Comments for July 20

4 v.11 - There was much bloodshed in David's life - many thousands of his enemies - so much so that he was unable to do as he wished and build a house for the Lord - and he is not an indiscriminate killer, as passages like these go to prove. It is important that only those who are clearly the Lord's enemies are our enemies, and not others who might seem to be.

4:8-11 - Still there are men who do not know the calibre of David. One can only presume that they were blind to his goodness because of their own desire for praise. How often are we concerned with our own position that we fail to see the strengths of our brethren and sisters?

5:3 - So this is the third time that David had been anointed. The first was by Samuel [1Sam 16:3] The second [2Sam 2:4]God made the choice by the hand of Samuel and now the people are assenting that he is their choice also. Saul never had such acceptance by the people.

5 v.4 - Considering the bloodshed and terror in which David was personally closely involved, we have a testimony here to God's preservation of him, which was nothing short of a miracle.

4:1 That the death of Abner caused such consternation to the sons of Saul indicated a number of things.
1 They were not the main opponents of David.
2 Israel and Judah were already two separate entities.
3 The sons of Saul did not understand how David was a man after God's own heart.

5:17 Whilst it seems that the Philistines were not concerned when David was crowned in Hebron they were when he was crowned in Jerusalem. Nor is there any indication that David had a battle to take Hebron but he certainly had to fight for Jerusalem. Maybe this explains why the Philistines were so concerned. Hebron was already in the hand of the Israelites. Jebus, as it was then, was a fortified stronghold. When David took it he automatically became a threat to the Philistines and had to be dealt with.

Chapter 4 - The intrigue, blood letting, and family feuding and conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David that we have seen over the last two or three days shows that despite the fact that God had chosen David men continued to try to exert their own will - and David strove to uphold God's values. How often do we feel that 'the end justifies the means'? David did not. He allowed God to work in his life.

5:19, 23 That David 'enquired of the Lord' twice even though now he had the backing of the whole nation shows where David saw his help coming from.

4:5 Presuming the 'Beerothites' came from Beeroth we appreciate that these men lived in the territory of Benjamin (Josh 18:25) so in slaying Ishbosheth they were slaying their own kinsman - so we must presume that they wanted David to be king - though their approach was wrong.

5:1 we may wonder why Hebron was chosen to be the place where David was crowned and reigned. We know that Jerusalem was to be the capital and David knew this. However when David came to the throne the Jebusites were still in control of Jebus (Jerusalem). So why Hebron? Well the patriarchs were buried there - Abraham and Sarah (Gen 25:10) and Joseph (Gen 50:13) for example.  Also being in the territory of Judah (Josh 15:1-4) by contrast to Jerusalem which was shared by both Benjamin and Judah (Judg 1:18,21) it, politically, was a good spot to choose.

5:3  It is interesting to note how David came to the kingship by stages. First, there was his anointing by Samuel. 1Sam 16:13 Then his full acknowledgement by Jonathan the heir1Sam 23:17 His coronation over Judah in Hebron. 2Sam 2:3-4 and now, his full kingship over all the nation.

Joseph was 30 yrs old when he became the ruler in Egypt, (Gen 41:46). David was 30 when he became king in today's chapter (2Sam 5:4), and Jesus was 30 when he began his ministry (Luke 3:2330 years is a long preparation time. How great was God's care for those He loved, in giving them such a time to
prepare for His work.

5:17 It appears that during the wars between the house of Saul and the house of David, that the Philistines had remained quiet spectators of the battles. But now, jealous of David, they resolved to attack him before his government was fully established. Not once, but twice.(V.18,22) 

Anointed by the LORD

David had been anointed King by the LORD a long time ago, and now finally, after so many years, the children of Israel were willing to anoint him too. This anointing in 5:3 was of course unnecessary insofar as the first anointing in 1Sam 16:13 was still effective, but it was done as a recognition on the part of the people of Israel that they stood alongside the anointed of the LORD, and agreed with His choice of King (5:2-3). The same thing will happen at the return of Christ, the anointed of the LORD. Though he was anointed by His Father, yet Israel has not yet accepted him. When he returns the second time he will be finally recognised by them as their King, the anointed of the LORD, their shepherd to lead them in and out (Compare 5:2 with Heb 13:20-21).

A two stage reign

But what about us, who have accepted him as our Shepherd and King already? If we look at the record of the reign of David we see that he reigned in two stages, firstly over the house of Judah for seven years and six months, and then finally over all Israel for a further thirty three years (5:5). This can be taken as an allegory of our own lives with Christ. Jesus has already started to reign, but not yet fully. We are those who have accepted him from the beginning, as Judah did, and so we have him to reign over us now. This is explained in Rom 15:11-12 how that the reign of Christ, the Root of Jesse (i.e David's descendant), would reign first over the Gentile believers, and then fully over all the earth. This is largely what Jesus meant when he spoke of "many who are first shall be last, and the last first" (Luke 13:29-30; Matt 20:1-16). The Gentiles who have been last to hear the word of God have been made to respond and submit to His rulership first of all. This means that the wonderful verses in Isa 11:1-10 should be applied to us now, which is a truly magnificent idea. We are the wolf dwelling with the lamb. We are the lion eating straw, and the bear grazing alongside the cow. These symbols are of the unclean gentiles being made clean and acceptable to worship God, led by a little child, Jesus Christ, who humbled himself as an obedient child to his Father's will. This child-like man is our shepherd, and the one who will lead us wherever he wants us to go; if we will submit to him (Isa 11:6, Rev 12:5).

2Sam 5:8, Perhaps this has a spiritual application. We first have to have the vision to recognize the path through the gutter or water shaft (waters of baptism?) and then spiritually walk in order to have an opportunity to enter in the future house or palace of our Lord.

4:1  In saying ‘Saul’s son’ we learn that not all Saul’s sons were slain in the battle on Mount Gilboa - 1Sam 31:7 - . So clearly the record there is speaking about all the sons who went to war.

5:2  So the people recognise that David had been their shepherd during the days of Saul for going out and in was the behaviour of the shepherd of Israel as Moses demonstrated Deut 31:2

5:17 The visit of the Philistines was hardly a visit to recognise David as king. Having removed Saul doubtless they thought to remove David before he became a strong king over Israel.

2Sam 5:13 In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply wives unto himself. (Deut 17:17)

FOREIGN ACKNOWLEDGMENT
 
There were lots of signs that could tell us that the LORD had established David as king over Israel. In the first place, he had been anointed as king years earlier by Samuel the prophet. Secondly, he had been crowned king of Judah. Saul, the previous king, had been killed. Then, all the tribes of Israel and the elders of Israel "anointed David king over Israel." (2Sam 5:3) And lastly, he conquered Jerusalem, took up residence in the fortress in Jerusalem and called it the city of David. (v.9)
 
But it was none of these events that convinced David that the LORD had established him as king over Israel. The occasion that led to that conclusion was this: "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." (v.11-12) It was when he was acknowledged by a foreigner as being king over Israel, and was respected as such by them, that he knew he was established as king over Israel.
 
Maybe we could use the same test for our Christianity. When those who are not Christians see and acknowledge us as living an active Christian life, we can be sure that our faith is showing.

4:12   In burying the head of Ishbosheth in the grave of Abner we see yet another example of David’s care for Saul’s descendants.

4:4,5 Saul's son Ishbosheth means man of shame.  He was originally named Esh-Baal (1Chron 8:33).  Esh-Baal means man of Baal.  The family connection with Baal is not clear.  But the name change seems to be an attempt to show scorn and contempt for the false god.   

Jonathan's son (Saul's grandson) Mephibosheth means idol exterminator.  His name was changed from Merib-baal which means contender of Baal (1Chron 8:34).

And so, by changing the name of his son Esh-Baal, Saul distanced himself from Baal in recognition of Yahweh as the only true, living God.  In the name change of Merib-Baal, Jonathan punctuated that endorsement.

5:4  David was thirty years old when he became king.  The man he foreshadowed was Jesus, who began His ministry at the same age.

5:21 In the Ancient Near East, it was common practice for armies to carry their gods into battle.  Israel imitated this by carrying the ark into battle, but they lost it (1Sam 4:10,11).  In this instance, the deities which were captured by David were burned (according to the KJV). 

The Hebrew word for burned is nasah which has many meanings.  It could mean carry away, and some Bible translations use this meaning.  However, for what purpose would David, a follower of Yahweh, carry away idols?  And so, it seems more likely that the idols were burned.

4:5-8 So intrigue and murder against the house of Saul continues.

5:6 The Jebusites boasted that Jerusalem was so well fortified, that even the blind and the lame could defend it.

5:8 See 1Chron 11:6.  Millo was the rampart made from earth fortified with stones.

5:13 David was taking liberties with the law (Deut 17:17).

5:23 Mulberry trees (KJV) are translated balsam trees in more modern versions.

5:2 David had been the true ‘shepherd’ of Israel whilst a fugitive from Saul – doing Saul’s job even before he was on the throne himself.

Mephibosheth was five years old when crippled and Ish-Bosheth like Abner was stabbed under the fifth rib (2Sam 4:4,6;2Sam 3:27). 2Sam 4:11 - "righteous" [(6662) Heb. "tsaddiyq" means "just, lawful, righteous"] is combined with repeated numbers of five or fifth perhaps suggesting some application of grace or mercy.   

2Sam 5:4 - the number "30" is thought by some to indicate "fit for service".

2Sam 5:7 - first scriptural mention of "Zion" (6726) means "a permanent capital, a mountain of Jerusalem, (in the sense of) conspicuousness, a monumental or guiding pillar, sign, title, waymark, parched place". David in ruling from Mount Zion echoes Christ's future rule from Mount Zion on David's throne in the city of David (2Sam 7:12-17; Psa 2:2-12;Isa 2:2-4;Isa 9:2,6-7;Isa 11:1-10;Isa 59:20;Rom 11:25-27.    

 2Sam 5:20-21,25 - "Baalperazim" (1188) means "lord of the breaks, possessor of breaches" and v.25 notes David chased the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.  Isa 28:21 - we have mention of a future "Mount Perazim" and "Valley of Gibeon" which perhaps refers to when God defended Hezekiah from Assyria (2Kin 19:35-36) and perhaps also refers to a time when God will defend Israel from a latter day Assyrian (Eze 38:14-18,21-23). Some of this was gleaned from Samuel, Saul & David by Harry Whittaker, p. 167.

5:6     The taking of Jerusalem from the Jebusites – something which never seemed to an issue for Saul – was a major part of David’s plan which culminated in him bringing the ark to Zion. Something which had been on his mind since he was a young man as can be seen from the comments of the Psalmist – Psa 132:1-6

5:6    The specific mention of ‘Jebusites’ who were the inhabitants causes us to remember that in Judg 1:21 the Benjamites did not drive out the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Indicating that David was more focused on the plan of God than were the Benjamites and in particular Saul when he was king.

5:9     Millo is not a place name. Rather it describes the retaining wall of the city of David. The city was on a steep hillside and a retaining wall had been built to form a platform on which buildings could be built.

5:11    The involvement of Hiram in building David’s house, whilst appearing to have no specific significance, sets the scene for his involvement with Solomon in building the temple. 

5:5      When David was king in Jerusalem he reigned over a united kingdom made up of all the tribes. However, even now, the kingdom is described as having two parts – Israel and Judah. So either the record is speaking of a tension that already existed or is written after the division of the kingdom into two parts and both parts are described to contrast with the way things were during the divided kingdom.

2 Sam 4

The account of this murder implies that the murder had something to do with where the assassins were from. Beeroth is in Benjamin's territory, near to Gibeon (Josh 18:21-25). In Josh 9 these are both cities spared in Joshua's invasion of the land. The people of Beeroth became "slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God." Josh 9:23. Had Saul perhaps mistreated them? It's quite likely, because in 2Sam 21:1 we read that he had been killing the Gibeonites, their fellow slaves.

4:2 Josh 18:25 is the basis for this comment about Beeroth.

5:2    That leading out and bringing in the nation is acting as a leader echoes the words of Num 27:17 which describes the one who should be a leader in Israel after Moses.

2Sam 5:13

“And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.”

According to the Jerusalem Talmud, the process of marriage came in two stages: 1) The Kiddushin, or betrothal. 2) The Ketubbah, or the wedding contract followed a year later by Nisuin, when the husband took his wife to his home. Wives had the kiddushin and ketubbah, concubines had only the kiddushin, but also dedicated themselves to one man with whom they cohabited without ketubbah.

Though legally bound to the spouse, concubines did not have to live with their spouse (Judg 8:30,31). The concubine’s spouse was called the son-in-law (hatan) of her father, who was the father-in-law (hoten). A concubine relationship could partake of many aspects of a regular marriage.

To lie with a ruler’s concubine was tantamount to usurpation of the throne (2Sam 3:7-11; 2Sam 16:21,22; cf. 1Kin 2:21-24). The distinction between wives and concubines further had to do with the inheritance rights of the children. The children of wives had full inheritance rights, while the children of concubines had limited inheritance rights and their mothers had limited rights for support. Their status in these respects was lower than for wives.

5:24  The sound in the tops of the trees could well have been a God provided strong wind. Whatever it was it was a sign from God consequent of God’s control of the elements of nature. An evidence that He is in control of the smallest elements of His creation. 

5:25 “Geba” is “Gibeon” – 1Chron 14:16 – Gibeon which was in the mountains a little north of Jerusalem. Thus we have an indication of the extent of the Philistines’ activities at this time.

5:4-5  Whereas it is said David reigned 40 years if se add together the two periods 7½ and 33 we get 40½. Of course there is no discrepancy. We learn here that part of a year is disregarded when speaking of the time David reigned. Possibly an indication of one detail that will help us to deal with the apparent discrepancies that appear when we try to draw up a table of the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel.

5:4-5 Whereas it is said David reigned 40 years if se add together the two periods 7½ and 33 we get 40½. Of course there is no discrepancy. We learn here that part of a year is disregarded when speaking of the time David reigned. Possibly an indication of one detail that will help us to deal with the apparent discrepancies that appear when we try to draw up a table of the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel.

4:3 that the Benjamites who fled from Beeroth fled on hearing that Abner was dead we see an indication that the inhabitants of that town had aligned themselves with Ishbosheth as king rather than David. And now learning of Abner’s death – the power behind the throne – they flee. Again a group of men and women who did not appreciate the qualities of David, a godly man.

5:8 David had sworn to Saul that he would not kill his descendants – 1Sam 24:21 – so clearly those who brought Ishbosheth’s head to David were either unaware of David’s oath or thought that he would not keep his promise. If the latter is true it indicates that they did not know the caliber of David’s conscience.

5:3 Whilst we read “all the elders of Israel came …” we might wonder whether all the elders from the tribe of Benjamin were there. It is evident that at this time there were some, or even many, in Benjamin who were not keen to recognise David as their king.

5:23 "You shall not go up; go around to the rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees

David had earlier enquired of God whether he should go up against the Philistines (5:19). When the situation was soon repeated - the Philistines came out to fight David (5:22) - David could have presumed that God had recently given him permission to fight the Philistines so that asking  a second time was superfluous and unnecessary - God didn't need to be "bothered" with the same request.  But no, David did ask again, and just as well, because God had different plans (5:23). The tragedy of bring the ark to Jerusalem the wrong way  (2 Samuel 6), could have been avoided had David simply asked God about his proposed method.

LESSON: We sometimes feel that we should not bother God with our endless requests for advice and help, particularly when our situation is similar to a previous one. Yet God wants to hear these prayers. Had David not asked the second time there could have been a tragedy - God had a different plan and without prayer David would be unaware of that different plan. 

v.2 - Is this a reference to those that practised astrology? - Isa.47:13. There are many that might seek to frighten by their predictions. All true prophecy is to be found in scripture

v.19-20 - Do we show such emotion when we know of brethren and sisters who have strayed from the way? Do we have such feelings for the current desolation of Jerusalem? or are we complacent about the plight of the things of God?

v.5 - Consider, as we read of these idols which were inanimate, these scriptures - Psa.115:5-8, 135:16-18, Hab.2:19, 1Cor.12:2, and then look at the contrast predicted in Rev.13:14-15

10:25 This verse quotes Psalm 79:6-7. In the Psalm the psalmist is pleading for God to intervene to save His city. Jeremiah is making the same plea.

:23-24 I suppose we all acknowledge that we cannot 'direct our steps' but do we go on to acknowledge our need for correction and then, in prayer, ask our Father to correct us with His chastening hand?

10:3-4 So Judah have not learnt from the captivity of their northern neighbour Israel. Isaiah (Isa 40:19-20) repeatedly warned against idol worship in similar ways before the northern kingdom was taken to Assyria.

V.10  A lesson for all generations. He is the creator and sustainer of all life; the giver of every good and perfect gift.

False gods are so easy to construct, (Jer 10:3-5). Let’s therefore make sure that we do not impose on ourselves such worthless and irreligious idols.

10:20 Jeremiah, by the Spirit, likens the destruction of the people to the decay of the tabernacle. This indicates that God is more interested in people than in physical buildings. The building stood for His people. However the people tended to think that the building was the important thing.

V.11 The introduction to this verse: Thus shall you say to them: is written in Aramaic.  The verse was meant for the Babylonian idolaters.  The thrust of the address mirrors Psa 96:5.

10:6 Having reproved the idol makers and worshippers Jeremiah reiterates the majesty of God. Idol worship was not a harmless indulgence. It blunted Judah’s appreciation of the power of their God. IN like manner our little ‘indulgences’ as not of no consequences. They blunt our appreciation of the majesty of God.

10:6-8 Israel’s behaviour is set against the prophet’s observation that ‘there is none like unto’ the Lord. The qualities of the God they worshipped should have been manifest in their lives –Lev 11:44- instead they seem to have been exactly the opposite.

10:9 The way in which Jeremiah speaks of ‘silver’ ‘gold’ ‘purple’ ‘clothing’ echoes Josh 7:21 where Achan’s sin is revealed.

V.2 The Babylonians’ penchant for astrology is highlighted here; and Yahweh’s interdiction of it for Israel (Deut 4:19).

Vs.4,5 See Isa 46:17.

Vs.9,10 The dumb, inanimate idols are the intricate work of men’s hands made from the finest material brought from all over the world. Whereas, the only true living God, Israel’s King, is the creator of that world (vs.12,13).

V.14 See Jer 51:17.

V.16 See Deut 32:9.

V.18 See Isa 22:17,18.

V.19 Judah bewails her own calamity just as the prophet Micah does (Mic 1:8,9).

V.23 See Prov 16:9.

V.24 Yahweh will punish His people, correct them, and accept them again. Yahweh will never extinguish his people, but will always preserve a remnant of them (Jer 30:11).

V.25 This verse reflects Psa 79:6,7.

10:2 The exhortation to Israel ‘learn not the ways of the heathen’ was not a new exhortation in the days of Jeremiah. It was part of the law given at Sinai – Lev 18:3

10:21   The ‘pastors’ are the ‘shepherds’. They fed themselves rather than fed the flock. So Ezekiel could speak of these same leaders in captivity Eze 34:1-4

Jer 10:3-4

“For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

This verse reminds me of my childhood days with my Dad. We lived in a small house on a small lot, but had the wide expanse of country living. Every December my Dad and I would go looking for a well-shaped tree to cut down for Christmas. My Dad would carry the axe, I the rope, and off we went. Then we would tie the tree up, drag it home, put it on a wooden base he made and nail the tree to it. Silver tinsels with silver and gold coloured balls highlighted the tree. We followed this verse to a tee without ever even knowing at that time it existed condemning such a pagan practice! Even today most professing Christians believe that Christmas is one of the most important holidays, blindly following its observance without ever questioning its origin.

Semiramis, the mother and wife of Nimrod claimed that a full-grown evergreen tree sprang up overnight from a dead tree stump, which was a symbol of the resurrection of Nimrod. On each anniversary of his birth, December 25^th, she claimed Nimrod would visit the tree and leave gifts!

Most Bible Scholars agree that Christmas is of pagan origin that began long before Messiah was ever born. The observance of Christmas as a Christian festivity dates from the fourth century, and is due to the assimilation of the Mithraic festival of the birth of the sun. Nimrod’s name in Babylonian is Tammuz - the sun god! Christmas is nothing, but this continuation under a different name assimilating the name of Messiah to the sun god of this solar festivity originally referred to as Saturnalia.

I highly recommend the book, The Two Babylons by the late Alexander Hislop if you would like to read more on how this and the other festivals originated from paganism.

10:5    The ‘idols’ of this world look so appealing - however they have no power in themselves. However we are as easily deceived into burdening ourselves with them as Israel were.

10:2   Learning the way of the heathen is so easy. It is so easy because we used to walk in that way. Such ways of thinking are natural to us as Adam’s children. It was not only Israel who struggled to keep God’s laws, unsullied by the influence of the world. It is our position also.

Some questions on Jeremiah 10

Verse 8 says: "But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities."

1) What do you think was the problem with these people? What does the word "brutish" imply?

Now try searching in a Strongs concordance for the word (it's word <1197> in the Hebrew lexicon). There's an online Strongs search here: http://www.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm#strongs and you can type in the number to get the list of verses.

2) Scroll down the page to see the list of verses using this word. What do these other verses tell you about the way the Bible uses the word?

3) With your new knowledge of what the word really means, how would you have translated the word "brutish"?

4) Does this change your view on question 1?
 

10:14  A conflict between the gods of men’s imagination and the Creator has been laid out in the previous verses (verses :9-13) and now we learn the reason why man makes his own gods – he is “brutish”. 

10:13    The way in which God is presented as speaking and creation occurring is seen earlier, for example, in Psa 33:9. The way in which God created things is presented both here and the Psalm as a word which had an instantaneous consequence.

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

PART TWO -- THE PROPHECIES TO JUDAH (JEREMIAH 2:1 to 45:5)

I. The Condemnation of Judah (Jeremiah 2:1 to 25:38)

   C. Third Sermon - Judah's Hypocrisy in Worship and the Illusions of Temple Security (Jeremiah 7:1 to 10:25):

      26. Jer 10:2 - the Gentiles put great religious emphasis on the stars and other heavenly bodies; Babylon was the home of the pseudo-science of astrology, which, together with idolatry, Isaiah rebuked in Isa 47:1,5,13,14, etc.; "dismayed<2865>".

      27. Jer 10:3-5 - V3 (NIV) "they cut a tree out of the forest" (Christmas trees honor the Germanic 'god' Wodin); VS 3-5 idols are powerless, and Jeremiah warns of their uselessness (Hos 8:5-6).

      28. Jer 10:6-7 - in contrast to the idol worshippers, Jeremiah praises and turns to the true God (Psa 9:16-17;Exo 15:11;Rev 15:3).

      29. Jer 10:8 - (NIV) "They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols".

      30. Jer 10:9 - going even to Tarshish (the extreme limit of the ancient world) to get the best materials.

      31. Jer 10:10 - praising the true God; (NIV) "But the LOrd is the true God".

      32. Jer 10:11 - according to Dr. Ryrie, this is the only verse written in Aramaic, and as noted by Michael Parry in his 2006 comments, it was likely meant for Babylonian idolaters; as the idol gods have gone this is a fulfilled prophecy.

      33. Jer 10:12-13 - VS 12-13 praising the true God; V13 "vapours<5387>" ascending describes how clouds and rain drops are formed.

      34. Jer 10:14 - Michael Parry in his 2009 comments notes Jer 51:17 repeating the same quote; (KJV) "brutish<1197>", (ESV/NASB) "stupid", (NIV) "senseless".

      35. Jer 10:15 - "vanity<1892>".

   C. Third Sermon - Judah's Hypocrisy in Worship and the Illusions of Temple Security (Jeremiah 7:1 to 10:25):

      36. Jer 10:16;Deut 32:9 - the long enduring scattering (Jer 10:21) of Israel has been more than 2,500 years since      Jeremiah's day and almost 2000 years since the circa 70AD scattering and together with the prophesied regathering are a witness for God.

      37. Jer 10:17 - "wares<3666>" (this word is only used once in the Bible).

      38. Jer 10:18 - "sling out" is expressive of the expulsion of exile.

      39. Jer 10:19,21 - Jeremiah gieving over the impending destruction of Jerusalem because of the V21 "pastors (<7462> Jer 2:8 they were bad leaders unable to shepherd the people to safety)" being "brutish (<1197> KJV "brutish", ESV/NASB "stupid", NIV "senseless")"; V21 "they shall not 'prosper<7919>'" (Psa 122:6 "prosper<7951>").

      40. Jer 10:22 - (NIV) "a great commotion from the land of the north! It will make the towns of Judah desolate, a haunt of jackels"; "bruit<8052>"; "dragons<8577>".

      41. Jer 10:23-25 - it is a prayer for vengeance (Rom 12:19;2Thess 1:7-8; regarding modern "Babylon" i.e. Rome Rev 18:20-21); V23 man's limitations; V24 according to The New Bible Commentary, 3rd edition,1970 Copyright by Inter-Varsity Press, England, p 635 - "correct me" is not referring to the "me" of Jeremiah's personal self, but refers to the nation whose doom is breaking his heart; V24 as Michael Parry in his 2009 comments notes, God will chasten His people, correct them, but always preserve a remnant (Heb 12:5-11;Jer 30:11;Zech 12:10); V25 Jeremiah interceeds for his people and pleads for vindication against the heathen summoned by God to punish Judah (verse repeated in Psa 79:6-7).  

10:11-12 Notice that the false Gods did not make the heavens and earth. The Lord is supreme because he did actually create everything. The Genesis account of the creation is accurate and reliable. Any argument that diminishes the creative work of God – such as “Theistic Evolution” reduce Yahweh to the same status as the false Gods Israel worshipped.

10:11     In speaking about creation the prophet is making one of hundreds of references in scripture to the fact that God created everything. The details in early Genesis cannot be ignored. They are integrated into scripture extensively.

10:12   Notice the quotation from Gen 2:4. We should remember that the Bible is full of evidences that God is the creator and that He made everything in the way he speaks of in early Genesis.

10:7       Jeremiah’s response, reflecting on the dumb idols, sees that Yahweh is the only God that is worth worshipping because of His qualities. If only we could be so focussed!

10:2 “the signs of the heavens” refers to astrologers. Israel’s neighbours were superstitious and consulted astrologers. Of course Israel were told not to  Lev 19:31 – Of course we never read horror scopes do we?

10:3-9 The behaviour of the people towards idols foreshadowed the trial and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. The idol was made from a "tree" (Jer. 10:3) and Christ was "hanged on a tree" (Acts 5:30). The idol was fastened “with nails” (Jer. 10:4) just as Christ was pierced with “nails” (Jno. 20:25). The idols “must needs be borne” (Jer. 10:5) just as Simon was “compelled to bear his cross” (Mt. 27:32). Of the idols it is said, “purple is their clothing” (Jer. 10:9) and the soldiers “clothed him with purple” (Mk. 15:17). These parallels show that the people effectively treated Christ as an inanimate idol. Ironically Churches have since mimicked this behaviour with their processional crosses.

10:2-3 If we do not take any notice of the way that unbelievers live we will not be contaminated by their thinking. However if we enquire into it we will learn of their anxieties. God’s counsel is that we keep our minds clear of such ways and focus on His teaching.  It is very difficult to forget something we might have learnt which is damaging to our thinking.

10:2-5 Advertising seems to have hit on a new “trick”. We are encouraged to compare ourselves with our neighbours, or encouraged to avoid being embarrassed by our house  calling it “housebarrassment”.

Are we influenced to change our lives because of what we see our neighbours having?

We are not encouraged to live in a hovel. However these things should not be a driving force in our lives. If we are  comparing ourselves with anyone it should be with the risen Jesus who is our saviour for in other thigs there is salvation elsewhere.

10:2 Those who know the purpose and plan that God has for the earth are not dismayed by the problems that beset mankind. However as soon as we start to think like those who have not got such knowledge then we will despair like they do.

It is irrational to both know His plan and to worry like the unenlightened.

10:12 Notice the contrast. Human reasoning says that everything came into existence by “chance”. Jeremiah says it came into existence by God’s “wisdom” – he same point is made in Prov 3:19

10:23 It is not in man that walks to direct his steps

Democracy (rulership by the people) states the opposite: "It is in man that walks to direct his steps".  That is why the Kingdom will be a theocracy (rulership by God).  Democracies lead away from God; Theocracies lead towards God.

v.12 - Matthew, Mark and Luke record this incident towards the end of Jesus' life, only days before his crucifixion [here, Mark 11:15, Luke 19:45,46]. John on the other hand records what must have been a different incident as it takes place at the beginning of his ministry - the first time he went to Jerusalem for the Passover, not the last time [John 2:14-17]. We must conclude, therefore, that he did this more than once.

v.9 - Whilst the people cry 'blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' the leaders oppose them asking Jesus to restrain them. However one of the last things that Jesus says to the leaders is that the time will come when they will use the same words. [Matthew 21:9 23:39 Mark 11:9 Luke 13:35]. Look at the way that Psalm 118 is used in the last week of Jesus' life. The people cry some of the words of the Psalm [Matthew 21:9] Then Jesus uses the Psalm to highlight himself as the rejected son of David. [Matthew 21:42] Jesus tells the leaders they will not see him until they say the words of Psalm 118. Actually he says that they will cry the same things that they were trying to get the people to stop crying. [Matthew 23:39]

The meal in Bethany (John 12:2-11) fits in before the events of this chapter.

In v13 Jesus quotes from two passages. In Isaiah 56v6-8 we read how foreigners were to be accepted by God, and allowed entry to His temple. The mountain of Zion was to be a house of prayer for all nations. In Jeremiah 7v13-14 we read that this place of worship was to be torn down because of the abominations of the people of Israel. What were these abominations? The court that was supposed to be used to hold the foreigners and gentiles so that they could worship God, was being used instead to sell goods and exchange money! Who needed their money changing? Gentiles! The Jews were profiting from the fact that the house of God was a house of prayer "for all nations"!

21:21 That Jesus says that the disciples with faith will cast mountains into the sea is not to be taken literally. ‘be thou cast into the sea’ quotes Mic 7:19 which speaks of sins. The faithful disciples realises that his sins have been forgiven.

V.22 We should not try in any way to minimise the force of this verse or subtract from its meaning. Had not Peter "by faith" walked on the water? Matt 14:29 Did not the disciples exclaim. "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in thy name" Luke 10:17  The Acts of the Apostles also confirms this, with the record of what the apostles were able to do in the first century. 

V.12 There are two occasions where Jesus cleansed the temple.  The first one is recorded in John 2:14,15 and took place at the beginning of His ministry.  The second one took place at the end of His ministry, and is recorded in this verse. 

These two cleansings relate to the cleansing of a house for leprosy under the Law (Lev 14:33-57). Then, the priest inspected the leprous house and commanded that it be cleansed by removing the affected stones, scraping clean the rest of the house, and re-plastering. The priest would come a second time to inspect the house, and if leprosy had appeared again, then the whole house had to be destroyed.

The Lord Jesus inspected His Father's house and found leprosy (spiritual rot). After cleansing it, He came back a second time and found it still leprous. The house had to be destroyed, which occurred in 70 AD. This is a clear example of how the Lord fulfilled the Law Matt 5:17).

21:44 Being ground to pieces by the stone quotes Dan 2:34 which speaks of the way that the stone cut out without hands will destroy the kingdoms of men.

21:12-13 This is the second time that Jesus has cast out the money changers in the temple. The first being John 2:14-17. On both that occasion – John 2:18 – and here Jesus is questioned as to the authority he has to do such things. Three years of public preaching and miracles had no effect upon the religious leaders.

21:13  Jesus combines two passages here – Isa 56:7, Jer 7:11. They fit together seamlessly. Isaiah is speaking of a wonderful time in prospect whilst Jeremiah, sometime later, is foretelling the overthrow of Jerusalem by the Babylonians – typical of the Roman invasion to come in AD 70.

V.2 This verse fulfils the prophecy of Zech 9:9 as described in vs.4,5.  But why did the Lord need both the donkey and her foal?  Notice that the donkey was tied but the foal was not.  (There is no need to tie a foal as it will not wander away from its mother). 

In the selection of the two animals, the Lord was showing Judaism and Christianity.  The older animal represented Israel.  Like the donkey, which was tethered, Israel was also limited, being constrained by the Law.  The foal represented the new way in Christ.  The limited older donkey gave birth to the unconstrained younger foal.  And so the Law gave birth to the freedom in Christ.

21:10 ‘who <5101> is this’ could well be translated ‘what is this’ as the word is found elsewhere - Matt 5:46 - as translated ‘what’ . This echoes Israel’s question about the Manna – Exo 16:15. They did not recognise the ‘bread’ of God’s provision in the wilderness nor now in the land.

Vs.8,9 These branches were from palm trees (John 12:13).  Palm trees are significant depictions in both Solomon’s temple (1Kin 6:29); and in the fourth temple to be erected in the Kingdom (Eze 41:18). Palms symbolize the immortalised saints (the Redeemed), who are shown holding them in the Kingdom.  Interestingly, palm, in Hebrew, comes from a root word tamar which means to be erect.  And that is what the faithful of Christ are: spiritually erect.

V.11 The multitude had no problem in believing that Jesus was a prophet from Galilee.  By contrast the Pharisees later argued with Nicodemus over this point (John 7:52).

The Lord indicates that Jonah is a sign of Himself (Luke 11:29,30).  One fact about Jonah reveals that he was a prophet from Galilee, actually from a place just three miles north-east of Nazareth.  I guess the Pharisees overlooked that.

Vs.13,14 Jesus' expectation of the fig tree, and His subsequent curse on it, might seem unreasonable. Although it was not the season for figs, He singled out this (abnormal) tree full of leaves. As the fruit of a fig tree always precedes the leaves, it was reasonable to expect that there would be fruit. But there was none.

And so, the fig tree was cursed, and would no longer bear any fruit. Of course, this whole episode was an enacted parable to show the state of Jewish spirituality. Judaism presented a great outward display but lacked the fulfilling Truth that Jesus brought.

Thus, Israel (fig tree) bore no spiritual truth (figs), but had a grand outward show (leaves). Yahweh singled out Israel with the expectation that this nation would accept His Truth. Having rejected the Truth that Jesus represented, the nation was cursed, just as the fig tree was cursed.

For the disciple of Jesus, the Truth is in season all the time.  Summer vacation and retirements in the sun, on the beach, or at the cottage, are not in the script (2Tim 4:2).

V.31 reads in the KJV: Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.  The word before (in the NIV it is ahead of) seems to suggest that the Jewish religious establishment will enter the kingdom, but after others.  The word before comes from the Greek word proago which means instead of. 

This understanding is consistent with Jesus' statement that the Jewish religious establishment will not be in the kingdom (Luke 13:28).

V.42 See Psa 118:22,23.

V.44 To really understand this verse, one has to understand the significance of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Dan 2:34,35).

v1-11 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land
The land will stretch from the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea and from the River Euphrates to the River of Egypt Psa 72:8, Zech 9:10, Matt 21:1-11. The references in Zechariah and Matthew show that this is Jesus' land.
First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land For more information go to Psa 72:8.

21:12-16 The cleansing of the temple is in parenthesis here. In the other records it occurs on the next day. It is relevant here in the theme of Matthew’s gospel.

21:23 The same leaders asked Peter and John ‘by what authority’ only a few weeks later – Acts 4:7. So concerned were they to maintain their status they would not respond to the evidence of their own eyes.

21:42 Jesus quotes Psa 118:22 saying that it applies to the way in which the Jewish leaders rejected him but that he was accepted by God. This analogy is used later by Peter – 1Pet 2:4– to speak of our position. We are like Jesus in the way that the world rejects us but are approved of God. Do we live as if that were so?

21:25  We know – Matt 11:7-10 – what Jesus thought of John. This confirms our earlier comments on this chapter that Jesus was forcing those opposed to him to make a decision about John so that they might then recognise Jesus as Messiah – as John had said he was.

21:25-27         Jesus is not avoiding the question by asking about John’s baptism. Jesus’ status had already been attested to by John – John 1:29,36 - if John’s status was not accepted then the leaders could not comment on Jesus’ status. So the leaders had to answer the question about John before any view about Jesus could be voiced realistically by them.

21:19  The absence of fruit on the fig tree is like the way in which the prophet saw Israel – Hos 9:8

21:26-27          The spirit shows us here clearly the compromised though process of the leaders. They were more concerned with what others thought of them rather than truth. How often do we tailor our answer to meet the expectation of our audience?

21:14    The “blind and the lame” are a contrast with the animals which were being sold. Only fit and perfect animals were allowed to be sacrificed. But the whole method of providing them was wrong. Having cast them that sold out of the temple those men and women who would be considered unacceptable in temple worship appear and are healed.

21:10  As Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem the question is asked “Who is this?”  This question echoes the question in Psa 24:8,10 which is speaking of the coming of Messiah

21:8  In spreading their garments before Jesus on the animal we see a similar reaction to when Jehu was made king – 2Kin 9:13

Matt 21:12,13

“… My house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.”