Comments for September 2

This very practical chapter demonstrates how God knows the future. We have here a turn of events so dramatic and unlikely that no-one could have predicted it, but by the power of God, Elisha was able to make this proclamation and so convince those around him of his truth as a prophet. Here was an immediate fulfilment of the prophecy of the day before - the test of a prophet.

v.11 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 showing that it is a specialised word. There is always value in looking at the distribution of the way in which a word is used in Scripture.

We cannot help but be struck by the way in which God dispersed the Syrians. He caused them to hear a noise which frightened them into fleeing. This was a direct way that God chose on this occasion but we note that it is not the norm. Usually there was some effort required of the people.

Language from this chapter is seen in Revelation 6 in the seals

Showing that the siege of Samaria and the dire circumstances of the inhabitants of the city at that time are a pattern of the distress that is seen in the events of the seals.

:12 Interestingly, despite having been told by the prophet that they would be delivered (:1-2) the king did not believe that deliverance had come. He trusted his 'lord' on whose arm he leaned more than his LORD in whose arm he should have trusted.

7:3 Have you thought about the providential way in which these lepers were outside the city? God had already said, though Elisha,  that the 'lord' would see the plenty but not benefit from it. Had these lepers not been at the gate to go into the camp of the Syrians then the subsequent events may well not have taken place.

V.10 The uniform arrangement of encampments in the east is to place the tents in the center, while the cattle are picketed all around, as an outer wall of defence; hence the lepers describe the cattle as the first objects they saw.

Continuing with our types in the account of Elisha, we read today of incredible plenty being available, first seen by the leprous men (was this Gehazi and his sons?)  Does this show us that the gentiles and previous enemies will all work together, and live in peace, when the windows in heaven are opened? This is the promise of the Kingdom.

V.1 The siege of Samaria had been long and hard. The Israelites had been devastated by starvation, disease, and death.  Desperate conditions had produced desperate actions, such as cannibalism. Times were bleak and there seemed no hope in sight.  And yet, suddenly Yahweh changed conditions.

Let us remember such examples when we hit low spots in our lives, when things look desperate and hopeless.  Yahweh can swiftly reverse fortunes: Is any thing too hard for the LORD? (Gen 18:14).  Let us put our trust in Him: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov 3:5,6).
 

7:19  So the lord who did not believe the words of the prophet did not benefit from their fulfilment. Notice ::16,17  emphasises that Elisha was speaking the word of God.

7:16  Against the background of a king who did not believe in the God of Israel He was shown to be in control of world events, though it did not seem to have an impact upon the king. In like manner we may see God’s hand at work in the nations but still not place our personal trust in Him.

Vs.1,16,18 The seah was a measure of capacity and the shekel a weight.  The seah was one-third of an ephah which was, itself, between three-eighths and two-thirds of a bushel.  A bushel is approximately 35 litres (US measure); or 36 litres (imperial measure). 

The shekel was the standard weight for gold and silver in the Near-East at the time, but could vary between 9-17 gm.  There is no indication in this chapter whether the shekel referred to silver or to gold. However, to be consistent with the valuations of 6:25, I suspect that silver is meant.

That being the case, let's compare: the capacity of a seah was approx 9 litres. And so, 1 seah of flour (9 litres) would cost the equivalent of $6.40 by today's valuation of silver.  Two seahs (18 litres) of barley would cost the same.  Remember the price of the pulse in Ch.6?  It was $8.

Now, 6 cabs = 1 seah.  Therefore, 1 seah of pulse would have cost $194, which would be 30 times the price of 1 seah of flour. 

And so, we can see the quick reversal of fortune that Yahweh had wrought.

7:2 That the ‘lord’ would see and yet not benefit from the plenty because of his unbelief is like the Jews who will see Abraham in the kingdom and themselves thrust out – Luke 13:28

V.3 There are some commentators who think that the four lepers were Gehazi and his three sons.  However, I have not seen any hard evidence of this.

7:3-4 The situation of these four men was terrible, really. The city was shut up for fear of the Syrians. The four men were outside the city, unable to enter, waiting for the Syrians to come against the city. They had no food or water, the people in the city did not care for them enough to even try to make provision for them.

7:6 Here is a clear example that God can save in the quiet way. No one had heard anything, the Syrians had just got an idea and so fled. Naaman had thought that God required some ‘great thing’ but learnt it was in the little things that God can be seen. Likewise here.

2Kin 7:1-2 - this prophecy was fulfilled the next day as Peter Cresswell noted in his 2001 comments - it indicates how faith and spiritual food is necessary for salvation/life [prophetic fulfilment 2Kin 7:16-20 - the officer was rejected at the "gate" Heb. "shahar" (8176) means "opening, door, gate" - John 10:7,9].

2Kin 7:3-4,8-10 - Lepers (figuratively sinners who were facing death) enter the V.3 "gate" (8176); V.8 receive food, drink, gold (faith purified by affliction?), silver (redemption?), new raiment (clothes of righteousness?); V.9 day of "good tidings" [Heb. "besorah" (1319) means "reward for good news, good news, glad tidings, good tidings"] and perhaps echoes the hope in Gospel we share; V.10 the lepers share the good news with the "porter" [Heb. "shoer" (7778) means "gatekeeper, doorkeeper"]. The four lepers somewhat contrast with Naaman (2Kin 5:5,9,16) who tries to purchase freedom from figurative sin and death by offering gold, silver and new raiment - we can't earn or pay the price for freedom, it is a freely offered gift of grace fully paid for by Christ - faith and love are required not our possessions.

7:9  Having experienced the benefit of food and sustenance those lepers who were ostracised by the society in which they lived gave thought to those who ostracised them!  Isn’t that a wonderful spirit?

2Kin 7:5-8 – The Lord delivered Samaria from the Syrian siege.  The deliverance was the Lord’s doing.  The result was that the Syrians fled for their lives!

Through the prophet Elisha, the Lord directed the Samaritans (2Kin 6:20-23) to show mercy and kindness to the Syrians.  They gave them “great provisions” of bread to eat and water to drink (2Kin 6:22) and sent them home. 

However, under King Benhadad the Syrians had returned (2Kin 6:24) to afflict Israel.  This incident of God’s judgements on the Syrians is used by the Apostle Paul (Rom 12:19-21) as an example where feeding the hungry enemy and quenching their thirst can heap (coals of fire) God’s vengeance on their heads.

7:5, 7     If we live in the northern or southern hemisphere we are doubtless used to, in summer at least, long evenings when the light fades slowly – the twilight – as we call it.  When we come across this word in the Bible we should be aware that Israel, being so much nearer to the equator, does not experience twilight in the same way. The period between day and night as the sun sets is, all year round, a relatively short period of time.

7:8       We might think it strange that an army would have “silver and Gold” with them as they went to battle. It is most likely that the silver and gold was fashioned into religious icons that the  soldiers used to call on their gods to help them in their battles.

7:9    The lepers, ceremonially unclean, actually had a fear of God. As such they reflect the true believer. Their nature of flesh is made subject to the “mind of the spirit” – an enlightened mind that wishes to serve God. 

The man who rejected hope

Elisha came bringing good news from God. God would save the people of Samaria from the famine that ravaged them. How would you and I react to this message? However improbable it seemed, we might at least hope it would happen. If our faith in God was shaky at this point, given that we were desperate, we might at least hope. The alternative solutions had all been tried and there was no help left for Samaria. In this situation the King's servant scoffed. If you were God, offering to keep you from starvation, how would you feel if your offer was just brushed aside? The least you would probably do would be to say to the man - "well, have it your way, everyone else can eat but you won't want any will you?". The end result was that this man was left to his fate, the same fate that was there for everyone in Samaria, to die in the siege (v16-20). God didn't kill him; he just took the man at his word that he didn't want to be saved. It sounds harsh doesn't it?

Just as Elisha came to Samaria to save the people from famine, Jesus came to save us from death. In John 3:15-19 we're told that those who reject his offer of help will just be left to their own fate -- because every man and woman dies in the end:

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already" John 3:17-18

The exhortation is not to be like the servant who scoffed at the offer of help. Even if we can't quite believe the offer that is being made for free, we can still hope, for what alternative do we have? While hoping we may have time to investigate the validity of the offer in more detail. Many who have done this have ended up with not only hope, but a strong belief that the offer is true and will come to pass.

7:13-14         So we learn of the deprived state of the people in the city of Samaria.

7:2  We should not presume that the king actually leaned on the “lord”. Here and in 2Kin 5:18 the phrase is used to speak of reliance.

7:2          The fulfilment of these words is seen in a most natural way – 7:20 – so the miracle could be explained away by those who did not want to believe God keeps His word.

7:1-2    The test of a prophet was whether his prophecies came to pass but anyone who does not accept the words of the prophet will suffer – Deut 18:19. So the servant of the king died – verse :20 -

7:20    It reads so naturally. However it was a direct fulfilment of the words of the prophet – see :2 – he way that God works might appear so “natural” however our eyes must be open to the fact that He is always at work.

7:7 For those of us living a significance north or south of the equator “twilight” might conjure up an evening which lasts a few hours. However, all year round in the land of Israel, the evening as the sun sets is a relatively short period of time as the sun sets (and rises) quickly.

7:15 One wonders what God had put into the minds of the Syrians that they fled so completely, even discarding their property on the way.

7:2 the “lord” had a choice. Did he trust the king who leaned on his hand or the prophet who had performed miracles. Unlike Naaman he trusted his master more than Yahweh. Naaman, who, it seems, was in a similar position, placed his trust in God seeking to distance himself from his “lord” the king of Syria – 2Kin 5:17-19.

7:6 One wonders on wat basis did the lepers think some “mischief” would come upon them. There is no indication in scripture that they would be individually be punished for their actions. Their reasoning was based on superstition, not godly reasoning. An indication as to how far from understanding divine things the northern kingdom were at this time.

A possible Timeline:

Day 1: Evening                           Syrian army fled.

Day 1:   Evening     Lepers arrive at deserted Syrian camp. – no recognition of divine hand.

Day 1:  Evening      Lepers decide out of fear (not out of awe at God’s intervention) to tell Samaria (2 Kings 7:9)

Day 1 night till Day 2 early morning:  King aroused out of sleep and considers issues.  NOTE: no reflection on Elisha’s prophecy, no humbling that maybe God has intervened.

Day 2: morning:    King’s servants suggest surveillance of the Syrian camp.

Day 2:                  Jehoram’s courtier trampled – God carries out His threats even when He shows mercy to others.

7:1 Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel

This prophecy depended on a sequence of natural events being supernaturally directed with precise timing. If any one of these events were not to have happened in the manner and timing that it did, the outcome, and hence the prophecy at v1, would not have been fulfilled.

Consider:

1. If the four lepers did not exist, or existed elsewhere from Samaria,  there would be no reporting of the Syrian departure (v3)

2. If the lepers had not decided to visit the Syrian army camp, the Syrian departure would be unknown. (v4)

3. If the lepers had decided to visit the Syrian camp a day earlier, the Syrians would still be encamped and the lepers may have been dead. (v5)

4. If the lepers had have gone a week later, much of the booty from the camp would destroyed by wild animals and the domestic animals would likely be dead. (vv6,7)

4. If the lepers had not feared punishment, they would not have returned to Samaria to tell the news of the Syrian departure (v9)

5. If the gatekeepers had not taken the lepers news seriously, the servants of the king would not have been alerted to the news of the Syrian departure (v11)

6. If the servants of the king had not taken the gatekeepers news seriously, the king would not have been alerted of the Syrian departure (v11)

7. If one of the king's servants had not suggested an alternative to the king's incorrect interpretation of events, the surveillance of the Syrian camp might not have occurred (vv 12,13)

God works through natural events, towards a supernatural goal. 

7:6 Not only did God cause the host to "hear” chariots. He also motivated them to draw conclusions, based on no real evidence, that a mighty army of the Hittites and Egyptians had been hired to fight against them.

With a little thought and listening to their sentries and scouts the Syrians could have known that their assumptions were incorrect. However it was “of God” so reason did not affect their decisions.

v. 15 - Wormwood is noted for its intense bitterness Deut. 29:18 Prov. 5:4 Jer. 9:15 Amos 5:7 It is a type of bitterness, affliction, remorse, suffering. In Amos 6:12 this Hebrew word is translated "hemlock" . See also Rev.8:10,11

v.31 'will not cast off His People' forms the basis for Paul's comment in Romans 11:1 The power of the use in Romans is that even at a time when Israel were in Babylon for their sins God had not forgotten them. So even though they had crucified their Messiah [Acts 2:23] the salvation that is available through the gospel is still available to them. Such is the love of the Father.
v.37 Acknowledging that our actions should be determined by the Lord's will is first seen in King David. 2 Samuel 15:25,26 and re stated by his son Solomon Proverbs 19:21
Jeremiah draws the attention of those who would speak falsely to the fact that Yahweh determines actions. Lamentations 3:37
This clear Old Testament concept then passes into New Testament use being seen first in the Lord Luke 22:42
And then in the apostles Acts 18:21 Romans 1:10 15:32 1 Corinthians 4:19 16:7 Hebrews 6:3

v.21 is the result of the contemplation of the terrors described in v.1-19. v.20 provides the link - the link is in recognition of our own position, and the consequent humility. It is through the bad things of life that we gain.

3:40 The call to search and try [their] ways was given because Israel should have been able to see why they were in captivity. If they had recognised their waywardness even at this late stage God would have forgiven them.

HELP FOR DEPRESSION
It was the worst trouble anyone could be in when the city you live in and love is besieged by the enemy, when all of your friends and loved ones turn against you and the LORD your God, when you see them dying of diseases or starvation or you hear the army ravaging and killing on the streets and you hear the screams of the people you love as they are taken or die. No wonder Jeremiah said, "My soul is downcast within me." But in the midst of all his depression and weeping there was one thing that still picked him up. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness," he said.
No matter how bad things might get for us, for most of us they will never get as bad as they did for Jeremiah or Job. Yet both of these men could honestly say that they still had hope in the LORD. The LORD their God was the one who picked them up out of their depression and helped them through it. He will do it for us too. So no matter how bad things get, let us always put our hope in God whose faithfulness and compassions never fail, but are new every morning.

As you read this chapter notice the way in which Jeremiah sees the destruction of Jerusalem as a personal calamity. This can be seen in the repeated use of 'I' 'my' 'me' 'mine'

But when he comes to speak about how he should feel he includes all those that would turn to God in his comment :25 The Lord is good unto them '

3:19 'wormwood and the gall' quotes Deut 29:18 - the culmination of the curses that God said would come upon Israel if they were unfaithful. We saw many links with Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26, too many to enumerate here, when we worked through the prophecy of Jeremiah.

V.27 The "yoke" to be accepted humbly by the faithful (Jer 37:8-12), was the yoke which Christ later offered. Also, it is important that we begin to bear this yoke in our youth if possible; Youth is the time for establishing life long ambitions and habits; it is also the time for high hopes, when we may fail to understand the utter futility of seeking fame and riches. The things learned in our youth will be the most easily remembered when harder times come. Think what Solomon wrote; Ecc 12:1

V.59 Jeremiah cities God's gracious answers to his prayers as an encouragement to his fellow countrymen, God's past deliverances and His knowledge of Judah's wrongs are made the grounds of prayer for relief.

V.1,21,22,25,31,32,33,40,57 - we read of affliction, hope, self-examination, repentance, and God's compassion. In Heb 12:6-11 we read of God chastening those whom he loves and the positive benefits that can result. 

Jeremiah had been warning the men of Jerusalem and Judah for years about the coming destruction on the city.  But they would not repent, and he suffered greatly for his message.  He knew that Yahweh was just in bringing such punishment, but he still could not be restrained in sorrow or compassion for the events that took place. 

We must not forget that Yahweh has feelings too (Psa 78:40).  He must have also felt great sorrow. After all, Jerusalem was the city in which He chose to put His Name (1Kin 11:36).  Even though the enemy must fall, it is not a matter for rejoicing (Prov 24:17).  We should also take the same attitude.  When the enemies of Yahweh fall, we should be glad (for His sake) but not gloat.  Who are we to be self-righteous?

Despite the terrible traumas Jeremiah had suffered, he still is able to say, “It is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed” (Lam 3:22). He was certain that God was still therefore him. The prophet had literally called upon God’s name out of the low dungeon (Lam 3:55), and God heard his cry.  So the Lord is for us, also.

3:22 It may seem odd that Jeremiah speaks of benefiting from God’s mercies. Actually Jeremiah realised that the nation deserved to be destroyed for their sins. So that they were sent to Babylon showed God’s mercy. In the same way it is through God’s mercy that we do not die without hope. Adam and his children deserved death – nothing else. It is only through God’s mercies that we still live.

3:22-24 Jeremiah was able to see God’s ‘compassion’ and have ‘hope’ in such difficult a situation as when the city of Jerusalem was destroyed because he knew that God had also promised a regathering of Israel at the end of the 70 years. Can we have such trust when things appear to be falling apart around us?

Vs.59-66 Jeremiah calls on Yahweh to punish his (Jeremiah's) enemies.  This is akin to David's imprecatory psalms (those appealing for curses or judgements on his enemies).  These invocations are not calls for revenge solely on behalf of the sufferer.  The enemies of the righteous sufferer are also the enemies of Yahweh.  Yahweh has also been abused in these circumstances, and so divine retribution is warranted.

3:53 In speaking of ‘in the dungeon’ Jeremiah may well be reflecting on his condition when the city of Jerusalem was besieged – Jer 38:6

Vs.22-26 This third elegy of Jeremiah provides a powerful exhortation.  Yahweh will try those whom He loves.  But, whatever trials he brings, and some of them might be very difficult, He will never leave us (Heb 13:5).  When things look desperate, we should turn to Yahweh because His mercy is unfailing. 

3:25-27 So Jeremiah sees good coming from the events that have overtaken Jerusalem. He must be thinking of the chastening hand of God and the benefit of responding to the chastening because there was no short term benefit.

Vs.1-19 Jeremiah pours out his anxiety and complaint about the way he was treated during his witness in Jerusalem.  There are glimpses of Job in Jeremiah’s experience.  Compare, for example, v.4 with Job 16:8; 30:30.

V.21 etc. After his complaint, Jeremiah remembers that there is hope of salvation because of Yahweh’s mercy.  Repentance and forgiveness are necessary before Yahweh will render His grace.  But, salvation is possible to those who are contrite.

Like Jeremiah, we have trials in our lives, yet we live in hope of salvation.  To ensure a successful end, we must remain in contact with Our Heavenly Father.  Rom 12:12 sums up this three-part formula: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

v52-57 appears to refer to the time Jeremiah was stuck in the mire at the bottom of the dungeon. If this is the case, we have a few extra details here not mentioned in Jeremiah 38. In v53 "they threw stones at me" suggests they threw stones at him as he sank in the mire, unable to move out of harms way. So he could have been wounded and bruised as well as emaciated when Ebed Melech lifted him out. More reason why Ebed Melech was so careful with Jeremiah not to hurt him with a rope (Jer 38:11-13). But the water in v54 is unlikely to be a literal detail, because Jer 38:6 says there was no water in the dungeon. Instead, it is a turn of phrase used also in Psa 68:1-4 referring to his overwhelming sorrow. This is also the context of our chapter as we can see by the same wording in 48-51.

3:23 Here Jeremiah is reflecting on the chastening hand of God. The affliction will be replaced with compassion when Israel repent

3:28  Another occasion when Jeremiah says that the problems that have come upon Israel are of God. ‘borne’ is elsewhere translated ‘laid’ – indicating a specific action on God’s part.

3:5    The mention of “gall” reminds us of the punishment of Israel spoken of by Moses – Deut 29:18.

3:10    Jeremiah had already commented – Jer 17:10 – that God searched man’s way so now, after the destruction of the temple, Jeremiah is reflecting that God’s people should search their own ways.  How often do we “search our ways”?

3:2-11  Jeremiah takes the punishment on Judah personally. Notice the repeated “me” and related words. Do we sorrow similarly when God’s truth is opposed?

3:1      It was the nation that had been taken into captivity because of their sin however it is Jeremiah who laments the affliction. Do we sorrow over fellow believers who are suffering?

3:39       The captivity by the Chaldeans was a just punishment from God for Israel’s disobedience to His word. In fact it was a fulfilment of what He promised if Israel were unfaithful. So the prophet questions as to why anyone should complain about the punishment. Of course he understood why the captivity had happened. The nation clearly had not.

3:55-59            This section reads as if it could well have been the words of Jeremiah when he was in the dungeon in Jerusalem before the captivity – Jer 38:6.

2:17       Is it the case that God had not pitied Israel? Clearly he had not. After their repeated rebellions He had finally taken them into captivity. Jeremiah recognises exactly the situation God’s people were in.

3:30     Isaiah spoke, in prophecy of JESUS – Isa 50:6 – in the same way that Jeremiah sees the way that God has treated the £good man”.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

It's all very well putting our trust in God when things are going well for us. After all, when things are going well, we find it much easier to trust, love and hope. But what about when things are not going so well?

I have seen too many people walk away from God when life gets difficult. It might be that a loved one dies, that tragedy strikes as an illness or cancer, that business or finances go under, or that Christians who should be loving and supportive seem to become enemies. Lots of things can contribute to someone turning their back on God.

But there is something about God we need to remember. He is faithful to you no matter how you might choose to interpret your circumstances.

Jeremiah had it all. Famine, unjust imprisonment, he saw his family and loved ones die all around him, people hated him (even members of his own family), disease was everywhere, money became worthless, and he wasn't even allowed to marry a wife. He could have got all upset and turned away from God, but he didn't. Listen to the worldview that he expressed that held him close to God:"'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" (Lam 3:24).

Jeremiah knew that his greatest blessing in life was God. Without God there is no hope. Know God, know hope.

3:6 Jeremiah’s lament “they that be dead of old” is a sad indication of the prophet’s distress at the overthrow of Jerusalem. It is as if he is saying “I might as well be dead”. Does the sad state of the earth’s morals and the ignorance of God’s laws make us lament and long for the return of Jesus?

3:8 When Jeremiah says that God had shut out his prayer we should remember that God had told Jeremiah not to pray for Jerusalem – Jer 7:16, 11:14, 14:11

3:6 in speaking of himself as if he was dead and in a dark place Jeremiah is echoing the sentiments of the Psalmist – Psa 143:3. When we see the evil in the world and God’s land downtrodden do we sorrow sufficiently?

2:5 Of course God was not an “enemy” to Israel. He was sending them to Babylon for their own good. The rebellious, however, would have seen Yahweh as an enemy. Do we baulk at His chastening hand?

3:12 Jeremiah describes his situation like Job did – Job 16:10-12 – But Jeremiah had done nothing wrong. We see him identifying with those of his people that were suffering.

Do we stand aloof or try to empathise with our fellow believers when they are suffering?

3:10 We probably do not think of the land of Israel as being a place where bears lived and consequently were a threat to humans. However there are other occasions when mention is made of bears, 1Sam 17:24, 2Kin 2:24 In fact there are other animals mentioned as living in Israel which are not seen now or are very rare.

We should appreciate that the record is written at the time of the events and is true to the situation in the land at the time.

Lam 3:39

“Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?”

“THE fact is that the very best experience at present is only a state of divinely regulated evil, and that the occurrence of evil is one of the necessities involved in the development of saints from a race of unjustified sinners. All are sinners more or less and, ‘Wherefore doth a man complain for the punishment of his sins?’ While all are sinners, more or less, some are forgiven sinners—those who fear and obey God, confessing their sins and forsaking them. All things work together for the final good of this class; but amongst these ‘all things’ evil itself has a place. God is the judge of when and how much it is needed.”

Robert Roberts, The Ways of Providence, p. 77

v.2 - This is one of the few places where scripture actually gives us an instruction to do something regularly on the first day of the week. There is no instruction about breaking bread weekly, as far as I can find. Please click my name below and tell me if you think there is. It seems to me that they broke bread every time they met - in houses, or wherever, not in the rather ritualistic way that we do it, but giving of money here is encouraged on a regular basis, so that it is there when it is needed.

v.1 - 3 The giving of money to those in need is part of the service that the brethren and sisters could do for others. The situation was that in Jerusalem there were many brethren and sisters who were destitute because of their faith in Jesus.
Jewish brethren, who accepted Jesus, were 'put out of the synagogue'. The implication of this is that they were ostracised by their Jewish brethren and as such would not be able to work in a Jewish environment. They would lose all their friends as well. With no social security they were truly destitute.
v.10 Notice the matter of despising Timothy is raised. This problem raises its ugly head again 1 Timothy 4:12
Clearly a problem for the young man Timothy wherever he went.
v.17 Notice the effect that a pastoral visit had on Paul. We tend to think of spiritual giants as being self sufficient. This should show us that they are not. The fellowship of a likeminded brother or sister can be seen from this example to be invaluable.

16:10 The issue of 'fear' and Timothy is also seen in 2 Timothy 1:7 as if there was something about the way that brethren and sisters might have reacted to his teaching which unsettled him. We know that there were serious problems at Corinth and so doubtless Timothy would have had hard things to say to them. Paul, it seems, was conscious of the possibility that the brethren might well have been hostile towards Timothy because of his message. This comment advertised to the Corinthians that he was aware of that possibility. Such knowledge may well have tempered their response to Timothy.

I agree. There is no specific instruction about breaking bread weekly on the first day. Why?
The three points below were developed by Bro. Douglas Egles of our ecclesia during a conversation I had with him regarding the question posed above.
Consider:
1. Slaves of the Romans had the first day of the week off.
2. The synagogues were vacant on the first day for the Jews met on the Sabbath.
3. Christ rose on the first day and they were preaching the resurrection.

We have a couple of indications of what ecclesial life was like in the first century in this chapter.
:2 They met 'on the first day of the week'.
:19 Some, if not all, meetings were held in private houses.

We should be alert to little snippets like this which help to build in our minds a clearer picture of ecclesial life in the first century.

Is it my imagination, or can I detect a hint of sadness and hopelessness in the words of Paul? In v1-3 Paul feels he has to command them to make a weekly collection for their brothers in Jerusalem. Would they not, by themselves, have done this? Was the Church in Corinth so without compassion? In v10-11 Paul feels the need to urge them not to despise Timothy. Were they so blind as to not be able to discern a trustworthy brother by themselves? In v15-18 he has to urge them to submit to the love and ministrations of brothers who were more mature in the faith, and perhaps more devoted. Were they so quick to reject the help and love of others?

And then a single statement at the end of the letter: "if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (anathema)", which surely reveals to us the extent to which he was worried about their very salvation. Had the church in Corinth gone so far downhill that such strong words were necessary?

16:13 The quotations 'quit ... be strong' from the mouths of the Philistines 1Sam 4:9 might seem rather odd. However it is the attitude of the Philistines in adversity that Paul is showing as the example that the Corinthians should follow.

V.19 "salute" Our translation of the Greek word ASPAZOMAI (782) does not show the warmth that it has in the original. It is translated "embrace" (Acts 20:1, Heb 11:3) It comes from a Greek word meaning "to enfold in the arms."

Some make the claim that they follow first-century Christianity.  However, many elements have changed over time, particularly in the western world.  Gone are the extreme poverty and ostracism experienced in the first century.  Many ecclesias own their meeting halls, while others might rent.  Very few meet in homes. 

These changes are not inherently evil, but there is a danger of becoming institutionalised, complacent, and removed from the biting reality that we should be demonstrably different from those around. 

There are ecclesias, in some parts of the developing world, that are in war-zones.  Danger, poverty, and the threat of starvation all exist there.  Just like the poor brethren of Jerusalem, these brethren have to be cared for by those who have the means to do so. 

Care should be taken not to be too comfortable, lest we be accused by the Lord like the Laodiceans (Rev 3:17).  Look at the example of Israel (Deut 32:15).  There should be no hesitation, as ecclesias or individuals, to lose it all for the sake of Christ (Matt 6:19,20; 19:23,24,29).

16:2  The simple mention of ‘first day of the week’ is part of the New Testament incidental evidence that the believers met regularly on the first day of the week. Another example is Acts 20:7  We need to take care to be aware that some of our practices, though not commanded, have Biblical precedent.

EFFECTIVE WORK AT HOME
 
It has always been the case that the grass looks greener on the others side of the fence. That principle can even apply to mission work. We watch people going away overseas to preach the gospel in far off places, and we think that they have so much more opportunity to preach the word and to work for the Lord than we have here at home.
 
It is obvious from Paul's letter to the Corinthians that there was a lot of work that needed to be done in the church at Corinth. Preaching, reforming and encouraging the believers would have seemed like a wonderful challenge to take on for the Lord. At that time Paul was in Ephesus. Over a period of years, Paul spent a lot of time in Ephesus. It must have almost seemed like home to him. But Paul was not blind to the fact that there were opportunities to serve the Lord at home so that he was about to run off, drop everything and preach elsewhere..
 
The mission field can seem appealing - and it is. There is plenty of work to be done for those who chose to do it. However, we only need to open our eyes to see that there is just as much work to do at home. Paul said, "I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door of effective work has opened to me." (1Cor 16:8-9)
 
Let us pray that our eyes will be opened to the great door of effective work we can do in our own churches right at home

V.12 Probably Apollos' unwillingness to go to Corinth was because, being aware of the admiration of his rhetorical style which had led astray some at Corinth, he did not want to sanction it.(1Cor 1:12, 1Cor 3:4) Paul could not state in this letter these reasons. Paul does however show that he had no ill feeling towards Apollos, as he refers to him as brother, which shows the unity between the two of them. 

16:8 In saying that he ‘will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost’ we have data which helps to date this letter. It must have been written shortly before Acts 20:16

16:22 With the use of the two words "Anathema Maran-atha", Paul is reminding all of the simple truth, that those who love not the Lord Jesus Christ will be accursed when our King returns to this earth.

V.14 Paul's states a simple command: Do everything in love (NIV).  If we can remember this in all our dealings with one another, then pride and rancour will not occur.

16:14 Remember when Paul talks about things being done ‘with charity’ he has associated ‘charity’ with ‘edification’ – 1Cor 10:23

V.2 A person should give according to his/her means.  Paul does not suggest a formula, such as a tithe (10%).  He leaves the amount up to the individual, as a free-will offering.  Yahweh, of course, knows what amount is given, and the attitude with which it is given.

16:3 Paul’s relationship with the brethren and sisters in Corinth was, to say the least, rocky. In order to minimise the possibility of further accusations against Paul he is concerned that the money collected is taken to Jerusalem by someone approved by the believers in Corinth.

V.14 Paul spends all of 1 Corinthians Ch.13 developing this theme of charity.  His conclusion is that to be effective and acceptable, all things must be done in charity.  One can do the right thing, but if the attitude is not right, the effort is not acceptable.

V.22 The words Anathema and Maranatha (KJV) mean: anathema = accursed; Maranatha = the Lord come. 

The word accursed in 1Cor 12:3 is translated from the Greek anathema.  The word Maranatha is of Syriac (Middle Aramaic) origin.

16:8-9 In explaining why he may ‘tarry at Ephesus’ Paul is showing the believers in Corinth that there are other things to consider than just their own position. We would do well to reflect on this principle, especially when we think our problems are so massive that they tend to take over our whole lives.

FIVE INSTRUCTIONS

As Paul concluded his letter to the believers in Corinth, he gave them five last instructions. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." (1Cor 16:13-14) These five instructions are just as important for us as they were for them.

"Be on your guard." We need to stay alert, stay awake and keep watching. If we let ourselves spiritually drift into unconsciousness we will find ourselves unprepared at the return of Christ.

"Stand form in the faith." Don't be moved from the hope we have. Having made a stand in the Lord we need to hold fast to it with all that we have. Temptations and good sounding arguments will test us, but we need to have already decided to stand form in the faith.

"Be men of courage." With God on our side there is nothing to fear. We are safe with him. Any other threat can only destroy our body, but we have the assurance that God holds our lives. With this confidence we can be men of courage.

"Be strong." It is one thing to have courage but we must also be strong, be resolute and determined to do our best for the Lord.

"Do everything in love." In order to be the best we can be for God we need to have selfless love as the reason for our actions, and selfless love as the actions themselves. We need to love like God loves.

Reading v1-4 as if it were addressed to you, how do you think you would feel? Paul is very direct in commanding that everyone should give money. Bear in mind that there were already those who didn't accept Paul's authority (see 1:10-12, 2Cor 10:7-9).

16:12   We can only speculate as to why Apollos did not want to go to Corinth, even though Paul was very keen that he did. Maybe it was that Apollos, being aware of the factious nature of the Corinthians – 1Cor 1:12 - felt that his presence would be unhelpful.

16:5   Paul desired to visit the Corinthians and so told them so. However, because of the negative attitude of some in Corinth, this desire which Paul was unable to fulfil was used against him by Paul’s antagonists as can be seen from his comment 2Cor 12:14-21

1Cor 16:8,9,12 -

16:20  The “holy kiss” of greetings was, and still is in some places, a normal greeting and seems to have its origins in the middle east where baring one’s neck to another is a sign of trust.

16:21   “with my own hand” is a token that the letter came from Paul. There were letters passing round in the first century purporting to come from Paul – 2Thess 2:2 - but which were forgeries.  See also 2Thess 3:17

16:8 It would appear that pentecost was treated as a special day. Similiarly in Acts 20:16 Paul was eager to get to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, possibly implying that this was a special day in the first century church. I wonder why it has become an issue in today's worship. 

16:15  The household of Stephanas, being amongst the first to be baptised at Corinth, might have thought of themselves as leaders in the Corinthian church. However it is clear that they were not amongst those who were “puffed up” – 1Cor 4:18. Rather they were concerned to build up their fellow believers. That was their addiction – Glorifying God rather than glorifying themselves.

AND THERE ARE PROBLEMS

I am sure that I would have said, "But..." But this is what Paul said: "I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door of effective work has opened to me AND there are many who oppose me." (1Cor 16:8-9).

When great doors open for us to serve the Lord, there are always going to be an opposing number of problems. In Paul's case it was people who opposed him - many of them.

Most of us would have said, "Here is an opportunity BUT there are problems." But Paul's attitude said "Here is a great opportunity AND there are problems. It seems like part of the challenge Paul loved was overcoming the problems. He saw them as a positive thing. They no longer became deterrents to the objective, they became attractions, things he could determine to overcome, oceans to cross and mountains to conquer.

Difficulties so often turn us off. There are things we want to achieve but problems get in the way. Problems are God's way of helping us perfect our characters. Instead of viewing opportunities as beset by problems, let's take Paul's point of view and instead see the opportunities we are given as breeding more opportunities to overcome and do good.

When great doors for effectual work open to us, let us take up the work and revel in overcoming the opposition at the same time.

16:8-9  Paul’s desire to stay in Ephesus was not because of some personal benefit. He saw the needs of his fellow believers and the work that needed to be done both to support them and preach the gospel. How often do we put the work of God before our personal preferences?

16:10    Doing the “work of the Lord” is seen here in the example of Timothy, as serving the needs of the believers in Corinth.

16:1   Of all the things that the Corinthians had asked Paul about the question of the “collection” is left to the last. Maybe this should help us to understand that money is of little consequence in our worship together.

16:5-8  The mention of Macedonia and Ephesus would indicate that this first letter was written slightly before the time of the events recorded in Acts 19:21-22 and Acts 20:2-16

16:16 Submitting to others is probably the hardest action we find. After all, we reason, our preference is the best option – obviously so else it would not be our preference! Submitting provides us with an opportunity to be like Jesus whose status was far greater than our but he still took on the role of a servant -  Phil 2:4-8

16:11  When we read of the possibility that they would “despise”  <1848> Timothy we understand that Paul is talking about the possibility that they might disregard his words. The same word is used in Luke 23:11 where the word is sued twice “set at nought”

16:7 Paul realised that his plans were subject to the will of God. However it seems that the Corinthians did not have such a clear understanding of the way that God worked. When Paul did not come as he had anticipated some of them felt that Paul was making a conscious choice to avoid them.

We might make plans as may others, which cannot be fulfilled. We need to realise that our preferences are not as important as the will of our father who may well have other plans for us that those things we plan for our own enjoyment.

16:1  One presumes that the believers in Corinth in some way collected from their members to cover the costs of being able to meet together, the collecting for the needs of others is presented in a formalised way. By contrast general day to day expenses could  be met without the need for regular collections.