June 23

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Reading 1 - 1Samuel  2
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v.1-10 - Notice that Hannah's prayer is entirely one of praise. How often do you pray in this way? I don't. My prayers always move on to an expression of my desires. There is a lot to learn from this woman's prayer.
Peter Cresswell [Derby Bass Street (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter

v.5 The idea of the hungry being fed is seen as:- 'he hath filled the hungry with good things' [Luke 1:53] The idea 'borne seven' is picked up [Jeremiah 15:9] to show the desolation of the priesthood at the time of the captivity. Remember that Jeremiah was a priest.
v.6 The Lord kills and makes alive is a quotation from [Deuteronomy 32:39]
v.31 The sons of Eli were evil, therefore Yahweh promises that he will replace the sons of Eli [Levi] with a faithful priesthood. In fact this turns out to be Zadok as explained in [1 Kings 2:27 - 35]
The genealogy is thus:

The removal of Abiathar is the fulfilment of 1 Samuel 2:31


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter
v.3 - Here is a great insight into our nature. We do indeed talk proudly and with great arrogance. We judge our fellow men by the standards we know to be right but we don't judge ourselves because we lack knowledge of our own failings in the arrogance of thinking that we are getting it right. We do well to remember these words of prayerful Hannah to keep our thinking in perspective. It is God that judges at all times. He is the only one with the knowledge to do so.
Peter Cresswell [Derby Bass Street (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter
2:9 He will keep the feet is quoted in Ecclesiastes 5:1 indicating the sense of the phrase. Samuel was to be a faithful priest who ordered the way that the people walked.
Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter
:1 'my heart … Lord' is quoted by Mary (Luke 1:46)
Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2003      reply to Peter

 
Kick Ye
lightly esteemed 

Whilst Deuteronomy says Israel lightly esteemed God Eli lightly esteemed the sacrifices he offered. These things amount to the same thing. The way we behave shows what we think of our Father.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to Peter
V.12 Eli's sons would not become high priests because of unfaithlessness, Saul's son would not become king because of unfaithlessness; but, David's greater son will incorporate both offices. King and High Priest.  
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to John
Hannah had 5 more children (1Sam 2:20,21). 5 is thought of as the number of grace. It's very true here.
David Simpson [Birmingham Kings Norton (UK)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to David
V.1-10 That Hannah should be guided to express her praise and thanksgiving in words so far reaching in their meaning is surely an indication of the importance in God's purpose of both Samuel and his mother.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2005      reply to John

2:5        Hannah’s comment that ‘the barren hath born seven’ is a comment on the production of sons by barren women.  As the table shows Samuel was the seventh son born to barren women.

 

Name

Barren

sons born

Birth Details

Sarah

Gen 18:11

Isaac

Gen 21:3

Rachel

Gen 29:31

Jacob

Esau

Gen 25:26

Gen 25:25

Rebekah 

Gen 25:21

Joseph

Benjamin

Gen 30:24

Gen 35:24

Gen 35:18

Manoah’s wife

Judg 13:2

Samson

Judg 13:24

Hannah

1Sam 1:2

Samuel

1Sam 1:20

 


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2006      reply to Peter

V.1 - "horn" Heb. "qeren" (7161) means "a horn (as projecting); (by implication) a flask, coronet; (by resemblance) an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); (figuratively means) power; hill, horn".

V.6,8 - might this "bringeth up" and "make them inherit the throne of glory" refer to the resurrection and the Abrahamic inheritance of the future millenial kingdom of God on earth?

V.9 - "keep the feet of his saints" perhaps suggests millenial preservation vs the silent darkness of death/destruction for the wicked and "for by strength shall no man prevail" perhaps suggests that no one by their own strength/works can earn eternal life but it is through mercy and grace that we have hope.

V.10 - "the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed". Keeping in mind the previous verses and (Luke 1:69) might this have a Messianic millenial application?

V.12,22,23,24,25 - Eli realizes his children are not following God's ways but is too weak a parent to correct their behavior. Similarly, believers today can't turn a blind eye to their children's behavior and then later try to feebly address matters when the die is already cast  (Ecc 12:1).

V.35 - perhaps this refers to Samuel serving Christ forever in the millenial age. Mention of  "a sure house" is later found (1Chron 25:5-6) refering to Samuel's grandson.


Charles Link, Jr. [Moorestown, (NJ, USA)]     Comment added in 2006      reply to Charles

V.10 This is the first time in scripture that the word "anointed"(Messiah) appears in this sense. As there was no king in Israel at the time, it appears to be pointing forward to Christ. There is a remarkable resemblance between the song of Hannah and that of Mary (Luke 1:46)


John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2006      reply to John

2:21The way in which ‘the Lord visited Hannah’ echoes the miraculous birth of Isaac – Gen 21:1


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2007      reply to Peter
IN CONTEMPT OF THE OFFERING
 
The sins of Eli's sons are graphically described for us, contrasted against the character of the young boy Samuel. Eli's sons were priests. it was their job to be God's representatives to the people. They were the ones who should have been setting the example of behaviour required of all the Israelites by God. But instead the sons of Eli were leaders in wickedness. They were more wicked and had less regard for God than most of the people who came to offer their sacrifices at the temple.
 
One verse sums up their lives and characters very well. It says, "This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD's sight, for they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt." (1Sam 2:17) They held no regard for God, and as a consequence, they held no regard for anyone else. Without respect for God and his offerings their whole moral fibre went out the door. They sinned in all sorts of ways, even "sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting." (v.22)
 
We may feel shocked at their antics, but how much respect and reverence do we have for God? Are we much different? Where are our thoughts during prayers at our Sunday morning services? Does God's word really speak to us when it is read? Do we listen? Do our lives outside of church measure up to the way God wants us to live?
 
Let's examine ourselves to make sure we are not treating Christ's offering with contempt.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]     Comment added in 2007      reply to Robert

2:29    ‘kick’ is ‘trample’’ in the RV – maybe the origin of the language in Isa 1:12


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2008      reply to Peter

 

Vs.32,34 The sons of Eli were aptly named to reflect their characters.  Hophni means pugilist; and Phinehas means mouth of brass (brazen mouth).  These two arrogant, combative priests perverted the sacrifices and, in their greed, coerced the people to give them the best parts of their sacrificial meat.  They also forced the women employed for the tabernacle to have sex with them.  Their father Eli did not act as a judicious parent, or senior priest, to stop them.  Thus, Yahweh brought them punishment.  This episode should serve as a warning to those in a role of leadership.


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2008      reply to Michael

2:3 Whilst one might consider that Hannah is speaking to Peninnah with these words it would be out of keeping for a Godly woman to speak like this of anyone. She is doubtless encouraging herself – and any other who has been blessed by God – not to feel self righteous.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Peter

 

Vs.1-10 These verses constitute Hannah’s hymn.

V.12 Belial (KJV) is presented as a proper noun, whereas it should be translated as a regular adjective. Belial means wicked or worthlessNow the sons of Eli were sons of Belial (KJV) is translated Now the sons of Eli were worthless men (ESV).

V.21 Hannah and Samuel foreshadow Mary and Jesus:

-Hannah had Samuel as a special gift from God (1Sam 1:20)

-Mary had Jesus through the intervention of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)

-Samuel was wholly dedicated to Yahweh from birth to death (1Sam 1:22)

-Jesus was wholly dedicated to His Father’s will from birth to death (Matt 26:42)

-Samuel grew in favour with Yahweh and man (v.26)

-Jesus grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52)

-Hannah went on to have other children after Samuel (v.21)

-Mary had other children after Jesus (Matt 13:56; Mark 3:31).


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Michael
V.1 - "I rejoice in thy salvation" - perhaps this refers to Jesus.
Charles Link, Jr. [Moorestown, (NJ, USA)]     Comment added in 2010      reply to Charles

2:10  Peninnah had been described as an ‘adversary’ - 1Sam 1:6 - so Hannah saw Peninnah as God’s not her, adversary.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2010      reply to Peter
Reading 2 - Isaiah 48
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v. 21 - The concept of streams in the desert is quite common in Isaiah [30:25, 35:6,7, 41:17-18, 43:19,20, 49:10], but this passage relates it clearly back to the care that God had for his people in the Wilderness. The implications of this for us as we go through this wilderness of our lives in preparation for entry into his promised kingdom are quite clear.
Peter Cresswell [Derby Bass Street (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter
v.1 truth and righteousness were not seen in Israel in the days of Isaiah. However Zechariah, contrasting the times of Isaiah, promises a time when this will be reversed. [Zechariah 8:8] further developing the way in which Isaiah's words have been fulfilled at the time of the return from Babylon. We made a similar point in Isaiah 40:2.
Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter
v.10 - Having pointed out the pride and vanity of their lives, God now tells them that He has chosen them in the furnace of affliction. Here is the fire by which our faith is tried - the fire of chastening, which can either build and purify or destroy, depending on our reaction. It is the bad things in our lives that have the greatest potential to humble us and therefore the greatest effect on our standing before God, but only if we let them build us.
Peter Cresswell [Derby Bass Street (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter
Here is another link with Zechariah's prophecy

48:10 I have refined Zechariah 13:9


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter
:16 Against the background of Israel's sinfulness Isaiah says that his words (God's words) have not been spoken in secret. Jesus makes the same claim (John 18:20) before his accusers - sinful rebellious leaders.
Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2003      reply to Peter
48:19 In quoting the promises to Abraham (Gen 22:17) God is lamenting the sorry state of Israel. They were to be a blessed nation - but Isaiah is speaking of their captivity in Babylon.

Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to Peter
V.22 Repeated in  57:21 The blessings just mentioned belong to the godly, not the wicked. Israel shall first cast away its wickedness before it shall inherit national prosperity: Zech 12:10-14, Zech 13:1 , 9,  Zech 14:3,  Zech 14:20-21  This of course holds true for all of mankind
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to John
IF ONLY...
 
Hindsight is wonderful.  With hindsight we have 20/20 vision.  With it we can see the consequences of our actions and decide on different choices that would have given us different results.  Unfortunately hindsight comes after the event, usually after the mistake has been made, and in many cases it is preceded by the words, "If only..."
 
God gives Israel and "If only..." thought.  He says, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.  Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me." (Isa 48:18-19)  But Israel did not obey, therefore they received none of these blessings.  If only they had, how different things would have been for them and the world.
 
Cast your mind into the future.  There we stand before the judgement seat of Christ.  The blessing of immortality is before us along with the rewards of faithful service.  But also before us there is outer darkness and separation from all that is good.  Will there be heard an "If only..." coming from our mouths or the mouth of the Lord Jesus on that day?  "If only you had paid attention to my commands."  If we can hear that "If only..." now, let's change the way we live so that in that day we will be blessed with immortality and a great reward, having no regrets.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to Robert
Today’s chapter again tells Israel, and us, that the Lord God is the God of Israel, and He will not fail them.  The last 3 verses, Isa 48:20-22, are a fascinating prophecy. Israel had not yet been taken captive by Babylon, but God says that not only would  they go, but in the future they would return.
David Simpson [Birmingham Kings Norton (UK)]     Comment added in 2005      reply to David

48:19  In quoting the promises to Abraham (Gen 22:17) God is lamenting the sorry state of Israel. They were to be a blessed nation – but Isaiah is speaking of their captivity in Babylon.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2006      reply to Peter

48:2  The way that Judah ‘stay themselves upon the God of Israel’ was not faithful behaviour – see verse :1 which explains Paul’s inspired use of this language in Rom 2:17


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2007      reply to Peter

48:10 The concept of refining is a clear one in Scripture which speaks of the development of a spiritual character. However on this occasion God sys it will be achieved with ‘affliction’


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2008      reply to Peter

 

V.10 When silver is refined, all the dross (scum and impurities) are removed so that the pure metal shines through.  However, Yahweh did not remove the dross from His people.  Instead, He put them in a furnace (crucible) of affliction.  Captive in Babylon, they had a long, miserable time to reflect upon the errors of their ways.  Only after the captivity, were they reconciled to Yahweh when they were re-installed in Judah and Jerusalem. 


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2008      reply to Michael

48:19 The idea of Israel being as ‘the sand’ is used by the contemporary prophetHos 1:10


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Peter

LISTEN TO THE TEACHER

 

If we had a teacher or a mentor that we could guarantee was always right no matter what the situation seemed to be, we would listen to them and put our trust in them, wouldn't we? We do have a teacher who is always right, and more than that, he always has our personal best interests at heart.

 

"This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isa 48:17-18) This being the case, how often do we really do what God tells us to do? Let's go back one step further. How often do we sit down to listen to God's teaching? I mean really listen - not just read the Bible for the sake of reading it, but prayerfully and patiently learn from the greatest teacher ever. Many of the things he teaches us are uncomfortable because they go against our nature, but we need to remember that it is all for our best.

 

So let's make a much bigger effort to listen to God and to do what he tells us to do. If we always remember that his teaching is for our best and that we will have peace like a river if we follow his instructions, we will be well motivated to follow the LORD wherever he leads us.


Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Robert

 

V.9 Yahweh called Israel to be a people for His Name’s sake (v.11; Deut 14:2).  For that reason, Yahweh would never completely destroy His people.  He might punish them, but He would always leave a remnant (Isa 10:21).

V.18 If Israel had obeyed Yahweh, then, He would let peace flow to them like a river (Euphrates) (See Isa 33:21; 41:18). Righteousness would roll like the waves. But, righteousness is the precursor of peace (Isa 32:17).

V.22 This verse has become a common expression in the world as: There’s no peace for the wicked.


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Michael

48:1 In speaking of the ‘house of Jacob’ as called ‘the name of Israel’ Isaiah was reminding his hearers of how the name of Jacob – supplanter – was changed to Israel – prince with God(Gen 32:28)


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2010      reply to Peter
Reading 3 - Revelation  5 and 6
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5 v. 2 - Is this a reference back to Isa. 29:11,12? It makes no difference whether man is learned or not - he only has access to the book of God through Christ, the Lamb that was (and is) worthy to open the book of life for us.
Peter Cresswell [Derby Bass Street (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter

5 v.10 The redeemed sing a new song because they have been made 'kings and priests'. This is our calling. As such our life now is the training ground for priesthood. The priest in Israel was able to understand the needs of the offerer because he was human as the offer [see Hebrews 5:1-2]. Thus as we learn how to deal with our own weakness now we will be able to succour the mortal population in the Millennium. So our chastening and our weaknesses are not just 'chance happenings' They are ordained by our Father that we will be able to minister in the age to come.

6 v.15-17 During the sixth seal, when 'the wrath of the lamb' is seen the 'important' men on the earth try to hide from that wrath. On the other hand the servants of God are invited to hide until the indignation be overpast [Isaiah 26:20] showing that Yahweh's judgements are not indiscriminate. He cares for His children.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2001      reply to Peter
lion of ... Judah
Gen 49:9
root of
Isa 11:1
four beasts
Eze 1:5
lamb as it had been slain
Isa 53:7


The way in which these four passages have been drawn together by the Spirit in Revelation 5 is most interesting.

The blessings of Jacob are linked with the promise of the righteous king (Isaiah 11) who is a manifestation of the glory of God (Ezekiel 1) who has this wonderful exalted position because he has been raised from the dead (Isaiah 53)

and I saw ... white horse
Zech 1:8 6:3
horse that was red
Zech 1:8 6:2
a black horse
Zech 6:2
a pale horse
Zech 1:8 6:3


The cluster of quotations from Zechariah focuses our attention on the horsemen of Zechariah. Consequently, if we understand the horsemen of Zechariah we will appreciate the significance of the horses in Revelation 6. Zechariah explains what each one is to do.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter

5:13-14 So the elders again state their adoration of the risen Jesus as we saw in Chapter 4.

6:10 Do we regularly echo this cry? Are we longing for the return of Christ - or is life too comfortable and are there so many tings we want to do that the coming of Christ is of secondary importance to us?


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2003      reply to Peter
 5:13 "every creature" All creation, angeliic, immortal, and mortal, both Jew and Gentile, will raise their voices in praise to the Lamb. First the Redeemed (V.9-10), then the angelic host (V.11),  finally all creation (V.13).
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to John

5:1 The book written within and on the backside is like the book which Ezekiel saw (Eze 2:10). His book was full of lamentations and woe.

6:6 "a measure ... penny" quotes 2Kin 7:1 which is speaking of the deliverance of Samaria  so we can conclude that the third seal has as its terminus some sort of deliverance.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2004      reply to Peter

 

1:1; 5:5 Only the Lord Jesus is able to tell His followers what must shortly come to pass. The seals represent periods of history subsequent to AD 90. The first six seals took place in the first few centuries. One traditional Christadelphian analysis gives the following breakdown:

First seal: 96-183 AD

Second seal: 183-211 AD

Third seal: 212-235 AD

Fourth seal: 235-303 AD

Fifth seal: 303-311 AD

Sixth seal: 312-324 AD

The seventh seal is protracted in length as it unfolds into trumpets (incorporating woes) and vials. We are clearly at that point of history which is considered the end times. Jesus could come at any time and call us to judgement.


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2005      reply to Michael

5:4 Are we equally despondent when we do not understand the time when Zion will be a joy and a praise in the earth. John was one who mourned who will be comforted – Matt 5:4

6:1,3,5,7  The repeated call to John to ‘come and see’ demonstrates that the father and His son want us to know about His plans with the earth.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2006      reply to Peter

5:6 The ‘seven eyes’ quotes Zechariah 3:9 where the BRANCH – Jesus is prophesied.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2007      reply to Peter
5:8 The harp is a symbol of gladness and rejoicing. The use of the harp as a symbol both here and in Rev 14:2 identifies the "four living ones " and the "four and twenty elders " with the 144.000 rejoicing saints in glory.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)]     Comment added in 2007      reply to John

5:5   The ‘lion of the tribe of Judah’ shows that Jesus is the fulfilment of the blessings of Jacob – Gen 49:9


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2008      reply to Peter

5:2 The question ‘who is worthy ...’ shows that the authority that Jesus now has was not automatically conferred on him. It was given by his Father because of his faithfulness to His commandments. The same is true for us. Our ‘overcoming’ is seen in a faithfulness to living the commandments.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Peter

Jesus Christ is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and also the Lamb as it had been slain (Rev 5:5,6). There are of-course many symbols to represent Jesus, and these two are very appropriate titles. Jesus was powerful as a lion, yet meek as a lamb. It is Jesus who was destined to be the lion, the King. But it was also Jesus who was born into this world, and was submitted to sinful men as a docile lamb, dumb before its shearers (Isa 53:7).

 


David Simpson [Birmingham Kings Norton (UK)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to David

 

5:5,6 The prophecy that was closed and sealed in Daniel’s time could now be opened by Jesus (Dan 12:4). Jesus is first described as a lion (king of beasts).  This appellation shows that since His resurrection, Jesus has become all-powerful and awaits His return to earth to rule (1Cor 15:27).  However, He is also shown as a lamb that had been killed.  This reflects the death of Jesus, which also represents the death of the flesh.

5:7 Jesus took the book (scroll) out of the hand of Yahweh, His Father. Here we have a manifestation of the Deity, Jesus and His Father.  This manifestation will eventually be extended to all immortalized saints (1Cor 15:28).  

5:10 The phrase kings and priests (KJV) is more correctly translated as: a kingdom and priests (ESV).  In the Kingdom, there will be only one king, Jesus.

Chapter six reveals the first four seals:

First seal: 96-183 AD: The first horse is white which signifies purity and peace. Here, it represents a time of peace in the Roman Empire. Those following Jesus, however, were never at peace, even during this time (2Tim 3:12).

Second seal: 183-211 AD: The second horse was red, the symbol of bloodshed which occurred as Roman emperors set about murdering one another.

Third seal: 212-235 AD: The third horse was black. This is descriptive of famine causing widespread death. This was also a time of many assassinations of the Roman elite.

Fourth seal: 235-303 AD: The fourth horse was pale. This referred to a sickly green color which symbolized approaching death. Represented, here, is a time of extensive violence and killing.


Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)]     Comment added in 2009      reply to Michael

6:14 The departing of ‘the heavens’ as ‘a scroll’ quotes Isa 34:4 adding to the quotation from Isa 34:4 about the fig tree casting her figs to build up a comprehensive picture of judgement.


Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2010      reply to Peter