Judah - Thy Brethren Shall Praise

Genesis 49:8a - Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise:

A play on words of Judah's name, which means "praise."  Throughout the chapter Jacob transfers his sons' names into their blessings.

"Not merely the praised one, but he for whom Jehovah is praised."  (The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary).  Fulfilled of course in Jesus Christ, Luke 19:37-40, etc.

VM

More Notes on Reuben's Blessing from Jacob

Genesis 49:3-4 - Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

My might, and the beginning of my strength: "He was the first-born, the first-fruits of his father's manly strength."  (The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary)

Unstable as water: "The force of a great current of water, when the barriers that restrained it are removed, is irresistible.  Such is the force of corruption in men [without self-restraint]....  Yet nothing is weaker than water in small quantities....  Such is the weakness of men who walk after their own lusts."  (Homiletic Commentary)

Consider unstable waves blown whichever way the wind blows; a fitting illustration of many a man.  Compare Ephesians 4:14 - tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.  (VM)

Thou shalt not excel: "The double portion was transferred to Joseph, the chieftanship to Judah, and the priesthood to Levi."  (Homiletic Commentary)

He went up to my couch: Jacob turns his face away from Reuben and addresses his other sons in pathetic disdain of Reuben's failure.  Popular lyric: "The Father turns His face away...."  (VM)

While these may appear words of cursing, Genesis 49:28 says these were all words of blessing.  Consider (1) No actual curses come from Jacob.  Rebuke and denouncing sin, but not cursing.  Such is the correction of our Heavenly Father.  By Christ we are delivered from the curse of all our failures - Galatians 3:13, etc.  (2) The son is still a son: our Father may be displeased, but can never disown.  (3) The firm promises are still assured: every true son will continue and still inherit all that is reserved for him - I Peter 1:4.  (4) The blessing is in the mercy shown.  What might have been the terrible pronouncement of the son's fate apart from the Father's grace?  He may not excel as others, but he will not be utterly stamped out.  He may bear the earthly fallout, but he is forgiven the eternal consequence.  Even the earthly aftermath is tempered by our Father's tender love.  (5) There was given first a loving reminder of what could have been - the potential that was missed.  This is not designed to shame the son, but to assure him that his failure was not for lack of his Father's support and benefits.  Our Father is "for us; who can be against us?"  (Romans 8:31).  The Father is cleared of the matter and the failure is but our own.  But also, though the past may not be repaired, there is still potential for the future, which must become the new focus.  Reuben, repenting of verse 4, must turn his attention back to verse 3 and therein move forward.  "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works..."  (Revelation 2:5).  The missed potential is not to become a permanent stumbling stone, or a stifling status quo, but rather a stimulant to step it up!  (VM)

Other notes on Reuben here.

VM

Judges chapter 20 note

Note at Judges chapter 20: Compare Hosea 10:9-10.

Psalms chapters 78, 79, 80 Notes

Note at Psalm 78:1-8 - God's Plan: Pass it On! Either (1) Multi-generational faithfulness; or (2) Break the cycle of unfaithfulness for the next generations ("Change your family tree.")

Psalm 79:9 - Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name....

Note: God's help and forgiveness are always for His own glory. So Psalm 79:10; Psalm 79:13; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 115:1; Isaiah 43:21; Isaiah 48:9; Jeremiah 14:7, 21; Ephesians 1:6;

Appropriate heading for Psalm 80: "Prayer for the nation."

VM

John chapters 10, 11, 12 Notes

John 10:16 - And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Speaking of the Church as a whole, which is largely Gentile. Important cross refs: John 11:51-52; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:11-22; I Peter 2:10.

John 10:22 - And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

"Feast of the dedication" = Hanukkah / Festival of Lights. Celebrates the rededication of the temple after the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule, 165 B.C.

Note / Quote at John 10:27-28 - "Assurance [of salvation] is only for those who are truly saved, as evidenced by their life of obedience. They follow the One Who's voice they hear. John 10:27 is evidence, John 10:28 is the blessing." - David Cloud. Cross ref Romans 8:13-14.

John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Christ's enemies NEVER denied that He actually performed miracles. They admit it in several places, but still do not believe on Him. Likewise with the Apostles, Acts 4:16.

Note at John 12:39-41 - The vision which Isaiah saw of the glory of God (Isaiah 6:1-10) is said by John to be the glory of Jesus! JESUS IS GOD!

VM

Introduction to Judges

Notes on the Introduction to Judges

The Book of Judges spans the gap from the conquering of Canaan by Joshua until the nation becomes a monarchy ruled by a king in I Samuel. Paul says in Acts 13:20 that the period lasted "about the space of four hundred and fifty years." You cannot determine the timing of events by simply adding up the length of the time the judges ruled, because some of them appear to be local judges in different places; not ruling the entire nation at one time. Some may have even been simultaneous with others, ruling in different areas. Other events in Judges are not given in the text in a chronological order but in a logical fashion. For example, Judges 17:1, "And there was a man..." does not fix the time of this event or this judge.

Chapters 1 and 2 recount some of the events of Joshua, expanding on some in more detail.

Then Judges 2:10-23 outlines and summarizes the entire book. The book shows Israel following a cycle pattern of: (1) national sin and falling away; (2) judgment from God in the form of enemies ruling over the people; (3) repentance on the part of the people; (4) God delivering the people through the hand of a "judge"; (5) that generation dies off and the nation repeats the cycle in the next generation. Judges has been given the theme, "Defeat and Deliverance."

Another summary of the period of the Judges is in Judges 21:25 (repeated often in the book): "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

VM

The Times of the Gentiles

Luke 21:24 - ...and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Important cross refs: Isaiah 63:18; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:7; Romans 11:25; Revelation 11:2.

VM

Notes Through Deuteronomy (Part 1)

The title "Deuteronomy" means "Second Law." This is the book of the Law restated.

Deuteronomy 1:39 - Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

Note: This is a hint of God's mercy for the innocent young. Many parents of departed infants take hope of seeing them again. See also II Samuel 12:21-23; Isaiah 7:15-16; Jonah 4:11; Romans 9:11.

Deuteronomy 4:2 - Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Adding or removing from the word of God, cross refs: Deuteronomy 12:32; Joshua 1:7; Proverbs 30:6; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Revelation 22:18-19.

Deuteronomy 4:7-8 - For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them....

Cross ref: Psalm 33:12

Lesson Outline on Idolatry

• God Proves Futility of Idolatry: Deuteronomy 4:14-19
  


• God's Judgment on National Idolatry: Deuteronomy 4:23-28
  


• God's Mercy on Repentant Idolater: Deuteronomy 4:29-31.

Deuteronomy 4:12 & 15 - Cross reference John 4:24.

Deuteronomy 4:39 - Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

"Know and consider" - Fellowship with God requires more than simple mental assent. It requires a heart action.

Cross refs: Psalm 46:10; Psalm 100:3.

VM

His Blood Be on Us, and on Our Children

Matthew 27:25 - Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Important cross reference: Acts 5:28.  See also Deuteronomy 19:10, 13.

VM