Comments for June 14

14 v.19 - I don't understand why God would want to intervene to save Samson from this situation which he had brought on himself. He seems here to have set up a wager which he cannot pay - a very irresponsible act based on one of the baser desires of human nature. Why did God help him to 'escape' from this predicament when it went wrong, and at the expense of 30 lives as well. Ashkelon was on the Philistine coast. If Samson was around Zorah and Eshtaol (13:25) then Ashkelon was around 20 miles away.

14 v.4 - Even though it was 'of the Lord' that Samson wanted to take a Philistine woman to wife he was not justified in his actions. The law was specific, Israel were not to marry strange women. [Deuteronomy 7:3] This is why Samson's parents were troubled. Notice also that the nation of Israel, who had been given the land, were in subjection, not to Yahweh but to the Philistines.

15:13 The way in which the men of Israel were going to deliver Samson to the gentiles, though not kill him themselves mirrors the way in which Israel treated Jesus. [Luke 18:32]

15 v.18-19 - We see that God was in agreement with Samson's action, which we would find quite unacceptable. It is often necessary for us to recognise that we are affected by the sentimentality of the world's thinking, and we have a twisted view of the sanctity of human life. It is clear that God does not place any value at all on human life, unless the person turns to Him. People who do not turn to Him can be killed in their thousands and God is not angered by it, in fact, as we see here, gives His support.

Here are some more links with the life of Jesus

Links with the crucifixion

chs 13 and 14 - TRUST HIM, HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING
Have you ever wondered why God called you to a specific job? You think that someone else you know would do it so much better than you do - if only they were here. Why didn't God get them to do it - they would have done the job with so much less effort and so much better than anything we ever did. Yet God knows what he is doing. I have often wondered why God chose Manoah to be the Father of Samson. Surely there must have been more faithful people in Israel than Manoah and his wife. He didn't seem to trust his wife when she told him that an angel had appeared to her; He had the angel repeat everything he told her; He thought they would be killed when he realised an angel had spoken to them; He gave in what seems like easily when Samson wanted a Philistine wife, and didn't say anything about Samson going through the vineyard when he was a Nazarite. Yet God chose this man to be the father of Samson. He probably had them most influence on Samson's life out of any other person. And Samson became one of the most successful and famous judges Israel ever had. God chose the right man for the job and Samson will be in the kingdom. And God chose you and I for the jobs we do because he knows what he is doing. He has chosen the right man for the job.

14:20 That Samson had a fellow who 'he had used as his friend' indicates that the word 'friend' is not used as we use it today. 'Friend' seems to be a title to describe someone with specific responsibilities - See also 2 Samuel 15:37 Psalm 41:9.

15:8 - Etam is in the hill country of Judah about half way between Hebron and Beersheba. Some distance from the Gaza strip where the Philistines dwelt.

14:12-13 What was the purpose of Samson telling his riddle? There is no indication that he was required to make this challenge. If it was just to show his prowess and cleverness it backfired on him.

How often are we concerned to elevate ourselves in the sight of our brethren for our own benefit? Let the example of Samson here be a warning to us.

15:11 Samson seems to have taken revenge against the Philistines because of the way that the family of his father in law was treated. Even if this is what was happening Israel responded incorrectly in delivering up their judge to them.

We do well to realise that we have to respond to situations correctly even if others in that same situation have compromised themselves.

 15:1 The wheat harvest would be about the end of April, early May. The shocks of grain were then gathered into heaps, and lying on the field or on the threshingfloors. It was the dry season, dry far beyond our experience, and the grain would almost be in a combustible state.

It's interesting to note how "the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson" Judg 13:25; Judg 14:6,19; Judg 15:14. But sometimes in the story God's Spirit is not mentioned eg Judg 15:4,8.

Samson was a chosen, dedicated instrument of Yahweh.  He was appointed a judge (leader) in Israel to counteract the 40-year oppression of the Philistines.  Samson killed many Philistines. 

Some people become upset at the killing described in the Bible.  From a human, liberal point of view, this might seem distasteful, but Yahweh sanctioned His chosen ones to destroy His enemies and the enemies of His people.  Samson had Yahweh's approval to destroy the oppressors of Israel.   

It should be noted that Samson is recorded in the list of faithful ones and will, surely, be in the Kingdom (Heb 11:32).

14:2,3 Arranged marriage was the norm in the ancient Near East (and still is in many parts today).  Thus, Samson's parents played an important role in procuring his wife.  Even after marriage, parents still exerted control and direction over their children (15:1,2).

15:11-13 The action of the men of Judah in delivering Samson to their Philistine overlords  is a precursor of the Jews' delivering Christ to their Roman overlords for the same fear (John 11:48).

Release all your pre-conceptions about Samson. Empty your mind of what you know about his later life. Here he is, a young man, having been dedicated to the LORD from birth. Samson, just like Jesus, knew that God had a purpose with him, and he willingly went along with it. Samson was a humble, God fearing, special man.

In 13:24 we have a very similar description of the growth of Samson to the one we have for the boy Jesus (Luke 2:40). In 13:25 we read that the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon Samson. Then the chapter ends and we lay the bible down having read the day's portion. Now, lets forget the chapter division, and just read on... "the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him.... Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman". It was the Spirit of the LORD which moved Samson to go there! Why?

In 14:4 we read "it was of the LORD". Samson was doing this because it was God's will. It was the beginning of the life for which God had prepared him. In v12 Samson deliberately does a very provocative thing in asking a riddle which no-one could solve, just as Jesus at times deliberately provoked the Pharisees during his ministry. Again, in 16:1, Samson deliberately goes to a city deep in Philistine country. Why else would he risk life and limb, if not for his ministry, and if not in faith? Are there any bible echoes to other men who went deep into enemy territory and lodged at the house of a harlot?

14:5     There are a number of times when we find Samson doing things and his mother and father being involved -  see also Judg 14:6,9,16  This is unique amongst all the Judges. Samson is the only Judge of whom we know anything about his parents – and the record speaks about them and his relationship with them a number of times!

15:20 In describing Samson’s judgeship as being ‘in the days of the Philistines’ ends the period of oppressing which started in Judg 13:1. Not that this ends the life of Samson. Rather the section between 13:1 and here is one thematic whole

LIONS AND HONEY
 
Samson's riddle went like this: "Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet." (Judg 14:14) The answer was to do with the lion that Samson had killed earlier and the honey that he had found in it's carcase on the way down to Timnah. But the brain teasing riddle is not the only interesting thing about Samson's question. The lion and the honey became like a parable that explained Samson's life. It also describes the way God works in our lives, with very encouraging messages for us.
 
At the time of Samson, the Israelites were experiencing the bitter rule of the Philistines over Israel. The Philistines were too strong for the Israelites, just as a lion is too strong for the average man. But with the Spirit of the LORD, Samson was able to overcome both the strength of the lion and the strength of the Philistines. It would not have been easy, but once the lion and the Philistines were defeated, the sweet taste of success, peace and fellowship were enjoyed - just like honey.
 
Sometimes God gives us hard times. In those times we have to rely on his strength above our own because the pressures are too much for us. It is only afterwards that we can look back and see that those trials were actually good for us - no longer lions, but honey, giving us the sweet taste of the love of God.

14:8,9 Samson scooped honey from the dead lion. Was this a violation of the Nazarite vow, or did the prohibition only apply to human bodies (Num 6:6)?

15:1-2   The response of the father of Samson’s ‘wife’ provided the ‘occasion’ against the Philistines spoken of in Judg 14:4.

14:4 It is interesting to note that the Philistines were not on the list of devoted nations to be utterly destroyed (Deut 7:1-3).  Therefore, relationships and matrimony were not absolutely prohibited to Israel.  Remember though, that Samson's marriage was orchestrated by Yahweh for the purpose of discomforting the Philistines.

14:14 The Philistines, lacking a spiritual mind, were , like the leaders in Jesus’ day, silenced by the riddle (parable). The woman, who was not a true believer, was not able to expound it either. However she ‘beguiled’ Samson as the serpent did Eve.

14:1 The city Timnath (KJV) should properly be rendered Timnah as more modern version do.  Timnah was a city located in northern Judah.  It is the place where Judah and and his daughter-in-law Tamar had their affair (Gen 38:12-14).

14:20 This was no friend (KJV) of Samson’s.  He was the best man (ESV).  This man was often termed friend of the bridegroom (See John 3:29). Betrayal and treachery had been done by giving Samson’s wife away.  It would be revenged.

15:4,5 Samson took out his vengeance on the Philistines for having his wife taken away.

15:6 This, in turn, provoked the Philistines to incinerate his wife and her father.  Thus, justice was done for their betrayal of him.

15:7 Personal wrongs against Samson had been righted, but, as a judge in Israel, he still had more business with the Philistines (15:8,15).

Samson a type of Christ:

The birth of Samson and Jesus announced by an angel (Judg 13:3;Luke 1:31). Named by his mother (Judg 13:24;Luke 1:31).  Delivering his people (Judg 13:5;Matt 1:21;Heb 2:15).  Child grows and is blessed by God (Judg 13:24;Luke 2:40).  Overcoming the beast (Judg 14:5-6;Lev 26:22;Deut 32:24 "also send the teeth of beasts"; Prov 28:15;Dan 7:3-14).  Receiving strength from God (Judg 14:19;Psa 80:17). Possessing the gate of enemies (Judg 16:3;Gen 22:17-18). Betrayal (Judg 16:5-6;Matt 26:15-16). Bound, blinded/blindfolded and mocked (Judg 16:21,25;Matt 27:2;Luke 22:63-65). Victory over sin's power (the Philistines) through a sacrificial death (Judg 16:30;Heb 2:14-16;9:26). Connected with the sun ["Samson" (8123) means "little sun, sunlight, like the sun" (Judg 13:24;Psa 19:4-5;Mal 4:2)].  A rest connected with family (natural/spiritual) and his father ["Manoah" (4495) means "rest" (Judg 16:31;Matt 11:28;Heb 4:1,4,8-11;Gen 2:2-3;Exo 34:21;Luke 6:5;2Pet 3:8;Psa 90:4;Rev 20:4;Matt 5:5;Rev 5:9-10;22:12)].

Some of the above gleaned from The Gospel in the Book of Judges by Ian Giles, pps. 115-118; and from Judges and Ruth by Harry Whittaker, pps. 153-155. 

15:11 The men of Judah had sold themselves to the Philistines in declaring them as their ‘rulers’. God gave them up to their aspirations.

14:18  Wisdom is sweeter than honey – Psa 19:10 and so is God’s word – Psa 119:103 Of course neither of these things were understood by the Philistines.

                                                                        God rules in the lives of men

God created the heavens and the earth and all that are in them.He works in the world whether it knows him or not, to achieve his own wonderful purpose.We see this in the life of Samson. His birth was announced by an angel sent of God. When Israel was crying under the yoke of servitude God was working his porpose in the house of Manoah.

When Samson was of age we find him wanting to marry a Philistine woman. That was contrary to the law but it was of God.This makes me wonder  how God works in our lives at times. Was it Samson's own desire that God used to achieve his plan against the Philistines? Whatever our answer may be we find God moving forward with his purpose to destroy the Philistines... the father of Samson's wife gave his wife to another man saying he thought Samson did not love her. This angered Samson who could not be pacified by the offer of a more beautiful girl. Was it God who made Samson's father in-law give out her daughter to another man or it was of his own will which God, out of his foreknowledge and all pervading wisdom, rightly placed in this situation so that Samson would find reason to fight their oppressors?

God is working in your life and mine too. In those times when we are crying under slavery, when the present speaks no good of the future(just as Israel did) God's angel would be at Manoah's place organising something for us. We may not know it and often we will not know it but we need to realise that God is doing something for us in someone somewhere. This should be a humbling thought to all of us that should provoke love and respect to all man for we know not  who is being used by God for our ultimate good.                    

This passage and many other like passages in scripture, makes me wonder how God really works in our lives. It draws me to Paul's conclusion in Romans 8:33-36:

 Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen

15:5     We learnt – Verse :1– that it was the time of wheat harvest. So Samson’s behaviour ruined all the crops just before they were harvested. Thus the Philistines would be impoverished until the next harvest. We should read the details and think through the implications of what happened.  This is more than just burning crops. It affected the livelihood of the Philistines for quite some time.

Judg 15:10-13;John 11:49-53 - their own countrymen thought it best that one should die for the people.

Samson as a type of Christ.

It appears from the record of Samsons birth that an earthly father takes a back seat here, as Bro Charles indicates the woman is at the forefront here this perhaps points towards the nature of Christ.

Just like Samson Christ had no earthly father, yet was born of a woman. Just LIke Samson Christ was to be a redeemer of Israel.

The success of the Lord Jesus Christ lay in his parentage, shown in type here . Christ like Samson was born of a woman, indicating his natural propensities like ours while an earthly father had to take a back seat. (though of course i am sure Joseph would have raised Christ with instruction).

However the implication in Judges is that a reddemer could not have 2 earthly parents he must be Begotten of God and that was the only way a man could be a true redeemer of Israel.

How awful it must have been when the Jews questioned his parentage?

14:5    Here and throughout this narrative about Samson we find mention of  a lion.  Lions are no longer found in Israel. An indication of changes that have taken place over the last 3,000 years. 

15:3-4 Samson’s behaviour might seem rather extreme however God was using him to judge and punish the Philistines. In reality the judgment was from God.

14:16  This is the first of two occasions when a woman entices Samson to tell her things. The other is in Judg 16:5

14:4 While it says that Samson's desire for the Philistine was of the Lord, this does not mean that God caused Samson to desire the Philistine or that he was sanctioning it. Samson's lust for foreign women was in his character, he consorting with harlots and Delilah show this very clearly. God used Samson's character flaw to bring destruction on the Philistines. The fact that Samson broke the law, he did not go unpunished. Consider what happened, his wife betrays him, she is given to another man and in the end he is denied her permanently with her death by fire and Samson spends most of his life on the run.   

15:2     In offering Samson the “younger sister” we see that Samson was being snubbed.

Further to Bro. Alex's point above:

In regard to the actions of Samson with the three Philistine women he had relations with that are recorded in the book of Judges, I have encountered the argument that in his involvement with these women, Samson was “merely preaching to them and trying to convert these women to the Truth” rather than engaging in fleshly pleasures with them. Neither in the book of Judges nor elsewhere in Scripture is there any evidence to support this assertion, and according to many commentators it is nothing more than an ancient Jewish legend for which no corroborating Scriptural or historical evidence has ever been found.

The argument also appears to contradict such statements as Judges 14:2-3: “I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines…” “…Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.  But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he (Samson) sought an occasion against the Philistines.” Surely, if Samson was going to see this woman to preach the Truth to her, Scripture would not have recorded these facts that contradict such an assertion.  In addition,verse 20 records that Samson’s wife was given to another man and eventually burnt alive by the Philistines as Judges 15:6 records.

As for Delilah, nothing more is recorded in Scripture about her after she had betrayed Samson and instigated his downfall. Contrast that silence about Delilah's future and the miserable fate of Samson's wife with what is recorded in Scripture concerning the fate of say Rahab or Ruth the Moabitess after her becoming involved with Boaz.

In addition, Judges 16:1-3 record that Samson went to one of the principal Philistine towns of Gaza for no other purpose than to make use of the services of a Philistine prostitute as the phrases “and went in unto her” and “And Samson lay till midnight…” clearly imply.

Furthermore, Sorek (verse 4), where Delilah lived was noted for its fine wines and fleshly pleasures. It is clear to me that, contrary to preaching the Truth to such Philistine women, Samson’s “lust of the flesh” and his strong sexual appeal to these women by virtue of his great physical strength, were made use of by Yahweh to wreak destruction on the "uncircumcised Philistines" – however unpalatable Samson’s behaviour may be to us. 

Scripture specifically records in Judges 14:4 that “he (Samson) sought an occasion against the Philistines…” The verse also records that it was Yahweh’s will that Samson “sought an occasion against the Philistines…” Surely, if Samson had been so keen to save these Philistine women, he would have been directly opposing the will of Yahweh.

From Proverbs 16:32 and from the Scripture record of Judges it seems clear to me that Samson had trouble controlling his “lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh” and he felt he was entitled to enjoy these fleshly pleasures as part of the ‘spoils of war’ in his campaign against the Philistines. These women were all of Philistine nationality, and whilst it is comforting, more palatable and convenient to think that Samson had such a high motive, there is simply no support from Scripture or history that indicates Samson having any interest in saving a handful of Philistine women with highly questionable morals and lifestyle. Also note that Samson had his eyes gouged out by the Philistines—a clear indication of where his problem lay.

There are many vital and sobering lessons for us here in the Scripture record of the life of Samson. And yet in spite of his many failings and highly questionable lifestyle, such is Yahweh's mercy that Samson is listed in "the gallery of the faithful" (Hebrews 11:32).  Which raises the question: why did Yahweh show such favour to Samson?  To me, Judges 16:28 holds the clue: Samson prayed to Yahweh and held his FAITH in Him, even after all that had befallen him. He did not lose faith in Yahweh's saving grace - even in the midst of adversity - and gave his life in an effort to help his brothers & sisters.

And by an interesting coincidence, our Lord said to numerous people he had just healed "your faith hath saved you..." (Matt 9:22; Mark 5:34;10:52; Luke 7:50; Luke 17:19;)

14:14   That the Philistines could not expound the riddle – parable – is like the way that Jesus parables silenced the Jewish leaders – Matt 22:46.

Judg 14:19

“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them…”

The Philistines (also known as Philistia, cf. Psa 60:8; Psa 87:4; Psa 108:9) went down in history immortalized as the deadly enemies of God’s people. Gen 10:14; Deut 2:23; Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7 tell us they came from Caphtor, an island of Crete, but archaeologically they can also be traced back to Egypt (cf. Josh 13:2,3).

The Israelites were commanded to destroy them, as the executioners of God’s vengeance (Eze 25:15-17). Samson was not only an Israelite, but a Judge raised up by God to deliver Israel from the oppressions of the Philistines. Critics of the Bible love using this verse to defame it! Samson’s killing 30 Philistines for their clothes, as his destruction of multitudes later (Judg 16:29,30), was not indiscriminate or vengeful murder, as his slaughtering of the Philistines, the enemies of God, was an act of Divine obedience Divinely aided in the execution of God’s predicted vengeance upon these fierce and idolatrous people whose characters were irreclaimable, and whose iniquities were full.

We read of Samson in Heb 11:32-34 who by faith gained strength in weakness. It is heart-wrenching to visualize Samson with his eyes gouged out, standing between two supporting pillars shackled in chains in the city of Gaza, one of the five chief cities of the Philistines, and means, “strong.” How ironic, yet, in such a weakened state he brought it down while they celebrated their god, Dagon (Judg 16:21,23). It is recorded he accomplished more then than at any other time in his life. What a testimony of his faith!

14:1 A Man Misunderstood By Many

Samson is often seen as a man who was led astray by women. However the Bible tells us that he was a man of faith (Heb 11:32). So as we read of the things that Samson did we should remember how God in the New Testament describe shim. The New Testament comment should help us to understand what motivated Samson’s actions.

14:7-8    Whilst we do not know how long the relationship had been developing we must realise that there is the passage of time whilst the scene is set for Samson, the man of faith, to act on God’s behalf against the Philistines.

Judg 13:2 There is much here to learn about raising children in family life.

Notice how Samson asks BOTH his parents for the woman of Timnath.

But also notice Judg 14:3-5 that BOTH parents give instruction to Samson?

How often in family life we see a weak parent and a strong one where a child will seek to undermine the stricter parent with the weaker, but when it comes to the truth both parents stand together here.

15:14 it might seem a strange thing to record that the Philistines “shouted” at Samson. However Samson is delivered. It is rather like the lion that roared at them and he killed it  - 14:5-6

14:4 The Philistines were a 2thron in the side” of Israel almost all the time from the days of Joshua to the taking captive by Babylon. Israel seemed to think that the problem  was that they had “giants”. In fact that was not the problem. The problem was that the nation of Israel did not have faith to believe that God would give them the land. We see that faith overcomes giants when David killed Goliath with one stone.

What are out “giants”? They can all be overcome by faith – but maybe we don’t believe that

15:3 Samuel was seeking an occasion against the Philistines –  14:4. Now that the father of the woman had behaved as he did it seems Samson saw that behaviour as the justification for his quarrel with the Philistines. We do well, however, to realise that this was all “of the Lord”  14:4

15:2 Little did the father of the woman that had been given to Samson’s “companion” realise that his actions would bring sever punishment from God on the Philistines. Of course it was not his actions that brought the punishment. God used the circumstances to move Samson to take vengeance on His behalf. God’s providential hand was at work, all unseen.

14:3  Were Samson’s mother and father aware of the command not to marry those of the land? Was that their motivation for their comments to Samson? They had managed to ensure that Samson kept the Nazarite laws which is possibly an indication that they were godly parents.

v.18,19 - These inspired words of Hezekiah make it quite plain what hope there is in the grave for the unbeliever. If we have not made our commitment to God before we die, we have no chance left. This obvious truth was amplified for Hezekiah by the sure knowledge (he was given a direct sign of a sort only God had the power to give - v.7,8) that he would live when he should have died. One of the reasons God allowed this was that we might learn this very fact, and act accordingly. Ps. 6:5, 30:9, 88:11, 115:17,18, Ecc.9:10.

v.5 Hezekiah’s prayer was answered immediately for Isaiah received a message from Yahweh to return to Hezekiah before he had even left the building. [2 Kings 20:4]

v.1-5 - We see a strange thing here. There was no doubt that Hezekiah's description of himself was correct and that he was right to have the confidence to say it, but surely that degree of faith and Godly following should have left him with a concept of how death should not be feared. There is a sense in which what God gives him is a punishment for this feeling. To know that you have 15 years to live is something of a curse. Our determination and drive of our faith is based on the frailty of our lives. If we as human beings knew we would not die for 15 years (for sure) then I wonder what effect that would have. It seems Hezekiah did not make the best use of the time, and you can't help but feel that it would have been better if he had accepted God's judgement that he should die now.

Again, I make no apology for repeating this table from chapter 22. The promises to David form such a central plank of the gospel.

9:7 Throne of David
16:5 Tabernacle of David
22:22 Key of the house of David
37:35 Defend for David's sake
38:5 The God of David thy father
55:3 The sure mercies of David

God worked in Isaiah's day because of what he said to David.

:1 Hezekiah must have been in a desperate state when he was told he was going to die Psalm 102 is a prayer of a man in a desperate state. Links between the Psalm and the life of Hezekiah indicate that this Psalm may have been written by Hezekiah at this time in his life.

38:9-19 This is the only place , I think, where a king gets to write words in the book of a prophet.

V.8 In 2 Kin 20:9,11 the choice was given to Hezekiah, whether the shadow should go forward, or go back, ten degrees. Hezekiah replied, " It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let it return backward ten degrees"; so Isaiah cried to the LORD God that it should be so, and it was so. (compare Josh 10:12-14 )

Vs.5-8 It is interesting that Yahweh sealed His promises voluntarily with a sign.  Contrast this with Gideon's asking Yahweh for two signs of confirmation (Judg 6:36-40). 

V.10 Hezekiah reigned about 716-687 BC.  He began his reign when he was twenty-five years old.  Therefore, he was thirty-nine when he was sick - in the prime of life.

Hezekiah was responsible for writing some of the Psalms.  An example of his writing follows his recovery (vs.10-22).  Hezekiah was also a forbear of the Lord Jesus (Matt 1:9,10). 

BAD THINGS HAPPEN
 
Bad things happen to good people.  It's a fact of life.  It is not so much the things that happen to us that affect our lives, it is the way we react to them that shows what sort of a person we are and decides what sort of person we become.  When Hezekiah was ill, he was at the point of death.  He had been a good king - one of the best.  Hezekiah's imminent and early death was a bad thing happening to a good man.  It would have been one of the lowest points in his life.  God had mercy on Hezekiah and allowed him an extra lease of life. 
 
After he had recovered, Hezekiah wrote a Psalm describing his experience and giving praise to God for his recovery.  In that Psalm, looking back over this dark period of his life, Hezekiah says this: "Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish." (Isa 38:17)  Hezekiah realised that this low point in his life was actually a good thing.  Instead of despising it and putting it out of his memory, he learnt from it, and, we presume, became a better person from his experiences. 
 
It is the times we make mistakes, the dark times, our trials and our out-of-control moments, that we learn fastest and grow most.  God gives us those times for our benefit.  Let's use them, learn from them and grow to become better people for our God.

V.6-7 Deliverance of Hezekiah and Jerusalem from Assyria was promised and sealed by a token that God would fulfil His promise and that the king would "on the third day   go up unto the house of the Lord" (2Kin 20:5, 8) Hezekiah was given a choice as to whether the shadow on his sundial would miraculously go backward or forward (V.9), the king choosing the former as the greater miracle (V.10).

This chapter is a lovely “Thank You” prayer. Let’s never forget to thank the Lord when our prayers are answered.

38:15 In ‘going softly’ Hezekiah is behaving like Ahab – 1Kin 21:27  – the lesson is that we should look for the good in individuals and copy that. Whilst Ahab had been an evil king he did repent and it was that which Hezekiah copied.

V.2 When we read the record of Hezekiah's illness (2Kin 20:4) , we see how fast he received an answer to the prayer that Isaiah is talking about in this verse. That is, before Isaiah had left Hezekiah, or at least just after he left the king, before he arrived in the court. Isaiah was told to go back to Hezekiah, and tell him that his prayer heard, and that he would be cured.

V.4-7 - the natural order of life was changed as with Christ; 2Kin 20:1-11 on the third day he was healed and delivered and went to the house of the Lord just as with Christ who will return to rule as king in Zion with Israel delivered from a latter day Assyria. 

38:8 The going down of the shadow is echoed in Psa 102:11 which seems to be a Psalm written by Hezekiah about his illness.

38:19 We would suggest that Hezekiah here is hinting at his desire to live until he should have a child, the successor to his throne, to whom he might make known and so perpetuate the memory of God's truth.

V.1 Yahweh had pronounced the death sentence on Hezekiah. But, Hezekiah appealed the sentence, which Yahweh subsequently overturned (v.5). This shows that Yahweh is both merciful and the arbiter of the highest court possible.

38:17 Here Hezekiah is responding to the words of the prophet who told him that his prayer had been heard – 2Kin 20:5

Hezekiah means the might of Yah.  It was Yahweh's might that turned death into life for Hezekiah.  It will be the same power that will give eternal life to the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus.

38:5,16,17,18,19 - V5 The context is we have God adding 15 years to Hezekiah's life. V16 the word "spirit" is from the Hebrew word "ruwach" (7307) and means wind, breath, exhalation perhaps referring to the process of breathing, being alive, etc. V17 ["soul" KJV or "me" NIV are from the Hebrew word "nephesh" (5315) which primarily means creature, a breathing creature man or animal and has been variously rendered self, person, creature, life, soul, etc.]; the word "pit" in v17 is from the Hebrew word "shachath" (7845) and means a pit, corruption, destruction, ditch, grave; of ["corruption" KJV "destruction" NIV are from the Hebrew word "beliy" (1097) which means failure, nothing or destruction, corruption, un(awares), none, not, etc.] so we have in v17 a person (in this case King Hezekiah) who has been delivered from the pit where one rots unaware i.e. the grave. V18 the word "grave" is from the Hebrew word "sheol" (7585) which is variously rendered grave, pit, hell and it's where all people and animals Psa 49:14 go when they die; the Hebrew word used for "pit" in v18 is "bowr" (953) and means a pit hole, cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well, etc. and thus we have a physical description of the grave/hell. V19 Hezekiah was grateful to be alive and life would afford him opportunity to praise God while if he was in the grave he could not as it is a state of nothingness like sleep Psa 146:4. The only hope from death is resurrection from the grave Dan 12:2 .

38:18 In saying ‘they that go down to the grave cannot hope for thy truth’ Hezekiah is expressing his sorrow that in death he will not be able to meditate in God’s word.

V.8 See 2Kin 25:9-11. Note, that only the shadow was mentioned and not the sun.  The miracle was done locally on the sundial, and so nobody’s day was disrupted by any cosmic changes.

Set your house in order

Hezekiah was a man of considerable power, wealth and authority. A king. But that didn't bring immunity. Now we see him in private, weeping bitterly. Isaiah's words had broken him.

Sometimes we hold our tears back for days, months, or even years. Hezekiah had been ill for some time as his condition and the condition of his besieged city worsened. The reality of the seriousness of the situation had been dawning on him but he hadn't allowed it to surface.

All too often we hide our sorrow because of an attitude of "it will be ok". But sometimes this just isn't true. Everyone loses loved ones. In those occasions despite our prayers things won't be ok. And because we are programmed by our society to believe always in happy endings, when reality strikes it can be a devastating blow.

We ought not to take from this passage the lesson that God heals our illnesses. He does, but plainly this is not the lesson here, because Hezekiah was only given an extension to life, not complete healing. The lesson instead is that there comes a time in everyone's life when there's no more to do but weep bitterly and put ones house in order. Maybe God will heal for a time, or maybe that's not His plan. Isaiah's words to Hezekiah suggest that he hadn't done that, and his 15 years life extension was so that he could complete his work of bringing his house, Israel, back to God. In comparison we have Jesus who prepared meticulously for his own death, making sure that the disciples would be cared for (John 17). He then wept bitterly just as Hezekiah did, and faced it by faith in God.

38:8 Whereas Ahaz had declined a sign from God – Isa 7:11 – Hezekiah was given one without him even being asked. Ahaz needed to be shown that Yahweh was in control For Hezekiah it was the guarantee of what he already knew because of his trust in God.

38:3 Hezekiah, in speaking of the way he walked before God, echoes the words that god spoke to Solomon about what was required of Him.

Isa 38:21

“For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.”

Some interpret Hezekiah’s tears (verse 3) of his unwillingness to die, but his prayer as we read in Isa 38:10-20 interprets his tears - nothing of which implies torment in fear of his approaching death, but rather one of a broken heart. He does not pray, “Lord, spare me,” but “Lord remember me whether I live or die.” The parallel account may be read in 2Kin 20:1-11.

Albert Barnes in his Notes on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, 1853, writes concerning the boil (shechiyn): “…The noun is used to denote a species of black leprosy, in Egypt called Elephantiasis, distinguished by the black scales from which the skin is covered, and by the swelling of the legs. Here it probably denotes a pestilential boil; an eruption or inflamed ulceration produced by the plague, that threatened immediate death…” This disease required constant attention. The infection and pus had to be scraped away in order to prevent the spread of the infection. It is very disfiguring. It was the same disease of boils (shechiyn) Job was smitten with (Job 2:7-8), who became so disfigured that even his friends did not recognize him (verse 12).

In 78 A.D., Dioscorides, a Greek physician who served with the legions of Emperor Nero published De Materia Medica. It attests to the medicinal healing properties of dried pressed fig cakes to reduce inflammation and restore health. Without doubt, though, because of the virulence of Hezekiah’s disease, the healing power of God ultimately effected his cure, especially since it came so quickly.

38:22 Ahaz has said he did not want a sign from God – Isa 7:12 – but Hezekiah, because he trusted God, sought a sign.

38:10  When Hezekiah said that if he had not been delivered he would have gone to “the gates of the grave” he provides Jesus – Matt 16:18 – with the words of  comfort that he gave to Peter.

The chastisement for our peace

It's clear from v12-13 that Hezekiah understood God had created or allowed this illness to come upon him.

"from day until night you make an end of me"

So why had God afflicted Hezekiah in this way? The clue is in v17:

"Behold, for peace I had great bitterness"

So Hezekiah believed it was for a good reason that he had been afflicted. It brought about peace. The word given to affliction that is designed for our benefit, is chastening, and in Isa 53:4-6 we see a passage probably related to this event:

"The chastisement for our peace was upon Him"

Further on we see the context still fits Hezekiah perfectly:

"he was cut off from the land of the living" (Isa 53:8) "He shall prolong his days" (Isa 53:10)

Reading the rest of Isaiah 53 will show us what was happening in the life of Hezekiah and the people of Israel. Bear in mind that is was because of their sin that Israel and Judah were being destroyed by the Assyrian armies, and therefore the deliverance from the Assyrians via Hezekiah's prayer (previous chapter) was in effect an atonement for sin. It was his illness that somehow brought about his personal repentance and humbled him, enabling him to offer his prayer to God rather than trusting in his own strength.

38:6     What did Hezekiah pray for? Did he pray for personal recovery? Or was his prayer more focused on God’s plan? Did it trouble him that he had no son to follow him in the line of David on the throne? Whilst we cannot be sure exactly what he prayed for we can assume that his prayer was not self-centred but God centred. For we see in the answer that both Hezekiah and the city would be delivered from the Assyrians.  Both would be required for the promises to David to continue and for Hezekiah to have a son to sit on the throne in Jerusalem. 

38:9-19           Hezekiah has just been told he will not die of the sickness he was experiencing at that time. However his words do sound very negative. It is not that he did not believe what Isaiah said to him. Rather his sickness and being informed that he was going to die caused Hezekiah to reflect on the emptiness of life without God.

1. Isa 38:1 - Hezekiah is told he will die.

2. Isa 38:2-3 - Hezekiah turns to God in prayer weeping bitterly noting that he had walked before God in truth, with a perfect heart (or whole hearted devotion), having done that which is good.

3. Isa 38:4-5 - God added 15 years to Hezekiah's life (Prov 3:1-2 - the righteous Hezekiah was an echo of Christ and in a sense both were resurrected and had their days lengthened).

4. Isa 38:6 - God would deliver Jerusalem out of the hand of the Assyrian and Christ's return will usher deliverance for Jerusalem out of the hand of a latter day Assyrian/Gogian host.

5. Isa 38:7-8 - the sundial goes 10 degrees/steps backward as a sign (2Kin 20:9-11).

6. Isa 38:9,21 - Hezekiah in a sense bore sin (skin was blemished) like Christ (2Kin 20:7-8;Isa 53:4,10,11) and his recovery was not unlike Christ's resurrection and lengthening of days.

7. Isa 38:10 - Hezekiah like Christ was to be cut off (Isa 53:8).

8. Isa 38:11-13,18 - expected death to be the end; a righteous king goes to the pit upon death; no indication of an immortal soul or heaven going; V13 expected bones to be broken but they weren't (Psa 34:20;John 19:33,36;Exo 12:46).

9. Isa 38:14 - Hezekiah asked for God's help as did Christ (Matt 26:39).

10. Isa 38:15 - Hezekiah learned humility (he had been proud 2Kin 20:13;2Chron 32:25-26).

11. Isa 38:16-17 - Hezekiah's deliverance had similarities to Christ's resurrection; V17 the souls of Hezekiah and Christ didn't see corruption (Psa 16:10;Acts 13:34-37;Acts 2:31); V17 Hezekiah is humbled, and grateful as his sins are forgiven.

12. Isa 38:18-19 - a righteous Hezekiah dodged the "grave<7585>" - the grave is a place where one cannot praise God (no indication of an immortal soul or heaven going); only the living (i.e. those not in the grave) can praise God.

13. Isa 38:20 - Hezekiah was saved by God as was Christ; Hezekiah organized and played songs of the temple and this echoes the millennial new song (Psa 33:3;Psa 40:3;Psa 96:1;Psa 98:1-5;Psa 144:9).

14. Isa 38:21 - the boil on Hezekiah was absorbed/healed by the figs; figs can refer to Israel, so perhaps it is Hezekiah metaphorically taking on the sin of Israel (not unlike Christ bearing our burdens/iniquities Isa 53:4,11), or perhaps it points to the millennial future hope of Israel where disease, illness, infirmity, sin, and death will be healed.

38:3    Could we pray like Hezekiah? Are we confident that God would recognise our actions as acceptable to Him?

38:3       Would we have said that up to this point Hezekiah had walked “with a perfect heart”? Maybe not when he has tried to buy off the Assyrians with the gold form the temple.  It is encouraging that, despite his shortcomings, he could pray in this way. It is a lesson for us.

38:2   How we pray and our posture does not really matter. It is the intent of the heart that God is interested in. So why he turned his face to the wall we may never know. But we can conclude it was an attitude of submission of his God.

38:3      In saying that he had walked before God with a perfect heart Hezekiah is repeating the call that God made to Solomon, king of Judah.

38:11  Hezekiah’s concern was not simply that he thought he was going to die. Rather it was the realisation that his interaction with God would cease with his death. As the Psalmist said – Psa 6:5.

38:1 One aspect that Hezekiah as king of Judah would have to “set in order” was his succession as king. However at this time he had no heir to take the throne. This should help us to appreciate the terrible concern that Hezekiah would have. The Assyrian threat had been removed but now there was a bigger crisis!

38:15 Hezekiah’s commitment to “go softly” was clearly a well meaning intention. However, sadly, he was not able to keep the promise all the rest of his life. When the ambassadors from Babylon came he showed them all his treasure – Isa 39:1-6 - for which Isaiah reproved him.

However rather than criticise Hezekiah we should realise how difficult it is to remain faithful in all our actions and thoughts.

38:17  It was against the background of a position of no hope that Hezekiah was delivered by God. Do we truly appreciate the deliverance from death that we have been offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus?

38:12 In these writings of Hezekiah we read of his reaction to the words of the prophet that he was going to die  2Kin 20:1. So we have an historical context for what the king says.

38:5 Amongst the prophets Isaiah is paramount is mentioning David. So when Isaiah speaks to Hezekiah of “David thy father” Hezekiah would have doubtless seen the connection with, for example Isa 9:7 which speaks of the everlasting nature of David’s throne. So even though Hezekiah was sick unto death and the Assyrians surrounded Jerusalem Hezekiah would have been thinking of the long term promise of God.

1 v. 8 - The word 'abound' here reminds us that we should never stand still in our efforts to practise and therefore increase these virtues. The last thing we want to be at the time when Jesus returns is 'barren' or 'unfruitful' - 2Cor.13:5, Phil.2:5, Col.3:16.

1 v.8 The word 'make' 2525 can be seen, from its use in the New Testament, to encompass rulership and judgment. Matthew 24:45,47 25:21,23 (made) ruler Luke 12:14,42,44 (made) judge / rule Acts 6:3 7:10,27,35 appoint / made Acts 17:15 conducted Romans 5:19 made Titus 1:5 ordain Hebrews 2:7 5:1 7:28 8:3 set / ordained / maketh James 3:6 4:4 is 2 Peter 1:8 make. The use in the epistles indicates that, when appointment was made, it was at the father's instigation, not man's.

2 v.7 named 'just' / 'righteous' individuals [Spoken of by God]: Genesis 6:9 Noah Matthew 1:19 Joseph [Mary's husband] Mark 6:20 John the Baptist Luke 1:6 Zacharias & Elizabeth Luke 2:25 Simeon Luke 23:50 Joseph of Arithamaea Acts 10:22 Cornelius Hebrews 11:4 Abel 1 Peter 3:18 Jesus 2 Peter 2:7 Lot. Can you think of anyone else who is named as being 'just' or 'righteous' in Scripture? A review of the lifestyles of these individuals will help us to understand how we should behave.

1:5-7 From the list of things that the believer has to do we realise that baptism is the beginning, not the end of the journey.

2:1-3 In using the word 'shall' we can conclude that the problems that Peter is anticipating have not yet manifest themselves in the ecclesias. By the time Jude wrote the problems we manifest. His keyword in this context is 'are'.

ch 1 - Notice the key phrase 'these things' in this letter
1:10, 12, 15, 3:17
The 'these things' are contained in the list (1:4-7)

2:5 Notice 'person' is in italics. Read the text as 'eighth preacher of righteousness' and then review Genesis 4:26 - 5:29 Noah was the eighth who called 'upon the name of the Lord'

1. Gen 4:26 Enos
2. Gen 5:9 Cainan
3. Gen 5:12 Mahaleel
4. Gen 5:16 Jared
5. Gen 5:18 Enoch
6. Gen 5:21 Methuselah
7. Gen 5:25 Lamech
8. Gen 5:28-29 Noah

2Pet 1:2. The word knowledge epignosis (1922) is not only an interesting word, but it is one of the keys to this epistle. It is used three times in the opening chapter (v.2,3,8) then again in 2:20. It means discernment, acknowledgement, real knowledge. It is with this type of knowledge that Peter not only wrote, but also spake. Peter was given the “Keys of the Kingdom”, this is what Peter is referring to. He used this knowledge and understanding on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and also with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10) We must have this understanding if we are to develop the qualities written of in the next few verses.(4-7)

2Pet 1:12. Once again we come across a key word in the epistle. “remembrance” tupos (5179) which means a die struck, a stamp or a scar. These things must be remembered for ever, as an image is stamped on a coin. The same word was used by Thomas when he said he would not believe until he saw the scars on Christ’s hands. (John 20:25) Peter is imprinting the readers minds of everything he had witness during Christ’s ministry. Our minds must be imprinted the same way, we can not afford to forget, even for a moment.

1:1 In calling himself a 'servant' Peter is now very different from the time when he did not want the Lord to wash his feet (John 13:8)

2:13 Those who Peter speaks of are brethren and sisters as they 'feast with you' - language which speaks of the breaking of bread (Jude 1:12)

1:16,17 refers to the transfiguration of which Peter was a witness (Matt 17:1-5).  Peter says that this experience confirms what the prophets wrote.  Believers, therefore, should pay attention to these writings (1:19).

2:4 In the Bible, angels (Gr. aggelos = messenger) can refer to both humans and divine agents (See Jude 1:6).  But, here they refer to the false prophets and teachers of 2:1. The fact that these human angels sinned make them subject to death (Rom 6:23).  If they were divine angels, they could not die (Luke 20:36).  The fact that divine angels cannot die means that they cannot sin.  And so, these false religious leaders are (now) dead (in hell = the grave) awaiting the judgement of the Lord Jesus when he returns to the earth ( 2Tim 4:1; 1Pet 4:5).  

1:1Apart for 2 occasions – Matt 16:16, Luke 5:8 – the only other place where Peter is given the full name ‘Simon Peter’ is in the gospel of John where the name appears 17 times. Does anyone have any idea why that is so?

2:10-11Peter is alluding to Korah, Dathan and Abiram but using them as an example of those in the ecclesia who are self centered and unwilling to take account of the feelings and position of others.

EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE
 
In any area of life we are involved in, it should be our aim to be both productive and effective in the things that we do. This must be especially so when it come to the things of God. Peter lists off a number of qualities we should have in our lives and be building on - faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love - and then he says, "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." ( 2Pet 1:8-9)
 
It is not just enough to have the attributes Peter lists as qualities of our life. We need to have them in "increasing measure." That means that there is work to do. Our characters need to be continually developing and growing. There is always room for improvement, and little by little we need to be working on perfecting each of those attributes in our lives. It is only if we are continually improving that we are going to be effective and productive in our spiritual lives.
 
So let's not let ourselves get stagnant and satisfied with the position we are in, but continually strive for perfection, improving our characters all the time.

1:3  Peter’s description of what has been given to us and how shows us that it is only through knowing God. The only way in which we can know God is to read about Him and learn about His character from the way in which the Scriptures record the way in which He has dealt with our fellow men.

1:2   Peter was writing to the ‘church in Babylon’ 1Pet 5:13 so maybe this is why he uses Nebuchadnezzar’s phrase ‘peace be multiplied unto you’ (Dan 4:1, 6:25) – to make the contrast between what Babylon claimed and God’s offer to us. Of course Babylon vanished off the scene. God is still here!

1:5-7 The desirable qualities listed here are similar to those of Paul's fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22,23.

2:4 - "hell" in this instance is from the Greek word "tartaroo" (5020) and means to cast into "tartarus" which means a pit. It is only used once in the Bible. It may refer to the earth swallowing destruction of Korah, Dathan and Abiram Num 16:29-32 and/or a symbol of utter destruction.

2:3 In speaking of some ‘making merchandise’ or other believers we see that there were some in the church whose only concern was money. We might find that difficult to imagine but it was the motivation for Judas who sold his lord for money. Human nature does not change. The problems of the first century can easily manifest itself today.

1:21 we read that prophecy came by holy men 'moved' by the Holy Spirit, the same Greek word for 'moved' is used in Acts 27:15-17 for 'driven' and Paul writes how the ship was 'driven' by the great storm winds.  This helps us to appreciate the power of that moving by the Holy Spirit and reminds us of Jeremiah Jer 20:9.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2Pet 2:5). He worked, and he preached, and the ark grew but his converts did not. Over 100 years of preaching, and only 7 people responded, and they were his own relatives! Wouldn’t we be disappointed! But we must persevere. Don’t forget that the ark had to be big enough to take all the people who listened to his preaching – wouldn’t he have looked stupid if 100 people responded, but there wasn’t room for them!

So must we continue to tell people. Whatever else we do as individuals or as an ecclesia, we must open our meeting rooms and invite people to come in. We must give them an opportunity.

1:4The divine nature is immortal and eternal.  Immortality and eternal life are promised to those who obey the commandments of Jesus (1Cor 15:53;1John 5:11).

1:7 Brotherly kindness (fraternal affection) is prescribed by Peter. It is the duty of each member of Christ’s household to take care of his/her brothers and sisters (physically and spiritually).

Therefore, one cannot separate him/herself from the community of believers. It is not possible to keep the commandments of Christ if one decides to isolate him/herself from brothers and sisters. Likewise, being present in the community but having a sterile existence is equally unacceptable. That is just isolation within the body.

True believers of Jesus are called to be active participants within the body. That means making it one’s business to serve fellow members in any way possible. One will be judged on that issue (Matt 18:2-6).

1:19  day star  is a translation of the Geek word phosphoros and this is the only time it occurs in Scripture.  Phosphorus is a substance which ignites spontaneously when it comes into contact with the air.  What's more it cannot be extinguished by conventional fire fighting means.  Similarly, when Jesus returns, he will burn brightly and man will be powerless to "extinguish" him.

2:22The rather nauseating comment about the dog returning to his own vomit, whilst describing the way dogs sometimes behave is actually quoting Prov 26:11

1:17  In saying that Jesus received ‘honour and glory’ Peter is quoting Prov 4:8-9 which speaks of the effect of obtaining wisdom.

1:4  The great and precious promises will only be the way we escape the corruption in the world if we think often upon them.

2Pet 1:10

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

The Illustrated Oxford Dictionary defines the word, diligence as “careful and steady in application to one’s work or duties.” Strong’s Concordance defines it as “speed, i.e. (by impl.) despatch, eagerness, earnestness...”  There was a sense of urgency in making their calling and election sure. Peter, one of the pillars of the ecclesia (cf. Gal 2:9) was about to be put to death (verse 14), James was already killed (Acts 12:2), which would leave only the apostle John. Religious deceptions, false teachings, false gospels and philosophies began its swift and steady rise even in his day, and to which the first-century ecclesia could succumb to if they did not give themselves wholly to the diligent study of the Word. If, and only if, when we do this, then we shall not fall (cf. verse 8), or be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14).

Sadly, mainstream churchianity has risen to dominance and become a major influence in teaching an antinomian Christ, embracing New Age tolerance with the various denominations despite their markedly different beliefs and practices. The Babylonian system in our day is busy giving financial advice, teaching self-help classes, and building self-esteem instead of preparing the hearts and minds and establishing the faith rooted deeply in the only ground it can grow, which is the Word of God. These various denominations are merely the rebellious daughters of the Mother Church and look nothing like the first-century ecclesia.

History and current events have proven that disaster can come in a single day. Today is still a pre-flood day, the door has not yet been shut, but there is an urgency that we walk into the Ark before judgment falls on mankind.

2Pet 2:15,16.

2:19  The serpent offered ‘liberty’ to Eve but in fact Eve became trapped and started to serve corruption simply because she became a dying creature. The serpent overcame Eve’s mind and so she was entrapped by the thinking of the serpent. 

2Pet 2:1

Faith is not enough

Notice in 2Pet 1:15-21 there are two proofs of the validity of Peter's teaching:

1) his eyewitness account of Jesus, backed up by the account of many others;

2) prophecies of scripture which speak of the Lord Jesus.

We have both of these proofs retained for us in scripture, a book that has survived thousands of years after those proofs were written. The Bible is literally our lifeline, so let's take more careful hold on that lifeline as Peter exhorts us:

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge... give diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2Pet 1:5,10
 

2:1-2   Notice Peter is warning of something that is yet future to his day. However when Jude writes we can see that those problems spoken of by Peter have become a reality in the first century churches – Jude 1:4– “are ...”

1:1      How is the righteousness of God seen in the promises that are given to us through faith? Rom 3:26 and 1John 1:9 similarly speak of God’s righteousness. Indeed it is the character of God which required that He raised Jesus from the dead as is explained in Rom 3:24-26.

2:9         In telling us that the “Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptation ...” Peter is reminding his audience of the Lord’s Prayer as we call it  - Matt 6:13

1:4       the “exceeding great” promises are, in fact, the promises to Abraham where he was a promised descendants that would share his inheritance. It is styled similarly in Gen 15:1 where God was the reward that Abraham was offered.

2Pet 1:10

“… brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”