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Notes that are not verse specific
As we read through this chapter we sense that Gaal was a boastful and cowardly person, totally unfit to be a leader in a revolutionary crisis. The consequence was that he allowed himself to be drawn into an ambush, was defeated, the city of Shechem destroyed and strewn with salt. The people took refuge in the stronghold, which was set on fire, and all in it perished.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)] Comment added in 2007 Reply to John
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1. And Abimelech <40> the son <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378> went <3212>(8799) to Shechem <7927> unto his mother's <517> brethren <251>, and communed <1696>(8762) with them, and with all the family <4940> of the house <1004> of his mother's <517> father <1>, saying <559>(8800),
2. Speak <1696>(8761), I pray you, in the ears <241> of all the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, Whether is better <2896> for you, either that all the sons <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378>, which are threescore and ten <7657> persons <376>, reign <4910>(8800) over you, or that one <259> reign <4910>(8800) over you? remember <2142>(8804) also that I am your bone <6106> and your flesh <1320>.
3. And his mother's <517> brethren <251> spake <1696>(8762) of him in the ears <241> of all the men <1167> of Shechem <7927> all these words <1697>: and their hearts <3820> inclined <5186>(8799) to follow <310> Abimelech <40>; for they said <559>(8804), He is our brother <251>.
4. And they gave <5414>(8799) him threescore and ten <7657> pieces of silver <3701> out of the house <1004> of Baalberith <1170>, wherewith Abimelech <40> hired <7936>(8799) vain <7386> and light <6348>(8802) persons <582>, which followed <3212>(8799) him <310>.
5. And he went <935>(8799) unto his father's <1> house <1004> at Ophrah <6084>, and slew <2026>(8799) his brethren <251> the sons <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378>, being threescore and ten <7657> persons <376>, upon one <259> stone <68>: notwithstanding yet Jotham <3147> the youngest <6996> son <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378> was left <3498>(8735); for he hid <2244>(8738) himself.
6. And all the men <1167> of Shechem <7927> gathered together <622>(8735), and all the house <1004> of Millo <4407>(8677) <1037>, and went <3212>(8799), and made <4427>(8686) Abimelech <40> king <4428>, by the plain <436> of the pillar <5324>(8716) that was in Shechem <7927>.
7. And when they told <5046>(8686) it to Jotham <3147>, he went <3212>(8799) and stood <5975>(8799) in the top <7218> of mount <2022> Gerizim <1630>, and lifted up <5375>(8799) his voice <6963>, and cried <7121>(8799), and said <559>(8799) unto them, Hearken <8085>(8798) unto me, ye men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, that God <430> may hearken <8085>(8799) unto you.
8. The trees <6086> went forth <1980>(8804)(8676) <1980>(8800) on a time to anoint <4886>(8800) a king <4428> over them; and they said <559>(8799) unto the olive tree <2132>, Reign <4427>(8798) thou over us.
9. But the olive tree <2132> said <559>(8799) unto them, Should I leave <2308>(8804) my fatness <1880>, wherewith by me they honour <3513>(8762) God <430> and man <582>, and go <1980>(8804) to be promoted <5128>(8800) over the trees <6086>?
10. And the trees <6086> said <559>(8799) to the fig tree <8384>, Come <3212>(8798) thou, and reign <4427>(8798) over us.
11. But the fig tree <8384> said <559>(8799) unto them, Should I forsake <2308>(8804) my sweetness <4987>, and my good <2896> fruit <8570>, and go <1980>(8804) to be promoted <5128>(8800) over the trees <6086>?
12. Then said <559>(8799) the trees <6086> unto the vine <1612>, Come <3212>(8798) thou, and reign <4427>(8798) over us.
13. And the vine <1612> said <559>(8799) unto them, Should I leave <2308>(8804) my wine <8492>, which cheereth <8055>(8764) God <430> and man <582>, and go <1980>(8804) to be promoted <5128>(8800) over the trees <6086>?
14. Then said <559>(8799) all the trees <6086> unto the bramble <329>, Come <3212>(8798) thou, and reign <4427>(8798) over us.
15. And the bramble <329> said <559>(8799) unto the trees <6086>, If in truth <571> ye anoint <4886>(8802) me king <4428> over you, then come <935>(8798) and put your trust <2620>(8798) in my shadow <6738>: and if not, let fire <784> come out <3318>(8799) of the bramble <329>, and devour <398>(8799) the cedars <730> of Lebanon <3844>.
16. Now therefore, if ye have done <6213>(8804) truly <571> and sincerely <8549>, in that ye have made Abimelech <40> king <4427>(8686), and if ye have dealt <6213>(8804) well <2896> with Jerubbaal <3378> and his house <1004>, and have done <6213>(8804) unto him according to the deserving <1576> of his hands <3027>;
17. (For my father <1> fought <3898>(8738) for you, and adventured <7993>(8686) his life <5315> far <5048>, and delivered <5337>(8686) you out of the hand <3027> of Midian <4080>:
18. And ye are risen up <6965>(8804) against my father's <1> house <1004> this day <3117>, and have slain <2026>(8799) his sons <1121>, threescore and ten <7657> persons <376>, upon one <259> stone <68>, and have made Abimelech <40>, the son <1121> of his maidservant <519>, king <4427>(8686) over the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, because he is your brother <251>;)
19. If ye then have dealt <6213>(8804) truly <571> and sincerely <8549> with Jerubbaal <3378> and with his house <1004> this day <3117>, then rejoice <8055>(8798) ye in Abimelech <40>, and let him also rejoice <8055>(8799) in you:
20. But if not, let fire <784> come out <3318>(8799) from Abimelech <40>, and devour <398>(8799) the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, and the house <1004> of Millo <4407>(8677) <1037>; and let fire <784> come out <3318>(8799) from the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, and from the house <1004> of Millo <4407>(8676) <1037>, and devour <398>(8799) Abimelech <40>.
21. And Jotham <3147> ran away <1272>(8799), and fled <5127>(8799), and went <3212>(8799) to Beer <876>, and dwelt <3427>(8799) there, for fear <6440> of Abimelech <40> his brother <251>.
22. When Abimelech <40> had reigned <7786>(8799) three <7969> years <8141> over Israel <3478>,
23. Then God <430> sent <7971>(8799) an evil <7451> spirit <7307> between Abimelech <40> and the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>; and the men <1167> of Shechem <7927> dealt treacherously <898>(8799) with Abimelech <40>:
24. That the cruelty <2555> done to the threescore and ten <7657> sons <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378> might come <935>(8800), and their blood <1818> be laid <7760>(8800) upon Abimelech <40> their brother <251>, which slew <2026>(8804) them; and upon the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, which aided <2388>(8765) <3027> him in the killing <2026>(8800) of his brethren <251>.
25. And the men <1167> of Shechem <7927> set <7760>(8799) liers in wait <693>(8764) for him in the top <7218> of the mountains <2022>, and they robbed <1497>(8799) all that came <5674>(8799) along that way <1870> by them: and it was told <5046>(8714) Abimelech <40>.
26. And Gaal <1603> the son <1121> of Ebed <5651> came <935>(8799) with his brethren <251>, and went over <5674>(8799) to Shechem <7927>: and the men <1167> of Shechem <7927> put their confidence <982>(8799) in him.
27. And they went out <3318>(8799) into the fields <7704>, and gathered <1219>(8799) their vineyards <3754>, and trode <1869>(8799) the grapes, and made <6213>(8799) merry <1974>, and went <935>(8799) into the house <1004> of their god <430>, and did eat <398>(8799) and drink <8354>(8799), and cursed <7043>(8762) Abimelech <40>.
28. And Gaal <1603> the son <1121> of Ebed <5651> said <559>(8799), Who is Abimelech <40>, and who is Shechem <7927>, that we should serve <5647>(8799) him? is not he the son <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378>? and Zebul <2083> his officer <6496>? serve <5647>(8798) the men <582> of Hamor <2544> the father <1> of Shechem <7927>: for why should we serve <5647>(8799) him?
29. And would to God this people <5971> were under <5414>(8799) my hand <3027>! then would I remove <5493>(8686) Abimelech <40>. And he said <559>(8799) to Abimelech <40>, Increase <7235>(8761) thine army <6635>, and come out <3318>(8798).
30. And when Zebul <2083> the ruler <8269> of the city <5892> heard <8085>(8799) the words <1697> of Gaal <1603> the son <1121> of Ebed <5651>, his anger <639> was kindled <2734>(8799).
31. And he sent <7971>(8799) messengers <4397> unto Abimelech <40> privily <8649>, saying <559>(8800), Behold, Gaal <1603> the son <1121> of Ebed <5651> and his brethren <251> be come <935>(8802) to Shechem <7927>; and, behold, they fortify <6696>(8802) the city <5892> against thee.
32. Now therefore up <6965>(8798) by night <3915>, thou and the people <5971> that is with thee, and lie in wait <693>(8798) in the field <7704>:
33. And it shall be, that in the morning <1242>, as soon as the sun <8121> is up <2224>(8800), thou shalt rise early <7925>(8686), and set <6584>(8804) upon the city <5892>: and, behold, when he and the people <5971> that is with him come out <3318>(8802) against thee, then mayest thou do <6213>(8804) to them as thou <3027> shalt find occasion <4672>(8799).
34. And Abimelech <40> rose up <6965>(8799), and all the people <5971> that were with him, by night <3915>, and they laid wait <693>(8799) against Shechem <7927> in four <702> companies <7218>.
35. And Gaal <1603> the son <1121> of Ebed <5651> went out <3318>(8799), and stood <5975>(8799) in the entering <6607> of the gate <8179> of the city <5892>: and Abimelech <40> rose up <6965>(8799), and the people <5971> that were with him, from lying in wait <3993>.
36. And when Gaal <1603> saw <7200>(8799) the people <5971>, he said <559>(8799) to Zebul <2083>, Behold, there come <3381> <0> people <5971> down <3381>(8802) from the top <7218> of the mountains <2022>. And Zebul <2083> said <559>(8799) unto him, Thou seest <7200>(8802) the shadow <6738> of the mountains <2022> as if they were men <582>.
37. And Gaal <1603> spake <1696>(8763) again <3254>(8686) and said <559>(8799), See there come <3381> <0> people <5971> down <3381>(8802) by the middle <2872> of the land <776>, and another <259> company <7218> come <935>(8804) along by the plain <436> of <1870> Meonenim <6049>(8781).
38. Then said <559>(8799) Zebul <2083> unto him, Where is now <645> thy mouth <6310>, wherewith thou saidst <559>(8799), Who is Abimelech <40>, that we should serve <5647>(8799) him? is not this the people <5971> that thou hast despised <3988>(8804)? go out <3318>(8798), I pray now <4994>, and fight <3898>(8734) with them.
39. And Gaal <1603> went out <3318>(8799) before <6440> the men <1167> of Shechem <7927>, and fought <3898>(8735) with Abimelech <40>.
40. And Abimelech <40> chased <7291>(8799) him, and he fled <5127>(8799) before <6440> him, and many <7227> were overthrown <5307>(8799) and wounded <2491>, even unto the entering <6607> of the gate <8179>.
41. And Abimelech <40> dwelt <3427>(8799) at Arumah <725>: and Zebul <2083> thrust out <1644>(8762) Gaal <1603> and his brethren <251>, that they should not dwell <3427>(8800) in Shechem <7927>.
42. And it came to pass on the morrow <4283>, that the people <5971> went out <3318>(8799) into the field <7704>; and they told <5046>(8686) Abimelech <40>.
43. And he took <3947>(8799) the people <5971>, and divided <2673>(8799) them into three <7969> companies <7218>, and laid wait <693>(8799) in the field <7704>, and looked <7200>(8799), and, behold, the people <5971> were come forth <3318>(8802) out of the city <5892>; and he rose up <6965>(8799) against them, and smote <5221>(8686) them.
44. And Abimelech <40>, and the company <7218> that was with him, rushed forward <6584>(8804), and stood <5975>(8799) in the entering <6607> of the gate <8179> of the city <5892>: and the two <8147> other companies <7218> ran upon <6584>(8804) all the people that were in the fields <7704>, and slew <5221>(8686) them.
45. And Abimelech <40> fought <3898>(8738) against the city <5892> all that day <3117>; and he took <3920>(8799) the city <5892>, and slew <2026>(8804) the people <5971> that was therein, and beat down <5422>(8799) the city <5892>, and sowed <2232>(8799) it with salt <4417>.
46. And when all the men <1167> of the tower <4026> of Shechem <7927> heard <8085>(8799) that, they entered <935>(8799) into an hold <6877> of the house <1004> of the god <410> Berith <1286>.
47. And it was told <5046>(8714) Abimelech <40>, that all the men <1167> of the tower <4026> of Shechem <7927> were gathered together <6908>(8694).
48. And Abimelech <40> gat him up <5927>(8799) to mount <2022> Zalmon <6756>, he and all the people <5971> that were with him; and Abimelech <40> took <3947>(8799) an axe <7134> in his hand <3027>, and cut down <3772>(8799) a bough <7754> from the trees <6086>, and took <5375>(8799) it, and laid <7760>(8799) it on his shoulder <7926>, and said <559>(8799) unto the people <5971> that were with him, What ye have seen <7200>(8804) me do <6213>(8804), make haste <4116>(8761), and do <6213>(8798) as I <3644> have done.
49. And all the people <5971> likewise cut down <3772>(8799) every man <376> his bough <7754>, and followed <3212>(8799) <310> Abimelech <40>, and put <7760>(8799) them to the hold <6877>, and set <3341>(8686) the hold <6877> on fire <784> upon them; so that all the men <582> of the tower <4026> of Shechem <7927> died <4191>(8799) also, about a thousand <505> men <376> and women <802>.
50. Then went <3212>(8799) Abimelech <40> to Thebez <8405>, and encamped <2583>(8799) against Thebez <8405>, and took <3920>(8799) it.
51. But there was a strong <5797> tower <4026> within <8432> the city <5892>, and thither fled <5127>(8799) all the men <582> and women <802>, and all they <1167> of the city <5892>, and shut <5462>(8799) it to them, and gat them up <5927>(8799) to the top <1406> of the tower <4026>.
52. And Abimelech <40> came <935>(8799) unto the tower <4026>, and fought <3898>(8735) against it, and went hard <5066>(8799) unto the door <6607> of the tower <4026> to burn <8313>(8800) it with fire <784>.
53. And a certain <259> woman <802> cast <7993>(8686) a piece <6400> of a millstone <7393> upon Abimelech's <40> head <7218>, and all to brake <7533>(8686) his skull <1538>.
54. Then he called <7121>(8799) hastily <4120> unto the young man <5288> his armourbearer <5375>(8802) <3627>, and said <559>(8799) unto him, Draw <8025>(8798) thy sword <2719>, and slay <4191>(8786) me, that men say <559>(8799) not of me, A woman <802> slew <2026>(8804) him. And his young man <5288> thrust him through <1856>(8799), and he died <4191>(8799).
55. And when the men <376> of Israel <3478> saw <7200>(8799) that Abimelech <40> was dead <4191>(8804), they departed <3212>(8799) every man <376> unto his place <4725>.
56. Thus God <430> rendered <7725>(8686) the wickedness <7451> of Abimelech <40>, which he did <6213>(8804) unto his father <1>, in slaying <2026>(8800) his seventy <7657> brethren <251>:
57. And all the evil <7451> of the men <582> of Shechem <7927> did God <430> render <7725>(8689) upon their heads <7218>: and upon them came <935>(8799) the curse <7045> of Jotham <3147> the son <1121> of Jerubbaal <3378>.
Notes that are not verse specific
This chapter division is clearly unnecessary, as the narrative continues directly from the previous chapter which is directed at 'the nations' - which usually means the gentiles. After a series of woes upon certain nations. here we have a description of the kingdom age for the gentiles, and a wonderful description it is.
Peter [UK] Comment added in 2001 Reply to Peter
After the judgement of the nations in Ch. 34, there is a beautiful, peaceful picture of the Kingdom. We need such revelations to boost our faith (Prov 29:18). If we make the Kingdom our goal, then all other things will fall into place (Matt 6:21,33).
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2004 Reply to Michael
The first question that arises in reading this chapter is whether or not the prophecy is about the land itself, or does it concern the people, that is, Israel
It must be remembered that in the beginning, the curse for disobedience came first upon Adam, and then the ground for his sake. And so, in the remedy proposed as indicated in this chapter, and throughout Isaiah’s prophecy, the people must first be healed ,and then the ground itself will be blessed and bring forth abundantly.
Regarding Zion’s wilderness, we read in Jer 12:10“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.”
It was in this wilderness that Christ arose “as a root out of the dry ground”-Isa 53:2. So we have Jewish life as a wilderness, and Christ a despised and rejected “plant”.
The land and the nation and the saints had for ages to lie in the wilderness condition till the time of transformation should arise.
As time progressed, “the word” passed westward, and as with Israel, so with Christendom, “many pastors” destroyed and trod down the “planting of the Lord”- even the faithful remnant. So as the Apostasy triumphed, John saw (in Rev 12) the faithful remnant as a fugitive woman flee into the wilderness from the face of the serpent. And when, afterwards, John was shown by the spirit the fate of the Great Roman System, he was “carried away in the spirit into the wilderness.” So that Christendom is regarded of God as was Israel - a destroyed, downtrodden, and desolate vineyard, broken by wild beasts, and turned into a wilderness.
It is to alter all this, both with relation to Israel and to the world, that Christ comes. He is the kernel of this vision of the conversion of the wilderness into Paradise
Matt Drywood [Hamilton Book Road (Can)] Comment added in 2004 Reply to Matt
For the past 10 years I have taught disabled children, deaf, blind and physically disabled.
To see them able to run and hear and talk and see, is something medically impossible in this present world. That’s why we need a Saviour.
David Simpson [Worcester (UK)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to David
PEACE
One of my favourite Bible chapters that describes the kingdom of God is Isaiah 35. There are so many wonderful prophecies in this chapter that make the future kingdom of God so appealing to us. One of the words that is not used in Isaiah 35 is the word "Peace." Yet the whole chapter is one that explains the peace we will experience in its many and varied ways. Some of the ways we will experience peace in God's kingdom are these:
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Peace in creation. When the curse of sin is lifted, creation will be free to flourish as God intended it. No longer will it be stunted and restrained, struggling to do what it was designed to do. At peace, creation will rejoice.
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Fear will be eliminated. No longer will we face oppression, war and violence. God will bring peace to those who trust in him.
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In God's kingdom we will experience the peace of painlessness, healing and perfection of our bodies. The struggles of mortality will be over. We will be at peace from the concerns of pain, sorrow and death.
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There will be peace walking in God's way. If we are godly people now, distractions, temptations, peer pressure and even abuse can hold us back as we try to do God's will. The Way of Holiness will be a highway, not a straight and narrow path in God's kingdom.
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There will be total peace of mind. A mind that is content and at rest will find it easy to have everlasting joy, to sing and be glad.
Let us praise God as we look forward to the peace he has promised.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2008 Reply to Robert
35 Ever since the disobedience of Adam and Eve there has been conflict between the animal Creation and man. In the kingdom there will be harmony. The animals will live in peace and the fauna will be plenteous. Man will live in that environment freed from illness associated with being Adam’s children. Worship and travelling for worship will not be interfered with by wild animals.
The kingdom will be a time of wonderful harmony of all of God’s Creation.
However we will not be there unless we have learnt how to live harmoniously with each other now.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Peter
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1. The wilderness <4057> and the solitary place <6723> shall be glad <7797>(8799) for them; and the desert <6160> shall rejoice <1523>(8799), and blossom <6524>(8799) as the rose <2261>.
2. It shall blossom <6524>(8799) abundantly <6524>(8800), and rejoice <1523>(8799) even with joy <1525> and singing <7444>(8763): the glory <3519> of Lebanon <3844> shall be given <5414>(8738) unto it, the excellency <1926> of Carmel <3760> and Sharon <8289>, they shall see <7200>(8799) the glory <3519> of the LORD <3068>, and the excellency <1926> of our God <430>.
3. Strengthen <2388>(8761) ye the weak <7504> hands <3027>, and confirm <553>(8761) the feeble <3782>(8802) knees <1290>.
4. Say <559>(8798) to them that are of a fearful <4116>(8737) heart <3820>, Be strong <2388>(8798), fear <3372>(8799) not: behold, your God <430> will come <935>(8799) with vengeance <5359>, even God <430> with a recompence <1576>; he will come <935>(8799) and save <3467>(8686) you.
5. Then the eyes <5869> of the blind <5787> shall be opened <6491>(8735), and the ears <241> of the deaf <2795> shall be unstopped <6605>(8735).
6. Then shall the lame <6455> man leap <1801>(8762) as an hart <354>, and the tongue <3956> of the dumb <483> sing <7442>(8799): for in the wilderness <4057> shall waters <4325> break out <1234>(8738), and streams <5158> in the desert <6160>.
7. And the parched ground <8273> shall become a pool <98>, and the thirsty land <6774> springs <4002> of water <4325>: in the habitation <5116> of dragons <8577>, where each lay <7258>, shall be grass <2682> with reeds <7070> and rushes <1573>.
8. And an highway <4547> shall be there, and a way <1870>, and it shall be called <7121>(8735) The way <1870> of holiness <6944>; the unclean <2931> shall not pass over <5674>(8799) it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men <1980>(8802), though fools <191>, shall not err <8582>(8799) therein.
9. No lion <738> shall be there, nor any ravenous <6530> beast <2416> shall go up <5927>(8799) thereon, it shall not be found <4672>(8735) there; but the redeemed <1350>(8803) shall walk <1980>(8804) there:
10. And the ransomed <6299>(8803) of the LORD <3068> shall return <7725>(8799), and come <935>(8804) to Zion <6726> with songs <7440> and everlasting <5769> joy <8057> upon their heads <7218>: they shall obtain <5381>(8686) joy <8057> and gladness <8342>, and sorrow <3015> and sighing <585> shall flee away <5127>(8804).
Notes that are not verse specific
V24. All that we do in our worldy lives that gives glory to God is like grass that withers and dies. Solomon picks up on this idea in Ecc 2:11 Then i looked on all the works that my hands had wrought and on the labour that i had laboured to do and behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit and there was no profit under the sun.
We must remember that the promotion or job we work so hard for is really of no importance for it is Yahweh we give glory to and we must make sure it isnt to "puff ourselves up" and give glory to ourselves. If we do as Solomon said there is no profit, in fact like the grass it will die and so shall we.
However Is 40:8 gives the answer "the word of God shall stand forever" here we see why the lord Jesus couldnt stay in the grave (he had to die for he was flesh) but also he was the word made flesh so had to stand forever.
In order for us to stand forever and not be as grass then we too must contain Gods word we also must manifest God, so when we are at that judgment seat Christ will look upon us and say "this person has the word of God in him, he or she has manifested my father so well i cannot let him die". That is God manifestation and where our salvation lies!
In considering those words grass as flesh and dying. I wonder whether Christ was thinking of these words in John 6:9 when looking at his followers. "now there was much GRASS in this place so the MEN sat down in number about 5000".
And so in v60 they found the words hard to understand and walked away.
stephen cox [Sedgley UK] Comment added in 2013 Reply to stephen
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Stuart-Caleb Art Courtonel [Rugby] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Stuart-Caleb Art
Today's readings.. (Judges 9), (Isaiah 35), (1 Peter 1)
The above words jumped out at us in 1 Peter 1 v.13. What action? In one sense, each morning we need to prepare our minds for action each day, to make that day count in service before God. Believers through the centuries have encountered times of crisis and a climax in their lives. The Jewish exiles to whom Peter was writing were suffering persecution, probably because of the rebellion of the Jews in Jerusalem against Rome in AD 67-70.
Yet for the truly faithful these were also occasions of deliverance - even if that deliverance should be - being taken out of this life as happened to Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7 v.60). Peter writes of those “who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” [v.5] “Your faith has saved you” is a phrase in one form or another we often encounter in the New Testament. We sense that this will be particularly true in the final years of human rule on this earth. It is increasingly apparent that we live in those years.
Now note what Peter further writes, “if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold ... may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [v.6,7]. Peter writes of the time when those with such a faith will “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith” [v.8,9].
Our Isaiah reading (Ch.35) has wonderful words about this time when the faithful “come to Zion with singing: everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” [v.10] So let us, start each day, by preparing our minds for action “having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth ...” [1 Peter 1 v.22], an obedience shown by our love for one another “earnestly from a pure heart ... through the living and abiding word of God” [v.22] which we must make sure we feed on every day.
Stuart-Caleb Art Courtonel [Rugby] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Stuart-Caleb Art
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1. Peter <4074>, an apostle <652> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, to the strangers <3927> scattered <1290> throughout Pontus <4195>, Galatia <1053>, Cappadocia <2587>, Asia <773>, and <2532> Bithynia <978>,
2. Elect <1588> according <2596> to the foreknowledge <4268> of God <2316> the Father <3962>, through <1722> sanctification <38> of the Spirit <4151>, unto <1519> obedience <5218> and <2532> sprinkling <4473> of the blood <129> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>: Grace <5485> unto you <5213>, and <2532> peace <1515>, be multiplied <4129>(5684).
3. Blessed <2128> be the God <2316> and <2532> Father <3962> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, which <3588> according to <2596> his <848> abundant <4183> mercy <1656> hath begotten <313> <0> us <2248> again <313>(5660) unto <1519> a lively <2198>(5723) hope <1680> by <1223> the resurrection <386> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> from <1537> the dead <3498>,
4. To <1519> an inheritance <2817> incorruptible <862>, and <2532> undefiled <283>, and <2532> that fadeth not away <263>, reserved <5083>(5772) in <1722> heaven <3772> for <1519> you <5209>,
5. Who <3588> are kept <5432>(5746) by <1722> the power <1411> of God <2316> through <1223> faith <4102> unto <1519> salvation <4991> ready <2092> to be revealed <601>(5683) in <1722> the last <2078> time <2540>.
6. Wherein <1722> <3739> ye greatly rejoice <21>(5736), though now <737> for a season <3641>, if <1487> need <1163>(5752) be <2076>(5748), ye are in heaviness <3076>(5685) through <1722> manifold <4164> temptations <3986>:
7. That <2443> the trial <1383> of your <5216> faith <4102>, being much <4183> more precious <5093> than of gold <5553> that perisheth <622>(5734), though <1223> <1161> it be tried <1381>(5746) with fire <4442>, might be found <2147>(5686) unto <1519> praise <1868> and <2532> honour <5092> and <2532> glory <1391> at <1722> the appearing <602> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>:
8. Whom <3739> having <1492> <0> not <3756> seen <1492>(5761)(5625) <1492>(5631), ye love <25>(5719); in <1519> whom <3739>, though now <737> ye see <3708>(5723) him not <3361>, yet <1161> believing <4100>(5723), ye rejoice <21>(5736) with joy <5479> unspeakable <412> and <2532> full of glory <1392>(5772):
9. Receiving <2865>(5734) the end <5056> of your <5216> faith <4102>, even the salvation <4991> of your souls <5590>.
10. Of <4012> which <3739> salvation <4991> the prophets <4396> have enquired <1567>(5656) and <2532> searched diligently <1830>(5656), who <3588> prophesied <4395>(5660) of <4012> the grace <5485> that should come unto <1519> you <5209>:
11. Searching <2045>(5723) what <1519> <5101>, or <2228> what manner <4169> of time <2540> the Spirit <4151> of Christ <5547> which <3588> was in <1722> them <846> did signify <1213>(5707), when it testified beforehand <4303>(5740) the sufferings <3804> of <1519> Christ <5547>, and <2532> the glory <1391> that should follow <3326> <5023>.
12. Unto whom <3739> it was revealed <601>(5681), that <3754> not <3756> unto themselves <1438>, but <1161> unto us <2254> they did minister <1247>(5707) the things <846>, which <3739> are <312> <0> now <3568> reported <312>(5648) unto you <5213> by <1223> them that have preached the gospel <2097>(5671) unto you <5209> with <1722> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151> sent down <649>(5651) from <575> heaven <3772>; which things <3739> the angels <32> desire <1937>(5719) to look <3879>(5658) into <1519>.
13. Wherefore <1352> gird up <328>(5671) the loins <3751> of your <5216> mind <1271>, be sober <3525>(5723), and hope <1679>(5657) to the end <5049> for <1909> the grace <5485> that is to be brought <5342>(5746) unto you <5213> at <1722> the revelation <602> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>;
14. As <5613> obedient <5218> children <5043>, not <3361> fashioning yourselves according to <4964>(5730) the former <4386> lusts <1939> in <1722> your <5216> ignorance <52>:
15. But <235> as <2596> he which hath called <2564>(5660) you <5209> is holy <40>, so <2532> be <1096>(5676) ye <846> holy <40> in <1722> all <3956> manner of conversation <391>;
16. Because <1360> it is written <1125>(5769), Be ye <1096>(5634) holy <40>; for <3754> I <1473> am <1510>(5748) holy <40>.
17. And <2532> if <1487> ye call on <1941>(5731) the Father <3962>, who <3588> without respect of persons <678> judgeth <2919>(5723) according to <2596> every man's <1538> work <2041>, pass <390>(5649) the time <5550> of your <5216> sojourning <3940> here in <1722> fear <5401>:
18. Forasmuch as ye know <1492>(5761) that <3754> ye were <3084> <0> not <3756> redeemed <3084>(5681) with corruptible things <5349>, as silver <694> and <2228> gold <5553>, from <1537> your <5216> vain <3152> conversation <391> received by tradition from your fathers <3970>;
19. But <235> with the precious <5093> blood <129> of Christ <5547>, as <5613> of a lamb <286> without blemish <299> and <2532> without spot <784>:
20. Who verily <3303> was foreordained <4267>(5772) before <4253> the foundation <2602> of the world <2889>, but <1161> was manifest <5319>(5685) in <1909> these last <2078> times <5550> for <1223> you <5209>,
21. Who <3588> by <1223> him <846> do believe <4100>(5723) in <1519> God <2316>, that raised <1453> <0> him <846> up <1453>(5660) from <1537> the dead <3498>, and <2532> gave <1325>(5631) him <846> glory <1391>; that <5620> your <5216> faith <4102> and <2532> hope <1680> might be <1511>(5750) in <1519> God <2316>.
22. Seeing ye have purified <48>(5761) your <5216> souls <5590> in <1722> obeying <5218> the truth <225> through <1223> the Spirit <4151> unto <1519> unfeigned <505> love of the brethren <5360>, see that ye love <25>(5657) one another <240> with <1537> a pure <2513> heart <2588> fervently <1619>:
23. Being born again <313>(5746), not <3756> of <1537> corruptible <5349> seed <4701>, but <235> of incorruptible <862>, by <1223> the word <3056> of God <2316>, which liveth <2198>(5723) and <2532> abideth <3306>(5723) for <1519> ever <165>.
24. For <1360> all <3956> flesh <4561> is as <5613> grass <5528>, and <2532> all <3956> the glory <1391> of man <444> as <5613> the flower <438> of grass <5528>. The grass <5528> withereth <3583>(5681), and <2532> the flower <438> thereof <846> falleth away <1601>(5627):
25. But <1161> the word <4487> of the Lord <2962> endureth <3306>(5719) for <1519> ever <165>. And <1161> this <5124> is <2076>(5748) the word <4487> which <3588> by the gospel is preached <2097>(5685) unto <1519> you <5209>.