Comments for February 10

19v.5-6. Famous words here! And yet it seemed that even this did not provide sufficient motivation for the Children of Israel to desire to be close to God and to obey his commandments. However, it can for us. We have the advantage of hindsight - to learn from their mistakes. We can take great comfort from these words, knowing that God still offers the same promises to faithful followers throughout the ages. Rev.1:6, 5:10 Tit.2:14, 1Pet.2:5-9. Consider also in this context, both for natural and spiritual Israel - Deut.33:4, Isa.61:6, Rev.20:6

20 v.6 - Those of Israel who could read between the lines may have realised here God's intention to save all those that love him, not just Jews. There are so many times, even this early in the history of the people, when God demonstrates His foreknowledge that He would have to look elsewhere to make up a people to Himself.

19:1 We are now three months into the wilderness journey and we arrive at Sinai. Numbers 33:15 is this same time. Actually Num 33 provides a very useful summary of the wilderness journey and it is useful to use it as a basis for fitting the events of the wilderness journey as recorded in Exodus and Numbers into a time frame.

20:12-17 We might think that this is the list of commandments that Jesus speaks to the young man [Matthew 19:16] about. However, on comparing the Exodus list with the one in Matthew we notice that Exodus 20:17 'Thou shalt not covet' is not quoted by Jesus. Actually this is the one commandment that the young man was unable to say that he kept. His difficulty doing what Jesus asked shows this.

CLIMBING MOUNTAINS

If we count them up and read between the lines we find that Moses went up Mt Sinai at least six times in this short chapter. Considering he was over 80 years old, it was quite a feat!. It was up the mountain that God chose to communicate with Moses. We can also think of other people: Abraham, David, Elijah and Jesus, who all spent time with God up on a mountain.

To get to the top of a mountain requires dedication and determination. Mountain tops are not for people who give up easily. They are for God's hard working servants. Mountain tops also help us to get a perspective on life. From the top of a mountain we can see ourselves and our lives more like the way God sees us, when we view the smallness of the people and futile business far below. And by the time we get to the top of the mountain we are free from distractions. People, problems and the easy sinful life all tend to stay at ground level and the clearness of the sky and horizon bring us nearer to our creator.

We all need time up a mountain more often than we take it. We may not be physically able to climb a mountain but we can climb a spiritual mountain to free us from distractions, give us perspective and bring us together with our creator.

Climb a mountain today.

19:5 In calling Israel a 'peculiar treasure' we are introduced to a concept which is used elsewhere in the Scriptures for example 1 Peter 2:9 - see also Exodus 19:6 'kingdom of priests' which Peter also uses 1 Peter 2:9

20:5 The specific mention of 'third and fourth generation' catches a phrase only found in the books of the Exodus - Exodus 34:7 Numbers 14:18 Deuteronomy 5:9. So does it refer to the generation that died in Egypt (the third generation Eze 20:9) and those who came out of Egypt (the fourth generation Genesis 15:16)

Exodus 19:6 - "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation" - We often think of ourselves as Kings and Priests in the future age - and sometimes we might clothe ourselves with the power that the prospect of becoming a King might give us. God said specifically that we shall be a "kingdom of priests" - in other words, our first duty is Priesthood. What does a godly priest do? See Hebrews 5:2, and we learn that a priest was to have compassion on the ignorant, and on those who have slipped from the way; and he is fully aware that in that condition, apart from the grace of God, is he himself. For we are all weak and need the care, concern and companionship of others. God's family is functional because each cares for the other - not as a ruler or policeman - but as a priest and (dare I say it) a Good Samaritan. Israel as a nation was called out by God to be a Royal Priesthood through whom God might heal the nations. Their commission was to bring God to all nations and all nations to God. They failed! Are we any better?

19:6 We have become so familiar with the idea that God’s servants will be a kingdom of priests that maybe we miss the force of what Moses said here. The whole nation were promises equal status as priests and rulers. It was only their rebellion which caused Him to select the tribe of Levi for the priesthood.

20:19 So this majestic law caused the people to request that God did not speak with them – an indication of how the people were unable to ‘hear’ the law and do it.

Exo 19:5  My voice: God's voice; (The Word) The word is a voice, not a picture. Hear ye these statutes. Deut 4:6  Hear ye Him.  Matt 17:5  I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John 1:23  The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" does not apply when referring to the Word of God, it can not be replaced.

Mount Sinai is the same as Mount Horeb Exo 3:1-12.  Moses is back, this time with the people of Israel.  God is not "limited" to a burning bush, nor to a column of fire on top of a mountain, but He uses such small things for us to appreciate His limitless power.
Exo 19:6-20 I wonder if God used the same four signs to Moses as He did later, on the same mountain, to Elijah (see 1Kin 19:11,12 wind, earthquake, fire, and a still small voice (or "gentle breeze").  The mount quaked (earthquake), and the smoke arose (fire). Was there a wind which dispersed the clouds? Then, for Elijah, the still, small, voice; and for Moses "God answered him by a voice."

The Ten Commandments (Decalogue) form the moral framework of the covenant between God and His people Israel. Later Moses would supply details to these as well as adding civil and ceremonial aspects of the Law.
 

The summary of the commandments is:

(1) Thou shalt have no other gods besides me (Yahweh)

(2) Thou shalt not make any graven image (idol)

(3) Thou shalt not take the Name Yahweh thy God in vain

(4) Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy

(5) Honour thy father and thy mother.

(6) Thou shalt not kill

(7) Thou shalt not commit adultery

(8) Thou shalt not steal

(9) Thou shalt not bear false witness

(10) Thou shalt not covet

Commandments 1-3 are about relations with Yahweh; commandments 5-10 are about relations with other people. All of these moral aspects are immutable for Yahweh's people throughout time. We see them embodied by Christ as (Matt 22:37-40):

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Commandments 1-3).

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Commandments 5-10).

The only commandment which had to do with worship was #4, concerning the Sabbath. The Jews were obliged to set aside the seventh day to worship Yahweh. Jesus, who fulfilled the Law (Matt 5:17), stated that He was Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27,28) signifying that his followers were not obliged to keep this day as the Law required. However, believers should still recognize the scriptural significance of the Sabbath, from creation to the day of rest in the Kingdom. Moreover, the moral principle of giving time to God is magnified in Christ from one day set aside to a life-long commitment.

19:9 - We note from experience that God never forces anyone to believe - each has to believe as a result of seeking and finding, God providing the means but not the effort.  Faith only comes from God - but that only if we give up our will and adopt His.  After that God works with us and gives us understanding, but not until.

19:4 - I have been told that baby eagles having difficulty with flying can have their parent swoop down and catch them thus saving them.

19:19-20 - 50 days after the Passover the law was given on the day of Pentecost and day of Jubilee God appeared to Moses on the mount and then gave the 10 commandments. Similarly, the New Test day of Pentecost in Acts 2 was a beginning of sorts also.

20:20 - the first usage of "fear" is Heb. "yare" (3372) which means to "revere", and/or to "fear" (is probably meant in the first case to indicate do not "fear, be afraid") and the second usage is the related Heb. "yirah" (3374) which means "reverence", and/or to "fear". Luke 12:5 "I say unto you fear Him" uses the Grk. "phobeo" (5399) for "fear" which can mean "revere, reverence, fear" while 1John 4:18 "There is no fear in love" uses the Grk. " phoinix" (5401) for "fear" which means "fear" but does not suggest "reverence".

19:23    Early in the wilderness journey Moses presumed, or so it seemed, that Israel would obey what God had commanded. Hence he told God that the people would not break through as they had been told not to do so. As time goes on Moses realises that the people are stiff necked and disobedient and cannot be trusted to do God’s word.

20:6      Whilst God has said that he will visit iniquity on those who disobey He is keen to emphasise also that he will shew mercy. We need to understand both these aspects of the character of the Father.

19:14 One must be sanctified before they can touch God, or come unto Him. Compare this chapter with 2Sam 6 and 1Chron 13 where we read the account of Uzzah and his brother Ahio bring up the ark. We are all familiar with the record of Uzzah touching the ark (God) and being smitten for his error. One must first be sanctified.

19:24 there would appear to be priests already, although God does not give the details for Aaron & his family until ch 28, and the Levites are not chosen until ch 32.

20:5,6 we note the mercy & grace of God - he punishes to the 3rd/4th generation, but loves to the 1000th!

20:21 was the darkness/thick cloud to keep the people from seeing/being blinded by the brightness of the glory of God. v 19 our attitude to God determines our relationship with Him cp Matt 25:24-30

BE A TREASURED POSSESSION
 
A treasured possession could take the form of almost anything. It could be a wedding ring or a wedding dress; it may be a favourite tool; something that was saved or searched for until just the right thing was found; or maybe something that has had hours of our time put into it. Whether it has real value or sentimental value, a treasured possession is something that is very special to us, something we value highly, take care of and guard in a special place of honour.
 
Speaking of Israel, God said, "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exo 19:5)  Just like our treasured possessions, God has a special place in his heart for Israel. But along with his favour rested a condition. Israel in return had to obey God fully and keep his covenant.
 
In Revelation 5 we are given the same hope Israel were given of becoming a "kingdom and priests to serve our God." (Rev 5:10) And in Malachi God says of those who talked to each other and encouraged each other in the Lord, that "they will be mine, in the day when I make up my treasured possession." (Mal 3:17) So let us also strive to become part of God's treasured possession by fully obeying, keeping his covenant and encouraging one another in the Lord.

The Aaronic priesthood had yet to be organised (Ch. 28). Therefore, the priests in 19:22 could well have referred to the elders (Exo 3:16).

19:6 Israel were to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  These appellations apply equally to spiritual Israel, the true followers of Jesus.  With that in mind, Rev 1:6; 5:10 should be understood as a kingdom of priests.  When Jesus returns to earth, he will be the only king, but His accepted followers will have priestly roles.

The Israelites said: We will do everything the LORD has said (19:8).  But they did not keep their promise.  Human nature cannot be trusted because: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jer 17:9).  People, in this life, will surely disappoint you.  They will promise but not perform. Don't be surprised or discouraged.  However, we can always be assured that anything the LORD says is true (Psa 119:160).  And so, put your trust in Him (Prov 3:5,6).

19:8‘All that the Lord hath spoken we will do’ becomes almost a refrain for Israel to voice. They seem quick to voice the words but slow to put them into practice. They are later - Deut 6:3 - reminded that they should hear observe and do, not just hear the words of God. Are we quick to say we will do something but slow to do it?

19:3 The object for which Moses went up was to receive and convey to the people the message in these verses (4-5), the purpose which was to make known to Israel the conditions on which God was to take them into a close and peculiar relation. In negotiating between God and His people, Moses was called to the highest post of duty which any man was ever called to occupy, Moses was still but a servant. The only mediator is Jesus Christ. (1Tim 2:5, Heb 12:24)

20:19 They had been so willing to say that they would do God word - Exo 19:8 - and now they do not even want to hear His voice!

19:5-6 God’s plan with Israel was that the whole nation were to be the teachers of the other nations about the good things of God. However their rebelliousness in making the golden calf meant that this was not to be and the tribe of Levi were chosen to be the priests. Israel never, as a nation, taught the other nations by their actions. Rather the way in which God punished Israel became the way in which the other nations were instructed about the God of Israel – Eze 39:23 - nevertheless the time will come when the natural Jews, in the kingdom will be the teachers of the nations – Zech 8:22

19:3 The cloud that lead the Israelites now rested on the mountain. Moses was beckoned to go up the mountain to meet Yahweh. Actually, it was an angel (Acts 7:38). Nevertheless, the angel was speaking in Yahweh’s Name and, thus, represented Him.

19:10 Yahweh required that His people be clean (themselves and their clothes) before His being presented to them. This kind of act has been transported through the ages to give rise to such proverbs as: Cleanliness in next to Godliness.

19:18 see Heb 12:29.

20:1 Remember that all the people, standing at the base of the mountain, could hear these words (19:9).

20:18 Yahweh seems to punctuate His awesome presence at the end of each command, because this display had happened before (19:16).

20:21 The presence of Yahweh in thick clouds of darkness would similarly occur at Christ’s crucifixion (Psa 18:9-11; Luke 23:44,45).

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
During the 40 years wilderness journey, the nation became organised, laws were given, officials appointed, the commonwealth of Israel came into existence and BECAME KNOWN AS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Exo 19:6 1Sam 8:7 1Chron 29:11,23 2Chron 13:8
When Israel went out of Egypt ... Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion Psa 114:1-2
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

v5 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned
1. The right of Israel to be called God's Kingdom was dependent on their obedience Exo 19:5 Deut 4:23 Deut 28:1,15 Lev 26:14. If Israel was obedient, the nation would be blessed Deut 28:1-14 for example 1Sam 7:3,4,11. (Appearance of God to Solomon: 1Kin 9:4-9 2Chron 7:17-22).
2. If Israel was disobedient, Lev 26:14, Deut 28:15
 - Israel would be overturned by a foreign power by terrible sieges Deut 28:49,52,53,55
 - Israel would be carried away into captivity Deut 28:64-65, Lev 26:33
 - The land would be desolate Lev 26:31-34

First Principles>Kingdom of God
For more about the Kingdom of God, go to Gen 12:1

Exo 19:12-13;Heb 12:18-21.    Exo 20:12;Matt 15:2-4;Mark 7:10.   Exo 20:12-16;Mark 10:19;Luke 18:18-23.   Exo 20:13;Matt 5:21-22;James 2:10-11.   Exo 20:14;Matt 5:27-28;James 2:10-11.   Exo 20:13-15,17;Rom 13:9.   Exo 20:17;Rom 7:7.

19:22 Notice the mention of ‘priests’ before the selection of the tribe of Levi. This is one of many indications in the early books of the Bible that there was a system of worship already in place when the law of Moses was given.

What is Exo 19 actually about? All the thundering, lightning, smoke and earthquakes? All these threats, and anger of God (v12-13, 21, 24)? Is this any way to treat a nation you have promised to make your own? Hebrews 12 gives us the answers.

19:8   The bold claim ‘all that the Lord hath said will we do’ actually marks a characteristic of the Jews. Jesus, many years later, criticises the Jewish leaders – Matt 23:3 - saying that they were willing to speak but unwilling to do. Where do we stand on this point?

NO OTHER GODS

They are very simple words, yet can be very hard to put into practice. They are the first of the Ten Commandments. "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exo 20:3)

If there are to be no other gods before the LORD in our lives, it means that we must make sure that the LORD takes the highest position of honour in our lives, that he is the highest priority in our lives, that even the urgent things in our lives are considered in the light of our devotion to the LORD, and that we love him above all else.

If we discover that our God is getting sidelined by the busyness of our lives, because other things are more important, or if we discover that we are thinking about other things more often that we think about the LORD, then we know we are slipping away from the first commandment to have no other gods before the LORD.

So let us determine that if we are going to serve the LORD and make him our God, then we need to put him above everything else that happens in our lives.

Drawing near to God

In Exodus 20:18-21 we see that Moses drew near to God, whereas the people were too frightened to do so. They stood far off. We see two opposites. Does that mean that Moses wasn't afraid? No. In Heb 12:21, were told Moses said "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling". So what was the difference between him and them? Heb 10:22 comments on this and tells us we should draw near by faith, having been cleansed. The children of Israel had been told to cleanse themselves and not go near their wives for three days (19:10-11,15). Had they been disobedient and slept with their wives anyway? Had they not cleansed themselves? And had they no faith?

Likewise we have to draw near to God to obtain life. We do so, having been cleansed by the work of Jesus, our high priest. We likewise must have faith that this work is sufficient to cleanse us. And we must also have that element of obedience that they were lacking.

Exo 20:12

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD (Yahweh) thy God (Elohim) giveth thee.”

This is a commandment that may come fully loaded to some with emotional baggage in their personal lives in regards to their relationship with their parents. Perhaps some of us were abandoned; perhaps they were cruel and neglectful, but then there are those who think their parents owe them, but none of these reasons give us permission to dishonour our parents.

Let us look at the word, “Honour.” It is Strong’s # <3513>, kabed, and means, “to make weighty.” In other words, God is saying that our parents should weigh heavily with us. We are to take them seriously. In contrast, the word, “curseth” in Exo 21:17, qalal, means, “to make light of” mother and/or father in not taking them seriously. We are to treat them with respect and kindness, not harbouring grudges and resentment, or speaking ill of them (Matt 15:4).

Did our parents make mistakes in raising us? Of course they did. Everyone makes mistakes. Their mistakes do not eliminate our obligation to give them honour. We owe them our lives. Our challenge is to accept what our parents gave us, good and bad, and make the best of it. In doing so we honour our Father, who will reward us with a long life, this being His first commandment with promise.

But what if they really don’t deserve it? Well, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you… Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:27-36). We must choose to imitate our heavenly Father, and not our earthly parents (see Matt 10:35-36). This commandment is not conditional, and does not come with a statute of limitations.

20:8-10        ‘remember the sabbath’ as one of the commandments linked with the mention or creation indicates that Israel were well aware of the Genesis account of creation and we must conclude that the sabbath was already being observed. The Law of Moses now builds it into a codified form of laws.

20:20 In saying that God had come to ‘prove’ <5254> Israel. We first come across this work in the trial of Abraham – Gen 22:1

20:24-25      The injunctions about how Israel were to make altars was to show them that they could not have any input into the way in which God was to be worshipped. He laid out the conditions, Israel had to obey. Likewise the same is true for us. We cannot bring our “wisdom” to our worship. We must follow carefully what He has instructed.

 Exo 20:4-6.

One of the points made in this elaboration of the 3rd of the 10 commandments is that "God punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generation of those who hate me" (v. 5) while showing love to a thousand generations of those who love God and keep Him commandments" (v. 6).

1. How do we come to grips with a loving God who does what He states He will do in v. 5?

2. How are we to reconcile this with another passage - also from His Law - in Deut. 24:16 - which reads, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers'; each is to die for his own sin"?

The key to trying to understand what is being stated about God (by Himself, no less - v. 1) is to note what is stated in v. 5 and what is not stated. First, what is not stated: that the children are completely innocent and will be punished due to the sins of their fathers. If that were the case, that would go against all logic and the many statements in Scripture about God being a fair and just God. What is stated (or strongly implied, at the least) is that the children too are guilty like their fathers were. One point that He may be making here is that His punishing hand may not come down hard on the first generation that hate Him, or even on the second, but may wait until the 3rd or 4th for His wrath to be manifested.

This is likely one of the points that God is making to Abram in Gen. 15 when he foretells that his descendants would be enslaved in a country not their own (i.e. Egypt) and would eventually be brought out and back to the land of Canaan. And then - v. 16 -

"In the fourth generation, your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."

In other words (I think), he is saying that He's giving the current possessors of the land - the Amorites - 4 full generations and if there is no belief in Him or a following of His ways, then by that 4th one, His anger will come down on them by means of Abram's descendants dispossessing them of their land.

So if taken in this way, these statements are really an indication of God's patience and longsuffering not to act immediately. But His patience does have limits, for sure, for He won't perpetually suffer such faithless behavior.

20:20  The encouragement not to “fear” because God was proving Israel should give us comfort.  Whatever happens to us in life we need not fear because God is working for our good, if only we will take heed of what He is doing. 

20:9-11         The way that the Sabbath s to be observed because God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days is the proof we need to show that creation took 6 literal days. The parallel between creation and Israel’s observance of the Sabbath relies on a literal 6 days creation.

19:3-4 Israel have now been free from Egypt for three months – but they have complained on at least three times about what God was doing for them. So it is most appropriate that God now speaks to Moses to tell the people to reflect on what He has done for them.

19:1    We are now three months after leaving Egypt and the rest of the book of Exodus deals with events which took place over the next nine months. All of that time Israel were at Sinai. We might wonder whether Israel expected to be at Sinai for so long. We might also wonder whether they expected to receive the law and make the tabernacle.

Exo 19:9 This wonder of wonders was not to be performed merely as a prodigy, or to gratify the curiosity of the people; it was to be done with a very distinct object in view; it was to place the divine authority of Moses beyond all cavil or doubt....Apart from the display which was about to be made in the presence of the whole nation, it might have been whispered, by the seditious in the camp, that the messages Moses brought from the summit of Sinai were pretended messages; that he saw nothing, and heard nothing, when he went up, but concocted the messages himself, and went to the top of the mount merely to give colour of divine authority to what he had to say. Such a view, once whispered, would be quickly caught up, and sent round, and loom large in the eyes of subsequent generations of unbelievers as such things generally do, with the result of destroying the authority of Moses for ever. 

Exo 20:8

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…”

In Lev 23, the Israelites were commanded to observe every one of the sabbaths in a very specific manner (Lev 23:15; cf. Num 28:9,10) – “seven sabbaths shall be complete.” To observe the Sabbath in any other way than ordained by God is to add/take away from His Word (cf. Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18,19)!

Under the New Covenant, the Israelites not only observed the Sabbath, but all the other feast days as well (Gal 4:9-11), which the apostle Paul opposed (cf. Acts 18:13 cp. 1Cor 9:20,21)! When we insist on keeping certain days, Paul said, “I am afraid for you” (Gal 4:10,11). The Sabbath was an “ordinance,” blotted out and nailed to the tree (Col 2:14). Paul clearly stated that the Sabbath was a shadow (figure, or illustrative) of things to come– the body is of Christ (Col 2:16,17). After Christ's death and resurrection, the Sabbath was no longer binding on anyone.

In Lev 23:3-42, the Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day feast and represented the Sabbath. The feast begins on the 15^th day of the month, which is a Sabbath, and lasts for seven days, and then the 8^th day, or “first day” was also a Sabbath (cf. Num 29:35)! The 8^th or 1^st days being essentially the same day in the seven-day week.  Amazingly, it was the 8^th day, which the Bible calls the first day, is when the Feast of Tabernacles, represented by the Sabbath, was kept! Christ “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). The 8^th day, which is the first day, is what the New Testament has us to observe (Acts 20:7, 1Cor 16:1,2), but could break bread on other days as well (Acts 2:46).

Today, we remember Christ at least one day in the week in the manner of the Memorial Service he appointed. The eighth or first day pointed to Christ, the author of a new Creation (2Cor 5:14-17)! What a beautiful revelation when Scripture is rightly divided and rightly discerned!

(cf. Deut 5:12 notes).

19:15  The way, before approaching God, they men were not to come unto their wives is the basis for the separate mourning recorded in Zech 12:12

19:16  The way in which a voice was heard out of the cloud is seen again at the transfiguration of Jesus – Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35

 Exo 19:1-6 In the third month since leaving Egypt, Israel were camped at the foot of mount Sinai.  For Moses this was his second ascent of mount Sinai (see the 1^st,Exo 4:27) and the second time we find the term “the house of Jacob” (see, 1^sttime,Gen 46:27). The LORD speaks personally to Moses giving the Law for all the children of Israel i.e.“the house of Jacob”. Israel were promised a covenant relationship to be as a jewel or “peculiar treasure”for the LORD. If they obeyed the LORD they were to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We are on a wilderness journey to the Kingdom of God. In God’s mercy each of these promises to Israel can apply to us, if we strive to be faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

20:24   The requirement that altars had to be made of “earth” is the reason why Naaman requested earth – 2Kin 5:17 – of Elisha so he could sacrifice according to Yahweh’s commandments.

19:17-20, 2Sam 22:10.14 describes the events here in poetic language. The way Yahweh appeared at Sinai should bring awe to all those who fear him, as did David

20:10    Yahweh presents Himself as Lord of the Sabbath – something Jesus says of himself - Mark 2:28

20:3 This simple, clear, statement is easy to read and say. However it is very difficult to implement in our lives.

There are so many things around us that we can see and which are appealing.

We combat those things by replacing them with the things of the kingdom – seek ye first … Matt 6:33

20:2-3 Moses told Pharaoh a number of times that the Jews had to be freed that they could “serve” Yahweh rather than be slaves in Egypt. Not they are being reminded that they should not be slaves to other gods either.

Having been delivered from sin and death are there “gods” in our lives that take precedence – if only from time to time – in our lives?

v.17 - We are in the sanctuary of God - we are in Christ. This gives us too the insight to understand how the end of people is dependent upon their obedience and performance before God. Ps.27:4, 63:2, 77:13, Eccles.8:13,14, Luke 12:20.

v.21-24. Having been told that David was a 'man after God's own heart', and given that we too would like to bear that title, it is worth looking in David's words for help in attaining this situation. It seems that we have some of that help here. We too can be guided with the counsel of God, if we allow it. Psa.16:7, 25:9, 32:8, 48:14, 143:8-10, Prov.3:5,6

In this Psalm the Psalmist foolishly looks at the wicked and considers their prosperity before coming to his senses. We run the same danger. We have neighbours and work colleagues who seem to be doing so well for themselves. It is so easy to be envious of them. v17 association with the things of God is the only antidote to such thinking.

:9 The epitomy of the wicked is the beast (Revelation 13) who also has a 'mouth speaking great things' So we see that the individual wicked are likened to that great system which opposes Christ.

73:1 Speaking of a man with a ‘clean heart’ David is echoing the sentiments of Psa 24:4 – isn’t it encouraging that even though the heart is ‘deceitful and desperately wicked’ (Jer 17:9) it can still be viewed as ‘pure’ by God – it is cleansed by the word (Psa 119:9)

Psalm 73  In this Psalm, the writer has made an analysis of the wicked, and has made a declaration to remain faithful to God in spite of their apparent prosperity and success. 

The wicked have always prospered, in a material sense, and always will in this dispensation.  We, however, look forward to a different time and are not impressed by the pomposity of the present.  We do not clamour to be rich (1Tim 6:9). What do we care if the world prospers in its vanity and violence (Prov 3:21). They have their reward (Matt 6:5), and we await ours (Rev 22:10).  We will be happy with what the Lord gives us to make it through each day (Matt 6:34, 1Tim 6:8) until we reach our rest.

V.8 The prosperous wicked are proud (Psa 5:5). They die, as well as live, free from perplexities, pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success, with this "they are corrupt". They speak maliciously and arrogantly.   

v.2 - The Psalmist implores God to remember the purchased congregation and the redeemed inheritance in his dwelling place of Zion.  We do well to remember the same thing and rejoice that we have been chosen to be part of this.

Sometimes we too can feel envious of the wicked and foolish person (Psa 73:3). Sometimes we can even feel like echoing the words of Psa 73:12,13, where the author states that it almost seems as though all our efforts to be godly are wasted. BUT, then he went into the temple, and it all made sense (Psa 73:17).  In our New Testament times we haven't a temple to go into  -  but actually we have better.  We have Jesus Christ. And when we consider Him, then everything surely falls into place.

73:3-8   It is so easy to, on looking at the apparent prosperity and trouble free lives of some who do not regard God, to be envious and to question why things are so. Of course we do not know what really is going on in the lives of those we are looking at. However going into the sanctuary (:17) was the antidote for the Psalmist.

Seeing the wicked prosper is a test of faith for the righteous (v.12). We should remember that the wicked have no future, but the righteous do (Prov 24:19,20; 29:16).

73:27 If the option is trusting God or going a ‘whoring’ from Him it seems obvious what we would choose for our own welfare. However David sees a different benefit flowing from trusting God – he sees that if he trusts God he will be able to ‘declare’ God works. So, when he benefits from God’s kindness, he talks to others about it. How about us?

73:9 The wicked are not content simply being ‘wicked’ they also speak against God. The devise mischief in their lives and then reproach the God that has made them – as if they wish to denigrate the God who has given the laws which highlight their sin.

When Asaph went into the Sanctuary (v17) he understood the answer to his problem. But what was it about the inside of the temple that caught his mind?

As he walked through the doors into the courtyard, he was confronted by a large altar and large golden basin of water next to it. If he wanted to walk any further towards the inner sanctuary to be near to God, he first had to and make sacrifices, and to be clean. These strikingly visual obstacles between him and God may have been the thing that caught his imagination, because in his conclusion of v27-28, he compares those who draw near to God (i.e. are clean of heart v13), compared to those who stand far off (not prepared to sacrifice to be clean). He realised that to be near to God required a certain amount of suffering (the altar) and cleansing (the basin) in order to be acceptable to Him. This had been his experience in v13-14, and he was now suddenly able to see that it was not a vain cause. His difficulties in life were actually preparing him to reach God (v14, 23-24).

73:1 The ‘clean heart’ is what David sought – Psa 51:10 – after his sin with Bathsheba indicating that a 'clean heart’ is not something that is confined to someone who has done nothing wrong. It can be the heart of a repentant sinner.

V.1 This psalm begins Book III of the Psalter (Book of Psalms).  Asaph (assembler of people) was one of David’s choirmasters.  He is credited with composing Psalms 73-83 as well as Psalm 50.

73:17 - What did Asaph see when he came into the sanctuary that reminded him of the end of the wicked?
Perhaps the beaten plates on the altar made from the golden censers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num 16:37-40) would have reminded him that no matter what the world seems to offer, it cannot be in fellowship with the living God, and that it's end is always destruction.

73:7 Clearly in saying ‘they have more than heart could wish’ the Psalmist is not expressing the thoughts of the wicked. Flesh is never satisfied. It is the Psalmists distorted perception of the status of the wicked that he is expressing. All too often can we think that the Godless are so prosperous there is nothing they could want, forgetting that the eye is never satisfied with seeing Ecc 1:8

73:1-7 The way that the faithful Psalmist was almost drawn away by reflecting on the prosperity of others should warn us against lusting after those things which our neighbours have.

73:12-17           Clearly the Psalmist sees a focus on God’s temple (His purpose) as an antidote to the soul destroying thinking that the wicked prosper. However there may be a more specific connection. The brazen censers of Korah and his company were fashioned into “broad plates” for a covering of the altar – Num 16:39. The “their end” in the Psalm, in this context, is Korah and his rebellious company.

1. Psa 73:2,23,18 - the righteous slip but are supported by a right hand while the wicked are in slippery places that lead to their destruction.

2. Psa 73:5 - "men"<582>, "men"<120>.

3. Psa 73:13 - "I have cleansed my heart (perhaps this has application to Christ as his fleshly nature required cleansing) in vain (Isa 49:1-5)...washed my hands in innocency" (Psa 26:1,6 perhaps this has application to Christ).

4. Psa 73:14 - Jesus' life was a living sacrifice.

5. Psa 73:23 - "I am continually with thee" (this is esp. true of Jesus).

6. Psa 73:24 - "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel (true of Jesus being guided by the Scriptures and personal communion with God his Father), and afterward receive me to glory" (Luke 24:2-7;Acts 1:9-11).

7. Psa 73:26 - "God is...my portion forever" [Christ would not be forsaken (Psa 22:24) but would be resurrected and with God forever (Acts 1:9-11;1Cor 15:24,28).

8. Psa 73:28 - "it is good for me to draw near to God, that I may declare all thy works" (this would seem to have application to Christ).

73:13   We, like David, should cleanse our hearts. David cleansed his heart by taking heed to God’s word – Psa 119:9 - likewise the reading and thinking about His word will work on our evil heart, cleansing it.

Psa 73:17-19  When David “went into the sanctuary of God” he saw, flattened brazen censers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num 16:38) fastened as plates to the altar.  This reminded David that the enemies of God came from within the camp of Israel.  This was also to be David’s experience with his own household. His own son Absalom’s rebelled and seized the throne (2Sam 15:1-16).  Sadly, the enemies of the Truth in the first century Ecclesias came both from without and within (Acts 20:29-30).  We must be vigilant and prepared to speak out in these last days to ensure that the Truth of the Gospel message is not compromised by our generation (Psa 73:15) or, by false teachers from within.  Like David, we must put our trust in God and be prepared to declare all His works to any who will listen (Psa 73:28).

73:16   When we see others with things that we would like do we find it “painful” because we are envious? David’s pain was because those who were wicked did not love God but rather loved possessions. 

73:13  The reason for serving God is not because He will provide us with material things in this life. We cleanse our hearts in order to please Him. Not because of an expectation of some material benefit.

73:11   The question “how doth God know?” is the recurrent thinking of those whose behaviour or thoughts fall short of God’s ideal. However this way of thinking is not the sole domain of wicked people. By implication it is our way of thinking when we choose to disregard His teaching.

73:8-9  Riches are deceitful. We see things we wish for and are tempted to fall away. However a clear realisation of their Godless nature should help us to resist this temptation.

73:13 Whilst God looks for those with clean hearts – verse 1 – this is not the natural state of man. Inherently our hearts are wicked – Jer 17:9 – therefore we need to clean our heart. This is achieved through absorbing the words of God as recorded in scripture.

73:5       Is it true that the wicked are not in trouble like other men? Clearly not. So what we learn from the Psalmist is that when looking at the wicked our perspective can become distorted

73:19 an example when the wicked were consumed “in a moment” is seen in Num 16:21 when Korah died for his rebellion.

73:24 The expression “receive me to glory” is taken up by Paul in 1Timothy 3:16: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”. Paul is speaking of God manifestation by Christ, and ultimately by the multitudinous Christ when Christ and the saints will be in glory in the Kingdom. Paul’s phrase, “God was manifest in the flesh”, also alludes to the psalm for the words “flesh” and “God” are used by Asaph in verse 26: “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart …” Christ was able to manifest God in the flesh through the strength God gave him. And at the end of the psalm, Asaph speaks of God manifestation: “that I may declare all Thy works” (Ps. 73:28).

73:2-12 We see the wickedness of the world, especially the godless behaviour of those who govern the country we live in. Because of this, if we do not have a correct focus, we might conclude that God does not see and that he is not concerned. We need to remember that He appoints those in charge of the country we live in – Dan 4:17

73:1,21,26 On looking at the “foolish and wicked” ( 73:3) the Psalmist was tending to turn away from God. Their apparent prosperity, despite their blasphemy (73:9) seemed to contrast with the life of the Psalmist (73:14). It was a return to God’s sanctuary that brought him up with a start. He saw the consequences of the rebellion of such individuals How Korah and his company were consumed for their pride (Psa 73:19 /, Num 16:19). On what is our heart focussed? Jesus warns that our focus is determined by our “heart” (Matt 6:21)

72:7 We do not live in a world where the righteous flourish. Actually those who are “righteous” as defined in scripture tend to be the people who society rides roughshod over and who do not complain about what is happening to them. The joyfulness spoken of in the Psalm is not our present experience but it will be when Messiah rules the world.

73:3 For “foolish” we might substitute “godless”. So we asked “are we ever envious of the godless?” Before we say an emphatic “no” we should consider how often we see others with things that we would like and  strive for those things? How often do we feel that we have a “right” to a foreign holiday, or a new car or – full in the blank yourself?

73:5 We look at others, even our fellow believers, and might think we know them and the circumstances of their lives. However the truth is we rarely know and understand their problems and trials. Even if they speak of them it is difficult to appreciate their difficulties. So it is so easy to look at others who, as we do, project a positive image of their lives, and assume that their life is easier than our own and consequently be jealous. Of course that jealousy if only a consequence of the image of that person that we project, not the reality of the situation.

v.11 - This concept of shaking of the dust of the feet - a symbol of having nothing to do with their godless ways - is quite widely used. Acts 13:50,51, Look also at the parallel passage to today's chapter in Luke 10:10,11. There was more than just an act here. On both of these occasions the shakers off of dust made it quite clear to their onlookers what the purpose of the exercise was. They spoke out for God, even in the face of these enemies. Sometimes it was not the feet, but a garment - Neh.5:13, Acts 18:6.

v.7 That Jesus 'began' to send the disciples out in pairs indicates that this was an ongoing thing. We must conclude from this that the disciples were not with Jesus all the time of his ministry as they were away from him healing at least from time to time. Matt.10:16-23. It is part of Jesus' warning to the disciples about the dangers associated with their charge to go out in twos.
v.13 We should note that the disciples did perform miracles, clearly in Jesus' name, though there were occasions when they were unable to heal. Matt.17:19, Mark 9:28.
v17-29 This is in parenthesis. The events had occurred earlier and are now being presented to explain Herod's paranoia. This makes one wonder why the death of John is not mentioned at the time. Maybe it has something to do with his words; 'He must increase and I must decrease' John 3:30.
v.20 named 'just' / 'righteous' individuals [Spoken of by God] - Genesis 6:9 Noah, Matthew 1:19 Joseph [Mary's husband], Luke 1:6 Zacharias & Elizabeth, Luke 2:25 Simeon, Luke 23:50 Joseph of Arithamaea, Acts 10:22 Cornelius, Hebrews 11:4 Abel, 1Peter 3:18 Jesus, 2 Peter 2:7 Lot.
v.34 Occasions where the absence of a shepherd is lamented Numbers 27:17, 1 Kings 22:17, Psalm 119:176, Jeremiah 50:6, Matthew 10:6 15:24, Mark 6:34. In speaking of people as being sheep without a shepherd we are seeing a theme which runs through Scripture. Numbers 27:17, 1 Kings 22:17, 2 Chronicles 18:16, Matthew 9:36. Thus it is easy to see why Jesus is presented as the 'chief shepherd' - 1 Peter 5:4.

:44 The feeding of the five thousand is one of the few miracles recorded in all four gospels. From this alone we should realise it is an important event. John [6:4] says it was Passover time when the 5,000 were fed [6:10]. So Jesus had his own 'Passover' with the people. They were able to eat of the 'manna' of Jesus' providing as an indication of his saving power. He was able to sustain them in the 'wilderness' though it is clear that the religious leaders were not - the people were [6:34] 'as sheep not having a shepherd'.

:7-12 Whilst Jesus sent the disciples out with 'power over unclean spirits' the first thing we are told they did was to preach 'that men should repent'. The healings were not the major part of the preaching of Jesus and the disciples. The prime aspect of the message was the need for repentance.

6:2 It is clear that Jesus taught openly every day. This the last occasion in Mark when we are told that Jesus was doing something on the Sabbath day. The others are Mark 1:21, 2:23 , 3:2

Mark 6:30  The apostles at this time, did not fully understand or appreciate the powers that had been given them.(V.7) They talked about what they had done, and what they had taught. It was only with the power of the Holy Spirit that they could have done anything. We also must be careful, that we realize that anything we do or accomplish, is only because our Heavenly Father has given us the ability to do so. On our own we can do nothing.

v.37-38 - Here Jesus is telling his disciples that they have a responsibility to feed the church of God.  How many loaves have ye?  Give ye them to eat. It seems likely that the 5 loaves and 2 fishes were in fact the disciples own 'packed lunch' which they now distribute to the spiritually poor.  We too should be happy to give away that which we feel is our own substance, knowing that God will multiply it just as he did here.

V.3 It is clear that Jesus had siblings.  That means Mary and Joseph had children subsequent to the birth of Christ. There are those, like the Catholic church, who deny this and suggest that brother and sister means near relative and, therefore, not necessarily descriptive of a sibling.  They do this to perpetuate the cult of Mary whom they have elevated to an everlasting virgin as the Queen of Heaven. This maintains the idolatrous form of Semiramis which began in Babylon (see my note on Ex.7 & 8, for Feb 2).

v.16 - Here we see that human nature is such that it must have the answers.  There is conjecture so Herod decides what the answer should be.  He declares Jesus to be John returned.  This is based, it seems from v.20, on a genuine belief in the possibility of resurrection rather than some sort of superstition about ghosts.

6:32     Because Jesus went 'privately' to the desert place was have to conclude that the feeding of the 5,000 was not a planned affair. Jesus saw the need and met it. How often do we meet situations that we are not expecting and then fail then meet the need?

We see that although the disciples could heal, they were not able to provide bread for the multitude. We know that only Jesus could provide the bread of life.

v 13 part of their healing process was the anointing with oil, which has ties to Psa 23, Isa 1:6, James 5:14 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37

It's a sad commentary on the disciples that their heart was hardened (Mark 6:52), and that they considered not the miracle of feeding the 5,000. They had been sent out to preach and to heal (Mark 6:7-13,30), and had tasted the wonderful gift from God of being able to do miracles, themselves. Now one more wonderful miracle by Jesus leaves them cold and unmoved.  How sad! Let's make sure that we never loose our appreciation of what the Lord does for us.

6:3 Knowing Jesus’ background caused the leaders to be ‘offended’ the Greek is ‘stumbled’. Now there was nothing wrong with Jesus’ background. The problem was the closed mind of the Jewish leaders. Jesus had not caused them to stumble, it was their own pre conceived ideas. We need to take care that our prejudices do not cause us to ‘stumble’ because of things we see or hear.

This chapter seems to me to be linked with Jer 30, a link which is established for us by the description of Legion echoed in Jer 30:8 and the woman's illness in Jer 30:12-13. There are lots of other links, and the chapter gives us an insight into why Legion and the woman were afflicted in such a way.

WHY HIM?

6:22-23        In the comment of Herod we see him mimicking another gentile monarch as we see two quotations from Est 5:3. In speaking of our promises who do we imitate?

V.22  Herodias' daughter danced to the pleasure of Herod.  The girl is not named but Josephus states that her name was Salome.  The art world has, subsequently, incorporated Salome's dance, termed the Dance of the Seven Veils in several productions.

6:4 There is poignancy in Jesus’ words ‘among his own household’ for his brother did not believe in him – John 7:5

V.3 Every Jew learned the law and learned a trade. Jesus was a carpenter.  The word carpenter is translated from the Greek tekton which has the fuller meaning of a craftsman in stone, iron copper, or wood.  In Jesus’ case, it was wood.

Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). It was expected that people worked. If people were able to work but preferred to remain idle, they would be scorned (2Thess 3:10).

The twelve had been sent out for the first time by themselves, and they came back excitedly to tell him how it had gone. Presumably they had been away for many days and were tired, hence Jesus' suggestion come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while (v31). Do you think they ever got that rest? (v33, 54-56)

6:10 ‘there abide’ teaches that the itinerant preacher – which is us as well as the disciples – should be happy to accept whatever situation we find ourselves in. If the disciples did not like the accommodation whey were offered in a town they were not to go looking for a better place to lodge.

The feeding of the 5000 and the events leading up to it have many parallels in Psalm 23.  Jesus led the people around  the lake shore.  He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.  He made them lie down in green pastures (The word translated as sit is also translated as laid - Luke 2:7) and fed them. He restored their souls with the food and there was no want amongst the crowd - they were filled

39 Mark is the only gospel writer to record that the grass was green - surely pointing us towards Psalm 23.  It may seem superfluous to mention the colour since grass usually is green.  However, these events took place immediately after the Passover, in spring (John 6:4).  The countryside would have been at its greenest point in the year.

33 The people saw Jesus departing in the boat and ran round the lake arriving before the boat did.  They would have crossed the Jordan where it flowed into the Sea of Galilee - possibly in flood at this time.  We note that they ran to see Jesus.  How keen are you to be with the Lord on a Sunday or for Bible Class?.

6:30  Notice the contrast in the narrative. John is dead but the disciples talk of their achievements which follows on from his instructions – Mark 6:7-13

Summary of Chapter

6:1-6        In “his own country” taught in the synagogue. Those present doubted his abilities because he was known to them

6:7-13      12 disciples sent out in twos

6:14-29    This section is in parenthesis Herod hears of Jesus and thinks it is John who has been raised from the dead

                     :17-29 explanation of why Herod thought Jesus was the risen John the Baptist

6:30-32    Continuing from the events of  6:17-19 – Disciples and Jesus go by boat into desert to rest

6:33-43    Feeding of the 5,000

6:45-46    Disciples sent away, Jesus prays in mountain

6:47-52    Jesus goes to the disciples walking on the water

6:53-56    Arriving at Land of Gennesaret crowds come to see Jesus bringing people to be healed

6:7

Notice how the Acts record highlights the way in which Jesus’ example was implemented

(Links shown by John Owen)

Mark 6:11  Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs to preach the Gospel of repentance. They preformed many miracles of healing to demonstrate they spoke with the authority of Jesus.  Some cities, including Bethsaida, rejected the miracles and preaching of Jesus (Matt 11:20-21).  In the day of judgement, “it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha” than for these cities (Mark 6:11).

The Matthew account adds, “it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgement than for thee” (Matt 11:23-24).  In the day of judgement the peoples of Sodom and Gomorrha will not be raised.  Their judgement has taken place and the Lord has decreed that like Babylon, “no man would abide there” (Jer 49:17-18; Jer 50:40). The cities where Jesus and the Apostles had taught and done mighty works were accountable for their rejection of the offer of repentance and salvation.

When the Lord comes the land in the region of Sodom and Gomorrha will be physically raised so the healing waters from Jerusalem will heal the Dead Sea except for it’s southern reaches that will remain as miry marches (Eze 47:8-11).  We have a responsibility to respond to the gracious call of the Lord to us while there is opportunity.

6:2     Repeatedly in Mark’s inspired account of Jesus’ life, we find him on the Sabbath day. Whilst it would be normal to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath we should appreciate that Sabbath activities are part of the way in which Mark was moved to record Jesus’ activities

TAKE NOTHING

Jesus sent the twelve out to preach. As he sent them out through the towns of Israel, he gave them these instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic." (Mark 6:8-9). In other words Jesus said to them, Just take yourselves and don't take any extras.

They had been sent out to preach that people should repent. They were not out to show off, to do performances, to buy the loyalty of people or to make a good impression. The thing that was going to stick with the people they met was the message they spoke and the picture of faith in God that the disciples showed by trusting in God for all their needs.

Maybe we think that if we just had a few extra dollars, hours, a better car, some walking shoes, a better Bible knowledge, a bit more energy, or someone to help, we would be able to go out and preach. But the lesson for us is to preach anyway. "Take nothing," they were told. People are not there to be followers of us, but of Jesus, whom we preach. So let's be people who use the opportunity, whether we feel equipped of not, to share God's word and love with those we meet.

6:6     In seeing that Jesus “marvelled” at the unbelief of the people who saw his miracles we get an insight into the humanity of Jesus. A Godly man would marvel when people did not accept the evidence of their own eyes.

HOW TO FEED A MULTITUDE

How do you feed five thousand men, as well as women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish? No doubt the loaves and fish were the uneaten picnic someone had brought with them, and at this late stage, would have made a nice meal for that person. But the crowd was filled with five thousand or more people who were just as hungry.

The first step to feeding a multitude was to share the meal with Jesus, no matter how small and insignificant it seemed among such a great crowd of people.

The next step was done by Jesus. "Taking the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks..." (Mark 6:41). Jesus gave thanks to God for the provision of food - even though it was small.

Then Jesus continued,"...and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them them all." (v.41). In other words, Jesus shared it out. And as it was shared, the meal multiplied and fed them all.

The way to feed a multitude is to give thanks to God for what you have and to share it with others. It is in the sharing that the miracle happens. The sharing of our food, talents, time, money, resources and compassion can all be multiplied and can go further than we ever dreamed.

Let's share what God has given us today.

6:1   It might seem a trivial thing for the record to say that the disciples followed Jesus. However, as an examination of many of the time the gospels tell us that people followed Jesus will show, it is a key aspect of discipleship. It is not just a matter of going where he was. It is a matter of living his example in our lives.

6:7    Sending out the disciple sin pairs has wise counsel behind it. Ecc 4:9-10 speaks of the way in which they can support each other.

6:3     Joseph had been a carpenter – Matt 13:55. But now we learn specifically that Jesus learnt the trade of his father.

6:2,6The Jewish leaders were “offended” at Jesus’ preaching. But it was because of the lack of faith at which Jesus “marvelled” which caused them to denigrate Jesus and his words.

6:52 We learn from the comment “they considered not …” that the disciples could, at times – maybe most of the time -, seemed oblivious to the miraculous things that Jesus did and so could not anticipate what he might do. If we can truly appreciate the miraculous things God has done in the past then we can the more readily accept that He will do amazing things now in our lives, if only we ask Him.

6:5 Consider Jesus’ disappointment. He had healed all that came to him when he went about breaching – Matt 8:16-  but the unbelief of those who knew him prevented his work being anything more than a little token.

6:5 Those who had set themselves us as authorities with their own following would have thought themselves “wise” however their wisdom did not extend to dealing with problems between fellow believers. They might have been  described as “fair weather believers” that is they were not interested in dealing with problems but only in elevating their status amongst those believers.

6:7-13 So Jesus sent out men in pairs to preach and heal. They were able to cast out devils as Jesus was able to do. This witness highlights the lack of appreciation of those who thought they knew Jesus because of him having grown up with him.

Mark 6:7-9

“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” (cf. Matt 10:9,10).

“In the Near East a traveling man is killed only when the bandits find money in his purse. This is done to hide the identity of the murderers in order to escape punishment. A man travelling without money has nothing to fear. If he should be in need and is met by robbers they will offer to help and let him go in peace. Some highwaymen whose hospitality exceeds their virtues would share their scanty supplies of food with travelers whom they would meet, and in return they would relieve them of their shoes, clothes or other articles which they need.

Many men would give all their wealth for the sake of having their bodies healed, for their sight to be restored, or to have their beloved ones raised from the dead. Jesus knew that His disciples, endowed with the gift of healing, would soon accumulate riches and become the prey of the bandits and highwaymen who might be tempted to kidnap them for ransom. Moreover, the division of wealth among the disciples was soon to be a problem and to stir rivalry and hatred which would weaken their ranks and impair the progress of their work.

There were also grave fears that worldly men will offer themselves in the missionary cause of the Church, because of self-interest.

Indeed, Jesus knew that the Eastern people would never welcome and believe in the teachings of those who are paid for preaching the word of God. His disciples were to be cared for by the converts. They were worthy of their food.

When an employer hires a laborer, he bargains with him concerning wages and food. Customarily the Eastern people provide food for all classes of labor but in the case of a laborer who is willing to work without wages, the question of food is not raised at all by the employer. At the end the employer might also be willing to pay a small wage. In this case even workers who are not good workers often are employed just for their food. The Eastern laborer under any condition is assured of his food by his employer.”

A KEY TO THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL, George M. Lamsa, pp. 96,97

6:4 How true this is! Knowing the background of a person often impacts on our willingness to give the person any credibility. We assume that as we know their background and have seen that person grow up that they can have nothing to teach us.

Such thinking is arrogance and consequently can prevent us actually learning anything. In reality to think this is a manifestation of pride.

6:6 Whilst we might think to “marvel” is to look on in awe and respect this is not really what we are being told about Jesus’ reaction. The word is translated “wonder” on 14 occasions and gives a better picture of what was in Jesus’ mind. Against the background ot eh the miracles it seems surprising that there was so little belief – but notice Jesus was in his “own country” – he was in his home town and as such would receive little credence -:14.