Our Lord Jesus Christ took upon Him the form of a servent. Joshua, likewise was a servent unto Moses. Jesus, of course is the Greek for Joshua. Joshua's name was significant of the services he would render and typified those of a greater Saviour. (Deliverer)Heb 4:8

1:8        In telling Joshua to ‘meditate therein night and day’ he is being reminded of the injunction – Deut 17:19 – so a military captain, who has a land to conquer, is encouraged to spend his time thinking about Scripture. Of course this is most appropriate. The biggest enemy that Joshua had to contend with was the desires of the flesh to not believe what God said. The same is true of ourselves.

V.4 The Hittites occupied the southern extremities, and were the dominant tribe of Canaan. Their superior power and the extent of their dominions are attested by many historical records of both the Assyrians and the Egyptians. What encouragement must have been imparted to Joshua by the assurance that his people, who had been overwhelmed with fear of that gigantic race. They were to now posssess "all the land of the Hittites" , not part of it, but, all of it. 

1:6-8     Given that Joshua was to encourage the people in the warfare and that he was to meditate in the law we can imagine him walking through the ranks, talking to the officers. His conversation would be on Scripture. He would be discussing how the Scriptures related to their lives rather than simply talking about military strategies.

The meek warrior

Joshua now took over from Moses. But why hadn't he done so before? He was at the very least 50 years old. One could say that he was past his prime. Moses on the other hand had been 120 years old when he gave up leadership. Why didn't Joshua step in and take over from this old man earlier?

When God spoke to Joshua directly, perhaps for the first time, the Bible record says in effect "Joshua was Moses' servant. But Moses was God's servant" (v1-2). Do you think that made Joshua feel small? And in the previous chapter comparing and contrasting Moses and Joshua "Joshua may have been full of the spirit of wisdom... but was nothing compared to Moses who the LORD knew face to face. No-one was ever as great as Moses" (my paraphrase of Deut 34:9-12).

So Joshua appears to have been a man of unfathomable meekness, loyalty and wisdom. When Korah, Dathan and Abiram rose up against the leadership of Moses he didn't join them, even though all of the camp appeared to be behind them. So that when his time finally came to lead, though God didn't expect him to be as great as Moses, the blessing of Moses was still to be his: "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (v5). So also with us. Though we will never be great like Jesus, If we are meek and follow him, his blessing will be on us too (Matt 5:5, John 16:14-15, Rev 3:21)

You would never know from the sign God gave to King Ahaz, in Isa 7:14-16, that there was a hidden message about Messiah. But we know that it is there because of the comment on its fulfilment in Matt 1:23.  Does this point out to us that there are many more prophecies of Christ, or the latter days, in other seemingly “local” prophecies?

7:15  Knowing to ‘refuse the evil, and choose the good’ echoes the options that Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden – Gen 2:16-17

7:2  Ephraim being confederate with Syria speaks of the northern kingdom joining with the Syrian. An alliance that sought to overthrow Judah and fight off the Assyrian.

Ahaz did not do right in the sight of God and his subsequent evil acts are catalogued (See 2Kin 16). However, Yahweh prophesied through Isaiah that Rezin and Pekah would not overcome Ahaz in war (vs.4-7).

The sign that Ahaz was given (vs.14-16) is taken to refer to Christ. But the historical context should also be considered.

This child Immanuel (God with us) was a sign of the present and future help of Yahweh. The term virgin (Heb. almah) can simply refer to a young woman or maid or bride, and have no other spiritual connotation.  In the first case it was Isaiah's wife; in the second case it was the betrothed of Joseph.

In the historical context, we are told that before Immanuel would be old enough to reason morally, the two offending kings, Rezin and Pekah would be destroyed (v.16). Pekah reigned 752-732 BC and then was assassinated (2Kin 15:27,30); Rezin died when Damascus was destroyed. Tilgath-pileser destroyed both their kingdoms (Aram and Israel captured in 722 BC; and Damascus destroyed in 732 BC). Both of these events occurred within 12 years of the prophecy's being given.

In Judaism, one is considered to have reached moral understanding at 12 years of age (v.16 cf. Luke 2:42).

7:1 This time is spoken of in the historical record in 2Kin 16:5

The children of Isaiah were named as signs of future happenings:

1) Shear-jashub mans the remnant will return (v.3).  This statement is echoed in Isa 10:21,22. The final fulfilment of this prophecy is the gathering in of Israel when Jesus returns (Isa 11:12; Jer 3:18).

2) Immanuel means God with us (v.14). The immediate application was that God was with Ahaz over Rezin and Pekah.  But, the future sign was that of Jesus, the Son of God who would be among humankind to bring the opportunity of salvation (Matt 1:23).

3) Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isa 8:1,3) means hastens to the spoil, speeds to the prey. He was a sign that Assyria would destroy Syria and Samaria, the enemies of Judah.

7:17 The departure of ‘Ephraim’ from ‘Judah’ is speaking of the time of the beginning of the divided kingdom. Ephraim stands for the 10 tribes.

1v 3 without ceasing 5281 Patience is seen as a virtue which is to be developed in the Christ like believerLuke 8:15 21:19 Romans 2:7 5:3,4 8:25 15:4,5 2 Corinthians 1:6 6:4 12:12 Colossians 1:11 here 2 Thessalonians 1:4 3:5 1 Timothy 6:11 2 Timothy 3:10 Titus 2:2 Hebrews 10:36 12:1 James 1:3,4 5:11 2 Peter 1:6 Revelation 1:9 2:2,3,19 3:10 13:10 14:12 That it is mentioned so many times presses upon us the importance of the virtue and yet how difficult it is to attain.

2 v.9 Paul worked with his own hands so that he would not be a burden to the ecclesia at Thessalonica. He had recently established the ecclesia at Philippi [16:12] and so soon after he had established the ecclesia there they send financial aid to the apostle [Philippians 4:16].

ch.1 - It is only the two letters to the Thessalonians where we find 'Paul Silvanus and Timothy' writing together.

2:2 The mention of being 'shamefully intreated at Philippi' refers to the details contained in Acts 16:22

1:2 In saying that he 'always' gives thanks to God Paul is reflecting what Jesus said about prayer (Luke 18:1). He is not saying that he prays for the brethren and sisters at Thessalonica all the time. He is speaking of a way of thinking about praying for each other.

2:3-5 Deceit and flattery are common currency amongst those of the world. The danger is that we might lower ourselves to speak in similar ways. The danger is that flattery tends to endear one to the person being spoken to and so the temptation is to flatter so that we will be liked whereas the requirement of Scripture is that we always speak the truth.

1:7-8  Maybe we think that communication in the first century was a little primitive compared with the 21st century. However whatever the communication was like the Thessalonica brethren were well know to all those in Macedonian. Do we think our ecclesia is such a light stand to the truth that all the brethren and sisters in the area where we live think of us as a good example?

2:6-7 In speaking of burdensome' and 'nurse' Paul is appealing to the language of Num 11:14 . He contrasts the burdensome of the nation in the wilderness with his concern that he would not be a burden to them and presents himself a the 'nurse' who is taking their burden upon himself.communication in the first century was a little primitive compared with the 21st century. However whatever the communication was like the Thessalonica brethren were well know to all those in Macedonian. Do we think our ecclesia is such a light stand to the truth that all the brethren and sisters in the area where we live think of us as a good example?

1:1 Paul, Silvanus and Timothy are found together in Corinth – 2Cor 1:19.

2:6 In being ‘not burdensome’ to the Thessalonians whilst accepting generosity from Philippi - Phil 4:16 – highlights a fundamental principle. Whilst the servants of the gospel can ‘live of the gospel’ 1Cor 9:14 – it is better not to be supported by those to whom one is ministering.

2:7 ‘nurse’ <5162> is related to the word translated ‘brought up’ <5142> in Luke 4:16showing that what Paul is talking about is parenting the ecclesia.

It’s a lovely thought with which to start (and quite often, finish) his letters.  Paul in effect writes a prayer in 1Thess 1:1. He prays that God and Jesus will give their grace and peace to the brothers and sisters at Thessalonica. We may wish people God’s blessing, but the only real way of making that wish come true is to turn it into a prayer.

1:6     John says that no man has ever seen God. John 1:18. Our lives should manifest Him. Likewise it is probable that none of the Brethren and Sisters in Thessalonica had seen Jesus, but they had seen Paul. Hence he was their visible role model. People look at us also. Do they see Jesus Christ in us?

1:4 Paul, because he is aware that the brethren have been chosen by God specifically prays for them. Recognising that they are special people in God’s sight Paul makes a point of talking to God about them. How do we view our fellow believers? Do we see them as special in God’s eyes? Or do we see them as irritants at times?

2:4 Notice that Paul’s message was to please God, not men. We must always realise that this should be our objective in everything that we do either in public or in private. The flesh is so subtle that we may well think we are pleasing God when we are simply doing something to please ourselves.