Comments for August 6

v.25 - It is quite obvious that we have to take this to heart as an example and use it to show us the mercy of God. The whole thing was quite openly administered by God (v.1) that the people might be punished. He automatically included David in the punishment as presumably he held him to some extent responsible for Israel's actions, as their king.

v.8 - Whereas David requested the whole land to be numbered Joab did not perform the task completely. [1 Chronicles 21:5,6]

v.3 - This issue was well known throughout the land to be against God's will, and yet God moved David to do it so that the people might receive the punishment for their sins. Sometimes God's ways are beyond our understanding, but we have to accept them as right at all times because we know they are. Here we see that the end justifies the means in the righteous eyes of the Lord God, but can well understand Joab's reaction!

24:20-24 This area of David's life shows wonderfully what sacrifice is. He could, one might have thought, gratefully accept the generosity of Araunah. However David shows his understanding of sacrifice saying that he could not give in sacrifice something that did not cost him anything. We should appreciate that our sacrifice must cost us. This is what is behind Jesus' words about going the other mile.

"LET US FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCY IS GREAT" -David
David had sinned by counting all the fighting men of Israel and Judah. It was one of those things that God had said not to do in the law. Once the counting had been finished, David realised his sin, confessed it, and asked God for forgiveness. However, even though he was forgiven he still had to face the consequence of his sin. He had to choose between three years famine, three months of being overrun by enemies or three days plague.
David seems to have had no hesitation about which choice to make. "Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." So God sent a plague on Israel and 70,000 people died. We don't know what it would have been like if David had chosen either defeat by his enemies or famine, but what we do know is that God is full of mercy. From that we can assume that things would have been much worse is David had chosen a different way.
The lesson for us lies in the David's total trust in God and in his mercy. So when we are faced with our sin as David was, let us confess it and ask for forgiveness and trust our lives to the great mercy of God.

:2 'number' here is the Hebrew word for 'count' whilst in :4 the word signifies 'muster'. This might provide a clue as to why the numbers differ between here and 1 Chronicles 21:5. There would be a difference between the total number of people and the number of those eligible to go to war.

24:1 - The ‘He moved David against Israel The ‘he’ is Yahweh. Interestingly in the parallel account in Chronicles it is Satan. So God is the ‘satan’, the adversary of this passage 1Ch 21:1

24:24 - I once helped a Plymouth Brother who was a labourer at the University where I worked. He asked me to help him do a sign for their meeting hall. I prepared a template for him and he duly did the job successfully. Later he asked what he owed me. I replied that I was happy to help him do a service for his church. His face was instantly grave, he quoted to me 'I cannot give to the Lord of that which cost me nothing'. I think his attitude should make us pause. When we are tempted to use our employer’s materials (envelopes, photocopying facilities, telephone etc), for the truth, we should find a way of paying, perhaps by contributing to the Petty Cash box, with our employer’s knowledge, so that the same principle we have here is sustained.

24:14 David could say 'for his mercies are great' because he had experienced God's mercy. Herein is a lesson. We can better trust in God's future work in our lives if we can see the way that he has worked in our lives in the past .

V.17 The guilt of numbering the people lay exclusively with David. But, we all know when the head suffers a severe blow, the whole body suffers, or feels the result. Although David's sin was the immediate cause, the great increase of national offences at this time had(2Sam 24:1) kindled the anger of the Lord. 

The Angel that was deputed by God to kill Israel stopped at the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite (2Sam 24:17).  How appropriate that that place became the site of Solomon's temple.

V.1 Yahweh was angry with His people and He opposed them (cf. 1Chron 21:1). Yahweh moved (Heb. sut meaning stimulate) David to number Israel. David's pride acted upon that stimulus and He became a satan (opposer) to God's will.

Numbering the people could only be done by direct command of Yahweh. (Moses did it twice with no consequence because he was instructed to do so by Yahweh).

Vs.10,13 Subsequent ownership of David's sin brought concomitant punishment.  It is interesting that Joab, of questionable character, was right in his objection to David's exercise (v.3).

V.18 The significance of the threshing floor of Araunah (also known as Ornan 1Chron 21:15) was that it became the site of the temple.

V.24 The insistence of David's paying for the offerings points forward to the great price that the Lord Jesus paid on our behalf (1Cor 6:20).

2 Sam 24
We are told in Exo 30:12-15, that when a census was taken, 1/2 shekel had to be given to the tabernacle treasury for an atonement- or a plague would be the punishment. It was to be a 'covering'. When David numbers the people and the people were punished with pestilence, the 'plague' of this provision was operating.

The rich and poor all paid the same(Exo 30:15. Christ, our atonement(covering), even paid tribute money, speaking to Peter..."for me and thee"-Matt 17:24-27.

So David bought Ornan's threshing floor for 50 shekels in verse 24 (50 being the number of Jubilee or restoration- and silver being the metal of redemption), David made up for the atonement money by offering burnt & peace offerings.

The threshingplace is most interesting. Mt. Moriah, the place where Abraham took Isaac for sacrifice(Gen 22) and where Solomon builds the temple 2Chron 3:1. This location indicates "flesh nature" that had to be crucified. It points forward to Christ on the tree(Heb 2:14) in the same place. David took Goliath's head for burial near here, knowing "all flesh" was not suitable for divine nature will be destroyed. This place was later known as Golgotha, The Place of a Skull.

V.24 David proceeded on a great principle in choosing the pestilence. In pestilence he was equally exposed, as it was just and right he should be, to danger as his people, whereas, in war and famine, he possessed means of protection superior to them. Besides, he thereby showed his trust, founded on long experience, in the divine goodness.

As others have noted, we have echoes of Christ's sacrifice.

In 2Sam 24:17 sheep were sacrificed for the sins of another. In 2Sam 24:13 the atonement, involving death, took three days. In 2Sam 24:14 we read the sacrifice involved God's mercy. In 2Sam 24:16,18 other contributors have pointed out various significances of the threshing floor location etc. which  reminds us of the bread we take symbolic of the offered flesh of Christ. In 2Sam 24:22 the oxen, whose blood was shed, reminds us of Christ's shed blood and the wine we take symbolising it. Also in v.22 we read of  wood affixed to the oxen, perhaps a dim reflection of the cross laid on Christ whose sacrifice makes possible our rest if we come to and are joined to him (Matt 11:28-30). As previously noted, silver is a sign of mercy and 50 represents the Jubilee (Leviticus 25) when debts were considered to be paid off, during which there was liberty, and everyone was to return to their land. In a similar fashion, we look forward to a final liberty from the bonds of sin and death and reigning in the land with our Lord and Master Jesus Christ upon his return.

24:3  This is one of the rare occasions when Joab advises David from a spiritual perspective.

Vs.8-10 It took over nine months to number the people.  It was only after he was given the final tally from Joab that David seemed to realize his sin.  I wonder why it took so long for David to come to that conclusion.

24:25 The end of the plague and the buying to the threshing floor of Araunah join to provide David with the certain knowledge of the location of the most holy place in the temple which his son was to build.

24:10 In saying that David’s heart ‘smote him’ we are learning about David’s conscience. Similar language is used in 1John 3:20to speak of how we should respond to error in our lives.

V.15 Yahweh was appeased for the sin of Israel after three days of death by plague. 

Jesus experienced three days of death (Matt 12:40).  After that, He was resurrected to eternal life, having overcome sin.  

Yahweh was appeased for the sin of humankind by His Son's obedience unto death.  The door was now opened for anyone, who chose, to follow Jesus to eternal life.

24:14 David had experienced much at the hand of men – and knew that God had delivered him. Therefore his choice to ‘fall into the hand of God’ shows David’s understanding of the mercies of His God.

Satan

"Satan" is found in the Old and New Testaments [Heb (7854), Grk (4567)] and means "an adversary, an opponent, an accuser". Satan can be good or bad unlike the devil which is always bad. Nowhere is satan referred to as a supernatural monster. The following are some examples of how "satan" is used:  

A. God is satan 2Sam 24:1; 1Chron 21:1. 

B. an obedient angel is satan Num 22:22. 

C. Hadad the Edomite is satan 1Kin 11:14. 

D. Peter is satan Matt 16:21-23. 

E. a righteous satan 1Tim 1:20. 

F. in Job 1:6-12,16 we have God giving power to satan. Job 2:3 both God and satan had a part in Job's trials, is this how many in the world perceive satan? Job 42:11 everyone was won over who knew Job. Perhaps this particular "satan" was won over too and thus benefited from Job's sincerity and righteousness under duress/suffering.

V.1 It was Yahweh who incited David to number the people.  In the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles, it was satan who incited David (1Chron 21:1). 

Satan simply means adversary, anyone who stands in opposition to someone.  

Translators have erroneously personified satan and thus, capitalised the name.  This is to conform to their misunderstanding that satan was a fallen angel who became the supernatural provoker of evil in the world.

Jesus called Peter satan (Matt 16:23). He did not think that Peter was a supernatural provoker of evil.  Jesus was addressing Peter’s oppositional statement to His death and resurrection, the pivotal actions necessary for salvation (Matt 16:21,22).

And so, there is nothing mysterious about the word satan in the Bible.  And there is nothing amiss in calling Yahweh satan, as He stood in opposition when He incited David to number the people.

V.1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.  When Yahweh became sufficiently angry against His people, for specific reasons, there were consequences.  For example, the destruction of Judah was directly linked to the sins of Manasseh (Jer 15:3,4); the three-year famine, that we recently read about, was directly attributable to Saul’s sin (2Sam 21:1). 

There are many other examples where punishment, by Yahweh, was as a direct result of sin by an individual, a group, or Israel collectively. But, in v.1, we are not told, specifically, why Yahweh was angry, or why he set in motion the events of which we read.

24:16 David’s lifelong desire had been to build a house for God. He had brought the ark to Zion but now he learns, for the first time, exactly where the temple was to be built.

24:1   We are still in the time of the united monarchy. The division was not going to take place until the end of Solomon’s reign, over 40 years away. However the nation is described as ‘Israel and Judah’ probably highlighting the beginnings of the rift between the tribes.

v23. The AV version suggests Araunah was a King. Other versions say "you, oh King", suggesting he spoke to David, calling him King. Whichever is correct, it is interesting to think about this man. He was a Jebusite. Where was Jebus? What's the ancient name for that place? And was there ever a King there before?

v24. The Chronicles puts the figure at 600 Gold Shekels, compared to 50 Silver Shekels here. Why does God cause such a huge difference in price to be recorded in His word? Could this mean something?

24:4  In saying that the king’s word prevailed against Joab’s word we get a glimpse of tensions that existed between David and Joab.

24:17   Clearly the people had sinned else God would not have punished them. However David takes the sin to himself with respect to the numbering.  In speaking of the people as “sheep” he is recognising his position as the shepherd.

24:18  This is the second threshingfloor mentioned in David’s life. The first being in 2Sam 6:6 when David was bringing the ark to Zion. As this second location was the place where Solomon built the temple – 2Chron 3:1 we see both are associated with the ark of God.  

24:9   Whilst we are still I the time of the united kingdom of God we see that Israel and Judah are recorded separately. An indication, it seems, that the kingdom was already factious – as it had been right form the time David was made king.

24:1    The parallel account in 11Chron 21:1 has “satan” provoking David but here we see it was God who moved David. So we see from the way the two accounts speak that God could be a “satan” – that is an adversary.

24:1We must be careful to realise that even though David was the one who had to make a choice24:13-14 it was Israel who had provoked God, not David.

24:3   The way in which Joab speaks of the multiplying of Israel echoes the way in which Moses – Deut 1:11 – spoke to Israel as they were about to cross Jordan into the land of Canaan.

24:23  When we read of Araunah speaking to David as one king to another we maybe see the Jebusite king Araunah as  a king priest like Melchisedec was in Gen 14:18

24:14 David's decision to fall into the hand of the Lord was the correct one, for despite 70K people dying, God did not let it run its full course, in that he relented at David's pray and sacrifice that Jerusalem was spared. So even though God's judgement was declare, he still showed mercy and forgave. We need to take hope that despite our short comings and what we may have done, put oneself in the hands of God and humbling ourselves is the wisest thing to do. 

24:10   Notice says he has sinned doing foolishly what he did. Now we might reason is was not obviously a violation of God’s law to count the number in Israel. However there was something wrong with what David had done. Maybe it was his motivation that was wrong. Maybe he wished to number to nation as a matter of pride. Herein is a warning to u. There may be times that we might think to do something which, though not wrong, is of no value to us. It may be something that we do to elevate our opinion of ourselves. When we do then what we are doing becomes sin.

24:10   Notice says he has sinned doing foolishly what he did. Now we might reason is was not obviously a violation of God’s law to count the number in Israel. However there was something wrong with what David had done. Maybe it was his motivation that was wrong. Maybe he wished to number to nation as a matter of pride. Herein is a warning to u. There may be times that we might think to do something which, though not wrong, is of no value to us. It may be something that we do to elevate our opinion of ourselves. When we do then what we are doing becomes sin.

24 God uses circumstances to further His plan. Israel had sinned, David’s behaviour brought judgment which ended with David learning the site of the temple that he had wanted to build all his life. God orchestrates circumstances to bring about His will – Rom 8:28

v1. We often equate God with Satan on the basis that the parallel record in 1Chron 21:1 states that Satan incited David to number Israel whereas 2 Samuel 24:1 states  that  God incited David to number Israel. But could it be that God allowed an adversary (satan) to incite David to number Israel? Thus, whilst the adversary actually did the incitement, it could be equally said that God did the deed. It is no different to David saying that God has given David the victory in a battle, even though all the apparent work was done by David himself and human observers lauded David for his military skill. Similarly, Nebuchadnezzar is described as "God's servant" (Jeremiah 27:6) because he was the instrument for Judah's punishment for iniquity. God punished Judah yet so did Nebuchadnezzar - it was the same punishment because God performed it through Nebuchadnezzar.

There are other reasons for suggesting that God was not actually the Satan of 1 Chronicles 21:1. Throughout I  Chronicles 21, God is naturally and abundantly referred to as "God" or "the LORD" (Yahweh). Why then  do we insist that the Satan of 1 Chronicles 21:1 is actually God when everywhere else in the same chapter He is simply "God" or "the LORD"?  After all, 2 Samuel 24:1 has no problem in stating that "God" incited David. But if Satan were God's instrument, the distinction between God and this Satan  is straightforward and natural. 

Who then was this Satan that incited David on God's behalf? We are not told. But  1 Chronicles 21 talks about the work of the angel of the LORD carrying out the punishment upon sinful Israel at God's request and control  (vv15-17,27) which is also described as God having struck Israel (vv7,15). Maybe this angel was the Satan of v1. It would accord with a precedent established with Balaam in Numbers 22:22 where an angel is called satan or adversary.  "But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary (satan)". Interestingly, this angel in Numbers 22 had a "drawn sword" (Numbers 22:23,31) just like the angel of the LORD in 1 Chronicles 21:16 who was acting under God's direction (1 Chronicles 21: 12, 15, 16,27, 30). But we cannot be dogmatic. 

24:6  In associating “Dan” with Zidon” we see incidental evidence that the tribe of Daniel had moved from their inheritance north to secure easier land for themselves as we read in the book of Judg 18:7-29

v.5 - The idea of 'stretching out' is used a number of times by Jeremiah when describing God's power of creation. It seems a good way of comprehending the immortal from our mortal standpoint. Jer.10:11,12, 27:5, 32:17, 51:15.

v. 1-11 - It appears that the messengers from Edom and Moab Ammon and Tyre got more than they bargained for. Whilst we do not know why they came they were certainly under the threat of the Babylonians. They were given the same opportunity as Judah to accept the captivity. Such words must have been difficult to accept. Often we are called upon to accept teaching which runs counter to human thinking. Do we readily accept it?

v.6 describes Nebuchadnezzar as God's servant. It seems that much effort by God was put into bringing Nebuchadnezzar to an understanding of his own position of humility in the sight of God. He revealed to him the whole of the future of the world. Does this mean that Nebuchadnezzar is amongst the chosen? Unlikely as this might seem, Daniel 4:34-37 records the last words we read of this man and presents his salvation as a definite possibility.

27:12 So again (like Chapter  24) Jeremiah is preaching a message which would sound like treason.

GOD'S PLAN, OUR CHOICE
God told the people plainly through his servant Jeremiah that they had a choice of two futures. They could either serve the King of Babylon, who was going to come against them and be saved from the wrath of an angry and powerful king, or they could refuse to submit to him and die a horrible death. The encouragement they were given was to submit to God's will and serve the king of Babylon.
When God has a plan he will see it through, no matter what resistance he gets from mere men. He created the earth, the people and the animals on it and he does whatever he likes with it. His plan for tomorrow is to fill the earth with his glory and to eliminate all wickedness and sin. Our choice is to either go along with that plan and to fill our lives with good to show God's glory, or to resist it, fill the world with wickedness and accept the consequences of a wicked life.
God's plans will always succeed, as has been shown throughout history. Submit to his will today.

Whilst :1 says 'Jehoiakim' it would appear that more rightly it should be 'Zedekiah' - see Vs 3, 12, 20 and Chapter 28. This is then consistent with :6 which speaks in the immediate context, of the nation being taken to Babylon.

27:20-21 Speaking after the taking of Jeconiah captive Jeremiah shows that even those things which remained in Jerusalem would eventually be taken to Babylon which is a development of his words (27:12) that the people should submit to the Babylonians.

V.5-8 Moab chose to listen to her own prophets which said, "Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon" (V.9) It in turn ignored the warnings of Israel's God, and reproached the nation of Israel. Zeph 2:8

V.7 Yahweh promised that Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and his grandson would reign supremely until Babylon was subjugated by other powers. 

The historical sequence is: Nebuchadnezzar II; Evil-Merodach (2Kin 25:27); Nabonidus.  Nabonidus moved from Babylon for ten years and left his son Belshazzar in charge as his regent (Dan 5:1).  He returned to Babylon amid the Medo-Persian threat and subsequent bloodless take-over.

Jer 27:1-3 seems rather confusing on a first reading. Jeremiah is told to make bonds and yokes, and to put them on his own neck.  Then he has to send them to 5 neighbouring kings. The problem is that God’s message came to him in the beginning of Jehoiakim’s reign, but he is told to send them to the kings via the messengers that come to Zedekiah king of Jerusalem. Jehoiakim reigned for 11 years, then Jehoiachin reigned for 3 months, then Zedekiah started his reign.  So it looks as though Jeremiah had to wear the yokes for over 11 years. However, the yoke was broken by the false prophet Hananiah in Jer 28:10.

27:8  The promise of the ‘sword’, ‘famine’ and ‘pestilence’ is a recurring theme in the prophet – Jer 14:12, 27:13 and many more places

27:11 Having sent messages to all the surrounding nations Jeremiah encourages them to serve the king of Babylon, just as he had been encouraging Israel. The extent of the Babylonian domination would have made it easy for Judah, if they had wished, to simply see the Chaldean invasion as a natural event. After all it was not only affecting Judah, they might reason. In that they would be forgetting that God works in men’s lives using what appears to be natural events.

27:8-11 This unusual instruction calling for submission helps us to clearly see the reason for the alleged difference between the Old and New Testament. (an eye for an eye compared with turn the other cheek.) Some may see this as a contradiction, but that is not the case. What it shows that the true servant obeys the instruction of their Heavenly Father, and that these instructions differ from time to time, depending on the outworking of God's plan.

27:3 Doubtless the ambassadors from the nations mentioned in this verse are trying to organise, with Zedekiah, some sort of united confederacy to resist the king of Babylon. Sadly Zedekiah had the most powerful ally waiting to help him but he did not bother to invite Him.

V.6 Yahweh appoints whom He will.  Some, He appoints to positions of evil, such as Pharaoh (Rom 9:17).  Others, like Nebuchadnezzar, He elevates to positions of greatness. 

Nebuchadnezzar was not just a historic footnote in the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews.  He was a man groomed by Yahweh to be His servant.  Is it possible that Nebuchadnezzar might be in the kingdom?

27:6 The word that these ambassadors of verse :3 have to take back to their respective leaders – not from Zedekiah but from the prophet Jeremiah was devastating. But notice that Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of God, calls him ‘my servant’ So even if those nations thought that the God if Israel might have helped them as he helped, for example Hezekiah, against the Assyrians they were in for a terrible shock. Not only would he not help them. The king of Babylon was working on God’s behalf!

Jer 27:6 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
5. Judah (the Southern Kingdom) continued for another 200 years after Israel, the Northern Kingdom and the last king was Zedekiah. It was overturned three times (prophesied Eze 21:25-27), then to remain desolate for many years Hos 3:4.
 - The first overturning was in BC 606 in Jehoiakim's reign. (Prophesied Jer 27:6) 2Kin 24:2, Dan 1:1, 2Chron 36:6.
 - The second overturning was in BC 597 in Jehoiachin's reign 2Kin 4:10, 2Chron 36:10.
 - The third overturning was in BC 587 in Zedekiah's reign. (Prophesied Jer 21:7, Jer 34:2) Jer 38:28, Jer 39:1,2, Jer 52:4-5, Eze 24:1-2, 2Kin 25:2, 2Chron 36:7.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

V.3 Ironically, according to extra-biblical writings, the ambassadors of these nations came to Jerusalem in order to co-ordinate a plan to extricate themselves from the power of Babylon. Instead, they were given a yoke which symbolized their submission to Babylon.  Their subjugation would last for three generations (vs.6,7).

V.8 Any nation that does not submit to the rule of Jesus, when He comes, will be punished in similar fashion (Zech 14:17).

Vs.21,22 We have confirmation, by Daniel, that this occurred (Dan 5:2).

Accept the light yoke

This chapter is set at the time of the last chapters of Kings and Chronicles. Here Jeremiah's words are mentioned as being the last effort of God to reach His people (see 2Chron 36:11-16). They didn't listen to him, hardening their hearts instead "till there was no remedy" (see 2Chron 36:16). This phrase "hardening the heart" is another way of saying they were too proud to listen.

Even though there was no remedy, Israel still had a choice. They could either give up to the invading army, and live (v11), or continue to fight on, but die in the land. Giving up was hard for their pride to accept. For us too there is no remedy as far as our sins are concerned. We have a choice of whether to give in and accept the yoke, or fight on hopelessly in our own strength. This is where much of Jesus' seemingly topsy turvy teaching is derived from, such as "turn the other cheek" and the camel through the eye of the needle. He particularly quotes this time period in Luke 14:26-33 when he warns us to "count the cost". How could that weak king (Zedekiah) go against that strong king (Nebuchadnezzar, or actually God Himself, see v8) and win the battle? So also is the choice with us (Luke 18:10-14).

27:4     Whilst Babylon was to have power it will be short lived. However when Jesus reigns for ever the requirement to serve will be permanent as the prophet indicates Zech 14:17-19

27:5 That God gives the rulership of countries to whom He sees fit is echoed later in Dan 4:17, 25, 32

27:4    This summit to try and work out amongst the nations how to deal with the Babylonian invasion took a turn different from the way in which the ambassadors thought. One presumes that they came expecting to discuss tactics and build an alliance with the other nations, including Judah. God pre-empts all of this with, through Jeremiah, the words “Thus said the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel”. When God has a plan there is no discussion, The solution lies not in the hands of men

27:16-18      Jeremiah had to warn the priests not to listen to false prophets! They should have known to whom they should have listened. But as the priests were corrupt it is hardly surprising that the common people were astray from God. 

27:19-20       One supposes that the fact that the Babylonians had left items associated with the temple when he took Jehoiakim captive was taken as an indication by those that remained that their sorry plight was over. However the Babylonians were to come again twice more and take captives, eventually taking all the material from the temple to Babylon – Jer 52:17-20

27:8   We find both the sword –Deut 28:22 and pestilence – Deut 28:21 in the curses of Deut 28:1-68. The idea of famine is to be seen in the “blasting” of Deut 28:22

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

PART TWO -- THE PROPHECIES TO JUDAH (JEREMIAH 2:1 to 45:5)

II. The Conflicts of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:1 to 29:32)

   B. Conflict With The False Prophets (Jeremiah 27:1-22):

      1. Jer 27:1-11 - a message to the neighboring kings -

         a. VS 1,3,12 the KJV in V1 should probably read Zedekiah not Jehoiakim

         b. VS 2,11,3,6 Jeremiah makes a yoke and puts it on his neck not unlike those worn by serving oxen meaning the people are to serve and submit to Babylon (Lev 26:13 yoke in Egypt and God broke it so they would be free; Deut 28:47-48 if they disobey a yoke of iron would be used to destroy and this destruction was accomplished by the Babylonians and Romans; the yoke is connected to Christ and the red heifer is sin Num 19:2,9;Heb 13:11-13;Isa 1:18;1Pet 1:19 the spotless/perfect character of Christ; never yoked indicates absolute freedom from the bondage of sin which the yoke symbolizes Deut 21:3,6,8;1Sam 6:4,7;1Kin 12:4,10-14 Solomon and Rehoboam; Isa 9:4,6;Isa 10:27;Isa 14:25;Eze 34:27;Lam 1:8,9,14;Matt 11:29-30 Christ's yoke is easy and his burden is light.

         c. V3 the message of the yoke and serving Babylon was sent to the kings of Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, Tyrus, Zidon, and king Zedekiah of Judah.

         d. V6 Nebuchadnezzar is God's servant. V6 countries to be handed over to God's servant Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.

         e. V7 all nations shall serve Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and his son's son:
Nebuchadnezzar II (ruled circa 604 to 562 BC), Evil-Merodach (Jer 52:31;2Kin 25:27, son of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled circa 562 to 560 BC), Neriglissar (son in law of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled circa 560 to 556 BC), Labashi-Marduk (son of Neriglissar and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled circa 556 BC), Nabonidus (Dan 5:11,18,22, possible son in law of Nebuchadnezzar, ruled circa 556 to 539 BC), Belshazzar (Dan 5:1, father was Nabonidus and he at times was allowed to rule for his father, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar).

         f. V8 nations must serve and bow neck to Nebuchadnezzar else they will be consumed by the sword, famine and pestilence as we read in Jer 27:13;Jer 14:12  - in the time of the end the servant king Jesus Christ will be served by all the nations and peoples lest they be consumed. VS 8-11 the true servant obeys God's instruction.

         g. VS 9-10 those who prophesy lies.

         h. VS 11-12 can till own land if necks are bowed under the yoke of the king of Babylon.

      2. Jer 27:12-15 - a message to Zedekiah -

         a. V12 King Zedekiah is exhorted to submit to the king of Babylon.

         b. V13 those who don't serve the king of Babylon will die by the sword, famine, and pestilence.

         c. VS 14-16 prophets who lie in God's name.

         d. VS VS 14-18 - Some of the false prophets were predicting that the vessels of the temple Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon, would be shortly be restored; Jeremiah treated such prophecies with sarcastic contempt "if they be true prophecies, let them intercede with Yahweh that the vessels which remain might not be taken, for Yahweh declares that all will be removed and that the temple itself destroyed."

      3. Jer 27:16-22 - a message to the priests -

         a. V16 the temple vessels were carried away circa 597 BC.

         b. V17 if Jerusalem wouldn't serve the king of Babylon it would (and did) become a ruin.

         c. VS 18-19 let the false prophets plead to God that the vessels left in the house of the Lord be not taken to Babylon.

         d. VS 21-22 the remaining vessels in the house of the Lord will be carried to Babylon and later God will restore them.

27:1       Many modern translation change Jehoiakim to Zedekiah to fit with his name in the rest of the chapter.  However the text has Jehoiakim. The resolution it seems, is that Jeremiah prophesied words in the days of Jehoiakim which were to be fulfilled a few years later in the reign of Zedekiah.  This is not the only time that people are named before the event. See 1Kin 13:2 and Isa 44:28 for other examples.

27:22   The captivity was for a pre-determined time – 70 years – so Jeremiah speaks words of comfort. Though doubtless not many of those who went to Babylon actually did return to the land of Israel.

27:4      Imagine a prophet of God in the UN Security Council. The ambassadors have come to discuss, only to be told that they are to return to their own countries with words from God! This is what happened in Jerusalem on this occasion.

27:6 It was quite a challenge to the “world leaders” to ah veto realise that they were not in control of world events. Indeed the outcome had already been decided by Israel’s God!  Whilst today “world leaders” have their objectives and plans they will in due course have to come to the realisation that they are not in control!

27:3 It seems that this meeting of “world leaders” took place in the 4^th year of Zedekiah - Jer 28:1,14

27:8-9 Jeremiah was a prophet to the nations –  1:5 – and so now Jeremiah speaks to the nations surrounding  Israel. Despite their joint counsel – 25:18-25 – Yahweh was going to fulfil His will. We need to be careful to remember that God has concern for all of His creation. He is not seeking to destroy. Rather He seeks a willingness to keep His laws so that he can forgive.

Hopefully our view of God’s righteousness in this respect guards us against favouring one nation above another.

27:1-3 The text here seems to indicate that Jeremiah was to make the “bonds” a number of years before the time that the messengers from the listed companies came to Zedekiah. For this reason some translations render “Jehoiakim” as Zedekiah.

As to whether verse 1 should read “Jehoiakim” or “Zedekiah” is not something that I am competent to comment on. But the Hebrew text does have “Jehoiakim”.

v.12,13 - The temptations are dealt with swiftly in this gospel - 2 verses, but we do pick up that it was immediately after his baptism. It is a good job we have the other account as Matt.4:11 tells us that the angels did not come and minister until he had proved himself before the adversary in his own strength. If we had Mark's record alone, we would be forgiven for thinking that Jesus had the help of God's power to overcome his temptations, and if so he would not have been tempted like we are. The choice to give in to temptation or not has to be our own. Heb.4:15, 5:2, Isa.53:4,5.

1:1 The 'beginning' catches the concept of creation. Here are some examples of the use of 'beginning' 746 in the New Testament which relate to the creation. 746 Matthew 19:4 Matthew 19:8 Mark 10:6 Mark 13:19 2 Peter 3:4
1 v.4 - Notice John was in the wilderness - not in the city where the people were. Effort is required on the part of those who wish to be associated with His plan.

1:15 The 'time' that was fulfilled is the time spoken of by Daniel [9:25]. Mark is wishing to inform us that the coming of Jesus is actually the fulfilment of the promise of the coming of Messiah.

:13 Whilst the details of the temptations in the wilderness are not detailed we have an interesting contrast with the words of the tempter. The tempter invoked Psalm 91:11 (Matthew 4:6) we know that Jesus resisted the temptation - we see here that God sent angels to minister to Jesus.

Mark 1:1 ‘Beginning’ Gk. 'arche' [746], can apply to time as our AV but carries the idea of prime as in the sense of importance. So we find it in Archbishop, the ‘primate’ of the church, in ‘architect’ the principal designer of a building. The verse could read, 'The most important element of the gospel of Jesus Christ, [he is] the Son of God’. This takes us before the birth narratives, to the ideas of Jesus as promised in the prophets [Isa 7:14]. The concept of Jesus as God's Son we are used to, but when Mark wrote it was revolutionary. See now how every thought in this chapter bends to prove this point.
v2 The testimony of Malachi, [Mal 3:1] 'A messenger from Yahweh'
v2 The testimony of Isaiah [Isa 40:3] 'prepare a way for Yahweh'
v3-8 The testimony of John 'one mightier than I' (all men counted John a prophet)
v11 The testimony of God himself, 'this is my beloved Son' .
v12-13 The testimony of the angels, they ‘ministered unto him’
Every paragraph from this point points to Jesus' unique status.

A characteristic of Mark's gospel is immediacy. A key word is 'straightway'Mark 1:10,18,20,21 ) another is 'immediately' Mark 1:12,28 another is 'forthwith'Mark 1:29  You will notice these and related words right throughout Mark's gospel.

V.6 John's food was as simple as his clothing. Wild honey that is found in the wilderness is located under rocks or in crevices between the rocks.Deut 32:13 We are aware of the role of wild honey in the lives of Samson(Judg 14:8, 9, 18) and of Jonathon.1Sam 14:25, 26, 29

V.6  tells us that John ate locusts and honey.  These foods have both positive and negative connotations.  Locusts are high in protein and sanctioned under the Law (Lev 11:22).  Honey is also highly nutritious and was used as a symbol of the bounty of Israel (Num 14:8). 

On the other hand, locusts were instruments of destruction (Exo 10:14,15; 2Chron 7:13).  Honey was not allowed to be added to sacrifices (Lev 2:11).  This was because honey, like yeast, produced fermentation which represented corruption (Matt 16:6-12; 1Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9). 

Thus, in John's choice of food, he preached two options: nutrition which promoted life or corruption which led to destruction.  Choosing the nutritious bread of life (Jesus) would lead to life (v.4); choosing apostate doctrine would lead to destruction (death) (Matt 3:10).

Mark 1:22 - The teachers of the law would have been authoritative and pompous. But the people were amazed at Christ's teaching in the synagogue because he spoke as one having "authority" exousia (1849) a term which can imply ability, competence, mastery, etc.

1:10 The 'heavens opened' is almost an answer to Isaiah's prayer Isa 64:1 that God would 'rend the heavens' and come down. God had 'come down' in the person of Jesus. The testimony of God at Jesus' baptism is the confirmation of this.

V.13 Jesus had to bear His trial alone (the angels ministered to Him only after His trial was completed; see Matt 4:11). 

We endure trials (1Pet 1:6,7) but we have help (1Cor 10:13).  Angels are at our disposal (Heb 1:14); and Jesus will come to our assistance when we ask for help in prayer (Rom 8:34).

1:7 Loosing and removing a shoe was what was done when a man would not redeem that which belonged to his brother - Deut 25:7-9. John’s comment shows that he does not feel it is appropriate to baptise Jesus - to redeem Jesus - but rather feels in need of redemption by Jesus.

1:13In saying that Jesus ‘was with the wild beats’ we are learning about his dominion over creation – Gen 1:26

V.8 Some people believe that water baptism is not necessary for Christians.  They believe that in accepting Jesus as their personal Savior, they receive the Holy Spirit.  This verse does not agree with that belief. 

Water baptism (complete immersion) is essential for any believer of Jesus.  It symbolizes dying with Him and being raised to newness of life in Him.  Thus, the new believer puts on Jesus, like putting on a new garment (Gal 3:27). 

There are many examples of water baptism in the Bible which show that this act is essential to salvation.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was promised in v.8, was given by Jesus to His disciples at the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

1:10The ‘opening’ (the RV has ‘rent sunder’ has an interesting counterpart in the way in which the same word <4977> is translated as ‘the vail of the temple was rent <4977> in twain’ – Mark 15:38

Mark is the second of the three synoptic (seeing together) Gospel accounts.  Matthew and Luke form the other two. They view the same incidents from different vantage points.  To better understand a particular event, the three Gospels should be cross-referenced. 

Mark takes the aspect of the servant and equates with the Ox and Jeremiah (see my note on Matt 1 for July 2).   

V.14 The Kingdom of God on earth is pivotal to understand the Gospel.  That is where the reward of the righteous will be provided.  Floating off to some ethereal place at death is a myth.

V.30 Peter was married. The supposed first pope of the Catholic Church was married.  And yet, the Catholic Church forbids their priests to marry (1Tim 4:1-3).

1:13 That angels ministered unto him is a fulfilment of Psa 91:11

Notice that the disciples only needed to tell Jesus of a case of need, and he acted (v30-31). And that people only needed to come and see him, and he would grant their wish (v33-34). The leper summed it up by simply stating "if you are willing, you are able to make me clean" and Jesus acted out of compassion (v41-42). Do we come to Jesus in this way?

Mark (Servant)
Unlike the other Gospels, the Gospel of Mark has no genealogy that links with Jesus Christ.  This was appropriate for a Gospel that presents Jesus as a servant.  He made himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant. (Phil 2:7)

Matthew (King)
In contrast the Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy, Matt 1:1-16, that concludes with the kingly aspect of Jesus Christ.  It lists 42 generations that conclude with v.16“…Joseph the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus who is called the Christ (i.e. anointed).”  “…God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Phil 2:9-10)

Luke (Man of the Earth)
This Gospel includes a genealogy, Luke 3:23-38, which begins with Jesus at about thirty years old, at the start of his earthly ministry and records v.23, that it was generally supposed that he was the son of Joseph.  The genealogy then takes us back through Adam, v.38 “…Adam which was the son of God.”.  Jesus was “…made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death…” (Phil 2:7-8)

John (Spiritual from Heaven)
The Gospel of John begins by showing the link between God, His Word and His son the Lord Jesus Christ, John 1:1,14, This short genealogy is of the greatest spiritual significance to all who seek to understand the truth of God’s plan for salvation of faithful followers.
“Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God”. (Phil 2:6)

Phil 2:6-11, brings together in summary the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in the four Gospels and draws on the significance of the four faces of the living creatures (Eze 1:10).

1:10   Immediacy is a feature of Mark’s account.  ‘Straightway’ is one of the recurring words –  1:18,20 also ‘immediately’  1:28 and ‘forthwith’  1:29. Be on the lookout for these words and ideas through the rest of Mark’s gospel record.

1:35-37                Jesus’ sudden departure from the house seems to have baffled the disciples.  Could it be that Jesus’ desire to move on to the next city was because he did not want the fame and adulation that would come from the healings that he did?

1:9   John was baptising in Bathabara John 1:28. Jesus came from Galilee to John. Not an insignificant journey. Thus we see the importance that Jesus placed upon his baptism.

1:32  The day is the Sabbath – Mark 1:29– and so the people wait until the Sabbath is ended to bring their sick. They have been taught by the leaders that the Sabbath was not a day for healing.  Jesus confounded that wrong view throughout his ministry by healing on the Sabbath. 

1:12    The voice saying “thou art my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” echoes Isa 42:1

1:17  Jesus’ comment that the disciples would be “fishers of men” is not simply a play on their current occupation. Rather it is an application of  Jer 16:16.

1:4     Whereas the phrase “Holy one” occurs a number of times in the Old Testament all occurrences in the New Testament refer to Jesus Mark 1:4, Luke 4:34, Acts 2:27, 3:14, 13:35, 1John 2:20

1:5   When people came to John to be baptised and confessed their sins they did not list every sin they had committed. It would be naive to even think that one knows all the sins one has committed. Rather the baptism was an open admission that they deserved to die because of the fact that they were Adam’s descendants.

1:20  Notice the immediacy of the response. They “left (all)” and followed Jesus. We do not ever seem to make the same sacrifice to follow Jesus. But this is his challenge.

1:40 The priest under the Lw of Moses could not “make” a leper clean. He could pronounce him clean though the phrase “maketh him clean” is found in Lev 14:11. In reality the man would have to appear before the priest who would pronounce him clean if the leprosy was cured. Jesus, by contrast, actually removed the leprosy.            

1:21  From the way that Mark records Jesus’ ministry this would be the first time he is seen publically teaching though doubtless he visited the synagogue where he lived every week.

1:14 John had been a faithful witness to the gospel message but now imprisoned he was silenced. However the work continued. Mark indicates that Jesus commenced preaching in Galilee as soon as John was no longer able to preach. Consider, for a moment, the impact that would have on Jesus. John, his cousin was imprisoned and Jesus knew the fate that awaited him. However this did not prevent him preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

1:6 the description of John’s clothing echoes the way that Elijah is described 2Kin 1:8– further identifying John with Elijah.