Comments for June 15

v.20 - God removes his support if we turn to the world, and allow the world to cause us to break our vow with God. Where would we be without God's support and blessing? We need to take steps to ensure that we never lose it. Jer.9:23-24.

v.3 - This area of Samson's life is reflected in language speaking of Jesus

v.1 - There seem to be a number of times when people of God go in to harlots, and no condemnation seems to be made of them for this. I find this very difficult to understand (see also comment below from Bro. Lindsay Yuile)

More links with Jesus death

:18 Forgetfulness was a characteristic of Israel in the wilderness. But as well as forgetting what God had done they gave scant regard to His provision also. Familiarity with His provision had blunted the senses. How often do we lightly esteem the things of God because we take them for granted?

16:3 - We may wonder why Samson took the gates of Gaza to Hebron. Maybe the answer is in the fact that Isaac was buried there and he received the promise Genesis 22:17.

About Rahab from a few days ago who told a lie about the whereabouts of the spies, I recall that you commented that this was one of the few occasions when we might consider a lie to be acceptable. The other is for Today''s reading about Samson - the simple comment that you do not understand the number of occasions when visiting a harlot is not condemned.

I don't have an answer, but I believe that there are many occasions when men of faith failed and there is no specific condemnation. However, there are plenty of passages that show that telling a lie or committing adultery (or fornication) is wrong. I believe that we are meant to understand that despite our failings, God can still work with us because of the atonement, and all that that entails.

Brother Mark Vincent recently gave a talk on the book of Judges at a youth gathering. He drew our attention to the fact that there is little comment by way of Judgement in the book of that name. He suggested that we might be being encouraged to try and apply judgement to the situations that we read about. Further he said that when we try and do so we find it exceedingly difficult to the point of impossibility. Therefore the message is perhaps that we should leave judgement to God.

If I understood him correctly, then I like what he said.

My point really is that God does not explicitly condemn every sin committed by the characters in scripture. We would also be wrong to condemn the sinners - especially where we have confirmation of a place for them in God's kingdom.

In short - I don't think that any lie can be said to be acceptable, and whilst I share your lack of understanding with regard to, for example, Samson and Delilah, I think that we can draw comfort from God's loving mercy when we fail. Certainly we cannot justify any of our own sins because there are occasions when there is no direct condemnation of a similar sin to ours in the Bible.

16:5 There are two occasions when eleven hundred pieces of silver are mentioned in Judges. Here and 17:2-3. Is there some significance in the amount?  Does anyone have any ideas?

V.29-31 This awful catastrophe seems to have so completely paralysed the Philistines, that they neither attempted to prevent the removal of Samson's corpse, nor to molest the Israelites for a long time after. Thus the Israelitish hero rendered by his strength, was always regarded as the greatest of its champions. But, his slavish subjection to the domination of his passions was unworthy of so great a man and lessens our respect for his character. Yet he is ranked among the ancient worthies who maintained a firm faith in God .Heb 11:32

It is 40 miles between Gaza and Hebron Judg 16:1-4

V.23 The god of the Philistines was Dagon.  Dagon (Heb. dag = fish) comprised a man's upper body on top of the lower form of a fish, as a mermaid is depicted.  A slightly-open-jawed fish head formed a mitre on the top of the man's head.   

Priests of Dagon would wear fish-head mitres attached to cloaks, in the form of fish bodies, which flowed down their backs. This open-jawed fish-head mitre was subsequently incorporated into the dress of other religions. 

Today it can notably be seen in the mitres of the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury.  Flowing robes are also part of their dress, although they do not incorporate the fish motif.  

V.16 Though disappointed and mortified, this vile woman resolved to persevere. she was fully aware that Samson was completely enslaved by his passion for her, she continued to assail him with a succession of flattering ways, till at length she discovered the coveted secret.

Misconceptions about Samson

Is there any possible practical lesson from the fall of this great man, Samson, by the hands of the woman he loved?

Samson had a tragic past. In 15:6 he had experienced the burning alive of his young wife. Not only that, but she had been taken away from him even before their wedding night. What effect would an event like that have on your character? From the record in 15:19 we read that he Judged Israel for twenty years. We also know that his relationship with Delilah was towards the end of this period. Samson, therefore, may have been around for thirty five or forty years before he met Delilah -- before he could finally lie peacefully in the arms of a woman he loved. Would any of us deny him this?

All his life he had been hounded.  He had even spent time living alone in a rock face (15:8). How lonely was this man by the time he met Delilah?*  Does any of this put his seemingly weak attitude towards Delilah in context?

* Note: It is a popular misconception that Delilah was a Philistine woman and that Samson shouldn't have been with her. Sorek, where she lives, certainly sounds Philistine but it probably isn't. The Valley of Sorek marks the boundary of the Israelite territory of Dan, so she is almost certainly an Israelite.

What is fantastic about this account of Samson is the parallel on a prophetic plain. As it has been suggestion, Samson types Israel. So when we read the account of Samson and his failures, we also see the failure of Israel and the mercy Yahweh will pour out upon them in due course. Notice then how this chapter enacts Armageddon, and specifically the fall of the Gogian host. How so?
The meaning of Gog(Ezekiel 38 for example) is "a roof" and Hamon-Gog(Ezekiel 39) then "multitude on the roof". Notice that the destruction of the philistines( symbol of flesh through scripture) was "on the roof". Samson(Israel typed) after renewing his strength(brought back from the sword) overthrew it. So Samson types Israel, on behalf of whom Gog is destroyed.

Also, In Numbers 24:7, Balaam predicted that Israel's future King "shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted". Look this up in the Septuagint and you will find 'Agag' rendered as"Gog". So , if we accept that translation, Balaam saw prophetically Gog destroyed at the hands of the multitudinous Christ, and the exultation of the kingdom of Yahweh over Edom, or that of the flesh- here styled 'the philistines'.

16:6-18 Delilah was ‘married’ to the world and Samson.  She had two ‘masters’ she could not love them both so she chose the world. Samson could not see, it seems, the dangers of association with a woman who had one foot in the world – or maybe she had both feet in the world? How often do we work in a compromised situation thinking that we have the strength to resist temptation?

A number of people, such as Peter Forbes, have raised similarities between Christ and Samson including their birth and circumstances of their betrayal by one close to them for silver. God strengthened each of them. Jesus associated with sinners and tax collectors, died for Jew and Gentile and many who come to Christ are not faithful just as some Samson knew and loved were unfaithful to him. Samson was blinded and humiliated much as Christ was blindfolded and mocked. Both Jesus and Samson were in bondage. In death Samson and Jesus achieved their greatest victory. So it would appear that Samson is perhaps a type of Christ.

Similarly, Jesus and Samson are perhaps representatives of Israel. The Gospel in the Book of Judges by Ian Giles notes Hos 11:1 "When Israel  was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." and this is picked up in Matt 2:15. Also, Samson took on a priestly status for his people as a Nazarite Num 6:3-8 which had similar requirements to that of a high priest who's job was to represent Israel such as on the day of atonement.

Samson, as Matt Drywood and Ian Giles have suggested, is perhaps a type of Israel. Israel were separated for God's service Lev 20:24-26; Israel married those of different lands and whored after the gods of the Canaanites Exo 34:15; Israel and Samson broke their covenants and lost the strength to defend themselves; Zedekiah, Israel's last king was blinded and put in fetters of brass 2Kin 25:7; national blindness in Israel remains Rom 11:25-26.

V.28 Samson's penitent and prayerful spirit seems clearly to indicate that this meditated act was not that of a vindictive suicide, and that he regarded himself as putting forth his strength in his capacity of a public magistrate. He must have considered, in fact, as dying for his country's cause. His death was not designed or sought, except as it might be the inevitable consequence of his great effort.

V.3 The distance from Gaza to Hebron is about 38 miles, mainly uphill.  That is a long way to haul the doors and posts of the city gate.  Just demonstrates the strength and stamina of Samson.                    

V.4 Delilah means languishing which comes from a root word meaning to dangle. This probably refers to hair.  I wonder if Delilah had long, dangling hair like Samson's.  Perhaps this was a feature which attracted Samson to her.

NEVER TOO LATE
 
Samson had sinned. God had left him. He had been put in prison to work as a slave while he ground corn. Whether he knew it or not, Samson's life was just about up. As the Philistines called him into their temple to perform for them, Samson entered the last few moments of his life. It was in those last minutes that Samson uttered his final prayer - a prayer of faith. "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." (Judg 16:28) With those final words, Samson pushed down the supporting pillars and the temple collapsed killing both Samson and thousands of the Philistines.
 
Samson turned back to the LORD in the last few minutes of his life. While he was still alive, he still had the time to turn back to God, and as a result of turning back to God, God turned toward Samson. This final act of faith put his name among those great men and women of faith in Hebrews 11.
 
While we are still alive, there is always time to turn back to God. Our sins are never too bad to be forgiven and it is never too late. But let's not leave it to the last minute. We have no idea when our time will come. God hears all the time. So let's repent and turn to God now. Then we can live the rest of our lives to his glory.

God strengthened Sampson, and will strengthen all who turn to Him in faith. Those who do this, humbly seeking His help and guidance in life, trying to keep His ways as revealed in His Word, shall receive Divine help (Phil 2:13). Without this God- given help and strength, however, the strongest among us are weak in spiritual attainments. Even with God's strength many fail like Sampson.  

In Peter Forbes 2004 comments he raises the question of the significance of 1100 in Judg 16:4;17:2-4. I would be the first one to admit I'm not sure either.

In the book Numbers and Colours  by M.D. Stewart, the number 11 is said to refer to disorder, disorganisation and disintegration. And this somewhat reflects the sinful opposition to Christ during his ministry, the 11th hour turmoil just before Christ's second coming in Matt 20:6,9 and we read in Judg 16:6 that everyone in Israel at the time of the judges did what was right in their own eyes. Perhaps the hundred times 11 refers to many or much disorder, turmoil, etc. We also had 11 disciples when Jesus was crucified Matt 27:3-5. We see several instances of the number two in Judg 16:3,28,29;17:4 and perhaps refers to division or internal conflict between the way of right and the way of the flesh. We see how Samson was tempted (Judg 16:4,6,15,16) and bound several times each time edging closer to being captured by sin's grasp (Judg 16:8,12,21) yet struggled to break away from sin and be free (Judg 16:9,12,20,30 bronze perhaps referring to imperfect flesh/sin). Only Christ, who was tempted as we are was able to totally break free as a result of his sacrifice. We read of a great sacrifice in Judg 16:23,30. Because of Christ and his unblemished sacrifice we have hope despite that we all fall short.  Perhaps there are indications of this hope here as well. We read of the number three which perhaps suggests the sacrifice and resurrection on the third day (Judg 16:15,27). We read of the number seven mentioned which reminds us of the spiritual perfection of the millennial day of rest when Christ will establish his kingdom on earth (Judg 16:7,8,13,19). The tomb where Samson was buried was his father's and his name, Manoah (4495) means "rest". The mention of silver (Judg 16:5,18; 17:2,3,10) also suggests redemption. Finally, we have the number 10 (Judg 17:10) and that is thought by many to refer to "divine order" (or by some "judgment") and is mentioned in the context of father and priest which reminds us of Christ who will soon return.

16:23  In saying ‘our god has delivered Samson’ the Philistines set themselves on a route to destruction. The destruction came when Samson killed the Philistines in the house of the very God that they said had delivered Samson into their hands.

V.5 The Nazarite Samson was betrayed by Delilah for 5500 pieces of silver.  Another Nazarite, Jesus, was betrayed by Judas for over 180 times less (Matt 26:15).

16:3 The carrying of the gates of Gaza, the place of government – Gen 19:1,9 – forms the basis for Isaiah’s comment – Isa 9:6 which is, in itself a fulfilment of the promise to Isaac – Gen 22:17

V.1 Gaza is really Azzah, but in some translations a G was added.  Azzah comes from the root azaz which means to be strong. 

Samson: saw there an harlot, and went in unto her (KJV). The word harlot in Hebrew is zonah which definitely means a woman who sells her body for sexual purposes.  However, there is a possibility it also could mean inn-keeper.  If so, this woman could have entertained travellers in the bed-and-breakfast sense without prostituting herself. 

This might also be the case of Rahab whose house was on the city wall (Josh 2:1).  Here the spies just lodged.  Maybe the deal was that a harlot’s house could accommodate travellers in two ways: 1) a room for the night; 2) a room for the night with personal extras.

Vs.16,17 Samson was highly attracted to Delilah and he loved her (v.4).  I am sure that Samson’s strength was attractive to Delilah.  But, Samson’s strength was no match for the cajoling of Delilah.  Perhaps Henry Ellis says it best: Charm is a woman's strength just as strength is a man's charm.

Judg 16:3 - noting the 2003 comments of Peter Forbes, Samson literally fulfilled (in part) the Genesis promise "thy seed (i.e. Christ) shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen 22:17-18;Isa 9:6;Gal 3:8-9,16,26-29). Samson carried those heavy gates some 30 miles  to the burying place of his father Abraham - he didn't do this for no reason, this was the act of a man of great faith.

Judg 16:30 - "Let 'me' ["nephesh" (5315) means "a living breathing creature, soul, self, person, life"] die with  the Philistines."  This use of "nephesh", the usual word for "soul", proves that in the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures the word did not convey the idea of something immortal and immaterial. "Nephesh" here refers to Samson, not something said to be capable of existing apart from the body.

16:30 Samson delivered Israel more effectively in his death than in his life. This was true of Jesus. It was through his death that eternal life became available. In that Samson ‘bowed himself’ we see his submitting to God’s will as Jesus did – John 19:30

16:24 The fate of the Philistines was sealed when they ascribed their success to their God. Their success was due to Israel’s God allowing them dominion at this time because of Israel’s disobedience to Him.

16:17,22         There is no indication in Numbers 6 where the Nazarite vow is outlined that the cutting of the hair of a Nazarite would impact on his (or her) faculties.  However in the case of Samson this was clearly so.

16:16           Samson was troubled by the pressures of fleshly emotion. Jesus’ likewise, in the garden of Gethsemane had the same struggle – Mark 14:34

1. Judg 16:5 - they wanted to bind the strong man of Israel by betrayal which perhaps echos Christ/Legion along with the powerful sinful nature all human nature craves and was washed away via baptism/burial (Mark 5:2-13;Matt 27:1-2;Mark 3:21,22,27;Heb 4:15).

2. Judg 16:16 - "he was tired to death" - much like Jesus who died as a sacrifice but w/o corruption (Acts 13:37).

3. Judg 16:17 - "weak as any other man" (Heb 4:15;11:34 - tempted in all points as we are but weakness turned to strength).

4. Judg 16:21 - binding him with bronze (both Samson and Christ in bondage to the fleshly human nature as bronze represents flesh and our sinful nature needs to be bound Heb 2:14).

5. Judg 16:19-20 (NIV) - put him to sleep...his strength left him...awoke from his sleep...shake myself free (Samson perhaps echoing Christ's death, resurrection, and freedom from sin and death).

6. Judg 16:26;Psa 80:17;Heb 11:39-40 - Samson and Christ had great faith and will share immortality together.

7. Judg 16:28-29 - the mention of two in connection to blindness and death could echo many things, we previously noted division, it could echo the spiritual blindness of Jew and Gentile, it could echo the sacrifice being for Jew and Gentile, it could refer to the battle of the spiritual vs the fleshly, it could refer to the old vs new covenants. 

8. Judg 16:30-31 - Samson was a type of Christ in his death and their father's family went down to get both; "Zorah"(<6881> according to Brown-Driver-Briggs means hornet which reminds us of the sting of death 1Cor 15:56) while "Eshtaol"(<847> means "entreaty" or prayer. Christ's sacrifice was an entreaty and Samson's death echoed that of Christ); then they both entered a place of "Manoah"(<4495> means "rest" - with their father which perhaps echos a future millenial rest). 

16:5   This is the second occasion when a woman sought to entice Samson. The first is in Judg 14:16

16:4    Sorek means “choice vine”. Israel was the “choice vine – Isaiah 5:2 – Delilah did not live up to the name of the place she was from!

16:3  Looking at a map will show us that from Gaza to Hebron – the journey that Samson took carrying the gates of Gaza – is about 30 miles and it is uphill all the way.

16:5     The “lords of the Philistines” should have been dealt with by Israel in the days of Joshua – Josh 13:3 – but as they were not they remained a thorn in the side of Israel even into the days of David – 1Sam 29:7

16:31  There is a sad irony in the way that Samson’s brethren took his body and buried him. They had delivered him to be killed and now they, probably unexpectedly, gave him a proper burial. This is somewhat like Jesus who was delivered by the Jews and then buried by Jews.

16:1   if we consult a map of the land of Israel we will see that it is about 30 miles from Gaza to Hebron and it is all uphill.

16:2  Having been told - 15:20 – that Samson judged for 20 years in the days of the Philistines we might think it truly foolhardy for him to go down to Gaza. We might thnk that his seemingly foolish actions were motivated by lust for a woman. However it is evident – see earlier comments – that he understood God’s promises and was seeking an opportunity to live out one of those promises.

Judges 16: 19-20

Until today, I’ve often wondered why Samson told Delilah his secret, knowing she had betrayed him each time when she called out, ‘The Philistines be upon you.’

Although the last time he repeated what he’d told her before, ‘I shall become weak and be like any other man,’ I suspect he didn’t believe it, which is why he felt safe in confiding to her.

I think this is proved when later, when he woke, he said, ‘I will go out as at other times before and shake myself.’ He was surprised to find The LORD was departed from him.

I suggest God had left him, because indirectly Samson had broken his Nazarite vow by causing his head to be shaved. It was this sin that caused his capture.

16:16    Delilah’s behaviour here matches that of the woman in  14:17. However rather than criticising Samson for being deceived by a woman we should reflect on the fact that the “strange woman “ is a presentation of false teaching. It is all too easy to be deceived by false teaching, especially if we keep looking at it!

16:16 It is all about perspective and choices we make. Samson chose to go the Philistines and consequently was tempted. His focus was not on the things of God and so he succumbed. Jesus, on the other hand chose a course of action that brought vexation to him. However he resisted the temptation. Why? The answer is it was down to his focus. Notice the similar language between Judg 16:16 and Mark 14:34. Our focus will determine the outcome in temptation.

16:20 In the way that Samson did not know that he did not have the strength that he previously had we get an insight into how the spirit worked in him. It manifested itself when it was needed but at other times Samson was just like any other,

16:5  The way in which Delilah was to “entice” Samson – clearly by using her feminine charms – is a pattern of how sin appeals to the fleshly thinking of human kind.

v. 8 - Hezekiah is showing his appreciation that God has chosen to wait until after his reign to do this. As a righteous man, he would see that the people deserved it - even, it would appear, his sons (v.7), so he recognises that God's word is good.

v.1-4 - In his delight at being given his extra life, or having had a miracle worked, he loses his guard a little and chooses to celebrate with the Babylonians. In naivety, it seems, he shows them round his palace, but Isaiah warns that this is the start of a bad time for the people leading to their captivity.

39:2 This event is reported also in 2 Chronicles 32:23,31

:8 These are not just the words of resignation. Hezekiah trusted his God and realised that he had sinned. So he was willing to acknowledge that what God was going to good was bound to be for the ultimate good of His servants.

V.8 Hezekiah did show remarkable faith under the threats of Sennacherib. But, are we now seeing Hezekiah relaxing his faith?  It seems that begging for extended life is questionable.  Then, after he had received fifteen more years of life he became boastful. He opened up to the Babylonians who sought an alliance with him against the Assyrians. This showed a lack of faith in Yahweh.

Having had this sin pointed out to him, and the subsequent punishment, he was joyful that it would not take place in his lifetime. Whew! he might have thought, I'll be o.k.  This sounds pretty self-serving.

The failures as well as the faith of the worthies of old are written for our learning. We must take heed lest we fall. No doubt we feel sad and humbled by their failures, knowing that we are people of like passions. May we also feel inspired and encouraged by their faithful walk as we seek to follow the same path towards God's Kingdom.

It might seem that Hezekiah was simply being human.  But God looks on the heart. Here was Hezekiah’s first contact with Babylon – a far off country. There must have been a certain amount of pride in the king’s heart as he opened all his treasures to the gaze of the Babylonians. How true Isaiah’s prophecy came! (Isa 39:5-7)

39:7  This was fulfilled when Daniel and his friends (Dan 1:2,3,7) were taken to Babylon.

39:1-2 At the same time as Hezekiah was receiving the ambassadors from Babylon Micah was warning that Judah would go into captivity in Babylon – Mic 4:10

39:3 Hezekiah had stripped the gold from the temple – 2Kin 18:16- and after his recovery from his sickness had treasures heaped upon him – 2Chron 32:23- by the nations round about. This is how Hezekiah managed to have wealth to show the Babylonians even though he had tried to buy them off with the riches that he had before his sickness.

39:3 We may wonder why it was that Hezekiah was reproved by the prophet Isaiah. We should notice that Hezekiah describes the origins of the Babylonians using the same language that Isaiah had already used – Isa 13:5 – when he had spoken of the evil of hat nation and what they would do to Israel. The inference is that Hezekiah should have understood that the Babylonians were not a nation who he should have favourable dealings with.

V.1 Merodach-baladan is alternatively called Berodach-baladan (2Kin 20:12).  Merodach-baladan seized Babylon at the death of Shalmaneser in 721BC.  He was a constant antagonist of Sargon II and his son Sennacherib.  Finally, in 709BC, Sargon II drove out Merodach-baladan.

V.7 This prophecy was fulfilled when Daniel, amongst other royal seed, went into captivity in Babylon (Dan 1:2,3,7).

39:2-4 Notice the repeated emphasis that it is Hezekiah’s goods that are shown – not God’s.

39:1    Merodachbaladan is named after the God of Babylon, Merodach

39:2  In showing the Chaldeans his wealth Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up – 2Chron 32:25,   which is instruction given to Israel's future king by Moses    Deut 17:20

God's preparation for Daniel and his friends

Note that Isa 39:7 mentions Daniel and his friends in quite some detail, the detail of which is echoed exactly in that account (Dan 1:1-7). What we are not told in Daniel is that they would be made Eunuchs (v7), though the record implies it by saying they were placed under the captain of the Eunuchs (Dan 1:3), and in Esther we find much reference to the King's servants being eunuchs for a similar regime (e.g. Est 2:21). It makes us sad to think of the predicament of these poor young men, having been taken forcibly and castrated, then made to live as servants. However, God in his foreknowledge commands Isaiah to speak words of comfort specifically for these men, words that Daniel and his friends took to heart (Isa 56:3-5).

 Isa 39:5-8.

39:8  The last phrase “For there shall be peace … my days” indicates that whilst Isaiah had spoken of the judgment he had also told Isaiah that the events would not happen in his life. 

39:8    When Hezekiah said that God’s words of judgment were good he is showing that he is a repentant sinner. This is just the point made by Jeremiah commenting on this tie in Hezekiah’s life – Jer 26:16

1. Isa 39:1-2 - Hezekiah pridefully and foolishly shows off his treasures and wealth to the envoys of Babylon (initial pride and later humbled 2Chron 32:24-26,31; and Hezekiah directed the flow of water in Jerusalem 2Chron 32:30;Eze 47:1-9;Rev 22:1-2).

2. Isa 39:5-7 - treasure and wealth to be carried off to Babylon , descendants of Hezekiah to be eunuchs (also, angels don't marry, nor do the millennial children of Christ Matt 22:30;Mark 12:25) serving the king of Babylon.

3. Isa 39:8 - Hezekiah thankful there would be peace and "truth<571>" in his days.

39:3,4          Notice how Hezekiah speaks of his possessions (which God had given him) as his own. Hopefully we never think of our possessions as our own. Rather we should see them as having been given to us by God.

39:8     The “peace and truth” in Hezekiah’s day came shortly after this visit form Isaiah. It came when the Assyrians were destroyed by God’s angel and Jerusalem was delivered.

39:1     Maybe the Babylonians, having learnt of the defeat of the Assyrians was fearful that Judah would be subdue the Babylonians. So their approach was to appease Hezekiah. Sadly their approach flattered Hezekiah and his wise judgment  failed for a while.

39:5       Doubtless Hezekiah and Isaiah had many conversations. However on this occasion Isaiah is clear. The words that follow are Yahweh’s word, not his own.

39:3 God had left Hezekiah to “try him”  - 2Chron 32:31–the test is now over and the prophet comes to cause Hezekiah to reflect on what God had been doing in his life. The objective being that the king would learn from his errors.

39:7 At this time Hezekiah did not have any sons. Manasseh had not yet been born. So the mention of “sons that shall issue from thee” would have been a comfort to Hezekiah – the very fact that he would have a son would be an encouragement tinged with sadness at the realisation that there would come a time when the Chaldeans would take the descendants of his son captive.

While the record does indicate that Hezekiah may have been the cause of the deportation of Judah to Babylon, this is not supported by the record in 2 Kings where the blame is firmly fixed on Manasseh. 

39:6 The sad warning of the prophet that the Babylonians would take things from Hezekiah’s house and be carried to Babylon was a warning repeated by Jeremiah –Jer 1:15.

 The reprieve was for Hezekiah because of his faithfulness. However the nation did not learn from the way in which God was gracious to Hezekiah because of his faith and prayer.

It might look as if “all things continue the same” but God’s judgments will eventually fall. The warning to us is to not be complacent.

39:1 The bible tends to focus on what was happening in the land of Israel. If we are not careful we might forget that there were other powers in the world vying for supremacy and fearful of each other. As today in those days it must have been that there was military intelligence known to other nations. So now we see the Babylonians, not having an understanding of the working of Yahweh, probably thinking that Hezekiah had great military power, seeks to ally himself with the nation of Israel – But the prophet had warned earlier (Isa 13 & 14) about Babylon. Sadly Hezekiah did not heed the words that the prophet had spoken earlier.

39:6 the record emphasises that Hezekiah showed “his” possessions ot the ambassadors from Babylon - :2–and so the prophet tells Hezekiah hat it would be “thine” house that would be carried to Babylon.

It is as if God is saying to Hezekiah if you think your possessions are your own then your possessions will be taken away.

39:1 for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick and had recovered.

Had Hezekiah explained to his visitors that he had been miraculously healed rather than brag about all his possessions, the outcome might have been significantly better. Boast in God, not in ourselves.

v.4 - This accurate prophecy has become more and more true as time has gone on. It reflects on the self-sufficiency required by individuals to learn when the scripture was complete and the spirit power removed, as prophesied in 1Cor.13:8, leaving us with the power of love (and hope) on which to build our faith in His Word. Heb.8:13.

v.10 - [1 Thessalonians 5:2] The brethren and sisters knew that Jesus would come 'as a thief' because Jesus told his disciples as much in the Olivet prophecy. [Matthew 24:43] Confirming that they knew the 'times and the seasons' Paul reminds them that they are not in darkness. [1 Thessalonians 5:4] In a similar way Peter [2 Peter 3:10] reminds his Jewish audiences that despite apparent delays the destruction of Jerusalem will take place. And Jesus takes up his own warning [Revelation 3:3 16:15] giving two warnings to his disciples lest they become complacent.

3:4 In asking 'where is the promise of his coming' those who spoke like this were questioning the words of Jesus when he spoke of the overthrow of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:3, 48)

:1-2 In stirring up their minds about those things which were spoken by the prophets Peter is showing us
1 It is easy to forget things we once knew
2 What the prophets said is important to believers today.

Doing the 'daily readings' is probably the best way to keep these things in our minds.

2Pet 3:10. We have here a word here that when translated has a different meaning than what it had when originally translated. “elements” stoicheion (4747) Vines identifies it as “substance of the materialist world” Peter is writing her that on the day of the LORD the material things of the world will be burned up or destroyed.

3:15-16 Peter, by speaking of Paul's writings, indicates that the letter Paul wrote were accepted as inspired Scripture in the first century. It was not some decision made at a late date by church fathers.

V.10  A thief breaks in a steals under the cover of darkness while the tenants are asleep.  This description certainly belongs to the world, but should not belong to the enlightened believers of the Gospel.  Believers should not be caught in darkness nor found sleeping when Jesus appears (1Thess 5:4-8).

3:1 In speaking of the ‘pure mind’ of his recipients Peter does not presume evil intent or error even though there was a need to write to them. Clearly there would have been some who received the letter whose minds were not ‘pure’. However Peter does not make that presumption. How often when we know of a problem in an ecclesia do we also form judgements about individuals without even speaking to them?

Vs.2,16 Peter endorses the New Testament writings as valid scripture along with the Old Testament.

3:5 Peter is saying that those scoffers were ignorant of what Scripture says, quoting Psa 33:6

3:2     In reminding them of the words of the prophets Peter is making it clear that his letters are not his own word but in reality are a continuation and exposition of the words of the prophets. A powerful point to make to the Jewish believers to whom he wrote.

Vs.12,13 Here, Peter is talking figuratively. The physical heavens and earth will not be destroyed and be replaced by new heavens and a new earth (Ecc 1:4). 

Peter is referring to the sinfulness, corruption, cruelty etc. that exists in the political heavens and earth. These things, and the people who produce them, will be destroyed and a new, just society will take its place.  All this will happen when Jesus returns to set up His righteous rule on earth (Rev 5:13).

3:2 Notice how Peter gives the words of the prophets and the commandments of the apostles the same status. He does this again – 2Pet 3:16. It would not be surprising in the first century if Jewish believers in particular might view the Old Testament as having more status and credibility than the apostles teaching and writing

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise” (2Pet 3:9). God is not slow, nor does He delay. If He has said that Jesus will come to set up the kingdom, then He will. The remainder of that verse explains it to us. Because the day that God has appointed has not yet arrived it means that others can come to Him to be saved. Let’s carry on preaching.

Vs.3,4 Scoffers of the Truth have always existed, but they became particularly prevalent in the first century and onward.  Today, we live in a world that has declared God is dead; creation came about by a cosmic accident, not by divine design; Humanism is worshipped.  We must be careful not to entertain any idea that cannot be borne out by the Word of God.

The world at large is not expecting Christ to return.  More to the point, are we living in expectation of the Lord's return?  The signs in the political heavens tell us that His return is close.  Remember that world history does not have to complete its course before Jesus returns to collect and judge His own.  Are we constantly talking to each other with nervous, yet joyous, anticipation of His return and the Kingdom which he will bring?  Or are we too bogged down with the cares of this life? (Luke 21:34).  Do we honestly care? (Matt 6:21).  

V.8 Yahweh is eternal and beyond time (Psa 90:4). Humans have a finite existence and need to compartmentalise their lives by using time slots (Psa 90:10).

DISCUSSION STARTERS

I need a discussion opener. A good one.

Our first afternoon at our church's New Zealand Bible School was a good one, though I felt I did not do justice to the many discussions I had with people I had not seen in a long time. The discussions generally went something like this:

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good, how are you?"

"Good."

Awkward silence.

"So, what have you been up to in the last year?"

For a time when we are supposed to be spiritually encouraging one another, these conversations aren't doing that much.

As I read through the last chapter of Peter's second letter, I was inspired with a much better discussion opener, one that will get people thinking, if nothing else. Peter's last instruction to the believers is "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2Pet 3:18) As Christians and believers who meet together at a Bible school, this is what we have been trying to do all year.

So now I have a few more discussion openers, if I remeber and am brave enough to use them. How would we answer?

• How have you grown in grace over the last year?
• In what ways have you grown closer to Jesus since I last saw you?
• How has knowing Jesus changed your life lately?
• What readings, studies or events have helped you get to know Jesus better?

3:18 Having learnt the truth’ we cannot sit back on our laurels. Even if we have avoided being ‘led astray’ we need to continue to ‘grow’ be continuing to learn more of Jesus – not just as a theory but as a practical example of a life we are to follow.

3:4   Clearly there were those who thought things never changed! This implies that they thought that God was never active in the lives of men and women. Whilst we may not actually say that often our behaviour indicates that we do not really believe that God is at work in our lives now.

4:3      In saying that the readers of the letter “wrought the will of the gentiles” Peter is making a scathing comment. He was writing to Jews who would have thought themselves better than the gentiles!

3:12  Do we ‘hasten’ – that is earnestly desire (RV margin) the return of Jesus? Or are we comfortable with the lifestyle that we have and think that what we have is acceptable and do not feel the urgency for the return of Jesus?

WHOLESOME THINKING

The reason Peter wrote his two letters is described in his own words: "Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles." (2Pet 3:1-2)

To summarise, the two reasons Peter wrote are

• to stimulate us to wholesome thinking
• to help us recall the words of God.

So let's see if we gave Peter's writings a fair go. Because these two letters are part of God's inspired word, we can be sure that they should do what they were designed to do. The only reason they may not be effective on our part is because there is a communication block in the way we receive the word. Either we are not listening, don't want to listen, or don't care.

So have these letters stimulated us to wholesome thinking? Have they improved the way we think or live? Have they given us more hope or greater confidence in the return of Jesus? And have we had our minds go back to other parts of Scripture - Noah, Daniel, the writings of Paul, Isaiah, the gospels, and so on?

Let us make sure we make the most of reading Peter's letters to us, and treat the rest of the Bible in the same way.

3:9     In speaking of the “long suffering” of God Peter reminds us of God’s character as presented in Exo 34:6

3:18   How do we think we “grow in grace”? Is this something that can happen by accident, or even if we do not apply ourselves to the things of God? Regular reading of His word is essential. But more than that. We must practice our Christianity by showing God’s goodness to others in the way in which we behave towards each other. 

Peter's preparation

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2Pet 3:3-4

Peter is again trying to prepare for his own death, knowing that his witness was part of the foundation on which Jesus was building the Ecclesia (Eph 2:19-21), and knowing that when he had gone the Ecclesia would be weakened. He is trying to remind them that there had actually been a "day of God" when He destroyed his disobedient creation (the flood of Noah's time), and an event like this was just around the corner (Rome's destruction of Jerusalem in AD70), see v6-12. The scoffing had been the same at the time of Noah: "Since the fathers fell asleep (Adam, Seth and others who formed the foundation of the faith on the earth), all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation".

GROW IN GRACE

Peter's message to us in his second letter is one that should motivate us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2Pet 3:18. When reading 2 Peter, we often get caught up in the detail and miss the big picture that tells us of grace, testing and judgement.

This is how I see Peter's message:

We are given abundant grace through Jesus Christ and his amazing promises that help us escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Because of this we need to keep growing in him. Bad times will come when false teachers will try to convince us of lies and try to turn us from our faith. But though they might turn everyone around us away from the Way of Christ, God's grace can deliver us if we are living for him. The judgements that are coming on the people who turn others away are going to be dreadful. The day of judgement is coming. People might forget that fact, but we must be prepared. Everything will be revealed for what it truly is that day. Therefore, now is the time to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (3:14).

So keep growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus. That's Peter's advice to us. Grow in his grace so that we can stand firm to the end.

3:1  In these days where human feelings and emotion are often presented as the basis for faith in God it is well worth noting that when Peter was moved to “stir up” his readers it is their “mind” not their “heart” that was to be stirred up.

2Pet 3:8

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

The context of 2Pet 3:3-10 deals with scoffers who in the last days ridicule the second coming of Christ. Jesus had promised he would come back and had not yet come, and so they concluded he was not going to come at all (2Pet 3:4). The disciples had fully expected Christ would return in their lifetime. Peter refuted this notion citing the scoffers during Noah’s day and the Flood as certainty of judgment and reaffirmed the certainty of Christ’s second coming.

Verse 8 was not intended to be a mathematical formula for the Genesis creation. Paul’s point was that since God created time, the universe, and the earth (vv. 4-7), He, therefore, is not limited to time.

The point I wish to emphasize is that there are professing believers in the Bible who attempt to use two opposing scenarios contrary to the Bible to accomplish an unholy alliance using this verse, that each creation day, the Day-Age Theory, took 1,000 years in order to explain away what cannot be explained away by finite minds, and thus go to bed with the evolutionists. God does not need a thousand years to form anything by uniformitarian processes. To use this verse and place it in context of Gen 1 is to take the text out of context, and make it a pretext. This verse must be interpreted in its context. Likewise, Gen 1 needs to be interpreted in its own context (please see notes on Gen 1).

3:3     That there are “mockers” (RV) in this present time is manifestly obvious. There are many – even educated men and women – who mock the bible account of the creation and the flood amongst other things. Sadly we can so easily be deceived by such talk and even fall into the trap of believing them! We must take care to evaluate the evidence – not opinions. Scripture presents the evidence. Men and women present their opinions.

3:11      The holy way of living should be a consequence of a realisation that the current system is going to vanish away despite looking so robust today.

2Pet 3:2

“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.”

The apostle Peter expressed his anxiety in this last known epistle to them that the brethren be mindful of what the apostles and prophets had written. In Luke 24:27, we are, likewise, referred to the writings of Moses and all the prophets. Jesus told us he did not come to take away any of his Father’s Laws, or writings of the prophets (Matt 5:17), and if we do not listen or refer to the writings of Moses and the prophets, we will not be persuaded or believe him (Luke 16:31)!

All the Old Testament prophets’ writings have everything to do with our everyday way of living (2Tim 3:16,17). We are to be obedient to all of what has been written. What changed under Christ, besides the animal sacrifices, is that he magnified the Law, as prophesied in Isa 42:21, thereby expanding the physical letter of the laws to a spiritual level, so that we are no longer subject to be, for example, stoned for adultery, as was Israel of old.

BUT GROW IN GRACE

These are the last words of an old man, written down as his legacy to us. Peter had his life changed by his encounter with Jesus. Peter who had been full of self-confidence, rashness, and instability, changed into one in whom the grace of God could shine forth. Peter finishes his letter by urging others to get to know Jesus better and better - to grow in wisdom & stature.

No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how we've matured in our faith - we all still have a long way to go. The sinful world still challenges us day by day and if can get closer and closer to Jesus every day, we will be prepared to stand up for the truth no matter what the circumstances.

Let us grow in grace that in the day of the Lord's appearing, he may see us as a reflection of himself.

3:4         God’s apparent slowness in bringing about His judgements is a wonderful evidence of His mercy. In delaying His intervention he is allowing more time for men and women to respond to His offer of salvation.

3:9       “not slack” certainly carries the sense of delay for the only other place where the word  <1019> is used is in 11Tim 3:15 where it is translated “tarry long”

SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS, AT PEACE

I am looking forward to the day of the Lord. Yes, I know it will bring huge changes and will be terrifying, and that there will be changes that I probably won't actually like. But more than that, I am looking forward to a new home of righteousness and the sort of world that God really wanted in the first place.

Peter says that this hope should bring should bring a change of attitude and action to our lives. This is what he says, "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2Pet 3:14).

If we want to be spotless, we need to keep washing ourselves with the water of God's word. the more we do this, the easier it will be to avoid sin and to humble ourselves ready to repent.

If we want to be blameless we need to be forgiven. That means confession, repentance, accepting the forgiveness we have in Christ and then passing it on to others. Our white robes of righteousness are not our own - they are given to us by God.

Once we are forgiven, spotless and blameless, we should be at peace with God. If not, then let's examine ourselves to find the problem, change and be at peace.

Let us be spotless, blameless and at peace, waiting for the day of the Lord.
 

3:10 “the day of the lord … in the night” is a quotation form 1Thess 5:2 which implies that by the time Peter wrote his second letter the letter to the Thessalonians was in wide circulation.

3:7 These heavens and earth refer to the Jewish rulers and people prior to AD 70 at the time Peter was writing (“which are now”). The “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet. 3:13) relate to the time of the millennial reign of Christ, but these will come to an end: “for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away” (Rev. 21:1), the "first", that is, spoken of in Revelation, but second in relation to the heavens extant when Peter was writing. The millenial heavens and earth will be replaced by a “new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1), "new" that is in relation to the millennium. This heaven after the millennial reign is hence “the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2).

3:9         “not slack” certainly carries the sense of delay for the only other place where the word <1019> is used is in 1Tim 3:15 where it is translated “tarry long”

3:5 those that are willingly ignorant are not those who have no knowledge of the bible teaching about Creation and the flood. Peter is speaking of those who know what scripture teaches and choose to disregard its teaching. In today’s world that form of ignorance is seen in those who hold to some form of theistic evolution.

3:6  Of course the force of Peter’s reference to the flood in Noah’s day is only relevant for those who actually believe that there was a universal flood which destroyed all but those saved in the ark.

3:10  that the return of Jesus is likened to a thief coming should cause us to understand that no matter how details our understanding of bible prophecy is we probably will be incorrect in our understanding some of the details associated with the return of Jesus. If we  have it all worked out correctly Jesus’ return will not bed like a thief.

3:9 The Lord ... is not slow ... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Instead of complaining that God is slow in sending Christ back to the earth, maybe we should reflect that God is slowing things so that we have time to repent and be saved (cp v15). Praise God for his patience for us rather than protest that the Kingdom is taking too long to be established. And realise then the urgency of our repentance - we are delaying human history by being slow to repent!