Comments for September 18

1:2 A substantial part of this genealogy reproduces the table of nations from Genesis 10. Thus it can be seen that far from being irrelevant there must be value in recording this information. In fact these relationships provide the basis for our understanding of much of prophecy and why certain nations worked together at different times.

1 Chronicles - An Overview
It seems that often when we come to do the 'Daily Readings' in the books of Chronicles we inwardly groan. Our view might well be that Chronicles is just lists of names. We may be tempted to skip parts of the Chronicles readings even though we know that in some way they are 'profitable for …' (2 Timothy 3:16). This review is designed to highlight the structure of the books of Chronicles so that our reading of those books is easier. If we have an understanding of what the books are about in broad outline then we will more readily be edified through our consideration of the detail the books contain.

The outline which follows is not designed to be comprehensive. Indeed others might well have other structures in mind. The objective is to ease reading rather than to provide a definitive outline so it is expected that others might differ in their understanding.

Chapter 1
Chapter 1 is a chronology from Adam to the sons of Esau.

:1-4 Adam to Noah
:5-7 Sons of Japheth Genesis 10:2-5
:8-16 Sons of Ham Genesis 10:6-21
:17-23 Sons of Shem Genesis 10:22-29
:24-27 Shem to Abraham Genesis 11:10-26
:28 Sons of Abraham
:29-31 Sons of Ishmael Genesis 25:13-15
:32-33 Sons of Keturah and their sons
:34 Abraham begets Isaac
:35-42 The sons of Esau and their sons Genesis 36:9-13
:43-54 The kings that reigned in Edom Genesis 36:31-43

So we see that 1 Chronicles takes a number of genealogies from Genesis and relates them to each other. Notice that the sons of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob are not developed in any detail in this chapter.

LEAVING A LEGACY

The reader who is familiar with the rest of his Bible will see in this chapter more than a list of names. The names we read here list the founders of the ancient world. In fact, many of the people listed through this chapter had such an influence on the world that the effects are still with us today. This was where cultures and diversity through the world began, where pagan religions started and where their people chose either to obey or to turn away from God.

For instance, one of Noah's grandsons was Canaan. Canaan's children and descendants were the ones who originally lived in the land of Israel, as we now know it. Canaan was the ancestor of Sidon, the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites ... and so on. These were the people of whom God said that they were so wicked that they had to be destroyed and cast out of his land. It appears then, that the values Canaan passed on to his descendants, were not good ones.

We make a small impact on our society now, but we can also make a difference to those who follow us. We need to make sure that the legacy we leave is a godly one, so that when someone comes along in 500 years time (if the Lord has not returned) they can say that the people who followed in our footsteps were a godly nation.

Whenever the sons of Noah are listed they are always in the order Shem Ham Japheth but the line of Shem, here, is placed last.

Is this because the line through which the 'seed' was to come is dealt with last. Notice with respect to Jacob and Esau the genealogy of Esau is mentioned before that of Jacob.

1:43 Again a matter of ordering. Edom (Esau) had kings before Israel. Of course Israel should have realised that Yahweh was their king.

V.17 Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech; were the children of Aram, the grandsons of Shem. Gen 10:23

It's interesting to pick out some of the names of the relatives of Abraham, who became nations :
eg Medan, Midian, Sheba and Dedan sons of Keturah (1Chron 1:32).

Chronicles I and Chronicles II were originally one book until 180 BC.  Ezra is popularly ascribed as being the author, although not specifically named in the book. 

It is interesting to note that, emanating from the cursed line of Ham (Gen 9:22,25) are a number of people who would give Israel a lot of trouble: Nimrod (the father of Babylonian idolatry, whose idolatry ultimately affected Israel) (v.10); the Philistines (v.12); the Jebusites, Amorites, Hivites (vs.14,15). 

These peoples were part of the seed of the serpent which have always been in conflict with the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15).  The line of Shem represented the seed of the woman, of which (faithful) Israel was a part.

1:19 ‘Peleg for in his days was the earth divided’ quotes Gen 10:25 . An enigmatic statement. Some have reasoned that it relates to the land masses being divided. If this is so then that had to take place over a relatively short time.

Ezra probably wrote the Chronicles (1 & 2 were originally one book) between 450-425 BC.  The listing of genealogies might be tiresome to the reader, but it was, nevertheless, an important written entry.  Ezra led some exiles back to the Land in 458 BC.  Genealogies would be valuable in re-establishing land and property claims.

1:43  In listing the kings and dukes of Edom we see a nation who had their origins in the line of Shem who had so early turned away from seeing Yahweh as their king.

The Books of Chronicles provide an overview of Israel's history and genealogical composition up to the Babylonian conquest.

SUCCESSORS

1:27 In saying ‘Abram, the same is Abraham’ the chronicler is assuming that the reader is already aware of the way in which Abram’s name was changed in Gen 17:5. So in this respect what we have here is but a summary of a large area of Genesis.

1:28-29 Having traced the generations of Adam past the flood we now arrive at Abram and the first thing we are reminded of is that Ishmael was the ‘firstborn’ – again summarising a large area of Genesis to provide the background to the historical narrative about the kings of Judah and their involvement with the nations round about them.

The Book of Chronicles contains information that can be cross-checked with the Book of Kings.  For example, Josiah (2Kin 23:28; 2Chron 35:26,27).  It is useful to cross-check because information in one book might be more complete than in the other book.

1:32 The historical data which is summarised here is Gen 25:1

1Chron 1:4 - "Noah" [(5146) means "rest"], "Shem" [(8035) means "name"], "Ham" [(2526) means "hot"], "Japheth" [(3315) means "expansion, opened"].

1Chron 1:8 - "Mizraim" ["Egypt, Egyptians" (4714) means "double straits"].

1Chron 1:13 - "Heth" ["Hittites" (2845) means "terror"].

1Chron 1:19 - "Peleg" [(6389) means "division, part, earthquake"].

1Chron 1:27 - "Abraham" [(85) means "father of a multitude"].

1Chron 1:34 - "Israel" [(3478) means "God prevails, he will rule as God, ruling with God, the prince that prevails with God"].

1:34     Abraham’s sons have been mentioned twice already 1Chron 1:28,32 but now the focus is, finally, on the line through which the ‘seed’ was to come.

1:1     The generations of Adam does not cover all Adam’s sons. Nor even the line of his firstborn.  Cain was the firstborn, not Sheth. (Seth). What we are given is the line through which the seed would come.

1:43     Maybe seeing their brother Esau having kings was a major factor in causing Israel to desire a king to be like the nations round them 1Sam 8:5

Note in 1Chron 1:33 that Midian was the son of Abraham, so when Moses fled to Midian and took a wife from there, he was going back to his family. It's possible that Midian had kept Abraham's religion going to some extent, because Moses's father in law, Jethro, is called "priest of Midian", and Moses was happy to share a meal with him in God's presence at Sinai (Exo 18:12).

1:44-51          There is no doubt that all the people named earlier in the chapter died. However the inspired record makes the point for every one of the kings of Edom that they died. This was the example that Israel were able to look at when they desired a king – any king that they had would be mortal, like them, and unable to save them.

1:32-34          Whilst in the Genesis account Isaac’s birth is given before the birth of Keturah’s children here we see  that Isaac was born after Keturah’s children. Reflecting on the way Abraham sent his other sons away with presents – Gen 25:6 – it would appear that the order here in Chronicles is historically accurate.

1:44-51        Whereas it is said of the kings of Edom that they “died” it is said of the kings of Israel and Judah that they “slept”. Whilst Israel had a hope Edom did not.

1:19   The only dividing spoken of in early Genesis is the confusion of languages – Gen 11:7-8– so from a Biblical perspective this is probably what is being referred to.

1:27 There are many occasions when a person has different names recorded for them. We often puzzle as to who is being spoken about. It is often possible to work out who is being spoken of by comparing other records and looking at details. However Abram / Abraham is such an important person in the purpose of God we are not left to ponder. The inspired record makes it clear so we can focus on the individual rather than having to work our who “Abram” is in the subsequent historical record in Genesis.

1 Chronicles 1-9 can seem to be difficult chapters to read and understand.

Brother Tony Benson’s book – Family Trees of the Tribes of Israel, by using family trees and explanations highlights much that is in the genealogies in this section of the book.

Copies can be ordered from Peterlforbes@tiscali.co.uk. Cost £5.50 plus postage.

 1Cnron can seem to be difficult chapters to read and understand.

Brother Tony Benson’s book – Family Trees of the Tribes of Israel published by The Testimony, by using family trees and explanations highlights much that is in the genealogies in this section of the book.

Copies can be ordered from Peterlforbes@tiscali.co.uk. Cost £5.50 plus postage.

1:10 Cush, a descendant of Ham after the flood is descried as “mighty upon the earth”. We know that he was a “mighty hunter” – Gen 10:9 and sought out land for himself a comment indicating this is seen in Mic 5:6 – but he was preceded by other men who were men of faith. Noah being one of them. It would seem that his godly grandfather had little influence on him for good.

1:4-5 Notice that whilst the sons of Noah are listed as Shem, Ham and Japheth the descendants of Japheth are placed first and those of Shem last - :17. This sets the scene for following through from Shem via Abram and then David – chapter3 .

The chronological record is following more than simply listing descendants. It is focussing on the God chosen line.

1:35  Birth order is the basis for the family tree here – no further mention of the sons of Jacob – called Israel here in anticipation of his status in time.

1:8 Mizraim is the name of the country Egypt. So we can safely conclude that the Egyptians are of the line of Ham.

v.14 - as is so often the case with cursing, God picks up language from elsewhere in scripture to take His listeners to a consideration of those areas. Here we are being pointed to passages like Num.26:10, Deut.28:37, Psa.27:12, 44:13-14, Isa.65:15, Jer.24:9, 29:22, Eze.5:15

14:21 sword Leviticus 26:25 etc
14:21 famine Leviticus 26:26 etc
14:21 noisome beast Leviticus 26:22 etc
14:21 pestilence Leviticus 26:25 etc
14:21 the sword ... pestilence Revelation 6:8
14:1 Again 'certain of the elders' came as in Ezekiel 8:1 Ezekiel 20:1 It would seem that they could not help themselves. They thought that their approach was so correct and so they enquired of the prophecy of God even though they did not accept the word he was giving them. The exhortation for us is so clear. Attendance at the meetings is no guarantee that our hearts are right with God. A mere outward show, which might deceive our brethren and sisters does not deceive our Father.
14:3 - 11 Just as he does in chapter 8 Ezekiel, by the spirit condemns the elders for their idolatry. One wonders what they thought as they sat there listening to God's condemnation.
14:12 restates what God had said to the same elders in chapter 11:20
14:14 20 We should appreciate that Daniel was, in fact, a contemporary of Ezekiel.

v.14 - We have to remember that even if things get so bad that no-one else will listen to the message of salvation from God, it is possible for the faithful (like Noah, Daniel and Job here) still to be saved. Nothing can take away from us the promise that God has given of eternal life. It is with us for ever, whatever our circumstances, unless we choose to relinquish our part in it. God will never forsake us.

The quotations from Leviticus 26, listed in the last contribution, should have caused Israel to realise that they were astray from God. This was the message that the contemporary prophet Jeremiah was giving - we have seen this extensive use of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 in his prophecy also.

:14-20 Reflect on these individuals. Noah and Job were long dead by the time that Ezekiel spoke. However their testimony as contained in the Jewish Scriptures - the people would know what they had done. Daniel is rather different. He was still alive and living in Babylon. So he was a living example of faithfulness. A man in high office who was serving God. Ezekiel at this time was speaking to men who thought of themselves as important so the mention of Daniel would have been a powerful warning.

14:3 When the elders are sitting before Ezekiel he is reminded that they are the very men who have turned away from Him. So, God asks, why should he be appealed to by them (Prov 15:8, 28:9)

V.8 "will make him a sign" ; literally; "I will destroy him so as to become a sign"; it will be no ordinary destruction, but such as will make him be an object pointed at with wonder by all, as Korah. (Num 26:10)  

Vs.14,20 Some argue that the Book of Job is an allegory.  Job is mentioned here together with the unmistakable historical characters of Noah and Daniel.  That lends credence to Job's being an historical character himself.

V.13-21 The prophet puts the case of the land sinning so as to fall under the judgment of a famine, (V.13) then noisome beasts (V.15), then the sword (V.17), and finally pestilence (V.19). These three men were delivered from calamities because of their righteousness, but could not deliver the land. If Noah, Daniel, and Job, could not deliver the land, "how much more" when all four judgements combined are to visit the land for sin; shall these three righteous men not deliver it. 

Vs.13,21 Yahweh's mind was made up and He would not relent - He would destroy Judah and Jerusalem.  To punctuate this fact, He cites three faithful men; Noah, Daniel and Job (vs.14,20). 

He is saying that if these men were here in this situation, they could save only themselves and no-one else.  In their own experiences, these men were instrumental in saving others: Noah his family (Gen 7:7); Daniel his three companions (Dan 2:16-18,49); Job his three friends (Job 42:7-9).  But such was the anger of Yahweh, that the land and the city were doomed to destruction.  

“Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols,” (Eze 14:6). The prophet has received the word of God against the Jews who come to ask his message, but still have idols set up in their heart. James says that a double-minded man is totally unstable (James 1:8). It’s true for us also. We cannot serve two masters.

14:3  The thoughts of these men were wicked – like we saw in Eze 11. They had a ‘form of Godliness’ but denied the power. A warning for us – 2Tim 3:5

V.3 The heart is first corrupted, then the outward manifestation of idol worship follows. With their idols set before their eyes, their vision becomes impaired, and the next thing that happens is that they stumble. The wise man wrote "Let them (God's law) not depart from thine eyes, then thy foot shall not stumble" Prov 3:21 ,23. God's law could have saved them from stumbling, but their idols became a stumbling block for them as the prophet had clearly warned them earlier Eze 7:19

V.4 Yahweh is demonstrating Prov 26:5.  Likewise, when the Truth is being challenged in a rational way, we should respond using scripture, by exposing the errors of the opposing arguments. 

14:4 In saying that Israel ‘setteth up his idol in his heart’ we learn that one does not have to have a physical idol to worship. All that one needs is a way of thinking. Thus Jesus said:- " But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt 5:28

14:23 "They shall comfort you" not in words, but by recognizing in their manifest guilt, that God had not been unjustly severe to them and the city.

14:8 ‘a sign and a proverb’ catches the language of the curse in Deut 28:37

14:14-20 It is interesting to contrast the recurring statement that the righteous named would only deliver themselves with that of Lot, who is not mentioned. He saved his family through his righteousness.

DON'T LOOK AT ME

Don't rely on me to get you into God's kingdom. For that matter, don't rely on anyone else, or on being a member of a particular church or group to see your way to an eternal reward. Even three of the most faithful people who ever lived would only have been able to save themselves - not me or you or anyone else. Speaking about being saved from the judgement of unfaithful Jerusalem, God said, "Even if these three men - Noah, Daniel and Job - were in it (the city of Jerusalem) they could only save themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Eze 14:14) We cannot rely on anyone else. We have to make our own effort and seek our own forgiveness.

The Jews in the days of Jesus though that they could rely on the fact that they were Abraham's children. But John the Baptist told them in no uncertain terms that being Abraham's children does not give us immunity from judgement. Everyone needs to make their own effort. (Matt 3:9-12)

Stacie Orico sings a very appropriate song when she sings,

"Don't look at me if you're looking for perfection!

Don't look at me, I will only let you down.

I'll do my best to point you in the right direction

But don't look at me

No, no, no! Don't look at me, look at him"

The only person we can look to for salvation is Jesus. He is the only perfect man, the only one who can pass on salvation through his perfection.

V.5 Idolatry necessarily separates the idolater from Yahweh. Yahweh cannot countenance idolatry (Exo 20:3).

The idols that were worshipped by Israel were plain to see.  They were statues of some kind, made from wood, stone, or precious metals (Deut 29:17). Or, perhaps they were fashioned from trees, like the Asherah poles (1Kin 14:23).  In any case, the idols were visible and tangible.

We do not worship such idols.  However, there are many idols available in our modern, sophisticated world.  In general, any activity or pursuit which takes away significant time and effort from the service of the Lord is an idol.

Paul tells the Corinthians (and us) to escape from idolatry (1Cor 10:14).

It is a useful exercise to determine how much time we devote to the service of the Lord, and how much time we devote to our own interests.  We might be quite surprised at the findings. 

Let us adjust the balance in favour of the Lord.  We can never do enough for Him who did everything for us.  Let us work towards the level of devotion that David displayed, for example (Psa 119:97).

Eternal life is at stake: He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury (ESV).

The problem for Ezekiel was twofold.

1) He was many miles away from Judah/Jerusalem so couldn't see first hand the behaviour of the people.

2) The elders of Judah who spoke with him concealed their idolatry and despised God secretly.

So when God spoke of the dreadful punishments He was going to bring upon Jerusalem, Ezekiel had huge trouble empathising with God. And when we read the sad history of the Jews, no doubt we have trouble too. So God decided to help Ezekiel by sending a group of escapees to him. This remnant from the destruction of Jerusalem would be a representative sample displaying the general behaviour of the people they came out from. He would then see first hand why God was so angry, and be comforted in the knowledge it was a just punishment (v22-23).

This group could have been one of the groups mentioned in Jer 52:28-30 which came in to Babylon where Ezekiel was (Eze 1:1). The behaviour and attitude of this group would have been very similar to that described in Jer 44 of the remnant that escaped to Egypt; completely impenitent and hell-bent on serving idols no matter what.

14:5 In saying that those who set up idols in their ‘heart’ are estranged from God the fundamental principle – Matt 6:21- is seen.

14:22  The ‘remnant’ are those spoken of in Eze 5:3 – the few hairs bound in the skirts of Ezekiel’s garments.

14:15 The “noisome beasts” that are spoken of here picks up on the judgement that God said that he would bring upon faithless Israel in Lev 26:22

 Eze 14:9,10,14,16,18,20 -

14:8   In saying “I will set my face against that man” Ezekiel is quoting Lev 26:17– yet another of the many times that the prophet reminds the people that they are suffering the judgements of God because of their disobedience.

1. Eze 14:1-11 - God is against the faithless/idolatrous elders of Israel in captivity:

2. Eze 14:3 - the elders weren't fully seeking God (Eze 20:3).

3. Eze 14:9 - regarding the false prophets (1John 4:1;2Thess 2:11-12;2Tim 4:3-4).

4. Eze 14:11 - Israel will humbly recognize Christ (Zech 12:10), turn away from idols, and the false prophets will be removed (Zech 13:2); the house of Israel will turn to the Lord (2Cor 3:12-16;Rom 11:13-25;Deut 4:27-31;Eze 11:19;36:26-28); "I may be their God" (Exo 6:6-8).

5. Eze 14:12-23 - God is against the people in the land / the certainty of coming judgment (Ezekiel 14:12-21):

6. Eze 14:13 - the people in the land were faithless.

7. Eze 14:13,17,19,21 - "man"<120>.

8. Eze 14:14,16,18 - "these three 'men'<376>".

9. Eze 14:14,18,20 - salvation depends upon personal righteousness (Matt 5:6,20;Acts 10:35;1John 3:7;2:29;Rom 5:1;Eph 2:8-10).

10. Eze 14:15 - "noisome"<7451>, "beasts"<2416>.

11. Eze 14:20 - "souls"<5315> refers to people/lives (Eze 14:16); Ezekiel in verses 14 and 20 considered Noah, Daniel and Job to be real as opposed to mythological or metaphoric.

12. Eze 14:21 - all four judgments (Eze 14:13,15,17,19) would be sent upon Jerusalem.

13. Eze 14:22-23 - addressed to those already in exile who were to be spectators looking at God's judgments against Jerusalem; God is just.

14:9 It might seem strange for God to say he had deceived the false prophets. As if he was making them speak error. However this is not so. The false prophets were so set on evil that God left them to their own devices. This is an example of what God is saying in Psa 81:12

14:4  The contents of the heart determine the focus of the mind of the individual. Jesus taught this – Matt 16:21

14:3 We can envisage Ezekiel having his eyes directed to individuals before him. This should remind us that God knows exactly who is doing His will and who is not. He can identify all of us and categorise us according to our thoughts and behaviour.

14:22-23          Again we see that God’s punishment on the nation was purposeful. When the judgment of God is over because Israel are now faithful they will be able to look back and see God’s hand at work in their lives.

14:5    In saying that the nation were estranged from God because of their idol worship Ezekiel is inspired to repeat what God had said through the earlier prophet – Isa 59:2

14:3 I don’t think that those in error saw what they believed as a “stumbling block” but it was. In like manner today we can be seduced by false teaching such as Theistic Evolution or careless thinking about inspiration causes a stumbling at the simplicity of the Gospel message.

14:3 The Lord does not see as men see. The men before Ezekiel would have looked very respectable. If they had bene in Jerusalem they would have been amongst the ruling class. However God saw their hearts and so could tell Ezekiel what they were like. We often judge by outward appearance. It is as if we are designed to work like that. In fact it is the Adam nature within us that works like that Jesus, like his Father, was not like that. If we are trying to imitate Jesus we will be careful not to be prejudiced on the basis of appearance.

Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Eze 14:3,8 Not blessed is he who retains idols in his heart, for God will set His face against him.

LESSON: Purifying our hearts begins with removing idols from our hearts. Seek out someone whom you trust and have an honest discussion about the idols in your  heart. Hint: Look at your diary and your bank statement. Idols usually consume time, money and energy and represent things that we trust in instead of God.

14:5 The word translated “estranged” is typically translated “stranger” in the rest of scripture. We are being taught that as far as a relationship with the people those of whom Ezekiel is speaking were unknown to Yahweh. Not that He had a vague knowledge of them. They were like total strangers – people he had never met! But these were men who were going through the motions of worshipping Yahweh. It is evident that a form of godliness is unacceptable. True fellowship with God requires a heart focused on His word.

14:5 We do not need to have idols on display in order to mar our fellowship with our Father or other faithful believers. All it needs is for there to be other things in our minds that detract from a faithful worship of God. How often is our mind on other things when we are readings or meeting together? How often do our thoughts demonstrate that we would rather be somewhere else?

14:10-11 The punishment on both the false prophet and the ones who listen to the false prophet has one purpose – to teach others not to follow the false words.  There is a great responsibility on the teacher. Sadly we tend to remember words that “tickle our ears” than we do clear and sound exposition.

14:3 These elders had, by having their own idea about worship, caused themselves to stumble. It is not simply that wrong ideas are just that – wrong. The wrong ideas get in the way of a correct understanding of what is truth.

Consider the one who believes that heaven is the reward of the righteous. From that incorrect perspective passages of scripture are misused.

We must allow scripture to educate us rather than try to educate scripture to fit in with our preconceived ideas.

v.18 - Obviously referring to the tendency for human nature to be wrong before God, in this case emphasised by the power of God at work in the inadequate human flesh - John 12:31, 16:11, Heb.2:14, 1John 3:8, Rev.12:7-9, 20:2

10:4 salute no man 2 Kings 4:29
10:7 the labourer is worthy of his hire Leviticus 19:13
10:3 The disciples should not have been unsure as to who the 'wolves' were for Ezekiel 22:27 depicts faithless Israel's 'princes' as wolves and in Matthew 7:15 Jesus warns of false prophets who look like sheep but are, in fact, wolves.
10:11 the charge to the 70 is the same as the charge to the 12 see Luke 9:5.

10:38-42 This event took place in Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha. The events recorded from here on in Luke to Jesus entry into Bethany at the beginning of the last week of his life (19:29) are unique to Luke. This visit to Bethany answers to the time around the raising of Lazarus - or maybe when he was sick. The section which follows relates events that took place between the raising of Lazarus and the triumphal entry at Passover time.

:7 'Go not from house to house' is an injunction to accept what hospitality is offered rather than trying to pick and choose. There is a lesson for us. We should graciously accept offers of help and not be respecters of persons.

I think I'm right in saying that we probably remember Mary and Martha by this story in vs 38-42. If so, our impression of Mary is probably very good, and that of Martha less so.

But if we look in John 11v22-27 we have the most complete confession of faith we find in the gospels - and it was by Martha, not Mary! It seems that throughout her serving, Martha was the one who managed to keep her ears open. It was Martha who not only heard the word, but listened to it and understood it. Her sister, though sitting at Jesus' feet and listening, hadn't understood about the resurrection. Was Martha's "worrying over much serving" actually an indication that Martha's heart was exactly in the right place? And had she meekly taken the rebuke on-board to listen more carefully to the Lord? If so, she's an example to us all.

10:42 We saw in the 2002 comments that this event took place at Bethany around the time of Lazarus' illness. So even though there was work to do in the house which was very pressing listening to Jesus' words was more important.

V.33 Humility, or the opposite of pride, was the acting principle in the character of the Samaritan. In this respect, Jesus has shown us the way. In example there is no comparison even close to him, and he repeatedly emphasized the fact that those who would achieve greatness in the kingdom of God should be as those that serve, washing, as it were, each other's feet and esteeming each one better than ourselves.

The Good Samaritan/Who is my Neighbour

This parable recorded in Luke 10:25-37 may have its origins in 2Chron 28:15.

Luke 10:25-29 - Begins with what must I do to inherit eternal life? And continues with the two greatest commandments and finally a clarification of who is my neighbour? Deut 22:1-4   compares with Isa 58:7 which said help the poor wanderer.

Luke 10:30 - A man was going downhill from Jerusalem to Jericho (the city of curse). It is the natural state of man to be a sinner and thus go downhill. The robbers (sin?) left him w/o clothes (of righteousness?) and in a hopeless condition. V.31-32 - Also going downhill came a priest and Levite who perhaps symbolized the law and they might help but lacked love/compassion and were perhaps more concerned with danger and defilement. V.33-34 - A Samaritan (significantly, it doesn't say he was travelling downhill) had compassion on the man and bandaged his wounds and applied oil (the word?) and wine (sacrifice?) as a dressing to heal his wounds and put the man on his donkey (perhaps reminds us of Christ's journey to Jerusalem on a donkey). V.35 - The mention of next day implies the Samaritan slept and arose (resurrection of Christ?) and he paid the price of atonement for another Exo 30:15 (half shekel was the same as two pence) and put the man in a place for recuperation (spiritual recuperation?). Then the Samaritan went away noting he would pay the helper/inkeeper what he was owed when he come again (second coming of Christ?).

What was needed was not so much fresh knowledge but a compassionate heart. Any person, esp. one in trouble who we are in a position to help is our neighbour, regardless of race, religion, location, status, or character. In Luke 10:36 Jesus flipped the traditional question of who is the neighbour and inferred the one offering the compassion was being the neighbour. The good Samaritan (who reminds us of Jesus) was a neighbour to the man who needed help and healing and willingly reached out to anyone just as Jesus did and does. We look forward to the time when we might be neighbours with Jesus in his coming kingdom.

10:19  The power to tread upon serpents was not simply an ability to resist the poison of venomous bests. Rather it is an allusion to Gen 3:15. the power that the 70 was a foretaste of the kingdom powers which would be attained through the death of the serpent power through the death and resurrection of Jesus – Heb 2:14

SENT AHEAD OF HIM
 
In some ways, reading about Jesus sending the seventy two disciples ahead of him can seem like ancient history. The disciples he sent and the instructions he gave have long since expired, and, apart from a few lessons we can gain for life, there is little relevance for us today. But perhaps that is where we are wrong.
 
Take note of what the disciples were told to do. "After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place he was about to go." (Luke 10:1) Jesus was about to embark on a preaching tour and he wanted the people prepared for his arrival. The thing we must remember is that Jesus is about to arrive again. His return could be any day and there are a whole heap of people in the cities, villages, suburbs and other places where we live that are not prepared for his arrival. Many do not even know that he is coming! How much more should people be prepared for his arrival to judgement than they were for that initial preaching tour of Jesus?
 
But the work is not all left to us. We must do what we can, but Jesus added: "The harvest is plentiful,but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (v.2)
 
So let's get out there and prepare people for the return of Jesus, praying for help as we work in harvesting the fields for God.

ATTITUDES TO CIRCUMSTANCES (v.25-37)

1. THE LAWYER - treated the wounded man as a topic for discussion

2. THE THIEVES - treated the man as an object to exploit

3. THE PRIEST - treated the man as a problem to avoid

4. THE LEVITE - treated the man as an object of curiosity

5. THE SAMARITAN - only the Samaritan treated him as a person to love

10:13 The reference to ‘mighty works’ that had been done in Tyre and Sidon. Jesus – Luke 4:26- drew attention to God’s earlier work in Sidon and in Luke 6:17 he had healed many from Tyre and Sidon.

Vs.1,17 Some manuscripts have seventy while others have seventy-two.

10:11  The rejection of the message and miracles by those of a city in no way invalidated the veracity of the message. We should take courage from this when we receive a lukewarm, or hostile, response to the gospel message. Our message is true whether anyone accepts it or not.

10:16 Doubtless the disciples would have felt rejection very keenly. Jesus puts such rejection into perspective advising the disciples that in reality the people who reject them are actually rejecting God. If we can get this clear in our minds when our message is rejected we would feel sorrow rather than rejection. Sorrow that our God’s offer of salvation is being rejected.

V.18 is linked with Isa 14:12-14 by some to show that Satan was a fallen angel.
The Lucifer of Is.14 refers to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.  Here, in v.18, the Lord is using a simile (a figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another) to show that Satan's fall was as swift as lightning falling from heaven - not that Satan was descending from heaven. The operative word in a simile (comparison) is as (KJV); like (ESV).

Satan means adversary and could refer to anything or anyone that opposes the will of God. Unfortunately, translators of the Bible have chosen to personify this entity, and use a capital S to signify it.

Satan refers to the enemy of v.19, which is the evil in the world that endangers and imprisons humankind. Jesus had given power to the seventy to overcome this enemy. He gave them power to cure mental illness and power not to be harmed by the natural world (vs.17,19).

10:23 It is easy to think of Jesus’ ministry as being primarily for all people in the land of Israel. However there are a number of times in the gospels when Jesus makes a point of speaking specifically to his disciples. Jesus, during his ministry, was training the disciples to continue his work on earth after his resurrection.

The lawyer asks "who is my neighbour?" but Jesus answers the question "who acted like a neighbour?". So Jesus is not saying "do good only to those who act neighbourly", but he turns the tables on the lawyer and says: "You're asking the wrong question. You should be more concerned about whether you're being a good neighbour yourself". Hence his reply: "go and do likewise" (v36-37).

If we are trying to emulate Jesus, we will learn to listen more to the motive behind a question, and provide an answer to that. It isn't always good to answer the question we're asked, because the question might be loaded with an answer that is incorrect.

10:2  In Luke 9:49-50 the disciples had forbidden others from casting out devils. Now Jesus tells the disciples to pray for more workers.  Clearly what we see in this verse is a further rebuttal of their actions in chapter 9.

10:12 Even though the  message was offered – not forced – upon the cities the disciples went to God’s judgements would eventually come and apathy is no reason for the judgements not being brought.

10:16  Notice the contrast. Either one hears or despises the word spoken by the disciples.  Whilst the alternatives seem very stark in reality those who do not accept what God is saying actually despise what he is offering.  Those who decided that they could not enter the land actually despised what God offered  – Num 14:31

10:5-7 There would have been a great temptation for the disciples to seek the most comfortable accommodation as they moved round Israel as itinerant preachers. Jesus warns against this by stating that the first hospitable house that welcomes them was to be their home for as long as they remained in that village.

10:3-4          One might have thought that disciples who were sent amongst wolves – those who would take advantage of them – would be better prepared with material possessions. However no! Their trust was to be in God, not material things. Do we see our possessions as a hedge against troubles to come?

10:29 In attempting to justify himself the man was rather like the rich young man who keep the commandments – Matt 19:20

10:6        A “son of peace” is simply a man or woman who is associated with God’s peace which contrasts with the Jewish leaders who were sons of the devil – John 8:44

Luke 10:5-7

“Peace be to this house… And into whatsoever house ye enter… Go not from house to house.”

In Matt 15:24 Christ says, “… I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He told his disciples not to go to the Gentiles, nor to enter their cities (Matt 10:5-15). This background will help us to determine the instructions Christ gave on what they were to do and what they were not to do (cf. Luke 9:4; 10:8-13). Did Christ contradict himself when he said, “whatsoever house ye enter” and then commanded “go not from house to house?” What did he mean?

“Peace be to this house” (Luke 10:5) was a common Israelite salutation (1Sam 25:6; Psa 122:7,8). Christ sent 70 disciples to preach to their brethren, the Israelites. Christ’s mission was to preach to the House of Israel. What these verses show are two separate situations with two separate instructions.

What these verses do not teach is going from “house to house,” or “door-to-door, as we interpret it today, to further the Truth. It is totally foreign to what Christ taught and what the apostles did. (Please read my notes on Acts 5:42).

10:15  It is possible to visit the ruins of Capernaum today. The very fact that one can visit the ruins is evidence that Jesus’ words have been fulfilled.

Luke 10:25-37

From believers to unbelievers, including Biblical Commentators and Interpreters, the parable of the “Good Samaritan” has become synonymous with helping those who need help, which is a good thing, but the most poignant message Christ taught by this parable is largely overlooked (cf. vv. 21,23).

The parable is so much more than just showing kindness; being advocates of social justice, but has everything to do with agape love, which will bring about sacrificial kindness.

This parable is in reply to the lawyer’s question, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  The parable Christ gave in reply has to do with salvation. Christ summed up his answer with Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18; cf. Matt 22:35-40; Mark 12:29-34 (who could possibly believe the NT is disconnected from the OT?). Christ told the lawyer, “this do and thou shalt live (v. 28).” The lawyer answered correctly, he knew the Torah, but did not practice what he preached.

The lawyer wanted to qualify who his neighbour is (v. 29), but it isn’t about qualifying who our neighbour is, but about our qualification to love our neighbour, as scripturally defined for us. We are to love the unloving, strangers, our enemies, whether there are our immediate neighbours or not (Matt 5:43-48). The Israelites did not love their enemies and justified restricting who their neighbour was and to whom they would show love and kindness. The Pharisees wrested Psa 139:21,22 to hating their enemies, and strangers (cf. Lev 19:34), who were not part of their elite religious group (ecclesia) and declassified them as neighbours!  Loving God and not loving neighbour will not qualify us entry into the Kingdom. We must have both!

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was long, winding, and treacherous. Robbers abounded, and this man fell to robbers, was stripped of his clothing, beaten and left for dead along the roadside.  A self-righteous Priest and Levite ignored his plight and passed by him (cf. Psa 37:21; Mic 6:8). Priests and Levites were part of a religious system (cf. Ezra 8:30; Neh 12:30; Neh 13:30). If this Priest and Levite had love for neighbour, they would have helped this certain Judahite, but in walking away they showed their lack of love, mercy, compassion, caring, and kindness for neighbour.

Along comes a Samaritan, an outcast. The Samaritans go way back to the sins of Jeroboam (cf. 1Kin 16:24-34; 2Kin 17:20-24). The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel were taken captive by Assyria, taken to the capital, Samaria, and where known as Samaritans. When their captivity ended, the Samaritans tried to disrupt the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 4:8-22; Neh 13:28,29). The Judahites considered the Samaritans religious and political traitors, and despised them. A despised Samaritan rose above the bigotry and prejudices and obeyed what the prophet Oded centuries earlier asked that the Samaritans aid their Judean captives (2Chron 28:8-15). The Samaritan did just that in showing mercy and compassion for the injured Judahite, while his countrymen passed him by!

A victim of brutal thieves, the Samaritan took the Judahite to an Inn for further medical attention, and stayed with him overnight. He left two denarii with the innkeeper to cover any costs in caring for this stranger while he was away. The Samaritan even offered to pay any additional expenses incurred in helping the Judahite (vv. 33-35)! Some Historians claim two pence, i.e. two denarii, # <1220>, two Roman silver coins weighing about eight grams, covered two weeks stay, others say two months. Either way, it was a generous gift to a stranger from a stranger; an enemy to an enemy!

With this parable, Christ showed the depth and selflessness of love to our fellow man, regardless of who we are or were, regardless of what fellowship we are in, or what church our neighbours attend. This is what Christ intended to teach those who have eyes to see and ears to hear (v. 23). We are to love one another, help one another, despite our differences. Christ ends the parable asking the lawyer, “Which now of these three thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

 If we cannot love one another, be kind to one another, be merciful to one another, forgive one another, care for one another, show compassion for one another, then how can we possibly expect such from our Heavenly Father when the sum of His Moral Law is Love? We cannot!

10:18 satan falling from heaven is like the way in which Isaiah spoke of the end of Babylon – Isa 14:12

10:13 Jesus’ words are not simply casual words. Chorazin, today, is just a ruined tourist site – and one that is not really well advertised.

10:1 Notice that Jesus sends the 70 out in pairs. Whilst this would seem to reduce the amount of work that could be done there is a good biblical principle here. Ecc 4:10 speaks of the value of two being together.

THE REAL REASON TO REJOICE

Above all, keep the big picture in mind. The disciples had been sent out by Jesus to preach in all the cities ahead of where Jesus was going to go. When they came back together, they had a glowing report of how God had moved through them. "The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.'" (Luke 10:17).

It is an amazing feeling and a huge encouragement when we see or feel God working through us. Maybe our preaching has been really successful, perhaps we have felt really useful through our feeding the hungry, or that our gift or answers to prayer were life changing to the people involved. Like the disciples, we rejoice in that. Those sort of things elate us and fill us with joy.

But Jesus tell us us not to get too carried away with those sort of things. They are just a symptom of something much bigger. Jesus continued, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (v.20).

So let's keep the big picture in mind and may we rejoice more in the salvation we have been given than in the marvellous events of the day.

 Luke 10:25-37 Notice that it is the Parable of the Good Samaritan who helps a Jew, and NOT the Parable of the Good Jew who helps a Samaritan. The theme of compassion to neighbours is shown by a Samaritan who could have let his overwhelming  prejudices rule (traditional hatred of Jews). Instead the prejudices are all with the leaders of Jewry who make compassion subservient to prejudice - even towards a fellow Jew!

Notice also that only Luke, the non-Jewish doctor,  records this parable. The Samaritan  performs medical  intervention on the Jew (wine to disinfect, oil to soothe pain)  and is concerned about follow up assistance. Maybe Luke was a Samaritan.

10:8  Notice that the disciples were to accept food where the message was accepted. However if their message was rejected they were to leave – 10:10-11. This may well be the basis for Paul’s comment 1Cor 5:11

10:23-24  The disciples were clearly blessed to see the works of Jesus and be associated with him and the work. But what about ourselves? D we consider ourselves blest in the way Jesus spoke of the disciples or do we take it as a matter of course that we believe in Jesus?

10:17-20 If we have ever been involved in successful preaching activities either in this country or abroad it is inevitable that we will be overjoyed to see the results. But notice Jesus’ words of caution. We should rejoice that we have been called, not rejoice in the success of our efforts. It is a matter of getting the correct perspective.