Comments for October 6

v.9 - How wonderful for Solomon to know for sure in advance that his life, and indeed his reign, was to be one of peace and rest. He must have worried so much about having to take over where his father had left off and continue the bloodshed and the war. Now he knew he could dedicate himself to other things, which he did.

22:9 The concept of being given rest - often from enemies - passes into Biblical use. Here are some examples. Notice how strongly it is linked with David and his kingdom. Exodus 33:14 Deuteronomy 3:20 12:10 25:19 Joshua 1:13,15 22:4 23:1 2 Samuel 7:1 1 Kings 5:4 8:56 1 Chronicles 22:9,18 23:25 2 Chronicles 14:6 7 Isaiah 14:3 Matthew 11:28 Hebrews 4:8

v.19 gives us the charge that David, that great man after God's own heart, gave to his son and successor. It would doubtless have been a moving moment. We look at Solomon and see what he did with his life and realise that however good our parents are, we must plough our own furrow. Solomon allowed so much potentially evil influence into his life (albeit for our learning) it is maybe a good thing David was not around to see it.

:1-5 David again prepares for the temple
:6-16 David instructs Solomon about the promises and the temple
:17-19 David then commands the princes to help Solomon

We have seen David preparing for the temple right from the time of the promise (1 Chronicles 17) and now there is no doubt. Solomon is the one who is charged with the task of building it and the princes are commanded to support Solomon in that work.

1 Chronicles 21, 22
"ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD…"
It began as a bad decision on David's part. He decided to number Israel's fighting men which was a thing that both God and Joab were not happy about. When Joab had finished counting and brought the number back, David realised what he had done and asked for forgiveness. God gave David three options as a consequence of his actions and David chose three days plague by the hand of the LORD. It had turned from bad to worse now as 70,000 Israelite men died in the plague. God stopped the plague in Jerusalem at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite and it was there that David was told to make an altar. It was now, from all the bad that had happened that God began to work the good. It was this site that became the new temple site, where David and all Israel began a new and glorious chapter in their history as the temple preparations began to take place.
David did not know where his actions were going to lead. He could not see that it would all end in the temple of God. Neither can we see how that things in our lives work together for good - but God will work it out for us like he did with David.

:14 David's mention of 'trouble' as he prepared for the temple is reflected in the Psalm (132:1) which prays for David. 'Lord remember David and all his afflictions' in the context of his desire to bring the ark to Zion - consider the whole of the Psalm.

NOW BEGIN THE WORK

David wanted to build the temple of the LORD but God would not allow him to do it. Instead David prepared for it. He gave Solomon the plans and materials. He said, "I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed and wood and stone. And you may add to them." Solomon also had "craftsmen beyond number." Then David said, "Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you."

Everything was ready for Solomon to start work on the temple of the LORD. All he had to do was to get up and go, begin the work and get stuck in. Solomon followed David's instructions and eventually the temple was completed.

God has provided for us too. Everything we need to build up the temple of God in our own lives and within our churches has been freely given to us. The value of our materials is so much greater than that which Solomon used. God gave us the life of his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. And with that great gift we must begin the work by building strong spiritual lives in both ourselves and within the people around us.

"Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you."

22:9 In saying that David would have a son  who would be given 'rest from all his enemies round about' David is being reminded both of the promise of Deut 12:11 and the situation David had found himself in after bringing the ark to Zion (2Sam 7:1) so David is being helped to realise that whilst he had been involved in a great thing the finality of the promise would be after his own days.

V.8 David was disqualified for the building of the house, because during his reign there had been many wars and much bloodshed. What would have been the reaction of the nations who had been at war with him? Would it not have been abhorred by those who fought against him (Israel).The builder had to a man of peace. Hence Solomon.

David accepted the restriction on his building the temple, and willingly prepared for the work which Solomon was going to do.  For the next 8 chapters we read of David's work.  Many a lesser man would have dropped the whole project, and put his energies into something else, but David accepted God's ruling, and still worked as hard as he could for the new temple.  Sometimes disappointments come in our lives, and what do we do?  David's example could well guide us.

Vs.9,10 The House of the Yahweh had to be built by a man of peace (Solomon means peace).  Jesus, the greater David and Solomon, built a spiritual house based upon peace.  We are that House (Heb 3:6; 1Pet 2:5) and must be men and women of peace (Rom 14:19; 2Cor 13:11; Heb 12:4).  

Also, from the temple building, we could adopt the dynamic statement to urge ourselves to get busy in the Yahweh's vineyard: Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee (v.16).

V.13 One place after another, this fulfilment of the Promise in Solomon is made conditional.(note the word "if") This element is never omitted. IF dominates every allusion to the Promise 1Chron 28:7, 2Chron 7:17 1Kin 3:14, 1Kin 6:12, Psa 132:12. Centuries later, when there were further revelations of how the Promise to David would be fulfilled, all conditional clauses are omitted Isa 9:6-7, Jer 23:5-6, Eze 37:25

22:13  David’s charge to Solomon ‘be strong and of good courage’ is the same charge that Moses gave to Joshua – Deut 31:6  – in similar circumstances. Both Moses and David were prevented from doing something they wanted to do and had to pass on the responsibility for the thing they wanted to do to others. Moses was barred from entering the land, David was barred from building the temple. Nevertheless both men did not rebel at the instruction of God, despite the certain disappointment they wanted the work of God to continue, hence the words of encouragement.

1Chron 22:12 David's plea to the LORD that Solomon be given wisdom and understanding to help him rule the nation must have lodged in Solomon's heart. On the night when God appeared to him and said: 'Ask what I shall give thee', Solomon's answer was almost exactly what David had asked.2Chron 1:7-12

22:18David’s charge to the elders who would serve Solomon was to remind them of the fact that God had marked the place of His choosing by quoting Deut 12:10

22:2-3 Notice that it was both Jews and ‘strangers’ – that is gentiles – who prepared the material for the temple. A foreshadowing of the church of God which is to be made up of both Jew and gentile.

V.8 Yahweh will not allow evil men to live.  David was an instrument of Yahweh in dispensing divine justice against evil men.  However, Yahweh would prefer that men repent of their evil ways and live godly lives (2Pet 3:9).  Divine offices and places of worship must be occupied by peaceful men.  Thus, Yahweh prevented David from building His temple.  

22:8 David had done an excellent job for God. However, even though he had been doing God’s work, he was not the appropriate person to establish the kingdom and build the house. Finally the kingdom will be established through God’s power and not through men’s might.

Vs.14-16 There is a wonderful metaphor which has been provided for us in these verses.  David had developed the groundwork for building the temple. But, the actual building (and maintenance) was left to him who followed (Solomon), who was provided with all the help he needed.  The only instruction that remained was: Arise and work! The LORD be with you! (ESV).

The groundwork for us has been set by Jesus, the greater David (Eph 2:20).  But, the actual building is left to him/her who follows (the individual member of Christ’s body) (Eph 2:21; 1Pet 2:5).  Help has been provided by Jesus and fellow brethren.  Now, our job is to build up and maintain the temple, as it is our responsibility to do so (Matt 11:29,30; 1Cor 3:16,17; 12:12-20; Gal 6:2). And so, all that is left for us to do is to work. 

May we be recipients of the following prayer: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Heb 13:20,21) (KJV).

22:7-10 David’s charge to Solomon is based heavily on the promises that God made to him in 1Chron 17 and 2Sam 7 – providing Solomon a more powerful reason for building the temple than just doing what his dad wanted David was appealing to the promises of God as the basis for Solomon to build the temple.

1Chron 22:3 - iron nails prepared for the entrance (John 10:7,9).

22:5   David had wanted to build the house and been told that he would not – 1Chron 17:4 – so his focus changes to preparing items for Solomon. Are we willing to change our plans when what we want to do is overruled?

1Chron 22:6-10.

1. In v. 8, David tells Solomon that God had told him (David) that he was not to build a house for God's name due to the fact that he had shed much blood (i.e. in the wars with surrounding nations). But wasn't what David did a good thing and not a bad thing in that these actions were according to God's commandments? So what does this have to do with God's prohibition against his direct involvement in building the Temple?

2. In v. 10, in regard to Solomon (see v. 9), God says that He would establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever. Will this really be fulfilled in Jesus since it seems very likely that Joseph and not Mary descended from Solomon (see Matt 1:16 & Luke 3:23,24) and Jesus was Mary's son but not literally Joseph's?

1. I think that all the military campaigns that David led against Israel's enemies were justified. But when victory was achieved, was it necessary for him to show such cruelty to some of the prisoners of war? I'm thinking of a couple of incidents where he, as commander in chief, may have gone too far. One was with the Moabites (2Sam 8:2) which reads, "Then David defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive..." Another is recorded in 1 Kings 11:15,16, "For it happened, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, after he had killed every male in Edom (because for six months Joab remained there with all Israel, until he had killed every male in Edom)..."

One other thing to keep in mind involves God's overall plan as centered in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Old Testament types pointing to that plan. When Jesus returns to earth to establish God's kingdom, there will be two major stages in his dealing with the nations. 1) as the mighty warrior and 2) as the prince of peace {for both, see Isa 9:6 - mighty God (el gibbor = mighty warrior); prince of peace}. David and Solomon when combined fit this type. So from that perspective, it seems to make sense that David do much of the preparation work but then leave the actual building of the Temple to his son who would have relative peace during his 40 year reign. This combined type of Jesus can also be seen in the lives of Moses and his successor Joshua - each one through what they accomplished pointing to Christ - and in most respects the chronology fits as well.

2. One thing to keep in mind is that many of God's promises have certain conditions (sometimes implied but not stated; at other times stated directly). Here in regard to Solomon no condition is stated in 1Chron 22:9,10. But there is a big one down in 1Chron 22:12,13. God through David says to Solomon, "May the LORD give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel." So at that point in time, it was still a possibility that the Messiah could be a direct descendant of Solomon's. But since Solomon ended up not being faithful to God - especially during the latter part of his life - then God may have chosen to go down a different road with Jesus. And that would be that Jesus would literally be the son of Mary, who was a descendant of David's through Nathan - not the kingly line (see Luke 3:31). And since Joseph was a literal descendant of Solomon's (see Matt 1:7,16), Jesus would, as Joseph's "son" in a different way {could we say "stepson"?}, be heir to the throne if there were one when he came along. But, of course, there wasn't (and hadn't been for ~six centuries). So he was king in a different way than in the natural way, reserving that right as the only begotten Son of God; God being, of course, king of the Universe.

22:6-16          At the end of his life David ensures that his desire (which really was God’s desire) would be fulfilled. He has prepared much for the temple. Doubtless Solomon saw his father making all the preparation and knew why he was doing it. However here David formally charges Solomon with completing the work according to God’s request

22:3 Repeatedly in this chapter we see the man whose desired to build the temple had been put aside by God continuing his enthusiasm for building the temple. Knowing he could not do the work himself he set himself the task of making the work easy for his son Solomon. Are we so willing to help others do things which we are unable to do ourselves? Maybe we cannot do physical work anymore. Burt we can still encourage and pray for the work of others.

A son of promise

Even though David's other sons hadn't lived up to expectations, David had confidence that Solomon would be different. You can see from David's words (v9-10) that he knew Solomon was the son promised by God to continue his throne.

Preparation and schooling

Constructing a building the size of the temple even today is a difficult task. David in his wisdom realised that one can't just turn up to the site and start building. In v14 we see him gathering the most difficult to source materials, and in v15 recruiting the most difficult to find skills. What is glossed over in a few words is the difficulty David faced in preparing these two categories of things. Gold, Silver, Brass and Iron are all hard to come by (in fact wars are fought over these), and once they are obtained they need to be refined through smelting. Smelting takes a huge amount of wood or coal, lots of time, skill and incredible heat. So not only did David gather these, he must also have been heavily involved with the refining process. All of this effort fades into insignificance though when compared to the task of finding and training skilled artists, builders, engineers and craftsmen. Then there was Solomon himself. The biggest task of all was to prepare this boy to be a master builder, architect and engineer, labour master, negotiator and artist. Perhaps this amazing chapter is above all a comment about Solomon's early schooling. Can we learn anything here about the schooling of our own?

22:9    Solomon could have been in no doubt that he was chosen by God. The way in which David speaks of what God had told him makes that certain. However Solomon still turned away from God. Those who are “in Christ” are similarly chosen by God. However that does not guarantee faithfulness. Care must be taken at all times to review our behaviour and thinking. We cannot simply trust that God will save us despite how we behave. 

22:5,14           Notice that David “prepared” for the temple. Whilst others helped in the work he did not leave all the work to others. In fact he was the driving force in the whole activity even though he was not able to build the house. Are we as committed to helping others to achieve their plans as we are to achieve our own plans?

22:4    This is the second time that cedar wood had been brought from Tyre. Hiram had provided wood for David’s house – 2Sam 5:11

22:17 The backing of David for Solomon to build the temple was important. Solomon’s accession to the throne was after two abortive attempts to take the throne. One by Absalom and the other by Adonijah. Both of those sons of David had, humanly speaking, more right to the throne than Solomon.

FROM LOWS COME HIGHS

From one of the lowest points in David's life, when because of his sin in counting the fighting men of Israel, the angel of the Lord destroyed 70,000 people; came one of the high points in his life.

The angel stopped his killing as he approached Jerusalem at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. "Then David said, 'The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.'" (1Chron 22:1). The plague God brought on Israel was devastating, but out of the devastation came concrete plans for the temple that would be built, and the worship of God for generations to come.

It is interesting that the lowest points in my life have also resulted in the highest spiritual moments. Maybe the potential is the same for us all. Let's not let the bad times have the last say, but let us build on them, and grow from them, to let God work powerfully in our lives.
 

22:8   Whilst the promise to David recorded in 2Sam 7 does not specify why David could not build the house he had been planning here we learn it was because he was a warrior who had shed blood. Of course he had shed blood at God’s behest. Nonetheless he was not the man of peace that would build the house.

22:12  David’s desire that the Lord would give Solomon because Solomon’s own desire also – 1Kin 3:9.

22:8-9 We might say that David established the kingdom by war and Solomon would continue the kingdom in peace. A foreshadowing of the work of Jesus. He won the battle with sin and will reign in peace.

22:11 having prepared for the building of the temple, doubtless involving Solomon in the work, David makes it clear that he sees Solomon as the one spoken of in the promise of 1Chron 17:10-14. How wonderful it must have been to know that you were involved in the fulfillment of a promise that God had made!

We should realise that the same is true, in principle, of us as well. Our Father has spoken of us as “living stones” being built into a temple (of people) 1Cor 3:16, 1Pet 2:5. We should live as if God’s words are going to be fulfilled in our lives.

v. 14-19 This account should be taken in when Reading 1 Kings 7:1 as to how long Solomon took in building his own house (13 years) vs hold long he spent building the house of the Lord (7 Years). David spent most of the years of his reign (40 years)  laying up what was needed for the house of his God so I do not think we can use the the lenght of time to build his own house as a measure of Solomon's sincerity in building the house of the Lord.  

22:10  In quoting the words that Nathan spoke to him – 2Sam 7:14– David is making it clear that he saw Solomon as the one who was spoken of in the promise. Making it clear that Adonijah had no right to try and take the throne, which he did try to do later.

22:11-12  Even though it was clear that Solomon was the one who was to build the temple David still prays that he might be given wisdom for the work. We cannot presume that just because any of us see a task and start to do it that left to our own devices we will be faithful in our actions. We need to “build” according to the wisdom  of God.

A PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN

David’s prayer for Solomon was a beautiful prayer for the chosen son who was to succeed him as king over Israel. As parents, we often pray for the wellbeing and immediate needs of our children, but David’s prayer for Solomon gives us some new dimensions to add to our prayers.

This is what David says, “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God.” ( 1Chron 22:11-12).

Let’s pray the same things for our children. Though our children are unlikely to become kings, this prayer is suitable for them in any direction the Lord calls them. Our children need discretion and understanding. It will help them succeed in anything they do. And we need to pray, that when they are successful, that they will continue to keep the law of the LORD.

22:2 The record is very specific when describing David’s actions. David gathered the “strangers”. We have to assume that there were skilled masons amongst the Jews as well as amongst the strangers. David’s actions demonstrate that he appreciated that the house was not to be just confined to the Jews. He understood the principle later specified – IIsa 56:7

v.19 - Yet again pride is the great stumblingblock. They felt they were of great beauty, but now they are to be treated the same way as the rest by God and sent down. Abasing the proud is a regular feature of God's dealings with men. We need to take heed of just how much this particular side of human nature works against God, so that we can attempt to order our lives not in pride, but in humility - confessing always our unworthiness and leaning on his mercy. Prov.16:19

32:7 the judgement on Egypt matches the judgement that Isaiah prophesied of Babylon. Isaiah 13:10
The fall of Egypt was to be an object lesson to Judah. They has trusted in Egypt to save them from Babylon. However in seeking help from Egypt they became subject to them when they made Jehoiakim king 2 Chronicles 36:4

Let us remember, as we read of God's judgements on these nations, that pride is not just the puffing up of self, but also the despising of others. Whilst we may be happy that we do not do the former, I wonder how sure we could be of the latter. The very idea of being called of God gives us the very greatest potential to consider ourselves to be above others. Let us not fall into this trap. Judgement is God's, not ours.

32:18 In calling for the son of man - Ezekiel - to mourn for Egypt in her fall we see a stark contrast with the way in which the nations round Israel behaved at her fall. They rejoiced over it. Just because the Egyptians are being destroyed for their sins that is no justification for rejoicing.

32:24 Notice the recurring 'uncircumcised' :25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32. Whereas Israel viewed the 'uncircumcised' as people with whom they should have no dealings God is lamenting the fact that they have not associated themselves with Him and the promises to Abraham.

32:7 The moon and stars in Scripture speak of political dignitaries or people (Gen 37:9) so here Ezekiel is speaking of the overthrow of the Egyptian government.

V.31 Egypt's only comfort would have been the satisfaction of not being alone, but of having other kingdoms as companions in its downfall. This would be its only comfort; a very poor one. 

V.21 etc. The demise of the mighty, uncircumcised nations who once terrorised the inhabitants of the earth, is catalogued. Being uncircumcised is the state of not having flesh removed.  Anyone in this state is astray from Yahweh. 

This applies to the heart as well as the body (Acts 7:51), and we should endeavour to make sure that we cut off the flesh daily if we are to serve Yahweh acceptably (Gal 5:24; Col 2:11; 1Pet 4:2).  This way we shall avoid the same fate as the nations mentioned.

V.18 Why should Ezekiel be asked to wail for Egypt?  Why should he lament for a wicked nation doomed to destruction?  Yahweh does not take pleasure in the destruction of His creation (Eze 33:11; 2Pet 3:9).  He instructs His people to exercise the same attitude (Prov 24:17).  Yahweh will not hesitate to destroy the wicked because He cannot abide disobedience.  However, He does this with sorrow. 

Vs.7,8 The language here shows the loss of political power.  It is the same language that is used by Jesus to describe the state of political power at the time of His return (Matt 24:29).

It’s interesting to note that God did not give Ezekiel his prophecies against Egypt all at once.  Remember that Ezekiel was unable to speak unless God specifically opened his mouth (see Eze 3:26,27), and therefore to give greater effect to His message God gave the Egyptian prophecies in four sessions:
Eze 29:1 in the 10 year, 10 month, 12 day
Eze 29:17                         1                1    (this is recorded as the 27th year. It must refer to another dating system)
Eze 31:1           11            3                1
Eze 32:1           12           12               1
Whilst looking at dates, have you noticed how several of Ezekiel’s recorded times of God speaking do not follow concurrently?  See for example Eze 20:1, Eze 24:1, Eze 26:1.

32:7-8  The language used here by Ezekiel to speak of the overthrow of Egypt is rather like the language used when Egypt suffered darkness in the plague in the days of Moses. Exo 10:21

32:1 Whereas Ezekiel has spoken against countries up to this point he now turns his attention to an individual. Pharaoh embodied all that was evil in Egypt, as he had done in the days of Moses. Hence he comes in for special mention.

32:4 In speaking of leaving the Egyptians upon the land (dead) we see an echo of the plague of frogs – Exo 8:14 - when Israel were delivered from Egypt.

32:21-32 All the nations mentioned are presented as being in ‘hell’ the grave. Yet Israel is to continue, despite being in captivity at the time that Ezekiel spoke – Jer 30:11

V.1 That is, the twelfth year of Jeconiah's captivity, and past the destruction date of Jerusalem (586 BC).

V.2 Egypt is termed a whale (KJV); dragon (ESV). The term is translated from the Hebrew word taniyn which is descriptive of any terrifying marine monster. In other places, Egypt is dubbed Rahab (Psa 87:4; 89:10). In Ancient Near East mystical lore, Rahab was a sea serpent.

Vs.3,4 Egypt, the sea monster would be caught in the Babylonian net. And as with any sea creature that has been cast upon the land, all strength fades. That leaves  the creature vulnerable to attack and cannibalism from other creatures. It was at this time that Amasis was mounting his revolt against Pharaoh-hophra.

32:3 Egypt, living along the side of the Nile, would have been great fishermen, using nets to catch fish in the Nile. So it is fitting that God is going to take them in a ‘net’.

32:2   That God requests Ezekiel to take up a ‘lamentation’ for Egypt shows that God is not desirous of vengeance against Egypt – or anyone else for that matter. He has made the point earlier that he wants people to repent rather than be destroyed Eze 18:31-32

32:26-31          The repeated use of “uncircumcised” whilst today possibly being seen as pejorative it is simply stating that those spoken of were not in covenant relationship with God.

32:19-31       Egypt thought highly of herself. However, like the other nations subdued by the Babylonians Egypt was to fall. So, in a parable, Ezekiel describes the leaders of these countries being in the grave and so when the king of Egypt is in the grave he, so to speak, is able to see them and be comforted.  He, if he had any consciousness, would see his fate as no better than the nations he viewed as lesser. This is because Yahweh is stronger than all the nations who the Babylonians overthrew.

1. Eze 32:1-16 - a lamentation for Pharaoh:

2. Eze 32:1 - according to this date it would have been 19 to 20 months after the fall of Jerusalem, and Ezekiel would no longer be dumb (Eze 33:21-22).

3. Eze 32:2-6 - the dragon/sea monster/crocodile/whale/serpent destroyed:

4. Eze 32:2,4 - the "whale"(<8577> could mean a number of things including a great serpent) perhaps echos that Egypt is a symbol of bondage to sin and death, and its fate in verse 4 reminds of the "leviathan"<3882> in Psa 74:14 ; perhaps in verse 2 "thy rivers" refer to the lesser nations.

5. Eze 32:5-6 - the flesh and water with thy blood filling the rivers reminds me of Christ's sin nature body that conquered sin plus the the water to blood perhaps reminds of Exo 7:17;John 2:7-10;Gen 3:14-15;Heb 2:14-15.

6. Eze 32:7-10 - the heavens darkened: 

7. Eze 32:7-8 - Egypt was a land of spiritual darkness and bondage to sin and death and a land where the political heavens were darkened; we recall the plague of darkness (Exo 10:21-23) and the darkness that covered the land during Christ's crucifixion when he defeated sin that has the power of death (Matt 27:45-46); the sun moon and stars in the heavens being darkened reminds us of a dark day for Israel Gen 37:9-10;Isa 13:10-11;Matt 24:29-30.

8. Eze 32:10 - "in the day of thy fall" refers to Egypt, but perhaps a figurative echo of the fall of the power of sin and death.

9. Eze 32:11-12 - the spoiling of the pride of Egypt begun by Nebuchadnezzar would be continued by Cambyses of Persia, Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Rome in 30 BC, to be followed by Arab and Turkish domination.

10. Eze 32:2,13,14 - Egypt would no longer churn up much political strife and perhaps it figuratively refers to the power of sin calmed with Christ's sacrifice as well as the future millenial day of rest; V14 "waters deep...like oil(<8081> can be anointing)" - water can refer to death which Christ walked on top of perhaps suggesting his over coming sin and death via the resurrection (Matt 14:25,32 the water or perhaps power of sin and death was calmed when entering the wooden boat which reminds us of Noah's ark and perhaps the sacrifice on the wooden cross which saves from the power of sin and death i.e. figurative Egypt); the oil in verse 14 perhaps refers to a figurative anointing in a sense as Christ overcame sin and death. 

11. Eze 32:15 - "I shall smite all of them" perhaps refers to the destruction of being in bondage to sin and death i.e. symbolic Egypt. "Then they shall know that I am the Lord" (Isa 2:1-5). In a literal sense the God of Israel will make himself known as a result of His judgments; As a result of God's judgments the Word of God would be vindicated (compare with Exo 7:4-5).

12. Eze 32:17-32 - Egypt's shame in sheol:

13. Eze 32:18 - in a literal sense Egypt and others go to the pit or the grave; in a figurative sense Christ's sin nature (Heb 4:15) was buried in the pit, and in a future judgment sense the wicked will be destroyed (Psa 145:20;Matt 25:31-46) forever and the last enemy to be destroyed, at the end of the millenium, is death (1Cor 15:24-26) and that will mark the full end of figurative Egypt, the land representing bondage to sin and death.

14. Eze 32:21,27 - "hell"(<7585> from the Heb. word "sheol" means grave).

15. Eze 32:22-26,28-32 - repeated use of "graves, grave, pit, slain".

16. about hell/the grave/sheol:

those in the grave/sheol<7585> are silent (Psa 31:17).

those in the grave/sheol<7585> have no memory of nor can they praise God (Psa 6:5;Isa 38:18).

those in the grave/sheol<7585> have no thoughts (Ecc 9:5,10).

those in hell/sheol<7585> or hell/hades<86> apart from a bodily resurrection remain there (Job 7:9;Psa 16:10;Acts 2:30-34).

even animals and people who lack understanding go to the grave/sheol<7585> and perish (Psa 49:12-20).

Ezekiel and other places (Psa 9:17;Eze 31:15;Isa 14:9,11,15;Matt 11:23) mention hell/sheol<7585>, the grave/sheol<7585>, hell/hades<86> in some cases to refer to the fall of nations more than individuals.

32:6    In speaking of watering the land with blood we are reminded of the plague in Egypt when the waters were turned to blood – Exo 7:20-21

In this chapter we have a picture painted for us of a huge pit in which lie all the nations and empires God has judged. In the previous chapter this pit is called "hell", meaning "grave" (Eze 31:17) which is probably where the modern idea of hell has come from. It is not a literal pit but an allegory of the grave as a whole.

32:7     The way in which Egypt is spoken of as a sky without stars is later used as a description of God’s judgment – Rev 6:12-13. The stars represent the civil leaders on both occasions.

32:1  The date of this message from Ezekiel is actually after the city of Jerusalem had fallen to the Chaldeans and is five days before Ezekiel was advised that the city of Jerusalem had fallen – Eze 33:21.

32:2        As we have already seen – Eze 19:6 – leaders are likened to lions. A way in which we later – Eze 38:13 – the prophet speaks of nations who oppose God and his confederacy.

32:29-30         It is as if we are seeing a roll call of the mighty. They are there in their majesty, so to speak, but are gone. So Pharaoh will see that they have been overthrown by the Chaldeans. And so will be his fate also.

32:29-31       continuing the theme of yesterday where Pharaoh was to go to “the nether parts of the earth” we see a massive grave full of these kings who, despite their ideas about an afterlife are now dead.

32:21 The use of “uncircumcised” maybe today would be seen as a racist comment. However God is speaking of the Egyptians as not being in the covenant that He made with Abraham. And as such Egypt cannot expect the blessing that will flow on the seed of Abraham.

32:29-31 This picture of dead leaders being gathered together contrasts markedly with the conference to which the leaders cam to discuss how to react to Babylon. The conference to which Jeremiah went – probably uninvited- Jer 25:15-33

32:3-8 Ezekiel was caused to “take up a lament” (:1) over Egypt. We might ask “Why was God lamenting over Egypt?”? It seems that the lament was because Egypt had not learnt the lesson Yahweh was teaching them when Israel were delivered from Egypt under the hand of Moses. We see a number of allusions to the plagues recorded in Exodus. Yahweh was lamenting because Egypt had not learnt that he was supreme.

God is not pleased with the death of anyone - even the wicked (Eze 33:11). He is always looking for repentance.

32:8 The bringing of darkness over the land of Egypt is reminiscent of the plague of darkness in Exo 10:21

32:32 Notice again, like in the previous chapter, the use of the word “uncircumcised”. The emphasis being on a people who were not in covenant relationship with Yahweh.

4 v. 2,3 - Humility is stressed again here, and a rider is added - to achieve this aim, we need to 'forbear one another in love'. Isa.57:15, 61:1-3, Matt.11:29, Col.3:12-13, James 3:15-18.

3:6-8 Paul returns to the theme of the unity that should exist between Jewish and gentile believers. The wonder and magnitude of it all is stressed by Paul who views it as a great honour that he should have been chosen by God as the minister to the gentiles. Now if he, a Jew, views it as such an honour the Jewish brethren at Ephesus should view is equally as an honour to fellowship their gentile brethren.

4:1 In calling himself 'the prisoner of Christ' Paul is stressing that his situation - imprisonment in Rome - is of God and not of men.
4:3 And again unity is the watchword.

3:2-13 Paul speaks of his call to the gospel and how that the mystery of the revelation of the gospel to the gentiles should be understood by those to whom he is writing because he is appointed a minister to those gentiles, to whom the letter to the Ephesians is sent.

3:14-20 Because of his understanding Paul prays to God that the brethren and sisters would appreciate what has been done for them.

4:12 Notice that the 'edifying of the church' is the reason for the gifts. Edification should be the reason for every action we take. see 1Cor 14:26.

4:14-16 Edifying contrasts with 'being tossed about'. It is either one or the other. As parts of the body of Christ we should be 'growing together'.

3:3 So we learn that Paul has already written to the ecclesia at Ephesus, though what he wrote is not available to us. Thus we see an aspect of his great care for them. He was involved in the formation of the ecclesia. Warned the elders (Acts 20:17-35) and then sent Timothy there to take care of them.

ch 4 - Notice the recurring 'walk' (:1, 17) that we saw in 2:10

ch 3 - In 2v19-22 we are told the amazing fact that we are being built together into a temple, a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Paul is quite clearly saying that the Spirit of God will dwell in us, even as it did in the earthly temple, which was made Holy by His glory. How is that so?

In 3v9 Paul says a very similar thing to John1v1 "the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.". Here we have Jesus in the beginning with God, and all things being created through him. In Proverbs 8v22 the same things are said, but of wisdom: "the Lord possessed me at the beginning...before there ever was an earth...I was beside Him as a master craftsman". Also 3v19 "the Lord by wisdom founded the earth".

What is the link between these two things? In Eph 3v10-11 Paul says that the reason for the creation in Christ is "that now the manifold wisdom of God might be known by the church". In John 1, that wisdom of God came and dwelled in bodily form in the character and actions of Jesus. This is now to happen in the same way with the Church. God's wisdom is being revealed to us, so that we, combining it with faith (v12, 17) and earnest prayer (v14, 20, Luke 11v13), will grow into that character, and thus exhibit love. This is how God, and Jesus, will inhabit us in the spirit...... if we let them.

 4:16 Just as the human body when held together by every supporting joint grows strong, so the ecclesia, when it receives the support of every member, each assisting according to his ability, will be built up (edified) in love. 

3:9 does not indicate that Jesus pre-existed nor is co-equal with God.  The scripture is telling us that when God created heaven and earth he did it with Christ (and His purpose) in mind.  This is qualified in the statement given in 3:11. That God is one (and not part of a trinity) is stated in 4:6.

Unity

Eph 4:3-6 - one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. It is a narrow road that leads to eternal life Matt 7:13-14.

Uplifting Talk and Christlike Behaviour

Eph 4:29,31,32 - uplift with talk that benefits others; get rid of all bitterness, anger, slander, malice; be kind, compassionate, forgiving others as Christ forgave you.

3:12 Paul has been speaking in earlier verses of the majesty of the wonderful position gentiles can have with God. In speaking of ‘boldness’ he is making the point that even though God is so majestic He differs from earthly monarchs in that the believer can still have access to His presence.

4:15 Notice that ‘truth’ is spoken in ‘love’. How often do we, when we see an issue that needs to be addressed speak ‘truth’ in self righteous anger?

3:8 We can follow the development of Paul's awareness of his sin, as this develops we can see a greater appreciation of the sacrifice Christ. It begins in Rom 7:15-21 then to 1Cor 15:9 on to today's reading, finally to 1Tim 3:15

4:16 Notice that the ‘body’ is edified ‘in love’. So often we think we have to be forceful and maybe even aggressive with our brethren when they do not see things quite like we do. Such actions are not edifying.

4:13 One must continue to mature as we develop into Christ like people, we clearly see what Paul is saying, when we go back to V.12, when he says that this perfecting is a process of maturity, and again in the 15th verse he indicates that one grow up or mature to become part of that spiritual body, fully mature in all related to the will of our Heavenly Father.  

3:17   Christ dwelling in the hearts of believers is the New testament counterpart to having the principles of the gospel written in our hearts – Prov 3:3, 7:3

3:19 The seeming paradox of knowing that which passes knowledge is making the point that human knowledge is so limited it cannot understand that which we know about God’s work of salvation in Christ. That knowledge can only come through revelation through the word of God.

ch 4. WORTHY

Since we are reading the letter to the Ephesians, we are recipients of Paul's advice when he said, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph 4:1-3) All these instructions are to do with how we relate to each other.

The first step of living a life worthy of the calling we have received is to be completely humble. That means getting rid of all our pride and considering others above ourselves. A humble person is never arrogant and does not argue back. He seeks to see the best in others and to grow the best in those people.

Be gentle. It is one thing speaking the truth, but speaking the truth in love, hoping to encourage one another rather than to drive each other is what gentleness is all about.

Be patient. Not everyone does things with the same speed or with the same abilities as ourselves. Forgiveness is an important part of patience. When we consider how patient and forgiving God has been to us, we can't help but do the same for others.

Bearing with one another in love. We need to be a loving support to help the people around us.

And lastly, make every effort - not just some effort, but every effort - to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul urges us to put all these things into practice so that we can live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

3:1-4 Paul was directly commissioned by Jesus to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus gave Paul spiritual enlightenment of the Truth. Who, then, can argue with Paul's qualifications as a representative of Christ? What Paul writes are not his opinions, but received truth.

4:1 Paul considered himself a prisoner for the Lord. He could do nothing but obey his master. Can we say the same about ourselves?

4:4-6 All believers read this same text. So then, why is the body of Jesus so split into many factions? We must make every effort to unify in peace (4:3). Remember that the true children of God are the peacemakers (Matt 5:9).

4:8-10 quotes Psa 68:18. It refers to David's having captured all his enemies so that Yahweh could give peace all around. In the same manner, Jesus conquered all enemies - sin and death - so that peace might ultimately obtain in reality what is believed in faith now.

Jesus accomplished this by His perfect walk, His selfless sacrifice, and His resurrection.

4:11-14 Until the reality of peace occurs (when Jesus return to earth), the Master has provided for His house (true believers) all the necessary help (and helpers), and guidance.

4:15,16 For the spiritual growth and for the smooth working of Christ’s household, speaking the truth in love is needed. Speaking the truth alone is not the answer. How it is done is equally important. One can speak the truth harshly, but this does not edify. It must be done to genuinely encourage those who need to grow. Also, expressing love without truth can be permissive. The combination is the key.

4:17-19 True believers should not walk as the world does. In our behaviour, attitudes, involvements, representation of Jesus etc., are we markedly different from the people of the world?

4:22-25 If we truly are Christ’s we shall be different from the world.

4:26,27 There is nothing wrong with being angry per se. Jesus was angry when he saw, for example, people abusing His Father’s House (Matt 21:12,13). But he did not sin.

We can be angry at things (for spiritual reasons), but we cannot translate this anger into a sinful act. Furthermore, we must resolve our anger within the day not to let it fester so that the devil (sin in the flesh) can take hold.

4:30-32 Let us allow the Spirit to work within us and not the things of the flesh.

4:12 The reason for the giving of the gifts of the spirit in the first century is rather like the reason why Bezaleel – Exo 31:3 – was given special skills to build the tabernacle.

Gal 4:29 can be a great challenge:

1) If we're going to say anything corrupt, unwise or negative, it's better to stay silent entirely.

2) Only open your mouth to say upbuilding words, and

3) even those good words are useless unless we choose them carefully to fit the given situation.

3:4    The word ‘mystery’ is used so often by ‘Christians’ that we may forget that the ‘mystery’ has been made clear.  The only way in which it was a mystery is that it was not seen by all.

Eph 4:29

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

A lady asked a young man working in the Produce Department if she could buy a half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!" He then went over to the manager not far off and told him that there is a lame-brained idiot of a lady who wanted to buy a half a head of lettuce, not realizing that he was overheard! This example contains hurtful, dead words that accomplish nothing.

The word "corrupt" is sapros, Strong's concordance # <4550> and means, "rotten, worthless." Gossip, profanity, vulgarity, and insults all fall into this category. On the other hand, "edifying" is oikodome, Strong's concordance # <3619> and means, "building" - conveying the idea that we are to build one another up as a building is built. It is an appropriate metaphor for the growth and edifying of the body of Christ. Our speech must be courteous and appropriate at all times. We are to speak words of life and power with faith behind it. After all, "... the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1Cor 3:17).

Eph 4:32

"and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

The word, “be” is ginomai <1096>, and means, "to become, or bring into existence." Greek expositors say to achieve this; we have to abandon one mental condition to make way for the other. We are to be the very essence of kind!

The word “kind” is chrestos <5543>, and conveys the idea of being kind, "in manner or morals, gracious." It looks outward, not inward; it is volitional rather than emotional. Indeed, God expects us to manifest this kindness in our everyday lives regardless of how we feel. To be chrestos is the very law of all personal relationships! This kind of kindness is not what we do, but who we are on the inside, which is then manifested in outward acts!

3:3  Clearly Paul had written to the believers in Ephesus already. By encouraging them to review that communication we see that the things he said in letters were not simply nice letters. Rather they contained instruction and so those letters had to be read and re-read. Likewise ourselves. We need to read and re-read not only Paul’s letters but all of Scripture.

4:25   In telling the believers to “put away lying” Paul is reminding his readers of what the law said in Lev 19:11

3:14   “for this cause” echoes 3:1. The intervening verses are a little digression and now Paul returns to talk about the exalted position he is in and gives this as a reason why the Ephesians should not be troubled at the problems he was suffering. Do we think similarly about our experiences? 2Cor 4:17 is instructive on this point.

3:7    The way in which Paul speaks of his position as an apostle might seem very wordy. However Paul, by inspiration, is speaking of the massive change that took place in his life through the grace of God towards him. Whilst he was a sinner God called him to the ministry. Rom 5:10 makes it clear that we are in the same position. Christ died for us before we accepted the offer of salvation. This should motivate us the more to follow Jesus’ example.

3:4-5   In saying that the call of the gentiles was a “mystery” which was not made known unto the sons of men we should not think that the call of the gentiles was a new idea that came into existence with the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was a ”mystery” which had been revealed in the law and the prophets but not seen by most of the Jews.

3:1      Whilst it would appear that Paul was actually imprisoned by the Romans when he wrote this letter he calls himself the “prisoner of Jesus Christ”. It is all about perspective. Seeing the imprisonment being associated with Jesus would be more tolerable than simply seeing it as incarceration by the Romans.

3:1      Paul’s experiences were a consequence of his allegiance to the risen Jesus. So he makes a similar point in  4:1 One should not expect an easy life just because one has accepted Jesus as one’s saviour

Eph 4:3-6

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…”

This may only be attained if we are perfectly joined together in mind and judgment; the “mind” and “judgment” (cf. 1Cor 1:10), being that as expressed in Holy Writ and not of any of our devising. “Some say, avoid divisions by widening the ecclesial basis. Those who by subverting the Word are the cause of division are not to be sought and placated. They are to be marked and avoided (Rom 16:17).” A.T. Jannaway, 1931

4:2       “endeavouring” <4704> is found elsewhere translated “give diligence 2Tim 4:9 which gives a better rendering of the word. The word is a lot more active than “endeavouring”

4:30     When Paul said that the Ephesians were “sealed with the Holy Spirit” he is speaking of the incident in Ephesus recorded in Acts 19:2-6 where the believers in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit after being baptised into Christ, having known only John the Baptist’s  baptism up to that time.

3:12    Whilst many modern translations have “fain in Jesus” the AV, correctly, has “faith of Jesus” We need to be careful that there are a number of occasions where we learnt salvation is due to Jesus’ faith – Rom 3:22, Gal 2:16, Gal 3:22. Of course we do need to have faith in Jesus but such a faith in him would be of no value if Jesus himself did not have faith himself in the promises of God.

SPEAKER, TEACHER, PREACHER

If you are a teacher, writer, exhorter, preacher, missionary or leader among the believers that God has blessed you with, your job description has been given to you in the Bible. This is what it is:

"To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Eph 4:12-14).

You are the one entrusted to build up and strengthen the people around you. You are the one given the task of promoting unity, building bridges, and helping us all to follow Christ together. You are God's helper to transform lives to help make them like the life of Jesus Christ. You are the one God has entrusted with the task of giving people a firm foundation in Christ to build their lives on.

So as teachers, speakers and leaders, lets live up to the calling God has given us.
 

4:13 We know that we are to develop a mind like Jesus had. However in using the word “fullness” we are being directed to John the Baptist’s description of Jesus – John 1:16.

3:1 The chapter division here is not particularly helpful. The “cause” Paul speaks of here is what he was speaking of at the end of the previous chapter – that is believers are an habitation of God ( 2:22)

3:13 The possibility that the believers in Ephesus might “faint” – that is be discouraged – because of the suffering that Paul endured at Ephesus – fighting wild beasts1Cor 15:32 – calls into question how do we feel about the difficulties our fellow believers endure. Does it make us wonder as to whether there is a faithful God or not?

Eph 4:32

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

THE SERVANTS OF CHRIST

“THE sentiment that Christ’s righteousness alone is to be the basis of our acceptance, is one of the countless and pernicious corruptions of clerical theology. It doubtless originated in the misapplication of a certain element of apostolic truth, name that which informs us that all are under sin, and that our salvation is not works: but through the righteousness of faith that is in Christ. Men have long ceased to perceive that this principle applies only to unjustified sinners, and not to those who have been placed in a justified or forgiven position, through the obedience of faith. Christ is righteousness for sinners in this sense, that God offers to forgive them for Christ’s sake, and to grant them a coheirship with Christ, of what Christ, as a manifestation of God, has achieved for himself. But when sinners become saints, they come into relation to a new principle. They are responsible to Him as servants to a master, and He will judge them according to their works.”

Robert Roberts, Seasons of Comfort, p. 164