Comments for August 30

v.40 - This act of 'salvation from death' tends to be lost as it is tacked on to the end of a chapter with a miraculous resurrection. It seems that Elisha had the power to exercise from God even in small things of life.

v.42 "give ye them to eat" is language that Jesus uses in the parable of the feeding of the five thousand. Matthew 14:16 Mark 6:37 Luke 9:13

v.33-35 - Reading between the lines here there was some time involved and a bit of a trial of Elisha's faith. We also have the job of bringing life to those around us. Let us not forget that this too needs fervent prayer and faith and patience, and not give up, because the result is the salvation of another.

4:8 The 'great woman' contrasts with Naaman who was a 'great man' Whilst she believed that Elisha was able to help her Naaman took some convincing - by one of his servants.

A KINGDOM PICTURE
Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah - just as Jesus did so many more than John the Baptist. And, just as Jesus miracles showed the coming kingdom, so did the miracles of Elisha. In 2 Kings 2 v 19 Elisha healed the water that was too bad to drink. In the kingdom there will be rivers of living water flowing.
The next two miraculous events were against wicked people and brought about their defeat. In the kingdom sin will eventually be defeated.
In this chapter he provided the widow with oil, redemption and livelihood. In the kingdom there will be no poor people and everyone will have everything they need.
Next he raised the Shumanite's son and in the kingdom death will need to be abolished and the dead will be raised.
He also made the stew in the pot safe to eat in verse 38. In the kingdom there will be nothing that can harm us.
That follows on to the next miracle where he fed 100 people with very little food. In the kingdom we are told, there will be no hunger.
In chapter 5 Naaman was healed from his leprosy. In the kingdom there will be no sickness and no sin.
And lastly, in chapter 6 he made the axe head float, which shows that the needs and prayers of people will always be met.
When Jesus returns to set up the kingdom we can look forward to a world of miracles and perfection.

There are some interesting contrasts between the 'great woman' and Naaman.

Whilst Naaman was not really interested in hearing the word of God the 'great woman' was quick to take heed.

LIMITING FAITH

There are so many things that we think we know, that limit our faith in God. Take, for instance, gravity. Not many years ago people declared that anything heavier than air would never fly. Because people believed this, no-one tried to make airplanes. Now the sky is full of them. People also used to believe that the world was flat and were too sacred to sail too far in case they fell off the edge. Now that our knowledge and beliefs have changed, we no longer fear "the edge of the world."

In the same way as our beliefs about the physical world and the laws of nature have changed, so we have a lot to learn about many more "laws" that can be broken. Elisha's ministry was full of those mind blowing challenges. We believe that if you pour oil out of a jar, no more will come out than what was put in. Wrong. We believe that living people can die but dead people can't be brought back to life. Wrong. We believe that poison will always harm you if you eat it. Wrong. We believe that 20 buns of bread will not be enough to feed 100 people, yet they were all fed and had plenty left over.

The lesson is this: Let us not limit the power and abilities of God because our own small minds cannot comprehend how he might work. Let's not let our beliefs or knowledge limit our faith in God.

2Kings 4:1-7 A spiritual lesson lies behind this incident. We are all in spiritual debt, and no man is able to redeem his brother. yet a cruse of oil may be at hand in the word that is able to make 'wise unto salvation'. God never requires of us above that we are able... Ps 103:8-13

We have to do our part-

The woman, 'What hast thou in the house?' v2

Moses, 'what is in thine hand?' Exo 4:2

Jesus to the disciples, 'How many loaves have ye?' Mat 15:34

We must first evaluate what we have. What we have, the power of God's word, the access to God in humble prayer, can cause a re-action with divine power, sufficient for our needs. 'My strength is made perfect in weakness'. 2Co 12:9

Remember too that once started the supply was not stayed until all the vessels were filled

4:17-18 We should be aware that there must be a few years - at least 5 - between these two verses. We do well always to be aware that Scripture records what is important and so there may be quite long gaps between events which are adjacent in Scripture.

V.44 "left thereof" The supply of food as a result of Elisha's miracle was more than adequate. This is paralleled in the miracles of Christ. Matt 16:9-10

If oil represents the Holy Spirit, then the first few verses here speak of the unlimited gift when Christ returns (2Kin 4:1-7).  The rest of the chapter tells of a wonderful story.  A woman decided to build an extension for the man of God; the woman had a miraculous son; the son died, and was resurrected. Then on to 2Kin 8:1-6, when a famine is forecast and the woman leaves the land for 7 years. She returns, and is given all of her possessions back by the king.  Surely this speaks of the whole of God's plan!  The woman is Israel, who built a house (temple) for God. The Son, Jesus, was miraculously born, died, and rose again. Israel was then sent out of her land for a complete length of time (= 7 years), and then returned.  This is in our days, when Israel is returning. Finally, the king (= God), is to give her back her land, when Christ returns.

V.23 The faith of the Shunammite woman should be noted.  She faithfully took care of her aged husband.  When her son died she did not hesitate to seek out Elisha.  But, her husband did not see the urgency of this situation.  This would suggest that his mental faculties were failing. 

V.24 The Shunammite woman was determined to make haste to see Elisha.  She saddled her ass and rode with haste to Mount Carmel, a distance of about thirty miles from Shunem.  Shunem was in the tribal land of Issachar, and the image of the woman's ass carrying its burden speedily over distance seems to fit the description of Issachar (Gen 49:14). 

V.26 The Shunammite woman would only discuss her problems with Elisha.  She seems to have had an insightful mistrust of Gehazi. 

Vs.29,30 Even though Elisha gave Gehazi his staff to place on the dead boy, the Shunammite woman insisted that Elisha come back too.  Eventually, the boy was restored to life.  Elisha is a type of Christ. 

If we employ the same faith in seeking out Yahweh as the Shunammite woman sought out Elisha, then the finality of our situation will also bring life (Isa 55:6; Matt 11:28; John 17:3). 

4:14 This barren woman had a son who, like Jesus, was raised from the dead  – So we see the son of a woman brought back to life and it appeared that she would never have a son as her husband was old – so her son was like the ‘seed of the woman promised to Eve Gen 3:15

4:29 Elijah’s injunction ‘salute him not’ highlights the single minded way in which Gehazi was to pursue his mission on behalf of the prophet. In like manner Jesus’ disciples were commissioned by the lord – Luke 10:4 – this is not an act of rudeness but an injunction to undivided service of God.

Vs.33-36  Elisha typifies Jesus. Some of the miracles he performed mirror those of the Lord's. For example, the restoring to life of the Shunammite's boy is echoed by the Lord's revival of the twelve-year-old girl (Mark 5:41,42).

Vs.42-44  Elisha's feeding of the one hundred men is reflected by Jesus' feeding of the multitudes (Matt 14:19-21;15:35-37). 

Notice the increase in power from Elijah to Elisha (both Christ-types) to Jesus Himself.  Elisha had twice as much power as Elijah (2Kin 2:9). But, Elisha's power paled in comparison to Jesus' power, which was limitless (John 3:34).

4:2 The prophet is willing to help the widow. However she has to take some of the initiative as well. God works like this. He is willing to help but expects us to do our part as well.

Vs.8,9 Yahweh calls people to serve Him, and then tests them. Elisha was sent to the woman of Shunem for this purpose.  The woman perceived Elisha to be a prophet and offered him accommodation. 

Perhaps the woman of Shunem had heard the account of the widow of Zarephath (1Kin 17:9 (Sarepta in Luke 4:26), and thought that kindness to the prophet might result in good fortune. 

V.23 It appears that both the woman of Shunem and her husband knew of Israel's ordinances under the Law.  From the time of her son's birth until his sickness, the woman appears to be a person of faith. 

V.29 The death of the woman's son was a test of her faith.  Would (could) Elijah restore her son to health?  A desperate mother would try anything.  And so, Elisha tested the woman's faith with his orders to Gehazi.

Necromancers, in their ungodly practices, had their servants rush to a dead person's house, with staff in hand, not stopping for anything to maintain the virtue of the visit.  Was Elijah practicing the Dark Arts?  Would the woman go along? 

V.30 The woman's response revealed that her faith in Yahweh could not be shaken.  She had passed Elisha's test.

4:22-23 Doubtless the father knew that his son was dead as did the mother. However the man did not see any benefit in sending for the prophet. The woman did. So we might conclude that the man did not appreciate the fact that the birth of the son had been a miracle and that the man of God should be at least informed.

Vs.3,6 Elisha urged the woman to borrow many vessels.  He did not say a specific number, but left it up to the woman.  It was a test of faith, because Yahweh is a reactive God.  If the woman had brought 1 vessel, then 1 vessel would have been filled with oil.  Likewise, if the woman had brought 100 vessels, then 100 vessels would have been filled with oil, and so on. 

The lesson for us is not to limit our efforts.  Interestingly, oil is synonymous with the Word of God (see the parable of the ten virgins, Matt 25:1 etc.).

And so, Yahweh will give the increase to our efforts (1Cor 3:7).  If we study The Word a little, then our learning will be small.  If we study a lot, then the increase in learning will be much. There is no limit to Yahweh’s capacity to help: Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Gen 18:14).  Any result is limited to the amount of effort we exercise.

But, why should we study God’s Word? Well, if salvation is our goal, studying the scriptures is absolutely necessary (2Tim 3:15). 

And, knowing the Word will arm us against any false doctrine.  It will also give us the wisdom to handle the obstacle course of life.  The Word is a mighty weapon, and when a person learns to use this weapon, there is nothing on earth that can defeat him/her (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12).

4:15 The way in which the woman ‘stood in the door’ of the prophet’s house is matched by Naaman – 2Kin 5:9–we are being invited to reflect upon these two individuals. She, like Naaman later, initially did not believe the words of the prophet but later she did, just like Naaman.

2Kin 4:1-7: V1 - is the widow (Isa 54:4-5) of the dead prophet the Jewish people or mother Israel under the Mosaic Law, is she a symbol of those who faithfully trust in God? V1 - do the two sons (Isa 50:1) represent the two nations of Israel taken into captivity or burdened by or in debt to the Law or in bondage to sin? V1 - might the creditor/debtor (Gal 5:3) be the Law and its demands or sin? V1 - As Elijah is much like John the Baptist, do the cries unto Elisha suggest pleas for Christ? V2 - is the little oil the power of the Holy Spirit, a flicker of light in a dark world, the Word or teachings of God, an anointing? is the house a reference to Israel? V3 - might asking neighbours for empty vessels refer to reaching out to potential believers (or Gentiles as they are neighbours) in order to share God's truth? V4-6 - is the door being shut with the two sons and the neighbour vessels filled (with the spirit or God's Word?) and inside a reference to the future kingdom in Israel having it's doors shut to those not filled with oil, is the abundant oil (Matt 25:3) a more general reference to the supply of God's Word (or the truth's redemption giving light) to those who trust in Him? V7 - is the paid debt redemption in Christ? Live thou and thy children on the rest does this echo eternal life in the kingdom?

David Simpson's 2004 comments seem insightful with the woman being Israel, the little chamber with a lamp being the temple/throne of David/tabernacle and the miraculously born only son being Christ, who died and rose again, and will return to his home, etc.  2Kin 4:8 - "Shunem" [(7766) means "double resting place, quietly"] and perhaps suggests Israel is a resting place for Jew and Gentile believers in Christ.  2Kin 4:20 - "taken" [Heb. "nasa" (5375) means "to lift, lift up, be exalted, bear up, carry, take", etc.]. 2Kin 4:29 - "...Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand..." reads much like how the Lord's Passover was observed (Exo 12:11). 2Kin 4:31-35 - V31 a wooden staff (echo of the cross?)was laid on the boy, V34,35 then after two more times (a total of three) the boy was revived/resurrected sneezing "seven times" (some believe "7" indicates spiritual perfection, God's seal or covenant number. It comes from the Heb. "savah" meaning "to be full or satisfied, have enough of". The seventh millenial day of rest is thought to be when Christ will return to earth).

2Kin 4:38-41: V38 - "dearth" [Heb. "raab" (7725) means "famine, hunger, (can be literal or figurative famine of God's Word)"]; so some pottage or stew was cooked in a pot which may suggest sustenance both literal and spiritual. V39-41 - has wild gourds from a wild vine added in that would lead to death [perhaps there is a spiritual lesson that when good spiritual food has bad spiritual food or wrong doctrine or a false Christ mixed in it leads to death unless the wrong ideas are corrected with the bread of life (John 6:48,51,54) which comes from the true vine (John 15:1-8)]. 

2Kin 4:42 - "Baalshalisha" [(1190) means "thrice-great lord"] and perhaps echoes the concept of three being divine perfection and Christ being the resurrected firstfruits (1Cor 15:20,23) bread of life (John 6:48,51,54) who feeds his flock. 2Kin 4:43 - "shall leave" [Heb. "yather" (3498) means "left over, to be left over, remain over, preserve alive, exceed, too much, cause to abound, to remain", etc.] and perhaps this echoes the feeding of the 5000 (John 6:5-13) where there was also some bread "which remained over" (V.13).

4:4 In telling the woman to ‘shut the door’ we are being taught that God’s miracle was a private affair for the benefit of the woman, not some public demonstration of His power.  She was faithful in a time when God was punishing the nation. God took care of the faithful.

WHO DESERVES A MIRACLE?

What do a destitute widow, a well-to-do woman, a young boy, a group of prophets, a hundred hungry people, and an enemy army captain have in common? They are all recipients of miracles from God through his prophet Elisha.

What I find very encouraging when looking through this list of people is that they were all so different. There were women and men, rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles, people that were alive and dead, friends and enemies. We don't have to fit into one particular mould to be eligible to receive an answered prayer or a miracle from our God. God can work through us right now, where we are, if we just have faith in him.

Not only can he still do all the same sorts of things he did in the days of Elisha, if he chooses to do them for us, but his free gift is available to everyone who wants to share in the salvation he offers - whoever we are and whatever our status. Paul took this principle and made it very relevant to us when he said, "You are all sons of God through Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  (Gal 3:26-28)

Whoever we are, God wants us to be one of his children. What a miracle!

4:33       In shutting the door Elisha’s actions are seen in Jesus’ healing in Luke 8:51 when he raised Jairus’ daughter. Both here and Luke we see that a child is raised from the dead. We should see Elisha’s miracles as a pattern of what Jesus would later do.

4:4      There are two occasions in this chapter, here and verse :33 where the door is shut before a miracle is performed. The miracles were performed for the benefit of those involved and were not for general witness. They were a response to the faithfulness of individuals on both occasions.

Q: Why do you think Elisha lived at Carmel? What had happened in that place previously?

Q: Why is the Shunamite woman called "a great woman"? Are there any other women from Shunem mentioned in the Bible? Could they be related?

Exercise: Each of the incidents in this chapter have their counterparts at least once in the life of Jesus. Can you find these events and create a list?

4:3-6    God’s generosity was limited by the extent to which others had been willing to lend the woman vessels into which oil could be poured. Of course neither the woman nor her son or the people could have appreciated why the vessels were being borrowed. However we learn the lesson that our reactions might constrain God’s generosity towards us. 

4:8   The “great woman” was like Lydia who constrained Paul to allow her to show him and his companions hospitality  Acts 16:15

4:7      Elisha could easily have met the woman’s need with a miracle which simply provided her with what she needed. However the woman who had faith in Elisha’s abilities still had to demonstrate her faith by her actions.

4:27        Gehazi’s reaction to the woman was rather like the way in which Jesus’ disciples, on a number of occasions, tried to prevent children being presented to Jesus – for example  Matt 19:13-14

2Kin 4:1-7 Elisha was there, with

4:30-31            One wonders what the woman thought when Gehazi returned to say that placing the staff on the child had no effect. Her despair must have been even greater than when she first reproved Elisha. She had no idea what was going to happen but doubtless would have thought that placing the staff on the child would have had some beneficial effect.         

BY FAITH

2Kin 4:8-11 Here we have the Shunamite woman, who by faith offered Elisha, the man of God, a place to stay whenever he visited the village. It at first started with the simple offering of meals and drinks: enough to sustain Elisha in his errands; but so frequent were the visits, and so tiring the journey may have been, that the Shunamite woman after conversing with her husband was able to offer Elisha a place to rest. Elisha in turn was thankful and promised unto her a son.

Similarly, it was by faith that Abraham offered unto the messengers of God both food and water and a place to stay, and in turn he too was promised a son (Gen 18:1-13). Whether Elisha during his stays with the Shunamite woman spoke of this, or whether she knew of it already, it is clear that she believed in the resurrection of the dead, much like Abraham did when offering Isaac up on the altar of God; for when her promised son had passed away, she by faith departed from Shunem with great speed to Mount Carmel, laying hold on to the promise spoken by Elijah, hoping that he in some way may be able to save her son. 

Upon her arrival, Elisha tells his servant Gehazi to ask if all is well, and she responds saying, “It is well”; yet picture it first as you envisage the account! Think of the sheer joy and wonder and amazement at the fulfilment of the promise of a son; assuredly she offered the sacrifice of her lips in heartfelt and thankful prayers unto the Lord her God and counted each day of that young boy’s life as a blessing; and then, one seemingly normal day as he goes out with his father to the field, tragedy strikes: something happens to his head; the boy pleads for his mother; and she nurses him for what must feel like an age, which in truth is but a few hours; and then he dies, suddenly and unexpectedly. The morning has gone. All has turned to darkness and despair. Her world is turned upside down. Her faith has been put to the test, and her mind must at this moment in time be racing with wild thoughts of what she or her husband have done to warrant such an evil thing. It seems like a wicked and cruel joke. 

Grief would be written all over her face. And what then does she see as she approaches Mount Carmel? Gehazi, the man who had stood at the doorway of Elisha, the man who had spoken the promise of his master; and he already seems disinterested.

“It is well,” she says, looking past his shoulder to try and see the man of God she drove at speed to meet. The man standing before her is not described in like manner as his master. He leads her up the way to where Elisha is, and as soon as she sees him, she falls at his feet, overcome with emotional trauma. “But Gehazi came near to push her away.” He was not moved for compassion; the Christ-like attitude toward the poor and meek did not “dwell richly” within him. It is clear his heart was hardened, and his faith merely consisted of following only the word spoken to him without thought for anything or anyone else. 

Yet Elisha had compassion for her; and here we see the wonderful juxtaposition between the faithful master and the lazy and wicked servant. Elisha’s Christ-like mindset immediately puts Gehazi to the test, instructing him to depart for Shunem, and to take with him Elisha’s staff and to lay it on the child’s face so that he may be made whole again. So it was (2Kin 4:31) “Gehazi went ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to Elisha, saying ‘The child has not awakened.’” Faithless was Gehazi’s attitude; he merely followed the spoken word to the letter as if it were an instruction for assembling a cabinet! We can hear the very words of Jesus echoing through the Scriptures: “O ye of little faith.” 

“How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me,” says Jesus (Matt 17:14-21) when the disciples faced the exact same problem. “The child was cured that very same hour. Then the disciples came to him privately and said: ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Because of your unbelief. Assuredly, I say unto you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except through prayer and fasting”; therefore meaning this work cannot be done without acting on one’s faith.

“There was neither voice nor hearing” when Gehazi tried to resurrect the child, and I wonder if the Scriptures here are saying this not about the child, but about Gehazi himself. He uttered nothing; no word was spoken, no prayer was given; and thus there was no hearing on the Lord’s part. Yet Elisha, as soon as he entered the room, shut the door behind the two of them and “prayed to the Lord”; and shortly thereafter the child “opened his eyes” and was restored to the woman. By faith this work was done. By faith the dead was resurrected. 

FAITH & FAITHLESSNESS

Faithless is Elisha’s servant when the man from Baal Shalisha brought “the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain” (2Kin 4:42-44). Elisha turned to his servant, which may very well be Gehazi again, saying, “’Give it to the people, so that they may eat.’

But his servant said, ‘What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?’

And Elisha said again, ‘Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: they shall eat and have some left over.’ So the servant set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.”

The servant’s reply to his master is very much like Philip’s response to Jesus (Matt 14:13-21; John 6:1-14) where he was only focused on the physically possible, and not the impossible that was achievable through faith. So it was Andrew pointed out that there was a “lad with five barley loaves and two small fish”, similar to the bread of the firstfruits and the twenty barley loaves brought by the man from Baal Shalisha. Jesus then “took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples”, and everyone was “filled”; and thereafter they gathered the fragments that remained “so that nothing was lost” and “filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves”; and this was a greater work done by Jesus, for He only had five loaves for five thousand mouths, whereas twenty were given to Elisha for the feeding of one hundred! One can only imagine what the faithless servant’s response would have been to Christ Himself.

There lies the lesson: when opportunity and odds are seemingly against us, the question must be asked: where is our faith? “When the Son of Man comes, will he find anyone with faith on this earth?" (Luke 18:8)
 

The Bread From Heaven

We know from our reading of John 6:22-40 that there are two kinds of bread: that which perishes and provides mortal life for a mere moment, and that which endures to everlasting life, which the “Son of Man” gives to those who call on Him; and this is the Word of God. Why then in both accounts is there some left over after being given to the house of Israel? The answer lies in Isa 55:10-11.

So it was the fragments of the barley bread were gathered up as a symbol of the Word of God; and it is by design that shortly afterward in both accounts we see the pattern spoken by Isaiah: the Word is given first to the Jews, and if rejected in favour of waywardness, it is not wasted or lost, but given to the Gentiles who are then grafted not only in to the household of faith, but the promised priesthood and kingly order of Melchizedek.

Matt 15:1-28 demonstrates this well. We immediately see the faithless scribes and Pharisees accuse the disciples of not following the letter of the Law, asking Jesus: “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” This they said, believing the letter of the Law more important than a contrite and humble heart before God. But Jesus rebuked them instantly, quoting Isaiah, saying their worship was vain, “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Indeed, they too were faithless, and much like Gehazi followed the instruction without thought for what it meant, or what God truly required of them. “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,” said Jesus, and “these are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

They were “blind leaders of the blind”, “whitewashed tombs” “full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness”, who “outwardly appeared righteous to men, but inside were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt 23:27-29). They flatly refused and rejected the chief corner stone of the household of faith and the temple of God, the Word made flesh, the Bread of the Firstfruits, the Lord Jesus Christ; and so His words spoken to them in the Synagogue in Nazareth were fulfilled when He said (Luke 4:24-30): “Assuredly, no prophet is accepted in his own country.”

As it was in the days of the Kings, so it was in Jesus’ day: for “many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow” (a Gentile spoken of in 1Kin 17, which we read a week ago and is a parallel account to 2Kin 4). “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

The Word of God came down like rain in Israel, purifying and cleansing to make their garments as white as snow, yet it fell on hard stony ground, and thus was carried elsewhere to good ground where the seed would grow and produce fruit. Those who are deemed well-pleasing, acceptable and faithful to God are, as it is written in Jer 17:7-8, as trees planted by the waters “which spread out their roots by the rivers, and they do not fear when heat comes; but their leaves remain green, and are not anxious in the year of drought, nor do they cease from yielding fruit.” What a wonderful contrast to the famine plaguing the land! 

4:38  When the prophets are presented as “sitting before [Elisha]” we see a way in which scripture described disciples – those learning – The origin of the idea seems to come from Deut 33:3.

4:42  we have already met “Baal-Shalisha” in the time of Samuel – 1Sam 9:4 – as the area where Saul was looking for his father’s asses.

4:14 The childless couple were not in a position to pass on their inheritance to one of their direct descendants. It seems that Gehazi, being aware of this, highlighted the problem.

4:13 the woman’s response “I dwell among mine own people” tells us where her focus was. Earthly status is valueless when compared with the fellowship of those of like mind. What was true for this widow is true for us today.

PITA brEAD AND CORNFLAKES

“How can I set this before a hundred men?” Elisha was asked. (2Kin 4:43). The contribution was not exactly a feast. Twenty loaves of bread and some fresh ears of grain weren’t going to feed many people. Let’s put this in the context of what you might by at the supermarket: Four packets of Pita Bread, and a couple of boxes of Cornflakes. Not a lot really.

Whatever our willing contribution, God can take it and expand it to fit the need. In this case, there were one hundred hungry men and, after the miracle, they all had enough to eat. They even had some left over.

Let’s never think our contribution is too small. Perhaps we give in the food we contribute, the money we donate, the time we give, the words we say, the prayers we offer, the produce we grow, the conversations we have or the skills we share. Whatever it is that we offer will not go unnoticed by God. And we need to remember that if this food had never been offered, one hundred men would still be hungry. God can do miracles, but we need to make our offerings first.

v2 What shall I do for you?

This question from Elisha seems odd given what the woman had explained in v1. He doesn't wait for the woman's answer but proceeds to answer his own question. The widow probably sought Elisha to intercede for her in the matter, in the same way that Nehemiah later did for some aggrieved, poor Jews in Nehemiah 5. Who better than Elisha to explain to the creditor generosity to the poor based on Deuteronomy 15:7-11? The woman could have attempted an explanation with the creditor but the creditor may have been bullying and she was distressed. Elisha's authority would have weighed in powerfully. Unlike Nehemiah who upbraided the creditors for their oppression, Elisha does the opposite - he allows the woman to pay out the creditor so that the creditor has no further sway over her boys.

But notice that God goes beyond what the woman sought. "Go sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest" (v7). All she requested was to be relieved of the creditor - God gave her that and more so that she could live on the rest of the income. "God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine" Ephesians 3:20.

v16 "And she said, 'No my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant'"

This woman knew the grief of wanting and waiting for something that never came. She had managed to somehow live with the pain of childlessness and she did not want to have her hopes lifted up again only to have them dashed - again. Imagine her feelings when this longed for son is then taken so cruelly from her. With unbelievable composure and focus she seeks out Elisha and then her composure gives way to anger: "Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say 'Do not deceive me?'" (v28). She is saying that she was managing more or less with the pain of childlessness and wanted to just leave it at that. The pain of then being given a child only to have him snatched away is far worse pain - and Elisha was at fault! Elisha was momentarily at a loss for what to do (cp v26). The futile dispatch of Gehazi with Elisha's staff made it doubly painful for Elisha and the woman.

4:7  The way that the woman came to Elisha and told him about the multiplication of the oil indicates that Elisha was not present at the time of the miracle. Doubtless he was elsewhere in the house. Jesus performed some miracles whilst apart from the person benefitting from the miracle. Her faith was tested by the fact that Elisha was not present.

This chapter seems to be something of a summary of the latter events of the book. This, I suspect, is quite a rare thing in scripture. We need to look carefully at the events that God chooses to highlight here, as He clearly considers them important enough to repeat.

v.17-23 in listing what was taken to Babylon draws heavily on the description of Solomon's temple. But notice that Jeremiah describes the physical elements which were removed whereas Ezekiel, who was already in Babylon, saw the spiritual aspect of the overthrow of Jerusalem when he saw, in vision the glory cloud depart [Ezekiel 10]

v.1-11 This fruit of sin we should pray against above any thing - Cast me not away from thy presence... (Ps 51:11). None are cast out of God’s presence but those who by sin have first thrown themselves out. Zedekiah’s flight was in vain, for there is no escaping the judgements of God; they come upon the sinner, and overtake him. We cannot escape the judgements of God except by remaining in His grace.

From the details in this chapter we know that the siege lasted 18 months or so. (:4,6). During this time Jeremiah had been preaching to the people telling them that they should submit to Babylon. It was a time of great hardship. Maybe Jeremiah was saved from the excesses of persecution by being put in prison for part of this time. (Jeremiah 32:28 etc)

:28-30 Here we have quite specific details which show when the three separate captivities of Jews from Jerusalem took place.

52:1-34 In cataloguing the history of the way that the kings were treated in captivity this part of the prophecy of Jeremiah  reads like the historical books of Kings and Chronicles. It serves to, after all the judgements have fallen on Israel, provide some data about what happened in Babylon - a period of 70 years about which we know very little. Rather like the 37-8 years between Israel being turned back into the wilderness and the last couple of months of the wilderness wanderings.

V.31-34 We understand that there is a historical tablet in the museum in Berlin confirming this release of Jehoiachin.

V.31 Evil-Merodach was the son of Nebuchadnezzar.  His name means worshipper of Marduk.  Marduk (or Merodach), sometimes known as Bel (Baal = Lord) (Jer 51:44), was the chief god of Babylon.  He was considered to be the creator of all things, and all Kings of Babylon were necessarily considered sons of Marduk.  Both Isaiah and Jeremiah mocked the worthlessness of Marduk (Isa 46:1,2; Jer 50:2).

When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, Solomon’s temple had only been built for 417 years.  All the carefully planned and executed work overlaid with gold was destroyed. When the temple was built, Israel was a united country, very prosperous and at peace. Now, just over 400 years later, the northern ten tribes had gone, and three of Judah’s kings were already in captivity. Israel was the only country in the world that God had chosen – and look at them!  What a disgrace!  Let’s pray that we learn the lessons and please Him better.

52:4-5  So we see that the city of Jerusalem was besieged for 18 months. Give a thought to the idea of being shut up in a walled city for all that time. The personal suffering must have been tremendous. And all of this was because the people were rebellious thy had been told to accept the Babylonian captivity and to go the Babylon – Jer 29:4-6

52:31 In marking time from the beginning of Jehoiachin’s captivity Jeremiah follows the way in which Ezekiel marks the passage of time in his prophecy – Eze 1:2 etc.

52:30 This is not recorded in either the Kings or the Chronicles. It probably took place during the commotions that followed the death of Gedaliah Jer 41:18 , 2Kin 25:26

52:8-9 The capturing of Zedekiah has already been spoken of by the prophet Jer 32:4

Vs.10,11 Nebuchadnezzar was the servant of Yahweh(Jer 25:9).  He carried out Yahweh's will on Jerusalem and Judah.  Zedekiah, who had been spiritually blind, was now physically without sight. 

Vs.24-27 The religious leaders (blind leaders of the blind Matt 15:14), together with the military and civic leaders, were eradicated.  With leadership comes responsibility: Much is required from the person to whom much is given (Luke 12:48).

52:31 In marking time for the captivity of Jehoiachim we see that as far as God was concerned, even though the people remained in the land for another 11 years the captivity had already started.

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

ROLE MODELS

Who do we set up as our role models? I have heard it said, and it seems to be quite true, that if you want to see what someone is likely to be like in twenty or thirty years time, look at their parents. Like it or not, our parents are usually our greatest role models. But there are also others: brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles, teachers, coaches, friends, fictional heroes, and those seen on the screens of our movie theatres and televisions. We need to carefully choose the role models we follow in our lives.

King Zedekiah's downfall is summed up in one sentence. "He did evil in the eyes of the LORD just as Jehoiakim had done." (Jer 52:3) Zedekiah had chosen the wrong role model. Had he looked back a little further into his family tree, he could have chosen Josiah, Hezekiah, or even David to be his role model, and things would have turned out very differently. But in following the bad example of Jehoiakim, Zedekiah and all Jerusalem with him suffered under the judgement of God.

So let's stand back from our lives for a moment and consider who we choose to follow. Are they leading us in the right way toward God and toward life Or are they leading us away from life and toward judgement? Let us follow only the best role models.

Vs.4,5 Jerusalem was under siege for 18 months, starting in January and ending in the July of the following year.

V.6 After an18 month siege, summer had arrived and the residents were starving. Cannibalism was widespread (Jer 19:9).

Vs.10,11 See Jer 39:6,7.

Vs.12,13 The temple was burned in August 586 BC.

V.24 This Seraiah is not the same Seraiah of Jer 51:59-64.

Why are the items of the temple mentioned in particular here (v17-23)? Probably because it signalled the end of Solomon's seat in Jerusalem, which was synonymous with the temple and its glory.

To give an idea of the scale of these items, here's a picture of the bronze pillars in relation to a person: http://www.provelo.co.uk/images/Bronze pillars.jpg

These pillars (without capitals) were 75mm thick hollow bronze tubes, around 1.8m diameter and 8m tall. Taking the density of bronze as approx 8000kg/m3 it makes the weight of one pillar 21500 bags of sugar, or 300 adults or 22 Metric Tonnes a piece. No wonder neither Babylon nor Egypt had bothered removing them before!

52:31-34  This section of Jeremiah’s prophecy matches 2Kin 25:27-30which is the historical record of these events

52:27 This verse marks the end of the kingdom of Judah. Quite specifically it is said ‘thus Judah was carried captive ...’

52:11   The way in which Zedekiah was blinded enabled the prophecy – Eze 12:13 – to be fulfilled.

52:6  By resisting the word of God – Zedekiah had been told to submit to the Babylonians – Zedekiah brought suffering on the inhabitants of the city. Suffering that would not have happened if he had been faithful to God’s words.

Jer 52:7 As an engineer and an exfoundryman the making of these pillars has always amazed me. At this time of mans history lacking todays technology how would the Israelites make these pillars? I would think a hole was dug deep in the sand upright with hollow centre of the pillar created by a solid rod of sand to which then the molten brass was poured. How it was then moved into position we do not know but would have taken again some feat of engineering. Yahweh then must have revealed surely these engineering practices to his people?

The romans and Egyptians have been marvelled at for their engineering expertise but could they not have learnt them from Gods people?

DO we gain our skills as blessings from Yahweh? Will our skills we gain in this life be of benefit in the kingdom? Let us thank Yahweh everyday for the skills we all possess and reward him by our efforts being in glory to him.

52:1-3The way in which Zedekiah is introduced here is like a re-read of him in the historical record  in 2Kin 24:18-19. The duplication of these details here is to highlight the reason why Zedekiah was taken captive into Babylon. He is the only king who is thus described in the whole of the prophets.

52:17-20      This is in exact fulfilment of what Jeremiah had already said – Jer 27:19-22

52:3     In rebelling against the king of Babylon Zedekiah was disregarding the counsel of God spoken earlier through the prophet – Jer 27:12

52:15  This is a fulfilment of what Jeremiah said in Jer 17:3

52:3-8  Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon was not a short event. The king of Babylon came and besieged Jerusalem because of Zedekiah’s rebellion. The siege lasted 18 months. At any time during the siege Zedekiah could have submitted to the king of Babylon  and accepted God’s words through Jeremiah and saved much suffering in the city. However, due to his stiff necked arrogant attitude, he continued to resist the words of God.

52:7-8   notice that whilst the “men of war” fled it seems that the only person that the Chaldeans were concerned with was Zedekiah wo was eventually captured.

OUTINE OF JEREMIAH

PART FOUR -- THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (Jer 52:1-34) - this closing chapter of Jeremiah deals with the fate of Zedekiah, Jerusalem, and of Jehoiachin.

Jeremiah 52:1-27, 31-34 is from 2Kings 24:18 and 2kings 25:21, 27-30 and in some cases is more accurately presented in Jeremiah 52 than in 2Kings. Jeremiah 52:4-11,13-16 have already appeared in 2Kgs 25:1-12 and a brief version in Jeremiah 39:1,2,4-10. Jeremiah 52:17-23 is not recorded in Jeremiah 39. Jeremiah 39:11-14 is not found in Jeremiah 52.
 

Jeremiah prophecied during the reigns of the below kings of Judah:
Circa BC 640 - Josiah reigned beginning at 8 years old.

Circa BC 608 - Josiah died at Megiddo in a conflict with Pharaoh Necho.

Circa BC 608 - Jehoahaz (aka Shallum) reigned 3 months and was deposed by Pharaoh Necho and exiled to Egypt.

Circa BC 608 - Jehoiakim (aka Eliakim) was appointed KIng of Judah by Pharaoh Necho at age 25 (2Chron 36:5).

Circa BC 605 - battle of Carchemish and beginning of the 70 years servitude (Daniel taken captive) and Jehoiakim cuts and burns the roll of Jeremiah's prophecy.

Circa BC 598 - Jeconiah (aka Coniah aka Jehoiachin) the son of Jehoiakim reigned 3 months and was taken to Babylon (along with Ezekiel and Mordecai) in the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar.

Circa BC 598 - Zedekiah (aka Mattaniah) the son of Josiah was a vassal of Babylon who reigned 11 years though he rebelled in his 9th year with the seige of Jerusalem lasting 18 months.

There were multiple deportations of the Jews from Judah by Babylon and the below is a possible scenario:

Circa BC 605 - in the 4th year of Jehoiakim there was a deportation (Dan 1:1-6).

Circa BC 598 - 6 years later 3023 people (or possibly families) were taken captive to Babylon (Jer 52:28) in Nebuchadnezzar's 7th year.

Circa BC 597 - 1 year later in Nebuchadnezzar's 8th year, in the reign of Jehoiachin, 10,000 were taken captive including Jehoiachin (2Kin 24:12-16).

Circa BC 587 - 10 years later 832 people (or possibly families) were taken captive from Jerusalem in Nebuchadnezzar's 18th year (Jer 52:29).

Circa BC 586 - 1 year later, in Nebuchadnezzar's 19th year, the temple was set on fire and there was an additional deportation which left only the poor to work the land (2Kin 25:8-12).

Circa BC 582 - (Jer 52:30) 4 years later, in Nebuchadnezzar's 23rd year, 745 people (or possibly families) were taken captive for a total of 4600 people (or possibly families) though it seems the deportations of circa BC 605, 597 and 586 are not included in that figure.

605 BC to 537 BC would be seemingly be 68 years, but using the Jewish calendar the captivity comes out to 70 years; and Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 43 of those 70 years.

I. The Capture of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:1-11):

   A. Jer 52:1; 2Kin 23:31,36 - Zedekiah's mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah, also Zedekiah was the bro of Jehoahaz and the 1/2 bro of Jehoiakim. Jer 52:1 "eleven" is thought to represent disorder, disorganization, and disintegration; Jer 52:1-2 Zedekiah was 21 when he became king and reigned 11 years and he did evil in God's eyes.

   B. Jer 52:3,4 - Zedekiah in his 9th year rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and 9 is thought by some to represent finality or judgment while 10 (in verse 4 "tenth") is thought by some to reprersent perfection of divine order, the whole cycle is complete, and perhaps judgment. Jer 52:4-7 - from the 10th month of the 9th year till the 4th month of the 11th year of Zedekiah's reign Jerusalem was under siege by Nebuchadnezzar and finally breached after 18 months.
   C. Jer 52:5 - note another mention of "eleventh"

   D. Jer 52:6 - note another merntion of "nineth"

   E. Jer 52:8 - fleeing Jerusalem and heading down hill (literally and perhaps spiritually) toward Jericho we have a man wounded (wounded figuratively by sin whose wages are death Rom 6:23) but there was no echo of the Good Samaritan to assist until Jer 52:31-34 and Evil-Merodach, but in Luke 10:30-37  we have the complete parable of the Good Samaritan which suggests it is Christ.

   F. Jer 52:11 - Zedekiah was spiritually blind and now becomes physically blind (and dead); V11 - "chains<5178>" = copper or bronze which many believe is symbolic of the flesh.

II. The Destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:12-23):

   A. Jer 52:12-14 - in the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar, circa BC 586, the temple, houses, and every important building in Jerusalem was burned down, plus the city walls were broken down.

   B. Jer 52:15 - "residue<3499>", "rest<3499>"

   C. Jer 52:16 - "husbandmen<3009>"

   D. Jer 52:17 - "brass<5178>", "brasen<5178>"

III. The Exile to Babylon (Jeremiah 52:24-30):

   A. Jer 52:24 - "Seraiah<8303>" was the high priest in the reign of Zedekiah while the "Seraiah" in Jer 51:59,61 was the brother of Baruch and an officer. There are also other men named "Seraiah" in the Bible such as KIng David's scribe (2Sam 8:17) who appears to have also been known as "Shavsha<7798>", "Sheva<7724>", and "Shisha<7894>".

   B. Jer 52:28 - in the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign 3023 were taken captive during Jehoiakim's reign.

   C. Jer 52:29 - in the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign 832 were taken captive during Jehoiachin's reign.

   D. Jer 52:30 - in the 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign 745 were taken captive at the end of Zedekiah's reign for a total of 4600 people. But what confuses me is there are seemingly other accounts of deportations such as the 10,000 taken in 2Kin 24:12-16. Some say Jer 52:30 may refer to circa BC 581/582 when the Babylonians may have avenged Gedaliah's murder.

"

IV. The Liberation of Jehoiachin (Jeremiah 52:24-30):

   A. Jer 52:31 - "Evil-Merodach<192>" means "man of Merodach" and he showed kindness to "Jehoiachin<3078>" aka "Coniah<3659>" aka "Jeconiah<3204>" aka "Jechonias<2423>" and finally "Jehoiachin's<3112>" thus God through Evil-Merdach preserved the line of the seed of David to Christ (Eze 21:25-27;Luke 1:26-38); Jer 52:31 in the 37th year of Jehoiachin's captivity he was lifted up perhaps foreshadowing the resurrection of Christ who under God's direction will reign on his Father's kingdom on earth which will be established as the meanings of the names of Jehoiachin suggest.
   B. Jer 52:31-34 - Nebuchadnezzar's son Evil Merodach (circa 562-560 BC) showed kindness and grace to the captive King Jehoiachin who had languished in prison 37 years - this somewhat reflects the restoration of covenant breaking Judah; Jehoiachin was freed from prison, given honor, and put on the better of two paths, also notice "25" and "55" which are multiples of "5" which is thought by some to represent "grace, mercy, and/or life from the waters of baptism and the heavens as the 5th day of creation in Genesis perhaps hints".

52:13 the burning of “the housed of the Lord” finally demonstrated that God was not interested din a building when the people of the land had no regard for Him. The people had placed their trust in the temple, thinking that God would defend them for the sake of the temple. But they continually disregarded God’s warning that he would only have regard to the temple as long as they had regard for him. In fact Solomon had been told that –1Kin 9:3-7

52:31 Jehoiachin was taken into Babylon having not had a son. A son was born to him in Babylon – Matt 1:12.  So whilst it might have seemed that the line of David was not finished God ensured that the line would continue so that David’s greater son could be born. Things are not always as they appear!

J 52:3-11 Zedekiah’s problem was that he was a rebellious man. He had been offered by Yahweh the option of submitting to the Babylonians and living out his life in Babylon. However he chose to disregard the evidence of his own eyes and experience. His predecessors had experienced the power of the Chaldeans. Though doubtless Zedekiah did not see God’s hand in the two waves of captives that had already gone to Babylon.

It is all too easy to rationalise what we see and as a consequence not see the hand of God working out His plan.

52:29-30 If we struggle to remember the times that Nebuchadnezzar took captive from Jerusalem we can use the list here as a reminder. So we see clearly the three waves of captives being taken away from Jerusalem.

52:12-15 Notice that the Chaldeans broke down houses and walls and even burnt the temple, but they did not intentionally kill the inhabitants. They were taken to Babylon, leaving just some in the land – men and women who would be of little use in Babylon. As the  three captivities took place the usefulness of those captured diminished. In the first group of captive we find men like Daniel who could be trained, now we see  those of less use being left behind.

13v.8 tells of the long-lasting nature of the 'new commandment' of love. It has the ability to last even when these other (previously much revered) things have long since passed off the scene. Here Paul is warning that the miracles and the prophesyings would cease - that God would remove the direct use of his power from men - but that love must take over and bind us together instead. ch.1:10,13

12:25 That there be no schism in the body marks the point that there was schism at Corinth. In fact the schism was about the very issue of the operation of the spirit gifts. The brethren vied with each other to show how the gifts were at work in them.
12:31 'But covet earnestly the best gifts' implies that some gifts are more use than others. The following passage shows that there is an ordering of the spirit gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11
Notice the gift of tongues is at the bottom of the list, and notice also that Ephesians 4 provides the reason for the gifts - they were not given for self gratification, this was the problem at Corinth.

13:12 Some of the language in this verse draws on
'glass' Exodus 38:8
'darkly' Numbers 12:8
'face to face' Numbers 12:8 -  the exact phrse is found in Exo 33:11 but here Paul, it seems to me, is basing his argument on what we see in Numbers 11
Thus the elements of the law are contrasted with the way in which Moses had close communion with Yahweh. Moses, not the law is our pattern.

12 - The issue of spirit gifts is related to the issue of unity. Look at the use of the word 'same' (:4-11) and 'one' (:12-14)

13 - Whereas this chapter is often read at weddings to speak of the love that the couple have for each other this is only but one aspect of the love spoken of. Truly the love between a husband and wife is an aspect of the love spoken of in the chapter. However this type of 'love' has to also shown towards our brethren and sisters.

12:28 The use of 'first, secondarily, thirdly,' when speaking of the Spirit gifts we see that there was an hierarchy of Gifts. It is interesting to see that 'tongues' is at the bottom of the list - though many today exult in 'tongues' as if they are the most important - just like was happening at Corinth. The obsession with 'tongues' is a manifestation of pride.

13:12 'darkly' 'face to face' quote Numbers 12:8.the exact phrase is found in Exo 33:11 but here Paul, it seems to me, is basing his argument on what we see in Numbers 11 The context in Numbers 12 is that there were those who questioned Moses' status as a spokesman for God. So it is most appropriate when thinking of the criticisms Paul experienced in Corinth.

12:25 Paul returns to an opening question 1Cor 12:13   showing that disunity in the church violates the principle of the unity of Jesus.

13:11 We all know how children argue. This is what Paul is speaking of when he speaks of 'when I was a child'.

ch.12 - ONE BODY, ONE HEAD
 
We are made up of one body out of lots of different parts.  Our hands are different to our ears but both are needed for the body.  In the same way our legs are very different to our eyes but we need them both for the body to function properly.
 
It is the same with the spiritual body - the ecclesia.  It is made up of many different people, some of them so different that we wonder if they can really be part of the body.  But what does an ear know about being a toe?  They are both so different that there is no way they could understand how the other works, what they do, or how they feel.  The same goes for us in the body of Christ.  Just because some people don't fit into our mould doesn't mean that they are not part of the body. 
 
The only part that can truly understand the function of the other parts is the head.  That position is reserved for Christ himself.  Mutant animals born with two heads will sometimes pull themselves apart as they make two conflicting decisions at once.  But we only have one head, the Lord Jesus Christ and we must not try to supplant his position.  Instead let's be content with the position we have been given and be the best that we can be for our Lord.

13:4 Not only do we see what charity is not; we see what it is. It "suffereth long" it is patient, a lack of patience was a problem at Corinth. 1Cor 11:33, 1Cor 14:27 ;30. it is "kind". CHRESTEUOMAI (5541) This characteristic is a fruit of the spirit. "gentleness"  Gal 5:22. It "rejoiceth in the truth". it "endureth all things". it is durable like the word of God. It "never faileth" or as the R.S.V. renders it "love never ends". It is the greatest (v.13) because it encompasses faith and hope, and unlike faith and hope it will continue in the kingdom age.      

13:12 When looking through a mirror, the reflection appears to be behind the mirror, so that we see it through the mirror, not directly. The apostle is looking forward "when" he will see directly and have a perfect vision and understanding. 

The lesson of Ch.13 is extremely important.  We might be doing the right thing, but unless it is done in the right way, it is unacceptable.  We might serve Yahweh because we know it is right and, therefore, our duty to do so.  But unless we serve in love, we are wasting our time.  Duty is one thing, love another. 

And so, let us examine our motives and our attitudes.  Yahweh gave us the opportunity of life through an act of love (John 3:16).  We are to reciprocate by serving Him in love (Matt 22:37-39).  Part of that service is for us to love one another (John 15:12).  Let us not be guilty of acting by duty and not by love, for we do not want to arrive at the judgement seat to be rejected for the wrong attitude (Matt 7:22,23).

12:2-3 Notice the contrast. The idols were dumb, people who were moved by the spirit spoke.

13:7  Following the thought the first time we went through Corinthians this year. Try to put just one of the attributes into practice in daily living. How about ‘bearing all things’ when it comes to our relationship with others?

CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER (v.25)

What is our response when a brother or sister is honoured? How do we respond when someone is suffering? We are called to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping. Rom 12:15 Too often, unfortunately, we are jealous of those who rejoice and separate ourselves from those who weep. Believers are in this world together - there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. We can't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God, we need to get involved in the lives of brethren and sisters.

1Cor 12:25 "members should have the same care one for another"

13:1-2 It might seem an over simplification to speak so highly of ‘charity’ however if ‘charity’ is manifest other problems take their rightful place – 1Pet 4:8.

12:7-10  In order to establish the ecclesia, brethren were given a particular Spirit application. Jesus, the head of the ecclesia, possessed all the applications of the Spirit (John 3:34).

Today, Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father in Heaven and is all-powerful. His brethren do not now possess gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless, each member of the ecclesia has ability, in some way, to support the ecclesia and to promote the Gospel. As with the first century brethren, each member is part of the body of Christ. Therefore, all must pull together as one for the common cause.

13:4-6 Notice the recurring ‘not’. We might have thought it more appropriate to describe ‘charity’ in terms of what should be done rather than what should not be done. However Paul is drawing on inappropriate things that the Corinthians were doing to highlight that such behaviour demonstrated that they did not understand ‘charity'.

12:18 The very diversity amongst believers is the strength and completeness of the #body of Christ’ so we should rejoice in the variety of believers with whom we meet!

12:8-10 There are many spirit gifts mentioned here:

-wisdom
-knowledge
-faith
-healing
-miracles
-prophecy
-discerning of spirits
-speaking foreign languages
-interpreting foreign languages
 
Those who claim to have spirit gifts today seems to either speak in nonsense utterances or attempt to heal the infirm.

12:28 Notice that apostles, prophets, and teachers rank higher than any of the gifts mentioned in 12:8-10. That means, the preaching and teaching of the Word are more important than healing and speaking foreign languages etc.

13:9,10 The spirit gifts were eliminated when their purpose was fulfilled.  That was when the work of the apostles was completed (their witness, preaching, and completion of the New Testament). The gifts could only be passed on by the apostles through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18).  When the apostles died, and their work completed, then the spirit gifts ceased.

12:18,24,28 Note the repeated use of ‘God hath’ which should cause us to appreciate that He calls who He will to make up His church.

LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth." (1Cor 13:6)

I used to work with people who were preoccupied with looking for the worst in other people, and hoping that bad things would happen. Even though they claimed to hate the person they centered their wrath on, it was that person that occupied their thoughts all day, every day. Personally, I cannot see the point in wasting all my time thinking about or plotting for someone that I consider is not even worthy of my thoughts. But not only does this happen in a working environment, I have even seen it happen among believers.

This sort of action is not showing love. It is delighting in evil. We need to change our attitude to grow to live the most excellent way. We should be those who rejoice in truth and right whether it happens to be someone we like or someone we don't like.

The attitude David showed is a good practical one for us to follow. "They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother." (Psa 35:12-14)

12:31   ‘Charity’ – love – is a more excellent way because it is God who teaches us to love our neighbour as ourselves – Lev 19:18 – so Paul is not speaking of some sloppy sentimentality. The love whereby we love our neighbours is quite challenging at times!

1Cor 13:1-13

“Thou I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love… I am nothing…”

“A text without a context becomes a pretext for a prooftext.” This chapter is often divorced from its context and read at weddings and funerals without interpretation. When lifted out of its context, we lose so much of its force.

The purpose of Paul writing this chapter was to present to the Corinthian believers a better picture of true spirituality to counter the divisive tendencies we read of in 1Cor 12. His inventory of gifts arranged in careful gradation would be valueless without love. Paul countered the over emphasis the Corinthians placed on the gift of tongues forgetting the bigger picture of a true spiritual life. Tongues will cease, but love will last forever. Paul’s description of love is, of course, very different from that of popular culture. The true essence of love he presented had to do with attitude and behaviour.

Since time in memoriam, people have searched for the meaning of love. Even the great philosophers with their profound definitions have not fully touched on its true essence. Love is romanticized, fantasized and sexualized often in dispassionate ways. Love is not just about a romantic sentiment, platitude, physical, or an indefinable mushy emotion. True love, as defined by Paul, has to do with a quality of mind and heart where all sense of superiority no longer exists. Love is sacrificial and wise, a day-to-day aspect of our obedience to God’s commands. Love is not just a feeling, but hard work! God’s greatest gift of love for us required the greatest sacrifice (John 3:16).

Paul points out the nine ingredients that make up love: patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temperament, guilelessness and sincerity. Love is a combination of all the best characteristics. We learn from Paul that all the attributes of love are what love does. Electricity isn’t light and heat – it is power that gives us light and heat, and it is the power of love that accomplishes all these attributes. With this kind of love, we are capable of overcoming all obstacles. This is why “love is the greatest.”

We cannot attain to this love by just being faithful every Sunday “pew sitters.” It comes to those who always desire to hear more, understand more, love more, pray more and serve more that they might be with God forevermore.

1Cor 13:8-10 – Paul clearly teaches the brethren and sisters at Corinth that the support of spirit gift for the Ecclesia would be withdrawn.  The witness through the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of establishing the first century Ecclesias (Acts 1:8).  This has been achieved (Col 1:23) because Paul says he had preached the Gospel to every creature under heaven, that is throughout the Roman world. 

Not everyone in the Ecclesia had a spirit gift (1Cor 13:9).  They knew in part and some prophesied in part, to contribute to the whole counsel of God.

We are given (1Cor 13:10) the timing of the withdrawal of “that which is in part”   When the spirit gifts were withdrawn they would be superseded by “that which is perfect”.  The Ecclesia was therefore to be sustained but, without spirit gifts.  This must be a reference to the completed Word of God. The Word of God is to guide and feed the Ecclesia through this era (1Cor 13:13) where faith, hope and charity (love) are to sustain the faithful until the coming of the Kingdom of God.

1Cor 13:10 -

12:7 Spirit gifts were seen by some in Corinth as a means whereby an individual could be seen as important. However the ‘profit’ that should come from the gifts was more Godliness.

13:9   In saying now we “know in part” Paul is restating a point that he has made already – 1Cor 8:2

Talents: Use them or lose them

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit " 1Cor 12:7-8
 

Notice that whatever gifts of the Spirit were given to individuals, they were meant for consumption by the whole ecclesia. Likewise with us, whatever knowledge or wisdom in spiritual things we may have gained in our lives is not primarily for our benefit but for our brothers and sisters. If we keep this to ourselves we are like the servant who buried his talent (Matt 25:24-28) and we are likely to have it taken from us. I suspect, though I'm not certain, that this parable is talking about what happens in our lifetime. An illness can dull our previously sharp mental faculties. A new career forced upon us can take away all our time. Family problems can take away our ability to serve the ecclesia at all. On the flip side there are plenty of examples where those with one talent invested it and it gained more within their lifetime. Staying with the gift of wisdom, Daniel was already wise but gained ten times more (see Dan 1:17-20). Solomon was already wise and God gave him infinitely more (see 1Kin 4:29). These are fulfilments of Jesus's parable within the lifetime of the person with the talent, increasing it from one to ten, or more.

1Cor 12:15-16
A readers asks: “I was wondering whether you have ever produced anything discussing the relationship of the individual to an ecclesia, and also perhaps the relationships between ecclesias.”
My reply: God's Word describes the body of Christ as different people each with their own unique talents and abilities coming together with a single purpose in mind. These passages from Scripture present a beautiful picture of unity with diversity. What it teaches is that we are not to hold our personal differences against each other, but use our differences to build up one another. This is our foundation be it in our own ecclesia or another. We are all ONE according to Scripture.
Of course, this is contingent upon our behaviour and teaching being in direct line with Scripture. It happens sometimes when we strive to stay in that line that we become branded as "radical," and a more "moderate" approach is advocated. A moderate approach is a lukewarm approach. This flies in the face of Christ's clear admonition against a moderate, lukewarm attitude toward his teachings. God does not change, His Word does not change even though events, times, customs, and mores change - right and wrong, and moral behaviour as defined by the world. With God it is either black or white - never any shades of gray.
We have to be so careful in this Age of Sin when wrong is right and right is wrong and Christadelphia is not immune to the influences of humanism, evolution, and to the immoral world around us. Moderation produces an erosion of our standards and doctrinal laxity and we have become less loving and less kind. In the climate of tolerance, we have mirrored society, doing what seems right in our own eyes and condemning those who judge doctrine and behaviour according to God's Biblical standards.

 

12:1-29          Paul now develops the point he has already introduced – 1Cor 1:5-7 – In chapter 1 Paul rejoiced that the believers in Corinth had the spirit gifts as the other groups of believers. Clearly the believers in Corinth squabbled about the gifts so a whole chapter is devoted to the matter.

13:3   society today may present giving to the poor and needy as “charity”. However it is clear from what Paul says here the “charity” he is speaking of is not that characteristic that society sees as “charity”. The love that is a consequence of an understanding of the gospel is “charity”. Not simply social giving.

1Cor 12:14-26 - Imagine how improved some ecclesias would be if more members had the same care for each other - in contrast to being respecters of persons and having selective love. We can have all the doctrinal minutia and all the study classes in the world, but if we have a shortage of the greatest gift (i.e. love), and don't live the basics, what does it profit?

12:3  We should realise that Paul has already used similar language – 1Cor 2:1-12 – to speak of the way we think.  He is not speaking of the Holy Spirit but of the way in which the spirit of Christ instructs us to the degree to which we have applied our minds and hearts to understand it.

13:4   “not puffed up” contrasts markedly with some - 1Cor 4:4

12:11  Whilst it is clear that some in Corinth boasted of the gift that they had they were all to realise that God, not themselves, determined who had what gift. So there was no basis for glorying because of the gist that had been given to the believer.

12:31 When Paul wrote to the Corinthians the letter was not divided into chapter. What follows in this chapter. There is no break.

BABY LOVE

I have to confess that after reading Paul's description of love, I still have a long way to go. Maybe you have it all sorted out, but I am still a work in progress and probably will be all my life. But this is what I am looking forward to:

"...when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1Cor 13:10-12).

What Paul is saying is that one day love will be complete in us. Oh yes, we try now, but like a little child, we haven't fully got into the adult way of thinking. One day it won't be that we know the love of Jesus only because of what we read and hear, but we will know him face to face and we will experience what real love is all about.

We are fully loved by God and Jesus, but one day we will be able to love fully like them too. Let's look forward to the day when the perfect comes and our partial love is made complete by God.

1Cor 13

In 1Cor 12, the apostle Paul corrected the Corinthians mistaken view of spiritual matters, having become divisive among each other over the gifts of the Spirit (v. 25), and, thus, Paul would show them a more excellent way (v. 31).  

All the gifts without agape, self-sacrificing, love means nothing, and by referencing, “sounding brass” and “tinkling cymbal,” Paul equated them to the Pagan worshippers! The cacophonous pretense of heathen worship included the clashing, banging gongs of cymbals and the braying of brass trumpets. This is what Paul said to the Corinthians who understood this having come from Paganism and plainly tells them without agape love, they are nothing more than a pagan cult! This would have definitely hit a nerve! Imagine if we would have said this? We would be branded as “extreme,” and “fanatic,” yet it is the Truth!

The context is about love, therefore, using the word “charity” is a misapplication of the term. Without agape love, we are mere voices, nothing more. The principle of love is the very essence of the Bible, a principle too often overlooked, hence we witness so much divisiveness and cruel attacks. Without agape love amongst us, it is inevitable this would happen, as only agape love conquers all; it does not fail, but will rather manifest those beautiful characteristics Paul outlines, and which we are to strive and to emulate.

But there is another lesson we learn from this chapter that is often overlooked, and it has to do with motivation. What is our motive in doing what we do? Is it as with the Corinthians, a desire for preeminence? Only each and every one of us is able to answer this question, and it requires self-examination. No matter how educated, how eloquent, how many books we write, how knowledgeable teachers in the Truth are in expounding the Bible, if we do what we do with any other motive than a pure motive: our agape love for God and for others, we are nothing but pagan worshippers! WOW! Now, that’s a hard saying, baffling, and hard to understand, but it does not change the Truth! We must aspire to and cultivate, as “living sacrifices,” agape love. Scripturally speaking, everything is valueless without it, and why agape love, which, if we have, will include all those characteristics and is, therefore, the greatest! If this does not jolt us, nothing will.