At the end of the listing of the various offices David set up we have a list of his own officers. Thus we see that the ordering of events in the kingdom under Solomon was but an extension of what David did in his own life time. The hindering of the numbering (:24) harks back to 1 Chronicles 21:7

27:24 We learn here that Joab never even finished the numbering that David had required and which Joab had opposed. So we have a detail here which is not recorded in the narrative of the event in 1Chron 21

27:25-28 We might not think that these secular tasks were part of the temple worship. However without these tasks being undertaken the temple service of sacrifices could not be effected. Life in the temple required that the things which might seem mundane to us to be don. In like manner today in ecclesial life all tasks are crucial to the smooth running of ecclesial life. It is not just the speakers and presidents or even the arranging brethren who matter. All that do the work do important tasks, even if they are not particularly glamorous or noticed on a day to day basis.

27:25-31Notice that there is no mention of anyone being ‘over the horses’ – an incidental indication that David did not amass horses to himself in violation of God’s command in Deut 17:16 - when he was king.

Vs.23,24 The unsanctioned census that David ordered was not completed.  The reason could have been that the plague occurred before the census was completed, or that the reluctant Joab did not present all the data.

In this blessed condition, the house of Israel will no more have to contend with the nations round about. These nations will look with wonder on the prosperity of Israel and, because of it, "the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I am the LORD"

In this chapter, Yahweh promises a restoration of the land of Israel from centuries of neglect.  Jews had been scattered in the Diaspora.  But, now Yahweh will gather them back to the land to till it and to build cities. 

Chapter 37 continues this theme of gathering Jews to Israel to build a state.  And so it was that the modern pioneering Jews in Israel drained the swamps. They made the land fertile once more and built cities.  Then in 1948, Israel was proclaimed a Jewish state. 

Although this chapter tells the story of the restoration of modern Israel, it also talks about modern Israel, in the end times, being invaded and Yahweh's saving His land and His people.  Greater details of this conflict will be given in Chapter 38.  

Chapter 36 also gives some insights into the kingdom age when true peace shall reign under the leadership of Christ, and Israel will flourish without the hostility of neighboring nations.

We are now back with prophecies for Israel. Eze 36:25-30 speaks of God giving them a new heart, and  a new spirit.  Israel will undergo a tremendous spiritual change, and they will be God’s people, and He will be their God.  Why? So that the Lord’s promises are seen to come true, and so that the surrounding heathen will realise that it is the Lord God who has returned and blessed His people (Eze 36:33-36).

36:7-8  Amidst all the judgment upon Israel and the nations there is a ray of hope. Israel is going to be restored to glory. Of course Jeremiah had said this before the nation went into captivity. Ezekiel is building upon the promise of the return, though not specifically mentioning it.

36:25 The cleansing of Israel is a fulfilment of the words of the prophet Isaiah – Isa 4:4

36:24 Jeremiah had spoken of a return from captivity a number of times. Now Ezekiel, in captivity, presents the same message of a return to the land of Israel.

36:11-12 In say ‘after your old estate’ we learn that the children of Israel. Will not simply return to the land of Israel but they will return to the inheritance of their tribes. Of course this cannot be seen to have happened yet but will be seen in the kingdom of God when Jesus returns.

This chapter is obviously talking about the return of Israel to the land at the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, Joshua and Zerubabel. This period of captivity and return had been fixed by God as 70 years, as mentioned by Jeremiah, Chronicles and Daniel (see Jer 25:11, 2Chron 36:21, Dan 9:2). So why do we talk about these prophecies as if they're still being fulfilled thousands of years on?

The big reason we can be 100% sure these prophecies also apply now is that God takes this as an issue of His good name. In v22 He says "I do this for My Holy name's sake" and v23 "I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations". So God cannot allow Israel to remain scattered among the nations, because when that happens, those nations disrespect His name, saying "These are the people of the LORD, and yet they have gone out of His land!" (v20). This is why we see Israel back in the land now, no matter how many times they have been scattered, or for how long.

36:26 Ezekiel here speaks of a ‘new heart’ however this is not the first time that the prophet has done so. - Eze 18:31has the same message where repentance is required. Thus we see the new heart is not going to be forced upon Israel. They will repent and receive it.

The Spirit intends us to see links with Jacob, and in particular the vision of the ladder reaching to heaven.

This man Nathnael is only mentioned in John's gospel. He must, therefore, bear the name of one of the other disciples in the other records. John 21:2 provides some information - the names of those present at the sea of Galilee after the resurrection - from which we can conclude who he was not. Now the detective works should start. Who is he?

Do we have a pattern of the days of creation in this? We have already seen 'in the beginning (1:1) and 'light' (1:9) on previous occasions.

In v31, John finally answers the question, although a day later. John came baptising with water that Jesus should be revealed to Israel. So was the baptism of John only for that purpose? Maybe so. If John hadn't have been baptising, then no-one would have seen the very public proclamation made by God, that Jesus was his son. Moreover, John's baptism (to show the need for repentance) prepared the people for the man who could really forgive sins.

Notice: not whom (are you seeking) but what. Was what they were seeking the removal of sin by this Lamb of God? Was it, accordingly, salvation? Was it , entrance into the kingdom? Whatever it was, Jesus was (and is) able to supply, if they were truly repentive. 

Vs.15,30 The term before means pre-eminent in importance rather than time, as John was six months older than Jesus (preferred before, KJV; ranks before, ESV). 

It does not refer to the pre-existence of Christ, as some suppose (as if pre-existing oneself were a possibility - a contradiction in terms). 

V.1,2,14,17,18 - "word" comes from the Grk "logos" (3056) and means: something said (including the thought), a topic, reasoning. "Logos" is related to "lego" (3004) which means to relate in words. Young's concordance says "logos" means: a word, speach, matter, reason. Some sources say "logos" can also suggest a plan. Logos doesn't denote personality or gender and thus "he" or "him" could be translated "it". Only when the word became flesh in verse 14 did Christ become the logos lived out in speech and action, not merely a prophesied happening foreseen by God in the beginning (as are believers Eph 1:4) and frequently written about in the Old Testament. I believe the Bible in John 1 depicts Christ as a manifestation/reflection of God who was (unlike his Father God) tempted in all points as we are and visible to many. Believers should be reflections of Christ and thus there is a type of oneness or unity John 10:30-36; John 17:21-23. A few other examples in the Bible of God manifestation are in Exo 3:2-6; Exo 23:20-21; John 5:43.

1:1-14 This section is almost in parenthesis – however it is an integral part of the gospel record. It summarises the work of God in Christ.

1:1-14 This section is almost in parenthesis – however it is an integral part of the gospel record. It summarises the work of God in Christ.

WHAT ARE WE FULL OF?

There is a wonderful description of our Lord in John 1:14, "we beheld his glory...full of grace and truth". These 2 characteristics "grace and truth" will make up the character of the saints in the age to come. (Just and Merciful) 2Sam 23:3; Heb 5:1-2;

"GRACE"

This word is wonderfully described in Strongs Concordance as "the divine influence upon the heart and it's reflection in life". The Lord was able to allow the influence of God's word and spirit so perfectly to act upon his heart and mind, that in turn it reflected itself as the ultimate example of God manifestation.

This is what we have been called to as well, we need to allow the influence of God's word into our hearts & minds that in turn it may reflect itsellf in all that we do in this life. This is the extreme example of God manifestation, which is the ultimate plan of God with mankind. (Gen 1:26)

1:6-7 John was ‘sent from God’ and ‘came’ however we never think of John as anything other than being born of a woman. So when Jesus is described as being ‘sent’ John 3:17 we should not automatically see a problem. Even thugh those who believe in the pre-existence of Jesus might use passages which speak of Jesus being ‘sent’ it does not follow that they speak differently from the way that the same word is used of John Baptist.

1:18    The truth that no man has seen God is revisited by John – 1John 4:12 – where he explains how Jesus ‘declared’ God. Jesus declared God by manifesting His character. We, likewise, can do the same by the way that we respond to others.

1:14 The ‘grace and truth’ Jesus was full of echoes God’s character as revealed in Exo 34:6