Thoughts on the readings for April 23 Deuteronomy 6-7, Ecclesiastes 2, John 19

In Deuteronomy 6 Moses tells Israel the greatest commandment. Verse 4 of this chapter records this command, termed by the Jewish people the Shema,, “Hear, O Israel, Yahweh your Elohim is one Yahweh”. The whole basis of the Mosaic Law rests on the indivisible unity of the increate God – see Ephesians 4:4-6;
Isaiah 45:22-25. Verses 5-9 speak of the nation’s response and obligations to their gracious Father. They were to love Him with all their heart, and soul and might. Jesus tells us that this is the greatest commandment in the Law – Matthew 22:34-39. Israel were to diligently teach their children to love and serve their Sovereign in the same way, as Abraham did – Genesis 18:17-19.
Verses 10-25 describe the LORD’s constant care for His people that was always upon them as Jeremiah reveals. Moses reminds the nation of all that the LORD their God did for them. Don’t forget and don’t forsake their God, or He would have to lovingly discipline His children. And in their suffering they would seek Him again – Hebrews 12:5-10.
Chapter 7 tells of the wonderful privilege of Israel being God’s chosen people. The seven nations of Canaan, who were greater than God’s people, were to be destroyed from the Promised Land. Israel were to exterminate these vile nations and to make no agreement with them. Intermarriage between Israel and the heathen was forbidden. The chosen people were obligated to be holy and serve their Almighty Creator from their hearts. They were His people and He was to be their God to the exclusion of all others. And as a result they would be greatly blessed, spiritually and materially. None of the Canaanites would be able to resist their Omnipotent Sovereign.

In Ecclesiastes 2 Solomon commences his quest to find any lasting meaning in life under the sun. Verses 1-11 tell of the vanity of self indulgence. The Preacher threw himself into seeking to live life without restraint. He had the resources for wholeheartedly pursuing the acquisition of lands, gardens, merriment through singing, orchard cultivation, herds of cattle, husbandry of every sort and pursuit of pleasure through multiple marriages. But in the pursuit of these there was no lasting satisfaction. Verses 12-17 he sought out wisdom and found out that despite great knowledge Solomon was no happier than the fool who revels in his mirth. The Preacher saw that in death there is no difference between the wise and the fool. The conclusion of Solomon about the failure of humour to cheer beyond the moment is found in verses 18-23. So Solomon says that he would welcome death as it would end the meaningless and constant frustration of a purposeless life. The chapter concludes in verses 24-26 telling us to enjoy whatever fleeting pleasures we have from food and drink now for this is God’s gift for now. The gift of eternal life in God’s Kingdom will be for those whose lives are centred on pleasing their Creator.

John 19 told of Jesus’ crucifixion. It followed brutal treatment at the hands of Pilate’s soldiers including thrusting a crown of thorns upon his head and putting a purple robe on him in mockery. How apt that in his dying he would remove the curse brought by Adam upon the earth; and would be like the ram caught by his horns in Genesis 22. When Pilate heard their claim that Jesus was the Son of God his fear intensified and he sought the Lord’s release. Jesus made it crystal clear to Pilate that Pilate was without power against Jesus and the great sin lay with the Jewish rulers. They clamoured even more that Pilate should cooperate with their designs. If not Caesar would hear of it. Pilate caved in under pressure and allowed Jesus to be led away to be crucified. “We have no king but Caesar”, they cried; and forty years later their king came and destroyed Jerusalem because of their blood guiltiness. The crucifixion occurred in the place of the skull – Golgotha (the location where David buried Goliath’s skull, as told in 1 Samuel 17). He was crucified between two thieves- no doubt these were Barabbas’ men. In the three languages operating in Judea at the Aramaic, Greek and Latin was inscribed on his cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews”. The Jews protested Pilate’s writing; but he, no doubt, gloried in this small victory over them. The soldiers divided his clothes between them and they cast lots for his vesture in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18. The beloved women in his life eventually came near to see his death; and at this time he committed his mother into the care of his beloved Apostle John. He died with his final words being a citation of Psalm 31:5 the quotation being completed when he emerged from the tomb after three days. His side was pierced by a Roman spear and out came blood and water indicating he had died of a broken heart. Unlike the thieves not a bone of him was broken – he was the Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 and the subject of the prophecy in Psalm 34:20-22. And the Scripture in Revelation 1:7 will be true at his coming kingdom. Jesus’ body was secured from Pilate by Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus’ body was placed by Joseph and Nicodemas in a new and unused garden tomb owned by the rich man Joseph.

Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org

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