Comments for June 27

7 v.8 - Here and in ch.12:19 the people ask Samuel to pray for them. They feel inadequate to the task themselves. Our situation is different, I know. We have the way opened for us by Jesus' death and resurrection to be able to contact God directly. Does this tend to make us a bit too independent in our thinking though? When we have a problem, surely it is important to share that problem and ask others to pray for us. Even the world say 'a problem shared is a problem halved', but surely here a problem shared is a problem removed. That was certainly true of the Israelites here, which shows of course that repentance is required too.

7 v.2 - Kirjath Jearim was the resting place for the ark for the remainder of the time of Samuel and all of the reign of Saul and the first seven years of the reign of David for this is the place from whence David brought the ark and set it in the house that he had built for it. [2Samuel 6:2] Therefore the 20 years mentioned cannot be the whole of that period because we know that Saul reigned for 40 years. [Acts 13:21] And David reigned seven and a half years in Hebron before he took Jebus. [2 Samuel 5:5 1 Kings 2:11]
7 v.12 - Samuel, by calling the people to Mizpeh and bringing about a spiritual revival, and the subsequent actions of Yahweh and the raising of the stone which he called Ebenezer marks to Israel that their behaviour in taking the ark to battle [1Samuel 4:4] and it being taken from Ebenezer by the Philistines [1 Samuel 5:1] is now reversed. Hence anyone who saw that stone from this time forward would be able to contrast the behaviour in the days of Eli and the death of Eli and his sons with the deliverance that had just taken place because of the faithfulness of Samuel. Notice that it was just as Samuel was offering the sacrifice [1Samuel 7:10] that the Philistines came against Israel. At a time when they were 'distracted' by serving their God He intervened on their behalf, by contrast to the situation when the ark was taken into the camp.

8 v.1 - Maybe there is an indication of what the Lord thought of Samuel's sons in the fact that there seem to be only two mentions of them in the whole of Scripture. [1Samuel 8:1 1Chronicles 6:28]
8 v.11 - Moses had already shown Israel that Yahweh knew that they would desire a king. [Deuteronomy 17:14 - 20] legislates for the selection of a king and how he should behave. Saul and many others who followed him clearly did not take heed to the admonition of Moses, nor the warning of Samuel.

8 v.3 - May this help us to accept it if our own children have turned aside regardless of our efforts to help them to see the way to their salvation, and let it make us rejoice if our children have come to see the truth for what it is and accept it. How dreadful Samuel must have felt that his sons did not follow in his ways.

7:3 The call to 'put away the strange gods from among you' echoes the call of Jacob to his family (Genesis 35:2). On this occasion Jacob's two sons Simeon and Levi had executed cruel retribution on the men of Shechem.

8:1 That Samuel made his two sons 'judges' and the fact that 'Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life (7:15) and the call of the people, recorded (Acts 13:20) 'judges unto the time of Samuel the prophet' will help us to realise that we are in, during the life of Samuel, transition period between the time of the Judges and the time of the kings.

7:6-12 Oh that Israel could remember that God would always deliver His people if they were faithful. They were serving Him and going to Mizpeh was a risk. They must have left their flocks and their fields unguarded. God had told them that when they went to worship him their enemies would not take their lands.

8:4 The words of the elders might have appeared to be well intentioned. It might have been thought that they just wanted to make sure that after Samuel's death there would be men as faithful as he had been ruling over them. However it was a pretext to enable them to ask for a king., They were more concerned with being like the nations round about than in ensuring that God'' laws were kept.

8:11 The warning that Samuel gives about the kings appointing their sons to run before his chariot was copied exactly by both Absalom (2Sam 15:1) and Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5) - so we might conclude what kind of kings they would have been if they had been successful in their uprisings.

7:15 Whilst Samuel judged 'all Israel' his circuit covered a very small area in the centre of Israel near to Jerusalem.

8:14 The warning that the king would 'take you fields and your vineyards' was exactly what Ahab did (1Kin 21:2)

 8:22 God gave them what they asked for, very often this is His way; when a man wants a thing badly enough, even though it will do him no good, God gives him the desire of his heart, so that he may learn the hard way. This it was with Rachel, and Balaam, and the Israelites in the wilderness. l  

How sad it must have been for Samuel to see that both his sons would not accept God, as he had done
(1Sam 8:1-5). He had made them judges, but they were dishonest We cannot control or manipulate our grown up children, but we must wonder if we have done wrong, and failed them in their formative years, when we see what Samuel saw.  Let's thank the Lord, and pray for our young people.

7:6  Pouring out water before Yahweh symbolized the Israelites utter powerlessness in the face of their enemy.  Only awareness of this condition, contrition of heart, and a faithful appeal to Yahweh could bring deliverance.   David expresses the same idea in speaking of our Lord on the cross (Psa 22:14).

8:3 We saw how Eli's sons abused their office, and now we see Samuel's sons doing the same thing.  Samuel is accounted as one of the faithful (Heb 11:32).  However, even with a faithful servant of Yahweh, there is no guarantee that his children will turn out well.  Perhaps this can be of some consolation to those in the ecclesia whose children have decided not to follow the path of Christ.

7:6 At the time of Eli's death Samuel could not have been much more than twenty years old, although his character and position must have given him much influence, it does not appear that he had done a whole lot more than the prophets were wont to do. Now he entered on the duties of a civil magistrate or judge.

We should not underestimate the magnitude of the occurrence described in chapter 7. All throughout the period of the Judges the children of Israel had stubbornly refused to serve the LORD only, but had clung to their idolatry and refused to bow the knee. Moreover, their trust had been in their own strength and not of the LORD. They had no faith. But now, by the working together of the word of the LORD by Samuel, and the demonstration of God's displeasure through the capture of the Ark, they were ready to not only repent, but also trust in the LORD almighty. In v4 they put away their gods. In v6 they fast and declare their sin. In v8 they cry for deliverance and put their faith in God.

This is a complete and perfect example of repentance in all its stages. 1) God afflicts. 2) A mediator is provided to make known the link between the affliction and God's displeasure. 3) Sin is turned from by actions not just words. 4) A verbal and heartfelt declaration of guilt is made. 5) A request is made that the affliction be removed. 6) A prayer of faith is made to God on behalf of the sinner. 7) God forgives and delivers.

This same cycle is shown throughout scripture and is one we need to be aware of in our own lives. God works this way; always has done; always will do. This cycle occurs most notably for ourselves in James 5:14-20. We ought to take note of it, using the example of Samuel and Israel, so that we like them can fulfil God's purpose in turning every one of us from our iniquities (Acts 3:24-26).

7:9-10               We should try to visualise the scene. Israel are gathered together in or near the city of Mizpeh. The Philistines are visible in the distance, approaching the city. Israel had only recently lost a battle with the Philistines. Samuel is carefully organising the sacrifice and the people watch, with one eye on Samuel and the other on the Philistines who are still approaching.  The tension mounts as the Philistines approach and yet Israel have to remain still, watching Samuel  with their minds focused on the sacrifice.

8:3        What a tragedy! Samuel’s sons did not follow his good example. Some might say that this was because Samuel did not give his sons the attention they deserved because he was so busy in the nation. However the record is silent on this point. We should appreciate that being faithful parents does not guarantee that one’s children will also be faithful.  Consider Israel. God was their father – what more could he have done for them? The answer clearly is ‘nothing’ but they continually rebelled against his instruction.

1Sam 7:5,6,9 - we have Israel repenting - perhaps this reminds us of the neglected Day of Atonement (Lev 16:24,28,29,30). Some of this is gleaned from Samuel, Saul & David by Harry A. Whittaker, p.30.

8:3-7 - in v6 what upsets Samuel the most is not his sons reported bad behaviour but that the elders of Israel want a king, to be like the other nations, versus looking to God.

The words "he will take.." are repeatedly said about the way the king would deal with the people. They rejected a King who would give them everything Acts 17:25  in favour of kings who would take.

8:2 Beersheba was a long way from Shiloh. We might think ‘out of sight out of mind’. His sons were evil and consequently should not even have been in the position of Judges, let alone miles away from the influence of their father.

Yahweh had already predicted and agreed to a king for Israel (Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Deut 17:14-20). However, He was displeased with Israel's attitude. They hankered after a mortal king, with all the human trappings, at the expense of recognizing Yahweh's regal supremacy.

7:8      ‘cease not to cry unto the Lord’ is rather like the later ‘pray without ceasing’ 11Thess 5:17

7:4 So Israel turned from following Baal. There is no more mention of Baal worship in Israel from now right until the days of Ahab.

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
During the 40 years wilderness journey, the nation became organised, laws were given, officials appointed, the commonwealth of Israel came into existence and BECAME KNOWN AS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Exo 19:6 1Sam 8:7 1Chron 29:11,23 2Chron 13:8
When Israel went out of Egypt ... Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion Psa 114:1-2
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

7 v 3,4,11 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned
1. The right of Israel to be called God's Kingdom was dependent on their obedience. Go to Exo 19:5 for more details.

1Sam 8:1-22 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
1. The conquest of the land was followed by a period of the Judges Acts 13:19,20. This ended when the people rejected God and chose a king 1Sam 8:1-22
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

7:1  Abinadab lived in Gibeah (2Sam 6:3,4).  However, this can be misleading.  Gibeah means hill.  It is more likely that Abinadab lived on a hill in or near Kirjath-jearim.  It is puzzling why the ark was not taken directly to Shiloh.

7:2 Saul reigned for forty years.  And so, it seems that the ark only rested with Abinadab for half of Saul’s reign before being brought out.  But, it was David who brought out the ark later (2Sam 6:2-4).  And so, the twenty years is a puzzling phrase.

7:5-7,16  Mizpeh (KJV), more correctly Mizpah (ESV), was one of the three towns on Samuel’s circuit, the other two being Bethel and Gilgal.  As a circuit judge, Samuel would visit these towns in turn, as Yahweh’s representative, and dispense justice.

This town of Mizpah was in the tribal allotment of Benjamin (there were towns of the same name elsewhere).  Mizpah became a gathering point for the nation when there was an issue of national importance to be resolved.  Mizpah means watchtower.

7:12 Shen means crag.  This was probably not a town, but a well-known rock near Mizpah.  In Modern Hebrew, shen means tooth.

8:2,3 Samuel’s sons were crooked judges. If they had been like Samuel, then the people would not have wanted a king (8:4,5). 

8:7 Judges were acceptable to Yahweh, as they represented Him in judgement.  However, Yahweh was the only king over Israel.

8:19,22 After refusing Samuel’s counsel, Yahweh instructed Samuel to make Israel a king (Prov 26:5). 

8:7 The rejection of the prophet Samuel and as a consequence the rejection of God is not the first time that Israel had rejected God’s rulership. It happened quite early in the wilderness journey when Israel sought to set up a captain to take them back to Egypt – Num 16:3

8:5    Was being ‘old’ a reason not to allow a man of God to rule?  Moses was ‘old’  as was Joshua however that did not stop them being useful to God. Indeed their age and maturity was a benefit, not  drawback.  Do we share the views of the people in the days of Eli? Are we ageist as the world uses the term today?  We should not be.  A servant’s use is based upon his usefulness, not his age.

²⁰That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

Be careful what you ask for - God might just give it to you!

The children of Israel asked for a king “that we also may be like all the nations” yet God was their king. They saw that they were different to the surrounding nations but they wanted to conform (Rom 12:2) to this world and be like other nations. The decision making of the children of Israel was based on worldly thinking and the nature of the world around them. The worldly ‘peer pressure’ directed them to choose a human leader. This was fatal, Samuel even warned them of all the problems this would cause in servitude including taking a tenth of all they have (1Sam 8:15-17). We know from the kings of Israel that human leadership can be very variable. One moment a godly king the next a selfish tyrant. All were sinners and had failings before God. Why opt for a human failure when you could have the eternal unchanging character of God full of mercy and grace? The children of Israel got what they asked for, it’s clear from this account we must be careful what we desire, is our decision making influenced by the world around us or on pleasing God and gaining entry into his kingdom?

8:6    Samuel’s displeasure could have caused him simply to be bitter. However we see that Samuel was not just thinking of himself. The fact that he prayed to God indicates that he thought it was a matter that God would have an answer about.

8:16    The details that Samuel gives of what the king will take to himself is echoed –Ecc 2:7 – in Solomon’s description of his activities.

7:13    Whilst we learn that the Philistines ceased to be a threat in the days of Samuel we do find them battling with Israel -and Saul afraid – in 1Sam 17:11.

8:20   Whilst the nation wanted a king to take them into battle as their leader Ahab – 1Kin 20:14 – did not immediately see that as his job!

What's wrong in having a King?

Both Samuel and God Himself took the people's request for a King as rejection, yet in the Law of Moses there was provision for a King to be chosen:

"When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother." Deut 17:14-15

There is nothing in that passage to suggest it was wrong to ask for a King, so why this reaction from God?:
 

"they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." 1Sam 8:7

It is clearly not wrong to have a King, as long as it was a King who would reign on behalf of God, and be chosen by Him. So there was more to this than meets the eye. Notice the wording of the people's request:

"Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." 1Sam 8:5

They didn't want God's King. They wanted a King like the idolatrous and ungodly nations around them. That's where the rejection lay.
 

7:15  Samuel, of a priestly family, acted as judge. The fact that the record tells us that he was judge “all the days of his life” likens him to the high priest who also served in his position until his death.

8:5-6      The people had good reason to want a change of leadership. Samuel’s sons were not doing a Godly job. However the desire was not to replace ungodly men with godly men. Rather it was to have a king like the nations. Replacing ungodly men with a different ungodly system is really not acceptable.

LIFE LESSONS FROM SAMUEL

Children are very important to God and we often wish we knew more about the childhood life's of faithful people in the bible. Samuel is a delightful exception and we know he came as a result of Hannah's fervent prayer to God. Even Samuel's name means "asked of God". (a wonderful lesson right in Samuel's name) Samuel played many roles as - judge, priest, prophet and counsellor allowing God to work in his life.

Through the life of Samuel we learn many life lesson's. The life of Samuel shows us that if we are faithful even in the smallest of things - God will trust us with greater things. Even in childhood Samuel was genuinely dedicated to God. He grew in wisdom and statue in his life because he listened to God's directions. 

Too often we fail in this task as we ask God to take control of our lives and yet we don't really want to give up the goals we have set for ourselves. We end up praying for God to help us get where we want to go. As hard as it is - the first step is to “Let Go and Let God” as brother Bob Lloyd used to say, letting God control the destination of our lives to Him. Do we have the courage to let God into our lives in this way? Through Samuel's life we learn how.

7:15   In telling us that Samuel Judged Israel we are taught to include Samuel in the Judges that Paul speaks of – Acts 13:2

1Sam 8:21 We see Samuel Spoke to God. His name actually means in the passive askING of God in 1Sam 9:15 we see God spoke (or actually revealed Samuels ear). It reminds us of 2 people in a secret conversation. Revealing the ear reminds me of when I was a child my mom used to sit me on her lap and in a show of affection run my hair behind my ear.

The words rehearsing speak of practiscing and preparing. Here were two friends having a two way conversation with Samuel being instructed and prepared for his task ahead.

Saul means asked for he was asked for by his people. But does it also mean he only asked once? Saul wasnt a complete failure he fought well against the Amonites for only to fail against the Philistines (and his self doubt) was that the only time Saul Asked of God, where as Samuel was always askING of God?

Isa 50:4 hear (no spelling mistake) is the key to our masters success listening to God and asking of God. 

What sort of message would Saul be listening to? 1Chron 17:2 Josh 1:9

God would be with him but he needed to be strong.

Isa 50:5 the words "turned away back" means to flinch. The Lord Jesus Christ never flinched he faced all his problems head on he never hid from his calling.

It didnt get of to a good start with Saul did it? 1Sam 10:22

Saul wasnt the only one who didnt listen Luke 9:43 the disciples percieved it not 

As a child my dad used to say I am not telling you again, Job 33:14 yet our heavenly father tells us again and again! 

8:5       Of course the nation of Israel already had a king. It was God. It was this that made them different from the nations – but they wanted to be like them! Do we see God as our “king” now?

1Sam 8:5,7

“… now make us a king to judge us like all the nations… Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.” RV

Why was it wrong for the Israelites to ask for a king to judge them when in Deut 17:14-20, it was permitted for them to choose a king, God having given commands on what to base their selection on? It was to be of God’s choosing, not theirs. God knew the time would come when the Israelites would ask for a king and gave specific directives (cf. Gen 35:11).  Samuel’s sons, who were made Judges by Samuel, were not following God (1Sam 8:1,3), but neither were Eli’s sons before them (1Sam 2:22-24), and neither were they (1Sam 8:8).

Being ruled by Judges, Samuel, the Judge, took it they were rejecting him. God had rejected Eli as a Judge (1Sam 2:22-31), but not Samuel. Israel, in revolting against Samuel, rejected God who chose him! The real problem was with the people, not Samuel. They did not care about God’s directives for a king; they really weren’t interested in having a Godly man rule over them.

A nation whose God was their only God, King and Judge, who delivered them from all their adversaries (Deut 1:30,31; Deut 20:1-4; Josh 10:42; Judg 11:27), were envious of the nations who worshipped false gods and wanted to be ruled like all the other nations, and not as a holy, or set apart people! This grieved Samuel, but God was going to give the people what they wanted, and directed Samuel to anoint Saul. Though Samuel told the Israelites, and wrote down the manner a king was to be selected by them (1Sam 10:25), they ignored it (1Sam 8:7,9,11-21; 11:15; 1Sam 12:17-25)!

As the people, so their king. (1Sam 15:3,9,19-23). The nations around them were permitted to plunder and keep what they wanted whenever from their conquered foes, but in this case, Israel was not permitted to do so; they were not to benefit from the war against the Amalekites, Esau’s descendants (Gen 36:12,16) and enemies of Israel (Exo 17:8-16;Num 14:42-45), because it was an appointed judgment from God (cf. Deut 20:13-18;Deut 25:17-19; 1Sam 15:1-3). They ignored God’s commands and their disobedience was so serious, it led to God rejecting Saul as king and rent the kingdom from him (1Sam 15:28). Their disobedience was out-and-out rebellion against God.

Partial obedience is complete disobedience in the eyes of God. Saul and the Israelites obeyed only as far as it suited them (cf. 1Sam 15:13,20). This was nothing short of excusing sin with half-truths. The Strength of Israel was not their king, Saul, as he and the Israelites thought, but Yahweh Elohim (1Sam 15:29). We may do all sorts of works for God, or think it is for God, work thousands of hours in His service, give thousands of dollars to charity, but it will avail us absolutely nothing if we have not surrendered our hearts to God, shown by putting our faith and trust in Him in all obedience, and recognize that He is our Strength, giving Him all, and not rest confidently in works only.

8:1 So we have now moved on to the end of Samuel’s life, though we are told little about the years between his childhood and now.  It is as if God wants us to focus on the beginning and end of his life.

7:9-10 There is a contrast between the “sucking lamb” and when “Yahweh thundered with a great thunder”. This is seen on several occasions in Revelation where the lamb and thunder occur together: “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder” (Rev. 6:1); “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion … And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder …” (Rev. 14:1-2); “… and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come …” (Rev. 19:6-7). Christ “humbled himself” (Phil. 2:8) as a lamb and so has been “highly exalted” (Phil. 2:9) to execute judgment with the voice of thunder.

8:1 So we have now moved on to the end of Samuel’s life, though we are told little about the years between his childhood and now.  It is as if God wants us to focus on the beginning and end of his life.

1 Sam 7:1- Abinadab is the inverse of Nadab-Abi (without the pron."hu"). This is possibly a reference to the two rebellious sons of Aaron, who happened to be Levites like Abinadab. The contrast is in the fact that the people "sanctified" (from qadash, used of the priests) Abinadab's sons to keep the ark. This forms a book-end from Nadab and Abihu (at one end) to the rise of king Saul (at the other). It involves the rejection of Samuel's sons in the same scenario as Eli's, who he replaced on their deaths. 

7:1-2 The ark was in the house of Abinadab until David sought to move it to Jerusalem –2Sam 6:2-4

EYES ON THE LORD

In my younger years I used to be a coxswain for a rowing crew. One race I particularly remember was on an unmarked course. We were the boat on the far left of the course, and on the sound of the starting gun, we all set off toward the finish line. What concerned me some way through the race was that we were a long way from everyone else - not ahead or behind, but a long way to the left. I decided to change course to make sure we kept with all the other crews.

After the race, someone asked me why we suddenly changed course in the middle of the race. We had been rowing a good line - it was everyone else that was wrong! But I had decided it was too uncomfortable being alone, so we turned to join the rest, and probably lost our advantage.

Israel were running alone without a man as king and focused only on God. Like me in the boat, they wanted to be like everyone else, and in doing so were about to lose their advantage in personal godliness.

Where are we looking? Are we looking at the finish line, or are we looking at all the other people who seem to be running the same race as us? Let's focus our attention on the Lord so that we are not distracted with what everyone else is doing.

7:6  It was rare for the nation to actually acknowledge that they had sinned. We see an earlier occasion – Judg 10:10,16. This is the response that God was always looking for –and so is today also from us. God cannot forgive sins that are not acknowledged.

v.11 - When we receive our instruction to leave the Babylon in which we are now captive for the wonders of God's kingdom, let us be sure to 'touch no unclean thing'. Remember Lot's wife. 2Cor.6:17, Rev.18:4.

v.2 - Note the progression and contrast between [Isaiah 3:26] where Israel is reproved for being rebellious and [Isaiah 52:2] where the rewards of faithfulness are presented.

v.1 - The beautiful garments are those which cover our shame - Rev.3:5,18, 4:4, 7:9, 15:6, 19:14

52:7 Thy God reigneth echoes David's Psalm of thanksgiving when he bought the ark to Zion - 1 Chronicles 16:31 Psalm 96:10. Isaiah repeatedly speaks about "the tabernacle of David". This is another link with the promises to and tabernacle of David.  David voiced this Psalm when he had brought the ark to Zion and received the promises.

v.3 - "ye were sold for nought". Ahaz bribed the Assyrians with the contents of the temple, but was eventually overthrown by them. The Jewish leaders were bribed to deliver Christ but it didn't stop them being overthrown by the Romans in AD 70. Joseph was sold into captivity but this lead to his family being the slaves of Egypt for 200 years. We can work harder but end up being poorer. Tax cuts don't always mean we have more money in our pockets.

52:5 The use of this verse by Paul (Rom 2:24) confirms that it is Israel who caused God's name to be blasphemed. We probably would have said that was so from a reading of Isaiah  52 but Paul's use in Romans confirms this.

V.11 It was the priests and the Levites, whose office it was to carry the vessels of the temple. They are told "be ye clean" by separating themselves wholly from Babylonian idolaters. This is certainly a lesson that we must apply to our lives.

V.14  We are well reminded of the horrible death that the Lord Jesus willingly suffered for us. Bleeding and disfigured through scourging and beating, he was nailed to a stake.  He endured suffering without murmuring and with forgiveness on his lips.  We owe a debt which we cannot pay.  Let us resolve to be more faithful that we may be with Him in His glory (2Pet 3:18).

“To the pure all things are pure,” (Titus 1:15). Even feet!  Yes, I know that Isa 52:7 means a lot more than the actual feet of the messenger who is bringing the good tidings.  But just spare a moment to think about the hot, unpleasant feet of the one who runs over the mountains. But this man is bringing “peace”. Let’s thank God for our feet that can allow us to preach.

52:1  And so again we hear Israel called upon to ‘awake’ – but now to glory – there is to come a time when they will have turned away from their idolatry.

V.13-15 - these three verses actually belong with the next chapter which prophesies the sacrifice of Christ, the purpose of his death, his resurrection, essentially the gospel (good news) but in the Old Testament; v13  prudently [Heb. "sakal" (7919) means "to cause to act wisely, to be circumspect, intelligent, instruct, have good success, prosper, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (deal) prudent (-ly), consider, expert, (give) skill (-ful), (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly"]; v13 these words collectively perhaps suggest Christ being elevated in the sense of honour and an accepted lifted up sacrifice also we have the mention of burn (as in a burnt offering) in the definition for "extolled"... exalted [Heb. "ruwm" (7311) means "to rise or raise up (in various applications), exalt, offer (up)", etc.], extolled [Heb. "nasa" (5375) means "to be lifted up, to lift (in a great variety of applications), exalt, extol, to bear, burn, forgive, high, hold up, pardon, raise (up), yield, spare, receive, accept", etc.], very [Heb. "meod" (3966) means "very, wholly, speedily, vehemence, vehemently, might (-ily,-y), well, utterly", etc.], high [Heb. "gabahh" (1361) means "to soar, be lofty, to be haughty, exalt, be haughty, be (make) high (-er), lift up, mount up, be proud, raise up great height, upward"]; v15 sprinkle [Heb. "nazah" (5137) means "to spirt, besprinkle (especially in expiation), sprinkle"] is the same Hebrew word that is used to "sprinkle" the mercy seat (i.e. Christ covering our sins) and altar in association with the day of atonement Lev 16:14,15,19 and thus we have Christ "sprinkling" many nations both Jew and Gentile and a later understanding Rom 15:18-22.

V.6 That day when Christ shall reveal himself to Israel. It will not be until that day, that Israel's obstinate unbelief shall be overcome (Zech 12:10,  Zech 14:5)

God uses the men and women, places and events of history to paint us a lucid picture of future events. In this chapter we have the joy of Jerusalem at its deliverance from the armies of Assyria which threatened to utterly destroy it. The people had been hauled up in that city for months, frightened, starving, and awaiting their doom. Then God had delivered them suddenly by the faith of their king.

God teaches us on many levels by the scenes of this play. Salvation by faith in Christ, our king, for our immediate lives. Salvation of Jerusalem in the future when these events will repeat themselves, and Jerusalem will again be encompassed by armies (Eze 38:23, Zech 12:2-10). How the gentile nations will come to trust in God because of His mighty acts of war (v10) just as they came to revere God and Hezekiah after these events (37:20, 2Chron 32:22-23). Most of all they set the scene for the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah (v7, 13-15) who would suffer as Hezekiah had, but would overcome the power of the grave by faith in God.

Vs.11,12 The people of Yahweh are urged to leave Babylon (under the protection of Cyrus) and return home before she is destroyed . Likewise, the people of Yahweh are later urged to leave spiritual Babylon (under the protection of Christ) and return home (to the Truth) before she is destroyed (Rev 18:4).

52:1 The ‘holy city’ – used inRev 21:2 enables us to see that this area of Isaiah is speaking of the tie of the kingdom.

52:10 The "arm" which the Lord made bare is the one who is manifest as the "arm of the Lord" Isa 53:1

THE LIKENESS OF JESUS

A few years ago, some artists made headline news when they came up with a picture, based on a lot of historical and archaeological research, of what Jesus could have looked like. They didn't go for the traditional yet sad-looking figure that has been around for so many years, but decided he was more rounded, more Jewish looking, and they gave him a cheerful look.

But no one really knows what Jesus looked like. There are only one or two places in the Bible that give us any hint at all as to how he looked. One of those places is in Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant. There we read, "Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond likeness." (Isa 42:14)

Maybe all the pictures are wrong. But even if we had photos or even realistic paintings of Jesus, it is not his appearance that we need to recognise, but his character. While his appearance is only hinted at in a few places, his character appears on almost every page of the Bible. This is the Jesus we need to get to know. When he returns we will know exactly who he is, though we have never seen him before. Will he be recognised by us?

Vs.1-6 The dismal state of Jerusalem in bondage has been outlined (51:17-20).  Now, Jerusalem is urged to shake off the dust and get ready for a magnificent renewal (which will eventually come when Jesus returns to earth).

V.7 See Nah 1:15. Jesus was the Son of promise who would bring salvation to the world (Luke 2:10,11,14). The good news that Jesus brought was the gospel of the kingdom (Matt 24:14). True and lasting peace will only happen when Jesus returns to earth to reign His kingdom (Luke 1:31-33). When the Lord Jesus’ feet stand on the Mount of Olives, great changes will be made and peace will ensue (Zech 14:4).

A large number of Israel and Judah had been taken captive into Assyria (2Kin 15:29, 18:10-12). Most of the cities of Israel and Judah had been captured (2Kin 17:5, 18:13). Only Jerusalem remained as a beacon of hope and despair. The captives in Assyria would hear of their capital. Their captors would deride them, claiming their last hope was about to be swallowed up in Assyrian might; blaspheming the power of their God (v5). The Taylor Prism which has been found in Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, says of this time "(Hezekiah) himself like a caged bird I shut up within Jerusalem".

In this context enters the messenger in v7. He brings good tidings of salvation. Jerusalem has been saved from the invader, and Hezekiah is re-establishing his rule from Jerusalem over the desolate cities (v7-9). The call to return to their land comes in v11-12, an Exodus likened to that of Egypt in v4. Hezekiah's fame spread throughout the lands of Assyrian domination (v10,13) and wherever that news went, the dispersed Israelites heard the call to come home (11:9-12, 62:10-12):

"They (Assyria) shall not hurt or destroy in all My Holy mountain (Jerusalem), For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse (Hezekiah), who shall stand as a banner to the people... and will assemble the outcasts of Israel... from the four corners of the earth"

Isa 52:1 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Capital City>Jerusalem Glorified
Jerusalem, rebuilt and glorified, will become the metropolis of God's Kingdom which will embrace all nations. Psa 48:2, Isa 52:1, Isa 60:14, Jer 3:17, Zech 14:16, Matt 5:34-35
First Principles>Sure Mercies of David> For more details go to Isa 55:1-3.

52:3 being redeemed ‘without money’ will be developed –Isa 55:1– to show the redemption requires that those wishing to benefit have to take food into themselves. That food is the word of God.

52:10  The ‘salvation of our God’ that will be seen is Jesus as this is quoted in Luke 2:30

52:13 That the ‘servant’ who is Jesus is ‘very high’ is shown by the way in which Paul – Phil 2:9– quotes Isaiah. However as Paul is speaking of the risen Jesus we can conclude that Isaiah’s focus is on Jesus after the resurrection.

52:2    In Jesus’ healing of Legion – Mark 5 we see the promise here fulfilled Legion was loosed “from the bonds of (his) neck) Mark 5:4 and was able to “sit down” Mark 5:15

 Isa 52:1-3.

52:12   The deliverance that is not hasty here contrasts with the Exodus from Egypt where they left hastily – Exo 12:33, Deut 16:3

52:15  Isaiah here is speaking of the way that gentiles will hear and understand the gospel message because this is how the passages is used in Rom 15:21.

1. Isa 52:1 - assurance of relief, deliverance, peace, and safety for Jerusalem; "Awake, awake; put on strength, O Zion" has reference to the holy city new Jerusalem and the idea of putting on strength involves Yahweh, the greatness of the Holy One of Israel in the midst of Zion (Isa 12:2,6), putting on strength can also suggest immortality which Jesus has done; the "beautiful garments" of Zion could be the immortal hosts of her true children (2Cor 5:1-4), while the wicked are the mothj-eaten garments (Isa 50:9;Isa 51:8); Jewish circumcision is reckoned by God as uncircumcision (Rom 2:25-29) as God wants circumcised hearts.

2. Isa 52:3 - redemption is the resurrection of the dead purchased not with Christ's money but with blood; selling for nought could be Ahaz taking the temple silver and gold to the Assyrians to no avail and/or perhaps the Pharisees who sold Jesus but were not victorious over Christ and/or the Israelites sold into Egyptian bondage yet were redeemed/freed without money; Paul reviewed his former life critically (Rom 7:14,24,25) and was redeemed not by money but by Christ and his grace.

3. Isa 52:5 - "blasphemed<5006>"(Rev 2:9;1Tim 6:1;Titus 2:5;Rev 17:3;Rev 13:1;Matt 12:10-32).

4. Isa 52:6 - the faithful remnant of new Israel will know God's name (Rev 14:1); this "I" is Immanuel i.e. Jesus.

5. Joel 2:32 - Rom 10:13.

6. Isa 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings" (Zech 14:1-9); in verse 7 the "I" of verse 6 becomes "him" (Christ speaking God's words John 8:45-47;John 12:49;John 14:10 - the body of Christ speaking Christ's words Rom 10:15;Luke 10:16); (NIV) "those who bring good news" (i.e. "the gospel"); "salvation"; "Your 'God<430>' reigns".

7. Isa 52:8 - the watchmen of Zion are a remnant who held fast, will understand even more, and be made immortal so they can see face to face (1Cor 13:12;Isa 66:13-14).

8. Isa 52:9 - "he has redeemed Jerusalem"; Isa 2:1-5.

9. Isa 52:10 - "The Lord will lay bare his holy arm, in the sight of all the nations" so as to be unhindered by long sleeves as men in battle; the arm of the Lord (Isa 53:1) = Christ; Christ is the holy arm and in Christ we have God manifestation.

10. Isa 52:11 - "Depart, depart" departing from captivity (be it from Egypt, from Babylon, or from bondage to sin and death); "Touch no unclean thing" (avoid idols and that which is not pure); "vessels of the sanctuary" (perhaps these vessels to be cleansed are one's own life).

11. Isa 52:11-12 - the unclean to depart from the rival city to Jerusalem which is spiritually Babylon the Great (Rev 18:2-5,20).

12. Isa 52:13-15 - Christ is the glorious suffering servant of God; the marred suffering servant and the marvellous international developments that ultimately result; "sprinkle many nations" perhaps means purify by his sacrifice causing the many nations to at last know, believe, and obey (1Pet 1:2;Heb 12:24;Eze 36:24-26;Num 19:2-22;Heb 9:11-28); V13 Christ's being raised, lifted up, and exalted (reminds of a wave offering) and could refer to his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension; VS 14-15 this prophecy of Christ has similarities to Hezekiah the leper (Isa 38:21;Lev 13:18-20); V14 disfigured and marred beyond human likeness (Matt 26:63;Matt 27:26,30;Mic 5:1); V15 (Rom 15:20-21); V15 "sprinkle many nations" (John 12:20;Rom 15:21 to the Gentiles); V15 (guests under the host's protection and favor would customarily be sprinkled with perfumed water), the priest (i.e. Christ) who cleanses and sanctifies Gentiles.

52:3   Here and in Isa 50:1 we see mention of Israel having sold themselves. In the historical record – 2Kin 17:17 – this same phrase is used to speak of the northern kingdom of Israel in the days of Hoshea. So maybe this is the even that Isaiah is speaking of.

52:1      The idea that no one uncircumcised will enter “the holy city” is an idea which a later prophet – Eze 44:9– presents.

52:1     The call to “awake, awake” returns to the call of God in Isa 51:17. The prophet is now inspired to speak of the time when the kingdom will be established and the new temple built. It will be a place where only those in covenant relationship with God will enter - Eze 44:9.

52:6        The time will come when all on the earth will recognise Yahweh as the only God. On the journey to that time the nation of Israel, restored to their land with Jesus ruling over them, will be the first recognise these things.

52:15 “that which hath not been told them is the call of the gentiles to accept the sacrifice of Jesus  as Paul explains in Rom 15:21 where this part of the verse is quotes in a chapter which shows that the Old Testament spoke of the opening up of salvation to the gentiles.

53:11   Isaiah has spoken extensively of the “servant” who is Jesus. This is the last time that we meet the “servant”. His job as a servant is now over. He has redeemed God’s people. We never read of a singular “servant” again in Isaiah. But we do read of “servants”. Often that speaks of us. We should, like Jesus, seek to do the will of our master – God.

52:15 the kings will “shut their mouths” because they will not be able to resist the risen Jesus. Instead they are called to kiss the son – Psa 2:12 – who will be king of all the earth.

52:5-7 In Hezekiah’s day the Assyrians sealed their fate by blaspheming Yahweh – Isa 37:6 – it seems that Isaiah is making reference to that event and assures Israel – and us by extension – that Yahweh will be known by the preaching of the gospel of salvation in Christ for that is how verse :7 is referred to in Rom 10:15.

So we are the beneficiaries of the preaching of the gospel. Hopefully our appreciation of this means we will never denigrate the God of Israel – our Father – by our words or actions.

52:3 It is said that everything has its price. The inference being that anything can be bought if one has sufficient money. We live in a world where there are some incredibly rich men and women – richer than ones wildest dreams. But their wealth will not by them salvation. It is available “without money” – that is it is priceless. Is that how we view the salvation offered to us in Christ?

v.12 - If we wish to be counted among these, we need to be able to reiterate Paul's words when towards the end of his life, he wrote to Timothy [2Tim.4:7].

v. 4 - Being 'defiled with women' in Scripture primarily relates to turning away from God to serve idols. This concept is seen clearly Prov 5 and 7 . The physical fornication of Israel at the time of Balaam matches their idol worship.

Those who are not defiled are like the living creatures of Ezekiel 1 in the way that they follow the lamb. So those who are not defiled will eventually be a manifestation of the glory of God in the earth.

The repeated quotation from Joel provides yet another background for the words of Revelation.

V.1 "Upon Mount Zion"  As a symbol, Mt. Zion represents the Abrahamic Covenant; in contrast to Mt. Sinai which represents the Mosaic covenant.Gal 4:24,  Heb 12:22  Zion is a symbol of permanency. Psa 125:1

14:1 The "lamb" on mount Zion is the same lamb that had been slain and the 144,000 with the father's name in their forehead are like those (Eze 9:4) who sighed and cried for the abominations done in Jerusalem.

Vs.14-20 There will be a great slaughter of those who oppose Christ when He comes.  Among the casualties will be the apostate system of worship presently centered in Rome (v.8).

14:1  Clearly the 144,000 are representative of the redeemed from each of the 12 tribes of Israel and answer to those spoken of in Rev 7. We are not to presume that, therefore, they are natural Israel. They are spiritual Israel who are taken out of all nations.

14:2 Having harps echoes Rev 5:8 where the redeemed are seen praising God.

14:11 The expression "for ever and ever" indicates that it shall burn until it is completely destroyed. What happened to Jerusalem (Isa 34:10) now falls upon Babylon. We also have the record of Sodom as a city of eternal fire, that is a fire that shall consume until nothing remains.

V.8 can be connected to Isa 51:11,12 and Rev 18:4 (see my note on Is. 51, for June 26).

14:11   The recompense of Zion will take place when Babylon’s smoke arises – See Isa 34:8-10

14:1 The ‘lamb’ who stood on ‘Mount Sion’ is Jesus whose feet with stand on the mount of Olives – Acts 1:11

V.1 The 144,000 is a representative number of the total number of immortalised saints.  It is a multiple of twelve which is considered a complete number.  The description of the New Jerusalem is also based on this fact (Rev 21:10-16).

Vs.2,3 The redeemed multitude will sing a new song (Psa 33:1-5 etc.). Only it will understand this song because the nature of the redeemed will have been changed from mortal to immortal.

Vs.4,5 The term not defiled with women means not being associated or influenced by the false system of worship, which is characterised as a woman of loose morals (Rev 17:3-5).  They are virgins applies to those who stayed faithful to Jesus and, thus, remained undefiled by the false system of worship.  They were without guile, like Jesus Himself (John 1:47).

Vs.6,7 In the kingdom, the immortalised saints will be responsible for teaching the mortal nations the ways of Yahweh.  These redeemed are depicted in this verse by the angel (messenger).

V.8 Babylon, the origin of the Mystery Religion, signifies Rome, the seat of Catholicism, which adopted Babylon’s Mystery Religion.  Rome’s intoxicating force converted nations to commit spiritual fornication (Rev 18:3).  Yahweh’s wrath will destroy Rome (Rev 18:21,22). 

V.9 After Rome is destroyed, Catholicism will survive (for a time).  The third angel will make an appeal to Catholics to leave that church and turn to Yahweh.

V.10 Mixed wine is wine to which something has been added to numb pain.  Jesus, on the cross, was offered wine mixed with myrrh to counter pain (Mark 15:23).  Here, the mixed wine represents the soothing (divine) solution to the intoxicating wine of Rome.  Catholics can come out and be saved. If they do not, then they will be subject to fire and brimstone (destruction aimed, particularly, at Europe which will have come under Catholic influence).  Jesus and His redeemed will administer relentless punishment (v.11).

Vs.12-20 These verses speak of Jesus and His redeemed brethren administering punishing justice on those who refuse to submit to the offer to leave the apostasy for true worship. 

Consider 1600 furlongs (stadia) in v.20. This comprises a square of 40 X 40.  The numeral 40 is indicative of trial. Squaring a number is punctuating its importance, like underlining a word. And so, the destruction of the ungodly will undergo a definite period of trial leading either to their submission or to their death.

14:14 The one ‘like the son of man’ catches the sentiments of Dan 7:13where clearly we have a picture of Jesus’ return and the judgement of the nations.

14:1   We saw in Rev 13:8 that certain had the lamb’s name in their forehead and so did not associate with the one with the mouth speaking blasphemy. Now we see the blessing that will be associated with having the name of the lamb rather than the beast.

14:4    In speaking of these people as “firstfruits” we see Jesus employing the statement made in Jer 2:3 which speaks of what God sought of from Israel.

14:13  The Bible teaches clearly that for those who die “in faith” death is just like a sleep. Who would not prefer sleep after hard labour. That is how the servants of God should view death – it is but a sleep until the resurrection.

14:4     These individuals spoken of here are clearly the redeemed. Notice the similar language in Eze 1:12 which speaks of the glory of God.

Newness

Exercise:

1) Write out verses 1 to 5 at the top of a sheet of A4 or Letter size paper.

2) Now make a list down the left of the page of all the things in these verses that indicate newness, and what the attribute is that makes that thing new.

3) Use a concordance to find where else in Revelation (or if you have time, the whole Bible) this symbol occurs .

4) As an extra option (perhaps only if you're doing this exercise as a grown-up), write down what the opposite is of this thing, and where this symbol occurs in Revelation.

Example:

Lamb (v1, 4) - A new-born animal. Very playful and carefree. Contrasted with a mature sheep, not playful at all, rather easily worried. References too numerous, but for example Gen 22:7-8, Ex 12, 1Pe 1:19, Rev 5:6-8.

14:12  Notice that ‘patience’ and ‘keeping the commandments’ are present as being related to each other.  Job manifest that ‘patience’ James 5:11 and so benefited from the ‘tender mercy’ of God. What an assurance for we who endeavour to keep the commandments in difficult, sometimes, circumstances. 

14:9    The mark of the beast in the forehead contrasts with the mark on those who have the seal of the living God in their foreheads – Rev 9:4

14:2     The “harping” of those with harps answers to prayer and praise of God as can be seen from Rev 5:8

14:6       Whereas Nebuchadnezzar sought all to worship him – see the connections with Dan 3:4-5 – the “everlasting gospel” is preached to all nations also. Those who are on the earth have to decide who they should worship./ Man or God.

14:4        In speaking of those who “followed the lamb” we see that they had listened to Jesus’ call – Matt 4:20 – Simon and Andrew

Rev 14

ZION’S FINAL TROUBLE

“BEFORE the Lamb can enter Zion with the 144,000, it will be necessary for him to expel the enemy. He comes to redeem Zion from the power of the foreigners, who have ‘come in like a flood,’ and afflicted her with ‘desolation and destruction, and the famine, and the sword.’ At this crisis of Zion’s history, coeval with ‘darkness covering the earth, and gross darkness the people,’ Yahweh inquires through the prophet, ‘What have I here that my people is taken away for naught? They who rule over them make them to howl, saith Yahweh; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.’ ‘They have scattered Israel among the nations, and they have parted My land’; and ‘the king of the North hath planted the tents of his entrenched camp between the seas to the mountain of the glory of the Holy One’—Isa 59:19; Isa 52:5; Joel 3:2; Dan 11:45).

Such are Zion’s relations, domestic and foreign, social, civil, and spiritual, at the crisis immediately preceding the appearance of the Lamb and his company within her walls. Being assembled in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and having laid successful siege to Jerusalem they rifle its houses, ravish its women, and send half of its population into captivity, many of whom they sell to the Greeks for slaves at the vilest prices—Zech 14:2; Joel 3:3. This prostrates Jerusalem in the dust, and fastens bands around the neck of the captive daughter of Zion. The uncircumcised and the unclean, then in possession of Tyre and Zidon, and the coasts of Palestine, are in high feather over their success. This will be truly the day of Jacob’s trouble, in which there will be none to help, nor any to uphold—Isa 63:5; Jer 30:7. But, Zion’s extremity is her Redeemer’s opportunity—Joel 2:18,19; Deut 32:36.”

Brother John Thomas, Eureka, Vol. III

14:9-10 As so often we see in Scripture a simple choice is presented. The mark of the beast of the mark of the living God. Do we see life so simply? Just two options? Or do we try and justify godless things to satisfy the thinking of the flesh?

14:9  the mark in the “forehead” indicates not a physical mark but a way of thinking. In Ezekiel 9:4 the “mark” identifies those who have a certain way of thinking – they “sigh and cry …”

14:13 What are our thoughts about dying? Is it something that we dread? Or is it something that we see that our God is in control of? We certainly cannot dictate the day of our death. This is in the Father’s hand. It is not for no reason that the bible speaks of death as a “sleep”.

Our sleep in Christ will be the end of all of our labours and so should not be feared.

14:8 Notice that “Babylon” was not a passive entity. It “made every nation …” So we see that the evil opponent of Yahweh is not passive but seeks to draw everyone into its grip. This is true of sin and human nature. So we have to resist the “wiles of the devil” – Eph 6:11

Rev 14:1

“Each of the boards of the Tabernacle was 1.5 Cubits by 10 Cubits (See Exodus 26:16). The thickness of the board is not given. But can be inferred. There are two sides of the boards. Thus 1.5 Cubits x 10 Cubits x 2 sides = 30 Cubits. There were 48 Boards. Thus 30 Cubits x 48 boards = 1,440. There were 100 silver sockets that held these boards up and the pillars to the Most Holy. Thus 1,440 Cubits x 100 sockets = 144,000!!!! See this number is consistent with the belief that the 144,000 being the Bride of Christ is true.” “When studying the types and antitypes of the Tabernacle, how we rejoice with you and all God’s people who meditate in wonder and amazement at God’s Divine Plan, searching out the depths of the Heavenly Father’s beauties of Truth found in the many gems in the Bible. As you did share so wonderfully, the Lord Jesus and his Bride, the Elect, the 144,000 members of Christ’s “body” — are so beautifully reflected within the Tabernacle arrangement, as also they are, within even the Scriptures themselves. For example: In Genesis 15:13 — the four hundred years describes the period of the affliction of the seed of Abraham and represents the Gospel age affliction of the Church. These four hundred years, if multiplied by the 360 days in a prophetic year, yield 144,000, the number of the church in Revelation.” “1. 4,000 people were counted and fed 7 Loaves and 2 fish* [Mark 8:5-7]. 2. 5,000 were counted and fed 5 Loaves and 2 Fish [Matt 14:17-21]. That’s 9,000 counted. And 16 Loaves and Fish. Thus 9,000 x 16 = 144,000.  *The text says “few small fish” but the Alexandrian text says ‘2 Fish.’” https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/09/14/study-3-the-tabernacle-construction-the-holy-the-most-holy/  (fyi: non-Christadelphian site).

“MANY writers, from the earliest times, have called attention to the importance of the great subject of Number in Scripture… The greatest work on this subject, both chronological and numerical, is not free from these defects. But its value is nevertheless very great. It is too much to hope that the present work should be free from these defects, which are inseparable from human infirmity. From one point of view it is a subject which must prove disappointing, at any rate to the author, for illustrations are continually being discovered; and yet, from another point of view, it would be blasphemy to suppose that such a work could be complete; for it would assume that the wonders of this mine could be exhausted, and that its treasures could be all explored! I must, therefore, be content with the setting forth of general principles, and with giving a few examples from God’s Word which illustrate them, leaving others to extend the application of these principles and search out illustrations of them for themselves. May the result of this contribution to a great subject be to stimulate the labours of Bible students; to strengthen believers in their most holy faith; and to convince doubters of the Divine perfection and inspiration of the Book of Books, to the praise and glory of God.” E.W. BULLINGER, NUMBER IN SCRIPTURE, in the PREFACE