Command the Raven

Proverbs 19:22 [show/hide]Proverbs 19:22 [22]What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

Note, 1. The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of. It cannot but be the desire of man, if he have any spark of virtue in him, to be kind; one would not covet an estate for any thing so much as thereby to be put into a capacity of relieving the poor and obliging our friends.

2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than have ability for it and want a heart to it: The desire of a man to be kind, and charitable, and generous, is his kindness, and shall be so construed; both God and man will accept his good-will, according to what he has, and will not expect more. A poor man, who wishes you well, but can promise you nothing, because he has nothing to be kind with, is better than a liar, than a rich man who makes you believe he will do mighty things, but, when it comes to the setting to, will do nothing. The character of the men of low degree, that they are vanity, from whom nothing is expected, is better than that of men of high degree, that they are a lie, they deceive those whose expectations they raised.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Proverbs 19:21 [show/hide]Proverbs 19:21 [21]Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Here we have,

1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men’s hearts,–devices against his counsels (as those, Ps. ii. 1-3; Micah iv. 11),– devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jam. iv. 13, this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),–devices unlike God’s counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God’s counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform.

2. God overruling. Various men have various designs, according as their inclination or interest leads them, but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, whatever becomes of the devices of men. His counsel often breaks men’s measures and baffles their devices; but their devices cannot in the least alter his counsel, not disturb the proceedings of it, nor put him upon new counsels, Isa. xiv. 24; xlvi. 11. What a check does this give to politic designing men, who think they can outwit all mankind, that there is a God in heaven that laughs at them! Ps. ii. 4. What comfort does this speak to all God’s people, that all God’s purposes, which we are sure are right and good, shall be accomplished in due time!

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Proverbs 19:20 [show/hide]Proverbs 19:20 [20]Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Note, 1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. xvii. 11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last.

2. Those that would be wise in their latter end must hear counsel and receive instruction, in their beginnings must be willing to be taught and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young. Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Proverbs 19:19 [show/hide]Proverbs 19:19 [19]A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

1. As we read this, it intimates, in short, that angry men never want woe. Those that are of strong, or rather headstrong, passions, commonly bring themselves and their families into trouble by vexatious suits and quarrels and the provocations they give; they are still smarting, in one instance or other, for their ungoverned heats; and, if their friends deliver them out of one trouble, they will quickly involve themselves in another, and they must do it again, all which troubles to themselves and others would be prevented if they would mortify their passions and get the rule of their own spirits.

2. It may as well be read, He that is of great wrath (meaning the child that is to be corrected and is impatient of rebuke, cries and makes a noise, even that wrath of his against the rod of correction) deserves to be punished; for, if thou deliver him for the sake of that, thou wilt be forced to punish him so much the more next time. A stomachful high-spirited child must be subdued betimes, or it will be the worse for it.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Proverbs 19:18 [show/hide]Proverbs 19:18 [18]Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity.

1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit: Chasten thy son while there is hope, for perhaps, if he be let alone awhile, he will be past hope, and a much greater chastening will not do that which now a less would effect. It is easiest plucking up weeds as soon as they spring up, and the bullock that is designed for the yoke should be betimes accustomed to it.

2. Do not say that it is a pity to correct them, and that, because they cry and beg to be forgiven, you cannot find in your heart to do it. If the point can be gained without correction, well and good; but if you find, as it often proves, that your forgiving them once, upon a dissembled repentance and promise of amendment, does but embolden them to offend again, especially if it be a thing that is in itself sinful (as lying, swearing, ribaldry, stealing, or the like), in such a case put on resolution, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. It is better that he should cry under thy rod than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more fearful, that of divine vengeance.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Exodus 38:21-31 [show/hide]Exodus 38:21-31 Materials for the Tabernacle [21]These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. [22]Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses; [23]and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. [24]All the gold that was used for the work, in all the construction of the sanctuary, the gold from the offering, was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. [25]The silver from those of the congregation who were recorded was a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary: [26]a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men. [27]The hundred talents of silver were for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil; a hundred bases for the hundred talents, a talent a base. [28]And of the 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their capitals and made fillets for them. [29]The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels; [30]with it he made the bases for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the bronze altar and the bronze grating for it and all the utensils of the altar, [31]the bases around the court, and the bases of the gate of the court, all the pegs of the tabernacle, and all the pegs around the court. (ESV)

21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.   22 And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.   23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.   24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.   25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:   26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. 27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.   28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.   29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.   30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,   31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

Here we have a breviat of the account which, by Moses’s appointment, the Levites took and kept of the gold, silver, and brass, that was brought in for the tabernacle’s use, and how it was employed. Ithamar the son of Aaron was appointed to draw up this account, and was thus by less services trained up and fitted for greater, v. 21. Bezaleel and Aholiab must bring in the account (v. 22, 23), and Ithamar must audit it, and give it in to Moses. And it was thus:–

1. All the gold was a free-will offering; every man brought as he could and would, and it amounted to twenty-nine talents, and 730 shekels over, which some compute to be about 150,000l. worth of gold, according to the present value of it. Of this were made all the golden furniture and vessels.

2. The silver was levied by way of tax; every man was assessed half a shekel, a kind of poll-money, which amounted in the whole to 100 talents, and 1775 shekels over, v. 25, 26. Of this they made the sockets into which the boards of the tabernacle were let, and on which they rested; so that they were as the foundation of the tabernacle, v. 27. The silver amounted to about 34,000l. of our money. The raising of the gold by voluntary contribution, and of the silver by way of tribute, shows that either way may be taken for the defraying of public expenses, provided that nothing be done with partiality.

3. The brass, though less valuable, was of use not only for the brazen altar, but for the sockets of the court, which probably in other tents were of wood: but it is promised (Isa. lx. 17), For wood I will bring brass. See how liberal the people were and how faithful the workmen were, in both which respects their good example ought to be followed.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Exodus 38:9-20 [show/hide]Exodus 38:9-20 Making the Court [9]And he made the court. For the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits; [10]their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. [11]And for the north side there were hangings of a hundred cubits, their twenty pillars, their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. [12]And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their ten pillars, and their ten bases; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. [13]And for the front to the east, fifty cubits. [14]The hangings for one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. [15]And so for the other side. On both sides of the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases. [16]All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen. [17]And the bases for the pillars were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. The overlaying of their capitals was also of silver, and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. [18]And the screen for the gate of the court was embroidered with needlework in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It was twenty cubits long and five cubits high in its breadth, corresponding to the hangings of the court. [19]And their pillars were four in number. Their four bases were of bronze, their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals and their fillets of silver. [20]And all the pegs for the tabernacle and for the court all around were of bronze. (ESV)

9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:   10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.   11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.   12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.   13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.   14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.   15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.   16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.   17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.   18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.   19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.   20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.

The walls of the court, or church-yard, were like the rest curtains or hangings, made according to the appointment, ch. xxvii. 9, &c. This represented the state of the Old-Testament church: it was a garden enclosed; the worshippers were then confined to a little compass. But the enclosure being of curtains only intimated that the confinement of the church in one particular nation was not to be perpetual. The dispensation itself was a tabernacle-dispensation, movable and mutable, and in due time to be taken down and folded up, when the place of the tent should be enlarged and its cords lengthened, to make room for the Gentile world, as is foretold, Isa. liv. 2, 3. The church here on earth is but the court of God’s house, and happy they that tread these courts and flourish in them; but through these courts we are passing to the holy place above. Blessed are those that dwell in that house of God: they well be still praising him. The enclosing of a court before the tabernacle teaches us a gradual approach to God. The priests that ministered must pass through the holy court, before they entered the holy house. Thus before solemn ordinances there ought to be the separated and enclosed court of a solemn preparation, in which we must wash our hands, and so draw near with a true heart.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Exodus Chapter 38

Here is an account, I. Of the making of the brazen altar (ver. 1-7), and the laver, ver. 8. II. The preparing of the hangings for the enclosing of the court in which the tabernacle was to stand, ver. 9-20. III. A summary of the gold, silver, and brass, that was contributed to, and used in, the preparing of the tabernacle, ver. 21, &c.

Exodus 38:1-8 [show/hide]Exodus 38:1-8 Making the Altar of Burnt Offering [38:1]He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits was its length, and five cubits its breadth. It was square, and three cubits was its height. [2]He made horns for it on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. [3]And he made all the utensils of the altar, the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its utensils of bronze. [4]And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down. [5]He cast four rings on the four corners of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. [6]He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. [7]And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards. Making the Bronze Basin [8]He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting. (ESV)

1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.   2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.   3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.   4 And he made for the altar a brazen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.   5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.   6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.   7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.   8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Bezaleel having finished the gold-work, which, though the richest, yet was ordered to lie most out of sight, in the tabernacle itself, here goes on to prepare the court, which lay open to the view of all. Two things the court was furnished with, and both made of brass:–

I. An altar of burnt-offering, v. 1-7. On this all their sacrifices were offered, and it was this which, being sanctified itself for this purpose by the divine appointment, sanctified the gift that was in faith offered on it. Christ was himself the altar to his own sacrifice of atonement, and so he is to all our sacrifices of acknowledgment. We must have an eye to him in offering them, as God has in accepting them.

II. A laver, to hold water for the priests to wash in when they went in to minister, v. 8. This signified the provision that is made in the gospel of Christ for the cleansing of our souls from the moral pollution of sin by the merit and grace of Christ, that we may be fit to serve the holy God in holy duties. This is here said to be made of the looking-glasses (or mirrors) of the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle.

1. It should seem these women were eminent and exemplary for devotion, attending more frequently and seriously at the place of public worship than others did; and notice is here taken of it to their honour. Anna was such a one long afterwards, who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day, Luke ii. 37. It seems in every age of the church there have been some who have thus distinguished themselves by their serious zealous piety, and they have thereby distinguished themselves; for devout women are really honourable women (Acts xiii. 50), and not the less so for their being called, by the scoffers of the latter days, silly women. Probably these women were such as showed their zeal upon this occasion, by assisting in the work that was now going on for the service of the tabernacle. They assembled by troops, so the word is; a blessed sight, to see so many, and those so zealous and so unanimous, in this good work.

2. These women parted with their mirrors (which were of the finest brass, burnished for that purpose) for the use of the tabernacle. Those women that admire their own beauty, are in love with their own shadow, and make the putting on of apparel their chief adorning by which they value and recommend themselves, can but ill spare their looking-glasses; yet these women offered them to God, either,

(1.) In token of their repentance for the former abuse of them, to the support of their pride and vanity; now that they were convinced of their folly, and had devoted themselves to the service of God at the door of the tabernacle, they thus threw away that which, though lawful and useful in itself, yet had been an occasion of sin to them. Thus Mary Magdalene, who had been a sinner, when she became a penitent wiped Christ’s feet with her hair. Or,

(2.) In token of their great zeal for the work of the tabernacle; rather than the workmen should want brass, or not have of the best, they would part with their mirrors, though they could not do well without them. God’s service and glory must always be preferred by us before any satisfactions or accommodations of our own. Let us never complain of the want of that which we may honour God by parting with.

3. These mirrors were used for the making of the laver. Either they were artfully joined together, or else molten down and cast anew; but it is probable that the laver was so brightly burnished that the sides of it still served for mirrors, that the priests, when they came to wash, might there see their faces, and so discover the spots, to wash them clean. Note, In the washing of repentance, there is need of the looking-glass of self-examination. The word of God is a glass, in which we may see our own faces (see Jam. i. 23); and with it we must compare our own hearts and lives, that, finding out our blemishes, we may wash with particular sorrow, and application of the blood of Christ to our souls. Usually the more particular we are in the confession of sin the more comfort we have in the sense of the pardon.

- Matthew Henry Commentary

Micah 7:8 [show/hide]Micah 7:8 [8]Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

Rejoice not against me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.

Our enemies derive a great deal of sadistic satisfaction from our misfortune, which does inevitably add to our sorrow and discomfort.

Nevertheless, the prophet makes himself very clear on this subject; we bear the indignation of the Lord if we have sinned against Him, until He pleads our cause and executes judgment for us.

We cannot ascertain the precise actions and thoughts of God given a situation and should consider that we may be in a “Job” position; whichever it may be, we are in His Hand and should
Trust that His judgment will ultimately bring clarity.

We should not say or do anything rashly, which courts disaster, but stay at home and quietly wait with hope for deliverance from the God of our salvation, He will hear us.

For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies can be the men of his own house.

Trust not in a neighbor, put not confidence in a friend; keep the doors of your mouth – let God be your confidante – rely and trust in Him alone, for He never fails or betrays you.

When your enemy sees your deliverance, shame will cover them who said to you; “Where is the Lord your God?”

The intrigues which surround family and friends can be diverse and perplexing, and it can be difficult to fathom the motivation that drives them;

Therefore, show tolerance towards them and with patience pray for each one, as a wise man overlooks an offence and even as Stephen did whilst they were stoning him to death, “Father, forgive them they know not what they are doing”.

Vindication comes from God, and they will see that God honors and loves you, which is more important than reacting to the stones which they throw. Leave them be, FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY RESTS UPON YOU.

The Lord: A Man of War

1 Kings 20:27 [show/hide]1 Kings 20:27 [27]And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. (ESV)

The Israelites were counted and, all present, went against them. The Israelites encamped before the enemy like two little flocks of lost kids (absolutely everything against them but Almighty God); but the Syrians filled the country.

The enemy of your soul might appear to be overwhelming, surrounding you on every side, trying to instill fear, confusion and chaos in your life.

Do not be afraid, God is more remarkable in ability than mere mortals and the greater the odds, the more remarkable and Glorious in Power and Victory will be your salvation.

It is written in Exodus 15:3 [show/hide]Exodus 15:3 [3]The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
that “The Lord is a Man of War”; throughout the many battles of Israel He went before the Hosts of the armies and the victory was a foregone conclusion.

He triumphs Gloriously, and saves with His Right Hand of Victory. Who is like Him, Glorious in Holiness, Awesome in Splendor, doing Wonders?

Because you set your love upon God, and you know and understand His Name, relying on Him, He will save you and guide you in His Strength.

He knows your present position and takes offence when you are harmed in any way! He that touches you touches the apple of His Eye. Even King David acknowledged that the day of his enemy would come, or that he would fall in battle (Nabal – as recorded in Samuel).

The Battle is God’s and not yours, stand still and see His Salvation, for we serve a God of Miracles.

He is able to lift you from the depths of despair and anguish with the Breath of His Nostrils and in the Greatness of His Excellency, overthrow the overwhelming hosts camped against your soul.

HE SPEAKS ONE WORD, and with ONE WORD saves you with tender love and mercy.