V.8 etc. When we read the accounts of the kings, their behavior resembles that of the time of Judges when every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judg 21:25). 

The pride and arrogance of Amaziah's challenge to Jehoash, and the resulting breaking of Jerusalem's walls and taking of temple treasures, is nothing short of shameful.  This behavior was usually reserved for the enemies of Israel or Judah, and not as a matter of civil strife between brethren.  

14:4 That the high places were not taken away even though Joash was a good king provides at least a partial explanation as to why the people still did not follow God. In like manner if we have a temptation in our lives we must avoid it completely. It is not good ‘making provision for the flesh’ – Rom 13:14- so that we can return to the temptation whenever we wish.

V.1 Amaziah appears to be a good king.  Initially, this might have been so, but later he changed as pride and arrogance set in.  It always pays to get the full story about people and events by reading parallel accounts.  Suggested reading, in this case, is 2Chron 25. 

14:5 Clearly the killing of the servants who had killed his father was a carefully prepared plan. Whilst Amaziah doubtless wanted to do it as soon as he was on the throne he waited until he could ensure that his plans would be executed before embarking upon them.

14:20 If Israel had heeded the instruction of Moses – Deut 17:16 - they would not have been able to transport the dead king ‘on horses’.

V.1 Joash reigned two years in conjunction with his father Jehoahaz.  And so, this second year of Joash is the first year he reigned independently.

V.5 The two assassins of Joash were Jozachar and Jehozabad (2Kin 12:21).

V.7 There was no love lost between Judah and Edom.  Under Jehoram, Edom had revolted (2Kin 8:20). And so, Amaziah decided it was a good time to go clobber Edom. 

The rock Selah is a reference to Petra, the capital of Edom.  Amaziah changed the name of Petra to Joktheel which means subdued by God.  After the incursion by Amaziah Judah held the Edomites in subjection for 80 years.

Vs.8,10 Amaziah was pumped up after his victory over Edom. And so, he thought to challenge Israel.

V.9 Jehoash’s parable, as a reply to Amaziah’s challenge, clearly shows no weakness or lack of confidence on the part of Israel.

Vs.13,14 Israel’s confidence translated in a devastating victory over Amaziah.

V.16 This Jeroboam is often cited as Jeroboam II to distinguish him from Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom, Israel.

V.19 Amaziah’s disastrous defeat by Jehoash and the shameful looting of the temple produced many enemies for Amaziah.  Also, at this time, Amaziah had turned away from serving Yahweh (2Chron 25:27).  However, we are not told who assassinated Amaziah.

V.24 Unfortunately, Jeroboam II followed the same sinful practices as his forefather, Jeroboam I.

V.25 This is the same Jonah as the one who went to Nineveh (Jon 1:1,2).  But, at this time, Jonah predicted that Jeroboam II would restore Israel to its ancient boundaries.

14:21 ‘Azariah’ is Uzziah as can be seen from 2Chron 26:1

2Kin 14:25 - "sea of the plain" i.e. the "Dead Sea/Salt Sea" (Deut 3:17); "Jonah" [(3124) means "dove" - the only bird allowed as a sacrifice]; "Amittai" [(573) means "veracious, my truth"]; "Gathhepher" [(1662) means "wine press of the well, the wine press of digging" - it was the hometown of Jonah on the border of Zebulun which is on the coast of Galilee] shows the Pharisees forgot about Jonah's homebase of Galilee along with other echos to Christ (Josh 19:13 - Gittahepher is the same as Gathhepher; John 7:52;Matt 4:12-16;Matt 16:4).

Vs.4,6 Lying on the left side represented Israel; while lying on the right side represented Judah.  In the Near East, people oriented themselves according to an easterly direction.  Therefore, Israel, the Northern Kingdom, would be on the left; while Judah, the Southern Kingdom, would be on the right.

4:2 'cast a mount against it' is the basis for Jesus' words in Luke 19:43 - the RV in Luke has 'cast up a bank' - so we see that Jesus likens the upcoming destruction by the Romans as a re-run of what happened in the days of Ezekiel.

V.3 Ezekiel was the prophet of demonstration.  He had to arduously display Yahweh's will in silence (his tongue was stopped until Yahweh released it).  The model of Jerusalem on a clay tablet is obvious, but the iron pan of separation might need some explanation.  I believe it is a reference to Lev 26:19, which suggests punishment from which there could be no escape. 

Vs.4-6 Ezekiel had to lie on his left side to demonstrate Israel's plight, and on his right side for Judah's.  To orient oneself geographically, a person in Bible times would face east.  Therefore, the north would be to the person's left, and the south to the person's right.  Thus, Israel (the northern kingdom) would be displayed by Ezekiel's left side, and Judah (the southern kingdom) by his right.

Ezekiel would only have to lie on his sides during the daytime when he was prophesying. (A pattern derived from the witness of the light which burned continually not continuously) (Lev 24:2).  

The significance of the number of days that Ezekiel had to witness is not certain, but seems it might fit an historical context.  The 390 days of Israel, if started from the division of the kingdom in 931 BC, would come to 541 BC.  The exiles were free to return in 538 BC.  (It should be noted that the Septuagint version records 190 days rather than 390). 

If the 40 years for Judah were calculated from the fall of Jerusalem (586 BC), the year would be 546 BC, when Cyrus was coming to the fore.  Or, the 390 days could be reflecting the 390 years of captivity in Egypt (Exo 12:40,41; Gal 3:17).

Ezekiel was a Christ-type who bore the iniquity of Yahweh's people (Heb 9:28).

Sometimes people in these days make a fuss about speakers using visual aids.  But God arranged some lovely preaching aids for Ezekiel to use. In today’s chapter the prophet is given the wonderful visual aid of Jerusalem under siege. This would really cause interest among the Jews in Babylon.  The mute man, lying on his side, eating unpleasant food, and portraying their home city under siege!  Visual aids work.

4:17  In saying that they would ‘consume away in their iniquity’ Ezekiel is quoting the curses of Lev 26:36

4:2 In speaking of Babylon raising a mount against Jerusalem he is reminding the captives of what Isaiah had already said – Isa 29:3

4:3 Israel had shown that they would not listen to the words of Ezekiel so he now performs some enacted parables. A little like street theatre – but this was not an active show. It was a long term passive activity. Every day as people passed by they would see Ezekiel lying on the ground eating a small amount of food living in a very poor situation. It must have made those who saw him wonder. Far more effective than speaking once or twice to people who did not want o listen

4:14 Another man who had scruples about eating unclean things was Peter – Acts 10:14 – though Peter was not given the privilege of a change of plans by God. In Peter’s case a major principle was involve.

Vs.9-11 The concoction that Ezekiel had to eat was similar to the pulse (cab of dove’s dung) that was selling for an exorbitant price during the siege of Samaria (See my note for 2 Kings 6, on Sept. 1).  This kind of food was eaten by either cattle or the poor.  And like the siege of Samaria, Ezekiel had to demonstrate the hard times that were in store during the siege of Jerusalem.

The term fitches (KJV) refers to the Nigella sativa. This herb produced black seeds which were sprinkled on bread in the Ancient Near East.

Ezekiel’s culinary mixture had to be portioned out to 390 little loaves, each weighing about 10 ounces.

Ezekiel’s daily water supply amounted to approximately one-and-a-half pints (0.7 liters).

Vs.12,13 Human dung could not be found within the camp of Israel, as it was a defilement (Deut 23:12-14).  

Vs.14,15 Ezekiel objected to the use of human dung, and Yahweh relented allowing cow’s dung instead.  The lesson for us, here, is that Yahweh will listen to any reasonable request, and that He might be prepared to change His mind accordingly.

Vs.16,17 Unlike Ezekiel, who will have sufficient nourishment for his needs, the population of Jerusalem would not, and many would starve (2Kin 25:3).

4:8 When God said he would ‘lay bans upon thee’ we have to conclude that this was some form of paralysis which prevented Ezekiel rolling over onto the other side. Whilst being a sign to Israel the whole process must have been very uncomfortable for the prophet.

12 v.1 - 8 Continuing the theme of boasting and exaltation Paul stresses that the 'thorn in the flesh' was from God that he did not boast in the way that those who were opposed to him were inclined to do.
The way that the rest of the chapter continues shows that the Corinthians had a real problem with the status of Paul - doubtless through the seditious words of Paul's antagonists. The antagonism and its effects deflected from the purpose for Paul's work and what it achieved.

13 v.3 'Since ye seek a proof' - again the effect of the 'false Apostles'
v.11 The exhortation to be 'of good comfort', 'of one mind', to 'live in peace' etc: encapsulate the concerns of the Apostle in both the first and second letter.

ch.12 - We waste our time trying to know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was. What we should learn from his affliction was the thing that the apostle learnt. He learnt that God's grace was sufficient for him (12:9) That is he realised that he did nothing through his own strength. If only we could learn this!

ch.13 - Paul continues the concept of human weakness when he tells us that Jesus was 'crucified through weakness'. Of course the 'weakness' Paul speaks of is the fact that Jesus was one of Adam's children. The wonderful thin is that even though he was a man Jesus, by relying on God, was able to deliver us who are weak and yet are unwilling to totally rely on God's strength.

12:2,7 Whilst Paul does not claim to be 'the man in Christ' maybe he is speaking of himself. The 'thorn in the flesh' that he was given is described immediately after the comment about revelation as if the two events are related.

13:14 What is the 'fellowship of the Holy Spirit'? Is it something that no longer is available since the ending of the Holy Spirit gifts? Actually the Spirit gifts and fellowship of the Holy Spirit are totally different things. The gifts 'ceased' but the fellowship continues. The means whereby the fellowship exits is the Holy Spirit. That is through the words which are 'Spirit' (John 6:63)

12:4'Not lawful' is a repetition of the Greek word 1832. Whenever it occurs singularly it carries the meaning of allowed. So Paul, whilst not being allowed - by his understanding of the gospel - to speak what he had seen he was still fully aware of the vision he had received.

13:5 In saying 'examine yourselves' Paul is using the word 3985 which is elsewhere translated

Matt 3:1        tempted
Matt 22:35   tempting
Heb 11:17    tried

Paul is encouraging us to test our faith. Not by doing foolish things - such as the temptations which Jesus resisted in the wilderness. Rather to use our understanding of Scripture to mould our actions.

13:3 Paul's credibility was always being called into question by his enemies.  Believers, though, should have remembered that he had a direct commission from Jesus to be the prime apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:16,17). 

As far as the letters that Paul sent are concerned, they would be verified as genuine.  There were brethren who had the gift to discern the spirits (ascertain the genuine from the false) (1Cor 12:10).  John urges this scrutiny (John 4:1). 

Although we do not have the gift of the Holy Spirit, as displayed in the first century, we have the written, completed Word.  We must discern the spirits by the Word in order to divide Truth from error.

12:4 In saying that the things seen ‘were not lawful for a man to utter’ reinforces the point made the first time we read this chapter this year. Paul did not want to get involved in discussions visions. Revelation in Scripture is more powerful than what a man has experienced in a vision.

13:6 The examining – proving – of ourselves should cause us to realise that we are not going to be cast away. However this should not be a complacent conclusion but one that comes from a realisation of how we are striving to be more like Christ and less like Adam.

13:9  It may seem odd that Paul is glad when he appears weak and the Corinthians appear strong but in reality it would be good if the Corinthians were stronger than Paul. In reality though they only thought they were strong but were actually weak. We should be careful not to form opinions about ourselves which enable us to denigrate others.

12:2-4 Paul had a glimpse of the ultimate glory that awaits the accepted servant of Yahweh (See 1Cor 2:9). 

His glimpse into the future was beyond the kingdom period. We live in the first heaven (dispensation); the kingdom period is the second heaven; and the time when there will be true God-manifestation (1Cor 15:28) is the third heaven. 

12:7 To keep Paul grounded, Yahweh gave him a thorn in the flesh.  That affliction probably referred to the false apostle(s) he encountered in Corinth. This false opposition would dog him throughout his apostleship. 

12:7 Continuing our comment for March this year we see that Paul sees his thorn in the flesh as sent by God to prevent him becoming puffed up. Thus reinforcing the importance of humility in personal revelations.

12:7 In speaking of the ‘thorn n the flesh’ Paul implies that it would be easy for him to have been ‘puffed up’ and his problem, whatever it was, served to help him to realise his position. A continuing reminder to the Corinthians to avoid following those who sought to lead them astray by desiring a following.

12:4 The word paradise (Gr. paradeisos) refers to a garden (sometimes it is translated orchard).  The reference is really to the Garden of Eden, before the fall.  Then there was a perfect state of harmony throughout creation.  The state of perfect harmony, between Yahweh and His creation, will once again be achieved with God manifestation (1Cor 15:28).

Paradise does not mean a place to where souls float after death.  This is one of the many pagan myths that the apostate church has incorporated into its religious beliefs.

12:8 Paul sought Yahweh three times for the removal of the thorn in his side. Three is a complete number.  If we have a problem that we would like removed, how many times should we seek Yahweh? Yahweh, of course, hears the request the first time it’s delivered.  But, persistence has its virtue.  Perhaps, though, petitioning Yahweh more than three times might be excessive.  

13:5 If we are walking correctly, following the commandments of Christ, we know that Jesus dwells in us.  If we are not walking correctly, even though we claim to be Christ’s, Jesus has no part of us.

13:8 The Word of God can never be extinguished.  Many have tried throughout history, but all have been unsuccessful. Likewise, it is impossible to damage the Truth.  It does not need to be defended or protected – it needs to be represented.

13:3 In seeking a ‘proof’ of Paul’s apostleship we see again another indication that there were some in Corinth who would try to undermine the status of Paul as an apostle that they might present their version of the gospel which was Judaism.