Comments for October 5

ch.20 v.5-8 - Here we have brief accounts of the removal of the remaining giants from the Philistines, all removed by these men who, though named, are not mentioned to any extent, if at all, elsewhere. It shows that there was a purpose in showing us the details of the incident with David and Goliath but there were no spiritual lessons to be gained from knowing the details of these other events, or we would have been told. It does not make these men any less brave, though one wonders whether they went in God's strength as David did, or whether the blessing of victory was granted to them for David's sake.

20:1 This is the same time as 2 Samuel 11 The Chronicles account passes over the sin of David and Bathsheba and the matter of Uriah here as the Chronicler is concerned to present the kingly elements of David's reign.

21:5 Whereas David requested the whole land to be numbered Joab did not perform the task completely. 2 Samuel 24:8
21:15 Whilst we might have difficulties understanding how Yahweh could repent we have plenty of Scripture which shows that he does Genesis 6:7 Exodus 32:14 Deuteronomy 32:36 Judges 2:18 1 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 24:16 1 Chronicles 21:15 Psalm 135:14 Jeremiah 26:13 19 Joel 2:13 Amos 7:3 6 And some which shows that He will not Jeremiah 15:6 Zechariah 8:14.
Once we appreciate that Yahweh is full of mercy we will appreciate that he will repent of judgement that He has pronounced if He sees repentance in those who are to be judged. It is only when he has repented time and time again and the people are still stiff necked that he becomes 'weary of repenting' and the judgement follows.

21:1 - It is interesting that the parallel account in 2Sam 24:1 records that it was God that caused David to number the people. In this case then, God was Satan, the adversary.

Chapter 20
:1-3 Rabbah of the Ammonites is taken. 2 Samuel 11:16-25 adds
the information about Uriah.
:4-8 There then followed a number of wars with the Philistines

Chronicles does not mention of the sin of David with Bathsheba. The first three verses record the battle during which Uriah the Hittite died. The battles with the Philistines are not mentioned in 2 Samuel. The recurring battles recorded here mark a contrast with the way in which David has been subduing his enemies. The record is wishing to emphasise that David's work suffered a setback after the matter of Bathsheba.

Chapter 21
:1-7 David is moved to number Israel Paralleled with 2 Samuel 24
:8 And David recognises he has sinned:
:9-13 So David has to choose between three curses from God
:14-17 The sword of the angel of the Lord slays many in Jerusalem, stopping over the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
:18-30 So David buys the threshing floor and sets up an altar because the plague is stayed.

Notice that the Chronicles account of the uprising of Absalom and Adonijah is recorded in 2 Samuel 13-21. However this event provides David with the indication as to where the temple is to be built. The fact that David is barred from the tabernacle at Gibeon by the 'sword of the angel' (21:30) seems to indicate that the answer to these issues was not to be found in the tabernacle but rather in the place of God's choosing - Zion.

20:2 David's behaviour in taking the crown and putting it on his own head is quite out of keeping with the way that he had been dedicating the gold and silver to the preparation of the temple.

21:24 David's response to Ornan's generous offer is most interesting. David demonstrates what a sacrifice is - a sacrifice must cost the offerer something else it is not a sacrifice. How often do we think we are making a 'sacrifice' when we are doing something which is convenient to us?

FAITH LEADERSHIP

This instance shows how the faith of all the people of Israel had grown, since David came to the fore. Many years before, the men of Israel had all been standing on the side of a hill, trembling, as Goliath shouted his challenge across the valley. Only one boy, David, had the faith to accept his challenge and to kill the giant. From that time on David's leadership strengthened all the people who followed him.

Now Israel were able to stand by themselves in the strength of their own faith, in their own God. Israel went out to battle while David stayed at home. David's followers had the strength, motivation and faith, to face the battles without David, and they won their battles. Even when it came to fighting the giants that were left from Goliath's family, it was not David that killed them, but his men.

With the right examples to follow, ordinary people can become extraordinary; faithless people can become faithful; the weak can become strong; the hesitant, decisive; and the unmotivated, motivated.

Let's make sure we show a strong example of godliness in every aspect of our lives, so that we can be like David, spurring others on to a life of faith and good works.

20:3-4 Here we have a telling juxtaposition. David's behaviour was out of character with how we saw him yesterday and in contrast we see one of David's men killing a giant - reminiscent of David's Godly behaviour towards Goliath.

21:29 Here we are reminded of the location of the tabernacle. It is where David pitched it when he brought the ark to Zion (1Chron 16:39)

21:17 Like Moses (Exo 32:32). David offered himself as an expiatory sacrifice. "Let thine hand, I pray thee,, be against me and my father's house."  Did he realize how this self-sacrifice would work out a thousand years later? 

2Sam 11 tells us of David's sin with Bathsheba while Joab was away fighting against Rabbah. But today's chapter, recounting the same event, concentrates on Israel's battle, and not on their King's sin,
(1Chron 20:1-3).  But it becomes much more interesting when we compare the two accounts further. From  2Sam 12:26-31we learn that Joab only captured Rabbah after a struggle, in which some of Israel, including Uriah the Hittite, were killed. The actual taking of the city was about a year later, after Solomon was born.

20:4-6 David killed Goliath and his men killed Goliath's four brothers: Sippai: Lahmi; the giant with twelve fingers and twelve toes; and Ishibibenob (2Sam 21:16,17).  That accounts for the five stones that David selected before his confrontation with Goliath (1Sam 17:40).  He did not know whether he would also have to tackle Goliath's brothers on that occasion, but he was prepared.

21:1 Yahweh tried David's faith over the matter of numbering the people (See 2Sam 24:1). David failed the test and gave in to human error.  The outcome of his decision, as leader of his (Yahweh's) people, had ramifications.  The people were subject to Yahweh's wrath (21:14).

Yahweh also tries our faith (Psa 7:9; Prov 17:3; 1Thess 2:4; 1Pet 1:7).  By the same token, we (Yahweh's people) are subject to the decisions our leader, Jesus, took.  He chose the way of perfect obedience to Yahweh and is now raised above all creation.  We are subject to the same outcome should we continue following Him faithfully.

21:15 The site of the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite is significant.  It is the site of the temple (of Solomon; Zerubbabel and Herod).  Some believe that it also gives an indication of the site of the battle of Armageddon in the end times. 

Armageddon is derived from a compilation of three Hebrew words Arema-gai-dun which mean A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgement.  There, the nations will be gathered together for war (Rev 16:16). 

They will be opposed by the Lord Jesus and the heavenly host, on the mountains of Israel (i.e. Jerusalem) as He intervenes to save His people Israel (Eze 38:8,21,23).  There He will sift them in His severe judgement (Isa 30:27,28).

21:9 Although David was endowed with a prophetic gift, yet, in matters relating to himself or his kingdom, he was in the habit of consulting the LORD through the priests, and when he failed to do so, a prophet was sent on extraordinary occasions to admonish or chastise him. Gad, a personal friend, was employed as the bearer of these prophetic messages.

20:4-7 Whereas the 2 Samuel record moves on to the uprising of Absalom after the matter of Uriah – not mentioned here – the narrative in Chronicles does not mention Absalom. Each record has its own focus.

21:14 The ‘pestilence’ is similar to the ‘plague –Exo 30:13 – that would come upon the nation if they did not give the half shekel when they were numbered.

21:1 Worth underscoring is the parallel verse in 2Sam 24:1. God and Satan are one and the same. 

The translators of the Bible chose to translate the original word satan by personifying it.  Hence, it is presented as a proper noun with a capital S.  But, the word satan  simply means an adversary, or one who opposes.  And so, Yahweh can and does play that role. 

However, popular theology prefers to believe that Satan (synonymous with the devil) is a fallen angel who now, still in his immortal state, roams the earth creating evil whenever and wherever he can.  That means evil, by definition, will continue for eternity, because anything immortal cannot die. 

But, Yahweh's plans are to have peace and righteousness fill the earth (Hab 2:14).  Therefore, He has avowed to destroy evil and its agents (Rev 12:9).  Who are you going to believe, the Lord God Almighty or the purveyors of false teaching? 

20:7-8 And so another giant is killed by one of David’s men – see also 20:4 – a further contrast with David who remained at home – the giant killer David was overcome but his servants overcame the giants

21:12-13 Notice that even though David knew that punishment from God was to come he preferred to leave things in the hand of God rather than choose what God was to do to him

20:1,2 At this time, Joab was warring in Rabbah while David remained in Jerusalem getting into trouble with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. 

The captured crown, mentioned here, weighed about 120-125 lbs.  It was, obviously, not worn by the Ammonite king.  It was probably the crown taken off the Ammonite god Milcom (Molech). 

One wonders why David would use a jewel from a pagan god to adorn his own crown.  Then, of course, this was a time that David was not on his best behaviour.

21:3 Joab demonstrates a better attitude that David at this time. He did the job, but not very thoroughly though, but had told David that God did not need David to number the people as God would provide all the people that David needed.

20:4 Sibbechai means a weaver.  As a giant-killer, Sibbechai would have been more than familiar with the dimensions of the spears held by Goliath and his brothers (20:5; 1Sam 17:7).

21:6 In the eyes of David, Joab could discount Levi from enumeration because they had no fighting men; and Benjamin because the tribe had recently been so decimated (Judg 20:46).

21:12-14 David had the options of: a fixed period of famine; a fixed period of defeat by Israel’s enemies; or pestilence without fixed period or severity.

David would rather fall into the hands of Yahweh than into the hands of men.  And, by selecting the option which did not have any fixed amount of time or intensity, David wisely chose the best opportunity which allowed for the mercy of Yahweh to be exercised.

21:18 By a strange conjoining of events – David’s and the people’s sin and the commandment for David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the place of God’s choosing is located.

1Chron 20:1 - like Christ in the first advent, David at this time wasn't engaged in combat as was the expectation for kings. 1Chron 20:2 - a gold crown was placed on the beloved's head and according to the NIV it weighed about 75 lbs. 1Chron 20:3 - the KJV seems to indicate captured people were massacred while the NIV seems to indicate they were put to extreme servitude (perhaps an echo of bondage to sin and death?). 1Chron 20:6-7 - the number six is thought by some to represent "man, the flesh, sinful nature" and we have this symbol of sinful nature killed.

1Chron 21:1-3;2Sam 24:1-3;Exo 30:11-16;Num 1:1-2;26:1-2 - census was permitted only when God commanded and a ransom must be paid for their lives; that David was incited to do this suggests God was angry with Israel. 1Chron 21:6 - "Joab" [(3097) means "Jah is father"], "Levi" [(3878) means "attached, joined to"], "Benjamin" [(1144) means "son of the right hand"] probably a stretch but perhaps there is an echo of Christ here who is at the right hand of his Father God, the Levites and Benjamites were not associated with any sinful numbering.  1Chron 21:17 - the beloved wants guilt/punishment to fall on him not others. 1Chron 21:10,12 - we have mentions of three with the final punishment/ransom involving three days and death but David doesn't see corruption. 1Chron 21:15 - Jerusalem is saved, "Ornan" [(771) means "strong, light was perpetuated, their fir trees"]. 1Chron 21:22-26 - the beloved paid the full price for the altar, wheat, oxen, wood and sacrifice. Christ also paid the full price.

21:4  I suppose David’s word ‘prevailed’ in the end because he was king and could appeal to his position to overrule Joab. We must take care not to dismiss a suggestion simply because it comes from someone who we think is less important than ourselves.

1Chron 21:1

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” “And again the anger of the LORD (Yahweh) was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah” (2Sam 24:1).

These two verses are parallel accounts of the same incidents, the only difference being that Satan is identified as the adversary to David. “Satan” is Strong’s # <7854>, satan, and means, “an opponent, adversary.” By comparing these verses, most interpreters identify the adversary as being the LORD. “Provoked” is # <5496>, cuwth, “stimulate; by impl. to seduce…”

In “Figures of Speech Used in the Bible” by E.W. Bullinger, on page 5, he writes on 2Sam 24:1: “Here the nominative to the verb “moved” is wanting. Someone moved, and who that was we learn from 1 Chron. xxi. 1, from which it is clear that the word Satan or the Adversary is to be supplied, as is done in the margin: --‘And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and (the Adversary) moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.’” "He" is the adversary (satan), but who is he? Is it really the LORD?

The language in 1Chron 21:1 leaves no doubt that God incites men to do that for which He afterward punishes them (verse 7)! God does not move, or seduce men to do certain things to sin (verse 8), and then punish them for it. This principle is made clear throughout Scripture. Taking just one example, the example of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart, described in several different ways (Exo 4:21; Exo 7:4-5; Exo 8:15,32; Exo 9:7,43; Exo 10:20), God knew that Pharaoh’s heart was hard and what he was going to do, and in this sense Pharaoh’s hardening his heart (stubbornness) is considered to be the same as God hardening it. Pharaoh did the actual hardening, having the propensity of hard-heartedness, and by his own free will refused to listen to God bringing judgment upon him and Egypt.

God knowing David’s willful heart allowed the event. David was determined to number Israel knowing full well it would be sin to him and Israel being warned by Joab (1Chron 21:3). Taking a census of itself is not a sin, Moses did it (Num 1), but in David’s case his propensity in exercising his free will and numbering Israel was motivated by pride, placing his confidence in numbers and not in God, which God subsequently reduced by 70,000 men (1Chron 21:14)! Thus God also punished Israel for their constant rebelliousness against His Laws, and/or their twin rebellion against David as King under Absalom and Sheba.

David’s real “Satan,” his own prideful heart (see Psa 58:2), and confidence in numbers to determine his power, provoked him to sin in numbering Israel, perhaps by unadvisedly listening to some of his advisers or associates that fed into his pride. David, by his action, was his own worst enemy, and took full blame for it (1Chron 21:17). Nothing happens, whether good or bad, which is not according to God’s permissive will and judgment, which is determined by our conduct. God will not reward good for evil, or evil for good (see Prov 17:13). It is with this understanding that we must interpret these verses.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

It was the spring when most of the trouble in David's life began. The Chronicles record doesn't mention the issue with Bathsheba or the consequence that flowed from it, but before Bathsheba even took that ill-fated bath, there were problems.

We read, "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces." (1Chron 20:1) David was the king. This was the time of year when the kings went off to war. It was Joab, the commander of David's army that let the army off to war. Joab was doing the job that David was supposed to be doing. "... but David remained in Jerusalem." (v.1) If David had done what he should have been doing at that time of year, leading his people in the battles they faced, he would have faced one less battle himself. He would have saved himself, his nation, and his family some considerable harm.

We never know what might have been, but what we do know is that if we do what we should be doing, we will be doing well. Let's learn the lesson from David and do the things that we are supposed to be doing when we are supposed to be doing them.

TEMPTATION

It doesn't matter who or what incited David to take a census of Israel, the result was that David made his own decision. "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, 'Go and count the Israelites ... that I may know how many there are.' But Joab replied, '... Why does my Lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?'" (1Chron 21:1-3)

David, having been tempted to number Israel, was given a second opportunity to change his mind. Joab explained the sin that was to come from his decision. David had an opportunity to repent and do the right thing. "The king's word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem." (v.4) Whatever it was that tempted David to do this things, it was still David's decision, and he was offered the way out, if only he had chosen to take it.

God gives the same to us. We don't have to sin. We may be tempted, but he leaves us with ways to avoid the temptation and to stay free from sin. When the opportunities to avoid sin come to us, let's take them. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1Chron 10:13)

21:17  So David speaks of the subjects of the kingdom as “sheep” – a concept that Jesus uses – John 10:11- to speak of his disciples.

21:9    In speaking of “Gad” as “David’s seer” we see how that God had provided a special help for him. David was not left without help in running the kingdom. Do we, from time to time, feel alone when we have decisions to make? Prayer and the Scriptures provide the help we need if only we would avail ourselves of it.

A place for the ark to rest

There is a very unhelpful chapter break between 21 and 22. Really these two chapters need to be read together, because as you can see from 1Chron 22:1, it was this new altar and new burned offering that showed David where the temple ought to be built. The implication of v1-2 is that David immediately set about preparing for building the temple, now that this thing had been revealed to him.

21:27 Goliath’s sword had been taken from its sheath to kill Goliath – 1Sam 17:51. Now the location of the temple is shown to David the Angel’s sword is put back in its sheath. This speaks typically of the completion of the destruction of sin typified in the death of Goliath. Jesus is the “temple” that was to be built.

21:30  David’s fear which prevented him from enquiring of the Lord must have been at the ark which he had pitched in Zion. Rather like the sword of the cherubim – Gen 3:24 – barred Adam and Eve’s access to God in the Garden of Eden.

1 Chronicles 20

This chapter is very much about giants. Notice v4, 6 and 8 all mention them. In each case the word used is "Rephaim", which is a specific race of people mentioned first in Gen 14:5. The Moabites called these people "Emims" (see Deut 2:11) and the Ammonites called them Zamzummims (see Deut 2:20). All three names appear together in Gen 14:5:

"in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim"

They are mentioned as living in the land of Israel in Gen 15:20. The largest of them was Og, King of Bashan (Deut 3:11), who could have been as much as 14ft tall, twice as tall as the largest people alive today.

21:2    The idea of “from Dan to Beersheba” only is found before the division of the kingdom, except for one occasion. In the days of Hezekiah he sought to heal the rift – 2Chron 30:5 – between Israel and Judah.

21:1     Whilst here we read of “Satan” moving David we should realise it was “God” – 2Sam 24:1 who moved David to number Isreal. Further, the Samuel record indicates that God was displeased with Israel, not David. We should be careful not to presume that David was the one who had sinned, but the nation.

21:5    The number given here differs from the number in 2Sam 24:9. The resolution is that the Samuel account lists a numbering using different criteria and for a different purpose.

20:4-8  this is paralleled in 2Sam 23:18-23

20:7 the way the giant’s behaviour is described – defying – echoes David’s question – 1Sam 17:26– about what would happen to the man who killed Goliath.

21:20 that Ornan and his four sons also saw the angel would have made Ornan more willing to do as David requested. Maybe the reason for his willingness to give David the threshing floor.

20:5 Giants terrified the nation of Israel   in the days of Saul. However when David had killed Goliath it seems that others took courage and also killed giants. From this we learn that the timid amongst us can be encouraged by the confidence of others. So we should be on the lookout for acts of courage (faith) in our brethren and sisters that we might be strengthened ourselves – If they can do it so can I should be the mentality

21:6  We might presume that Joab did not count those of the tribe of Levi as they were priests and not to be counted in any army. However this does not explain why the tribe of Benjamin was omitted unless Joab was aware that some in the tribe of Benjamin were still antagonistic towards David.

21:3  David’s desire to number the people clearly puzzled Joab. He did not realise that the whole matter was “of God”. Doubtless neither did David.

v.5,6 - Jesus picks up the language here in Luke 13:19 and applies it to the Kingdom of God, which will, of course rise above all other kingdoms, but, being righteous, has a right to do so.

31:1-2 A revalation unto Pharaoh
v.3-9 of the glory of Assyria
v.10-17 and the fall thereof for pride
v.18 The like destruction of Egypt
'in the eleventh year' this is about a month before the capture of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 1:2 30:20 Jeremiah 52:5,6

It doesn't seem to matter how often God demonstrates his supremacy over the nation's leaders, their human nature still prevails in all its proud glory and ignores Him to their detriment. Man will never learn this lesson. We can but work to ensure that we ourselves allow God to show us how to be humble. A recognition of His supremacy is what will best lead us to this state of mind.

Egypt had been made a great nation by God. (:1-9). However Egypt was brought down because of her exalted opinion of herself. (31:10). We likewise do well to realise that all we have has come from God.

31:8 'Garden of God' is found also in Ezekiel 28:13. Clearly it is a reference to Eden (Genesis 2:8). God is not saying that either Tyre or Egypt were actually in Eden. Rather the lessons of Eden are being developed. Man was cast out of Eden because of his sin. Likewise judgement was coming upon Tyre and Egypt because they had sinned against God and disobeyed His commands.

31:18 Judah is now devastated and destroyed by the Babylonians. But Ezekiel now pronounces the abasing of Egypt like the Assyrians were abased. From a political view one would have seen little point in listening to the words of Ezekiel - a man from a defeated country. However Ezekiel was not just a man. He was a prophet of God speaking what God would do in the earth.

Egypt should have learnt her lesson, but failed to do so, from the Assyrian fall. The fall of Assyria was complete, and its empire swallowed up by Babylon. Egypt was to continue after her fall as a base kingdom, never to return to her former greatness.

V.2 Yahweh asks Egypt to consider itself in the light of Assyria.  That powerful, arrogant nation, likened to a majestic cedar of Lebanon, was brought to nought.  History tells us that after flourishing as a dominant, conquering force, Assyria was cut down.  In 614 BC, the Medes destroyed Asshur, the old Assyrian capital. 

Then a Babylonian/Medes confederacy took Nineveh after a two-month siege.  An Assyrian general tried to organise what remained of the army in Haran but when the Babylonians threatened them in 610 BC, Haran was abandoned, and Assyria ceased to exist.  The figure of Assyria's flourishing amongst the trees of Eden is apt.  Eden was located in that area (Gen 2:14) (Hiddekel = Tigris). 

In today’s chapter God uses the fall of Assyria as an example of what will happen to Egypt.  Assyria was a huge and strong empire, but in 606BC its capital Nineveh fell.  Then, just as God had said, in 525BC Egypt was conquered by Cambyses the king of Persia.

31:2  So Egypt, like Tyre, had a high opinion of herself.

Assyria of course did fall, and was defeated by the Babylonians. Egypt, even though she fell, the nation did continue as a base nation, never returning to its greatness, that can still be seen today, truly a base nation.

V.1 Considering the timelines of Ezekiel's diatribe against Egypt:  Pharaoh-hophra fell to the Babylonians in April 587 BC (Eze 30:20,21);  Ezekiel is still talking about it two months later, which is one month before the destruction of Jerusalem;  He continues his lament over Egypt one year and ten months later in 585 BC (Eze 32:1).

31:3 Assyria has passed off the scene, overtaken by Babylon who, it might have been thought, dispatched the Assyrians. However Ezekiel is at pains, speaking the word of God, to point out that Assyria’s demise was ‘of God’.

31:11 In saying ‘I have therefore delivered him ...’ we see that the destruction of Egypt was because of the pride of Egypt as laid out in the previous verses.

31:11 Continuing the lesson of the destruction of Assyria the deliverance of Assyria is into the hands of the Chaldeans. This served as a warning to Egypt that ever though Egypt was a great nations – like Assyria had been – she would be overthrown, like Assyria was.

A PAGE FROM EZEKIEL'S DIARY

Most of Ezekiel's prophecies have a date attached to them. For example, his prophecy against Egypt about the cedar in Lebanon begins like this: "In the eleventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his hordes..." (Eze 31:1-2) The dates on the prophecies that Ezekiel was told to give make the book of Ezekiel a lot like a diary.. "On the 1st of January year 11, the word of the LORD came to me..." "On the 9th of October in year 12, the word of the LORD was revealed to me..." and so on.

From these dates, Ezekiel would have been able to look back over his career as a prophet of the LORD to be motivated by the revelations God had given him and encouraged by the spiritual growth he was able to see in himself as the LORD worked through him.

Keeping a spiritual diary in this way can also help us. Keeping a record of prayers and answers to prayers, little revelations we have received from reading God's word, spiritual aims and our progress towards them, and Bible studies we have done can be a great source of strength later on if we are walking through dark times in our lives.

Let's take a page from Ezekiel's diary to begin or renew our own spiritual diary, so that we too, will be able to see the way God is working in our own lives.

V.3 Just to give some perspective of how large and magnificent the Cedars of Lebanon were:  They were evergreens that could grow up to 130 ft (40 m) tall, with a trunk up to 8 ft (2.5 m) in diameter.  Added to that, they would grow in lofty elevations of 3,300–6,600 ft (1,000-2,000 m).  The few giant cedars that are left have been estimated to be 2500 years old.

All this would pose the cedar as being a majestic tree, head and shoulders above any other.  No wonder it was picked by Yahweh as a symbol of national power.

Assyria and Egypt were not the only nations to have this symbol ascribed to them. Nebuchadnezzar (and, therefore, Babylon) was signified by a tree (Dan 4:20-22). Although not specifically described as a cedar, Nebuchadnezzar’s tree can be intimated as being a cedar by the characteristics mentioned.

31:5 The long branches of the tree which represented Assyria indicated the extent of Assyria’s influence in the Middle East.

31:10  Egypt’s self exaltation was her downfall – just like Nebuchadnezzar’s some time later.  – Dan 4:30  - Pride is abhorrent to God.

31:3-4 Having spoken of the punishment on mighty Egypt Israel are reminded that God can bring down nations, reminding them of the removal of Assyria, that nation who had taken Samaria captive.

31:18   Egypt has been the focus of Ezekiel’s reproof and judgement for the last few chapters. Egypt thought highly of herself. However despite her haughtiness God, through the prophet, brings Egypt down to an accurate understanding of her position. Not great amongst the trees in the garden of God. Rather a tree that is cut down.

1. Eze 31:5-6;Luke 13:18-19 - under Assyria's huge tree shadow dwelt all great nations and similarly, all great nations will dwell under the kingdom of God's huge tree shadow when Christ returns. It reminds me of the huge importance of Christ having died on a tree.

2. Eze 31:14 - the fall of Assyria became a lesson to all lesser powers ("that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height...for they are all delivered unto death") showing the fate of arrogant human rulership.

3. Eze 31:16-17 - two mentions of "Hell"<7585> in verses 16 and 17 refer to the grave; Assyria fell and went to the grave as did her allies (verse 17 "and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow"); Egypt had been one of Assyria's arms and went up against Babylon, who defeated her, in the battle of Carchemish circa 605 BC.

31:6   The transient nature of the kingdom of Egypt, likened to a tree sheltering birds is contrasted with the eternal nature of the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of – Matt 13:31-32

What does the Bible say about hell and Lucifer?

The destruction of the might of Assyria and then Egypt is spoken of like this:

"they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit. Thus saith the Lord God; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed" Eze 31:14-15

Which is exactly the same wording as the passage in Isaiah that speaks of "Lucifer" in Isa 14:4-20.

So it's quite clear from both passages that God is speaking in picture language of the downfall of first Assyria, then Egypt, and that no supernatural being is being spoken of. In Eze 32 we see them all together in the grave after God's judgements have been performed, and the word "hell" simply means that grave.

31:9,16,18   Of course Egypt was not in Eden. Nor was Egypt like the garden of Eden. Egypt was corrupt and Godless. However Egypt thought of herself as so exalted.

31:1    By this time – the 11^th year of the reign on Zedekiah – Hoshea had been taken into captivity and Jerusalem was under siege by the Chaldeans.

31:9   Notice that it was God who made Egypt powerful. This is an example of what Daniel was to say – Dan 4:17

31:2  There are a number of occasions when prophets are told to speak to the leaders of countries. We should understand that Ezekiel did actually go and speak to Pharaoh face to face.

31:14,16,18 the repeated use of “the nether arts of the earth” is a parody of Egypt’s – and for that matter the other nations – belief in an afterlife.

31:4-5  Notice. The destruction of Assyria was because of pride. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with being a powerful kingdom.  In like manner believers can be successful and have material possessions. After all there were faithful servants of God who were prosperous. The problem comes when that prosperity brings pride in the individual

31:1-9 Around the time of Judah’s final captivity the country to which some in Israel looked for support is warned of its upcoming disaster at the hands of the  Chaldeans. Ezekiel, in captivity himself, is telling those who previously may have sought support from Egypt of its demise

31:10  So the prophet was inspired to return to the familiar charge – pride. A “proud look” is one of the things that God hates – Proverbs 6:16-19. We must appreciate that pride is one of the most common faults of man. Encouraging pride is behind much of the advertising that we see. However  pride engenders strife and avarice. Consequently it should not be any part of the believer’s life. It is said we are what we eat. We must ask “what do we eat?” How balanced is our diet?

31:18 The prophet began -:2 – by speaking of Egypt’s pride before in the rest of the chapter speaking of the might of Assyria being overthrown. This was to be a lesson to Egypt who thought of herself as a mighty power.

31:18 The “uncircumcised” is a way of speaking of the nations that were not in covenant relationship with Yahweh who actually instituted the law of circumcision with Abraham – Gen 17 to mark Abraham and his seed as in a special relationship with God. .

ch.2 v. 15 - The enemy that is destroyed by this process is surely sin and therefore death, which exist as a result of the law which in itself was, and still is, unable to save. Jesus has broken down the middle wall of partition (v.14) in order to bring about a state through which we can be reconciled to God. 2Cor.5:17, Col.2:14, Heb.10:19-22

We have information about the ecclesia at Ephesus from the time it was formed Acts 18:19 right up to the end of the first century with the letter from Jesus Revelation 2:1. The two letters to Timothy were written to him whilst he was in Ephesus along with this letter to the Ephesians. Therefore we have a lot of information covering a long period of time at Ephesus, and we are able easily to trace the development and decline of the ecclesia.
1:10 'gather together in one' marks a fundamental New Testament teaching - the unity of the ecclesia. It is mentioned so many times in the New Testament because the lack of unity was a problem in many ecclesias. This is because human nature fights against the attitudes which make for unity. If it was a problem in the first century we would be naive to think it is not a problem today.

2:6 'raised us up together' continues the theme of unity. Against the background of what the Father has done for us as outlined in the first five verses one would think that we would be eager to manifest that unity now out of gratitude to Him for all He has done. If He is willing to raise us all - no partiality here - then shouldn't we manifest that same spirit towards or brethren and sisters?

There are many quotations from the Old Testament in the letter. Here is a list.

2:4-6 Similar argument to Rom 5:8-11 'God commended His love ... while we sinners ... by whom we have now received the atonement'

1:3,20 'Heavenly places' speaks of status not location. So just as Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God we are, in prospect, in the same position of authority. So we should live as if we deserve that authority.

2:10 'walk' is introduced here as a recurring word to speak of the way that we should order our lives. Our role 'in Christ' is not passive. Look out for 'walk' elsewhere in the letter.

FOREIGNERS

At the place where I work a number of foreigners have been employed. Most of them are immigrants and one is a refugee. None of them are citizens of our country. As well as being from a different country to where I live, foreigners have other tell-tale signs that set them apart from everyone else and make them different. Their physical appearance is often different - their skin colour, shape of their nose, colour of their eyes or hair, and their height, these all can set them apart as different. And more often than not, their accent or lack of ability to speak English makes a marked distinction between a foreigner and the locals.

Some immigrants have chosen to become residents and citizens of our country, but the marks of being a foreigner take time to wear off. It must be hard for those people, who come to a new country, to find acceptance and feel at home in the new place in which they live.

In a similar way, we have come from our home in the world to be part of God's kingdom. But God doesn't leave us as strangers when we come to him. We read, "Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." God has allowed us, whoever we are, to fit right in and be at home. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

2:14-16 Christ did not have to sacrifice for his sin prone nature. But with it, he demonstrated the principles necessary for our salvation

1:5,11 Yahweh knows the beginning and the end of all things.  He knew, in advance, the destinies of Esau and Jacob before they were born (Gen 25:23).  Likewise, He knew whom He would call to salvation before they were born. True believers in Christ have the privilege of having been called. 

But, this predestination does not mean that they are automatically assured of entering the Kingdom.  That is dependent upon their choosing to accept Jesus; being baptised into His death and resurrection; and their walk -  that is whether or not they continue in faith (John 8:31; Col 1:23). 

The notion of once saved - always saved (as those who believe in the sacrifice of Christ as a substitution) is erroneous.  A called-out person in Christ has to work for his or her salvation (Phil 2:12).  And, after all that is done, salvation is still only possible by the grace of Yahweh (2:8).

1:22  In linking ‘hath put all things under his feet’ – Psa 8:6 and ‘head over all’ – 1Chron 29:11 we see that the supremacy over creation to be seen in Jesus – prophesied in Psalm 8 is linked with the son that was to be born to David, of whom Solomon was a shadow.

2:14 Because Jesus is our "peace" having reconciled us to God we have a peace of mind (Phil 4:7) which the world cannot understand. Not a freedom from difficulties but as we are at peace with God we are not terrified of Him.

2:18 The role of Jesus as mediator is to bring the Father to us (Heb 1:3).  At the same time He brings us to the Father (1Pet 3:18).  He is the one who stands in the gap to prevent our inevitable destruction if we remain alienated from God (consider the illustration of Eze 22:29-31). Moses, who was a Christ-type, stood in the gap to prevent Yahweh's wrath on His people (Exo 32:9-14). 

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Today we start a new letter - In this letter, Paul explains the wonderful things that we have received through Christ. (even though he himself was now in a prison in Rome)
Ephesus was a most prominent city in it's time and was established in AD53. The letter to the Ephesians is a letter of encouragement, to help us stay strong "in Christ" while we live in a world bent on evil. The key word in this letter is "in Christ", which occurs 10 times. In this letter Paul describes the nature and appearance of the ecclesia, and challenges believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth. As we read this masterful description of the ecclesia, let us thank God for the diversity and unity in His family, and let us pray for our brethren & sisters across the world, and draw close to those in our ecclesia.

"Two men looked out from prison bars ... one saw the mud, the other saw stars"

2:20-21 To the Jew the concept of the people being the ‘temple’ was a new idea. Likewise for the gentile. Humankind always likes ornate buildings. God seeks a relationship with people.

Paul makes mention of a letter written to the ecclesia at Laodicea (Col 4:16). Is there a possibility that this letter which has been preserved for us to be guided and directed from, is the letter that the apostle is referring to? We see many similarities between the letter written to the Colossians and this letter that we will be reading from in the next few days.

2:6 does not suggest that individuals (souls) will join Jesus in heaven where He now dwells with His Father.  Paul is talking about the present spiritual status of believers on earth.  The faithful can look forward to a future of unfathomable riches (2:7).  That grace will be realized on earth when Jesus returns to judge and to set up His kingdom (Matt 16:27; Acts 1:11; 2Tim 4:1; Rev 22:12).

1:12  Again, as we saw in April, God’s salvation is offered to us so that He can be glorified.

1:11 In speaking of the ‘inheritance’ Paul is picking up words he spoke to these same brethren and sisters in Ephesus – Acts 20:32

The Covenant With Abraham  (lesson 5 of 20 from "Outline of Basic Bible Teaching" by Wes Booker).

I. Is it important to know and understand this? Eph 2:11-13

II. History of Abraham: 

     A. Called out of Ur of Chaldees 

     B. Left in faith - Heb 11:8-10

     C. Occasion when the first promises were given - Gen 12:1-3  1.) A great nation  2.) Bless thee, make thy name great, thou shalt be a blessing  3.) Bless them that bless thee, curse them that curse thee  4.) In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (thy seed - Gen 22:18). Who is the seed? Gal 3:16;Matt 1:1  a.) In Gal 3:8 this is defined as the gospel (relates to the kingdom)  b.) Acts 3:25-26 - shows that Jews and Gentiles can be blessed (i.e. have forgiveness of sins)  c.) Relates to the kingdom - during millennial reign of Christ all nations will be blessed with hope of salvation - Psa 72:17;Hab 2:14

      D. Second promises - Gen 13:14-17:  1.) All the land that thou seest, TO THEE will give it, and TO THY SEED FOREVER  a.) "To thee (Abraham)". Therefore Abraham must be raised to receive it - Acts 7:5;Heb 11:13,39,40  b.) "To thy seed (Christ)". Christ did not receive the land the first time. Came for a different purpose. But the second time - Psa 2:6-9;Zech 14:9  c.) "For ever". Earth is the reward of the righteous, not heaven - Isa 45:18;Psa 37:29, etc. 

     E. Promise repeated to Abraham in Gen 17:6-8     F. Twenty five years after the first promise, when Abraham is 100 and Sarah 90, Isaac is born - Gen 21:1-3     G. God  tests Abraham - Gen 22     H. Promises repeated: Gen 22:16-18  1.) I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and the sand of the seashore  2.) thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies - Rev 3:7;1:18;Psa 110:1    I. Abraham dies Gen 25:8 was gathered to his people. Compare Josh 24:2. Abraham's people were idolaters. Therefore all went to the grave at death.    J. Promises repeated: - to Isaac  Gen 26:3-4 - to Jacob Gen 28:3-4;35:11-12 - to the nation of Israel Psa 105:6-11    K. How do we fit in? Part of Christ (Abraham's seed) through belief and baptism - Gal 3:26-29

The Covenant With David (lesson 6 of 20 from "Outline of Basic Teachings" by Wes Booker)

I. Is it important to understand it? Eph 2:11-13

II. The covenant - 2Sam 7:12-16  A. verse 12: "I will set up thy seed after thee...I will establish his kingdom" ("forever"  - v.13)  B. verse 13: "He shall build an house for my name".  C. verse 14: "I will be his father, and he shall be my son. Although son of David, also true he would be son of God.  D. verse 16: "Thine house and kingdom shall be established for ever BEFORE THEE" (KJV). David will be there to see it. Implies his resurrection to immortality.

III. Re-emphasized in Psa 89:26-37.  A. verse 26: "Thou art my Father, my God".  B. verse 27: "My firstborn" (in two ways)  1.) Literally God's first and only son  2.) Firstborn from the dead - Col 1:18;1Cor 15:20-23  C. verses 29,36: "his seed and throne shall endure for ever".

IV. Fulfilment in Jesus, from New Testament:  A. Matt 1:1  B. Luke 1:30-35:  1.) Jesus = "God saves" (v.31)  2.) Son of the Highest (v.32)  3.) Given THRONE of David (v.32)  4.) REIGN over house of Jacob for ever (v.33)  5.) Of his KINGDOM...no end (v.33)  6.) verse 35: tells how Jesus  would come into being (note: Holy Spirit = power of the highest)  C. Acts 2:29-31

1:1 Paul stayed in Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province Asia (in present-day Turkey) for three years.  It was from Ephesus that Paul’s work radiated throughout Asia. 

There was a great temple in Ephesus to Diana the goddess who was worshipped throughout most of the inhabited world.  Later, Diana became known as Artemis by the Greeks.  This goddess can be traced back to earlier idols such as the Babylonian Ishtar.

Paul, inevitably, came in to conflict with Diana's believers.

1:5,11 Yahweh in His divine will and foreknowledge had determined to bring both Jews and Gentiles to salvation by Jesus, who is the only means possible (Acts 4:12). That is what Predestinated signifies, and not some fatalistic notion that defies free will.

2:1-3 Can we truthfully talk of our worldly ways is the past tense?

2:8 We are nothing but by the grace of Yahweh.  And, it is through His grace that salvation might be gained (Titus 2:11-13).

2:18 Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, both Jewish and Gentile true believers have direct access to Yahweh in Jesus’ Name (Eph 5:20; Heb 4:14-16). This verse does not verify the Trinity as the Apostate Church claims; nor does it allow the need of an earthly priest as the Catholic Church claims (Matt 23:9).

2:20-22 The ecclesia of Christ is the temple of God.  There is a sobering warning for its members to remember this to prevent bickering and dissension, and make for peace (1Cor 3:16,17).

1:16 Do we thank God for our brethren and sisters when we reflect upon their call to the gospel? Paul Did!

CHOSEN TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (Eph 1:3-4)

How often do we think about the fact that we personally were chosen, long before we were even born, to be holy and blameless in the sight of God? If you are anything like me, this thought does not pop into my mind very often at all. Yet I am sure that if it became part of our conscious thinking, realising that we have been chosen to be holy and blameless in the sight of God, then we would make so much more effort ourselves to live up to that expectation.

It is true that even with all the hard work and trying that we can muster, we may improve somewhat, but we will never become perfect. That is why Paul continues, saying, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (v.7-8) We have been chosen to be holy and blameless in God's sight, and he has provided the grace of forgiveness to cover our shortcomings when we fail.

What an awesome calling we have and what amazing grace we have been given to help us move toward that calling.

Let us remember our calling, do our best to live up to it, and rely on God's grace for the rest.

AWFUL BLESSINGS

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (Eph 1:3-4)

What do we consider to be spiritual blessings? Some friends of ours and ourselves have recently gone through a very trying time. It has been a week filled with pain, concern, worry, love, rejection and stress. It has not been an easy time. It is not what any of us would have described as a blessing. Yet these trials that have faced us over the last week did some of the work Paul describes as a blessing. Because of all the difficulties we faced, we all grew closer to God in prayer. We also faced our faults, made decisions that were to improve both ourselves and the way we did things, and repented of sins. In this way we have all become more "holy and blameless" than we were before it had all begun.

Because our week has been so difficult it really didn't feel like a blessing, but the results speak for themselves. God blessed us richly this week, working to make us more holy and blameless than we were before.

Let us not not despise God's blessings, but rejoice in them, letting him work in our lives to bless us, no matter how hard those blessings may be.

2:5-6 Notice the word ‘together’ twice in these two verses. It is a theme which runs through the letter – the way in which Jew and Gentile are brought together in Christ.

1:9      The ‘mystery of His will’ is that mystery which the Jews did not see – How God would provide Jesus to take away sins.  This can be seen from the way in which Isa 64:4 is quoted in 1Cor 2:9 to show that those things which were not seen by Israel are now revealed in Jesus.

Eph 2:8,9-

If we are saved through God's grace in Christ through our faith and not by works, how are verses like James 2:14,26 - "faith without works is dead" - to be reconciled with these in Ephesians?

Here is the classic "supposed" contradiction between the writings of Paul and those of James that critics have a field day with. But, as we all know, there really is no contradiction if we understand how each of them uses certain words and phrases.

Paul here in Eph. 2 is emphasizing that one's works alone cannot be the basis of his salvation. For if that were the case, where does faith come in? Plus is there then a need for God's grace? And what about the sacrifice of Christ and one's association with that supreme act? Paul quite obviously considers godly works as mandatory since he goes on to say in v. 10 here -

"We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." So then the "faith" he's speaking of has to prove itself by godly works or the "faith" then is not the real thing.

James' emphasis in Jam. 2 is on the one who claims to have faith but who ignores godly actions (such as feeding the hungry or clothing those in need - James 2:15,16). James says that that "faith" without its accompanying good works is really no faith at all and is dead. He then uses Abraham and Rahab as prime Old Testament examples of the true Biblical faith that manifests itself by action. Sp, in effect, James' "faith with works" is equal to Paul's "faith" (where godly works are implied in his usage of that word).

Going back to Paul's writings for a minute, anyone who claims that Paul taught - as the means of salvation - faith but no works on the part of man should reread any number of passages in his writings, where a strong emphasis is placed on godly deeds - e.g. the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22,23) where he concludes that section by saying "against such things there is no law" and "since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." And then on the other end (also in Gal 5:19-21) with the "works of the flesh", he adds that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. For another very similar set of verses, see1Cor 6:9-11 where again he concludes that those who sin consistently without any intent of repenting will not inherit the kingdom of God.

So - bottom line - really Paul and James are saying the same thing in their writings, the apparent differences only being in how certain words and phrases are used and the emphasis each one is making in those writings.

If any of you have the excellent little book by bro. Len Richardson called Balancing the Book, check out his thoughts on this subject in ch. 2 - the conflict of faith and works.

2:15  The law of Moses was designed to teach Israel about God. However rather they used it to claim that they were superior to the gentiles, thus creating tension. Jesus destroyed that “enmity” by highlighting that both Jew and gentile were sinners and needed to be saved from their nature.

CHOSEN TO WIN

Think about this: God "chose us in him (Christ), before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in his sight" (Eph 1:4)

This is really amazing!  The God of the universe chose us, you and me, long before we were born, because in his foreknowledge he could see us as holy and blameless in his sight.  You might not feel holy and blameless right now, but God doesn't make mistakes. It was because we would be holy and blameless that he chose us.

He knows the end from the beginning, and when your name came up, he said "Yes, that's one of them. I'll have him (or her)"  We might not consider ourselves holy and blameless now, but that is what we will become.  Doesn't that fill you with so much confidence? We are fighting a battle that we know we will win. The outcome is certain if we keep at it, and don't give up. In fact, the battle has already been won by Christ.  He conquered sin.  All that's left for us to do, is abandon it in our own lives. 

You and I have been chosen. God chose us because he knows our potential. He has told us what we will become - holy and blameless. Knowing that we will be holy and blameless, let's live for him with a winning attitude that does not accept defeat.

1:22-23        After speaking of the exalted position of the risen Jesus we learn that we who are “in Christ” are actually part of his glory because we are, as Paul says “his body” which is a principle developed extensively in the New Testament. 

Saved by grace

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph 2:5-10

Notice the emphasis here on grace. Salvation and membership of God's family is not gained by doing good works, as the young ruler in Luke 18:18-25 found out.

Compare to this the example of the Gentile jailor who fell down before Paul and Silas and asked:

" 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.' " Acts 16:30-31
 

1:18   “the eyes of your understanding” may seem to be an unusual way to speak of our gaining wisdom in the things of God.  We can only “understand” things that we “see”. We have to apply our minds to the things we see in order to process the information we receive. Wisdom in the things of God can only come from a careful reading and reflection of the word of God.

2:2     The “children of disobedience” here and in 5:6 is a metaphorical way of speaking of those who are inherently disobedient – like those who are “children of the devil” – 1John 3:10 are those who are inherently opponents of that which is good.

1:2   We should appreciate that the way in which God is “our Father” is no casual comment. It speaks of our relationship with the creator of the universe!

1:11   The meaning behind us obtaining an “inheritance” is that, as your margin might show, we are God’s heritage. He has chosen us to be His children. In so saying we see an application of Psa 127:3 where children are an heritage of the Lord.

Eph 2:12

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel…”