Comments for August 23

v.36-37 - This demonstration of the power of God showed how that God can revitalise, even when in human terms it is impossible. Wood has to be tinder dry to ignite initially. Wet wood is a non-starter. And yet God can give life against these 'humanly perceived' odds. The parallel between this and the raising of Lazarus is clear, borne out in the striking similarity of the words of Elijah and of Jesus (compare 1Kings 18:37 with John 11:42) - God can bring life even to that body which is decomposed. ("... by this time he stinketh ...")

v.21 - The fact that Elijah asks the people how long they will 'sit on the fence', as it were, suggests that their mind was not fully made up to follow Baal, and that they were being taken along by the power of those in charge. Let us be aware of how much easier it is to follow man rather than God and beware lest we too can be accused in this way.

The conflict Elijah was involved in forms the basis for James' call to brethren and sisters to make a choice.

It is all too easy for us to sit on the fence. Elijah called for commitment to that which was right. So did James. Are we willing to make a stand for that which we know to be right even if it is not convenient to us?

CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER

When the prophets of Baal called to Baal, they used every way they could to get Baal's attention. They called on him, then they called louder, then they cut themselves to make him take notice. They frantically called to Baal all day, from morning to night, and still they had no response. But when Elijah prayed to the LORD it only took one short, relatively quiet prayer, for God to hear and respond to Elijah.

Elijah did not need to shout or draw attention to himself. He did not need to cry to God all day or choose the right time in case God was busy else where. He did not need to offer frantic prayers or have lots of speaking. Elijah knew that his God could hear and answer prayer from anywhere, at any time, even though the prayer might be said in just a whisper for only a second. Elijah had the confidence that the LORD his God was alive and cared enough to listen to his people and to respond to their prayers.

Elijah's God has not changed, and neither has Baal. Baal still will not hear, but the LORD our God can hear us no matter how short or quiet our prayers are, wherever they are said, and whenever we say them. Let's be as confident in the LORD our God as Elijah was.

:19 The odds against Elijah (450 to 1) matches exactly the odds against Gideon (Judg 7:6, 8:10) - and both battles were against Baal.

18:21 notice that the same spirit of idolatry motivated people in the New Testament to become materialistic: Matt 6:24. Jesus says the god in this context is mammon, but the servitude is the same. This theme of duplicity and slavery is further developed by Paul in Romans 6:14. He broadens the term of description to Sin, but the attitude is the same.

18:33 The language used to describe the way that Elijah prepared his sacrifice draws on Lev 1:6-8 showing that even in the stressful circumstances in which he found himself Elijah was concerned to follow the requirements of the law of Moses.

V.37 This was primarily the mission of Elijah, a "turning back". He had no new message, he was not preaching to them a new way of life, but was calling them to repentance, to return to the God of their fathers, and worship Him.

"Elijah took 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of Israel" (1Kin 18:31).  This was a very pointed way of reminding Israel that they were still part of the 12 tribes, and of the promises to Abraham.

V.33 Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel took place near the end of a three-and-a-half year drought.  So, from where did he get the four barrels of water? 

Some have suggested that the water was hauled up from the Mediterranean.  Looking at a map, this might seem feasible. But, having been up Carmel more than once, I can attest that this would have been a long, arduous task. 

I rather think that Yahweh provided the water, miraculously, through a spring.  This would be in keeping with Yahweh's previous (and future) provision of water in dry places, and all the water/Word symbolism that it carries.

V.22 Elijah misspoke when he declared himself the only faithful remaining prophet of Yahweh.  In tomorrow's reading we shall see the great lesson that Yahweh gives Elijah concerning this.  The lesson is for us also.

V.4 - Jezebel (348) means chaste. What a deceptive name perhaps echoing future religious apostasy and wolves in sheep's clothing. She was killing off the the Lord's prophets but two caves each containing 50 prophets may hint a future jubilee when Jews and Gentiles are rescued from sin and death.

V.21-24 - Here we have the challenge, God vs Baal (sin). Wood was put on the altar with two bulls. V.27 - at noon Elijah taunts the false prophets as Baal was Bel-marduk the sun god. V.29 - Midday passes and the prophets of Baal continue to fail up till the time of the evening sacrifice.  V.30-35  Elijah rebuilds the altar and digs a trench surrounding  large enough to hold two measures of seed (some good some bad and/or some Jew some Gentile?), lays the bull on the wood, and pours water (baptismal burial of sin?) over it three times in the midst of a drought so even the trench is filled. Perhaps we have echoes of the sacrifice of Christ and victory over the power of sin. V.38 - fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifice. etc. V.44 - we read the seventh time the servant reported there was a rain cloud which would end the drought bringing refreshment (and a day of rest).

REBUILD THE ALTAR
 
Israel was in a sad state. They had turned away from the LORD and were serving idols, particularly the Baal's. So when Elijah came to challenge the Baal worshippers to see which God would answer by fire, Elijah stood alone. There were Baal worshippers on one side, Elijah on the other side, and a whole lot of people who had lost faith in any god. Further, when it came time for Elijah to offer his sacrifice, he had begun by repairing the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. (1Kin 18:30) Israel had drifted so far from the worship of the one true God, that even God's altar had fallen apart through lack of use.
 
Like Israel, we can sometimes get sidetracked or distracted from our worship of the One True God. It may be that there is something new or exciting we wanted to try, that we are too busy to give our attention to God, or that the old ways seem staid and boring. Any of these can lead us right away from our real commitment to God.
 
So let's take stock. Are we like Elijah and fully committed to the one true God? Or are we like the prophets of Baal and only fit to be slaughtered. Maybe we are more like the people, having drifted from our first love. Whatever the case, if there is any part of our lives that, like the altar, is in spiritual disrepair or even ruins, let's rebuild it and turn back to the LORD our God.

18:4 The way that Obadiah, in caring for God’s children, hid the by fifty is the basis for Jesus – Luke 9:14 – sitting the 5,000 in companies of 50 so that he could provide for them.

18:30  In calling for the people to "come near" Elijah is wishing to involve the people who could not decide who to worship. Standing afar off and observing from a distance is no way to recognise the proof of God’s involvement. Likewise for us. If we live on the edge of ecclesial life we will not appreciate the greatness of our God.

18:7-8 Naturally Obadiah was reluctant. He could scarcely believe that Elijah would remain while he was gone to tell the king. But the prophet was there in accordance with the command he received.

TURNING HEARTS BACK TO GOD

When the people drew near to Elijah and witnessed the proof of God's existence (v30,38) Elijah thought his 3.5 year lesson was over. When they obeyed him and killed the prophets of Baal, he thought they were fully ready to reform. Thus he told Ahab that the drought was over. There was no more need for this punishment, and Elijah prayed for rain to return. Thinking Ahab was a reformed man, he told him to go ahead to his palace and await him. I think both Ahab and Elijah were ready to turn the people of Israel around.

So when Ahab arrived, he went straight to his wife and told her the news. Baal is false! The LORD is the true God - I saw the proof! And in his childish mind he might have honestly thought Jezebel would see reason. And as Elijah waited in the entrance of Jezreel, his hopes would have been the same. This explains his depression in the next chapter, as he says to God "LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!".

18:9-14            Given the way in which Obadiah pleaded with Elijah about the task he was given – and then he went – we must conclude that Obadiah was a very faithful  man.

18:1 The command to Elijah to show himself to Ahab marks the beginning of Ahab’s judgement – Elijah has been hidden at God’s instruction –1Kin 17:3

Vs.3,4 Obadiah was in a difficult situation being governor of Ahab’s house.  If he had worshipped Yahweh openly, he would have been in trouble with Ahab and Jezebel.  And so, Obadiah worshipped Yahweh in secret.  He did what he could, surreptitiously, to help the prophets of Yahweh.

V.12 Elijah had not been around for the time of the famine.  Obadiah was afraid that Yahweh might sweep Elijah away again, and leave Obadiah facing the music with Ahab alone.

V.21 It is good to examine ourselves too.  Do we serve Yahweh, or do we serve ourselves, as the world does?  Having one foot in the spiritual camp, and the other foot in the world, does not count.  It is an either, or situation. 

Joshua presented the same kind of proposition to Israel just before they crossed into the Promised Land: choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Josh 24:15).

V.28 The practice of cutting oneself was forbidden under the law (Deut 14:1).

V.40 The Kishon was a winter torrent that made its way down the foot of Carmel and emptied into the Mediterranean Sea at the north-eastern corner of the Bay of Acre.

V.44 Elijah told Ahab to make sure his chariot was ready to go immediately.  The rain would come in torrents, quickly turning the parched, dusty earth into mud, which would impede the progress of the chariot wheels.

18:22  Elijah’s confidence is seen here, being on his own he is willing to challenge the prophets of Baal – but – 1Kin 19:4 – he soon will lose his confidence. Isn’t it interesting that whilst he is not afraid of all the prophets of Baal one woman’s anger quelled his faith.

1Kin 18:4,12-14 - persecuted prophets hiding in caves (Heb 11:32,37,38).

1Kin 18:1,29,30- V.1 - the meeting to offer a sacrifice takes place in the third year so we have a possible echo of Christ's sacrifice; V.29 - Elijah's sacrifice would be accepted at about 3 pm (i.e. the 9th hour) which is when Christ died (Luke 23:44-46); V.29 - the word "offering" [Heb. "alah" (5927) means "to ascend"].

1Kin 18:44 - this can remind us of how Christ will come on a cloud and bring spiritual refreshment on the seventh millenial day of rest (Acts 1:9-11;Luke 21:27).

1Kin 18:45 - "Jezreel" (3157) means "God will sow, God sows" - God would sow for only He can provide rain.

18:5  It is evident that Ahab had no knowledge at all of the faithfulness to Yahweh of Obadiah.  He, it seems, used his position and status with the king to take care of the prophets of the Lord.

v22: Note this is Israel only, not Judah.

v37: This took strong faith in God. He would have been killed if God hadn't answered. Do you or I put that kind of trust behind our prayers?

v43: Can you think of someone else who had faith exactly like this? Clue: Seven times.

More than one today -1Kin 18:33-38.

18:4  Obadiah was faithful as can be seen in the earlier verses of this chapter. That he knew Elijah also is further confirmation of his faithfulness. He was familiar with a true prophet even though he resided in a Godless land and was responsible to a Godless and sinful king.

18:31   The clear quotation from Gen 35:10 is most appropriate. God is directing Elijah’s mind to the time when Jacob called upon his family to get rid of their idols and items of false worship and worship God faithfully. This is exactly what Elijah was doing at this time.

18:39 In saying “the Lord He is the God” the people are acknowledging what they should have said as taught before in Deut 4:35,39

18:3       Whilst there was a drought in Samaria – 1Kin 17:1 - clearly there was water and so one presumes rain in Tyre and Sidon. Thus we can conclude that the drought in Samaria as limited to the nation of Israel as punishment from God.

18:33  The laying of the wood in order both catches the requirement of Lev 1:7 with respect to sacrifices and also Abraham’s behaviour – Gen 22:9 – when he was commanded to offer Isaac as a burnt offering.

18:24   When we are told about the seeing of the cloud (in the west) after the overthrow of the prophets of Baal we see the basis for Jesus’ “sign” in Luke 12:54

18:38  The way in which after Elijah’s prayer, the sacrifice was bunt with fire that came down from God is very like the way in which God accepted Solomon’s sacrifice – 2Chron 7:1

18:1     There is no indication that Ahab even considered objecting to being sent to see the man who had been trying to kill him. So was the faith of Elijah that he trusted implicitly God’s words to him.

18:2  the words “and Elijah went …” covers all the emotion that must have been present in Elijah’s heart at this time. He had been hiding, at God’s instruction and care, from Ahab. And now he had to confront him not knowing what the outcome would be!

18:3,9 Whereas there is no indication that Elijah expressed any concern about going to talk to Ahab it is clear that Obadiah did have concerns. Yet both men did as Yahweh requested of them. Whether Obadiah had less faith than Elijah is not really the issue. They were two faithful men with different levels of confidence who both did as He commanded. We should appreciate that we all have differing levels of confidence. Our Father looks to our commitment, not necessarily the level of assuredness we have. Maybe the one who, despite their misgivings, responds is more acceptable to our Father than the one who has no problems with their confidence in Him.

18:3 it would appear that either Ahab did not know of Obadiah’s faith in God or he was willing to simply overlook it when he needed help.

18:28 In their frenzy as they appealed to Baal these false worshippers did exactly what God had commanded them not to do – Deut 14:1

v4 Obadiah took  a hundred prophets ... and fed them with bread and water

Where did Obadiah obtain the bread and water? Possibly from Ahab's palace in which he served as chief servant. It was risky and he would have been killed, along with the 100 prophets he fed, if he had been found out. An irony - Ahab unknowingly fed the prophets from his own supplies!

v22 I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD

But had not Obadiah alerted Elijah that there were at least 100 prophets hidden away (v4)? So Elijah wasn't alone. But he was alone on Carmel and maybe Elijah, if he even remembered Obadiah's claim, felt betrayed that, when it counts, no one stood with him on Carmel. Maybe that is why he protested to God "I, even I only, am left and they seek my life to take it away" (1 Kings 19:14) to which God told him that there were 7000 other faithful people in Israel. It may also explain Elijah's initial indifference toward Elisha (1 Kings 19: 19,20) - on Carmel, Elisha had not stood with Elijah, and may not have even been there.

v44 And at the seventh time he said ' Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea'

If Elijah could not bring rain, even though he had proven his point on Carmel, then following God would be seen as no more effective than worshipping anything else. Yet Elijah prayed seven times before there was even a hint of a response from God. Why was God, from man's perspective, so slow to respond to multiple fervent prayers (v42 cp James 5:17) by Elijah for rain? Answer: Because God has His own timing and is not like some tap that man just turns on when needed. Be persistent in prayer even if results are slow in coming (cp Luke 18:1). Don't give up.

18:4-6  These verses are filling in the background to Obadiah’s faithfulness. The event spoken of had already happened, unbeknown to Ahab and probably unknown to Elijah also.

v.17,18,19,25 - these references to the 'queen of heaven' (also 7:18) refer to a practice of Babylonian worship, which, like all false worship, involved promoting and reverencing the baser side of human lust and desire. Here we see just how far the people had gone down this route, and even those described here as 'the remnant' (v.12-14), which normally portrays the few that are saved from a situation, are blatantly unrepentant. We share the same nature that these people had. Let us be sure to learn from their experience.

v.3 - There is much significance in the phrase here 'that they knew not'. Doubtless the people would feel that they knew what they were doing and that they knew this god that they had chosen to worship. However to know the One True God is a very different issue, and the knowledge we have of earthly things cannot compare with that.

44:12,22 The word 'astonishment' is quoted from Deuteronomy 28:37. Further use of the curses to show Israel that they were astray from God and that this was why they were being punished.

However, continuing yesterday's comment, we see that Jeremiah's enforced journey to Egypt was God's providential way of ensuring that all the Jews who had fled to Egypt got to hear the word of God. (:1)

44:16 The response of those who had fled to Egypt 'we will not hearken ...' is hardly surprising as they had fled to Egypt in defiance of Jeremiah's words. However Jeremiah had to witness to them even though they were stiff necked and God knew how they would respond. We should never neglect speaking the word on the basis that we think we know how those to whom we are going to speak will not heed the word.

V.14 Again Jeremiah warned them that it was useless seeking a refuge in Egypt, for everybody who attempted to do so would be destroyed. Only those who sought to escape from Egypt would be delivered to become God's witnesses that His words were performed to the letter. What a lesson for each one of us, not to seek refuge in Egypt.

In v9 and 17 we learn the reason why the people wanted to come to Egypt. They had started to worship idols in Judah and Jerusalem, and wanted to come to a place where it was more socially acceptable to carry on doing so. The answer of the women to Jeremiah's rebuke is completely blatant and open, showing their firm belief that their abominable practices were "the done thing".

Jeremiah's answer was directed against his countrymen for three reasons.(1)He attempted to correct their wilful mistake, concerning the calamities that had befallen them, and the true purpose and meaning of them(V.21-23). (2)He attempted to confront the idolatrous Jews with the LORD'S reply to their rebellious answer to Him(V.24-28). (3) He attempted to give the idolatrous Jews a sign that all the prophecies of doom upon them would be accomplished in due time(V.29-30).

“We will not listen to the word God has told you, neither will we do it.”  This in effect was the terrible message the Jews who went into Egypt told Jeremiah (Jer 44:16-19).  They fully deserved the obliteration that God prophesied on them (Jer 44:26-30).

Vs.16-18 The men of Judah turned their backs on Yahweh.  They attributed their misfortune to the cessation of their worship to the Queen of Heaven.  This return to idolatrous worship in Egypt, the epitome of idolatry, is encapsulated in Prov 26:11. 

The Queen of Heaven referred to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar whose son Tammuz was mourned by the women of Jerusalem (Eze 8:14).  This mother and child idolatry had its beginnings in Babylon after the flood. 

After Nimrod died, his wife Semiramis gave birth to Tammuz.  Nimrod was considered a sun god, and Tammuz was deemed to be the re-incarnation of Nimrod. 

This miraculous birth of Tammuz gave rise to the cult of mother and child in which both the mother and child were worshipped.  Semiramis was elevated to become the Queen of Heaven. 

When the people of Babel were scattered in their linguistic groups, they took these beliefs with them.  There are forms of mother and child worship all over the world today. 

In the western world, the Madonna and Child is the form in which Mary is the Queen of Heaven and Jesus is the miraculous child.

It is no wonder that Yahweh vents His anger on such blasphemous worship and vows to completely destroy it (Rev 17:5; 18:2,3,21).

44:4 Remember ‘rising early’ is not just being good at getting up in the morning. It is an attitude of mind – a desire to get on with the work in hand.

Vs.17,18 Yahweh allows time between pronouncing His intent and acting upon it.  This is to permit reprobates to repent, while also providing a testing period for the faithful. 

The men and women of Judah had failed to completely repent of their idolatrous ways. Moreover, their prosperity and lack of harm, during Yahweh's waiting period, was considered by them to be due to their idolatrous worship.  Their lack of faith had caused them to misread the reality of the situation.

Vs.27,28 Yahweh will always surely deliver on His promise.  The danger is the same for us today as it was for Judah. 

As we wait for judgement day, let us not be seduced by the apparent prosperity of this idolatrous world.  Yahweh has pronounced punishment on the world.  Let us stand fast in our faith, like Jeremiah, knowing that Yahweh keeps His Word (Psa 119:160; Matt 10:22).

44:7 Whilst Judah was rebelling against God in going to Egypt they were the ones who suffered – ‘against your souls’. Maybe it would help us in our struggle against sin to appreciate that when we sin that we are the losers.

44:3 In saying that they had worshipped gods ‘they knew not’ Jeremiah reminds them of the very criticism of God through Moses in Deut 29:26, 32:17

Vs.17,18 Human logic, employing cause and effect, suggests that prosperity is directly linked to the circumstances which surround it.  However, Yahweh works outside the realm of human logic (Isa 55:9). 

He can cause prosperity or poverty at will, regardless of the prevailing environment.  He asks those who believe Him to trust Him, even though our human observation might persuade us to act contrary to His will (Prov 3:5,6).

44:28 God never leaves Himself without a witness. So a remnant will return to the land – to show that God is in control, not for any goodness of those who returned.

WIVES

Wives have a very powerful influence on their husbands. Right back in the beginning it was Eve that took the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and then gave it to Adam. Later on we read of Jezebel who encouraged Ahab to do his worst as king of Israel, and while Paul was preaching he encountered both the good and bad effects of strong minded women.

God's message to the Jews in Egypt is one that equally focuses on the role of the women who had a part in turning the people away from the LORD. Jeremiah said, "Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your fathers and by the kings and queens of Judah, and the wickedness committed by you and your wives in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?" (Jer 44:9) It was not just the men, but the queens and the wives who were equally to blame. At Jeremiah's rebuke, the people got very irate. "Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, along with all the women present ... said to Jeremiah, 'We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD!'" (v.15-16)

As well as having a powerful influence in turning men away from the LORD, wives can have the same powerful influence in bringing them to the LORD. The encouragement is for wives: Take every opportunity to encourage them men in your life to turn toward the LORD.

V.9 It is hard to believe the recent events that occurred in Judah and Jerusalem did not sufficiently impact the remnant of Judah.  This is especially true as Jeremiah was with them.  He had been the prophet of record for Yahweh, in Jerusalem, during that past few decades. And, his words had proven true: as the old saying goes: There’s none so blind as those who will not see.

V.16 The same attitude of disbelief and rebellion pervades the world today. God is dead, so society has declared. The God of Heaven has been replaced with other gods.  In the western world, it is the god of Humanism that prevails.

But, all false gods will crumble when Yahweh shakes the earth in that great day (Joel 3:16). That day is coming shortly.  It is time to put our own houses in order.  Let us make sure that we have both feet in Christ’s camp (Matt 6:24).    

44:5 Repeatedly we are told that the people did not ‘incline their ear’ In so saying that prophet is reminding Israel that they were not behaving as the faithful son –Prov 4:20

44:10   Humility is not a characteristic of human nature. However it is what God requires of his subjects – Deut 8:2-3

44:30  In Jer 37:7 Jeremiah warned that Egypt would not help. Now he prophesies that Egypt will be taken captive by the Babylonians – just like some of Judah had already been taken captive.

44:11   In speaking of God setting His face against them Jeremiah is quoting  Lev 26:17

An empty land

God is clearly upset at this turn of events. The people of Judah had left God's land completely empty by deciding to move to Egypt (see v2, v7). The reason for God's sadness is that the people made themselves:

"a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth" (v8)

God's judgment is always in measure. He had left the poor of the people (and anyone who had put their trust in him) in the land to look after it (see comment for 18 August). This would allow the land to remain relatively well kept throughout the 70 years captivity that Jeremiah had prophesied (Jer 29:10). Instead, the land would become difficult to re-inhabit, with wild animals, foreign inhabitants, and plant life increasing through neglect, and well kept farming or pasture land disappearing.

44:4  This is a favourite phrase of Jeremiah.  See  Jer 7:13, 7:25, 11:7, 25:3-4, 26:5, 29:19, 32:33, 35:14, 35:15 and this verse.  Other writers use similar, but not identical language.

44:13 The mention of the sword, famine and pestilence re states what Jeremiah said earlier – Jer 14:12 which is the first time this is sad and here we read the last occasion. There are a number of other occasions in the prophecy of Jeremiah that you might care to search out. 

44:11  Of the 87 times the phrase “the God of Israel” occurs in the Old Testament 55 (nearly 2/3) of those occasions are to be found just in the prophecy of Jeremiah.  This is appropriate because Jeremiah seems to be saying things that would indicate that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was not particularly concerned to defend His people.

44:1   Jeremiah had warned the people against going to Egypt, but the people argued that his message was false – Jer 43:1.  So they went. However Jeremiah continues him message to them in Egypt. They might have escaped, temporarily, from the Chaldeans but they could not escape from the word of God.

44:2   The phrase “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel,” is only found twice outside the prophecy of Jeremiah. Isa 21:10 and Zeph 2:9. So 32 of the 34 occurrences are found in this prophecy and one of the others in a contemporary prophet.

44:9    “have you forgotten …”  in a very significant way marks Israel’s problem. They did not remember how God had brought them out of Egypt at the time of the Exodus.

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

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

IV. The Present Fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:1 to 45:5)

   D. Messages After the Fall (Jeremiah 40:1 to 44:30)

      5. Jer 44:1-30 - Jeremiah's final appeal to get the Jews to abandon idolatry fails and disaster follows:

         a. 44:1-6 A reminder of what God had done in Judah -

            i. VS 1-6 - Penalty always connected with sin and there was anger against Judah and the remnant beyond for idolatry and burning incense to other gods (such as the Queen of Heaven)

            ii. VS 1-14 - The denunciation of God's judgment against the prevailing idolatry in the worship of the Queen of Heaven and that the calamity that had overtaken the Jews in the land of Israel would also overtake them in the land of Egypt.

            iii. V1 - Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis in lower Egypt (north of Cairo) and Pathros in upper (southerrn) Egypt (from Cairo to the Aswan)

            iv. V2 "desolation<2723>"; V6 "wasted<2723>"; V6 "desolate<8077>"

         b. 44:7-10 A rebuke for what the remnant was doing -

            i. VS 7-10 - The Jewish remnant ignored the warnings of the past turning to idolatry and they were not humbled.

            ii. V10 - "humbled<1792>"

            iii. We must be humble like little children (Prov 22:6;Prov 22:15;Luke 18:9-17;Matt 18:1-6;Mark 9:33-37;Luke 9:46-48;Mark 10:13-16; Prov 15:33;1Pet 5:5;Phil 2:6;3John 1:9)

         c. 44:11-14 Judgment upon the remnant -

            i. VS 11-14 judgment of the remnant in Egypt just as God punished Jerusalem.

            ii. VS 12,22 "astonishment<8047>" was the word quoted from Deut 28:37

            iii. VS14,28 none will return from Egypt except for a few

      5. Jer 44:1-30 - Jeremiah's final appeal to get the Jews to abandon idolatry fails and disaster follows:

         d. 44:15-19 the remnant's unfortunate response

            i. VS 15-19 the apostasy of the remnant and the misguided reasons for it were that the Jews believed their troubles resulted from the supression of idolatry under Josiah while under Manasseh they had prospered wgile adoring the Queen of Heaven.

            ii. VS 15,19 it seems the women took the lead inm idolatry with their husband's consent.

            iii. V16 they refused to listen to Jeremiah

            iv. VS 16-18 - noting Michael Parry's 2005 comments, Mesopotamian idolatry had Queen of Heaven worship which has somewhat of a parallel in the more recent worship of the mother of Jesus.

            v. VS 17,18,25 Queen of Heaven worship included acts of immorality along with burning incense to the Queen of Heaven

            vi. V17 in the streets of Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah the Jews had previously worshipped the Queen of Heaven.

            vii. V18 they wanted good times not unlike those who follow the more frecent prosperity gospel (Acts 14:22)

            viii. V19 "cakes<3561>" (similar to wafers?) for the Queen of Heaven

         e. 44:20-30 - believed to be Jeremiah's last recorded words

            i. VS 20-30 God's wrath on the people and giving them a "sign" in the foretold fall of Pharaoh Hophra

            ii. V23 "law<8451>", "statutes<2708>", "testimonies<5715>"

            iii. V30 Pharoah Hophra according to Brown-Driver-Briggs means "the great house covering evil"

44        the chapter divides into three sections showing a conversation

:2-14      Jeremiah speaks

:15-19     the people respond

:20-30    Jeremiah speaks to the people again

44 so Jeremiah is now inspired to send a message to them in Egypt – those who had gone with Johanan as recorded in the previous chapter.

44:1 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  7:1, 11:1, 25:1, 30:1, 32:1, 40:1 and 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.

44:6-7 Those still remaining in Jerusalem could see the devastation that had happened to the land of Israel. Doubtless they ascribed that to the might of the Chaldeans. However they should have realised it was because of their sins. It is all too easy to look for “natural” causes rather than to see God at work.

44:4 It is easy to overlook the grace and mercy of Yahweh when we consider the repeated way that His people did not listen to the words of the prophets that He sent to speak to them.

He would have been justified in destroying them when they rejected the first prophet that came and spoke to them. But no. He was looking for repentance so that He could forgive them!

44:15-17 Jeremiah’s message from God had been clear. Submit to the Chaldeans, do not go down to Egypt. However God’s mercy is seen in that even though some had gone to Egypt and were worshipping false God Jeremiah was still sent to give them an opportunity to repent – which they did not take.

Thus we see the amazing mercy and grace Of Yahweh.

v.16,17 The principle put forward here is repeated in slightly greater detail in ch.6:18-20. We can draw great comfort from this knowledge. We used to belong to ourselves. Since our baptism we now accept by our confession of our faith, that we are bought with a price. Herein is the love of God demonstrated to us. God protects his body, which, we are told here, we are. We are 'separated from our uncleanness' (Lev.15:31) so that we cannot defile that temple.

Whereas there are many problems in Corinth it is instructive to note that the first issue that Paul addresses is the one of unity. This should serve as instruction for us as to what is really important.

:9,17 Whilst the Corinthians were so concerned to display their 'wisdom' the message of Paul is clear. You - believers - are the temple of God. So any inappropriate behaviour or thoughts (their own wisdom) actually pollutes that temple.

3:9 In saying 'labourers together with God' Paul contrasts how the brethren and sisters ought to be with their current strifes.

V.4-5 Such a comment made it clear how little concerned Paul was to have a partisan following. But he made it clearer still by insisting that, with Apollos, he was no more than a "minister" every convert whom either of them made was "given" by the Lord. 

Vs.21,22 We must be careful not to put eminent persons on pedestals like the Corinthians did.  We can be grateful to these people for broadening our knowledge, but to make them larger than life goes to human values and not Yahweh's. 

3:6  Partnership in work is how unity and fellowship develop – but remember always that God is the one who really does the work.

Vs.16,17 The status of our calling is awesome.  This ought to be considered soberly, as Yahweh is serious about it.

SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

v.10-17 - In the ecclesia built on Christ, each member should be mature, spiritually sensitive, and doctrinally sound. However, the Corinthian ecclesia was filled with "wood, hay and stubble", members who were immature, insensitive to one another and eagerly accepting wrong doctrine. (v.1-4) No wonder they had so many problems. To overcome this kind of situation, our goal should be to let God's desires be our desires. Being controlled by our own desires will stunt our growth in the truth.

FUTILE

1Cor 3:20 - This word means "pointless" and "purposeless" (Strongs #3152)

The new testament writers, especially Paul used it to depict the meaninglessness that pervades the thoughts of all of Adam's race. Paul characterises the "thoughts of the wise" (3:20) as being "futile".

Paul describes the Gentiles as living "in the vanity (futility) of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God" Eph 4:17

Salvation from such futility comes only from the indwelling Spirit of Christ in our lives. Rom 8:8,10,11,26,27

3:9 In speaking of the brethren and sisters as ‘God’s building’ Paul is introducing a concept that he will return to in this 1Cor 3:16,17, 1Cor 6:19and his second letter 2Cor 6:16.

3:9The focus on being ‘God’s building’ should remove the party spirit. It helps to realise whose we are.

Vs.18,19 It is easy to believe worldly rhetoric because it sounds so convincing.  However, worldly wisdom cannot bring salvation.  Any practical advice, offered by the world, should be evaluated against the Word, and approved by it, before acceptance.

3:3 When there is debate amongst us we often justify our position by an assertion that what we are talking about is important. However as soon as we enter into strife we are not, and cannot in any way, claim we are spiritual. It is right and proper to debate real issues but the issue must be Scripturally important else we are doing no better than elevating our proud selves.

V.2 Milk constitutes the basic principles of the Truth.  As one progresses in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the Word, one can digest the deeper meanings of the Truth.  These deeper things of the Truth are represented as meat.  It should be the goal of every follower of Jesus to progress from milk to meat.  This is done by studying the Word, prayerfully (See Heb 5:12-14).

Vs.3,4 The insistence, by some, to follow certain ones, can lead to quarrels.  Let us always remember that what we do should always lead to peace (Heb 11:14). 

V.7 Every effort in preaching, or in advancing from milk to meat in our learning, only becomes successful when Yahweh gives the increase.  He will do that if one puts in the effort.  Yahweh is a reactive God.  He will react to what a person does, but He cannot add any increase to a non-action.  It is up to us to initiate an action (2Chron 15:2; James 4:8)   

Vs.11-15 There is only one foundation for salvation, and that is Jesus and His Gospel (Acts 4:12; 2Tim 1:10).  Through one’s preaching efforts, there might be several who take on the saving name of Jesus, and become His disciples.

Every convert to Jesus, will stand before Him in judgment, and be rewarded, individually, according to what he has done in his/her life as a disciple of Jesus (Matt 16:27). Some will be accepted into the Kingdom, and eternal life, while others will be rejected (Dan 12:2).

The successful converts, at judgment, will be like gold, silver, precious stones. These Redeemed will make up the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:18,19).  

But, the unsuccessful converts will be like wood, hay, stubble.  These materials are neither precious nor durable.  They will be easily consumed by fire (judgment) (Mal 4:1).

The converts to Jesus were all part of some other person's efforts to preach the Gospel. And so, a person might have had a variety of converts come about because of his/her preaching efforts. If he/she has had successful converts at judgment, then he/she will receive the reward of seeing them in the Kingdom.

However, a person might have preached and only produced converts who were rejected at the judgment. His/her work will be burned (rejected at judgment), and he/she will suffer loss (not having the pleasure of seeing them in the kingdom).  However, he/she, the preacher, shall be saved (personally enter the Kingdom).

The difficult verses in v10-15 are actually explained just a few verses further on in the next chapter. This highlights once again that it is no use taking a chapter in isolation. It's part of a carefully worded argument. Paul meant something specific with what he had written, and it is not open to interpretation. And actually, it's this that the verses are talking about.

In 4:4 Paul says "He who judges me (or what I'm saying) is the LORD", corresponding to the fire which tests a building, burning away anything not gold, silver or precious stones. In 4:5 "(God) will bring to light the hidden things ... and reveal the counsels of the hearts" referring to non-God-derived doctrine which will not stand the test. And concluding "then each one's praise will come from God" referring to v13 about those whose wisdom is of God, and will stand up to the fiery test. So Paul is contrasting those who think from the heart, with those who think from the word. Which of the two are we?

3:6 Against the partisan spirit of the brethren in Corinth Paul is showing that life in Christ is one of working together and God is involved also

PULL TOGETHER

As I travel to work I ride my pushbike across and along the side of the Tamaki River. Most mornings, as I look out over the river I see rowing crews out from the local rowing clubs. Rowing is probably the sport that is a team sport above all else. As a pair, a four, or an eight, no one can say, "I won that race," because without the rest of the team that person would be nothing. Rowers achieve their results together. It is the effort of all the team that wins or loses a race.

If Paul had seen the rowing crews in the Tamaki River or at the Olympic games, I am sure he would have used their example to teach the Corinthians about teamwork. Paul used two other examples. The first was gardening. Someone plants and someone else waters and God makes it grow. All three rely on the others or nothing will grow.

The other example Paul used was that of building a house. Someone lays a foundation and a whole team of other people work to complete it.

So it is in the church. Paul says, "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." (1Cor 3:9) As a united team we need to be growing our church. As a united team we need to be building the building. None of us can do it by ourselves and neither can we leave it to others. Let's do our bit, or like a rower that refuses to row, we will drag everyone else in the team back.

3:4   People were not actually saying they were of Paul etc: There were individuals in Corinth who had a following. Paul substitutes their names to de personalise the problem.

3:5    Paul is correcting the arrogancy of some who wanted to be seen as ‘somebody’ in Corinth. It is the message, not the messenger, that matters.

3:19    In quoting Job 5:13 – words of Eliphaz – God is not sanctioning what Eliphaz says. Rather he is using Eliphaz’s foolish criticism of Job to show how foolish those in Corinth are who are “of Paul” etc. 

3:12   Some in Corinth were glorying in men- hence the party spirit 1Cor 1:12. It was as if it was thought that those who had a following were able to give their supporters some benefit. Paul, here, emphasises that everything comes from God, not these proud individuals in the church.  

3:10     Returning to the factions spoken of in 1Cor 1:12 Paul now emphasises that the work of building up the believers is not the work of one person. It is a team effort, blessed by God.

3:9-11There was a party spirit in Corinth. There were those who sought a following :4– so Paul emphasises that the work is Gods and does not belong to any man.

3:4     We do not know how many believers there were in Corinth when Paul wrote this letter to Corinth. We should, however, realise that they did not necessarily meet as we do in large groups in our own purpose built buildings. It is more likely that they met in homes. There may well have been different homes with “leading lights” who attracted disciples to follow them. This may well be the historical background to the claims “I am of …”

3:13-15          Some were saying “I am of …” – 3:4– so Paul is now emphasising that it does not affect the salvation of the one who has sown the seed whatever happens to the one who has been introduced to the gospel message. This is the antidote to glorying in the number of people that one has introduced to the gospel message.

3:2     Isaiah teaches that those who are weaned from milk – Isa 28:9 – will learn. So Paul is reminding the Corinthians that they need to move on from the basics of the gospel. It would seem that they thought that the Spirit Gifts were the important things to practice but Paul is teaching that there are more relevant things to search after.

3:10 Here Paul is making the same pint, using a different analogy, that he has already made – 3:6. It really needs to be emphasised that developing the spirituality of our fellow believers is a work done together.

JEALOUSY AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT

The problem with a sin like jealousy is that we don't go out of our way to do it. It is a sin that sort of creeps up on us and usually catches us unaware. It's one of those sins that is so stealthy that we don't even see it in ourselves until it is really big, has rooted itself in place and is really difficult to weed out.

The other problem with jealousy is connected: we hate to have it pointed out to us. In fact, if someone comes up to us to tell us that we have a problem with jealousy, I can almost guarantee that we would also suffer from anger at that moment too.

Paul says that if we harbour jealousy we could be labelled "worldly". Listen "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" (1Cor 3:3).

So here are my thoughts for overcoming a jealous spirit.

1. Stop comparing. Comparison is a killer no matter what way you look at it.
2. Count your blessings.
3. Be thankful for everything. Thank God for the blessings you have counted.
4. Grow a joy filled attitude. The more joyful we are, the less jealous we can be.
5. Pray for contentment, peace and love, and for God's help to overcome our negative thoughts

3:6 Apollos was at Corinth – Acts 19:1 – being “mighty in the scriptures” – Acts 18:24 – who had been furthering the work that Paul started. It seems, however, that some were forming a group around Apollos – maybe because of the errors with others amongst the believers. We might easily understand why some would associate with Apollos and avoid others. However such behaviour is in itself divisive and should be avoided.

3:4-5 We might say that such and such a person “taught us the truth” but in reality many believers, and maybe from time to time, unbelievers have contributed to our commitment to Christ. But in reality it was God that gave the increase. He is the one who called.

3:1-4 Paul’s inspired words might seem to be very harsh especially as they were written to a relatively young in the faith group of believers. However there is no value in avoiding talking about serious problems even with the young in the faith – maybe it is even more important to speak clearly to them!

The Corinthians were using human values and thought patterns in their meeting together. As such it was impossible to be Christ Like. Carnal thinking and Christ like thinking are mutually exclusive.

We ned to be careful that we do not swap from godly thinking to carnal thinking when we have differing feelings towards fellow believers.

1Cor 3:16,17

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

“EVERY true son and daughter of the Lord God Almighty is a miniature tabernacle or temple, as saith Paul, ‘Ye are the temple of the living God. If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy.’ Our minds should be a holy place lined with the gold of a tried faith, in which the one Christ-sacrifice for sins is continually offered, and the smoke of grateful incense, kindled by the fire of the altar, continually ascending, while deeply secreted in the innermost ark of the heart is the law of God in its remembrance, the scriptures in their affectionate study, the institutions of divine appointment in continual reverence, and the bread of God in its continual eating. Thus, shall we be the sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, misunderstood by all, hated by many, despised and rejected of men, persevering in a bitter probation that will end at last in life and light and joy everlasting.”

Robert Roberts, The Law of Moses, p. 98