Command the Raven

Proverbs 14:1 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Note, 1. A good wife is a great blessing to a family. By a fruitful wife a family is multiplied and replenished with children, and so built up. But by a prudent wife, one that is pious, industrious, and considerate, the affairs of the family are made to prosper, debts are paid, portions raised, provision made, the children well educated and maintained, and the family has comfort within doors and credit without; thus is the house built. She looks upon it as her own to take care of, though she knows it is her husband’s to bear rule in, Esth. 1:22.

2. Many a family is brought to ruin by ill housewifery, as well as by ill husbandry. A foolish woman, that has no fear of God nor regard to her business, that is wilful, and wasteful, and humoursome, that indulges her ease and appetite, and is all for jaunting and feasting, cards and the play-house, though she come to a plentiful estate, and to a family beforehand, she will impoverish and waste it, and will as certainly be the ruin of her house as if she plucked it down with her hands; and the husband himself, with all his care, can scarcely prevent it.
- Matthew Henry Commentary

Song of Solomon 8:5-7 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee. 6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Here, I. The spouse is much admired by those about her. It comes in in a parenthesis, but in it gospel-grace lies as plain, and as much above ground, as any where in this mystical song: Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Some make these the words of the bridegroom, expressing himself well pleased with her reliance on him and resignation of herself to his guidance. They are rather the words of the daughters of Jerusalem, to whom she spoke (v. 4); they see her, and bless her. The angels in heaven, and all her friends on earth, are the joyful spectators of her bliss. The Jewish church came up from the wilderness supported by the divine power and favour, Deut. 32:10, 11 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. The Christian church was raised up from a low and desolate condition by the grace of Christ relied on, Gal. 4:27 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. Particular believers are amiable, nay, admirable, and divine grace is to be admired in them, when by the power of that grace they are brought up from the wilderness, leaning with a holy confidence and complacency upon Jesus Christ their beloved. This bespeaks the beauty of a soul, and the wonders of divine grace,

1. In the conversion of sinners. A sinful state is a wilderness, remote from communion with God, barren and dry, and in which there is no true comfort; it is a wandering wanting state. Out of this wilderness we are concerned to come up, by true repentance, in the strength of the grace of Christ, supported by our beloved and carried in his arms.

2. In the consolation of saints. A soul convinced of sin, and truly humbled for it, is in a wilderness, quite at a loss; and there is no coming out of this wilderness but leaning on Christ as our beloved, by faith, and not leaning to our own understanding, nor trusting to any righteousness or strength of our own as sufficient for us, but going forth, and going on, in the strength of the Lord God, and making mention of his righteousness, even his only, who is the Lord our righteousness.

3. In the salvation of those that belong to Christ. We must go up from the wilderness of this world having our conversation in heaven; and, at death, we must remove thither, leaning upon Christ, must live and die by faith in him. To me to live is Christ, and it is he that is gain in death.

II. She addresses herself to her beloved.

1. She puts him in mind of the former experience which she and others had had of comfort and success in applying to him.

(1.) For her own part: “I raised thee up under the apple tree, that is, I have many a time wrestled with thee by prayer and have prevailed. When I was alone in the acts of devotion, retired in the orchard, under the apple-tree” (which Christ himself was compared to, ch. 2:3), as Nathanael under the fig-tree (John 1:48 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, “meditating and praying, then I raised thee up, to help me and comfort me,” as the disciples raised him up in the storm, saying, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, and the church (Ps. 44:23 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), Awake, why sleepest thou? Note, The experience we have had of Christ’s readiness to yield to the importunities of our faith and prayer should encourage us to continue instant in our addresses to him, to strive more earnestly, and not to faint. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, Ps. 34:4 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
.

(2.) Others also had like experience of comfort in Christ, as it follows there (Ps. 34:5 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), They looked unto him, as well as I, and were lightened. There thy mother brought thee forth, the universal church, or believing souls, in whom Christ was formed, Gal. 4:15 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. They were in pain for the comfort of an interest in thee, and travailed in pain with great sorrow (so the word here signifies); but they brought thee forth; the pangs did not continue always; those that had travailed in convictions at last brought forth in consolations, and the pain was forgotten for joy of the Saviour’s birth. By this very similitude our Saviour illustrates the joy which his disciples would have in his return to them, after a mournful separation for a time, John 16:21, 22 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. After the bitter pangs of repentance many a one has had the blessed birth of comfort; why then may not I?

2. She begs of him that her union with him might be confirmed, and her communion with him continued and made more intimate (v. 6): Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm.

(1.) “Let me have a place in thy heart, an interest in thy love.” This is that which all those desire above any thing that know how much their happiness is bound up in the love of Christ.

(2.) “Let me never lose the room I have in thy heart; let thy love to me be ensured, as that deed which is sealed up not to be robbed. Let nothing ever prevail either to separate me from thy love, or, by suspending the communications of it, to deprive me of the comfortable sense of it.”

(3.) “Let me be always near and dear to thee, as the signet on thy right hand, not to be parted with (Jer. xxii. 24), engraven upon the palms of thy hands (Isa. 49:14 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), be loved with a peculiar love.”

(4.) “Be thou my high priest; let my name be written on thy breast-plate, nearer thy heart, as the names of all the tribes were engraven like the engravings of a signet in twelve precious stones on the breast-plate of Aaron, and also on two precious stones on the two shoulders or arms of the ephod,” Exod. 28:11, 12, 21.

(5.) “Let thy power be engaged for me, as an evidence of thy love to me; let me be not only a seal upon thy heart, but a seal upon thy arm; let me be ever borne up in thy arms, and know it to my comfort.” Some make these to be the words of Christ to his spouse, commanding her to be ever mindful of him and of his love to her; however, if we desire and expect that Christ should set us as a seal on his heart, surely we cannot do less than set him as a seal on ours.

3. To enforce this petition, she pleads the power of love, of her love to him, which constrained her to be thus pressing for the tokens of his love to her.

(1.) Love is a violent vigorous passion.

[1.] It is strong as death. The pains of a disappointed lover are like the pains of death; nay, the pains of death are slighted, and made nothing of, in pursuit of the beloved object. Christ’s love to us was strong as death, for it broke through death itself. He loved us, and gave himself for us. The love of true believers to Christ is strong as death, for it makes them dead to every thing else; it even parts between soul and body, while the soul, upon the wings of devout affections, soars upward to heaven, and even forgets that it is yet clothed and clogged with flesh. Paul, in a rapture of this love, knew not whether he was in the body or out of the body. By it a believer is crucified to the world.

[2.] Jealousy is cruel as the grave, which swallows up and devours all; those that truly love Christ are jealous of every thing that would draw them from him, and especially jealous of themselves, lest they should do any thing to provoke him to withdraw from them, and, rather than do so, would pluck out a right eye and cut off a right hand, than which what can be more cruel? Weak and trembling saints, who conceive a jealousy of Christ, doubting of his love to them, find that jealousy to prey upon them like the grave; nothing wastes the spirits more; but it is an evidence of the strength of their love to him.

(3.) The coals thereof, its lamps, and flames, and beams, are very strong, and burn with incredible force, as the coals of fire that have a most vehement flame, a flame of the Lord (so some read it), a powerful piercing flame, as the lightning, Ps. 29:7 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. Holy love is a fire that begets a vehement heat in the soul, and consumes the dross and chaff that are in it, melts it down like wax into a new form, and carries it upwards as the sparks towards God and heaven.

(2.) Love is a valiant victorious passion. Holy love is so; the reigning love of God in the soul is constant and firm, and will not be drawn off from him either by fair means or foul, by life or death, Rom. viii. 38.

[1.] Death, and all its terrors, will not frighten a believer from loving Christ: Many waters, though they will quench fire, cannot quench this love, no, nor the floods drown it, v. 7. The noise of these waters will strike no terror upon it; let them do their worst, Christ shall still be the best beloved. The overflowing of these waters will strike no damp upon it, but it will enable a man to rejoice in tribulation. Though he slay me, I will love him and trust in him. No waters could quench Christ’s love to us, nor any floods drown it; he waded through the greatest difficulties, even seas of blood. Love sat king upon the floods; let nothing then abate our love to him.

[2.] Life, and all its comforts, will not entice a believer from loving Christ: If a man could hire him with all the substance of his house, to take his love off from Christ and set it upon the world and the flesh again, he would reject the proposal with the utmost disdain; as Christ, when the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them were offered him, to buy him off from his undertaking, said, Get thee hence, Satan. It would utterly be contemned. Offer those things to those that know no better. Love will enable us to repel and triumph over temptations from the smiles of the world, as much as from its frowns. Some give this sense of it: If a man would give all the substance of his house to Christ, as an equivalent instead of love, to excuse it, it would be contemned. He seeks not ours, but us, the heart, not the wealth. If I give all my goods to feed the poor, and have not love, it is nothing, 1 Cor. 13:1 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
. Thus believers stand affected to Christ: the gifts of his providence cannot satisfy them without the assurances of his love.
- Matthew Henry Commentary

From Koinonia House

WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

The Apostle Paul has gotten a lot of flak over the years for his statement that women should be silent in the churches. He’s also had plenty of women irritated at him for saying they should submit to their husbands. Yet, while the Bible has been accused of promoting ancient patriarchal social structures or even downright misogyny, the Bible actually promotes women and provides excellent examples of women who were honored.

The Bible was written, just like all books, in a male-dominated society. Yet, even in a time before the 19th Amendment and Title IX, the Bible does a great deal to promote the cause of women. Women are treated with respect in its pages, and not as scapegoats or the property of men as in certain other religions. Even though Eve is credited with taking the first bite of that fruit, she’s not faulted with the fall of humanity; Adam is (1 Cor 15:21-22 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
).   It’s important for us to look at the treatment of women throughout the Bible.

Old Testament:
In Exodus 35:25-26 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, women took part in providing for the tabernacle, the holy tent where God would speak face to face with Moses. These “wise hearted” women used their creativity and skill for the glory of God by spinning beautiful blue, purple, scarlet and linen cloths. Apparently, their hearts were spiritually stirred up to do the work along with the men.

Two books of the Bible, Ruth and Esther, are devoted to the excellent women whose names those books bear. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, and therefore the ancestor of Jesus himself, and Esther’s courage saved the lives of all the Hebrew people living in the kingdoms ruled by Babylon.

Deborah was a strong woman and a prophetess who judged Israel: “And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” – Judges 4:5 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

In 2 Kings 22:14-20 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, Asahiah all went to Huldah the prophetess to receive instruction from the LORD.

Job, one of the most esteemed men who ever lived, gave his daughters an inheritance with their brothers. Job 42:15 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

God often has compassion for women in the Old Testament, like Hannah (1 Sam 1:2-20 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), Leah (Gen 29:31 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), and the two women in 2 Kings 4 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
.

Solomon’s statements about women can sometimes be considered humorous. He speaks both of foolish women and of wise women, of ladies wicked and virtuous. He had his share of wives, though, some of whom he apparently wished he could escape, as seen in statements like:

“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” - Proverbs 21:9 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” - Proverbs 21:19 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

“A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” - Proverbs 27:15 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

As much as we can enjoy some light-hearted humor at Solomon’s expense, his words demonstrate something important; his wives certainly felt free to speak their minds.

And while many women resent her for her perfection, the last chapter of Proverbs is dedicated to describing an especially amazing woman.

New Testament:
Women are treated with great importance in the New Testament.  Jesus’ decent treatment of women, from prostitutes to foreigners, bordered on scandalous. The Gospels tell of many occasions in which Jesus healed women, even one considered ”unclean” according to the Law (Mark 5:25-34 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
; Lev 15:25 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
).   Jesus spoke one-on-one with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), and on several occasions he came to the defense of women (John 8:3-11 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
,Luke 7:37-50 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
). Women loved him and a group of them followed him (Mark 15:40-41 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), and some of his most encouraging words were spoken to women (John 11:23-26, 38-40 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
).  Mary was welcomed to sit at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39-42 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), taking the posture of a disciple.  Women were the first to learn of his resurrection (Luke 23:55-24 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
:10), and Mary Magdalene was apparently the first person he appeared to after he rose (John 20:14-17 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
).

Paul is not such a criminal as many women might think. Paul gives one of the most excellent, beautiful descriptions of how a man should treat his wife that can be found anywhere, ancient world or present:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it… So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” -Ephesians 5:25, 28-31 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

Paul tells men to lay down their lives for their wives, to cherish them, and to love them as they love their own bodies. If all husbands behaved that way toward their wives, women would have no problem respecting their husbands.

Paul gladly accepts the ministry of women on several occasions. Paul, Luke and Silas found a safe house in the home of a certain businesswoman in Thyatira named Lydia (Acts 16:14-15, 40 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
).  Paul worked with several women in the ministry, like Priscilla (Rom 16:3 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), and he speaks with great warmth and appreciation of Phoebe (Rom 16:1-2 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
), telling the Romans to “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you.”

And about women keeping silent in churches? In the context of 1 Corinthians 14 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, Paul is talking about maintaining order during church gatherings. It’s notable that just 3 chapters prior, in 1 Cor 11:5 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
, Paul made it clear that women do prophesy. When were they supposed to prophesy then, if not in church gatherings? There have been several female prophets in the Bible, and they spoke to groups that also included men. Anna the prophetess is a notable example (Luke 2:37-38 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
). It’s obvious from the context that Paul’s purpose was not to subjugate women, but to keep order when the people came together. Some have suggested that women, who were not necessarily literate, had been making a lot of noise during gatherings by asking their husbands questions.  It was causing disruption, just as people prophesying all at once caused disruption. Paul finishes the whole section by saying, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Ultimately, Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

Related Links:

• Was Paul For or Against Women in Ministry? - Enrichment Journal
• Nan’s Corner - Koinonia House

SHALL I NOT SEEK REST FOR THEE? B.C. 1312

Ruth 3:1 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Here is, I. Naomi’s care for her daughter’s comfort is without doubt very commendable, and is recorded for imitation. She had no thoughts of marrying herself, ch. i. 12. But, though she that was old had resolved upon a perpetual widowhood, yet she was far from the thoughts of confining her daughter-in-law to it, that was young. Age must not make itself a standard to youth. On the contrary, she is full of contrivance how to get her well married. Her wisdom projected that for her daughter which her daughter’s modesty forbade her to project for herself, v. 1. This she did

1. In justice to the dead, to raise up seed to those that were gone, and so to preserve the family from being extinct.

2. In kindness and gratitude to her daughter-in-law, who had conducted herself very dutifully and respectfully to her. “My daughter” (said she, looking upon her in all respects as her own), “shall I not seek rest for thee,” that is, a settlement in the married state; “shall I not get thee a good husband, that it may be well with thee,” that is, “that thou mayest live plentifully and pleasantly, and not spend all thy days in the mean and melancholy condition we now live in?” Note,

(1.) A married state is, or should be, a state of rest to young people. Wandering affections are then fixed, and the heart must be at rest. It is at rest in the house of a husband, and in his heart, ch. i. 9. Those are giddy indeed that marriage does not compose.

(2.) That which should be desired and designed by those that enter into the married state is that it may be well with them, in order to which it is necessary that they choose well; otherwise, instead of being a rest to them, it may prove the greatest uneasiness. Parents, in disposing of their children, must have this in their eye, that it may be well with them. And be it always remembered that is best for us which is best for our souls.

(3.) It is the duty of parents to seek this rest for their children, and to do all that is fit for them to do, in due time, in order to it. And the more dutiful and respectful they are to them, though they can the worse spare them, yet they should the rather prefer them, and the better.
- Matthew Henry Commentary

Micah 7:8 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

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.

1 Samuel 16:7 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh upon the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. [Dake].

Sadly, gross errors of judgment are made by My servants and handmaidens, in that the outward appearances are availed upon as the true criterion whereby the evaluation of others are based.

As history reveals, even My prophet Samuel, who was an experienced and godly man, looked upon the outward appearance, impressed visibly by the stature of man, in preference to the Divine Direction; doing My work, My way, one step at a time.

Thus according to the standard of man, a comely “anointed” would be chosen, as man looks on the outside: but, I look upon the heart and know the intents and thoughts of man in choosing after My Own heart, and not from outer appearances.

I select deliberately, from the farm fields, the offices, the factories, the highways and by-ways, among the despised of men, the outcast, the foolish, the housewife and those that the world will reject as My anointed, and look upon with incredulous disbelief.

Thus I chose you because it pleased Me; your heart attitude always contemplative and in close communion with Me, prepared for the power and grace of the Spirit necessary to be entrusted to you.

I singled you out and separated you from the midst of your brethren, and anointed you with My Spirit coming upon you from that day with a divine power inwardly advancing you in wisdom, courage, concern and compassion for My people.

Even though you do not have the outward appearance that is according to the standard of the world; true beauty is from within, for I judge your heart and your mind and not your stature, height or countenance.

I have refused and rejected many “Saul’s” through disobedience, and yet My people still follow after and even mourn for them, after they have evidenced My rejection of them.

So too, the “Saul’s” cling to their “crowns” and thrones firmly, even though their kingly powers have ceased; well aware that I have chosen Me another, one after My Own Heart.

Lost then, are the good qualities and designated kingly authority from them, leaving an empty shell, filled with fretfulness, suspicion and discontent and ‘unkingly’ actions against My “David’s”, pursuing them, prepared to take their lives, and imposing a sentence which condemns them to flight and living in caves; in fear of their very lives.

Though you be in a cave situation as an anointed king with no crown, no throne or Kingdom, with and evil-intentioned “Saul” and his armies pursuing you and vexing your soul: take courage, and trust in Me implicitly, secure in the knowledge that I will hide you in the secret of My Presence and initiate events in your favor.

Even though “Saul” is seated upon your throne, wearing your crown and reigning over your Kingdom, you, as My chosen, are the rightful king.

Therefore, you will not remain concealed in the cave; but in due time I will exalt you to inherit your legal crown of glory and eternal splendor.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit my be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1. By the authority of Jesus Christ.
2. Gather in Church conference.
3. Agree with my spirit.
4. Use the power of Jesus Christ.
5. Deliver him to Satan [v4-5].

The purpose of delivering him to Satan was to destroy the flesh. This required members to withdraw all fellowship and spiritual influence from him, and to quit praying for him, so as to permit Satan to afflict his body thus perhaps bringing him to repentance, that his spirit might be saved in the end.

This was effective, for in the second letter Paul wrote the church to forgive him lest he should be swallowed up in overmuch sorrow [2 Cor. 2:6-7 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
].

Greek, ‘olethros,’ ruin, destruction, plague, pest [v 5; 1 Th. 5:3 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
; 2 Th. 1:9 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
; 1 Tim. 6:9 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
]. This destruction did not kill the man. Whatever it was it was capable of bringing him to repentance [2 Cor. 2:7 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
].

All the physical affliction that could be brought on a man could not save his spirit unless it brought him to repentance. It was not, therefore, physical trouble which saved the soul, but repentance brought about by affliction.
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible: page 179

1 Samuel 25:30-31 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that He has promised concerning you, and has made you ruler over Israel,
This shall be no staggering grief to you, or cause for pangs of conscience to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. And when my lord has dealt well with my lord, then [earnestly] remember your handmaid. [Amplified Bible]

Whenever God’s inspired Word says “[earnestly] remember,” one is certain to miss something if he does not stop, look, and really listen to what the Holy Spirit is wanting to tell him – or her.

“[Earnestly] remember Abigail, the woman whom God has specifically held up as a pattern of right behavior in an unfortunate marriage.

Here are a dozen vital questions answered through Abigail’s example. She could not have known that thousands of years later people in similar circumstances would become “more than conquerors” because of her, but God knew.

Study her until you know her God-given secrets of success: then pass them on to the people who are letting an unfortunate marriage wreck them, rather than sanctify them for service.

In Through the Bible Day by Day, F.B. Meyer said, “Never let the evil disposition of one mate hinder the devotion and grace of the other. Never let the difficulties of your home lead you to abdicate your throne.

DO NOT STEP DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT LIFT THEM TO YOUR OWN HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST. [Be not conformed…. Be transformed. Romans 12:1-2 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
].
- The Amplified Bible – page 354

Ecclesiastes 8:26 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

And I found that [of all sinful follies, none has been so ruinous in seducing one from God as idolatrous women] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. [Amplified Bible]

This is a text that men and women should reflect upon, and after careful introspection and consideration weigh your future actions thereupon.

5 Different versions thereof should be sufficient to persuade you to run for your very life if you encounter such a one on the path of your life.

JERUSALEM BIBLE:
Once again I was at pains to study wisdom and retribution, to see wickedness as folly and foolishness as madness. I find woman more bitter than death; she is a snare, her heart a net, her arms are chains;
HE WHO IS PLEASING TO GOD eludes her, but the sinner is her captive.

KING JAMES:
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands; whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

NEW INTERNATIONAL:
I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her.

LIVING BIBLE:
A prostitute is more bitter than death. May it please God that you escape from her, but sinners don’t evade her snares.

REVISED STANDARD:
And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters; he who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

If you have been in the unfortunate position of either the captured man or the ensnaring woman in the aforementioned verses, it must be evident that you are displeasing to God, or perhaps you have never known Him in a personal capacity?

Nevertheless, you can be set free from either of these positions by repentance and will no longer find it necessary to be chained and fettered to your past by your actions of old.
Your sins ought not to drive you away from God, but to Him, for it is His express desire to set you free from your past and renew a right relationship with Him; with a clean slate, and your sins cast into the ocean of forgiveness.

His compassion is new every morning, it fails not; now is the time to seek Him whilst He may be found, to call upon Him whilst He is near…… for who knows the brevity of your life-span ?

1 Corinthians 7:10 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband.

1. Let every man have his own wife.
2. Let every woman have her own husband.
3. Let the husband meet the sexual needs of the wife [v 3-4]
4. Let the wife meet the sexual needs of her husband [v 3-4]
5. Defraud not each other in sexual matters – pay your conjugal vows [v 5]
6. Come together again after you have consented to live continent for a period so as to pray and fast [v 5].
7. Let both men and women marry if they have battles of self-control [v 9]
8. Let not the wife depart from her husband [v 10]
9. If she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband [v 11]
10. Let not the husband divorce his wife [v 11]
11. Let not the Christian man divorce the non-Christian if she be pleased to dwell with him: reasons [v 12-16].
12. Let not the Christian wife divorce her husband if he be pleased to dwell with her [v 13-16].
13. If the unbeliever departs and refuses to live with the Christian, let him depart. Do not force continuance of the marriage. The Christian is freed from the marriage bonds in such cases [v 15]
14. Let every man or woman remain as he or she was when each became a Christian [v 17-24]. That is, do not use Christianity as an excuse to break up your own home and perhaps another, seeking a new companion.
15. If you are bound to a wife, seek not to be loosed [v 27]. That is, do not get a divorce, regardless of the past. Stay in the same calling and state in which you were saved [v 17-24].
16. If you are loosed from a wife, seek not another wife [v 27]. If you do marry, however, you have not sinned [v 28].
17. You that have wives, live as though you did not have them [v 29-31]. That is, live free from anxiety [v 32-35].
18. Let the father who has a daughter of marriageable age be free to give her in marriage. It is no sin for him to do so or for the virgin to marry [v 36-38].
19. The wife is bound by law to be married as long as the husband lives [v 39]. Marriage is for the lifetime of the husband or wife.
20. Christians must remarry only Christians when companions die [v 39].
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible: page 191.