Thoughts on the readings for April 23 Deuteronomy 6-7, Ecclesiastes 2, John 19

Thoughts on the readings for April 23 Deuteronomy 6-7, Ecclesiastes 2, John 19 Deuteronomy 6 Deut. 6 shows the critical importance of elevating Yahweh in life if there is to be success both individually and nationally (V.2). Israel’s conquering of the Land would not be by military might or skill, but by trust in Yahweh and obedience to His commandments (V.3). Deut. 6:4 – Rotherham – “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh, is our God,—Yahweh alone.” This introduction to the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-38) is called the great Shama by the Jews and it is one of the four passages which they write on their phylacteries. The word means to hear intelligently. One God has a right to demand singleness of service. Deut. 6:5 – “And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” The Divine process in the Creation was mental, moral and physical (Gen. 1). The mind is where it all begins. Bro. Thomas writes in Elpis Israel page 52 – “When the mental disposition, called the heart, is renewed, it becomes a mirror, as it were, in which one skilled in the word of the kingdom, can discern the spirit, or behold a reflection of the Divine Nature.” Bro. Carter wrote that “the heart is the deeper part of the mind where character is formed.” When the mind is fixed on manifesting Yahweh the “soul” becomes involved because the central focus of life becomes obedience to His will. That is the moral element. This leads almost automatically to vibrant activity to do God’s will because of the motivation from mind and moral intent (Phil. 2:13). V.7 – To ensure V.2 could be fulfilled, it was essential that parents teach their children diligently (shânan – to sharpen, whet). This was to be done at every available opportunity; at home, on a journey and at both ends of the day. Making the Word visible in daily life would be very important (V.8-9). V.10-15 – The greatest danger would be easily acquired prosperity (as it is in the latter days – Luke 17:26-32). When life is easy, service to other gods is also much easier to fall into. V.16 – The Lord cited this verse to the tempter – Matt. 4:7; Luke 4:12. V.17-25 – Success would depend on obedience and remembering the lessons of the past. Deuteronomy 7 V.1 – Seven nations inhabited the Land. The Canaanites chiefly inhabited Phoenecia; the Hittites, the mountains south of the promised land; the Hivites, mount Ebal, and Gerizim, and towards Hermon; the Girgashites, beyond Jordan, towards the lake of Gennesareth, the Jebusistes, about Jerusalem; the Amorites, the mountains west of the Dead Sea, and part of the land of Moab; and that the Perizzites were probably not a distinct nation, but villagers scattered through the country. V.2-6 – All the inhabitants of the land of Canaan were to be eliminated. There are some today who will not accept the truth because of this command. Humanism has adulterated the thinking of many people. Now human beings become more important than God. If He is God, then His commands are not only right, but unchallengeable. Total and unquestioning acceptance of God’s will is required by everyone who will be called on to play a part in the establishment of the Kingdom. Just as there will be no enemies of Christ allowed to survive while the Kingdom is being set up, there were to be no survivors from the totally corrupt Amorites and their companions – Gen. 15:16. Surviving Canaanites would ultimately corrupt Israel which history shows came to pass. V.7-9 – Yahweh’s love for Israel was because of his covenant faithfulness to their fathers. V.10-26 – Disobedience to the command to destroy all inhabitants of the land would have massive ramifications. There could be blessing or cursing depending on their choice. Ecclesiastes 2 Solomon’s experimentation with self-indulgence, folly and tireless labour led to exasperation and disappointment. No one in history could ever again have the scope to experiment like he did, but his conclusion was – V.24 – “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Paul’s summation of Solomon’s experience was “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). The cruel and contemptuous treatment of Christ by the Romans is surpassed by the greatest perfidy in Jewish history. God’s people could not go lower than this. V.15 – To Pilate’s question “Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” This was the fulfilment of Hos. 10:3 – “For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not Yahweh; what then should a king do to us?” The chief priests were incensed by Pilate’s writing above the cross and demanded a change to the wording. Pilate aggravated by their obduracy refused. Vincent’s Word Studies comments - These words, uttered by the chief priests, are very significant. These chief representatives of the theocratic government of Israel thus formally and expressly renounce it, and declare their allegiance to a temporal and pagan power. This utterance is “the formal abdication of the Messianic hope.” V.24 – Ps. 22:18 was fulfilled in the disgraceful and callous disposal of the Lord’s clothing. V.25-27 – As a sword pierced the heart of Mary (Luke 2:35) at the foot of the cross, Jesus in great pain does what was he always did – thought of others instead of himself. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” V.28-30 – Two Scriptures were fulfilled in the last moments of the Lord’s life – Ps. 69:21 was fulfilled in the 5th saying on the cross – “I thirst.” The 6th saying was “It is finished” and in these two sayings Christ’s lifelong Nazariteship was brought to a successful conclusion. When a Nazarite completed a vow, they could drink wine (Num. 6:20; V.29-30). Ps. 22 was front and centre of Christ’s mind on the cross for it provided the most graphic description of crucifixion, and was built around Gen. 22 (Father and Son in the act of sacrifice), so he repeated Ps. 22:1 in the 4th saying and Ps. 22:31 in the 6th – ESV – “he has done it.” In other words “It is finished.” Messiah in Ps. 22 foresaw the fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant (see V.27-31 where the language of the promises made to Abraham is prominent). In his crucifixion, resurrection and glorification he had confirmed the promises made unto the fathers – Rom. 15:8. V.31-37 – More Scriptures were fulfilled. The legs of the crucified were routinely broken so they could no longer push up for respiration, but Jesus was already dead. Hence, Ex. 12:46 and Ps. 34:20 were fulfilled. The spear was thrust into his side to fulfil 2 Sam. 23:7 and Zech. 12:10 – “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him.” V.38-42 – Two members of the Sanhedrin came out of ‘hiding’ and buried the Lord in a new tomb belonging to a rich man to fulfil Isa. 53:9. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-april-23-deuteronomy-6-7-ecclesiastes-2-john-19/?feed_id=90332&_unique_id=68074779513f5