1 Timothy 1:12-20

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Commentary
Vs. 12-17 The Apostle Paul now in humble gratitude gives thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ who enabled him to be in ministry, because He, as the Apostle says, counted him faithful. Therefore in contrast to the false teachers who “desire to be teachers of the law” (vs. 7-8); as if teaching the law (to try to appear an authority of it) merit’s God’s approval. The Apostle Paul (the former Pharisee) now recounts how he came into Christ’s service. First, the Lord Jesus Christ enabled him, because Christ counted Paul faithful. He put Paul into ministry. The Apostle Paul did not appoint himself, as the false teachers frequently appoint themselves to ministry, Christ did (2 Cor.10:18). Just as the Lord Jesus appoints everyone who believes in Him into His service by the Spirit gifts we are given (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11-12). Now in saying that it must also be remembered that the Apostle Paul did not come into Christ's salvation because of his Jewish pedigree, or his extensive training, or even his blameless conduct towards the law (Phil. 3:4-9). For nobody enters the Kingdom of Heaven who denies that they themselves are in deep and desperate need of Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Luke 18:9-14; Eph. 2:1-9). Thus Paul begins with an honest and humble confession about his own conversion: “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief…” vs. 13

 The Apostle Paul than does not paint a pretty "saintly" picture of himself when he was alienated from Christ. In unbelief Paul was not only a blasphemer and insolent man, he was a violent man, even though he was a Pharisee living according to the strictest sect of his father's traditions. This paradox, though startling to some, is more often than not the norm for sinful humanity when they strive for holiness, apart from Holy Spirit regeneration (Rom. 4:15). And thus you can see this phenomenon in every religion where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are absent (Gal. 5:22-23). And so it was while obeying his priestly elders, that Paul in unbelief persecuted and bound many Christians to imprisonment and chains in what he thought was defending the law of God! Thus in his misguided zeal for God, the Apostle Paul committed some terrible atrocities against those whom God had redeemed through it! Therefore just like every sinner; who before God opens their eyes and they come to see themselves as they really are apart from Him. Paul though outwardly very religious, was also once dead in his own trespasses and sins. Therefore having now been saved by the grace of God the Apostle Paul doesn’t proclaim his own righteousness as somehow qualifying him for salvation; he proclaims the mercies of God given to him by faith in Jesus Christ, who first loved him and saved him from his sins, while he was still dead in them (Rom. 5:8). As he says: “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” vs. 14

Now the grace of God is likewise exceedingly abundant towards everyone who believes and calls upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Not just the Apostle Paul, but anyone, anywhere, anytime, can regardless of what they have done, have God’s exceedingly great mercies if they're heart is open to receive Jesus Christ who likewise loves them  (Rev. 3:20). Therefore having received the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul now says that these characteristics of Christ are now what define him. From blasphemer, persecutor and insolent man, to a man now noted for his faith and love. An incredible transformation not attributable to Paul. But rather to the life of Christ within him. In fact if the Christian life could be broken down into two things it would be just that, faith and love. For without faith one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6) and without love one cannot be said to know God (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).

Now to strengthen his point about God’s grace coming to everyone who acknowledges they're own sinfulness, and in faith turns to the Lord Jesus Christ trusting His crusifixion death as all sufficient to save them, the Apostle Paul now declares: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. vs. 15
As a Pharisee Paul could claim his own obedience to the law and smugly look down on others who were not as zealous for God as he was. Not that he was justified in doing so, just that the culture of Phariseeism made such men. But now as a Christian, who came into Christ's Salvation and Life by the grace of God, Paul lost all such pretenses (Php. 3:4-9). For there is no other grounds other than Jesus Christ crucified for our redemption from sin and death that we find God’s mercies. Therefore we all must come to Him honestly and humbly about our own sinfulness with a heart felt desire to repent of it. As the Lord Jesus Christ says: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Matt. 9:13 Which is why He sought out sinners, not to pronounce judgment on us for having sinned (John 3:17), but to call us all to repentance so that He might heal us from our sins. Therefore Jesus came to be and to bring God's salvation to us all who believe in Him, whether we were “good” or bad. Jesus came to save us sinners from our sins and give us new and everlasting life with Himself the moment we believe in Him (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:13-14). Now this God does by Holy Spirit regeneration; that is by the Spirit of God, Jesus Christ permanently indwells everyone who believes in Him. And thus God in all His fullness dwells in all of us who believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17, 19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Col. 2:8-10). And so the life of Christ and fruits of the Holy Spirit are ours to live out and enjoy the Christian life by.

The Apostle Paul then having declared Jesus Christ’s purpose in coming into the world; to save and transform sinners persons and lives, (not the "righteous," or the "religious" or anyone else who thinks themselves, apart from Christ, to be alright in the sight of God) but sinners, of whom he declares himself chief. And thus Paul identifies himself not only as the worst of sinners, but by so doing, he is fully identifying with Christ, who first identified Himself with Paul and with all sinners everywhere by willingly bearing all our sins on the cross. Thus Paul continues his exhortaion on the grace of God: “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” vs. 16

The Apostle Paul then having realized and declared the depth of his own sinfulness now declares the depth and height of Jesus Christ’s love for him and us all who have likewise failed God. Yet it was for that very reason Paul obtained mercy. That in him first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for eternal life. That is Jesus Christ choose to spare Paul who previously was zealously persecuting the church, and trying to destroy the church, so that through His saving and transforming Paul, His longsuffering towards all of sinful humanity might be made known to all. Now that pattern of saving individuals or nations who do not "deserve" to be saved is, and will always be, God’s right and manner of redemption needing no qualification from anyone as the Scripture says (Rom. 11:5-6).

 ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
³⁵ “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
³⁶ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:34-36

 And thus God’s election both of individuals and nations is not based on anything that is inherently good in us, or anything done by us (Rom. 9:11). For nobody comes into salvation because of either their outstanding conduct, or their good deeds; but only by the grace of God, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory the of God.” Rom. 3:23

Therefore the Apostle Paul is saying that through the mercy first shown him, Jesus Christ both demonstrates and has established a just pattern by which He will save anyone who believes in Him. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” vs. 17

Vs. 18-20 Having then exalted our King Jesus and His Righteousness the Apostle Paul now invokes his Apostolic authority as Christ’s commissioned servant. So that by them Timothy may be encouraged in knowing his own calling, and the authority Paul is charging him according to the prophecies made about Timothy, to wage the good warfare; that all believers are likewise charged to fight in faith and love with a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16). Yet some having rejected have only suffered shipwreck in their own faith lives (vs. 18-19). In this the Apostle Paul mentions two men by name; Hymenaeus and Alexander both whom he delivered to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme (vs. 20). For in having admitted to having sinned in such a fashion; yet ignorantly in unbelief; the Apostle Paul makes no room now for such things to carry on amongst those who believe. Therefore a distinction should always be made between those falling into sin and needing restoration (Gal. 6:1-2) and those who seek to justify it (1 Cor. 5:1-13), which is what these men were doing. For having rejected faith and a good conscience (2 Tim. 2:17-18; 2 Tim. 4:14) they were teaching others to blasphemy ruling authorities. Something that is utterly contrary to the gospel and thus having a sound faith and life since the Lord Jesus commands us all directly as well as through His Apostles to honor and obey all in authority; since all authority has their origins in God (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Only in regards to their misconduct or hypocrisy we are not to follow (Matt. 23:1-12). Thus we honor the office; if not the person holding it.

 Now the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to “wage the good warfare” is the kind of language one military commander would use to encourage another before they set off on a prolonged campaign. In other words, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must not consider ourselves in a one-time only battle with personal sin (Heb. 12:4) or a personal Satan (1 Peter 5:8-11), when we come to faith in Christ. For though the war is won at Calvary, and the Lord Jesus Christ assures us of the ongoing victory (Matt. 16:18); there are many different battles, on many different fronts, that must be fought in every generation by us all who believe and seek to obey the truth.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

Commentary
Vs. 1 The Apostle Paul introduces himself as an Apostle by “…the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.” From the start Paul makes it very clear that he did not appoint himself as an Apostle, the Lord Jesus Christ did. And throughout his epistles Paul always describes himself as such; as one called by God (2 Cor. 2:1), separated to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1). In fact he makes a clear distinction between himself as one called by the will of God (Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1) and those who are in fact only called by the will of men (Gal. 1:1). Now God is the Savior of everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. For God alone initiates salvation and calls men and woman to Himself by Jesus Christ His Son (John 1:14; 6:37-40; 12:32). For faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to knowing God and thus having a relationship with Him which leads to eternal life (John 14:6; 17:3). Since nobody can pay the ransom price that his or her souls require (Ps. 49:7-9). Yet God in His great love for us did when Jesus Christ suffered death on a cross for all our sins at Calvary (John 3:16). Therefore Jesus Christ is our soul’s ransom, as well as our resurrected Savior, and thus He alone becomes our hope for eternal life.

Vs. 2 The Apostle Paul addresses his letter (or epistle) to Timothy whom he calls a true son in the faith. A young protégé who had both Jewish and Gentile bloodlines; Paul had shared the gospel with Timothy along with his Godly mother and grandmother. And when they believed in Christ Paul brought Timothy on some of his missionary journeys. Then while they were in Ephesus; Paul having already discipled Timothy, entrusted him to the oversight of the believers in Ephesus, while he himself crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Macedonia to minister the gospel there (vs. 3). The Apostle Paul then having received distressing correspondence from Timothy while there, is now writing to him. And so the Apostle Paul begins his epistle by bestowing three blessings on young Timothy (which are likewise every believers), “…Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” In so doing the Apostle Paul affirms God's agenda for us all who believe, though the road in this life is often precarious and sometimes even perilous (Acts 14:21-22).

Vs. 3-4 Now in light of what the Apostle Paul has already understood from Timothy’s letter and Timothy’s desire to come to him; Paul nonetheless knowing what was at stake urges Timothy to remain in Ephesus "...that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine ⁴ or give heed to fables and endless genealogies which cause disputes rather godly edification which is by faith," ^{vs. 3-4} For to leave at this crucial time would likely mean that the church would be left in distress, or worse overrun by the savage wolves the Apostle Paul warned earlier about (See Acts 20:28-30). Therefore the Apostle Paul’s instructions here is to stop those individuals in the church who were forwarding a pseudo “spirituality” amongst the brethren. For it was their questionable doctrines, and or speculations on spiritual matters, that was making for much divisiveness amongst them. Rather than producing Godly edification which comes by faith (consider 2 Cor. 5:7). Therefore in light of such things the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, as Pastor, to take charge of the situation and appoint Godly men and charge them that they teach no other doctrine. For fables (i.e. myths) and genealogies are useless for producing a Godly life, and when mixed with the gospel, they like all forms of false teaching and "spirituality" are perilous for believers to partake in. For they open a door for Satan's emissaries to enter in by (Consider 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 18:3-4 NKJ).
In Hebrews 13:9 we are similarly warned: “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” Thus staying rooted and grounded in God’s Word and the simplicity of the gospel, rather than something that appears “spiritual”, but only produces debates and strife amongst believers and not Godly edification which is through faith and love was to be priority one for Timothy. To get the congregation rooted and grounded in God's Word (John 17:17). For we are all commended to the Word of God's grace, which always directs our hearts and faith towards Jesus Christ, rather than heeding the decrees, speculations, or false spirituality of men (Col. 2:8-10; 20-22).

Vs. 5-8 Therefore the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that the purpose for the commandment is not to generate more debate and strife, but rather forward “…love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (vs. 5). For love is the Christians call to discipleship. That is the command that Jesus left us to govern our relationships with each other love. Therefore love is to define us as His disciples (John 13:33). Not pursuing questionable doctrines and uncertain things; since again the whole law hangs on one command: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Therefore a good conscience towards God and ones fellow person always comes through love (Rom. 13:8-10). Not a love that is divorced of Godly knowledge and discernment, but a love that is born out of abiding in Christ’s love and keeping His commandments (John 15:9-11). Yet some having strayed from that foundational premise of obedience towards Jesus Christ by grace and truth (John 1:17) which always accords with godliness (Titus 1:1) had turned aside to idle talk (vs. 6); “desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”
That there were those who had strayed from the truth, yet were seeking to be teachers of the law, is not restricted to the congregation that Timothy was overseeing (See 2 Peter 3:16-18). For the vanity of the human heart loves to be seen as an authority before one's peers; nonetheless Jesus commands something far better from us all who would follow Him in discipleship (Consider Matt. 23:1-12). Now the entirety of God’s Word is truth and every one of His righteous statutes endure forever (Ps. 119:119). Therefore the Apostle Paul affirms that the law is good if one uses it lawfully (vs. 8). That is uses it lawfully, as it is intended, for instruction in righteousness, for correction, for rebuke and thus directing us all away from sin and error and hopefully into a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17). For neither the church nor individual believer is under the law (Rom. 6:14), and thus its curse, which Christ suffered for us all on the cross (Gal. 3:10-14). Therefore the law is not given to us to impose on others in the New Covenant era (Acts 15:1-29). Rather the law has a righteous purpose, and in the context of salvation it's purpose is to reveal our sins to us. Since it is through the law that God has set the everlasting moral standards that everyone is to live by, and will be judged by (Rom. 2). Yet as we honestly examine our own hearts and lives, all we see are our own failings according to it. For God has through the law shut up the whole world under sin, with no hope of redemption from sin and death through it. And thus the law (if we are humble and wise) brings us to repentance towards God and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who then saves us (John 3:3-5, 16; Acts 20:21). For the law is not given as a means to salvation. As if by it one could be justified before God by their own obedience to it; Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler in gospel clearly reveals that impossibility. Rather the law serves as a tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith in His Person (Gal. 3:24-25). That is why the Lord Jesus Christ calls us all to repent of our sins and self-assuredness and believe (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:1-5; 18:9-14). So that we might be saved from God's wrath and coming judgment against those things, by turning from them and trusting in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on a cross given through God's great and unfailing love to save us all (John 3:15-16). For only then God will sanctify you, by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, who both makes alive and regenerates everyone who believes (Eph. 1:13-14).

For again the law says nothing about bringing the Holy Spirit into those lives who try to keep the law to be saved from their sins through it (Gal. 3:2-3). Nor does the law say anything about new birth; which Jesus commands of everyone as the only way into the Kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5). For again God having shut up the whole world under sin (Rom. 3:23) He makes entering the Kingdom of heaven only possible by His Work and Righteousness; not mans (Rom. 3:26). Both His salvation work by Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death on the cross and His regenerating work by His Holy Spirit which brings to life and transforms into Christ likeness everyone who believes. And thus the image of God which was lost to the human race when Adam sinned is restored by the second Adam Christ (Rom. 5:12-21). Therefore we only enter in by God’s grace given to us all by faith in Jesus Christ's Person (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:8-9). Thus the law is not "the means" or "a means" to salvation. For apart from Christ the law only makes us aware of our sinful condition, and thus our separated state from God and all that is life. Therefore it is through the gospel that God offers us His solution for our sins and our sin nature. By His first atoning for all our sins, by His Son Jesus Christ's death on the cross, then His regenerating our person's, by our believing in His Son Jesus Christ's Person, whose resurrected life and power the Holy Spirit brings in us the moment we believe in Him. For Jesus says unless you are born again (born of water, that is natural birth, and Spirit, that is born-again by the Spirit of God) you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5). And thus we only enter into God's Kingdom and receive remission of all our sins and eternal life through the grace of God given to us by faith in Jesus Christ's Person (Titus 3:4-7). Therefore unless you see your own need, and your incapability of meeting that need, you will not see your need for Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the cross given by God to save you, and us all. For the law can save no one, it can only charge us all with having sinned (James 2:13).

Vs. 9-11 “Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for thelawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for theunholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰ for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” ^{Vs. 9-11}

In a rather strong rebuke of those who desire to be teachers of the law yet do not understand the things they teach, nor the things they affirm, the Apostle Paul here lays it straight out just who the Law is for! Saying that the law is not made for the righteous person; that is those who are declared righteous by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hence forth strive to live righteously (Rom. 5:1; 1 John 3:1-3). Rather for those who do not believe in Him and continue on in their sins (Rom. 2:11-16; Jude 14-15). Therefore the law has nothing to say to those who by the Holy Spirit put to death the sinful deeds of their flesh (Gal. 5:16-24). Yet the church being under the law has always been a problem (Gal. 4:21-31). The reason it is a problem is it moves justification from the realm of faith in Jesus Christ by which we are saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9). Into the realm of works by which people only acquire debt in their attempts to get justified (Rom. 4:4-5), or become self-righteous in their thinking (Luke 18:9-14). Righteousness then, that is a righteous standing before God cannot come through human effort, for that would circumvent the cross of Christ (John 3:15-16). For the law cannot be kept by anyone to bring salvation through it (Acts 15:8-11; Rom. 3:19-28). It can only convict people of their sins and or authorize God's righteous judgment against them. Therefore to enter into the Kingdom of heaven one must have their hope fully fixed on Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead for the remission of all their sins, rather than their own righteousness through the law or anything else (Rom. 7:4-6). For Jesus Christ was crucified to magnify God’s righteousness through the law, not mans (Rom. 3:26-28; 5:6-21; Gal. 2:21).

Again the Apostle’s Paul’s commandment (vs. 5) is given for the purpose of producing in all who believe love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. In essence the fruits of the Spirit; which God imparts in us when we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and we are to live out by being led by the Spirit of God and not the letter of the law. For the letter of the law only kills and or arouses the sinful passions of the flesh (Rom. 7:5; 2 Cor. 3:5-9). It does not liberate anyone from their sins and the spiritually dead condition they are in apart from Christ. Nor can it impart grace when someone falls into sin; only the gospel can do that. Therefore the law is not the gospel, it is to point people to the gospel of Jesus Christ where God redeems, then brings to life and transforms the lives by the Holy Spirit of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Again it is the Spirit of God via the fruits of Spirit which produces in believers the righteous life that God requires, against such there is no law (Gal. 5:16-23). Thus we do not preach the law, only Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead for the redemption of sinners from its eternal judgment. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Note: This is a first installment on 1 Timothy, as such each new blog entry will contain roughly ten verses, so as not to make any single blog entry to long. Also the entire Biblical Text may be viewed by hovering ones cursor over the blog title or any cited Scripture.

Proverbs 9:6

"Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding."

Devotional
Through this Proverb, God is calling us all to forsake the way of foolishness (that is living in folly, sin, and unbelief, all which only ends in death, Rom 6:23) and instead go in the way of understanding. And so it is a call to repent (i.e. turn away from ones wrong course of life and independence towards God, and turn to Christ through the Gospel, so that one may be redeemed from one's sins and transgressions and brought to life by a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, while the door of God's grace is open to us. For though this world prospers in their rebellion against the will of God for a season, there is a Judgment coming when all who did not heed God's warning will reap all their sins consequences and punishment. And so having turned away from the way of foolishness, we are to go in the way of understanding. That is living in obedience to Him by grace and truth, which is the sole pathway to abundance of life and peace (John 1:17). For that is in the way of wisdom, which God honors, and thus shows mercy towards all who repent and believe and obey Him through His Son's Gospel. Thus all who receive His Son the Lord Jesus Christ will be received and raised up, and glorified together with Himself. For it is by faith God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ that we receive the Holy Spirit who then brings us to life and empowers our discipleship walk with Christ. But is also by Him, by being led by Him, that we are to now live out Christ's life within us. And so our lives being liberated from sin and death now are the means by which Christ's life is magnified and manifested and thus brought near towards one and all, so that they too might turn from their folly and receive life through the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves. Therefore don't live like those whose minds are blinded to this glorious truth, who do not know God, nor have His life by His Spirit within them, who only live to gratify their sensual desires and sinful appetites, and thus are only storing up great wrath and punishment on themselves. Instead through the abounding grace and mercies of God receive His reconciliation for yourself. Come home to Christ who will abundantly pardon and forgive each and all who put their faith and trust in Him crucified for all their transgressions (Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-7; John 3:16). For when everyone does they will find true life and be clothed with abundance of everlasting peace in God's Everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 37:11; 72:7; John 14:27). 

Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

1 Timothy 2:8-15

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Introductory note
In looking at these passages we must be careful not to annul the glorious liberty and equality that all believers share. Whether male or female, rich or poor, there is an essential oneness and interdependence that is the Body of Christ. Therefore though the male is given headship responsibilities in the family and the church. Any notions that lesson the woman’s equality, dignity and importance to the family and church and her positive and necessary impact there, as well as in the world, cannot be Biblically substantiated.

Commentary

Vs. 8 The Apostle Paul’s desire is that men pray everywhere in faith. This does not mean that women do not pray and prophesy (1 Cor. 11:5) but it is the male’s responsibility to take leadership for this in the church and home (1 Peter 3:7).

Vs. 9 Women are asked to be modest in dress. This does not mean suppressing ones natural beauty, it means exemplifying beauty that is primarily inward. For if the heart is right then a woman’s beauty will flow naturally from both personality and adornment. Like a flower that enriches the landscape without over powering it, so a godly women’s adornment is likewise non intrusive. Similarly the Apostle Peter exhorts woman of faith to “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” ^{1 Peter 3:4 NKJ}

Vs. 10 Hence a woman professing godliness with good works should primarily be concerned about being adorned with the inner beauty of a meek and quite spirit. Since it is her outstanding character and good works that make her noteworthy in the congregation.

As Proverbs says:
³⁰Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates. ^{Prov. 31:30-31}

Vs. 11 In the church, women are to learn in silence with all submission. This commandment is seen in principal in 1 Cor. 14:34-37.

Vs. 12 Women then are not to teach or hold authority over the man but to be in silence. The word-translated authority appears only here in the N.T. The word means to have or exercise dominion over a man, which would be contrary to Scripture since man is the head of woman (1 Cor. 11:3). Yet church leadership must always be defined and enacted by how Christ led others. Men then must not lord authority over woman (or each other) for we are first commended by the Lord Jesus as equal brethren (Matt. 23:8-10), then we are commanded in Christ to be mutually submissive to each other in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). Since even Jesus Christ was subject to the Father though He is equal in Nature with Him and He is the Head of the church (Matthew 8:5-13).
Therefore believing women should develop and exercise their Spirit gifts for the church’s edification within the framework of the Lord Jesus Christ’s commandments respecting the headship of Christ for her through the male (1 Cor. 11:3, 7-10, 14:34). For woman by God’s design are man’s helper (Gen. 2:18); having authority delegated to her (Prov. 31:10-31). Therefore Holy Spirit gifted women who are mature in their faith should instruct woman and children whether individually or collectively for the building up of the church body in love (Titus 2:3-5) not men. That is the Lord Jesus commandments given for the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:5; 14:34-35, 37). Yet the execution of all such authority must as the new creation demonstrates take on the new relationship dynamic that does not enact or sustain relationship barriers but as Jesus uniquely demonstrated treats all women as unique person's, yet equal with their male counterparts (Rom. 16:3-16). Hence not lordship as Jesus cautions us all against, rather mutual love, respect, submission and service (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:1-17; 34-35; Gal. 5:13-14; Eph. 5:21) to which all believing men and woman are called. Thus differing roles in life, and in the church, yet equality of person is how one must understand these kinds of passages (Gal. 3:26-29).

Vs. 13 The first reason given is the order of creation. Though both man and woman are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), God created the male first to rule over His creation, then He created woman from man's rib as a helpmate for him and placed her in subjection to him. The man (or the husband) then has the Divine calling and responsibility to love and care for her with understanding as the weaker vessel (Eph. 5:25-33; 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Peter 3:7). While the women has the Divine calling and responsibility to build her home and encourage and support her husband in his endeavors for their mutual well being (Prov. 31:10-31; Eph. 5:33; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6). Their marriage then is an outworking of both loving each other while not neglecting their God given responsibilities towards Him and each other. Both then are charged throughout the Scriptures to love their children and to raise them in the faith (Deut. 4:9, 6:7; 11:19; Isaiah 30:18; ps. 78:3-4; Prov. 22:6; Matt. 5:19; Eph. 6:4 etc.).

Vs. 14 The second reason given is that the woman was deceived by Satan and fell into transgression. Because of this woman is disqualified from teaching or holding authority over man; since she first yielded to Satan then became his agent to tempt Adam. Yet for whatever reason’s Adam willfully disobeyed God’s command and ate the fruit Eve gave him. Thus not until Adam, Eve’s head, rebels against God’s command and they both have eaten of the fruit do they both spiritually die (Gen. 3:6-7). Yet just as sin entered the world through one man’s sin (Adam, Eve’s head) so life comes through One Man Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:12-21), Adam’s head, (1 Cor. 11:3) to restore what Adam forfeited when he willingly obeyed his wife rather then God. That is why Adam is charged with humanities fall not Eve and Christ became flesh as a man not as a woman. For to restore fallen humanity Christ would have to be incarnated as a man and take the place of Adam as head of the human race and die for all humanity who since Adam are born into his sin.

Vs. 15 This verse is not advocating childbirth or any other works as a means to salvation but by maintaining God’s created designs for her a woman shall be saved in child bearing if she continues in faith; love; holiness and self-control (Consider 1 Tim. 5:5-15).

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[i]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Romans 13:1-7

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Devotional
In following Jesus Christ the counter culture aspects of the gospel can be taken to extremes they were never intended. Yes Jesus was a revolutionary but He never rejected the very institutions God ordained to rule mankind in the interim. When Jesus commanded His disciples “whoever compels you to go with him one mile go two” Matt. 5:41 He was referring to a despised Roman law which could compel people to carry a Roman soldiers armor for a full mile. Yet Jesus did not say refuse them but rather go the extra mile and in that we see the revolutionary style Jesus taught and exemplified. For anyone can be obstinate towards those they dislike but it takes real courage to take up ones cross and follow Christ (Matt. 5:44-47). Similarly when questioned about paying the Temple Tax, (Matt. 17:24-27) or commanding obedience to the Pharisees who sat in Moses seat (Matt. 23:1-3) or even Pontius Pilate to whom Jesus said, “you could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given from above” (John 19:10-11). Jesus did not take up arms or promote the same amongst His followers (Matthew 26:52). Rebellion is not a theme or a practice taught in the gospels or in the Biblical Apostles Epistles (Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
Now if there is a cause for “militancy” in following Jesus Christ it is to love God above all else, love others as oneself, and keep Christ’s commandments. For in that the reality of ones faith is made known (1 John 5:2-3). Therefore as God’s children we are called to a revolutionary life of faith so that others may believe. For Christ’s disciples have always suffered martyrdom (even at the hands of the state) but we must not suffer for inciting sedition and strife since the church collectively and disciple individually is called to live in peace (Heb. 12:14). Nonetheless if the state though a God derived entity takes on the role of a “god” (Rev. 13) compelling its citizens to submit to them as such then my first and finial duty is to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Any notion that I can somehow partake in the states agenda when it conflicts with Christ’s is non-starter because I am first and foremost bound to obey God not man (Acts 5:29). Thus in obeying God I find that Jesus Christ is honored; the church is edified and society (even a hostile society) stands the better for it. Therefore if you want to be a true revolutionary invite Jesus Christ into your heart and then let Him guide your new life. If you let Him, He just might make a revolution out of you.


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” ² So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah. ³ Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?” ⁴ And the Gibeonites said to him, “We will have no silver or gold from Saul or from his house, nor shall you kill any man in Israel for us.” So he said, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” ⁵ Then they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the territories of Israel, ⁶ let seven men of his descendants be delivered to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, whom the Lord chose.” And the king said, “I will give them.” ⁷ But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. ⁸ So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; ⁹ and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the Lord. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. ¹⁰ Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night. ¹¹ And David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.¹² Then David went and took the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, from the men of Jabesh Gilead who had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them up, after the Philistines had struck down Saul in Gilboa. ¹³ So he brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there; and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. ¹⁴ They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.

Devotional
In this section of Scripture we see that God does not forsake justice, though it seems delayed for a season. Now the backdrop to this was when Saul was king he not only made war against the enemies of the Lord, in his misguided zeal he (and more to the point, "his bloodthirsty house" meaning those in his own family, vs, 1) thought to purge Israel itself of the foreigners within the boarders of Israel, specially the Gibeonites, who were not just resident aliens, but these were people, Israel in the days of Joshua had made a solemn covenant with (see Joshua 9). And so after Saul's death, along with his own sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchisua (1 Samuel 31:2), there still remained the sons of one his concubines who in all likelihood were apart of this genocide. And so long after his death and well into King David's reign, with David again firmly established on the throne God remembers Saul's killing the Gibeonites. And so it is now the Lord (the Covenanter with Israel) who remembers that Israel has broken their covenant through their genocidal act against them. For though God sometimes is "silent" for a season, He will not allow His people too perpetuate crimes and injustices against others, and thus violate His Holy Name, and then continue on as if no wrong has occurred, simply because of their covenant status with Him. For being in a covenant relationship with God means not only receiving blessing and privileges from God, but also it means fulfilling ones responsibilities to Him, as His Name bearer. And thus it means to be just in ones dealings with all people. And so it is now, that the Lord in the days of King David, brings a famine that lasts for three years on the land of Israel as a ongoing judgment against His people (who were not ignorant of Saul's murderous deeds) indeed some of whom must have also participated in Saul's crime, or were placid observers to it.
And so this famine is given directly by God to bring about justice for the Gibeonites, for the crimes that Saul and his household committed. Thus it is during David's reign, when he is well established, and the house of Saul can no longer pose a threat to the throne, that God brings that famine, knowing that His servant David would be a man who would seek His face, and would seek to do His will to make it right again.

It is then a wake up call to Israel which King David heeds when He understands that it is the Lord's hand who has brought this famine against His people to bring about justice. For the Lord is a God of justice (Deut. 32:4) who always does justice and so He moves His people (by one means or another) to do justice as His representatives in the earth (Gen. 18:19). And so it is when King David understands that it is the Lord who has brought about this famine that he as king and responds in humility and repentance on behalf of the people. And so he personally seeks out the offended Gibeonites, leaving them to prescribe what the atonement should be for the crimes Saul and his household committed again them. Now in this they request neither silver nor gold from Saul's house; nor do they ask for the death of anyone in Israel; though again who knows how many actually participated in Saul's genocide. Rather they ask that seven of his descendants should given to them, so that they might execute judgment on them, for the lives taken from them at his hand. (Something the Law also required, was the death of the offender who took another's life unjustly, and thus no financial remuneration could be taken for blood guilt upon the land, for blood can only be atoned for by blood, Num. 35:33). Now King David in giving up the seven decedents of Saul spares Mephibosheth Jonathan's son, who is different than Saul's own son Mephibosheth, (vs. 7-8). Now David does this for reason of the covenant between himself and Jonathan. Though it is also highly unlikely because of the lameness of Mephibosheth's feet that he had anything to do with Saul's murderous campaigns against the Gibeonites.

And so King David delivers up Saul's concubine Rizpah's sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth, as well as the five sons Michal the daughter of Saul that she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; when Saul gave her to him, rather than too David, as he swore he would (See 1 Sam. 18:17-30; vs. 19; 2 Sam. 3:14; 6:23).Therefore only the surviving heir's of Saul will be put to death. And so it is when they are delivered to the Gibeonites that they are hung before the Lord in the days of the harvest (vs. 6, 9). Now it is during this time that Rizpah the concubine of Saul will day and night stand watch over the bodies, from the beginning of the harvest until the late rains pour down from heaven, allowing neither birds of the air or beast of the field to defile the corpses (vs. 10). Now when David was told what Rizpah, Saul's concubine had done, David went to the valiant men of Jabesh Gilead and took the bones of Saul and Jonathan, Saul's son, whom they had retrieved from the Philistines wall in Beth Shan, when they hung them there after their defeat on Mount Gilboa at their hands, and thus David took their bones and he gathered them together with the bones of Saul's sons whom the Gibeonites had hung, and David gave them all a proper burial place, in their own country, in the land of Benjamin, in Zelah where their father Kish, Saul's father was buried (vs. 10-13). And so only then after justice had been served towards the Gibenonites, as well as the house of Saul, did God then heed the prayer for the land (Vs. 14).

Closing Thought:

When we sin against God and we hurt others, it is incumbent upon us to seek to make things right. To do justice and to make amends where and when it is appropriate to do so. Otherwise we too risk entering into a spiritual famine if you will, where God will not heed our prayers, nor grant us peace and prosperity until we do. Therefore it is far better as children of God to acknowledge our sins and transgressions to each other and trust in the Lord's mercies, rather than try to bury them. If you've wronged someone, than do as Jesus commands go and seek to make it right with them, otherwise you may have to bear your sin's punishment alone (Matt. 5:21-26).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Jonah 4:1-11

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. ²So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. ³Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” ⁴ Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” ⁵ So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. ⁶ And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. ⁷ But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. ⁸And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” ⁹ Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” ¹⁰ But the Lord said,“You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. ¹¹ And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?


Vs. 1 Opens with a startling declaration given the amazing events that just unfolded. Therefore Jonah though a prophet of God, and himself a righteous man, did not delight in the repentance of the people of Nineveh. Instead the Scripture says “…it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry”. Now the words used to describe Jonah’s being displeased and angry carry very strong connotations; Jonah’s displeasure was such that he thought it evil that the Ninevites were shown mercy by God! Rooted in his anger maybe the fact that the Assyrians were a brutal people in war; who if not inventing, certainly delighted in the ripping open women with children of those they vanquished in battle. As well Israel as a nation was nearing its own judgment from God, which was to come at the hands of the Assyrians. Jonah then did not want Israel’s enemies to receive mercy; Jonah wanted God to judge them. However the Ninevites deep repentance clearly stands juxtaposed to Israel’s own lack of repentance at this time. Just as Jonah’s pagan shipmates actions stood in stark contrast to his own profession of fearing Yahweh. For they by their actions clearly demonstrated a fear of the Lord that Jonah as God’s prophet should have at that time.

Vs. 2-4 Jonah’s prayer here then reveals for the first time why Jonah fled from the Lord. It was simply rooted in his true understanding of Yahweh.  "…for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." vs. 2
Therefore Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites, for if they repented, Jonah knew that God would pardon them. Jonah's wrath then in verse three, which follows his right declaration of God's Nature and dealings with all people everywhere in verse two, is exceedingly selfish given his right understanding of the graciousness of God. Who is always willing to forgive His enemies if in repentance and faith they turn to Him. Instead Jonah's response to this amazing outpouring of the grace of God is simply to say: ^"Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!" vs. 3 God showing the Ninevites mercy then was such an intolerable evil in the eyes of Jonah that he would rather die than actually see it! Jonah’s words and attitude are extreme to say the least, given Jonah’s own recent restoration that God mercifully had shown him, when he cried out to Him. Yet how much of Jonah’s attitude towards the Ninevites is reflected in our own attitudes when we are faced with the prospect of seeing God’s grace shown those whom we harbour hatred or a deep dislike for? Maybe because they have wronged or hurt us, or someone we love or care about? Especially if we believe that God’s offer to pardon their sins just maybe received by them. Jonah then is hardly unique in his anger. Just as he was not unique in seeking to avoid all contact with the Ninevites, so that he would not be a vessel of God’s reconciliation towards them if they repented. And clearly that’s what the Ninevites did. Though they were exceedingly wicked in their ways. When they heard Jonah’s preaching they heeded the warning and went into a deep repentance; both humbling themselves and putting their sins away. Why then shouldn’t they receive God’s mercy? Therefore that Jonah would rather die, than see Israel’s enemies receive mercy from God, reveals a longstanding error in God’s covenant people. For God does not delight in the death of anyone, rather that all should turn from their wicked ways to Him and live, as He says: "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord God, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:23
Just as the prophet Isaiah boldly cries out to all:
⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found,
      Call upon Him while He is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way,
  And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
  Let him return to the Lord,
  And He will have mercy on him;
  And to our God,
  For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

And even more to the point for us as recipients’ of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us then remember Jesus’ own willingness to bear the wrath of God against all of our sins on the cross so that God could pardon all of our sins the moment we believed in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). It then seems incredibly unChrist like that we who are the recipients of this amazing grace and gift from God (John 3:16), would willfully devise ways to withhold it, punish, or shut others out from it. Yet sadly that is often the case when it comes to obeying Christ’s commandments for us to forgive and or seek reconciliation with those who have sinned against us (Matt. 5:21-26; 44, 6:4; 18:15-35; Luke 17:3-4; 2 Cor. 2:5-11). For though much grace is being preached, when the hurts touch home, how much of it is actually being practiced? Verse four then is God’s response to Jonah's unjust anger at the prospect of the people of Nineveh being shown mercy. ⁴ Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”Now the prayer and conversation between God and Jonah is very intimate and reveals God’s tenderness in dealing with His hurt children. That is the tone expressed in God’s question. Yet Jonah’s response to it is simply not to respond. Instead he again seeks to leave the presence of the Lord, though this time not as drastically as he did the first time. Now on a theological note the Lord’s question touches on the heart of His Sovereignty. For the Word of the Lord is this: … “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” ^{Rom. 9:15}

Vs. 5-8 So Jonah leaves the city goes and sits on its east side; and there he builds a shelter and sits under it “...till he might see what would become of the city.” vs. 5  Jonah then is still hoping for the Ninevites destruction. Nonetheless God’s lovingkindness is again highlighted as He prepares a plant to shade Jonah in his misery (vs. 6). And though Jonah in his heart is thankful for the plant; he is still keeping his heart from God. Now the Scripture says that “… as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. "And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live." ^{Vs. 7-8}
Now God’s lovingkindness for Jonah did not end when these events, which He created, began. For God is dealing with Jonah is just as a loving Father deals with his children when after he gives them time to work out their hurt and anger, but they continue to harbor it. Therefore God’s actions are a response to Jonah’s unwillingness to let his go. They are not designed to punish Jonah in his misery, but rather to get him to reopen the door of communication, and for him to ultimately see his own selfishness. Jonah’s response to these events though is the same as before; ...Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” vs. 8

Vs. 9-11 With Jonah’s unreasonableness God once again initiates dialogue by asking him a question; ⁹ Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” ¹⁰ But the Lord said,“You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. ¹¹ And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock? vs. 9-11
With God’s question to Jonah and Jonah’s angry self justifying response, God’s mercy and patience stands in stark contrast with Jonah’s self centeredness. Now several points are being made by God. The first is that God is the sole proprietor of creation. He creates, nourishes, and sustains all. And He makes this point to Jonah through the analogy of the plant, which He caused to grow and then wither; which Jonah had pity on because it brought him much comfort. Yet Jonah did not have any empathy towards the Ninevites who are far more valuable than a mere plant; which arose in a day and was soon gone. Another is that unlike Jonah who had a true knowledge of God. The Ninevites did not, for they could not even discern between their right hand and their left, and thus that in itself was cause enough for God to be concerned about their welfare. For they had not yet rejected God; they simply didn’t know Him. Now the fact the God mentions even much livestock (vs. 11) indicates that God as Creator of all has an undeniable concern for all His creation; both of man and beast (Rev. 11:18). Those then who would deny God's loving concern for any of His creation no nothing of God, nor His love for all people, as they should know and worship Him.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982,

Jonah 3:1-10

¹ Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, ² “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” ³ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey^[a]in extent. ⁴ And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” ⁵ So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. ⁶ Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ⁷ And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. ⁸ But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ⁹ Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? ¹⁰ Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.


With Jonah’s repentance the Word of the Lord again came to Him. For God will not use a preacher or anyone else who is not repentant of their own sins. Notice too that God’s original purpose for Jonah did not change, nor did the message change. God’s judgment was still looming over Nineveh and God's given purpose for Jonah was to warn them all of it so that God could avert taking punitive action against them if they repented. Now that notion of warning people that there is a judgment to come, (both of eternal rewards for those who turn from their sins and believe and obey the gospel and punishments for those who do not); all which will be handed out at the Lord Jesus Christ's Judgment seat. Is just as much a part of the Gospel's Message as God's love and salvation is. For it was God seeking to avert our coming under His eternal wrath and judgment which caused Him to first judge all our sins on His Son Jesus Christ. Who in obedience to the Father's Will was willingly crucified in our Place so that we might all have God's salvation when we repent and believe in Him. For it is Jesus Christ's Person and His obedience alone, and God's grace exclusively given to us because of Jesus Christ's obedience, that makes salvation possible, and ultimately happen in the lives of everyone who believes (Rom. 3:19-28). Thus God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, that great city, and to “…preach to it the message that I will tell you” (vs. 2). Not a message that Jonah had preached in times past, but a message that God would give him specifically for Nineveh. For God does indeed speak into all the circumstances of life through the mouth’s of His servants who obey Him. Sometimes consoling, sometimes exhorting, sometimes encouraging, sometimes even rebuking, but always instructing people everywhere to turn to Jesus Christ while they can for it is Christ alone who is the answer for every human need (John 6:35; 6:51). And so with Jonah's repentance, and having been commanded by God, Jonah now willingly yields to the will of the Lord and takes up the original journey that God intended for him, and goes straight to Nineveh “…according to the Word of the of the Lord.” Thus Jonah's preaching to Ninevah is his obeying the Divine mandate given him. Now the rest of verse three says that Nineveh “…was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.” That is a three day journey on foot to circumnavigate or walk through. Thus Nineveh was no small city. Indeed Nineveh was an ancient city, one of the four cities that Nimrod the mighty hunter founded in Assyria (See Genesis 10:11). The fact that Jonah spent three days and nights in great fish and that it would take him three days to cover the entire span of Nineveh seems no coincidence. For the Lord Jesus Christ called Jonah a sign to the Ninevites while equating His own being three days and nights in the heart of the earth a sign to a “wicked and adulteress generation” (Matt. 12:28-45; 16:4; Luke 11:29-30) who instead of repenting at His preaching and believing in Him only sought signs from Him. That is they sought an experience of God through Christ, but did not seek Him as God Himself! Yet those who souls are truly hungering and thirsting for God when they like Jonah come to their senses and seek God, or cry out to God in their distresses, as Jonah did, will do so with open hearts and minds. Not wanting to keep their old lifestyles or even their agenda's. But instead they want to cast their sins and rebellion away. They've had enough of the consequences of serving sin, self and Satan and instead having come to the end of themselves they want Jesus Christ to be their Savior, Lord and Master.

Maybe that's you today? Maybe you've lived your life in independence of God and apart from Jesus Christ and reaped a life of only emptiness, sorrow and regret and thus isolation from all that is God and is Good. If so please come home now to God through Christ, simply open your heart to Jesus who lovingly awaits your calling out to Him so that He might save you, and begin a new life within you (Rev. 3:20). All it takes is child like faith and humility before God, acknowledging ones sin and need for Christ, and Jesus will come into you and He will both save you, forgive you, and change you and begin His life by His Spirit, within you (John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Now the results of Jonah’s preaching repentance according to the will of the Lord are stunning. The people though thoroughly pagan “…believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them” (vs. 5). Even the king of Nineveh repented, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes (vs. 6). In fact the king went on to command a national time for fasting and repentance, from both man and beast; nothing in his domain was to be excluded (vs. 7). Neither man, nor beast, herd, nor flock was to eat or drink water. Instead every living domesticated thing; both man and beast was to be covered with sackcloth and everyone was to turn from their evil ways and from the violence of their hands (vs. 8-9). A national day of fasting and repentance outside of Israel is unheard of in the O.T. Scriptures. Yet these people; both individually and collectively all repented mightily at the warning of God’s judgment that Jonah according to the Word of the Lord preached to them. And with their repentance; when God saw their works that everyone turned from the evil of his hands; the Scripture says that God relented of the disaster that He said He would bring upon them (vs. 10).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982