Comments for August 11

v.7 - The use of 'no iron tool' reflected the rules in the law [Deut.27:5-6] about the building of altars. If this was the reason that Solomon chose this method, however, he did it with compromise, as the iron tools were used off the site.

v.18 - The word 06441 Within is used exclusively of the temple / tabernacle. Leviticus 10:18 1 Kings 6:18 19 21 29 30 2 Kings 7:11 2 Chronicles 3:4 29:16 18 Psalm 45:13 Ezekiel 40:16 41:3. Therefore the word carries more than just the concept of location. I suggest that fellowship is involved in the way that the word is used.

v.7 - as well as the comment I made above, we might also reflect on how the stones of the temple reflect the birth of Jesus - just as the stone in Nebuchadnezzar's dream which was cut out of the mountain without hands - Dan.2:34,45 - (and in fact had the power to destroy iron, amongst the other metals that were there) predicted the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus.

There are only two places in Scripture where these dimensions (6:3)are found -
1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
Zechariah 5:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
So we must conclude that in some way Zechariah is drawing on the language of Solomon's temple.

chs 5 and 6 - THE TABERNACLE, THE TEMPLE AND THE RESURRECTION
When Moses made the tabernacle he was told to "make this Tabernacle and all it's furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you." The temple that Solomon built was a copy, in essence, of the tabernacle, except that it was twice as big. The temple dimensions were two times the size of the tabernacle. Also, the temple was a permanent house and the tabernacle was a tent. The Tabernacle took about 7 months to make but the temple took 7 years. Both the tabernacle and the temple were made of precious materials.
I see a parable in this. Like the tabernacle, we are all precious in God's sight. We are made in the image of God - after his pattern and our job now is to follow the example of Christ so that our lives become exactly like the pattern he showed us. But in this life we are still small, mortal sinners. However, it is now that we are spending the time, the seven years, preparing for the future. We are preparing for the time when Christ will return and will transform these bodies and minds to become, finally, like his. And just as the temple was so much bigger and more glorious than the tabernacle, so we will be made glorious and renewed like the resurrected Jesus.

:1 How do we understand this time period.

But Solomon started to build the temple only 480 years after Israel left Egypt. According to this reckoning Solomon started to build the house at least 50 years later than the record says. Clearly my calculations are wrong, but I do not have an answer. Can anyone help me?

[I suggested a possible answer to this problem in the notes on Acts 13 on May 4, and further support was given to this there by Sis Jean Cheetham. 450 years back from the end of the time of Samuel's reign as a judge takes us to the exodus from Egypt. So I suggest that 450 years includes Moses (last 40 years of his life) and Joshua with the judges. This would solve the problem though I may not be right. Any further comments?]

Moses definitely was a judge. (Exo 18:13 KJV) And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

Also, how much overlap is there between Samuel and Saul? Samuel as judge & Saul as king were overlapping for a few years, till Samuel dies (1 Sam. 25:1).

Another possibility would be that the beginning of the temple would have
been when God gave the plans to David and he began gathering the materials for it. perhaps this
would make the 10 year difference. 450 from Exodus (time of judges) to the 30th year of David as king,
making 480 years.

6:7  In telling us that the stones were prepared before they were brought to the site where the temple was being built we learn that when the kingdom comes and we are finally built into the temple of the living God it will be too late to have our 'rough edges' knocked off. Now it the time to develop the mind of Christ. When Christ returns it will be too late.

V.12-13 The condition on which that blessing could be expected was clearly expressed. Our Heavenly Father has laid out conditions with each one of us, if we keep his commandments to the best of our ability, He will never forsake us.

Even the floor of the Temple was overlaid with gold (1Kin 6:30). It's interesting to note that the Kings record talks of doors from the Holy Place into the Most Holy (1Kin 6:31,32), but in the other account it is recorded that he made a veil (2Chron 3:14).  I imagine that the veil hung alongside the doors.

6:23 These two cherubim are in addition to the two which were part of the mercy seat. Possibly indicating the involvement of gentiles with Israel in showing forth the glory of God in the kingdom when Christ returns.

This temple, though magnificent, was built on a shaky foundation. This foundation is referred to by Jesus as sand in his parable (Matt 7:24-29). In our chapter it is described in v12:

"concerning this Temple you are building, if.."

This small word, "if", is the shaky foundation. The blessing of God on this Temple was only to be had if the occupants were continually faithful.

Thus Jesus spoke of a better foundation - one of rock - which was un-shake-able, built upon better promises than "if". This foundation was the promises of God which weren't dependant on the continual faithfulness of the people, but rather on a continually faithful man, Jesus. We see that Solomon and Israel failed to live up to what God required, and so the temple eventually crumbled. But with Jesus, the true foundation, the promises remain firm despite our failings, as long as we have faith in him (Heb 10:12-14, 12:27-28).

6:9      The ‘beams of cedar’ is a phrase used in Song 1:17 in the context of the description of the bride. Thus we see that Solomon’s physical temple represented people.

V.1 Solomon began to build the temple in the second month, which equates to April/May in our calendar.  The second month is called Zif (Ziv), which is a Babylonian name.  Later, the Zif (Ziv) was changed to Iyar.

6:12 The promise that if Solomon walked according to the law echoes the words of Deut 13:4 which was a charge to the nation as they were about to enter the land. Solomon is now about to enter the time of the kingdom with a temple.

V.12 See 2Sam 7:12-16.  Although it was Solomon who built the God’s physical house, it was Jesus who built God’s spiritual house, which comprises His brothers and sisters (1Pet 2:5; 4:17). Jesus is the king who will reign forever (Luke 1:31-33).  And, Jesus’ house (his disciples) will be with Him forever (Rev 5:10).

V.20 To understand how gold was overlaid on material, please see my note on 1 Kings 10, for August 15.

6:13 That God would dwell among the children of Israel matches what He said – Exo 25:8 when the tabernacle was being prepared.

1Kin 6:31-34 - there were two doors to the inner sanctuary and two doors to the entrance of the main hall - could this suggest there is an entrance through Christ for both Jew and Gentile? 

1Kin 6:38 - it took 7 periods (years) to complete the temple and similarly when Christ returns to establish his kingdom it will be on the millenial (7th) day of rest.. Other repeated numbers in 1st Kings 5 - 6 are 3, 5, 7, etc. The NIV mentions the numbers 30 and 33 (1Kin 5:13,16).

The Parable of the Kingdom of God (Solomon's reign echoing Christ's future reign) - part 2 of 2:

Glorious Temple built at Jerusalem (1Kin 6:1-38;Isa 56:7-8). Temple constructed from God-provided plans (1Chron 28:11-19;Ezek. Chps. 40-48). Temple built by Prince of Peace (1Kin 6:1-38;Zech 6:12). Solomon known as Prince of Peace (1Kin 5:12;Isa 9:6). The King noted for wisdom, enlightenment (1Kin 4:29-34;Isa 32:4;33:6). The King noted for piercing, unerring judgment (1Kin 4:29-34;Isa 11:1-4). Jerusalem the center of worldwide pilgrimage to hear the wisdom of its king (2Chron 9:23;1Kin 4:34;Isa 2:2-4;Zech 14:16). Tyre/Tarshish the great friend of Israel (1Kin 5:1;Psa 45:12;Isa 60:9). Zadok the High Priest (1Kin 1:34;2:35;Heb 7:11-12;Eze 40:46). Priests serve day and night in Temple thus figuratively immortal (Psa 134:1-3;Isa 40:28-31;Heb 7:15-16;Rev 4:8;Rev 5:9-10). Full order of Divine worship established for first time (1Kin 9:25;2Chron 8:12-16;Deut 30:6-8;Isa 42:21). Satan bound (1Kin 5:4;Rev 20:2). Satan unloosed towards the end of reign (1Kin 11:14;Rev 20:7).

The above from The Story of the Bible by G.E. Mansfield, V.3, P.167.

6:27    The description of the Cherubim’s wings stretching forth is the basis of the description of the glory of God that Ezekiel saw – Eze 10:5,7

6:11-12          God had promised David that his son would build the temple. However whilst the promise seems to have begun to be fulfilled God now reminds Solomon that the promise, like so many of God’s promises, was conditional upon faithfulness. We should not presume that because God had made the promise it would be automatically fulfilled in Solomon.

6:1-38         The description of Solomon’s temple has words which are echoed in the Song of Solomon

The ecclesia is the spiritual counterpart to the physical building. Solomon describes both. The physical here in 1 Kings 6, the spiritual in the Song of Solomon.

A closer community than we thought

The translation for the word "chamber" in v5 seems highly debatable to me.

 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
6 The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

First of all, the translators use the same word "chamber" twice but they have different Hebrew words in the original text. The first is used always as "bed" or "couch". The second one is even more strange. Look at all the ways the same Hebrew word has been translated:

- Rib

- Side

- Corners

- Chambers

- Boards

- Planks

- Leaves (of a door)

- Beams

It is as if each time translators encountered the word, they chose any old architectural feature or material they thought of, many of which are complete opposites (such as side and corner). The consistent way to use it would appear to be the word "rib". It's used for Adam's rib and to denote the path around the curve of a hill, which is much the same shape as a rib (2Sam 16:13).

Let's look if it fits In the context of this chapter. When we talk today about ribs we all know it means smaller bones connected to a single spine. It's used a lot in an architectural or building setting today too - such as a "spine beam", which is a large beam with smaller beams attached to it in a rib pattern. So in v6: "against the walls (the spine) he made ribs round about" seems a better fit. All the verse is saying is that there were walls, like spines, which had a set of ribs connected to them. The word doesn't tell us whether these were rooms or not. But if we look at this in the context of the verse, adding to this the first word "bed", we simply get the idea that these were bedrooms or dorms arranged in a rib pattern around a central spine.

These dorms were on three floors round the temple (1Kin 6:6). Each level of beams (ribs) were placed onto three ledges (spine) to form the floors and ceilings of the bedrooms (seev10).

What does this discovery mean to us? It means that unlike our previous understanding of the temple as a place where people just came to worship, it now appears that the temple was a place where the priests and Levites lived, ate and slept near God and near to each other. This is a much closer and more intimate community than we had previously believed existed.

1. 1Kin 6:7 - the preparation and shaping of the stones for the temple was done away from the temple and prior to its construction which reminds us how belevers are being shaped and prepared so we can fit into the kingdom to come where Christ will be the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:10,19-21;Psa 118:22;1Pet 2:5-9;Rev 3:12).

Much of the above was gleaned from a talk given by Joe Pezzulo, August 11, 2013, at  Moorestown, NJ, USA.

6:5      Here and elsewhere in this chapter we see the word “chambers” <6763> which is translated “rib” in Gen 2:12,21. The “chambers” here typify the dwelling place that Jesus is preparing – John 14:2

6:29,32,35   Whilst we meet Palm Trees often in Scripture maybe when we read of the stature of the bride in the Song of Solomon as a palm tree – Song of Solomon 7:7 –we have the beauty of Solomon’s temple being alluded to.

6:24-26       When we read of the size of items in cubits maybe we do not really appreciate the size. If we translate the size of the cherubim into more familiar terms we realise that the height and width of the cherubim was 15 feet (4.5 meters) by 15 feet (4.5 meters)

6:38       So we are now a third of the way through Solomon’s reign and the temple is just finished. A seven years task which was started in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. So this set the scene for the coming of the Queen of Sheba. She cannot have come as soon as Solomon came to the throne. So she must have been hearing things about the kingdom of Solomon for quite some time.

1Kin 6:1

“AND it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of Yahweh.”

(Cf. 2Chron 3:2)

Edwin Thiele’s Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, p. 53,has the fourth year of Solomon’s reign corresponding to 966 BCE. Since the Exodus was 480 years prior, this brings us to the date of the Exodus as being 1446 BCE. Since crossing the Jordan took place 40 years later, this dates it to 1406 BCE. Cypriot pottery discovered at Jericho verifies the date of 1406!

http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/02/22/Amenhotep-II-as-Pharaoh-of-the-Exodus.aspx/

The Bible tells us that the Sabbath/Jubilee cycles began again at the time Israel entered Canaan (Lev 25:1-13), which has been shown to be in 1406 BCE. The war would have lasted 6 years, the seventh year being a Sabbath year, a solemn rest for the land (Lev 25:3,4; cf Josh 14:15; Josh 21:44; Josh 22:4; Josh 23:1).

Thiele’s Creation date is 3983. Using the 1000 years as a one day principle (2Pet 3:8) of the 6 years before resting from their wars is 6,000 years to our warring with sin in our members (Rom 7:23) is over bring us to 2017/18, a Jubilee year!

According to “Rabbi” Judah Ben Samuel, the final Jubilee began in 1967 and will end in 2017! Rabbinical Scholars teach that Gen 6:3 is not just about an age, but is a reference to 120 Jubilee years. If this is so, then from Creation to 2017 is 120 x 50 Jubilee’s, or 6,000 years.

God’s number for completion and/or perfection is 7. U.S. President, Donald Trump was 70 years, 7 months, and 7 days old on his first full day of office! In addition, he was born June 14, 1946, 700 days before Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948! Trump won the election in the seventh year, seventh month, and seventh day of PM Netanyahu’s re-election to office.

We can quibble all we want about the historical years, but this is certain, that many significant historical cycles converge in 2017/2018 and whether Christ will return in this time period remains to be seen. Still, we do well to take heed to the season we are in.

Please read my notes on Dan 9.

6:12-13          Solomon had been building a building. However God assures Solomon that it is if he walks in God’s laws that He will dwell amongst the children of Israel.  The building is not necessary as a dwelling place. However the obedience of Israel is.

6:12    The house was the outward show that God was with Israel. However it was walking in the statutes that was the guarantee that God was with Solomon. We need to be sure that our lives are not just an outward show.

6:12 In saying “walk in my statutes” we learn that doctrine is not just something to believe, It is something to live in our lives also.

6:37 We might wonder why, given David’s desire to build a house for God, that David waited four years before laying the foundation of the temple. However we should remember that when he came to the throne initially there was some turmoil with some of the house of Saul seeking to undermine Solomon’s position. Also, it would seem, that Solomon was concerned to get everything ready for the temple building upon the work that his father David had done.

6:20 the size of the “oracle” is matched by the size of the “most holy” place in Ezekiel’s description of the temple that will be built at the time of the kingdom when Jesus returns – Eze 41:4

6:23  In saying that the Cherubim were 10 cubits – that is about 5 meters tall we have to conclude that they were made from more than one piece of wood. That is the wood would be spliced and joined together

GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME

The Bible describes a lot of detail about the temple that Solomon built for the LORD. It was a magnificent structure. No expense was spared. Only the very best in materials and skilled labourers were used to construct it. Then at the end of the detailed description of its building, we read this small comment: "He was seven years in building it." (1Kin 6:38).

Coming into the New Testament, Solomon's temple had been destroyed and another temple had been built in its place. This one had taken forty-six years to build (John 2:20). We are also told that our bodies are the temple of the Living God (1Cor 6:19), and that we are being built up together as living stones in a spiritual house (1Pet 2:5).

We tend to get impatient with ourselves when it comes to overcoming sin or perfecting our characters. But great things take time. Temples are not built in a day, and stubborn characters like ours can take a lot of time to adjust and become truly beautiful in the sight of God. So let's not give up. Whether it is seven, forty-six years, or a lifetime, let's let God's work in us take shape to deliver a masterpiece in the day of our unveiling.

May God's work be evident in our lives this week.

6:11-12  Whilst Solomon was focussed on building the temple, the plan of which David had given to Solomon, God’s focus was on Solomon being faithful before Him. Faithful living is, actually, the way that the “house of God” is being built today. We may have all sorts of activities and committees which we have designed to help our furthering the work of God. But everything must be done faithfully or it is of no avail.

v.2 - The hardship that these men suffered in order to prophecy God's word was amazing. Jeremiah's life goes downhill from here - ch.33:1, 36:5, 37:21, 38:6 - until ch.39:13-14.

v.41 - The concept of Yahweh rejoicing over Israel is a major theme commencing when Israel were turned back into the wilderness. [Numbers 14:8] And restated at the end of the wilderness journey. [Deuteronomy 30:9] And then presented as a comfort in the prophets [Isaiah 62:4-5 65:19 Jeremiah 32:41 Zephaniah 3:17]

v.9 - Jeremiah had money. There is no indication of how he came by it, as far as I can see. I don't think we are told of any profession. It is a sure indication of the truth of the maxim established in Matt.6:25-34 that God provides for those that seek Him first.

32:28, 37 Whilst Israel were to be taken to Babylon they were to return. So Jeremiah tempers his message of punishment with words of comfort.

PRAY FOR ANSWERS

Things didn't seem to go right for Jeremiah. Even though he did all that the LORD instructed him, he still ended up suffering for the message he had to preach. At this stage he was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah. On top of this state of affairs, while confined to the prison, he was told to buy his cousin' s field. There was no way he could even go to look at it, let alone make it profitable. And if Jeremiah believed his own prophecies (which he no doubt did) he would have known that the land he was buying was just about worthless. In a very short time the king of Babylon would attack and take them all captive, and possessions and land would not mean a thing. Yet he obeyed God and bought the land even though he didn't understand why.

When things don't go right for us and when we, like Jeremiah, don't understand God's plan in our seemingly directionless lives, we can do the same as Jeremiah. He prayed. He poured out his frustrations to the LORD, while all the time recognizing that God must have a plan in these strange events.

The next thing we read is God's answer to Jeremiah. It was an answer that would have helped him to understand God's plan. When we pray for answers, God will eventually answer us too, and will put our minds at rest as we see how we fit into his plan.

:7 At a time when Jeremiah is speaking of captivity God commands him to buy a parcel of land in Israel. This was done in the presence of witnesses. Thus his actions confirmed his belief that Israel would return in fulfilment of God's words - even though terrible times are to come.

32:1 The 10th year of Zedekiah was during the final siege which started in the 9th year of his reign Jer 39:1 so by now the city was shut up and travel was severely limited.

V.14 "in an earthen vessel" That the documents might not be injured by the moisture of the surrounding earth; being buried, they could not be stolen, but would remain as a pledge of Israel's deliverance until God's time should come.

V.7 Anathoth, in the territory of Benjamin, was located three miles north of Jerusalem. It was Jeremiah's home town (Jer 1:1).

V.9 Yahweh wanted Jeremiah to purchase land there from his cousin Hanameel, which he did. 

Vs.14,15 Jeremiah's purchase was duly witnessed and the deed preserved.  This was done to show that after the Babylonian exile, Judah would once again inhabit their land. 

Evidence of post-exilic re-possession is catalogued in Nehemiah.  Notice that Anathoth is specifically mentioned in the list (Neh 7:27; 11:32).

Jeremiah bought a field in his home town of Anathoth.  This was unusual for 3 reasons: 1. he was of the  priests (Jer 1:1), and priests did not normally sell or purchase land (for the full law see Lev 25:32-34); 2. Jeremiah was in prison; and 3. the city of Jerusalem was besieged by the Babylonians.  Surely that is why God made a special point of telling him to do this (Jer 32:6-8).  He was a man of sign.

32:18  In saying that God shows mercy to thousands Jeremiah is quoting Exo 20:6. Israel needed to know that God was merciful as they anticipated the captivity by the Babylonians.

There seems to be significance in the way that the title deeds of Jeremiah's land are described. In both 11 and 14 it is mentioned that they signed an open deed and a closed deed. What is the significance of this?

In 1Kin 21:8 and Est 8:10 we see examples of the sealed deed. It is a document sealed by a signet ring to show its authenticity. God seals His prophecies also (Isa 29:11, Dan 12:4). All of these references use the same Hebrew words Jeremiah uses.

The word for open is much more enlightening (01540). In the majority of references it means uncovered. In Isa 57:8 we read God saying to Israel "you have uncovered yourself to those other than me". The next occurrences of the word are in Jeremiah, and are translated "carry away captive" (Jer 1:3, 13:19, 24:1, 27:20, 29:1,4,7,14).

So this symbol highlighted how God would uncover His people to the nations as a punishment for how they had uncovered themselves to other gods; yet would not utterly reject them. He kept a copy of His promises to them sealed in His heart (v41-43, Song 8:6).

32:17 The logic of the prophet is unassailable. If God could make the heavens and the earth He could do anything. Whenever we have doubts it would be helpful to us to simply reflect on what He has done and take courage.

This chapter describes events of the two years preceding the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (32:2). Chronologically it follows chapters 37 and 38.

32:2 The fact that Jeremiah was ‘shut up in the court of the prison’ meant that he was relatively safe from those who would have killed him and also gave him an opportunity to speak privately with the king, though the king really did not want to know what God had to say.

V.18 This verse echoes what Yahweh declared to Moses (Exo 34:7).  However, Moses decreed, later, that each individual should be responsible for his/her owns deeds (Deut 24:16).  And, indeed, is not Yahweh also saying that in v.19?

Is there an inconsistency here? Or, does Yahweh reserve the right to punish subsequent generations for someone’s sins; while expecting judgement of man’s actions on an individual basis also?

v. 8 Since the final seige began in the 9th year, the seige had been going on for a year. This may explain why the cousin was selling his inheritance. He needed the money to buy bread at famine prices. Jeremiah was being instructed by God to consider the long-term and was a demonstration of his prophecy that God would return them to the land. To the cousin the now was more important to the people of God whose faith is in God's word the future is what is important.  

32:16-18 In the previous chapter Jeremiah subscribed the evidences regarding the field of his uncle. Now we learn something of Jeremiah’s confidence. Jeremiah’s confidence is based upon his knowledge of how his God has worked in the past.

v 23 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

V.1 The Babylonians had begun their siege of Jerusalem in the previous year (Jer 39:1).

V.22 For an explanation of the expression: a land flowing with milk and honey, please see my note on Exodus 3, for January 31.

V.27 Yahweh had decreed the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of Judah.  Nevertheless, with Jeremiah’s purchase of property in Anathoth, Yahweh was saying that He has the power (and intention) to restore all things.

When we are in despair because we cannot find a solution to a problem, it is well for us to remember the phrase: Is anything too hard for me? Yahweh will always help His children, if they ask: Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved (Psa 55:22).

V.33 Yahweh is reactive to His children.  If they turn to Him, He will turn to them; but if they turn away from Him, He will turn away from them (2Chron 15:2; James 4:8).

Vs.37-41 Here is a prophecy concerning Yahweh’s people in the end times:

-V.37 See Eze 36:24; Zech 14:11, for example.

-V.38 See Zech 8:8, for example.

-V.39 See Eze 36:26, for example.

-V.40 See Eze 37:26, for example.

-V.41See Amos 9:15, for example.

Jer 32:38;2Cor 6:16.

32:8-10 Doubtless there were those amongst the witnesses that must have thought that Jeremiah was mad. The evidence of their own eyes would indicate that Jeremiah would never receive the land. But of course those people did not share Jeremiah’s faith. There will be a resurrection

32:11-16         In buying the field – redeeming that which was his responsibility to do – Jeremiah showed great faith. Whilst he had been accused of treason by saying that Jerusalem would be taken by the Babylonians and the Jews taken captivity here we see the true man. A man who, despite what he was saying, really was a patriotic, law abiding, Jew.

32:17-18

:17      thou hast made the heaven and the earth                 2Kin 19:15

:17      there is nothing too hard for thee                            Gen 18:14

:18      Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands            Exo 34:6

Is our knowledge of how God has worked in the past so good that we can have the sort of confidence that Jeremiah had?

32:19   God’s open eyes – the all seeing all knowing aspects of God’s power should always be in our minds. Not as a threat to make us do good. Rather as something to think about so that we are always seen by God doing righteousness that He might be pleased.

32:40   An earlier prophet – Isa 55:3 – had spoken of an everlasting covenant. On that occasion it related to the promises to David.  

32:27 When God asks whether anything was too hard for Him he is quoting Gen 18:14 when the angel said these words to Abraham when Sarah doubted that the promise of a son would be fulfilled.  As certainly as Sarah had a son Zedekiah would be taken into captivity.

32:2-5  Did Zedekiah think that he could prevent the prophet’s words coming true by shutting him away? How often do we pretend that right things will not happen if we pretend that the event or action is out of sight?

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

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

III - The Future Restoration Of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 30:1 to 33:26)

   C. Rebuilding of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-44):

      1. Jeremiah chapters 32 cand 33 are dated to the 10th year of Zedekiah (588/7 BC) i.e. shortly before the collapse of Jerusalem (2Kin 25:1-7).

      2. Jer 32:1-5 - Jeremiah's imprisonment - the Babylonians were besieging Jerusalem and Jeremiah was deemed too pro-Babylonian and thus was confined in the court of the prison (V2), and Zedekiah was dealt with (VS 4-5; 2Kin 25:7); V4 "Chaldeans<3778>", "Babylon<894>".

      3. Jer 32:6-15 - Jeremiah's optimism - there would be no total destruction as a remnant would return (Jer 5:10-11,18;Jer 29:10-14;Jer 31:8-14); VS 6-9 quick prophetic fulfillment and 17 shekels was about a years wages so Jeremiah had ample funds even in prison (given the impending invasion, 17 shekels was worth far more than the apparent value of the land, but this was uplifting evidence that the land would be restored to the captives and cultivated; V7 "Hanameel(<2601> "God is gracious")", "Shallum(<7167> "retribution")", "Anathoth(<6068> "answers to prayer")" - V7 "for the right of redemption is thine to buy it"; VS 8-9 property was "rented" till the Jubilee (Lev.25), but Jeremiah's kinsman Hanameel would die not having received the land so perhaps this field will be Jeremiah's in the millennial kingdom age Jubilee; V8 "Benjamin(<1144> "son of the right hand")"; V9 "seventeen(<7651> <6240> means "7" which could be completion perfection the millennial day of rest and "10" which could mean perfection of the divine order and/or judgment)", "silver(<3701> can mean redemption - and thus connects to V7)"; VS 10-14 will Jeremiah possess this property in the millennial kingdom age? VS 11-15 as we read in v14 the deed of purchase is to last a long time (Jer 32:18;Jer 31:29-31); V12 "Baruch(<1263> "blessed")", "Neriah(<5374> "light or lamp of Jah")", "Maaseiah (<4271> "refuge of Jah or Jah is a shelter")".

III - The Future Restoration Of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 30:1 to 33:26)

   C. Rebuilding of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-44):

      4. Jer 32:16-25 - Jeremiah's prayer; Jer 32:18;Jer 31:29-31 the Old Covenant has punishments levied on generations to follow, but the New Covenant emphasizes a personal responsibility in working out our own salvation (Gal 6:4-8); VS 24-25 the city to be handed over to the Babylonians but Jeremiah is still to buy the field with silver.

      5. Jer 32:26-44 - God responds:

         a. VS 26-35 - Judah's sad fate was to be conquered by the Babylonians; V27 is anything too hard for God (this is God's reply to a skeptical Jeremiah who was to still buy the field VS 24-25)? VS 27-31 Jerusalem to be handed to the Babylonians; VS 28-35 the coming judgment; VS 32-33 the people of Israel and Judah provoked God; VS 34-35 abominable idol worship and children to be sacrificed to Molech; V35 "Hinnom(<2011> means "to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue")", "Molech(<4432> means "king")".

         b. VS 36-44 - the ultimate fate of Judah is a glorious restoration; VS 36-44 land is given back freely in the year of Jubilee, but Jeremiah purchased an everlasting inheritance as Hanameel is not there to reclaim it and thus it would appear to revert to Jeremiah who had the title deeds (Bethel was promised to Jacob Gen 28:13; Shechem was promised to Joseph Gen 48:22; and it seems Anathoth was promised to Jeremiah); V37 the Jews would prophetically be scattered and regathered to the land in safety; VS 38-41 regathering of the people to the Lord; VS 39-41 ultimately their hearts will reverence God and there will be an everlasting (New) Covenant; VS 40-42 everlasting covenant and God will plant them in the land and they will never turn away; VS 6-14, 40-44 the resurrection of Jeremiah imminent? V42 good as well as evil promised to the Jews; VS 42-44 millennial restoration; VS 42-44 prosperity; V44 Jeremiah eould buy a field as further testimony that God would cause their return from captivity.

32:42-44            Even before the final captivity in Babylon God is contrasting the punishment He was bringing upon the nation with the wonderful blessings of the future kingdom of God on the earth.

32:18 The way in which Jeremiah speaks of “the great, the mighty God” is found on the lips of Nehemiah – Neh 9:32 – when he is praying for the sinful people who have returned from Babylon.

32:20    Jeremiah has spoken of God’s creative acts - :17 – and now he speaks of Israel’s deliverance form Egypt. The two are inseparable. We cannot both believe in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt whilst denying that God created everything in the way He describes in Genesis 1

32:7 When prospects looked bleak for possession of land in Israel Jeremiah was challenged to follow what the law of Moses required.  We, in like manner, are asked to have confidence in the re-establishment of the kingdom of God when events in the world, form a human perspective, would indicate that event was most unlikely.

32:4 Jeremiah’s message to Zedekiah was consistent. He would be captured by the Babylonians but, by implication, would not be killed. This should have taught him that there was no point in trying to flee. When he did flee he was caught – Jer 39:5

32:1 there are a number of different ways in which we might divide Jeremiah into sections. One is the recurring phrase “The word that came to Jeremiah” of which there are seven occasions Jer 7:1, 11:1, 25:1, 30:1, 40:1, 44:1.This division might help in our seeking for a structure in the prophecy of Jeremiah which certainly is not recorded in chronological order.

32:3  I suppose Zedekiah thought that if Jeremiah was “shut up” in prison he would not be able to present his message to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and weaken their resolve to resist the Chaldean siege.

v.5 - It is clear that the miracles which Jesus did and the healing depended for the execution upon the belief of the people - not that God's power was unable to work without the people's faith - but that it was wasted. It must have been quite a serious disappointment to Jesus to have to go elsewhere and preach to strangers - the same story as the whole nation but here in miniature. Heb.4:2.

v.3 - If we wish to think of Jesus as being one who went about bending over backwards in order to please men we would be mistaken. Matthew 11:6 13:21 57 Mark 6:3 John 6:61. Whilst Jesus knew that what he had to say would offended many he was concerned that his followers would not be so dismayed. Matthew 11:6 Luke 7:23. His concern was that his Father's will might be known. This is offensive to the flesh - therefore he prayed that his disciples would not be caused to stumble as did his adversaries. John 16:1.

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

:45 Jesus sent the disciples away hurriedly because he did not want them exposed to the enthusiasm of the crowd who wanted to make him king (John 6:15)

Over and over again in the gospels we see the link between faith and healing. In the previous chapter we have the woman healed by her faith, and the daughter of the ruler raised from the dead by his faith. (5v34, 36). In Mark 6v4-5 we find the opposite, in that Jesus himself couldn't do many miracles because of the unbelief of the people. Why then this consistent link between faith and healing?

In 5v41-42 Jesus had said to the little girl "arise..Immediately the girl arose and walked". We find the same phrase used many times when people are healed. In Acts 3v6 we get the apostle Peter saying the same thing "rise up and walk", whilst healing a lame man. The context of these verses are again about faith:

"And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16)

So the healing of this man, according to Peter, is through his faith in Christ. In James 5v15 these three things come together, namely "prayer of faith", "save the sick", and "raise him up". Here however, there is an added ingredient, namely "and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him". But of course, this isn't new either! (Luke 5v20-25). I wonder what it all means?

6:3-5 It is so easy to dismiss someone as of little consequence because we know their background. Such an attitude is wrong. It makes us a respecter of persons Which is clearly wrong. Rom 2:11

V.34 "sheep not having a shepherd" To fully relate to what Christ said we must appreciate that no animal is as dependent as is a sheep. Without someone to guide it, it wanders, is lost, becomes food for wolves, etc. Without someone to graze it, it starves. We must allow ourselves to be lead by the Word at all times. 

V.11 Jesus here is saying that any place that refuses to accept the gospel must be considered unclean. Paul and Barnabas did exactly that when a persecution was organised against them in the Jewish district of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50-51)

V.13 It was customary in the Near-East to anoint a sick person with oil.  The disciples did just that in this account.  However, this symbolic gesture could not alone have healed the sick.  There must be an element of faith to effect change, usually on the part of the sick person. 

James illustrates the process of healing a sick person in the ecclesia (whether the sickness described here be physical or spiritual is debatable).  The sick are anointed with oil (James 5:14).  But it is the prayer of faith that will affect the healing (James 5:15).

The feeding of the 5000 (plus women and children) is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels prior to Christ's crucifixion. Psa 23:1-5 has some appropriate words and in v.5 refers to the preparing of a table. In Mark 6:34 Jesus taught and had compassion on them. V.37 - Jesus says to feed them but the 12 infer they can't afford to pay the price (only Christ could pay the price). V.38 - Christ tells them to go and see (seek and ye shall find) what they have which is only five loaves and two fish (this reminds us of the bread and wine by which we remember Christ's offered body and poured out blood). V.41 - implies Christ personally gave the bread and fish to be distributed much like at the last supper and his ultimate sacrifice. V.43 - says there were 12 basket with left over food picked up so nothing was wasted.

Additional specifics: The Jews were in a literal and spiritual wilderness and Christ was to feed them literally and spiritually. The wheat harvest wasn't yet ready by Passover but the available barley harvest was the 1st grain or first fruits to be harvested. The number five may refer to mercy or redemption. In Num 18:16 we read the redemption price of five shekels of silver. The five books of the law pointed to the redeeming sacrifice of Christ.  The first century believers sign was that of the fish. Why two fish? Perhaps it refereed to natural vs spiritual, old life vs new life, etc. As for the abundant Spring grass, perhaps it referred a place that could be nourished and grow, a reference to the future garden of Eden, or perhaps the temporary nature of our mortal lives. The multiples of 50 might refer to the future year of Jubilee with all debts paid and generations of people are freed from sin and death. The baskets kophinos (2894) were small and used only by the Jews. Twelve might refer to the 12 tribes and/or future perfect government. Nothing was wasted, the bread of life is always available, and in John 6:39 Christ refers to not losing any of those his Father sent him. As servants of our Lord and Master we should make every effort to reach out in love to those sheep within and outside the fold.

6:39 If it was a 'desert place' why does the record say there was 'green grass' there? Surely it is because Jesus was feeding his 'sheep' in the wilderness'. The shepherd finds pasture for his flock. We are expected to see Jesus as the good shepherd.

6:7It might be thought inefficient to send the disciples out in pairs. However Jesus understood a clear Bible principle which is shown in Ecc 4:9-12.

6:56    The word translated ‘streets’ <58> is the same word we find in Mark 7:4 where it is translated ‘market’. Jesus worked in the ‘streets’ the Jewish leaders saw the ‘streets’ as an unclean place that they needed to be cleansed from. How do we feel in our preaching?

V.13 The sick were anointed with (olive) oil and healed. Administering the oil was not necessary to heal the sick. A lesson was being given to the Jews. The Jews would routinely apply oil to a sick person, believing that the oil contained medicinal properties. Many of these sick people would, subsequently, die.

But, every individual, to whom Jesus’ disciples attended, was healed. By using the oil, the Jew’s practice was answered, that without faith and the spirit, nothing could be accomplished (Prov 26:5). The apostles continued the practice, but it was clear that faith and the spirit would heal the sick and not the oil (James 5:14,15).

6:7-9 Jesus’ instruction to his disciples about how they should go out is not setting out some fixed dress code for disciples – on another occasion – Luke 9:3- he told them not to take a staff, for example. We have to conclude that there are spiritual principles here.

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

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

It is clear that Jesus had siblings. That means Mary and Joseph had children subsequent to the birth of Christ. There are those, like the Catholic church, who deny this and suggest that brother and sister means near relative and, therefore, not necessarily descriptive of a sibling. 

They do this to perpetuate the cult of Mary who they have elevated to an everlasting virgin as the Queen of Heaven. This maintains the idolatrous form of Semiramis which began in Babylon (See my note on Ex.7 & 8, for Feb 2).

V.7 Having two representatives, who agree on the same message, adds weight to the message (Amos 3:3). Besides, the support of a companion, while on a mission, is of great benefit.

V.22 Josephus says that the girl’s name was Salome.

V.56 Touching the border of Christ's garment was sufficient for healing.  The example of the woman diseased with an issue of blood also comes readily to mind (Matt 9:20-22).  The Greek word translated border is kraspedon and implies a hem or fringe. 

Malachi also makes reference to this when he talks of Christ: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (Mal 4:2).

The word, wings in Hebrew is kanaph which means extremity or edge, particularly of a garment, and thus a hem.  Kraspedon is equivalent to kanaph. 

Israelites had to wear blue on the borders (kanaph) of their garments (Num 15:38).  This colour represents heaven, the throne of Yahweh, from whence emanates all commandment and power.  Thus, the heavenly power to heal is embodied in the blue border of the garment.

6:31 The murder of John, Jesus’ cousin, must have had a terrific impact of Jesus. This man of sorrows. It surely brought home to him, if he needed any reminders, of his own impending death.

There is a contrast here between Gennesaret, where multitudes were healed just by touching Jesus' garment (v56), and Nazareth, where only a few were healed by direct laying on of hands (v5).

6:21   Notice the contrast. Herod ‘made a feast’ Jesus – Mark 6:31 lacked the leisure ‘so much as to eat’

Mark 6:18

“For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”

According to Josephus, Herod Antipas was a guest at his half-brother Philip’s home, and while there he fell in love with Herodias. Herodias was his niece, and the wife of his brother, Philip (verse 17). The relationship was incestuous and forbidden under the Law. This is why the marriage was not lawful ((Lev 18:6,16).

6:46    So Jesus, having sent the people away, went to pray. Maybe the temptation to respond to the people’s desire to make him king -  John 6:15 – brought on the need for Jesus to pray alone.

6:11  The instruction to shake off the dust here echoes the idea found in Neh 5:13 where Nehemiah shook his lap to signify his dissociation from those who took usury of their brethren.

Mark 6:30-31

“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he {Jesus} said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”

Christ’s response is very interesting. He taught his apostles the responsibility to deal with the use of time in a way that would enhance the time they had!

In this hustle and bustle Age (Dan 12:4), we sometimes fail to grasp who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. Our life in the Truth may be detrimentally impacted by the pressures of time. There are gatherings, programs, organizations calling the body of Christ to go, go, go, and do, do, do. Yet, time is also needed to think, to meditate, and to fully grasp God’s Word.  Some of the greatest thinkers have been people who took naps. Why? Because, it helped them to think and use their time more effectively!

It is so easy to get trapped into a western mindset, which sees time strictly from a utilitarian standpoint where performance and accomplishments are constantly the all-important goal. We lose the capacity to simply enjoy God, God' people, and the life God has given us. We need a Biblical balance. Without this balance we become legalistic joy killers, and will destroy our capacity to be the people God has called us to be.

Time is a unique and valuable resource, which should not be wasted. Scripture addresses this point, but even our God-given leisure time has taken a utilitarian bent. We compound pressure upon pressure in believing we are not serving the Lord unless we push ourselves to the point of exhaustion – burn-out rather than rust-out! There is a time for everything (Ecc 3).

Being good stewards of time does not mean we cannot take time to rest and relax, or to enjoy the good things God has given us. 1Tim 6:17 teaches us God richly provides us with things for our enjoyment. But, we must also realize that nothing in this world has eternal value, and that our obedience to God must remain our priority (1Cor 10:31).

6:50  In encouraging the disciples to be of good cheer and not to be afraid Jesus echoes God’s words through Moses – Deut 31:6

6:12  We might learn from Jesus’ instruction to the disciples here. They were to move around preaching and only remain in a place when there was a receptive audience. How often do we “move on” to another area of a town to preach when the location where we have our meetings produces no response? Or are we tied to a location because of some feeling of association with a particular building?

6:3     Here and in Matt 13:55 Jesus is denigrated at “the carpenter”. It is all too easy for us to be respecters of persons. We don’t like what is being said so, rather than fault the message, we denigrate the speaker. This is fleshly thinkers more fitting to modern politicians than it is to Jesus’ disciples.

6:2        the amazement of the people that on hearing  Jesus’ teaching was because he had not ha d formal, what we would call, theological education. We do well to be careful that we do not think an understanding of Divine things comes from reading commentaries. It comes from a personal reflection on what Scripture actually says itself.

6:2-3   First we should appreciate that Jesus was not the leader of the synagogue when he taught there. So he must have been given permission. However there were some who questioned the giving of permission doubting his learning, though appreciating the value of his words.

6:2 The synagogue would be where the majority of people in the village would go on the Sabbath. So preaching in the synagogue was the most effective way to speak to the whole village.

6:7-13 the way in which Jesus sent the disciples out in twos and that they were effective in their work is here presented in stark contrast to his own experience in his own country – 6:4-5

6:3 How often do we decide not to go and listen to someone speak about the Bible because we have pre-conceived ideas about how valuable what they might say will be?

6:3-5 The prejudice of those that knew Jesus’ background in Nazareth as just the carpenter actually impacted on what he was able to do there. The expectations of the people were matched by Jesus’ not performing many miracles.

How often do our thoughts and expectations limit the achievements of others?

6:2-3 When we are learning about God’s teaching from His word it is the message, not the messenger that is important. It is all too easy to discount what we might be hearing on the grounds that we do not think that the teacher has the necessary qualifications.

It is our responsibility to measure what we are hearing against the words of Scripture, not our prejudice about the speaker.

6:5 No one was allowed to do any work on the sabbath. Jesus healed. But it is as if the prejudice of the leaders permeated down to the people who, it seems, did not avail themselves of sabbath healing – hence “no mighty works” The attitude of those around impacted on the work that could be done by Jesus.