2 Samuel 15 speaks of the ever increasing effects of David's sin. Absalom having been brought home from his exile in Geshur now vigorously sets out to undermine his father David. Absalom is prepared to take his time by claiming that if he was a judge in the Land the citizens would have their cause fairly judged. This vain son of David pompously rides in a chariot with fifty heralds running in front of the chariot. Sadly, Absalom would send people who came for settlement of their case home, claiming that king David had not appointed anyone to give judgment. Absalom also gave those who came for judgment the kiss of favour and so stole the hearts of Israel from their ruler. David must have had some idea of what his son was doing but he was experiencing a paralysis of power - possibly as a result of his stricken conscience over his sin with Bathsheba and against David's faithful servant Uriah. In verses 7-12 Absalom decided that the time to culminate his conspiracy had come. With the king's permission he asks to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow. Absalom assembles a company of men who have a grudge against their king as well as many others who come in their innocence and are tricked into Absalom's conspiracy. Verses 13-18 says that when David heard the news he fled Jerusalem to prevent bloodshed. David left behind ten of his concubines to keep his household together. David left the city with his warriors coming also. Hushai, David's beloved counsellor, meets king David and he is asked to provide David with information about Absalom's intentions and also to endeavour to defeat the wise counsel that Ahithophel would give Absalom. This request from David came after David would not allow Hushai to accompany the king's forces. In verses 24-29 the priests - Zadok and Abiathar - are told to return to Jerusalem with the ark. If it is God's will, says David, I will return here and worship Yahweh. David with weeping ascended the Mount of Olives just as our Lord Jesus would do a thousand years later as he - our Lord - would go to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was now that David found out that Ahithophel was among those that conspired and it was at this time that David committed his cause to the LORD. And it was now that he asked his counsellor and the two priests to spy for him.
In Jeremiah 19 the prophet is told to buy an earthen ware flask and to gather some of the elders of Jerusalem and take them with him to the Potsherd Gate overlooking the valley of Hinnom and to then tell them of Yahweh's intention to smash Jerusalem like the vessel that the prophet would soon smash before them. He was to say to the elders that the reverberations of the Almighty's destruction of His people would cause the ears tingle of all who heard of this judgment on Jerusalem. Verses 4-5 speak of the abominations of Judah which had aroused the LORD's anger and brought His retribution. Their vile behaviour was almost unspeakable. Verses 6-9 describe the detestation that was to be seen when Judah's Sovereign arose in judgment. In verse 10 the prophet was then commanded to smash the earthen flask before the rulers who represented the nation. So vast would be the carnage brought by Babylon that the valley of Hinnom would be renamed as the valley of slaughter. The horrors of the siege would cause Judah to eat their own children just as Moses had prophesied in Deuteronomy 28 verses 53-57. This happened later when Rome besieged Jerusalem in 70 AD. The carcasses of the slain would be so extensive that Tophet - the site where Judah had burned their children in the fire as reverence to Molech the idol that demanded human sacrifices. It was fitting for that detestable place to be defiled. Jeremiah is told to return from Tophet to the Temple courts and once again tell Judah that the prophesied judgments were imminent because of Judah's wrongdoings.
Romans 3 turns attention to the Jewish people who were agreeing with every word Paul had uttered of the depravity among the Gentiles. They, too, were without excuse as they had the Word of God in their midst and yet were just as corrupt. From verses 9-20 Paul advances seven Scriptures supporting this. Then from verses 21-31 he proves that there is only one righteousness, and that on the basis of belief. What is required is a submission to the only way of declaring us to be right with God. This includes a confession that human beings are rightly related to death as we are incurably sinful. Additionally we confess that our Potentate only is righteous and, that He strengthened His Son to accomplish what was humanly impossible. On the basis of the acceptance of these truths and our identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in whom they have been outworked forgiveness of sins is provided.
Chapter 4 illustrates that through the lives of David and Abraham there is absolutely nothing we can do to be saved by works ie our own merits. God's condition for forgiveness involves our acceptance of this truth and confession of our failures if we are to receive the blessings of forgiveness and become the inheritors of the promised Kingdom that will be, as verse 13 indicated, international. What is recorded was not for the sakes of those in the recorded Scriptures, but indeed for our sakes.
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In 2 Samuel 2 we are told that David was told by God to go to Hebron. He took his two wives and band of men and went to Hebron - the burial place of the patriarchs: Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob and Leah. This city was the city which spoke of fellowship with each other and with Almighty God: Hebrews 11:8-16. It is in Hebron that the men of Judah anoint David as their king. Verses 5-7 says that David immediately sought reconciliation with the house of Saul by informing them that Judah has anointed him to be their king. David assures Israel that he will show his faithfulness as he has always done in the past. From verses 8-11 Abner, who was the captain of Saul's army, sought to keep the kingdom and influence in Saul's family. Ishbosheth is therefore anointed as king over Israel. Ishbosheth was a weak man who, no doubt, could be Abner's puppet king - so it would seem. Ishbosheth's tenure as king lasted for only two years. David's reign in Hebron continued for seven and a half years. Verses 12-32 describe the battle at Gibeon. It began with the senseless waste of twenty four young lives who died on a bridge for the entertainment of Abner and Joab - the generals of Israel and Benjamin: the ruling tribe of Israel's ten tribes. Later that day a fierce battle followed between the two armies. When it was clear that the Israelites were losing Abner fled on foot. Abner was pursued by David's young nephew Asahel - the youngest brother to Joab and Abishai. Asahel was fast but no match in battle for the wily Abner. Abner counsels Asahel to arm himself before trying to fight against him. Asahel foolishly does not do this. Abner knowing that he has no alternative but to slay Asahel reluctantly kills the youth. He knew that in doing this he would become the object of Joab's fierce and unrelenting hatred. Asahel wallowed in his own blood where Abner has struck the young man with the butt end of Abner's spear. Everyone from Judah's host stood and were horrified by the sight. However Joab and Abishai continued to pursue Abner. Abner rallied his forces around him on a hill. Here they stood resolute in their defence knowing that they were fighting for their lives. Eventually Abner proposed a truce which Joab accepted. Abner and the remnants of his force marched all night until they came to the relative safety of Mahanaim on the eastern side of the Jordan River. A tally was made of those who had died. David's army had suffered nineteen deaths, but the Benjaminites had lost four hundred soldiers.
Jeremiah 8:1-3 outline the extensive destruction that will come by Judah's overthrowing by Babylon. The carnage will be so great that the bodies of the slain will be left like dung on the ground. In verses 4-6 Judah's Sovereign says that the nation stubbornly maintains their rapid slide into a likely oblivion. Verse 7 reveals that the birds of heaven obey the rules of the natural order which the Creator has appointed, but it is not so with God's people. Verses 8-9 shows that Judah's wise scribes claim to know what they are doing. But the reality is they don't have any idea. So the LORD says in verses 10-13 how they will do at the time of their calamity. Jeremiah reveals that Judah would resemble a vine without grapes; or, a fig tree without figs; and even on those trees the leaves would be totally withered. Verses 14-15 tells us that Judah is completely dispirited and resigned to her fate. Verses 16-17 says that the Babylonians are eager to destroy Judah and will not stop until this has been completed. In verses 18-21 the prophet laments the deplorable state of Judah. In verse 22 the prophet asks the rhetorical question: can no healing balm be found in Gilead? That was the region which was known for the production of fine healing balm. If there was no balm in Gilead then there was no hope for Judah!
In Matthew 19 we have one of the topics that is greatly debated among religions - divorce. In the contemporary Jewish society of Jesus' days divorce was so rife that men were divorcing their wives for every reason eg she burned my meal. In the time of Moses divorce, or putting away was regulated; but even then, only for sexual impurity. God's mind on this has always been clear. Yahweh hates putting away (Malachi 2:10-16). Jesus tells us that the Father's declared will from the beginning was that man and woman should cleave in love to each other as man and wife to the exclusion of all others. This union is the only basis of stable family life and is a prefiguring of Christ's union with his bride the ecclesia of faithful believers (Genesis 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:22-33). Difficultlies do arise within marriage, but both parties must persevere with each other. We must not assign blame to each other. Rather we need to exercise love and patience with each other and humbly submit to each other in order to live in peace and harmony. Although we will not compromise on principles we must try as much as we can to make our marriages harmonious behaving as our Lord Jesus Christ would have done.
The chapter tells us about an incident involving children which provided an opportunity for the disciples' learning humility. The chapter concludes with a rich young ruler approaching our Lord. We are told that Jesus deeply loved this man because of his undoubted sincerity. Nonetheless our Lord was greatly saddened by the man's incapacity to overcome his covetousness. If that man could not enter the kingdom who then can be saved? So thought our Master's apostles! These apostles were amazed as they believed that salvation must be a hard and costly thing. Jesus, knowing of their perseverance in following him promised them rulership and thrones in his coming Kingdom. Read aloud and think about that promise in verses 28-30.
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2 Samuel 14 speaks of how Joab was able to make a plan for Absalom to brought home from his exile in Geshur. Joab sought to restore himself to David knowing that the king's heart was longing for Absalom's return. So Joab approached a wise woman from Tekoa to pretend to be a mourner who sought the king's judgment on a vexing problem. Having pretended to David that her two sons had fought and one of them had died and the magistrate of her region was insisting that the murderer be slain. The woman said that if this happens she will be childless. King David promised her protection from retribution. How true were the wise woman's words: "We all are like water spilled on the ground that cannot be gathered again"? Then after the king had promised to protect her son she confronted the king with the inconsistency of his determination. Why do you not act in the same way and protect your son - Absalom? David discerned that the exercise had been planned with the woman by Joab. The king agrees to let Absalom's banishment end. She also praises David's wisdom and discernment and says May God be with the king. Verses 21-24 tells us that David sent for Joab to arrange Absalom's homecoming. When Absalom returned home the king had no communication with him and effectively put Absalom in home detention. This continued for two years. Verses 25-27 speak of Absalom's natural beauty and his pride. These verses say that Absalom had a magnificent head of hair that he had cut once a year. Absalom had three sons and one daughter - Tamar. His daughter was the one who had been defiled by her uncle Amnon. Those events and Amnon's murder at the hands of Absalom are referred to in chapter 13. Absalom could not tolerate being excluded from the king's court so he sought for Joab to come and arrange for his acceptance by his father. Because Joab didn't respond to Absalom's summoning him Absalom had his own servants set Joab's fields on fire. The irate army captain came to Absalom and facilitated Absalom's restoration to David's favour. But Absalom had now made a bitter enemy who in time to come would exact his revenge on David's son.
In Jeremiah 18 we are told one of the greatest lessons as to how the Almighty makes people and teaches us that He alone has the right to choose and the right to reject. We the clay in the Master Potter's hands cannot question His choices or His right to exercise His will. Jeremiah 18:1-4 tells us that the prophet is told by God to go to the house of the Potter. Here he watches the Potter skilfully and laboriously shape a vessel only to smash it and start again to reform it. In verses 5-11 the prophet is told that what he has seen reflects God's prerogatives and choices with nations and individuals. He may do as He wills and no one has the right to question Him. And for the nation of Judah they are to be smashed by the Babylonians. Verse 12 tells of the rebelliousness of the nation which was of course the source of their calamities. Verses 13-17 show that Judah's behaviours are contrary to what is learned from nature. And so the LORD would scatter them out of His Land. Verse 18 reveals that the leaders set out to slander Jeremiah. Verses 19-23 say that their Sovereign will recompense them for the evil done to His faithful prophet in addition to their treachery against Yahweh. The Apostle Paul in Romans 9 where he speaks of the doctrine of Divine election ie selection, talks of the lessons from Jeremiah 18 - that the Almighty chooses for reasons we may not know, and, that we can never, since we are but the clay, question why, or what, He chooses: Romans 9:6-33. Read these carefully and meditate on the lessons for you. Additional thoughts can be found in 2 Timothy 2 verses 19-21. Let us diligently follow the LORD's ways, His predetermined acceptable pattern of life.
In the book of Romans we have one of the three most masterful treatments as to how God saves: often called either "the atonement"; or "reconciling" (the others being Galatians and Hebrews). This book says it tells us about Jesus the Christ who was declared to be the Son of God by the power of his resurrection: Romans 1 verse 4. Note the frequent use of "Christ" in the first eight verses. One of the great themes of the book are 'the obedience of faith', ie that obedience will be the fruit that springs from a vibrant faith - verse 5. This idea is reiterated at the end of the book: chapter 16:25-27. The first chapter introduces us to "the gospel of God" ie the joyful message that it is the desire of the Almighty Creator to help us through our belief, or faith, to become His children and the inheritors of the Kingdom. Paul's thesis is explained in verses 16-17 - namely that the gospel is God's power to save all who believe; since the OT declared in Habakkuk 2 verse ;4, "the just shall live by faith". Romans 1 verses 18-32 speak of God's wrath on unrighteousness, particularly in this chapter in the Gentile world. And this theme is developed further in chapter two where Paul shows that the Gentile world is both guilty and without any excuse. Romans 1 verses 18-25 reveal that our Omnipotent Creator has provided indisputable evidence of His power. So that wilfully ignorant sinners stand condemned by their reprobate behaviour. By failing to accept the evidence that the Almighty puts before the world of His creative power and Godhead they are self condemned and have degenerated just as their concept of their own origins is also corrupt. Professing themselves to be wise showed that they were, in fact, fools. We find that base beliefs lead to base behaviours. The Apostle Paul speaks of the abominable ways that have been declared acceptable to contemporary society. If God says a thing is wrong it remains wrong regardless of what the majority of society may believe. Consider the catalogue of evil behaviours follow from an acceptance of a corrupting lifestyle. In Romans 2 verses 1-5 Paul tells us that those who fail to stand, whether Jew or Gentile, for their Sovereign's truth are without excuse. The Apostle says that these individuals are building up a store of wrath in the day of judgment. Verses 6-11 explain that since God is just so will His judgment be. Either we by our beliefs and way of life are seeking immortality ie eternal life; or we are going to receive retribution and rejection. In chapter three the Apostle will turn his attention to the Jews who are gloating over Paul's attack on the Gentiles. But before he does that he will condemn Jewish hypocrisy and declare that Jews who boast in the Law are condemned by their Law because of their actions which are contrary to the spirit of the Law. And even some of the Gentiles who know not God's Law are better in their behaviour than those who claim to be the children of God.
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Recorded at the Nottinghan Forrest Ecclesia in July 2025, our two presenters have both, for many years, been avid Bible students.
Between them, they unpack what the Bible has prophesied about the conflict and what to expect in the Future, including...
WHAT BIBLE PROPHECY TELLS US
… how the Bible predicted the 1948 revival of the state of Israel
… how Israel will ultimately achieve peace with her neighbours and become prosperous …
… but only as a prelude to an EVEN GREATER Middle East Conflict
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We’re excited to share this inspiring series of six studies, entitled
Joseph - He whom Yahweh shall increase, presented by Brother (Simeon Hunter from Perth Central) at the South East Queensland Bible School in 2024
This collection of deep-dive studies delves into the powerful story of the inspiring life of Joseph, a man of unwavering faith, divine dreams, and God’s providence!
In this 6-part Bible study series, Simeon Hunter from Queensland Bible School explores Joseph’s journey from betrayal to exaltation, revealing powerful lessons on trust, forgiveness, and God’s sovereign plan.
Perfect for Group, Bible study evenings or personal enrichment. Perfect for anyone seeking to explore biblical lessons on Providence, leadership and faith in the presence of Hostility, betrayal and personal hardship, Demonstrating God's hand in the life of true believers of the Gospel as taught to Abraham. God demonstrating his power through the lives of faithful individuals, working together to glorify God - these studies will inspire, uplift and encourage you.
Let’s now deep dive into the life of this 'type of Christ character' and uncover the timeless truths of God’s Word together!
Each study is about 50-60 minutes long and is recommended by our review team.
So please add it to your bookmarks, and don't forget to like, share and subscribe and come back soon for more excellent study material from the Christadelphian community from across the globe. New uploads daily.
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