31:1 The mention that the Philistines were fighting Israel and the slain fell at Mount Gilboa provides a sad insight into the diminished extent of Saul's kingdom and the extent of the Philistine dominion.

Mount Gilboa is in the Jezreel plain in the Galilee. The Philistines were centred in the Gaza strip. This indicates that the Philistines were in control of the whole of the coastal plain, Israel being confined to the hill country of central Israel.

Saul, the first king of Israel, was killed in battle. It took three attempts, though;  the Philistine archers, his Israelite armourbearer, and finally the Amalakite (2Sam 1:13-16).  Saul however should have utterly destroyed the Amalakites, and then told lies about his sparing some of them (1Sam 15). Surely this was God punishing him.

Vs.11-13 The men of Jabesh-Gilead revered Saul because he saved them from Nahash the Ammonite (1Sam 11:11).  Saul was probably motivated to do this as his mother was from Jabesh.

The men of Jabesh retrieved the dead bodies of Saul and his sons from Beth-Shan. They built a funeral pyre as an act of respect.  This was not to cremate the bodies as this was not a practice in Israel.  Rather, it is more likely that spices were burned to produce a smoky perfume as a sign of honor.  It is possible that the bodies became singed by this but not cremated.  Afterwards the bones were buried.  Had the bodies been cremated then these would have been ashes not bones. 

Consider another example of this action: Asa, a respected king, was honored in this fashion (2Chron 16:13,14).  However, Asa's grandson Jehoram, who was not respected, was not honored in this way (2Chron 21:19).

V.6 We see Providence at work here with the death of Saul's three sons. If they had not been killed (particularly Jonathan) and survived their father an obstruction would have been made in the path of David to the throne.

31:6      That Saul and his three sons died in the battle cements the fact that the kingdom was not to pass by descent to one of his sons. We know that Jonathan realised that avid was to rule after his father – 1Sam 23:17 -  but we have no indication of what his other sons thought.

V.4 Saul committed suicide.  Only four other suicides are recorded in the Bible:  Samson (Judg 16:30); Ahithophel (2Sam 17:23); Zimiri (1Kin 16:18); Judas (Matt 27:5).  We could possibly count Abimelech as a fifth, but he received assistance (Judg 9:54). 

Ahithophel, Zimri, and Judas killed themselves believing that continuation of their lives was hopeless.  Saul and Abimelech died to alleviate perceived shame.  These all died for selfish reasons.  Only Samson did it for someone else.  He prayerfully asked Yahweh for the opportunity to silence His enemies.  Yahweh granted Samson's wish, gave him the strength to carry it out, and marked him as one of the faithful (Heb 11:32).  

31:4-6 The difference between what is recorded here about the death of Saul and what we read in 2Sam 1:1-10  might cause some to be concerned as to which is the true account. The account in this chapter is the Divine record – no man is speaking it. In 2 Samuel 1 it is the record of a man. A man who thought he would receive honour for what he claimed.

31:13   The seven day fast for the death of Saul and his sons matches the fast of the children of Israel for Jacob – Gen 50:10

V.1 Mt. Gilboa only rises to a height of just less than 1700 feet.  Only the upper reaches of the mountain are jagged. The mountain and its surrounding uplands contain plentiful vegetation.  I remember walking in the area among beautiful wildflowers.   Saul's battle against the Philistines would have been fought on the uplands.  And so, one can envision him in the ugliness of death, lying surrounded and adorned by the natural beauty that the Yahweh created. 

Vs.9,10 The head of the king of the enemy became a trophy for the Philistines (1Chron 10:10).

V.12 We are not told whether the heads of Saul’s sons were cut off, but it is probably that they were not.

V.13 Later, David recovered the remains (2Sam 21:12).

31:2 Whilst Jonathan has figured in the narrative extensively Melchi-Shua is only found on one other occasion – 1Sam 14:49– in the description of the sons of Saul. Doubtless he was active with Saul but his activities were irrelevant in the purpose of God. So he is not mentioned

Jesus used these words to encourage his disciples to lay aside the weights of the world and accept the strictures of taking up the cross. It seems paradoxical that taking up the cross will give rest. However it does now give rest from the anxieties of the world and in the kingdom we will enter into the 'rest' prepared for the servants of God (Hebrews 4:9)

V.1 Jeremiah poetically describes aspects of Jerusalem's forthcoming destruction.  Fleeing from the danger of impending doom is a natural re-action and Jeremiah is playing on this.  He appeals to Benjamin to flee Jerusalem because Jerusalem was in Benjamin's territory, close to the border with Judah (Judg 1:21).  

The town of Tekoa was located about ten miles south of Jerusalem, in Judah.  However, I think Jeremiah was not referring to the town specifically but rather to its meaning, which is place of setting up a tent.  Thus, the call was to flee Jerusalem and set up its tent in another place, out of danger.  

Jeremiah also advocated setting a signal fire to warn Beth Hakkerem.  Beth Hakkerem means house of the vineyard which signifies Yahweh's people. They would become despoiled (v.9). 

However, Jeremiah is not necessarily advocating that Judah should physically flee and set up its tent elsewhere.  Rather he is using these figures to warn the people to repent and put their trust in Yahweh who will save them: for He is the true tent of safety (Psa 27:5).

V.14 The cry of peace is reminiscent of the Day of the Lord that Paul talks about (1Thess 4:2,3).

Why didn’t Judah and Benjamin listen?  God said over and over again that a strong enemy would come against them, (Jer 6:22-25), but they did nothing about it. Let’s make sure that WE listen to the Lord’s words.

6:25  The way that Jeremiah speak of ‘fear on every side’ is rather like the way that Ecc 12:5  speaks of the state of a man as he ages. So Jerusalem is an old man who is about to die, that is the analogy that the prophet is making.

Jer 6:13-15 - false prophets and corrupt priests greedy for gain, practicing deceit ("justifying the wicked for a reward" which Christ condemned in the parable of the unjust steward Luke 16:14-15; Isa 5:23); the prophets told the people and leaders what they wanted to hear falsely prophesying peace (Jer 14:13-16) or victory when there would be war or destruction; they had no shame. Some of the above gleaned from The Ministry of Jeremiah by C.C.Walker.

6:15 In questioning ‘were they ashamed’ and answering ‘they were not at all ashamed’ Jeremiah is returning to the point he has already made in 3:3

6:1 ‘evil out of the north’ is the chilling warning that the Chaldeans are coming. Whilst Babylon is East of Israel the way that the Chaldeans came was round the fertile crescent and down through Lebanon, taking the fenced cities of Judah on the way towards Jerusalem

V.1 Both Tekoa and Beth Haccherem lie to the south of Jerusalem.  Physically, in the face of an invader from the north, the tendency would be to flee southward.  Jeremiah's warning is to flee.  However, he is indicating a flight from sin and Judah's evil ways.  He is advocating fleeing from iniquity to the safety of Yahweh.  Fleeing physically from Jerusalem would not guarantee safety, but fleeing to Yahweh would.

6:10 The uncircumcised ear that the prophet speaks of matches the uncircumcised heart of Jer 4:4.

V.3 The shepherds with their flocks refers to the leaders of invaders and their armies (Jer 4:17).  The invaders in question would be the Babylonians.

V.4 Invading armies would avoid attacking at noon, the hottest part of the day.  However, The Babylonians would be so keen in their campaign that they would gladly attack at noon.

V.5 The Babylonians’ eagerness to destroy Jerusalem would carry them also into the night hours.

V.8 Even at this juncture, Yahweh would be willing to have His people repent.

V.9 The Babylonians were to scoop up the remnant who had not been killed and cart them into captivity (2Kin 24:14).

V.11 Old, young, man, or woman, God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).

V.16 The old (ancient) paths are the ways of Yahweh; true worship.

V.17 One of the trumpet’s  functions was to warn the people (v.1; Joel 2:1).

V.22 All the major invaders of Yahweh’s people in the Land came from the north: The Assyrians came against Israel and took them captive (Isa 10:5; Zeph 2:13); The Babylonians, referenced in this verse; and Russia and its confederates will invade Israel, in the end times (Eze 38:15).

V.26 Yahweh’s people will ultimately mourn for an only son when Jesus returns (Zech 12:10).

The advice in v16 is a real challenge to many of us; me included. It says:

"ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it"

Most of us desire progress, not relapse. We want to press on to new things, not fall back to the old. We feel that what has already been understood before us, can't be nearly as important as that which has yet to be revealed. For example, how many of us will read an old classic rather than a newly released novel? When we learn an instrument, will we use the tune book that tought our Grandma, or a new method from the music store?

And the gospel seems to be partially to blame for this attitude, because we read of the new wine in (Matt 9:17) and the new covenant (Luke 22:20). But the key is to discern the difference between new and re-new. It may surprise us that these are actually old testament quotes (Joel 2:19, 3:18, Amos 9:13, Jer 31:31). When we look at the Gospel Jesus taught we find that it was wholy based on the old testament; even the principles laid out in the old law of Moses. So it was a re-newing. A bringing back to basics. Yes, it was presented in a wholy new, fresh, vibrant way in the person of the Lord who demonstrated these principles so well. But non-the-less they were old principles. Ancient principles.

So in Jer 6:16 Israel is asked to regress, fall back, turn around from their "progress" along the wrong path. There is no doubt that they saw it as positive progress, an indication of which is that they had modified God's incense recipe to use exotic foreign ingredients (v20). But God wanted them to recapture the holiness they once had under Solomon and Hezekiah, with their worship ordered just as God had designed. And so for us the uncomfortable possibility that we may personally be progressing very nicely along the wrong path, away from God rather than towards Him. God's call to us is "listen to the call" (v17) to examine our path, and heed God's exact words (v19), re-new our worship according to His recipe (v20), find the old trusted paths and progress in them (v16) and then we will find rest in our worship.

6:10 The way Jeremiah speaks of the uncircumcised ear is picked up – Acts 7:51 – by Stephen when testifying about the risen Christ.

Starting at the formation of the nation of Israel, God had been trying to get them to listen to him. It started with the ten commandments written in stone tablets, and carried on right through the law and the prophets. Israel had always been hard of hearing. God was finally sending His own son, and telling them "hear ye Him!" (Mark 12v6). Jesus was the last, best, and most perfect way that God could get His message through to His people.... the message that He was a gracious and loving God who was worthy to be served. This is why Jesus was called "the word made flesh" (John 1v14). He was a living, breathing, human demonstration of God's word and His character. If they didn't heed that, then what would they heed? (Luke 16v31)

A further point to ponder:

Hebrews 3v19 and 4v6 tell us that Israel could not cast out the people dwelling in Canaan "because of unbelief". Do you think there are parallels with Matt 17v20?

V.1 After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain.  Mark's record would agree with this (Mark 9:2), while Luke says it was after eight days (Luke 9:28).  Why the apparent discrepancy?

V. 21 This verse is found in the KJV but not included in more modern versions.

17:19 The disciples had already been given authority to cast out devils – Matt 10:8 – so they may well have wondered. Maybe they thought that having been given the authority they simply needed to do the work, not realising that the continuing power came from God.

17:9     Jesus now introduces, for the first time in Matthew’s record the idea that he is going to die and rise again.

V.5 Moses represented the Law; and Elijah represented prophecy. But, Yahweh endorsed only His Son.  All the things under the Law, and all prophecy pointed to Jesus, the Messiah (Luke 24:44).  Jesus is the focal point of all creation, and is the only one who can save (Acts 4:12).  Yahweh has given Him all power (1Cor 15:27). 

Jesus will return shortly to earth to judge, to destroy evil, and to reign in righteousness (1Cor 15:25; Rev 11:15; 22:12).  The present times are evil and becoming more turbulent.  These are signs that the Lord will soon be here (Luke 17:26; 21:26).  Before He returns we are told that we can expect worsening conditions (economic, political, social etc.).  Only those who are Christ's can be assured of salvation (Dan 12:1).  Is your name written in the book (Rev 21:27)?

17:5 This is the second time that God has voiced these words about Jesus. The first being at his baptism – Matt 3:17

Vs.1-8 Perhaps Peter, James and John were chosen to accompany Jesus because they would become important leaders for Him. Peter would be the apostle to the Jews (Acts 4:8); James would be the leader of the main ecclesia at Jerusalem (Acts 21:17,18); John, the favored apostle, would be given the privilege of receiving the Apocalypse (Revelation) (Rev 1:1).

The transfiguration was both a look into the future and a lesson for the present.  Through this vision, Jesus is seen with Moses and Elijah in a luminous display.  Moses represented the Law, while Elijah represented the prophets. 

In one sense, the transfiguration was an insight into the future when both Moses and Elijah (who represented the faithful of old) would be resurrected to abide for ever with Jesus in His kingdom.  Their clothes being white as the light represented the garb of the Redeemed (the bride of Jesus; the righteous of all ages) (Rev 19:18).

The lesson for the present was to establish Jesus as the only savior of mankind (Acts 4:12).  Moses and Elijah were both Christ-types who made intercession for the people (Exo 32:10-14; Rom 11:2). But, Jesus would become the greatest intercessor of all (Heb 7:25).

After the three were displayed, Yahweh spoke and endorsed Jesus as the one the disciples should hear.  Jesus fulfilled the Law and the prophets (Matt 5:17). That is the reason the disciples found Jesus alone, and that the representatives of the Law and the prophets, Moses and Elijah, were gone.

Jesus was the greatest prophet (Acts 3:22). Jesus also superseded the Law and became the subject of the second greatest Law (Matt 22:37-39). (For a greater understanding of this, e-mail me for The Parable of the Good Samaritan).

17:27 The ‘piece of money’ was worth one shekel. This is based on Eze 30:13where each person counted had to pay half a shekel – the fish covered both Peter and Jesus.