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MOTIVATION
It never fails to amaze me how the faith and courage of one person can change and motivate a whole nation. Ehud is a great example of this sort of man. It must have taken a huge amount of faith and courage to go into the jaws of death, hoping that the circumstances would be right to see his plan through, hoping that he wouldn't get caught, and to have followed through with his intentions.
Ehud, with his outstanding faith and courage, killed Eglon, the king of Moab, the motivator behind Israel's oppressors. There was no-one there to help Ehud, no-one to come with him, and no-one to rescue him if he got into trouble. Ehud stood out from the rest of Israel as a man who was prepared to put his faith into action. But as soon as the deed was done and Israel saw that his faith and courage had paid off, they all rallied around him, followed him and defeated the Moabites. They killed 10,000 Moabite men, a feat that Ehud could never have achieved by himself. But if Ehud had not started the process, Israel would still have been in bondage.
We too can have the motivating force of Ehud if we just put our faith into action and trust in the LORD our God. When others see how God has worked for us their faith will be strengthened and as a united body we will be able to do great things in the strength of the LORD.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2002 Reply to Robert
FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKE
Would it have been different if Israel had completely cleared the land of Canaanites and the remnants of their gods and altars? As it was, their faith was such that some of the Canaanites remained. And along with the Canaanites, their gods remained, and Israel left some of their altars standing.
For the faithful generation that took the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, this might not have been a problem. But as their children grew up, the ways of the Canaanites that remained would have become a source of temptation to them. In fact, the temptations of the Canaanites developed into more than they realised, because whole generations of Israel turned away from the LORD to the gods of the Canaanites.
If Israel had done as they were told, completely cleansing the land from the Canaanites and from the memories of their ways, there would have been nothing for their children to see and no temptations to draw them away from the LORD. What was not a problem to the parents become the downfall of their children.
So, as parents and those leading the next generation, let's remove as much temptation as we possibly can, so that our children grow up in God's ways and remain faithful with all their hearts.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2007 Reply to Robert
LEAD FROM THE FRONT
A leader does not push from behind. A leader shows the way. Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar were all men of action. Let's take Ehud as our example.
Ehud knew that Israel needed to be delivered from the power of the Moabites. Ehud did not call up all Israel, direct them into their battle positions and then shout instructions to them from the edge of the battle field. No. Ehud took the initiative and began the work himself. After making his own sword, he personally went out to assassinate the king of Moab. When Eglon had successfully been killed, Ehud blew the battle trumpet calling Israel to war. Again, he did not push them from behind, Ehud led the way. "The Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them. 'Follow me,' he ordered, 'For the LORD has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.' So they followed him down." (Judg 3:27-18) Ehud led the way by his example.
God needs leaders. He needs us to stand up and do what needs to be done. He does not need people to talk about what needs to be done. So let's get up and take action for God. Show people how God wants us to live rather than tell them. Step out in faith to preach his word, to make peace, to praise, to serve, and to grow in God. As we pave the way, others will follow.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2007 Reply to Robert
A BIT DIFFERENT
I am sure we are all proud to have been made unique by God - until someone tells us that we are different. Left handed people are far less common than right handed people. When my grandfather was at school as a left handed child, he received regular punishments because of his preference to use his left hand instead of his right. They considered him rebellious because he used his left hand to write.
Ehud was one of those unique people who was described as left handed. It is possible that because of his left handed tendencies, it was dangerous to put him with the rest of the "normal" men in the army. After all, he may slash the wrong way with his sword, have difficulty using a bow, and if fighting side by side would leave a weakness on one side where a right handed soldier next to him was also weak. But despite these drawbacks, Ehud was the man chosen by God for the task of breaking the bondage of Israel from Eglon king of Moab. God used Ehud's left handed tendencies to lull Eglon into a false sense of security. Eglon was used to watching for danger from right handed men, not from people like Ehud.
Like Ehud, God created us all with unique properties. We might be left handed, crippled, suffer from asthma, or not be that clever. God created us like this so that we could serve him in our own special way. God made us unique. Let's make sure we use our differences well.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2011 Reply to Robert
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1. And an angel <4397> of the LORD <3068> came up <5927>(8799) from Gilgal <1537> to Bochim <1066>, and said <559>(8799), I made you to go up <5927>(8686) out of Egypt <4714>, and have brought <935>(8686) you unto the land <776> which I sware <7650>(8738) unto your fathers <1>; and I said <559>(8799), I will never <5769> break <6565>(8686) my covenant <1285> with you.
2. And ye shall make <3772>(8799) no league <1285> with the inhabitants <3427>(8802) of this land <776>; ye shall throw down <5422>(8799) their altars <4196>: but ye have not obeyed <8085>(8804) my voice <6963>: why have ye done <6213>(8804) this?
3. Wherefore I also said <559>(8804), I will not drive them out <1644>(8762) from before <6440> you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides <6654>, and their gods <430> shall be a snare <4170> unto you.
4. And it came to pass, when the angel <4397> of the LORD <3068> spake <1696>(8763) these words <1697> unto all the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, that the people <5971> lifted up <5375>(8799) their voice <6963>, and wept <1058>(8799).
5. And they called <7121>(8799) the name <8034> of that place <4725> Bochim <1066>: and they sacrificed <2076>(8799) there unto the LORD <3068>.
6. And when Joshua <3091> had let the people <5971> go <7971>(8762), the children <1121> of Israel <3478> went <3212>(8799) every man <376> unto his inheritance <5159> to possess <3423>(8800) the land <776>.
7. And the people <5971> served <5647>(8799) the LORD <3068> all the days <3117> of Joshua <3091>, and all the days <3117> of the elders <2205> that outlived <748>(8689) <3117> <310> Joshua <3091>, who had seen <7200>(8804) all the great <1419> works <4639> of the LORD <3068>, that he did <6213>(8804) for Israel <3478>.
8. And Joshua <3091> the son <1121> of Nun <5126>, the servant <5650> of the LORD <3068>, died <4191>(8799), being an hundred <3967> and ten <6235> years <8141> old <1121>.
9. And they buried <6912>(8799) him in the border <1366> of his inheritance <5159> in Timnathheres <8556>, in the mount <2022> of Ephraim <669>, on the north side <6828> of the hill <2022> Gaash <1608>.
10. And also all that generation <1755> were gathered <622>(8738) unto their fathers <1>: and there arose <6965>(8799) another <312> generation <1755> after <310> them, which knew <3045>(8804) not the LORD <3068>, nor yet the works <4639> which he had done <6213>(8804) for Israel <3478>.
11. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> did <6213>(8799) evil <7451> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>, and served <5647>(8799) Baalim <1168>:
12. And they forsook <5800>(8799) the LORD <3068> God <430> of their fathers <1>, which brought them out <3318>(8688) of the land <776> of Egypt <4714>, and followed <3212>(8799) <310> other <312> gods <430>, of the gods <430> of the people <5971> that were round about <5439> them, and bowed <7812>(8691) themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD <3068> to anger <3707>(8686).
13. And they forsook <5800>(8799) the LORD <3068>, and served <5647>(8799) Baal <1168> and Ashtaroth <6252>.
14. And the anger <639> of the LORD <3068> was hot <2734>(8799) against Israel <3478>, and he delivered <5414>(8799) them into the hands <3027> of spoilers <8154>(8802) that spoiled <8155>(8799) them, and he sold <4376>(8799) them into the hands <3027> of their enemies <341>(8802) round about <5439>, so that they could <3201>(8804) not any longer <5750> stand <5975>(8800) before <6440> their enemies <341>(8802).
15. Whithersoever they went out <3318>(8804), the hand <3027> of the LORD <3068> was against them for evil <7451>, as the LORD <3068> had said <1696>(8765), and as the LORD <3068> had sworn <7650>(8738) unto them: and they were greatly <3966> distressed <3334>(8799).
16. Nevertheless the LORD <3068> raised up <6965>(8686) judges <8199>(8802), which delivered <3467>(8686) them out of the hand <3027> of those that spoiled <8154>(8802) them.
17. And yet they would not hearken <8085>(8804) unto their judges <8199>(8802), but they went a whoring <2181>(8804) after <310> other <312> gods <430>, and bowed <7812>(8691) themselves unto them: they turned <5493>(8804) quickly <4118> out of the way <1870> which their fathers <1> walked in <1980>(8804), obeying <8085>(8800) the commandments <4687> of the LORD <3068>; but they did <6213>(8804) not so.
18. And when the LORD <3068> raised <6965>(8689) them up judges <8199>(8802), then the LORD <3068> was with the judge <8199>(8802), and delivered <3467>(8689) them out of the hand <3027> of their enemies <341>(8802) all the days <3117> of the judge <8199>(8802): for it repented <5162>(8735) the LORD <3068> because <6440> of their groanings <5009> by reason of them that oppressed <3905>(8801) them and vexed <1766>(8802) them.
19. And it came to pass, when the judge <8199>(8802) was dead <4194>, that they returned <7725>(8799), and corrupted <7843>(8689) themselves more than their fathers <1>, in following <3212>(8800) <310> other <312> gods <430> to serve <5647>(8800) them, and to bow down <7812>(8692) unto them; they ceased <5307>(8689) not from their own doings <4611>, nor from their stubborn <7186> way <1870>.
20. And the anger <639> of the LORD <3068> was hot <2734>(8799) against Israel <3478>; and he said <559>(8799), Because that this people <1471> hath transgressed <5674>(8804) my covenant <1285> which I commanded <6680>(8765) their fathers <1>, and have not hearkened <8085>(8804) unto my voice <6963>;
21. I also will not henceforth <3254>(8686) drive out <3423>(8687) any <376> from before <6440> them of the nations <1471> which Joshua <3091> left <5800>(8804) when he died <4191>(8799):
22. That through them I may prove <5254>(8763) Israel <3478>, whether they will keep <8104>(8802) the way <1870> of the LORD <3068> to walk <3212>(8800) therein, as their fathers <1> did keep <8104>(8804) it, or not.
23. Therefore the LORD <3068> left <3240>(8686) those nations <1471>, without <1115> driving them out <3423>(8687) hastily <4118>; neither delivered <5414>(8804) he them into the hand <3027> of Joshua <3091>.
1. Now these are the nations <1471> which the LORD <3068> left <3240>(8689), to prove <5254>(8763) Israel <3478> by them, even as many of Israel as had not known <3045>(8804) all the wars <4421> of Canaan <3667>;
2. Only that <7535> the generations <1755> of the children <1121> of Israel <3478> might know <3045>(8800), to teach <3925>(8763) them war <4421>, at the least such as before <6440> knew <3045>(8804) nothing thereof;
3. Namely, five <2568> lords <5633> of the Philistines <6430>, and all the Canaanites <3669>, and the Sidonians <6722>, and the Hivites <2340> that dwelt <3427>(8802) in mount <2022> Lebanon <3844>, from mount <2022> Baalhermon <1179> unto the entering in <935>(8800) of Hamath <2574>.
4. And they were to prove <5254>(8763) Israel <3478> by them, to know <3045>(8800) whether they would hearken <8085>(8799) unto the commandments <4687> of the LORD <3068>, which he commanded <6680>(8765) their fathers <1> by the hand <3027> of Moses <4872>.
5. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> dwelt <3427>(8804) among <7130> the Canaanites <3669>, Hittites <2850>, and Amorites <567>, and Perizzites <6522>, and Hivites <2340>, and Jebusites <2983>:
6. And they took <3947>(8799) their daughters <1323> to be their wives <802>, and gave <5414>(8804) their daughters <1323> to their sons <1121>, and served <5647>(8799) their gods <430>.
7. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> did <6213>(8799) evil <7451> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>, and forgat <7911>(8799) the LORD <3068> their God <430>, and served <5647>(8799) Baalim <1168> and the groves <842>.
8. Therefore the anger <639> of the LORD <3068> was hot <2734>(8799) against Israel <3478>, and he sold <4376>(8799) them into the hand <3027> of Chushanrishathaim <3573> king <4428> of Mesopotamia <763>: and the children <1121> of Israel <3478> served <5647>(8799) Chushanrishathaim <3573> eight <8083> years <8141>.
9. And when the children <1121> of Israel <3478> cried <2199>(8799) unto the LORD <3068>, the LORD <3068> raised up <6965>(8686) a deliverer <3467>(8688) to the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, who delivered <3467>(8686) them, even Othniel <6274> the son <1121> of Kenaz <7073>, Caleb's <3612> younger <6996> brother <251>.
10. And the Spirit <7307> of the LORD <3068> came upon him, and he judged <8199>(8799) Israel <3478>, and went out <3318>(8799) to war <4421>: and the LORD <3068> delivered <5414>(8799) Chushanrishathaim <3573> king <4428> of Mesopotamia <763> into his hand <3027>; and his hand <3027> prevailed <5810>(8799) against Chushanrishathaim <3573>.
11. And the land <776> had rest <8252>(8799) forty <705> years <8141>. And Othniel <6274> the son <1121> of Kenaz <7073> died <4191>(8799).
12. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> did <6213>(8800) evil <7451> again <3254>(8686) in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>: and the LORD <3068> strengthened <2388>(8762) Eglon <5700> the king <4428> of Moab <4124> against Israel <3478>, because they had done <6213>(8804) evil <7451> in the sight <5869> of the LORD <3068>.
13. And he gathered <622>(8799) unto him the children <1121> of Ammon <5983> and Amalek <6002>, and went <3212>(8799) and smote <5221>(8686) Israel <3478>, and possessed <3423>(8799) the city <5892> of palm trees <8558>(8677) <5899>.
14. So the children <1121> of Israel <3478> served <5647>(8799) Eglon <5700> the king <4428> of Moab <4124> eighteen <8083> <6240> years <8141>.
15. But when the children <1121> of Israel <3478> cried <2199>(8799) unto the LORD <3068>, the LORD <3068> raised them up <6965>(8686) a deliverer <3467>(8688), Ehud <164> the son <1121> of Gera <1617>, a Benjamite <1145>, a man <376> lefthanded <334> <3225>: and by him <3027> the children <1121> of Israel <3478> sent <7971>(8799) a present <4503> unto Eglon <5700> the king <4428> of Moab <4124>.
16. But Ehud <164> made <6213>(8799) him a dagger <2719> which had two <8147> edges <6366>, of a cubit <1574> length <753>; and he did gird <2296>(8799) it under his raiment <4055> upon his right <3225> thigh <3409>.
17. And he brought <7126>(8686) the present <4503> unto Eglon <5700> king <4428> of Moab <4124>: and Eglon <5700> was a very <3966> fat <1277> man <376>.
18. And when he had made an end <3615>(8765) to offer <7126>(8687) the present <4503>, he sent away <7971>(8762) the people <5971> that bare <5375>(8802) the present <4503>.
19. But he himself turned again <7725>(8804) from the quarries <6456> that were by Gilgal <1537>, and said <559>(8799), I have a secret <5643> errand <1697> unto thee, O king <4428>: who said <559>(8799), Keep silence <2013>(8761). And all that stood <5975>(8802) by him went out <3318>(8799) from him.
20. And Ehud <164> came <935>(8804) unto him; and he was sitting <3427>(8802) in a summer <4747> parlour <5944>, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud <164> said <559>(8799), I have a message <1697> from God <430> unto thee. And he arose <6965>(8799) out of his seat <3678>.
21. And Ehud <164> put forth <7971>(8799) his left <8040> hand <3027>, and took <3947>(8799) the dagger <2719> from his right <3225> thigh <3409>, and thrust <8628>(8799) it into his belly <990>:
22. And the haft <5325> also went in <935>(8799) after <310> the blade <3851>; and the fat <2459> closed <5462>(8799) upon <1157> the blade <3851>, so that he could not draw <8025>(8804) the dagger <2719> out of his belly <990>; and the dirt <6574> came out <3318>(8799).
23. Then Ehud <164> went forth <3318>(8799) through the porch <4528>, and shut <5462>(8799) the doors <1817> of the parlour <5944> upon him, and locked <5274>(8804) them.
24. When he was gone out <3318>(8804), his servants <5650> came <935>(8804); and when they saw <7200>(8799) that, behold, the doors <1817> of the parlour <5944> were locked <5274>(8803), they said <559>(8799), Surely he covereth <5526>(8688) his feet <7272> in his summer <4747> chamber <2315>.
25. And they tarried <2342>(8799) till they were ashamed <954>(8800): and, behold, he opened <6605>(8802) not the doors <1817> of the parlour <5944>; therefore they took <3947>(8799) a key <4668>, and opened <6605>(8799) them: and, behold, their lord <113> was fallen down <5307>(8802) dead <4191>(8801) on the earth <776>.
26. And Ehud <164> escaped <4422>(8738) while they tarried <4102>(8699), and passed beyond <5674>(8804) the quarries <6456>, and escaped <4422>(8735) unto Seirath <8167>.
27. And it came to pass, when he was come <935>(8800), that he blew <8628>(8799) a trumpet <7782> in the mountain <2022> of Ephraim <669>, and the children <1121> of Israel <3478> went down <3381>(8799) with him from the mount <2022>, and he before <6440> them.
28. And he said <559>(8799) unto them, Follow <7291>(8798) after <310> me: for the LORD <3068> hath delivered <5414>(8804) your enemies <341>(8802) the Moabites <4124> into your hand <3027>. And they went down <3381>(8799) after <310> him, and took <3920>(8799) the fords <4569> of Jordan <3383> toward Moab <4124>, and suffered <5414>(8804) not a man <376> to pass over <5674>(8800).
29. And they slew <5221>(8686) of Moab <4124> at that time <6256> about ten <6235> thousand <505> men <376>, all lusty <8082>, and all men <376> of valour <2428>; and there escaped <4422>(8738) not a man <376>.
30. So Moab <4124> was subdued <3665>(8735) that day <3117> under the hand <3027> of Israel <3478>. And the land <776> had rest <8252>(8799) fourscore <8084> years <8141>.
31. And after <310> him was Shamgar <8044> the son <1121> of Anath <6067>, which slew <5221>(8686) of the Philistines <6430> six <8337> hundred <3967> men <376> with an ox <1241> goad <4451>: and he also delivered <3467>(8686) Israel <3478>.
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1. Woe <1945> to them that go down <3381>(8802) to Egypt <4714> for help <5833>; and stay <8172>(8735) on horses <5483>, and trust <982>(8799) in chariots <7393>, because they are many <7227>; and in horsemen <6571>, because they are very <3966> strong <6105>(8804); but they look <8159>(8804) not unto the Holy One <6918> of Israel <3478>, neither seek <1875>(8804) the LORD <3068>!
2. Yet he also is wise <2450>, and will bring <935>(8686) evil <7451>, and will not call back <5493>(8689) his words <1697>: but will arise <6965>(8804) against the house <1004> of the evildoers <7489>(8688), and against the help <5833> of them that work <6466>(8802) iniquity <205>.
3. Now the Egyptians <4714> are men <120>, and not God <410>; and their horses <5483> flesh <1320>, and not spirit <7307>. When the LORD <3068> shall stretch out <5186>(8686) his hand <3027>, both he that helpeth <5826>(8802) shall fall <3782>(8804), and he that is holpen <5826>(8803) shall fall down <5307>(8804), and they all shall fail <3615>(8799) together <3162>.
4. For thus hath the LORD <3068> spoken <559>(8804) unto me, Like as the lion <738> and the young lion <3715> roaring <1897>(8799) on his prey <2964>, when a multitude <4393> of shepherds <7462>(8802) is called forth <7121>(8735) against him, he will not be afraid <2865>(8735) of their voice <6963>, nor abase <6031>(8799) himself for the noise <1995> of them: so shall the LORD <3068> of hosts <6635> come down <3381>(8799) to fight <6633>(8800) for mount <2022> Zion <6726>, and for the hill <1389> thereof.
5. As birds <6833> flying <5774>(8802), so will the LORD <3068> of hosts <6635> defend <1598>(8686) Jerusalem <3389>; defending <1598>(8800) also he will deliver <5337>(8689) it; and passing over <6452>(8800) he will preserve <4422>(8689) it.
6. Turn <7725>(8798) ye unto him from whom the children <1121> of Israel <3478> have deeply <6009>(8689) revolted <5627>.
7. For in that day <3117> every man <376> shall cast away <3988>(8799) his idols <457> of silver <3701>, and his idols <457> of gold <2091>, which your own hands <3027> have made <6213>(8804) unto you for a sin <2399>.
8. Then shall the Assyrian <804> fall <5307>(8804) with the sword <2719>, not of a mighty man <376>; and the sword <2719>, not of a mean man <120>, shall devour <398>(8799) him: but he shall flee <5127>(8804) from <6440> the sword <2719>, and his young men <970> shall be discomfited <4522>.
9. And he shall pass over <5674>(8799) to his strong hold <5553> for fear <4032>, and his princes <8269> shall be afraid <2865>(8804) of the ensign <5251>, saith <5002>(8803) the LORD <3068>, whose fire <217> is in Zion <6726>, and his furnace <8574> in Jerusalem <3389>.
Notes that are not verse specific
Jam. 1:27.
James appears to define "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless" (N.I.V.) as visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unspotted from the world. Are these just two examples of many that he could have chosen to define this religion? Or are these two qualities the sum total of what true religion really is?
One thing to note on this is James' use of the word "religion" here - threskia. One of our writers put the meaning this way: threskia doesn't describe the essence of godliness and piety but rather the outer forms and procedures associated with religion - not the pith and marrow of the fruit, but the outer skin. Here are a couple of places where this word pops up. Paul in reference to himself. Acts 26:5 -
"After the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee."
Also in Col. 2:18 Paul says this:
" Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize."
So here James' exhortation is for the brethren to begin their religion where others leave off. And since the word "and" is in italics (K.J.V.) separating the two, he may be saying that the act of visiting (and helping in whatever way is needed) the fatherless and widows is as admirable a way as is possible to keep oneself unspotted from the world. One writer put it this way: a purely negative religious life, cutting out this and avoiding that, can hardly be well pleasing to God, but to fill such a vacuum with positive active benevolence to the needy and neglected is sure to meet with the smile of His approval.
So - bottom line - it looks like these are two good examples (or maybe one extended one) of a number that James could have used to express what true religion really should be.
Wes Booker [South Austin Texas USA] Comment added in 2013 Reply to Wes
https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/
Stuart-Caleb Art Courtonel [Rugby] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Stuart-Caleb Art
Today's readings.. (Judges 2,3), (Isaiah 31), (James 1)
Once again God's words through Isaiah attracted our thoughts. There are so many parallels today with the attitudes the LORD was seeking to counteract in Israel in the time of Isaiah. The message the prophet was to convey was, “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning (or repentance, mg) and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling ...” [30 v.15]
In v. 18 this is repeated with added emphasis, “... the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
We see that the LORD's words to the people through Isaiah have remarkable parallels in the words of Jesus - remember the invitations to the wedding banquet - and the poor response - see Matt 22 v.3 and John's record of Jesus saying, “the Scriptures ... bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me ... you do not have the love of God within you.” [John 5 v.39-41] What would he say to you?
As we read each day - let us make sure we see the “witness” of the Scriptures. There are also some thought parallels in today's final chapter in Hebrews, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So that we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” [v.5,6] Paul writes of the sacrifices we should make, to be content, to have no love of money. He reminds and stresses, our Lord sacrificed himself “in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” [v.12]
And then v.15 should jump out to attract our thoughts, “Through him then let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name ... for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” [v.16] Let us make sure they are pleasing to us - and come genuinely from our hearts - a contrast to the noise and show in the Temple in the days of Isaiah, Jesus and Paul; learning that “in quietness and in trust shall be (y)our strength.” Bro Caudery
Stuart-Caleb Art Courtonel [Rugby] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Stuart-Caleb Art
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1. James <2385>, a servant <1401> of God <2316> and <2532> of the Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, to the twelve <1427> tribes <5443> which <1722> are scattered abroad <1290>, greeting <5463>(5721).
2. My <3450> brethren <80>, count it <2233>(5662) all <3956> joy <5479> when <3752> ye fall <4045>(5632) into divers <4164> temptations <3986>;
3. Knowing <1097>(5723) this, that <3754> the trying <1383> of your <5216> faith <4102> worketh <2716>(5736) patience <5281>.
4. But <1161> let <2192> <0> patience <5281> have <2192>(5720) her perfect <5046> work <2041>, that <2443> ye may be <5600>(5753) perfect <5046> and <2532> entire <3648>, wanting <3007>(5746) nothing <1722> <3367>.
5. <1161> If any <1536> of you <5216> lack <3007>(5743) wisdom <4678>, let him ask <154>(5720) of <3844> God <2316>, that giveth <1325>(5723) to all <3956> men liberally <574>, and <2532> upbraideth <3679>(5723) not <3361>; and <2532> it shall be given <1325>(5701) him <846>.
6. But <1161> let him ask <154>(5720) in <1722> faith <4102>, nothing <3367> wavering <1252>(5734). For <1063> he that wavereth <1252>(5734) is like <1503>(5758) a wave <2830> of the sea <2281> driven with the wind <416>(5746) and <2532> tossed <4494>(5746).
7. For <1063> let <3633> <0> not <3361> that <1565> man <444> think <3633>(5737) that <3754> he shall receive <2983>(5695) any thing <5100> of <3844> the Lord <2962>.
8. A double minded <1374> man <435> is unstable <182> in <1722> all <3956> his <848> ways <3598>.
9. <1161> Let <2744> <0> the brother <80> of low degree <5011> rejoice <2744>(5737) in <1722> that he <848> is exalted <5311>:
10. But <1161> the rich <4145>, in <1722> that he <848> is made low <5014>: because <3754> as <5613> the flower <438> of the grass <5528> he shall pass away <3928>(5695).
11. For <1063> the sun <2246> is no sooner risen <393>(5656) with <4862> a burning heat <2742>, but <2532> it withereth <3583>(5656) the grass <5528>, and <2532> the flower <438> thereof <846> falleth <1601>(5627), and <2532> the grace <2143> of the fashion <4383> of it <846> perisheth <622>(5639): so <3779> also <2532> shall <3133> <0> the rich man <4145> fade away <3133>(5701) in <1722> his <848> ways <4197>.
12. Blessed <3107> is the man <435> that <3739> endureth <5278>(5719) temptation <3986>: for <3754> when he is tried <1384> <1096>(5637), he shall receive <2983>(5695) the crown <4735> of life <2222>, which <3739> the Lord <2962> hath promised <1861>(5662) to them that love <25>(5723) him <846>.
13. Let <3004> <0> no man <3367> say <3004>(5720) when he is tempted <3985>(5746), <3754> I am tempted <3985>(5743) of <575> God <2316>: for <1063> God <2316> cannot be tempted <551> <2076>(5748) with evil <2556>, neither <1161> tempteth he <3985>(5719) any man <3762>:
14. But <1161> every man <1538> is tempted <3985>(5743), when he is drawn away <1828>(5746) of <5259> his own <2398> lust <1939>, and <2532> enticed <1185>(5746).
15. Then <1534> when lust <1939> hath conceived <4815>(5631), it bringeth forth <5088>(5719) sin <266>: and <1161> sin <266>, when it is finished <658>(5685), bringeth forth <616>(5719) death <2288>.
16. Do <4105> <0> not <3361> err <4105>(5744), my <3450> beloved <27> brethren <80>.
17. Every <3956> good <18> gift <1394> and <2532> every <3956> perfect <5046> gift <1434> is <2076>(5748) from above <509>, and cometh down <2597>(5723) from <575> the Father <3962> of lights <5457>, with <3844> whom <3739> is <1762>(5748) no <3756> variableness <3883>, neither <2228> shadow <644> of turning <5157>.
18. Of his own will <1014>(5679) begat he <616>(5656) us <2248> with the word <3056> of truth <225>, that <1519> we <2248> should be <1511>(5750) a kind <5100> of firstfruits <536> of his <848> creatures <2938>.
19. Wherefore <5620>, my <3450> beloved <27> brethren <80>, let <2077> <0> every <3956> man <444> be <2077>(5749) swift <5036> to <1519> hear <191>(5658), slow <1021> to <1519> speak <2980>(5658), slow <1021> to <1519> wrath <3709>:
20. For <1063> the wrath <3709> of man <435> worketh <2716>(5736) not <3756> the righteousness <1343> of God <2316>.
21. Wherefore <1352> lay apart <659>(5642) all <3956> filthiness <4507> and <2532> superfluity <4050> of naughtiness <2549>, and receive <1209>(5663) with <1722> meekness <4240> the engrafted <1721> word <3056>, which <3588> is able <1410>(5740) to save <4982>(5658) your <5216> souls <5590>.
22. But <1161> be ye <1096>(5737) doers <4163> of the word <3056>, and <2532> not <3361> hearers <202> only <3440>, deceiving <3884>(5740) your own selves <1438>.
23. For <3754> if any <1536> be <2076>(5748) a hearer <202> of the word <3056>, and <2532> not <3756> a doer <4163>, he <3778> is like <1503>(5758) unto a man <435> beholding <2657>(5723) his <848> natural <1078> face <4383> in <1722> a glass <2072>:
24. For <1063> he beholdeth <2657>(5656) himself <1438>, and <2532> goeth his way <565>(5754), and <2532> straightway <2112> forgetteth <1950>(5633) what manner of man <3697> he was <2258>(5713).
25. But <1161> whoso looketh <3879>(5660) into <1519> the perfect <5046> law <3551> of liberty <1657>, and <2532> continueth <3887>(5660) therein, he <3778> being <1096>(5637) not <3756> a forgetful <1953> hearer <202>, but <235> a doer <4163> of the work <2041>, this man <3778> shall be <2071>(5704) blessed <3107> in <1722> his <848> deed <4162>.
26. If any man <1536> among <1722> you <5213> seem <1380>(5719) to be <1511>(5750) religious <2357>, and bridleth <5468>(5723) not <3361> his <848> tongue <1100>, but <235> deceiveth <538>(5723) his own <848> heart <2588>, this man's <5127> religion <2356> is vain <3152>.
27. Pure <2513> religion <2356> and <2532> undefiled <283> before <3844> God <2316> and <2532> the Father <3962> is <2076>(5748) this <3778>, To visit <1980>(5738) the fatherless <3737> and <2532> widows <5503> in <1722> their affliction <2347>, and to keep <5083>(5721) himself <1438> unspotted <784> from <575> the world <2889>.