Comments for March 25

v. 7 - The ordinary priests were allowed to defile themselves for close relatives [Lev.21:1,2] but the high priests was not [Lev.21:10,11]. This puts the Nazarite in the same degree of sanctification and responsibility as the high priest - holy unto the Lord. There are a lot of parallels between the Nazarite and the priesthood, providing a pattern of life appropriate to our lives as kings and priests before God. Matt.19:29.

v.1 The law of The Nazarite is an occasion when either man or woman could dedicate themselves to the Lord. This marks an almost unique feature of the Law of Moses. Tabernacle service was a male preserve - at the ordinance of the Lord. However the Nazarite vow provided women as well as men the opportunity to lead a life of dedication.

As Bro. Peter observes below, this vow can be taken by a woman as well as a man, and even though the description throughout uses he, one assumes this could also be she. If so, there would have been, I suspect, great consternation (v.9) at the consequence of happening to be inadvertently defiled by a dead body, and so requiring that all of the hair be shaved. Hair is a very public thing - pretty hard to hide - If you took this vow, whatever happened, you made a public statement by the appearance of your hair alone. How inclined are we to show our religious convictions in our public image? The suggestion here is that we should consider that.

:8 In saying that all the days of the Nazarites separation are 'holy unto the LORD' the separation of the Nazarite is being likened to the work of the high priest who wore the mitre on which were the words 'Holiness to the LORD' (Exodus :28:36)

:12 The law of the Nazarite is like life in Christ we can lose our reward (Matthew 10:42) as could the Nazarite. All our days are to be 'separated' to God. We have to remember the high calling of being separate.

6:27  'I will bless thee' is also capable of being translated 'I will make you sons' which is truly the blessing for those who are separated from the world.

V.13-20 On the accomplishment of a limited vow of Nazaritism. Nazarites might cut their hair where ever they happened to be; Acts 18:18  But the hair was to be carefully kept and brought to the door of the sanctuary. Then after the presentation of sin offerings and burnt offerings, it was put under the vessel in which the peace offerings were boiled, and the priest taking the shoulder (Lev 7:32) when boiled, and a cake and wafer of the meat offering, put them in the hands of the Nazarites to wave before the Lord, as a token of thanksgiving, and thus released them from their vow.  

Again, the lesson is apparent from this chapter that if a man or woman agreed to devote,
  or separate themselves to God, it HAD to be on God's terms.  There was no half measures,
  or do-it-your-way for a Nazarite vow.  The Hebrew word is the word elsewhere
  translated as "separate".  The long hair would be an outward reminder that the person
  had agreed to be separate from the rest, and to be tied to God.

Those men or women who wished to become Nazarites (separated ones), usually did so for a limited period of time.  These people volunteered to take a vow.
However, there were Nazarites who became thus for life.
In these cases, it was usual for parents to make the vow on behalf of their children.
There are three such Nazarites for life recorded in the Bible:
-Samson
-Samuel
-John the Baptist
Samson is the only one explicitly called a Nazarite (Judg 13:5,24) but it is clear that the other two were also.
 
Interestingly, Pharisees means Separated Ones.

Christ was the ultimate Nazarite.  True followers of Christ are Nazarites, Paul being an outstanding example (he was also one under the Law Acts 18:18).  After baptism, Christ's followers separate themselves from the world to dedicate their service to their Lord as a life-long practice.  If they should inadvertently come upon dead bodies (synonymous with committing sin) (v.9), they can seek forgiveness, be cleansed, and move on.  These members of spiritual Israel, like the nation of Israel, carry the name of the LORD (v.27).  All Nazarites mentioned in the Bible were men (although under the Law of Moses, both genders were eligible).  Under the Law of Christ, all believers (both male and female) are Nazarites (separate unto the Lord).

6         The law of the Nazarite placed quite sever constraints upon anyone who made such a vow. One has to ask ‘Why would a man or woman make such a vow as it was voluntary?’  The reason is that Israel has lost its close relationship with God when they made the golden calf. The law of the Nazarite was a means whereby a man or woman – who was willing to accept the constraints laid upon the priest – could restore, to some extent, that lost fellowship. For a woman, for example, who was unclean every month, the law of the Nazarite would supersede the cleanliness law. Whereas she would be ceremonially unclean her Nazarite vow would allow her that close fellowship which a faithful woman would desire. So rather than using her ‘uncleanness’ as a reason for not going to the meeting she could use the Nazarite vow as a means whereby she could continue attending ‘the meeting’.

It is interesting that both for the man & for the woman, the command is to grow the hair, and not cut it at all. Presumably the style for women at that time was already to have long hair, so how was there a distinction (besides of course the other differentiation of no fermented drink/no defilement by dead body)? The way that men of that era are portrayed is also with long hair, so, again, how was the distinction made?

The language of this chapter is very similar to that of 1Cor 11:3-16. references to hair, head, shaving the head, man & woman.

6:25-26 The words ‘face’ and ‘countenance’ are the same Hebrew word <06440> however God is not saying the same things twice. There are two aspects in this area of the blessing. The first is fellowship with God and the second is blessing from Him.

9-12 Even the full completion of the offerings necessary for the removal of this accident defilement, did not supersede the necessity of a sin offering. As the shedding of blood was necessary under the law, so it is with us, the blood of our absent king was shed for each one of us, so that our failures can be covered.

6:9    The idea of the defiling of the head when the vow is broken is the basis for Paul’s comment in 1Cor 11:4,5

6:9 The fact that a Nazarite could be defiled by someone who dies ‘suddenly’ by him indicates that separation to God – that is a life in Christ – can be compromised by external circumstances. That is even when we have the best of motives we can be led astray by events and circumstances that come upon us. This highlights the need for constant vigilance in our work in Christ.

Num 6:9,13,14,18 - perhaps this echoes the millennial 7th day of cleansing when faithful separated ones covered by the blood of Christ, the perfect sacrifice, are allowed entrance into the kingdom of God on earth. The Nazarite to be allowed to drink wine (Num 6:20-21;Luke 22:17-18).

6:19-20 Often under the law the priest hands the sacrifice to the offerer who then gives it back to the priest to offer. Our ability to offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice – Rom 12:1-2 – is a consequence of the fact that our high priest (Jesus) has already taken an offering to God. He gives us the example in his life which we offer back to God. Thus the law of Moses highlights that God has made our offering possible through the work of Jesus.

v25  The only way you know that God's face is shining upon you is if you're looking towards Him. If you're not, there's a dark shadow in front of you.

v25 David enlarges upon this idea in the fourth Psalm and Psa 4:6 in particular

In 1979 a rolled-up silver amulet bearing the consonants "YHWH" was found in a tomb. The amulet dates from the end of the 7th to the beginning of the 6th century BC and had a (Num 6:24-25) blessing inscribed. This is the oldest extra-Bible archaeological evidence of God's name found in Jerusalem to date.

6:2-5   Notice the repeated use of the word ‘separate’ and related words.  This repetition highlights that the Nazarite had made a conscious decision to dedicate himself or herself to God.  We are, like Paul, separated also – Rom 1:1

Num 6:2-21

We read here of the directives of the Nazarite vow. However, Samson, which means, Sunlight, was set aside even before his birth to the service of the LORD (Judg 13:3-5), and it is recorded that the Spirit of the LORD was with him and gave him his great strength and power. He was unlike all the other Nazarites, who were not set aside by the LORD for life, but rather set themselves aside for the LORD for a period of time. This makes all the difference!

1. Judg 14:1-4, we read Samson’s request to marry a Philistine woman “was of the LORD.”
2. In verses 5-6, we have, “the Spirit of the LORD” came upon Samson to slay the lion.
3. Verse 19 states: “And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him…” when he slew 30 men from Ashkelon, thus being close to the dead!
4. Judg 15:13-15, “… and the Spirit of the LORD…” loosed the ropes on Samson’s arms, and he took the jaw of a dead animal, contrary to the Nazarite vow, and slew with it a thousand men.

With all these events, the Spirit of the LORD was with Samson, who in the service of the LORD, fulfilled his mission to avenge the treatment the Philistines had done to God’s people, Israel. Samson could not have done this IF he would have been accountable by God to keep the strict vows of the Nazarite as recorded in Num 6.

Note that in Judg 16:15-17 when Samson’s hair was cut off (contrary to Judg 13:5; Num 6:5), and the sign of his lifelong Nazarite-ship gone, the LORD left him (Judg 16:20). This is the only occurrence where it is recorded that the Spirit of the LORD left Samson!

Samson paid dearly for his disobedience in this, but when the sign of his Nazarite-ship came back (Judg 16:22), so did the Spirit of the LORD. Samson paid the supreme price for his sin in offering himself as a sacrifice (Judg 16:30; Deut 23:21). God accepted it, and Samson will attain to the inheritance of his fathers in the Age soon to come (Heb 11:32-34.

Num 6:2

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD (Yahweh).”

It is important to distinguish that within the Nazarite vow, the word; “separate” has two separate meanings within this one sentence. The first, “separate,” is pala # <6381>, and carries the idea to accomplish something wonderful under great difficulty. Pala speaks of the outward aspect of the Nazarite’s commitment. The second, “separate,” is nazar, # <5144>, and literally means to, “devote oneself, to set apart (to sacred purposes).” Nazar speaks of a deep relationship a person would enter into with God, and is the inner spiritual aspect of this solemn dedication.

A belief in God was not to be a system of rules and regulations (merely First Principles), without a spiritual, emotional relationship with God. God used both of these words for separateness to indicate the extremity of the vow that was taken. It was not simply a vow in which the outward appearance would be significant, though it was that too. It is so even with us who have entered into a covenant relationship with Yahweh our Father.

BETWEEN ME AND GOD

There was no commandment given for any of the Israelites to dedicate themselves to the LORD under the Nazarite vow. It was entirely voluntary. The Nazarite vow was only taken "if a man or a woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazarite." (Num 6:2) For this reason there was no percentage of people that were required to fill the Nazarite vow, and no guaranteed offerings coming from those involved in it.

No one would have known how many people were involved in the Nazarite vow at any one time. It would have been possible that there was no one, but maybe there were a thousand. Apart from a person not cutting their hair and not drinking strong drink, you could hardly tell.

The Nazarite vow was a personal choice. Until it had ended and offerings were given, it did not affect anyone else. Depending on how long it was for, it could almost be kept entirely secret. The Nazarite vow was between the one who vowed it and God.

Our dedication to God is also between us and God. It is not dependant on how many others stay pure for God, or whether too many or too few have chosen to dedicate themselves. Like a Nazarite, our dedication to the Lord is totally voluntary because he wants the love of our hearts.

6:8   The way in which the days of the separation of the Nazarite are spoken of is, along with Exo 28:36 used – Isa 23:18– to speak of the consecration of Tyre’s wealth to God.

6:2      Hannah vowed a vow – 1Sam 1:11 so it would appear that her vow committed her to being a Nazarite – which commitment passed to her son Samuel.

 Num 6:1-21.

Why would any man or woman want to take such a vow of separation? That is, what was the real point in making such sacrifices if this was all voluntary and apparently not a requirement for one's salvation?

Apparently this was a way provided by God in His Law for those who could not be priests due to their gender or the tribe they were born into to simulate being priests. There was no compulsion for them to take the vow, but once they made it, they were compelled to follow through completely.

Here are the 3 conditions and how they would tie in to commands given to the priests.

1. No wine or other fermented drink or even grapes, etc. (vv. 3,4). According to Lev 10:8-11, God commanded Aaron that none of his sons were to drink wine, etc. when going into the tabernacle on penalty of death. This command followed on from his 2 sons - Nadab and Abihu - apparently (?) - attempting to burn incense before God while in a drunken state (Lev 10:1,2) and fire coming forth from God to kill them.

2. No cutting of the hair (v. 5). This would simulate Aaron and his descendants wearing of the turban with the plate of pure gold with the engraving "Holiness to the LORD" on it (Exo 28:36-38).

3. No touching of a dead body matches perfectly with God's command to the priests except for the fact that even the priests could do so with the nearest of his blood relatives. But not so with the one taking the Nazarite vow during that time.

It seems logical to me that a lesson that we are believers in Christ can take from this is that all of one's days should be lived in a righteous and godly way. But there are special times when one has especially dedicated himself to God's service that he should really and truly try to be "holy to the LORD". One such occasion would be our regular attendance at the memorial service and our participation in the breaking of bread. There is evidence from 1 Cor. 11 that this Love Feast that included the special part of it - the breaking of bread service - had devolved into some overeating and others being left out entirely and some excessively drinking to the point of drunkenness. And therefore God's judgment had come on those guilty ones for not discerning the Lord's body.

"For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world" (1 Cor. 11:29-32).

One short story along these lines. It was in the early 1980's, and I was involved in Truth Corps (a summer preaching effort sponsored by Christadelphian Bible Mission of America) where young brothers and sisters in Christ with a leader, myself in this case, went to various cities in North America where there were ecclesias to help them with a preaching effort. It was our first stop in southern CA, I think the 2nd week, and we were given access to meeting at a public place of business owned by a sister in Christ who had given us her key but had closed it down for that week. After our contact work that morning, we were to meet there for lunch before going out again that afternoon. On the first day something horrible happened. The sister went that evening to her shop and found out that the cash from the cash register was missing. She told the head of Truth Corps, who happened to be living nearby, and he called a meeting of all of us on the team to tell us what happened and see if whoever had taken it would confess (since the public had no access to the shop). No one did at that time, but a few days later one of the young brothers admitted to taking the money, and he told us he had already spent it all. Although he apologized and did seem remorseful, the head of the program immediately sent him home. Because of the nature of the program and what we were attempting to do for that 6,7 week period, that was not the forum for the working out of his problems. And I agreed totally with that decision, for ours was a time of special "holiness to the LORD", and the young brother was obviously not on board with the goals of our program. By the way, I think the young brother's mother paid the sister back, if I remember correctly. But hopefully you can see the point in this illustration.

6:25    The idea of God’s face shining on His people as a blessing is taken and extended by Daniel to speak of the temple – Dan 9:17. 

Was Jesus 'Holy to the LORD'?

When we read about the Nazarite we can't help to see the references to the Lord Jesus, but Jesus was not a Nazarite. It seems so odd that this passage, which is all about being separate and Holy to God, shouldn't apply to Jesus. Yet clearly he drank wine and didn't keep himself separate from touching dead bodies, in order to raise them from the dead. However, it's interesting to note that the Vinegar in v3 is classed the same as wine (it's forbidden for the Nazarite), and is mentioned in relation to Jesus in Psa 69:21

"They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink"

Now, think back to the last day of Jesus's life. At the last supper he drank wine, so he certainly hadn't taken a Nazarite vow at that point, but what did he say?

"I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God" Mark 14:25

Could this be a reference to the Nazarite vow? If it weren't Jesus would just have mentioned "wine", but he specifically mentions all the fruit of the vine. Notice the reference:

"All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree" Num 6:4

So was Jesus announcing the start of his Nazarite vow? I think he was, because a few hours later, as he hung on the cross, Jesus refused the fruit of the vine:

"they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink."
Matt 27:34 NKJV

It is possible that the Nazarite vow did apply to Jesus, but not until the end of his life. He was going to be separate with his Father in heaven, and his vow of separation would entail his own death.

 

Nazerite vow

It would have been wonderful for the Israelites to be told that they were to be nation of priests, dedicating theselves to Yahweh. Exo 19:5

Yet devasting perhaps to be told only one tribe of men only could be priests. Todays humanistic society say the bible is sexist, yet their ignorance forgets the wonderful symbology seen in the nazerite vow that ANYONE can didcate their lives in servive to God. But not everyone can have authority before God!

Nazerite vow was a period of giving glory to Yahweh through seperation Lev 25:2 Undressed= seperated on thge 7th year the harvest was left SEPERATE/undressed. It produced fruit only to Yahweh.

wine=  apostasy Isa 28:7 a lack of study makes us drunk in the world Isa 29:9 when we dont study gods word apostasy enters. Titus 2:6

Dead bodies = Rom 7:21 keep away from fleshly things that only lead us to death! Col 3:2

Hair = priests had a head covering which showed holiness to Yahweh, whenever we see anything associated with the head its telling us about what should be going on in the head. So long hair was a show that the nazerites thinking was spiritual he or she was developing a mind of the spirit by dedicating their lives to Yahweh.

However upon completing the vow we see an important principle, that man no matter how good he thinks he or she is and no matter how much they dedicate their lives to Yahweh they MUST ALWAYS atone for the sinful nature. Num 6:14

Notice how in Num 6:19 how the succesful nazerite could make the offering MAN or WOMAN? What a wonderful image that both sexes will and can be equal in spirituallity! But NOT AUTHORITY!

Num 6:20 Here we see the nazerite could do something a priest could not (but only here and once), drink wine this pointed to the kingdom when minds that have been changed from carnal into spiritual can spend as much time in the world as they like bit they will be incabable of becoming drunk in apostasy.

How does this point to Christ?

What happened when he touched dead bodies? They came to life

He turned water into wine, and also drunk wine on the stake yet his mind never become drunk.

He had long hair, and wine and death didnt affect him because his mind was at one with his father.

6:12   the loosing of the period of separation is like the way in which Paul –1Cor 9:27 – is concerned about losing the reward of the kingdom.

6:6-7   One wonders whether the way in which the Nazarite was not to even be associated with his immediate family if they died during the days of his separation form the basis for Jesus’ teaching about commitment –Matt 10:37

Num 6:14 Despite the Nazerite sucessfully completing his vow he or she still had to make a sin offering, not because they had done wrong for they had not committed a sin, they made this offering due to their sin nature. Even when a succesful vow had been completed they still posessed that nature that leads to sin so they had to make an offering for it, just as the priest did at his consecration.

The Lord Jesus Christ though he did no sin possesed that which could lead him to it hence why his death benefited himself in that he destroyed that which lead to death.

6:2    Notice, as you read the chapter, how often the word “separate” occurs. Thus teaching that the Nazarite was separated to God.

6:26   When God spoke to Gideon – Judg 6:23 – using similar language to the blessing Moses was to speak to the people we might conclude that Gideon was being introduced to the idea that deliverance from the Midianites was about to come.

6:8   the idea of being “holy to the Lord” is seen also in Zech 14:20 because the horses were to be dedicated to the service of God.

6:12 The provision of the Law of the Nazarite was caring. Even if the Nazarite’s vow was defiled he could start all over again with another vow. Human nature gets in the way of faithful service to God. However God has made provision to take account of our shortcomings.

Num 6:1-3 Any male or female of the Israelites may choose to separate themselves and dedicate their life exclusively to the LORD (v.2). To do this they may take a vow of separation (<5139>) that is a Nazarite vow.

The Nazarite vow was voluntary and was made for a limited period of time “All the days of his separation” (Num 6:4). “All the days of his vow” (Num 6:5). “All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the LORD” (Num 6:8).

He or she accepted (Num 6:3-8) abstinence from strong drink that would dull the spiritual mind.  They were not to cut their hair. The Nazarite represented Israel as a nation to the LORD as his bride (Jer 33:11).

Eph 5:24 “as the church (i.e the bride, the ecclesia) is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”.  So the ecclesia of Jews and Gentiles is called by Paul “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:15-16)

Nazarites were to avoid becoming defiled for the dead (Num 6:9).

The Nazarite’s vow was a voluntary service. However, he was still dependent upon the services of the priests. Mediation of the Priest was still necessary when the Nazarite became defiled in some way. (Num 6:9-17).

Through baptism we can make a vow of separation to the Lord’

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1Pet 2:9.

Through the weakness of our Adamic nature we fail and need a mediator our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our vow of separation begins at baptism and continues until death or the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

6:10 the eighth day marked the end of the uncleanness of the one who had made the vow and matches the day of circumcision – Lev 12:3 – It is a day of new beginnings.

6:3 It is not that the Nazarite should not drink wine or strong drink as some form of abstinence. They are to “separate” themselves. A conscious decision to be different from others. In like manner our separation from the worldly way of thinking is a conscious decision which, in our case, runs counter to the natural way that we would think. Having separated ourselves from these things we are to associate ourselves with God. If we just are separate from …  we remain in a vacuum. The previous life has not only to be discarded. It has to be replaced. In our case with a godly life.

6:23  Whilst Aaron, the high priest, was to bless the people the origin of the blessing was their God. So he stipulated the words that had to be used.

This is all part of the way in which Israel were to learn that their God had to be approached on His terms.

6:12 The word translated “consecrate” <5144> is the word elsewhere in the chapter translated “separate”. It is a matter of being separate from the things of the world and focussed – dedicated – to God. That includes aver aspect of the life of the individual who has taken the Nazarite vow. 

6:23-27  In the society we live in today outward appearance is everything. We are enticed by how things look. That is how advertising works. Remove the glitter and show and asses the “product” for what it actually is. God does not look on the outward but on the heart – 1Sam 16:7 – so must we.

v.3-6 - Mercy and truth are mentioned together again like this twice in Proverbs - 16:16, 20:28 - very succinctly in ch.16 - the purging of iniquity - essential to our position before God - takes place, we are told, by mercy and truth. Let us therefore strive towards it. Ps.25:10, Hos.4:1, Mic.7:18-20, Matt.23:23

v. 3 the binding of 'mercy and truth' about the neck and writing them on the heart is echoed elsewhere in proverbs bind ... heart Proverbs 6:21 7:3 about thy neck Proverbs 1:9 6:21 These ideas draw on the command to Israel Deuteronomy 6:6-8 11:18-20

v. 4 - There is a picture here of the longsuffering of God, which we are then expected to demonstrate in our own lives - showing ever-patient forgiveness. In human terms the contents of this verse would be derided - who should be expected to put up with that? we would ask. But here we have the command of Christ, so let us take heed and try to be perfect. Matt.18:21,22,35, 1Cor.13:4-7, Eph.4:31,32, Col.3:12,13, Matt.5:44, 6:12-15.

In our previous comments, I notice that both Bro. Peter and myself made reference to mercy and truth together in this chapter, and yet neither of us in doing so referred to Psalm 85, where the concept of the bringing together of man with the mercy of God, was brought about by the action of him who was the truth which sprang from the earth. Here in Proverbs 3 we have supporting evidence to enhance and expand the concept of salvation as it is presented in Psa.85:8-13

:11-13 Chastening is presented as the way in which God cares for those children He cares for. The man with 'wisdom' recognises this. Then chastening is seen as a beneficial thing rather than a painful drudgery.

:12 We understand that God chastens His children. The greatest example is seen in Jesus who 'learnt obedience' from this chastening (Hebrews 5:8) - he is the son who was the one 'in whom he delighted' - see also Isaiah 42:1

3:5  The first person who relied on their own understanding was Eve when she listened to the serpent. One of the hardest things for us to do is to rely on God's word. This is because the things of the Spirit are alien to us - see 1Cor 2:14

V.14 Wisdom makes you richer than money ever will. Solomon, himself enriched with fine gold, (1 Kin 10:14) points out a better merchandise to deal in. So the Apostle judged. All in the world's show, he counted as dung and dross compared with true wisdom. the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord Phil 3:8

Human nature wants to be in control.
Trust does not come easily, particularly in something that cannot be seen.  For us to trust the LORD (v.5) we must first have faith (Heb 11:6, 2Cor 5:7).
We develop faith by reading about the exploits of the LORD (Rom 10:17) and gaining confidence in His ability and mercy.  Only then we can Let Go - Let God.

Mercy and truth, says Solomon, (Prov 3:3,4), must be a part of our everyday life.  They must never leave us. With them as an integral part of our lives, both God and man will approve of us.  That makes us think of the young lad Jesus, who grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Following on from yesterday's comments about silver, here we see that wisdom is counted more profitable than that precious metal (vs.13,14).

THANK GOD FOR TROUBLE
 
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." (Prov 3:11-12)
 
At a Bible Study the other day someone (Tim Galbraith) said that we need to thank God for the bad things that happen.  This might seem a strange thing to say, but it is when bad things happen to those who are believers, that we know God is working through events in our lives to mould our characters so that we become the people he wants us to be.  It is at those times he is disciplining us and that we are being changed through his discipline.
 
If we have ever wondered in times of trouble in our lives, if God really does love us, we can know for certain that he does through this verse and the many other similar ones through the Bible.  If bad things happen to us we can be sure that God loves us.
 
Solomon reminds us that we do the same for our children.  We discipline them, tell them off, and protect them from harm.  Sometimes it will seem to them that we are being harsh and hurting them.  But if our discipline, like God's, is in love and for their good, with God's blessing they will change to become adults we can be proud of in the days to come.
 
Let's not despise God's discipline, but thank God for trouble.

V.11-12 - the Lord chastens those whom he loves Heb 12:5,6,11

3:4  That keeping the commandments brings favour’ is seen in the life of Samuel – 1Sam 2:26 and Jesus – Luke 2:52.

v 9,10 is echoed by Jesus' parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. In Proverbs we are given the right attitude to have.

This chapter mentions various parts of the body - neck, heart, bones, eyes, foot, hand. And we take the lesson that Paul elucidates. The proper functioning of the Body requires the wisdom from God, that we trust in God & lean not to our own understanding, that love & faithfulness are an integral part & bind the Body together - that we have the mind of Christ.

3:19 In saying the God created the world ‘by wisdom’ the Proverb is echoing the words of Psa 136:5

Two vital qualities godly people should possess are mercy (kindness) and truth (trust, faithfulness) (v.3). These are two permanent characteristics of the LORD Himself (Psa 103:17; 119:90). The two qualities are included in the fruit of the spirit as the fifth and seventh components (Gal 5:22).

3:1 The conjunction of ‘forget not’ and ‘heart keep’ shows that keeping the commandments of God is not simply a matter of, in a legalistic way, doing what the commandments require. Rather the remembrance of those commandments should motivate the ‘heart’ to observe them.

3:3 In speaking of ‘binding’ mercy and truth on the son we learn the full significance of Deut 6:8 where Israel were to ‘bind’ the law on their fingers. Whilst the Jews saw this to be fulfilled literally Proverbs teaches that the principle is to let the law of God govern the heart.

Prov 3:34;James 4:6;1Pet 5:5.

3:2 The promise that keeping the law will bring ‘length of days’ echoes the law of Moses in Exo 20:12

3:6  Solomon is not describing some mystical way in which our steps are directed. Rather the person who acknowledges God will order his life in accordance to His instruction.

3:21-25        The assurances given to the ‘son’ here are similar to the assurances that Moses gave to Joshua and Caleb in Psa 91

:23     foot not stumble        Psa 91:11-12

:24     lie down unafraid       Psa 91:5

:25     not afraid                  Psa 91:5

:26     Lord keep thy foot      Psa 91:11-12

The assurances given to Joshua and Caleb about their surviving the wilderness journey are given to all faithful sons of God.

1. Prov 3:1-2 - God's Son Jesus in fulfilling the law written on his heart kept all his Father's commandments (Matt 5:17;Psa 37:31) and as a result of Christ's perfect obedience he was given not only long life but immortality.

2. Prov 3:3 - some have truth but not mercy, some have mercy but not truth, believers need to have both.

3. Prov 3:4 "understanding"<7922>; Prov 3:5 "understanding"<998>; Prov 3:13,19;2:2,3,6,11 "understanding"<8394>. 

4. Prov 3:5,7 compare with Judg 21:25.  Prov 3:7 "fear"<3372>.

5. Prov 3:8 - "naval"<8270>; "'marrow'<8250> to thy bones" (Christ the beloved will rule Eze 37:1-3,11-12,21-24).

6. Prov 3:8,10 contrasts with Prov 3:11-12;Job 5:17.

7. Prov 3:9 - "Honour the Lord with thy 'substance'<1952>" - our temporal gifts from God should be put to Godly use.

8. Prov 3:9-10 - "firstfruits...new wine" perhaps echo the resurrection (1Cor 15:20) and shed blood (1Cor 11:25;Matt 9:15-17) of Christ.

9. Prov 3:11-12 - "My son...the Lord loveth...even  as a father the son in whom he delighteth" - could this have application to Christ?

10. Prov 3:13-18 - the benefits and rewards of "wisdom"(v13, <2451>). 

11. Prov 3:14-15 - the value of true wisdom - v15 "rubies" (<6443> can mean "a round precious stone, pearl, rubies, corals" - this reminds me of the pearl of great price when the millenial kingdom of heaven will come to earth Matt 13:44-49;6:10;5:5).

12. Prov 3:16 - the right hand is the position of highest honor; Solomon who had much wisdom received riches but not long life, will that will change when Christ (who possesses both) returns to establish his Father's Kingdom?

13. Prov 3:18 - wisdom is a tree of life but we have to take up the cross and follow Christ and surrender our will just as he surrendered his will to his Father to get that pearl of great price (Luke 9:22-24;Matt 26:39;13:44-49).

14. Prov 3:21 - "sound wisdom"<8454>.

15. Prov 3:21-26 - does this have application to Christ?

16. Prov 3:22 - "So shall 'they' (i.e. v21 "sound wisdom and discretion") be life unto thy 'soul' [<5315> - even Christ's soul wasn't immortal ("he hath poured out his soul unto death" Isa 53:12) and needed something to keep it alive] and grace to thy neck" - perhaps this verse hints at Christ's assurance that his internal, external, and even his will (Christ's external neck literally bent to his Father's will John 19:30) which comprised his entirety would through the grace of God not only have eternal life but no longer be tempted in all points as we are (Heb 4:15).

17. Prov 3:23,26 - the serpent bruised Christ's heel (Gen 3:14-15) but Jesus didn't stumble into sin.

18. Prov 3:24-25 - despite Jesus' understanding what he must endure it was a horrific death he was bravely facing (Matt 26:42,44;Luke 23:43-44;Prov 3:25 "fear"<6343>) - Psa 23:4 "I will 'fear'<3372> no evil".

19. Prov 3:24-25 - the sleep of those who are righteous vs the wicked who are awake at night (Prov 4:14,16).

20. Prov 3:27-28 - don't delay good or withhold good out of selfishness or laziness; even if no legal debt to pay, believers have a Gospel debt to all; "let us not be weary in well doing"(Gal 6:9-10).

21. Prov 3:29-30 - do no harm - love thy neighbor (Mark 12:31;Luke 10:29), "If it be possible...live peaceably with all men" (Rom 12:18), if done harm don't strive back (Matt 5:39-41), better to suffer wrong (1Cor 6:6-10).

22. Prov 3:31 - don't worship worldly success.

23. Prov 3:32 - "secret" (<5475> can mean "counsel").

24. Prov 3:34 - "lowly"<6035> - Hezekiah was lowly compared to the scornful mighty Assyrians (Isa 36:14;37:16,17,20) and the lowly tax collector was more likely to be given grace than the pharisee (Luke 18:9-14).

25. Prov 3:35 - "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of 'fools'<3684>" (Dan 12:1-3).

3:24    The promise that the faithful would not be afraid when they lay down draws on the blessing promised in Lev 26:6

Prov 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD (Yahweh) with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”

Scripture is rife in exhorting us on our trusting in the LORD. This is not quite as easy as it may seem, especially when the clouds around us are dark, the winds fierce, the waves high, the waters deep, our boat is about to sink, and we see no way out.  We cry out to the LORD, but there is no immediate response and we get fearful. We decide to take matters into our own hands soliciting opinions from others on what we ought to do.  But, during the midst of the storm, when we feel helpless and hopeless, we are told to wait only on God (Psa 62:5). To trust in the LORD means we are waiting for Him to divinely intervene in the situation. It is not about our time, but about His time, and His timing is always right.

To trust in the LORD is about submission. It is active, not passive. It takes more strength, more character to wait in the midst of the storm than to run here and there, doing this and that, taking matters in our own hands only to make matters worse in the end. To trust in the LORD is to wait in silence, to wait in patience, to wait expectantly, to wait steadfastly. This takes a lot of courage, and this is how we show God we trust Him.

Yes, the clouds may be dark, the winds fierce, the waves high, the waters deep, our boat ready to sink, the situation looks hopeless, but it is during these times that we manifest our faith and hope in believing, in trusting, and in seeing Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27). Let us therefore, stop and pause and listen for the LORD’s instructions, which will surely come. The LORD is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our strength, and our salvation (Psa 18:2; Psa 46:1; Psa 91:2).

3:7      Be not wise in thine own eyes  is a most appropriate warning in these days when we are encouraged from all sides to place confidence in ourselves and seek our own “rights”. 

3:15   Wisdom is more valuable than rubies here and in Prov 8:11. It is the woman of PProv 31:10 who is more valuable than rubies indicating that the woman of chapter 31 is no individual. Rather is it the summation of everything that is God’s wisdom

Prov 3:5,6

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

In 1864, during the height of the Civil War, the motto, “In God we trust,” first appeared on a two cent coin. Then in 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law making it mandatory that all U.S. coins be inscribed with this motto. It tells us our trust is not in man, or the government, or any financial institution. For the true followers in Christ it is not just a motto, but a way of life.

We can spend a lot of time and energy thinking and trying to figure things out. We may even begin to question God and ask, “Why?” This is because we do not know God, and if we do not know God, we do not love God because no one has ever loved or trusted those they do not know.

These two verses contain a lot of power. We learn of God’s invitation to have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. We learn of God’s provision and solution for dealing with life’s toughest problems. How much fuller, deeper, richer our lives would be if we put all our trust in God!

Do we know where we are going, or have we lost our way along the way? (cf. Psa 32:8; Isa 58:11). To find, follow, and finish our highest achievement to walk in and with the LORD, we must trust Him with all our heart, not half-heartedly. To be able to do this, we must know God, spending quality time with Him in studying His word.

Trust is important in any relationship be it between spouses, children, friends, or bosses, but trust does not always come easy. To trust someone, we need to develop a relationship with them, we need to spend time with them and get to know them before we can be close to them. God requires no less. God wants our whole-hearted trust, not a half-hearted trust, not some of the time, but all of the time, not just during the good times, but also during the bad times, not just in the small things, but also in the big things. God wants us to trust Him with our very lives! This means total commitment and total confidence are required.

3:1  The injunction to keep the commandments is seen on two further occasions in the book ofProv 4:4 and 7:2

3:19-20           Here we see one of many occasions in Scripture where the literality of the creation is mentioned along with God’s continued work maintaining it.

3:28     The importance of paying dues immediately rather than holding on to what one owes draws on the injunction of the law of Moses – Deut 24:15

TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6 - 5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart" ...

We all face decisions we need to make each and every day. Perhaps sometimes when decisions are critical we may be like we may be like Jacob and think we can go it alone - even if our intentions are good. But Proverbs 3 teaches us to "lean not unto thine own understanding". God knows what's best for us - even if we sometimes don't want it. We must completely trust Him in every choice we make and not omit God's influence, because what we think is right may not always be the case. We listen to God by reading His word, mediating upon it, and being willing to listen to it - that's how we connect with God. To trust someone means developing a relationship with them in order to be close to them  - and God requires no less. Bring your decisions to God in prayer using your bible to listen to Him speak back to you and "He will direct your paths."

3:3        the “mercy and Truth” that we are to bind on our necks draws on Exo 34:6 where God displays His character to Moses. It is not just a matter of knowing what He says. We are required to put into practice what we learn of God’s character.

3:2 We see the giving of long life in Psalm 91:16 where it is associated with a life of God’s care for a faithful servant.

3:4 We must be careful to ensure that we do not think that gaining knowledge is the same as gaining wisdom. The truly wise man will also know a lot but will be able to blend mercy and truth in his judgments

3:8 The idea here is that the hearer should acknowledge God and order his steps aright. The R.V. has “Acknowledge him and make thy paths straight”. The onus is on us to walk according to His teaching.

vv 27,28 Why is it so important that we promptly pay or give to others?

1. They need it - now! Delay hurts other people.

2. If we delay we may be tempted to find excuses or be distracted towards further delay.

Lesson: Be a cheerful, and prompt, giver and payer.

3:27-32 We might think that many times in the book of Proverbs that we read a number of disconnected and unrelated sayings. However often there is instructive structure in what is written.

The words in Rom 13:7, where the counsel is render dues where appropriate, seems to be based on the counsel here in verse Prov 3:27.  Withholding dues when they could be met is a form of oppression. It may bring “evil” (:23). A summary of the principles is “Owe no man anything but to love one another” (Rom 13:8) In a society where paying bills is often deferred as long as possible the servant of God should be different.

v. 11 Luke presents Jesus as on a journey up to Jerusalem Luke 9:51,53 13:22,33 here 18:31 19:28 marking his determination to fulfil his Father's will.

17:12 The lepers who were 'afar off' were like the gentiles in the first century. They were, however, brought into the fold of the gospel. Hence Paul (Ephesians 2:17) speaks to gentile brethren as those who had been afar off.

YOU CAN'T MISS IT!

With all the hype about world events, many people are looking for the return of Christ. It seems, in a way, that we all want to predict the future and work out different scenarios that take us from now until the return of Christ. With the help of the Word of God, some of these ideas may not be too far out, but the thing we need to remember is that we, in the 70 or so years we live, have a very limited view of God's big plan that has been running for more than 6000 years. We only see a small part of it in our lives. We can learn from the past but apart from the words in the Bible, we have no idea what the future will bring. However, don't worry! God is in control all the way and even if we do interpret the signs of the times wrongly, there will be no mistaking the return of Christ. He said, "For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightening, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other." There will be no mistaking the return of Christ. It will probably come as a surprise to most of us, but it will not be ambiguous, you will not be able to miss it. If that is the case, then let us be always prepared. He will come, and, ready or not, you will not miss it.

17:1, 22 Notice again that Jesus is still speaking to his disciples. So the warning :32 'remember Lot's wife' is spoken to brethren and sisters. We can be like Lot's wife. Jesus is not speaking of those who do not know him and who have not been delivered from the judgement to come.

V.28 The people in Lot's day were also engaged in the ordinary affairs of life; eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. Again there was nothing wrong with that. What was definitely wrong, though, was the fact that their minds and hearts were entirely absorbed in these matters. What a lesson for each one of us.

17:3-4 Whilst the language here is similar to Matt 18:21-22 it is not the same time. The record in Matthew took place on an earlier occasion. So we see that we need to be reminded of the need to be forgiving. It is not in our nature to forgive.

V.1 Offences mean things that cause sin, not feelings of annoyance or resentment.
 
V.21 There are some people who believe that the kingdom is the church and not an actual kingdom on earth, quote this verse.
The Pharisees rejected Christ and therefore rejected the kingdom which He embodies.  Thus, His reply to them (v.20) shows that without faith they would not see the kingdom.  That faith has to come from within (v.21) - something the proud Pharisees could not muster (contrast Mark 10:15).
Other versions have v.21 reading the kingdom of God is among you.
This, perhaps, would better exemplify the fact that Jesus is the embodiment of the kingdom to come.

WATCH FOR SIN
 
A very strong exhortation is given to us in just three words.  "So watch yourselves." (Luke 17:3)  The reason for watching ourselves is found in the previous few sentences.  "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  So watch yourselves." (Luke 17:1-3)
 
Causing someone to sin is such an easy thing to do.  We can do it by encouraging someone else to do wrong things, like when we encourage someone else to pay back a wrong and they follow through with our plan.  We cause someone to sin by setting ourselves up to be someone to envy - having an expensive car or lavish lifestyle can cause envy.  We can provoke sin by constant goading or criticising and having an attitude that brings out the worst in others.  And we can cause people to sin by our example if we show ourselves to be lazy, uncommitted or pleasure seeking, at the expense of our devotion to God - those following our example will be led into sin.
 
Every moment and every aspect of our lives needs to be watched.  We must make sure all of our actions and words encourage people to become sinless instead of sinners.  Jesus' exhortation is for us all.  "So watch yourselves."

V.26-30 Why did Jesus select Noah and Lot as examples of men who took heed? The fact remains that both did take heed to the warning. Noah built the ark. Lot when ordered to leave Sodom, did so, even with a degree of hesitancy (Gen 19:16). While these two men made the necessary preparations in obedience to God's commands, the multitudes perished, when sudden destruction overtook them. We are warned that it will be the same on the day of Jesus's coming, when he is revealed in all his glory. We can not say we have not been warned..

The example of Noah is used (particularly) to warn of the coming destruction on the earth (vs.26,27).  Here we see the world carrying on its business as usual without any cognisance of the LORD.  Moreover, from Genesis, we are told that the earth was full of violence (Gen 6:13).  Violence has increased dramatically worldwide in recent years. And not just in so-called less developed countries.  Britain's statistics on the increase of violence there are shocking.  Violent incidents there have now surpassed those of the US. The world is ripe to be cleansed, and this will shortly happen when the Lord Jesus returns.  He could return and call us away to judgement anytime now - are we ready!?

V.18 It is not how much one has been given that is the important thing, but what we have done with that which we have been given. In this account the Samaritan though less enlightened, used that which he had been given to a greater advantage.

17:5-6  Whilst the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith Jesus does not tell them how to do it, rather he simply gives them an example of what larger faith would be able to do.

v 1,2 It is interesting that Jesus states that it is (often) people that cause others to stumble. No mention of a supernatural Satan here.

v 3-5 In this passage, the disciples would seem to ask for their faith to be increased in response to Jesus' teaching about forgiveness. Forgiveness is definitely something we need faith for, as we need to trust that the other person will fall within the judgement of God, who knows the heart. It is not up to us to do the judging, especially if the person says they are repentant. Faith also means that we understand that God forgives us, and therefore that we forgive our brother.

v 27,29,30,37 here Jesus talks about the last times, when he returns, and uses examples of God's previous judgements to illustrate this. v37 tells us that where the body (of Israel) is, there the eagles (nations) will congregate Deut 28:49 - this time not just one eagle nation, but several.

SERVANTS FOR JESUS
 
Jesus, when comparing the disciple to a servant, said, "So also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:10) A servant works all day for his master and doesn't rest until everything has been done. Our master is the Lord Jesus Christ, but as faithful servants he has elevated us from the position of servants to friends. However, in the high position of friends, we still cannot afford to slack around. Our daily life must consist of serving the Master.
 
So let us evaluate our position as a servant / friend of Jesus Christ. I suspect that if he were visibly present among us we would be seen serving him with much more vigour than is currently observed. The needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters would take a much higher priority in our lives, and our neighbours, workmates, colleges, friends and family would all have been told the gospel message. Also, we would spend a much greater amount of time and energy reading, studying and discussing God's word.
 
Maybe we are already doing all this. In that case we need to be humble and remember that "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." But if, like me, our service could improve, let us attempt to become at least unworthy servants rather than no servants at all.

17:10 If we truly are ‘unprofitable servants’ then whatever we do we do not deserve to be given everlasting life. Paradoxically, it might seem, we are to serve even though we are unable to be profitable. This forces us to realise that eternal life is the unmerited gift of God. If we think otherwise we are in danger of being like the Pharisees.

The ten lepers were obviously of different races, but were bound together by their common disease (Luke 17:11-19). So it is with those who participate in the opposite of leprosy, or sin. We in the Truth should be bound together by our love for Jesus.
Race, background and status mean nothing.

The Samaritan (former) leper, who returned to thank Jesus for being healed, was told to Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole (well) (v.19).  The Lord could not have meant physically well as the Samaritan had already been cured.  He surely meant spiritually well (saved).  Could there be a link here with: The entire tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the LORD (Lev 27:32).  This tenth leper had passed under the rod (instrument of correction - in this case, against disease). The shepherd, of course, would be Jesus who corrected the illness and also sanctified (made holy) the Samaritan upon his honoring the LORD.

V.12-19 - Is there any significance to there being 10 men at least one of whom was not a Jew? Perhaps "10" refers to grace or mercy to both Jew and Gentile 2X5=10 (5 being a number often associated with "grace or mercy")  or perhaps the number 10 stands alone and signifies the perfection of divine order. It implies nothing is wanting and that the whole cycle is complete. Ten nations imply the whole of nations which are to be the scene of Abraham's covenant possessions (Gen 15:19-21). 

Some of the above has been gleaned from "The Miraculous Significance of Numbers and Colours as they appear in the Holy Scriptures" by M. Stewart, p.41.

17:12  The lepers who were ‘afar off’ under the law of Moses were outside the camp. They were, so to speak, alienated from God. Jesus’ work remedied that. They moved from being alienated from God to being close to Him in fellowship. This is what is to happen to ‘all Israel’ when they turn to Jesus and recognise him as their Messiah.

17:14 In this miracle those who were healed actually began their journey to the priest to show him that they were clean before the cleansing that Jesus had instituted had actually begun in their bodies.

In v10 Jesus talks about our duty. He is referring to v3-4. If we don't forgive others it would be better for us to be drowned in the sea. If we do forgive others, it is simply our duty because of our own need of forgiveness, and we should expect no thanks (v9). Nevertheless, because of our master's nature, he will very likely be overjoyed with us (Luke 12:37)

17:20Jesus has already twice (10:9, 11:20) told the people that the Kingdom of God had come nigh them. Now he tells the Pharisees, his critics, that it is not a matter of simply looking for a physical kingdom – remember they were looking for a conqueror to overcome the Romans – rather it is a way of thinking.

Luke 17:30,34-36 - In bed suggests night, grinding and in the field suggest day. The Bible suggests one part of the earth to be day while another part night. The concept of day and night at the same time but in different places is in harmony with the rotation of the earth and time zones - a concept that wasn't understood by science till much later.

Also, the day and night could refer to those 'asleep' in bed (i.e. in their graves) vs 34 awaiting the resurrection, while those grinding are those still alive to see his coming vs 30,35-36.

CAUSING OTHERS TO SIN

Jesus said, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck then for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves." (Luke 17:1-3)

According to these words of Jesus, worse than sinning ourselves, is the person who causes others to sin. Unfortunately this can be really easy to do and while, if we do it, we usually do it unintentionally, I know of occasions where those intent of doing something sinful drag others along to do it with them. People don't like to get drunk alone, it's much better to do it with friends; sex before or outside of marriage has to be done with two; spreading a bad report about another person in order cause hatred or distrust of that person must involve others; causing dissections needs others to make it successful; and even hoarding up bigger and better possessions and boasting about it can easily cause others to fall into the sin of envy.

It is all too easy to lead others into sin if we don't think about the consequences of our actions. So let us take Jesus' advice and watch ourselves. Forgiveness is always available, but let's make sure we are not causing other people to fall into sin.

17:4   The repeated willingness to forgive the repeated offender is exceedingly hard.  It is all too easy to reason that given that the offender had not kept his word six times why should one forgive the seventh – especially if all offences were committed in one day.  However when we think like this we need tor member that God forgives repeatedly even though He knows that we will sin again.

17:7-10      It is all too easy to think highly of ourselves when we do what we have been asked to do and do it faithfully. However that way of thinking is not the correct thinking for a servant.

Summary Of Luke

17:1-10       To Disciples  Offences will come, woe to the one who brings the offence – a warning about  the Pharisees

          :7      Parable -  servants serve

17:11-19      As Jesus went towards Jerusalem – Miracle 13  – ten lepers healed – one was a Samaritan

17:20-21      Pharisees asked when would the kingdom of God come

17:22-37      To Disciples A time will come when you want to see the kingdom but will not be able to as Jesus will be rejected

17:18 Whilst one man returned nine did not. Jesus concern was that the 9 did not return to give glory to God. He was not interested in praise for himself even though he had performed the miracle. How often do we feel neglected when we are not thanked? However our concern should always be that God is praised, not ourselves. 

Luke 17:14-17: While Jesus told the 10 to go to the priest to be pronounced clean the Samaritan would realize that the priest would not recognize him, as the Jews abhorred the Samaritans. He would have come the realization there was no salvation for him in the law so he turn back to acknowledge that his salvation came from God through his Son.

17:25  when Jesus said I must be about my Father’s business – Luke 2:49 - we see the beginning of a series of times when Jesus speaks of the essential requirement “must” that things were to happen. Here is a list of all occasions Luke 2:49, 4:43, 9:22, 13:33, 17:25, 22:37, 24:44

17:22  The disciples here are being warned that there would be a time when Jesus was not with them (clearly after his death and resurrection) but that their experience  would not be as pleasant as when Jesus was with them.

Luke 17:24

“For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “The religion that is afraid of science dishonors God and commits suicide.” Science and religion are allies.

Greek astronomer and mathematician, Aristarchus of Samos, 310-230 BC, is credited with being the first person to propose that the Earth rotates around the Sun (heliocentric). It received very little support until Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish astronomer, published the heliocentric system in his book: De revolutionibus orbium coelestium published in 1543, the same year that he died. He was the first to succeed in proving the movements of the planets using the astronomical theory, which placed the Sun at the center. Why is this significant?

The Second Coming of Christ will happen at the speed of light. It will occur while some are asleep at night and others busy with their daytime activities (vv. 27-36). This clearly is an indication of a revolving Earth with day and night at the same time made possible solely by heliocentrism. Science did not discover this until the 15^th Century!

17:32  “remember Lot’s wife”  is a stark reminder that we must hold on to the thing so this life with light hands. We must be willing to forsake all when Jesus returns. We will only be able to do that then if we, now, esteem our possessions as of little value.

17:37  Jesus uses the same words –Matt 24:37 – when speaking to the disciples again at the end of his ministry. It is part of his warning that the disciples be not found unprepared.

17:3      The forgiveness that Jesus speaks of is unconditional. There is no mention that the offending brother should never commit the same error. We must be careful not to forgive but continue to hold grudges.

Luke 17:9 I wonder whether this verse is the answer Job was looking for in Job 21:15? Do we believe simply being obedient as servants will get us a reward of a place in the kingdom? Job showed great obedience despite his suffering but is only by Gods grace we shall recieve eternal life.

17:25 Here we see yet another time that Jesus told the disciples that he would be rejected by the people. It would seem most unlikely when the disciples saw Jesus teaching and the response of the people. So maybe this is part of the reason why they could not believe it would happen.

17:2 These words echo what happened to the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Pharaoh had originally said to Moses: “let your little ones also go with you” (Ex. 10:24). But these little ones were amongst the children of Israel whom the Egyptians pursued into the Red Sea. As a consequence of seeking to “offend” these little ones, and the rest of the people as well, they were “cast into the sea” (Ex. 15:4) and “they sank … as a stone” (Ex. 15:5).

17:25 Here we see yet another time that Jesus told the disciples that he would be rejected by the people. It would seem most unlikely when the disciples saw Jesus teaching and the response of the people. So maybe this is part of the reason why they could not believe it would happen.

17:2 Jesus uses the same idea – Mark 9:42 - earlier in his ministry. Again he was talking to his disciples.

17:20 Notice the Pharisees “demanded” an answer from Jesus. Hardly the approach of an honest seeker for truth.

Sadly we can be the same in the way that we speak with each other. We might push someone for an answer to a question that we might ask. Not because we are seeking truth but rather than we are trying to undermine the one we are speaking to.

vv 16-19. The Samaritan leper's faith had made him well. How was that faith demonstrated? Through thankfulness to God for His goodness (v16), which God interprets as praise (v18).

Lesson: Thankfulness is part of the outworking of our faith. When we don't thank God for His goodness we are not exhibiting faith and not praising God.

17:7-10 We have an example of disciples failing to do the work of service because it was a thankless demeaning task when not one of them took it upon themselves to do the work of the servant who washed the feet of the guests at a meal – John 13:4-5.

Do we only do things in order to be “seen of men” and receive commendation?