Comments for March 18

v. 11,12 - comes in a discussion about the benefits of faithful following. Naturally speaking, we are creatures of sin and therefore abhorrent to God by definition. Here God is saying that there is a way for him not only not to abhor our sinfulness, but also to dwell amongst us. This has to refer to Jesus - obviously - as all of the law, we are told, brings us to Jesus in some way [Gal.3:24]. Jesus is the place where God has chosen to put his name [Deut.14:23, 16:2, 26:2]. In Jesus, we also share this honour, and God, as he has promised right through scripture, will dwell with us. This fits with the 'Zion' theme that we have referred to a number of times lately. Ex.25:8, 29:45, 1Kings 8:13,27. Ps.76:2, 78:68,69, 132:13,14 2Cor.4:6

This chapter and Deut 28 present the same message. This chapter is the giving of the blessings and curses to Israel. Deuteronomy is a summary and development of what was said here. It would appear that Leviticus 26 was given at Sinai. Deuteronomy 28 was spoken to Israel in the plains of Moab just prior to their crossing the Jordan to take up possession of the land about forty years after they were at Sinai.
26:6 lie down ... afraid Proverbs 3:24
26:12 and ... my people 2 Corinthians 6:16
26:13 broken the bands of thy yoke Hosea 11:4
26:22 I will send wild beasts among you 2 Kings 17:25
26:25 I will bring a sword Isaiah 1:20
26:25 I will send the pestilence Jeremiah 24:10
26:26 I have broken the staff of your bread Isaiah 3:1
26:26 ye shall eat and not be satisfied Micah 6:14
26:31 I will not smell ... odours Amos 5:21
26:33 I will ... draw a sword after you Amos 9:4
26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity Neh 1:6
The above is far from an exhaustive list of times when the language from Leviticus 26 is used in Scripture. It highlights the sorts of ways in which it is used. A further study would be to look at the use made of Deuteronomy 28 as well and try to work out why the spirit on one occasion uses the language of Leviticus and on another uses the language of Deuteronomy. One thing is clear from this chapter - the curses are used by the prophets more than the blessings. On hearing the words of the prophets the people should have recognised the words of Leviticus and appreciated that what was happening to them was because they were astray from their God.

v.21 - There is a relationship here between sin and the promised curses. The point should maybe be made though, that the sin created an increase in the plague. The plague - the one we all have - the frailty of human flesh, was there anyway. God simply says he will increase it if they turn against Him.

:6 the promise that they would lie down and not be made afraid which, as we noticed last time we read Leviticus, is quoted [Proverbs 3:24] Now in Proverbs the man who receives this blessing is for the man who takes hold on wisdom [Proverbs 3:13] If Israel were wise they would serve God faithfully and the blessings and not the cursings would befall them.

:44 In saying 'I will not cast them away' God is providing some comfort for those who had heard the curses and knew that they would suffer them. Jeremiah (31:37) and Paul (Romans 11:2) both quote this passage to show God's long term care for Israel.

26:1 One wonders why Absalom set up a pillar (2Sam 18:18) – the word ‘standing image’ is the same as the word translated ‘pillar’ in 2Sam 18:18.

V.3  The Children of Israel were told if that walked in God's statutes, they would receive many blessings. Likewise with us, we have been promised that if we do our Heavenly Father's will to the best of our ability, we will be blessed with the gift of immortality when Christ returns and establishes His Kingdom. 

This chapter is similar to the well-known Deuteronomy 28 chapter. Both contain blessings and curses. Notice that in both chapters the blessings come first and then the curses. Notice also that the curses are twice as long as the blessings. The LORD has presented them in this fashion to emphasize the seriousness of defying His commands. However, Lev. 26 also contains an expression of the LORD's mercy which Deut. 28 does not. From v.40 until the end of the chapter, the LORD invites His sinful people to humble themselves and repent. If they do this, He will heal them. This spiritual healing is available to us also through the Lord Jesus (1John 1:9).

V.19: An iron sky cannot give rain, and a bronze earth cannot produce crops. This untenable situation of existing between two unforgiving elements can be equated with the modern expression: between a rock and a hard place.

The comments yesterday about the kingdom are continued in today's chapter. "I will
  give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid"
Lev 26:6  Did such blessings actually come onto Israel?  Very seldom, I'm afraid,
  if ever.  The people just could not keep the Lord's commandments Lev 26:3. The promises
  given in this chapter make their kingdom sound like THE Kingdom.  Being there
  would have been a treat, and a blessing.  But, because of sin, it didn't materialise.

26:11    God’s tabernacle was already among the people when this was said. God is promising something greater than they were experiencing at this time. He was looking to the time when He would dwell with men who would possess immortality – Rev 21:3

This chapter, along with Deut 28 show us the difference between"if ye will walk in my statutes and do them" and "if ye will not hearken unto me". A greater contrast in the outcome is difficult, if not impossible to imagine, but yet we are all aware of the choose Israel made. Could we have a greater lesson?

26:12 The promise that God would walk among the people flowed from Him having His tabernacle amongst them. However it was conditional upon their obedience.

V.11, 12 Compare Le. I will make my abode among you...I will walk among you. (RSV)   With: 2Co.6:16  ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them. (among vs. in)

Note also the immortal soul in Le.26:11

26:10  The promise is that the land will be so fruitful that they will not be in want. The store from the previous year will not be used until after the harvest of the next year is gathered in. Thus God would care for Israel’s material needs if they trusted Him.

Normally, each household would have enough food to cook in its own oven. But, as punishment, the LORD promised his people a shortage of food. Only one oven would be needed to cook the available food for ten households (v.26). If, at this point, the people did not realize their faults and repent, then the LORD promised a more ominous scenario. Faced with starvation, people’s moral constraint goes out the window. Cannibalism occurs (v.29). Subsequent Jewish history shows that this occurred. The siege of Samaria is an example (2Kin 6:29).

26:5 The promise of abundant harvests is used by the prophet – Amos 9:13 - but we take it as a picture of the kingdom. So if your analysis is correct it would appear that Israel never enjoyed this blessing.

1-2. Certain prohibitions precede the blessings proper (3-13). The kind of idolatry current in Canaan is strictly prohibited. The idols (Hebrew 'lilim) are the non-existent referred to in Lev 19:4, while the graven image, legislated against in the Decalogue (Exo 20:4) was a cultic representation of deity such as has been found at several sites in Canaan. The pillar (Hebrew masseba) was apparently made of stone and was probably intended to comprise a tangible indication of the presence of El or Baal, the two principle deities of Canaanite religion. The figured stone (Hebrew maskit) would no doubt have contained some carved picture of a Canaanite deity, such as one depicting Baal hurling thunderbolts, dated about 1800 BC and unearthed at Ras Shamra (Ugarit). Observation of the Sabbath and punctilious attendance to worship at the sanctuary will be the best means of forestalling the corruptions of Canaanite religion. The lesson for us is that we regularly attend our meetings so that we are not corrupted by false religion, and the world.

v14 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned
1. The right of Israel to be called God's Kingdom was dependent on their obedience. Go to Exo 19:5 for more details.
2. If Israel was disobedient, Lev 26:14, Deut 28:15
 - Israel would be carried away into captivity Deut 28:64-65, Lev 26:33
 - The land would be desolate Lev 26:31-34 Go to Exo 19:5 for more details.

V33 For the history of the fulfilment of this prophecy go to Deut 28:49

First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land>Desolate for Centuries
v33 The land is desolate for centuries (Lev 26:33) but it will be like the garden of Eden. Isa 51:3, Eze 36:35. This will be the land of the Kingdom.
First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Land> For more information go to Psa 72:8.

26:25 One of the many times that the prophets speak of a ‘sword’ being brought against Israel in fulfilment of this curse is Eze 21:9 .

Questions:

Have you noticed that the dreadful curses in this chapter are as a result of not keeping the seven yearly Sabbath? Wouldn't you think God would focus on a slightly worse sin instead? You can see the focus in v34-35 and v42-43.

So if this Sabbath is so important to God, can you think what He was trying to achieve with that law (found in Exo 23)? And when you've checked Exodus 23, can you see any further key words from there echoed in this chapter? Lastly, what does that mean to our own attitudes to work and rest?

26:14  This verse begins the long list of curses that God would bring upon Israel if they were unfaithful. Even though God knew that they would be unfaithful he says ‘if’ not ‘when’.  You will notice that the word is ‘if’ a number of other times in this chapter. God is willing to think the best of His children, even though he knows of their shortcomings. Do we think similarly of our fellow believers?

26:8  This blessing of Israel’s success in battle if faithful is contrasted with the punishment –Lev 26:17 – if they were unfaithful to God.

26:17   God’s face is always toward Israel. He is looking at them as He is concerned to bless them. However the awful consequence of disobedience is, ultimately, that God will disregard His people. He will give them up – Psa 81:12. What an awful situation to be in. To be left to one’s own devices.

26:19   That the heaven would be iron is spoken of – Hag 1:10 – by the prophet when he speaks of the heaven giving no dew. This is one of many times that the prophets speak of the curses being brought upon Israel because of their faithlessness. 

26:5  The promise that their threshing would reach to the vintage is a promise that the prophet says will be fulfilled – Amos 9:13. It will be fulfilled when Jesus’ kingdom is established on the earth.

26:26  The warning that they were to eat their bread “by weight” was reinforced – Eze 4:10– when the prophet was to enact the siege of Jerusalem.

26:2  The command to reverence God’s sanctuary led Israel to place their trust in it despite their sinfulness. The prophet tells us how they viewed it almost like a lucky charm – Jer 7:4

26:17   When God spoke to Ezekiel on 11 occasions he was told to “set thy face”  for example Eze 4:3 – as Ezekiel is the only prophet who is told to set his face against Israel we might conclude that this warning in Leviticus 26 forms the basis for that which Ezekiel is called upon to do.

Leviticus 26:40-42 For Israel, confession of their sin, humble hearts before God, and acceptance of His judgements were prerequites for God to remember, them.  So it is for us. 

One of the crucified thieves dying alongside the Lord Jesus Christ showed that he was aware of this teaching in the Law of Moses because with a humble heart he confessed his iniquity. The Lord had promised those with humble hearts that he would remember the covenant promises made to their forefathers and remember the land.  The last recorded words of the thief on the cross were, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom”(i.e. the land of promise) Luke 23:40-42.  This man’s baptism was to share in the literal death of his saviour. The immediate response of Jesus was, “I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

“Some trustin chariots (technology), and some in horses (power/influence) they can harness: but we will rememberthe name of the LORD our God.” (Psa. 20:7) 

26:45  Notice yet again that God’s behaviour is a consequence of having brought Israel out of Egypt. The deliverance form Egypt – like our deliverance from eternal death – should help us to have confidence in our God who is keen to give us the kingdom – Luke 12:32

Leviticus 26:11-13  The LORD promised to set up His ”tabernacle” and “walk” among His people (vs.11-12). The LORD their God had broken the bands of their yoke, released them from their burden they could now walk upright (v.13).

 Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that God had delivered them from a spiritual Egypt. 

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2Cor.6:16).

So God will dwell with us and walk with us, if we are faithful to Him. For God to work in our lives we must remain separate from the worship of what this world has to offer us.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” ( 2Cor. 6:17).

26:14 the word “but” is a little word but it marks a change in the chapter. A change from good things to problems. Not that God cannot provide blessing continually. He can – but only if and when His people are faithfully serving Him.

26 the list of blessing and punishments listed here were given to the nation of Israel at Sinai for the whole of the book was spoken at Sinai. However we read a very similar list in Deuteronomy 28.  When we realise that the book of Deuteronomy was spoken primarily to the children of those who heard the words at Sinai almost forty years earlier we will appreciate why they are repeated.

26:3 Whilst being settled at the foot of Mount Sinai the nation were given a large number of laws and rules. But notice that God speaks of walking in His statutes. There is no value in just giving intellectual assent to His word. That word has to be lived out in a way of life – Eph 2:10

137 v.4 - How many of us try to do just this? We accept a life surrounded by the pleasures and entertainment of the world which is piped into our houses, and try to sing the Lord's song against this background. If Christ remains away I suppose it will get worse still, but now more than ever in the past, there is the potential to feel comfortable with man's environment, whilst at the same time trying to give praise to God. We should stop and take stock and assess our position before God and make sure we are not alienated by our chosen position. Ec.3:4, Isa.22:12, La.5:14,15, Hos.9:4, Am.8:3, Isa.49:21.

Psalm 136 Consider reading this Psalm with someone else. One ready the refrain 'for his mercy endureth forever' and the other read the words preceding the refrain. In so doing you will see how the Psalmist is stating many of the ways in which God's mercies are seen.

Psalm 137 Whilst in Babylon Israel knew that Babylon was to be destroyed - and by implication they were to be freed. They, even whilst in Babylon, had scriptures to prove this (eg: Isaiah 13:19 Jeremiah 29:10 )

Psalm 138 If God has magnified His word above His name (v2) how do we value it? Is it something we can take or leave at will? Is it something that we read with love and joy, or do we try to make its message fit our own preferences?

Psalm 139 David, on realising that God knew everything about him, including all the things he did concluded that he was fearfully and wonderfully made. When we appreciate that our God knows everything about us - the things we say, do and even think - how does that make us feel? Are we afraid of Him? How would we behave if someone we loved and respected knew everything that we thought or did?

138:2 - Even though God 'dwelleth not in temples made with hands', we still have a responsibility to seek Him out where He will be found, and through Jesus we now have the opportunity to approach directly into His presence. David has the desire here to worship toward God's Holy Temple - a picture of Jesus and a picture of the effect of the work of Jesus in bringing about for us the possibility of approaching close to our Heavenly Father, even though we are sinful flesh.

136:5 That God made the heavens by 'wisdom' or 'understanding' RV is echoed in Proverbs 3:19 and Job 39:26 implies that God makes the hawk fly by His wisdom. That 'wisdom' which God shows also conceived of the salvation that is available through faith in the risen Jesus. If we, in our wise foolishness think that the universe came into existence by accident then what do we think about the wisdom of salvation through Christ? Or is that, like it was to the Greeks, foolishness 1 Corinthians 1:18

137:5 In desiring not to forget Jerusalem the Psalmist is showing us where his heart is. Of course he is not thinking simply of a physical location but rather all the things of God which are tied into the place. It is for this reason that Solomon anticipated that men would pray towards Jerusalem 1 Kings 8:30, 35 and why Daniel disregarded the king's command [Daniel 6:10]

139:1-13 If we could develop the intensity of understanding that David had about the all pervading presence of God in our lives then surely we would find it easier to resist temptation?

137:8 The way in which Babylon was to be rewarded forms the basis for Revelation 18:6 which speaks of the destruction of 'Babylon'

138:4 In saying 'all the kings …' the Psalmist is looking to the kingdom when it will be said to the kings 'kiss the son …' (Psalm 2:12)

139:15 In saying that he was 'curiously wrought' <7551> David is quoting Exo 39:29 which speaks of the "needlework" of breastplate worn by the high priest. In fact this Hebrew word is only used outside the Psalm in relation to the tabernacle where it is always translated "needlework" except for Exo 38:23 where it is translated "embroiderer" . David realised that mankind has been created for a work. That work is to reign as 'kings and priests' (Revelation 5:10) with Jesus in the kingdom.

137:7 The call to 'remember Edom' is reflected in the prophecy of Obad :12)

138:6 If God can humble Himself to 'behold the things ... in the earth' Psa 113:6 we should have no problems 'condescending to men of low degree' (Rom 12:16) - we saw the same characteristic of God in Psa 1:3.

139:23  The call for God to 'search' him is echoed by Jeremiah (17:10) interestingly after saying that the hart is deceitful - it is just because we are deceitful that we should want God to search our hearts. We cannot trust our own judgement.

Psalm 137  This song was sung while Israel was in exile and pleads for the desire to remember Jerusalem at this time of trial.

Psalm 139 A personal prayer that acknowledges God's ability to know everything and see everywhere and pleads to be made free of any secret faults.

Babylon was the most sophisticated and spectacular city of the Near East at  that time.  It was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  Jeremiah describes it as a golden cup (Jer 51:7). There were Jews who raised families and became prosperous in Babylon.  Under such conditions it is easy to forget one's origins and be reluctant to leave, even if one knows the place is to be destroyed (v.8).  That is the reason the psalmist utters the caution to remember (v.6).  Are we too comfortable in this world or are we sojourners waiting eagerly to be placed in our city (Heb 13:14)?  Are we longing for our Jerusalem (Heb 12:22, Rev 3:12,21:2,10)?  Do we pray for her (Psa 122:6)? Are we ready to leave immediately we are called, gladly and without regret? Or have we forgotten God's plan? Babylon was destroyed (51:7-9). Likewise, the evil systems of this world will be destroyed when the Lord Jesus appears.  Will we be with Him?

FAITH REMAINS
 
They can't take away our faith!
 
The captives sat by the rivers of Babylon.  Snatched away from their land, away from the temple, away from their families and from everything they had ever known.  There they hung up their harps in their sadness because they no longer had the will to sing the joyful songs of Zion.  Even their joy had been taken away.  But in the midst of all this loss and sorrow, there was one thing that could not be taken away from them.  The Babylonians may have taken away their families, land and rituals of worship, but they could not take away their faith.
 
Even in Babylon a faithful man wrote this Psalm.  In it we can hear overtones of his faith in the God that hears prayer, and will avenge his enemies.  It was the one thing that could never be taken away from the Jewish people - their God remained with them and their faith in him remained strong.  Faith in God is one of the strongest things that has set the Jewish people apart as they have been scattered throughout the world over the centuries.
 
The lesson for us is to take note of what happened to Israel then, because it is likely that as followers of Christ we will face similar persecution.  It may be that everything will be taken away from us - but in that time we must be sure that our faith remains strong.  If our faith is strong it will not be taken away from us.

a) Psa 139:5-12 tells us that it is impossible to hide from God, even if we wanted to.  God’s presence is up in Heaven, and down in the lowest pit. He is in the farthest island. The Lord is in the darkness and the light.  Surely, “when I awake, I am still with Thee” (Psa 139:18).
b) Psa 139:13-16 tell me that abortion is wrong.  God saw me, and knew all about me, even before I was born.

137:3    ‘wasted’ is more accurately ‘laid us on heaps’ which echoes the language of Psa 79:1

138:8    David was part of ‘the work of’ God’s hand. It might seem preposterous that God would forsake His creation. Indeed it is. However we should realise that we do not deserve His continuing mercy.

139:7    If only we could truly appreciate that wherever we go He can see us. However we, like Adam and Eve – Gen 3:10 - seem to think that we can hide from God.

139:13-16 - perhaps this is an example of the word that would a thousand years later be made flesh (John 1:14) with the birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Christ. Perhaps it is the concept of a first v13 and second v15 births once from the womb (with the possible suggestion of a virgin birth as the NIV v13 reads "you knit me together in my mother's womb") and the second time reborn (NIV v15 "woven together together in the depths of the earth" or KJV v15 "curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth") from the lowest parts of the earth perhaps suggesting Christ's resurrection/birth from a horrible death of sacrificial suffering. V16 perhaps suggests the Biblically prophesied birth and flawed earthly body to the attainment of perfection/immortality.

Many believe that Edom helped the Babylonians during the siege of Jerusalem.  The call to remember Edom in 137:7 seems to bear this out.  So too does Obadiah Obad 1:12-14.  Then there is Jeremiah's prediction of Edom's destruction (Jer 49:7-22).  Israel's troublesome cousins had been constantly oppositional since the days of Esau and Jacob.      

139:22 We often have ill feelings towards others. However we do well to reflect on the way that David dealt, in his mind, with such people. His hatred was ‘perfect’ – that is in a way consistent with the way that God feels and reacts to those that oppose Him.

139:7 We are once again reminded that there is no place where we can hide ourselves from the presence of God. He is able to take into account the minutest details in the lives of His creation, particularly those who have made a covenant with Him. Our lives are in His hand, and He not only observes our ways, but He can also record them by His Spirit. He also takes great pleasure when we willingly show obedience in what both think and do. 

137:7  Edom, when Israel went into captivity, gloated over their misfortune. Whilst Israel’s captivity was a just punishment from God it did not merit their ‘brother’ gloating over their misfortune. Human nature is such that it tends to gloat over the misfortune of others. But this is not the way that the servant of God should behave.

The LORD’s Name must always be respected and never used in disrepute (Exo 20:7). However, the LORD places His Word above His Name (138:2). By His Word, the LORD shows His power; declares Himself; reveals His Will, explaining the history and future of the earth and mankind. He has caused His Word to be written down so that all generations, in all lands, can understand this. And yet, so many ignore His message and doom themselves to eternal death. What is, perhaps, more astonishing are those who claim to believe in God and yet do not read His Word (the Bible). In what or in whom do they believe? The only way to know about God and His relations with humankind is to read His Word. Without reading there is no knowledge - without knowledge there can be no faith - without faith one cannot please God - without pleasing God there can be no reward (Heb 11:6).

CAN SING OR CAN'T SING?

The Jews in captivity couldn't sing. Instead of singing their songs of joy about Zion and the good things God had done for them, they hung up their harps on the poplar trees, sat down by the river and wept. They asked, "How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a strange land?" (Psa 137:4) What a sad time it must have been when the music had been taken from their hearts. They would have liked to have been singing praise to the LORD in the temple in Jerusalem, but the sadness in their hearts prevented them.

We, on the other hand, are not in the same situation as the Jews. We are not in captivity and neither are we so sad we cannot sing. So do we sing? Often if we attend church there is an opportunity to sing praise to the LORD, but I suspect that the songs the Jews were asked to sing were not the formal songs, but the songs of joy they would sing each day.

The Jews would have liked to sing, but they couldn't. We can sing, but do we want to? We might not always have it so easy, and maybe the time will come when we will not be able to sing. So let's use the time now, while we can, to sing songs of joy, giving praise to our God in heaven.

PRECIOUS THOUGHTS

Of all the thoughts you have had today, which ones have been the most valuable? Each day millions of thoughts run through our minds, scenes from the past are replayed and the possibilities of the future are played out. Many of our thoughts concern our current actions, work, study or play, and worries also fill our minds with intensive thought. But if you could keep only one or two of those thoughts from the day while all the rest are lost for ever, which ones would you keep? I would probably choose to keep the ones that would draw me toward God, thoughts that would be more likely to have a far reaching or even eternal significance. Maybe it would be some insight from God's word, a way to heal or grow a relationship, or even a question that inspires me to keep thinking.

The psalmist chose God's thoughts as some of his most precious things. He said, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God." (Psa 139:17)

Unfortunately, the thoughts we have can very quickly be gone unless we have chosen to do something about it. That's why it is good to have a pen and paper with us whenever we can, and especially when reading the Bible. If God's thoughts are as precious to us as they were to the psalmist, we won't want to let any of them go. So let's remember and treasure the best of our thoughts today and every day. Instead of having them come and go, we should retain them to learn from, and to put them into practice, especially when they come from God.

137:3 We are given very little information about what captivity in Babylon was like. Here we are given a little glimpse. Israel were taunted by their captive and the Psalmist laments that.

There seems to be a striking contrast developed between the situation described in this Psalm, with all its pathos, and the vision of the kingdom as described in Revelation 14.

• The setting of this Psalm is in a distant and alien land so far removed from the Israel's promised inheritance.  In Revelation the scene is Mount Sion, before the throne of the King in Jerusalem. 
• The Psalm was written at a time when the glory of Zion was but a memory (Psa 137:1).  The vision of Revelation predicts the time when Sion will be gloriously exalted over all the earth for evermore.
• In Revelation the ragged remnant of the kingdom of Judah described in Psa 137 has been replaced by the exalted and perfected company of 144,000 (natural Israel expanded by those who are “Israelites indeed”).  No longer are they captives as in the Psalm but rather the “redeemed” (Rev 14:4).
• The harps hung idle on the willow’s of Babylon are taken up again in Rev 14:2 to the glory of God.  The reason for this difference being that the song is sung, not for the mirth of mocking captors but for the glory of God.
• No longer are the captives cast down by evident and righteous punishment of God for their collective sins but they are without fault (Rev 14:5,).
• Babylon, the jeering conqueror in the Psa, is destroyed for ever in Rev 14:8.

Surely, the coming kingdom will be the answer to all the trials of this present life.  Even so come Lord Jesus.

139:10 We might think, when we realise that God can see everything we do, that God is ‘spying on us’ such knowledge might generate fear in us. Not so for the Psalmist. God’s all pervading presence was a comfort to him.

139:14 The way that this verse is quoted in Rev 15:3 shows that the Psalmist is thinking of the giving of eternal life when he speaks of the marvel of the way that God has created him.

139:7   Jonah – Jon 1:3 –is but one example of servants of God who disregarded this truth. Doubtless Jonah, and others, knew that it was impossible to flee from God. However they did not apply that knowledge in their lives. Rather than criticise Jonah and others we should look at ourselves. Every time we violate any of the commandments of God we show that we share Jonah’s way of thinking.  We know and ‘believe’ the gospel message, but not sufficiently to cause us to change the way we live.

SEARCH ME

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."(Psa 139:23-24)

How freely are we able to say these words to our God? Perhaps we add a little bit of fine print to our prayer, saying, "You are welcome to come into every area of my life except for those areas I want to keep for myself, that are too sinful for me to let you look at, or that don't fit into my Sunday-morning-or-religious-activities box.

It would be nice if we could keep secrets from God - live our own lives and then live his way just enough to keep him happy. But God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Why should we wait for the judgement to let God into our lives? At that stage it will be too late to change. Instead let us let him in now. He knows us anyway, and sooner or later our whole lives will be laid open before him.

So let's let him search us and know our heart. Let's listen as he tells us of any offensive ways in us so that we can change, and become holy and pleasing to him.

1. Psa 137:1,3 - this deportation to Babylon, did it happen when the Assyrians were in power and Tiglath Pileser III, Shalmaneser, Sargon, and Sennacherib all assumed the title of King of Babylon (2Kin 17:24;18:11,13;Isa 13:1;14:22,25 - a deportation to various areas Sennacherib dominated including Babylon according to the Taylor Cylinder in the British Museum claiming 200,150 captives) or could it refer to Zedekiah's and Nebuchadnezzar's day?

2. Psa 137:7;Deut 23:7-8 - the Edomites (descendants of Esau Deut 2:1-8) in Psalm 137:7 are hated foes while love of the Edomites is encouraged in Deut 23:7-8. 

3. Psa 137:8 - Babylon will be destroyed, happy is he who repays Babylon for what Babylon has done to us.

1. Psa 138:1 - "before the 'gods'<430>" - perhaps "gods" in this instance refers to heavenly angels, or princes in Israel, or conquered kings of the surrounding peoples, or the idols they served.

2. Psa 138:2 - "lovingkindness...truth" would seem to be synonyms for God's Covenants and compare with "the words of thy mouth" (Psa 138:4).

3. Psa 138:3 - "strengthenist"<7292>..."strength"<5797> - some feel the sense of this verse is God made me courageous and enabled/reinforced me to meet danger and to overcome fear (perhaps the "me" is Jesus and the setting Gethsemane).

4. Psa 138:4-5 - in the millenial seventh day all the kings of the earth shall praise God (and His Son).

5. Psa 138:6 - separate fates of the "lowly"<8217> and the "proud"<1364> (could this be the the day of judgment?).

6. Psa 138:7 - "Though I walk in the midst of trouble (reminds me of Psa 23:4 and could apply to Christ)...thy right hand shall save me." 

7. Psa 138:8 - "thy mercy...endureth forever" (includes mercy in the kingdom age)... "forsake not the works of thine own hands" (perhaps this has application to the work of God in His saints).

1. some Aramaic words occur in this Psalm.

2. Psa 139:1-6 - the omniscience of God:

3. Psa 139:1 - God knows all about "me" (perhaps "me" has application to Christ but certainly God knows all about us Matt 10:30-31).

4. Psa 139:3 - "compassest" (<2219> means "to scatter, cast away, compass, diffuse,winnow,disperse, spread, scattered, be dispersed").

5. Psa 139:7-12 - the omnipresence of God:

6. Psa 139:7 - we can't hide from God's spirit.

7. Psa 139:8 - "hell" (<7585> Hebrew word "sheol" means "grave, pit, hell" - Psa 49:12-20 animals go to "the grave"<7585> as we read in Psalm 49:14).

8. Psa 139:11 - "cover"(<7779> means "to break, bruise, overwhelm, fall upon, cover, snap against, crush" - this same Hebrew word is used twice in Gen 3:15 and is translated "bruise" with a connection to Christ's sacrifice).

9. Psa 139:13-18 - the omnipotence of God:

10. Psa 139:13 - "possessed"(<7069> means "to get, acquire, create, buy, possess, erect, to own, redeem, recover, attain, create)..."reins"(<3629> means "the interior self, kidneys, the mind, reins").

11. Psa 139:15 - compare with the messianic Eph 4:7-10.

12. Psa 139:15 - "curiously wrought"(<7551> means "skilfully wrought or woven, fabicate, curiously work").

13. Psa 139:19-24 - Clarity of vision and purity of character that Jesus had; Jesus shared the same attitude as his Father toward persistent and unrepentant sinners; Jesus longed to see an end to sin and rebellion against God; Psa 139:23-24 Christ was tried, had no wicked way, and was led in the way of immortality.

137:1     We were not taken captive by the Babylonians. However we share the circumstances that those who were taken to Babylon experiences. Zion is still ‘trodden down’. God’s glory is not seen there. Do we mourn for this? Or is it of little consequence to us that God’s name is not revered in all the earth?

Psa 139:13-16.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU.

When God made you, He had a plan in mind. The plan He had for you is different to the plan He has for me.

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight"(Eph 1:4). And, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2 v 10). And David said, "The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures for ever - do not abandon me to the works of your hands." (Psa 138:8).

He has chosen us, made us up with special good works in mind for us to do, and has a purpose with us. We are not just random people going through a random life by chance. We are more than that. We are children of God, people He has chosen and planned to be holy and blameless, and to do good works.

Because God has planned a purpose for us, we need to find out as best we can what His purpose is for us. Find out how we can best serve Him by using our talents. Take the opportunities to do the good works He gives us, and pray for His guidance. He has a plan for us. Let us do all we can to play our part well.

139:8   David realised that God is omnipresent.  This point is emphasised to Israel – Amos 9:2 –when in his day the people were warned that there was no escape from God using the same idea that David expresses here. 

Notice the comparison between 138:6 and 139:2. God knows the actions of every one of us from a long way away, but for some that is positive, and for others it is negative. It all depends on our point of view.

139:11-12      Men love darkness because their works are evil – John 3:19 – as if we can hide anything from God!

Psalm 137

It appears from v7 that the Edomites had a hand in the destruction of Jerusalem, and it is evident from 2Chron 36:16-20 that this destruction was complete. The Psalm appears to suggest that, had it not been for the Edomites, that destruction would have been less severe. God's judgment on Edom would be severe as we can see in Isa 34. However, Isaiah is written before this destruction and one would think the Psalm is too. Was there an earlier event this could be talking about?

Psalm 139

It is one thing to understand that God knows all our thoughts and sees all our actions (v1-6) but it is another thing to actually invite it. In v23-24 the Psalmist asks God to search his heart. Do we do this? Part of the reason is that the psalmist realises he can't get away from God anyway (v7-13), and he realises that when he was helpless and unformed in the womb, God was to be trusted to look after him and it was God's ability to know all that saved him (v12-16), so that he concludes God's knowing all is a good thing for him:

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!"

Just as in the womb it was only God who could see us and look after us, so in death it is only God who can remember what we were and bring our substance back from decay. Jonah sought to run away from God, finding himself at last in a more perfect and complete hiding place than anyone could deem possible -- the belly of a fish, deep in the sea. It was a good thing for Jonah that God could still see him and hear his prayer! Should we not likewise rejoice in God's knowledge of us in our waking lives? It may feel uncomfortable that He knows and sees everything, but ultimately it is that trait that saves us.

137:1  The despondent singing spoken of here will be contrasted with the joy of redeemed Israel as spoken of in Isa 48:20

138:7  The Psalmist’s focus on the future – thou wilt revive me – provides the necessary comfort to deal with the immediate problems. Is this our approach? Is it “the joy before us” – Heb 12:2 – which is our focus when in trouble?

139:23   Would we want God to search our actions and thoughts? Well, actually, the answer should be a resounding “Yes please!” This should be because our underlying motives are always to please Him. If they are not then we must revise the focus in our lives.

TODAY'S ANSWERS TO PRAYER

Unless we believe in God, there is something mysteriously powerful in prayer. Prayer changes things. It not only changes the things that surround us, it changes us too.  Prayer can change our attitudes, give us strength, courage, peace and joy.

The psalmist discovered the power of prayer in this way. This is what he said, "On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased." (Psa 138:3). The Message puts it this way: "The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength."

It was the same day the prayer was offered, at that moment in time, that the psalmist was given the strength he needed. This wasn't one of those prayers that might take a lifetime to be answered. The psalmist's prayer, whatever he actually asked for in prayer, was answered by giving him strength that same day.

Some of our requests might not be in accordance with God's will, but having the strength to live for Him is something He does want from us. So let's ask for strength to overcome weaknesses, for courage to spread God's word and for wisdom to do the right things. Like the psalmist, we can be confident that God will answer our prayers.
 

139:23    The invitation to God to search our hearts should be seen alongside Jeremiah’s call for us to search our hearts ourselves – Lamentation of Jeremiah 3:40.

139:14 Many in the world would not acknowledge that we are “made” even if they recognise the intricacies of human life. We should be different. We should reflect on the incredible complexity of Creation and worship God because of that realisation. So it follows the more we learn about the complexities of Creation the more we should praise God.

139:1-5 if we truly believe this it will affect how we think and behave. In saying in verse:6 that he cannot attain unto it we might see the Psalmist as saying that he realises he is unable to rise to behaviour which always acknowledges this.

139:1-6 If we could always appreciate how our Father knows us fully. Such a constant awareness would motivate us more effectively to be like Him in our thinking and behaviour. Rather than bringing fear to David the knowledge that God knew him through and through motivated him to recognise God’s marvellous works ( 139:14). The cry to God that he might search his heart (:23-24) is no arrogant claim. It is based on his understanding  that he strove to show the “spirit of Christ” in his thinking even though the thinking of Adam reared its ugly head often in his life. This can be our confidence if we are motivated by that same spirit of Christ –( Rom 8:1)

139:4 the tongue can be devastating – James 3:5-6. We might forget what we might have said, we might forget the pain our words might have caused. But God does not forget. This realisation should help us to be more circumspect about what we say.

v. 5 - which is expanded in the next chapter (10:10-12) seems very odd to our ears. We live in a society where tolerance is the key word. We are taught to tolerate practices which are contrary to God's teaching and we do it without thinking - we are taken along by society and we, being human, have a tendency to align ourselves with 'human rights' issues. We have no rights as human beings except the right to death. Maybe this passage from Luke will help us to get that in perspective - help us to realise that our allegiances should be based on the right motives. Neh.5:13, Acts 18:6, Mt.10:18.

9:1 Whilst this appears to be the first time that Jesus had empowered his disciples to heal etc: we must realise that we are quite a long time into the ministry of Jesus. It is just before the transfiguration (9:28)

THE MARK OF A GREAT MAN
Today's great men are the ones who are in powerful positions, the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of England, President and Prime Minister of Russia and successful business people like Bill gates and Rupert Murdoch.
But today's great men are there because they have climbed their way to the top, doing all they have to do to get there and using anyone they need to use on the way. More often than not they are power or money hungry and willing to do anything to get what they want.
Jesus tells us of a different type of great man. "He who is least among you - he is the greatest." And he spoke about children, who, as far as greatness goes are least of all. The great man is the one who can welcome a child, make him feel at home and wanted, who has time for him, putting the needs of the child ahead of his own. The great man is the one who is the servant of everyone else, putting the needs of others first.
The difference between the great men of today and the great men of God is that today's me will have had their time - and it ends in death, but God's great men will live for ever. Be great for God.

:54 James and John seemed unable to deal with the idea that others than they were able to work with Jesus. Jesus' reaction is clear and decisive. We maybe should ponder our view on the way that we react to others who preach the gospel of Christ. Not to suggest that it does not matter what we believe but Jesus' reaction should counsel caution before condemning those speaking of Christ out of hand.

V.38 "He is mine only child" Luke is the only writer to emphasize the "only child" Luke also records the young man from Nain was also a "only son" Luke 7:12 We also see that the child of Jairus was his " only daughter "   Luke 8:42

9:2 Having shown the disciples how to preach and heal (Luke 8) he now charges them to go and do the same, having given them the powers that they required to perform the task.

The Lord gave His disciples extraordinary power (v.1).  And yet they did not fully realize this.  They could not provide food for the people (v.12,13) nor affect healing (v.38-40).  They had the power but did not have the faith to employ it.  Do we have the faith to let the power of God work in us (2Thess 1:11)?

V.34-35 This would not of been a water type cloud, but the Shekinah glory. The pavilion of the manifested presence of God with His people, what Peter calls "the excellent" of "magnificent glory" 2Pet 1:17

9:43-44  The juxtaposition of the miraculous healing of the child and Jesus words to the disciples that he was going to be delivered into the hands of me corrected any imbalance that they had about him coming to take the kingdom by force – or so it should.

Luke 9:62

I was born on the land and did my apprenticeship as a farmer - not with horse or bullock and plow, but with tractors, and what Brother Collyer says in Chapter 9 of Principles and Proverbs of crooked plow lines is true. Only by focusing on a distant object (not a cloud!!) can one hope to plow a straight furrow.

Now there is no particular reason for plowing straight lines (that I know of) except that the results look neat and tidy. Perhaps in ancient days, where there were no fence lines to mark out the boundaries between properties, a straight line was a good idea when marking the first turning of the soil between your corner markers. Running off course could well put your plow line into the neighbours property.

A quick backward glance will not throw the line, but a backward focus will.

For me, this is what the verse means. Jesus is not forbidding a backward glance to reassure oneself that the effort of forward focus has been worth while. But He is warning that a backward focus may negate the good work already done. The forward focus will produce 'straight' results, but the focus must be in faith. I guess the backward focus takes my mind back to legalism, the great nemesis of the faithful in every age.

Looking forward, one cannot see the results behind, but one must work on in faith, that that which is being produced behind our back, out of sight as it were, is 'straight' - whereas looking back can be 'comforting' because the results can be seen instantly - which is the like the comfort of legalism - no waiting for results in faith.

Legalism creates instant results.... but not the best outcomes.

So, just like legalism, a backward focus produces results that are 'crooked'.

Only by focusing on an immovable object some distance away, can one hope to create what the Bible calls 'straight' works in faith. The real secret to a straight furrow, is a forward focus which lines up two objects, one behind the other, such as a fence post or a rock on the far border of the field, and a tree even further in the distance.

In our spiritual figure, we do that by lining up Jesus with His Father, and the result will be those 'straight' works in faith.

9:3 In encouraging the twelve to take nothing with them as they went preaching Jesus was teaching them that the worker is due his food from those he serves –Deut 25:4

9:6   Preaching the gospel and healing are two parts of the same activity. The words are the message. The miracles are the foretaste of the spiritual regeneration of Israel.

9:3 On this occasion Jesus charged the disciples to take nothing with them on their journey. However in Mark 6:8 they were told to take a ‘staff’. Are these two different events or does each writer have a different focus?

As Jesus was approaching his departure, he became painfully aware that his disciples weren't listening to his warnings. Even when he openly talked about his forthcoming torture and death, their ears filtered out the bad bits and retained the bits they wanted to hear. So when he said "I will suffer many things ... by the elders and chief priests and scribes" (v22) they heard "Jesus will overcome them and set up a new seat of power, and we'll have authority with him!"  We can see this from their dispute in v44-46.

How often do we read the Bible and just hear what we want to hear? Jesus said "let these words sink down into your ears" (v44). They would have to act on them in the coming days, but found themselves unprepared. We too have to listen carefully and let the weight of his words sink in. In practical terms that means reading less and thinking more; taking time to meditate on what is written.

9:21 Jesus commanded that disciples that they should not tell anyone that he was the Christ because he wanted them to work that our for themselves. There was sufficient evidence – the miracles that Jesus did were the proof.

CLUBS OR WELCOMING COMMITTEES?

When we as believers get together, we get together as a group of people called out from the world so that we can encourage and strengthen one another in the faith that we share. Another aspect of our meeting together is that people will be drawn to us because of the love we show, the things we teach, and because they want to see what being a Christian is all about. Some churches, however, have moved from being a place of encouragement and outreach to becoming more like an exclusive club where only those who fit the mould are welcomed.

There was a stage when Jesus wanted a bit of private time with his apostles. It was to be a bit of "Member Only" time. Take a look at how this worked out: "Then he took them (the apostles) with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing." (Luke 9:10-11) When the crowds arrived he welcomed them!

How welcoming are we to the visitors that come to our church? They might be told that they are welcome, but do they feel it in personal contact and conversation? Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God. This took priority over his "Member Only" time with the apostles. Are we willing to change our plans so we can preach to others? 

Jesus healed those who needed healing. Like him, do we feel compelled to meet the needs of those who come to us?

Let's not be exclusive, but actively welcome anyone who may be seeking Christ.

9:14  The feeding of the 5,000 is recorded in all four gospels –Matt 14:15-21, Luke 9:14-17, John 6:4-14 In fact it is the only miracle that Jesus performed that is recorded in all four gospels.

MAKE TIME FOR PEOPLE

v.11 - Jesus had tried to quietly slip away from the crowds in v.10, but they found out where he was going and followed him. Instead of showing impatience at this interruption, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs. How do we see people who interrupt our schedules? Do we see them as a nuisance or as the reason for our very life and ministry?

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world... so let your light shine before men"

9:5   The instruction to shake off the dust here echoes the idea found in Neh 5:13 where Nehemiah shook his lap to signify his dissociation from those who tool usury of their brethren.

9:5   Jesus taught his disciples to present their message but if it is not heeded to move on to another place. Herein is a lesson for any of us who preach the gospel. A lack of response might be taken as an indication that we should move on to different places.

9:57-61        Notice that three times the call to “follow” is spoken of. Each person mentioned had a different challenge. But whether any of those spoken of actually did “follow” is left unanswered. It is for us to reflect on the circumstances of each and see ourselves in one, or all, or the circumstances and make up our own minds whether we will follow Jesus or not.

9:22   when Jesus said I must be about my Father’s business – Luke 2:49 - we see the beginning of a series of times when Jesus speaks of the essential requirement “must” that things were to happen.  Here is a list of all occasions Luke 2:49, 4:43, 9:22, 13:33, 17:25, L 22:37, 4:44

9:3     Doubtless up to this point in Jesus’ ministry the disciples had been provided for by Jesus through the generosity of others. Now, separate from Jesus, they were to continue to trust that God would provide for them.

9:35    Hearing a voice out of the cloud is like the time when the law was given at Sinai – Exo 19:16

9:7        Herod’s perplexity highlights his superstitious nature. Had he not considered that there might be more than one teacher performing miracles and teaching?

9:13 Jesus’ statement “give ye them to eat” is elaborated a little more in John 6:5 where Jesus first asked Philip where they would get bread.

9:38 What is the significance of the man asking Christ to “look upon” his son, and not, for example, to speak to him or touch him? At the recent transfiguration, Christ’s “face did shine as the sun” (Mt. 17:2). The sun can `look’ upon someone: “the sun hath looked upon me” (Song 1:6). Christ is “the Sun of righteousness … with healing in his wings” (Mal. 4:2). As “the sun of righteousness” Christ could look upon the son and heal him. 

9:13 Jesus’ statement “give ye them to eat” is elaborated a little more in John 6:5 where Jesus first asked Philip where they would get bread.

Luke 9:23,24

“… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

To take up our cross is to dedicate our whole life to God - daily. In Rom 12:1 we are told to present our bodies as living sacrifices. In other words, we don’t just bring an offering, we are the offering! We are to wholly offer our lives in dedication to God’s service, not some, not half, but all.

We read in Luke 14:28,29 about the importance of counting the cost to see if we are able to finish our work. Jesus tells us the cost is giving our whole life if we are to follow him! We need to seriously ponder this. Imagine if Abraham had not in obedience prepared to offer his son as a sacrifice. How confusing it must have been to him since the promise came through his son Isaac! How confusing it must have been for Isaac when there was no burnt offering and his father put him on the altar to be sacrificed! Abraham trusted in the Father, Isaac trusted in the Father and his father that everything will turn out fine despite appearances (Gen 22:9). Their faith led them to believe, trust and obey that it will all work out even though they did not understand or know what was ahead for them. They gave their all, and this is the kind of faith we are called to if we are to be considered heirs with Abraham!

This was a test from God to see if they were prepared to give all to Him. It was the precursor of what God will do with His son, Jesus, who will be the actual offering, - a trade-off of Isaac. Abraham was prepared to offer his son, “for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son… (Gen 22:16), and compare this with John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son…” Imagine where we would be had Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus not been obedient, had not been prepared to give their all, even their own lives! We are called to follow Jesus. It is not enough to be “believers,” to come to Jesus, we must also be “followers,” and surrender whatever holds us in believing and implicitly trusting in the Father. We must be obedient even if we don’t understand the circumstances we are called to face.

The crosses we bare are the burdens we face in whatever capacity manifested as we go through life, and we bare them daily for Christ. We begin this at the beginning of each day and follow Jesus throughout the day. In other words, live it out day by day. We can succeed if we deny self, which is to take to heart the Word. Nothing we read or watch is comparable or as important as to what God reveals to us. Moses in his final days emphasized to the Israelites that God’s Word is life itself and to forsake it meant forsaking our own life. Moses said, “Set your hearts unto all the words… because it is your life!” (Deut 32:46,47).

9:11 notice the order, it matched what Jesus told them – verse :2 – the preaching came before the healing. The healing confirmed the words, not the other way round.

Luke 9:62

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Literal translation from Aramaic

“A man who is considered an expert plougher and a good worker is one who while ploughing never looks behind. A new servant who has just been hired, is watched by his employer to see if he looks behind.

Ploughers who look behind are not considered good workers. They look behind to see how much of the field has been done in order to reckon when they will be finished. While doing this they have to stop the oxen.

A tireless plougher is one who always looks forward, determined to finish his work and only looks at the unploughed soil to see it decreasing in size.

The disciples of Jesus were not to look behind and be discouraged by the few converts which had been gained, because the work of the gospels at the outset was to progress very slowly. But they were to look forward to see the big work ahead.”

A KEY TO THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL, George M. Lamsa, p. 98

9:11 Doubtless all who were ill who came to Jesus realised that they were in need of healing. Sadly not everyone who is sick with the disease of mortality is aware of their need to be healed!