July 11

From Reformata Daily Devotions

July 11

Prayer

Pray that we would be dead to this world and alive in Christ.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:2)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 42

Question 42 - What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
The sum of the Ten Commandments is, "to love the Lord our God" with all our heart, all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.

Reformational Reading

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 23

Question 23 - Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Private Reading

Jeremiah 7

1.  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2.  Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
3.  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
4.  Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.
5.  For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;
6.  If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
7.  Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
8.  Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
9.  Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
10.  And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
11.  Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
12.  But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
13.  And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;
14.  Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
15.  And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.
16.  Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
17.  Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
18.  The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
19.  Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
20.  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
21.  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.
22.  For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
23.  But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
24.  But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
25.  Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
26.  Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
27.  Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.
28.  But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
29.  Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
30.  For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
31.  And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
32.  Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.
33.  And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
34.  Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Commentary: Jeremiah 7

Vs. 1-16
No observances, professions, or supposed revelations, will profit, if men do not amend their ways and their doings. None can claim an interest in free salvation, who allow themselves in the practice of known sin, or live in the neglect of known duty. They thought that the temple they profaned would be their protection. But all who continue in sin because grace has abounded, or that grace may abound, make Christ the minister of sin; and the cross of Christ, rightly understood, forms the most effectual remedy to such poisonous sentiments. The Son of God gave himself for our transgressions, to show the excellence of the Divine law, and the evil of sin. Never let us think we may do wickedness without suffering for it.
Vs. 17-20
The Jews took pride in showing zeal for their idols. Let us learn to be earnest in the service of our God, even from this bad example. Let us think it an honor to be employed in any work for God. Let us be as diligent ourselves, and as careful to teach our children the truths of God, as many are to teach the mysteries of iniquity. The direct tendency of this sin is malice against God, but it will hurt themselves. And they shall find there is no escaping. God’s wrath is fire unquenchable.
Vs. 21-28
God shows that obedience was required of them. That which God commanded was, Hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord thy God. The promise is very encouraging. Let God’s will be your rule, and his favor shall be your happiness. God was displeased with disobedience. We understand the gospel as little as the Jews understood the law, if we think that even the sacrifice of Christ lessens our obligation to obey.
Vs. 29-34
In token both of sorrow and of slavery, Jerusalem must be degraded, and separated from God, as she had been separated to him. The heart is the place in which God has chosen to put his name; but if sin has the innermost and uppermost place there, we pollute the temple of the Lord. The destruction of Jerusalem appears here very terrible. The slain shall be many; they having made it the place of their sin. Evil pursues sinners, even after death. Those who will not, by the grace of God, be cured of vain mirth, shall, by the justice of God, be deprived of all mirth. How many ruin their health and property without complaining, when engaged in Satan’s service! May we learn to relish holy joys, and to sit loose to all others though lawful.

Matthew 21

1.  And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2.  Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3.  And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4.  All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5.  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6.  And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7.  And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8.  And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9.  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10.  And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11.  And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
12.  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13.  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
14.  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15.  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
16.  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
17.  And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
18.  Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19.  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
20.  And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21.  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22.  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
23.  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
24.  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25.  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26.  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27.  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
28.  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29.  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30.  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32.  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
33.  Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
34.  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
35.  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36.  Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
37.  But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38.  But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39.  And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40.  When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41.  They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
42.  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43.  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44.  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
45.  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
46.  But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Commentary: Matthew 21

Vs. 1-11
This coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah, Zechariah 9:9. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in Zion’s King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong covetousness, ambition, and the pride of life must be in Zion’s citizens! They brought the ass, but Jesus did not use it without the owner’s consent. The trappings were such as came to hand. We must not think the clothes on our backs too dear to part with for the service of Christ. The chief priests and the elders afterwards joined with the multitude that abused him upon the cross; but none of them joined the multitude that did him honor. Those that take Christ for their King, must lay their all under his feet. Hosanna signifies, Save now, we beseech thee! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! But of how little value is the applause of the people! The changing multitude join the cry of the day, whether it be Hosanna, or Crucify him. Multitudes often seem to approve the gospel, but few become consistent disciples. When Jesus was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved; some perhaps were moved with joy, who waited for the Consolation of Israel; others, of the Pharisees, were moved with envy. So various are the motions in the minds of men upon the approach of Christ’s kingdom.
Vs. 12-17
Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupied by the money-changers. Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering upon his ministry, John 2:13-17. His works testified of him more than the hosannas; and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling of the promise, that the glory of the latter house should be greater than the glory of the former. If Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how many things daily practiced under the cloak of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer!
Vs. 18-22
This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those who profess it, and the savor of it from those that have the show of it. His just expectations from flourishing professors are often disappointed; he comes to many, seeking fruit, and finds leaves only. A false profession commonly withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ’s curse. The fig-tree that had no fruit, soon lost its leaves. This represents the state of the nation and people of the Jews in particular. Our Lord Jesus found among them nothing but leaves. And after they rejected Christ, blindness and hardness grew upon them, till they were undone, and their place and nation rooted up. The Lord was righteous in it. Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig-tree.
Vs. 23-27
As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John’s ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affection, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting. Our Lord refused to answer their inquiry. It is best to shun needless disputes with wicked opposers.
Vs. 28-32
Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judge them out of their own mouths. The parable of the two sons sent to work in the vineyard, is to show that those who knew not John’s baptism to be of God, were shamed by those who knew it, and owned it. The whole human race are like children whom the Lord has brought up, but they have rebelled against him, only some are more plausible in their disobedience than others. And it often happens, that the daring rebel is brought to repentance and becomes the Lord’s servant, while the formalist grows hardened in pride and enmity.
Vs. 33-46
This parable plainly sets forth the sin and ruin of the Jewish nation; and what is spoken to convict them, is spoken to caution all that enjoy the privileges of the outward church. As men treat God’s people, they would treat Christ himself, if he were with them. How can we, if faithful to his cause, expect a favorable reception from a wicked world, or from ungodly professors of Christianity! And let us ask ourselves, whether we who have the vineyard and all its advantages, render fruits in due season, as a people, as a family, or as separate persons. Our Savior, in his question, declares that the Lord of the vineyard will come, and when he comes he will surely destroy the wicked. The chief priests and the elders were the builders, and they would not admit his doctrine or laws; they threw him aside as a despised stone. But he who was rejected by the Jews, was embraced by the Gentiles. Christ knows who will bring forth gospel fruits in the use of gospel means. The unbelief of sinners will be their ruin. But God has many ways of restraining the remainders of wrath, as he has of making that which breaks out redound to his praise. May Christ become more and more precious to our souls, as the firm Foundation and Cornerstone of his church. May we be willing to follow him, though despised and hated for his sake.

Family Reading

Joshua 14-15

1.  And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.
2.  By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
3.  For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
4.  For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
5.  As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6.  Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
7.  Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8.  Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9.  And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
10.  And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
11.  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12.  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
13.  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
14.  Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
15.  And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.


1.  This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.
2.  And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:
3.  And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
4.  From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.
5.  And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:
6.  And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
7.  And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
8.  And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
9.  And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:
10.  And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
11.  And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
12.  And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.
13.  And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
14.  And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
15.  And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.
16.  And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
17.  And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
18.  And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
19.  Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
20.  This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.
21.  And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
22.  And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
23.  And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
24.  Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
25.  And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,
26.  Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
27.  And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
28.  And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
29.  Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
30.  And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
31.  And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
32.  And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
33.  And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
34.  And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
35.  Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
36.  And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:
37.  Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
38.  And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
39.  Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
40.  And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
41.  And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
42.  Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
43.  And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
44.  And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
45.  Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
46.  From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:
47.  Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:
48.  And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
49.  And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
50.  And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
51.  And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:
52.  Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
53.  And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
54.  And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
55.  Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
56.  And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
57.  Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
58.  Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
59.  And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:
60.  Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:
61.  In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
62.  And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
63.  As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Commentary: Joshua 14-15

Vs. 1-5
The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have been subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might not go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow, should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father, than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great mystery of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?
Vs. 6-15
Caleb’s request is, "Give me this mountain," or Hebron, because it was formerly in God’s promise to him, and he would let Israel know how much he valued the promise. Those who live by faith value that which is given by God’s promise, far above what is given by his providence only. It was now in the Anakims’ possession, and Caleb would let Israel know how little he feared the enemy, and that he would encourage them to push on their conquests. Caleb answered to his name, which signifies "all heart." Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. Happy are we if we follow him. Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favor.


Vs. 1-12
Joshua allotted to Judah, Ephraim, and the half of Manasseh, their inheritances before they left Gilgal. Afterwards removing to Shiloh, another survey was made, and the other tribes had their portion assigned. In due time all God’s people are settled.
Vs. 13-19
Achsah obtained some land by Caleb’s free grant. He gave her a south land. Land indeed, but a south land, dry and apt to be parched. She obtained more, on her request, and he gave the upper and the nether springs. Those who understand it but of one field, watered both with the rain of heaven, and the springs that issued out of the earth, countenance the allusion commonly made to this, when we pray for spiritual and heavenly blessings which relate to our souls, as blessings of the upper springs, and those which relate to the body and the life that now is, as blessings of the nether springs. All the blessings, both of the upper and the nether springs, belong to the children of God. As related to Christ, they have them freely given of the Father, for the lot of their inheritance.
Vs. 20-63
Here is a list of the cities of Judah. But we do not here find Bethlehem, afterwards the city of David, and ennobled by the birth of our Lord Jesus in it. That city, which, at the best, was but little among the thousands of Judah, Micah 5:2, except that it was thus honored, was now so little as not to be accounted one of the cities.

Psalm 146-147

1.  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2.  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3.  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4.  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5.  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6.  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7.  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8.  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9.  The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10.  The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.


1.  Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2.  The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3.  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4.  He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5.  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6.  The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7.  Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8.  Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9.  He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10.  He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11.  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12.  Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13.  For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14.  He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15.  He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16.  He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17.  He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18.  He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19.  He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20.  He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Commentary: Psalm 146-147

Vs. 1-4
If it is our delight to praise the Lord while we live, we shall certainly praise him to all eternity. With this glorious prospect before us, how low do worldly pursuits seem! There is a Son of man in whom there is help, even him who is also the Son of God, who will not fail those that trust in him. But all other sons of men are like the man from whom they sprung, who, being in honor, did not abide. God has given the earth to the children of men, but there is great striving about it. Yet, after a while, no part of the earth will be their own, except that in which their dead bodies are laid. And when man returns to his earth, in that very day all his plans and designs vanish and are gone: what then comes of expectations from him?
Vs. 5-10
The psalmist encourages us to put confidence in God. We must hope in the providence of God for all we need as to this life, and in the grace of God for that which is to come. The God of heaven became a man that he might become our salvation. Though he died on the cross for our sins, and was laid in the grave, yet his thoughts of love to us did not perish; he rose again to fulfill them. When on earth, his miracles were examples of what he is still doing every day. He grants deliverance to captives bound in the chains of sin and Satan. He opens the eyes of the understanding. He feeds with the bread of life those who hunger for salvation; and he is the constant Friend of the poor in spirit, the helpless: with him poor sinners, that are as fatherless, find mercy; and his kingdom shall continue for ever. Then let sinners flee to him, and believers rejoice in him. And as the Lord shall reign for ever, let us stir up each other to praise his holy name.


Vs. 1-11
Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely; it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. He gathers outcast sinners by his grace, and will bring them into his holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, he speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let others praise him also. Man’s knowledge is soon ended; but God’s knowledge is a depth that can never be fathomed. And while he telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear the broken-hearted sinner. While he feeds the young ravens, he will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, therefore no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist delights not in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.
Vs. 12-20
The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise him for all the benefits and blessings vouchsafed to her; and these are represented by his favors in the course of nature. The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to the wind, John 3:8. Converting grace softens the heart that was hard frozen, and melts it into tears of repentance, and makes good reflections to flow, which before were chilled and stopped up. The change which the thaw makes is very evident, yet how it is done no one can say. Such is the change wrought in the conversion of a soul, when God’s word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.

Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

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