Comments for October 18

v. 17-19 - This is a description of one tiny part of Solomon's wealth. It is clear that he really was in a position to tell us that wealth benefits nothing. All is vanity. There is no future in it.

9:3-6 This section of the account of the life of Solomon shows that he was consolidating the kingdom that his father had established. However the mention of chariots and horses marks that Solomon was not heeding the injunction of Deuteronomy 17:16

v.7,8 - So did the Queen of Sheba have a knowledge of the God of Heaven before visiting Solomon or was this her observation as a result of it? The latter seems more likely in which case we must give Solomon the credit for giving God the glory or how else would she know the source of his riches?

9:23 That the kings of the earth sought Solomon is an incipient fulfilment of Psalm 2:6-12

9:1 Are we to think that the queen of Sheba came to see Solomon twenty years into his reign or does the record move back in time to now recount events which took place whilst Solomon was building the temple?

9:13 This is the only occasion when 666 occurs in Scripture except in the number of the beast (Rev 13:18) - so one wonders if there is any significance in the number here in Chronicles.

V.28 Solomon undoubtedly carried the Israelite kingdom to its highest pitch of worldly glory. His completion of the temple, the centralising of the national worship at Jerusalem, with all going up three times a year. But, his reign had a disastrous influence upon the people, and the example of his deplorable idolatries, the connections he formed with foreign princes, the commercial speculations he entered into, and the luxuries introduced into the land, seem in a great measure to have altered and deteriorated that which David had established.

There is surely a foretaste of Christ's Kingdom in the riches and wisdom of Solomon, and in the honour paid to him by "all the kings of the earth" 2Chron 9:23,24.

V.1 Tribute was paid to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba.  This is a forerunner of the tribute that Sheba will give to the Lord Jesus when He returns (Psa 72:10,11,15; Isa 60:6)

V.18 Was Solomon's throne configuration a microcosm of the kingdom?  Were the six steps to the throne indicative of the six days of creation before reaching God's rest (six time-periods before reaching the coming kingdom)?  Were the twelve lions symbolic of the twelve tribes who will be represented in the kingdom?   

V.29 The prophets who were responsible for the books in their present form had at their disposal many contemporary records from which their selection was made. The book of Nathan; the prophecy of Ahijah; the visions of Iddo. We are not suggesting that they were not directed by the Hand of God.

9:23-24  The way that the kings of the earth both sought Solomon’s wisdom and brought gifts prefigures Jesus’ kingdom. All nations shall go up ‘from year to year …’ Zech 14:16 and they will bring the wealth of the Gentiles Isa 60:11

V.1The location of Sheba is not known with certainty.  There is some evidence that it might have been in Ethiopia, but stronger evidence suggests that it was on the Arabian Peninsula, probably in the area of present-day Yemen.

V.29 Ezra has been accredited traditionally with writing Chronicles (Chron. 1 and Chron. 2 were originally one book).  The account used other sources in its compilation.  Isaiah and Samuel are notable examples, who, themselves, have their own writings.  But, the writings of other contributors such as Nathan, Ahijah and Iddo did not become scriptural canon.   

9:2 Psa 19:6 says that nothing is hid from the sun – typical of the leader of the Jewish people. So when we read that nothing of what the Queen of Sheba asked was hid from Solomon we see that this Psalm is being applied to his judgement.

9:24 In bringing presents the kings fulfil the promise that God made through David to his son – Psa 72:11

V.1 The people of Sheba were Semites. They hailed from Noah’s son Shem. The father of Sheba was Joktan (Gen 10:22-28). The people of Sheba are probably the Sabeans mentioned in Job 1:15 and Joel 3:8. The Sabeans were traders of spice and gold who travelled throughout the Near-East. It is probably from them that the Queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon.

9:3 Notice whilst the queen of Sheba saw all the splendour God’s kingdom it is said that she ‘saw’ the wisdom of Solomon – so she must have seen some of his acts of judgement. Rather like a picture of the kingdom when the nations will see the judgements of Christ and glorify God.

2Chron 9:31 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
2. Saul was made king 1Sam 9:15,16,27, 1Sam 10:1 followed by David 1Sam 6:13, Solomon 1Kin 1:32-34, 1Chron 28:5 then Rehoboam 1Kin 11:43, 2Chron 9:31.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

2Chron 9:31 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
2. Saul was made king 1Sam 9:15,16,27, 1Sam 10:1 followed by David 1Sam 6:13, Solomon 1Kin 1:32-34, 1Chron 28:5 then Rehoboam 1Kin 11:43, 2Chron 9:31.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

V.7 To the Queen of Sheba everything looked grand, and, therefore, everyone must have been happy to be part of such magnificence. The reality was somewhat different. In order for Solomon to afford his splendour, he taxed the people (1Kin 9:15).

There was a petition to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, to lessen the burden of taxation (1Kin 12:1-4). When that failed, Jeroboam led a rebellion which took away 10 tribes to form the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1Kin 12:20).

V.16 The house of the forest of Lebanon was not a building in Lebanon. It was one of Solomon’s buildings in Jerusalem which had extensive furnishing of cedar which came from Lebanon.

For more details on this Chapter, review the parallel account, and notes, for 1 Kings 10 on August 15^th.

9:6 In not believing what she had been told but was only convinced when she saw the Queen of Sheba is rather like Thomas - John 20:25

2Chron 9:1 - "Sheba" [(7614) means "seven, (or) an oath"] perhaps reminds us of the seventh millenial day of rest when Christ will reign on earth as promised (Isa 2:2-4).

2Chron 9:1-2 - hard questions...talked with him about all she had on her mind may be compared with a future face to face clarification and full knowledge (1Cor 13:9-12). 

2Chron 9:22-23 - greater in riches and wisdom than all other kings and all kings of the earth seeking audience with him has almost a Messianic feel.

2Chron 9:8 - has almost a Messianic echo with the king to rule on God's throne...establish Israel for ever..."Judgement" [Heb. "mishpat" (4941) means "verdict, justice, judgment"], "justice" [Heb. "tsedaqah" (6666) means "righteousness, justice"].

2Chron 9:7 - happiness just as there will be great joy when Christ rules on earth.

2Chron 9:12 - the idea of receiving more from the king than is given sounds almost Messianic.

The emphasis on gold which some feel represents a refining and perfecting. But along with that gold were mentions of  "6" (2Chron 9:13,18,19) which some feel represent man, fleshly nature, and of horses (2Chron 9:25,28;Deut 17:16). Solomon's kingdom already had spiritual cracks and would develop more.

9:30   We now come to the end of Solomon’s 40 year reign. However the Divine record has only focussed on a few items. They relate, primarily in Chronicles, to things associated with worship of God.

2Chron 9:29 The acts of Solomon “first and last” were recorded.  Solomon started off well but deviated from the ways of the Lord towards the end of his life.  The record in Matthew’s Gospel invite us to compare Jesus with Solomon.  Jesus was the one who was greater than Solomon (Matt 6:28-29).  The same phrase, the “first and last” (Rev 22:13) is also used of the work of Jesus.  Jesus is also described as the “author and finisher” of our faith (Heb 12:2).  Jesus started off well, he grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52) and finished the work God had sent him to do (John 17:4).  Jesus was truly greater than Solomon.

9:16   Shields of gold would be of no use in battle. They were ceremonial shields. Maybe to indicate the protection that God gave to His people. Protection through tried faith -1Pet 1:7

9:7     Whilst the queen of Sheba saw happy servants when she visited Solomon it is clear that towards the end of his reign he became a tyrant for Rehoboam says so – 2Chron 10:11

Ask Solomon. Ask Jesus.

Just as the fame of Solomon's wisdom spread far and wide, so did the fame of Jesus. Jesus picks up on the parallel in (Matt 12:42) where he says:

"The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."

The point Jesus is making is not clear. Why would the Queen of Sheba condemn Israel? The answer is found here in our chapter in the words of the Queen herself:

"I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it" (2Chron 9:6)

She came all that way to see Solomon and believed. The Jews had Jesus on their doorstep, and yet did not believe. We have a similar problem, not that we have to do great acts in order to hear the wisdom of Jesus, but that we scarcely believe it will benefit us. We have instant access to Jesus in prayer - but has familiarity bred contempt? I wonder, when was the last time you or I asked the man who is greater than Solomon to explain something to us as she did? (2Chron 9:7, John 15:7-8, James 1:5)

Some have put some similarites forward that the queen of Sheba is prophetic of the Queen of England Elizabeth II.

We cannot of course be dogmatic but here is the similarities for you to decide.

Sheba = queen from south of Jerusalem- Queen Elizabeth II became queen at her holiday home in Nairobi upon the death of he father. Nairobi is south of Jerusalem.

Sheba will visit Christ when he returns to accept his rule. Luke 11:31Psa 45:12, Psa 72:10.

Royal navy will be destroyed Isa 23:12, Psa 48:7

Britain will help in restoring the Jews. Isa 60:9.

Speculation of course but a wonderful thought that a queen in her 80's will be on the throne when our master returns!

9:8   The queen of Sheba’s response “blessed be the Lord” is the correct response on seeing God’s blessing on others. The fleshly mind would have sought some of the material blessing for themselves. Maybe we, when seeing another with much material things, think “they could give some of that to me and not miss it”.

9:6      Notice that despite the material wealth of Solomon’s kingdom it is the “wisdom” the impresses the queen of Sheba. Solomon was in a totally different class from all other “wise men” because his wisdom was from God. Likewise when the kingdom of God is re-established with Jesus as king the wisdom of his rule will far surpass that of all the world leaders put together.

9:1    The way in which the queen of Sheba brought gifts to Solomon is reminiscent of Psa 72:10. However this event here is but a short term, partial, fulfilment of the Psalm. It will be fulfilled completely when the kingdom of God is re-established with Jesus as world king.

9:26  In saying that Solomon “reigned over all the kings …” we are seeing a foretaste of the kingdom when Christ will rule over all kings as was prophesied – Psa 72:8

9:1    The Queen of Sheba represents worldly leaders coming to Christ in the kingdom. So maybe there will be a period of consolidation of the kingdom under Christ before the world comes to see its glory in Jerusalem.

2Chron 9:25

“And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses…”

In 1Kin 4:26 we read “Solomon had forty thousand stalls for horses…”

In the Septuagint (LXX) it reads in III Kings 10:26, “And Solomon had four thousand mares…” Likewise, in 2Chron 9:25, “And Solomon had four thousand mares…” It is consistent in both accounts, with 4,000 being the correct number.

For some abridged history on the Greek Texts and English Versions, I refer you to the Diaglott, The Original Greek Text of the New Testament, pp. 4-7. While the years vary somewhat depending on which Historian we read, it still gives us a good time frame, and is very informative!

http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2012/02/17/The-Role-of-the-Septuagint-in-the-Transmission-of-the-Scriptures.aspx/

9:8     Notice the reason given for Solomon being placed on the throne of the Lord. It was because God loved Israel – the nation. So He gave them a good king whose desire was to judge them faithfully.

9:16     This action – armour in the house of the forest is the basis for the comment in Isa 22:8

9:1 The way that the Queen of Sheba speaks of Solomon’s kingdom contrasts markedly with what we are led to believe about Solomon’s kingdom when Rehoboam was appealed to by the people 1Kin 12:1-13. So it would seem that the greatness of Solomon’s kingdom somewhat deteriorated after the visit of the Queen of Sheba.

9:7 Solomon’s kingdom was wonderful in all its aspects. It would seem that the Queen of Sheba came to see Solomon’s kingdom about half way through his reign. By the end of his reign there was clearly dissent amongst his subjects – 10:11. We might conclude that Solomon’s greatness and his foreign wives turned his heart and caused him to oppress the people rather than just serve them. Actually he seems to say as much - Ecc 2:7-10. We should remember that it is very difficult to maintain focus on His kingdom. We can easily be distracted by the things that the world offers us.

9:2 The all-knowing and all seeing feature of Solomon here is a foretaste of the all-seeing capability of the lord Jesus when he is sitting on David’s throne in the re-established kingdom of God. He, like Solomon, will not judge on the basis of just what he can see –Isa 11:1-4

9:8 In speaking of Solomon doing “judgment and justice” we see the words of Psa 72:2 – a Psalm for Solomon – used. Whilst the Psalm looks, ultimately, to Jesus ruling on the earth it has an immediate relevance to Solomon.

v.7-9 clearly states 2 violations. The uncircumcised in flesh - the gentile - was clearly not to be included at this stage, being still under the old covenant, but what of the uncircumcised in heart? This refers to those who were purified by the circumcision of the flesh but whose attitude belied this - a much more dangerous situation. Circumcision of the heart is not just a New Testament concept. Is was expected of all under the old covenant, and it is this aspect that gave them access to salvation, which they, like us, could only obtain through faith, since the law could not save. Lev.26:41, Deut.10:16, 30:6, Jer.4:4, 9:26, Acts 7:51, Rom.2:28,29, Col.2:11-13

44:5 see ... eyes ... hear ... ears Isaiah 6:10
44:21 neither shall ... the inner court Leviticus 10:9
44:23 they shall teach ... the clean Leviticus 10:10
44:25 and ... [not] defile themselves Numbers 19:11
44:28 I am ... their inheritance Numbers 18:20
44:28 I am their possession Deuteronomy 18:2
44:29 every ... shall be theirs Numbers 18:14

44:9 The promises that there would be no Canaanite in Jerusalem draws on the promise of Joel 3:17 Which is echoed in Ezekiel, a prophet of the exile, when speaking of the future temple. Ezekiel 44:9
A prophet after the exile Zechariah 14:21 Uses the same imagery to encourage the returning exiles in troublesome times.

Compare v. 17 with Rev. 16:15, 22:14

44:9 So we learn that circumcision will be re introduced in the kingdom of God.

The repeated use of language from Leviticus (see table above) along with the mention of circumcision (:9) provides details of exactly what will happen in this temple in the age to come.

44:1 The east gate of Ezekiel's temple is not the East gate of the temple mount in Jerusalem that we see now. Whilst many evangelical Christians make that link we should remember that the temple that Ezekiel describes is not built yet, nor is it renovation of what stands there today.

V.11 "charge of the gates"  Better to be "a doorkeeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"(Psa 84:10). Though standing as a mere doorkeeper, it is in the house of God, which hath foundations: whereas he who dwells with the wicked, dwells in but shifting tents. 

Eze 44:12-13
Here we see the lower status of the Levites in the Kingdom Age due to their past performance. They are to "bear their iniquity".  This carries on thematically with Eze 43:10-11 where they are to be "ashamed of their iniquities."
Lets review the process...Yahweh separated the Priests unto himself and made a covenant with them(Num 25:13). He gave them the responsibility of teaching His people(Lev 10:11), but they failed miserably.(Mal 2:1-8). This sad state of affairs is to change in the future as the sons of Levi will offer unto Yahweh an offering in righteousness(Mal 3:2-4). He will take the tribe of Levi from regathered Israel to serve as mortal priests.(Isa 66:21).
The sons of Zadok are highlighted in Eze 44:15,-16. They are given the wonderful privilege of ministering right at the altar since the sons of Levi failed in this aspect(Mal 1:7, Psa 69:22, Rom 11:9).
Distinguishing between the language of ministering to the altar or ministering to the people/house is the key to understanding difference between the two classes.

God is loving and merciful, but in today’s chapter we are told that He will not allow the Levites who left Him to minister in the most holy places of the Kingdom temple. Eze 44:10-16 says that only the sons of Zadok will be permitted to enter God’s sanctuary. They did not forget God, and so their reward will be to serve Him in a most wonderful way in the Kingdom.

44:9  The fact that no uncircumcised in heart or flesh will enter the temple that Ezekiel describes has its counterpart today. Fellowship is a precious thing that must not be compromised. Israel compromised their worship and were punished for it. The same constraint rest on us. Obviously we are not talking of physical circumcision. The application today relates to those who are not in covenant relationship with God through baptism after a true confession of faith.

V.21 Priests had to be in full control of their faculties in order to perform their duties.  Therefore, drinking of wine was not permitted. This law was first initiated after the presumptuous act of Nadab and Abihu in offering unauthorised fire (Lev 10:1).  Nadab and Abihu were probably intoxicated and thus emboldened to act foolishly. 

Hence, the prohibition of drinking wine was introduced (Lev 10:9). As priests (in training) of the New Covenant, we are not forbidden to take alcohol, but being drunk is not permitted (Luke 21:34; Rom 13:13; 1Cor 5:11; Gal 5:21). 

44:21,23,25  in quoting respectively Lev 10:9,10, 21:1 shows that there will be a re institution of a system of worship like the law of Moses when the temple which Ezekiel describes is built.

44:23 In describing the work of these priests as being ‘to teach my people ...’ we see that we have a mortal priesthood in the temple teaching a mortal population of Jews living in the land of Israel.

V.15 In the Kingdom Age, the sons of Zadok will have the elevated position of ministering unto Yahweh because of their faithfulness. The Levites, on the other hand, will have a lower status because they were unfaithful (vs.10-14).

The prince in v.3 does not refer to Jesus. It refers to the chief priest from the sons of Zadok. The phrase to eat bread before the LORD is associated with the burnt offering (Gen 31:54; Exo 18:12; 1Cor 10:18). That will be a function of the prince (46:4). Jesus, the King, cannot be the prince because He would not offer burnt offerings for Himself.

The purpose of the temple, and temple service, will be to educate the mortal population on the ways of Yahweh and on the sacrifice of Jesus.

44:28 In saying ‘I am their inheritance’ the priesthood are being reminded of what God had told the priests under the law of Moses – Num 18:20. The priests here in Ezekiel are mortal Jews ministering in God’s temple

Vs.17,18 Linen is considered pure. It is produced from flax fibres which carry no disease nor attract any unwanted insects etc. Wool, on the other hand, comes from a dead animal. By nature, wool absorbs moisture and can collect dirt and insects more readily than plant-based fibres.

V.20 See Lev 21:5. There were idolaters who shaved their heads as part of their worship.

V.22 See Lev 21:13,14.

V.25 See Lev 21:11.

V.31 See Lev 22:8.

v15: This reference to Zadok the priest specifically refers to Ezra who led the re-establishment of correct worship in the new temple which we've just read about. In Ezra 7:1-6 we see that he was a direct descendant of Zadok and Aaron, and that God had appointed him to this role. It appears that his forefathers had always remained faithful to God no matter what was going on around them. For example, v10,12 mention how the rest of the Levites had offered to idols instead of God. This "peer pressure" must have been immense, especially when temple worship was turned round completely to idols instead of the LORD, as in the days of Manasseh (2Chron 33:1-9).

44:23 The priest, teaching the people, highlights the principle that the prophet – Mal 2:7 – presents to the priesthood after their return from Babylon

44:1-2 There is only one saviour and this is signified by the fact that after the glory of God has entered the gate is never opened again.

44:18 That the garments were to cause no ‘sweat’ signifies that the work in the temple in the kingdom is not the same as the labour that Adam brought upon mankind by his sin – Gen 3:19. Adam’s ‘sweat’ was a product of labour for survival. The priests, on the other hand, were serving God which was not ‘hard labour, but an honour.

44:9     The prohibition of the uncircumcised entering the temple echoes the prophet’s word before the captivity – Isa 52:1

1. in the Messianic millennial kingdom age will all the gates be open (Rev 21:21-25;Eze 44:1-2)?

2. is this prince of Ezekiel allowed in the sanctuary with the priests (Eze 44:1-3,15-19;Rev 21:22)?

3. those in the Messianic millennial kingdom won't be rebellious, their sins will be remembered no more, the law will be written on their hearts (Jer 31:33-34;Rev 21:27;Eze 44:6-16).

4. in the Messianic millennial kingdom age, because of the sins of their fathers, will Levites serve as shamed mortal priests inferior to the order of the sons of Zadok, and what of the Gentile priests (Eze 18:2-3;1Kin 1:7-8;Eze 44:10,11,13,15,17;Isa 66:16-22;Eze 44:9;Gal 3:8,16,26-29;Rev 1:5-6;5:10)?

5. in the Messianic millennial kingdom will priests be mortal and marry, much less marry only into the house of Israel (Eze 44:22;Matt 22:30;Luke 20:34-35)?

6. in the Messianic millennial kingdom age will there be drinking of wine in the sanctuary (Eze 44:21;Matt 26:29)?

7. in the Messianic millennial kingdom age will will there be law of Moses type cleansing rituals and keeping of the Sabbath, will Christ be Lord of the Sabbath (Eze 44:23-26;Matt 15:18-20;12:1-8)?

8. in the Messianic millennial kingdom will priests offer and eat sin offerings and will millennial era priests be defiled by what goes into their mouths (Eze 44:27,29,31;Matt 15:17-20)?

44:9  The earlier prophet – Joel 3:7 – has already promised Israel of a pure worship, cleansed of unclean worshippers. 

44:9    Despite the warning about uncircumcised coming into the house of the Lord on the first occasion that Israel had to put such an injunction in place the requirement was ignored – Neh 13:9 – Tobiah the Ammonite had a chamber in the refurbished temple in the days of Nehemiah.

Eze 44:9 sobering words are found in this verse if we replace sanctuary with Kingdom. Have we cut off the flesh today?

Eze 44:21 wine in scripture reprents apostasty so no aposatasy or worldly thinking was allowed into the priests mind he was to cut off flesh and being drunk would cloud his thoughts we can see the results of drinking wine/apostasy and not cutting off flesh in Isa 28:7-15.

Interestingly although the preist could not drink wine Num 6:20 tells us the Nazerite who had succesfully completed his vow could! The reason being the Nazerite in that verse was succesful in completing his vow and in type is portraying someone whose flesh had been cut off and whose mind could no longer be corrupted therefore he symbolised someone who was imortal!

Christ when he completed his vow on the stake cutting off his flesh drank wine, he is now immortal and therefore no longer capable of being courrupted by flesh.

44:6     This is the last of 15 occasions when God calls Israel “rebellious” in Ezekiel’s prophecy. But think, here, of the context. Ezekiel is being shown the wonders of the age to come and God describes those to whom the vision is to be explained as “rebellious”. The glories of that age to come will not change the way they behave! How much does our understanding of the age to come – unrestricted fellowship with our God – affect our attitude today?

Eze 44:5      This is the second time Ezekiel has been called to look and hear – the other is Eze 40:4. The majesty of what was being shown required careful attention. Both to see and hear what was being said. The lesson is clear for ourselves. We must listen and read carefully to learn what He has in store for the future age.

44:3     sitting in the gate speaks of executing judgment. Not that, necessarily, the prince will sit there. It is a metaphor for giving judgment.

44  can be divided into sections which make understanding what Ezekiel saw easier.

:1-14    speaks of the gate for the prince.

:15-31  speaks of rules for the priests who will officiate in the temple.

44:25 The constraints laid on the priests here matches that of the law of Moses – Leviticus 21:1. We see a form of the Law of Moses re-instituted in the kingdom of God when Jesus is reigning. So we can conclude that the mortal Jews will be observing this law. 

44:5 Notice specifically “the sons of Zadok” who, it seems, will replace “the sons of Levi” who are spoken of in verse :10

44:25 We have observed previously – 42:13-14 – that there will be a mortal population in the kingdom of God during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus before God becomes “all in all”. Here is further evidence. The priest must, as in the past, avoid contact with a dead body except for close relatives that die.

This might seem a little point but this fundamental teaching about what it will be like in the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth is demonstrated by almost incidental comments in the inspired record.

This emphasises the need for careful reading of the text of scripture.

44:7  Notice how the godless behaviour of Israel actually impacted on the way that gentiles lived. Whilst Israel were to be an example of godly living they were not. What about us? Does the way we live present a picture of a godly person or do we appear just liver everyone else around us?

44:6-7 the behaviour of those spoken of here – that is natural Israel during the time of their kings in Israel and Judah – is a marked contrast with the “prince” of :3.

v.10 - Jesus here is drawing on Prov.4:18,19. There is so much, especially in the writings of John, about the contrast between light and darkness. It relates to every aspect of our lives. 1John 2:10,11.

11:11 Jesus on two occasions speaks of death as a sleep. The raising of Jairus' daughter Matthew 9:24 Mark 5:39 Luke 8:52 And the raising of Lazarus John 11:11
It is interesting that Jesus uses the word 'friend' very rarely in the gospels. Matthew 26:50 Luke 12:4 John 11:11 15:14 - 15

11:54 The things which took place between Jesus leaving Bethany and returning (12:1) are recorded only in Luke - Luke 10:42 - 18:14

:52 'Gather together in one' is quoted by Paul (Ephesians 1:10) showing that John's gospel was available by the time Paul wrote Ephesians.

11:37,46 Division amongst the people has been a feature in John's gospel. These two verses highlight this division again. Whilst some thought Jesus would be able to raise Lazarus from the dead others saw his raising of Lazarus as an issue to raise against Jesus.

V.24 Note the order:  first the resurrection, then the life; because resurrection opens the gate to immortal life. It is also worth noting that this is one of seven times that John records the phrase I AM spoken by Jesus. The others are John 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:9, John 10:11, John 14:6, John 15:5.

11:44  That Lazarus came out of the grave in the grave clothes by contrast with Jesus whose grave clothes were left in the tomb, indicates that Lazarus’ resurrection was only to mortal life.

V.43 We read that Jesus cried with a loud voice, and Lazarus came forth out of the grave. We read in 1Thess 4:16: Paul writing of the day of resurrection, that the Lord shall descend with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise. Having seen how simple Lazarus's resurrection was, we see how easily the resurrection will be handled. Yet, beyond anything that man could ever imagine.

Vs.46-48 The raising of Lazarus, by Jesus, troubled the Pharisees.  Then the High Priest of that year, Caiaphas (Greek name for Josef Bar Kayafa), set in motion a plot to kill Jesus (vs.49-53).  Jesus replied to Caiaphas and the Pharisees and indicted them through the parables of the Unjust Steward and the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16). 

John 11:6  If we extrapolate from the delay of Jesus in going to Bethany, to our situation today, we understand that an apparent delay in answer to prayer has reasons, & those reasons are the same as the reasons for the disciples: That whatever happens should be to show God's glory, & that we may believe. v 4,14

11:35 ‘Jesus wept’ not because Lazarus was dead out of sorrow for the loss of a close friend. Jesus wept because the people did not recognise him as Messiah.

11:21 "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." We have Mary repeating the same words (V.32), it is understandable that both sisters made this natural remark to each other, in all likelihood over the past four days they would have repeated this many times; this would not have indicated that their confidence in Jesus was weakening. As we face trials of faith, it would not be unusual for anyone of us to say or think the same thing.

11:48 ‘If we leave him thus alone’ highlights the Jews political motivations. They were more concerned with their present state than the future kingdom. How often are our motives coloured by our concerns for the here and now?

V.24 Martha testified that there will be a resurrection. She would have understood, also, that there will be a judgment leading either to eternal life or eternal death. (Dan 12:2; Matt 16:27). Jesus explains that eternal life is only possible through Him (v.25; Acts 4:12). The invitation is open to all to accept Jesus and His teachings, which will lead to eternal life. Rejecting Him and His commands will lead to eternal death.

11:7-8 The disciples knew that Lazarus was sick and the Jesus loved Lazarus but clearly returning back to Bethany was not even in their minds at all. Clearly they were concerned with safety, not surprisingly. So they must have viewed the idea of returning to Bethany with great trepidation.

V.25 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (ESV). Jesus demonstrated that while He lived as a mortal man, He had the power to give life. He brought Lazarus back to life. He also promised life to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).

But, for most people, it is the power of Jesus’ resurrection that gives hope of eternal life (Phil 3:10,11). If one has covenanted with Yahweh through belief in the Gospel and baptism into Jesus, then one is eligible for eternal life (Mark 16:16; Rom 6:3,4; Eph 4:5,6).

11:16 The concerns of the disciples expressed in verse :8 have not been removed by Jesus’ words. But we see a group of men who were willing to risk their lives for Jesus. How committed are we?

"Ossuary of Caiaphas"

John 11:49-53;18:13,14,24,28 - in 1990 bones believed to be of Caiaphas, the High Priest who questioned Jesus, were found in an old Jerusalem ossuary.

11:4  That the sickness was for the glory of God indicates His servants may well suffer in order that God can be glorified. Lazarus’ death was traumatic for the family and doubtless himself but if he had not died the glory of the resurrection showing God’s glory would not have happened. Likewise we should not expect that if we wish to glorify God all our lives will be smooth and trouble free.

11:12   The disciples response ‘if he sleep he shall do well’ shows how little the disciples understood of Jesus’ teaching. They must have seen him raise dead people before. They must have known that death is spoken of as a ‘sleep’ (Dan 12:2) in the Old Testament. However they did not seem able to link the two things together. Rather than castigate the disciples for their blindness we should wonder what things Jesus taught that we don’t properly understand.

John 11:25,26.

11:17   The custom in the middle east is to bury a body almost as soon as the person died. A body started to putrefy as soon as the person died in the middle east due to the climate.  So the earlier raising of the dead that Jesus had performed doubtless took place on the day that the person had died. Here, however, the record is clear. Lazarus had been dead – and by implication – buried four days. So this miracle was by far and away more, from a human perspective, unlikely to be performed.  Hence the amazement of the two sisters.

John 11:44

Those of us who have lost loved ones and now sleep in the dust can take comfort here for our loved ones will also come forth from the grave, though they may have seen corruption they will be made whole.

1Thess 4:13 

“But I would not have you ignorant, brethren concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as theirs which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep”

As time goes by we forget to some extent our loved ones, but the father remembers those that sleep in the earth, though not actually speaking of the ressurection i find these words a comfort,

Isa 49:14

 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Let us also remember as in Adam all die as in Christ shall those be made alive.

11:39-40         The response of Martha to Jesus command that the stone should be removed from the mouth of the tomb shows that she, despite her belief in the resurrection, was not expecting Jesus to raise Lazarus at that time. Though doubtless she was aware that he had already raised people from the dead. 

Mary, Martha and Lazarus

Let's look at how to use a Greek language search so that we can make the text of the Bible give us a greater depth of meaning. We'll start with a valid question we might have from v5. Is this verse implying that Jesus had romantic love for Mary or Martha?

"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."

As we know from the English language, the word "Love" can mean a multitude of things, and it seems unlikely that the full breadth of the English meaning of "Love" is meant in this Bible verse.

1. Go to http://www.blueletterbible.org and type in John 11 into the search box.

2. The chapter will appear. Click on the Tools button for verse 5.

3. Here is a list of the English words and their Strongs number, which relates to the original Greek that the New Testament Bible was written in. Select the number G25 next to the word Loved.

4. If you now scroll down the page you will see a list of all the verses in the Bible that use this same Greek word.

Looking at the collection of verses we can see straight away how this particular word is used in the Bible. For example, the first usage is in Matt 5:43 "Love thy neighbour" which is talking about doing your neighbour no wrong but treating them well. It includes such verses as Luke 6:27 "Love thy enemies" which can't possibly be talking about romantic love. Looking down the list there are no occasions where any romantic love is mentioned or intended, so we can conclude that this passage is telling us that Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus as friends and as family.

This is the primary tool/method that I use to study the Bible and I recommend it to you. It brings out the exact and consistent nature of the Bible text and consistently leads to new insights that are hidden beneath the sometimes obscure text.

11:11  The use of “sleepeth” and “awake” by Jesus echoes the words of Dan 12:2.

12:5     Whilst Judas suggested that the ointment should have been sold the other disciples agreed with him –Matt 26:8, Mark 14:4 – Clearly Judas was the instigator of the idea. The others simply followed his lead.  How often are we led astray by others, or worse still lead others astray by the things we say?

WHEN GOD DOESN'T HEAL

Somehow I don't think Lazarus wanted to get sick or to die. Having a friend like Jesus could well have prevented his illness coming on or getting worse. After all, Jesus had healed hundreds of other people - even from a distance. But when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he did nothing about it. All he said was this: "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4).

Imagine how wonderful it would have been to be one of those who received healing from Jesus. But even though Lazarus and his sisters were close friends of Jesus, he never received that blessing. Instead, he got sicker still, and died. And as he died, I don't think Lazarus had any idea that Jesus might raise him from the dead just a few days later. So he died without healing.

Jesus alone knew the reason Lazarus, Martha and Mary went through what they did. It was so God could be glorified. It was so Jesus could be glorified through God's glory. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, they all saw the reason.

Sometimes God doesn't heal, sometimes he lets us suffer, sometimes we don't get what we think we need. But let's learn the lesson from Lazarus' story, and look beyond the here and now, to see the glory of God working in our lives.

11:54-55    The transition between these two verses marks the introduction of a new theme in John’s gospel as we enter the last week of Jesus’ mortal life.

11:28     This is the only time that Martha does not call Jesus “Lord”.

11:55  The mention of passover not only gives us a time when these things took place but explains the urgency of the Pharisees and chief priest. Passover, more than any other national feast, was a time of great expectation and Jerusalem would be full of people looking for Messiah. A time of heightened expectation.

11:53   Psa 2:2 whilst speaking of opposition to Jesus at his return clearly has relevance at this time also. The Jewish leaders constantly were taking counsel to kill Jesus. Just as they were unsuccessful at this time they will be unsuccessful when he returns as king.

11:46-47          “but some” – the teaching of Jesu and his miracles actually caused division. There were those who, despite the evidence, saw that there was value in maintaining a good relationship with the Pharisees.

11:1 There are a number of occasions when Jesus raised people form the dead. However none of them are given as much space and detail as the raising of Lazarus. Nor does it seem that any of the other raising of the dead brought so much displeasure on Jesus. The raising of Lazarus differs from the others in a number of respects. Lazarus had bene dead a number of days – unlike the others. Lazarus was well known, it seems – or at least his father was. And the events took place near to Jerusalem where the religious leaders were in charge of the temple. Putting it simply it was very public in both its location and to whom it happened. This is the last miracle that Jesus performed which is the climax of all his miracles. His ministry has been building up to this point.

11:45  Jesus’ miracles were perfumed to convince men and women that he was Messiah – John 20:30-31. On a number of occasions –  2:23, 4:39, 7:31, 8:30, 12:11 – Jesus’ miracles were seen to confirm that he was Christ. This is what “believed” means here and in the other examples given. The miracles convinced many that Jesu was Christ – that is what they believed.

DEEP SYMPATHY

The shortest verse in the Bible tells us that "Jesus wept." (John 11:35). What I find really touching about this verse, is that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. Even from before Lazarus died, Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. So when Jesus finally met Martha and Mary and the other mourners, he knew that Lazarus was going to be alive and raised from the dead within the hour or so.

"But when Jesus saw her [Mary] weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled." (v.33). That was when he wept. Even though he knew that Lazarus would be alive in a matter of minutes, he deeply felt for the people he loved. He understood their suffering; his heart was moved by their sorrow and he grieved with them.

The writer to the Hebrews tells us that "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses." (Heb 4:15). Whatever we are going through, whatever pain, sadness or grief we are experiencing, we can know that Jesus is with us, sharing our sorrow, and there to strengthen us when we are ready.
 

11:5-7 The record simply states that Jesus did not go to Bethany as soon as he heard of Lazarus’ sickness. However we also learn that Jesus loved them – a point rarely made about Jesus’ feelings for others.

So try to imagine the anguish that Jesus would have suffered knowing his friend would die and Mary and Martha would grieve.

11:39 The Jews had a number of miracles that they said Messiah would perform. One of them was that he would raise someone from the dead who had been dead at least three days.  So the raising of Lazarus  fulfilled what the Jews expected to Messiah – there were four miracles they expected. Jesus performed them all – and yet they would not believe!