Comments for January 27

44 v. 4 - The phrase 'evil for good' is picked up later in scripture by David on 4 occasions and by Solomon on one: 1Sam.25:21, Ps.35:12, 38:20, 109:5, Prov.17:13. It is a feeling we should expect as part of living the gospel and we should respond appropriately - Rom12:9,21, 13:3,4, 1Thes.5:15.

45 v.8 - Those of us that have had bad experiences that have turned good in this way will know just how true this is - just how God can use these things to the benefit of ourselves and those who will be helped by it. This is the principle of the life of Solomon - to gain wisdom he had to have experience - this is true of us all. Joseph here recognised that the hardships he had been through were of God's making, that he might save not only himself but his brethren. We do well to look on our own hardships the same way and not with the bitterness that we are encouraged by our neighbours to feel. John 15:6, 19:11, Rom.9:16

ch 44 - Whilst Joseph could easily have simply told his brothers who he was and told them to bring Jacob down to Egypt on their first visit he developed the strategy of sending them back with the money the first time and putting the cup into their sack the second time and then bringing them back to cause them to address what they had done to him in the past and repent. This was not done out of a desire for revenge but because forgiveness can only come after true repentance has been manifest.

ch 45 - Amidst the terror of his brothers Joseph shows his utter confidence that the events that had happened to him was of God :5 - The point is made again 50:20.

44:32-34 And now we see the true repentance of Judah - he had been a spokesman before (Genesis 37:26) but on that occasion he was self seeking not caring about the feelings of his father Jacob.

45:1 The making known of Joseph to his brethren is a pattern of the revelation of Christ to repentant Israel. Whilst they will be horrified at what they have done to him their repentance will assure that Jesus will lovingly embrace them - and so 'all Israel shall be saved' (Romans 11:26) - of course this is not a blanket salvation. It is consequent upon repentance.

Genesis 44, Genesis 45 - We now begin to appreciate why Judah's sins are so chronicled in Genesis 38, for now the brothers are to see Joseph revealed as he really is, for up until 45:3 he is known only to them as "Zaphnath Paaneah" - 'Saviour of the World.' Joseph concentrates on Judah in this narrative, and Judah shines forth as a completely changed man. His conversion represents the conversion of his brethren, and speaks to us of the conversion of Jewry to Christ at His coming, for when He returns, one of His first works will be to "save the tents of Judah first" - Zech 12:7. Though 'Saviour of the World,' Jesus is first Messiah to the Jews, and their saviour, and it is through His work with them, that the world will come to be saved.

Gen 44.11-18 - The writer is careful here to develop the character of Judah a little further - v11 'they speedily' - shows that collectively the brethren have a clear conscience. v13 shows their collective surprise, but by v14 Judah has taken control of the situation, he is a true man and will deal with this truly v16, he will not accept the servants offer to be let off the hook. Joseph in v17 again clears all their guilt and willingly sends them home free - but Judah won't accept this and so v18 - 34 delivers an astounding confession of faith

44:11 Notice that the brethren behave quickly – they knew that they had  done nothing wrong – but they were trapped by Joseph’s subterfuge just as he had been by theirs when he had come to see them.

45:6 So we are now there are five years more famine to come and we are able to fit the events of Chapters 42-45. Also we know that we are 11 years on from the dreams of the butler and baker (Gen 41:1)

Gen 44:13,18-34 The brothers passed Joseph’s test when Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life. He now knew that they did not hate Benjamin as they had hated him. 
Gen 45:5 Joseph knew that he could now save his brothers’ lives, which of-course leads us to another type of Joseph and Jesus.

Gen 45:6 Joseph was then 39 years old, and Benjamin about 7 or 8 years younger

Gen 45:7  Joseph explains God's purpose in the events that have taken place in the last two years. He had been sent to preserve a posterity of Israel on the earth and to save them by a great deliverance. Joseph told his brethren to hurry home and bring his ageing father back to Egypt that he might care for him , and provide food and pasture for their cattle in the remaining years of the famine. In this chapter we have many examples of Joseph being a type of Christ. 
 

Judah emerges as a spokesman for his brethren.  His leadership has again been confirmed.

44:13 Here is true repentance. Judah personally appealed to Joseph to be punished in the place of Benjamin for the sake of his father. A vast change in a man who had earlier sold his younger brother with no regard for the effect upon his father.

44:1 - We see the full circle Joseph's life has gone.  Now he has so much authority that his servants do not even think to question this clearly non-profit-making action.  What a contrast with his life but a short time ago in a deep dungeon.

45:1 - Joseph makes himself known to his brethren just as Jesus will at the second coming Zech 12:10.

45:22 - perhaps new clothes echoing the clothes of righteousness the elect will wear when Christ returns but none are truly worthy as it is only through God's mercy and grace which is perhaps symbolically echoed with the silver and mention of the number 5.

44:24-30  Note the repeated way in which Judah refers to Jacob as ‘my father’. This shows deep remorse and concern for his father. The change of heart is being seen in the very way that Judah speaks. This is a lesson for us. Repentance is more than saying sorry. Repentance is seen in a changed heart which is reflected in changed speech.

45:5  Joseph demonstrates his confidence in God’s providence – seen again 50:20 – though things had not always gone well for Joseph.

45:8 Joseph is able to forgive because he sees the hand of God in his life. This should be our focus too - we know that each person will have to bear their own consequences, and to continue to have an unforgiving attitude is our own problem, and does not allow us to see the lessons that God wants us to learn. cp Luke 23:34 where Jesus is able to forgive, despite the terrible things which have been done to him.

44:14 In falling down before Joseph the brothers are fulfilling Joseph’s dream of Gen 37:7

44:14   Notice it is ‘Judah and his brethren’ indicating that Judah was the spokesman for them all.  It was Judah – Gen 37:26– whose counsel they had listened to at the beginning of this escapade when he encouraged them not to kill Joseph but to sell him instead.

Joseph relied on Yahweh for his revelation (45:6).  But, the Egyptians used divination.  In the Ancient Near East, it was a common practice to read cups (much like the more modern reading of tea leaves). Thus, the divination reference to Joseph's cup added importance to him.  His brothers perceived Joseph to be an Egyptian ruler, and a reader of cups. This magnified the robbery of the ruler's cup (44:5).  Joseph underscored his ability to divine as he prolonged his role as an Egyptian (44:15).  Yahweh later states His abhorrence for divination (Deut 18:10).  And so, it would be inconsistent for Joseph, a chosen servant of Yahweh and a type of Christ, to actually indulge in such a practice.

45:10 The land of Goshen (the north-east area of the Nile Delta) was considered the most fertile land in Egypt (45:18).  The phrase fat of the land expresses this idea, and the term is used in modern parlance to convey living in luxury.  It is interesting to note that the fat (Heb. chelev) was to become, solely, Yahweh's possession in sacrifice under the Law (Lev 3:16).  Thus, Yahweh's people can be seen as His fat, solely belonging to Him.

44:9 ‘let him die’! That is exactly what the brothers had devised to tell Jacob about Joseph but now they are creating a trap for themselves which they would not want to follow through. They were beginning to show repentance about what they had done to Joseph.

45:3 Hitherto, Joseph had been speaking to his brothers through an interpreter, as he spoke the Egyptians' language.  But now, he spoke to his brothers in their own language.  That language would have been an East Semitic language (perhaps Akkadian).  Aramaic did not appear until the 12th. Century BC; and Hebrew did not appear until the 10th. Century BC.  These languages appeared long after the time of the Patriarchs.

44:16 Notice the way in which Judah takes the initiative and includes all the brothers in the problem though the cup had been found in Benjamin’s sack. If they had been like they were when they sold Joseph they would have accepted the offer for Benjamin to be Joseph’s servant and would have left free men, doubtless able to concoct some story to tell Jacob.

SELFISH OR SELFLESS?

It is always tempting to think more about ourselves than of other people. Judah tried it. He made money by selling his brother Joseph and then tried to ease the vision of his father's pain by moving away from home. But the guilt, and the love he didn't realise he had for his father just wouldn't go away, even though he tried hard to suppress it all. In the end Judah's whole selfish attitude completely changed.

Paul said, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil 2:3-4) As he wrote this is is almost as if he was thinking about the change that was seen in Judah.

From a once selfish and uncaring man, Judah became the leader of his brothers showing such a love and respect for his father and brothers that it completely overshadowed his own wants and needs. Judah's speech to Joseph climaxed with these words: "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my Lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father." (Gen 44:33-34)

Let us also cultivate that same love and compassion for others and the selfless attitude of Judah. What a world it would be if more of us could be like him!

45:5   So Joseph’s understanding is designed to calm the fear of his brothers.  The psalmist specifically quotes the word ‘sent’ – Psa 105:17

This whole scene seems to me to be a fairly accurate echo of what will happen when Jesus returns and the sons of Israel once again realise that the man they tried to kill is alive and has become ruler over all.

45:16   We see the ways of providence throughout the life of Joseph. We see it here also. There is no reason why Pharaoh should be ‘pleased’ to hear that the brothers of the slave turned saviour have arrived in Egypt. An alternative view would be to conclude that the whole thing was planned. He could have thought that Joseph had been sent as a spy and now that there was no food in Canaan he had arranged for his brothers to come to benefit from Egypt’s wealth.

45:7    The brothers are now truly repentant so the “saviour” starts to work in their lives. There remained another five years of famine so Joseph makes plans on behalf of his family – they still could not save themselves even though they were repentant. Likewise in our lives. Repentance does not remove the problems in our lives. However our Father is there to care for us.

Gen 45:5-7.

Joseph here claims that he was sent to Egypt by God's hand for the purpose of saving life. Does his statement relieve the brothers of guilt in their prior situation?

No, I wouldn't think so. But it does seem pretty clear that there is repentance on their part due to their collectively passing the tests Joseph put them through and not giving up Benjamin (as they had done with Joseph) to save themselves. So once this good attitude is seen, then I think one could rightly assume they'd been forgiven by God.

Joseph here is taking the high road in looking on the whole of the events as a God guided opportunity to preserve the lives of many people (including his own brothers' lives as well). This is really an amazing attitude to have. We can see a similar "forward looking" reasoning in what Peter says concerning the Lord's crucifixion in Acts.

Acts 4:27,28 - "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."

So the crucifiers of Jesus were guilty, but God used their wickedness to accomplish his end, i.e. the salvation of believers through faith in a resurrected Christ. With the actual crucifiers of Jesus, for most (though likely not all - compare Acts 2:22,23,40,41) the guilt remained since there was no repentance and forgiveness. But here the evidence points to a change of heart by Joseph's brothers. So I guess one could say there was initial guilt that was later taken away due to their repentance and God's forgiveness of their sins.

44:2     Doubtless Joseph’s servant would have wondered why he was to return the money and put the cup into the sack. However there is no indication he questioned Joseph’s command. It is easy to obey a commandment when we see the purpose for the commandment. However it is a different matter when we cannot see the reason for the commandment. However obedience requires an unquestioning obedience. So if there are ordinances that we do not fully understand it is wiser to simply obey, rather than resist the command simply because we do not understand what the purpose of the instruction is. 

brOTHERS OF BENJAMIN

By all appearances, even to the other ten brothers, it must have looked like Benjamin had stolen Joseph's cup. There it was in his sack of grain. In the same way, when we look at what situations appear like - even for those who are very close to us - we are sometimes left facing the conclusion that they are not as perfect as we thought they were.

A few years before, ten self centred brothers would have observed the cup being found in Benjamin's sack. They would have yelled curses out loud on him, and hurried off in the opposite direction to save their own skins, leaving their brother to his fate. But not any more. Under the leadership of Judah, Benjamin's brothers formed a united front of support and marched back to Egypt with him to face the consequences together. Whatever was going to happen to one was going to happen to them all.

It is people like the brothers of Benjamin that we need to be. We need to be those, who, despite the worst looking of circumstances, will stand behind each other to the bitter end. Let's not let circumstances dictate our attitudes, but rather let selfless love lead the way.

45:7    in speaking in two parts of salvation of the sons of Jacob “preserve a posterity” and “great salvation” we see Joseph speaking in the short term of the deliverance in the famine and longer term in the deliverance from bondage in Egypt. No one could have foreseen the way Egypt would treat the sons of Jacob. However the promise in Gen 15:13-16

45:26,27        Notice it is “Jacob” whose heart fainted but “Israel” who rejoiced that Joseph was alive. The way that the record uses both names for Jacob highlights a contrast between the human thinking and belief in God’s providence.

THEIR FINEST MOMENT

Eleven brothers gathered together in front of Joseph.  All their sins and the mistakes of their past had caught up with them in a rush. Their brother Benjamin was about to be the victim of a horrible misunderstanding. It must have been the worst moment of their lives. One of them was to become a slave for life in Egypt - a fate that could have been worse than death. It was a time of absolute disaster for the brothers. It was the worst possible outcome imaginable.

But although it was the darkest moment the brothers of Joseph had ever experienced, it was also their finest. This was the time they became united as a family. This was the time they stood together to protect one of their own, to show respect and love for their father, and to do the right thing. Standing in front of Joseph was the most terrifying thing they had ever done, but it was also the event that made men out of the sons of Jacob.

Ask yourself what your finest hour has been so far in your life. It may not have been the one you enjoyed the most or the one where you felt you had the greatest achievements, but like Jacob's sons, it may be one that was difficult beyond comparison that forced out the best in you.

OVERWHELMED BY GRACE

Imagine being Joseph's brothers. They had taken the best of everything they had to Egypt in anticipation of buying more food."A little balm, a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds," along with the silver to pay for their purchases. (Gen 43:11). But thought they gave the best of all they had, the balm, honey and nuts were not enough to live on.

When the brothers finally realised that the man they had been dealing with was Joseph, they were greeted by his grace. He first offered forgiveness and understanding of God's plan in their lives. (Gen 45:5). He offered salvation from the slow death they faced in Canaan. (v.7).  He offered to provide all that they needed. (v.11).  He gave them love and comfort. (v.14-15). He gave them provisions, (v.21), and gifts. (v.23-24). And he instructed them to remain united on the way. (v.24).

The grace that Joseph showed his brothers is the grace that Jesus shows to us. Jesus makes God's plan for our lives come to life and purpose; Jesus gives us forgiveness and hope; Jesus gives us salvation from death; Jesus provides all we need for this life and for eternal life; Jesus gives us love, comfort and peace; Jesus gives us gifts of talents and opportunities; and Jesus gives us instructions on how to live holy lives.

We may, and we should, bring the best we have to offer him, but his grace will far outshine our own! Let's learn to trust in the grace that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

45:1   Joseph’s inability to refrain himself was not mere emotion on seeing his brothers. He had met them on the previous occasion when they had come to buy corn. His emotion is because of their repentance. Do we think that our God has emotions? Do we think our repentance affects Him?

44:9    the brothers, like Jacob with respect to the household gods of Laban – Gen 31:34 - , had no idea that the cup was in Benjamin’s sack. Whereas Jacob probably did not find out for quite some time the sons of Jacob very soon are confronted with the very situation they could not have imagined.

Gen 45:6-7 Joseph recognised the hand of God in his life.  He saw his sufferings in Egypt as having a purpose. It was to preserve and deliver “a posterity” (i.e. seed of Abraham) from Egypt. The example of Joseph can help us. If we see in our sufferings God working in our lives, it can help us endure and prepare for our “great deliverance” to come. Joseph is credited with faith because his life experience was preparation for the blessings og the Kingdom of God to come (Heb 11:22).

44:16   the “iniquity” that Judah spoke of cannot be the taking of the cup because they did not steal it. Maybe Judah’s guilty conscience about Joseph is playing on his mind, as it probably had been doing since they sold Joseph into Egypt some 15 years ago.

Gen 45:7 Joseph was a spiritually minded and faithful man Heb 11:22. 

Through the experiences in his life he recognised God’s purpose with the seed of Abraham was being worked out.  “God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity…”(Gen.45:7). God preserved a “posterity” (<7611> or “remnant”). 

The prophet Amos spoke of the work of Joseph because it was recognised by the LORD God of hosts.  They were the remnant (or posterity) of Joseph. “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.”(Amos 5:15).

45:8 From a human perspective it was the brother who had sent Joseph into Egypt. However Joseph thought about the way he had been treated he was able to explain to his brother that God was involved in their actions for the wellbeing of the whole family of Jacob. He had been tried – Psa 105:19 – and had come through the trial as purged gold. 

45:3 Joseph’s brothers had seen Joseph’s emotion – his love for them. Yet they were still “troubled”. We might conclude that they could not believe that he was so forgiving of their actions and so compassionate towards them. We might think the same about God when Jesus returns to establish the kingdom. We must all be “judged”. Are we “troubled” about that or are we willing to rely on His mercy? Or maybe there is a mixture of those two emotions?

44:20 of course the brothers did not know that Joseph was “dead” all they knew was that when they returned to the pit he was not in it. Maybe they had convinced themselves that he was dead as part of the deceit regarding his coat.

45:1 the revealing of Joseph as saviour to his brothers is a pattern of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the repentant nation of Israel.

So what do we think will be Jesus’ reaction to the nation’s repentance?

45:3 Notice Joseph’s concern. Is dad still alive?

The brother should, from that comment, have realised that Joseph bare them no animosity. Family mattered to him.

The same is true of our God. We who are “in Christ” are family and consequently are his concern. Petty and even serious squabbles are now a thing of the past. The family can be re-united. Are we looking towards such a reconciliation?

45:5 God sent me [Joseph] before you to preserve life

Joseph's life had an end in view: because of the intense drought, God used Joseph and the evil of his brothers actions to preserve life (see also Genesis 50:20). But why didn't God just send rain and avoid the drought and its consequences? After all, the drought seems directed by God (seven good years followed by seven bad years), so why didn't God simply overrule the drought in Canaan and allow the Hebrews to stay in Canaan and develop there as a nation? There would have been:

   ** No lengthy migration to Egypt 

   ** No need for Joseph to be a saviour

   ** No Hebrew slavery and oppression

   ** No need for Moses

   ** No passover

   ** No wilderness journey

   ** No need for Joshua to conquer Canaan

   ** No incursion into Canaan of the Philistines, who became such a problem later on.

In short, our efficiency-obsessed mind would argue that by God not sending the extreme drought, so much unnecessary trauma could have been avoided. 

But God has His reasons and hidden agendas in sending an extreme drought, even if we are unable to fully fathom them.  All that this shows is that we are not God. It doesn't show culpability on the part of God.

v.12,20 - This Psalm is a salutary lesson to us all as we all have hopes and aspirations for this life which from time to time cloud out those we should have. So much of scripture is dedicated to teaching this lesson. Ps.39:5, 82:7, Jas.1:10,11 1Pet.1:24, Eccl.3:18-21 and lastly Eccl.9:12 reminds us that it could be today. We do not know our future.

v.10 - It matters not who we are or what we have achieved, even though our memory may live on in the history books if our worldly achievements are great, we can take nothing of this with us when we die, which we all will - that is inevitable. We need therefore to develop the perspective that we might be encouraged to store up for ourselves riches which will not die with us. Matt.6:19,20

49:9 Those who trust in their own wealth are like Adam and Eve - on hearing the words of the serpent they thought that they would be able to live for ever by their own strength and cunning. Of course, just like Adam and Eve, they will die. It is :15 God who is the redeemer.

Psalm 49 - "Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world" - A universal Psalm, not only appealing to God's chosen, the Jews - but an appeal to all the inhabitants of the world to cast off the fog of ignorance, and to acquaint themselves with the desirableness of seeking the true riches and wisdom of God, the only Redeemer. Internal evidence suggests that this Psalm is written by the Sons of Korah, to bring to light the iniquity of Korah, Dathan and Abiram when the earth opened up and swallowed them up alive, binding them in everlasting chains of darkness, where they lie, awaiting judgement at the last day - Jude v6.

49:6,7,15 The contrast between these verses should cause us to realise our weakness when it comes to saving ourselves. It is only when we recognise our dire need that we will be able to appreciate the wonder of God’s redeeming power. Hosea clearly did (Hos 13:14)

Psalm 49  This Psalm describes the result of a man who has isolated himself from God. The Psalmist points out clearly that when we do such a thing, one puts their trust in themselves. Like sheep they are led to the grave, forgetting that God can and will redeem one from the grave. The Psalmist concludes that if man isolates himself from God he "is like the beast that perish" V.12, 20

Riches have no power to insulate man from death (Ecc 8:8). Building bigger barns guarantees nothing. Only being rich toward God can save (Luke 12:16-21).

v.2 gives us a picture of there being no respect of persons with God.  If this is David, then it also shows us of his respect for all, even though he was King, and, in men's eyes, very much of the highest social order.  We too must ensure that we never despise those we view as being lower than ourselves, because they are not.

The last verse of today's Psalm, Psa 49:20 gives us a very timely warning when the pomp and power of this world's presidents and princes seems to encourage us to set them apart from us mere humans.  But if we hold the "Truth" precious, and live by it, then in the eyes of God it's us who have the promise of everlasting life. Let's make sure that we do, in reality, have the "understanding".

V.12,14,15,20 - What happens to all who die be they beast or human? In short, we all initially go to the "grave" Heb. "sheol" (7585) meaning "grave, pit, hell", etc. Humans who have no understanding will remain in the grave and never see the light of day like beasts as they aren't fully responsible or sufficiently acquainted with God's word. Some "souls" KJV or "lives" NIV [Heb. "nephesh" (5315) meaning "life, a breathing creature, person, soul", etc.] will be redeemed from the sleep of the grave at the day of resurrection and then judged to reign on the earth or be destroyed Dan 12:2; 2Cor 5:10; Rom 2:3-11; Rev 5:10; Matt 5:5; Luke 13:28; Psa 145:20

49:15   David has already said – :6 – that we should not trust in ourselves. Now he teaches us who we should trust.

The rich man dies and leaves his wealth (v.17).  This is illustrated in Jewish humour:  Two Jews, Cohen and Shapiro attended the funeral of an associate Goldberg.  Cohen says to Shapiro: I heard Goldberg was a very wealthy man - how much did he leave?  Shapiro turns to his friend Cohen and replies: All of it!

49v15 - "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave." This word power is the ordinary Hebrew word for "hand". God is the master who loves us, so much so that if we serve and trust him, He will redeem us, though undeserving, not only from the power of sin, (who as a master can easily snatch us away, cf Rom 6:6), but from the "hand" of the grave. See also Psa 89:48 "shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?"

49:9 ‘not see corruption’ is also seen in Psa 16:10 – where it speaks of the status of Jesus in the grave further contrasting unregenerate man and Jesus.

49:5 ‘iniquity of my heels’ could be rendered ‘iniquity at my heels’. This then shows David recognising the power of the seed of the serpent which always seeks to bite the heel of the sons of God.

v4 and v20 link this Psalm with Proverbs 1:1-7. If we compare the contexts closely we find the reason for Solomon's main statement in Proverbs:

"Wisdom is the principal thing... in all your getting, get understanding! (Prov 4:6-8).

The reason is, understanding in the end saves us from the fate of v20

"A man who is in honour, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish."

FAITH FOR ETERNITY

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb 11:1)

My hope is that Jesus will return one day very soon, that he will establish God's kingdom on the earth and that he will take his chosen people, me included, to be with him for ever and ever. This is my hope. But it is much more than a hope. I am sure that it will happen. God has said it will - and I believe him!

The Psalmist had the same confidence when he said, "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." (Psa 49:15) The psalmist had no doubt that this was what God would do. He was one hundred percent confident of it!

A few years ago I asked a question to an audience I was speaking to. Will you be in the kingdom of God? The audience raised their hands to say whether they thought they would or not. A few hands, very few, shot straight into the air. They were confident. More people slowly joined them and there were quite a number who were uncertain. But we can be confident. God has said he wants us there! He is not willing that any should perish - including you and me! We can be confident in faith of his forgiveness and love toward us. If we lack confidence then we need to increase our faith and maybe change the way we live.

Are we sure of receiving what God has promised?

49:4 David’s expression about ‘parable’ and ‘dark saying’ here is seen again in Psa 78:2

V.15 - this verse might have a prophetic messianic application or echo. Not only does it refer to redeeming the "soul" KJV or "life" NIV from the power of the grave but it also refers to being received by God which is exactly what happened to Jesus post resurrection Acts 2:34-35;1:10-11. In Psa 49:9 Peter Forbes in his 2007 comments notes the prophetic reference to Christ not seeing corruption as he was resurrected in 3 days.

49:3 ‘wisdom’ is another link with the narrative about the temptation of Eve and Adam – Gen 3:6

Look at the way the words redeem/ransom are used in this chapter, particularly in some different translations. In v6-9 we get the rich man who can never pay the whole ransom for his life. If he were to live forever, he would have to go on paying forever (v9). So the Psalmist concludes how pointless it is to try and pay God, or earn salvation. Instead he realises that God will freely pay the whole ransom (v15). This idea can be seen in many of Jesus' teachings, such as Matt 5:26, Luke 12:58-59.

49:20  Therefore get understanding!  Prov 4:5,7, Prov 16:16  And how do we get it?  Through God's precepts: Psa 119:104

49:6-7     God is teaching that because man’s redemption is costly he cannot redeem himself. It is rather like the debtor who could not pay his debt but was forgiven –Matt 18:26-27

49:4-5       David sees that by taking heed to God’s instruction – parables – he will not fear man.

Psa 49:1-2 - the call is to all people - "all ye people...low <120> and high <376>, rich and poor".

Psa 49:3,20 - Vs 3 "understanding" <8394>, Vs 20 "understandeth" <995>.

Psa 49:4 - "parable" <4912>..."my dark saying" [Heb. "chiydah" <2420> means "puzzle, conundrum, dark saying, hard question, proverb, riddle"].

Psa 49:5 - "...the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about" - this reminds me of the serpent that dealt Christ a nonpermanent blow to the heel while Christ dealt the serpent (i.e. sin) a mortal blow to the head (Gen 3:15;Psa 22:16;Rev 1:18;Rev 20:1-3).

Psa 49:10 - "wise men 'die' [Heb. "muth" <4191> means "to die" - though it leaves the door open to a future hope of resurrection and being redeemed with freedom from sin and death]"..."the fool and the brutish person 'perish' [Heb. "abad" <6> means (according to Strong's and Brown-Driver-Briggs) "to perish, vanish, be destroyed, be exterminated, wander away, lose oneself, be undone"]".

Psa 49:6,7,8,13,14,15 - Vss 6-7 one can't redeem or give a ransom for another by trusting in wealth...Vs 8 some souls/lives/people <5315> will cease for ever...Vs 13 "their way is their folly"...Vs 14 "Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the 'upright' [Heb. "yashar" <3477> means "straight, upright, just, (most) upright, correct, right, pleasing" and perhaps reminds us of the righteous] shall have 'dominion over them in the morning' [perhaps reminds us of the resurrection (Matt 28:1-6)]"...Vs 15 "But God will redeem my 'soul' [Heb. "nephesh" <5315> means "a breathing creature, life, person, soul" - KJV translates "soul", NIV translates "life"] from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me" (Christ is already redeemed from the power of the grave and has been received by his Father; believers hope to be received by Christ, who manifests God, upon the Son's return).

Psa 49:9 - "That he should still live forever, and not see corruption" - this is exactly what happened to Christ (Psa 16:10;Acts 2:22-32;13:32-38).

Psa 49:12,17,19,20 - Vs 12 " man...'abideth' [Heb. "lun, liyn" <3885> means "to stay permanently, abide, continue, remain"] not"...Vs 17 "his glory shall not descend after him" (compare this with Psa 49:15)...Vs 19 "He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light" (compare this with Psa 49:15)...Vs 20 understanding is essential for salvation lest man 'perish' <1820> (Hos 4:6;Rom 10:2;John 4:24).

49:15   Being delivered from the power of the grave is echoed in Hos 13:14which, clearly, speaks of the work of Jesus.

49:15   This confidence comes from a reflection on God’s promises and His continuing care. Similar things are said in Psa 34:22

Psa 49:17

“For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.”

The Psalmist issues a clarion call to universal humanity be they rich or poor to pay close attention to what he has to say. Believers are consoled who suffer oppression under the iniquitous and despicable characters of those who trust in their riches (cf. Luke 12:15). He removes the fear of the righteous by pointing out the end of such wicked folks (vv. 12-20).

It is so easy for us to get wrapped up in the world’s affairs in striving for the things the worldly-minded strive for; to become so engulfed in our own problems and our own affairs. This Psalm gives us the true perspective of our existence and of our calling out of the world, namely, that of God’s truth as it affects us and all the nations. Only our love, obedience, trusting in God during hard times, and reverence toward God in worshipping Him in spirit and in truth is everlasting (cf. John 4:24). Prosperity is fleeting; death ends our tenure, and I have yet to see a hearse pulling a U-Haul behind it!

49:10-11          The way David speaks of the fool is like the way that Jesus – Luke 17:20 – speaks of the man in the parable who built bigger barns but was not rich towards God.

49:6-7   The man spoken of here is rather like the “fool” in the parable that Jesus told in Luke 12:15-21

Master of the Universe‭?' ‬   Man‭! ‬-‭ ‬ how insignificant in the scheme of things‭! ‬Like the flower of the field that fadeth,‭ ‬springs up in the morning,‭ ‬withers by the evening.‭ ‬Transient,‭ ‬ephemeral,‭ ‬passing,‭ ‬mortal,‭ ‬a creature subject to sin,‭ ‬disease and death.‭ ‬Look at the sick society,‭ ‬look at the hospitals,‭ ‬full of sick and dying,‭ ‬demented people,‭ ‬look at the cemeteries,‭ ‬look at the ruins of former empires scattered across the earth‭ (‬Nineveh,‭ ‬Babylon,‭ ‬Persia,‭ ‬Greece,‭ ‬Rome‭)‬.‭

‬The stark lessons of man's utter imperfection and helplessness are all there‭ Psa 49:6-20Psa 90:1-17Psa 91:1-16‬.‭ ‬Yet flesh full of pride and arrogance fails to see the obvious lessons and pursues its own course down the‭ ‬serpent river of death Jer 10:14,23‬.‭

- From the Apocalyptic Messenger by Brother Richard Lister

49:17-19      The sentiments of the man spoken of here are seen in one of Jesus’ parables – Luke 12:16-20

49:12 when we realise that the unenlightened man is no better than an animal that dies without hope we should be so grateful to God who has called us and given us a hope so that we will be able to escape the grave.

49:20 We live in a society where status is seen as important. However worldly status is of no value. Understanding the gospel message is, however, vital if we wish to share eternal life.

49:6-7 Man, left to his own devices, is doomed to failure. He cannot save himself from death.

The Psalmist draws on language from Genesis 3 to highlight why man cannot deliver himself

49:3  wisdom       Gen 3:16

49:5  my heels     Gen 3:15

49:9  live forever Gen 3:22

Adam and eve sought “wisdom” only to become fools, (49:10) destined to death had it not been for the redemptive plan of the Creator.

So whilst man “abideth not” (49:12) there is hope for there is the promise of redemption from the grave (49:15) for those who seek God’s wisdom.

49:2-3 Human beings are respecters of persons. Indeed believers are warned against it –James 2:1-5 –The gaining of God’s wisdom is available to all – hopefully we never limit access to it by our attitude to others.

49:2-7 The appeal to all – rich and poor – shows the all-embracing nature of God’s offer of salvation. Sadly the “rich” often think that they have all they need and so are in need of nothing. Anything they want they have the ability to buy it.

But the warning is that no matter how wealthy they are they are unable to redeem anyone, not even their closest family member.

1v.16 - Paul is picking up Jesus' language here from Mark 8:38 (Luke 9:26 - parallel). The Greek for 'ashamed' is epaischunomai. Of the 24 verses in the NT containing the English word 'ashamed', only 9 are this word. Consider its other uses. It is quite an exhortation. Rom.6:21, 2Tim.1:8,12,16, Heb.2:11, 11:16 - Can we use these verses to arrange our lives in a way that the words of this last passage can be applied to us as God adds our names to this list of men and women of faith from a bygone age?

1v.2 The fact that Paul says 'which he promised afore ... in the holy scripture' should alert us to look for quotations and allusions to the Old Testament in the letter to the Romans. If anyone would like a list of over 200 quotations in Romans from the Old Testament I will gladly e-mail it.
v.8 wouldn't it be wonderful if it could be said of us that we are so faithful and zealous that our faith was spoken of like this?

v.24, 26 'God also gave them up ...' echoes the language of Psalm 81:12. A terrible warning. God eventually punished Israel terribly because they would not hearken to His words.
2v.21 The warning for ourselves is clear. James 3:1 Be not many masters [teachers]. We must live to the standards we preach.

WORDS AND ACTIONS

Hypocrisy is a real killer. Often it seems not nearly so obvious to the hypocrite themselves, yet others (and especially children and teenagers) can spot it a mile off. Hypocrisy happens when our word and actions don't match. There are two ways we are shown in this chapter that warn us against having mismatched words and actions.

The first is by passing judgement on someone else when we ourselves do the same thing. It is important to look at ourselves critically as we look at other people, because if we do that we will become much more humble and realise that we too, all too often, fall under the same condemnation as we dish out to them.

The second concerns our teaching. Paul put is best: "You then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law?"

Let us always be sure that our words and our actions go hand in hand so that God's name is not blasphemed.

1:3 That Jesus was 'of the seed of David according to the flesh' continues a major theme found in Acts- The way in which Jesus was 'of David' - For your own pleasure work through the early chapters in Acts where we find the early preaching of the apostles and see how often they refer to David.

2:15 In speaking of gentiles with 'the law written in their hearts' Paul is speaking of gentile believers who live according to the gospel. The phrase is a quotation from Jeremiah 31:33.

1:1 Written about 57AD. Paul had not yet visited Rome (1:13). Written when engaged in collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem during his 3 months in Corinth on 3rd missionary journey Rom 15:25, Acts 20:2-3
Background to the times
Tacitus - The.."epoch is rich in disasters, savage with battles, rent with factions, cruel even in peace; the swallowing up or overflowing of cities, the pollution of sacred functions, the prevalence of adulteries, the corruption of slaves against their masters, of freedmen against patrons,, and where there was no open enemy, the ruin of friends by friends".

1:8 Faith alone could sustain them, see what life was like in Rome. Cp. us and today.
Background to the times
TTacitus - "Rome... into that city flowed all things that are vile and abominable, and they are encouraged"

2:22 Committing adultery, try the spiritual senses here - 'I am married to you Lord'. Cp. Jer 3:14. aren't we all guilty of this too often?

Rom 2:25 Circumcision was a sign. For its significance see Jos 5:8,9 - the 'rolling away of the reproach of Egypt'. Think of rolling away the flesh and all it spiritually signifies.

Some might think of Romans as a difficult book to understand. It is best appreciated by it being read at one sitting. Here is a summary of the letter

Structure Of The Letter To The Romans

Main Points
1:1-7   Paul write to the Romans about the Gospel of Christ [promised before in David]
1:8-15  I thank God for you and hope to see you
1:16-18 I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation.
1:19-32 Those who knew the judgements of God perverted His revelation in pleasing themselves
2:1-16  If you judge another you condemn yourself because God does not respect the Jew above the gentile.
2:17-29 If you are a Jew and boast in the law of Moses do you live up to the standard that
you expect the gentile to observe?  Scripture indicates that as a nation you do not.
3:1  So what benefit is there in being a Jew?
3:2-18   A lot because they received the law and despite their Godlessness God is willing
to show mercy if we acknowledge that He is just.
3:19-23 The law speaks to Jews to silence them so that the righteousness of God in Christ can be seen.
3:24-30 God gave His son that He might forgive our sins if we believe Him.
4:1-8   If God's grace is shown to those who believe what about Abraham and David?
4:9-16   This 'blessedness' comes upon all
through 'faith' because Abraham was uncircumcised when he received the relevant promise.
4:17-25 Abraham's experience was written down for our benefit that we might appreciate how Abraham's  faith was shown.
5:1-5 Being justified we have peace with God - troubles are chastening.
5:6-11 If God reconciled enemies how much more will he care for those who are  reconciled.
5:12-21 As sin abounded from Adam grace abounded since Jesus.
6:1-14  So We should live as if we are alive from the dead.
6:15-23  So if God's grace abounds in sin should we sin more?
7:1-6    We are freed from the law of Moses.
7:7-13  The Holy Law highlighted the sinfulness of sin.
7:14-25 With the flesh I serve sin, with the mind I serve God.
8:1-9 So if we serve God faithfully we are not condemned.
8:10-16 Therefore [like Romans 6] be led by the spirit of God.
8:17-25 The creation, made subject to vanity, waits for the redemption of the body.
8:26-30 The 'spirit' helps us because we cannot help ourselves.
8:31-39 If God be for us who can be against us?
9:1-5  I sorrow for the blindness of Israel.
9:6-13  However God's calling is according to election not right.
9:14-33 In righteousness God calls.  Gentiles benefit from Israel's blindness.
10:1-11 By trying to show that they were righteous Israel failed to recognise that Yahweh is righteous and is 'seen' by faith not works.
10:12-21 Whether Jew of Greek it is the one who 'calls' who will be saved as the prophets show the gentiles are involved in the purpose of God.
11:1-11 God has not cast off Israel - they are saved by election.
11:12-27 Blindness has happened in part ... until ...
11:28-36 You gentiles should understand that Israel is beloved for the father's sake.
12:1-21 Offer your lives of non conformity as a living sacrifice - here are some details.
13:1-14 More examples of the 'living sacrifice'
14:1-23 And how to respond to brethren who are 'weak'
15:1-7  You strong should give this type of sacrifice towards your brethren.
15:8-21 The prophets foretold the call of the gentiles.
15:22-29  I have been trying to come and see you and when I have done the things I have
planned I hope to come.
15:30-33  So please pray for me.
16:1-24    Greet one another - individuals send their greetings.
16:25-27  May God establish you in the faith.

2:1,3 The repeated use of 'O man' forces the point that whilst the quotations from the Old Testament that he has been using condemn the Jew the principles behind those quotations apply to both Jew and gentile.

Rom 1:3, 4. Paul is showing how Christ is the Seed of David  V.3 The right to the throne of David, this right is not merely legal, due to genealogical inheritance, but is also moral because of the qualities of character He manifested. How He is the Son of God   V.4  which represents God's power. He is also referred to as the Son of Man  which represents His authority.

Nature in all its brilliance, intricacy, harmony, and balance is a testimony to the existence of God its creator (1:19,20).
 
God soundly rejects the practice of homosexuality (1:26,27).
 
Judging in the sense of condemnation is not acceptable (2:1), but judging in the sense of discernment is recommended (e.g. 1Cor 10:15, 11:13).

1:18 - Those who hold the truth in unrighteousness, we are told later in v.32 not only do this but have pleasure in it.  It is so easy to look at others and see this, in fact in the context of the latter part of the chapter, we can see that it judges so many around us in this generation who claim to worship but behave in a way which God clearly abhors.  But such an outward-looking attitude is likely to miss the faults that we should desire to root out of our own thinking.  Are there things that we do and take pleasure in that God does not advise? When we find them, let us heed to warning of this chapter to ourselves and increase our faith.

2:12 - There is an ever recurring theme throughout Romans which is designed to show us that the law and its practices are not to be given credence.  As people of faith we have dissociate ourselves from legal practices.  We are not justified by what we do, but by the grace of God who gives according to our heart.  So let us work more to be humble and contrite than to be 'perfect' keepers of rules.

1:19-20 - we find evidence of God in His creation. I wonder what a duck billed, beaver tailed, egg laying, mammal like a platypus evolved from?

2:6-11 - God doesn't show favouritism, nor should we James 2:1-9

Rom 2:28-29; Matt 12:46-50 - spiritual Jews; spiritual brethren

1:10      Paul had determined to go and see the brethren and sisters in Rome, however he still made it a matter of prayer. We should not assume that because we want to do something for God that it actually is the will of God. Often it is our own will that we try to dress up as if it is God’s will. There is value in asking God to thwart plans that we have made if they do not accord with His will. This is not an excuse to go our own way unless we are stopped. Rather it is a matter of developing a way of thinking that is willing to subjugate our own will to the will of the Father.

2:2        That the judgment of God is ‘according to truth’ is a rejoinder against those who ‘hold the truth in unrighteousness’ Rom 1:18

1:1 It was God who called Paul, and who set him apart to be an apostle. This proves in the final analysis that the letter is God's letter addressed to the believers at Rome in the first century, and to all believers in every age. It is an opening paragraph that has to draw the attention of all.

Paul obviously had not been to Rome when he wrote Rom 1:8-10, but he assured the members of that ecclesia that a) that he thanked God that their faith was spoken of worldwide, and b) that he regularly prayed for them. That’s a lovely idea. We could pray for Brothers and Sisters whom we have not met. Our prayers need not of-course be limited to once or twice during the day, but can fill many a spare minute in our busy daily schedules. A moment’s prayer for someone who we have just thought of; or a request to the Lord God for someone of whom we have read in one of our magazines; or while travelling to and from the meetings we can offer a prayer for the loved one, the lonely or ill one, or the one who seems down.

2:2 We may use this verse to justify a judgement we make on someone else. However we have to complete the passage, and show the same "kindness, tolerance & patience" that God does, hoping that others too may come to repentance. Matt 18:15 It is only an attitude of unrepentance that God cannot forgive, because we do not allow Him to work in our hearts.

1:4 The fact that there are no limits to that power, and the additional fact that is exercised in our interest "our Lord" (V.3) What an incredible comfort this was in the first century, as it still is for us in the 21st century.

1:5 ‘obedience to the faith’ is echoed at the end of the letter – Rom 16:26

2:4    The ‘forbearance of God’ is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice as is developed in Rom 3:25.

Paul clearly grounds the gospel in the Old Testament (1:2).  Therefore, anyone seeking to understand the gospel must read the Old as well as the New Testament.

1:11-12 Paul’s desire is to see the brethren and sisters in Rome to impart to them a ‘spiritual gift’ however it was not to be a one sided affair. He also would be ‘comforted together with you’. So the benefit was twofold. The brethren and sisters would benefit and so would Paul. This is what fellowship is all about. Sharing.

The character of those who will receive eternal life is summarised beautifully in Rom 2:7:

"those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality"

It is the opposite of grasping for it (Gen 3:6-7). This "patient continuance" is epitomised in Job (Gen 5:10-11) and Abraham (Heb 11:10) and Jesus (Phil 2:6).

Rom 1:3-4 First Principles>Sure mercies of David>King
Jesus is being referred to as the descendant of David because he is to be the king who will reign on David's throne. For more about the King, go to 2Sam 7:12-16.

Rom 1:19-20 - the theme of being asleep in Christ and waiting for the resurrection is echoed in nature - we have animals such as bears and hedgehogs that come out of a hibernation in the Spring along with trees plants and flowers that bloom around the same time of the year Christ was resurrected; similarly we have droughts where plants and animals die or almost die and are refreshed with the rainy season. Of course not all believers will have fallen asleep in Christ when he returns for the resurrection and judgment - just as some animals don't hibernate and some trees like the firs in colder climates and palm trees during the dry season of warmer climates don't "fall asleep" and lose their foliage.

2:6 The phrase ‘who will render … according to his deeds’ quotes Psa 62:12. Whereas the Psalm speaks of God’s mercy here Paul, having established that those of whom he speaks, are beyond repentance emphasises the judgement of God.

1:14   In saying that he was a ‘debtor’ to Greeks and barbarians Paul is highlighting to the Jewish brethren and sisters the value of the non Jews in the ecclesia.

                                                                         Self-seeking

"But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger"(Rom 2:8)

Literally looking at the word 'self-seeking' gives one a picture of trying to find oneself.This to me underlines why the world is wicked as it is.One way or the other each man is empty in some way... there is some empty space that needs to be filled up in one's life, even as Solomon tells us in Ecclessiates that unless one keeps God's commands in fear he is not "the whole man" and it is this empty space that many a man try to fill up. Even the young rich ruler went to Jesus asking for one thing that he still lacked . I do not really think people seek riches but they seek themselves in riches--- they try to find themselves in things material. But it is not in God's master plan that man find himself in what he owns and works for, no wonder man is never satisfied with what he has despite the vast accumulation of learning and riches one may have.The question to us is: how are we filling our empty space?

Rom 2:27

"... and shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?"

E.W. Bullinger in his book, "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible," page 23, supplies the ellipsis and translates it thus: "And shall not uncircumcision which by nature fulfilleth the law, condemn thee (though thou art a Jew), who, through the literal circumcision, art a transgressor of the law?"

1:7    If the holy spirit is the third person of the trinity why is the blessing only from God and Jesus in this letter? – This is typical of greetings throughout the whole of the New Testament.

Rom 1:19-20 - we find evidence of God in His creation -

A. September 29th I saw numerous Monarch butterflies flying south; the Monarch butterfly migrates 2500 miles and is the only butterfly to migrate; the Monarch's antennae use the earth's magnetic field as a compass of sorts to guide them on the proper path for their long journey; the brightly colored Monarch is poisonous or distasteful to birds and mammals so it has been given protection against the enemy that would seek its life; the butterfly goes through various stages of development (metamorphosis) which perhaps reminds us of how faithful believers go various stages of development preparing for that Jubilee season when Christ returns and there will be a glorious metamorphosis or transfiguration from mortality to immortality; every year there are 4 generations of Monarchs and the first three generations live 6 to 8 weeks while the fourth generation (the one that Migrates south lives for 6-8 months including a period of hybernation from which it awakes to be fruitful and head north); a 273,000,000 basepair draft sequence of the Monarch butterfly genome was published in 2011.

B. Recently saw a T-shirt with a DNA helix depicted on it; would something so incredibly complex as a self replicating DNA helix be likely to happen by random chance? The more we learn of biology and science the more we are reminded of the presence and handiwork of God.  

1:16     The relationship between not being ashamed and the power of the message of salvation is important. It highlights where the importance lies. It is not in the feelings and possible opposition of others. Rather it is in the salvation that is offered through faith in the risen Jesus.

1:9  Jesus taught us to pray in secret – Matt 6:5-6 – yet Paul is openly speaking about praying for others. How is this acceptable? The solution is clearly that Paul doubtless prayed in secret but was not unwilling to advise others he had prayed for them. The reason why Paul told them was not to exalt himself as the Pharisees did. Paul told those he prayed for so that they might be encouraged. 

The book of Romans and the gospel of John are linked.

Both Paul and John focus entirly upon God, Paul tells us Christ upheld the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God, John tells us Christ Upheld the GLORY of God.

Rom 1:16-17 yes salvation comes from the gospel, but not as the churches around us teach. Paul seeks to set doctrine straight in Romans, we dont just read of Gods righteousness in the gospel, we see how we are to live to decalre Gods righteousness in everything we do but to do that we have to get doctrine straight!

The churches tell us that the gospel speaks of human salvation, but in fact when we consider John and Romans we see it speaks of the righteousness of God and God manifestation first.

Remember the words of Bro Roberts, "God manifestation NOT human salvation"!

Rom 2:7 Seek- To look for something we dont have by thinking! Thats sounds a bit strange, but the idea Paul gives is by excersizing our minds on Gods word and seeking these things he lists by studying Gods word.

Noah found Gen 6:8

Ruth sought Ruth 2:2

Mary found Luke 1:30

David found Acts 7:46

All his disciples must seek! Matt 6:33

2:3    Paul, in the early chapters of Romans, is showing that all men, whoever they are, are sinners. This is his conclusion in Rom 3:23. The reality of this truth should inform us about how we think of others. However he is not saying that we should not pass judgment on wrong doing. Rather that we should realise that we are in the same condemnation as others.

TOO QUICK TO JUDGE

If we look closely at ourselves, we would have to admit that we all have failings. They might appear to be little things like pride, laziness, over-eating or small issues of dishonesty. But they might just as well be big things like adultery, idol worship, murder or divisiveness. Whatever sins we struggle with, whether secretly or openly, we all fall short before God. No matter what it is, it is still a sin.

If we are all sinners, then why are we often so quick to judge the person next to us if their sin seems a little "worse" or obvious than our own? Paul says that judging in that way means that we are showing "contempt for the riches of his (God's) kindness tolerance and patience." (Rom 2:4).

You see, while we are sinners, God is patiently and kindly helping us to work through our issues. He even puts up with our madness over and over again as he trains us to live godly lives. But we show contempt for that if we judge others in the same situation. We may have  mastered overcoming their temptations, but they have probably mastered what we fall short in.

God's kindness is leading us to repentance, and he is working in our neighbour's lives in the same way. Let's not take for granted the kindness of God in our lives or show contempt for it, but appreciate God's grace to us and share it freely with others.

Rom 1:26-28

“...for even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature… the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another… And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

Sexual identity crisis was a serious problem then and in this topsy-turvy age of moral freefalls, we are also facing transgender issues. Family distinctions, for political correctness, is being changed as the U.S. State Department is introducing “a gender neutral description of a child’s parents” to recognize the “different types of families.” This change has been introduced to accommodate homosexual and lesbian couples who adopt children. On government application forms, parents will no longer be identified as, “father” or “mother,” but "parent 1" and "parent 2" – much to the delight of the gay rights groups! I expect the next debate will be about who will be number 1 and who will be number 2.  

The trans-genders want to use bathrooms according to how they identify themselves to be. He/she wants to use the female bathroom; she/he wants to use the male bathroom even though those who accept their true biological identity feel very uncomfortable about it. For this reason, gender neutral bathrooms will be made available, but there are already some trans-genders screaming, “Discrimination.” According to The Washington Post article dated June 9, 2015, it reports, “The federal government is strongly urging employers to give transgender employees access to bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity, marking a new policy front in the fast-moving campaign for transgender equality… It is essential for employees to be able to work in a manner consistent with how they live the rest of their daily lives, based on their gender identity.”

Society is so emboldened that any form of sexual perversion is right in their eyes. Society has substituted competency for character; compromise for courage all in the name of tolerance. Character no longer matters as long as they are happy and doing good works as determined by them and not by the Word. C.S. Lewis wrote, “No arrangement of bad eggs will make a good omelet no matter how you stir them.”

1:6    Like Paul -  Rom 1:1 – we are called. Amongst the billions that have every lived those who have put on Christ are truly privileged. Do we truly appreciate this?

1:4    The spirit of holiness draws on the way in which Psa 89:35 speaks of David and God’s promise to him which helps to explain why Rom 1:3 speaks of Jesus being “of the seed of David”. Setting the scene for the way in which aspects of God’s work with David figures in the rest of Romans.

Rom 2:8 There is a judgment which shall‭ “‬devour the adversary‭” ‬of which every‭ (‬responsible‭) ‬soul of man will partake who are‭ “‬contentious,‭ ‬and do not obey the truth,‭ ‬but obey unrighteousness‭” ‬.‭ ‬This judgment is in‭ “‬the time of the dead‭”—‬that is,‭ ‬the time of the awaking of the dead‭ “‬that they should be judged‭”—‬not of those who,‭ ‬having no understanding,‭ “‬shall not rise,‭” ‬but have passed away as the beasts that perish‭; ‬but of those who,‭ ‬notwithstanding their contact with‭ “‬the light that is come into the world,‭” ‬loved darkness rather than light—and who,‭ ‬having heard the words of Christ as the acknowledged words of Christ and of God,‭ ‬and having rejected them practically in refusing to walk in accord with them,‭ ‬will be‭ “‬judged by them in the last day.‭”

Rom 2:16

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

Dr. John Thomas wrote in 1866, “He that understands the truth, but declines the obedience it commands, will be held accountable for its rejection; for 'he that believeth not shall be condemned' 'in a day of judgment,' when the Deity shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the gospel Paul preached."

We live in an age of great deception! Deception is a terrible thing against which we have been warned (cf. Matt 24:3-5,11,24; Mark 13:5,6; Luke 21:7,8). From Christ’s birth-date at Christmas, heaven going, to literal devils, etc., there are a lot of false beliefs being taught. This is Christendom astray and despite their appearance of sincerity, piety and so-called miracle healings they claim are done in Christ, they are blind leaders of the blind whose end is utter destruction. But, as tragic, is when believers of the household of the Faith, are just as deceived.

There is a case wherein a brother left the ecclesia and joined a church. His sister-mother was just fine with it, claiming "they worship Christ too." What a statement!  I have spoken with other newly baptized believers only to learn they believe in ghosts and their departed pagan loved ones are in heaven! Then, another, claimed he doesn’t have to break bread because he is in isolation! This is very shocking and very scary! Is the Truth about quantity or quality?

So, why is this? Well, let Dr. Thomas explain: “Men who will not investigate, yet denounce, are either fools or knaves. There are multitudes of this sort of people in all parts of the world. Their unwillingness to investigate what they denounce arises from a diversity of causes. Pride, avarice, love of ease, dullness of intellect, indifference to truth or error, to right or wrong, etc., are among the conditions that involve men in such folly and wickedness” - 1851 (Emphasis added).

2:1   The chapter division is unhelpful. The word “therefore” is the conclusion of what has been written in the previous chapter.

Rom 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

“This phrase ‘the truth’ is very comprehensive. ‘The truth’ we find to be made up of many things which require to be put together before we can have the whole thing so defined. For instance, it is true that God exists; but to believe that God exists is not to believe the comprehensive thing meant by ‘the truth’… The truth is not only the fact that God exists, but that He has said and done certain things, and given us certain commandments. It is part of the truth that Christ was crucified; but to believe this is not of itself to believe the truth… a belief of them does not constitute a belief of ‘the truth.’ So with every element of ‘the truth’ by turns; they must all have their place in relation to the rest, or we fail to receive and hold the truth.” Robert Roberts, SEASONS OF COMFORT, exhortation entitled, REPROACH, p. 12

Ungodliness is irreverence to God. It is not giving God the love, obedience, and worship, which is due Him (v. 21).

Unrighteousness is our behaviour toward one another, and toward mankind. It is used in distinction from ungodliness. To withhold love is to behave unseemly with one another and hold back kindness to one another, contrary to God and Christ's command. It is to refuse to obey the truth, in holding down the truth by disobedience. The principle Brother Robert Roberts points out is very poignant. To hold the truth in unrighteousness, is not to have ‘the truth,’ and with the godless world, these have the wrath of God abiding in them (vv. 31,32).

God is righteous and His righteous children will live by faith (v. 17; Hab 2:4). They will love righteousness and hate iniquity (cf. Psa 45:7; Heb 1:9). There is a long history of those claiming to be Yahweh’s people without doing what He commanded. There is talk of love, but there is no real love, there is talk of forgiveness, but there is no real forgiveness, there is talk of peace, but there is no real peace! Is it because we bypass the point this verse begins with? How can we understand anything about love, if we don’t understand what God hates? How can we understand anything about His grace, if we don’t understand His moral law? How can we understand anything about forgiveness if we don’t understand His penalty for sin?

This verse is a very critical verse, beginning with God’s wrath! The word, wrath, is orge, # <3709 >, and describes a heated passion of God that is enflamed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. God is a holy God; He is not stoic, not mechanical, not indifferent, and not passive in His observations against any forms of unkindness and misconduct, and our judgment will be according to our works (Rom 2:6; 2Cor 5:10; cf. 1Cor 10:12).

Being in ‘the truth’ comprises many things; the First Principles and a Godly walk.  This is to comprehend the whole of what is meant being in 'the truth,' and this comes about when the Word is diligently, continuously, and prayerfully studied.

1:1 notice Paul was “separated unto …” whilst by clear implication he was also “separated from …” various things the positive aspect is what is presented. This how we should think of our life in service to Jesus – not one of loss of things that we formerly followed but rather an association with the glorious things of God.

1:32 an example of believers consenting to evil is seen in 1Cor 5:2where error was not seen but just accepted.

1:20  Those that are “without excuse” are the Jews. They were the ones to whom God had revealed the “invisible things”. They were the ones who saw His purpose revealed in the lives of individuals.

1:9 “without ceasing” is not saying that Paul prayed all the time about the Roman believers. Rather he is saying that the Roman believers are regularly in his prayers. He does not just pray for them once and then not mention them again.

1. Romans was probably written during Paul's 3rd journey while he was in Greece approx 57-58 AD for a period of 3 months (Rom 1:1,7,8;Acts 20:1-3;Rom 15:25-29). There is no mention of Peter in Paul's letter to the Romans which would be very odd if Peter had founded the Christian Church at Rome. Nero was Emperor of Rome from AD 54 - 68. Paul would have made his appeal to Caesar (i.e. Nero) approx 61 AD and then Paul was imprisoned for approx 2 years before being executed. Nero, on a whim would burn over 2/3 of the city of Rome and then to avoid blame and repercussions to himself, he would blame it on the Christians in 64 AD.

2. Rom 1:1,9 - The gospel of God (who resurrected Jesus as Jesus was dead); the Gospel of God's Son.

3. Rom 1:1 - Saul changed his name to "Paul" meaning little or small so he might not be exalted.

4. Rom 1:1 -"servant<1401>" means "slave, bondman, man of servile condition, (metaphorically means) one who gives himself to another's will; bought by a price yet free (1Cor 6:20;1Cor 7:22).

5. Rom 1:1 - "Jesus<2424>" from "(Heb) Joshua<3091>" meaning "Yah is salvation".

6. Rom 1:1 - "Christ<5547>" meaning "anointed, that is the Messiah".

7. Rom 1:1 - "called<2822>" meaning "invited (to a banquet), appointed, called".

8. Rom 1:1 - "apostle<652>" meaning "a delegate, an ambassador (of the gospel), a messenger, one sent, one sent forth with orders".

9. Rom 1:1 - "gospel<2098>" meaning "good news, a good message, a reward for good tidings, glad tidings, glad tidings of the kingdom of God, glad tidings of salvation through Christ".

10. Rom 1:2 - the gospel was prophetically promised beforehand in the Old Testament.                                       

11. Rom 1:3 - Jesus was the literal descendant of David, therefor Jesus didn't pre-exist prior to his birth, the promises to David spoke  of a future descendant who would be both God and David's son (Psa 110:1;Matt 22:41-46).

12. Rom 1:4 - "power<1411>" means "strength power, ability, force".

13. Rom 1:4 - "spirit<4151>" means "a current of air, breath, blast power".

14. Rom 1:7 - "Rome<4516>" means "dtrength".

15. Rom 1:7 - "saints<40>" means "the sanctified or separated ones".

16. Rom 1:7 - "peace<1515>" means "peace, Implication of prosperity, quietnes, rest, state of national tranquility, harmoney, security, safety, the Messiah's place".

17. Rom 1:8 - "faith<4102>" means "firm persuasion, based on hearing (Rom 10:17), creedence, moral conviction, conviction of the truth of anything, belief and the included idea of trust".

18. Rom 1:11 - Paul wants to strengthen the church.

19. Rom 1:12 - Paul humbly seeks to encourage and be encouraged.

20. the ecclesia in Rome appears to have been comprised of more Gentiles than Jews (Rom 1:13:15:14-16;2:17-19;4:1;7:1).

21. Rom 1:14 - "Barbarians<915>" means "anyone  who did not speak Greek, a non-Greek, one whose speech is rude rough harsh, one who speaks a tongue that is not understood by another, any non-Greek ignorant of the Greek language).

22. Rom 1:16 - "believeth<4100>" means "to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)".

23. Rom 1:16-17 - the gospel's transforming power.

24. Rom 1:17 - "faith<4102>" means "persuasion, obedience, moral conviction, conviction of the truth of anything, belief and the included idea of trust".

25. Rom 1:18,21-32 - God's wrath manifested against blasphemy and immorality - God allows the wicked to corrupt themselves. In the last days some who have a form of godliness will be unChristlike (2Tim 3:1-9).

26. Rom 1:19-20 - we see evidence of God in His creation.

27. Rom 1:21 - "knew<1097> Grk 'ginosko'" means "knowing from experience as opposed to having an intellectual but non experiential knowing".

28. Rom 1:21 - "vain<3154>" means "to make empty, vain, foolish, morally wicked and idolatrous".

29. Rom 1:21 - "heart<2588>" means "the thoughts or feelings".

30. Rom 1:26-28 - practicing homosexual activity is sinful in God's eyes (Lev 18:22;Lev 20:13;1Cor 6:9).

31. Rom 1:29 - "fornication<4202> Grk 'porneia'" means "harlotry, adultery, (fig.) idolatry, illicit sexual intercourse".

32. Rom 1:29 - "wickedness<4189> Grk 'poneria'" means "depravity, malice,plots, sins, iniquity, wickedness, evil purposes and evil desires".

33. Rom 2:1 - condemning hypocritical judging (Matt 7:1-5;1Cor 6:2 - we aren't to render judgments of people though we are to be able to discern or judge right from wrong). See Michael Perry's 2004 comments on the proper boundaries of judging.

34. Rom 2:1-6 - those who judge others and hypocritically do the same things will face God's wrath.

35. Rom 2:6-16 - a day of judgment pending for those who are in the light regarding understanding.

36. Rom 2:7-10 - the right path and the wrong path.

37. Rom 2:11 - God doesn't show favoritism.

38. Rom 2:12 - knowledge brings responsibility to judgment; those with knowledge of God's law will be resurrected and judged by its hearing; those who never knew of God's law will die much like animals (Psa 49:20) but they will not suffer eternal torment in a fiery "hell".

39. Rom 2:13 - hearing the law is not enough, but those who obey God's law will be declared righteous (Matt 5:5;Rev 5:10).

40. Rom 2:14-16 - Gentiles who do not have the law but who are spiritually inclined have the law written on their hearts which will accuse or even defend them (note that worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth are required John 4:23-24).

41. Rom 2:17-26 - those who know the law must practice what they preach.

42. Rom 2:27-29 - spiritual Jews.

1:1,6,7 Paul, by inspiration, highlights that he and we are “called”. This privileged position is spoken of a number of times more in Romans – maybe it would be a good idea to highlight them as we read through the letter.

1:29 whilst some are godless – filled with evil – notice the contrast – 15:15 – with Paul’s perception of the believers in Rome.