Comments for November 24

v.47 - This referred to the giving of tithes according to Num.18:21-29, the Levites, it seems receiving a tenth of the income of the people, and the children of Aaron receiving a tenth of the income from the Levites.

In this chapter we have a detailed description of how the company of the priests divided into two groups who walked round the walls in opposite directions from a common starting point. They met at the temple where they sang and praised together.
Using a map of Jerusalem or a Bible insert follow the way these two companies walked.

v.27,28 - There was much music associated with these occasions. I wonder how those who had little love for music felt about this? We too associate music with almost all of our worship. Here, and on many other occasions, we see that it has always been so, and has never been condemned, so must be acceptable to God. Maybe we should look at the musical content of our spiritual lives and see if it can be improved.

12:24 36 45 So we see again, as we saw in Ezra, that David's instructions for temple worship were adhered to. It would have been so easy to do things in a more casual way. After all, it might be reasoned, David gave instructions for a system of worship which was far more elaborate in a temple which was more splendid that they had repaired.. But no. The commands of David and the implementation as Solomon had shown were used. We do well to think on this when we think that maybe because there are just a few of us or things have been organised hastily that we can be slipshod in our actions.

MUSIC AND PRAISE

It is interesting to see in this chapter, and throughout the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the attention given to the singers, the sons of Asaph. They are mentioned at least eleven times in these 47 verses. The job of the singers was to make music before the LORD at his temple and to lead the people in their praise. These were days of recommitment and renewed dedication for the people of Israel, so it is fitting that music and praise should feature so strongly in their new way of life. They were days of celebration for God's mercy toward them, in their return from captivity, understanding God's word, and for the completion of the walls in record time. So again, it is fitting that their music of praise should accompany their celebration.

Meaningful music and praise is so important to any life dedicated to God. It keeps us focused on our God, helps us to count our blessings and to stay positive and devoted. Yet praise is often the first thing to disappear from our Christian lives if our spirituality is low.

Let's check up on ourselves. Is praise a regular and meaningful feature of our lives? Let's put music and praise back into our lives with the same attention to it as Nehemiah gave to the music and praise of his day.

12:1 These men had been in the land for many years by now. They had come up at the first and seen the work and all the discouragement of the last 16 years or so. Therefore this occasion must have been to them a great joy. It was the fruition of their dreams which doubtless motivated them to leave Babylon at the first.

Neh 12:31. The fact that they could walk on the wall shows the great job that was done in the rebuilding of the wall in 52 days. The companies, one under Ezra, and the other under Nehemiah met nearly midway along the eastern wall, between the Water(v.37) and Prison(v.39) Gates, outside the temple. This presents another interesting picture, between the water gate (water of life) and the prison gate. (prisoners of the flesh) A choice that each one of us have to make. Which way to go.

 12:27 Whilst we noticed in yesterday's reading in Nehemiah that some Levites went to Jerusalem it seems that when the people dedicated the walls that the Levites out of all the cities of Israel came to Jerusalem.

It seems that Nehemiah organised two choirs, at the dedication of the wall. One choir went this way, and the other one went that way, and then they met at the temple.  The singers and the instrumentalists would have made a wonderful duet, responding to each other across the city.  The completed wall had been Nehemiah’s goal, and now it was built he dedicated it to God.

V.36 As Ezra and Nehemiah had previously unitedly addressed the people with exposition from the Word( 8:9), so now they join together to conduct this ceremony. It is significant that there is no jealousy manifested by Ezra, against the younger Nehemiah, who has virtually succeeded him.

12:31-40 With a map of the city of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah we can trace the way these two companied started out to meet at the temple.

V.47 The people, selecting the tithes and first fruits, devoted them to the use of the Levites, to whom they belonged by appointment of the law. The Levites acted in the same way with the tithes due them from the priests. Thus all classes of the people displayed a conscientious fidelity in paying the dues to the temple and the servants of God who were appointed to minister in it.

Neh 12:27 - How curious that a wall be dedicated. This was certainly unprecedented in Judah or Israel's history. More recently in our Amos readings - Amos 1:7,10,14 - God said he would send a fire against the walls of Gaza, Tyrus and Rabbah, and also earlier in Israel's history, the wall appeared to be a symbol of trusting in man's strength rather than in God. How curious, then, to be associated with dedication and worship here.

V.31,37-39 Many of Jerusalem's gates are named.  Each was so named, generally, because it represented a passage to or for something.

Briefly, some examples:

The Sheep Gate was the entrance through which sheep destined for temple sacrifice passed.

The Fish Gate was believed to be named for its closeness to the fish market.

The Dung Gate was the place where the city's refuse was collected. It opened on to the Valley of Hinnom where the refuse was burned.

Some gates' names are not obvious as to their activity.  The Ephraim Gate, for example, was the place where the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated (Neh 8:16).  Then again, not all gates are mentioned by Nehemiah: for example, The Corner Gate which was close to The Ephraim Gate (2Kin 14:13).  Over the years, the names of the gates have changed: for example, The Sheep Gate is today known, alternatively, as The Stephen Gate or The Lion Gate.

12:31-40 This joyous occasion might cause us to forget that Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies. However it seems that the threat of these adversaries did not bother those involved. A far cry from when the walls were being built – Neh 4:18

12:27 The book of Nehemiah focuses so much on what happened in Jerusalem that we might tend to forget that there were Jews in other parts of the land. This mention of the Levites going to Jerusalem serves to remind us that the return was not just to Jerusalem.

V.22 Darius the Persian is taken to mean Darius II (Ochus or Nothus) (425 BC-405 BC), the son of Artaxerxes Longimanus.

V.45 See 2Chron 23:19.

12:31-40 we might imagine that the people, even if they did not sing the Psalm, were well aware of the words of Psa 48:1-14

Agree with Peter Forbes 2010 comment regarding Psa.48. Similarly, the words of (Psa 122;Psa 127;Psa 147;Psa 150) would perhaps have resonated as well.

12:7,12,22      There are three key details in the list of names. Those keys relate to significant events in the history of Israel. Joshua – entering the land, Joiakim – close to the exile in Babylon, Darius – the return in fulfilment of Jer 25:12

A Thanksgiving Message:

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues” – Cicero

Autumn is a beautiful season when nature is ablaze with color, and night and day balances itself out. Autumn makes me think of the past when the simple, yet stern necessities loomed over us. I remember the days of splitting wood with my father, and of raking leaves, storing the old boat in our ancient barn. We used to sing songs, and talked about all the things we did during the summer. My father busied himself with crushing the grapes for his winter wine, while my mother created the aroma of fresh baked pies and breads. The seeds we sowed reaped a good harvest. I can still hear my father’s voice echoing in my mind, “Lord, we thank you for your bounty,” as we sat down to the dinner table.

Then the cold set in with its early crystalline darkness, and the sound of the coyote’s high-pitched whines and yips could be heard as they moved through the night. The isolation of the woods offered us this wonderful feeling of closeness to the more primitive things in life. Through those frosty nights unusual lights twinkled, glistening the night sky. How our hearts were warmed with gratefulness!

Crimson forests lined the smoky hills as the sun’s rays shone through the thinning and reddening canopy of the venerable maple. Summer’s glory surrendered to autumn’s dazzling splendors with its golden dawns and crimson sunsets. The cold howling night winds crept in, the snow now blanketed the ground, and the countryside pulsated with fleeting deer. The haunting woods echoed the wintry air as I warmed myself by the blazing logs as they crackled in the fireplace.

Today, our old country home is no longer, my father deceased, and mother very frail. Oh, how I cherish those childhood memories! It warms my heart to think back at those times, and how grateful I am to our Heavenly Father for His provision and for giving me these loving memories.

Solomon wrote in Ecc 3:1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted…” Let us reflect deeply within ourselves, the harvest has past, but what did we sow? The summer is gone, but how did we spend it? The apostle Paul exhorts us to, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thess 5:16-18). It is for us to develop what is God’s call to prayer in the spirit of joy and thanksgiving, not just one day a year, but every day of the year.

12:37     Typically we might consider these priests and people walking round the walls of what is now called the Old City of Jerusalem. However the current walls are not the ones that Nehemiah rebuilt. The mention here of ‘the stairs of the City of David’ demonstrate this. The City of David actually lies to the South outside the current walls.

PRAISE AND SPIRITUAL TEMPERATURE

One of the ways to tell when our spiritual temperature is beginning to drop is by looking at the effectiveness of our praise. Looking back over the spiritual highs and lows of Israel, we can see that during their times of great spiritual strength, the people praised the LORD and there were praise services held in the Tabernacle or the temple. But as their spiritual fervour began to drop, one of the first things that disappeared from their service to God was their praise.

As Nehemiah re-established praise to be sung out from the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem, we read about his appointment of the singers. As he described their service, he said, "For long ago in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God." (Neh 12:46) Now the tradition had been re-established because the Jews were ready and willing to give their all to their God.

It didn't last. But what about us? What does the state of our praise tell us about our spiritual temperature? Do we praise God more or less than we used to? Are we closer to God now than we were? Let's add praise to our lives in prayer, in music and in the way we speak. Praise the Lord!

Neh 12

(1-11) Priests and Levites in the days of Zerubbabel, the high priest.

(12-21) Priests in the days of Joiakim.

(22-26) Levites during the reign of Darius the Persian.

(27-29) Gathering the Levites for the dedication ceremony.

(30) Purification.

(31-43) Two choirs lead Jerusalem in joyful praise.

(44-47) Other aspects of this day of joy.

Overall, we learn the following from the prophet Nehemiah:

Expect opposition (John 15:18-20).

Is it the truth (2Cor 13:5)?

Pray boldly (Phil 4:6-7).

Don’t retaliate, rather pray for your enemies (Rom 12:17-21).

Stay focused on the task on hand (Luke 9:62).

Watch for the weak (Prov 31:8-9; Neh 5). Nehemiah knew that the weak were more vulnerable so he aided them according to God’s commands.

Set a good example (Matt 20:25-28). Nehemiah set the example right from the very beginning for those around him. Our chief responsibility is to be the chief servant.

12:25   Keeping the thresholds of the gates was a responsible job. The work entailed ensuring that no one entered the building who was not ceremonially clean.

12:38    The procession around the walls, singing praises to God, was  a major event associated with the building of the walls. If it had not been for Nehemiah was might think that the work would not have been done, or not have been done as quickly as it was. However, despite Nehemiah’s important involvement in the task, he is at the back of the company. Not at the front in a position of prominence. 

12:36,45               The twofold mention of David and the mention of Solomon highlights that the rebuilding of the wall and the return to Jerusalem was not viewed as a new event. Rather it was seen as a continuation of what David and Solomon had, at God’s instruction, introduced.

12:40-43           Doubtless the waling round the walls and rejoicing which culminated in a combined worship and sacrifices must have been a happy time. It certainly was a noisy one! We should remember that at this same time Israel had enemies all around the city who had been trying to prevent the work. They were still there and still opposed to the work that had been undertaken. However this opposition was no reason not to praise and worship God.  Do we ever neglect to pray when we are in the company of those who do not worship our God? – For example when eating out in company or in an environment where we are in the minority.

12:45     So here we are, hundreds of years after David had set up a system of worship in Jerusalem and after a period of captivity were the people were unable to follow systematic worship according to their traditions. But now that which David had instituted is followed.  Such was the resilience of those things which David had instituted.

12:47  The positive comment here about service to God needs to be tempered with Nehemiah’s comment – Neh 13:10. So we may conclude the faithfulness continued whilst Nehemiah was in Jerusalem due to his encouragement but did not continue when there was no one there to encourage the people. Likewise we benefit from encouragement.

12:40 A recurring point we have seen in Nehemiah this year is the way that Israel continued in their open and clear worship of God even though their enemies could see what they were doing. Again the encouragement to us is to do the same.

12:27 Levites lived in villages throughout the whole o the land of Israel. However when the wall had been finished and dedicated it seems that Levites were brought from these villages to Jerusalem to help with the dedication of the walls. So the temporary population must have increased significantly from the 5,000 who were resident there. It must have been a wonderful, joyous, occasion,

12:27 dedicating the wall is rather like a house would, by implication, be dedicated - Deut 20:5

12:8 The men that were over the thanksgiving would have ensured that the things that had been decided – the Psalms that were to be read – would be done according to a godly manner.  Thanksgiving to God is good and we should rejoice before Him. However just as it was in the days of Nehemiah, things have to be done   in a wholesome and godly way. It is all too easy to get carried away with enthusiasm which does not have a godly basis. Whilst this is not to suggest that we have a formal established procedure structure is good.

12:24,36 David is in the same league as Moses being “the man of God” .  However it is not a quality that is to be limited to these two individuals. It is a quality we can aspire to – 2Tim 3:17

12:24 brothers who stood opposite them, to praise and give thanks

This may have been antiphonal praise whereby two opposite singing groups alternate with song

12:43,45 And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced... And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers according to the command of David and his son Solomon.

Yet the second temple was insignificant in size and grandeur to Solomon's temple. There could have been a tendency to be more casual and less particular, based on the view that Israel's heyday was over, and circumstances now are more constrained and humiliating. Nehemiah disagreed. Nehemiah had elaborate singing, purification (even of the wall itself: Nehemiah 12:30) and thanksgiving.

LESSON: Sometimes when "going to the meeting" using ZOOM or livestreaming from home, it is good to participate as though we were actually at the meeting - arrive on time, be dressed for the occasion, sing along with the meeting, and so on. Imagine your home is the cry room to the ecclesial hall and you are present in the cry room.

12:21,38 There may be amongst us some who have been to Jerusalem and walked round the walls of the old city. We might, as we did, have thought about these two groups of men walking round the walls of the city in the days of Nehemiah. However we do well to remember that the walls we might have walked on were not the same walls spoken of here. These walls would have been far less substantial and far harder to walk on than those we see in Jerusalem today.

v.12 - This theme is very much taken up in the next chapter (e.g. v. 6) and refers to a very different type of preparation from that they might make to meet anything else. It is not a collecting together of strength and a rounding of the troops, but a preparedness to be humble and repentant. Isa.47:3, Matt.24:45-51

4:1 Again we see Israel accused of breaking the Law of Moses Deuteronomy 24:14

To call Israel 'kine of Bashan' might appear rather crude. However there are other passages which use similar language Deuteronomy 32:14 15 Psalm 22:12 Jeremiah 50:11 A consideration of these passages will show that the language speaks of those who oppose truth. Thus the 'kine of Bashan' of whom Amos speaks must be the princes and rulers of Samaria.

v.7 - At a spiritual level, whether we get the rain and grow is dependent upon God's willingness to provide, which in itself is directly dependent on our willingness to grow. This is a matter of the heart. Let us strive to make our heart right before God that we too might receive the rain to aid our spiritual growth. It is pride that stands in the way - Jer.3:3

4:6, 8, 9, 10 (the end of the verse 'yet have ye not returned unto me' indicated that Israel and Judah should have seen in the things that were happening to them that God was at work chastening them. The curses of Deuteronomy 28 were coming upon them because of sinfulness. They should have seen and repented.

4:4 Following on yesterday's comment we can understand why Israel came to Bethel to transgress. This and the next verse explain in what way Israel offered to the false gods.

4:11 the 'firebrand plucked out of the burning' is quoted in Jude 1:23 speaking of those who could be saved from the judgements of God - but clearly there was a need for repentance.

SERVICE AND PLEASURE?
 
God got so sick of Israel's disobedience and rebellion against him, that it was as if he eventually threw his hands in the air in frustration, and said, "Do it your way, then."  He said, "'Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more.  Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years.  Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings - boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,' declares the Sovereign LORD" (Amos 4:4-5)
 
It was the mixture of serving God, but doing it in the way that they wanted to do it, not in God's way, that made him frustrated.  He had asked Israel to appear before him in Jerusalem, but they had chosen Bethel and Gilgal.  God's plan was that Israel would refrain from sin, but they delighted in it.  They brought their offerings, yes, but they bragged about how much they offered.
 
Are we ever caught in the same sort of things as Israel?  Have we ever been caught boasting about the work we have done and the gifts we give?  Do we serve him outwardly but love to mix God's service with our own pleasure?  Let's make sure we serve God in the way he expects of us, and learn from him the way he wants us to live.

You will notice that  Amos 3,4,5 all start with “Hear this word”. In today’s chapter the Lord catalogues some of the punishments that have already come on Israel (Amos 4:6-11), and then concludes with a most powerful exhortation. Israel must not forget that their God is the Creator and Sustainer, not only of little Israel, but of the whole wide world.  He has ultimate power. He will indeed punish them.

4:7 Amos’ claim that God had ‘withholden the rain’ quotes Deut 28:24 thus the prophet is showing the nation that they were reaping the curses of Deut 28 because of their sinfulness.

Being plucked out of the fire

I overthrew some of you, (1)
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, (2)
And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; (3)
Yet you have not returned to Me," (4)
Says the Lord.
Amos 4:11
 

In this chapter God talks about refining His people; a process that included bringing punishment upon them (1).

[refine : "remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process]

Notice the punishments mentioned throughout the chapter. The effect these were supposed to have was to make Israel realise they had been disobeying God, and to repent and turn back to him (4). The example of extreme refining we're given in v11 is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire. Here Lot and his daughters were "plucked out" of that fire and saved, while everyone else in these cities were destroyed (3). Notice the wording:

"the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace... [but] God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst (3) of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt" Gen 19:28-29
 

In this same way, God had brought various plagues and disasters upon Israel, presumably in which the wicked had been killed and the righteous saved - hence being likened to a refining process. Yet despite having been refined, those who had been saved still didn't turn to God (4).

As a result of this failure to turn to God, Israel would be sent into captivity as prophesied in 5:27. Again, God would use this as a refining process and cause some of the people to be "plucked out" and brought back to the land of Israel. Among these people was Joshua the high priest, who in Zech 3:2 is described like this:

"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest ... And the Lord said ... Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?' Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel." Zech 3:1-3
 

Joshua is described as a firebrand "plucked from the fire". He is also described as being clothed in filthy garments and this same image is used by Paul in Jude 1:23 to bring the complete lesson home to us - again using the same analogy:

"they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts... And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire (3); hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" Jude 1:18-23
 

Even in the 1st century Church there were people whom God was bringing through refining fire, and this goes for our time too. Paul taught that we should "pluck" some of these out of the refining fire, making a distinction just as God had made a distinction in the past. Some people just don't want to be saved and would rather continue acting in the way described in Jude 1:16-19. 

V.1 Bashan was a region known for its well-fed cattle (Psa 22:12; Mic 7:14).  This figure was used to describe the women of Samaria.  Calling women cows is most uncomplimentary.  And yet, that is what Yahweh calls the self-indulgent, well-nourished, merciless women of Samaria. 

These women would sit around and luxuriate in their opulent homes, calling for their husbands to bring wine to sup. Of course, the husbands were also included in Yahweh's indictment for supporting and catering to their wives. 

4:2In saying ‘sworn by His holiness’ the prophet is using language which God Himself used – Psa 89:35. In the Psalm the language is part of an assurance that God’s promises cannot be broken. In the Psalm it is linked with the promise to David that he would have a son who would also be God’s son. The house of David being the theme of the Psalm. Likewise Amos 9:11-12 speaks of the house of David indicating that it is also a theme in this prophecy, maybe indicating the reason for the phrase 'sworn by His holiness’

4:3 Every city was walled and defended. There were no ‘breaches’ in the walls. In talking of going ‘out at the breaches’ the prophet is saying that the city walls will be broken down and the people taken captive.

4:13  Israel needed to remember that the God they were contending with was the creator of the universe, not a creation of their own hands – like the idols that they worshipped at, for example, Bethel.

4:5   In saying that they offered sacrifices ‘with leaven’ I doubt that they actually chose to put leaven into the sacrifices. Rather their careless attitude was tantamount to deliberately polluting the sacrifices. Likewise our carelessness in our approach is tantamount to choosing to disregard His instruction.

In verse 11 God says that Israel has been a brand plucked from the fire. It's an odd metaphor but one that gives the impression of having just been spared, like a branch pulled out of the fire just before it burst into flame. But when you look back at chapters 1 and 2, it may be that this metaphor had a fairly literal fulfilment too. Notice that in every one of the judgements that God pronounces on the nations 'for 3 transgressions, even for 4..' the judgement includes destruction by fire - 'I will send a fire on her palaces....' or similar. All except for Israel. God's judgements in those early chapters don't include fire for Israel, even though everywhere else will be burning. So the picture of a brand plucked out of the fire seems to be very apt indeed.

4:11  In talking of overthrowing like He had overthrown Sodom and Gomorrah Amos is echoing the words of the contemporary prophet – Isa 1:10 – who spoke similar words against Israel likening them to the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah.

4          Later in this chapter Amos appeals a number of times to Deuteronomy 28 / Leviticus 26 to highlight Israel were being punished according to the words that they had accepted as being a true statement of what would happen to them if they were disobedient to God’s law.  Those quotations are listed here.

4:1     In mentioning ‘Bashan’ in particular we can see that in this part of his message Amos is addressing the Northern kingdom. 

Amos 4:1

"HEAR this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink."

A reader writes: “In our readings this morning  (Amos 4:1) I believe the word "kine" refers to the "wives" who had a persuasive influence over their husbands --("masters"v.1).   Then see v.3 . . ("cow"  and "her"),  which fixes it in my mind that reference is being made to their wives.   And this made me think of Samson who referred to Delilah, his wife, as his heifer -(Judg.14:18).  And a heifer is a cow that has not calved.”

My reply: In Amos 4:1, kine, or more accurately translated, cows of Bashan, feminine gender, was a figure of speech or metaphor used against the luxurious princes of Israel comparing them to lazy, fat, (i.e. wealthy), or well-to-do women who looked down on the poor and ill-treated them. These princes, amongst others, broke the Law of Deut 24:14. They oppressed the people, but then the entire nation was reproved for their idolatry and incorrigibleness in failing to repent despite God's numerous warnings. In Jer 50:11, note that the nation of Babylon addressed as "she," or feminine gender, is both a heifer (feminine) and a bull (masculine) in that one verse! 
We know from Amos 1:1, that Amos reproved the northern Kingdom of Israel whose king at that time was King Jeroboam II. We read in Hos 7:5, "In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.” Hosea was contemporary with Amos.

"Masters" is not plural. The verb, “bring” is in the singular. This being the case, the noun is singular, Master, wherein a singular noun takes on a singular verb.  “Masters” is the singular Hebrew word, adon, (not adonim), <113>, the same word used in Amos 4:2 for Lord, <136>, Adonay, which is the emphatic form of <113>. The nouns are singular. The only exception to this is Gen 1:1, "In the beginning gods (plural noun, angels), He created (singular verb, God)."

These princes indulged themselves with the king. The mountain of Samaria was their place of power; it was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel where they ruled from (Amos 3:9). “… say to their masters” — that is, to their king, King Jeroboam II, with whom the princes indulged in potations (Hos 7:5), and whom they importuned for more wine.

Bashan was famous for its rich fertile soil, its flocks and herds, and the prophet here presented the people of the nation of Israel as iniquitous, opulent, idle, lazy folks, whether men or women, under the idea of fatted cows, which were shortly to be led to the slaughter.

4:13    In telling Israel that God tells man His thoughts the prophet is reminding his hearers of what he said earlier – Amos 3:7

4:13    The mention of God as the one who formed the mountains echoes the challenge that Job was presented with – Job 38:4. So God’s majesty is being presented to the nation.

4:13      That God is the Creator is in no doubt The Creation account in Gen 1 and Gen 2 for the basis, as here, for many Old Testament comments by God.

4:10    Whereas some today would even doubt the existence of Sodom and Gomorrah, treating the Genesis account as some sort of allegory God, through Amos, clearly informs us that it was an actual historical event. The force of the point here would be lost unless the Genesis record is an historically accurate one describing a n actual event.

4:6,9,11 the repeated refrain “yet have ye not returned unto me” teaches us of the mercy and patience of God. He appealed to the wayward nation of Israel many times before finally taking them into captivity.

4:6,9,10,11 The recurring “yet have ye not returned unto me” whilst speaking of the rebelliousness of the nation also speaks to us – and them – of God’s mercy. We might ask “how often will God forgive”? This is truly important for us to consider given our recurring shortcomings.

4:4 Gilgal was the first resting place in the land after Israel crossed the River Jordan. So what a sad reflection on the falling away of the nation. The very first spot in the land is now associated with godless false worship.

4:3-5Gilgal was the first resting place for the nation after they had crossed Jordan with Joshua as their leader. Bethel was a significant place of faithful worship in the days of Abraham. But now both places have lost their spiritual significance and have been turned over to false worship. How easy it is for sacred things to become polluted!

4:7-8 Crop failures due to drought were not an uncommon occurrence in Israel as they are not uncommon in African countries today. The danger Israel was in was that they saw such an event as a “natural disaster” rather than seeing God’s hand at work chastening them for their godless behaviour.

4:7-11 Notice the recurring “yet have ye not returned unto me”. We will see that each of the punishments was one of the curses found in Lev 26 and Deut 28 – the restating of what Israel agreed to at Sinai. A nation that knew their scriptures would have recognised the events as punishment form God. Sadly in the days of Amos what had been agreed at Sinai was far from the minds of the people. However God still used the method of judgment that he said he would use.

God never changes. It is only through familiarity with the consistent way He works that we can understand His character.

Amos 4:12

“Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”

PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD

“UNTIL we are called away to meet the Lord, we must continue to advertise the invitation God has issued. Nor do we imply that there has been any failure of good exhortations in the past, for some of the most inspiring words were written when there were very few to pay heed to them. But now that we see the day approaching, we seem to be required in a special sense to exhort each other. Not only must we be united in the work of instructing others, not only firm in determination to hold fast to sound words, but above all we must be whole-hearted in the higher work of ‘strengthening the things which remain,’ exhorting one another, provoking to love and good works, and doing all in our power to realize the idea expressed in the words: ‘Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.’”

Islip Collier, Conviction and Conduct, pp. 62.63

The world, as we know it, is no longer. Slowly, but surely, the nations are resembling Bolshevik Communism, unprecedented apostasy, and the United States, once a Constitutional Republic, has become corrupted, lawless, and insanity rules the land. God has been removed and replaced with pagan gods.

We rely on Intelligence reports, news reports and articles, even alternative media, but many of them are biased as to the true facts, sometimes deliberately, sometimes inadvertently, some not knowing the Scriptures as claimed, which really necessitates that we know, “what saith the Scriptures,” and watch, pray, prepare, and be ready.

God warned Israel of the coming Judgments if Israel did not repent and change their ways. Interestingly, the same signs are being witnessed today in nations who once acknowledged God but have decided to remove Him and replace Him altogether to worship pagan idols. 

Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, 1776, and third President of the United States said, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” 

v.7 reminds us clearly of the calling which we have, expressed in such clear terms in Rom.8:15.

1:4 'thy tears ...' Why do we think that Timothy was weeping? The evidence of the letter is that the ecclesia had terrible problems of apostasy. The ecclesia at Ephesus had moved from the lively group of brethren and sisters of Acts 19:19. They had fallen foul of the circumstances Paul said would happen Acts 20:30. Indeed it appears that the ecclesia was in a state of decline towards the state that Jesus describes in Revelation 2:1 - 7.

1:13 That Paul could say 'that thou hast heard of me' indicates that he had a significant part to play in the spiritual development and instruction of Timothy for the work of being a bishop. See also 2 Timothy 2:2

:16 That 'Onesiphorus' was 'not ashamed' of Paul's chains is providing Timothy with an example to follow. Being 'not ashamed' then passes into the letter as an refrain. (2 Timothy 2:15) - see also 2 Timothy 1:12.

1:7 We saw (1Tim 4:12) that Timothy's position was undermined due to his youth. Here Paul reminds Timothy that he should not fear the brethren and sisters who opposed his position in the ecclesia.

V.13 Paul puts great emphasis on sound or healthy doctrine. He uses the word hugiano (5195) from which we derive "hygiene". It is used with doctrine in 1Tim 1:10, 1Tim 6:3,2Tim 4:3, Titus 1:9,13, Titus 2:2  The use of sound words will build up the spiritual health of the ecclesia whilst the infiltration of wrong doctrine would break down and ultimately destroy, as seen in the gangrene of Hymenaeus and Philetus 2Tim 2:17

1:5  In speaking of the ;unfeigned’ faith of Timothy’s mother and grand mother his is truly speaking highly of them. See what he means by ‘unfeigned’ when he wrote to Timothy earlier – 1Tim 1:5

1:15 ‘all Asia’ picks up, and contrasts with, the impact of the preaching in Ephesus when the gospel was first preached there – Acts 19:10,26,27

1:6 As Timothy was encouraged by recalling his laying on of hands by Paul. We also can be heartened by our recalling to mind the grace wherein we stand, the guiding hand in our lives bringing us to baptism and those words of welcome when we were extended the right hand of fellowship into the household of faith. These are things that we must never forget on our walk to the kingdom.

1:6  So despite Paul’s confidence in Timothy he has to ‘stir up’ Timothy. So he was reticent in the work. It would appear that his reticence was due to opposition of brethren and sisters in the ecclesia. How often do we, by our attitude, dampen the enthusiasm of others?

2Tim 1:2 Here we see Paul referring to Timothy as "son" yet it is recorded that Paul had no family. This shows how close and intimate their relationship was and how passionate Paul felt about this young brother in the truth. See Matt 12:48-49 these verses indicate to us that our brethren and sisters are our true family.

1:12 There was a simple reason why Paul suffered as a believer – it was because of his calling in Christ. Whilst we are not ‘apostles’ we have a responsibility to teach and preach and so should be willing also, like Paul, to suffer persecution.

1:15 The effects of the preaching of Paul in Ephesus had been phenomenal. ‘all Asia’ believed – Acts 19:10,26,27 – but now there has been a great falling away. Maybe this is the specific reason why Jesus, through John, wrote to seven churches in Asia – Rev 1:11

The bar is set low

God has made sure that His free offer of salvation will only reach those who really want it. He has done this not by setting the bar high, no, but by setting it low. The righteous have to stoop even to see it. And so often they don't. Which world class athlete would turn up at the Olympics, ignore all the races, then enter himself in his local school sports day? Yet he would have a better chance of winning that, wouldn't he? The gospel's like that. Think about it. The child who wins a race at the sports day is ecstatic. So why shouldn't the athlete be? Because he thinks he is bigger than that. The bar is set too low. So it's the perception of who you are that matters. And Jesus says you should see yourself as a child. Hence in v8 "be not ashamed of the gospel" and in v12 "I am not ashamed". Paul and Timothy were under daily attack by those who were telling them they needed to achieve in order to inherit the kingdom. The truth is the opposite, v9: "not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace".

1:5   We call it ‘playing to the gallery’. Showing ourselves in a good light to those who see us. However such behaviour is hypocrisy. This contrasts with timothy who must simply have just got on with the tasks given to him, thus demonstrating his faith.

2Tim 1:16-19

“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me… and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”

What a testimony of a disciple who is only mentioned twice in the Bible (again in 2Tim 4:19), and one of the least known! “Onesiphorus” means “Profit-bearer”

What a hard and difficult life the apostle Paul had to the point where he, “despaired even of life” (2Cor 1:8). How refreshing it must have been whenever he was with Onesiphorus! One can almost feel the sadness in his voice as we read in verse 15 that all the disciples in Asia turned away from him. To Paul, seeing Onesiphorus was like a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day.

It took a lot of courage for Onesiphorus to stand with Paul, an outcast, reviled, defamed, persecuted, made as the filth of the world (1Cor 4:9-13), viewed as weak, referred to as a despised fool, and even called, “a pestilent fellow” and trouble-maker (Acts 24:5)! Paul was imprisoned for no other reason than preaching Christ and him crucified (1Cor 1:18-31). He was in prison around the time when Nero burned down Rome in 64 A.D., and then blamed it on the Christians! Still, Onesiphorus was not ashamed to be a Christian, or afraid of being found out, or of his relationship to the apostle Paul. It was a very dangerous time for all the followers of Christ, even more so in Rome being right in the “lion’s den,” and many were imprisoned and martyred for their belief in Christ.

It was not easy for Onesiphorus to find Paul, and I expect he would have had to cut through a lot of “red tape,” but his persistence paid off. He could have easily said, “Oh well, I tried” after a few failed attempts, but instead he was determined to look until he found who he was looking for. How painful it must have been when Onesiphorus first looked upon Paul abandoned and stranded, shackled and chained, but still what a blissful reunion it was for the both of them!

While Timothy knew, we can only surmise the many, many things Onesiphorus ministered unto Paul, but we do know that he lived up to his name. Paul’s prayer for Onesiphorus will be granted.

There is a message in this for us (Heb 6:10). Delving into the character and qualities of Onesiphorus we see he truly loved his brother, was dedicated, persevering, faithful, willing to risk his life even if it meant for just one man! What an outstanding example, Christ being the supreme example! May we all strive to be an Onesiphorus, a profit-bearer, and profitable servant, refreshing one another.

1:10   That which has become ‘manifest’ is that which was ‘hidden’ to the eyes of Israel as can be seen by the way in which Paul quotes Isa 40:13, 1Cor 2:16

2Tim 1:6 -

What might this gift that was given to Timothy have been that Paul was exhorting him to stir up (K.J.V.) or fan into flame (N.I.V.)?

There's likely a previous reference to this event in Timothy's life in 1 Tim. 4:14 which reads, "Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." In at least 3 other passages the giving of various Holy Spirit gifts were performed by this method.

First there's Acts 8:15-17 with Peter and John laying hands on and imparting these gifts to some believing Samaritans. 2nd is when Ananias lay his hands on Saul (i.e. Paul) and he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). And third is when Paul gave the gifts of tongues and prophecy to recently baptized believers at Ephesus (Acts 19:5,6).

It seems very clear from the New Testament that these were exceptions to the rule and not the rule itself. In other words, a first century baptized believer in Christ was much more likely to not have access to one or more of the gifts than he was to have some of them.

The list of the 9 gifts is found in 1Cor 12:8-10. It's possible - and there's no way we can know for sure - that one of Timothy's gifts was "faith" (1 Cor. 12:9). Now since we know that all brethren must have some degree of faith, it's possible that the Holy Spirit gift of faith enabled those who had it to attempt and achieve what they could not have hoped to do in their own strength - e.g. dangerous preaching tours, selling possessions and giving the money for the well being of the brethren, etc. But as we know from 1Cor 14 where that ecclesia had members who did not use the gift of tongues in a proper way, one could neglect or abuse one of the Holy Spirit gifts given to him. And so with Timothy there was that possibility. And therefore Paul's stern warning to him in the next few verses -

v. 7,8 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel..."

So based on what Paul is saying here, is it possible that Timothy had been given this gift of faith and was hesitating to use it in the best way? We really can't know for sure, so this is really just a guess on my part.

2Tim 1:14    The “good thing” given to Timothy was his chosen position which was conferred on him by the laying on of hands 1Tim 1:18, 4:14

1:2    The only places where we find Grace, mercy, and peace together in greetings are in other personal letters –1Tim 1:2, Titus 1:4, 2John 1:4

1:5       When Paul speaks of Timothy’s “unfeigned” love he is using a word <505> that is elsewhere James 3:17 – as “hypocrisy” so we see the point Paul is making. There was now show for effect with Timothy.

1:13       The encouragement to “Hold fast ..” reminded Timothy of what he had been told in the previous letter that Paul has sent to him  - 1Tim 6:20– where he was told to keep” – that is observe- the things he had been taught..

1:6    In saying that Paul was putting Timothy “in remembrance” he is making a key point, That Timothy has to remember – just like Israel – Deut 5:15 – were to remember their deliverance from Egypt. It is only by remembering what we have been delivered from can we appreciate God’s mercy to us.

1:2      In sending greetings form God and Jesus we see that Paul is not simply writing a letter to his “son” rather, because God has asked him to pass on greetings, we have to conclude that God told Paul what to write. That is the letter is the words of God to Paul to convey to Timothy.

1:9the “holy calling” is nothing mystical it is a calling to be separate from the way that the world thinks.

1:10 When Christ died, the veil of the tabernacle, as it were, as actually happened in the temple, “was rent in twain” (Mt. 27:51). The lampstand, the light of the gospel, could now shine through into the Holy of Holies, representing the glory of immortality.

1:3 When Paul says he prays “night and day” he is drawing on the fact that Solomon prayed that God would listen “night and day” to faithful prayers – 1Kin 9:28

1:3 Prayer is a very personal thing. However developing a structure and habit of prayer is good. We should not just pray to God to thank him for food etc. Nor should we just pray to Him when we are in trouble.

Israel had a structure to their worship. They offered evening and morning sacrifices. It may be that Paul was following tat structure of sacrifices praying morning and evening. There is a Psalm which likens prayer to sacrifices - Psa 141:2 -

1:9 Paul had done a tremendous amount of Good for the furtherance of the gospel. But even though that was true Paul emphasises that his salvation was not a consequence of any of the work he had done. The work of salvation was of God. This should encourage us when we feel that we have not been particularly successful in our preaching as it is God that does the calling. Our response is to serve Him faithfully.