Don Costello: August 2007

Friday, August 31, 2007

Luke 4:16-21

1. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

And he began to say unto them, this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

a. Jesus had returned to Jerusalem and went into the synagogue. The passage he read was Isaiah 61:1, 2, but he did not read the whole passage. He read all of verse 1 but Jesus stopped his reading of this passage in the middle of the verse and the middle of the sentence, no matter what translation you check out. It is the same in the KJV, the NIV, the NASV, the NRSV, and the Amplified Bible.

2. Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach the good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

a. In the above Isaiah 61:1-3 passage, all the words in italics are part of the passage but was not quoted by Jesus. The reason is the first half concerns the first coming of Christ and the second half concerns the second coming of Christ.

3. “…and the day of vengeance of our God…”

a. The following six passages all deal with the day of vengeance, or the wrath of God, or the winepress of the wrath of God. These three terms will be in bold and italic type.

1). Isaiah 63:1-6 “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.”

2). Revelation 14:17-20 “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

And the winepress was troddened without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

3). Isaiah 59:16-19 “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the ememy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against.”

4). Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God.

And the armies which followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

5). Deuteronomy 32:41-43 “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold of judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.”

6). Jeremiah 25:30-33 “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.”

4. “…to comfort all who mourn;”

a. Why they mourn in Zion.

1). Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications...”

a). This pouring out of the spirit of grace and supplications is to enable Israel to receive the revelation of Jesus as their Messiah.

b). Contrast the above with Romans 11:7-10, in particular verse 8: “(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”

c). Wow! In Zechariah 12 God is pouring on Israel the spirit of grace and supplications and in Romans 11:8 God is reported to have poured on Israel the spirit of slumber to the extent that Israel would not see or hear their Messiah when he would come to them. But we need to look more closely at what Romans 11:8 is saying. Romans 11:8 is a combination of two verses in Isaiah. The first part is a partial quote of Isaiah 29:10, “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep…” The second part is a looser reference to Isaiah 6:9 “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,…” On first inspection it appears that God is doing this to the people without them being able to do anything about it. But when Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9 in Matthew 13:15, we see something profoundly different. Jesus said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,…” Jesus was saying their spiritual sleep was their own fault.

d). Just as Jesus placed the blame on the people for their spiritual condition, so it is with all of us. Peter warns us to be sober, i.e., alert spiritually, 1 Peter 5:8.

2). “…and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced,…

a). look (5027 * nabat) To scan, i.e., look intently at; by impl. To regard with pleasure, favor or care:- (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.

b). They begin to look intently at this person who has powerfully rescued them. His rescue causes them to consider…they will look at the wounds in his hands and feet and side. And the revelation will flood their hearts and minds. They will realize that Jesus is their Messiah and their God. The revelation will spark the most bitter, the heaviest, and probably the longest period of mourning in Israel’s history.

3). “…and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and as one that is in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

a). Jeremiah 6:26 “O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation…”

b). Ashes were a common part of mourning Job 2:8; and for repenting for sin, Jonah 3:5, 6.

c). While Job was mourning the loss of his sons and daughters, his three friends did not speak to him for 7 days, Job 2:13. “So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

d). This mourning will not only be the most important of Israel’s history, it will be their most sincere and their deepest.

e). The period of mourning for Aaron was 30 days: Numbers 20:29.

f). The period of mourning for Moses was 30 days: Deuteronomy 34:8.

g). The period for mourning for Jacob was a total of 77 days: Genesis 50:3, 10.

h). From the Scriptures listed here and others that I will list below concerning their loathing of themselves because of sin, we can reasonably speculate that the Israelites will not speak to one another for a considerable period of time.

h). As a nation Israel has rejected and murdered their Messiah. His innocent blood is upon them, interestingly at their own request. Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

i). Cp. Deuteronomy 19:10; Matthew 23:35.

j). Another reason is they have lost 2/3 of their people, slaughtered by the anti-Christ: Zechariah 13:8, 9.

4). Zechariah 12:11 “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.”

a). Hadadrimmon (Unger’s Bible Dictionary) “A place in the valley of Megiddo, originally named after two Syrian deities. The lamentation on account of the death of good king Josiah, who lost his life in battle here, was so great as to pass into a proverb.

b). 2 Chronicles 35:20-25 “After all this, when Josiah and prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, and disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. His servants therefore took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchers of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

5). Zechariah 12:12 “And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.”

a). There are two passages in Scripture that give some light on the fact of the husbands and wives being apart during this mourning period.

b). Exodus 19:10-15 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them them today and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.”

c). 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto her husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”

d). From these two witnesses it is shown that there are times when spiritual growth requires being sexually abstinent. This explains the phrase, “and their wives apart.”

e). There is one more possible reason discussed in verse 14.

5). Zechariah 12:13 “The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart.”

a). Another reason is like our own salvation experience, in that when they remember all their ungodly deeds.

b). Ezekiel 20:42-44 “And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mind hand to give it to your fathers. And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, not according to your corrupts doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”

c). Ezekiel 36:31, 32 “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.”

d). Isaiah 57:13-18 “When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his coveteousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on forwardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

e). The end of Isaiah 57:18, “…I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners”, so fittingly leads us to the next part, their healing.

5). Zechariah 12:14 “All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.”

a). According to Zechariah 13:8, 9, two thirds of Jewish people will be slaughtered immediately before Jesus returns. The passages that speak of “a remnant” i.e., Romans 9:27, 28 and Isaiah 10:20-23; or “he that is left in Zion”, Isaiah 4:3; and here in Zechariah 12:14, “All the families that remain”, are all indirectly mentioning it.

b). As the Scriptures show, the mourning of Israel will be the deepest of any nation in human history. How long this mourning period will last is not stated, but surely it will last longer than the period of mourning for the patriarchs. It will be deeper than the periods of mourning that Israel experienced when Josiah died, when Job lost all his sons and daughters.

5. Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

a. Chronologically this is immediately after the second coming of Christ, and immediately before the Millennial reign of Christ. Israel will enter an eternal union with her God, never to be separated again.

1). Isaiah 40:1, 2 “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for her sins.”

b. Not only will the people be comforted, but the land as well.

1). Isaiah 51:3 “For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.”

2). Jesus is going to minister personally to his people perhaps while they are apart from each other, but surely while they are mourning. He is going to give them beauty, the oil of joy, and the garment of praise, in exchange for ashes, mourning, and the spirit of heaviness.

a). The Old Testament is filled with types and foreshadows of the New Covenant. In that sense I believe we can see a picture of this healing and reunion in Genesis with the story of Joseph and his brothers. In the book of Acts 7:13 it says, “And at the second time Joseph was made know to his brothers; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.” Just as Joseph was made know to his brothers on the second visit, Jesus will be made know to the nation of Israel after his second coming. In the account of Genesis is a very touching reunion that I believe is a picture of the reunion of Jesus and his people.

b). Genesis 45:1-4, 14, 15 “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt…And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: after that his brethren talked with him.”

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

a. NLT: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: The book of this law doth not depart out of thy mouth, and thou hast meditated in it by day and by night, so that thou dost observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then thou dost cause thy way to prosper, and then thou dost act wisely. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible Classic: This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Septuagint: And the book of this law shall not depart out of thy mouth, and thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest know how to do all the things that are written [in it]; then shalt thou prosper, and make thy ways prosperous, and then shalt thou be wise.

f. Rubin Edition: The Early Prophets: Joshua & Judges: This Book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely. Rubin Edition: The Early Prophets: Joshua & Judges: [THE ARTSCROLL SERIES ®️ /RUBIN EDITION THE PROPHETS: JOSHUA/ JUDGES ⓒ Copyright 2000 by MESORAH PUBLICATIONS, Ltd.]

1). In this verse one thought builds upon another. Speak the word, meditate the word in order to observe to do everything written, the result will be spiritual growth, the moving of the Spirit of God in our lives and have divine understanding in many things.

1. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth…”

a. This [Strong: 2088 * zeh zeh a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, X thus, very, which.]

b. book [Strong: 5612 * cepher say'-fer or (feminine) ciphrah (Psa. 56:8 (9)) {sif-raw'}; from 5608; properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book:--bill, book, evidence, X learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll.]

c. of the law [Strong: 8451 * towrah to-raw' or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

d. [shall] not [Strong: 3808 * lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

e. depart [4185 * muush] [Strongs: The idea of receding by contact; to withdraw: lit. and fig., cease, depart, go back, remove, take away. {D.C. Note: Compare Hebrews 10:38, draw back.}

f. out of thy mouth [Strong: 6310 * peh peh from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, + file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk, tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.]

1). All through the Scriptures, God commands and encourages his people to talk the word and talk about the word.

a). Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

b). Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

2). As we shall see, the Hebrew word for meditate means two specific meanings.

2. “…but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…”

a. [but thou shalt] meditate [Strong: 1897 * hagah daw-gaw' a primitive root (Compare 1901); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder:--imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.] [Outline of Biblical Usage: to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak] [Gesenius: to murmur, to mutter, to growl, to speak, to meditate.]

1). Mark Brazee, WOC 9/27/11 “The word meditate means “to read, to study, to think about, to mutter.” Notice the final word in that list of definitions is to mutter—or in other words, to keep God’s Word coming out of our mouths. It’s ironic when you stop to think about it. The enemy has propagated a theory in this world that people who talk to themselves are going crazy. But we Christians ought to be speaking the Word to ourselves all the time. We ought to be meditating on the Word of God continually—reading it, studying it, thinking about it, “chewing on it,” and saying it to ourselves.”

2). The word meditate means two clear things, it means to speak or mutter and it also means to ponder, imagine, meditate in the sense of concentrated thinking about a matter.

Again, this is consistent with what Deuteronomy 6 says, put the word of God in our heart and teach them to our children. Talk about the word when you’re laying down, when you get up, when you’re walking in your house or outside, talk the word. The purpose is revealed in the rest of the sentence.

b. [therein] day [Strong: 3119 * yowmam yo-mawm' from 3117; daily:--daily, (by, in the) day(-time).]

c. [and] night [Strong: 3915 * layil lah'-yil or (Isa. 21:11) leyl {lale}; also laylah {lah'- yel-aw}; from the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).]

1). Our souls, of which our mind and intellect are part, are truly wonderful creations of God. The abilities to think, to imagine, to picture, to remember are so amazing. When these awesome abilities are joined with God in Covenant, the possibilities are endless. When we meditate the Scriptures we are using the ability God has given us to see God’s will for our lives through the “eyes of our understanding”, that is, revelation in our spirits through meditation.

2). When we speak the word we are just saying about ourselves and our circumstances what God says about us and our circumstances. We are setting our selves in agreement with God.

a). 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken: we also believe and therefore speak;

3). Part of fighting the good fight of faith is saying the same things about ourselves that God says about us. We are commanded to do it.

a). 1 Timothy 6:12-14 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(1) The Greek word for “profession” in verse 12 and the Greek word for confession in verse 14 is the same word. [3671 * homologia; from homologeo-to say the same, to agree, confess] [Zodhiates: A confession, profession, or recognition.]. [Vines: Denotes confession, by acknowledgment of the truth.]

(2) Verse 13 says “…who quickeneth all things…” which means God will quicken the words we speak.

(3) John 6:63 It is the word that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

3. “…that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein;”

a. [that thou mayest] observe [8104 * shamar] [Strongs: To hedge about, (as with thorns), guard, to protect, attend to, beware, be circumspect, take heed, keep, mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, watch.]

1). Observation to be obedient to the word of God is the goal. I will observe to do God’s word because as I meditate and confess his word, the Lord will generate in me the desire and ability to do his word.

a). Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

b.) Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2). The same Hebrew word translated observe is translated differently in the following verses.

a). Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

b). Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

c). Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep the in the midst of thine heart.

3). Understanding and wisdom are results of meditation, utilizing “the eyes of our understanding”, by thinking, pondering, considering.

a). Psalm 119:97-100, 104 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts,

119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

b). 2 Timothy 2:7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

(1) consider [Strong: 3539 noieo noy-eh'-o from 3563; to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed:--consider, perceive, think, understand.] [Zodhiates: To perceive, observe. To perceive with thought coming into consciousness as distinct from the perceptions of senses…With the meaning to have in mind, think about, consider, used in an absolute sense.]

c). Psalm 63:5, 6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

d). David wrote that he received counsel from the LORD while meditating. In the following verse we see how that the Holy Ghost will use our minds, our souls to drop wisdom and instruction into our hearts

(1) Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

4). There are two incidents in the life of Christ that demonstrates these verses perfectly.

a). Luke 2:46, 47 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.”

b). Matthew 22:15-46 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Ceasar, or not?

22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

22:21 They say unto him, Ceasar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

22:22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

22:24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

22:27 And last of all the woman died also.

22:28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her?

22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels in heaven.

22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

22:35 Then one of them, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

22:40 On these hang all the law and the prophets.

22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

22:43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call mim Lord, saying,

22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he is son?

22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

c). Other examples are Matthew 7:28, 29 and John 7:45, 46.

b. to do [Strong: 6213 `asah aw-saw' a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

c. according to all [Strong: 3605 kol kole or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever).]

d. that is written [therein] [Strong: 3789 kathab kaw-thab' a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe):--describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).]

4. “…for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.”

a. for [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.]

b. then [Strong: 227 'az awz a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.]

c. thou shalt make…prosperous [6743 * tsaleach] [Strongs:to push forward, in various senses (literally or figuratively), to break out, come mightily, go over, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to) prosper, (to go on well, to succeed, to make successful, to accomplish prosperously, to finish well].

1). [The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament, Baker & Carpenter: A verb meaning to rush, to break forth, to come mightily. It describes the Holy Spirit’s effect on persons, making them powerful] Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13.

a). Judges 14:6 “And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.”

b). 1 Samuel 16:13 “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

2). Meditating the word of God will not only prepare our heart for the Spirit, it is also a channel for the Spirit of God to come mightily upon us, to rise up in us more frequently on a daily basis and for longer periods of time during the day and evening. Nothing on earth can compare with His presence, when He speaks to our heart giving us wisdom, revelation and understanding.

3). The New Testament equivalent to Joshua 1:8 is 1 Timothy 4:15.

a). 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

b). The profit of Timothy and part of the prosperity of Joshua are the same in that they are referring to spiritual growth.

c). profit [Strong: 4297 prokope prok-op-ay' from 4298; progress, i.e. advancement (subjectively or objectively):--furtherance, profit.] [Thayer: progress, advancement. (Philippians 1:12;25).

d. thy way [Strong: 1870 derek deh'-rek from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).]

e. and then [Strong: 227 'az awz a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.]

f. [thou shalt have good success [Strong: 7919 sakal saw-kal' a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide wittingly.] [Gesenius: to look at, to be prudent, to attend, to turn the mind to, to be or become understanding, prudent, to be successful.]

1). This Hebrew word is used 63 times in Hebrew text of the Old Testament. In the KJ translation this same word is only translated “success” one time and that is here in Joshua 1:8. In other verses it is translated understand 12 times, wise 12 times, prosper 8 times, wisely 6 times, understanding 5 times, consider 4 times, instruct 3 times, prudent 2 times, skill 2 times, teach 2 times, and it is translated 7 other times in miscellaneous uses.

a). 1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

b). Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

c). Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

d). Proverbs 21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

e). Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

f). 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

g). Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

h). Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Meditation in the Life of Christ

1. When the second person of the triune Godhead [the LORD, the Word] became man in Christ Jesus he emptied himself of all His abilities as God. He emptied himself of his omniscience, his all-knowing ability, his omnipotence, his being all powerful, and his omnipresence, his ability to be everywhere at once. He also emptied Himself of the glory He had as God. He was still God, but he was also man.

a. Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

1). made…of no reputation (2758 * keno) to empty, make empty. (Romans 4:14, “make void”; 1 Corinthians 1:17, “make of none effect”; 1 Corinthians 9:15, “make void”; 2 Corinthians 9:3, “be in vain”.)

b. [NIV] “But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”

c. Amplified Bible: “But stripped Himself of all privileges and rightful dignity…”

1). Dake: “The true Biblical teaching of the kenosis of Christ is that in taking human form He divested Himself of His Divine attributes…[he] laid aside His God form and voluntarily gave up his glory which he had with the Father before the world was and became limited in knowledge, wisdom, power, glory in every way that man is and yet retained His Deity, His Divine nature. [D.C.: He was still God but clothed in a human body.]

d. As Jesus grew up physically, from infancy on, he increased in natural and spiritual wisdom.

1). Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, full with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

e. From at least at the age of 12 Jesus knew that God was his Father. This is established by looking at what occurred during that particular visit to Jerusalem at the Passover Feast.

1). Luke 2:41-49 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

2:48 And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business.

2). [NIV] “…Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

a). Scripture declares that from age twelve onward up to thirty, Jesus continued to increase in wisdom, clearly establishing that when the LORD God became man in Christ Jesus he emptied himself of his omniscience.

b). Luke 2:51, 52 “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

c). [NIV] “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

d). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 6/4/14 “…First of all, His working knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures was encyclopedic, acquired in the same way any other student of the Word can acquire it—by diligent and prayerful personal study thereof. He had done this all His life from the time He was a small boy. Remember how He had “asked questions” of the astonished doctors in the temple, and then how He was “subject unto” His parents, and how He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:46; 51-52). In all of this, He is a perfect human example to us as we also seek to learn the Scriptures and to grow in wisdom and in favor with God…”

3). Jesus had more understanding than his teachers because he meditated the word of God, not because he was God manifested in the flesh.

a). Psalm 119:99, 100 “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.”

4). Jesus said that His Father taught him. Although this statement was said during his ministry years, some of it applies to the years he was growing up.

a). John 8:28 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”

f. Jesus lived his whole live as the Second Adam [i.e., before Adam sinned], and the first thirty of those years before he was filled with the Holy Ghost, and during that time Jesus never sinned. How did Jesus accomplish not sinning against his Father? By meditating the word of God!

1). Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

2). The same is provided for us in the New Covenant

a). 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

3). Jesus was wiser than all his enemies, angelic and human.

2. Psalm 119:97, 98 “O how Love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”

a. Because the plan of the redemption of man depended on the success of his life and death, Jesus had to be wiser than all his enemies. Jesus gained the wisdom to be wiser than his enemies by meditating the word of God.

b. The plan of redemption was planned before the earth was created.

1). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conservation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

c. The plan of man’s redemption was a body of wisdom, that God had hidden from all of creation, not even the angels knew about it. Only the three Persons of the Godhead knew about it for they only had planned it out.

d. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1). The enemies in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 are fallen angelic hosts. They include the devil, and other angels that in some cases rule or influence geographical areas and nations.

a). John 12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”

b). John 14:30 “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

c). Daniel 10:20, 21 “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

2). The outsmarting of demonic powers, spirit beings who would prevent the redemption of man depended on Jesus meditating the word of God. We can read through the Gospels and see the times when Jesus foretold of his death, his resurrection, the redemption of man, his coming back in glory, but the devil never connected the dots, if he would have, he would never have crucified Jesus. They were completely outsmarted by the wisdom of God.

3. There are examples in the life of Christ were he outsmarted his human enemies also.

a. Matthew 22:15-46 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Ceasar, or not?

22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

22:19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

22:21 They say unto him, Ceasar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

22:22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left him, and went their way.