Thoughts on the readings for June 11th (Judges 9, Isaiah 35, 1 Peter 1)

Judges 9 describes the sad end of apostasy which came to Jerubaal's (Gideon's) household , "the contender against Baal". The commemorative ephod made by Gideon became a stumbling block and idol to Israel. Despite having many wives and 70 legitimate sons Gideon visited a harlot and produced an illegitimate son, whom he named Abimelech (meaning 'my father is the king'). This, perhaps, spoke of Gideon's desire despite his correct assertion in chapter 8 that Yahweh alone was their ruler. Shechem became the scene of fratricide, where 69 of Gideon's sons were slain by Abimelech. The youngest, Jotham, escaped and at Shechem- this place of decision and responsibility bearing - Jotham uttered his prophetic parable of warning against Abimelech and those from Shechem who would support him. Joshua brought Israel here to remind them of their covenant responsibility to serve Yahweh in "spirit ('sincerity') and truth": Joshua 24verse 14-28. Our Lord reminded the Samaritan woman of her, and ours also, responsibility to embrace the same principles John 4 verses 20-24. Disaster overtook Abimelech and the idolatrous Shechemites as the story unfolds. Isaiah 35 springs to life as we revel in God's promises and blessings of the Kingdom. Read it aloud and marvel at its soon to be realised incomparable blessings- and see how the writer to the Hebrews picks up the encouragement as he urges us to a final effort regardless of our present weakness Hebrews 12verses 3-17. Notice that the wilderness and desert bloom abundantly and become fruitful when our Lord Jesus Christ reigns. Even the unclean beasts are blessed and rejoice with their mates. Peter reminds a suffering and persecuted ecclesia of the living hope to which they, and we also, have been born. Peter tells us that both angels and prophets yearned to understand their prophecies of suffering preceding the glory of the Christ in verses 10-12. These themes dominate the Old Testament writings and were the focus of God's servants - earthly Peter's letters, like that of James, were addressed to the believers found among the Jewish diaspora (those not in the land of Israel). It seems to have been written about 62-63 AD. The superscription attributed the place of writing to be Babylon (whether the actual Babylon, which at the time of writing contained a large expatriate Jewish community because of its geographic advantages to the eastern trade routes - or Rome; also frequently referred to as Babylon in the book of Revelation). Peter was one of the three Apostles selected by Jesus to witness special events and miracles. This Apostle was particularly given the responsibility for shepherding the early flock of believers. Peter and John are linked together in the grouping of the Apostles, and after John, Peter was perhaps the closest of the remaining Apostles. To Peter was given the gospel keys to unlock, through his preaching, the opportunity to become the heirs of the kingdom (Matthew 16) for firstly the Jews (Acts 2), and then of the Gentiles (Acts 10). Galatians informs us that Peter was called the Apostle to the Jews, as Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. A comparison between Peter's letters and the Lord's teachings in the gospel accounts show the deep influence which our Lord Jesus had on Peter. Here's a few examples from chapter 1 of Peter's 1st letter. Verse 2 "the elect" - Mark 13 verses 21-22; John 13verses 18; 15 verse 16. Verse 3, "has begotten us again" (John 3:5). Verse 8 "ye see him not, yet believing" - John 20 verse 29. Verse 13 "gird up the loins of your mind" - Luke 12 verse 35. Verse 16 "be ye holy, for I am holy" - Matthew 5 verse 48; Verse 17 "without respect of persons" - Matthew 22 verse 16. Verse 18 "redeemed ... with the precious blood of Christ" - Matthew 20verse 28; Mark 10verse 45; "received by tradition of your fathers" - Matthew 15verses 2-6; Mark 7;3-13; Verse 19 "blood of Christ as of a lamb" - John 1verse 29; Verse 20 "before the foundation of the world" - Matthew 25 verse 34; Luke 11verse 50; Verse 22 "love one another" - John 15 verse 12). Comparisons can also be made with the letters of: James, John and Revelation, of Paul and Hebrews; and with Peter's teaching in the Acts of the Apostles. The summary of chapter 1 is as follows: The Apostle Peter salutes the sojourners of the "dispersion" of the ecclesias in Asia Minor (verses 1-2) and blessed God for His mercy to them (verses 3-4). The usual salutation opens the epistle, but note the openness and largeness of the great Apostle's heart - Peter seeks an abundance of grace and peace for his readers. The hope that we have, as disciples of our Lord, is not sterile; it lives because it is centred in the Lord of life who lives. The joy and salvation which spring from our hope in Christ more than balances the afflictions of the believers (verses 5-9). Despite experiencing trials and suffering for the name of Christ Peter's readers have had their lives preserved through their faith. And this faith will be revealed ultimately at the appearing of the wonderful saviour of the faithful disciples. This faith is likened to tried gold that is being purged, ie refined and that gold will glisten with greater lustre after being subjected to the "Refiner's fire" (Malachi 3:2-3). We, like Peter's readers, have not seen our Lord, yet we believe and love him dearly. Of that salvation prophets and angels have sought to know, yet it was beyond their reach until Christ had come and revealed it to them (verses 10-12). The salvation of which all the faithful have ever hoped and the angels have gazed with wondering eyes until they beheld the Christ who was the central subject of the Scripture and the unfolding of our precious hope. Looking to it believers should learn to be patient and holy (verses 13-17). These believers are to lead lives which show that they have been redeemed by the blood of Christ (verses 18-21). The believer's faith and hope springs from the love of those who are being transformed by the power of our Sovereign's Word (verses 22-25). The dominant message of the Law and the prophets was to be holy "as He who has called us is Holy" (see Leviticus 19). Our Lord Jesus Christ's impartial judgment will penetrate the hearts of those whose faith enables them to separate the perishable from the eternal. And the eternal matters are those, which the Eternal Spirit has formed and developed in His faithful family (John 6 vrse 63). These last verses are a citation from Isaiah 40:6-8. Slowly read aloud, and ponder. 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-june-11th-judges-9-isaiah-35-1-peter-1/?feed_id=93535&_unique_id=6847b324eca9d