Comments for September 20

v.1-9 - These verses bring home to us the reality of the number of wives David had. This was contrary to the requirements of the law for a king - Deut.17:17. David, nevertheless, found favour with God. It is our heart, far more than our actions, which counts.

v.10 This list of the descendants of Solomon provides us with a comprehensive list of those who reigned on the throne of the Lord in Jerusalem.
v.15 - 16 The listing of the sons of Josiah and Jehoiakim shows that at the end of the kingdom of Judah the line was not a pure father - son. Hence Zedekiah is called a 'wicked prince' not a 'wicked king' Ezekiel 21:25

:1-4 Sons of David born in Hebron
:5-9 Sons of David born in Jerusalem
:10-24 Sons of Solomon

So now the focus is on the families of David and Solomon which traces the kingly line and the other brothers.

COMBINED FAITH

It always amazes me how that when one person shouts or sings, the noise can be heard within a certain area, but if a whole congregation shouts or sings, even though their individual volumes may be less, the combined noise is greater and can be heard from a long way off. It is the same with light. One candle doesn't make much light, but 100 candles will make a room very bright, though each candle only emits a small amount of light.

The same principle can be true of faith. It took until the days of Hezekiah for some of the clans of Simeon to finish the job of clearing the Canaanites out of the land - a job that was started in the days of Joshua. Yet in the time of Hezekiah Israel and Judah lost more land than they gained - except for the men of Simeon. I wonder who influenced who? Did the men of Simeon, with their outstanding faith encourage Hezekiah to be a faithful and God fearing king? Or was it the faithful rule of Hezekiah that gave the men of Simeon the motivation to perform their faithful acts? It could have been both. Like the combined voices, or candle power, the faith of one will strengthen another.

Let us make sure that our faith is burning so that we strengthen the faith of someone near us, and when their faith burns they will strengthen us. Together with faithful people we can change the world.

:19 Zerubbabel - who was amongst those who returned from Babylon, according to this genealogy, was the rightful king of Israel - if they were to have a king. But of course he was not the one 'whose right it is' (Ezekiel 21:27) so he was only the 'governor' (Hag 1:1)

3:2 In saying that Absalom was born of the daughter of Talmai of Geshur we are given the reason why Absalom fled to Geshur (2Sam 13:38). Often little details in Chronicles will provide an explanation for later events.

V.15 No king by the name of Shallum is mentioned in the history of Josiah's sons (2Kin 14, 2Kin 23), but there is a notice of Shallum the son of Josiah(Jer 22:11), who reigned in the stead of his father, and who is generally supposed to be Jehoahaz, a younger son, here called the fourth, of Josiah.

Six sons were born to David during his 7 year reign in Hebron, and then a further 13 in Jerusalem
(1Chron 3:1-9). It's not clear how many wives he had, although the Hebron family were all born from different wives.  It's not surprising therefore that Solomon followed in his father's footsteps, and soon started to take multiple wives. 

Polygamy was practised in the ancient Near-East, although monogamy was also widespread.  Abraham and Jacob had multiple wives, while Isaac did not.  Yahweh did not prohibit polygamy per se, although it did not conform to the Edenic ideal of monogamy. 

The patriarch were not given to idolatry.  But, later an injunction was put in the Law because Yahweh foresaw the danger of a man being led into idolatry because of his wives (Deut 17:17).  This did not pose a problem with David, but it certainly did with Solomon (1Kin 11:4-8). 

The Edenic ideal was restored later under ecclesial leadership (1Tim 3:2;Titus 1:6).  This practice is commonly accepted by most people in the world today, and forms a tenet of civil law.

3:5 Even if Bathsheba was to produce the heir Solomon was not the firstborn, even if we discount the one that died shortly after birth. Another example of god passing over the apparent heir to select the man of His choosing.

3:5 when we see that Bathsheba was the daughter of Ammiel we maybe see a reason why Ammiel was involved in providing sustenance to David when he was fleeing from Absalom – 2Sam 17:27

PREPARE YOUR GENEALOGY

3:1 Maybe the fact that Amnon was the firstborn of David provided him with the erroneous judgement that he could behave towards Tamar as he did.

V.5 Ammiel, the father of Bathsheba, is called Eliam in 2Sam 11:3.  This Ammiel is not considered the same person as the Ammiel of 2Sam 9:4,5; 17:27.

3:2 Maybe being the third born, Amnon now being out of the way, Absalom saw himself as the obvious next king – though we hear nothing of Daniel, David’s second son.

V.4 David reigned a total of 40 years and 6 months, about the same amount of time as his son Solomon (1Kin 11:42). They were the longest reigning monarchs in the united kingdom of Judah and Israel. However, the longest reigning monarch, and the most evil, was Manasseh who ruled over Judah for 55 years (v.13; 2Kin 21:1).

V.9 Tamar was the only sister to 15 brothers.

Vs.10-19 The lineage of Joseph, the husband of Mary, is paralleled in Matt 1:5-13.  Then, the linkage seems to break down.

3:10-16 this summary provides us with a simple summary of the sons of Solomon who reigned as kings of Judah.

1Chron 3:5;2Sam 11:3 - "Bathshua" [(1340) means "daughter of wealth"] is the same person as "Bathsheba" [(1339) means "daughter of an oath"] - is this perhaps an inference to a promise or oath to Uriah being broken?

1Chron 3:6,8 - the two sets of two brothers of the same name (Elishama, Eliphelet) may be questioned (1Chron 14:5-7;2Sam 5:15-16); perhaps 1Chron.3:6 should read "Elishua, Elpelet" and perhaps 1Chron.3:8 should read "Elishama, Eliphelet". Is this a minor corruption of translation or is it the correct mentioning of several names (people often had more than one name) for the same persons?

"House of David"

In 1993-94, while work crews were preparing the Tel Dan site in the north of Israel at the foot of Mount Hermon for visitors, a broken fragment of basalt stone was uncovered in a wall.  It turned out that the stele fragment mentions King David's dynasty, the "House of David." As the preparatory work for tourism proceeded, two additional fragments of the stele were recovered.

As the fragment and the entire pavement was covered by the debris of the Assyrian destruction of Tiglath Pileser III, in 732 BC, it could not have been laid later. 

This discovery provides an archaeological connection to the biblical references to the ruling dynasty established by King David. It is the first mention of King David and the earliest mention of a biblical figure outside of the Bible. Prior to this discovery, some scholars were either sceptical or denied the historical existence of King David.

3:9    Having listed all the sons of David  have you ever considered how few of them are mentioned during the life of David?  The Divine record does not simply comment upon families. It focuses on those who are involved in the development of the purpose of God.

3:17   Salathiel is the father of Zerubbabel, the governor in Judah at the time of the return from Babylon – Hag 1:1

Three dead lions, one living dog.

Of David's sons, Amnon the first in line to the throne was murdered by Absalom. Absalom, the third in line, died while trying to usurp his father's throne. The fourth in line, Adonijah died because of trying to take the place of Solomon on David's throne. Thus three out of the four of David's sons nearest to the throne died.

Q: Having learned that bit of information, what might your next question be?

Q: Do you think Ecc 9:4 might apply here? What is the lesson for us?

3:1-2 Whilst the Bible record is silent about any aspirations of Amnon towards the throne we know Absalom’s intention was to be king. Maybe the opportunity to kill Amnon was part of this plan, Amnon being the firstborn and the obvious successor to David, humanly speaking.

3:15     This Zedekiah is elsewhere – 2Kin 24:17 – is called Mattaniah

3:1-9    Notice that whilst the birth order of David’s sons born in Hebron is given there is no such detail for the sons born in Jerusalem.

3:19     as Salthiel was the son father of the one who became governor at the time of the return from Babylon we might conclude that Assir had already died, being the firstborn.

3:17-19         Hag 1:1 speaks of Zerubbabel as the son of Shealtiel. Here we see the more comprehensive family tree Salthiel – Pediah – Zerubbabel

3:2       The fact that Absalom had a grandmother in Geshur explains why he fled there - 2Sam 13:38 – after killing Amnon.

3:2-8 So here we read of all of David’s nine sons. We learn nothing of some of them. Sadly all the ones we learn of, except Solomon, did not follow in the behaviour of David. The first thing we learn is that a godly parent does not necessarily have godly children. Doubtless David wondered why many of his sons did not follow his godly example. In this we can take comfort. If a man after God’s own heart could not ensure that all his children served God faithfully God does not expect the same of us.

1 Chronicles 1-9 can seem to be difficult chapters to read and understand.

Brother Tony Benson’s book – Family Trees of the Tribes of Israel, by using family trees and explanations highlights much that is in the genealogies in this section of the book.

Copies can be ordered from Peterlforbes@tiscali.co.uk. Cost £5.50 plus postage.

1 Chronicles 1-9 can seem to be difficult chapters to read and understand.

Brother Tony Benson’s book – Family Trees of the Tribes of Israel, by using family trees and explanations highlights much that is in the genealogies in this section of the book.

Copies can be ordered from Peterlforbes@tiscali.co.uk. Cost £5.50 plus postage.

3:4-5 The factual listing of where David’s sons were born tracks the progression from his first anointing in Hebron – a city of the tribe of Judah –Josh 15:1,54 – Taking Jerusalem (Jebus) had been a major part of David’s plan to enable him to establish a place of worship in the place that he knew was the place Yahweh has chosen.

3:5 Notice that Solomon was born in Jerusalem sand he was the planned heir to David. The sons who attempted to usurp the position of Solomon were both born in Hebron 3:2 Absalom and Adonjah. Whilst they both had priority according to birth order they were passed over by God in preference for one of the sons born in Jerusalem.

So Solomon was the first king of Israel born in Jerusalem, the city of God’s choice to place His name there.

3:5 If the sons of Bathsheba born ot David in Jerusalem are recorded in birth order we learn that Solomon was the youngest son, and yet he was to become God’s choice for the king who would replace David – Just like David was the youngest son of Jesse.

This whole chapter is a sad indictment on the whole of mankind, but especially on the nation of Israel, who were to be the ones that would crucify the Lord when he came. Mic.7:10, Matt.5:13, Heb.10:29

One of the most disturbing passages in the whole of Scripture. An horrible, graphic, description of an harlot which is Israel. However the way the harlot is described draws on language which Yahweh uses elsewhere to speak of the way that he has cared for Israel. Israel had taken that which Yahweh had given them and prostituted it with false gods.
16:10 badgers skins Exodus 25:5
The badger skin mentioned here is only found elsewhere in Scripture in the coverings of the tabernacle.
16:11 chain on thy neck Song of Solomon 1:10
16:13 beautiful Song of Solomon 6:4
16:14 comeliness Song of Solomon 1:5
The bride of the Song of Solomon provides a description of a beautiful woman, beautiful because of the provision that Yahweh has made for his bride. However the use of the same language in Ezekiel 16 is to show that those wonderful things that Yahweh had given to Israel had been taken and given to others. The blessings of Yahweh were used to 'finance' false worship so that Israel developed the way of thinking which presumed that the false gods had actually provided the blessings.
16:46 younger sister Song of Solomon 8:8
The 'younger sister, picks up the lament in the Song of Solomon to show that there was no instruction from the one to the other, Samaria instead of providing the good example had gone into captivity to Assyria, and Judah had not even learnt from seeing the Northern kingdom being taken into captivity.

v.8 sets out a clear and irrevocable picture of just what God has done for mankind. He has, regardless of the great rift which is between Him and us because of sin, nevertheless come so close to us, through the work of Jesus (which applies in all generations because even though the work was still future it was still the means to salvation for all ages) that here he describes his closeness to his people by language of the closest type of relationship we as human beings understand. Let us remember this close bond we have - entirely the Father's doing - and behave in such a way as to respect it, as Israel didn't.

16:10 The badger's skins which were a covering in the tabernacle demonstrates that God's care for Israel was to be seen not only in the provision of material things but also in the provision of a place for worship and, by implication, a system of worship. Do we view the provision of God only in material things? Or do we ever thank God for His provision of the 'house of God' - the ecclesia?

RESPONSE TO SAVING

The story of the abandoned baby girl that the LORD found, cared for, brought up and gave his best for, is one of those pictures we can all relate to. The story is about Jerusalem and the people who live in that city. At the beginning they were nothing. They were a people despised and in slavery in Egypt when God called them out and brought them up in the wilderness. He gave them a new life, land, cities and riches they had not worked for. Everything that Judah and Jerusalem had, everything they were, everything they had become (in all the best ways) was given to them by the LORD. Without the LORD they would have still been slaves in Egypt.

The LORD their God should have been their everything. But Judah and Jerusalem rejected him, served and sacrificed to idols and lived as though their God had never existed. They used the gifts he had given them to sacrifice to their idols. As the LORD continues his story he names her as a prostitute, an adulterous wife who pays her lovers.

The beginning of this story is also identical to our story. When we were called we were nothing, dead in sins. But God has given us his most precious gifts - including his Son, Jesus Christ - and has brought us back to life. Judah and Jerusalem concluded their story by growing up to be a prostitute ready to be punished. How we write the rest of our story, whether we are faithful or unfaithful, is up to us.

16:13,14 Beautiful Song of Solomon 6:4
             comeliness Song of Solomon 1:5
These two quotations from the Song of Solomon highlight the height from which Israel had fallen. Their 'bridge groom' was willing to describe Israel in such a way - but she had turned away to idol worship and sullied herself in the process. We are counted righteous and sinless (Romans 4:1-9) we must take care that we do not fall from this lofty position.

16  This chapter speaks of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel as a beautiful woman who has debased herself and sold herself as a harlot which contrasts with the way that Jeremiah (6:2) speaks of Jerusalem before the captivity.

V.22; 43; 60 Forgetfulness of our Heavenly Father's love is the source of man's sins. Israel forgot her deliverance by God in the infancy of her national life, but as we see in V.60 God will not forget the promises he has made.

V.37-43  The punishment of the adulteress prefigures the destruction of Jerusalem

Gen 19:4-5 - Emphasizes the sexual immorality of Sodom. In Eze 16:49-50 - We get a more comprehensive depiction of her and her daughters behaviours which included: arrogance, being overfed, lack of concern, not helping the poor and needy, haughtiness, doing detestable things.

Vs.3,45 Yahweh calls the Amorite father of Jerusalem and the Hittite mother.  The land of promise was already occupied by the Amorites and Hittites when the exodus occurred (Exo 3:8). 

Yahweh expected Israel to rid the land of the Amorites' and the Hittites' idolatry (Exo 23:23,24).  Unfortunately this did not happen.  In fact two of the greatest indictments for Amorite idolatrous worship, and beyond, were against Ahab (1Kin 21:26); and Manasseh (2Kin 21:11).  Yahweh was so angry, particularly with Manasseh, that he vowed to destroy Jerusalem and Judah, and would not relent (2Kin 21:12). 

Thus, Ezekiel's description of Jerusalem as the daughter of idolatrous parents is apt.  His diatribe against her is a confirmation of Yahweh's promise of destruction.

This is a fascinating chapter.  A godly man finds a little baby girl, newly born, but forsaken by her parents. The man takes her home, lavishes love and attention on her, gives her everything including some costly presents, and brings her up.  When she is grown he falls in love with her, and marries her.  But she throws it all back in his face, and commits adultery with other men.  She is even worse than a harlot, and actually pays money to her male lovers (Eze 16:34). That girl is Israel.  God chose her, lavished His blessing on her, and gave her everything a nation could possibly want. But she played the harlot, and went after other gods.
How terribly sad the Lord God must have been!  BUT, in the end, He will forgive her, and take her back (Eze 16:60-63). That’s real love!

16:2  Whilst this chapter speaks of the awfulness of Judah the purpose of highlighting it all is to ‘cause Jerusalem to know …’ Again God is seeking repentance, not destruction.

V.3 It is interesting to note the Canaanite aspects in both the history of Jerusalem, and of the people of Judah. Jerusalem was an Amorite city at the time of Joshua (Josh 10:1,5) also a stronghold of the Jebusites (Judg 19:10). Both the Amorites and the Jebusites were Canaanite peoples. Three of Judah's sons were born of a Canaanite mother. Only one of these sons survived (Shelah) and his dependants formed part of the tribe of Judah (1Chron 2:3, 1Chron 4:22-23) It is also worth noting that Zedekiah, king of Judah was a descendant of Judah through Tamar.

16:48 In saying ‘Sodom thy sister’ Ezekiel is reminding Israel that Isaiah had already spoken of her leaders as rulers of Sodom – , Isa 1:10

16:22 The ‘whoredoms’ that Ezekiel speaks of picks up the words of Hos 2:2

16:3 Israel’s father and mother were not Amorites and Hittites. However spiritually speaking they were. They did the work of their father and mother. As Jesus said to the Jewish leaders, they were not Abraham’s children –John 8:44

V.4 All these elements spelled death for the infant. Israel, in its infancy in the Land, was subject to death because of its abominations (v.3).

Vs.6,7 It is because of Yahweh that Israel flourished.

V.8 I spread my skirt over thee (KJV); I spread the corner of my garment (ESV) is the act of betrothal.  Consider Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 3:7-9; 4:13).

V.12 a jewel on thy forehead (KJV) is more correctly translated a ring on your nose (ESV).  In the Ancient Near East, women were adorned by a gold or silver ring which was pierced through the right nostril.

V.16 divers colours (KJV); colourful shrines (ESV) is an allusion to tents made of different colored panels.  These tents (shrines) were used in the worship of Astarte (Ashteroth; Ishtar; Venus; Aphrodite are the same goddess, so named by different nations).

V.17 The phrase images of men is quite gender specific.  It is probable that the idolatrous, lustful women of Judah took silver and gold and fashioned images of the male phallus.

V.26 Israel made alliances with Egypt with whom it shared abominable idolatry (Eze 20:7,8).

V.29 The gods of every nation from Egypt to Babylon (from the Nile to the Euphrates) were worshipped by Israel.

V.37 The very nations whose gods Israel worshipped: will uncover your nakedness (punish you openly and publicly).

Vs.44,45 Like mother, like daughter.  Israel’s mother was a Hittite (v.3).  The Hittites were one of the most prominent Canaanite tribes in the Land.  The idolatrous Hittite mother spawned an equally idolatrous daughter, Israel.

V.46 Judah was directly related to Israel (Samaria) and its idolatry.  But, Judah was also related, distantly, to Sodom and its abominations.

Vs.48,51. However, Judah’s abominations were worse than either those of Israel or Sodom.

Vs.61-63 In a future time (the kingdom), Judah will reflect and be ashamed of its wayward behaviour.  Yahweh will give her sisters for daughters (the promise is that the heathen nations (sisters) will be subject to the mother (Judah)).

v51 "Samaria did not commit half your sins" reminds us that this prophecy is against the two tribes making up Judah. Samaria is the name used for the Northern Kingdom of 10 tribes, and had already been judged. The comparison here is directly between Jeroboam and Manasseh, and how the latter acted far worse than the first. Much of this chapter finds its counterpart in 2Kin 21:1-18.

16:37-39 Here the prophet uses the idea which Hosea has already used – Hos 2:3

16:15  Israel’s problem was that they trusted their own beauty. This is rather like thinking that we can save ourselves rather than to trust in the provision that God has made for us in Christ.

16:25  The “whoredoms” relate to their following after other gods. Just as Hosea’s wife – Hos 2:2 – 150 years or so earlier – had played the harlot, literally, as a lesson for Israel to consider, the people are now actually mimicking Gomer rather than learning from the lesson.

16:17   God had found the neglected Israel and bedecked her with jewels – His blessings-  but the nation, ignorant of what He had done for them, ascribed their blessings to the gods of the nations around them. Where do we think our material things come from? Our own endeavours? Or from the one who gives us “good things”?

1. Eze 16:1-34 - Jerusalem as an allegory of God's unfaithful wife:

2. Eze 16:3 - the children of Israel were behaving like Canaanites (Gen 10:15-16;15:13-16;Deut 20:16-17); Jerusalem was an Amorite city in the time of Joshua (Josh 10:1,5).

3. Eze 16:4-5 - Israel was despised; proper care would have been to rub babies with coarse salt to make them strong and bind them with swaddling clothes for up to 40 days to make their arms and legs straight.

4. Eze 16:5 - "thou was cast out" (Acts 7:17-19).

5. Eze 16:6 - "Live" - the reviving of Israel (Exo 3:7-8).

6. Eze 16:6-14 - God cared for Israel.

7. Eze 16:7 - Israel multiplied (Gen 22:17) and became beautiful.

8. Eze 16:8 - "I spread my skirt over thee" (married like Ruth and Boaz Ruth 3:9-14;Isa 54:5); Yahweh delivered this people when they were about to perish in Egypt; God caused them to multiply and then entered a covenant with them; God married them upon their entry to the promised land. 

9. Eze 16:13 - Israel prospered in the reign of Solomon.

10. Eze 16:15-17,20-21- unfortunately Israel used God's blessings to become unfaithful, apostate, idolatrous even to the extent of sacrificing her children to idols (Deut 32:15-18;Exo 23:23-33;1Kin 11:1-8;2Kin 21:1-12).

11. Eze 16:26,28,29 - instead of turning to God, Israel turned to Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon.

12. Eze 16:30 - Israel was weak willed.

13. Eze 16:32-33 - (NIV) "...You prefer strangers to your own husband! Every prostitute receives a fee, but you give gifts to all your lovers" (2Kin 16:17-18).

14. Eze 16:35-43 - the judgment of God's unfaithful wife:

15. Eze 16:37 - does this have application to the time of the end when Israel will be friendless?

16. Eze 16:38,40,41 - Jerusalem is to be punished like a harlot, adulteress, and a child murderer (Lev 21:9;Lev 20:10,2).

17. Eze 16:44-59 - Jerusalem compared to her sisters Sodom and Samaria:

18. Eze 16:49-50 - the sins of Sodom.

19. Eze 16:47,51 - Jerusalem was more depraved than Sodom and Samaria.

20. Eze 16:48,52 - could Ezekiel's allegory extend to AD70 or to perhaps the future judgment when Christ returns (Matt 10:15)?

21. Eze 16:56 - Jerusalem was proud.

22. Eze 16:58 - Jerusalem to be punished for "lewdness"<2154> and "abominations"<8441>.

23. Eze 16:60-63 - the new covenant:

24. Eze 16:60 - "an everlasting covenant".

25. Eze 16:63 - "shame", "pacified"(<3722> can mean atonement).

26. future restoration [Lev 26:44-45;Jer 31:31;Eze 37:26;Isa 59:21;61:8;Jer 3:14;Hos 2:14-16

("Ishi"<376> can mean my husband, "Baali"<1180>);Zech 14:21;Heb 8:1,6-13].

16:13  Ezekiel laments that Jerusalem was once “exceeding beautiful” reflecting the feelings of Jeremiah – Lamentations of Jer 1:6

16:10      Outside the use of the word in the details of the tabernacle the word translated Badgers’ skin is only found here.  There are other words in this chapter which are also found in the description of the tabernacle. The way that the tabernacle was designed was to reflect the way in which God cared for Israel.

16:4-5  God is describing the way in which He called Israel even though she was not appealing to man. In a similar way we are called, not because of our appearance. Rather we are called as the Father has seen something pleasing to Himself in us – maybe our attitude to His word.

16:8     The way in which God saved the polluted nation of Israel - in figure spreading His skirt over them – is exactly the way in which Ruth – Ruth 3:9 – asked Boaz to redeem her. Maybe this gives us an insight into Ruth’s appreciation of God’s purpose.

16:16  the mention of decking their high places draws on the comment made by God in 2Kin 23:7

Jerusalem is a harlot city. This city was given everything by Yahweh: location, wealth, royalty, safety......and the whole lot was wasted because of the idolatry of Solomon and his descendents through Rehoboam.

Jerusalem today is frequently called "the holy city", but she is not holy. She is full of false religions, and immorality, even to having "Gay Pride" marches. One of the sins of Sodom that are listed was her "pride".

This all links in with the harlot city of Revelation 17 and 18. The city where " in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Rev 18:24

Modern Jerusalem, a city with 800,000 people, has been spread out, since 1967, onto 7 mountains.It is far larger than at any time in history.

For those who want to believe that Rome is "mystery Babylon", please note that the city sits on 7 mountains, not hills, in the Greek text.

And no prophets were ever killed in Rome, but they were in Jerusalem:

Mat 23:37-39¶

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord

16      Ezekiel 16 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-36

Links with Ezekiel 16

One might have thought that the Jews who listened to Jesus as the parable unfolded might have seen the contrast between the way in which God cared for Israel when he “found” her and the way that they are presented as treating the wounded man.

16:5-7   Isa 54:6 – has already spoken of God taking Israel as a woman that no one wanted. The way that He cared for Israel is an indication of His love for those who He calls to salvation.

16:49 Whilst we might see that the problem of Sodom was the sexual immorality spoken of in the Genesis record here we learn the root problem. It was “pride” and being well supplied with what they needed to live.  The pride was that they did not need God and thought they knew better than His laws and morality.

16:60-63 God in His mercy had compassion on the nation as on an abandoned baby – 16:6 – but the nation did not live up to its calling and salvation afforded by their God. That is why the northern kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians and the southern kingdom by Babylon.

However God had made a covenant – that he would bless Abraham’s seed. He will keep that oath and “all Israel shall be saved” –Rom 11:26– when they turn to God. It is through their unwillingness to accept the salvation in Jesus that God offered the nation that gentiles – the likes of you and me – have the offer of salvation.

But are we going to behave like rebellious Israel? Or are we going to behave like faithful Abraham?

16:2  The Jews regarded Jerusalem with great reverence as the place where God was to be found, especially in the temple that they constructed. Here God reminds the leaders that Jerusalem was special only because God had chosen it. Its origins were quite ignominious.

We do well to reflect on this if we ever think of ourselves as special in any way because of our own merits.

Eze 16

In Eze 15 we read the degradation and pride of Judah and Jerusalem became so bad that they became a fruitless vine, not fit for anything (Eze 15:4), “good for nothing” (Jer 13:7,10) and, thus, given over to desolation (Eze 15:8).