Comments for November 22

v.32 - There are few passages in scripture that tell us so precisely of how the people used their money in the work of the Lord. Here each is expected that each give a little to the upkeep of the temple. That way no-one felt the burden of it. We are not as prescriptive as this - we let people give what they feel. Nevertheless each individual may have his or her conscience stirred by passages like today's to make a decision of their own about what they should do with the money God has blessed them to possess.

10:29 Have you noticed how often, when the phrase 'servant of God' is found in Scripture, it refers to Moses? Joshua 1:13 Joshua 22:5 1 Chronicles 6:49 2 Chronicles 24:9 Nehemiah 10:29 Daniel 9:11 Revelation 15:3
There are only two New Testament uses of the phrase which do not speak of Moses Titus 1:1 James 1:1
The only other men called a 'servant of the LORD' are David. The titles of  Psalm 18:1 36:1 and Joshua Josh 24:29, Judg 2:8

v.29 - One wonders why this oath with God is also described here as a curse, which they entered into.

Chapter 10 lists the names of those who, in response to the realisation of their sinfulness, put their names to the covenant promising to keep the law. Notice that Nehemiah is the first one who put his name to the covenant even though he had not sinned like the rest of the people. So we see his example. It would be so easy to stand aside from such a signing on the basis that we had not done anything wrong however Nehemiah signs first to mark his willingness to be involved with the people and to set an example.

chs 9 and 10 - PERSONAL REFORMATION
The summary of these two chapters goes like this: "You are a great God who has done awesome things for us and our ancestors. But we have sinned against you and you were angry with us, but in your mercy you have brought us back. Now we promise to reform our ways and put you first in our lives again. From now on we will do only the things that please you."
Do we say prayers like that? When we originally began our new life in Christ we probably prayed a similar prayer of praise, repentance and reformation. The question we need to ask ourselves is how long did it last? Maybe you are one of those really good people who made the commitment once and have never looked back because you have stayed committed all the way through. Or maybe you are more like me, who find that we gradually get off track and need to have a big reform sometimes. Or maybe you are the type of person who has consciously reform for God every week or every day. For those of us in the last two groups, we need to work on our long term commitment and keeping the promises we made consistently. But in all that, remember that God is still willing to forgive when we truly turn back to him.

So having committed themselves to a renewed lifestyle the people are all listed. How would we feel if our names were recorded when we made a commitment to change our ways? The list is a list of those who had a need to reform themselves! Actually the Father knows when we have made a commitment and so we do well to remember the counsel of the wise man (Ecclesiastes 5:4)

PROMISES OF DEDICATION

The promises made by the Israelites at their meting of dedication were these:
1. They would obey the Law of God.
2.They would not intermarry with the people around them.
3.They would keep the Sabbath day holy and observe the sabbatical year.
4.They would provide for the upkeep and operation of the house of God.
5.They would provide for the priests and Levites so that they would continue to do God's work.
The promises that the Israelites made, show the dedication they had at the time to obeying the LORD their God. They had realised how far they had gone astray in the past, and were determined to stay committed to God. And more than being just verbal promises, the promises made by these people were written down and signed, to ensure they would not go astray.

We could make similar commitments in our own lives. If we have given our lives to the Lord we already have made similar commitments and may only need to renew them. So let us also commit to obeying the Law of God, to avoiding areas of temptation that will take us away from our God, to regularly remembering Jesus in the way he gave us, and to giving generously to the upkeep, welfare and outreach of God's church.

NEH. 10. The terms of the covenant:
      v.30. Marriage with the alien forbidden.
      v.31. Observance of the Sabbath and the sabbatical year.
      v.32-33. Voluntary yearly tax.  
      v.34. Wood offering. (This would be the wood required for the burning of the sacrifices.)
      v.35-39. Observance of the first fruits and the first born.

V.29 The word for curse in Hebrew is alah and the word for oath is shvuah.  Both of these words can mean an oath or a curse.  Double emphasis is often used in Hebrew. 

However, in swearing an oath to walk in God's Law, the Jews also accepted the resulting curse that Yahweh would bring upon them should they break their vow. 

In maintaining their oath they would be blessed and in breaking their oath they would be cursed. This arrangement was entirely in keeping with Yahweh's format outlined in Deut 28.

10:29  Having entered into a covenant the people were bound by that oath. Malachi - a contemporary prophet -  reminds the people of this (Mal 3:1)

From Neh 10:28-39 the people re-established the Law of Moses. Many of the people were new-comers to the Holy Land, and had been born in captivity. So they dedicated themselves to God, and promised not to intermarry with the people of the land, not to work on the Sabbath, and among other things to organise the offerings for their God.

V.28 When we accept the truth, it works in us and separates us from the way of man to God. Thus here is taught; separation from the world, dedication to serving God, through His Word. True separation and dedication cannot take place without knowledge and understanding. When they are absent one's weakness will be manifested.

10:30 Inter marriage had been a problem in Ezra 9, with a list of those who sinned in that manner being given in Ezra 10. Now we find, some years later, the Levites signing up to a covenant. A stark contrast from the list of names of those who had sinned in Ezra 10

V.39 Worship in the temple was of fundamental importance to the Law. The Law depended on the priesthood. When the House of God was neglected, the priests were unable to minister since they were totally dependent on the tithes of the people. In times of adversity, the Israelite was tempted to preserve his food, livestock, and wood at the expense of the House of God. When this happened, the dwelling place of God was neglected (forsaken) and was no longer the centre of divine worship, It was only a matter of time before the House of God was no longer a part of their life. What a lesson for the 21st. century believers. 

10:29, The ‘curse’ that the people entered into was like the agreement that they made to Moses – Deut 29:12 – when they agreed that the blessing would flow if they were faithful and the curses would follow if they were disobedient.

10:31 In this agreement that Nehemiah is seeking to involve the people he is thinking about what might be necessary and covering that eventuality before it happens – like trading on the Sabbath – So Nehemiah was proactive in his planning the service of the people. He did not just react to situations as they arose. Likewise, where appropriate, we should try to plan rather than just let things happen.

V.34 It is curious that the Levites had to procure wood for the sacrifices. That was the job of the slaves, the Nethanim. Nethanim means (those) given.

When Israel was deceived by the Gibeonites, Joshua made them temple slaves. They were given to the service of Yahweh. One of their jobs was to bring wood for the sacrifices (Josh 9:23,27).

After the exile, Zerubbabel brought back 392 Nethinim with him (Ezra 2:58; Neh 7:60). Eighty years later, Ezra brought another 220 with him (Ezra 8:20). And so, at this time there were approximately, allowing for deaths and natural increase, 612 Nethanim available to do the temple chores. However, a letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra included the Nethanim as equals with everyone else with regard to the forgiveness of taxes (Ezra 7:24). It was probably, at this point, that the Nethinim were absorbed into the Levitical body, because they are not mentioned in subsequent scripture. Hence, the Levites cast lots to acquire wood.

10:28 The listing of people here is comprehensive and is designed to teach that it is not possible to be both associated with the people of the land and with God. - Matt 6:24

There are four groups that are sealed:

V.1 Nehemiah the governor.

Vs.2-8 The priests.

Vs.9-13The Levites.

Vs.14-27 The chiefs of the people.

Vs.28,29 It appears that not all were present at the sealing ceremony. Those who were absent gave their approval to what had been said.

V.34 Normally, the Nethinim, the Gibeonites, would be responsible for carrying wood etc. But, not many came out of Babylon. There were only 392 Nethinim as opposed to 4289 priests who came out with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:36-42,58). Ezra brought out a further 220 (Ezra 8:20). Some Nethinim might have thought to stay in Babylon where they did not have the restrictions of servitude that Israel placed on them (Josh 9:27).

However, over time, the Nethinim had become accepted into the society of Israel. They were included in the covenant (v.28); they were exempt from tax by Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:24); they were named genealogically (1Chron 9:1,2).

10:32  Having set things in order in the ‘ecclesia’ Nehemiah now thinks to the future. The thirds of a shekel as an ongoing annual donation was not a lot. However it was designed to guarantee the continuance of that which had been established. Do we think about the future of the ecclesia in our giving – not just money but time also. Hall maintenance days would fall into the category of giving for future benefit – planning for the future.

Neh 10:28 - separated themselves from the neighbouring peoples just as believers today are to separate themselves from the ways of the world (1John 2:15;James 4:4;John 17:14;John 15:19).

Neh 10:28-29 - those who had knowledge and understanding were considered responsible and bound with a curse and an oath to walk in God's law; the curse (Deut 27:11-26); the oath (Deut 29:10-14).

Neh 10:33,37 - bread set out on the table, "wine" [Heb. "tiyrosh" (8492) means "wine, fresh or new wine, freshly pressed wine" (Mark 2:18-22)], burnt offerings, sin offerings to make atonement, "oil" [Heb. "yitshar" (3323) means "oil (as producing light); figuratively anointing: anointed, oil"] - this reminds me of Christ's offered body and blood of the new covenant and the Jesus as an anointed light in a world of darkness.

Neh 10:34-36 - the wood to be put on the altar perhaps reminds us of Christ's sacrifice on the cross; the firstfruits (1Cor 15:20-23) and firstborn to the house of our God perhaps reminds of Christ also.

10:1-27          Having come from Babylon realising that the promise of the return had come – Jer 25:12 – the people – or many of them – fell away and became compromised with the inhabitants of the land. However they did not simply give up. Rather they made a new commitment to serve God faithfully. Likewise we, even if we stumble after baptism should be willing to try again in our service to God.

10:39     ‘and we will not forsake the house of our God’ is a clear statement of intent which has to be viewed against the unfaithfulness which had triggered the recent activities.  Repentance is good and it is good to take stock and recognise what is required in the future

SIGNED COMMITMENT

In the film Courageous, a group of men sign a pledge to commit themselves to being men of God for their wives and families. The men in the film were already dedicated to God, but had the realisation that being a "good enough" dad was not good enough. They wanted to be men who had the courage to stand up and be accountable to God, and to each other, for leading their families in God's way. These men needed specifics and people to hold them accountable, and that was the reason they signed the pledge.

In the days of Nehemiah a similar pledge was signed. The people had sinned and eighty men signed their names to a covenant that they would no longer fall into the same sin and that they would be faithful to their God. They would not marry foreign people, they would keep the Sabbath, and they would look after the Priests, Levites and the temple of their God.

Most of us have committed to our lives to our God. We may think we are "good enough", but is our good enough really the best we can give? Have we watered down our "best" to an "acceptable"? I wonder, if a written commitment, signed by us, hanging on our wall, as it was for the Jews and for the men in the film Courageous is what we need to help keep us at the best of our efforts for our God and our families.

10:34-37              So we see the detailed way in which Nehemiah organises for the long term functioning of the temple.  It is all well and good starting a good work. However unless plans are made to ensure its continuity there is little value in starting the work.

10:35    When the people returned to the land from Babylon the land was rather unproductive. However the needs of the people was placed second to the giving of things to God. The firstfruits were given to God as an acknowledgement that He was the provider. How often do we place our needs above our service to God?

10:34     As there was no Divinely appointed order for the service of preparing the wood for the sacrifices, rather than allow the different priests to decide when they would do the work the order was selected by the use of lots. That is no one was allowed to state his own preference. The selection was left to God.  Whilst I am not suggesting that we use lots in our lives to make decisions we could all benefit from accepting the preferences of others above our own.

Neh 10:31 - (NIV) "Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts" - perhaps an echo of the millennial Sabbath day of rest when debts (sins) will be forgiven.

10:30    The inter marriage that occurred in Nehemiah’s time was also reproved by the prophet -Mal 2:10-11 – a prophet who spoke around the second time that Nehemiah was in Jerusalem.

10:29 Having made an oath and entered into a curse great obligations now rested on the people. It is a pity that they were unable to stand to the oath. It is better not to make an oath than to then fail to keep it – EEcc 5:4. It is better to set oneself objectives but not make rash promises. We are frail creatures.

10:2-3 Amongst those who signed the “covenant” were individuals who already had proved themselves faithful. Nehemiah being one of them (:3). We see Azariah in 3:23 faithfully building. It might have been thought that the faithful did not really need to sign anything. They were evidently working. The lesson is that those who are clearly committed can encourage others by making their commitment clear to others. Not by boasting about it but by associating with other valuable and beneficial activities.

10:29 The word for “clave” <2388> is the same word translated ‘repaired’ in Nehemiah 3. Just as the stones were placed firmly together on the wall so the people clung together as a unified whole in the work.

10:28 Commitment to serving God is a two part action. First former associations have to be severed – like the people who separated themselves from the inhabitants of the land. Second they joined themselves to the law of the Lord. If only the first part is undertaken the one who has separated himself from his old life is never going to grow spiritually. If the worldly thinking and associations are not replaced with godly friendships and thinking the newly separated one will return to the old ways and old friendships.

10:1 Notice who is the first person to sign the covenant. It was Nehemiah even though he had not sinned as many in the nation had. He could easily have said that he did not need to sign the covenant as he had no need to prove his faithfulness. He signed the covenant as an example. Likewise we should be first to show our agreement with that which is right even if we have been upholding the principle already.

10:28 It would appear that those who had made marriages with the inhabitants of the land had done it in ignorance of what the Law of Moses said. But now, having knowledge and understanding – or what was required of them – repented. Whilst ignorance of what is required is no excuse repentance, even when it involves a significant change in lifestyle,  does bring about forgiveness.

10:36 bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons

Firstborn sons belonged to God, but not for human sacrifice. These sons were redeemed by the parents paying 5 shekels and then taking them back home (Numbers 18:16). 

10:30 The terms of the covenant that the nation md with God reflects the words of the Law of Moses. On this occasion  we see Exo 34:16. You might like to follow up the other clauses in the rest of the chapter and find where the Law of Moses spoke of the issues.

v.12 - a graphic description of the way that those who have gone aside out of the way feel compelled to take the righteous with them to the same level of sin. If we allow ourselves to keep company with those whose moral standards are not scripturally upheld, we can be sure they will make the same effort with us. Separation is still the only answer.

2:4 Remember we saw in chapter 1 that the message is primarily directed against Israel in the North. One can imagine the glee of the Northern kingdom on hearing these words!

2:5 The sending of a fire upon the palaces speaks of the overthrow of Jerusalem and Judah by the Babylonians. Prophesied of by Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:27 And earlier by a contemporary prophet. Hosea 8:14

2:6 However the glee would be short-lived as the prophet turns his attention to the Northern kingdom.

v.16 Let us remember that whatever we build for ourselves in this life is worth nothing, but let us also take the exhortation that we might be clothed with righteousness, that we may not flee these things naked in the day of the wrath of our God.

2:12 Whilst there is no specific time when we can see that Israel commanded the Nazarites to break their vow we can be sure that they did so just as Israel - and Judah for that matter - told the prophets to cease their message. Both the Nazarite and the true prophet were an embarrassment to Israel. They saw the faithfulness of these individuals and it smote their consciences. Rather than respond they sought to stop the messenger.

2:2 The recurring judgement of 'fire (1:7,10,12,14, 2:5) is the way that the whore was to be judged (Leviticus 21:9) for example.

AMOS 2. “Thus saith the LORD” Notice how many times through this chapter it is recorded “I” It is the LORD that will  bring about the destruction of the nations round about, and it was the LORD GOD that has delivered them.

2:4,6 Notice here - and on earlier occasions as well, God provides the reason for the 'fire' saying 'because ...'. God never responds for no reason. He always acts based upon what He sees.

Vs.1-3 Yahweh pronounced punishment upon Moab, having already punished the Amorites and the Egyptians (vs.9,10) also mentioned in this chapter. 

But Yahweh also pronounced punishment upon His own people: Judah (vs.4,5); and Israel (v.6) -which punishment was realized subsequently, as a matter of record.  

Gods of the surrounding nations (or rather those speaking in the name of these gods) always pronounced curses and destruction on their enemies, but never punishment upon their own people. 

This marks the difference between Yahweh, the living God who has an active relationship with His people, and the false, inert gods of the surrounding nations.  

There is an interesting divergence of translating in Amos 2:13. The AV says that God is pressed down like a heavily laden cart, but the NIV, and the commentary by Bro Fred Pearce says that it should read “God will press you down.” In other words, it’s not God Who is depressed, but Israel who will be punished.

2:8 It would seem that Israel made pledges to the false gods that they worshipped. Amos tells them that those pledges will not benefit them but that they will end up having to use the things that they have pledged to the false gods to save themselves because the false gods will not be able to deliver them.

"They sell the righteous for silver" (v6) is what Joseph's brothers did to him. The condemnation here is obviously not directed at the slave trade in general, or else the verse would say "They sell a person for silver". This suggests that it is specifically referring to the type of trade Joseph's brothers made, which was a convenient way of getting rid of anyone who would "tell tales" on them, or remind them that God was displeased with their behaviour (see Gen 37:2).

2:4 I suppose that Judah would not have thought that she ‘despised’ the law of God. However as Mal 1:6 shows showing God dishonour is the same as despising Him.

The prophecy concerning:

- Moab (vs.1-3) came true when the Assyrian, Tiglath-pileser (744-727 BC) conquered Moab.

- Judah (vs.4,5) was fulfilled in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar.

- Israel (vs.6-16) was realized in the Assyrian invasion of 722 BC. Sargon II (722-705 BC) deported 27,290 Jews from Samaria.

2:6 The way in which the wicked made merchandise of the poor is a theme which the prophet returns to – Amos 8:6 –later in his prophecy. Both the letter and the spirit of the law was being violated.

v 4,5 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

BLESSINGS

A blessing is something that draws us toward God. God blessed Israel by destroying the Amorites. Their destruction meant that their idols, their rites of worship and the immorality practiced by the Amorites would not be a snare to turn Israel away from God. Describing the Amorites as a cedar, God said, "I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below." (Amos 2:9) There was no way the Amorites were going to grow back. God blessed Israel in a big way through the destruction of the Amorites.

God blessed Israel by leading them around the wilderness for forty years. It might not seem like much of a blessing, but when they finally came out of the desert, they were people who were much more devoted to God than when they went in. Their wanderings in the wilderness had brought them closer to God.

God blessed Israel by raising up prophets and Nazarites to lead his people toward him. They instructed the people in God's ways in both word and example, so they would come closer to him. But listen to the response of Israel to this last blessing. "But you made the Nazarites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy." (v.12) They rejected the blessings of God.

God's blessings might not always feel pleasant but they are all designed to draw us closer to him. Will we be like Israel who forgot and rejected God's blessings? Or will we use every opportunity we can to grow nearer to God?

V.1 The reference here is to the King of Edom’s sacrificed son (2Kin 3:26,27).

V.2 See Jer 48:24.

Vs.4-6 Yahweh, the living God, would not hesitate to punish His people for wrongdoing. Other nations had gods who only promoted their people. Of course, these gods were idols, but the people who set them up empowered them for the good of the nation.

Vs.9,10 The Amorites were the most powerful Canaanite tribe, and yet Israel possessed their land, with the help of Yahweh (Deut 4:47).

V.12 See Num 6:1-3.

2:4‘because’ indicates that God’s judgements are not arbitrary. He always has reason for His actions. He had been warning Judah for years and now, because of their unwillingness to heed Him He is going to act.

2:7     It is difficult to appreciate that it was the Jewish leaders who were the object of this condemnation. Doubtless they thought that they were acting in an acceptable way. This is a sombre warning for us. Just because we think we are doing things well, or because they are ‘expedient’ it does not mean that they are acceptable to God.

2:9      In talking about destroying the Amorite Amos is directing Israel to remember an earlier event described in Num 21:24 Israel never seemed to remember the deliverances that God had wrought for them. Do we remember the things God has done for us and have confidence in His ability to care for us now and in the future?

2:2   Amos speaks judgement upon Kirioth of Moab.  This was because of Moab’s treatment of Edom.  A later prophet – Jer 48:24,41 – speaks of judgement by the Babylonians against Kirioth indicating that Amos’ word did not have any effect on Moab.

2:4    Amos’ spirit inspired assessment – ‘despised ...’ is a strong way to speak. However this was God’s view.  How can their attitude be seen? It is seen in the way that they did not keep the commandments. Disobedience to the commandments is equivalent to despising the word. We do well to take heed to this warning. 

2:13  Do we ever consider that our sinful behaviour and thoughts have the effect of causing God pain?

2:1     The fact that Moab was punished for what was done to the king of Edom shows that even though a nation is not bound by the law of Moses God still will hold them responsible for sinful acts.

2:14-16   our natural inclination is to rely on our own skills and strengths. However the prophet is warning Israel. That such confidence is futile. Do we think we can prevail against God?

2:8      The Law of Moses – Exo 22:26 – required that if a man had given his garment as a pledge for some debt it had to be returned to him each night. Here, it seems, that requirement of the Law of Moses was not being observed.

2:4      The idea of walling in God’s statutes is something that a later prophet –Eze 20:18 – speaks of. God’s commandments are not rules to know. They are to ne lived out in our lives.

Amos 2

“… And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith YHWH…” (v. 16).

All the indictments against Israel amounts to one message: The powerful of Israel were oppressing the powerless and the rulers of Israel were oppressing the poor. Such became their governmental system! Their transgressions were narrated several times longer than the nations preceding them. Verses 6-8 show the moral degradation specific to Israel! They had reached the climax of their violations against YHWH’s covenant with them at Mount Sinai in abusing it!

The other nations Amos mentioned would, likewise, not be able to escape YHWH’s punishment. Judah and Israel became too confident, enjoyed more privileges than any of the other nations; they were the chosen people of God. They, thus, felt specially privileged. Being special and privileged, they lost all sense of morality and social responsibilities towards even their own people! I repeat, they lost their moral compass and social compassion. By their conduct, they profaned YHWH’s name, sold their own brethren into slaves, their own servants became subjects of abuse and sexual pleasures, turned their legal system into a shameful affair, and misused their worship by their excessive celebrations that involved temple prostitutes!

Amos tried to appeal to the heart and mind of the people, but they had hard, stony hearts and did not believe the prophet’s condemnation, and even killed some. YHWH stripped them of their swiftness and they would no longer be fast enough; stripped them of their strength, and they would no longer be strong enough, and stripped them of their might and they would no longer be mighty enough! Their judgment was certain!

Amos concluded this chapter in condemning Judah and Israel. They were given YHWH’s laws, they knew YHWH’s laws, and the greater responsibility lied with them. It seems inconceivable how great their fall was (cf. Matt 7:27)! YHWH brought them down, and He will bring us down too if we commit the same mistakes they did. We, as the people of YHWH, must never get to the point of feeling so over-confident and so over-privileged, that we lose sight of YHWH’s moral laws of compassion, mercy, and just-ness, especially toward one another.

2:10 in the previous verses Amos has reminded Judah of a previous occasion when Yahweh delivered them. He now goes back a little further in time to remind them of the miraculous way they were brought out of Egypt. The point being that their history should have taught Israel that they could trust Yahweh.

2:6 selling individuals for gain was prohibited under the Law of Moses – Exo 21:6

2:4 etc. In speaking of bringing judgment for “three transgressions and four” we learn something of the mercy and longsuffering of God. He would have been justified in punishing the nations mentioned for one transgression. However he allowed time for repentance. When this was to no avail He brought judgment.

Not that we should presume on God’s mercy. But we should appreciate that he is looking for repentance, not for reasons to destroy us.

2:6-12 the words of judgment against Israel – the northern kingdom – differed from all the other judgments in this respect. It is the only judgment that actually gives any details of the history of the nation.

2:9-10 God’s reproof of Judah, it seems, was because they did not recognise what God had done for them in the past in giving them the land pf Canaan after bringing them out of the land of Egypt under the hand of Moses.

5 v.3 - To be a 'widow indeed' it seemed you had to be over 60 (v.9) and have no family (children or grandchildren) around to support you (v.4,16) and devoted to the work of the church (v.10). This matter was also mentioned and attended to in Acts 6:1-7

4:1 'The spirit speaketh' - either Paul has had a message from God or his is commenting on the fact that the spirit has already spoken in the earlier writings. We know that the Old and New testaments contain prophecies about the latter days / times.
The warning of Paul is that in these times 'some shall depart from the faith'. This is the major issue. Whether we, or they, experienced the last days is not as important of ensuring that we are aware of the dangers of 'falling away'.
AD 70 was a 'last days' in the experience of the brethren and sisters in the first century.

5:1 - 3 Demonstrates that even spirit appointed bishops had to treat brethren and sisters in ways which acknowledged their position. They were not to 'lord it' over their brethren 1 Peter 5:3.

Chapters 2 - 6 emphasise 'Godliness' 2:10 3:16 4:7 6:3 5 6 which is closely intermeshed with the 'doctrine' we noticed in May.

5:13-15 Notice the progression of ideas and contrasts that the Apostle Paul presents to Timothy.

:13 There are people wandering from house to house
:14 The younger women should guide the house.
:15 Some had turned aside to Satan.

4:9-10 The 'faithful saying' is quoted from 1 Corinthians 4:12.

5:22 The laying on of hands here is not speaking of the giving of the Holy Spirit. Rather Paul is counselling Timothy about appointing brethren to positions in the ecclesia such as Bishop or Deacon. It is a way of associating Timothy with the work of the one being appointed. An example of this sort of laying on of hands is seen in Acts 13:3

4:12 There are a number of indications in Paul's letter to Timothy that he found it difficult to exercise his responsibility. Here, it seems, that his youth was used as an excuse for not heeding Timothy's message

5:4 The 'piety' that the widow was to show is not some sort of religious aura. Rather it is the 'godliness' spoken of in 1Tim 4:7

4:16 - here we have the dual importance of taking heed as to how we live our lives as well as heed to doctrine (1319) means "instruction (the function or the information), doctrine, learning, teaching". The benefits are not only for one's self but for others who might be listening and observing.

4:12 Timothy was but a youth when he joined Paul (Acts 16:1) We would suggest that it was just over ten years later that Paul was imprisoned; Timothy would still be young in relation to the elderly members of the ecclesia who he was to "entreat as a father" (1Tim. 5:1) Also in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, which would have been easier if he had been an older brother.

4:1,3,13 Spiritual rot had already crept into the ecclesia (2Thess 2:7).  Paul was concerned that this spiritual decay would continue in subsequent years, especially after he was no longer around (Acts 20:29,30). 

Indeed, the Gnostics made their presence known in the first century, and expanded their influence in the second century.  They promoted such restrictions as abstinence from certain foods.  These were later adopted by the Catholic Church, and some are still present today. 

Paul was concerned that sound doctrine, teaching and exhortation be preserved.  He urged Timothy to take care of this.  The foundation for these things would come from the reading of scriptures.  The same is true today.

4:12  Timothy was to be an example of the believers’ not an example to the believers’. This might seem to be a trivial point. However it is not. Brethren should look at Timothy and decide to emulate his life style. He was not to stand as an example that he would command them to follow. The behaviour of Timothy was not so that he could shame or command others to follow him. He was to live the way he lived to show forth God’s praise.

5:12 Those who ‘cast off their first love’ fall into the trap that Jesus spoke of – Rev 2:4 – when he wrote to the ecclesia at Ephesus which is where Timothy was when this letter was written to.

4:3 The false teachers that Paul is referring to here in all likelihood taught that anything physical was contaminating. It is not difficult to see how such a principle would in the course of time frown on marriage. We can see how foods would have also entered into the picture, but, of course could not be completely condemned, but one can see how easily fasting could be praised.

5:8   The ‘infidel’ <571>  in fact is one without faith Matt 17:17, an unbeliever 1Cor 7:14. This is because the ‘unbeliever’ actually does take care of his own family.

5:23 The Greek physicians considered that just drinking water alone could eventually ruin the stomach. And so, it was the custom of the Greeks to mix wine with their water (the ratios of wine to water varied from: 1:2; 1:3; 2:3). However, the Greeks considered that youths under thirty should not drink wine.

Timothy was undoubtedly brought up with this understanding, as his father was a Greek unbeliever. Timothy was about twenty when he was circumcised by Paul. And so, he was under the Greek prohibition against his drinking wine. At the time of this letter, Timothy was about thirty-five.

Paul is giving Timothy permission to mingle wine with his water. Timothy’s circumcision was expedient for reaching the Jewish audience. Now, Timothy’s mission was amongst the Greeks also. Thus, adjusting to their view of acceptable behaviour, Timothy could more easily reach the Greeks. This was apart from any possible health benefits.

4:6 In calling Timothy to ‘put the brethren in remembrance’ Paul is again explaining the reason why he had sent Timothy to Ephesus – 1Tim 1:3

WOMEN'S ROLE

Recently I have been thinking about the God given roles of men and women. Paul's words of advice to Timothy about widows is interesting because it details some of the areas in which women in particular should be involved in a faithful Christian life.

Speaking about which widows should be on the list of widows to be cared for by the church, Paul said, "No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." (1Tim 5:9-10) By the time she was sixty, this is the reputation a woman should have gained if she has lived a good Christian life.

Faithful to her husband means not only not having an affair, but also wholeheartedly supporting him.

Bringing up children, if at all possible, means bringing them up yourself - not leaving them to caregivers. Bringing up children is a full time job in itself!

Showing hospitality is a skill that seems to have been all but lost in many families. Maybe we need to re-learn the service of hospitality.

Paul's final word here is "devote". We need to be devoted to living the life God has laid out for us to lead, whether we be women or men.

4:1-3 The Apostasy had its seeds in the first century and began to define itself in the subsequent centuries. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was one such defining moment when Imperial Rome gave way to Ecclesiastical Rome.

These verses should be considered in conjunction with 2Thess 2:3,4. Ecclesiastical Rome and its leader are indicted, and are continued to be condemned throughout the rest of scripture. The condemnation of the beast (Catholic system of worship), and the false prophet (the pope) are clear. They will both be destroyed when Jesus returns (Rev 19:20).

5:1,2 There was a time when youngsters respected their elders, but now that has all but disappeared. For those young members of Christ’s household, the way of the world should not apply. God’s Word is still valid.

5:18 See Deut 25:4.

5:20 If a brother sins against another brother, then Matt 18:15-17 should first be followed.

It's worth noting that among the "good works" listed in 5v10 is bringing up children. Do you ever think of it in that way, and commend others for doing it? And if the Bible says bringing up children is a good work, does that mean it is less good to put children in a creche while you go out to work (if you have a choice)?

4:11 Timothy had been left in Ephesus to ‘set in order’ – 1Tim 1:3 – the things in the church. Now Paul lays out specifically what Timothy should teach.

5:3   ‘Widows indeed’ were those widows with no family to support them. These had to be supported by the church whereas those with children should be relieved by the children – 1Tim 5:16

4:11    Notice Timothy is to ‘command and teach’. The teaching of the gospel is not something which is optional. The teaching is laid out and then those who have committed themselves to Christ through the waters of baptism are commanded to observe the teaching.

1Tim 4:1-4. A couple today -

1. v. 1. What are "the deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (N.I.V.)?

2. v. 3. It has been pointed out that Paul's words do seem to fit what would one day be a couple of wrong teachings of the Roman Catholic church. But was there a problem in Paul and Timothy's day with this? And if so, what might it have been?

1. Taking the "deceiving spirits" first - it's possible Paul was warning against people who claimed to be in possession of various Holy Spirit gifts, but in reality were not and therefore were called "deceiving spirits". One of the nine original Holy Spirit gifts, as recorded in 1 Cor. 12, was that of "distinguishing between spirits" (1Cor 12:10). And John in his first epistle (1 Jn. 4:1) exhorts the brethren to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." And he goes ahead to refer to that group of people as "antichrist" which was in existence in his day.

The 2nd part of v. 1 seems somewhat more problematic to me. Usually the term "demon" in its New Testament usage relates to certain illnesses - usually but not always mental. But at times the word is used synonymously with an idol. Such is the case in 1Cor 10:18-21. Verse 20 states - "the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." So maybe (?) Paul is here in 1 Tim. using the term in the sense of those false teachers who should be viewed as mentally ill, so those who hear their message should absolutely discount it. Or perhaps they had exalted themselves and their so-called Divine position to a status on the same level of God and Jesus and were therefore to be classified as nothing more than an idol, set up and established by unbelievers.

2. As in so much of the New Testament, when reference is made to a group of false teachers, the Judaizers fit the immediate context. For they were the worst most troublesome group that Paul and other first century disciples had to deal with. If taken in that way, the abstention from certain foods equated to the Law of Moses dietary laws which they felt should still be kept, but which had been overturned by Jesus' own specific statements in Mark 7:18-23 (cp. Matt 15:16-20).

The forbidding of people to marry probably related to stating that there should be no "mixed" marriages between a Jew and a Gentile. But again what was part of the Law of Moses, the prohibition of Jews marrying the people of the land of Canaan (e.g. Deut 7:3,4), was not applicable with the new spiritual Israel where there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28).

Some might question these interpretations based on v. 1 and Paul's saying that they would be true in "later times". But it seems clear from the context thathe felt he was living in those times by what he says in v. 6 to Timothy - "If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus..." The same point can be seen in Jude 17-19 which reads -

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit."

But, of course, none of this discounts applications of these warnings to our day or any of the times in between the first and 21st centuries. Such is the practicality of so much of New Testament instruction.

4:13     The word ‘attendance’ is the same word which is translated ‘heed’ in verse :1. A stark contrast is given between what some were doing – listening to false teaching – and what Paul expected of Timothy (and us) – listening to sound teaching.

5:13    The word translated ‘wandering’ <4022> is translated ‘vagabond’ in Acts 19:13so Paul is harking back to the way in which certain Jews opposed the preaching in Ephesus. Possibly a strong indication that movement which opposed Paul when he was in Ephesus was still active.

4:16    In encouraging Timothy to “take heed to thyself” we learn a key lesson. There is no value in telling others what to do unless our own lifestyle is already in tune with the gospel message.

FAMILY FIRST

Throughout the letters to Timothy, family is stressed as being of huge importance in the life of the believer. Our first spiritual responsibility is to our family, both to teach, guide and encourage them in God's ways, and also to provide for them, care for them, and meet their needs.

Here is one example:"But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God." (1Tim 5:4).

And again, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (v.8). That puts us in our place!

And another one: "No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she... has been faithful to her husband and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children..." (v.9-10).

And one more in chapter 5, "If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them." (v.16).

Caring for family comes first. That's God's rule, not mine. Meeting family needs comes first, not Church, not work, not charity and not me. If we want to serve God, let's love love and care for our families before anything else.

1Tim 4:6,7

“… But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

The Bible warns us about godless myths and old wives’ tales. Superstition is idolatry that assigns magical powers to an object. Our faith is not in objects, but in the one true God.

We hear a lot about the superstitious stories as related to Friday the 13^th. Some consider it an unlucky day, some avoid black cats; some avoid walking under ladders, still others knock on wood - most made popular by Hollywood movies. These stories have no basis. However, do you know there is a Friday the 13^th that historically has a basis?

The Knights Templar in their day represented Christianity. They were created and ordered by the Vatican to protect the Christians travelling back and forth from the Holy Land. They became fierce warriors who continued to grow stronger and wealthier and were the most powerful forces in Europe and the Middle East. This invoked the jealousy of the Royal families of Europe. The Knights Templar became a serious threat to the influence of the European Monarchy and of the Vatican.

Pope Clement V, who was elected Pope in 1305, was a great political ally to King Philip IV of France. Together, they plotted against the Knights Templar and issued a secret death warrant, and on Friday the 13^th, 1307 they rounded up most of the Knights Templar in Paris, France and massacred them! Created by the order of the Vatican, the Knights Templar was terminated by the order of the Vatican and their wealth confiscated.

Fast forwarding, we come to Friday, November 13, 2015, the President of France, Francois Hollande, invoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty and declared war against the ISIS terrorist group, who claimed responsibility for the Paris massacre and vowed to respond with a “merciless response.” Under Article 5, France may now legally engage in a total global war with its allies. An attack on an ally is an attack on all the allies! Russia, E.U. U.K. Canada, and the U.S. have already been put on RED ALERT. ISIS has warned it will coordinate simultaneous attacks in every country’s major and not so major cities.

Was it merely coincidental that ISIS picked Paris, France and Friday the 13th for their first simultaneously coordinated massacre? It is highly unlikely, and while the world focuses on the politics of it, they fail to see that the Friday the 13th attacks were also meant to send a strong message of serious religious implications. France's leaders who know their history would have caught on.

Under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it states they will take “such action as it deems necessary” to maintain peace and security. This can mean anything, including nuclear war! President Putin has his country, Russia, on nuclear readiness!

As the wars escalate, we cannot go on much longer and 2016 may well prove to be a catastrophic year. There has never been such a time as this!

1Tim 5:21 - (NIV) "...without partiality, and do nothing out of favoritism" - imagine how different some places of worship would be if love (Matt 22:36-40) was emphasized more and favoritism was emphasized less.

5:6  Whilst Paul here is speaking specifically of “widows” who “live in pleasure” being “dead” we should not think that his comment only applies to widows. It applies to all. It is all too easy to get so engrossed in those things which please us, seeing them as things we “need” that they then get in the way of our responsibilities to our God.

5:4        The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day had devised ways to remove their responsibilities to their parents – Mark 7:10-13 – such behaviour is unbecoming of believers.

4:2    In the New Testament it is the Pharisees who are often accused of hypocrisy – Mark 12:15, Luke 12:1 so maybe the sort of thing Paul was addressing was the Pharisaic way of thinking – namely that they were right and everyone else wrong.

1Tim 4:16

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself, and them that hear thee.”

These admonitions, given some two thousand years ago, have lost none of their force and sets forth the absolute necessity for steadfastness. It is not enough to live an exemplary life; it is not enough to preach the Truth, but we must “take heed” to both and “continue in them” (cf. Titus 2:6). To fail in either is to fail!

“Read a little of the Bible every day, and have a time for it. Do it by system; if you can improve on the Bible Companion by all means do it, but have some system. The no-system system is bound to be a failure. Let your reading be attentive and studious, and not merely a getting through. Fix your mind and realise the meaning as you go along. Pray every morning and every evening on bended knee, and as much oftener during the day as you can. Have a meeting at least once a week, and when met, let your communications be upon the Truth, and not upon business or domestic affairs. A patient adherence to this plan will not only enable you to ‘keep what you have got,’ but to grow in the knowledge and love of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Robert Roberts, 1893

4:1          “The spirit speaketh …” is confirmation that the things Paul is writing are inspired. He is not relying on his own understanding to warn about error creeping into the Christian community.

5:23 Paul’s instruction to Timothy to “take a little wine” is because in Ephesus, as in many hot countries in the first century – and today for that matter – there is no guarantee that the drinking water can be drunk with the assurance that it is not carrying things that will cause sickness

4:2  “lies in hypocrisy” come from the mouths of those who say one thing and do another. There were those in the first century who wanted to burden believers with rules and regulation but would not accept the same constraints themselves. We must take care that we do not have higher expectation of our fellow believers than we expect of ourselves

4:15 How often do we just reflect on the calling we are called to, reflect on the “faithful sayings” of the gospel? The way we think determines how we behave. Paul’s advice to Timothy is also advise to us as well.

There appears to be 7 faithful sayings that are commended to us to accept and put into practice in our lives. The Apostle Paul gives us 5 faithful sayings, 3 of them in his first Epistle to Timothy. The last 2 faithful sayings are given by Jesus Christ.  There is a development of thought for us to remember as we go about our daily lives. It begins with Jesus Christ coming into the world to save sinners and concludes with the words of Jesus.

Keep the "sayings" [G3056  Logos]. Exhortation and encouragement for us as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4:1 the “spirit” had spoken on the very topic of falling way when Paul last saw the brethren at Ephesus – Acts 20:29. Paul is now reminding Timothy of the reality of those things.

5:1 We know that Timothy was young. So the injunction to treat elders as a “father” is appropriate. This is an area of scripture that has ot be understood in its context. An older disciples now need not treat a contemporary as his “father”. As always the context is important.