Thoughts on the readings for April 30th Deuteronomy 17, Ecclesiastes 9, Acts 8)

Deuteronomy 17 deals with a number of important matters. Verses 1-7 speak of the way to deal with the brother, or sister, that would seek to entice the inhabitants of a village into false worship. The promoter of false worship was to be stoned to death by the entire community whom they had attempted to tempt to cause forsake their God. Verses 8-13 speak of the judgments that were determined by the priests and judges. Those judges were chosen because of their integrity and faithfulness to the LORD. They were the representatives of their Sovereign - the Almighty king of Israel. As His representatives their word was binding. The disobedient person was to be punished. The whole nation was to walk in faithfulness to the rules of their God. Verses 14-20 spoke of the time when Yahweh had given His people the Promised Land and when they would choose a king in accordance with the LORD's purpose. These verses describe instructions for the king. Verses 16-17 tells the king that he was not to multiply wives, horses or riches. Each of these could be a hinderance to the king's faithful worship. Each of these things could prove to be a distraction from the king's need to guide Israel in true worship. King Solomon is a prime example of how these things diverted him from his responsibilities to himself and to his nation. Verses 18-20 next instruct the king in what he must do. The monarch was to copy out the Law written by his own hand - in order to impress upon his mind the great lessons and ways of his Sovereign - most likely this was the book of Deuteronomy. The king was to keep that book close to him and read from it every day of his life. This would, as verse 20 informs us, keep him humble and qualify him to lead Yahweh's people in acceptable worship of their God. Ecclesiastes 9 is one of those powerful chapters that leave us in no doubt as to the state of the dead - they sleep in total unconsciousness. Verses 1-6 speak of the universal evil that is death. It doesn't matter how you have lived your life death is certain and for most of the human race it is irreversible. A certain madness is the sum total of the life of most people as verse 3 tells us. The words of verse 4 are an echo of the thoughts which conclude chapter 3. Verses 5-6 describe the death state as being an unconscious state - no thinking, nor feelings - just a condition of turning into the dust from which we were first made (Genesis 2:7; 3:17-19). Solomon states his conclusion to this sorry saga - enjoy your mortal existence that your God has given to you. Verse 10 counsels diligence in life so that you may leave a legacy. Verses 11-16 tells us that wisdom is superior to folly. Koheleth provides two examples of how human prowess cannot thwart death. And so the wise man concludes in verses 17-18 to live life in a Godly and responsible way. He is building towards his finally summary of his learnings in chapter 12:13-14. Read this aloud and meditate their significance for the life that you will choose. Acts 8 records that Saul accepted responsibility for Stephen's stoning and sets out on a course of destruction like an enraged bull. The objects of his persecution are the faithful believers in Christ. However, the greater the persecution, the faster the gospel spreads. Philip preaches Christ in Samaria and his testimony is supported by miracles. The city of Samaria had been bewitched by Simon the Sorcerer. However Simon recognises the difference between his tricks and the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit. The record tells us that baptism only took place for believing adult subjects. Verse 12 provides us with a definition of the gospel - "the things concerning the kingdom of God and the things concerning the name of Jesus Christ". Although Philip could perform miracles he could not bestow the gifts - that only occurred through the laying on of the Apostles' hands. Simon seeks to buy the gifts from Peter and John and is grievously condemned for attempting this. Philip is next told to join the chariot of an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Candace their Queen. This eunuch was a proselyte and was reading Isaiah 53. The eunuch tells Philip that he fails to understand what the prophet spoke of. Philip commences with that chapter and explains Christ to the eunuch. No doubt Philip's preaching included the blessings from God on the eunuchs who choose the ways of God (Isaiah 56). Philip and the eunuch come to sufficient water for immersion. Philip explains to the eunuch that providing he has a wholehearted belief in Christ he may be baptised. Note how the record says that they both went down into the water and came up out of it together. The eunuch continues on his way rejoicing; but Philip is immediately snatched away to Azotus some 40 kilometres distant - the Lord having further work for Philip to do there. 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-30th-deuteronomy-17-ecclesiastes-9-acts-8/?feed_id=90952&_unique_id=6810789f29071