Comments for April 21

v. 2 - This is a very important principle throughout scripture which we do well to heed in a very open-minded way. As a community of believers in covenant relationship with God, we are in the same state as Israel here. We too must be sure not to add to or take from the commands that we have in scripture. We can see this fault in others - many doctrines are in the world claiming to be God's way but not found in scripture - but do we look carefully enough at ourselves in this respect, or do we just sit back closed-mindedly and complacently and say that we do everything right? Deut.12:32, Jos.1:7, Ecc.12:13, Matt.5:18, Rev.22:19

v.3 Remember Deuteronomy is an historical account, at one level, of the events of the wilderness journey. The mention of Baal Peor means that the words spoken in Deuteronomy were spoken after the events of Balaam. Numbers 22:1 - 25

v.9-14 - Here is another incident (as well as the escape from Epypt and the crossing of the Red Sea) that parents are instructed to pass down the generations. We look upon the ten commdments as a reminder of what God wants us to do in our behaviour. This passage makes the point that He also made His covenant with the people publicly at that time and this is the point they should pass on ot their children.

4:20 The use of the 'iron furnace of Egypt' is picked up in Jeremiah 11:4. Here the prophet, using the deliverance from Egypt, reminded the people that obedience was commanded on departure from Egypt (Jeremiah 11:4). The contrast is stark. The generation spoken to in Deuteronomy were obedient. Those in the days of Jeremiah were not. Israel entered the land under Joshua but were removed when Zedekiah was king.

:41-42 So the cities of refugee we appointed before the land was entered. A wonderful example of God's provision and forethought.

To keep and take heed is a theme running through this chapter. The words keep and take heed mean to observe and watch. It is our responsibility then to observe and watch our own spirituality, i.e. our own thoughts, words and actions. But we are not left wondering how to do this. God has told us to remember and not to forget what he has said. This is very helpful indeed, for when we find ourselves in positions which try and test our spirituality we can overcome these situations through remembering and recalling the words of scripture which help to keep our hearts and minds set on him.

4:7,8 the repeated use of 'nation' and 'great' catches the promises to Abraham (Gen 12:2)

V5-6  As we so often see in the history of Israel, there are many lessons for us (Spiritual Israel) today. We have been taught as they were, so the direction given by Moses to Israel applies to us. "Keep" and "Do" We must guard, and protect, build a hedge around these things so we will not lose them through the influences of the world, we must also follow the direction that has been provided through the Word.

"The Lord thy God is a consuming fire" (Deut 4:24). Israel had seen God's fire on the top of Sinai (Exo 19:18; God had sent fire onto the altar in the new tabernacle (Lev 9:24); fire came onto David's sacrifice in Ornan's threshing floor, the future site of the temple (1Chron 21:26),and fire came onto Solomon's first sacrifice (2Chron 7:3). No wonder this verse about God being a consuming fire is repeated in Heb 12:29

Yahweh is faithful to His people, both natural and spiritual Israel.  It is not He that ever leaves His people (Heb 13:5), it is His people who leave Him.  And yet, if they do, He is merciful to forgive and receive back vs. 29-31. (See also Luke 15:11-24).  What a great God He is! 

Yahweh is very keen not to have anything added to or subtracted from His Word (v.2).  Other passages of the Bible say the same thing (Rev 22:18,19).  Documents added to the Bible and claiming equal divine authorship lie in this category.  The religions that practice this are condemned.

4:9          ‘lest ye forget’ – also found in Deut 4:23, 6:12 is the reason for the writing of Deuteronomy. Israel soon forgot their God who brought them out of Egypt. Moses is now concerned that they would not soon forget the God who had brought them through the wilderness as soon as they got into the land of Canaan.

1. 4:25-31 - this prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70-73 when Rome sacked Jerusalem and scattered the Jews throughout the Roman Empire and then with the events that led up to 1948 the Jews were regathered to form the nation of Israel Jer 31:10. There will be a latter day "Assyrian" that comes against Israel but God's people will be rescued Eze 38:1-23;Zech 12:2-10;14:1-9;Mic 4:1-3.

2. 4:39 - "the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (NIV) - this was quoted by Rahab in Josh 2:11.

V.15 This warning was necessary because of the proneness of the Children of Israel to idolatry, from their position in the midst of surrounding nations, they had already fallen to its seductions, accounts for their attention being repeatedly drawn to the fact that God did not appear at Sinai in any visible, and an earnest caution, founded on that circumstance, is given to beware, not only of making representations of false gods, but also any fancied representation of the true god of Israel.

4:12 ‘but ye saw no similitude’ and ‘heard a voice’ are picked up in John 5:37. Jesus reminded the leaders of his day that whilst their fathers, and themselves by implication, had not seen God He was now manifest in the person of Jesus standing before them. Though they would not acknowledge that.

4:20,21,38    The repeated use of ‘inheritance’  is consistent with the use of ‘great nation’ (vs. :6,7,8) showing that Israel were to enter the land in fulfilment of the promises to Abraham.

Vs.16-18 There are many religions, including some so-called Christian groups that have idols as part of their system of worship.

There is no room for any material accoutrement's while worshipping the true, living God.

v23 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned
1. The right of Israel to be called God's Kingdom was dependent on their obedience Exo 19:5

V.18 Sun worship was forbidden. It is interesting to note that April 8^th. 2009 marks an interesting situation regarding the sun. As Associate Press tells it:

Devout Jews around the world today observed a ritual performed only once every 28 years, saying their morning prayers under the open sky in a ceremony called the “blessing of the sun.”

“God created the world in seven days,” said Yona Vogel, one of the estimated 50,000 who attended the Western Wall prayers. “On the fourth day he put the sun into orbit and every 28 years it returns to the original place that it stood when God created the world.”

Religious Jews do stress, however, that they are not worshipping the sun because that is forbidden in the Torah. But, they are recognizing Yahweh’s creation.

4:2 The injunction not to add to or take from the commandments of God is a powerful warning to us. We may well respond that we would not take from Bible teaching but could we be as confident about not adding to the teaching of Scripture? This was one of Jesus’ big issues with the scribes and Pharisees. – and they thought the things they were expecting the people to do were God's will.

4:3    The way in which the comment about Baal Peor follows on from the injunction not to add to or take from the commandments of God shows that changing God’s commandments has as a consequence wrong actions. Doctrine (teaching) affects morals. It is as simple as that.

4:43  Bezer, Ramoth and Golan are the three cities on the East of Jordan. The remaining three cities are spoken of in Deut 19:2, though not named

4:9    Many people “hear” the teaching found in Scripture. However there are a far smaller group who “learn” from what they hear. It is all too easy for us to read or listen but far harder to put into practice that which we hear and read.

Indiscriminate judgment?

It's clear from v3-4 that when there was a plague from God, it affected only the guilty. God was not indiscriminately killing people through illness. Note that it says of the innocent in v4 "every one of you... are alive today". This principle holds true through the rest of scripture. There is a clue in this chapter that it holds true for the 40 years travelling in the wilderness too, where a whole generation appears to have died. Yet in v9 we read "do not forget what your eyes have seen", referring to the law being given at Mount Sinai (v10). Therefore the potential implication is that there were more faithful people, like Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, who were present at Sinai, yet did not die in the wilderness.

4:9    An example of an occasion when a father taught his son about earlier events is seen, incidentally, in the comments of Gideon in Judg 6:13

4:4    Human nature is such that it rarely is satisfied with what it has. Hence the warning of God through Moses. However this injunction was not heeded by Israel’s teachers.  By the time of Jesus many additions had been made to what God had said. They were added with the best of intentions – to ensure that people kept the Law of Moses. However, rather than help, they hindered. Any rules and rituals we add must be viewed with great caution lest we be found doing what God warned Israel, through Moses, against.

4:11   Having reminded the people that giants were no bar to Israel giving land to other people in the previous chapter they were now reminded that recently they had taken control of the land of Og – a giant himself. This is why the size of his bed is mentioned – to force home the point that giants were no match for God.

4:35,39        The injunction here to acknowledge that “the Lord he is the God” is seen in the way the people speak when the prophets of Baal are subdued by Elijah – 1Kin 18:39 and the way Manasseh thought – 2Chron 33:13 – when he came to his senses.

4:1    “Therefore” indicates that what follows -  to keep the commandments – is a consequence of what has gone before. What has gone before, particularly in the previous two chapters, is that God had delivered land to Israel and the sons of Lot and Esau. The point being that God has worked in the past and you have seen the evidence, therefore keep His word.

4:30    Moses appeal to the people to “turn to the Lord” when they are in tribulation is what the prophet says to the people who are about to be invaded by the Assyrians – Joel 2:12

4:9 The words “take heed to thyself” are quoted in 1Timothy 4:16: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee”. Paul’s admonition “continue in them” reflects the spirit of “all the days of thy life” (Deut. 4:9). His mention of “them that hear thee” parallels the sons mentioned in Deuteronomy who would hear their parents: “but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons” (Deut. 4:9). Timothy was in fact an example of this three-generation handing down of teaching: “… which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Tim. 1:5).

6:6-8The behaviour of the infighting recorded in Judg 20:12-48 wold hardly have caused the inhabitants of the land who Israel had not driven out to talk of Israel as God wanted them to.

4:6-8 the way in which the nations were to see Israel’s godly behaviour and be encouraged to recognise Yahweh as God is seen as something that will happen when Israel turns to God – Isa 62:2

4:9 Whilst Israel were to recount God’s blessings to their children and grandchildren there is a terrible contrast with this in Joel 1:3 where the judgments of God were to be told to succeeding generations.

4:15-19 There was a marked contrast between the way that Yahweh revealed Himself to Israel and the gods of Egypt. They had physical representations of all types of animals – similitudes – but with respect to Yahweh they saw no similitude. Yahweh is fundamentally different from all the gods of the world.

4:2The command that nothing should be added to the words of God is echoed – Prov 30:6 – by Agur. Those words were not just for Israel at the border of the land. They are universal truths and, therefore, are relevant for us in our walk towards the kingdom. So we must be careful never to go beyond what is said in the inspired word.

v.3 - note the contrast between v. 3, which obviously refers to the woman that will lead the young man astray - the outside influence - the worldly temptress, and v.17, which is part of the description of this virtuous woman, with whom it is appropriate to associate. We have the instruction to gird up our loins in order to be an active part of the woman that is to be the bride of Christ - Eph.6:14, 1Pet.1:13

v. 3-5 This instruction about not giving strength to women and not taking strong drink draw on earlier words of the proverbs in chapter Prov 5 and 7 in particular and the Law of the Nazarite with respect to strong drink. Spirituality is achieved by avoiding the intoxicating effects of false teaching even though they be as appealing as the 'strange woman'.

v.31 - To be praised 'in the gate' is to receive praise from others. Those who sat in judgement sat in the gate. Ultimately the judgement is that of God. We are exhorted to bring forth fruit to this end, that we might not cause God to blot our name out of the book of life. Psa.128:2, Matt.7:16,20, Rom.6:21,22

:22 The covering of tapestry is a beautiful adornment for the virtuous woman. We should notice [7:16] that the 'strange woman' attempts to imitate the virtuous woman in her language. This should teach us that error can appear to be truth. We are required to assess the whole picture when responding to circumstances because error seems, so often, to be right. Indeed Paul calls it 'the pleasures of sin …' [Hebrews 11:25]

TWO WOMEN
In Proverbs 5, 6, and 7 we read a description of the adulterous woman. She takes away the best of your strength, your life and your wealth. Her house leads to death and punishment. To be with the adulterous woman is to bring about the unquenchable jealousy and anger of her husband.
As a contrast, in Proverbs 31 we read of a wife of noble character. She brings good and not harm, she is industrious and earns her wealth, she gives to the needy, is strong and all her family are well clothed. She speaks wisdom, fears the LORD and is praised by the people and especially her husband.
I believe that an important lesson from these two women comes from who they represent and our actions towards them. Certainly they have a literal warning and encouragement to us about faithfulness and the type of spouse we should marry, but the bigger picture is of the bride of Christ - the church, compared with a life of sin and the worship of other gods. As believers we should be aiming to be like the wife of noble character with our words, actions and love all given selflessly to the glory of God and for the good of others. And as believers we must avoid sin and anything that compromises our faithfulness to our God.
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4 v 7 - 8)

:1 That Lemuel's mother taught him about the virtuous woman may seem like self interest. However this is not so. In fact it is a pattern of the way in which the bride of Christ should teach it's new members the way that they should walk.

Selfishness (putting ourselves before God and others) is one of the characteristics which can draw us away from God, but there is none of this in the life of this virtuous women vs..15; “She rises also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens”. She does not put herself before others or puts of until tomorrow what she should be doing today, serving God and others came first and this woman’s selfless zeal is an example to us all. It is this attitude of mind required in all those who wholeheartedly commit their lives to God, the apostle Paul in Rom 12: exhorts, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another. Not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord”.

31:10 The 'virtuous woman' is not some ideal that, brethren, we should measure our wives against and find fault. Rather she is the Ecclesia. We must, therefore, strive that we see these characteristics in ourselves - then they will be seen in the Ecclesia. It will then be 'without spot' 2Pet 3:14 when Jesus returns.

V.1  This verse shows that no one is self sufficient, we all must be taught by training, reproof, and example. We see the important role a parent has to play in moulding a child; also must provide a stabilising influence.

CHARM AND BEAUTY
 
There is a lot of hype in the media at present about the way we look.  It is particularly aimed at women through women's magazines and make over shows on television, as well as an increase in advertisements from beauty clinics and for body enhancing surgery.  The way we look can begin to seem like the most important thing in the world - especially when we compare ourselves with the models, singers and actors that are displayed for us wherever we look.
 
We don't have a picture of the wife of the wife of noble character from Proverbs.  We cannot stand in the mirror and compare ourselves to her - and yet she was one of the most beautiful women that ever lived.  Even when she was old, wrinkled, grey and bent, she was still one of the most beautiful women in the world.  It was not her charm or good looks that made her beautiful, though she may well have had both, but rather it was her character that stood her apart from the rest.  She was a devoted wife, mother, housekeeper and business woman, who served and feared the LORD with all her heart.  She was full of love and good deeds, care, compassion and generosity.  More than all the good looking girls in the world, she would be the one to choose.  Good looks will fade - that's why so many people need facelifts and makeovers - but inner beauty lasts a lifetime.
 
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."  (Prov 31:30)

V.25 Strength and Honour  Strong and beautiful  is her clothing, or, figuratively, for moral character, vigorous and honorable. 

If Lemuel is another name, or pen-name, for Solomon, then these words are from Bathsheba. Prov 31:1-7 makes fine advice for a king who has to be totally fair in the judgements he makes.  Never let a judge, or any servant of Christ, allow his judgement to become warped through strong drink. We must be in control of the faculties God has given us, at all times.

31:8 In opening one’s mouth for the dumb the record is telling us that we should care for those who cannot care for themselves. In a spiritual context that is those who are young in the faith or weak in the faith. Whereas we would doubtless prefer to spend time with those who are as we are we must take time to look after those who we would not naturally spend time with.

TEAMWORK
 
It is always said, and I know it to be the truth from my own experience, that behind any good man is a good woman. The wife of noble character is described in Proverbs 31 as one such woman that any good man would be pleased to have as his wife. But what about good women, do they have good husbands behind them to back them up and support them? As we read this beautiful description of the perfect wife, we learn that behind this good woman is a good man. About him we read, "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." (Prov 31:23)
 
It is a hard road to become the husband or wife described here without the backing of a supportive and complimenting spouse. It would almost be safe to say that to achieve what is described in Proverbs 31 would be impossible if we were trying to do it alone. To become the wife of noble character or her husband requires a great marriage. A great marriage requires teamwork. It means both the husband and the wife have to work together, support each other and have the same priorities in life. A loving marriage with God at the centre is the best environment to produce a marriage and a couple that will really stand out from the crowd.
 
So let's become the man or woman that our husband or wife needs, so that our marriage and our lives become all that they can be.

31:4 The injunction to kings that they do not drink wine or strong drink echoes the restrictions placed upon the Nazarite Num 6:3 showing that the king is separated to a job and should appreciate his position. This is our position. Called to be kings and priests – Rev 5:10

31:15 The ‘giving meat’ is not simply speaking of natural food. Rather the emphasis is upon the fact that the ‘virtuous woman’ will care for the spiritual needs of her children. We, the ecclesia, should be a ‘virtuous woman’ – being the bride of Christ – and so have the responsibility of feeding others with the teaching of the Scriptures.

Lemuel means belonging to God. It could have been a pet-name given to Solomon by his mother Bathsheba. That, of course, is speculation since there is no proof. Lemuel might just have been another person altogether.

V.30 Babies look like prunes when they are first born, and old people regress to prune-hood. We should not put much stock in the in-between physical beauty, which is vain and transitory. Rather, we should appreciate what Yahweh looks for, that is character.

31:2 There was a woman who made a vow to God about her son – it was Hannah. Her vow was to dedicate him to God -1Sam 1:11 - but of course that required input from her. There was no value in dedicating a son to God who had not been instructed in the things of God from his birth.

Vs.3,4 It is interesting to note that kings in v.3 is Aramaic (melachin); while in v.4 it is Hebrew (melachim). I don’t know if this linguistic difference is significant.

V.6 All criminals were given strong drink before execution to deaden the pain. Jesus was offered strong drink (sour wine mixed with hemlock) but he refused (Matt 27:34).

But, wine can make a heart merry (Psa 104:15).

V.10 This verse begins an acrostic sequence. That is, each subsequent verse begins with a consecutive letter of the alphabet. And so, verse 10 begins with aleph; verse 11 begins with bet, and so on through the 21 of the 26 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Vs.10-31 are dealing with the same subject - that of the virtuous woman.

Virtuous means strong (in character). This woman would be the opposite of those women already described in Prov 21:9,19; 27:15.

31:13,16,18,19,20 Notice that the virtuous woman is a woman of activity – she uses her ‘hands’.

31:9    Lemuel’s words echo the description of Messiah in Psa 72:4. But we cognise that Lemuel’s words apply to all sons of God.

31:6-7     The injunction in thee verses is not counselling excess alcohol consumption. Rather the counsel is that there are times when misery cannot be removed and in such cases it may be appropriate to help the sufferer to forget their problems for a while.

31:4     The evil king Elah – 1Kin 16:9 – clearly disregarded the injunction regarding drinking too much wine!

1. Prov 31:2 - "son" (<1248> Aramaic word "bar" for son is used rather than the Hebrew "ben").

2. Prov 31:3-7 - kings are to avoid immorality and drunkenness - Hos 4:11 (NASB) "Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding".

3. Prov 31:8 - "dumb"<483>, "appointed"<1121>, "to destruction"<2475>.

4. Prov 31:9 - "poor"<6041>, "needy"<34> - this is how Christ was; wine and lust didn't control Christ's mind; Christ is the perfect example of a king, priest, son, judge, and husband.

5. Prov 31:10-31 - the wise qualities of a godly wife, or bride of Christ, describes the ideal wife and perhaps the ideal ecclesia/church.

6. Prov 31:10-12 - the woman is married, virtuous, and valuable (Rev 19:7;Matt 22:14); the ecclesia is the bride of the husband Christ, is his trust in the ecclesia misplaced (John 15:15;Luke 19:15-27;Matt 22:37-38)? 

7. Prov 31:13-15 - reminds me of the ecclesial bride of Christ properly utilizing the sheep (wool to provide warmth) and from flax comes fine linen (Rev 19:7-8) a symbol of righteousness; she works diligently to please her husband in providing spiritual food brought from afar and sometimes before dawn to encourage and uplift the household of believers (John 21:16 "Feed my sheep"; 1Pet 5:2 "Feed the flock of God"; Luke 12:42-43;Eph 5:15-16;Mark 1:35). 

8. Prov 31:16-18 - she looks for fertile soil and uses her money/resources to buy a field and plants seed thus spreading the gospel (Matt 13:4-30;1Cor 3:5-9); she sets about her task with strength and vigor (Prov 10:29;Isa 40:28-31); there is always light around her (Matt 25:1-13;5:15;Luke 8:16;John 8:12;1:5). 

9. Prov 31:19 - "her hands"<3027>, "her hands"<3709> - (Eph 4:28).

10. Prov 31:20 - "her hand"<3709>, "her hands"<3027>, "poor"<6041>, "needy"<34> - reaching out with temporal and/or spiritual assistance.

11. Prov 31:21 - clothed with scarlet / Christ's sacrifice - (Gen 3:21;38:28-30;Josh 2:18-21;Rom 13:14;Gal 3:27;Psa 22:6 "worm"<8438>).

12. Prov 31:22 - clothing of "silk"<8336> and purple indicating strength, honor, righteousness (Prov 31:24,25;Rev 19:8) plus royalty and/or the priesthood.

13. Prov 31:23 - is her husband known in the gates and sitting in judgment among the elders Christ (Gen 22:17-18;John 10:7,9).

14. Prov 31:24 - she does righteous works of strength and honor (Rev 19:7-8;Prov 31:25) and will be paid back (Luke 19:13-26).

15. Prov 31:25 - preparing herself for the joy of the kingdom which belongs to the saints; the linen of verses 22,24 is a strong fabric while the purple corresponds to honor (Rev 19:7-8).

16. Prov 31:26 - the bride of Christ overflows with God's Word and this is reflected in the wisdom of her kind speech (1Cor 13:1-7;Matt 12:36-37).

17. Prov 31:27 - the bride of Christ is active when it comes to looking after her family, nothing escapes her observation (Luke 15:3-32).

18. Prov 31:28-29 - "blessed"<833> - the ideal ecclesia guiding and encouraging the sheep to be favorably received at the resurrection? Christ praising the faithful?  

19. Prov 31:30 - "Favour"<2580>, "vain"<1892>, "feareth"<3373> - those reverent of God will be praised (at the judgment when Christ returns to earth to establish his Father's kingdom).

20. Prov 31:31 - if we are full of good fruit Christ (the gate/door) will welcome us into the kingdom (Gal 6:7-10;5:13-16,22-25;Prov 8:19;3:18;Rev 2:7;Matt 25:23).

31:1   The name “Lemuel” means “belonging to God”.  This is the wonderful description of any of us who aspire to the instruction of the wise woman – wisdom – and consequently show the spiritual qualities of the woman who is “wisdom” 

31:10  In Prov 3:15, and 8:11 wisdom is priced above rubies. But here it is the woman who is priced above rubies which shows that this woman is not an idealised wife. Rather she is the personification of all that wisdom is.

31:4   The injunction give to kings about drinking wine may have been the reason why Jesus –Matt 27:34,48– refused the wine at the time of his crucifixion.

31        In Prov 30:1-4 we read the words of a Godless man. Now we are given an insight into a Godly, spiritual, woman.

31:26   The “wife” spoken of in this chapter is not some ideal wife that we should seek to be if we are married, or look for is we are a husband. We should all be this “wife” as the bride of Christ. So every word we utter should be a consequence of understanding God’s wisdom, not our own reasoning. The whole of the book of Proverbs is teaching us just this point.

31:13  notice the word “willingly”. The virtuous woman represents the body of believers. As such each of us, if we consider ourselves to be part of that “body” should be willing in all aspects of trying to build up that body.

31:15 The faithful wife is seen as giving “meat”. Jesus draws on this idea – Matt 24:45.

31:26  Notice the linking of “wisdom” and “kindness”. The “law of kindness” it the rule in life that dictates who we should behave towards others. Being “wise” is not sufficient. That wisdom must be turned into action.

31:10-28 Many, on reading the qualities of the “virtuous woman” feel totally inadequate. What single individual, man or woman, can display all the qualities described?

The answer is probably no one. However there is one “bride” who strives to do so. It is the bride of Christ. Not as individuals but collectively. Each believer bring to the union one or more of the qualities spoken of here that the whole bride of Christ will show all of these qualities when she is ready to be presented to the risen Christ at his return. He will delight in his bride (Eph 5:27) just like the “husband” in the Proverbs “doth safely trust in her” (31:11)

31:8 Some of us are not as good at articulating our thoughts as others. It is easy for us to disregard of dismiss comments by those less articulate than ourselves If the words of the Proverbs here are to be valued and put into practice then we will strive to help to understand and make clear the point  being made, whether we agree with it or not.

31:10 False worship is repeatedly spoken of in the book of Proverbs as idolatry. So, by contrast, the virtuous woman must be the woman who is a faithful servant of God.

This should inform us about the choice of potential wife we should seek for.

15 v. 6 - This concept of trial by fire is very common in the NT. We each have to bring forth fruit such that we do abide in him, and we will be able to withstand the 'fire' of the judgement, being purged by it rather than destroyed by it. Job 15:30, Eze.15:3-7, 19:12-14, Matt.3:10, Heb.10:27, Rev.20:15, 21:8.

15:4 The Greek word 3306 is used repeatedly in this section in John's gospel John 14:10,16,17,25 15:4,5,6,7,9,10,11,16 The theme of 'abiding' in Jesus is continued by John in his letters 1 John 2:6,10,14,17,19,24,27,28 3:6,9,14,15,17,24 4:12,13,15,16 2John 1:2,9

16:1 If we think of Jesus as being one who went about bending over backwards in order to please men we would be mistaken. Matthew 11:6 13:21 57 Mark 6:3 John 6:61 Whilst Jesus knew that what he had to say would offended many he was concerned that his followers would not be so dismayed. Matthew 11:6 Luke 7:23 His concern was that his Father's will might be known. This is offensive to the flesh - therefore he prayed that his disciples would not be caused to stumble as did his adversaries. John 16:1

15:3 Being 'clean through the word' quotes Psalm 119:9 where David asks and then answers the question as to how a young man might cleanse his ways. So simple isn't it - yet so difficult to put into practice.
Likewise 'remember the word' John 15:20 quotes Psalm 119:49 - another instruction about how to be Godly in our manner of life.

16:12 Clearly Jesus was unable to instruct the disciples in all the things that he wanted to teach them. This must be due to the blindness of the disciples. We noticed in chapter 14 the repeated questioning of the disciples showing that even so late in the life of the Lord they did not understand his mission fully. We are in a wonderfully privileged position understanding the things we do.

LISTEN
Much of what Jesus said in the last few hours he had alone with his disciples was considered so important to John that he wrote most of it down so that we too could hear what Jesus had to say. Maybe it takes more effort for us to hear the words of Jesus because the printed page does not let us hear the tone of voice Jesus used, the pleading, the passion and the urgency. It does not show us the expressions on his face, the reactions of the disciples or the tears that flowed down his cheeks. All this we have to add ourselves. So as we read the words of our Saviour we need to make sure that we cut out any distractions from our minds so that what he says to us goes into our hearts and we hear it.

And Jesus tells us the reason we need to listen to him. "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." If we do not listen to the words of Jesus we are in grave danger of going astray - more than that - it is almost certain that we will or already have. So as we read the words that John so carefully recorded for us let us listen and take their advice so that we will not go astray.

15:26 In speaking of the comforter as 'the spirit of truth' we see that Jesus is speaking of something other than the Holy Spirit gifts for nowhere do we find the Holy Spirit gifts being presented as ensuring that the brethren would never err in their judgement. In fact it is clear (1 Corinthians 14) that it was possible for the Holy Spirit gifts to be misused.

16:33 When Jesus said 'I have overcome the world' he was still mortal. Such was his resolve at this time that, as far as he was concerned, the end was certain. This conviction that Jesus had is presented to us as a comfort to us in our times of difficulty.

ch.15 - There is nothing in man that attracts the love of God to him, this is a key feature in scripture and yet Gods love and mercy which is the substance of his grace has been demonstrated in the life and death of his son. Jesus tells his disciples in vs. 13; “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends” and he went on to say “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”. Our friendship with Jesus has only been made possible through the giving of his life, and it is our appreciation and expression of this love and mercy, which should dominate our desire to obey his commandments.

 16:18-19  We cannot tell what He saith There seemed to be no inclination among them to seek an explanation from Jesus. Christ sensing there thoughts asks Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said it appears that at times there was a barrier between them and their Master. This was not of Christ's making. The lesson is the same for each one of us, we cannot afford to put a barrier between ourselves and Jesus or our Heavenly Father. We must remember Jesus' words recorded by Matthew. 7: 7-8

15:1 The words in this chapter - and 16 and 17 - were spoken by Jesus as he walked from the upper room in the city to the Kidron valley. There was a large gold vine over the entrance to the temple. It may well be that Jesus spoke the words of this chapter as he and the disciples passed the entrance to the temple. If this is so the large golden vine would provide a powerful visual image for the disciples.

16:2 These chilling words were fulfilled with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:3)

Jesus could do nothing without His Father (John 5:19).  Likewise, we can do nothing without the Lord Jesus (15:5).  We can plan and implement, but it is all of none effect unless Yahweh gives the increase (Psa 127:1; 1Cor 3:7).

15:8     In saying that the father will be glorified in them that ‘bear much fruit’ Jesus is quoting Eze 17:8 which speaks of what God was looking for in Israel.

16:4     Once again Jesus reminds the disciples that when his words come true they will know the validity of Jesus’ claims.

In this discourse Jesus repeatedly refers to the disciples as those who "know me", and to the Jews as those who "don't know me or my Father" (John 14:7,17; 15:21; 16:3). He is referring to the book of Jeremiah and signalling the fulfilment of the prophecy.

In Jeremiah (2:8; 9:3,6) we have the refrain "they do not know Me", and they "refuse to know Me". The fundamental problem with Israel was that they refused to draw near to God and learn about Him. If they had done this then they would have found Him, and all the blessings associated with it. In Jer 9:11 and 12:3 the remedy is stated "make Jerusalem a heap of ruins" and "pull them out as sheep to the slaughter". There was no remedy but to weed out the disobedient Godless sheep. The coming of Jesus was to fulfil these prophecies - to see once and for all whether God's people wanted to know him or not (John 15:22-24). The answer was that they hated both God and Jesus.

In Jer 24:7 the prophecy goes on to proclaim that there is still hope. God would give His people "a heart to know me". In 31:34 there would be no more need to cajole them "saying 'know the LORD' for they all shall know Me". The way that this would be accomplished was through Jesus, the saviour of the world. The passage is explained in Hebrews 8, and we can finally see what Jesus was driving at with His speech to the disciples. The former way of worship was about to pass away with the death of Jesus, and with His resurrection would come a new covenant. It had been difficult to really "know" God through the precepts and imagery of the law, yet now it would be easy through the mediatorship of Jesus, the scriptures written by the Spirit he gave (16:13-15), the personal contact they could have with him and his Father through prayer (16:23-27), and the Love shown by our fellow believers (17:22-26). By his life and death Jesus obtained for us full perfect access to get to "know God". Let's not refuse that privilege (17:3).

15:2 We tend, when our children respond to ‘chastening’ and do the right thing, to ease up on them. Not so the Father with us. Having developed a degree of obedience he seeks to build upon that. An evidence that the Father is concerned that we truly develop His character.

Just one little comment on the last verse of John 16:33: “I have overcome the world.” This was the culmination of the dear Lord’s life’s work. He was tempted like us, but never succumbed (Heb 4:15). He then promises to those who overcome great and precious gifts in Rev 2,3.

15:16 Friends on earth generally choose each other, but the friendship that Jesus speaks of is different. It is one sided in its origin, but will grow to be two way. This love is not brought about by gradual approach from both sides, as is the case among man, but by Jesus alone. The unconditional nature of his love is shown throughout scripture. Deut 7:6-7,  Hos 14:4,  Rom 5:8,  1John 4:10,19

16:3  In saying ‘because they have not known the father’ Jesus forces home the point that the opponents of him and his teaching did not realise. They thought that they did know God and so behaved as they did. Resistance to change against the evidence is a common human trait. We are no better than the Jewish leaders in principle. We tend not to review evidence but rely upon our own personal cherished views.

15:4-6 We have all seen how a branch cut from a tree quickly withers and dies. Jesus’ teaching here is clear to see – but do we really believe it? Often our behaviour indicates that we do not.

15:4,5,8 Jesus talks about bearing or bringing forth fruit. What does that mean? There are two aspects to this. First, by preaching, a new person can be brought into covenant relationship with the Lord. This seems an obvious example of bearing fruit. But, second, perhaps a less obvious example, but equally important, is by reading the Word. If we take to heart its instructions, we can change our attitudes and behaviours to develop a character that is pleasing to Yahweh.

15:19 Anyone who is a true follower of Christ can expect the world to hate them. Those who have one foot in the Truth and one foot in the world are not true followers of Christ.

All of the apostles were killed except John who was exiled to Patmos. Also, true followers of Christ were murdered throughout the ages for their beliefs - burned at the stake; murdered by the Inquisition; murdered in pogroms; or murdered individually. And there were other kinds of persecution beside death; for example, being shunned by society and not being able to work etc.

Within living memory, brethren have been jailed and shot for not serving in the military. Others have been shunned and ostracised.

In today’s soft (western) world we think we are immune to those kinds of events. This soft world is crumbling and anything can happen. Stay tuned!

Clarke, quoting Gambold, says: The laws of Christ condemn a vicious world, And goad it to revenge!

15:25 The ‘law’ where it was written that Jesus would be hated without cause is Psa 69:4 – a Psalm which is full of prophecies about Jesus, especially the time of his rejection and death. It speaks ominously of the way in which the disciples will also fail him – Psa 69:8,20

16:20-21          At this time the disciples doubtless did not understand the emotional trauma and subsequent elation that they would experience. Whilst Jesus had told them that they would sorrow the reason was not clear, nor for that matter the time when it would happen. If we were to know exactly what was going to happen in our lives and when we would be quite despondent – anticipating the bad that was coming. It is far better to look to the joy that will come and accept the tribulations when they arrive being assured that just as it is certain that tribulations will come so will the rejoicing.

Summary Of John

15:1-27 - 16:1-33 - 17:1-26     Between the Upper Room and Kidron valley

John 15:15.

15:11  Jesus spoke these words as he and the disciples walked towards Gethsemane. Later that night and for the following few days the disciples joy would not be full. Jesus is not speaking about experiences in this life. He is looking to the time of the resurrection, though of course the disciples were joyful when they met the risen lord. But even that joy is nothing to be compared with what will be experienced when Christ returns. 

15:16  The disciples probably thought that they had chosen to be Jesus’ disciples. Whilst that was true it was not their choice to be his apostles. That had been Jesus’ choice. As apostles they had been Jesus to be his helpers – servants (verse :15) but they are now elevated to the status of friends. Doubtless  the disciples did not appreciate the significance of this at this time. They did not even expect Jesus to be crucified.

John 15:3

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

We live in a consumer-oriented, materialistic, hedonistic society bent on pleasing self. As a result, people develop their own agendas by which they seek to climb the social and materialistic ladder. Staying clean in such a world is not easy and we could easily be influenced. Since we cannot be isolated from the world, we need some kind of insulation to protect us.

Scripture teaches us that the real issues of life are spiritual and what really matters is the heart of the inner man. The word of God is our insulation; it is what cleanses the inner man from the defilements of the world, and like the human heart, it is central and vital to our existence (cf. Prov 4:21-23). We need to be climbing up the Spiritual ladder.

The word clean is # <2513> katharos, “clean, pure.” We get our English word catharsis from it. To be scripturally clean is a cleansing and purification process of the inside of a man and before we can stay clean, we have to get clean. To get clean, we must recognize we need cleansing. God will never cleanse an excuse; God will never cleanse an alibi, but God will always cleanse sin (1John 1:9,10).

We read in Psa 119:14-16, that the Psalmist rejoiced in the word, meditated in the word, delighted in the word and would not forget the word. How about we?

John 15:14,15

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends…”

Among the various titles such as “disciples” (John 8:31; 13:35), the title of being called a “friend” is the most beautiful and with the most meaning. It is, indeed, very wonderful that the Son of God called such as the disciples were, and such as we are, his “friends.” Jesus went beyond a mere relationship to friendship, as a relationship can exist without friendship. Jesus went beyond the master-servant relationship, reaching the end of all relationships when they became true friends.

It has recently been brought to my attention that while Jesus calls us friends, we are not to call Jesus our friend because of his position as the Son of God, the Lord. Those who embrace and believe this are advocating the exact opposite of what Jesus is saying here – in that he is no longer a Master or Lord over them, but that they are now all “friends.” What an honour this was! Jesus’ disciples used to address him as “Lord,” (cf. Luke 11:1; John 13:9); In John 13:13,14, Jesus said, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am… If I then, your Lord and Master…” but from henceforth, that relationship changed.

In James 2:23, we read, "... Abraham believed God... and he was called the friend of God." Our relationship as friends is dependent on our righteous deeds, our obedience, our faith, our love. This is what makes us friends of God and of Christ. This involves an intimate relationship, unlike the relationship of a master over his servants, and this is what Christ taught us here in John 15.

It stands to reason that if God and Christ are friends to us, then we are friends to them too, otherwise they would not be our friends! As Scripture shows, there are conditions to maintaining this friendship. If certain ones are not comfortable with the idea of calling Jesus “friend,” then there needs to be some very serious self-evaluation! After all, a friend is one whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. True friendship is about mutual commitment, mutual honour, mutual respect and mutual love (cf. Prov 17:17). One-sided friendships mean that one person is more vested emotionally in the relationship, and this can pose many problems along the way and ultimately the friendship will break down. This certainly was not the case with them then, and it is not the case with us now.

15:3    How important do we think the words of Scripture are? Do we value them more than food? - Job 23:12– Israel were to learn that  God’s words were of more value than food – Deut 8:3. We all struggle to read Scripture on a daily basis though doubtless we always make time for food. However the teaching of Scripture is clear. It is only the reading of Scripture that will cleanse our minds of fleshly Adamic thinking.

15:14   It may seem to be a casual thing that Jesus would call us “friends”. However it is the way in which Abraham is described – as God’s friend – because he kept God’s word – James 2:23

John 15:12

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

“God uses poor men and men of no repute, that the work done may be a pure work and to His glory, which it would not be in the hands of those who set honour and enjoyment before every other consideration.” Robert Roberts

In Matt 24:12, Christ prophesied love would grow so cold, that it becomes a great and final sign of end-time prophesy (cf. v. 3)! Agape love is a sign of our discipleship in Christ (John 13:35). Christ warned us that professing disciples will not obey the counsel contained in the Word of God. Those whom we expect to stand for the Truth, to love, to forgive, and to help us, will not be faithful to the principles they confess. Rather, we witness indifference, hypocrisy, treachery, and greediness all mixed in with professions of love!

So few show any sincere and reliable obedience to their profession of faith; our sense of obligation to Christ-like character and virtue diminished. Decline in love is seen in the world wherein friendships and marriages are dissolved over angry words. Resentments divide families and co-workers. Prejudice separates race from race. Reputations destroyed over malicious gossip. Greed puts enmity between the rich and poor, and wars fought over arrogant assertions. Sadly, with domino-effect, this has spilled over and we are in that day, that particular day spoken by our Lord.

In the day of Judgment, our titles, our honours, our accomplishments, our wealth, our status, and all our charitable deeds won’t matter if we fail in loving each other (cf. 1Cor 13), a command Christ gave shortly before his trial and crucifixion!  

A brother wrote the following: “The emphasis is on the words ‘as I have loved you.’ Think of Jesus’s love to his disciples—that patient, constant, quenchless love, which endured to the end, and you get an answer to the question, ‘how should I love the brethren?’ If Jesus loved them with all their faults and failings, loving them for the good that was in them, and because they clung to him, that he might change them for the better, then, for the same reason, may we, contemplating the good that is in our brother, and, covering his less comely parts with the mantle of our love, maintain affection towards him. The spirit of the world is critical and sneering, magnifying faults and inventing them, making the rent worse and the hole bigger; but Christ’s example is that of patient and enduring love, which seeks all around to ascertain if there is not something amiable in his brethren, after all.”

ABIDE IN ME

John 15:4 - “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, no more can ye, unless ye abide in Me." 

To bear fruit simply means to grow in character — to become more like Christ and reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). The closer you get to GOD and His son Jesus, the more your character will be transformed into the image & likeness of Jesus and his father.

To abide in Jesus means to keep his commandments and to keep his commandments means to love God with all our hearts and souls and minds and to love our neighbour as ourselves ( Matt 22:37-39)

Many people try to be good and do what's right in their own eyes, but they fall short because the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Jesus and God, like a branch attached to the vine. Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through losing yourself in Christ and your life will be transformed.

15:8  Notice it is God, not we, who receives glory if we manifest His character. This ought to humble us when men say encouraging things to us about what we have done.

John 15:25

“… They hated me without a cause.”

Christ quoted Psa 109:3. It reads, “They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.”

Very few people are willing to admit that they hate someone, yet will look for any reason to justify their hatred as evidenced by their words. The Pharisees were such a hypocritical bunch and were found fighting against God (Matt 12:10; John 8:5,6; Acts 5:38,39). It is no different in our day. There are always some who will find a reason to discredit another no matter what they do or don’t do and then justify their words (cf. Matt 12:37). The Pharisees sought to justify their hatred of the righteous. Joseph was hated without a cause (Gen 37:5); David was hated without a cause (Psa 35:7,19; 69:4), occasion was sought against Daniel (Dan 6:3-5), and it will be so with us too. “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth” (Psa 37:12). Why? Because darkness cannot comprehend nor stand the light (John 1:5; John 3:19,20).

How dark, awful, and crushing it must have been for our Saviour knowing he will be crucified by these loveless hypocrites, and these thoughts permeate throughout his teachings (Matt 20:18,19; Matt 21:38,39; Matt 26:37-39; John 10:15; 12:31-33; cf. Isa 53). Will any of us ever suffer like he did? Hardly, but we are called to fellowship the sufferings of Christ (cf. Luke 9:23; Phil 3:8-10; 1Pet 4:13,14).

Christ our model was victorious. To share in his overcoming, we must be prepared to suffer in the smaller work which our Father has given us to do. Our mission is to work out our own salvation and to assist others to work out theirs. As in the Master’s case, so in ours. Our monumental mission coupled with our infirmities makes it very hard at times, sad, and painful, but it is no new experience for the afflictions of the righteous we are told are many (Psa 34:19).

Shall we grow despondent because of verbal attacks, because of our frail nature, and because we fall so far below Christ? If so, then let us at such times reflect upon the sufferings of Christ, his resignation, his nobility of mind, his confidence,  his trust in the Father, and his whole-hearted surrender to the will of his Father. Christ warned us that we would be hated (John 15:18). The word Christ used, “if” # <1487>, ei, when followed by a verb may also be taken as real, the matter is true (cf. Matt 4:3,6; Matt 5:29,30; Matt 6:30; Matt 10:25). In other words, Christ spoke with certainty, “If the world hates you... you will be hated…” (cf. John 15:19,20), and then went on to tell his disciples to think on the fact that he was hated first.

Ghandi, the former Prime Minister of India, was impressed with Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, and looked for evidence if a Christian was living out his teachings. He concluded, “I might be persuaded to become a Christian… if I ever met one.” May our lives showcase the light of Christ for without transformation (Rom 12:2), we are just fumbling in the darkness (Matt 6:23; John 8:12)!

Life is filled with choices and every choice we make comes with consequences - be they good or bad. If we choose to follow Christ on the straight and narrow path, we will be hated, we will be ostracized, criticized, and scandalized. Christ has promised that those who suffer for him will receive both temporal and eternal rewards (Luke 6:22). With such a promise, how can we not but fix our eyes on our Saviour like a flint (Isa 50:7), who for the joy set before him endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb 12:2,3), and now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Rom 8:34; Col 3:1).

John 15:10

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”