Comments for March 26

v.89 - Notice here how much sacrifice had to be made in order to allow Moses access to the voice of God that spoke to him from between the cherubims, enumerated for us in v. 84-88, a massive amount of work for the priests over this twelve day period in order to dedicate the altar for each tribe so that it might be available for further sacrifice. It created the way for man to speak to God, just like Jesus did later. Heb.4:16, 13:10.

v.1 This is the same time as that spoken of in Exodus 40:17 and Lev 8 when the sons of Aaron were consecrated and the tabernacle anointed. 8:10 The laying on of hands in this context shows an association with the work by the people who laid their hands on their heads. Acts6:6 13:3 and 1Timothy 5:22 in particular reinforce this point with examples of when this happened.

The detail given in this chapter, although very repetitive, has the effect, if no more, of making us recognise the degree of effort that is required to make man holy before God, and reflects to some extent the attitude we should have in creating our position of humility, but also the the amount of work that Jesus undertook on our behalf when he ended the need for all of this.

7:1 This day answers [as stated above] to Exodus 40:17 and also to Numbers 11. We are returning, in the record to issues relating specifically to tabernacle worship - how it was to be conducted. The princes of the tribes now had to show their association with the things offered to God, even though it was the specific responsibility of Levi to minister.

:12 Judah
:18 Issachar
:24 Zebulon
:30 Reuben
:36 Simeon
:42 Gad
:48 Ephraim
:54 Manasseh
:60 Benjamin
:66 Dan
:72 Asher
:78 Naphtali

Notice that there are 12 princes of tribes, even though Levi is not in the list. The two sons of Joseph are taken as two tribes not one.

In order to help to see the structure of the chapter you could mark the days
:12 first day
:18 second day
:24 third day
:30 fourth day
:36 fifth day
:42 sixth day
:48 seventh day
:54 eighth day
:60 ninth day
:66 tenth day
:72 eleventh day
:78 twelfth day

We may wonder why the order in which the tribes are listed does not match their birth order. But Judah is give the position of the firstborn. Setting the scene for later developments with respect to kingship.

V.89 "He heard" Though standing on the other side of the vail, Moses would have been able to hear the voice of the Lord God. We are continually being reminded "and God spoke" Exo 20:1 "And God said" Gen 1 Truly, the scriptures are the word of God, and His way of speaking to us to day, if we are willing to listen. 

In the last verse of this chapter Moses was hugely privileged to hear God's voice
  speaking to him from between the cherubim Num 7:89. The man-made furniture
  now was God's throne. We are the temple of living God 2Cor 6:16, and in our New
  Testament era the Lord God will dwell in us.  Let's listen for God's voice.

There were six covered wagons and twelve oxen given for the transportation of the tabernacle (v.3).
The Gershonites received two wagons and four oxen (v.7) to haul the curtains, hangings, and coverings (Num 4:24-26).
The Merarites received four wagons and eight oxen (v.8) to carry the heavier and more voluminous boards, pillars, and sockets (Num 4:31-32).
The Kohathites were responsible for transporting the wrapped furnishings from the tent of meeting (Num 4:15).  These they could carry bodily.  It was important, however, that the furnishings be wrapped by the priests before giving them to the Kohathites.  Seeing the holy things uncovered would mean death to any Kohathite who saw them (Num 4:19-20).
 
It is interesting that the scripture spells out each prince's offering of dedication in detail.  We would be inclined to name the twelve princes and credit the one stated offering to each.  The LORD is very precise and in no hurry to save paper.

7:3-6     Whilst God had specified everything to do with the tabernacle the princes considered the matter of transporting the ark and were moved to make an offering to God which He accepted  at the hand of Moses.  Their offering was a free will offering – they saw a need and met it without having been told to do so. We should always be on the lookout for situations where we can help before we are asked.

7:6-9 Whilst the wagons were a free will offering they could not be used in ways which violated what God had said, therefore the sons of Kohath had no wagons. Their job was to carry the furniture. This was a specific command from God. In the same way we need to realise that whilst we are free to give to God we must give according to His will not our own.

7:12   Judah offered first and was to lead the camp in their journeys.

v.9 From a human perspective, one can understand why Korah envied Moses and Aaron  (Num 16:3) : the Kohathites had to wait whilst the priests covered the items of furniture (Num 4:15, 19-20) and were not given transport on which to carry them, having to bear them on their shoulders. Yet God provided them with a work of service which was very important as Moses reminds them (Num 16:8-9). Are we ever envious of brethren and sisters who seem to be able to take on the more glamorous duties. Yet God has called us all and brought us all near, providing us with all we need to serve him in the way that he has chosen for us.

7:12-83 We may, as we read the narrative, feel that the repetition is a bit tedious. However there is a fundamental point seen here. All the tribes were equal before God and so their offerings were all the same.

7:89 Even though Aaron was by now anointed as high priest it was Moses who was the first man who heard the voice of God from between the Cherubims.

7:89   So the ‘habitation’ of God was complete, sanctified with a people ready to serve. So His voice is finally heard, not from the top of a mountain but from within the tabernacle.

7:10 The record indicates that the offerings were made on the day that the altar was dedicated. However the offerings must have taken quite some time to organise, especially as each leader offered the same as the others.  So we must conclude that the offerings were not spontaneous offerings dreamed up on the day of the dedication of the alter. They had seen an upcoming need, worked together, and had their offerings ready at the necessary time. Do we foresee need and plan for it in association with fellow believers?

7:89   The RV has “dedication gift of the altar” God had provided the alter whereby Israel could offer sacrifices to Him and be accepted. So the people gave a gift to God in thankfulness for the alter. How do we give thanks to God for His provision for us in the sacrifice of His son Jesus?

How God spoke with Moses, then and now.

If you have time to do a short Bible study, why not take a look at the last verse in this chapter. What do you notice? If you have been reading through the books of Moses from the start, you may remember that we've already been told several times about how Moses spoke with God. Can you find:

1) What previous Bible passages mention God speaking with Moses? (Stick with Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers)

2) In these passages, where was Moses, and how did God speak with him?

3) What's the difference between how God spoke with Moses on those occasions, and how God is doing it now? (Clue: Where is Moses now, and where is God speaking from?)

4) Is there anywhere in the new testament that mentions this? What lesson does the new testament writer bring out?

1. Num 7:12 - Amminadab (<5992> means according to Brown-Driver-Briggs "my kinsman is noble") was related to Jesus Luke 3:33;Matt 1:4.

2. Num 7:18 - Issachar (<3485> means "he will bring a reward or there is recompense").
3. Num 7:54 - "Pedahzur (<6301> means "the rock has ransomed").

4. the peace or fellowship offering throughout this chapter has the number 2 (Jew and Gentile?) associated with 3 (resurrection?) 5's (grace or mercy?). Could this echo the grace or mercy shown to Jew and Gentile as a result of Christ's resurrection including when believers get to fellowship with him now and even more so in the kingdom age?

7:3-5   Even though the princes came up with a practical solution for transporting the tabernacle Moses had to seek God’s opinion. We learn from this that good ideas, of themselves, are not necessarily acceptable to God. When we have an idea about worship or ecclesial life we should always assess whether it fits in with Bible principles.

7:12-83         Given that each head of the tribes offered identical sacrifices we have to conclude that they spoke with each other and planned their offerings. None of them sought to elevate themselves above others. We can learn from this. Co-operation in our activities is needed. Further there should be a desire for the work, not self-gratification.

7:12-78           The order of the sons of Levi here is:-

:12       Judah

:18       Issachar

:24       Zebulon

:30       Reuben

:36       Simeon

:42       Gad

:48       Ephraim

:54       Manasseh

:60       Benjamin

:66       Dan

:72       Asher

:78       Naphtali

The order given matches the encampment round the tabernacle starting on the east side and going clockwise round the camp.

7:3      Given that the tribes brought their offerings on the day that the tabernacle was set up we have to conclude that the nation had been involved in its own private preparation whilst the tabernacle was being built. He nation did not just sit back whilst the tabernacle was being made. They contributed in ways other than the detailed building work.

7:12-88 Whilst readings the repeated offerings twelve times might seem tedious and unnecessary a fundamental principle is being taught. The emphasis throughout the listing of the tribes creates an impression of closely organised groups around the tabernacle. However despite there being individual groups of “brethren” they worked together on a specific project. They co-ordinated their efforts in such a way that no one group appeared more important than another.

Num 7:9 The sons of Kohath were not allocated wagons or oxen to transport the table of showbread, (Num 4:7), the candle stick, the lamps, tongs and snuff dishes (v.9), the golden altar and its accoutrements’ (Num 7:11-14).

The reason for carrying these items on their shoulders was, “…because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear on their shoulders.” (Num.7:9).  

There is a spiritual lesson for us in these details given. We cannot abdicate our responsibilities in the ecclesia to others. We must support one another in our walk to the Kingdom of God. “Bear year one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2-5).

Num 7 might seem to contain unnecessary repetition it teaches clear principles.

Whilst the tabernacle was being built the heads of the tribes were not idle. They clearly were working together to provide carts for the transport of the structure of the tabernacle. Also they worked together to provide animals and items for the time the tabernacle was set up.

This work is not mentioned in Exodus where we read of the detailed instructions and work associated with making the tabernacle.

It was what might be called “low profile work. As it was not done to God given instructions it shows that there was great co-operation between the heads of the tribes.

Life in Christ has certain clear obligations. In addition to this there are what might be seen as ancillary actions which work together to build the body of Christ. We see both in this chapter. The building according to the pattern shown in the mount” and the spontaneous working together for the good of the “church in the wilderness”.

7:2 what follows is a description of what was brought when the tabernacle was erected for the first time. Those involved including these “princes of the house of Israel” who had been numbered at the beginning of their time at Sinai had no idea that they would soon reject God’s offer of entry into the land which they were about to begin to go towards.

7:89 There is no inconsistency with the commandment that only the high priest could enter the most holy place once every year and Moses going in now as the events recorded here took place before the events of Lev 10

Num 7:4-5 Doubtless Moses was unaware of the work of preparing the wagons whilst the tabernacle was being manufactured. Rather than just accept them as they were not part of what God had ordained Moses clearly spoke to God for advice. This prompted God to say “Take it of them …”

There may be things happen in our lives that are “non-standard”. However scripture answers all issues in our lives. We just need to be familiar with all of His word.

7:6-8  It is easy to see in these verses a picture of a father watching his son and realising where he was going and what he would do. We must be as aware of how our Father is aware of what we are doing and planning all the time. Let this awareness help to govern our feet.

INDIVIDUALLY APPRECIATED

Reading through Numbers chapter seven, with its detailed lists of the offerings the leaders of each tribe gave at the dedication of the Tabernacle, we realise that the chapter could be significantly shortened. In fact, most of us would have done just that by describing the offering on the first day and saying that the offerings on the following days were exactly the same but offered by different people from different tribes. But not God. God saw fit to individually record the offerings of every leader of every tribe. They were not recorded with the aim of filling up space in the Bible, but the individual offerings have all been written down for a reason – because there is a lesson we can learn from them.

Each of these people and their tribes offered gifts for the service of the LORD. They were each recorded in detail to show that God appreciated their gifts. None of the gifts were taken for granted and neither were the people offering them.

This is a very positive lesson for us. It helps us to know that the offerings and gifts that we give to God, no matter how small, are appreciated by God. They are not seen as another one of the many gifts made by the teeming millions of people swarming the earth, but as a gift given personally by us as an individual.

Let us give willingly, graciously and generously, as we give gifts and offerings from our hearts to the Lord.

v. 12 - Here wisdom is going to keep us true to the right way - See also 2Sam.22:37, [Ps.18:36], 91:11-12, Pr.3:23, 6:22, Jer.31:9, John 11:9,10, 1John 2:10,11.

v.7 - Here we see wisdom being presented as the ultimate for the man of God - like the pearl of great price of Jesus' parable - Matt.13:44-46 - See also Ecc.7:12, 9:16-18

:8,9 contains one of the rare occasions in Scripture where 'honour' and 'glory' appear in that order in verses close to each other. Peter [2 Peter 1:17] saw 'glory and honour' at the transfiguration in the transfigured Jesus but he has already told us [1 Peter 1:7] that if we are faithful we will also have 'honour and glory' - we will be like the glorified Christ. What a wonderful prospect.

:6-7 In Revelation 2:4 We learn that some had 'lost their first love' whilst we may wonder what this might be Proverbs 4:6-7 shows us. It is wisdom in the things of God.

Prov 4  On 23 occasions the proverbs appeals to 'my son' 4:1 has 'children'. This is the first time that the 'children' are exhorted to listen. So the Father's words are not just for the Son (Jesus) but also for the 'children' - that is us, the Ecclesia.

V.7 "principal"  The Hebrew word is ray-sheeth (7205) which means; first in order, first in place, or first in time. The exhortation for us is that the first thing in our lives is to obtain wisdom in the things of God.  

The theme of wisdom, as the virtuous woman, continues v.5-9.
v.23 is picked up by Christ in his deliberations with the Pharisees (Matt 15:18-19).

PRICELESS
 
There is a television add run by Visa that speaks about priceless things - the smile of a small child, families getting together, and love. Then they say, for everything else there's Visa.  But even priceless moments have a value that we will put on them.  We may miss them for a sports game, work, for our hobbies, entertainment or other interests, and Visa will never bring those moments back.
 
Wisdom and understanding are priceless.  Listen to this: "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost you all you have, get understanding." (Prov 4:7)  How much are we prepared to pay for wisdom and understanding?  Solomon suggests it is worth everything we have.  For most people that is too much to pay.  This means that the price of wisdom comes before our own pleasures.  It means that we may have to give up our addiction to sport or the pursuit of a high power and high paying job to have the time and freedom to search for wisdom.  We may need to give up our other interests to give us the time to read God's word in our quest for wisdom and understanding.  It may also mean breaking away from old friendships and habits that are likely to pull us away from finding wisdom. 
 
Wisdom is worth everything we have.  Wisdom is to fear the LORD, and will result in our place in the kingdom of God.  When we get there we will wonder why everything else seemed so important.  Pay the price.  Get wisdom.  You won't regret it.

V.18-19 As shining light increases from dawn to midday splendour, or brightness, so the way of the righteous man  increases in purity. Likewise as the darkness increases from dusk to midnight, so the way of the wicked becomes, he knows not on what he stumbles.  

We are given a lovely insight into Solomon’s home life in Prov 4:3-9. Although Bathsheba bare David 4 sons in Jerusalem (see 1Chron 3:5, with the possibility that the next 9 are also of Bathsheba), Solomon was counted as the “only beloved in the sight of his mother” (Prov 4:3). The next verse says that David had specifically taught him to keep his words, so that he would live. What a terrible pity then that Solomon ignored so much of David’s godliness later in his life.

V.20-22 - God saying to His Son (and us) to keep the Bible (the inspired word of God) in his heart and it will guide him/us to eternal life.

4:26  The paths that we should ‘ponder’ will cause us to make ‘straight paths’ - Heb 12:13 - that is we will walk correctly before God.

4:12 The wise man is not saying that wisdom will make one a capable athlete. The running is in the service of God in contrast to the feet that ‘run to shed blood’ – Prov 1:16

V.3 The word "beloved" is in italics, which indicates that it is not in the original, it has been put there to help us appreciate and understand the word "only". The Hebrew word is YACHIYD (3173) which we understand means beloved as well as only. God said to Abraham "Take now thy son, thine "only" Isaac, whom thou lovest" (Gen 22:2) Isaac was a type of Christ, who was the "only" begotten Son of God (1John 4:9). Luke also records for us at the time of Christ's baptism "Thou art my beloved Son" (Luke 3:22) 

4:3 In saying he was "his father’s son’ the writer is appealing to the basis of his instruction. If we are truly ‘sons of God’ then the instruction we give will be true and right. It behoves us to show the Father in the way we instruct others.

The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah. In Hebrew today, a smart person (clever fellow) is called a chokam. It is also used derisively about somebody who thinks he is smart but is not. Oh, he’s such a chokam!

TREASURE FROM MY FATHER

Every father passes on instruction to his children. He hopes that the little bits of wisdom he leaves with them will be memorable and will stay with his child to help him make wise choices as he goes through life. As a father, I know that there have been a lot of occasions where I have hoped the wisdom I have shared with my children will be treasured. And so looking back, I have to ask myself what treasures my father imparted to me as I was growing up.

The wise man also asked himself the same question. He said this to his son, "When I was still a boy in my fathers house, still tender and an only child of my mother, he taught me and  said, 'Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.'" (Prov 4:3-5)

The treasures of wisdom that have been passed on to us by our fathers are worth remembering and passing on to our own children. Much of the wisdom my father passed on to me was through his example. He taught me how to love my wife, to work hard, to be patient, to trust in God, to be self controlled and not to worry. I hope that I can pass these lessons on to my children too.

What treasures have our parents given us? Are we doing all we can to pass them on to our children?

4:18 The ‘shining light ...’ is quoted – 2Pet 1:19 – when speaking of the value of ‘prophecy’ – actually Peter is speaking about all Scripture. So Peter’s use of this passage is consistent with the message of the wise man of the Proverbs.

4:10The promise of many years being given to the son who listens to the instruction of the father echoes Exo 20:12

4:13  The wisdom of God is life, but striving to be ‘wise’ in the way that Eve did is death.

4:3  only beloved is the Hebrew word Strong’s number <03173> these are the only other occurrences of the same word in Scripture Gen 22:2,16 only son Judg 11:34 only child’  - the Hebrew word having a feminine ending indicating that she is a daughter’  Psa 22:20, 35:17 darling Psa 25:16 desolate Psa 68:6 solitary here only beloved Jer 6:26, only son Amos 8:10 only son Zech 12:10 only son Their presence in passages which clearly speak of the Lord Jesus Christ cause us to appreciate that the word is specifically related to Jesus in the context of his suffering.
 

4:27  The command to “turn not to the right hand nor to the left” draws on Deut 17:20 which is an instruction to the king to read the Scriptures which itself draws on the command to all in Deut 5:32 to straight walking.

1. Prov 4:1,5,7 - "understanding"<998>.

2. Prov 4:1,13 - "instruction"<4148> - every KJV mention of "instruction" in Proverbs uses the same Hebrew word.

3. Prov 4:2 - "good doctrine" - bad or confusing doctrine doesn't come from God or His Word (1Cor 14:33).

4. Psa 4:3 - as children of promise perhaps Solomon and Christ were particularly beloved by their mothers.

5. Psa 4:4 - NIV "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live".

6. Psa 4:5,7,7,11 - "wisdom"<2451> - (James 1:5).

7. Psa 4:5-6 - one might remember wisdom and understanding but still forsake them.

8. Psa 4:6 - wisdom "shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee".

9. Prov 4:7 - "getting<7075> get<7069>".

10. Prov 4:9 - "ornament"<3880>; "crown" (1Cor 9:25;2Tim 4:8;James 1:12;1Pet 5:4).

11. Prov 4:10 - "my son...receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many".

12. Prov 4:10-19 - v10-13 the way of wisdom, v14-17 the path of the wicked, v18-19 comparing the two.

13. Prov 4:12 - "straitened"<3334>.

14. Prov 4:13 - Christ has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

15. Prov 4:18 - the just living in the light culminating in the "perfect<3559> day<3117>" of resurrection and immortality (Matt 13:43;Isa 60:20;Rev 21:23). 

16. Prov 4:19 "darkness" (Christ would break through the bondage to sin and death on the third day Exo 10:22;John 11:10;Job 18:5-21;John 12:35-36).

17. Prov 4:20-27 - our entire body should glorify God: v20 our ears to listen to God's Words (a child can listen before he can read); v21,25 keeping our eyes focused on Godly things (Gen 3:6;Heb 12:2); v22 healthy flesh; v23 our heart (i.e. thoughts and emotions - Prov 15:15,30;11:20;14:14) will determine if we are to have life; v24 no perverse speech to come from our mouths and lips; v26 paths of our feet (our spiritual walk in Christ), i.e. a secure careful walk; 27 not veering off in sin to the right hand or left and removing thy foot from evil [Christ didn't sin but was tempted in all points as we are (Heb 4:15) and had to contend with a fleshly nature suffering a bruised heel (Gen 3:15)]. 

4:14-15          The warning not to enter into the path of the wicked is advising the faithful son not to imitate those who are wicked. Not to follow their steps. Rather the faithful are encouraged by Peter to follow Jesus’ steps. 1Pet 2:21

Prov 4:6 - "wisdom" is personified as a "she" just as in the new testament sin is personified in refering to it as a devil (John 6:70;1John 3:8-10).

4:19    Wickedness and darkness contrast with wisdom and light. The light / dark imagery runs right through Scripture. 

Solomon's training

When Solomon says in v1 "hear, ye children", how many children do you think he was talking to? 1Kin 11:3 gives us a clue.

Solomon on the other hand appears to have been especially singled out by David to receive his teaching.

"For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth." (Prov 4:3-5 KJV)

It seems to me that David spent many hours of personal time with Solomon, preparing him to take over rulership of the Kingdom of Israel. These are David's words to his son perhaps on the completion of his training:

"Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." (Prov 4:10-12 KJV)
 

4:4  Drawing on Lev 23:31 doing the commandments is likened to living here in Proverbs .

4:4   This is the second of three occurrences of the injunction to keep the commandments. We see it here and in Prov 3:1 and 7:2

4:26-27         The two fold warning to the “son” to think about the way he walks and how he should focus on the right way might be summarised in Psa 90:12 where Moses encourages all to number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom – that is God’s wisdom.

4:21            on 23 occasions the wise man is inspired to speak to “my son”. So we see how God looks at His creation. Those who seek Him are views as His children. Do we see ourselves as His children who have the obligation to listen to what he is telling us?

THE LIGHT OF DAWN

I am frequently up before dawn and cycling to work in the dark. One thing I enjoy about my trip to work in the early morning is the fact that I travel east. As I ride down the main road, in front of me and just to my left, I see the sun beginning to rise. I don't have the pleasure of seeing it all in one day, but over the weeks I get to see the first light coming into a dark sky, the pink forms of the sunrise as the light hits the clouds, the first gleam of the sun as it breaks over the horizon, the firey light in all its brilliance as the sun rises in all its glory, and finally, the lighting up of the whole world in its daytime glow. From darkness into full light.

The wise man uses the picture of a sunrise to describe what it is like living for God. This is what he says: "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day!" (Prov 4:18.

From groping around in the darkness of fear, indecision and sin, if we follow the Sun of Righteousness, we can have total confidence, joy, love and peace. What a way to go! Let's look to the light, live life in God's ways and let the light of God cast out all fear.
 

4:3        “I was my father’s son” might seem an obvious way to speak of a son. However we must realise that not all sons reflect what their father is like. Jesus could say “if ye have seen me ye have seen the father” – John 14:9 – We should be able to speak in a similar way.

4:11 That God had taught His son and His children was no guarantee of obedience. There is nothing wrong with the instruction. The problem is with the one being instructed. Thankfully Jesus’ ears were always open to the instruction of His father.

Prov 4:23

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

What we harbour in our heart is the essence of who we are - our true inner selves. Only from healthy hearts may true springs of life flow, and, therefore, it is imperative to cultivate a pure heart and to guard it, as our life depends on it.

Our tongue and our actions reveal the true condition of our heart (Prov 4:24-27), and exposes who we really are, what we really think, and what we really do (Prov 23:7). James tells us that un-cleansed and un-purified hearts are double-minded people (James 4:8). They profess to be in Christ, but act contrary to his commands. They are nice to our face while stabbing us in the back. They are unstable in all their doings (James 1:8; cf. 3:10-12). Such hearts are not right before God, no matter how well we think we are doing (cf. Acts 8:13,21).

We want a true, cleansed, pure heart, sprinkled from an evil conscience toward others (Heb 10:22). It takes time, it may even be a painful struggle depending on the severity of the hurt, but guard it we must. Consequently, it requires a lot of effort to change, to keep in memory the Gospel’s teachings (1Cor 15:2), to read and increase our knowledge, to pray, especially because of the hurt we carry in our heart, but if we do these things we will become strengthened; we will overcome it. Instead of holding it in, we let it out and rise above it.

We can see, therefore, the importance of Solomon’s injunction in telling us to guard our heart as being the most important, and we must watch very diligently what flows from it. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart, and with all of life’s issues we are faced with heart choices. We must, therefore, stay focused on the one thing that is needful (Luke 10:42, as our present time is a short time and a provisional one.

4:3 Whilst the book of Proverbs is speaking of wisdom that wisdom was personified in Jesus – hence the mention of his father as “only beloved”.

Prov 4 What is wisdom?

I found a definition which means one who can handle EVERY situation in life with skill and effiency.

Can we honestly say we can achieve that?

Acts 2:2-5 Here we see the apostle recieving the Holy spirit, symbolised by cloven tongues. They had become elightened but the spirit gave them Utterance. The word utterance means a dignified and elevated discourse. That did not just mean they spoke properly and never swore but their wisdom made it appear that when they spoke it was as if God was speaking. Because they could handle every situation in life with skill and effiency.

See the example of Joseph in Gen 40:8-10 where he spoke on Gods behalf.

In the kingdom the wise immortal saints will also speak on Gods behalf,  Isa 60:1-3 so much so the world will come to them.

4:7 The counsel for “my son” we have seen in the previous chapters is now generalised to “children” (4:1). So it is specifically speaking to us if we class ourselves as “children of God”. It is easy to equate “knowledge” with “wisdom”. Some may know many things and are not slow showing off that knowledge. However the wise will apply their knowledge wisely – possibly without even indicating the extent of their knowledge.

It is very easy for us to be blinded by “knowledge” which might be very obviously presented. However the one who develops “wisdom” from their knowledge may be a very quiet individual. We might, therefore, not appreciate their qualities.

4:16  The emphasis here is that the “wicked” are restless and driven by doing evil. Are we ever so intent on doing something that it takes over everything else in our mind at the time? That is good if we are driven by doing good things. However it is abominable if the focus is on evil. Whilst we might think we are never so focussed on doing unhelpful things. However it can be as innocuous as preferring our own plans rather than, for example, spending time with fellow believers.

v.18 - 43 The ruler was asked by Jesus to 'sell all ... and follow me' [22] However he 'went away' [Matthew 19:22] Later Jesus came near to Jericho V 35 and healed the blind man telling him to 'go thy way' [Mark 10:52]. However he 'followed him [Luke 18:43]. The contrast between the ruler who was blind to the call of the gospel and the blind man who could see the call of the gospel is marked.

18:18 We are now back with material found in other gospel records. This event is to be found in Matthew 19:16 Mark 10:17.
Notice that whilst the rich ruler has assented that he has kept all the commandment that Jesus outlines that Jesus has omitted one vital command. 'Thou shalt not covet'.

PRAY AND DON'T GIVE UP
Jesus told this really cool parable that shows us how attentive God is to our prayers. It was about a widow who kept coming to a judge who didn't have time for her. She kept asking for justice against her adversary. He wouldn't listen but she kept on and on at him until he thought she would wear him out. Finally he granted her request. The lesson is this: God will bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him. Yet God is just - not at all like the unjust judge. We won't have to wear God down with our requests over and over so he will listen. People who worship idols think they have to.
When Elijah and the prophets of Baal had their contest, the prophets of Baal cried and prayed all day and Baal didn't hear. But Elijah prayed one small quiet prayer to God and her heard and acted straight away. We can be confident that God will hear our prayers first time and every time. This does not mean that he will always answer them first time - or even in the way we want, but we can rest assured that they have been heard and that God is now taking control of the matter. So don't give up - There is Power in Prayer!

:13 That the publican stood 'afar off' reminds us of Luke 17:12. So the publican is to be brought near to Jesus whilst the Pharisee who thought he was near to God is actually a long way away!

v.5 - The purpose of this and other similar situations must be to show us that God expects us to repeat our petitions over and over to convince him that we care enough about it for him to act. The implication is that an isolated prayer may not be answered but a repeated prayer with conviction will be. Luke 11:8, Jud.16:16, 2Sam.13:24-27, Mark 10:47,48.

V.34 Even though the twelve did not understand what their Master was saying, it does not mean that the words were wasted. By the means of their fulfilment, these sayings would come back to their minds, and their faith would have been strengthened. John 16:4

18:1-7 We are here presented with a contrast. If an 'unjust judge' will listen to repeated requests surely God, who is just, will certainly listen to our petitions.

The parable of the unjust judge serves to show that persistence in prayer is desirable.  It is not that the LORD does not hear the first time.  In fact, He knows what we are going to pray for even before we say it (Matt 6:8).
No, the value of persisting in prayer shows that our hearts and minds are always concerned with the LORD's ways, otherwise why would we be constantly praying? 
Paul urges us to persist in prayer (Rom 12:12, 1Thess 5:17).
There should be consistent themes in our prayers such as the praise of the LORD; the peace of Jerusalem; the coming Kingdom; deliverance from evil; forgiveness of sins; guidance etc.  The LORD knows our personal needs (Matt 6:8) and so there is no need to chew His ear off about these.
The Lord worries that He might find some of His brethren not being engaged in effective prayer when he comes (v.8).

V.13 The word "merciful" used here is an interesting study. The Greek word is HILASKOMAI (2433). The only other time it is used is in Heb 2:17 where it is translated "make reconciliation". The Greek meaning of the word is to make propitiation. With this in mind it assists in the understanding and appreciation of the next verse. The Publican was justified or made right. 

18:22  The call to follow Jesus has already been made to the disciples – Luke 9:23. We see, later in this chapter, that Bartimaeus did follow Jesus – Luke 18:43

18:8 We should realise that the ‘faith’ that the lord wonders will be manifest is a belief that God will actually hear and answer prayers. The context of the previous verses demonstrates this. We cannot form a judgment about what the verse means without reference to its context.

There is a lovely link between Luke 18 and tomorrow’s Luke 19. Blind Bartimaeus was as low as one could get – a blind beggar down in the gutter at Jericho. But Zacchaeus was chief tax collector, and he was up a tree. What did Jesus do? Why, He called the beggar and told him to stand up, and he asked Zacchaeus to come down from the tree. So both men met Jesus on eye level.  In truth, “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

18:9   This parable to those who ‘trusted in themselves’ – following hard on the comment of Jesus in the previous verses – must indicate that those who do not cry to God regularly actually trust in themselves.

The Lord’s lesson about persisting in prayer (v.1) is linked to His observation of faith when he comes (v.8). Those who constantly pray for the right things: the peace of Jerusalem; the coming kingdom; praise and gratitude for the Lord’s grace; forgiveness etc. are showing a lively faith. Those who are not concerned with those things are living too much in the world (Matt 6:21). The Lord’s comment about faith in v.8 suggests that He will find some (many?) who have forgotten their first love (Rev 2:4). How will we stand?

18:15-17 We are so familiar with the way that Jesus speaks of receiving the kingdom as ‘a little child’ that we may miss the force of the point. Whilst children are self willed and rebellious they have the wonderful characteristic that they are teachable. They respond to teaching with enthusiasm and absorb new things like a sponge absorbs water. Are we so willing to learn the tings of God?

Luke seems to compare and contrast the rich ruler in Luke 18 with Zacchaeus in Luke 19. For example, we are told specifically they were both rich and in positions of authority - one a ruler, the other chief among the publicans. However, Zacchaeus volunteers to give up his money, whereas the ruler does not. Zacchaeus is joyful whereas the ruler is very sorrowful. Zacchaeus shows what is required to be an heir (son of Abraham) whereas the ruler does not.  

v11 or even as this publican. There is a case for the publican being referred to as Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was the chief publican, or probably in modern terms the chief officer of the Inland Revenue - a man to be hated much and in those days there was plenty of scope for extorting more than his due from the people.
However, he went to great lengths to see Jesus (he was small so he had to go up a tree). To the Pharisees' horror Jesus took to Zacchaeus and no doubt went with him in preference to going with any of the Pharisees.
Zacchaeus was very repentant and exacted upon himself the severest of all penalties, that of an unrepentant sinner and offered to repay fourfold Exo 22:1. In addition, he was willing to give away half of his wealth, not half of his income. Truly a repentant sinner. A lesson for us in our prayers.

I think if I were less squeamish about harming books, I would get a large nail and drive it into my Bible at Luke 18:26-27. And because of the way my particular version is printed, the nail would come out at the back of the page on Luke 18:13-14. Why would I do this? Because, for me, the whole weight of the scripture hangs on these verses.

18:22,42 Notice the contrast between the ruler and Bartimaeus. The man who did not follow was amongst those who thought that they could see. Bartimaeus obviously couldn’t see. In reality the ruler couldn’t see and Jesus was curing his blindness as he did Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was cured. The ruler was not so couldn’t follow – he still couldn’t see.

NO MORE LONELY PEOPLE

Jesus said, "No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." (Luke 18:29-30)

The promised reward of eternal life for ourselves or for others is something we have no control over. It is given to us by the grace of God. But for those who have given up or lost relationships because of their relationship with Jesus - wife, brothers parents or children - the promise is that they will receive many times as much in this age. The same promise also applies to homes. It may be that because of persecution or broken relationships we lose our home and yet Jesus promises that we will receive many times as much in this age.

As Christians we have a responsibility to fulfil this promise for those who have lost out because of Jesus. There are a number of people in our churches whose relationships with family and friends have been broken because of their relationship with Jesus. Most often the believer will have been rejected by their unbelieving family. It is for those people that my family and I need to be brothers and sisters and parents, and our home needs to be open to them. If we could all do this all of the time there will be no more lonely people in the family of Jesus and God's kingdom could be seen in practice right now.

18:11  In the parable Jesus has the two going to the ‘temple’ – Luke 18:10.  In Psa 135:2  those who ‘stand in the house of the Lord’ are to ‘praise the Lord’ Psa 135:3. Notice the contrast with the Pharisee.

18:23-24    Do we let our worldly possessions interfere with our commitment to God?  We may say not but do we put our work or career, before the things of God?

Summary Of Luke

18:1-8       To Disciples(?) Parable – of the unjust judge

18:9-14      Parable – Publican and sinner praying

18:15-17    Children brought to Jesus

18:18-23    Ruler – What shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Like 10:25-29)

18:24-27    Jesus taught how hardly those that are riches will enter the kingdom of God

18:28-30    Peter – we have left all, what will we have?

18:31-34    To Disciples – we go to Jerusalem and I will be put to death – disciples did not understand

18:35-43    Near Jericho – Miracle 14 – Blind man healed

 Luke 18:34.

Why would the meaning of this straightforward statement be "hidden" from the apostles?

I found 6 other gospel references to similar points that Jesus made.

The first two look like they're parallel accounts of this same incident. They are found in Matt 20:17-19 and Mark 10:32-34. The reason I think these two are parallel accounts is that soon after each in both is the healing of the blind man (men - Matthew; one named Bartimaeus in Mk.) and the same is true here in Lk. 18.

Another includes Matt 16:21 and the parallel accounts in Mark 8:31,32 and Luke 9:22 where Peter ends up rebuking Jesus and is, in turn, told "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

The final one is Mark 9:31,32.

If we go back to the first two that match up with our reference in Lk. 18, the immediate follow up story is James' and John's mother seeking a place for each son on his right and left in the kingdom - which almost has to mean that they just didn't understand the real import of what he was saying - and that instead the focus was still on his potential overthrow of the Roman power and immediate establishment of God's kingdom on earth. So one more time he tried to impress upon them that there really would be not only suffering and death for him but also for them, as his followers. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" (i.e. the cup of suffering and sorrow) and though they answered "yes", I'm not sure they, even then, understood his meaning.

So getting back to the original question, when Luke states that his true meaning was "hidden" from them, it seems fair to ask who was doing the hiding. Was it God? I don't think so. Or was it simply themselves who then in essence were saying, "He can't really mean what he appears to be saying. It must just be a parable of some kind that is over our heads"? Or, in the case where Peter makes his statement, "Lord, we are behind you all the way. We won't let any of your enemies take you and do those things to you." Bottom line then - I think they were hiding the true meaning from themselves.

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. There might be a small part of us that says - how could they not get the sequence - the cross before the crown - seeing as "the cross" part was what all the Old Testament sacrifices had to point to? Yet wasn't it also true that a man with such God-given powers to heal the sick and cure the blind and raise the dead could and would use those same powers to prevent what he said must happen? I have to think if I were among the disciples at that time, I wouldn't have had the spiritual strength and wisdom to put it all together and stand against them in what they were thinking and saying. And for all this, Jesus could still tell them at the Last Supper, "You are those who have continued with me in my trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel" (Lk. 22:28-30).

18:12  Notice the self-centred nature of the Pharisees’ prayer. The repeated use of ‘I’ highlights his problem. How often are our prayers a list of things about ourselves? We might say that we are asking God to care for us however Jesus’ prayer – Matt 6:9-13 – shows that God should be the prime focus of our prayers, as was the publican’s. 

18:38-39        This is the only time in Luke’s gospel record that anyone called Jesus “son of David.

18:31  A number of times we read that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Here is the list Luke 9:51,53,57, 10:38, 13:33, 17:11, 18:31, 19:11, 19:28 That this is a spiritual journey rather than a direct route that Jesus took will be seen by noting where Jesus is on each occasion. He was at Bethany on one occasion and left before returning to Jerusalem via Bethany for the final Passover.

18:5    In the parable her “continual coming” is like the “importunity” of the man in the parable in Luke 11:8

18:39  the way the blind man cried “so much the more” is an example of what Jesus aid –  18:5 – the widow repeatedly made request to the judge.

Luke 18:8

I find it very haunting to read these words of Christ: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find [the] faith on the earth?” Did Christ imagine a future much like his present where the Word of God is neglected, or truncated, parsed obsessively, and wrested to the point of isolating, segregating, paralyzing, and lacking that full and durable faith - belief, trust, and loyalty to God?