Wichita, Kansas, United States - Great Plains Conference of the
United Methodist Church Daily Devotional for Tuesday, 17 June 2014
This Week’s Lectionary for Sunday, 15 June 2014:
1st Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide – White
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God[a] created the heavens and the
earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the
deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw
the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness. 5
God called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was
evening and there was morning, the first day.
6 God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the
waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse,
and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were
above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky”. There was
evening and there was morning, a second day.
9 God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together
to one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 God called the
dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”.
God saw that it was good. 11 God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs
yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their
seeds in it, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 The earth yielded grass, herbs
yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in
it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and
there was morning, a third day.
14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to
divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days,
and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on
the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights: the greater light
to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the
stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth, 18 and
to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the
darkness. God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning,
a fourth day.
20 God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and
let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky.” 21 God created the
large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters
swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that
it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill
the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was
evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
24 God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their
kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind”;
and it was so. 25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the
livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its
kind. God saw that it was good.
26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky,
and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image
he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them. God said
to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion
over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living
thing that moves on the earth.” 29 God said, “Behold,[b] I have given you every
herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree,
which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of
the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the
earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it
was so.
31 God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very
good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
2:1 The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were
finished. 2 On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he
rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. 3 God blessed
the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of
creation which he had done.
4 This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of
the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh[c] God made the earth
and the heavens.
Footnotes:
a. Genesis 1:1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים”
(Elohim).
b. Genesis 1:29 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take
notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
c. Genesis 2:4 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered
“LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
Psalm 8: For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A
Psalm by David.
1 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth,
who has set your glory
above the heavens!
2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established
strength,
because of your
adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the
stars, which you have ordained;
4 what is man, that you think of him?
What is the son of
man, that you care for him?
5 For you have made him a little lower than God,[a]
and crowned him with
glory and honor.
6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands.
You have put all
things under his feet:
7 All sheep and cattle,
yes, and the animals
of the field,
8 The birds of the
sky, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes
through the paths of the seas.
9 Yahweh, our Lord,
how majestic is your
name in all the earth!
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 8:5 Hebrew: Elohim. The word Elohim, used here, usually
means “God”, but can also mean “gods”, “princes”, or “angels”. The Septuagint
reads “angels” here.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be
comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace
will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints
greet you.
Matthew 28:16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the
mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down to
him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All
authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go,[a] and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I
commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 28:19 TR and NU add “therefore”
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John Wesley’s Notes-commentary for:
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Verse 1
[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Observe here. 1. The effect produced, The heaven and the earth -
That is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe.
But 'tis only the visible part of the creation that Moses designs to give an
account of. Yet even in this there are secrets which cannot be fathomed, nor
accounted for. But from what we see of heaven and earth, we may infer the
eternal power and godhead of the great Creator. And let our make and place, as
men, mind us of our duty, as Christians, which is always to keep heaven in our
eye, and the earth under our feet. Observe 2. The author and cause of this
great work, God. The Hebrew word is Elohim; which (1.) seems to mean The
Covenant God, being derived from a word that signifies to swear. (2.) The
plurality of persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The plural
name of God in Hebrew, which speaks of him as many, tho' he be but one, was to
the Gentiles perhaps a favour of death unto death, hardening them in their
idolatry; but it is to us a favour of life unto life, confirming our faith in
the doctrine of the Trinity, which, tho' but darkly intimated in the Old
Testament, is clearly revealed in the New. Observe 3. The manner how this work
was effected; God created, that is, made it out of nothing. There was not any
pre-existent matter out of which the world was produced. The fish and fowl were
indeed produced out of the waters, and the beasts and man out of the earth; but
that earth and those waters were made out of nothing. Observe 4. When this work
was produced; In the beginning - That is, in the beginning of time. Time began
with the production of those beings that are measured by time. Before the
beginning of time there was none but that Infinite Being that inhabits
eternity. Should we ask why God made the world no sooner, we should but darken
counsel by words without knowledge; for how could there be sooner or later in
eternity?
Verse 2
[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was
upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the
waters.
Where we have an account of the first matter, and the first
Mover. 1. A chaos was the first matter. 'Tis here called the earth, (tho' the
earth, properly taken, was not made 'till the third day, Genesis 1:10) because
it did most resemble that which was afterwards called earth, a heavy unwieldy
mass. 'Tis also called the deep, both for its vastness, and because the waters
which were afterwards separated from the earth were now mixed with it. This
mighty bulk of matter was it, out of which all bodies were afterwards produced.
The Creator could have made his work perfect at first, but by this gradual
proceeding he would shew what is ordinarily the method of his providence, and
grace. This chaos, was without form and void. Tohu and Bohu, confusion and
emptiness, so those words are rendered, Isaiah 34:11. 'Twas shapeless, 'twas
useless, 'twas without inhabitants, without ornaments; the shadow or rough
draught of things to come. To those who have their hearts in heaven, this lower
world, in comparison of the upper, still appears to be confusion and emptiness.
And darkness was upon the face of the deep-God did not create this darkness,
(as he is said to create the darkness of affliction, Isaiah 45:7.) for it was
only the want of light. 2. The Spirit of God was the first Mover; He moved upon
the face of the waters - He moved upon the face of the deep, as the hen
gathereth her chicken under her wings, and hovers over them, to warm and
cherish them, Matthew 23:37 as the eagle stirs up her nest, and fluttereth over
her young, ('tis the same word that is here used) Deuteronomy 32:11.
Verses 3-5
[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. [4]
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the
darkness. [5] And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.
And the evening and the morning were the first day.
We have here a farther account of the first day's work. In which
observe, 1. That the first of all visible beings which God created was light,
the great beauty and blessing of the universe: like the first-born, it doth, of
all visible beings, most resemble its great parent in purity and power,
brightness and beneficence. 2. That the light was made by the word of God's
power; He said, Let there be light - He willed it, and it was done; there was
light - Such a copy as exactly answered the original idea in the eternal mind.
3. That the light which God willed, he approved of.
God saw the light, that it was good — 'Twas exactly as he
designed it; and it was fit to answer the end for which he designed it. 4. That
God divided the light from the darkness - So put them asunder as they could
never be joined together: and yet he divided time between them, the day for
light, and the night for darkness, in a constant succession. Tho' the darkness
was now scattered by the light, yet it has its place, because it has its use;
for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the
shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night. God has thus divided
between light and darkness, because he would daily mind us that this is a world
of mixtures and changes. In heaven there is perpetual light, and no darkness;
in hell utter darkness, and no light: but in this world they are
counter-changed, and we pass daily from one to another; that we may learn to
expect the like vicissitudes in the providence of God. 5. That God divided them
from each other by distinguishing names. He called the light Day, and the
darkness he called night - He gave them names as Lord of both. He is the Lord
of time, and will be so 'till day and night shall come to an end, and the
stream of time be swallowed up in the ocean of eternity. 6. That this was the
first day's work, The evening and the morning were the first day - The darkness
of the evening was before the light of the morning, that it might set it off,
and make it shine the brighter.
Verses 6-8
[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the
waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [7] And God made the
firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the
waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [8] And God called the
firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation
of the firmament. In which observe, 1. The command of God; Let there be a
firmament - An expansion; so the Hebrew word signifies, like a sheet spread, or
a curtain drawn out. This includes all that is visible above the earth, between
it and the third heavens, the air, its higher, middle, and lower region, the
celestial globe, and all the orbs of light above; it reaches as high as the
place where the stars are fixed, for that is called here the firmament of
heaven, Genesis 1:14,15, and as low as the place where the birds fly for that
also is called the firmament of heaven, Genesis 1:20. 2. The creation of it:
and God made the firmament. 3. The design of it; to divide the waters from the
waters-That is, to distinguish between the waters that are wrapt up in the clouds,
and those that cover the sea; the waters in the air, and those in the earth. 4.
The naming it; He called the firmament Heaven - 'Tis the visible heaven, the
pavement of the holy city. The height of the heavens should mind us of God's
supremacy, and the infinite distance that is between us and him; the brightness
of the heavens, and their purity, should mind us of his majesty, and perfect
holiness; the vastness of the heavens, and their encompassing the earth, and
influence upon it, should mind us of his immensity and universal providence.
Verses 9-13
[9] And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered
together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. [10] And
God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called
he Seas: and God saw that it was good. [11] And God said, Let the earth bring
forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after
his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. [12] And the
earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree
yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it
was good. [13] And the evening and the morning were the third day.
The third day's work is related in these verses; the forming the
sea and the dry land, and making the earth fruitful. Hitherto the power of the
Creator had been employed about the upper part of the visible world; now he
descends to this lower world, designed for the children of men, both for their
habitation, and their maintenance. And here we have an account of the fitting
of it for both; the building of their house, and the spreading of their table.
Observe, 1. How the earth was prepared to be a habitation for man by the
gathering of the waters together, and making the dry land appear. Thus, instead
of that confusion which was, when earth and water were mixed in one great mass;
now there is order, by such a separation as rendered them both useful. (1.) The
waters which covered the earth were ordered to retire, and to gather into one
place, viz. those hollows which were fitted for their reception. The waters
thus lodged in their proper place, he called Seas; for though they are many, in
distant regions, yet either above ground or under ground, they have
communication with each other, and so they are one, and the common receptacle
of waters, into which all the rivers run. (2.) The dry land was made to appear,
and emerge out of the waters, and was called Earth. Observe, 2. How the earth
was furnished for the support of man, Genesis 1:11,12. Present provision was
made, by the immediate products of the earth, which, in obedience to God's
command, was no sooner made but it became fruitful. Provision was likewise made
for time to come, by the perpetuating of the several species of vegetables,
every one having its seed in itself after its kind, that during the continuance
of man upon the earth, food might be fetched out of the earth, for his use and
benefit.
Verses 14-19
[14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the
heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for
seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. [16] And God
made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light
to rule the night: he made the stars also. [17] And God set them in the
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, [18] And to rule over the
day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw
that it was good. [19] And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
This is the history of the fourth day's work, the creating the
sun, moon and stars. Of this we have an account, 1. In general, verse 14, 15.
where we have, (1.) The command given concerning them.
Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven — God had said,
Genesis 1:3 Let there be light, and there was light; but that was, as it were,
a chaos of light, scattered and confused; now it was collected and made into
several luminaries, and so rendered both more glorious and more serviceable.
(2.) The use they were intended to be of to this earth. [1.] They must be for
the distinction of times, of day and night, summer and winter. [2.] They must
be for the direction of actions: they are for signs of the change of weather,
that the husbandman may order his affairs with discretion. They do also give
light upon the earth - That we may walk John 11:9 and work John 9:4 according
as the duty of every day requires. The lights of heaven do not shine for
themselves, nor for the world of spirits above, they need them not; but they
shine for us, and for our pleasure and advantage. Lord, what is man that he
should be thus regarded, Psalms 8:3,4. 2. In particular, Genesis 1:16,17,18,
The lights of heaven are the sun, moon and stars, and these all are the work of
God's hands. (1.) The sun is the greatest light of all, and the most glorious
and useful of all the lamps of heaven; a noble instance of the Creator's
wisdom, power and goodness, and an invaluable blessing to the creatures of this
lower world. (2.) The moon is a lesser light, and yet is here reckoned one of
the greater lights, because, though in regard of its magnitude, it is inferior
to many of the stars, yet in respect of its usefulness to the earth, it is more
excellent than they. (3.) He made the stars also - Which are here spoken of
only in general; for the scriptures were written not to gratify our curiosity,
but to lead us to God. Now, these lights are said to rule, Genesis 1:16,18; not
that they have a supreme dominion as God has, but they are rulers under him.
Here the lesser light, the moon, is said to rule the night; but Psalms 136:9
the stars are mentioned as sharers in that government, the moon and stars to
rule by night. No more is meant, but that they give light, Jeremiah 31:35. The
best and most honourable way of ruling is, by giving light, and doing good.
Verses 20-23
[20] And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving
creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open
firmament of heaven. [21] And God created great whales, and every living
creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their
kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. [22]
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in
the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. [23] And the evening and the
morning were the fifth day.
Each day hitherto hath produced very excellent beings, but we do
not read of the creation of any living creature till the fifth day. The work of
creation not only proceeded gradually from one thing to another, but advanced
gradually from that which was less excellent, to that which was more so. 'Twas
on the fifth day that the fish and fowl were created, and both out of the
waters. Observe, 1. The making of the fish and fowl at first. Genesis 1:20,21
God commanded them to be produced, he said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly
- The fish in the waters, and the fowl out of them. This command he himself
executed, God created great whales, etc.-Insects which are as various as any
species of animals, and their structure as curious, were part of this day's
work, some of them being allied to the fish, and others to the fowl. Notice is
here taken of the various species of fish and fowl, each after their kind; and
of the great numbers of both that were produced, for the waters brought forth
abundantly; and in particular of great whales the largest of fishes, whose bulk
and strength, are remarkable proofs of the power and greatness of the Creator.
Observe, 2, The blessing of them in order to their continuance. Life is a
wasting thing, its strength is not the strength of stones; therefore the wise
Creator not only made the individuals, but provided for the propagating of the
several species, Genesis 1:22.
God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply —
Fruitfullness is the effect of God's blessing, and must be ascribed to it; the multiplying
of the fish and fowl from year to year, is still the fruit of this blessing
here.
Verses 24-25
[24] And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature
after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his
kind: and it was so. [25] And God made the beast of the earth after his kind,
and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after
his kind: and God saw that it was good.
We have here the first part of the sixth day's work. The sea was
the day before replenished with fish, and the air with fowl; and this day are
made the beasts of the earth, cattle, and the creeping things that pertain to
the earth. Here, as before, (1.) The Lord gave the word: he said, Let The earth
bring forth - Let these creatures come into being upon the earth, and out of
it, in their respective kinds. 2. He also did the work; he made them all after
their kind - Not only of divers shapes, but of divers natures, manners, food,
and fashions: In all which appears the manifold wisdom of the Creator.
Verses 26-28
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And
God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth.
We have here the second part of the sixth day's work, the
creation of man, which we are in a special manner concerned to take notice of.
Observe, 1. That man was made last of all the creatures, which was both an
honour and a favour to him: an honour, for the creation was to advance from
that which was less perfect, to that which was more so and a favour, for it was
not fit he should be lodged in the palace designed for him, till it was
completely fitted and furnished for his reception. Man, as soon as he was made,
had the whole visible creation before him, both to contemplate, and to take the
comfort of. 2. That man's creation was a mere signal act of divine wisdom and
power, than that of the other creatures. The narrative of it is introduced with
solemnity, and a manifest distinction from the rest. Hitherto it had been said,
Let there be light, and Let there be a firmament: but now the word of command
is turned into a word of consultation, Let us make man - For whose sake the
rest of the creatures were made. Man was to be a creature different from all
that had been hitherto made. Flesh and spirit, heaven and earth must be put
together in him, and he must be allied to both worlds. And therefore God
himself not only undertakes to make, but is pleased so to express himself, as
if he called a council to consider of the making of him; Let us make man - The
three persons of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, consult about it,
and concur in it; because man, when he was made, was to be dedicated and
devoted to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 3. That man was made in God's image,
and after his likeness; two words to express the same thing. God's image upon
man, consists, 1. In his nature, not that of his body, for God has not a body,
but that of his soul. The soul is a spirit, an intelligent, immortal spirit, an
active spirit, herein resembling God, the Father of spirits, and the soul of
the world. 2. In his place and authority. Let us make man in our image, and let
him have dominion. As he has the government of the inferior creatures, he is as
it were God's representative on earth. Yet his government of himself by the
freedom of his will, has in it more of God's image, than his government of the
creatures. 3. And chiefly in his purity and rectitude. God's image upon man
consists in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, Ephesians 4:24;
Colossians 3:10. He was upright, Ecclesiastes 7:29. He had an habitual
conformity of all his natural powers to the whole will of God. His
understanding saw divine things clearly, and there were no errors in his
knowledge: his will complied readily and universally with the will of God; without
reluctancy: his affections were all regular, and he had no inordinate appetites
or passions: his thoughts were easily fixed to the best subjects, and there was
no vanity or ungovernableness in them. And all the inferior powers were subject
to the dictates of the superior. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents,
in having the image of God upon them. But how art thou fallen, O son of the
morning? How is this image of God upon man defaced! How small are the remains
of it, and how great the ruins of it! The Lord renew it upon our souls by his
sanctifying grace! 4. That man was made male and female, and blessed with
fruitfulness. He created him male and female, Adam and Eve: Adam first out of
earth, and Eve out of his side. God made but one male and one female, that all
the nations of men might know themselves to be made of one blood, descendants,
from one common stock, and might thereby be induced to love one another. God
having made them capable of transmitting the nature they had received, said to them,
Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth - Here he gave them, 1. A
large inheritance; replenish the earth, in which God has set man to be the
servant of his providence, in the government of the inferior creatures, and as
it were the intelligence of this orb; to be likewise the collector of his
praises in this lower world, and lastly, to be a probationer for a better
state. 2. A numerous lasting family to enjoy this inheritance; pronouncing a
blessing upon them, in the virtue of which, their posterity should extend to
the utmost corners of the earth, and continue to the utmost period of time. 5.
That God gave to man a dominion over the inferior creatures, over fish of the
sea, and over the fowl of the air - Though man provides for neither, he has
power over both, much more over every living thing that moveth upon the earth -
God designed hereby to put an honour upon man, that he might find himself the
more strongly obliged to bring honour to his Maker.
Verses 29-30
[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing
seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is
the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. [30] And to
every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that
creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb
for meat: and it was so.
We have here the third part of the sixth day's work, which was
not any new creation, but a gracious provision of food for all flesh, Psalms 136:25.-Here
is, 1. Food provided for man, Genesis 1:29. herbs and fruits must be his meat,
including corn, and all the products of the earth. And before the earth was
deluged, much more before it was cursed for man's sake, its fruits no doubt,
were more pleasing to the taste, and more strengthening and nourishing to the
body. 2. Food provided for the beasts, Genesis 1:30. Doth God take care of
oxen? Yes, certainly, he provides food convenient for them; and not for oxen
only that were used in his sacrifices, and man's service, but even the young
lions and the young ravens are the care of his providence, they ask and have
their meat from God.
Verse 31
[31] And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it
was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of
creation. Observe, 1. The review God took of his work, he saw every thing that
he had made - So he doth still; all the works of his hands are under his eye;
he that made all sees all. 2. The complacency God took in his work. When we
come to review our works we find to our shame, that much has been very bad; but
when God reviewed his, all was very good. 1. It was good. Good, for it is all
agreeable to the mind of the creator. Good, for it answers the end of its
creation. Good, for it is serviceable to man, whom God had appointed lord of
the visible creation. Good, for it is all for God's glory; there is that in the
whole visible creation which is a demonstration of God's being and perfections,
and which tends to beget in the soul of man a religious regard to him. 2. It
was very good - Of each day's work (except the second) it was said that it was
good, but now it is very good. For, 1. Now man was made, who was the chief of
the ways of God, the visible image of the Creator's glory, 2. Now All was made,
every part was good, but all together very good. The glory and goodness, the
beauty and harmony of God's works both of providence and grace, as this of
creation, will best appear when they are perfected. 3. The time when this work
was concluded.
The evening and the morning were the sixth day — So that in six
days God made the world. We are not to think but that God could have made the
world in an instant: but he did it in six days, that he might shew himself a
free agent, doing his own work, both in his own way, and in his own time; that
his wisdom, power and goodness, might appear to us, and be meditated upon by
us, the more distinctly; and that he might set us an example of working six
days, and resting the seventh. And now as God reviewed his work, let us review
our meditations upon it; let us stir up ourselves, and all that is within us,
to worship him that made the, heaven, earth, and sea, and the fountains of
waters. All his works in all places of his dominion bless him, and therefore
bless thou the Lord, O my soul.
Verses 1-3
[1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the
host of them. [2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. [3] And
God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had
rested from all his work which God created and made.
We have here, (1.) The settlement of the kingdom of nature, in
God's resting from the work of creation, Genesis 2:1,2. Where observe, 1. That
the creatures made both in heaven and earth, are the hosts or armies of them,
which speaks them numerous, but marshalled, disciplined, and under command. God
useth them as his hosts for the defence of his people, and the destruction of
his enemies. 2. That the heavens and the earth are finished pieces, and so are
all the creatures in them. So perfect is God's work that nothing can be added
to it or taken from it, Ecclesiastes 3:14. 3. That after the end of the first
six days, God ceased from all work of creation. He hath so ended his work, as
that though in his providence he worketh hitherto, John 5:17. preserving and
governing all the creatures, yet he doth not make any new species of creatures.
4. That the eternal God, tho' infinitely happy in himself, yet took a
satisfaction in the work of his own hands. He did not rest as one weary, but as
one well-pleased with the instances of his own goodness. (2.) The commencement
of the kingdom of grace, in the sanctification of the sabbath day, Genesis 2:3.
He rested on that day, and took a complacency in his creatures, and then
sanctified it, and appointed us on that day to rest and take a complacency in
the Creator; and his rest is in the fourth commandment made a reason for ours
after six days labour. Observe, 1. That the solemn observation of one day in
seven as a day of holy rest, and holy work, is the indispensible duty of all
those to whom God has revealed his holy sabbaths. 2. That sabbaths are as
ancient as the world. 3. That the sabbath of the Lord is truly honourable, and
we have reason to honour it; honour it for the sake of its antiquity, its great
author, and the sanctification of the first sabbath by the holy God himself,
and in obedience to him, by our first parents in innocency.
Verses 4-7
[4] These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth
when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the
heavens, [5] And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every
herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain
upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. [6] But there went
up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. [7] And the
LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
In these verses, 1. Here is a name given to the Creator, which
we have not yet met with, Jehovah. The LORD in capital letters, is constantly
used in our English translation, for Jehovah. This is that great and
incommunicable name of God, which speaks his having his being of himself, and
his giving being to all things. It properly means, He that was, and that is,
and that is to come. 2. Further notice taken of the production of plants and herbs,
because they were made to be food for man. 3. A more particular account of the
creation of man, Genesis 2:7. Man is a little world, consisting of heaven and
earth, soul and body. Here we have all account of the original of both, and the
putting of both together: The Lord God, the great fountain of being and power,
formed man. Of the other creatures it is said, they were created and made; but
of man, that he was formed, which notes a gradual process in the work with
great accuracy and exactness. To express the creation of this new thing, he
takes a new word: a word (some think) borrowed from the potter's forming his
vessel upon the wheel. The body of man is curiously wrought. And the soul takes
its rise from the breath of heaven. It came immediately from God; he gave it to
be put into the body, Ecclesiastes 12:7 as afterwards he gave the tables of
stone of his own writing to be put into the ark. 'Tis by it that man is a
living soul, that is, a living man. The body would be a worthless, useless
carcase, if the soul did not animate it.
Psalm 8
Verse 1
[1] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
In — Not only in Israel, but among all nations. Which shews that
this psalm speaks of the Messiah, and the times of the New Testament.
Heavens — Where thy throne of glory is established, where the
blessed angels celebrate thy praises, where Christ sitteth at thy right hand in
glorious majesty, from whence he poureth down excellent gifts upon babes.
Verse 2
[2] Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained
strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the
avenger.
Babes — Weak and foolish, and contemptible persons, who are
frequently called babes or children. Such are very unfit to grapple with an
enemy: and therefore when such persons conquer the most powerful and malicious
enemies, it must needs confound them, and advance the glory of God: as indeed
it did, when such mean persons as the apostles, and disciples of Christ,
maintained and propagated the gospel, in spite of all the wit, power, and rage
of their enemies.
Ordained — Perfectly or firmly settled strength; that is, the
praise of his strength or power, Matthew 21:16, it is rendered praise.
Still — Silence and confound them.
Avenger — The devil, and all who are his vassals and espouse his
quarrel.
Verse 3
[3] When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the
moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
The moon — Either the sun is included under this general title:
or he omitted it, because he made this psalm by night.
Ordained — Placed in that excellent and unalterable order, and
directed to their several motions.
Verse 4
[4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him?
What is man — How mean and inconsiderable a thing is man, if
compared with thy glorious majesty.
Man — Heb. infirm, or miserable man. By which it is apparent
that he speaks of man, not according to the state of his creation, but as
fallen into a state of sin and misery, and mortality.
Mindful — Carest for him, and conferest such high favours upon
him.
The son — Heb. the son of Adam, that great apostate from God,
the sinful son of a sinful father, his son by likeness of disposition and
manners, no less than by procreation. All which tends to magnify the following
mercy.
Visitest — Not in anger, as that word is sometimes used, but
with thy grace and mercy.
Verse 5
[5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and
hast crowned him with glory and honour.
For — Thou hast in Christ mercifully restored man to his
primitive estate, wherein he was but one remove below the angels; from which he
was fallen by sin.
Crowned — Man, fallen and lost man: who is actually restored to
glory and dominion in Christ his head and representative, who received this
crown and dominion for man's good, and in his stead; which he will in due time
communicate to his members. And so the two expositions of this place concerning
mankind and concerning Christ, may be reconciled. For he speaks of that
honourable estate conferred first upon Christ, and then by his hands upon
mankind. But the words more literally rendered are, Thou madest him a little
less than God. And hence some have inferred, that man in his original state was
the highest of all creatures.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Verse 11
[11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be
with you.
Be perfect — Aspire to the highest degree of holiness.
Be of good comfort — Filled with divine consolation.
Be of one mind — Desire, labour, pray for it, to the utmost
degree that is possible.
Verse 13
[13] All the saints salute you.
The grace — Or favour.
Of our Lord Jesus Christ — By which alone we can come to the
Father.
And the love of God — Manifested to you, and abiding in you.
And the communion — Or fellowship.
Of the Holy Ghost — In all his gifts and graces. It is with
great reason that this comprehensive and instructive blessing is pronounced at
the close of our solemn assemblies; and it is a very indecent thing to see so
many quitting them, or getting into postures of remove, before this short
sentence can be ended. How often have we heard this awful benediction
pronounced! Let us study it more and more, that we may value it proportionably;
that we may either deliver or receive it with a becoming reverence, with eyes
and hearts lifted up to God, "who giveth the blessing out of Sion, and
life for evermore."
Matthew 28:16-20
Verse 16
[16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a
mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
To the mountain where Jesus had appointed them — This was
probably Mount Tabor, where, (it is commonly supposed,) he had been before
transfigured. It seems to have been here also, that he appeared to above five
hundred brethren at once.
Verse 18
[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
All power is given to me — Even as man. As God, he had all power
from eternity.
Verse 19
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Disciple all nations — Make them my disciples. This includes the
whole design of Christ's commission. Baptizing and teaching are the two great
branches of that general design. And these were to be determined by the
circumstances of things; which made it necessary in baptizing adult Jews or
heathens, to teach them before they were baptized; in discipling their
children, to baptize them before they were taught; as the Jewish children in
all ages were first circumcised, and after taught to do all God had commanded
them. Mark 16:15.
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This Week’s Lectionary for Sunday, 22 June 2014:
Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Psalm 69:7-10-18
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39
Genesis 21: 8 The child grew, and was weaned. Abraham made a
great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the
Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to
Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will
not be heir with my son, Isaac.”
11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of
his son. 12 God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight
because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you,
listen to her voice. For your offspring[a] will be accounted as from Isaac. 13
I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your
child[b].” 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle
of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the
child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of
Beersheba. 15 The water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under
one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about
a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She
sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17 God heard the voice
of the boy.
The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to
her, “What ails you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the
boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him in your hand. For I
will make him a great nation.”
19 God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went,
filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink. 20 God was with the boy,
and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.
21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother took a wife for him out of
the land of Egypt.
Footnotes:
a. Genesis 21:12 or, seed
b. Genesis 21:13 or, seed
Psalm 86: A Prayer by David.
1 Hear, Yahweh, and answer me,
for I am poor and
needy.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am godly.
You, my God, save your
servant who trusts in you.
3 Be merciful to me, Lord,
for I call to you all
day long.
4 Bring joy to the soul of your servant,
for to you, Lord, do I
lift up my soul.
5 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive;
abundant in loving
kindness to all those who call on you.
6 Hear, Yahweh, my prayer.
Listen to the voice of
my petitions.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call on you,
for you will answer
me.
8 There is no one like you among the gods, Lord,
nor any deeds like
your deeds.
9 All nations you have made will come and worship before you,
Lord.
They shall glorify
your name.
10 For you are great, and do wondrous things.
You are God alone.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give your strength to
your servant.
Save the son of your
servant.
17 Show me a sign of your goodness,
that those who hate me
may see it, and be shamed,
because you, Yahweh,
have helped me, and comforted me.
Jeremiah 20:7 Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was
persuaded; you are stronger than I, and have prevailed: I am become a
laughing-stock all the day, every one mocks me. 8 For as often as I speak, I
cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because Yahweh’s word is made a
reproach to me, and a derision, all the day. 9 If I say, I will not make
mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it
were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I
can’t. 10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side.
Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, those who
watch for my fall; perhaps he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against
him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But Yahweh is with me as an
awesome mighty one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not
prevail; they shall be utterly disappointed, because they have not dealt
wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten. 12
But, Yahweh of Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the
mind, let me see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause.
13 Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh; for he has delivered the soul of the needy
from the hand of evildoers.
Psalm 69:7 Because for your sake, I have borne reproach.
Shame has covered my
face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my
mother’s children.
9 For the zeal of your house consumes me.
The reproaches of
those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and I fasted,
that was to my
reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to
them.
12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me.
I am the song of the
drunkards.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable
time.
God, in the abundance
of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.
14 Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink.
Let me be delivered
from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15 Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me,
neither let the deep
swallow me up.
Don’t let the pit shut
its mouth on me.
16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good.
According to the
multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.
17 Don’t hide your face from your servant,
for I am in distress.
Answer me speedily!
18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it.
Ransom me because of
my enemies.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound? 2 May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live
in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him through
baptism to death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have
become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of
his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that
the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage
to sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 But if we died with
Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ,
being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!
10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he
lives, he lives to God. 11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but
alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 10:24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a
servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his
teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebul,[a] how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore don’t be
afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and
hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the
light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28
Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.
Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. [b]
29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin?[c] Not one of
them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, 30 but the very hairs
of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more
value than many sparrows. 32 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men,
him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever
denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t
come to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man at odds against his
father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law. 36 A man’s foes will be those of his own household.[d] 37 He who
loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son
or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 He who doesn’t take his cross
and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 39 He who seeks his life will lose it;
and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 10:25 Literally, Lord of the Flies, or the devil
b. Matthew 10:28 or, Hell.
c. Matthew 10:29 An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of
a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius. An assarion is approximately the wages
of one half hour of agricultural labor.
d. Matthew 10:36 Micah 7:6
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Genesis 21:8-21
Verse 9
[9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had
born unto Abraham, mocking.
Sarah saw the son of the Egyptian mocking — Mocking Isaac no
doubt, for it is sad, with reference to this, Galatians 4:29, that he that was
born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit. Ishmael is
here called the son of the Egyptian, because (as some think) the four hundred
years affliction of the seed of Abraham by the Egyptians began now, and was to
be dated from hence.
Verse 10
[10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman
and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even
with Isaac.
Cast out the bond-woman — This was a type of the rejection of
the unbelieving Jews, who, though they were the seed of Abraham, yet, because
they submitted not to the gospel-covenant, were unchurched and disfranchised.
And that, which above any thing provoked God to cast them off, was, their
mocking and persecuting the gospel-church, God's Isaac, in his infancy.
Verse 11
[11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because
of his son.
The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight — it grieved him
that Ishmael had given such provocation. And still more that Sarah insisted
upon such a punishment.
Verse 13
[13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation,
because he is thy seed.
The casting out of Ishmael was not his ruin. He shall be a
nation because he is thy seed - We are not sure that it was his eternal ruin.
It is presumption to say, that all these who are left out of the external
dispensation of God's covenant are excluded from all his mercies. Those may be
saved who are not thus honoured.
Verse 14
[14] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread,
and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and
the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness
of Beersheba.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning — We may suppose
immediately after he had in the night-visions received orders to do this.
Verse 17
[17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God
called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear
not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
God heard the voice of the lad — We read not of a word be said;
but his sighs and groans, cried loud in the ears of the God of mercy. An angel
was sent to comfort Hagar, who assures her, God has heard the voice of the lad
where he is - Though he be in the wilderness; for wherever we are, there is a
way open heavenwards; therefore lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand -
God's readiness to help us when we are in trouble must not slacken, but quicken
our endeavours to help ourselves. He repeats the promise concerning her son,
that he should be a great nation, as a reason why she should bestir herself to
help him.
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Verse 2
[2] Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy
servant that trusteth in thee.
Holy — Sincerely devoted to thy service.
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Verse 7
[7] O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art
stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh
me.
Hast prevailed — Thou prevailedst against me. Jeremiah at first
excused himself to God, chap. 1:6, but the Lord prevailed against him replying,
verse 1:7, Say not, I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall send
thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak, verse 1:9. This is all
that is here meant, namely, God's over-ruling him contrary to his own
inclinations.
Verse 8
[8] For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil;
because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision,
daily.
Since — Since I first began to be a prophet, I have faithfully
discharged my office, and that with warmth and zeal.
Spoil — I have prophesied that violence and spoil was coming.
Because — Because of that scorn and derision with which they
treated him.
Verse 9
[9] Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any
more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in
my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
I said — He did not speak this openly, but in his heart.
But — He found in his heart a constraint to go on.
Verse 10
[10] For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side.
Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my
halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against
him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Prevail — Desiring nothing more than that I might be enticed to
speak or do something which they might make matter of a colourable accusation.
Verse 11
[11] But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore
my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly
ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be
forgotten.
But — The prophet recovering himself out of his fit of passion,
encourageth himself in his God, whom he calls the mighty and terrible one, so
declaring his faith in the power of God, as one able to save him, and in the
promise and good will of God toward him; therefore he saith, The Lord is with
me; such was the promise of God to this prophet, when he first undertook the
prophetical office, chap. 1:8. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee
to deliver thee saith the Lord: from hence be concludes, that though he had
many that pursued after his life, yet they should stumble in their ways of
violence, and should not prevail.
Ashamed — That they should be ashamed of what they had done, or
be brought to shame for what they had done; for prosper they should not: or
they acted like fools, and did not deal prudently for themselves (so this word
is translated, Isaiah 52:13,) yea, they should become a reproach, and their
reproach should be a lasting perpetual reproach that should not be forgotten.
Psalm 69:7-18
Verse 7
[7] Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath
covered my face.
For thy sake — For my obedience to thy commands, and zeal for
thy glory.
Verse 9
[9] For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the
reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
Zeal — That fervent love which I have for thy house and service,
and glory, and people.
Eaten — Exhausted my spirits.
Upon me — I have been as deeply affected with thy reproaches, as
with mine own. This tho' truly belonging to David, yet was also directed by the
spirit of God in him, to represent the disposition and condition of Christ, in
whom it was more fully accomplished, to whom therefore it is applied in the New
Testament, the first part of it, John 2:17, and the latter, Romans 15:3.
Verse 10
[10] When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was
to my reproach.
Wept — For their impiety.
Reproach — They derided me for it.
Verse 11
[11] I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to
them.
Proverb — A proverb of reproach.
Verse 12
[12] They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the
song of the drunkards.
That sit — Vain and idle persons, that spend their time in the
gates and markets.
Verse 13
[13] But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an
acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of
thy salvation.
In the truth — Or, According to thy saving truth, or
faithfulness; grant me that salvation, which thou hast graciously promised.
Romans 6:1b-11
Verse 1
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace
may abound?
The apostle here sets himself more fully to vindicate his
doctrine from the consequence above suggested, Romans 3:7,8. He had then only
in strong terms denied and renounced it: here he removes the very foundation
thereof.
Verse 2
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein?
Dead to sin — Freed both from the guilt and from the power of
it.
Verse 3
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death?
As many as have been baptized into Jesus Christ have been baptized
into his death — In baptism we, through faith, are ingrafted into Christ; and
we draw new spiritual life from this new root, through his Spirit, who fashions
us like unto him, and particularly with regard to his death and resurrection.
Verse 4
[4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life.
We are buried with him — Alluding to the ancient manner of
baptizing by immersion.
That as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory — Glorious
power. Of the Father, so we also, by the same power, should rise again; and as
he lives a new life in heaven, so we should walk in newness of life. This, says
the apostle, our very baptism represents to us.
Verse 5
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
For — Surely these two must go together; so that if we are
indeed made conformable to his death, we shall also know the power of his
resurrection.
Verse 6
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that
the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Our old man — Coeval with our being, and as old as the fall; our
evil nature; a strong and beautiful expression for that entire depravity and
corruption which by nature spreads itself over the whole man, leaving no part
uninfected. This in a believer is crucified with Christ, mortified, gradually
killed, by virtue of our union with him.
That the body of sin — All evil tempers, words, and actions,
which are the "members" of the "old man," Colossians 3:5,
might be destroyed.
Verse 7
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
For he that is dead — With Christ. Is freed from the guilt of
past, and from the power of present, sin, as dead men from the commands of
their former masters.
Verse 8
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also
live with him:
Dead with Christ — Conformed to his death, by dying to sin.
Verse 10
[10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he
liveth, he liveth unto God.
He died to sin — To atone for and abolish it.
He liveth unto God — A glorious eternal life, such as we shall
live also.
Matthew 10:24-39
Verse 24
[24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above
his lord.
Luke 6:30; John 15:20.
Verse 25
[25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and
the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,
how much more shall they call them of his household?
How much more — This cannot refer to the quantity of reproach
and persecution: (for in this the servant cannot be above his lord:) but only
to the certainty of it. Matthew 12:24.
Verse 26
[26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that
shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Therefore fear them not — For ye have only the same usage with
your Lord.
There is nothing covered — So that however they may slander you
now, your innocence will at length appear. Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 12:2.
Verse 27
[27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and
what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Even what I now tell you secretly is not to be kept secret long,
but declared publicly. Therefore, What ye hear in the ear, publish on the
house-top - Two customs of the Jews seem to be alluded to here. Their doctors
used to whisper in the ear of their disciples what they were to pronounce aloud
to others. And as their houses were low and flat roofed, they sometimes
preached to the people from thence. Luke 12:3.
Verse 28
[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body
in hell.
And be not afraid — of any thing which ye may suffer for
proclaiming it.
Be afraid of him who is able to destroy both body and soul in
hell — It is remarkable, that our Lord commands those who love God, still to
fear him, even on this account, under this notion. 29, 30. The particular
providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends
to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most
inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you
confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth,) and that not
only in this life, but in the other also?
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Today’s Devotion:
Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper room Daily
Devotional "Walking In His Light" for Tuesday, 17 June 2014 - Read
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made
through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. 4 In him was
life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness hasn’t overcome [a] it.
Footnotes:
a. John 1:5 The word translated “overcome” (katelaben) can also
be translated “comprehended.” It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat
him.
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of
life.”(John 8:12 (NRSV))
On the day we moved to our new farm home in January 1940, my
eight-year-old world suddenly became larger and more intimidating than ever
before. After supper, Dad invited me to go with him to check the animals for
the night. As we walked, my dad’s kerosene lantern swung, its light moving back
and forth as though alive. The shadows seemed to move and come ever closer.
“Dad!” I cried out in fear. He suddenly stopped, and I ran smack-dab into him.
Dad’s chuckle came just before he said, “Don’t be afraid. Just walk to the edge
of the light.” Just as my earthly father comforted me, so our heavenly Father
comforts us in our moments of fear when darkness threatens to consume us. As
our quoted verse states, if we follow Jesus, we will never walk in darkness.
When the nightly news is filled with reports of economic stress, terrorism,
catastrophic weather, and uncertainty for the future of our families, darkness
can overwhelm us. Yet even in the darkest moments, the light of Christ still
goes before us. His light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot
overcome it. We need not fear. Christ is constantly providing a circle of his
light as our place of safety and comfort.
The Author: Jack D. Kendall (Iowa, USA)
Thought for the Day: Jesus has commissioned us to share his
light with the world.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, even though the future is not
clear, may we find comfort in the knowledge that you are already there,
lighting the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those facing dark days
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Contact Information
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
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