Comments for May 25

v.1-9 - We do well to remember that God will fight for us too, even if the enemy has ganged up on us and we would have no chance without Him. We never have a chance without Him, of course, as we owe Him our very lives. Josh.21:44.

Having ventured into the Jezreel valley in the previous chapter the campaign to take the inheritance continues in the Galilee.

v.11 - However revolted we may be with our modern thinking over this killing, the lesson must be learnt. We must allow nothing to remain of anything that might tempt us away from the ways of the Living God. We should utterly remove from our lives all that we find tempting.

We saw in chapter 10 (comments from 2000) that the land was made up of fragmented states. This image is continued in this chapter with the alliance of kings in the Galilee.

LEAVE NOTHING UNDONE

"As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses." (Joshua 11 v 15)

What a powerful example Joshua left us when he fully obeyed the LORD's commandments through Moses leaving nothing undone. We are in a similar position to that in which we find Joshua. God had spoken and given instructions for Joshua through Moses, and, in a similar way, our instructions have also been given in the past to other faithful people who have passed them on to us as they wrote the Bible. Now, in our lifetime, it is our turn to follow on from the people who have gone before and to do what we have been instructed to do.

Joshua's instructions were to conquer the land and Canaan, to destroy the Canaanites and to settle God's people in their land. Our mission is slightly different, but we are still on a mission to conquer the world. We have been told to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16 v 15).

So let's be people who follow Joshua's example and leave nothing undone of all that Jesus commanded his disciples.

:6 We might have thought that Israel would have benefited from taking the spoils of war and the weaponry of their enemies. It would have provided them with much needed armaments. Having spent 40 years in the wilderness they would be a poorly equipped army. The destruction of the chariots and rendering of the horses useless for battle was to force Israel to realise that deliverance came from God, not from the might of their army.

11:5 Whilst some Bible maps put the waters of Meron as Lake Hulah, North of the Sea of Galilee others place Merom on the river entering the sea of Galilee at Chinnereth, on the North East of the sea. Either way we see an indication of the extent of Joshua' campaign in the North of the land.

V.6 " To-morrow about this time" The maps that we have show the march to Meron from Gilgal would have been at least 60 miles; so we assume that Joshua was already moving northward, and would have been within a days journey of the Canaanite camp.

Josh 11:20 says that God helped Israel in their fight against the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Even the giants in the South West were destroyed.  What a privilege it was to be the Lord's people.

V.9 By houghing the horses they became hopelessly lame, and could also bleed to death. The reasons for this command were that the Lord had designed to lead the Israelites to trust in Him, not in military resources (Psa 20:7); to show that in the promised land there was no use of horses, and, finally, to discourage their travelling, as they were to be an agricultural, not a trading people 

Many people choose to reject God and the Bible because of the kind of slaughter described in this and other chapters.  Influenced, at least in the western world, by human rights, people think of this behaviour as abhorrent and unacceptable.  They wonder how a supposed God of love would allow these things to happen. 

Unfortunately, they do not understand that the severity of God which will not tolerate idolatrous behaviour.  All those who do not worship Yahweh in spirit and in truth will be destroyed.  The Lord Jesus will physically destroy all enemies when he returns.

Until that time God, in His love, will allow both good and bad people to live, thus giving all the opportunity to turn to Him (2Pet 3:9).

11:4    ‘sand which is upon the sea shore’ echoes what God had promised to Abraham Gen 22:17. Israel were going to grow and the Canaanites were going to diminish. The very success of Israel in taking the land was to be an evidence that God would keep His promise with Abraham – sadly Israel did not see the relevance of the promises and so failed.

V.21-22 - When we go to God in prayer His power and mercy will help us overcome the giant obstacles in our lives but we have to be ever vigilant of the giant evils on the horizon of our hearts waiting for opportunistic moments to strike deep inside and challenge our hope.

V.6 Yahweh commanded Joshua to burn the captured chariots and hamstring (hock) the horses of the enemy. Hamstringing (houghing) meant severing the tendons at the back of the knee or hock (middle joint of the hind leg). The horse would live but be useless as an instrument of war.  David did the same thing when he defeated Hadadezer (although he kept a few for himself) (2Sam 8:4). 

Yahweh wanted Israel to rely upon Him and not upon the implements of war (Psa 33:17).  Later, the lesson of the futility of trust in one's own power would be more clearly shown by the destruction of the Egyptians (Exo 14:23,28). It is for this reason that the kings of Israel were commanded not to amass horses (Deut 17:16).  

11:1 Whilst Israel took control of Hazor in the days of Joshua they must have lost control of it because it was in the hands of the inhabitants of the land in the days of the Judges – Judg 4:2

11:1    Now word is spreading fast amongst the ‘kings’. As Israel are successful in each battle the fear amongst the independent city states in the land grows.

NONE LEFT

Joshua was commissioned to clear the land of Canaan of it's occupants so that the Children of Israel could inherit the land. What that meant was that Joshua and the Children of Israel mounted a military campaign against the inhabitants of the land. Because the Canaanites were so wicked, God's instruction was to kill them all and leave no survivors. One group of people made peace with Joshua and so were spared, but the rest were totally destroyed.

God has not commanded us to go out and destroy all the unbelievers in the world. I'm glad we don't have to conquer the world for Christ in this way. But what we have been told to do is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Time and again we read of Joshua, "They totally destroyed them, not sparing anything that breathed," (Josh 11:11) And, "He totally destroyed them as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded," (v.12) and so on. (See also v.14,15,17,20,21). Joshua was very successful in conquering the land. His example should be ours as we spread the gospel. We must not go around killing people but we can be just as thorough as we preach, making sure everyone has heard the message of hope in Jesus.

Don't spare anyone that breathes but totally saturate our world with the hope of the gospel. Make sure there are none left who have not heard the word of God.

V.11 - Here we find ["souls" KJV or "Everyone" NIV from the Hebrew "nephesh" (5315) which in its primary meaning stands for creature, a breathing creature man or animal. It is rendered variously soul, life, person, self, creature, etc.] being smote by the edge of the sword and being utterly destroyed (by people) - there was not any left to breathe.

11:1-3 Israel’s success in taking control of parts of the land of Canaan galvanised a number of kings to band together to defend themselves. Whilst this might seem to be an obvious thing to do it indicates that the land of Canaan at this time was made up of a disparate and separate number of city kingdoms.

V.16 Goshen described here should not be confused with the Goshen of Egypt.  This Goshen was a district which lay between Gaza and Gibeon, possibly in the area of Gath.

V.20 Yahweh made humans with a free will, and He reacts to choices people make.  For example, if people turn to Yahweh, He will turn to them; but if they turn away from Him, He will turn away from them (2Chron 15:2; James 4:8). 

And so, when people determine to be enemies of Israel, Yahweh promotes their choice.  Hence the term: For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts.  There is no fatalism involved as Yahweh was just reacting to the decisions already made by the enemies of Israel.  Later, Pharaoh would become a classic example of this as he opposed Moses (Exo 7:3 etc.).

Josh 11:23 - When Christ returns the promised land will ultimately have rest from war also (Isa 2:4).

11:2 The battles and cities taken so far have all been in the southern part of the land. Now we have moved North to the area surrounding the South of the lake of Galilee.

11:9    Naturally speaking destroying the enemies advanced military hard ware that you might be able to use yourself would seem to be folly. However Joshua was not fighting battles as the nations around him would. He was fighting on behalf of God who did not need any chariots or armaments.

11:10,13         There is an odd conflict here. Hazor was the chief of the kingdoms and Joshua destroyed it. However the lesser cities are left because of “their strength”. Because of Israel’s lack of faith God did not deliver the inhabitants into their hands. Against the evidence of Hazor’s fall the people, it seems, did not believe that God would deliver the other cities into their hands – so He did not.

11:7     The waters of Merom is thought to be in the hill country to the west of the small lake Hulah  north of the sea of Galilee, on the River Jordan

In v. 20 it says "For it was of the Lord to ^[h]harden their hearts, to meet Israel in battle in order that he might utterly destroy them, that they might ^[i]receive no mercy, but that he might destroy them, just as the Lord had commanded Moses." This did not happen with the Gibeonites. Could it be that God saw something in them as had been in Rehab, that God gave this this opportunity. Other than the reference that Israel did not ask the Lord's cousel there was no condemnation from God for this action  like there was in the breaking of the ban on Jericho by Achan.

Josh. 11:20. 

What is a good way to look at God's actions here and still see His fairness and integrity? 

"The LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy" (N.I.V.)

Here is a fairly common Biblical principle. In Rom 9 Paul deals with this and other related things having to do with God's foreknowledge and writes in his answer something to the effect that God has the right to do what He wants to with His own creation. It is, no doubt, hard to wrap our minds around - how God can, without fault, harden a person's heart (like Pharaoh's in Egypt) or a nation's collective heart so that, in turn, he can have reason to destroy them.

I think it would be safe to say that He would never do that with any who had any potential spirituality - any possibility of showing repentance and having faith in Him. One thing it does show is how exceedingly sinful human nature really is - that God would feel required to do such things. By the way, the Gibeonites - who were a part of the Hivites who were on God's list to be driven from the land or destroyed (see Josh 11:19 and Deut 7:1,2) - as shown in ch. 9 proved by their actions that they were exceptions to the rule and were allowed to live and were even defended by Joshua. A passage in Deut. 5:9 - a part of commandment #2 of the 10 - expresses the idea well.

    "You shall not bow down to them (i.e. the idols) or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generationof those who hate me..." 

 I would assume then that if people like the Gibeonites prove that they don't hate God but believe in Him, then the curse doesn't apply to them.

11:15   Notice the consistency. Moses was commanded by God and so was Joshua. And Joshua did what God told him. There was no modifying of the message after the death of Moses. 

Hard heart or willingness to serve?

"There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took in battle. For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses." (Josh 11:19-20)

It looks like these people chose their own fate by refusing to be ruled over by Israel. This is referring back to the commandment God gave Moses:

"When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, [that] all the people ... shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee ... thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, [even] all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself" (see the full context in Deut 20:10-18)

The situation is actually the same with us. Do we make peace with Jesus or do we harden our hearts and force him to judge us?

"Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." (see the context of Luke 14:32)

11:23  In the same way thatJosh 10 ends the summary informs us that Joshua did according to what God had commanded. This time Moses’ words are invoked.

11:19  The mention of the Hivites and Gibeon reflects what we read in Josh 9:3,7

11:6    the seeming casual mention of “chariots” highlights the superior “fire power” that the inhabitants of the land possessed when Israel entered the land under Joshua.

11:6     The call to Joshua to not be afraid echoes what God told him at the beginning of his leadership of Israel –  11:9. Whereas in chapter 1 it was a general instruction now in a very specific set of circumstances God repeats the same message. The general principle has a clear application in the circumstances of life. What was true for Joshua is true for us also.

11:20  God had said that He would give the land of Canaan to Israel. We are now given an indication as to how this was achieved. If the inhabitants of the land had not hardened their hearts but had, like the Gibeonites, sought peace with Israel compromise would have manifest itself as soon as Israel entered the land. As time progresses we will see, especially in the book of Judges, that assimilation into the ways of the Canaanites soon followed.

11:6 The assurance “be not afraid” required faith. The people had to wait until the next day – through the night – wondering whether God would keep His word. So did the people go to sleep that night confident or afraid? That depended on whether they had faith or not.

11:1-15 This victory foreshadows the victory over Gog. The forces against Joshua included “the kings that were on the north …” (Josh. 11:2), like Gog, who will come “out of the north parts” (Ezek. 38:15) as “the king of the north” (Dan. 11:40). There were “much people” (Josh. 11:4) with Jabin and there will be “many people” (Ezek. 38:6) with Gog. Jabin’s army had “horses and chariots” (Josh. 11:4) and Gog’s forces will have “horses and chariots” (Ezek. 39:20). Joshua was to “burn their chariots with fire” (Josh. 11:6) and Israel will “set on fire and burn the weapons” (Ezek. 39:9). Israel took “the spoil” (Josh. 11:14) and Israel “shall spoil those that spoiled them” (Ezek. 39:10). The place “Hazor beforetime was the head <7218> (rosh)”, (Josh. 11:10) and Gog will be “the chief <7218> …” (Ezek. 38:2).

11:10 Joshua took Hazor and left the other cities because taking the capital – the chief city – would be seen as taking control of the area. However God’s command had been that all the cities were to be taken. Their strength was hardly a reason to leave them alone.

11:1-4 It all started in a small way. First Jericho a single city was taken and then thigs progressed. It was two cites, Ai and Bethel. Then five kings and now an army like the sand of the sea

Whilst God was in fact fighting for Israel. And could have destroyed all the inhabitants in one go easily He used Israel and taught them to have confidence in Him by starting in small ways ad increasing the challenges.

When we feel we cannot overcome large obstacles through faith we do well to remember the smaller “battles” that have been won through faith. In so doing our confidence in Him will increase.

11:6-7  That God would “deliver them up all slain” was not an indication that the nation did not have to do anything. God delivered them through the faithful work of the army of Israelites.

We cannot assume that God will do everything without any commitment on our part.

11:6 the confederacy of kings here in the north of the land of Israel. May well have been the largest confederacy that Joshua had to deal with since entering the land.

Even though Israel had been successful the thought of the great confederacy could easily have brought fear to Joshua and the people. So God reassured Joshua. Such is the way that our God works. He reassures His people a number of times as He seen necessary.

v.9 - Quite often the curses that are brought upon the nations are the same ones that God threatened Israel with if they were disobedient. It should have helped them to comply with God's covenant, but it didn't seem to do that.Lev.26:22, 2Kings 17:25, Amos 5:19

v.1 This is the second of ten 'burdens' Isaiah 13:1 15:1 17:1 19:1 21:1,11,13 22:1 23:1 30:6 if we note this, it will help us to develop a structure for the prophecy of Isaiah.

v.5 - This is one of Isaiah's short term prophecies - to take place in 3 years - to giving the people the opportunity to test Isaiah that he was indeed a prophet of the Lord, as they had been instructed. Deut.18:21,22

15:6 The drying up of the waters of Nimrim is mentioned also in the judgement on Moab by Jeremiah (48:34). This area was part of the inheritance of Reuben (Num 32:1-3)

Whilst we might think Isaiah spoke only to Israel it is clear that the words of this prophecy against Moab were spoken directly to their leaders telling theme exactly what would happen to them.

15:5 When the prophet, speaking the words of God, says God's heart will cry for Moab we learn something of the compassion of Yahweh. Whilst He is bringing judgement upon Moab he laments over the country. He takes not pleasure in the suffering or death of the wicked.  (Eze 33:11)

There are now 2 chapters about the forthcoming defeat of Moab.  The power is from the Lord God of Israel, as He says in Isa 15:9, “I will bring …” upon Moab.”

V.5 Raising their voices "like a heifer" (also Jer 48:34). the phrase "three years old" implies one at its full vigour (Gen 15:9), as yet not brought under the yoke. As Moab here unsubdued, but now about to be broken.

V.5 The fugitives of Moab fled as far as Zoar.  The father of Moab was Lot (Gen 19:36,37).  Ironically, it was Lot who received sanctuary in Zoar when he fled from Sodom (Gen 19:22,23).

15:4  Even though Moab has ‘armed soldiers’ she is unable to deliver herself – teaching that the fate of the nations is in the hand of God.

DESTROYED IN A NIGHT

A friend of mine recently had his car stolen. At about the same time his partner had her credit card stolen. The car and the credit card were taken while they slept at home. Those two events shifted their lives into crisis mode for a while and dealing with them took most of their time, thinking and energy. It all happened in a night.

A similar but worse thing happened to Moab. "Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night!" (Isa 15:1)

When things are going well, we think we are so safe. We have finances, possessions, security and everything we think we need, but it can all be taken from us in a night. In one night, or even in one hour, everything can change. In fact, the time is coming when everything will change.

As the days get closer to the return of Jesus, morality and the desperation of the earth will get worse and worse. Things will change in many ways. But the biggest change will come when Jesus returns - and that will be a huge and sudden change. How will we react to it? Will it be as though everything has been ruined by the return of Jesus? Or will it be a change for good as far as we are concerned? Whatever other changes happen, let us remember that God is in control and if we love him everything will turn out for the best.

The division between Chapters 15 and 16 are unfortunate.  They are one and the same prophecy against Moab.  No time for the fulfilment of this prophecy is given in scripture, nor is there any confirmation by secular history.  However, conjecture would have the fulfilment of part of this prophecy in the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign.  At that time, Shalmaneser was on his way to invade Israel.  In order to do that, he would have passed through Moab.  It was not the Assyrian way to come up empty-handed while in a foreign land.  Therefore, he probably bagged some Moabite cities.

15:9 This is the only place in Scripture where ‘Dimon’ is mentioned. A closely related word is translated ‘Dibon’ (Num 21:30) which is possibly the place that Isaiah is speaking of. That is a water course by the city of Dimon.

15:7     A brief indication that Moab, before being taken captive by Babylon, was a prosperous country.

15:9    Whilst “lions” are no longer seen regularly, if at all, in the land of Israel and its surrounding countries there are a number of occasions in Scripture where “lions” are mentioned as if they are normal residents of that area. An example is Judg 14:15

Using Bible search to find explanations

Notice in v5 a keyword phrase that will show us somewhere else in scripture to explain the chapter.

"My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction."

Using a concordance or Bible search software we can quickly find that the three year old heifer is mentioned in Jer 48:34

"From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate."

We would also have found this link by looking for "Horonaim" or many of the other place names in the chapter. It looks like Jer 48 is a much expanded version of Isaiah 15 and the two chapters should be read together to make sense of it. God consistently uses key phrases like this and it is usually easy to spot them because they appear a little too detailed.
 

15:2 The “fords of Arnon” being on the river Arnon, are at the border of the land of Moab.

1. Isa 15:1 - (KJV) "The burden" (NIV) "An oracle"<4853>; "Moab"(<4124> means "of his father") and was the son of Lot by his eldest daughter (Gen 19:31-37); Judgment to come upon Moab, a neighboring country to Israel (to the east of the river Jordan and the Dead Sea, in the area of modern Jordan), related to Israel, created trouble for Israel; Moab's chief cities were Ar, Kir, Dibon (Isa 15:2), etc.

2. Moab becomes an opponent to the Israelites (Num 22:1-6;Num 31:16;Rev 2:14;Num 24:12-18, 23;Num 25:1-3;Num 31:8;Judg 3:12-15).

3. Ruth was a righteous Moabitess (Ruth 1:4;Matt 1:5).

4. Saul fought against Moab (1Sam 14:47); David subdued Moab (2Sam 8:1-2); many believe there is a final subjugation of Moab still to come.

5. Moabite Stone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Stele) (http://www.bible-history.com/resource/ff_mesha.htm)

15:1   Zephaniah was contemporary with Jeremiah – at least for part of Jeremiah’s ministry. It seems that he had passed off the scene at the end of Josiah’s time. Isaiah prophesied about Moab Isaiah 15 & 16. A period of around 150 years passed then Zeph 2:8-9 records another, very brief, judgment on Moab and then less than 50 years later Jeremiah pronounces judgment on Moab.

15:2  It should be understood that the cutting off of someone’s beard is a sign to shame them – 2Sam 10:5

15:3 The nations around Israel were full of pride and hatred of Israel. But see now they will mourn. This is speaking of a time of blessing on Israel when the nation is the head of the nations and not in subjection to them – Deut 28:13

15:5 the mention of “Horonaim” is one of many occasions that we see details like we see in Jeremiah 48 which is judgment on Moab. Here we see what Jeremiah says in Jer 48:34

15:5       Whilst not understanding the significance of a “heifer of three years old” in relation to Moab we see the same language in a later prophet Jer 48:34.

15:2 The shame that will come on Moab is seen in a more specific way when Jeremiah speaks of the downfall of Moab – Jer 48:13 –where specifically Moab is ashamed of their false God, Chemosh.

v.7 - The fear that we do not have is that of death. Without the hope of the gospel, death is greatly feared. For us that should not be the case. Acts 20:24, 21:13, Rom.8:15, Heb.2:15, 1John 4:18.

v.4 'thy tears ...' Why do we think that Timothy was weeping? The evidence of the letter is that the ecclesia had terrible problems of apostasy. The ecclesia at Ephesus had moved from the lively group of brethren and sisters of Acts 19 - 19. They had fallen foul of the circumstances Paul said would happen Acts 20:30. Indeed it appears that the ecclesia was in a state of decline towards the state that Jesus describes in Revelation 2:1 - 7.

Paul, when writing to Timothy, draws on the language of the sea shore and the elders from Ephesus.

1:6 So now we learn who were the presbytery who ordained Timothy. (1 Timothy 4:14) - it was Paul confirming that even though Paul was not one of the twelve nor was he the appointed successor to Judas he was able to pass on the gift of the Holy Spirit..

:13 Twice in this letter Paul reminds Timothy that Paul had taught him specific things. Here and 2 Timothy 2:2.

2Tim 1:12-18. Once again we see Paul showing how important setting a good example is. First, using the example of himself. Keep to the pattern which you have seen and heard of me. Then, the example of Onesiphorus’s hospitality, which he had shown both at Ephesus and at Rome. A lesson for us to remember, our young people are always looking to us for an example. The same can be said for all those around us.

1:3 We do well to remember that Paul's faith in Christ was not unrelated to his earlier life. Here and in (Acts 22:3, 24:14) Paul asserts that he continues to believe all that the Scriptures contain.  Paul's understanding of Scripture changed, not the source of his instruction.

1:1  Even though he is writing to his ;son’ Paul emphasises that his position as an apostle is not self appointed – it is of God. Important because there were brethren all over the Roman world who sought to undermine Paul’s position. It served as a reminder to Timothy.

If we are going to build a house for God (Eph 2:19-22) then we're going to need some plans. Here in v13 we have them: "the pattern of sound words". The word of God is exact and specific. We can't assume we know what it says or else we will build wrongly and have to break it down again. We have to spend time familiarising ourselves with that building pattern each day before we start to build.

1:8,12,18 Timothy had been given a difficult task when he stayed in Ephesus to sort out the problems there – 1Tim 1:3-4 – consequently Paul encourages him by drawing attention to himself and Onesiphorus who had not ‘feared’ despite the difficult situations they had found themselves in.

1:12 The Greek word PISTEOU (4100) could have been translated "trusted" rather than "believe". Paul had faith that God's Will would prevail. He had many experiences when his trust in God's Word had been realized. An excellent example would have been during the shipwreck when he is quoted as saying "be of good cheer; for I believe God" (Acts 27:25). Paul believed in God's Word, and would not be distracted. What an example he was to both Timothy and each one of us in the 21st century.

This is probably the last letter Paul wrote before his execution. Paul loved Timothy, and he begs him to hold fast the form of sounds words that he had heard from Paul 2Tim 1:13. He shares with Timothy the love that Onesiphorus had shown in searching for Paul in Rome. We do have lovely people in the Truth, don’t we? They will do anything to help.

1:3      Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith – 1Tim 1:2 – must have been a great encouragement to Paul when he was in prison. Timothy, upholding the faith and working hard in the ecclesia. Can anyone think so highly of us in our ecclesial activities?

V.10 - only from Christ with his sacrifice and victory over sin does man have the hope of immortality -  Heb 2:14-17; 9:22-26. Note in Heb 9 vs 24 that Christ appears in the presence of God for us - this is perfectly logical as Christ is the son OF God. 

1:11 Notice the threefold position of Paul 1 preacher 2 apostle 3 teacher echoing what he told Timothy – 1Tim 2:7 – emphasising, by example, to Timothy that he had responsibilities towards the Ephesians.

V.5 Lois was the mother of Eunice who was the mother of Timothy. It is from these two Jewish women that Timothy undoubtedly learned the scriptures (2Tim 3:15).

V.15 Asia is not the continent but the western part of Asia Minor (mainly present-day Turkey).  Ephesus was the capital city of this region.

1:13 In telling Timothy to hold to the form of sound word he is reminding Timothy of what he had previously told him – 11Tim 1:16 – where Paul states that suffering is a consequence of faithful keeping of Christ’s law. This point Paul is making is an extension of the previous verse.

1:2   Most of us have more spiritual experience than some younger in the faith. Do we see the need to take such an one ‘under our wing’ and care for their spiritual development? Maybe this is an area that we might consider. Of course it is not a short term commitment. It is lifelong and there is no obvious outward appearance of the fact that we are helping. However such a behaviour must please our Father. We benefit and the one we are helping benefits also.

1:4     In saying that he greatly desired to see Timothy we realise that Paul did not just leave Timothy to do the work  he was charged with when he was ‘left in Ephesus’ – 1Tim 1:3 - Paul maintained contact with and sought fellowship with Timothy in his work.  We should share in the feelings of those who are working for the Lord.

ONESIPHORUS

Onesiphorus is not one of those names we think of when we think of the adventures of Paul. He is only mentioned twice, both of them in the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy. This is what Paul says about Onesiphorus. "May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not afraid of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he may find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus." (2Tim 1:16-18)

At the end of his letter, Paul sends a personal greeting to Onesiphorus' household, simply saying, "Greet ... the household of Onesiphorus." (2Tim 4:19)

I may be wrong, but it sounds like Onesiphorus may have died while he was in Rome with Paul. This could be why Paul particularly asks for mercy on his household, rather than on Onesiphorus personally. These comments about Onesiphorus also come straight after a list of people who had deserted Paul. The lack of Onesiphorus may have been part of his "I am all alone," cry. But while Onesiphorus lived, he was an inspiration to Paul. He was refreshing, helpful, diligent and courageous. He stood by Paul when others wouldn't. Maybe it was for that reason he lost his life.

Let's live the sort of life Onesiphorus lived, helping and refreshing others wherever we can and whatever the cost.

1:9    It is all too easy to think that because of what we do that we are pleasing to God. However this is not so. God has a purpose. That purpose is to fill the earth with His glory Num 14:21 Hab 2:14. This should be our focus.

1:16-17      Are we willing to put ourselves out for the benefit of fellow believers? We might answer yes we are. But are we willing to “stoop” to visit a fellow believer in prison? It is all well and good doing things when it is convenient and socially acceptable. But that is not enough. We must be willing to abase ourselves for the benefit of others. Remember Jesus washed the disciples’ feet –John 13:3-7

1:5   The mention of Timothy’s grandmother and mother as being believers before him might cause us to think of a long time of Christian influence in Timothy’s family. However this cannot be. It is only about 30 years since the resurrection of Jesus so we must conclude that his grandmother and mother became Christians at around the same time.

1:2   When Paul says he prays “night and day2 he is not just saying that he prays regularly for Timothy but he is, in fact, picking up on the fact that God’s eyes are open “night and day2 – 1Kin 8:29 – on Jerusalem, and by implication His children like Timothy.

1:17     Notice that Onesiphorus was very diligent in looking for Paul. This must have required a lot of checking and seeking, often in rather unsavoury places. It would have been easy for him to give u looking for Paul when he discovered it was not an easy thing to do. Do we give up easily, especially when the task is not pleasant? Or are we like Onesiphorus – diligent?

1:8   We might think it difficult to understand how Timothy could be “ashamed” of the message he had to preach. However it may well have been the apostasy of the Ephesians meant that he was reluctant to identify with them.  Paul redresses such thinking – if indeed this is how Timothy thoughts – by speaking of Onesiphorus who was not ashamed to visiting a prisoner.

1:16-18 There is more to going out being a missionary as Paul. Onesiphorus gets a loving mention because he met the needs of others. Doubtless in a quiet and unassuming way.  A lesson for all of us.

1:8 Paul was in prison on Rome because of the antagonism of the Jews in Jerusalem who ensured by their persecution that Paul was a prisoner. But notice that Paul says he is Jesus’ prisoner. This can be viewed in two ways. He was in prison because of his belief in the gospel or on the other hand that he was Jesus’ prisoner as Jesus had taken him captive. But either way he is not complaining.

1:7 Whilst Paul is talking specifically of Timothy not having the “spirit of fear” we can take the message to ourselves. It is all too easy to fell negative about our relationship with God. As if he is some dictator who is seeking to find fault with us. We do well to remember the inspired words of Paul – Rom 8:1 – if we have negative thoughts about our relationship with God.

2:9-10 When the disciples asked Jesus when the temple would be destroyed the first thing Jesus told the disciples was that they should not be deceived –Matthew 2:4. The world is full of ideas and philosophies which oppose God’s truth as revealed in His word. Some of those philosophies are truly subtle. Further they appeal to the thinking of the flesh – they would do wouldn’t they? After all they are developed my men! We should not be so certain of our own intellect that we allow such philosophies to draw us away from the simplicity of the gospel of salvation.

1:13 There are many who serve God on their own terms. Their service is dictated by what is convenient to them. This should not be true of the faithful disciple. His instruction comes, not form within himself, but from the instructions given by the Creator.

In simple terms. Adam and his descendants tend towards selfishness. The disciple, instructed by His word, tends towards selflessness.

1:15 the mentioning by name of two individuals would imply that they were ring leaders in turning believers away from the gospel and the apostle Paul.

1:15 Whenever we despair that the enthusiasm we might have seen for the gospel message dissipates over time, and even may be manifest in persecution after what might appear to have been a successful event we should reflect on Paul’s experience. Whilst “all Asia” had heard the message “all Asia” was now turned against Paul. However there were still faithful individuals in Asia. All was not lost – just the initial euphoric response.