Comments for June 19

v.25 - The events of this chapter are reported showing neither God's approval nor his disapproval until you reach this last verse, where his disapproval is clearly stated. Let us be careful that we ensure that we do not have a similar phrase tagged on to the end of our actions. Ps.12:4, Prov.3:5, 14:12, Mic.2:1,2.

v.1 This oath goes beyond what the law of Moses required. It was folly in Israel as it would cause one tribe to vanish. So because they have made a foolish vow they have to resort to more folly. Would it not have been better to forgo the foolish vow? Of course having vowed they had to pay. [Ecclesiastes 5:4] Thus the making of rash promises is a folly we should avoid. 

v.20-23 This story shows us, if nothing else, that God's provision might come from the most surprising of sources. Let us therefore be ready to look everywhere for the answers to our prayers, and not have a preconceived idea of what God might do.

21:25 This closing refrain which we have seen is characteristic of this period in the time of the Judges, though at the end of the book relates to early events in the time of the Judges. The scene is set of the book of Ruth which presents a very different picture of people in Israel and the coming of the gentile bride.

:19 The tabernacle was, at this time, at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1) We may conclude that the 'feast' was Passover.; Exodus 13:6 speaks of Passover as a 'feast to the Lord' - again a rare phrase in Scripture.

21:6  Is this a matter of swearing and changing not Psa 15:4 or is it stubborn foolishness?
    
Do we ever say things or make decisions in the ecclesia which we then realise are foolish but out of pride refuse to change our minds? Is it more important to save face or do what is right?

V.23 The Benjamites followed the direction of the elders, and took of the daughters of Shilom. They then returned to their cities and inheritance; hence the tribe was not erased out of Israel. 

Vs.8-10 The people of Jabesh-Gilead, in the allotment of Gad, did not answer the call of their brethren.  For that, they were annihilated, with the exception of 400 marriageable virgins.  These went to supply wives to the Benjamites.  But there was a shortfall of 200 wives.  These were supplied by the kidnapping of the virgin dancers of Shiloh who were celebrating the Passover. 

Contrast the procurement of wives from Jabesh-Gilead with those from Shiloh.  In the first incidence, the wives were spared from destruction and became the legitimate spoils of war.  In the second incidence, the dancers were snatched from their families during a happy occasion and taken away. 

V.22 The kidnappers expected complaints to be forthcoming.  How would the families be appeased?  They would probably be satisfied with the realisation that their daughters would be recipients of a fine inheritance.  The territory of Benjamin, which was formerly occupied by over 40,000, would now be occupied by only 1200.  What an inheritance!

There's always ways and means. Wise as serpents but harmless as doves, as Jesus told His disciples
(Matt 10:16).  The strategy in Judges 21 whereby the Benjamites gained wives had to be
legal, according to their vow (Judg 21:18).  We, too, can be clever, but must be legal, according to God's
laws.

The men of Israel lifted up their voices and wept, saying "why has this come to pass in Israel that today there should be one tribe missing in Israel?".  The answer is that instead of standing apart from the evil that their countrymen had committed, the Benjamites had stood for it (20:13). It wasn't as if all the men of Benjamin had taken part in the sin, yet by their willingness to fight for those men, instead of offering them up to be judged, the whole tribe had become guilty. What is the lesson for us? We ought not to stick up for our friends when we know they are doing something wrong. Our attitude should be to speak out to them early, in case we become embroiled in it ourselves.

21:22   So the fathers of the girls had to be ‘favourable’ because the rest of the tribes behaved foolishly in making the rash vow. How often do our brethren and sisters have to suffer the consequences of our foolish words or actions?

V.6 The nation would not allow one of its members to disappear.  Benjamin had been punished, but its demise would be unthinkable.  And so, too, with us: we cannot permanently shut out any member or ecclesia from the spiritual family of Israel.  We might sanction, but we must always leave the door open for recovery.  Moreover, we should be proactive in restoration efforts.   

Judg 21:25 "..Israel had no king..." ties in with the 2nd reading today Isa 43:15  "I am the LORD....your king"  The problem was in the attitude of their hearts - they thought & acted as though they had no king, & particularly, the LORD was not King of their hearts & minds. So we should ask "who is our king, to whom we look for example & leadership?" The answer is in the 3rd reading 2John 5,6,9

21:7  They are concerned as to where Benjamin can find wives but at the same time they were happy to marry the Canaanites – Judg 3:6. Remember the events of these latter chapters record events which took place at the beginning of the time of the Judges

21:5  Even though the nation ‘repented’ it does not follow that their subsequent actions were acceptable. Having make a ‘rule’ which they felt unable to break, even though they now knew it was a silly rule, they devise another silly ‘rule’ to resolve their problem. Are we ever like that?

V.25 The tenor of the times, where there was no (moral) leadership, is again described. However, Israel always had a king who has given moral leadership.  That King is Yahweh.  In our Isaiah reading, for today, He reiterates that fact (Isa 43:15).

21:8 That Jabesh-Gilead did not come possibly indicates a more spiritually minded group of men. They did not want to meddle in a matter that was not their concern.

V.1 Mizpah (Mizpeh KJV) means watchtower.  There are several towns in the Bible called of this name. The Mizpah mentioned here was a town in the territory of Benjamin.  It became a center for the gathering of Israel when there was a national emergency (another example. 1Sam 7:5,16).

V.8 Jabesh-Gilead was a town in the Gilead region of the tribe of (East) Manasseh. Jabesh means dry. Later, this town became memorable when Saul delivered Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonite king Nahash (1Sam 11:11).  In return, the men of Jabesh-Gilead took care of the bodies of Saul and his sons (1Sam 31:11-13).

V.19 Shiloh means place of rest or the peaceful one. Shiloh is a city in the territory of Ephraim. An early Messianic reference to Shiloh is found in Gen 49:10. Contrast this with Isa 9:6.  

21:12  Isn’t it strange that the land what Israel had go in to possess is called ‘Canaan’ and not the land of Israel. Possibly an indication of the attitude that God had towards His people who did not take the and to themselves despite being promised it.

21:10  Smiting their brethren in Jabesh-Gilead was hardly a solution to their faithlessness. A further compounding of their folly having made a rash vow.

21:15-16         The nation realised that they had done wrong in almost wiping out one of the tribes. However their behaviour, even though repented of, had consequences that could not be changed. In the same way we may repent of something that we have done but we cannot undo the consequences of what we have done.

21:3       The way in which the people question that one tribe (Benjamin) is lacking indicates that they had not thought through the implications of their actions. Having now behaved unwisely they proceed to try and work out a way out of their dilemma without, it seems, acknowledging that their original action was unwise.

21:4   The building of an altar indicates a feeling of religiosity – however the whole episode shows a Godless approach to the whole of the problem. At a time when the nation themselves were compromised – See Judg 3:6 - they are seeking to implement a vow which was rash. 

21:19  That a yearly fest was held in Shiloh for some time is seen in 1Sam 1:3 when we read that Elkanah went to Shiloh once in the year.

21:2    When we read of the “house of God” we are talking about the tabernacle. The tabernacle was, at this time, in Shiloh – Judg 18:31

21:20-23           The way that the Benjamites were encouraged to behave violate what the law said in Exo 21:16

21:1   The events spoken of here occurred early in the time of the Judges. At that time the children of Israel were happy for their daughters to marry the inhabitants of the land – Judg 3:6 – but would not let them marry within their own nation! Are we ever so inconsistent in our attitude to those who share our faith?

21:11-12             the way that the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead were treated was how Israel were to treat their enemies – Num 31:17-18 – but it is their brethren they are abusing, not their enemy.

21:9We should appreciate that Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin and so it is quite likely that his mother or grandmother was one of these woman taken from Kirjath-Jearim. If this is so it might explain why Saul was so willing to go and defend the city even though it was a long way from his  centre of influence – 1Sam 11:1-11

21:1-25Having compromised themselves with a rash oath Israel are now having to live with the consequences of that oath. So they create an even bigger problem for themselves. They clearly had not thought through the implications of their original oath. The lesson is clear. We should try and think through the potential consequences that flow from what we say.

21:8-12 So it seems that the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead suffered simply because they would not associate with the rest of the nation in attacking the tribe of Benjamin. Faithful individuals not infrequently suffer simply for doing the right thing. When this happens we should remember that God sees and rewards accordingly in due time. This was really true in Jesus’ case. He was vindicated by being raised form the dead. That is our hope when wrongly persecuted.

21:19 We should be surprised that so much detail about the location of Shiloh. It was an important place in the land as the tabernacle was there –  18:31 – the nation should have known its location well. They were obliged to go to it three times in a year to keep the specified feasts. That its location in given in such detail implies that the readers of the book of Judges would not know where it was!

21:15  So the tribe of Benjamin had been greatly reduced in size early in the days of the Judges. Only a short time later, relatively, Saul said – 1Sam 9:21 – that he was from the smallest tribe in Israel.

No explanation is given by Saul but the details fit together – another “Undesigned coincidence” supporting the inspired narrative.

v. 1 - To be called by name by God is the greatest aspiration we can have. Let us be sure that it is top of our list, that we might be one of his people, and be known by him. Heb.8:8-10, Tit.2:14, 1Cor.8:3, 13:12.

v. 2 ‘when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.’ Must have been a great comfort to Daniel’s friends [3:12]

v.8-10 - Those who can see the truth of the gospel are like blind who have had their eyes opened or deaf who have had their ears opened. The power of the truth transcends all that we know or have ever known. God's power is such that those to whom he gives the increase (1Cor.3:6,7) find themselves able to see and hear spiritual truth that others cannot comprehend at all.

43:21 That God has people who will show forth His praise explains why Peter (1 Peter 2:9) quotes these words as our obligation now. If we cannot show forth His praise now we will not be in the kingdom.

:14 So Israel were to benefit from being sent to Babylon - Hezekiah was right (Isaiah 39:8). That God does things for the benefit of His creation is seen often - Gen 3:17, Mic 4:10, Exo 20:20, Deut 8:2 etc:)

43:5-6 The promises that 'thy seed' would be brought from all four points of the compass is the basis for Jesus' words (Luke 13:29) where he speaks of men coming from the four points of the compass to sit in the kingdom of God.

V.8-10 In all generations it has been the blindness and deafness of Israel that has been their unwitting witness to the truth of God. A nation who are His chosen, and yet not fit (as yet) to go into His House. So it is to this day! Blind Israel has no House of the Lord to go into.

THE WITNESS OF ISRAEL
 
Their existence is nothing short of remarkable.  Almost 2000 years ago the Jews were forced from their own land, killed or sold as slaves, and scattered throughout the world.  In every place they have lived since then, the have never become part of the nations they were in.  They always remained separate - an unique people.  The Jews, wherever they have lived have always been persecuted, and even after 2000 years, they still have they own identity.  Many other nations have been destroyed and the people scattered, and over the course of time, forgotten - but not the Jew. 
 
Now in our own times we have witnessed a miracle.  Against all odds the Jewish nation exists again.  More than that, they are back in the ancient land of Israel - the land God promised to them as an everlasting inheritance.  Their position in the land of Israel is another miracle in that they have overcome incredible odds as their enemies have tried to drive them out and reduce them to nothing.  The Jew has stood at the grave of all his enemies. 
 
Israel is certainly a despised, but very remarkable nation.  There is a reason for this.  They are God's special people.  They are his witnesses.  Therefore when we look at Israel, we should see God in action.  God said of Israel, "You are my witnesses' declares the LORD, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he ... You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'that I am God.'" (Isa 43:10,12) 

God’s purpose in choosing Israel is outlined well in Isa 43:7: created for God’s glory.
Formed and made by God. The whole Scriptures revolve around Israel, and God’s promises to the nation. And we, in New Testament times, are spiritual Israel.

43:24-25  When the Jewish leaders told Jesus that only God could forgive sins – Mark 2:7 – they might have had this verse in mind. However Jesus, by forgiving sins, showed that he was the one spoken of in this verse.

V.5-6 What comfort and hope this gave the faithful among them; those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. The first exodus would lead to the second exodus. This great exodus has begun, but it can only be appreciated by those who read and study God's word. There are those who read, and are blind, refusing to recognise that the nation of Israel is still God's witness and servant. The witness of Israel shows that this is a grave misunderstanding "He that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd doth his flock"  Jer 31:10.

43:1 God had redeemed them from Egypt and entered into covenant relationship with them at Sinai. They belonged to Him.(V.1) He would remain faithful (V.2), even though they had proved faithless (V. 22-24). He had punished other nations for their sake (V.3), and would very shortly remove Babylon (V.14-17).

43:4The words ‘I have loved you’ are quoted by the prophet Mal 1:2 where the prophet is clearly quoting Isaiah’s words. Remember that Malachi prophesied after the children of Israel had returned from Babylon and so they should have been aware of the words of the prophet Isaiah.

Vs.24,25 Israel had sinned and displeased Yahweh.  And yet, He was prepared to forgive Israel's sins . 

The same applies to us. Yahweh is merciful, but, note the phrase for mine own sake (KJV).  Yahweh does things for a purpose - His purpose.  All things (including people) which are in Yahweh's self-interest will live - all others will die.  Yahweh answers to no-one. 

43:10 The continued existence of Israel is the evidence that the people of the world can see to show that God exists.

In this chapter, Yahweh talks about:

-Saving Israel

-Bringing Israel back to the Land

-Charging Israel to be His witnesses

-The Babylonian invasion

- Israel’s extrication from Egypt

- Praise of Himself.

V.7 All those who belong to Israel bear Yahweh’s Name (Isa 44:5).  Those so named have been created for the glory of Yahweh (v.21).

Those of Spiritual Israel (the true disciples of Jesus) have the same conditions of name and praise attached to them.  Those accepted into the kingdom will have Yahweh’s Name on their foreheads (Phil 2:11; Rev 14:1).

V.27 This verse reminds us that we are all sinners (1Cor 15:22).

43:2 The promise that deliverance from ‘water’ and ‘fire’ can be seen fulfilled in Jesus’ healing work – Matt 17:15 when Jesus healed the boy who was cast into the fire and water by his illness.

43:1-2  That Israel should ‘fear not’ because God had redeemed them coupled with the assurance that when they past ‘through the waters’ which has echoes of the exodus from Egypt should be seen by us as an assurance that if God can save out of Egypt there is nothing to fear.

43:7 The use of the words ‘created’, ‘formed’ and ‘made’ echoes the creation language in Gen 1:7, 2:7 as will be seen again in Isa 45:18

43:2     When Isaiah speaks of the activities of Israel he is not simply talking about daily living. He is focusing on how they should have the law of Moses in their heart as they “passest” – Deut 6:1 “go” same word and “walkest” – Deut 6:7.

The effect of the Exodus on the Gentile peoples

See how many references you can find to the Exodus in this chapter. It was the Exodus, and particularly the passing through the waters, that struck fear in the nations and caused them to know who God was (see Josh 2:9-11). This is why in this chapter God calls Israel His witnesses (Isa 43:10).

 Isa 43:5-7.

43:10  The “courtroom” language of witness here and elsewhere in the chapter is to be seen against the background of a merciful God who forgives sins – verse 25. Our God is not one wholly of judgment. There is mercy also. 

43:4-6  The mention of the four points of the compass from which Israel are to return presents a fulfilment of the promises to Jacob in Gen 28:14

1. Isaiah 43:1-21 - the servant (v10) and the often blind deaf witnesses who have been repeatedly redeemed.

2. Isa 43:1 - who is Jacob and Israel? (Rom 9:6-8;Rom 2:28-29;Gal 3:29;Rom 11:25-27); Israel of the flesh will be subjects of a national vindication and redemption, but Israel of the spirit will experience a higher individual redemption, and will receive an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God; Christ was redeemed and called by "thy name" to be a God manifestation national ensign of Israel.

3. Isa 43:2 - God says "I will be with you" when you pass through the waters (Israel went through the Red Sea, crossed the Jordan, and Christ was washed by the word, passed through the waters of death, and walked on water which was symbolic of his victory over sin and death); Meshak, Shadrak, and Abendigo walked through the fire and were not burned.

4. Isa 43:3 - Egypt received Abraham and was plagued when the king of Egypt took possession of Abraham's wife (Gen 12:10-20), and later God gave Egypt for Jacob's ransom when He plagued the people of Egypt including their first born and then drowned Pharoah's army with the Israelites walked through the baptism of Moses; later Egypt was given into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; after that Persia delivered the Jews but conquered Egypt, Ethiopia, and "Seba<5434>"; the final deliverance to come will involve the king of the north stretching his hand against Egypt (Dan 11:40,42).

5. Isa 43:4 - the Egyptian chariots and idol worshipping lives in Caanan were exchanged to make way for the Jews; ironically, Barabbas was exchanged for Christ's life, who offered his life for his friends.

6. Isa 43:5-6 - does this refer to the Jews regathered to Israel (Jer 31:10) or spiritual Israel gathered to the kingdom (Luke 13:18-19) or both?

7. Isa 43:7 - a son bears the name of a father; those who are children of God in Christ give God glory (Num 14:21).

8. Isa 43:8-10 - for the most part Israel has been a blind and unwitting witness to the word of God.

9. Isa 43:10 - "You are my witnesses" - does Isa 43:3,22,23,24 speak of Jehovah's witnesses of today? The aforementioned are unwilling witnesses; also, Isa 62:4,7 refers to Jerusalem not an organization.

10. Isa 43:10-13 - Israel is the prophet among the nations; there are various orders of witnesses but the children of promise are witnesses of a higher order (i.e. Abraham, Isaac, Facob, Joseph, Moses, David, all the prophets, and Christ).

11. Isa 43:11 - "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior"; 1 Tim.1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope"; Titus 1:4 "Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior" - these verses raise a question: how can Jesus be savior when Isaiah 43:11 has told us there can be no savior apart from God? Fortunately, Isaiah 59:16 provides the key: "[God] saw that there was no one to intervene; so 'his own arm' [i.e. Jesus] worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him" - Jesus is God's "arm" and manifesting God himself. Jesus is the mechanism by which God is saving us. Jesus is not a savior apart from God. Rather, God is savior and by extension so is Jesus. Jesus in Greek means "God saves". (this number 11 is gleaned from "Change Us Not God" by John Launchbury, 2009).

12. Isa 43:14,16,17 - a redeemer to assure the Jews; ships and chariots (Exo 14:26-28;Dan 11:40-45); the "Babylon (means "confusion" <894> <897> see KJV of 1Cor 14:33)" of Revelation, i.e. Rome (Rev 17:4-6,9,18;Rev 18:2,9,17), never to rise again (contrasts with John 6:54).

13. Isa 43:18 - remember not the things of old (the law of Moses and manna were old, Christ's fulfilling of the law and providing the bread of life and saving the best wine for last was new (John 6:32,48-51).

14. Isa 43:19-21 - "now it shall spring forth...a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (perhaps this is the ministry of Jesus).

15. Isa 43:22-28 - is free forgiveness, blotting out of transgressions, and blessing chosen, or due to unfaithfulness is there a continuation of wasted opportunity resulting in the curse of sin and death chosen (Matt 6:14-16 "forgive<863>" means "to send away, to let go"); V25 "remembers your sins no more" (Isa 53:5-8,11-12;Mark 2:7,10); Vs 27-28 "Thy first father" (probably refers to Jacob), "thy teachers have transgressed" (many of the religious leaders/teachers of Isaiah's day and those who followed were rebellious to God's ways).

43:2  The assurance to the faithful that the fire would not touch them contrasts markedly with the later prophet who, speaking in Babylon, warned that the rebellious and unfaithful would be burnt with fire – EEze 5:5

WHO IS OUR GOD?

Listen to the description of God and His relationship with Israel and us in this one short chapter of Isaiah.

He is the God who created you. (Isa 43:1).
He is the God who formed you. (v.1).
He has summoned us by name. (v.1).
We are His. (v.1).
He will be with us. (v.2).
He is the LORD our God, our mighty one. (v.3).

He is the Holy One. (v.3).
He is your Saviour. (v.3).
He sees us as precious and honoured. (v.4).
He loves us. (v.4).
He is with us (again). (v.5).
He created us for His glory. (v.7).
He made and formed us. (v.7).
We are His witnesses. (v.10).
We are His servants. (v.10).
Before Him no God was formed. (v.10).
There will be no gods after Him. (v.10).
He is the only one. (v.11).
He is the only Saviour. (v.11).
He reveals, saves and proclaims. (v.12)
He is from ancient days. (v.13).
His works cannot be stopped. (v.13).
He is the LORD. (v.15).
He is our Holy One. (v.15).
He is Israel's Creator. (v.15).
He is your King. (v.15).
He makes a way. (v.16).
He makes paths. (v.16).
He does new things. (v.19).
Wild animals honour Him. (v.20).
He provides for the animals. (v.20).
He provides for us. (v.20).
He formed us for Himself. (v.21).
Our job is to praise Him. (v.21).
He blots out our transgressions. (v.25).
He remembers our sins no more. (v.25).

Our God is Israel's God. He doesn't change. What an awesome God we have!

43:12     Isaiah is inspired to quote Deut 32:12 to remind Israel that their faithful behaviour is part of their witness of God’s existence and goodness.

43:28 Reading of the history of Israel we might wonder “why have they suffered so much?” Here God, through Isaiah explains. It was because of sin. So the history is for instruction. In it Israel were to see God’s chastening hand. Likewise so are we. 1Cor 10:11.

43:22 Because Israel were “weary” of God H became “weary of them - :24. Though what God expected of them should not have been wearisome - ::23. Here is quite a challenge for us when we find other things that we might want to do instead of being involved in doing things for God.

43:20-21 When God created the world everything was “very good” – Gen 1:31 – and whilst sin has corrupted that Creation it will be restored to give God glory when Jesus returns to re-establish God’s kingdom.

43:19 The phrase “Behold, I will do a new thing” is taken up in Revelation 21:5: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new”. And just as the “new thing” in Isaiah includes “rivers in the desert” so the one on the throne goes on to say: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Rev. 21:6).

43:8 those spoken of are willingly not looking at or listening to the evidence that Yahweh exists as the Creator. So Israel – the witness of fulfilled prophecy – is now appealed to in order to provide the evidence of His existence. It cannot be over emphasised that we can show the existence of God by the way that he has worked with Israel in the past, having spoken of what he would do.

43:3 Probably Israel forgot the price that God gave to bring Israel out of Egypt. But He gave “Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba” for them. Lest we think that God had no concern for other nations we should remember that He does not take pleasure in the death of any – Eze 33:11, John 3:16. In like manner He gave His son – John 3:16. If we appreciate what God has given and the emotional cost to Himself it might help us to appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice more keenly and so focus more strongly on serving Him.

43:9-10 The challenge that Yahweh sets before us is clear. He alone is aware of what will happen in the world. Men may come along with their own plans and, to some extent, fulfil those plans. However in the large scale picture of the world and its future the only one who knows what will happen is Yahweh – our Father. The wonderful thing is that he has revealed the end point of His plan. The re-establishment of His kingdom on the earth. Do we rejoice in this knowledge seeing it as great privilege?

Isa 43:2

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

“Our present experience is an experience of evil—a going through fire and water, as it were. Oftentimes, we are filled with fear lest after all, the evil be too much for us, and calamity overwhelm; lest the fire kindle and the water overflow, and we perish. Here is a word of almighty comfort. It is the voice of God—the voice of Him who holds the stars in his hand—of whom are all things and without whom, a sparrow cannot fall. It is the voice of Him whose words alone can give abiding comfort; for if God be for us, who can be against us? Mark the nature of the comfort. It is not an assurance that Israel [we] shall be free from trouble. It is not an assurance that there will be no towering billows or leaping flames of fire. It is a distinct intimation to the contrary, that we may expect both, but in the midst of all evil, God will be with His people, and guide them [us] safely through the great and terrible wilderness in which they [we] are treading… to the promised land. If we are tempted to ask why there should be evil—why the fire and flood—why the wasting and terrifying affliction, we have the answer, ‘Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver: I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10). This suggests the purifying of good metal by the removal of dross… (Heb 12:10)…

God will finally deliver Israel [us] out of all his [our] troubles. The object of them is not destruction, but purification and preparation for the day of unmixed blessing that God has purposed from the beginning, and which will surely come at the appointed time, but in which we should not be fitted to participate without our measure of that chastisement whereof all are partakers…”

Robert Roberts, FURTHER SEASONS OF COMFORT, p. 253,4 THE TRUTH

43:11 We might be inclined to use God’ statements about there being no other God but Him to “prove” that the doctrine of the trinity is false. Whilst that might be a valid thing to do it minimises the strength of what is being said.

The uniqueness of Yahweh is the guarantee that He is able to speak with authority  about the future – and our eternal salvation.

2John v.5 - Although the covenant is new under Jesus, and the new covenant is based on love - salvation by grace through faith, rather than by law - nevertheless the commandment to love one another has always been a fundamental principle of Godly living. Matt.22:39 etc., referring back to the law.

2 John v.7 In John's first letter he speaks of the 'antichrist' [1 John 2:18,22 4:3] as he does here. Whilst we may develop great ideas about the antichrist and notice that evangelical churches do likewise John is quite clear. In his day the 'antichrist' was at work and there was more than one of them. It was anyone who gainsaid the teaching of Scripture with respect to the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 John v.1 Gaius, from Macedonia [Acts 20:4] was baptised by Paul [1 Corinthians 1:14] and then seems to have accompanied Paul for a while [Acts 19:29 20:4] and then hosted Paul whilst he was at Rome [Romans 16:23]. From the commendation John gives he must have been an avid worker. Oh that we could receive the commendation that [v5] we do faithfully all that we do.

2John 1:8 The 'full reward' is like the 'full reward (Ruth 2:12) that Boaz wished on Ruth for her faithfulness. Ruth is the gentile bride - like us - who is to receive the full blessing of God as long as we 'look to ourselves'

3John v10 'prating about us with malicious words' seems to quote Matthew 5:11 - but Jesus is speaking of opponents of the truth - so Diotrephes must have been a really problematical individual. He was a brother who was full of self importance (:9)

NO GREATER JOY
Jonathan (my son) asked me this morning what I liked best about him. I had told him I liked his caring attitude toward others, but I had to think a moment before I answered what I liked best about him. My answer was that the thing I liked best was his love for God.
Now, in reading 3 John, I find that John had the same joy about his children (in this case he calls those he has brought to Christ, his children). He says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
This is also true of God, Jesus and the angels. We read that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over the 99 who need no repentance. The joy of someone accepting Jesus as their saviour and living a godly life is as good as it gets in this life - and it is an especially great joy if you have had some personal input that has encouraged that change or decision in a life. The greatest joy is still to come and that will be when we are accepted along with all the other faithful people into the kingdom. Until then let us work toward fulfilling that great joy of seeing our children walking in the truth.

2John:10 Harsh words indeed. However they show the danger of association with those in error. But John is not counselling us to separate from brethren over trivial issues.

2John 1. “TRUTH” is set forth and emphasized. We would suggest this to expose the false teachers(v.7-9) The exhortation in v.9 is not only to hold fast to sound doctrine, but also to avoid that which is not.

3John 10. We see that there were five offences against Diotrephes.
       Prating. ( a tattler) 1Tim 5:13
       Use of malicious words.
       Did not receive the brethren.
       Forbid others to offer hospitality.
       Cast members out of the ecclesia.

2John 1:2 'dwelleth' <3305> continues the theme we noticed in John 14 and 15  

3John 1:3 Walking in the truth' shows that we have to be active, not passive, in our spiritual development. Eph 5:2 shows that we should 'walk in love' demonstrating that our walk has to be in association with others. We cannot walk alone towards the kingdom. We have to interact with others.

2John 1:5 The commandment is simple 'love one another'  which echoes what Jesus said (John 13:34, 15:12,17) but putting it into practice is another matter! The disharmony evidenced in the New Testament shows how difficult it is. Maybe we can think of examples in our own lives which show how difficult we find this commandment.

3John 1:5-6 It seems that Gaius was 'not forgetful to entertain strangers' (Heb 13:2) and that his hospitality was well known in the community. His hospitality had been towards brethren who were travelling in the service of the Gospel. Gaius' generosity had meant that these travelling brethren could do their work without charge to the ecclesias  they visited.

2:7 The spirit of the antichrist was alive in the first century.  When the Lord returns to cleanse the earth, he will be opposed by religious authorities.  Ironically, in their rejection, they will call Him the antichrist.

3:9,10 Dissension was also alive in the first century ecclesia.  There were strong-willed, self-important characters such as Diotrephes who wreaked havoc.  John was determined to confront Diotrephes.  We, too, should not be shy to confront those who would disrupt the peace of Christ's body in their preaching false doctrine or showing bad behaviour.

WORK TOGETHER
 
As far as we can tell, Gaius was not the sort of person who was particularly disposed to teaching people of Jesus or preaching the word.  He was not a traveller out doing mission work in remote places.  There are many of us, like Gaius, who do not fall into the "get out there and preach the word" mould, although when opportunities come up, we must take them.  Gaius had other talents.  John lists many of Gaius' talents in his letter.  Gaius was faithful to the truth; he walked in truth; he served his brothers even though he had never met them before; he was loving; and Gaius was hospitable.  John didn't reprove Gaius for his lack of preaching work.  Other people were doing the preaching, and with Gaius' hospitality, love and service, those who were travelling to remote places and in the front line of service to their Lord, were refreshed.
 
Our work in Christ is a team effort.  We cannot do everything ourselves.  Gaius' ministry was just as important to the work of the Lord as those who actively preached.  Without people like Gaius, people like Paul, Barnabus, Silas and Timothy would have burned out.
 
Let's use our talents to serve each other in the Lord "so that we may work together for the truth." (3 John v.8)  Let's become a team because as a team we can have much more effect.

3John:4 John speaks of "children" not in the physical descent but spiritual birth..Similarly, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth "In Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel" 1Cor 4:15. The term children includes John's friend Gaius and all other believers who have come to know the truth through the preaching and teaching of the apostle. We all have had those who we look up to as mothers and fathers in the truth, may we all mature to the degree that we can likewise serve in the the same manner.    

1:3 Notice it is ‘truth and love’ it is all too easy to insist on truth in such a harsh and judgemental manner that we forget all about love. God blends both these characteristics perfectly. Exo 34:6 and that is the ideal that we should endeavour to emulate.

1:7 So Gaius did the things he did because of his love of the Father. Doubtless he enjoyed showing hospitality. However he did not show hospitality for his own benefit, or even for the benefit of those who he helped. He was motivated by a love of the Father and His son.

brINGING UP CHILDREN
 
How much priority do we give to bringing up our children to walk in the truth? John,as he wrote to the Chosen Lady and her children, said this: "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." (2John 4) The Chosen Lady was obviously someone who made the bringing up of her children to walk in the truth a top priority.
 
One of the times the Father gave the command to bring up our children in his ways was in Deuteronomy 6. "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates." (Deut 6:6-8) In other words, the way to bring up children in the truth is to make the truth a natural, vital and regular part of life every day.
 
It will be one of the greatest joys we can experience when we are together with our children, whom we have brought up, and are accepted into God's kingdom. So let's follow her example by making the bringing up of our children in God's ways, a priority in life.

2John 1:1 In speaking of himself as ‘the elder’ the writer introduces himself by his status, not his name. The only other letter which is not introduced by the name of the author is Hebrews.

3:9,10 It is just as important to oppose un-Christ like leaders today as it was in the first century.

1:3      A little point but John is typical in the way he sends greetings from God and Jesus – no greetings from the Holy Spirit – quite a powerful point against the doctrine of the trinity. If God is three in one then why do not all three elements send greetings?

2John 1:13 Clearly the ‘children’ are not the literal children of the one to whom John writes. Her status is like that of a ‘mother in Israel’ who cares for the younger in the flock. This is the responsibility of all faithful believers.

a) There are a lot of modern comments about an “antichrist”, often made by those who know little of the Bible. But there is a simple explanation in 2John 7. An “antichrist” is someone who denies Jesus came in the flesh.

b) 3John 5-8 says some lovely things about Gaius. He obviously really loved the work of Christ, and helped and supported both the brethren and strangers. John says that if he continues in such things “thou shalt do well”. This can be brought forward to our day, for the ecclesia need US.

2:9 The doctrine of Christ (KJV) sounds like there is just one principle of Christ.  This phrase is better translated the teaching of Christ (ESV), because the whole spectrum of His instruction is meant.  That means His personal teaching plus the teaching of the apostles. The apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit just like the writers of the Old Testament (2Tim 3:16; 2Pet 1:21). And, because Jesus references Himself in the Books of Moses and the Prophets, the Old Testament should also be read (Luke 24:27).

2:1; 3:1 John was called an elder. That designation was both spiritual and physical, for John was a very old man (probably 90 years old) when he wrote these letters in about 90 AD. Not long afterwards, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos where he penned Revelation. It is probable that John was the only apostle to die a natural death, while the others were killed violently.

3John 1:2 We know that the love of money is the root of all evil. However there is nothing wrong with having wealth. It is the way it is used. So John, knowing what Gaius was like, was concerned that he would have god health and a degree of prosperity so that freed from those worries he could give himself to the service of God. What about ourselves? If we have good health and sufficient for all our needs do we strive for more or thank God and give ourselves over to His service?

3John 1:11      We all like to follow. We follow sports teams, fashions, television programmes. Whilst none of the things described here are inherently ‘evil’ their influence on our minds and the time they take may have such an effect upon us that they are ‘evil’ to us in that they deflect us from faithful service to the Father.

1:1      In introducing himself as the “elder” we must realise that John is referring to his status in the church, not his age. Thus the contents of his letter have the authority of such an one, even if the letter was not inspired. Of course it is thus giving it unquestionable authority. This might seems strange that the authority of the letter is so important as it seems to be a personal letter but this just stresses the importance of realising that whatever we say or write must be reliable.

2John 1:10-11

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

When we trace the origin of this word, God in Strong’s Concordance, we end up with the word, hodos, # <3598>, and refers to taking a journey. Speed, chairo, # <5463>, refers to a salutation, a cheerful greeting, and wish someone well. To convey God speed is to wish someone well on his journey, or in whatever endeavour the person might be engaged. In context, John is warning against encouraging, or wishing well false teachers, or false believers. To bid such God speed is to indicate that you are in agreement with their beliefs, and you wish him continued success in believing and teaching false doctrine. This is to invite God’s judgment upon us!

We greet people just about every day without a great deal of forethought, and say, “God bless you,” (same meaning) without any real intent behind it. Yet, to bless someone is a serious matter, and the Old Testament blessings bestowed were never taken lightly. To bless someone is to express one’s desire that God grant the recipient prosperity and success; it is an expression of gladness and blessing, and of joyful acceptance of another. In Luke 19:6, joyfully is # <5463>, and in Matt 28:9, hail is, likewise, # <5463> – chairo, the same word used by John!

The New Testament teaches us that we are to bid God speed only to faithful brethren in the Lord, encouraging them in expressing our heartfelt desire that God prosper them in their faithful endeavours. By receiving and encouraging faithful brethren who teach, preach, and live the gospel of Christ, we have fellowship with them and become “fellow-workers” with them (3John 1:5-8). The Lord acknowledges and will reward those who assist others who are doing the Lord’s work - those who show that they are in agreement with the gospel of Christ and in agreement with those who teach and live it (Matt 10:40-42).

The reverse is also true. If we bid God speed to those who believe and promote false doctrine and live in error, we give our approval and support to the proclamation and proliferation of error making us a partaker (fellowship) of their evil deeds, or works of darkness (cf 1Tim 4:1-3). The choice is ours as to whom we will be partakers of – “fellow-workers” of the Truth, or of those, “who do not bring this doctrine.”

In SEASONS OF COMFORT, Brother Robert Roberts writes: "...This (verse) applies to all without distinction, and erects a barrier to fellowship with even some who hold the truth; for though they may hold the doctrine of Christ themselves, yet, if they keep up a 'God-speed' connection with those who do not, by John's rule they make themselves partakers with them, and, therefore, cut themselves off from those who stand for the doctrine of Christ."

A GAIUS ATTITUDE

"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth."(3John 5-8)

Could John have been writing to us? Does the attitude of Gaius show our attitude in looking after other believers? Very often we have visitors come to our place of worship on a Sunday morning. I am pleased to say that most often they will get invited for lunch somewhere. Would it be to your place?

Just imagine if it was Jesus coming to visit our community. No doubt there would be a clamour to see who would be able to share their lunch with him, to have him stay, or just to spend time with him. Gaius is commended because his visitors were sent on their way in a manner worthy of God. Do we do that? Do we entertain as if Jesus were with us? If God's Son were at our house, nothing would be too much trouble. When he left we would give him gifts and passionate farewells.

Let's be hospitable and show the attitude of Gaius in our homes.

2John 1

A reader asks: "...As I glanced thro' the Daily Bible Reading comments I noticed yours...I wondered who you tho't the 'elect lady and her children' is (in 2 John). I still haven't quite made up my mind yet...Some say it was a specific woman and others say it represented the ecclesia. What is your 'take' on that?"

My reply: "...I never thought it to be anything, but a literal elect lady and some of her children who were part of an ecclesia who showed hospitality to the itinerant disciples. Why not take it at face value? I think we sometimes tend to add metaphors where none exist..."

“THE elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth.”

After speaking generally to those in the Truth (1John), the ecclesia of the called out ones, John, “THE elder,” aged apostle believed to be around 90 at the time of this epistle (cf. 1Tim 5:1), addresses a personal letter to a specific woman and her children in the Truth. A lot of different opinions have arisen as to whether this woman was an individual known to John, or addressed to the ecclesia as a whole. While the ecclesia is referred to as a “wife,” or “bride” in Scripture (Eph 5; Rev 19:7), it is never referred to as an “elect lady.” “Elect” comes from the Greek word, eklektos, # <1588>, and simply means, “chosen.” By using the word, "and," John connects the children as also being the elect, or chosen. This family was called out from the world’s religions to the one true faith and are, without doubt, a part of the ecclesia of God.

Though the Bible uses metaphors and describes the ecclesia as a woman, no metaphor is intended here. Scripture always explains its metaphors. John wrote to a specific woman, and in 3John wrote to a specific man. In both epistles he identified himself as "THE elder," dealt with their hospitality, gave warnings specific to them, and both end with John still having “many things” to write to them.

Some speculate her name is Kuria, or Cyria the Greek word for, “lady” # <2959>. Her name is simply not given. Her name, obviously, is not of importance, otherwise we would know it, but the message conveyed is of the utmost importance to which we must take heed. Furthermore, John used a singular pronoun when he addressed her as, “lady” (2John 1,5). The language of this epistle indicates that of John addressing primarily an individual woman (cf. 2John: 10). John used the endearing term of those begotten in the Truth as, “my children” (1John 2:1; 3John: 4), but in this epistle he says, “her children”(verse 1) and “thy children” (verse 4) because it is a specific direct address to them personally, and not generally to an ecclesia.

Despite being the elect, or chosen of God (cf. Matt 24:24), they were in danger of being deceived by false teachers who denied that Jesus came in the flesh, which also included refusing to accept his authority and claims. These John declared to be the deceivers and antichrists. This spirit of antagonism to Christ and his claims would eventually culminate in the man of sin (1John 2:18-25; 2Thess 2:4). John gives a specific warning to this lady known for her hospitality, and whose house the disciples frequented as they went about preaching, not to receive these false disciples into her home because in doing so she became a partaker of their false beliefs (verse 10). There must be no compromise, no consideration for personal character, or an outwardly blameless walk if they are associated with false doctrines. Such are not to be received, nor entertained, nor receive even the common courtesies of a salutation. To greet such, “God speed” would be moral identification with a false disciple. Sadly, this instruction has been almost entirely ignored!

We learn from this the immense difference between divine love and that of universal sentiment, which passes under the guise of love and is nothing less than Laodicean lukewarmness and indifference to the Truth. John does not leave us in any uncertainty as to the real character of love. The former is of God; the latter is of man.

3John 1:10 John draws attention to Jesus’ words – Matt 5:11 – when he speaks of those who speak malicious words against the believers.

3John 1:13-14        Letters are good.  However face to face communication is better. This is true in all aspects of communications.  However when we have a difficult communication to make we often resort to letters rather than a faced to face meeting.  We must remember that our letters are an element of our fellowship and fellowship is better in person. 

What is Love?

Two doves are on my roof. I know, because I saw them a few minutes ago on my neighbours shed, then sitting together on the fence, then in a tree. Now they're on my roof, flapping playfully together and the sun casts their shadow on my lawn. I find it both beautiful to watch and apt that today I can see this beautiful symbol of love out of my window while I read the book of 2John. In 2John v6 John defines love and what it is. Is love like those doves which have come to symbolise love on our greetings cards and sonnets? Not really:

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments."

As a gentile believer I find it shocking to see this definition, perhaps because I have grown so used to reading Paul's arguments against those who seek to keep the law of Moses. To them the commandments mean the minutiae of the Jewish law, which Paul argues has no power anymore over the servant of Christ who is saved by faith, not by works. However, James redresses this by saying:

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 2:18

In other words, works are a natural conclusion of faith. The greatest work is Love, and coming back full circle, the definition of Love is to do the commandments. Jesus said this:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:13-14
 

These doves may know something about how to display affection during their courtship ritual but what do they know of keeping the commandments of Jesus? Would we look at the dove and say "they will be in the Kingdom of God because they have shown love"?

A christian will say that they love God. Some Christadelphians are tempted to say "because these Christians Love God, they will be in the Kingdom just like me". It's just as silly. John refutes that logic and tells us to beware:

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." 2John v7-9

Notice the wording here. Whoever doesn't abide (remain in) the doctrine of Christ, doesn't have God. What is the doctrine of Christ? Well, John just defined it right there: "that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh". So while we may love to look at the christians around us and their seemingly open hearted and loving attitude to their fellow man, let's remember that to really Love God and His son Jesus is to walk according to this commandment, to abide in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the son of God who came in the flesh to conquer sin.

 

3John 1:8        Those who are so involved in the things of God have needs also. We should not think of them as self sufficient simply because they are heavily involved in things. They have needs also and we should both recognise that and seek to help them.

1:5-7    Do we entertain speakers or other brethren who are speaking at our meetings out of a sense of duty? Or do we delight to do it as they are ministering the gospel?

THE JOY OF A D.M.C.

I am sure a longer letter to the chosen lady would have been good for all of us. But John didn't want to write. He said, "I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." (2John v.12).

It's always nice to receive a card or a letter. I send and receive hundreds of emails, others communicate on facebook, twitter or any other number of social media sites. But with all the communication that goes on, the sort of communication that gives me the most joy, is talking face to face. Even telephone or skype calls don't do it justice. If you want to fill up your joy, put a smile on your face, and go and meet someone and have a DMC with them (Deep and Meaningful Conversation.) Fill someone else's joy by doing it for them, and in return you will find more joy in your own life.

I have met hundreds of people on line, but there is a real excitement in meeting them face to face. Let's not settle for second best, but make time to visit and talk face to face, so that your joy and their joy will be complete.

GOOD GOSSIP

It is so usual and easy to talk to someone else about the negative qualities of a person you know. In fact it happens so often we hardly blink an eyelid as we listen to yet another report that tells how bad something was or the mistake that so-and-so made.

On the other hand, when someone comes up to us to tell us really positive things about someone else, we almost react in surprise. It certainly makes you feel good when you hear a report like that. Whether you tell it, hear it, or hear about it, if you are the subject of the conversation, your quota of joy for the day rises.

John heard a good report about his friend, Gaius. This is what he said about it: "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell me about your faithfulness to the truth, and how you continue to walk in the truth." (3John 3). John wasn't even there and he rejoiced!

We have the potential to put joy into anyone's day at any time by sharing something good with them. Call it good gossip, if you like.

I know I need to make a huge effort to only say positive things rather than negative, and in doing so I am looking forward to a rise in joy in my life. Why don't you join me?
 

3John 1:12         There is only one other “Demetrius” in Scripture – we see him in Acts 19:24,38 – we cannot tell if this is the same person. However if it is it indicates the power of the gospel to change a person’s allegiance.

2John 1:7         denying that Jesus is come in the flesh is Anti-Christ because denying the humanity of Jesus makes a true understanding of the significance and effect of the death of Jesus impossible. Jesus had to share our nature if he was to be an effective saviour.

1:5           We can all do things for others, but how we do those things matters also. It is all too easy to be careless and slipshod in our approach. Gaius, by contrasts did everything he did “faithfully”. A lesson for us.

2John 1:9

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”