Comments for March 30

12 v. 10 - Here we have an example of a time when God punished a particular person for a particular sin - though there was a purpose in it for the benefit of others' faith too. She was to suffer a seven day punishment (v.14,15) but then God would remove the leprosy. She made herself an outcast by her deeds. There is a serious lesson for us here. Let us make sure that we do not do the same. Deut.24:8,9, Mic.7:8,9.

12 v.5 There are five occasions when the Glory of the Lord appeared in the book of Numbers. On each occasion it is because of the rebellion of the people. Numbers 12:5 14:10 16:19 42 20:6 Israel were told that the glory cloud would appear to quell their murmuring. Exodus 16:7

13:26 - 27 Whilst the spies acknowledged the beauty of the land they did not believe what Yahweh had said unto them. The showing of the land by Yahweh was to give them a foretaste of the land that they were to receive. However because of the flesh they looked for the problems rather than the blessings that would flow from faith.

13:16 - Moses changes Joshua's name here from Oshea, which is the same as Hosea and means 'salvation' to Jehoshua, or Joshua, which now means 'God is salvation' . Often in scripture worthy people are given a new name - surely this must point forward to the time in Revelation when the saints, it seems, will be granted this same privilege. Isa.62:2, Rev.2:17, 3:12

12:8 'dark speeches' <02420> is the Hebrew word elsewhere translated 'riddle' (Jud 14:12)

13:4-15 Here we have the names of all 12 spies sent out to spy the land. Without looking can you remember their names? - Doubtless you can only remember Joshua and Caleb. The lesson for us is that if we want to be remembered for good then we must believe like Joshua and Caleb did.

WE CAN CERTAINLY DO IT

When the spies came back from exploring the land they made their report. It was a good and fruitful land, the fruit was great - it took two men to carry one bunch of grapes! It was just as God had described it to them, "a land flowing with milk and honey." The land was so good it had also produced giants and the giants were the reason for the huge "BUT" in the report of the spies. "The land is good," they said, "BUT the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large ... they are stronger than we are. ... The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size ... we seemed as grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

All the people were distressed after this faithless report. They had forgotten that God had rescued them from the strongest power on the earth and had promised them the land. "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

Often we come across seemingly impossible problems just as Israel did in this case, and when we do, let us remember that with God's help "We Can Certainly Do It!"

12:2 The complaint of Miriam and Aaron was, to some extent true. Aaron had, in act been Moses' mouth piece speaking the word of God (Exodus 7:1) - the problem with Aaron and Miriam's criticism was that it was based on jealousy and was used as a pretext for a different complaint - they really wanted to complain about the Ethiopian he had married. The lesson for us is that we should speak about what really is the issue rather than avoid the real issue and simply complain about our feeling of injustice - that we have not got the importance we feel that we deserve.

13:31 The lament 'We be not able…' was the downfall of Israel. God never told them that they would have to take the land by their own strength. He had told them 'I will give …' Exodus 6:8 Leviticus 20:24 How often do we forget that 'it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32)

DON'T CHICKEN OUT

None of the children of Israel had ever been into the land of Canaan. God had promised to take them there and described it as a land flowing with milk and honey - something they could only dream about. Now, as Moses sent the twelve spies into the land, they were the first people to see it for themselves. Their report was just what the people had hoped for. "We went into the land to which you sent us and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its' fruit." And at that stage they would have showed the people the huge bunch of grapes they picked, carried between two men. This was the first glimpse of the promised land for the children of Israel.. They hadn't seen it themselves yet, but it was certainly an exciting foretaste.

Like Israel, God has given us little glimpses of the kingdom through his word and his creation - enough to whet our appetites and know that the kingdom is what we really want.

But when they heard of the challenges that faced them going into the land, they chickened out. They thought it would be too hard. And, unfortunately many people who have heard what God has offered also chicken out when they find out that it will take effort and faith to receive what God has promised.

So let's be like Joshua and Caleb whose faith in action allowed them to receive the promised land.

12:3  In describing Moses as 'meek' we should not presume he was 'spineless' or reticent in speaking. Rather his meekness was seen in the way that he did not exalt himself. Rather he left judgement in the hands of God.

13:2 It may appear that it was Moses' idea that spies should be sent to spy out the land. However it was at the instigation of the people Deut 1:22 and Moses saw no problems with the plan. However it was a contributory factor in the downfall of the people. How often do we feel the need 'to test the waters' before going in faith?

 12:3 Moses was very meek We see here in Moses the qualities that each one of us must develop. These qualities are so contrary to the natural way of man. Paul in Col 3:12 tells us that among the first things we must put on are, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering, so we may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus. Col 1:28

Miriam, and not Aaron, was punished for the rebellion against Moses (12:10).  This suggests that it was Miriam who instigated the affair. The phrase spake against (12:1) would bear that out as the verb is written in the feminine singular in Hebrew.  The affair seems similar to Aaron's involvement in making the golden calf at the instigation of the people (Exo 32:21-24).  The people were punished not Aaron.
Aaron asked for forgiveness for the rebellion (Num 12:11) and received forgiveness for himself and Miriam. 
Miriam had her leprosy healed after seven days instead of having to bear the disease for life.  Her condition was later cited as the way to treat leprosy (Deut 24:8-9).  She is also mentioned as being a chosen leader in Israel (Mic 6:4).  This citation shows the mercy of the LORD to forgive and elevate to a position of grace.
The leprosy (= sin) that we carry can be forgiven by the LORD and we can be elevated to grace in the Kingdom.

12:13   And again Moses acts as the intercessor even though Aaron was high priest.

13:1      The spies were not sent to establish whether the nation had the strength to take possession of it. God had told them that He was going to give it to them. So the spying out the land was so that the people knew what God was going to give them before they entered. In like manner Scripture shows us what the kingdom will be like. The clearer picture we have of the kingdom the easier we will find it to believe that God will give it to us.

Moses seems as a type of Christ 12:1,2,3,12 - his bride is not accepted just as the Gentiles and tax collectors in Christ weren't, he is meek Matt 11:29, and he (unlike Aaron the priest) intercedes as Peter Forbes noted 1Tim 2:5.

13:23 We understand that the grapes that are harvested in this area are the size of prunes, or of a man's thumb. We have often wondered if the cluster of grapes was so heavy that this was the only way they could be carried, this is difficult to imagine. Recently, someone suggested that they would carry them this way to protect them. Regardless, the sight of grapes this large would have to have a positive impression of the promised land on the Children of Israel, as the grapes that they were familiar with, would have been the small grapes of Egypt. 

The logo of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism is a graphic depiction of two men carrying a cluster of grapes on a staff between them (13:23).  

v 8 "face to face" would appear in the Hebrew to actually be "mouth to mouth" 06310 and we are reminded of 2Tim 3:16, which says that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" or is "God-breathed" 2315 We are reminded of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. What God breathes out, becomes "inspired" by the prophets, and we have written down for our learning.    

13:2  Notice Gods comment about the land was ‘which I give …’ This was just the point that Israel were unable to grasp. The and was theirs because God was going to give it to them. How do we feel about God’s gift to us?

Both Aaron and Miriam rebelled against the authority of Moses (12:1,2). Why was Miriam the only one punished? It can be drawn that she was the instigator of the affair. Moreover, Aaron’s being stricken with leprosy would be incompatible with the LORD’s requirements for the priesthood (Lev 21:17-21).

The two faithful spies were Caleb and Oshea (13:6,8). Moses changed Oshea’s name to Jehoshua (13:6).

Oshea means deliverer, while Jehoshua means Yahweh saved. Jehoshua, or as we commonly call him Joshua, would lead the Israelites into the land of promise. He foreshadowed Jesus. When Jesus returns to earth, He will bring His people back to the Promised Land.  Jesus is the Greek form of Jehoshua, and it is through him that all humanity has the opportunity of salvation.

Caleb means dog. This would describe Caleb’s temperament as being rabid in the sense of furious, fanatical, and vigorous. He did not see the giants in the land as a reason not to go in and was as unafraid as an attack dog (13:30). His vigorous character continued with him into his later years (Josh 14:10,11).

13:32 The reaction of the people indicates that they did not believe what God had said about their possession of the land – Num 13:2 – Do we believe Jesus’ words about God’s desire – Luke 12:32.

Num 12:8 - "similitude" [Heb "temunah" (8544) means "likeness, image, similitude, embodiment, manifestation, as a shape", etc.]; it wasn't literally God Moses saw (1Tim 6:16).

Num 13:23 - the single cluster of grapes and red pomegranates (many seeds in the red juice of the pomegranate) on a lifted pole between two men may be an echo of the sacrifice of Christ which allows his many decendants to overcome giant obstacles of the flesh and reach the land of promise.

12:10 Miriam's outward leprosy matched the uncleanness of her inward thoughts.

13:28 Caleb saw the ‘children of Anak’ when he spied the land. He was not afraid of them then and when he came to take his inheritance he drove out the ‘sons of Anak’ – Josh 15:14

HUMILITY

Humility is one of the most difficult concepts for us to grasp. We may understand what humility is, we may have the theory right, but putting humility into practice and having our humility tested can be quite a different thing. The moment we find ourselves proud to be humble, we have lost it!

Moses was described as "a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." (Num 12:3) Shortly after that, in the same chapter, God said of Moses, "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD." (v.6-8)

As well as the faithfulness Moses showed, we can be sure that it was his humility that grew this close relationship with God. When Aaron and Miriam stood against Moses, they opposed him in their pride, but God rebuked them and Miriam's pride was lost completely when she became a leper and an outcast from society.

Pride kills humility. True humility kills pride. The one cannot exist with the other. Humility, like Agape-love, is to put the best interests of others as our first priority.

Let us aim to be humble like Moses and to develop a close relationship with God like the one Moses had.

FORETASTE AND FAITH

Occasionally we buy or are given a bunch of grapes. They are usually put in a desert bowl in the dining room where we can all pick at them randomly, making sure we leave some for the other members of our family.

Israel's spies went into Canaan. "When they reached the valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs." (Num 13:23)

Our desert bowl would be much too small for that bunch of grapes! It would take up the whole dining room table! Yet when the spies came back from exploring the land of Canaan, their report was that the land was too difficult to conquer. This land of milk and honey was never going to be theirs.

Like Israel, we are on a journey to the Promised Land. We are in the wilderness at the moment, where even the best things are drab compared to what they will be like in the kingdom of God. It is not easy battling the giants of sin to conquer our human nature and to be part of God's kingdom, but God is here to help us. He wants us in his kingdom. He has promised us great things. So let's not turn in fear from receiving his promises, but stand up in faith, believing his word and the hope he has given us. Let us press on in God's strength to his kingdom.

Num 13:32-33

“And they brought up an evil report of the land…saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants (Nephilim), the sons of Anak, which come of the giants (Nephilim): and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

The word, giants, is # <5303>, nephil, and means, “tyrants, bullies.” While a variety of interpretations are given to this word, Gen 6:4 gives us the proper interpretation wherein we read that the “giants" were Nephilim, (plural of nephil) # <5303>. In Gen 4 we have the development of the descendants of the line of Cain, and in Gen 5 we have the development of the descendants of the line of Seth. Then in Gen 6 were read that the sons of God from the line of Seth mixed into the apostate line of Cain through marriages. As a result, the world was filled with wickedness and violence These Nephilim were cruel and mighty warriors, and greatly feared. Nephil is derived from the word naphal, # <5307>, and means, “to fall” to come down upon, to “light down” as falling upon one’s prey. This same word is used of Rebekah in Gen 24:64 when she saw Isaac, and lighted (naphal) off the camel.

The Anakim may well have been the Hyksos who invaded and controlled Egypt between the times of Joseph and Moses. Their progenitor was Arba (Josh 15:13) from whom the city of Hebron took its name of Kirjath-Arba. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai made up the three tribes of the Anakim (Num 13:22). Eventually, Caleb drove them all out (Josh 15:14). Zoan was the capital of the Hyksos rulers who were a mixture of Semitic and Mongol races. It is here where the Pharaohs lived and where Moses executed his judgments against the Exodus pharaoh (see Psa 78:42-43; Isa 19:13; 30:4) The fact that the spies brought up the name of the Anakim would have struck great fear into the hearts of the Israelites (Num 13:28-30)!

It is interesting to note that the Anakim were described as those who “eateth up the inhabitants thereof.” The metaphor of grasshoppers (locusts), therefore, tells us it was not about size, but about their might and power! They were fierce tyrants. A swarm of locusts devour everything in sight as during the plague of locusts before their exodus from Egypt. Ironically, the Anakim viewed Israel as grasshoppers! We read in Josh 2:9-11,24 wherein he mentioned three times how they felt faint, and melted away with fear ever since they heard about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea 40 years earlier! Moses admonished the people of Israel in saying, “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD (Yahweh) thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt…” (Deut 7:17-19). It may well be that Moses had these 10 spies in mind when he uttered these words. How truly amazing that these 10 spies and the nation of Israel were so fearful and unbelieving, when even the mightiest of the pagan warriors feared them because of Yahweh's miracles!

12:10  As Miriam became leprous and, it seems, no ill befell Aaron we might infer that Miriam was the ringleader in this challenge against Moses.

Num 13:1 Israel were on the very brink of entering into the promised land that flowed with milk and honey,all the blessings of God. And as they reached that stage Moses decided to send out spies to search out the land. They had come to the wilderness of Paran which has as its root meaning to glorify to beautify. And in particular they had come to Kadesh which means holy. They should have Psa 29:2 Given unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, that they might be ready to enter the kingdom.But the word Kadesh is also used in the context of temple prostitutes and sodomites who made themselves holy to the false gods and idols. And the question is was Israel going to be holy set apart for the Lord God or were they going to be holy for use in the temples of idolatry, in their wicked minds.

Num 13:6Now as we go through the list of the spies that were chosen, the men had to be heads of the children of Israel, they were chiefs and principal men among the ecclesia in the wilderness and amongst them was in v 6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. His name means dog and he was the son of Jephunneh.who was a Kennizite He was a Gentile and here in this verse we have proof that obedient gentiles were incorporated into the various tribes of Israel. We know that there was a mixed multitude that left Egypt and these would have been assimilated into the various tribes, to become one whole ecclesia. Now what is interesting is that Jephunneh means facing to turn towards, and here he is as one who was once an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: he had turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Num 13:8

Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. His name means salvation but in Num 13:6 his name was changed to Jehoshua or Joshua which means Yah is salvation. Our heavenly Father was to show Israel through his servant Joshua not to trust in the flesh in their own strength to bring salvation but to trust in the Lord God who can save to the uttermost those that put their trust in Him. It was by the strength of Yahweh that Joshua was to lead Israel into the kingdom

Num 13:30 LET US..Let us go up and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. Now these words are picked up in Hebrews Heb 4:1-16 v1, v11,v14, v 16 

13:22  we meet these inhabitants of Canaan again in Judg 1:10.

Three giants. One champion.

Notice how many times Anak is mentioned in Numbers 13. His sons were giants and dwelled in Hebron. Looking at the words of the people, it's clear that these three giants are the single reason why they didn't dare go and take over the land:

"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (13:33)

Just as there was a single reason that Israel turned from entering the land of Canaan, there was a single man with the faith to go and fight against the giants. Caleb stood up among all the 12 spies and the whole congregation and said:

"we are well able to overcome it... neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not." Num 13:30, 14:9

It is little wonder, then, that this single man, Caleb, later entered the land and did what he had confessed he could do. The lesson is that God does not ask of us what we cannot achieve. Some have faith that can move mountains, others faith as a mustard seed that needs to be planted and will grow slowly. Caleb had the faith to face giants, and he was a special man provided by God to achieve that task on behalf of the rest. Have you ever thought of it like that? Step forward forty years...

"And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak." Judg 1:20

We too may face the prospect of fighting giants in our lives. Illness, temptation, depression or the sheer mountain of faith that we can't face climbing. Maybe the prospect of death itself overwhelms us, just as the prospect of fighting giants overwhelmed Israel. Yet God provides us a man of faith, Jesus, a champion who will fight our battles for us. He has expelled all our foes from the land, so that all we need to do is march on while putting trust in his ability. Speaking of this same incident from Judges, Hebrews 4 tells us this:

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it... Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,.. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

12:13-14          The way in which God was willing to forgive Miriam and yet required her to be shut out of the camp for a period demonstrates that actions have consequences. Forgiveness does not remove the consequences of the sin. We would do well to take not of that.

12:3  Moses’ meekness in the face of opposition is the way Paul encouraged Timothy to deal with rebellion in the ecclesia at Ephesus – 2Tim 2:5

13:33   A reason for not going into the land was that there were “giants” there. At the end of the wilderness journey Moses, after the defeat of Og, told Israel that all the giants were now dead with the death of Og – Deut 3:11

HOW TO BE HUMBLE

Moses was the most powerful person in Israel. At his word the whole nation would jump. But here he was confronted by Aaron and Miriam who argued against him because of the Cushite wife he had married. It is at that point we are told that "Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." (Num 12:3).

What was it in Moses that showed humility, particularly at that moment? Moses didn't argue back. The only word Moses speaks in this entire chapter is to plead for healing for his sister Miriam. He could have defended himself - but he didn't. It was God that defended Moses. Jesus did the same years later: "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." (Isa 53:7).

The desire to defend ourselves stems from pride (the opposite of humility). It comes from the belief that we are too important to be wronged in any way. It comes from a lack of faith that God will defend us.

So if we want to be humble, let's not think of ourselves as any better than we actually are; let's accept criticism and determine to learn from it, and trust in God to defend us when we need it.

13:30   “go up” and “once” is the same word <5927> repeated. Likewise “well able” and “overcome” are repeated words <3201>. Calen was forcefully asserting that God was able to give Israel the land.

13:33 That they appeared like “grasshoppers” is not how God viewed His people. It was their lack of faith that prevented them from seeing themselves as God saw them .

12:3-4 So Moses, the meekest man, was defended by Yahweh who “spake suddenly” to defend him. Here is a principles which the Psalmist echoes –Psa 76:9

Numbers 12 – The sin of Aaron and Miriam was they were trying to usurp the authority Moses, the appointed faithful servant of the LORD. The process began with first finding fault with Moses. They were critical of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Num 12:1). 

Their claim to authority was that the LORD had spoken by them.  Aaron usually received his instructions from the LORD via Moses (xx). Sometimes when he and Moses appeared together before the LORD ( xx). 

They were not content with their positions in the household of Israel. 

Aaron was appointed by the LORD as a spokesman for Moses to Israel (Exo 4:16).  He was now the High Priest officiating in the Tabernacle.

Having crossed the Red Sea Miriam had led the women in singing and dancing before the LORD. The LORD had spoken by Miriam, she was a prophetess (Exo 15:20-21). 

They were blessed in their respective roles in Israel, but not satisfied. They wanted still greater status in the eyes of the children of Israel.  We know Miriam was the oldest of the three. She stood by to watch what would happen to baby Moses in the bulrushes (Exo 2:2-10).  Aaron was only three years old when Moses was taken out of the river by Pharaoh’s daughter.  He was 3 years older than Moses. (Exo 7:7) Therefore Moses was the youngest of the three.

Lesson for Us

There were arguments among Jesus disciples after the Lord’s supper as to who should be recognised as the greatest among his followers. 

“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”  Luke 22:24-26

This parable reminds me of Moses and his siblings.

Moses was obviously younger than Miriam and Aaron. He was appointed by the LORD to lead Israel.  He was also the greatest, yet he lived among them as one that served. Jesus the one like unto Moses was meek and the perfect servant 

On another occasion in the chief Pharisee’s house Jesus said:

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” Luke 14:10

Phil 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

12:1 Doubtless Moses had taken the Ethiopian woman long before the time of the complaint raised by Miriam and Aaron. But now they wished to seek a more significant position than they already had. So they raise something that they had not commented on previously. Do we ever do this? Draw attention to the behaviour of another so further our own ends drawing attention to a long standing issue about which we have never commented before

12:3 When we read that Moses was “meek” we are reading about the only man that God calls “meek”. Doubtless there were others and Jesus said he was “meek”  - Matt 11:29. It is not difficult to see how Moses’ meekness was displayed. He did not defend himself when accused. The same was true of Jesus also.

It is such people who will be granted eternal life – Matt 5:5. We should think about this when we seek retribution ourselves.

12:8 there is at least one occasion when God spoke “mouth to mouth” with Moses – 7:89  –which Miriam and Aaron would have been well aware of. But yet it did not impact on their behaviour!

We hear the voice of God when we read scriptures – what effect does it have on us?

13:32 there is an ironic contrast between the way the faithless spies saw the way that the land would “eat up", by implication,and Balaam’s prophecy – Num 24:8–where he sees Israel eating up her enemies.

12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married

Miriam and Aaron seem motivated by racism, perceiving Moses' marriage as proof of his flawed character. Hence their claims that Moses' leadership should be shared with them (v2). Racism transforms itself into a moral virtue!

8 v. 1-11, 9:1-3 - This description of wisdom leaves us in no doubt what we should seek out and what we should throw out in our lives. The value of wisdom is beyond all else. Isa.55:1-3, Matt.28:19,20.

8 v.34 there are a number of times when 'blessed is the man' is found in Scripture. A review of those occasions Psalm 1:1 32:2 34:8 65:4 84:5,12 94:12 112:1 Isaiah 56:2 Jeremiah 17:7 Romans 4:8 James 1:12 will help us to understand how to please our God.

9 v.8 'Rebuke' is the correct way to deal with error. Leviticus 19:17 However there is no point rebuking one who has no respect for the Word of God Proverbs 9:8 However those whose rebuke is to be heeded is that of the 'wise' Ecclesiastes 7:5 This instruction from the Old Testament forms the basis for the warnings and exhortations in the New Testament. 1 Timothy 5:20 2 Timothy 4:2 Titus 1:13 2:15

9:8 - Do we love those that rebuke us? Wise people do.

ch.8 - The theme of this chapter is 'wisdom' :1,2,3. So the 'she' :16 etc: is wisdom. In fact throughout the whole chapter 'wisdom' is personified as a woman. So :30 the one who was 'by him' again is wisdom. Wisdom was with God as the thing that He delights in. If this is so then 'wisdom' - that is the wisdom of God - should be our delight also.

9:3 'Wisdom' has her companions. They are 'maidens' that is those who associate with wisdom are virgins who have not been defiled. In fact the identify with the woman who is 'wisdom'. If we wish to be amongst those who are the chaste virgins presented as a glorious church to Jesus [2 Corinthians 11:2] we must associate ourselves with the things of the 'wise' now and avoid the 'strange woman' of Proverbs 7.

WISDOM'S WORTH

The things that are most valuable to us should be the things that we spend the most time, energy and resources to attain. To many people money and riches are the most valuable, so they spend hours working and investing to increase their wealth. To others, lifestyle is important, so all their resources go into their houses, cars, boats and the things they do.

Here we read of the worth of wisdom. It's value far exceeds all the temporary things that could fill our lives. Wisdom says, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her." (Proverbs 8 v 10 - 11). If it is the case that wisdom is more precious than all the things we usually aim for, then it stands to reason that we should spend more of our time, energy and resources getting wisdom instead of getting all the things that are of much less value. We also learn that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9 v 10). So let us from now on set our priorities in the right order. Let us first put our resources - our time, energy and possessions - into what is really important. Let's get to know the fear of the LORD and get wisdom.

Wisdom is worth much more.

8:5 From a worldly point of view the 'simple' are those who are unable to fit into this life well. They tend to be viewed as lacking understanding - even that they cannot be taught. What a wonderful way to describe those who want to serve God. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our minds were such that the influences of the world were not able to instruct us because our minds were so steeped in the things of God - God's wisdom as seen in Scripture?

9:11 the promise of the multiplication of days for the one who holds to 'wisdom'
matches Exodus 20:12. So 'wisdom' and keeping the commandments are the same.

Prov 8:1 The voice of wisdom crying out to the 'simple' contrasts markedly with the 'strange woman' of Chapter 7 where she physically 'caught him' Prov 7:13. The world and it's inducements has a strong hold on us but our Father calls to us. Whilst the world grabs at us and holds us the Father calls us and waits for us to respond.

Prov 9:10 We maybe think of Solomon's ideas as being unique to him. However here he is echoing what his father David had said Psa 111:10. Solomon is not teaching some new doctrine. He is setting out and developing ideas which have been seen earlier in Scripture.

 8:33 "Hear" Once again we receive direction, which most around us are not willing to accept. One of the biggest problems today is an unwillingness to listen. If we are to receive God's Word, we must listen and hear it. It is the spoken Word.

All of chapter 8 and most of chapter 9 are devoted to the discussion of the virtuous woman, wisdom. Those who wish to please the LORD will listen to her.
Prov 9:13-18 discusses the adulterous woman who is out to entice the foolish and easily seduced (simple). 
Her ways are subtle, sensuous, and sophisticated.
Who would not want her company?  We have to fight our inbred desires (the natural man) not to want to.  We must keep our eye on the prize (1Cor 9:24) and forgo the present pleasures.

Prov 9 The commendation of wisdom is continued in this chapter, under the figure of a liberal host. The character of those who are invited is followed by a contrasted description of the rejecters of good counsel; and with the invitations of wisdom are contrasted the allurement of the wicked woman.

Prov 9:9 gives an insight into the way “wise and just” react to further instruction.  None of us are good enough not to need extra teaching.  Instruction is valued by a wise man, and teaching is always useful to a just man.  Solomon tells us in this verse that
godly people carry on learning until they die.

8:10,11,12,13,27,30,34; 9:1,2,5,6 - 8:10 in reference to the value of God's wise instruction and knowledge the word "receive" Heb. "laqach" <3947> means "accept, receive, take, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, seize, send for, use, win", etc.;  we read that the love of money is the root of all evil and that money is no substitute for God's love and care (1Tim 6:9-10;Prov 13:7; 22:1; 11:4,28;Heb 13:5;2Cor 8:9). 8:11-12 we read of the value of wisdom and are encouraged to ask for it (James 1:5); people who have "wisdom" have "prudence" <6195>. 8:13 true wisdom is rooted in "fear" [Heb. yirah <3374> meaning "reverence, fear"] of God and hating evil attitudes (pride, arrogance), evil behaviours, and evil speech. 8:27 a "compass" [Heb. "chuwg" <2328> meaning "circle, compass"] upon the face of the deep indicates wisdom being present at the formation of the earth and suggests an understanding of earth's form (Isa 40:22). 8:30 wisdom was "delight" personified, while watching the progressive stages of the world's formation; again, though speaking of wisdom, it also reminds me of Christ as it refers to "one brought up" [Heb. "amown" <525> meaning "in the sense of training, skilled, an architect, a craftsman" (NIV)] and 8:34 in noting how we are to watch gates and wait at door posts perhaps suggests the wisdom of waiting for Christ (Matt 24:42; Exo 12:7; John 10:9); the gates and doorposts perhaps refer to the entrance of the house of wisdom in 9:1 which can be a wise man's foundation in Christ (Matt 7:24-27), our assemblies of worship, or ultimately the millenial Kingdom of God on earth. 9:1,2,5,6 though speaking of wisdom, notes having a house, mentions 7 which can be the number of spiritual perfection and a possible hint of the millennium, the stability of  pillars perhaps suggests assurance that nothing can interfere with God's wise plans, and a table/feast of bread and wine (Psa 23:5) which perhaps suggests the wisdom of following Christ who offered his life so we could "live; and go in the way of understanding" and have a hope of eternal life upon his return.

8:1  The ‘wisdom’ that cries out in this chapter is the father of the previous chapter – it is the commandments of God.

9:4  The ‘simple’ here are not those who are slow to understand. They are those who recognise the need to learn. Pride often gets in the way of our learning the things of God.

Wisdom hath hewn out her seven pillars (9:1) is telling us that the construction of the house of wisdom (pillars) is complete and perfect (seven).

9:3 Whilst the ‘strange woman’ of Prov 7 lurks and hides to entice ‘wisdom’ is not ashamed of her call. She cries out for all to hear.

9:9 The more that a wise man learns, the more he loves wisdom.

8:32 ‘blessed are the that keep my ways’ is the basis for Jesus’ language in Luke 11:28.

8:5 The simple understanding echoes David in Psa 119:130 where it is God’s word that makes one wise which contrasts with the tree in the garden of Eden.

8:8 If only we could say, with confidence, that every word we speak was pure in God’s eyes! Clearly here we see Christ in spirit.

8:4     The way in which wisdom called – seeking a response voluntarily contrasts with the strange woman of the previous chapter, She ‘caught him; Prov 7:13

TO FEAR THE LORD

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."(Prov 9:10)

Like a man aiming to become a king in the eyes of God, getting to know God is the most important step. Fearing the LORD and growing in the knowledge of Him is something we need to take very seriously if we want to grow up to be wise and to be godly leaders in our families and communities. Fearing the LORD and growing in the knowledge of Him is not just a doctrine to be taught. Before we can truly teach this, it must be a natural part of our lives. While we may teach about Him in our words, by far the greatest teaching we do - especially with our children, is going to be by our consistent example of what they see us doing, and how they see us acting, even when we think no one is watching us.

Let us pray that God will reveal himself to us more and more, and that we will grow in the fear and knowledge of Him, getting to know God better, and so leading others toward Him by our example and teaching.

8:22-29          Wisdom is personified – presented – as a person. In fact the ‘person’ is Jesus in the mind of God. Jesus was in God’s plan right from  even He created the world.

1. Prov 8:1-3 - wisdom and understanding/truth have been stated openly and boldly (Prov 1:20-21;John 18:20;1Tim 2:4), in contrast to the alluring voice of the deceiver.

2. Prov 8:4-11 - wisdom as a guide for everyone and reasons for trusting her:

3. Prov 8:4 - wisdom calls to "men"<376> of social status and the sons of "man"<120> i.e. humanity at large.

4. Prov 8:5 - "'simple'<6612> ... 'wisdom' (<6195> only time this Heb word is translated 'wisdom', in Prov 8:12 it is translated "prudence"): and, 'ye fools'<3684>". 

5. Prov 8:10 - "instruction"<4148>, "knowledge"<1847>.

6. Prov 8:11 - "rubies" <6443> - Matt 13:44-46.

7. Prov 8:12-21 - wisdom's excellence:

8. Prov 8:14 - counsel, wisdom, understanding and strength/might are attributes of Christ (Isa 9:6;11:2).

9. Prov 8:15-16 - degrees of authority - "kings"<4428>, "princes"<7336>, "princes"<8269>, "nobles"<5081>, "judges"<8199>.

10. Prov 8:17 - the faithful love wisdom and seek it early before it is too late (Luke 11:9-10;James 1:1-5).

11. Prov 8:18 - "Riches"<6239>, "riches"<1952>.

12. Prov 8:18 - 2Cor 6:10;8:9;James 2:5;Rev 2:9;Matt 6:19-20.

13. Prov 8:19 - "fruit"<6529> comes from a tree (Prov 3:18;Rev 2:7;22:2); "gold"<2742>; "fine gold"<6337> (Psa 19:7-11).

14. Prov 8:21 - worldly possessions are never denounced in Scripture as inherently evil. 

1. Prov 8:22-31 - the principle of creation:

2. Prov 8:22 - God possessed wisdom from the beginning, before He created the universe.

3. Prov 8:22-23 - v22 "beginning" (<7225> mention of "firstfruit, principle thing", etc.) "of his way"<1870>, v23 "was set up" (<5258> mention of "anoint a king, to pour out" Isa 53:12) "everlasting" (<5769> mention of "properly concealed, the vanishing point") "beginning"<7218> - could these words be connecting wisdom to the thought/plan of salvation through Christ?

4. Prov 8:31 - the same principles which God applied in the formation of the universe have to be applied by man in the creation of the new man.

5. Prov 8:32-36 - finding eternal life:

6. Prov 8:32,34 - happy are God's children who hear and keep His ways of wisdom.

7. Prov 8:35 - those who find wisdom find life - ultimately this wisdom is illustrated in Christ; the Son of God's life, work and teachings demonstrate that he found and exercised wisdom.

8. Prov 8:36 - to hate God's way of wisdom is to love the way that leads to death.

1. Prov 9:1-6 - the feast of wisdom:

2. Prov 9:1 - wisdom is personified as a woman who has an impressive house built with seven pillars - we have all the churches represented by seven (Rev 1:4) - in contrast the foolish woman (apostate churches?) knows nothing, has a seemingly unimpressive house (Prov 9:13-14).

3. Prov 9:2 - "table" (<7979> implies a feast which perhaps reminds us of the memorial feast - Prov 9:5;Psa 23:5).

4. Prov 9:3 - "sent forth her 'maidens'<5291>", could this be an echo of bridesmaids/believers (Matt 25:1-6) preparing for and awaiting Christ the bridegroom?

5. Prov 9:4,16 - the "simple"<6612> can be similarly persuaded by wisdom or folly; v4 "understanding"<3820>.

6. Prov 9:6 - avoid the "foolish"<6612> way, choose the way of "understanding"<998> and have eternal life.

7. Prov 9:7-12 - closed or open mind?

8. Prov 9:7 - wisdom has been openly reaching out to all including "scorners"<3887> but at some point it's too late to reach them and time is more profitably spent elsewhere with wiser people who are more receptive and appreciative (Matt 7:1,2,6).

9. Prov 9:13-18 - folly's invitation:

10. Prov 9:13 - "foolish"<3687>, "simple"<6615>.

11. Prov 9:15 - the woman of folly tries to lure those who are making their paths straight.

12. Prov 9:17 - note it is an "easy feast" there is no blood suggesting sacrifice, it was stolen not fully paid for, there is no yielding of one's will -  "'stolen' (<1589> can figuratively mean "deception") waters" (Prov 20:17) vs (Prov 5:15-20) - (Isa 5:20).

13. Prov 9:18 - the way of folly leads to death (Hos 4:6).

14. Wisdom stands for creative power, faithful belief leading to divine life.

15. Folly stands for the waywardness of man which leads to disobedience, disorganization, lies and religious harlotry leading to death.

9:1     The house that “wisdom” has built is the house on a rock – Matt 7:24

Prov 8:22-36.

ENEMIES OF WISDOM

If we want to be wise, it is worth knowing what the enemies of wisdom are. It is a bit like growing a garden. We can do all the right things to have a thriving garden, but if we don't recognise the garden enemies like snails, weeds and diseases, what should be a beautiful garden is reduced to decay at ground level. So Solomon, in the middle of telling us how to grow wisdom, also tells us what the enemies of wisdom are so that we can remove them from our lives, allowing wisdom to grow as it should.

Wisdom says, "I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech." (Prov 8:13) Wisdom cannot grow in a proud and arrogant person whose evil behaviour and perverse speech is not checked. Any wisdom they have is foolishness. Unfortunately, pride is a disease that is very easily caught, and arrogance can also grow very quickly. If we plant ourselves in the wrong sort of environment, it doesn't take long to become like the people we associate with - swearing and doing things that displease God.

So let's weed out any traces of pride, arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech from our lives, while allowing God's wisdom to grow in us. Then we can shine with the wisdom and glory of God.

8:20-29         Notice the repeated use of ideas from the creative record in Gen 1. God is telling us that His plan and purpose with the one who was “wise” was in place even before He had started His creative work.

9:6  We may thing that the things we do when we are enjoying ourselves make our life enjoyable, lively. However we must take care to remember that it is God’s wisdom that gives life, nothing else, no matter how enjoyable, can give the true life.  This should help us to set our priorities.

8:11     Wisdom is more valuable than rubies here and in Prov 3:15. It is the woman of Prov 31:10 who is more valuable than rubies indicating that the woman of chapter 31 is no individual. Rather is it she summation of everything that is God’s wisdom

THE FEAR OF THE LORD 

The "fear of the Lord" is the theme of Proverbs and there are 14 occurrences of this word in Proverbs. The KJV margin reads that it's "the principal thing", in otherwords it's the chief principal - not a stage one leaves behind. The fear of the Lord (reverence) is the essential prelude to all wisdom and successful living - cp.Psa.111:10; Psa.64:9 and Prov.2:1-5 shows us how you develop this "fear of the Lord" in our lives. Wisdon here is portrayed as a woman who guides us (v.1-13) and makes us succeed (v.14-21) Wisdom should affect every aspect ofour entire lives, from beginning to the end. Lets be sure to open up all the corners of our life to God's direction and guidance.

9:4       The simple who are appealed to here are to be seen in a similar way to the “simple” one of Prov 7:7. Those who are “simple” are in need of instruction. The “strange woman” or “wisdom” are the only two options for gaining knowledge. One leads to death the other to life.

8:35    the “life” that is found is the life which shows what God is like – Prov 21:21.

TUNE IN

I have a friend who can name just about any song on the radio and tell me what it is called, who recorded it, and the year it was produced. I have another friend who used to work in a tire shop and who can spot a bad or worn tire at a glance. Trackers can spot marks that we would never recognize in the sand belonging to certain animals that have come that way. All these people have tuned their eyes and ears to certain things and have practiced over long periods of time to become completely tuned in to the things they are looking or listening for.

Stop and listen for a moment. What do you hear? "Does not wisdom call?" (Prov 8:1). How tuned in are we to the call of wisdom? Is it something we look for and listen for at every opportunity? Or do we tune out and fill our minds with all the other rubbish that magazines, television, and the internet throw at us?

If we want to tune in to wisdom, we need to give wisdom opportunities to speak to us. Bible reading, prayer, quiet time and discussions with others who are also looking for wisdom are a good place to start. And as we practice listening to the voice of wisdom, it will become easier to hear and respond to. Let's make a point of listening to wisdom today.
 

8:26 the unlearned questions “what was there before Creation?”  God actually tells us. He and His wisdom were there. By implication there was never a time when He did not exist.

9:5  we are expected to see a contrast between the wine” of wisdom and the “stolen waters” of :17

8:30 The context is the Creation and the word “daily” <3117> relates particularly to the days of Creation. So on the first “day” <3117> (Gen. 1:5), and the subsequent days, God delighted in wisdom. This wisdom is manifest in the works of Creation.

8:13 The “fear of the Lord” is a way of thinking. So do we “hate evil”? or do we just tolerate it hoping it will not impact on us?

9:1-18    Two “women” are seeking our attention. One offers life. the other death. Sadly the one offering death is more appealing to the natural man. However, whilst her appeal – “stolen waters” (:17) is “sweet” her “guests” are “dead” (:18). Wisdom, however, is appealing to those who forsake foolish ways (:6) and offers the opportunity to “live”, by implication, eternally (:6).

9:13-16 The one who turns in to the woman shares here qualities – he, like her is “simple” – that is lacking understanding. The warning is not, primarily, against going in to a prostitute. It is a warning about developing patterns to (simple) thinking that matches the way those who do not know God think.

8:22 The LORD possessed me at the beginning

Consider the parallels between Wisdom in Proverbs 8 and the Word in John 1:1

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word

Proverbs 8:22, 23 The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work the first of his acts of old ... at the first, before the beginning of the earth

John 1:1 and the Word was with God

Proverbs 8:22, 27, 30 The LORD possessed me  at the beginning ... When He established the heavens I was there ... I was beside him ... rejoicing before Him

John 1:1 and the Word was God

Proverbs 8:14,16,20,21,30  I have counsel and sound wisdom ... by me princes rule ... I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice granting an inheritance to those who love me ... like a master workman

9:8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you

What is our reaction to receiving Scripturally-based reproof, especially when the reprover has spoken the truth in love? Do we become angry towards those reproving us? If so, maybe we are really scoffers rather than lovers of God. Similarly, if we thank someone for  offering Scripturally-based reproof, then maybe we have been motivated by wisdom. 

v.3 - David had a similar experience to Christ here - Ps.55:12-14. This betrayal was portrayed in Zech.11:12,13. It is also taken up and made into a lesson for us all to heed in 1Tim.6:9,10, 2Pet.2:15, Jude v.11.

v.4 Judas 'communed with the chief priests' during the meal in Bethany which is recorded in John 12:2-11 / Matthew 26:6-16. Judas, being offended at the anointing of Jesus, had left the house in Bethany and walked the two miles into Jerusalem to betray Jesus. Thus we see that Judas preferred the prospect of a reward more than the company of Jesus and his friends. He behaved in the same way the following night during the last supper [John 13:30]

22:2,3 The feast in Bethany when Jesus was anointed slots in between these two verses when making up a chronological record.
22:7 This is the next day - so the feast in the upper room took place the day (night) after the meal in Bethany.
22:11 'Guestchamber' is the same word found 2:7 'inn'.

EAGER DESIRE

The preparations had been made for Jesus and his disciples to eat the Passover. When the time came "Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." This was one of the moments that Jesus had been longing for - a time of quiet intimacy between the master and his disciples. The Passover meal was the one event that Jesus was looking forward to in his last few hours of life, and the thing that made it all the more desirable was to spend it with his best friends around a meal of celebration to God.

After he had taken the bread and the cup and given it to them, he said, "Do this in rembrance of me." So once a week we meet together to observe his commandment as we join with other believers and share the signs he has given us - bread and wine.

Do we do this with the same attitude as that of Jesus? Jesus eagerly desired to share these moments with his disciples and we must eagerly desire to meet with him, and with our brothers and sisters, to do the same. So let's make sure that the next time we participate in the feast on the Lord's day, we come with an eager desire to do what he commanded.

:30 In telling the disciples that they will sit on thrones … Jesus is re-stating what he told the disciples only a short while earlier (Matthew 19:28)

:12 - The "upper room", Gk:anogeon, means 'above the earth' and corresponds to the Holy place where Christ ministered before passing through the veil into the Holiest of all(Heb 9:3;10:20).

In other places, the word Upper room from Gk:"hupersion" corresponds to the Most Holy Place, as in Acts 1:13,9:36-41,20:9.

:16,18 - "I will not any more eat thereof", "...drink of the fruit...".
Christ eats fish in Luke 24:42-43.
He is here referring to not eating or drinking of the Passover. This he will not do until he does it in the temple meal Ezekiel describes in Eze 44:3.

.22:1 We are now 2 days before the Passover.

V.32  As Simon needed Christ's prayer, we all need to pray for each other. It can strengthen our Brethren and Sisters. 

The Lord clearly talks about the Kingdom of God being a real entity and not the church or something that only dwells in one's heart (v.18,29,30).
The Lord reminds us that our attitude towards our brothers and sisters should be one of humility (v.26).

We know that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  But was money the initial motivation?  We know that there was a general hope that Jesus would deliver Israel from its enemies (i.e. the Romans).   After Jesus' resurrection, His disciples were also expectant (Luke 24:21; Acts 1:16).  Perhaps Judas lost hope in the one who once looked promising, but who now appeared ineffective.  Do we adopt the same attitude?  Has our expectation of our Lord's return diminished?  Have we betrayed Him by becoming evil servants, indulging in worldly pursuits, putting the Lord's return on the back burner (Matt 24:48).  If so, let's smarten up.  The Lord will return unexpectedly (Luke 12:40).  Let him find us eagerly waiting for him and doing the right things (Luke 12:43-46).    

22:11 Whereas the ‘inn’ would have been furnished (2:7) the manger would not. It would have been bare and inhospitable for men and women. Now at the end of the ministry Jesus is in the furnished room, so to speak. His life has transformed the dwelling place! We were in an animal pen with the animals. We have been lifted out of that into the house of God.

Jesus had planned “The Last Supper” for some time. He had looked forward to it (Luke 22:15,16). This was the most important thing that He asked His friends to remember Him by. Therefore our Memorial Service must really become the focal point of our week.

22:8-10 The enigmatic way in which Jesus told Peter and John where the supper would be eaten would prevent Judas from being able to tell the Jewish leaders where they could take Jesus. The meal in the upper room had to be private and uninterrupted, hence the secrecy.

22:4,12          Contrast Judas and the two disciples who went to prepare the Passover.  Judas ‘went his way’. The two did as Jesus had request. This contrast marks the difference between those who pursue the fleshly thinking and those who wish to do Jesus’ will.

The acquisition of a sword(s) was for an object lesson (vs.36,38). Jesus had the power of the heavenly host to protect and defend Him (Matt 26:53). Why would He, then, require two measly swords for security? He wanted to show His followers, and His opposition, that His way is a way of peace and healing. He allowed the exercise to unfold (vs.50,51). With all the divine power at His disposal, Jesus went meekly to His death (Isa 53:7). He urges His followers to follow peace and love with all men, even enemies (Matt 5:43,44).

22:3 ‘Satan’ entering into Judas is the sort of language used in Acts 5:3where Peter is confronting Ananias. On that occasion it is clear that the evil desire came from within Ananias – Acts 5:4 shows that the idea came from within Ananias.

Luke 22:3 - would a supernatural "Satan" enter into a man who is a supernatural "devil"? Of course not, it doesn't make sense, nor does it fit the definitions of the pre-translated words.

In Prov 8:1-3 we read of wisdom crying out. Wisdom here is personified, not to be understood as a literal being. Similarly, in John 6:70-71, Judas was referred to as a devil. If Judas was literally a supernatural devil how could a supernatural satan literally enter into him? A common understanding would be an evil supernatural being is somehow entering into itself with a human being perhaps thrown into the misguided mix. Certainly God is not the author of such confusion (1Cor 14:33). When when we look up the original meaning of words like "satan" (satan means "an adversary" or "an opponent" - at one point Mark 7:33 the apostle Peter was referred to by Christ as "satan" - obviously Peter wasn't an evil supernatural being) or "devil" (devil, "diabolos" in the Greek, means "traducer" or "false accuser" or "slanderer"; unlike satan the word "devil" is always associated with evil or sin) we get the true sense of their meaning. Judas hung himself (Matt 27:3-5) and he wasn't a supernatural being any more than Peter. The devil is a personification of sin and not a literal being any more than wisdom is a literal being.  James 1:13-15 clarifies the process of sin and that it is an internal not external force. 

v30 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Government
Jesus has promised the Disciples that they will govern his Kingdom.
For more information about the government of God's Kingdom, go to Matt 19:28

22:30 Given that Jesus has already told the disciples that he will not share a Passover meal with them until the kingdom is established – 22:16 – this promise of them sitting on twelve throne would have heightened their expectations that the kingdom was going to be established very soon.

22:44 Adam was to ‘sweat’ in his labour for survival. Jesus, on the other hand, ‘sweat’ ‘as it were ... blood.’. Lev 17:11 teaches that the life is in the blood so we see that Luke is teaching us that Jesus’ effort culminating in pouring out his life.

Luke 22:35-38

"...But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one... And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."

It is often asked if this is literal or figurative? We know that there were 12 apostles who traveled in pairs, and if each group took just one sword, that would be six swords. Clearly then, two would not have been enough. Jesus could not have been speaking literally of the number of swords. "It is enough," rather, was an expression of his exasperation with the disciples who failed to see at this late stage that they were to fight not with a literal sword, but with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph 6:17). The Apostles were being sent out into a hostile world to spread the Gospel, and needed to prepare themselves for the next phase of their mission without their Master.

22:28 In saying that the disciples were the one that had continued with Jesus in his ‘temptations’ we remember that Jesus’ temptations took place right through his life – not just for 40 days in the wilderness. Actually on that occasion the disciples were not even with him.

Luke 22:61; Acts 3:4

A reader writes:  “… Interesting that the Lord looked at Peter (in the eyes)

Lu 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter

Peter was not able to look at him and fled and wept.

Then when Peter was finally ‘on board’ with Christ he was able to look someone in the eyes.

Acts 3

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Peter was finally feeding the sheep!”

My reply: Looked in Luke is # <1689>, emblepo, “to look on, to observe fixedly," fastening in Acts is # <816>, atenizo, “to gaze intently," and "Look" # <991>, blepo, "to look at." There are subtle differences with these words, and it is interesting to note that emblepo is only used once and that is for this account in Luke. Plainly put, emblepo may be likened to a video shot, atenizo to a snapshot, and blepo to just simply looking! Peter just asked the lame man to look at them. The prefix em added to the root, blepo, changes the tense to aorist, an active voice. It is an intensified form, not just a brief glance; Jesus fixed his eyes upon Peter in an intently searching sense. Consider the difference between the word “know,” which may be oida or ginosko in the Greek, the latter being of more in-depth personal knowledge.

In order to look someone in the eyes, this someone would have to be looking up at you. Eye contact is a direct visual contact with another’s eyes, and is one of the most powerful body language tools and one of the subtlest movements we can make. It speaks volumes!

What was Jesus telling Peter when he turned and looked at him? For one: “Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (cf. v. 33; 1Cor 10:12). When Jesus looked at Peter, it reminded Peter of his prediction that he would deny knowing him (cf. Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29). That penetrating look at Peter would also remind Peter that Christ had prayed for him (and all the disciples who also fled), that his faith fail not (Luke 22:32). Peter fell, but he would not fall away. What Peter saw in Christ’s eyes was his love and grace, a Saviour who willingly went to the cross to die for his failures. Christ did not have to say a word; his look penetrated deep into Peter’s heart and Peter was awakened to the stark reality of what he had done, and was ashamed, remorseful, and wept bitterly.

What a lesson for us! The living Word acting on the basis of the written Word will one day look intently and searchingly at each and every one of us individually at the judgment seat and may we stand before him, not flee, or be sent away, is my prayer.

Luke 22:15

“... With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”

A reader writes: “... Just wondering when Jesus says that he desires to eat ‘passover’"...

My reply: Jesus desired to be able to eat the Passover with them, but he knew he would be dead, having by then been sacrificed as our Passover Lamb (1Cor 5:7). Instead of going into a detailed explanation of how he would be crucified and dead by the time they came to eat the Passover meal, Christ simply told ­Peter and John (Luke 22:8) to go and prepare for the upcoming Passover. They would be observing the Passover the next day, but not Christ. He knew it would be his last supper with them, at which time he instituted the memorial breaking of bread.

The use of the word, “this” does not always refer to an event actually taking place, but can also refer to an upcoming event.  The context refers to an upcoming event.  How often have we not said, “What are your plans for this summer?”
The Greek word for the phrase, “with desire” is Strong’s # <1939>, epi­thumia. Strong's defines it as “a longing (especially for what is forbidden).” This word is translated in the King James as “lust” thirty-one times out of the thirty-eight times it appears. Hence we can understand Strong’s definition of “a longing especially for what is forbidden.” Why would Jesus use this phrase relative to the Passover when there are several other Greek words Jesus could have used to express a good desire, a desire that is not forbidden? Christ's time had come that he should be delivered into the hands of wicked men (cf. John 7:6).
Furthermore, Judas left the Lord’s Supper with the money bag with him. The disciples thought he was going to buy things needful for the Passover (John 13:29). The betrayal, the trial and crucifixion all occurred before Israel ate the Passover. The Apostle Paul reveals that the Lord's Supper took place on the night in which he was betrayed, so we see that all these events could not have taken place at the actual time of the Passover meal (1Cor 11:23-24).

22:6  Only two days before the Passover did Judas make his pact with the Jewish leaders. So he would not have much opportunity to betray Jesus to them. But from this time forward Judas would not have been listening to Jesus’ words but would have been planning his betrayal. The last supper would seem to have been the last opportunity. So we can imagine Judas mind would not have been on the last supper at all throughout the whole of the evening in the upper room.

22:67 This seems to be the second time the Jewish leaders had asked Jesus if he was Christ. The first being Matt 26:63. Whilst Matthew records the question before Peter denied Jesus here we see the question is asked after Peter’s denial.

22:5   The gladness of the Jewish leaders shows that the prophet –Isa 59:7 – accurately predicted the behaviour of the Jewish leaders when Judas betrayed Jesus.

22:4     Judas’ self seeking behaviour as he “went his ways” contrasted markedly with legion who as he “went his way” - Luke 8:39 -  acclaimed Jesus.

Luke 22:42

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”