Comments for April 20

v. 5 - There is rare evidence here of the extent of the fighting which God did on behalf of his people. We are told of no casualty record for Israel for this war, only of the utter destruction of the enemy every time - every walled, gated and barred city, and a great many unwalled towns - and they took them all. What's more they didn't increase their numbers by keeping the people alive as slaves, etc. They were to be destroyed - It was God's command. This supports the report of the spies. Num.13:28, Deut.1:28. As long as we destroy the world and remain pure to the house of God, we know that we are offered the same protection. Deut.20:17-18, Num.21:2, Ps.135:10-12,19-21.

v.11 Og is singled out for mention because he was at 'Rephaim' and Israel were in process of destroying them. It is interesting that the Philistines are in the Valley of Rephaim at the time of the slaying of Goliath. 2 Samuel 5:18

v.17 Chinnereth is the ancient name for the Sea of Galilee Numbers 34:11 here Joshua 13:27 19:35 After the conquest of the land the name does not occur again.

v.11 - Here we see the end of an age - the age of the giant. The end of all those who had dissuaded the ten spies from bringing a good report. The proof that the two faithful spies' reports were correct is here now. In this short time every one of the race of the giants is now removed.

3:9 There are only two places in Scripture where 'Hermon' and 'Shenir' occur together. This is one of them the other is Song of Solomon 4:8. We might like to try to work out why.

LEAVE NO SURVIVORS

As Israel began to take the land on the east of Jordan, Og the king of Bashan and Sihon the king of Heshbon marched out against Israel. Israel engaged in battle with them and the LORD handed them over to Israel. Moses said, "At that time we took all his (Sihon's) towns and completely destroyed them - men women and children. We left no survivors." And about Og, king of Bashan, Moses said, "We struck them down, leaving no survivors."

The fact that they left no survivors may seem a little harsh, but God had warned them that leaving survivors would tempt them to leave the LORD their God and worship the idols of the people who lived there before. Later on as they conquered Canaan some of them relaxed their efforts and found the temptation just as God had said.

God has called each of us from a life where we served sin and had no regard for God to a life of complete devotion to him. To achieve this we need to clean out our old way of life and get rid of all the things that will tempt us away from God. It's no good just cleaning up and putting things away. We must do as Israel did and remove the temptations completely, leaving no survivors.

:8 In reminding Israel of their success at the battle mentioned Moses is encouraging the nation before they cross Jordan.

3:18-20 So we learn that the two and a half tribes had already made their request to Moses before the time that Deuteronomy was spoken - further confirming that Deuteronomy was spoken very late in the wilderness journey.

V.25-26 This would have been the natural and earnest wish of Moses, that he be allowed to cross the river Jordon, so that he could see the promised land. The LORD soon put an end to any thought that Moses might have had, that he would be able to see that good land. "Speak no more unto me of this matter" What I have said is unchangeable.  

Moses begged God to let him cross the Jordan, he says in today's chapter, Deut 3:23-25. But God stood firm.  Had Moses committed "the unforgivable sin" when he said, "Must WE fetch you water out of this rock?" (Num 20:10).  There's a sin which cannot be forgiven, Jesus said. "Blasphemy against the holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men." (Matt 12:31)  Moses took God's power to himself.

Contrast the reluctance of Israel to confront the giants thirty-eight years previously with the defeat of the Amorite Og, the last of the Rephaim (giants). There are some large fellows around, but one whose resting place (sarcophagus) was thirteen feet by six feet, is truly humongous.  It is understandable, from a human perspective, how one can become fearful of such size and strength.  But faith overcomes fear: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident (Ps. 27:1-3).

3:20     In speaking of ‘giving rest’ Moses introduces a theme which will run through Deuteronomy and even be used at the tie of David being on the throne in Jerusalem – 2Sam 7:1

3:8    The deliverance of Og king of Bashan and Sihon  into Israel’s hands provided them with evidence that God would fulfil His word about taking possession of the land of Canaan.

3:26 ‘speak no more ...’ may well have been the Scriptural encouragement that Paul thought on when he was told ‘my grace is sufficient for thee’ – 2Cor 12:9

V.1 Og was a giant of the Rephidim clan who existed before the Amorites came. When the Amorites did come, they intermarried with the Rephidim and were thus tall (Amos 2:9).

V.11 What is meant by bedstead is a sarcophagus. It was not made of the metal iron but rather of basalt which contained some iron. The Arabs called basalt iron. The dimensions of the sarcophagus would be larger than Og himself, and so we do not have any accurate data on how tall Og really was.

3:23 The way in which Moses ‘besought the Lord' is echoed in Paul’s threefold request that the thorn in the flesh be removed from him – 2Cor 12:8

3:1-17 The summary given here was designed to encourage Israel to do what they had said they were not able to do when they came to the border of the land the first time.  Giants had been killed and cities taken – just the things that Israel had used as excuses for not entering the land the first time.

JUST THE BEGINNING

He was 120 years old. He had lived one of the most remarkable lives that any human being could have lived. He had seen first hand the great signs and wonders that had been done in Egypt as the LORD rescued the Children of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh. He had seen the waters of the Red Sea part and had led God's people through between the waves. He had seen the way God provided Manna and quail every day for over a million people. He had seen the glory of the Tabernacle and the fire of God on the mountain. He had personally seen the glory of God, he had experienced the righteousness and wisdom of God in the Law. And most recently he had seen the power of God as the novice army of Israel, with the help of the LORD, defeated the massive and battle hardened veterans of Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan.

At 120 years old and after all these experiences, Moses said this: "O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what go is there who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?" (Deut 3:24)

At 120 years old and after all these experiences Moses realized that God had only begun to show him his greatness. What Moses saw was just the start! With this in mind we can begin to appreciate the blessings of resurrection and immortality with unlimited time to experience God's unlimited greatness. Wow!

3:28   Moses was not to mention his desire to cross Jordan – Deut 3:26 – but rather was to focus on encouraging Joshua. A case of putting other people before oneself. An exhortation for us.

3:18-20            The way in which the two and a half tribes were willing to do as Moses required of them shows that they were not seeking an easy life by asking for the land on the East of Jordan. It is evident, actually, that land was to be part of the inheritance anyway. The lesson is that when we have what we want and are comfortable we should not forget the needs of others. Further we should be willing to make sacrifices – as did those two and a half tribes when they left their families behind – in the help we give to others.

3:21   Moses knew he would not enter the land. He, as a Godly man, sought a replacement in the form of Joshua. He now encourages Joshua t continue the work which has been begun. Such selfless commitment to the things of God should be our example. We should remember that it is God’s work that ha sto be done. It doesn’t matter who does it. We should be happy that we may have been passed over and others given a job we were planning to do. 

3:3     Lest Israel thought that they had won victories against Og the king of Bashan they are reminded that God had delivered them. How often do we think we can do things in our own strength, not realising God’s involvement in our lives. This is not to say that we need not put any effort into our lives. Rather it is to emphasise that without God we could do nothing.

3:24    When Moses said that God had “begun” to show all His might we see that Moses realised that even though he had been blessed greatly there were even better things to follow. Ultimately that which was to follow was eternal live in that which God had promised. Moses saw beyond the “here and now”. Do we?

3:11     Israel were afraid to enter the land the first time they arrived there because there were “giants” in the land – Num 13:33 – but now they are being told that all the giants are now dead.

3:11,13          The repeated use of the words “giants” here and in Deut 2:11,20 was to remind Israel that God had subdued countries inhabited by giants as words of encouragement to the nation who had said that they were unable to go into the land of Canaan because there were giants there – Num 13:11

3:22   That Israel were not to fear their enemies has its counterpart in the way in which Jesus taught his disciples not to fear the Jewish authorities that persecuted them, for example Matt 10:28

3:28 When Moses was raised to speak to Christ “of his decease” (Lk. 9:31) at the transfiguration he would know what to say for this command would also apply to the greater Joshua as well: “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him”.

3:1-3 We read of the way I which Og was defeated by Israel but we should realise that in talking about the conquest of the land Moses has passed over almost forty years of Israel’s history in the wilderness.

3:2-3 further recounting what Israel had achieved so far was designed to encourage them to cross the river Jordan to take the land that their fathers had been afraid to take nearly forty years earlier.

3:3 Israel’s reluctance to enter the land the first time was because they were fearful of the “giants” – Num 13:33 – so in His goodness to His people a giant was overthrown before they entered the land. Moses now reminds the nation of this.

3:5  Having taken control of the land east of Jordan along with its giant and fenced cities we see a contrast with the lament of those at the border of the land the first time who would not go in because of fear of the inhabitants of the land – Num 13:32

3:2-3 At the border of the land for the second time Moses reminded those about to cross Jordan of the deliverance they had already experienced only weeks earlier with the conquest of Og, king of Bashan. This should have encouraged them to believe that they would also conquer the land of Canaan. The faith that they were expected to develop was based on experience, not just a mere hope.

v. 8 has always been a favourite of mine. It seems to epitomise the correct attitude, and supply the right reasoning for us to stay in a fully-informed perspective. We should not asked for riches, but equally it is appropriate not to be in poverty that might cause us to contravene the law in order to survive (v.9). Here Agur is asking for God to provide a perfect background against which he can worship - surely the sign of a man who has his sights set on the right things. Ps.62:9-10.

v.1 Proverbs 30 & 31 provide the inspired insights of two men not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. These two chapters read as narrative rather than individual proverbs.

v.5 - drawn from Ps.18:30 is repeated here to remind us that it is the purity of God's word that gives it its power to protect. We are kept safe by the very nature of God's promises - the fact that what he has spoken He will have to perform, because He doesn't lie. This is purity of purpose. This is what gives us protection.

:18-33 In reflecting on the things which appear so natural in this life the wise man is able to see the wonder of God working in the world. It is in the simple things of life that God is seen.

If there were two requests we could make of God for this life, these would be two at the top of the list.

"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise I might disown you and say,
'Who is the LORD?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonour the name of my God."
(Proverbs 30 v 7 - 10)

Fortunately our God is not a genie in a lamp that grants its owner three wishes. He is a great God who hears and responds to all our requests. So there is no need to be afraid of asking him for what we need. These two requests are very important to our ability to lead a godly life.

In today's society it is so easy to get struck by falsehood and lies. We both hear, believe and speak them. James says that if we can control our tongue we can control our whole body, and this prayer will help. Our world is also plagued with both riches and poverty. Let's not seek to dishonour God by either.

If we are kept from lies, poverty and riches we will be well on the way to eternity.

:3-4 reads very much like the way in which God challenges Job and the next comment :5 reinforces the lesson that God wishes to teach Job - that He is righteous and that man is in need of recognising that He can do as He wishes with His creation. So we might ask whether Agur's words are an inspired comment on the book of Job.

30:33 We are being counselled to avoid continually harping on about an issue. Just as repeated churning of milk makes butter so the way we keep returning to a grief from the past will eventually cause an argument. Wise is the brother or sister who forgets earlier contentions. Just as the Father remembers our sins no more Heb 8:12 we should move on in our relationships and not keep bringing up former strifes if we want the relationship to grow.

V.11-14 In these few verses we see four types of a hateful person. Each issue is expanded as we read through the chapter.

V.24-31 These verses provide two classes of illustrations of various aspects of nature around us which can be applied to our lives. V25-28 show diligence and providence are commended, the success of these insignificant animals being due to their instinctive activity, rather than strength. The other class V.30-31 provides similes for whatever is majestic or comely, uniting efficiency with gracefulness.

Agur means collector, while Jaker means obedience.  Outside of Prov. 30, nothing is ever mentioned about an individual named Agur.  This leaves many to believe, like the ancient rabbis, that Agur is a reference to Solomon.  Here Solomon, the son of obedience (to Yahweh), is a collector of wise sayings, just as he is the possibly designated the preacher of Ecclesiastes (Ecc 1:1). 

I’m sorry, but I don’t know who the names refer to in Prov 30:1.  Strongs Concordance says they probably refer to Solomon -  but we are not told.  The important thing about the first 6 verses of this chapter (Prov 30:1-6) is that the writer feels so ignorant in the face of  God’s mighty power.  He feels like an animal in comparison.  Who has ever understood God’s creative power (v4)? What God says is true (v5), and He will protect those who trust in Him. Let nobody add to His Words (v6).

30:5-6  The injunction not to add to God’s word is found elsewhere – Deut 4:2, Rev 22:18-19- Now we might think that we do not add to His words but maybe we do when we try to redefine things using non Biblical terminology, or when we miss use Scripture trying to define what we think God is saying in His word.

V.7-9 What a wonderful prayer we have in these few verses. To be exempted from wickedness, and the extremes of poverty and of riches. The world that we live in today would be so much better if wickedness was eliminated, and every man was content with what he has been provided with. We pray daily for that day to come when we will see all evil and the lusts of man done away with. "When all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD"

30:8 Here is wise counsel. We, probably, would reason that wealth would enable us to serve God more easily. However ‘having food and raiment we should be content – 1Tim 6:8

30:11-14 There have always been men and women who have turned away from God so Agur is not speaking of some new phenomenon. Rather the ‘generation’ speaks of peer pressure. That is in every generation there are those who associate with their peers to their destruction. We are called upon to separate ourselves from the way of thinking which looks to our contemporaries for instruction. The classic example is Rehoboam – 1Kin 12:8- who sought the opinion of his peers rather than God to his destruction.

30:18-20 Each of these ‘natural’ things has a spiritual counterpart

The eagle

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; ... as eagles

The serpent

Motion of a serpent (snake) on a smooth rock is not easy to understand –

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil

The ship

The sea - the wicked nations

Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea

John 6:18 The sea arose

John 6:21 Jesus enter the ship

John 6:21 Immediately at the land

(With Christ in the vessel ...)

The man

Christ is the man (groom ) - we are the woman (bride)

Eph 5:26 The cleansing effect of the Word

The more we get to know Jesus the more appealing he is.

Matt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

V.8 vanity (KJV) really means idolatry. It is a spiritually happy place not having wealth nor being poor: the ability to pay your way without having the burden of riches. Food convenient for me (KJV) really indicates daily bread.

V.10 the accusation here implies a false accusation.

Vs.11-14 Four unpalatable groups of people:

1) Ungrateful children

2) Hypocrites

3) The proud

4) The oppressors

V.15 Antoine Calmet (1672-1757) remarks that the horseleach is covetousness and its two daughters are avarice and ambition.

V.19 Wonderful is indicating difficult to understand. Does the writer mean exactly those things, or is he denoting: 1) things in the air; 2) things on the ground; 3) things in the water; 4) human behaviour?

V.25 See Prov 6:6-11.

Prophetic references to God's son - Prov 30:4;Psa 2:7;Luke 1:35;Acts 13:33;Heb 1:5.

30:20 The introduction of the ‘adulterous woman’ immediately after the couplets of the previous verses might seem odd. However it is a contrast with the man and the maid. Whilst ‘#the way of a man with a maid’ speaks wonderfully of the way that Christ seeks his bride the harlot seeks the man to lead him astray.

30:9    The human mind is avaricious. It is never satisfied – Ecc 1:8. We should be content with what we have Heb 13:5. We would not want to be so wealthy that we forsook God.

Prov 30:11,17

“There is a generation that curseth their father, And doth not bless their mother…And despiseth to obey his mother.”

I remember as a child I thought my parents were old fashioned, too hard, and uncaring. There were times when I even thought they were the meanest parents in the world! While other kids were allowed to have candies for breakfast, I had to eat eggs with toast. While other kids could have Lulus for lunch and drink Coke, I had to eat nutritional sandwiches and drink juice. Then they had to know where I was at all times, who I was going with, and how long I planned to be away. The other kids' parents allowed them to stay out late and have fun while I had to kneel by my bedside, pray, and be in bed by 9 PM. I had to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth because they were sure to find me out, and the latter end would be worse. It seemed almost like they could read my mind, and that was pretty scary! I am also ashamed to admit that my parents even broke the Child Labour Laws. Why, I had to wash the dishes, make my bed, tidy up my room, do laundry, and learn to cook, and was never allowed to sass back to boot. It simply was not tolerated. Imagine that!

Most parents love, provide, labor, and sacrifice for their children, but children do not always understand why parents do what they do, but it is certainly wise to be obedient to them, nonetheless (Prov 1:8-9; Prov 6:20-22; Eph 6:1-3). As I grew older and thought about their selfless sacrifices for me, it brought tears to my eyes. I finally understood what all their “meanness” was about. I thought of those sleepless nights they went through when I was sick, how they nurtured me, cared for me, loved me, and wanted nothing but the best for me, and the whole time I thought nothing of it. It was just something parents are supposed to do!

We live in a generation wherein children are rapidly losing the meaning of love, respect and honor towards their parents. Sadly, we have become a generation that simply does not have very many “mean” parents anymore who will put their foot down, and nurture and cherish their children in the admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

30:10 The words of wisdom here are taken up and given a spiritual application in Rom 14:4

30:8   In a similar manner Jesus teaches us to ask God not to tempt us –Mt 6:13– It is all too easy to rely on our own strength

1. Prov 30:1 - "prophecy"<4853>.

2. Prov 30:3,5 - Agur's knowledge falls far short of the knowledge of the Holy One; God reveals wisdom through His Word.

3. Prov 30:4-5 - Deut 30:11-14.

4. Prov 30:6 - don't add or subtract to God's Words (e.g. Book of Mormon, Rabbinic Law, Apocrypha, Catechism, Ellen White's writings, gospel of Judas, even the serpent added to God's Word Gen 3:1-5) - (2Tim 3:16;Rev 22:18;Mark 7:7,8,13).

5. Prov 30:7-9 - two wise requests involving character and circumstance conducive to good character. The danger of having too much (Deut 8:10-14;31:20;Neh 9:35;Hos 13:6;Matt 13:22;Prov 21:6;Psa 62:10) and the danger of having too little (Prov 6:30;Lev 19:11).

6. Prov 30:8 - "vanity"<7723>.

7. Prov 30:10 - behavior toward those in need (Matt 25:40;Prov 22:22-23).

8. Prov 30:11-14 - applies to various generations including today's (2Sam 15:1-10;16:22;Isa 65:5;Matt 23:27-28;Luke 16:15;Prov 6:17;Psa 101:5;2Thess 2:4;Isa 2:11-12;Psa 131:1;10:5-11;Matt 23:14;2Tim 3:1-5;Rev 19:13,15).

9. Prov 30:18-20 - each instance of "the way of" is almost beyond comprehension and leaves no outward traceable sign.

10. Prov 30:21-23 - things which are bearable (Prov 19:10;1Tim 3:6;Psa 14:1;Prov 30:9;Gen 29:30-31;16:4) - "For/for"(<8478> perhaps should be rendered "under" in these four instances of verses 21-23).

11. Prov 30:21 - "the earth" likely refers to the inhabitants of the earth.

12. Prov 30:22 - "fool"<5036>.

13. Prov 30:24-28 - little but wise, we can learn from them.

14. Prov 30:25 - (Prov 6:6).

15. Prov 30:26 - "conies"<8227>.

16. Prov 30:27 - Joel 2:7-8.

17. Prov 30:28 - "spider"<8079>.

18. Prov 30:30 - (Job 4:11;Isa 30:6;31:4;Rev 5:5).

19. Prov 30:31 - (NET) "a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king with his army around him".

20. Prov 30:32 - "foolishly"<5034>.

21. Prov 30:32-33 - be humble and peaceful - (Isa 66:2).

29:11,20 It is all too easy to “speak our minds” however the wisdom of God seen here counsels care in the things we say. Once spoken words cannot be retracted. The damage is done and no amount of apologies can change what we have said. 

30:21-23          The four examples given here all speak of a person who is exalted above his position. This is not in any way supporting a class system. Rather we are being taught that each of us has skills and abilities and if we seek to be treated above our ability (through pride) we are behaving foolishly. An example of this can be seen in Jesus’ teaching – Luke 14:7-11

"Every word of God is pure;
 He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
 Do not add to His words,
 Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."

The word "pure" in this context means complete and unimprovable. Pure Gold can be added to with other metals but it decreases its value. Pure alcohol can be watered down, but never increased in strength. The word of God can only go from truth to error when we add to it.

30:32 It is never too late to turn back from a wrong thought or action is what the wise man is saying here. Job 40:4 indicates this as a way of acknowledging error.

30:27  The locusts, in the united focused destruction, are shown to not need a leader amongst them. In like manner we need no human leader (king). As the locusts; instinct guides them so our instruction from our king should guide us as if we were a single individual.

SELF TALK

Self talk can be one of the most important things we do. The things that we say to ourselves, especially out loud and repeatedly, are the things that we end up believing. For instance, the person that wakes up in the morning, saying, "This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it," will become a rejoicing and God honouring person.

One of the sayings of Agur also mentions self talk. He says, "This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.'" (Prov 30:20). Because she says it out loud, it becomes what she believes and she convinces herself that there is nothing wrong with making love to men other than her husband.

Whether we realise it or not, our self talk is a major motivation factor in our lives. It can direct us in the right way to live or it can steer us away from God. Bob the Builder's, "Can we fix it? Yes we can!" is an example of really positive self talk. But a complainer will train themselves to see the worst in everything.

What sort of self talk is going on in your life? If it needs changing, try taking a Bible verse that builds you up and repeat it aloud several times a day for the next few weeks. You will see what self talk can do.

30:1-4 Agur utters his Godless thoughts. The remainder of the chapter is the response of a Godly man – Solomon – to those words.

30:5     God’s faithful communication – always – is the ideal to which we should aspire in all our communications. Is every word we say / write/ think “pure”? If not then how can we improve? The answer has to be by understanding how He thinks and speaks more perfectly. This will only come from reading and putting into practice the things He teaches us about Himself.

30:12 the one who was pure in his own eyes is like the Pharisee Jesus portrays in a parable – Luke 18:11.

30:15 the way the horseleech is shown is like Ecc 1:8

30:5 the purity of God’s word is seen often as something that we should recognise. For example Psa 13:1, Psa 19:10

30:10 It is not unusual for one believer to criticise another believer. Especially when one “knows” that the other is in the wrong, Consider, it may be that the other is not in the wrong but on a different part of the journey as a disciple. Such things were happening amongst the believers in Rome. Paul was inspired to warn against judging another man’s servant Rom 14:4). The counsel of “Agur” predates Paul’s counsel. It is timeless. 

30:5-6 Doubtless not one of us would imagine to try and add to scripture. However it is possible that we may try to do it without even thinking. There may be times when we do not understand a passage and so try to change its meaning to fit in with a pre-conceived idea. Or we may say that the written intended to say … thus changing the words we read. This is not to say that other translations are not helpful. They indeed can be. The problem comes when we feel that there is a problem with the text of scripture when in reality the problem is with our understanding of that passage of scripture.

30:8 Vanities and lies go together because the vain person sustains their vain position by living a life which is a lie. Trying to be what they are not.

30:19 the way of a man with a virgin

Many commentators consider v19 to be a favourable reflection on courtship - it is full of wonder and excitement for the future and is difficult to fathom. However, it maybe that v19 is a warning about hidden motives.

Consider the following:

** If v20 is a commentary on v19, then it is a negative comment that speaks about deception, cover up and hiding reality.

** The examples in v19 are all about not knowing the mind or intention of the subject of the examples -

   1. an eagle in the sky gives no indication of where it has come from, or where it is going;

   2. the serpent on a rock leaves no track of where it has come from, and only a guess as to where it is going;

   3. the way of a ship in the sea suggests that, except for a small wake, there is no indication of where the ship has travelled from, or where it is travelling to; and

   4.  the way of a man with  a maid may suggest that the man is not revealing  his true intentions. What are his motives - is it genuine and pure desire to forge a lasting relationship, or is it disguised lust?

** the emphasis is upon the man's motives, not the woman's, and not both of them experiencing the flush of beautiful love. The man has concealed his motives and maybe the girl is being led on.

30:4 We see echoes of the way in which God spoke to Job – Job 38:4-7 – in the way in which Agur speaks

13 v.4-15 - Comparing this with the other gospel records leads us to conclude that this act of Jesus was a practical response and example (v.15) to the disciples in answer to their question (Luke 22:24-26) about which of them should be the greatest. Let us be sure that we learn from this example too and remove all human megalomania from our ecclesias. Acts 8:10, 1Cor.13:13, Heb.8:11.

13 v.5 Jesus washed the disciples feet because the disciples had been arguing about who would be the greatest [Luke 22:24] earlier in the evening. Often actions speak louder than words!

14 v.1 'let not your heart be troubled' is a continuation of Jesus’ words to Peter in the previous chapter. Jesus had told Peter that he would deny him but continues immediately to comfort Peter with these words. Luke 22:32 shows that Jesus also told Peter that he had prayed for him at this trying time.

We should realise that the Last Supper took place the night after the meal in Bethany where Jesus was anointed. Those who shared both meals were, to all intents the same people. The disciples and Jesus. So the washing of the disciples feet which was reminiscent of the anointing of Jesus' feet would have reminded the disciples of what had happened the previous night. We are expected to see the link because of the similarity of language between the two meals.

We must ask how our patience matches up to that of the Lord. We know that Jesus 'learnt obedience by the things which he suffered'. [Hebrews 5:8] and that 'tribulation worketh patience' [Romans 5:3]. Do we see our tribulation developing or shortening our patience?

Unless we appreciate that individual questions are asked and unless we consider the questions themselves we will not be able to make sense of the rest of the words Jesus spoke in the 'upper room' precisely because they were answers to specific questions raised by the disciples.

AS A SERVANT

Jesus. Our Messiah, our Saviour, our Lord, our Master, our Shepherd. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, and the Son of God. Jesus is so much greater than any one of us no matter who we are or what we do. Yet if we had been in that upper room in the evening when Jesus and his disciples had the Passover meal and the last supper, this great man would have washed our feet too. What a humbling experience that must have been to the disciples who were there – especially as they had been arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. Now, here was their Lord washing their feet like a servant when they were the ones who should have been washing his feet.

The answer to their argument about who was to be the greatest in the kingdom was Jesus. He would be the greatest in the kingdom. Yet he came to them as a servant, as an example to all who want to be great. He came to serve and we should serve each other too.

Jesus said, "Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

So just as Jesus came as a servant, let us become servants to each other.

13:5 John has Jesus washing the disciple's feet which should alert us to the event in Chapter 12 where Mary anointed Jesus' feet.

14:31 'arise let us go hence' marks the point in the narrative when Jesus and the disciples left the upper room.

WHATEVER YOU ASK

Just how powerful is the power of prayer? Jesus told his disciples to believe in him, "or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves." This gets us to thinking about the miracles that Jesus did: Turning water into wine, raising the dead, healing the deaf, blind and lame, feeding the multitudes and many more. If we had been there and seen them, we would have been astounded and they would have challenged us to believe in him, just as they challenged the Jews. Amazing miracles.

Then Jesus continued, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

This is an incredible promise! It is a promise of power that, when it is used to the glory of the Father and the Son, is far greater than we could ever imagine. That power has been promised to you and me. Jesus has promised it. Do we believe his promise? Do we believe it enough to step out and ask in faith for what we need to show forth the glory of God?

 13:20  Jesus explained a little later in the same discourse that he would come to them by sending the Holy Spirit, in order that they should witness to Him.(14:17-18; 15:26-27) Paul, sent by the Lord Jesus to witness to the Lord, fulfilled these prophecies along with others that worked with him in the first century. 

13:1 We might think 'his own' is the disciples as we now enter the last supper. However John has already defined 'his own' as the Jewish nation (1:11) so Jesus' lasting love was for the nation of Israel in the context of this chapter.

14:3 In saying 'I go ... and will come again' Jesus directs the minds of his disciples to Abraham (Gen 22:5) when Abraham and Isaac leave the servants to go to the sacrifice of Isaac. Jesus now stands in the place of Isaac - hence he says 'I' whereas Abraham said 'we'.

14:11 does not endorse Jesus as being God. That is clear from 14:28.  What it shows is the close spiritual relationship that Jesus had with His Father. 

In the future, when Jesus returns to earth, those found worthy will also enjoy the manifestation of God in them 14:20.  However, not all Christians will attain this - only those who have kept the commandments of Jesus (v.21; Matt 7:21; John 15:14). 

In order that we might understand what is required of us, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, was to be sent to guide 14:26. 

In the first century many signs and miracles were performed through the Holy Spirit as a witness.  Also, by the Holy Spirit, the New Testament scriptures were completed (2Tim 3:16;).  This is the application we now have to guide us today.  T

he Bible is God's Word and our instruction manual (John 5:39).

13:2     John refers to Judas Iscariot as ‘Simon’s son’.  Matt 26:6tells us that Simon’s house was the location of the raising of Lazarus. As Mary and Martha were working in the house we might infer that Simon was their father. We know that Lazarus was their brother so we might conclude that Judas Iscariot was brother to Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

14:28   ‘I will come again’ is not a promise about the future return of Jesus to the earth. Rather it is a specific promise to the disciples which was fulfilled in the giving of the comforter to the disciples.

Have you noticed how eager Jesus is to reveal himself to his disciples as soon as Judas Iscariot is gone?  If you have a bible with words of Jesus in red, you'll easily see that from 13:31 to 17:26 is almost all his words.  It is as if a watershed has occurred, and he now needs to fit in as much teaching as he can.  13:1-3 gives us this idea.  Firstly "his hour had come", whereas previously it "was not yet".  Secondly "the devil having put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray him" seems to indicate that the events that would take Jesus' life had their beginning in that seed planted in Judas's heart, and were now well underway.  Thirdly "the Father had given all things into His hands" indicates that rulership had passed from the Father to the Son.

The gospel of John goes to great lengths to establish this "break point" or "watershed", and I believe it's very significant.  The previous chapter leads up to this by finally declaring him the true "king of the Jews" by right of prophecy and birth.  So why this focus on the status of Jesus, and why this specific watershed in Ch13v1-3?

Well, John goes on to say "he girded himself with a towel... and began to was the disciples feet" and as soon as Judas Iscariot is out of earshot he says it plainly "a new commandment I give... that you love one another as I have loved you".  The point is this.  "no servant is greater than their master" (v16).  If Jesus therefore is king of the Jews, ruler over all that God has given him, their Lord and master, how can they refuse this command?  More than this, if their master had washed peoples feet: for them to refuse to do it too would be like exalting themselves to be greater than him.  Jesus was in effect forcing his followers to be humble; a pre-requisite for bringing them to God (Mic 6:8).

13:21 Even though Jesus had known for some time that one of the disciples would betray him – he even knew who it would be – this did not prevent him being distressed. The distress was because he was going to ‘lose’ one of those who God had given him. How do we feel about the loss of a brother or sister who forsakes the gospel?

In John 13:10 there are two words for “wash” in the AV. The first means to bathe, or wash the whole body (which probably points to baptism; then the second word is a simply wash a part of the body.  This suggests that we only need to be baptised once. Thereafter, we wash our feet, or the part of our life that comes in contact with the dust, or Adam, or the world.

13:4-5 In the upper room everything was ready. The pitcher with water, a basin, and a towel (or linen cloth), yet no one stirred. There was not a hired servant with them, hence you would think one of the disciples would have performed this task. None was willing, they were to proud. A few months ago they had been arguing among themselves who was the greatest (Luke 22:24). This was not the first time that this problem arose with them. Who was the greatest seems to have been on their minds, rather than realizing that greatness is determined by serving others.

14:15  ‘if ye love me keep my commandments’ – such a simple request but so difficult to put into practice. However in essence it encapsulates the whole of the gospel message.

14:2,3  Jesus is not saying that He is going to heaven to prepare a place for His disciples to come to Him there. Otherwise, why would he need to return to earth? No, Jesus is making an allusion to the temple which will be built in Jerusalem according to the vision given to the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel Ch. 41).

This temple will be built when Jesus returns to the earth to rule in righteousness. His disciples will have important roles in that leadership, being in charge of the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28). The mansions (rooms) in the Father’s house (temple), given to the disciples, is synonymous with the elevated positions of leadership which Jesus will give to His resurrected disciples.

13:11 John adds his own inspired comment about Jesus’ understanding about Judas which gives even more pathos to the way that Jesus behaved. He made no distinction amongst the disciples even though he knew what Judas was going to do! Can we be so even handed with our brethren? No one has ever done anything as evil as Judas did against Jesus

13:5 To kneel down and wash someone’s feet is indeed an act of humility and love.

Jesus’ example was meant to set a precedent for His brethren (13:14,15). Do we have enough humility and love to stoop down and take care of our brethren?

13:27 Judas was now set to do evil. Jesus urges him to do it quickly. Forget any pretence, do what your evil heart has decided, there is no turning back.

13:16-17 How often do our actions and words highlight that we do not really believe this all the time? We are all servants but there are times when we are working with other of God’s servants, that we think of ourselves as lords who can give instructions and commands to others which we expect them to obey as if we are higher in status than they.

13:10  That the disciples were  not all clean indicates that just because one has heard the words of God and Jesus there is no guarantee of being cleansed by those words. Judas had spent over three years with Jesus as had the other disciples. But the word had not cleansed him, he had not profited from his association with the word of God.  The warning for us is stark.

14:24   Jesus’ words are stark. However  if we take them to heart we will see the implications clearly for ourselves We cannot say we love Jesus if we do not keep his commandments. Our love is seen in our actions.

Summary Of John

13:1-38 - 14:1-31       In the Upper Room

John 14:13-14 (cf. John 15:16; John 16:23,24,26)

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do… If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

We almost always begin or end our prayers with “in Jesus’ name,” but probably do not give much thought as to exactly what this means, implies, or involves. When we pray in Jesus’ name, our prayers should reflect his values and purposes; our mind and heart shaped by Scripture. In praying in the Jesus’ name, we recognize Jesus’ authority through whom we have the right of approach to the Father to request with a right attitude those things that align with Scripture (cf. John 15:7; Col 3:17; 1John 5:14-15). It is not a ritualistic magical formula tagged to a prayer, but a glorious heritage given us!

The phrase: praying in Jesus’ name, means nothing IF our heart is not right, IF we are not in fellowship with him. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to the will of God. Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honour and glorify God. Praying in Jesus’ name it is like signing his name to our prayers. Everything we say, and everything we do in our daily lives must be done in Jesus’ name. Everything we ask for must be consistent with God’s character, will, and Word. Our daily conduct must be one of continual prayer and praise to God (cf. Psa 37:4).

The concept of names in Scripture involves more than just identifying the person. In our day, names do not convey any particular message about who we are, but the Bible places extraordinary value in a name. In Scripture it represents the very essence of the person, his personality, character, reputation, origin, destiny, and authority (cf. Prov 22:1; Ecc 7:1). Jesus was given a name that is above every name (Phil 2:9-10), and we know that God’s name is exalted above all names (Psa 148:13).

Jesus, or Yahshua means “God saves.” It is the name to which every knee must bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11), and there is no other name by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12).

To ask for anything in Jesus’ name is not a promise without a condition, and that being submitting our will to his will, recognizing that going to the Father in our name carries no weight with Him.

John 13:14,15.

13:9  One wonders if Peter appreciated how the priest was anointed for his work – Lev 8:23 – and that motivated him to mention the specific parts of the body. 

I LOVE JESUS

"Jesus loves me," is one of those sayings we can hear almost anywhere there are Christians. "I love Jesus," is a bumper sticker we see on cars and and hear people say every so often. In fact, if someone pressed us, we would probably have to agree that we too, love Jesus.

To be a Christian and to say that we don't love Jesus would either be a lie or an admission that we are not sure about our faith - neither of which many of us would freely admit to.

Jesus, however, gives us a test to take to see if we love him or not. He said,"If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." (John 14:23-24). The test is obedience. To obey equals to love him.

Our self examination may take a little time. What has he asked of us, and are we obeying him? Let us allow him into our lives by loving and obeying him with all our hearts.

13:3-8 Whilst it appears that the event was prompted by the disciples arguing about who was to be the greatest - Luke 22:24 – it seems to me that there is a little more going on. Namely that Jesus is, by the washing, consecrating them for the work that they were to do after his ascension.

There are a number of similarities in language with the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The table below lists those I have seen so far.

Peter’s request that Jesus washes his head, hands and feet possibly indicating that John wishes us to understand that Peter, eventually, saw the significance of what Jesus was doing.

The exhortation for us, it seems, is that just like the Levites were separated for service (and had no choices as to whether they were to serve or not) our calling as brethren in Christ is not an optional one.

John 14:18 - even when a loved one has fallen asleep in Christ, this passage can be a source of comfort (KJV) "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you"

13:3    A man who prefigured Jesus also had all things (in Egypt) given into his hand – Gen 39:4. Joseph was a faithful servant. So was Jesus. Both doing the work of servants rather than elevating their personal status.

14:1-2  The way in which Jesus as the faithful high priest is preparing a dwelling place – chamber- in his “father’s house” contrasts with the unfaithful high priest Eliashib – Neh 13:4-5prepared a place in the house of God for Tobiah.

John 14:2

“In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again.”

The night before Christ died, he gave his disciples this assurance that he will return and he will have dwelling places prepared for them. No where in the Bible does “my father’s house” ever refer to heaven. However, Jesus called the temple “my father’s house” in John 2:16. Built around the exterior wall of the temple were many chambers used by the priests. Christ’s disciples would have would have associated his words with these chambers and the position of service for them. They were to inherit the Kingdom and be given specific duties when he returns to earth.

The children of Israel were referred to as mine house (Num 12:7).

The apostle Paul styles believers as the house of God (1Tim 3:15).

Christ is over his own house, whose house are we (Heb 3:6).

Judgment begins at the house of God (1Pet 4:17).

The ecclesia, or assembly of called out ones, is both the house and household of God. God is the Father; the ecclesia is the body with Christ its head together comprising His house. The living God’s house is a living house.

As a Great Builder, God had a pattern for Moses and the Israelites to follow, and so do we. The pattern given to us pertains unto life and godliness (2Pet 3:3). The Israelites were warned not to tamper with His pattern, and so are we. We must be obedient to His pattern or form (Rom 6:17,18-23). We must walk the pattern (Phil 3:17; 2Thess 3:9). We must keep the pattern (form) (2Tim 1:13), and take heed to the pattern (Heb 8:5) if we are to have a place in the Kingdom (cf. 1Cor 10:1-11).

Paul painted a very grim picture of the brotherhood before the return of Christ. It is a warning of a pattern most will follow – “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” (2Tim 3:1-7). We are admonished to stay away from such, a lesson not easily learned sometimes, and consequently, we do and will pay a heavy price for it if it remains unheeded.

13:37  Peter’s rather rash statement echoes the sentiments of Ittai who was one of David’s faithful follower – 2Sam 15:21

13:36 Peter’s question about where Jesus was going demonstrated that even at this late time in Jesus’ life the disciples had no idea that he was going to die and be raised from the dead.

14:6     In saying that he is “the way” Jesus is alluding to the way that had to be made to the cities of refuge – Deut 19:3 – Jesus is the way to refuge from sin and death

14:2 These words echo 2 Chronicles 31:11: “Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Yahweh; and they prepared them”.

14:6  In saying that he is “the way” Jesus is alluding to the way that had to be made to the cities of refuge – Deut 19:3 – Jesus is the way to refuge from sin and death

14:5  And now Thomas is as perplexed as Peter was – John 13:36. |Would we have done any better at understanding Jesus' words?

13:22 we should appreciate that the disciples when looking at each other were not thinking that any of them might betray Jesus. Their looking one on another was in total incredulity.

13:2,27 The devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him

Whoever or whatever the devil and satan is in this account, we know that Judas was fully responsible for his actions. But if the devil or satan is a fallen angel tempter who infiltrated Judas' mind, why is Judas held entirely responsible for his actions, such that  "It would have been better for him if he had never been born" (Mark 14:21) ? This would be a case of blaming the victim (Judas), and letting the perpetrator (satan) get off without censure or punishment.

14:30 “The prince of this world” – seen also in John 12:31, 16:11 – clearly speaks of the Jewish authorities and their evil intentions.

John 14:6,7,9,10

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father… Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me… but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

“As no man can come to the Father but by Christ, so no man can scripturally come to Christ who does not discern the Father in him. Jesus gave, as the reason of his enemies rejecting him, that they had not known the Father. He said if God had been their Father they would have loved him whom the Father had sanctified and sent into the world, saying further, ‘I and my Father are one.’ He said to his disciples, ‘If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also;’ and added, to Phillip’s great surprise, ‘From henceforth ye know him, and have seen him… He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.’  One of the most conspicuous features of Christ’s teaching on earth was the prominence which he gave to the Father’s relation to all he said and did. He expressly said, ‘I am come in my Father’s name;’ and describing, in his prayer to the Father, the work he had accomplished on the earth, he said, ‘I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me.’… To detach Christ from the Father is, therefore, an impossibility, and to see Christ without seeing the Father is not to see the Christ of the Scriptures but another Jesus than the one Paul preached.” Robert Roberts, A WORD IN SEASON – Remembering Christ Acceptably, pp. 153-156.

I recently heard it said that Christians and Jews serve the same God! To preach this completely contradicts Jesus! “No man,” means nobody. Race or DNA is not a deciding factor, as Jesus unequivocally pointed out in replying to the Pharisees. “Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. (John 8:19).  Jesus also said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).  To believe and preach, otherwise, is to preach a “damnable heresy.” It is to preach another Gospel, another Jesus, and another God (2Cor 11:4; 2Pet 2:1).

13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another

Maybe the opposite is true as well: "By this all people will know that you are NOT my disciples, if you do not have love for one another"

14:7 If you [Thomas] had known me you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.

Thomas was sceptical regarding Jesus' resurrection "Unless I SEE in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). Strong words.  His unbelief turned to belief when Thomas saw Jesus (no mention of now needing to touch his body) (John 20:27). But Thomas also affirmed Jesus as God displayed in the flesh, just as Jesus predicted in John 14:7, when he uttered "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with towel that was wrapped around him.

Travellers mostly travelled on foot and so visitors needed to have their feet washed when arriving at a host's house. Not just any servant was assigned the job of washing the visitors' feet - it was the lowliest servant in the household who was given the task. Jesus' response to the debate about who was the greatest in the Kingdom was clear - the lowliest servant is the greatest.  Go and do likewise. 

13:28-29 John had asked a clear question 13:25 – who is the betrayer? - and it looks as if Jesus answered clearly - :26  – but none of the disciples  realised what Jesus was saying. So we must conclude that the response was designed for Judas, not the one who had asked the question.  It was a final appeal to Judas, it seems. Judas needed to know that Jesus was well aware of his intentions.