Revised Common Lectionary for Proper 12 (17) Seventh Sunday
after Pentecost for Sunday, 27 July 2014
PRAYER: Thematic
To fulfill the ancient promise of salvation, O God,
you made a covenant with our ancestors
and pledged them descendants more numerous than the stars.
Grant that all people may share in the blessings of your
covenant,
accomplished through the death and resurrection of your Son
and sealed by the gift of your Spirit. Amen.
OR
Through dreams and visions, O God,
you broaden the horizon and hope of your people,
that they may discover the meaning of your covenant,
even in the midst of trial and exile.
Increase the number of those who believe in your word
so that all people may joyfully respond to your call
and share in your promises. Amen.
Intercessory
Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers, God of power,
and through the ministry of your Son
free us from the grip of the tomb,
that we may desire you as the fullness of life
and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.
OR
As you heard the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah, O God,
and guided them in the way of your love,
so listen now to those who call upon you.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Move us to praise your gracious will,
for in Christ Jesus you have saved us from the deeds of death
and opened for us the hidden ways of your love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers
that we may love you with our whole being
and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.
OR
Creator God,
you call us to love and serve you
with body, mind, and spirit
through loving your creation
and our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion
and receive these petitions
on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Holy One,
hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards
of the fragile bounty of this earth
so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.
OR
We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer these prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of mercy and healing,
you who hear the cries of those in need,
receive these petitions of your people
that all who are troubled
may know peace, comfort, and courage.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Life-giving God,
heal our lives,
that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds
and offer you thanks from generation to generation
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of salvation,
who sent your Son to seek out and save what is lost,
hear our prayers
on behalf of those who are lost in our day,
receiving these petitions and thanksgivings
with your unending compassion.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.
Scripture (Series 1)
Seed-planting, fish-netting, break-baking, pearl-hunting God,
you shape us into living parables.
Pray with your Spirit in us
so that we may understand our experiences
as healing metaphors,
and become creative and abundant stewards
of the environment you entrusted to our love. Amen.
Scripture (Series 2)
O sovereign God,
in Jesus Christ you set your holy reign upon this earth
and within your people.
So let its coming be like the mustard seed
that grows into greatness,
and like the leaven
that mixes with the grain
until the whole becomes greater,
to the praise of the triune God,
who lives forevermore. Amen.
Lectionary Scriptures:
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Psalm 128
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Lectionary Scriptures:
Genesis 29: 14-15 Laban said, “You’re family! My flesh and
blood!”
When Jacob had been with him for a month, Laban said, “Just
because you’re my nephew, you shouldn’t work for me for nothing. Tell me what
you want to be paid. What’s a fair wage?”
16-18 Now Laban had two daughters; Leah was the older and Rachel
the younger. Leah had nice eyes, but Rachel was stunningly beautiful. And it
was Rachel that Jacob loved.
So Jacob answered, “I will work for you seven years for your
younger daughter Rachel.”
19 “It is far better,” said Laban, “that I give her to you than
marry her to some outsider. Yes. Stay here with me.”
20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But it only seemed like
a few days, he loved her so much.
21-24 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife; I’ve completed
what we agreed I’d do. I’m ready to consummate my marriage.” Laban invited
everyone around and threw a big feast. At evening, though, he got his daughter Leah
and brought her to the marriage bed, and Jacob slept with her. (Laban gave his
maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.)
25 Morning came: There was Leah in the marriage bed!
Jacob confronted Laban, “What have you done to me? Didn’t I work
all this time for the hand of Rachel? Why did you cheat me?”
26-27 “We don’t do it that way in our country,” said Laban. “We
don’t marry off the younger daughter before the older. Enjoy your week of
honeymoon, and then we’ll give you the other one also. But it will cost you
another seven years of work.”
28-30 Jacob agreed. When he’d completed the honeymoon week,
Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Laban gave his maid Bilhah
to his daughter Rachel as her maid.) Jacob then slept with her. And he loved
Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban another seven years.
Psalm 105: 1-6 Hallelujah!
Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet
what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders
into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live
a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of
his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the
verdicts he’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham,
his servant,
O child of Jacob,
his chosen.
7-15 He’s God, our God,
in charge of the whole
earth.
And he remembers, remembers his Covenant—
for a thousand
generations he’s been as good as his word.
It’s the Covenant he made with Abraham,
the same oath he swore
to Isaac,
The very statute he established with Jacob,
the eternal Covenant
with Israel,
Namely, “I give you the land.
Canaan is your
hill-country inheritance.”
When they didn’t count for much,
a mere handful, and
strangers at that,
Wandering from country to country,
drifting from pillar
to post,
He permitted no one to abuse them.
He told kings to keep
their hands off:
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed,
don’t hurt a hair on
the heads of my prophets.”
43-45 Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy;
his chosen people
marched, singing their hearts out!
He made them a gift of the country they entered,
helped them seize the
wealth of the nations
So they could do everything he told them—
could follow his
instructions to the letter.
Psalm 128: A Pilgrim Song
1-2 All you who fear God, how blessed you are!
how happily you walk
on his smooth straight road!
You worked hard and deserve all you’ve got coming.
Enjoy the blessing!
Revel in the goodness!
3-4 Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes,
your household lush as
a vineyard,
The children around your table
as fresh and promising
as young olive shoots.
Stand in awe of God’s Yes.
Oh, how he blesses the
one who fears God!
5-6 Enjoy the good life in Jerusalem
every day of your
life.
And enjoy your grandchildren.
Peace to Israel!
1 Kings 3: 4-5 The king went to Gibeon, the most prestigious
of the local shrines, to worship. He sacrificed a thousand
Whole-Burnt-Offerings on that altar. That night, there in Gibeon, God appeared
to Solomon in a dream: God said, “What can I give you? Ask.”
6 Solomon said, “You were extravagantly generous in love with
David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships
were just and his heart right. And you have persisted in this great and
generous love by giving him—and this very day!—a son to sit on his throne.
7-8 “And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your
servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for
this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of
this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a
great people—far too many to ever count.
9 “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can
lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who
on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”
10-14 God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response.
And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after
a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the
ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving
you a wise and mature heart. There’s never been one like you before; and
there’ll be no one after. As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory
you didn’t ask for—there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark.
And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs
as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life.”
Psalm 119: 129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word—
how could I help but
obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people
see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
I wanted your commands
more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to
those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
so nothing malign gets
the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
so I can live life
your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
teach me the right way
to live.
I cry rivers of tears
because nobody’s
living by your book!
Romans 8: 26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s
Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to
pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out
of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know
ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.
That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is
worked into something good.
29-30 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He
decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same
lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he
restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed
it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a
solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed
with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how
can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us,
embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own
Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who
would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare
even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for
us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you
think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love
for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger,
not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst
sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely
convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or
tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get
between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced
us.
Matthew 13: 31-32 Another story. “God’s kingdom is like a pine
nut that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of
years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it.”
33 Another story. “God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman
works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the
dough rises.”
44 “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years
and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a
find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that
field.
45-46 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt
for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells
everything and buys it.
47-50 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea,
catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The
good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away.
That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will
come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot
of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.”
51 Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”
They answered, “Yes.”
52 He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in
God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on
anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Genesis 29:15-28
Verse 15
[15] And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother,
shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
Because thou art my brother — That is, kinsman.
Should thou therefore serve me for nought? — No, what reason for
that? If Jacob be so respectful as to give him his service without demanding
any consideration for it, yet Laban will not be so unjust as to take advantage
either of his necessity, or of his good nature. It appears by computation that
Jacob was now seventy years old when he bound himself apprentice for a wife;
probably Rachel was young and scarce marriageable when Jacob came first, which
made him the more willing to stay for her till his seven years were expired.
Verse 20
[20] And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed
unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
They seemed to him but a few days for the love he had to her —
An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for
Christ's appearing.
Verse 25
[25] And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was
Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I
serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
Behold it was Leah — Jacob had cheated his own father when he
pretended to be Esau, and now his father-in-law cheated him. Herein, how
unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous.
Verse 26
[26] And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to
give the younger before the firstborn.
It must be so done in our country — We have reason to think
there was no such custom in his country; but if there was, and that he resolved
to observe it, he should have told Jacob so, when he undertook to serve him for
his younger daughter.
Verse 27
[27] Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the
service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
We will give thee this also — Hereby he drew Jacob into the sin
and snare, and disquiet of multiplying wives. Jacob did not design it, but to
have kept as true to Rachel as his father had done to Rebekah; he that had
lived without a wife to the eighty fourth year of his age could then have been
very well content with one: but Laban to dispose of his two daughters without
portions, and to get seven years service more out of Jacob, thus imposeth upon
him, and draws him into such a strait, that he had some colourable reason for
marrying them both.
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Verse 3
[3] Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice
that seek the LORD.
Glory — Glory in the God whom you serve, as the only true God.
Verse 4
[4] Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Seek — The Lord in his strength, in his sanctuary, or before the
ark, which is called God's strength.
Face — His gracious presence.
Verse 5
[5] Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Judgments — The punishments which he brought upon Egypt by his
mere word.
Verse 6
[6] O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his
chosen.
Of Jacob — The only branch of Abraham's seed to whom the
following blessings belong.
Verse 7
[7] He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Judgments — God executes his judgments upon all nations and
people.
Verse 8
[8] He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he
commanded to a thousand generations.
Remembered — So as to perform it.
The word — The promise.
Commanded — Established.
Thousand generations — To all generations.
Verse 9
[9] Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto
Isaac;
Oath — Wherewith he ratified the covenant with Isaac, Genesis
26:3.
Verse 10
[10] And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel
for an everlasting covenant:
A law — That it might be as firm and irrevocable as a law.
Verse 11
[11] Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot
of your inheritance:
Lot — The portion assigned to you by lot.
Psalm 128
Verse 3
[3] Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine
house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Olive-plants — Numerous, growing and flourishing.
1 Kings 3:5-12
Verse 6
[6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my
father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in
righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for
him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne,
as it is this day.
Truth — In the true worship of God, in the profession, belief,
practice and defence of the true religion. So truth here contains all duties to
God, as righteousness doth his duties to men, and uprightness the right manner
of performing both sorts of duties.
With thee — That is, in thy judgment, to whom he often appealed
as the witness of his integrity.
Verse 7
[7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king
instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go
out or come in.
Child — So he was in years: not above twenty years old; and
withal (which he principally intends) he was raw and unexperienced, as a child,
in state affairs.
Go out, … — To govern my people, and manage affairs.
Verse 8
[8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou
hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
In the midst — Is set over them to rule and guide them. A
metaphor from the overseer of divers workmen, who usually is in the midst of
them, that he may the better observe how each of them discharges his office.
Chosen — Thy peculiar people, whom thou takest special care of,
and therefore wilt expect a more punctual account of my government of them.
Verse 9
[9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge
thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge
this thy so great a people?
An understanding heart — Whereby I may both clearly discern, and
faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken of in
scripture, as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the
neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a fool, and one
void of understanding.
Discern — Namely in causes and controversies among my people;
that I may not through mistake, or prejudice, or passion, give wrong sentences,
and call evil good, or good evil. Absalom, that was a fool, wished himself a
judge: Solomon, that was a wise man, trembles at the undertaking. The more
knowing and considerate men are, the more jealous they are of themselves.
Psalm 119:129-136
Verse 129
[129] PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul
keep them.
Wonderful — In regard of the deep mysteries, the most excellent
directions, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in
them.
Verse 131
[131] I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy
commandments.
Panted — I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly.
Verse 133
[133] Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have
dominion over me.
Steps — My motions and actions.
Verse 136
[136] Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not
thy law.
Rivers — Plentiful tears, witness of my deep sorrow for God's
dishonour, and for the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves.
Romans 8:26-39
Verse 26
[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Likewise the Spirit — Nay, not only the universe, not only the
children of God, but the Spirit of God also himself, as it were, groaneth,
while he helpeth our infirmities, or weaknesses. Our understandings are weak,
particularly in the things of God our desires are weak; our prayers are weak.
We know not — Many times.
What we should pray for — Much less are we able to pray for it
as we ought: but the Spirit maketh intercession for us - In our hearts, even as
Christ does in heaven.
With groanings — The matter of which is from ourselves, but the
Spirit forms them; and they are frequently inexpressible, even by the faithful
themselves.
Verse 27
[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind
of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.
But he who searcheth the hearts — Wherein the Spirit dwells and
intercedes.
Knoweth — Though man cannot utter it.
What is the mind of the Spirit, for he maketh intercession for
the saints — Who are near to God.
According to God — According to his will, as is worthy of God.
and acceptable to him.
Verse 28
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And we know — This in general; though we do not always know
particularly what to pray for.
That all things — Ease or pain, poverty or riches, and the ten
thousand changes of life.
Work together for good — Strongly and sweetly for spiritual and
eternal good.
To them that are called according to his purpose — His gracious
design of saving a lost world by the death of his Son. This is a new
proposition. St. Paul, being about to recapitulate the whole blessing contained
in justification, (termed "glorification," Romans 8:30,) first goes
back to the purpose or decree of God, which is frequently mentioned in holy
writ. To explain this (nearly in the words of an eminent writer) a little more
at large:-When a man has a work of time and importance before him, he pauses,
consults, and contrives; and when he has laid a plan, resolves or decrees to
proceed accordingly. Having observed this in ourselves, we are ready to apply
it to God also; and he, in condescension to us has applied it to himself. The
works of providence and redemption are vast and stupendous, and therefore we
are apt to conceive of God as deliberating and consulting on them, and then
decreeing to act according to "the counsel of his own will;" as if,
long before the world was made, he had been concerting measures both as to the
making and governing of it, and had then writ down his decrees, which altered
not, any more than the laws of the Medes and Persians. Whereas, to take this
consulting and decreeing in a literal sense, would be the same absurdity as to
ascribe a real human body and human passions to the ever-blessed God. This is
only a popular representation of his infallible knowledge and unchangeable
wisdom; that is, he does all things as wisely as a man can possibly do, after
the deepest consultation, and as steadily pursues the most proper method as one
can do who has laid a scheme beforehand. But then, though the effects be such
as would argue consultation and consequent decrees in man, yet what need of a
moment's consultation in Him who sees all things at one view? Nor had God any
more occasion to pause and deliberate, and lay down rules for his own conduct
from all eternity, than he has now. What was there any fear of his mistaking
afterwards, if he had not beforehand prepared decrees, to direct him what he
was to do? Will any man say, he was wiser before the creation than since? or
had he then more leisure, that he should take that opportunity to settle his
affairs, and make rules (or himself, from which he was never to vary? He has
doubtless the same wisdom and all other perfections at this day which he had
from eternity; and is now as capable of making decrees, or rather has no more
occasion for them now than formerly: his understanding being always equally
clear and bright, his wisdom equally infallible.
Verse 29
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren.
Whom he foreknew, he also predestinated conformable to the image
of his Son — Here the apostle declares who those are whom he foreknew and
predestinated to glory; namely, those who are conformable to the image of his
Son. This is the mark of those who are foreknown and will be glorified, 2
Timothy 2:19. Philippians 3:10,21.
Verse 30
[30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.
Them he — In due time.
Called — By his gospel and his Spirit.
And whom he called — When obedient to the heavenly calling, Acts
26:19.
He also justified — Forgave and accepted.
And whom he justified — Provided they "continued in his
goodness," Romans 11:22, he in the end glorified - St. Paul does not
affirm, either here or in any other part of his writings. that precisely the
same number of men are called, justified, and glorified. He does not deny that
a believer may fall away and be cut off between his special calling and his
glorification, Romans 11:22. Neither does he deny that many are called who
never are justified. He only affirms that this is the method whereby God leads
us step by step toward heaven.
He glorified — He speaks as one looking back from the goal, upon
the race of faith. Indeed grace, as it is glory begun, is both an earnest and a
foretaste of eternal glory.
Verse 31
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us?
What shall we say then to these things — Related in the third,
fifth, and eighth chapters? As if he had said, We cannot go, think, or wish
anything farther.
If God be for us — Here follow four periods, one general and
three particular. Each begins with glorying in the grace of God, which is
followed by a question suitable to it, challenging all opponents to all which,
"I am persuaded," etc., is a general answer. The general period is,
If God be for us, who can be against us? The first particular period, relating
to the past time, is, He that spared not his own Son, how shall he not freely
give us all things? The second, relating to the present, is, It is God that
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? The third, relating to the future, is,
It is Christ that died - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Verse 32
[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
He that — This period contains four sentences: He spared not his
own Son; therefore he will freely give us all things. He delivered him up for
us all; therefore, none can lay anything to our charge. Freely - For all that
follows justification is a free gift also.
All things — Needful or profitable for us.
Verse 33
[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is
God that justifieth.
God's elect — The above-cited author observes, that long before
the coming of Christ the heathen world revolted from the true God, and were
therefore reprobated, or rejected. But the nation of the Jews were chosen to be
the people of God, and were therefore styled, "the children" or
"sons of God," Deuteronomy 14:1; "holy people," Deuteronomy
7:6; 14:2; "a chosen seed," Deuteronomy 4:37; "the elect,"
Isaiah 41:8,9; 43:10; "the called of God," Isaiah 48:12. And these
titles were given to all the nation of Israel, including both good and bad. Now
the gospel having the most strict connexion with the Books of the Old
Testament, where these phrases frequently occur; and our Lord and his apostles
being native Jews, and beginning to preach in the land of Israel, the language
in which they preached would of course abound with the phrases of the Jewish
nation. And hence it is easy to see why such of them as would not receive him were
styled reprobated. For they no longer continued to be the people of God;
whereas this and those other honourable titles were continued to all such Jews
as embraced Christianity. And the same appellations which once belonged to the
Jewish nation were now given to the gentile Christians also together with which
they were invested with all the privileges of "the chosen people of
God;" and nothing could cut them off from these but their own wilful
apostasy. It does not appear that even good men were ever termed God's elect
till above two thousand years from the creation. God's electing or choosing the
nation of Israel, and separating them from the other nations, who were sunk in
idolatry and all wickedness, gave the first occasion to this sort of language. And
as the separating the Christians from the Jews was a like event, no wonder it
was expressed in like words and phrases only with this difference, the term
elect was of old applied to all the members of the visible church; whereas in
the New Testament it is applied only to the members of the invisible.
Verse 34
[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us.
Yea rather, that is risen — Our faith should not stop at his
death, but be exercised farther on his resurrection, kingdom, second coming.
Who maketh intercession for us — Presenting there his obedience,
his sufferings, his prayers, and our prayers sanctified through him.
Verse 35
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ — Toward us? Shall
affliction or distress - He proceeds in order, from less troubles to greater:
can any of these separate us from his protection in it ; and, if he sees good,
deliverance from it?
Verse 36
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day
long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
All the day — That is, every day, continually.
We are accounted — By our enemies; by ourselves. Psalms 44:22.
Verse 37
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him that loved us.
We more than conquer — We are not only no losers, but abundant
gainers, by all these trials. This period seems to describe the full assurance
of hope.
Verse 38
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
I am persuaded — This is inferred from the thirty-fourth verse,
in an admirable order: - Neither death" shall hurt us; For "Christ is
dead:" "Nor life;" 'is risen" Nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers; nor things pre - sent, nor things to come;"
"is at the right hand of God:" "Nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature;" "maketh intercession for us." Neither death -
Terrible as it is to natural men; a violent death in particular, Romans 8:36.
Nor life — With all the affliction and distress it can bring,
Romans 8:35; or a long, easy life; or all living men.
Nor angels — Whether good (if it were possible they should
attempt it) or bad, with all their wisdom and strength.
Nor principalities, nor powers — Not even those of the highest rank,
or the most eminent power.
Nor things present — Which may befal us during our pilgrimage;
or the whole world, till it passeth away.
Nor things to come — Which may occur either when our time on
earth is past, or when time itself is at an end, as the final judgment, the
general conflagration, the everlasting fire.
Nor height, nor depth — The former sentence respected the
differences of times; this, the differences of places. How many great and
various things are contained in these words, we do not, need not, cannot know
yet.
The height — In St. Paul's sublime style, is put for heaven.
The depth — For the great abyss: that is, neither the heights, I
will not say of walls, mountains, seas, but, of heaven itself, can move us; nor
the abyss itself, the very thought of which might astonish the boldest
creature.
Nor any creature — Nothing beneath the Almighty; visible enemies
he does not even deign to name.
Shall be able — Either by force, Romans 8:35; or by any legal
claim, Romans 8:33, etc.
To separate us from the love of God in Christ — Which will
surely save, protect, deliver us who believe in, and through, and from, them
all.
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Verse 31
[31] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom
of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in
his field:
He proposed to them another parable — The former parables relate
chiefly to unfruitful hearers; these that follow, to those who bear good fruit.
The kingdom of heaven — Both the Gospel dispensation, and the
inward kingdom. Mark 4:30; Luke 13:18.
Verse 32
[32] Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is
grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds
of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
The least — That is, one of the least: a way of speaking
extremely common among the Jews.
It becometh a tree — In those countries it grows exceeding large
and high. So will the Christian doctrine spread in the world, and the life of
Christ in the soul.
Verse 33
[33] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven
is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.
Three measures — This was the quantity which they usually baked
at once: till the whole was leavened - Thus will the Gospel leaven the world
and grace the Christian. Luke 13:20.
Verse 44
[44] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth
and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
The three following parables are proposed, not to the multitude,
but peculiarly to the apostles: the two former of them relate to those who
receive the Gospel; the third, both to those who receive, and those who preach
it.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field — The
kingdom of God within us is a treasure indeed, but a treasure hid from the
world, and from the most wise and prudent in it. He that finds this treasure,
(perhaps when he thought it far from him,) hides it deep in his heart, and
gives up all other happiness for it.
Verse 45
[45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man,
seeking goodly pearls:
The kingdom of heaven — That is, one who earnestly seeks for it:
in verse Matthew 13:47 it means, the Gospel preached, which is like a net
gathering of every kind: just so the Gospel, wherever it is preached, gathers
at first both good and bad, who are for a season full of approbation and warm
with good desires. But Christian discipline, and strong, close exhortation,
begin that separation in this world, which shall be accomplished by the angels
of God in the world to come.
Verse 52
[52] Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is
instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven — That is,
every duly prepared preacher of the Gospel has a treasure of Divine knowledge,
out of which he is able to bring forth all sorts of instructions. The word
treasure signifies any collection of things whatsoever, and the places where
such collections are kept.
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