Category Archives: Commentary

1 Kings 18

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Contest on Mount Carmel 1 Kings 18   1 Kings 18. This chapter gives us the centerpiece of Elijah’s ministry. In 1 Kings 18 the prophet brought the people, so far as he could, back to the acknowledgement of the one true God. Practically, there is much instruction for us in this chapter. […]

Malachi

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   THE PROPHET MALACHI   1 2 3 4   O U T L I N E – Jehovah’s Love for Israel & Their Denial of it Malachi 1:1-5 – Complaint: I have Loved You, Yet Ye Say, Wherein Hast Thou Loved Us? Malachi 1:1-2 – (Future: Edom Cast Down, Their Eyes to See, […]

Philippians 2

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Christ Our Pattern: Joy is a Result of Humility Philippians 2   Philippians 2 brings before us the graciousness of the Christian life. This quality is brought out by examples; Christ (vv.5-11) the supreme pattern, then Paul (vv.17-18), Timothy (vv.19-24) and Epaphroditus (vv.25-30). The great secret of collective unity is revealed: having a lowly […]

Hebrews 3 – 4

Christ is Superior to Israel’s Leaders: Moses and Joshua
Hebrews 3 – 4
 
Ch.3-4. Asks to consider Jesus in contrast with Israel’s leaders. Christ is faithful as Son over house of God in contrast with Moses a servant. Digresses thru end of ch.3 warning against unbelief. Superior to Joshua, will bring children into His rest! God’s rest still future, meanwhile a difficult wilderness, some will apostatize. Not left alone. Three great provisions.

Moses and the House of God (3:1-6)

v.1 Apostle and High Priest. Two titles correlate to previous chapters. Apostle, Christ as Son of God, coming from God to man. As  High Priest, Christ as Son of man, from man to God. In rest of epistle, compares apostleship with Moses, priesthood with Aaron. Two resources: Word of God (brought by Moses), and intercession (Aaron). The writer writes as teacher, expertly opening up typical teaching. Only room for One Apostle! “Our confession” used to allow professors, but addresses the believers. Not “natural brethren, partakers of an earthly calling”, but believing Jews (and all Christians) are “holy brethren” and partake of a “heavenly calling”. The Principle of Calling, earthly not confused with heavenly. Earthly not stolen from Israel (Rom. 11:29).
v.2 Faithful. Christ compared to Moses as sent to Israel with authority from God. A parallel: both were faithful in their sphere (Num. 12:7). Moses in a general sense, Christ perfectly so. Something more than faithfulness: the glory of His Person (vv.3-4). “His” at the end of v.2 is God, not Moses, as Num. 12:7 shows.
vv.3-4 Builder and Building. Moses didn’t build the house (i.e. tabernacle). He followed the pattern. The builder was Jehovah, now manifest in flesh! The builder has more honor because a work emanates from a person. A person is superior to his creation. Christ built the universe is His house! The tabernacle a type of the heavens. Connects with ch.1, Son is creator and sustainer. In v.4 the argument from design. Observation of the universe, scope, variety, balance, fine-tuning for life, etc. gives overwhelming evidence. Every house has a builder. It requires faith to see that the builder is God.
vv.5-6 Son vs. Servant. Relative position of Christ and Moses. Moses “a ministering servant”, Christ is “Son over his house”. Christ over the house of God because of who He is, the Son. Universe is the house of God, but saints collectively are His house in a higher sense (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:7; Eph. 2:22). A condition: will the house be faithful to Him? Many “ifs” in Hebrews: a danger of apostasy, genuine faith will hold fast. The “ifs” and “whens” show the wilderness pathway manifests reality, or apostasy. No “ifs” in Ephesians.

The Wilderness: Warning Against Unbelief (3:7-19)

vv.7-11 Warning Against Unbelief. Quotes Psa. 95:7-11 warn against unbelief. Israel’s old besetting sin. Ten temptations. Saw His deliverance, erred in there hearts. Three phases. (1) The “day of provocation” at the beginning in Meribah (Ex. 17:7). (2) Journey for 40 years. (3) Last temptation at Kadesh. Jehovah angry, swore in wrath. Psalm prophetic of Jehovah inviting Israel to enter kingdom. A new day, His old anger now gone. The cross opened a way. Old sins will not bar them; but a fresh repetition will. Unbelief must be avoided. Application to the Jews professing Christianity. 
vv.12-13 Carefulness and Encouragement. Not doubt, or weakness of faith, but a heart that ultimately refuses to take God at His word. Turning away from God for a professor is apostasy. Influenced by the spirit of apostasy. Need to “encourage” ourselves, remind that God is to be trusted and obeyed. Still called “today”, God’s grace and patience continue. If give into sin of unbelief once, effect of hardening us to Word of God. Ultimate sense, completely “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”, only possible for an unconverted.
vv.14-19 Reality Proved By Steadfastness. In Hebrews salvation proved out by steadfast devotion to Christ through life. Asks important questions to highlight difficulty of maintaining confidence. Who provoked? Not just part of Israel, but the whole congregation. Who was Jehovah angry with? Those who refused to believe (Deut. 2:14-15). Sin emphasized: not a mistake, but positive willful sin. Caleb and Joshua the exceptions. Who did He promise not enter His rest? Those who heard and refused to believe. Common theme: sin of not believing. A progression: provoked at beginning, then angry forty years, finally swore in His anger. No one can argue, they deserved judgment. Rest only shared with believers. Unbelief the root of sin. Death a type of apostasy, only possible for unsaved. A parallel condition is apathy.

The Rest of God & Need of Faith (4:1-11)

vv.1-2 Application to Christianity. Now begins apply lessons of Israel to professing Jews in Christianity. We too have a promise. “Rest” viewed as future. Have “rest” in our conscience, a future rest when God Himself rest, we with Him. Not looking for rest in this world; become a wilderness to us. Will fail to enter it if not receive glad tidings, just as Israel.
vv.3-5 A Future Rest for the People of God. A second application. Point in vv.1-2 that faith is required to enter rest, point in vv.3-10 that true rest is future. Two facts brought together. God rested once (Gen. 2:2), but speaks of His rest as future (Psa. 95:11). For Israel, God’s rest still future at time of David. Unbelief of Israel barred them, but in grace the “today” of David is still open. Joshua (called Jesus, Greek) not able to bring them in. Christ’s superiority to Joshua. The great point: rest is future. Must refer to the Millennium, when Israel enters, and heavenly saints enter, Christ vindicated. The “rest” begins in the Millennium will fade into eternal state. It is “his rest”, therefore perfect, God finds His satisfaction. No work, no conflict. Very nature of God satisfied… we look forward to it.
v.11 Exhortation. Applies “same example” to the Hebrews, a powerful exhortation. Same refusal to listen caused Hebrews’ ancestors to fall could now cause some to apostatize from the profession of Christian faith. “Use diligence” by believing the Word of God.

Three Provisions to Help Us Reach the Rest (4:12-16)

vv.12-13 The Word of God: It’s Effectual Penetrating Power. A number of attributes of the Word make it a vital instrument to bring us into presence of God. An invaluable resource.
  • An Active Agent. “Living”, never becomes dead or outdated, carries means of giving spiritual life, adapts to different needs and situations (John 6:63). “Operative”, works (by Holy Spirit), accomplishes God’s purpose (Isa. 55:11).
  • A Discerning Agent. Compared to a sword (Eph. 6:17), pierces, also cuts or makes divisions. Word of God is “sharper”. Two edges: works on the external level (actions), and on the internal level (motives). Division of soul and spirit takes supernatural discernment. Soul: seat of consciousness, identity, responsibility, and desire (Rom. 7:15). Spirit: above the soul, capacity to reflect on his soul, gives God-consciousness. Animals have no spirit (Psa. 49:20; Isa. 31:3). True worship (John 4:24). Humanly impossible to discern, by scripture can. Illustrates with a physical image: “of joints and marrow”, intricate parts of the skeletal system, difficult to locate from periphery, hard to distinguish where one ends, other begins. Only the Word of God can penetrate and separate. Motives and intentions are often disguised (Jer. 17:9; 1 Cor. 4:5). The Word through Holy Spirit identifies the activity of the flesh with conviction.
  • A Revealing Agent. Brings us into the presence of God, our soul is laid bare (1 John 3:20; Jer. 17:9; 1 Sam. 2:3). We are fully known of God. Nothing of the flesh is allowed to pass unnoticed, new nature rejoices, any sin we tolerate spoils communion (Psa. 139:23-24). Puts us into responsibility, “with whom we have to do”.
The proper response is self-judgment, vital to maintaining communion.
vv.14-15 The Priesthood of Christ: Our Sympathetic High Priest. Pick up from end of ch.2, also introduction to next section (Heb. 5-7). The comparison here, as with Heb. 2:17-18, is with the high priest in the Old Testament. Ch.2 focused on day of atonement, here on normal function as intercessor. No OT priest called great. Tabernacle a type of “the heavens” passed through, just as Aaron through tabernacle into sanctuary. Two things required: (1) to be in heaven, and (2) to first tread the earth, with trials and temptations (both Moses on mountain and Joshua in valley, Ex. 17). Majestic Son of God, no mere transient visitor or associate. Always tendency of priests to elevate into privileged upper class. Not so; “able to sympathise”. Tested beyond us. Deity did not shield from suffering. Important qualification: “sin apart”, not “without sinning”. Sinless perfection. Temptations never from within (Jam. 1:14). A “holy thing” (Luke 1:35). Peter says He “did no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22), Paul says He “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21), deepest John says “in him” is no sin (1 John 3:5). Nature holy. “He was not alone perfectly man but the perfect man” – W. Kelly. Sin within blinds and dulls. Christ’s sinlessness meant a better sympathizer! Experiences and sufferings coupled with glory qualify only Him to be our sympathetic High Priest. Intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25), brings down grace and mercy, gives us endurance, preserves us from falling. His advocacy different from intercession (1 Jn. 2). Can’t take one successful step apart from Christ’s continued intercession (“Aaron’s rod that budded”, Num. 17:8). Exhortation, “let us hold fast”. Why turn back to Judaism with such a resource? Every reason to press on. How awful to take other men as priests!
v.16 Prayer: the Ever-Approachable Throne of Grace. Privilege of prayer. Not confused with Christ’s prayer or intercession. He prays continually (Heb. 7:25), we do not. His presence there makes the throne available to us, approachable continually. Without fear, “with boldness”, we should approach throne of God of the universe, of a holy God “with whom we have to do”, but cross has made it “the throne of grace”. How precious! At any season, find help “seasonable”, or suited to needs. Two forms: (1) “mercy” or deliverance from a trial, or (2) “grace”, strength to pass through the trial in communion (2 Cor. 12:8-9). Always help available!

2 Peter 2

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   False Teachers in the Christian Profession 2 Peter 2   2 Peter 2. The last two chapters of 2 Peter are warnings to the saints to beware of two evils: first, false teachers who would enter into the Christian profession wreaking moral havoc on their listeners (ch.2), and second, the increasingly materialistic and […]

Acts 3

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   A Further Appeal to the Nation of Israel Acts 3   Acts 3. A little time had passed after the Day of Pentecost. At the feast Peter had preached to a great number of Hellenists visiting for the feast. Now many of the visitors had returned home, and the appeal in this chapter […]

Acts 20

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Work in Greece & Macedonia: Eutychus & the Ephesian Elders Acts 20       CHAPTER 20 1 But after the tumult had ceased, Paul having called the disciples to him and embraced them, went away to go to Macedonia. 2 And having passed through those parts, and having exhorted them with […]

Psalm 32

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 32 Israel’s Transgressions Confessed and Forgiven, and Happy in Their Restoration   Psalm 32. This is another Psalm of David, and the title indicates that it was a song intended to teach or instruct the people. It is one of the Asherite Psalms, which begin with the word “Blessed”; the Hebrew word […]

Psalm 48

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 48 The Glory of Jerusalem as the City of God   Psalm 48. As with the others in this series (Psa. 42 – 49), this is a Psalm of the sons of Korah. The Psalm speaks of the blessedness of Jerusalem in the Millennium, as the city of God. Other passages that […]

Psalm 64

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 64 The Plotting of the Wicked and the Sudden Judgment of God   Psalm 64. This is a Psalm of David, and it is most likely set on the historical backdrop of the rebellion of Absalom. Prophetically, this Psalm gives us the feelings of the remnant regarding their enemies in the great […]

Psalm 80

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 80 A Cry for National Restoration   Psalm 80. This is another Psalm of Asaph, and written to tune of “Shoshannim-Eduth”, or lily of the testimony. This Psalm looks at Israel as a nation, first in her present state (at the time in prophecy to which the Psalm applies) after being decimated by […]

Psalm 96

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 96 The Nations Invited to Worship Jehovah   Psalm 96. Although this is an orphan Psalm, we know the author was David because it is part of the Psalm David wrote when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chron. 16:7-36, specifically vv.23-33 are parallel with Psalm 96). This historical connection reinforces […]

Psalm 112

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 112 The Blessing of the Righteous in the Millennium   Psalm 112. This Psalm describes the blessedness of the righteous in the Millennium. The chief characteristics of the upright are the fear of the Lord and kindness to the needy. The scope of this Psalm is limited to “the land”, i.e. those of […]

Psalm 128

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 128 The Domestic Blessing of Jehovah Upon Restored Israel   Psalm 128. This Psalm describes the blessedness of those who fear and trust the Lord, and it is prophetic of Israel restored in their land. It gives us the domestic life of Israel in the Millennium. We find that restored Israel will […]

Psalm 144

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Psalm 144 Israel’s Deliverance from Alien Invasion, and Prosperity in the Land   Psalm 144. This Psalm of David speaks of Israel’s final deliverance from their enemies, and their prosperity on the land. Prophetically, it looks forward to the time when all Israel will be subdued under their Messiah, they will be delivered […]

1 Samuel 14

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Saul’s 2nd Step: Recklessness – Jonathan and his Armorbearer 1 Samuel 14     CHAPTER 14 1 Now it came to pass one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour, Come and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison which is on the […]

1 Samuel 30

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Burning of Ziklag and David’s Victory over Amalek 1 Samuel 30     CHAPTER 30 1 And it came to pass, when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the south, and upon Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag and burned it with […]

1 Corinthians 7

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Liberty & Responsibility with Regard to Marriage & Singleness 1 Corinthians 7   1 Corinthians 7. In ch.6, Paul had addressed the dangers of fornication, and wrong relationships between men and women. But Christian holiness in no way militates against the institution of marriage. In this way Paul follows the same pattern as the […]