Comments for April 14

v. 4 - There are several occasions when God is reported as having judged or otherwise interfered with the gods of the people of the earth. It is a method he chooses to employ occasionally it would seem. Ex.12:12, 18:11, Isa.19:1, Zeph.2:11. And is this leading up to Rev.12:7-9?

v.52 - The word used for pictures (04906 - maskiyth) is a rare word - just six occurrences
Lev.26:1 - image
here - pictures
Psa.73:7 - wish
Pro.18:11 - conceit
Pro.25:11 - pictures
Eze.8:12 - imagery
Each time it is referring to the imaginations of man's heart and the consequent idolatry. This makes us realise that the 'pictures of silver' in Prov.25 (which happens to be tomorrow's reading) is in contrast to the apples of gold rather than complimentary to it.

33:38 The death of Aaron marked the end of an era. He was the first high priest of Israel. It is not surprising, therefore, that the people mourned for 30 days (Numbers 20:29)

This chapter summarises the whole of the wilderness journey. The marginal references will allow you to see where the other books of the wilderness journey - in particular the earlier chapters of Numbers - speak of the events recorded in this summary. Also this summary provides data about stopping places not found in any other place so is more comprehensive in recording the journey than any other part of the record. There is a reason why the rest of the book does not record the whole of the journey in details. 'these things'(1 Corinthians 10:11) were examples - each is designed to teach specific lessons. Doubtless God could have taught lessons from other things that happened in the journey but He is silent. In a similar way this is true of the ministry of Jesus and the gospels. (John 21:25)

33:36 This verse marks the beginning of the 40th year in the wilderness. So we realise that from around 33:17-35 records details not found elsewhere in the books of the wilderness journey.

V.54  This injunction was fully carried out when the conquest of the land had been effected. The most interesting passage supporting this is Josh 18:1-10

Yahweh commanded Moses to have the stages of the wilderness journey recorded (v.2). He probably kept a daily journal which would have added to his already busy schedule.  

The comparative journey to the Kingdom has also been signposted by Yahweh in the scriptures for believers.  Prophecy, unfolding events in the geo-political heavens, has encouraged the faithful throughout the ages.

Some stops were short, and some much longer. Num 33:38,39 is in the last year of the journeyings, and therefore the stops listed after those verses must have been very short stays.

33:49    Whilst this summary does not mention events that took place at this location we must be aware that this is the spot where the children of Israel committed fornication with the daughters of Moab (Num 25) whilst the spies were spying out the land.

This chapter may be said to form the winding up of the history of the Children of Israel in the wilderness; the concluding chapters relate to matters connected with the occupation and division of the promised land that they will be entering.

33:53 These words of Moses would have been ringing in the ears of the two spies as the entered Rahab’s house. So when she asked for them to save her and her family alive those two spies must have had a crisis of conscience. Thankfully they understood the principles of God well enough to see when a rigid law was superseded by a more important principle.

V.52 They were to be driven out, not by expulsion, but by extermination, (Deut 7:1)

33:8     Israel has said to Pharaoh that they would go ‘three days journey’ to sacrifice to God – Exo 5:3, 8:27. Israel did not fully understand what was going to happen so at this point they may well have thought that they had got to the place that Moses was speaking of when he spoke with Pharaoh.

33:15-16 The events of the book of Leviticus and the whole of the giving of the Law of Moses occurred at this point in the journey.

In all there were 42 places were Israel pitched its tents.

V.52 Pictures (KJV) means any carved image of wood or stone; and any tapestry or other object made for idolatrous worship.

Molten images were metallic objects of worship that had been made in conjunction with the worship of the stars.

High places were altars that were placed in elevated areas for idolatrous worship. It should be pointed out that earlier, Yahweh’s chosen people sacrificed in high places. For example, Noah sacrificed on a mountain (Ararat) (Gen 8:20); Abraham sacrificed on a mountain (Gen 12:7,8); and Jacob sacrificed on a mountain (Gen 31:54).

However, The Children of Israel were not to sacrifice on high places in the Land because they were never to be confused or identified with the idolaters who did (Deut 12:13,14). They were commanded to destroy the high places (Deut 12:2,3). Unfortunately, the Israelites, subsequently, did not complete that task. There are many references to this, for example 2Kin 14:4.

^33:36-56  This section describes the last year of the wilderness journey and the events that have been recorded in this book from chapter 20 took place in this year. So we see that the record of the majority of the rebellions that are recorded about the wilderness journey took place in the 40th  year. So we have a record of the rebellions between Egypt and them being turned back at the border of the and the first time – a period of about 2 years and then we hear nothing for about 39 years and then detail about one year. So we see that the children behaved similarly to their fathers.

33:50-54        By this time in the wilderness journey Israel had taken control of the land on the East of Jordan and dispossessed Sihon and Og and taken control of many cities. This is detailed in Deut 3:1-17 so the encouragement Moses gave was based upon the experience of already having overthrown kings.

33:49  Place names are important. At this location the children of Israel committed fornication with the daughters of Moab and as a consequence 24,000 died – Num 25:9 – so when Micah –Mic 6:5 – speaks of “from Shittim to Gilgal” he is speaking very precisely of this time and the things that happened – hence his use of the word “remember ...”

Is the Succoth in v5 the same as in Genesis 33? If so, what would that mean? We're told in the narrative that the Succoth in Gen 33 is in-between  Mahanaim (East of the Jordan) and Mount Seir, where Esua was living. This location would perhaps explain why Jethro, a Midianite, was able to come to visit the camp so easily. The traditional placing of Succoth (and Sinai) makes this difficult as the Midianite would himself have to cross over a sea, or make an extremely long journey.

33:17  “Kibroth-hattaavah” was the name given to the place because of the lusting of Israel for flesh –Num 11:31-34. So again we see that this chapter is a summary of the wilderness journey. The significance events just being mentioned. Israel should have remembered what happened there. In like manner we should be able to remember the setting and context of events in Scripture when a name is mentioned. 

33:54 One might suppose that whilst Israel were travelling towards Canaan there were discussions as to what the land would be like and what sort of territory each would like. Now Israel are reminded that it was God who was giving them land according to His preference.

33:1   We are reminded, by the giving of the date, that Israel left Egypt on the day after the first Passover was offered.

33:53 Some might consider Israel taking possession of the land of Canaan as a crime against the inhabitants of the land. However the land actually belonged to God and He was giving it to Israel.

33:55   That the inhabitants of the land would be “pricks” is seen in the way that the inhabitants of the land are described in Judg 2:3

33:4       Israel were now reminded that the Exodus was to show Yahweh’s supremacy over the gods of Egypt as stated previously in Exo 12:12

33:38 Whilst Aaron’s death is spoken of here we should realise this this chapter is a summary of events and Aaron’s death is recorded in the historical part of the book in  20:28.

Numbers 33 - Israel's journeys in the wilderness of life

Numbers 33- records the list of 42 places where Israel pitched camp on their journey to the promised land. We could view this list as 3 bundles of 14 movements in their experience of life.

The genealogy of Jesus from the promise to Abraham (Gen.12:4) to "Jesus  Christ" is recorded as being 3 bundles of 14 generations giving a total of 42 generations. (Matt.1:17).

Numbers 33:5- Israel's journey began when they left Rameses in Egypt and pitched their first camp in Succoth (Ex.12:37-38). They took all their livestock, sheep & cattle and personal goods with them, even the dough with which was still in preparation for making bread. So when they began their journey from Egypt, everything they possessed was to be used to aid them in obeying the LORD as they travelled to the promised land.

Numbers 33:9, 14, 36- Israel were naturally thirsty travelling in a hot dry dusty landscape. They moaned first, showing a lack of trust that God would provide for them. At Kadesh they murmured at the lack of water, but the LORD always provided for them (Exo.15:23-27 ; Numbers 20:1-13).  

Lessons for Us

We by the grace of God have been called to engage in a journey through life to travel to the Kingdom promised to us. This has been made possible by the labours and sacrifice of our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. So we should devote our energy to serving our Lord.  This is our "reasonable service". 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."(Romans 12:1-2). 

Some of the campsites listed, we don't know where or what happened there. However, they were all part of their life experiences on the way to the land of promise.  We may have experiences of lack of faith in our lives. We don't need to recall any details, but rather to learn by them.  We must press on keeping our focus on the vision of the kingdom to come. And Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke 9:16).

Our journey in this spiritual wilderness is fraught with difficulties but we should remember the encouragement and teaching of our Lord and his Apostles.  

Jesus said:

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."(Matt.24:13).

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke 9:62).

Paul encouraged the disciples "to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God". (Acts 14:22).

Paul also says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."(Phil.3:14).

33:38 Aaron’s death was exactly 6 months before Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy - Deut 1:3

33:4 the brief comment here is speaking of the events described in  21:1-4. The narrative in this chapter just focuses on the stopping places, not the battles. Maybe the faithful would remember what took place.

Our familiarity with scripture should enable us to be at least partly aware of what happened in a location if we are given the place name.

33:39 We can establish that Aaron was three years older than Moses for he died when he was 123. Moses was 120 when he died in the same year as Aaron. Deuteronomy 34:7

33:12 This chapter records all the places that Israel camped in on their way from Egypt to the land of Canaan. We can trace the journey on  amp by locating some of the places. Many place such as Dophkah are only found in Numbers 33. However in such cases we can estimate where these places were as they must have been somewhere between the last and next location that we know.

THE STORY OF LIFE

Moses recounted the stages of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. One by one, every place was named, some described in detail and others just remembered as a name. “… And they set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. ²⁴ And they set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah…” and on it goes. (Num 33:23-24). Place after place.

To someone like me who has never been to any of those places, they all just sound like names. It’s only when a familiar name pops up like the Red Sea or Mount Hor, that I can place it in the Bible narrative and have some idea of what it means. But to those travelling around the wilderness, all those places would have had significance. Each of those names would have been a milestone in their lives.

If our lives were listed in a few short verses as a list of place names, people and major events, mine would have little impact on you, and I wouldn't understand much of yours. But each of us has a story that is vitally important as to who we are and where we are.

The most important part of Israel’s journey was that it led them to the Promised Land. And that’s where ours should be leading too. When we look back at the summary of our lives, will we be able to see God leading us to the Promised Land?

v. 3 - The process of building our house on the right foundation is one that we know well. These passages support this principle and give us a sense of responsibility to ensure that it is carried out. Pr.9:1, 14:1, 2Sam.7:26, 1Cor.3:9, Col.2:7.

v. 6 'in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom' should be applied in all our decision making. It is all too easy to take the advice of the person who agrees with our viewpoint. In seeking the opinions of a number we are less likely to make wrong or selfish decisions.

v.21 - We have a responsibility to fear both God and the king. We should remember this - Ecc.8:2-5, Matt.22:21, Rom.13:1-7

:30-31 Just as it is possible to assess whether a farmer is diligent from the way in which his fields are kept so it is possible to know who is diligent in the things of God. No matter how loudly one protests that one is giving attention to Scripture unless the life of that person shows the Christ like spirit the protestations are all in vain. 'By their fruits shall ye know them' [Matthew 7:20] is a true comment about the way we live demonstrating how we think.

:11-12 Here we see that inactivity on an issue on the grounds that we do not know about it when we do is wrong. It is not good enough to avoid dealing with matters that we know about - (James 4:17)

v. 14 - "So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and the expectation shall not be cut off". Note the word: "when" this word gives an expectation of a reward (something good). The Hebrew Bible replaces "when" with "if", other versions use "If" like: New King James, the Revised Standard, New American Standard, the Amplified, the Segond (French version) the same. It is a conditional sentence, if it starts with "If". So, in this verse, getting a reward depends on the condition of getting the knowledge of wisdom. Psalm 2:10: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings be instructed, ye judges of the earth". Understanding the use of "If" in Proverbs 24:14, should make us more aware of the importance of aim and effort, striving towards the goal of Wisdom, it is not something that will fall into our lap without effort.

24:30-31 Returning to these verses we realise that the man who has let his fields become overgrown has ignored the command of God Gen 3:19

V.13-14  As delicious food wets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

V.16 describes the actions of a righteous person who has been constantly harassed by an evil person. We can apply it to our own lives, even if overt pressure from someone else is not present. All people make mistakes. A just (righteous) person is no exception. He or she can stumble and fall too. However, it is only the righteous person who realises a mistake has been made, asks for forgiveness, rights the wrong (where possible), and moves on.  And this is done every time a righteous person makes a mistake.

V.17-18 Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest our Heavenly Father punish their wrong attitude by relieving the sufferer. (Prov 17:5)

I must admit that it’s sometimes easy to harbour envy or jealousy over someone’s status or belongings, especially if they have achieved their riches wrongfully. That is why Solomon tells us in Prov 24:1 that we must not desire evil people’s possessions or their company.

24:21 The counsel of Scripture is to obey kings, rather than seek to change things in this world. This is the counsel of the Proverb.

v 10 our strength is in God Psa 18:32, 105:4, 1Cor 1:25, Phil 4:13

24:2 Whilst the wicked ‘studieth destruction’ we should study to be approved’ – 2Tim 2:15

24:13-14 ‘Honey’ is the word of God. It is through taking in the word of God that we become wise.  – Psa 119:130. The ‘fool’ on the other hand refuses instruction.

24:1 Notice that the warning is not to be envious of ‘evil men’ – the Proverb does not encourage us to envy good men. Sadly human thinking tends to want to identify with the bad, not the good. Notice how that popular films tend to have a major element of violence and dishonesty in them – that is what sells films.

Vs.5,6 should be considered together because warfare is involved. David’s example fits well (Psa 144:1). Consider also Prov 21:22.

V.7 The gate of the city was a gathering place for news, business, reading of the Law, and for the dispensing of justice. It would be inappropriate for a fool to open his mouth in front of the wise judges assembled at the gate (Deut 16:18).

V.11 This is a plea to rescue the innocent who about to be put to death.

V.12 Just a reminder that what is said is known by Yahweh. He knows whether what is said is true or false.

V.13 The honeycomb is never eaten, but the honey from it is sweet, like the rewards of wisdom. Words of encouragement are likened to a honeycomb (Prov 16:24). But, so too are the lips of an adulterous woman (Prov 5:3).

V.16 A just (righteous) man is not a perfect man. But, every time he falls (leaves the right path) he gets up (continues on the right path), and, therefore, maintains his righteousness. Such is the provision of forgiveness by Yahweh that allows this. This is of much comfort to us.

V.17 The enemies of Yahweh have and will be eliminated. This is just, but there remains no occasion to celebrate or to gloat or to boast. After all, Yahweh’s creation, made in His own image, has just been destroyed.

V.21 them that are given to change (KJV). These people are always coming up with ways to change ideas, whether they are political, religious, or social (e.g. Rom 1:26). These people are dangerous because they oppose Yahweh and His ways. If you are a follower of Yahweh and His Son, then don’t associate yourself with these people’s ideas.

V.27 Plan your work and work your plan.

V.29 Revenge and retaliation are not options for the man or woman of God.

Vs.30-34 See Prov 6:6-11.

Prov 24:12;Rom 2:5-6.

24:7 ‘in the gate’ is the place of judgement – Gen 19:1,9 - If only we, when we are foolish in our thinking, kept quiet in discussions about the problems of others!

24:3  The ‘house’ that is spoken of is not a physical building. It is the ‘house of David’ which comprises of ‘wise’ people.

24:8   The statement in the proverb seems to be so obvious that it hardly needs to be said, we might think. However what we are being counselled to do is to be  honest and speak accurately of the people we are dealing with. If someone who ;deviseth to do evil’ then we should highlight the fact rather than gloss over the problem.

24:21  The injunction here is quoted – 1Pet 2:17– to speak of our responsibility towards God. Thus we see that this simple statement here in Proverbs actually is outlining a principle which has far reaching consequences.

Prov 24:3-4

"Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

Firstly, we need wisdom to know how to build a house (building codes, blue prints). Secondly, the house is ready and is  established by means of understanding (it is standing firm on a solid foundation, safe and secure). Thirdly, the house is filled with furnishings (knowledge), (cf. Prov 21:20-21).

But, Solomon here is speaking more than just building, maintaining, and furnishing a physical house. The application is also true of our spiritual lives. Jesus used the metaphor of building a house on sand or a rock to describe one’s spiritual life (Matt 7:24-27). Luke likened Christ’s followers’ obligation to build on a strong foundation, a foundation whose builder and maker is God, and wisdom is needed to choose good building materials (cf. Luke 6:48; Heb 11:10; Col 1:9-10).

The lesson: By applying Godly wisdom, our lives will be built up. By strengthening our wisdom through understanding, we will be spiritually established. By knowledge we become furnished unto every good work and by growing in the knowledge of the Lord, we will become spiritually prosperous (2Tim 3:17; John 17:3; Phil 3:10; 2Pet 3:18).

1. Prov 24:1-2 - don't envy or desire the company of ungodly people (Prov 3:31-32;23:17;24:19-20).

2. Prov 24:5-6 - the wise counsel of God's Word strengthens and leads us to [V6 "safety"<8668> which can mean "victory, safety, salvation, deliverance, rescue"] just as Christ was victorious in his battle over sin and death.

3. Prov 24:8-9 - V8 "He that deviseth"<2803> i.e. the deliberate planning of evil (Heb 10:26); V9 "The thought of foolishness is sin" (Matt 5:28).

4. Prov 24:10-12 - (NIV) "If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! ¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. ¹² If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”  does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it?  Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?" - V10-12 we have a duty to rescue (if we can help rescue people from eternal death by sharing life saving truth we should do so 2Tim 4:2) - V10 (Prov 24:5) - note how V12 goes from the singular "If 'you' say"  to the collective "'we' knew nothing about this" and thus shifts blame and responsibility on to others.

5. Prov 24:13-14 - the wisdom of the Word is spiritual food to give us spiritual nourishment and strength to help us on our walk to God's kingdom soon to be established on earth; the honey which nourished (My son) Christ was sweet (Isa 7:14-15) and bitter water was made sweet as a result of the sacrifice of Christ from whom we can receive living water that will quench our thirst forever (Exo 15:22-27;John 4:7-15;7:37-39).

6. Prov 24:15-16;Job 5:19;Matt 18:21-22 - (NIV) Prov 24:16 "he rises again" (perhaps ultimately pointing to the resurrection and eternal life with sins being covered).

7. Prov 24:17-18 (Rom 12:19-21;11:17-23).

8. Prov 24:20 - (NIV) "the evil man has no future hope...".

9. Prov 24:21-22 - we are to obey the laws of the land unless they conflict with God's laws; being good citizens is part of godliness (1Pet 2:17;Rom 13:1-7).

10. Prov 24:23-25 (NIV) "These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:" (we are not to show partiality/be respecters of persons Acts 10:34;James 2:1-4) ^"24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. ²⁵ But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them." - (2Chron 19:4-7;20:30).

11. Prov 24:26-29 - V26 giving an honest answer; V27 (1Kin 6:7 stone shaped and made ready in the field and then taken to the site where the house is built); V27 Christ was shaped and prepared prior to and away from his sacrificial destination (Isa 7:14-15;Luke 2:39-52;3:23;John 2:18-22); V27 how are we preparing the harvest and building our spiritual house? (1Pet 2:5-8); V28 (Matt 22:38); V29 vengeance is for God to implement not us (Rom 12:17-20).

12. Prov 24:30-34 - if we don't labor with our talents in God's service with a correct understanding of His Word we can become spiritually bankrupt, impoverished and revert back to the flesh (the results of poor spiritual judgment Gen 3:17-19) where there is no protection from sin and death unless we repent and change our ways.

24:2    The wise man returns to an idea presented earlier –  15:28 – The “mischief” here is “evil thoughts” 

24:16   Knowing God is no guarantee of a trouble free life.  However the blessed outcome for the “righteous” is guaranteed whereas for the “wicked” it is not.

24:4  The wise man is not teaching that education produces security and wealth - though might be a consequence of secular education. Rather he is highlighting the benefits of learning God’s ways and implementing them in our own lives.

24:30   The idea of a wise man building a house which was established is used by Jesus – Matt 7:24 – to contrast with the man who built his house on sand.

24:16  The way in which the wise man writes about the way in which the just man rises after a fall contrasts with the wicked of whom David wrote – Psa 36:12

Prov 24:16

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

The Bible gives us different examples of people who failed spectacularly. The apostle Peter denied the Lord; David committed adultery and murder, yet they had this visceral desire and resolve to make it right. They were righteous, in that they sought “right-way-ness,” which is what the word means. The wicked, however, do not have this desire and habitually stumble in their wickedness whose end is destruction.  They may be “sorry,” but remain “unrepented,” and thus commit the same sins over and over again.

Failing is not the problem; the problem is when we fail to learn from our failures; when we fail to pray for help; when we fail to realize we need help; when we fail to feel the weight of our sins; when we fail to persevere, and when we fail to get up again (cf. Phil 3:12-19). God knows we are weak and imperfect, and because of this He gave us a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb 4:15; cf. Psa 103:12). We must be careful, though, that we do not make God’s mercy a pretext for a settled indifference to His commands! God will only forgive those who turn from their sins and bring forth fruits meet for repentance (2Chron 7:14; Matt 3:8).

The righteous are not those who never fail and never suffer. The number seven symbolizes completeness in Scripture and first used in Genesis (Gen 2:2). By using this number it shows the righteous may suffer significantly at different times in their lives, and their individual sufferings may be a complete loss of all that is held dear to them. But,the  biggest disasters in our lives will not prove to be a permanent setback, and ultimately these will rise to share in Christ’s victory (cf. Phil 2:16; 2Tim 2:12).

24:33-34 These words repeat - Prov 6:10-11 – highlighting their importance. Idleness in the things of God brings “poverty” in an understanding of God’s mind.

24:29 The reproof here is developed by Jesus – Matt 7:1.

24:21 the wise man’s advice here is not an argument to resist change at any cost. Rather it is counsel against change for the sake of change. We should always be willing to evaluate a new plan, a new idea about how we can do things always tempering our judgment with the teaching of scripture.

24:15-18 The sentiments of Solomon here reflect those of his father David (Psa 37:1)No matter how faithful a believer is he will “fall” from time to time. He will make mistakes and bad judgements. The wicked will rejoice at those times. The wicked will be watching and waiting so that they can “rejoice” (Prov 24:17). No matter how we feel about our fellow believer we should not be amongst those who “rejoice”. The Father does not “rejoice” over our failings.  David teaches that those who are “workers of iniquity” will soon be “cut down” (Psa 37:2).

24:21  the “change” spoken of not simply a variation from usual practice. It is a condemnation of those who replace Gods instruction with the wisdom of man.

24:17 A practical example of this wise Proverbs is seen in Exo 23:5

v. 6 - It is easy to skip over this verse, but it contains the whole point of the conversation. This was set up as a test for Philip. He should have realised that God could do the seemingly impossible. A lesson surely for us too. Let us look out for our testings and recognise them for what they are. God knows what he will do, but we are expected to seek out the answers by faith. Gen.22:1, Deut.8:2,16, 13:3, 33:8, 2Ch 32:31, Heb.12:11.

v. 15 In the gospels there are a number of times when Jesus took himself away from the crowds up into a mountain. Matthew 5:1 8:1 14:23 15:29 17:1 24:3 28:16 Mark 3:13 6:46 9:2 13:3 Luke 6:12 9:28 22:39 John 6:3 15 8:1 It seems that this was either for solitude for himself of privacy in order to instruct his disciples. We should note that whilst Jesus went about preaching and teaching and devoting himself to the Father's work he did take time out to fulfil his own personal needs

6:6 Whilst Jesus asked Philip where bread could be bought he knew what he planned to do. Here is an example of a man being 'proved' by God through the circumstances of life. This is akin to the way in which Israel were 'proved' in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2)

ALL THE WAY
How prepared are we to follow Jesus? As we read through the gospels we find that there seem to be limits on discipleship for everyone that followed him. During the times that Jesus stood in the populated places, the towns and villages, he was thronged by people who wanted to see him, hear him and see some miracle done by him. These were the times when most people wanted to follow Jesus.

Then, when Jesus started to teach, many of the people in the crowds found his teachings too hard for them, so after grumbling among themselves, they got up and left. They were not prepared to face the challenge to their faith.

There were other times when Jesus was being crowded out by people when he took a walk up a mountain. That really sorted out the disciples from the riff-raff. There were very few that were dedicated enough to walk up a mountain to follow Jesus. They were not prepared to face the physical challenge to follow Christ.

Now what about us? How prepared are we to follow the Saviour of the world? Can we face the challenges he gives our faith and the physical challenges he sets for us? Let's follow him all the way!

:3 Jesus was in a 'mountain' and (10) there was 'much grass' there. These two point might seem contradictory however Jesus' work is presented as the work of the 'shepherd' of Ezekiel 34 - see v14.

6:66 - If we look back at the record of Matt 4:25, we see a great popularity of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry("...followed him great multitudes")
Here in John 6:66, his popularity starts to diminish. And finally, in Matt 26:56, it is recorded that "all the disciples forsook him, and fled." Tragic.

V.20 "Be not afraid" We should not be afraid as Christ told the disciples. Matthew in his account adds a few more details of the night. They had been told (Matt 14:27) "Be not afraid" Peter, when he was walking on the water towards Christ, became afraid, (V.30) cried out; "save me." Christ was right there with His arms outstretched and caught him. (V.31) What a comfort for us to know that He is always there for us. Matt 11:28

In chapter 5 Jesus was in Jerusalem so 6:1 'Jesus went over the sea of Galilee' tells us that we have now moved away from Jerusalem to Galilee.

Jesus had wrought a miracle in feeding the multitude.
No fragment of food had to be lost (v.12). Moreover it was multiplied (v.13)
The Lord was also the supplier of spiritual food. He was the true bread from heaven (v.35). This spiritual food must not be lost (abused) (1Cor 11:27,29). Moreover an increase is expected (Matt 25:14-30).

6:24-59            This section records events which took place in Capernaum – probably on a Sabbath.

John, in his gospel, does not mention the bread & the wine at the last supper, but in this chapter we have detailed teaching by Jesus about  the importance/significance of eating his flesh & drinking his blood. The time context is Passover v 4

Isn’t Jesus marvellous?  The whole dissertation about the “Bread of Life” was all spoken in response to a comment from the people who introduced the manna (John 6:30,31). How well he prepared for such occasions!

6:9     Andrew’s comment, after pointing out the boy with the small amount of food, shows that he had no idea either what to do to feed the multitude.

John elucidates the close spiritual relationship that Jesus had with His Father.

Trinitarians take things literally when they are meant figuratively, and wrongly conclude that Jesus is God.

A few examples: In vs.38,51, Jesus is not saying that He literally came down from heaven, but rather that His origin, in the mind and purpose of God, was in heaven.

V.62 Jesus is talking about His forthcoming resurrection and not a supposed former residence in heaven.

V.46 Jesus is not saying that He has literally seen His father. No mortal man can see God (1John 4:12). Only after He rose from the dead, and became immortal, did Jesus ascend to heaven to be with His father (Heb 12:2). The word seen in v.46 comes from the Greek word horao which means discern (in either a physical or mental sense). In light of the consistency of other scriptures, the mental sense is intended here.

It is important to read the scriptures intelligently, making sure that scripture confirms scripture to keep the consistency of the message. Proclaiming pagan myths and fables and trying to support them by selective scriptures denies the truth of God’s Word and does Him a disservice.

6:4 This is the third Passover we have come across in John’s account of the ministry of Jesus. The first in 2:13 the second in 5:1. The next Passover we come across in John is the one when Jesus is crucified.

V.12 Jesus was clear that no food fragments should be left.  This miracle, of providing temporal food, mirrors the divine provision of manna in the wilderness.  There too, nothing was to be left over (Exo 16:17-19).  

In relating the wilderness experience to the people, Jesus gave them the spiritual understanding that the manna represented Him (vs.32-35). 

Jesus taught His disciples that bread signified His body (Matt 26:26). 

Paul explained that true believers are members of Jesus' body (Rom 12:5). 

Each member, therefore, is a piece of the loaf (bread = body of Jesus).  Each member is precious, should be respected, and never discarded (please see 1 Cor Ch. 12).  

John 6:33 J

³³For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.  ³⁴Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.  ³⁵And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst

Jesus talks about coming down from heaven and giving the bread of life what the partaker of would live forever. While many of the churches take this as a literal saying it is not the view that the apostles took. If we look at Peter's reaction after the other disciples no longer walked with Jesus we get a better understanding.

⁶⁶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  ⁶⁷Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  ⁶⁸Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

This is supported in the words of Jesus earlier as and explanation.

⁶³It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

It is the Word that came down from heaven and was manifested in the Son of God. This is what is conveyed in the opening of the letter to the Hebrews.

Heb 1:1-2
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Predestination and Freewill

"No man can come to me except the Father draw him" (John 6:44) vs "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev.22:17).

Is it God who selects, or man who chooses? Is salvation only for the "elect", whom the Father himself "draws", or is it for "whosoever will"? Some verses that support that a "calling" appears to come only to those God himself selects: John 6:44;15:16;Rom 8:29-30;Eph 1:4-5;Rom 9:11-16. Some verses that support "whosoever will" to take of the water of life freely: Rev 22:17;Isa 55:1-3;Matt 11:28;Mark 16:15-16;Rom 10:11-13;Acts 17:30.

How do we reconcile these two apparently contradictory ideas? On the one hand, we have God pre-determining man's eternal destiny; and on the other He is inviting "all men everywhere" to choose to follow Him.  In Acts 2:39,41 we have the integration of those being called out and accepting the message of salvation while in Acts 13:46-48 we have those offered opportunity rejecting the message of eternal life and thus it is offered to others. We have examples throughout the Bible of people having free will. Christ, who was tempted in all points as we are (Heb 4:15), had free will though he chose to yield to his Father's will (Matt 26:39). But though we have free will, God knows beforehand how a person will respond, and thus "calls" such to become "heirs of salvation". Foreknowledge is not the same as predestination. To know an outcome beforehand is different from making it happen. So the calling is of God but the free will response has to be a willing and grateful acceptance of the invitation. Seek and ye shall find (Matt 7:7-11).

Much of the above was gleaned from Balancing the Book: A Study of Biblical Paradoxes by Len Richardson, pps 36-41.

6:10  Jesus and the people are in ‘a mountain’ 6:3 and yet there is ‘much grass’ there The ‘mountain’ echoes Eze 34:14 and the ‘much grass’ echoes Eze 34:14 The ‘good shepherd’ is doing what the leaders in Ezekiel’s day did not do. He has taken the flock to good pasture in the mountain and is feeding them,

6:37  ‘in no wise cast out’ contrasts with Gen 3:24 where Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden. This is one of a number of links with the garden of Eden narrative.

6:26    Whilst we might not listen to Jesus’ teaching so that we can be fed we do well to reflect on whether our acceptance of the gospel is because we think that there is something in it for us.  Whilst God will glorify His faithful children our acceptance should be cause we recognise our absolute need for salvation and not simply as a route to eternal happiness.

CERTAINTY

Is there room for doubt in Christ? We may have committed our lives to him in baptism, but will we really be saved from sin and death? If we have any doubts, then let's listen to Jesus reassure us that God wants us in his kingdom.

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."(John 6:40)

"I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."(v.47)

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live for ever."(v.51).

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day ... Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me."(v.57).

"He who lives on this bread will live for ever."(v.58).

These verses tell us that eternal life for the follower and believer in Jesus in not just a possibility, but a reality. God wants you in his kingdom. Jesus will raise us up at the last day and give us eternal life. There is no doubt about it. Let us live with confidence that God's will for us is only the best.

Summary Of John

6:1-14             feeding of 5,000 at Passover

6:15-21           Storm at sea – Jesus walks on water

6:22-59           In synagogue at Capernaum – Bread of life

What does it mean to eat his flesh and drink his blood? My meat is to do the will of the Father. Do we eat of His flesh we must engage ourselves in serving our Heavenly Father, to read His words and obey His commandments.

But what does it mean to drink His blood? To drink His blood is to fellowship His sufferings. We see that self sacrificing love that agape love of the Lord Jesus, the agony of the cross that He endured in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory, but do we reveal in our lives that agape love. The disciples rejoiced in that they were counted worthy to fellowship His sufferings. We also see it in the practical outworking of this love of husbands and wives. Eph 5:25 and in 1Pet 3:7 The need to be in harmony as the bride and groom reflecting in our lives the spirit of Christ.

We have one date that seems to come up over and over again in all the time periods ..of 42 months, 1260 days, 3 ½ years, times time and dividing of times.These dates are repeated over again in scriptures and we ask why? I believe that it is because in the middle of the week after 3 and a half years, 1260 days the Lord Jesus was crucified. And just like He witnessed to the truth to the honour and praise of His Heavenly Father we must be faithful servants we must fellowship His sufferings and drink of that cup. Rev 11:1 we have a rod<4464> of affliction  which would happen to the faithful witnesses.

Jn. 6:62.

6:37     When Jesus here speaks of those who “come to me” maybe Peter gave thought to the events of the previous night when Jesus called Peter to climb out of the boat and come to him – Matt 14:28

6:35 In saying that those who come to Jesus will never thirst  Jesus is returning to a point he made to the woman at the well –John 4:14

6:4      The mention of the people that were “diseased” draws on the language of Eze 34:4. The chapter continues to draw on Eze 34 and shepherds. The contrast here is that Jesus healed the diseased. The Jewish leaders did not – and this is just the point that Ezekiel is making.

John 6:38-40 highlight an important Divine principle that we do well to heed. Not everything that God commands is necessarily His will. For instance in Gen 6:8 God commanded that all human, animal and insect life should be destroyed. This was clearly not His will. God recorded the modus operandum of His will in Gen 1:28 i.e. with man being commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” for the express purpose of fulfilling the Divine will that was laid down in Num 14:21 and embellished in Hab 2:14.

Sadly, instead of fulfilling God's will by filling the earth with both the knowledge and glory of God, man had filled the earth with violence, deceit and all sorts of wickedness, hence the need for God to destroy every creature that moved and start again with Noah, his family and all the creatures in the Ark – a very real “new creation” as it were.

Whilst God gave the Law "by the dispensation of angels" which meant it was given at His command, it was not God's will that the Law was to be the means of man's salvation - as John 1:17 so clearly states.

In this regard it is interesting to note in John 6:38 that our Lord stated the primary reason for his life and ministry which was to fulfil Psa 40:7 i.e. “to do Thy will” (note, not just Thy commands) which is why our Lord stated in John 6:38 that his primary role was “to do the will of Him who sent me…” That will, as verse 39 states, was that “I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” We know that our Lord was to carry out his Father’s will as it was foretold in Psa 40:7, but it is embellished by our Lord in John 6:40 i.e. that “every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.”

In this regard it is worthy of note that our Lord was not sent - and indeed did not focus primarily on – “keeping the doctrine pure”: indeed, thanks to the hypocrisy of the Scribes & Pharisees in the time of our Lord’s ministry, “the doctrine” was probably as corrupt as it has ever been in Man’s misrule of the earth.

Our Lord’s ministry was primarily, as Matt 18:11and Luke 19:10 state, “to save that which was lost” – not just to ensure that his disciples down the ages must “keep the doctrine pure”.  

The writer to the Hebrews picks up and expounds this principle so well in chapter 10:5-10; “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first (i.e. the law of Moses with its manifold ordinances), that he may establish the second (i.e. the Law of Grace in Christ).  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”

6:13    The multiplication of the bread and fish, whilst a miracle, is the same sort of thing that God regularly did in Egypt in Joseph’s day and for Israel in the wilderness, and before the year of release every seven years and the jubilee every 50 years. The multiplication of the food was designed to teach that Jesus was doing the work of God – thus evidencing him as the Messiah.

6:63     In saying that the spirit giveth life we are directed to Gen 2:7 where God’s breath into Adam brought him to life. I like manner the word of God gives us life.

John 6:45

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.”