Jesus. It’s interesting to note the series of plans God has brought into the world for worship:  a) Adam to Abraham – God was with the righteous; b) Abraham to Moses – God called the Jews, and was the centre of their lives; c) Moses to Jesus – the Law of Moses was operative, so the tabernacle and then the temple were the places where God met with His people; d) the age of Christianity, where God dwells in His people (see 1Cor 3:16,17); e) the millennial reign of Christ on earth, probably with Ezekiel’s temple being the centre of world government; and f) after the 1000 years, when God is all in all.

41:1 The word translated ‘tabernacle’ <0168> is in fact the word that is elsewhere translated ‘tent’ and used in the description of the tabernacle in the wilderness – Exo 39:33 for example showing how what Ezekiel saw, even though a temple has its roots in the tabernacle that Israel built in the wilderness.

41:6 Ezekiel is not an architect, he is a prophet of God and rather than describing a building spiritual principles are being highlighted. The detail here is that each room above the lower is smaller than the one below because the floor of the room above rests on the walls of the room below. The floor joists do not penetrate the walls of the temple.

V.7 There appears to be a winding staircase running through the three stories.  The staircase widens as it passes upwards through the inner wall.

The doors in 23-24 are folding doors, hinged in the middle, made up of two doors into one door. Would this be to save space when opening them, or is there some deeper meaning?

41:4 In describing the ‘most Holy Place’ as 20 by 20 cubits we see a match with Solomon’s most holy place – 2Chron 3:8

41:7    The word ‘enlarging’ <7337> carries the sense of being made wide as can be seen in other places where the word is used. The RV maybe helps here by saying ‘the side chambers were broader ...’

1. Ezekiel's temple vision would have encouraged those in captivity. But his vision had no day of atonement, no mention of gold furnishings, no golden candlestick or table of shewbread. The temple emphasized the need for a new and better order with a Messiah who would be both prince and priest.

2. Eze 41:1-2 - this would seem to be the holy place. Eze 41:3-4 - this is the most holy place.

3. Ezekiel's plan (Eze 41:1-4) was ordered implemented by Cyrus (Ezra 6:3) upon their return from Babylonian captivity; it seems there was an attempt to follow God's plan (Ezekiel's?) agreed to by Cyrus when they returned from Babylonian captivity (Ezra 6:14;7:23).

4. Ezekiel's and Solomon's temple had Cherubim (2 faces in Ezekiel's temple) and palm trees (Eze 41:18-19;1Kin 6:29); mention of palm trees in God's courtyard (Psa 92:12-13); the list of Gentile nations in Genesis 10 comprises 70 while there were 70 palm trees and 12 wells at Elim (Exo 15:27).

5. wood used in construction including that of the altar (Eze 41:16,22,25).

6. each door had two leaves, might this refer to both Jew and Gentile being allowed admission to the future kingdom of God and Christ being the door for both (Eze 41:24;John 10:7,9)?

41:22   The “altar of wood” answers to the altar of incense in the Tabernacle – Exo 30:1

41:2       The door to the building was exactly the same width of the whole porch of Solomon’s temple 1Kin 6:3.

41:19   We see two faces of the cherubim here which represent two aspects of Jesus. The man – in the days of his mortality – the lion after his resurrection when he is the “lion of the tribe of Judah” – see Gen 49:9.

41       Visualising what the prophet saw is difficult. Here is a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4yEgmw5jg 

which gives a 3D visual representation of what Ezekiel saw. Whilst we might not agree with all the way the temple is shown we can get a general picture

DOUBLE DOORS

Here is a little detail that has me intrigued. As Ezekiel describes the transition from the outer sanctuary to the inner sanctuary, he talks about the doors. This is what he says: "Both the outer sanctuary and the Most Holy Place had double doors. Each door had two leaves - two hinged leaves for each door." (Eze 41:23-24). Why does Ezekiel specifically note that they are double doors made of two hinged leaves?

I don't have an answer, but here is a suggestion. Rather than a single door that only one person can go through at a time, the double doors allow more than one at a time. In fact, there is enough room for two. So as we head into the Most Holy Place, we don't have to go alone.

Jesus, at his death on the cross, opened up the way to the Most Holy Place when the curtain was torn in two. He is there now and the doors have been opened up for us to come in "boldly before the throne of grace" because Jesus is with us.

Double doors means that as we come before God now, we have a companion, our Lord Jesus Christ. What an honour it it to be able to enter the presence of God with our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

41:1-6 describes the most holy place and :7-21 described the holy place. The prophet is taken into the most holy place and then moves outwards through the building.

This chapter describes the inner temple in two parts

41:1-6    The most holy place

41:7-21   the holy place

So the building is described from God’s perspective as he resides in the most holy place

41:18,20,25 The combination of Cherubim and palm trees is only found here and in the description of elements of the temple that Solomon built – 1Kin 6:32,35, 1Kin 7:36. The first time we meet Cherubim in scripture is in the Garden of Eden – Gen 3:24– where they protected access back into the Garden of Eden to the Tree of Life. Seeing them now in both temples – the one described by Solomon and the one described by Ezekiel – reminds us both of God’s desire to dwell with men but that access to His presence is controlled. It is available only to those who have shunned taking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That is are seeking for God’s wisdom, not their own.

41:17-21 Ezekiel now describes the “holy place”.

v.15 is interesting, and since Jesus makes no attempt to deny it, we are left to conclude that Jesus had had no formal education in reading and writing, and yet he is clearly able to do both. Was this by his own power, or that of God?

7:6 On a number of occasions in John it is said of Jesus that 'his hour is not yet come' John 2:4 7:6,30 8:20  This demonstrates that the things which happened to Jesus were not chance happenings. Rather his God was in control of things even though at times it looked as if the rulers of the Jews had the upper hand. In fact all of these things were done at God's hand Acts 2:23

7:41-42 The Jews certainly had a correct understanding of Micah 5. They saw Bethlehem as the town from which messiah would come. However they had only one interpretation and so could not take account of the birth of Jesus whose mother and step father came from Bethlehem because he was not born there. Their blindness to other options should serve as a powerful warning to us when we consider the 'rightness' of our interpretations of prophecy

As we saw in Chapter 5 here (:16) Jesus shows that he is not speaking his own words. He claims to be speaking the words of his heavenly Father.

7:43 The division among the people is exactly what one would expect from the preaching of Jesus. It was to set families against each other (Matt 10:35)

V.50 This is the second time that we read of Nicodemus. As we look at each one of the three times we hear of Nicodemus we see a steady progress of his spiritual development.

Vs.47-49 Anyone who thought that Jesus was the Christ was quickly persuaded otherwise by the religious leaders of the day. 

A similar pattern will present itself when Jesus returns to earth. When He proclaims Himself from Jerusalem, the religious leaders of that day will claim that He is the Antichrist. 

The seeds have been sown already by the leaders of the apostasy who are expecting a Jew to (falsely) proclaim His kingship from Jerusalem.  And so when he does appear, it shall be a self-fulfilling prophecy for them.

7:19  In reminding the people that Moses had given them the law that they were breaking Jesus was showing that in reality they had no respect for Moses even though they appealed to his teaching. Respect for Moses would be seen in observing the law of Moses.

7:23 Jesus is not finding fault with the leaders who on the one hand observed the Sabbath and yet circumcised a child on the Sabbath if it was the eight day since the boy was born. He is highlighting that the law is not a set of rules which are independent and inviolate. The law of the Sabbath was indeed an inviolate rule. Likewise that a man child should be circumcised on the eight day was also inviolate. The resolution was to be found in recognizing that the laws had to be integrated into a complete whole and so when an apparent conflict appeared one had to appeal to matters of principle to work out how to deal with the conflict. So it is in the Christian gospel. Principles have to be worked together and at times decisions made which seem to violate one teaching because another teaching takes priority.

7:7 The world could not hate his brethren because the world loves its own – but it truly does hate those who are ‘other worldly’. We should, therefore, not be at all surprised when we do not fit in to the way in which our neighbours live. The only way in which we can fit in is by being like them. Beware!

V.53 and 8:1-11 are omitted in some manuscripts. Nevertheless, these verses might have been included in modern versions. However, you might see them surrounded by brackets, to suggest that there is some uncertainty about them.

7:1 We saw – 6:66 – that many of his disciples ‘walked no more with him’ but this did not stop Jesus continuing to ‘walk’. Likewise we should not be discouraged if fellow disciples fall away. We must continue in our walk.

John 7:42 First Principles>Sure mercies of David>King
Jesus, son of David is also the Son of God. For more about the King, go to 2Sam 7:12-16

V.1 Jewry (KJV) is translated Judea (ESV).

V.3 Brethren (KJV) means the other offspring of Mary and Joseph. The disciples were those believers who Jesus had convinced over two years previous (John 2:23).

V.5 After Jesus’ resurrection, His brethren did believe in Him.

V.8 Jesus did not categorically say that he would not go to the feast, but only that he would not go at that time: I go not up yet unto this feast (KJV). I think modern versions make an error when they say: I am not going up to this feast (ESV). This makes Jesus’ later decision to go seem like He told a lie.

V.24 We are asked to employ the same right judgment (e.g. James 2:2-4).

V.27 The Jews believed that the Messiah would mysteriously appear. But, Jesus had been around for over thirty years. His family was known; His city (Nazareth) was known; His occupation was known. All this knowledge about Jesus did not fit any mystery.

V.28 Jesus addressed the Jews’ misunderstanding about the mystery of the Messiah.

V.31 There were those Jews who believed because of Jesus’ works (See John 14:11).

V.33 Yahweh had indeed sent Jesus on a mission, but He did not send Jesus from heaven as Trinitarians suppose. Jesus had not yet been to heaven. That would occur after His resurrection (v.34).

Vs.40-42 Many people thought Jesus to be a prophet but some doubted that he was the Messiah. Their error was in not connecting the two roles.

V.53 Further provoked by Nicodemus' question, the Pharisees retorted defensively: Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet (KJV). This means, perhaps, no major prophet.

The Pharisees might have been aware that Jonah (and perhaps Nahum) was from Galilee, but the four pillars of Hebrew prophecy, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were not.

Thus, from the Pharisee's viewpoint, the argument could have been: You are saying that this Jesus is a major prophet, but search the scriptures and see that no major prophet has ever come from Galilee. However, the Pharisees knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (v.42; Mic 5:2). But, they probably did not know that Jesus was born there.

7:5  In saying that his brothers did not believe we are being reminded what we have already learnt – Mark 6:4

There is a lot of racism in this chapter. Notice "the Jews" in v13, namely those allied to Judah (the Southern 2 tribes), who in v42 claimed the Christ would come through David's line, a Jew. They couldn't stomach the fact that this man appeared to come from Galilee (v41, 52) which is in Israelite territory (the Northern 10 tribes).

7:27   It is odd that they say of Messiah that ‘no man knoweth whence he is’ because the leaders had confidently asserted that he was from Bethlehem – Matt 2:2-5 - around the time of his birth also the same point is made in 7:42.

7:17  Jesus is not saying that a disciples will subjectively know that what he believes is true. Rather Jesus is encouraging the people to realise that from the background of their knowledge of the Old Testament they will see the rightness of Jesus’ teaching when they embrace it.

John 7:25-27.

7:38    ‘Living waters’ echoes what Jesus had offered the woman at the well in Samaria – John 4:10

7:37  The cry that Jesus made quotes Isa 55:1 so we see Jesus is teaching us that Isa 55 is speaking of Messiah and what Messiah will give his followers. 

7:5-7  Jesus’ unbelieving brethren may well have thought that, despite his instruction to them to go to the feast in Jerusalem, that he had no plans to go “because my time was not yet full come.” However Jesus did, as always, go to the feast as required by the law

7:15   The people made assumptions about Jesus. Doubtless it was the religious leaders who made the comment that Jesus wasn’t “learned”. In fact it was they who were not learned. They judged according to their own standards rather than God’s. Do we fall into the same trap? Do we form opinions about others on the basis of what we think and see? – Are we respecters of persons? Prov 28:21

7:3-8  The way in which his family – brothers and sisters – encouraged Jesus to leave Galilee and go to the feast camouflages massive stresses and conflict in the family. His own family did not believe on him and found him an embarrassment. This is one of a number of occasions when he was clearly alienated from his family. The words of the Psalm – Psa 69:8 can be seen to be true here.

7:50-51        There are a number of occasions in John’s gospel when we learn that some of the Jewish leaders believed on Jesus. We see this in  12:11,42 and later in  19:39 and possibly even a hint in 3:2

WHISPER OR SHOUT?

There is a really interesting contrast between Jesus and the rest of the crowds as Jesus went up to the feast of Tabernacles. Listen carefully to what was happening in the crowds: "Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, 'He is a good man.' Others replied, 'No, he deceives the people.' But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews." (John 7:12-13).

And later on they were whispering again: "The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him." (v.32).

But Jesus was different. There was no whispering from him. This is how his speech was described: "Jesus answered ..." (v.16). "Jesus said to them ..." (v.21). "Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out ..." (v.28). And lastly, "Jesus stood and said in a loud voice ..." (v.37).

Jesus did not shy away from speaking out the truth. He did it loudly and clearly, even shouting it out when it was needed. But the crowds whispered and gossipped, not prepared to come out into the open and show their true colours.

When it comes to sharing God's word, let's not take part in a whispering competition, but instead, like Jesus, let's be confident and bold, sharing the word of God as we should.
 

7:5         In saying that Jesus’ brethren did not believe in him we see the fulfilment of Psa 69:8. But there is more significance than this. Consider how it must have felt to be alienated from your own family.

John 7:38

“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

The Syriac version reads: “… as the Scriptures hath said…” - that is the writings concerning Christ, as read in the Old Testament. Jesus often referred to the Old Testament prophets that prophesied about him, and the events that pointed to him.

Flowing rivers are alive, are refreshing, invigorating, sparkle and shine, and foster life wherever they flow. It is the very opposite of a stagnant slimy pool that breeds nothing but infection and death. Jesus tells us his word is life-giving (John 6:63).  If rivers of living water, his word, perpetually and continuously flow from our innermost being, then Christ will be manifested in our lives because we walk as Jesus walked and we teach as Jesus taught. After all, he is the source of this living water (John 4:14).

Eberhard Arnold, 1883-1935, Theologian and Christian writer, taught children the Bible at the Bruderhof Community he founded. He once remarked that he studied the Bible not because he would otherwise be unable to teach his pupils, but because he, “preferred that they should come to a running stream instead of a stagnant pool!”

We are admonished by the apostle Paul to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine, and if we do, we are living waters saving both ourselves and them that hear us (1Tim 4:13,15,16). 

7:44 We see here the constant threat that Jesus was under. The leaders, all the time, wanted to silence Jesus. Taking him captive was the plan of the leader. However their plans were disrupted because of the very thing that they wanted to stop – Jesus’ teaching.

7:26 the people concluded or at least wondered what the religious leaders thought of Jesus – was he Messiah? So we have an odd contrast. The people knew that the religious leaders wanted Jesus dead but on the other hand they might have thought Jesus was Messiah. What were the people to think? One thing they would conclude was that the Jewish leaders did not like the way in which Messiah was undermining their authority. Little did the people know but it was because of Jesus’ popularity with the common people that the leaders did not act only to take Jesus.

RIGHT JUDGEMENT

I feel like it has happened to me many times. Doing my best to be useful, helpful or encouraging, gets judged by other people to have wrong motives, so that even though what I have done has been with a clear conscience, the barrage of criticism still comes.

The same happened to Jesus. He healed a man on the Sabbath day and told him to carry his bed. But people only looked at the part of the event about breaking the Sabbath. They ignored all the other good work he had done in  the healing and freeing of a man from his bond on the Sabbath! They judged by appearances instead of making a right judgement based on all the facts. So Jesus told them off. “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.” (John 7:24).

We can probably all think of similar things that have happened to us. But if it happens to us all that often, how often do we do it to other people? We don’t see the full story. We often don’t even know half of it before we make our judgements, yet we would have been wrong about Jesus, and other people have got it wrong about us. Let's stop looking at appearances, pray for guidance and open eyes, and if we have to, make a right and merciful judgement.
 

7:25  that there were people who observed that Jesus was the man that the Jewish leaders wanted to kill makes it clear that their intentions were common knowledge. They made no secret of their hatred of Jesus and so the common people would have to make a choice as to who they would listen to. Jesus or the religious leaders

7:44 We see here the constant threat that Jesus was under. The leaders, all the time, wanted to silence Jesus. Taking him captive was the plan of the leader. However their plans were disrupted because of the very thing that they wanted to stop – Jesus’ teaching.

7:40-42 The understanding that the people had of the origin of Christ being Bethlehem was correct. But what they seemed not to know, or understand, was that Jesus, though being seen as a Galilean, was actually born in Bethlehem.