Thoughts on the Bible Readings (1 Samuel 15, Isaiah 59, Matthew 3, 4) for July 3rd

In Exodus 17 verses15-16 Yahweh declares that a banner would be lifted up proclaiming perpetual war against Amalek, since they had continued to snipe at Israel from the time of their departure from Egypt. Psalm 105 verse 37 indicated that when Israel left Egypt they were emboldened and triumphant; but as the Exodus reading indicated became disheartened by the guerrilla tactics of Amalek. Consequently Saul is given a charge by God to eradicate Amalek. This Saul did with horrendous results failing to complete what the LORD commanded. This failure led to God’s promising to take the kingdom from Saul. Saul justifies this failure by rationalisation. That is always a disastrous course. God castigates Saul through the prophet Samuel’s denunciation from his Sovereign. Pause and slowly read aloud the classic words of verses 22-23. Meditate its meaning for us. We do well to note that the failure to exterminate Amalek cost Israel dearly in the past (Haman was an Agagite Esther 3:1 – compare Baalam’s prophecy Numbers 24 verse 7, and 20 verses 7-10, Ezekiel 38verse 2, 16-18 39 verses 1-16, Revelation 20 verses 7-10) and Gog will in the future invade Israel. Gogue is derived from Agag. Samuel provides Saul with a salutary lesson.

Isaiah 59 verses1-13 outline Israel’s incorrigible behaviour, and by extension all possessing human nature, thus bringing inevitable judgment. The metaphors that are used graphically illustrate Israel’s inability to escape from the dilemma with which they were trapped by their passions – and by extension every human being. Verses 14-20 describe how their Sovereign would firstly judge and then redeem mankind. We give thanks to our God and Yahweh’s arm, strengthened and extended, to bring us the sinless Saviour Jesus – who overcame sin and established a basis for our forgiveness. The Almighty has provided for us a standing with our Omnipotent Creator through the forgiveness of our sins. We become the Almighty’s grateful children. Verse 20 is cited in Acts 3 verse 26. Read the last seven verses in Acts 3 and contemplate their importance to you. Verse 21 reveals that Yahweh has not only brought us to Himself, but He also continues to support us daily through His spirit Word. This will be with us throughout all time until His Son returns: Hebrews 13 verses 5-8.

Matthew 3 presents Jesus as the Messiah, totally compliant to the Father’s righteous requirement acknowledging human nature to be rightly related to death and our God’s gracious forgiveness and offer of resurrection to eternal life to those identifying with our Lord’s sacrifice by submitting to baptism (Romans 6). Verses 1-6 tell of the message, appearance and mission of John the Baptist. John commenced his preaching with the Gospel message from Isaiah 40. Verses 7-10 tell of the rulers’ hypocritical response to John and his scathing denunciation of them. He speaks of the divine judgment that was to be brought upon them and their nation. Verses 11-12 he says that the Messiah will come to complete God’s mission: Malachi 3 verses1-5. Verses 13-17 describe Jesus’ baptism and His Father’s testimony approving His Son by word and sign.
In chapter 4 Matthew shows the Son of God triumphant over temptation through the sustaining power inherent in God’s Word. The Lord Jesus was tempted in all points like his brethren, as Hebrews 4 verses 14-16 and 1 John 2 verses 15-17 reveal. Genesis 3 shows each of the same elements of temptation of Adam and Eve as 1 John outlined. But unlike Adam and Eve’s temptations our Lord’s came, as Mark 1 tells, surrounded by now savage beasts; and in a cursed wilderness – not a wonderful paradise (garden). Jesus was assailed in all the categories of sin with which we are assaulted. But unlike us he emerged from the temptations triumphant having overcome by his faith in the Word of his Father. Jesus’ divine begettal gave him a mind capable of being totally immersed in his Father’s empowering Word. Thus arming him adequately for the sore temptations with which he struggled. All his answers were from Deuteronomy 6 and 8 demonstrating that he had learned the lessons of trial during 40 days in the wilderness. Israel failed to learn these wilderness lessons during their 40 years within their journey to the Promised Land as Hebrews 3 and 4 teaches us. The chapter finishes with the great work in Messiah’s Galilean ministry, as prophesied in Isaiah 9:1-2.