Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 6

7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?












Deu 4:7
Near—By glorious miracles, by the pledges of his special presence, by the operations of his grace, and particularly by his readiness to hear our prayers, and to give us those succours which we pray to him.

Deu 4:8
Righteous—Whereby he implies that the true greatness of a nation doth not consist in pomp or power, or largeness of empire, as commonly men think, but in the righteousness of its laws.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Deuteronomy 4." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 5

6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."












Deu 4:6
To the nations—For though the generality of Heathens in the latter ages, did through inveterate prejudices condemn the laws of the Hebrews, yet it is certain, the wisest Heathens did highly approve of them, so that they made use of divers of them, and translated them into their own laws and constitutions; and Moses, the giver of these laws, hath been mentioned with great honour for his wisdom and learning by many of them. And particularly the old Heathen oracle expressly said, that the Chaldeans or Hebrews, who worshipped the uncreated God, were the only wise men.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Deuteronomy 4." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 4

5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.















Deu 4:5
That you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it—Do in like manner as the commandments the Lord direct to; or that which is right; proper and fitting to be done, by doing which they continue in the land they were about to take possession of, therefore when in it were to be careful to them; some of them could not be done till they came into it, and all were to be done in it.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

כן "rectum."

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 3

3 You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, 4 but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.




Deu 4:3
You saw with your . . . eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor—At Baal Peor, Israel sinned by committing both sexual and spiritual immorality with the women of Moab. Moses warned the people of Israel that if they rejected God now as they did back then, the result would be the same. Many would die in the judgment of the Lord.

The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed . . . Baal . . . Peor—24,000 persons died on that account; which being a recent thing, fresh in memory, and what they were eyewitnesses of, was a caution to them to avoid the same sins, as it is to us on whom the ends of the world are come, Num 23:9.

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Deuteronomy 4." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 18 Jul 2010.
AuthorID=2&contentID=7477&commInfo=31&topic=Deuteronomy >

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 2

2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.




Deu 4:2
The observance of the law, however, required that it should be kept as it was given, that nothing should be added to it or taken from it, but that men should submit to it as to the inviolable word of God. Not by omissions only, but by additions also, was the commandment weakened, and the word of God turned into ordinances of men, as Pharisaism sufficiently proved. This precept is repeated in Deu 13:1; it is then revived by the prophets (Pro 30:6; Jer 26:2), and enforced again at the close of the whole revelation (Rev 22:18-19). In the same sense Christ also said that He had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill (Mat 5:17); and the old covenant was not abrogated, but only glorified and perfected, by the new.

But keep the commands of the Lord your God, that I give you—In his name; or that he delivered unto them as his commands, and that were to be kept just as they were delivered, without adding to them, or taking from them.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

“Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament." World Without End.
http://www.worldwithoutend.info

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Moses Challenges Israel to Learn from the Example of Baal-Peor 1

4 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.



Deu 4:1
The decrees—The laws which concern the worship and service of God.

That you may live and . . . go in and take possession . . . the land—The enjoyment of the temporal blessings which God had promised to Israel were not to be forfeited by any transgression, except national apostasy, sinning presumptuously, and such like breaches of the fundamental articles of the covenant. The sacred history often represents these as the causes of the divine vengeance against them, as in this context.

And . . . go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you—The land of Canaan, which the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had promised to give to their posterity, and which they were to hold by their obedience to his laws.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Conquests Recounted 2

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. "That is enough," the Lord said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." 29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.









Deu 3:26
But because of you the Lord was angry with me—Not at this time, and for this prayer of his, but on account of he and Aaron not sanctifying him at the waters of Meribah; or of some expressions of unbelief, and unadvised words, which dropped from his lips through their provocation of him; see Num 20:12.

Deu 3:27
Go up to the top of Pisgah—Which was the highest eminence of Mount Nebo, and so a very proper place to take a prospect from; see Deu 32:49.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Conquests Recounted 2

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. "That is enough," the Lord said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." 29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.









Deu 3:26
But because of you the Lord was angry with me—Not at this time, and for this prayer of his, but on account of he and Aaron not sanctifying him at the waters of Meribah; or of some expressions of unbelief, and unadvised words, which dropped from his lips through their provocation of him; see Num 20:12.

Deu 3:27
Go up to the top of Pisgah—Which was the highest eminence of Mount Nebo, and so a very proper place to take a prospect from; see Deu 32:49.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Conquests Recounted 1

23 At that time I pleaded with the Lord: 24 "O Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? 25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon."












Deu 3:23
I pleaded with the Lord—We should allow no desire in our hearts, which we cannot in faith offer unto God by prayer.

Deu 3:25
Let me go over—For he supposed God's threatening might be conditional and reversible, as many others were.

That fine hill—Which the Jews not improbably understood of that hill on which the temple was to be built. This he seems to call that hill, emphatically and eminently, that which was much in Moses's thoughts, though not in his eye.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God 3

3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.









Psa 119:3
They do nothing wrong—That is, they make not a trade and common practice thereof. Slip they do, through the infirmity of the flesh, and subtlety of Satan, and the allurements of the world; but they do not ordinarily and customably go forward in unlawful and sinful courses. In that the Psalmist setteth down this as a part (and not the least part neither) of blessedness, that they work none wrong, which walk in his ways: the doctrine to be learned here is this, that it is a marvellous great prerogative to be freed from the bondage of sin.—Richard Greenham.

They walk in his ways—In the ways of God and Christ, into which they are guided and directed, and where they are kept, and in which they find both pleasure and profit. Here end the descriptive characters of good and happy men.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Treasury of David

Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God 2

2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.



Psa 119:2
The doubling of the sentence, Blessed . . . Blessed, in the first verse and second, is to let us see the certainty of the blessing belonging to the godly. The word of God is as true in itself when it is once spoken, as when it is many times repeated: the repetition of it is for confirmation of our weak faith. That which Isaac spake of Jacob,—"I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed," is the most sure decree of God upon all his children. Satan would fain curse Israel, by the mouth of such as Balaam was; but he shall not be able to curse, because God hath blessed.—William Cowper.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—In the former verse a blessed man is described by the course of his actions, "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless": in this verse he is described by the frame of his heart.—Thomas Manton.

Keep his statutes—The careful keeping in mind of God's statutes is blessedness; for though there is a keeping of them in conversation mentioned in the former verse, here another thing is intimated diverse from the former; he that keepeth this plant or holy seed so that the devil cannot take it out of his heart, he is happy. The word here used signifieth such a careful custody as that is wherewith we use to keep tender plants.—Paul Bayne.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Treasury of David

Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God 1

119 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Psa 119:1
Blessed—Here the Lord, who in the last day will pronounce some to be blessed and some to be cursed, doth now tell us who they are. What can comfort them to whom the Lord shall say, Depart from me, ye cursed? Where away shall they go when the Lord shall command them to depart from him? And what greater joy can come to a man, than to hear the Judge of all saying unto him, Come to me, ye blessed? Oh that we were wise in time, to think of this, that so we might endeavour to become such men as God in his word bath blessed!—William Cowper, 1566-1619.

Blessed—The Psalmist beginneth with a description of the way to true blessedness, as Christ began his Sermon on the Mount, and as the whole Book of Psalms is elsewhere begun. Blessedness is that which we all aim at, only we are either ignorant or reckless of the way that leadeth to it, therefore the holy Psalmist would first set us right as to the true notion of a blessed man: "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord."—Thomas Manton, 1620-1677.

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord—(Psa 1:1-2.) This 119th Psalm is as it were an inspired sermon on this text, which contains its substance in epitome.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Treasury of David

God Makes Peter Aware of the Arrival of the Messengers from Cornelius 1

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.




Act 10:17
While Peter was wondering, the men—Frequently the things which befall us within and from without at the same time, are a key to each other. The things which thus concur and agree together, ought to be diligently attended to.

Act 10:18
Called, [fooneesantes]—In a loud voice that those inside the house might hear.

Called out, asking, [epunthanonto]—'Were [in the act of] inquiring;' that is, were doing so at the very time when the Spirit was supernaturally informing Peter of the fact, "whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there."

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Robertson's New Testament Word Pictures

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Peter's Vision

11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."





Act 10:14
Surely not, Lord, [meedamoos, kurie]—The negative meedamoos calls for the optative eiee, "may it not be," or the imperative estoo, let it be." It is not oudamoos, a blunt refusal ("I shall not do it."). And yet it is more than a mild protest as Page and Furneaux argue. It is a polite refusal with a reason given. Peter recognizes the invitation to kill thuson the unclean animals as from the Lord kurie, but Peter declines it three times.

I have never eaten anything, [hoti oudepote efagon pan]—Second aorist active indicative, "I never did anything like this and I shall not do it now." The use of pan, "everything," with oudepote, "never," is like the Hebrew lo' . . . kol, though a similar idiom appears in the vernacular Koine (Robertson, Grammar, p. 752).

Robertson's New Testament Word Pictures

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These Are the Words . . .

1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert east of the Jordan—that is, in the Arabah—opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.

Deu 1:1
These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel—At this pivotal point in Israel’s history—on the threshold of the Promised Land, and ready to adopt a true national identity, Moses spoke to Israel in this book of Deuteronomy.

The name Deuteronomy means “second law.” It was the second giving of the Mosaic Law, the first being at Mount Sinai. Moses felt compelled to bring this reminder of the Law to Israel, because those ready to enter the Promised Land were only children—if born at all—when the Law was originally given at Mount Sinai.

In the desert—They had come through a long, and difficult journey from Egypt—made all the more long and difficult because of their unbelief and the death of the adult generation which first came out of Egypt.

East of the Jordan—At this point Israel was camped on the great plains of Moab, able to see across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This was the land of Canaan that God promised them but which they had not occupied for 400 years.

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Deuteronomy 1." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 8 Jul 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=2&contentID=7474&commInfo=31&topic=Deuteronomy >

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Cornelius' Vision 3

7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.



Act 10:8
He . . . sent them to Joppa—Perhaps not that evening, since it was at the ninth hour, or three o'clock in the afternoon, when Cornelius had the vision; and some time must be taken up in discourse with the angel, and afterwards in sending for his servants, and relating the affair to them, and giving them their proper instructions. So that it may be they did not set out till early the next morning, as seems from the following verse.

Act 10:10
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, [eethelen geusasthai]—Rather, 'wished to eat.' It was meal-time, indeed; but his being "hungry" [prospeinos] was no doubt a special preparation for what was to follow.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Cornelius' Vision 2

2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."



Act 10:2
He and all his family were . . . God-fearing—Not contented with regulating his own life by religious principle, he had brought his whole household under the influence of revealed religion.

He gave generously to those in need—To the Jewish people that dwelt at Caesarea, and therefore was respected by them, and much beloved by them, Act 10:22 he had regard to both tables of the law, both to the worship of God, and the love of the neighbour: and prayed to God always; every day, at the usual times of prayer; prayed privately in his closet, and his family, as well as attended public service of this kind.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

The Sabbath Observed 1

23 He said to them, "This is what the Lord commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.'"











Exo 16:23
Here is a plain intimation of the observing a seventh day Sabbath, not only before the giving of the law upon mount Sinai, but before the bringing of Israel out of Egypt and therefore from the beginning. If the Sabbath had now been first instituted, how could Moses have understood what God said to him, Exo 16:4, concerning a double portion to be gathered on the sixth day, without making any express mention of the Sabbath? And how could the people so readily take the hint, Exo 16:22, even to the surprize of the leaders, before Moses had declared that it was done with regard to the Sabbath, if they had not had some knowledge of the Sabbath before? The setting apart of one day in seven for holy work, and in order to that for holy rest, was a divine appointment ever since God created man upon the earth.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Cornelius' Vision 1

10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.





Act 10:1
At Caesarea there was a man—This was the Caesarea formerly called Strato's tower, not Caesarea Philippi; for the former, and not the latter, lay near Joppa:

Named Cornelius—Which was a Roman name, and he himself was a Roman or an Italian:

A centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment—Which consisted of soldiers collected out of Italy, from whence the regiment took its name, in which Cornelius was a centurion, having a hundred men under him, as the name of his office signifies.

The Italian [Regiment]—A cohort of Italians, as distinguished from native soldiers. That such Italian cohorts served in Syria is proved by an ancient coin, of which a copy will be found in Akerman's 'Numismatic Illustrations of the New Testament;' and one of these might very naturally be stationed at Caesarea, as a body-guard to the Roman procurator who resided there.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

The Command to Respect the Sabbath

14 "'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. 15 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant.




Exo 31:14
Must be cut off from his people—That is, must die by the hand of the civil magistrate, it being but another phrase for being put to death; though the Jewish writers, particularly Jarchi, understand the former phrase, "put to death," as to be done by a civil magistrate, when there are witnesses and full proof of the case; but this of "cutting off" by the hand of God, by immediate punishment from heaven, when it was done secretly, and there was no proof to be made of it.

Exo 31:15
It is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord—It is separated from common use, for the service of God; and by the observance of it we are taught to rest from worldly pursuits, and devote ourselves, and all we are, have, and can do, to God's glory.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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The Law of Vows

30 Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is what the Lord commands: 2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

3 "When a young woman still living in her father's house makes a vow to the Lord or obligates herself by a pledge




Num 30:1
Of Israel—How they ought to conduct and behave in the following case, it being an affair which concerned them all:

This is what the Lord commands—Relating to vows. Aben Ezra is of opinion that this was delivered after the battle with Midian, of which there is an account in the following chapter, and is occasioned by what was said, to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, Num 32:24.

Num 30:1-2
No man can be bound by his own promise to do what he is already, by the Divine precept, forbidden to do. In other matters the command is, that he must not break his words, through he may change his mind.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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True Sabbath Keeping and the Blessings of It 2

14 then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.






Isa 58:14
When we keep the meaning of the Sabbath, not merely as an empty religious ritual, then you will find your joy in the Lord. God will bless us, and we will find . . . joy, not only in the blessings, but in the Lord Himself. We know it is sure, because the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

In the Lord—In his goodness and faithfulness to you, and in the assurance of his love and favour.

To ride—You will be above the reach of danger.

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Isaiah 58." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 5 Jul 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=2&contentID=7777&commInfo=31&topic=Isaiah >

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Isaiah 58." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

The Command to Keep the Sabbath

2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. 3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."





Exo 35:2
Six days, work is to be done—Work for the tabernacle, but the seventh day—You must not strike a stroke, no not at the tabernacle—work; the honour of the Sabbath was above that of the sanctuary.

Exo 35:3
Do not light a fire—For any servile work, as that of smiths or plumbers. We do not find that ever this prohibition extended farther.

In any of your dwellings—Their private dwellings, but not the habitation of the Lord, or the house of the sanctuary; and on this score they allow of kindling a fire in Beth Moked, an apartment in the temple, where a fire was constantly kept for the priests that kept watch to warm themselves at.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 20. 1.

True Sabbath Keeping and the Blessings of It 1

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,






Isa 58:13
Call the Sabbath a delight . . . the Lord's holy day honorable—The Sabbath was another empty religious observance for the Jewish people of Isaiah’s day. God calls them to take a delight in the heart and in the purpose of the Sabbath—to honor it by not going your own way.

Not going your own way—Answering to "keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath."

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Isaiah 58." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 5 Jul 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=2&contentID=7777&commInfo=31&topic=Isaiah >

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on Isaiah 58." . Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2010. 5 Jul 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2624&commInfo=6&topic=Isaiah >

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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The Ten Commandments

8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.














Exo 20:9
And do all your work—Which is incumbent on a man, he is called unto, and is necessary to be done for the good of him and his family; particularly care should be taken, that all should be done on the six days that could possibly be done, and nothing left to be done on the seventh.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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The Council at Jerusalem 2

8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?









Act 15:8
God, who knows the heart—Implying that the state of the heart before God is the real test of one's rightful standing in the visible Church; and though this cannot be certainly known to men, no principle can be sound which goes in the face of it.

Act 15:9
He made no distinction between us and them outhen diekrinen metaxu heemoon te kai autoon—He distinguished nothing (first aorist active indicative) between (both dia and metaxu) both te kai us and them. In the matter of faith and conversion God treated us Jews as pagan and the pagan as Jews.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commetary

Robertson's New Testament Word Pictures

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The Council at Jerusalem 1

7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.



Act 15:7
And addressed them—It has been remarked that this is the last mention of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles; and in this view it is delightful to find him here pronouncing in favour of those enlarged views of the Gospel, to the establishment of which the life-labours of Paul were devoted.

Brothers, you know that some time ago—Many years before this; as if to intimate that long before this they ought to have held the question to be settled by the facts which he was about to mention.

That the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe—Referring to the case of Cornelius, and his family: and his sense is, that some years ago it pleased God, in his providence, to single him out from the rest of the apostles, and in a very extraordinary manner to call him to go to Caesarea, and preach the gospel to Cornelius, and those that were in his house, that hearing they might believe in Christ.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commetary

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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The Zeal of Phinehas 1

10 The Lord said to Moses, 11 "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them.











Num 25:11
That in my zeal I did not put an end to them—By the plague sent among them, being so highly provoked with their shocking abominations.

BibleRevival.com, http://thebiblerevival.com/clipart/1890holmanbible/bw/thehighpriestinfulldress.jpg

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

"Phinehas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Phinehas.html

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The Dispute Raised by Judaizing Teachers 1

15 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.







Act 15:1-6
Some from Judea were teaching the Gentile converts at Antioch, that they could not be saved, unless they observed the whole ceremonial law as given by Moses; and thus they sought to destroy Christian liberty. There is a strange proneness in us to think that all do wrong who do not just as we do. Their doctrine was very discouraging. Wise and good men desire to avoid contests and disputes as far as they can; yet when false teachers oppose the main truths of the gospel, or bring in hurtful doctrines, we must not decline to oppose them.

Henry, Matthew. "Concise Commentary on Acts 15." "Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible." .

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Applying the Truth of Jesus' Victory in Light of the Colossian Heresy

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.



Col 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities—The evil angels, of their usurped dominion.

He—God the Father.

Col 2:16
Therefore—Because, ye being complete in Christ, God has dispensed with all subordinate means as essential to acceptance with Him.

Therefore—Seeing these things are so.

Do not let anyone judge you—That is, regard none who judge you.

New Moon—Monthly.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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The Reign of the Righteous King 2

2 He will judge
your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with
justice.










Psa 72:2
He will judge your people in righteousness—Clothed with divine authority, he will use it on the behalf of the favoured nation, for whom he will show himself strong, that they be not misjudged, slandered, or in any way treated maliciously. His sentence will put their accusers to silence, and award the saints their true position as the accepted of the Lord. What a consolation to feel that none can suffer wrong in Christ's kingdom: he sits upon the great white throne, unspotted by a single deed of injustice, or even mistake of justice: reputations are safe enough with him.

http://discipleshipremix.com/?p=653

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Spurgeon, Charles H. "Commentary on Psalms 72:2." "C.H. Spurgeons's The Treasury of David." . 1865-1885.

Balak, King of Moab, Fears an Advancing Israel 2

3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is
going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,





Num 22:4
This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field—In one sense, Balak’s fear was completely logical. On the other hand, if he had only known and believed God’s word, he would have had nothing to fear. God commanded Israel to not harass the Moabites, because He did not intend to give Israel the land of the Moabites (Deu 2:9).

BiblePlaces.com

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Numbers 22." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 22 Jun 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=2&contentID=7459&commInfo=31&topic=Numbers >

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Balak, King of Moab, Fears an Advancing Israel 1

2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
















Num 22:2
Balak—That is, "empty." Terrified (Exo 15:15; Deu 2:25) at the approach of so vast a multitude and not daring to encounter them in the field, he resolved to secure their destruction by other means.

BiblePlaces.com

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on Numbers 22." Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2010. 22 Jun 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2020&commInfo=6&topic=Numbers >

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The Taking of a Red Heifer

19 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 "This is a requirement of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke.


Num 19:1-10
The heifer was to be wholly burned. This typified the painful sufferings of our Lord Jesus, both in soul and body, as a sacrifice made by fire, to satisfy God's justice for man's sin. These ashes are said to be laid up as purification from sin, because, though they were only to purify from ceremonial uncleanness, yet they were a type of that purification from sin which our Lord Jesus made by his death. The blood of Christ is laid up for us in the word and sacraments, as a fountain of merit, to which by faith we may have constant recourse, for cleansing our consciences.

Num 19:2
Red—A fit colour to shadow forth the bloody nature of sin, and the blood of Christ, from which this water and all other rites had their purifying virtue.

Henry, Matthew. "Concise Commentary on Numbers 19." "Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible." .

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Wesley, John. "Commentary on Numbers 19." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

The Twelve Disciples; Instructions for Service

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;





Mat 10:2
Simon—Simon is a name very usual among the Talmudists for Simeon. By which name our apostle is also called, Acts 15:14.

Let these words be taken notice of, "R. Eliezer inquired of R. Simon concerning a certain thing; but he answered him not. He inquired of R. Joshua Ben Levi, and he answered. R. Eliezer was enraged that R. Simeon answered him not."

James son of Zebedee, and his brother John—These two were called next and together, and therefore are placed in this order: the former is so called, to distinguish him from another James, the son of Alphaeus, after mentioned; and the latter is the beloved disciple; these were surnamed "Boanerges", that is, "sons of thunder."

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

Lightfoot, John. "Commentary on Matthew 10." "John Lightfoot Commentary on the Gospels." . 1675.

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Disciples and the World 3

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.


Mat 5:15
Nay, the very design of God in giving you this light was, that it might shine (Mar 4:21; Luk 8:16).

And put it under a bowl—A dry measure.

Instead they put it on its stand—Rather, "under the bowl. Instead they put it on the lampstand." The article is inserted in both cases to express the familiarity of everyone with those household utensils.

And it gives light—Shineth "to everyone in the house."

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on Matthew 5." . Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2010. 7 Jun 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2838&commInfo=6&topic=Matthew >

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Matthew 5." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

The Accusation Against Moses and Aaron 1

16 Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent











Num 16:1
Certain Reubenites—These are drawn into confederacy with Korah, partly because they were his next neighbours, both being encamped on the south-side, partly in hopes to recover their rights of primogeniture, in which the priesthood was comprehended, which was given away from their father.

Dathan . . . Abiram . . . and On—These were confederate leaders in the rebellion; but On seems to have afterward withdrawn from the conspiracy.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Wesley, John. "Commentary on Numbers 16." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

Disciples and the World 1

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.











Mat 5:13
But if the salt loses its saltiness, [mooranthee]—'Become unsavoury' or 'insipid;' losing its saline or salting property. The meaning is, If that Christianity on which the health of the world depends, does in any age, region, or individual, exist only in name, or if it contain not those saving elements for want of which the world languishes.

And trampled by men—Expressive of contempt and scorn. It is not the mere want of a certain character, but the want of it in those whose profession and appearance were fitted to beget expectation of finding it.

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on Matthew 5." . Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2010. 7 Jun 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2838&commInfo=6&topic=Matthew >

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The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes 1

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.






Mat 5:5
Happy are the meek—They that hold all their passions and affections evenly balanced.

They will inherit the earth—They will have all things really necessary for life and godliness. They will enjoy whatever portion God hath given them here, and shall hereafter possess the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Mat 5:7
The merciful—The tender-hearted: They will be shown mercy—Whatever mercy therefore we desire from God, the same let us show to our brethren. He will repay us a thousand fold, the love we bear to any for his sake.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/matthew/matthew-5.html

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God Praised and Supplicated to Give Victory 1

108 My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.







Psa 108:1
My heart is steadfast—The prophet saith his heart was ready, so the old translation hath it; the new translation, "My heart is steadfast." The word in the Hebrew signifies, first, ready, or prepared. Then, secondly, it signifies steadfast. We first fit, prepare a thing, sharpen it, before we drive it into the ground, and then drive it in and fix it. So ask seriously and often, that thy heart may be ready, and may also be steadfast, and this by a habit which brings readiness and fixedness, as in other holy duties, so in that of meditation.—Nathanael Ranew, in "Solitude improved by Divine Meditation", 1670.

With . . . my soul—The parallel passage in the Prayer book version is, "with the best member I have." The tongue, being considered the best member, is here described as the soul of man—as that which tends to elevate him in the scale of creation; and therefore the pious man resolves to employ his speech in giving utterance to the goodness of God. God is glorified by the music of his redeemed, and the instrument whereby it is effected is man's soul.—The Quiver.

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Treasury of David

The Sending of the Spies 1

13 The Lord said to Moses,

Num 13:1
Speak to Moses—In answer to the peoples petition about it, as is evident from Deu 1:22. And it is probable, the people desired it out of diffidence of God's promise.

Num 13:1-2
The Lord said to Moses, "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan—Compare Deu 1:22, whence it appears, that while the proposal of delegating confidential men from each tribe to explore the land of Canaan emanated from the people who petitioned for it, the measure received the special sanction of God, who granted their request at once as a trial, and a punishment of their distrust.

http://www.israelsmessiah.com/maps/canaan_abraham_moses.htm

Jamieson, Robert; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown. "Commentary on Numbers 13." . Blue Letter Bible. 19 Feb 2000. 2010. 26 May 2010.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=7&contentID=2011&commInfo=6&topic=Numbers >

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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Wesley, John. "Commentary on Numbers 13." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". . 1765.

A Petition to Be Saved from Death 1

88 O Lord, the God who saves me,
day and night I cry out before you.

Psa 88:1
Day and night I cry . . . before you—His distress had not blown out the sparks of his prayer, but thickened them into a greater ardency, till they burned perpetually like a furnace at full blast. His prayer was personal—whoever had not prayed, he had done so; it was intensely earnest, so that it was correctly described as a cry, such as children utter to move the pity of their parents; and it was unceasing, neither the business of the day nor the weariness of the night had silenced it: surely such entreaties could not be in vain. Perhaps, if Heman's pain had not been incessant his supplications might have been intermittent; it is a good thing that sickness will not let us rest if we spend our restlessness in prayer. Day and night are both suitable to prayer; it is no work of darkness, therefore let us go with Daniel and pray when men can see us, yet, since supplication needs no light, let us accompany Jacob and wrestle at Jabbok till the day breaketh. Evil is transformed to good when it drives us to prayer. One expression of the text is worthy of special note; "before you" is a remarkable intimation that the Psalmist's cries had an aim and a direction towards the Lord, and were not the mere clamours of nature, but the groanings of a gracious heart towards Jehovah, the God who saves. Of what use are arrows shot into the air? The archer's business is to look well at the mark he drives at. Prayers must be directed to heaven with earnest care. So thought Heman—his cries were all meant for the heart of his God. He had no eye to onlookers as Pharisees have, but all his prayers were before his God.

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Treasury of David

God Implored to Confound His Enemies

83 O God, do not keep silent;
be not quiet, O God, be not still.

Psa 83:1
Be not quiet—Or, "be not deaf" to the cries and tears of his people, and to the reproaches, menaces, and blasphemies of wicked men:

Be not quiet, O God, be not still—Here the appeal is to EL., the Mighty One. He is entreated to act and speak, because his nation suffers and is in great jeopardy. How entirely the psalmist looks to God; he asks not for "a leader bold and brave," or for any form of human force, but casts his burden upon the Lord, being well assured that his eternal power and Godhead could meet every difficulty of the case.

O God, be not still—Or, "quiet," at rest and ease, inactive and unconcerned, as if he cared not how things went; the reason follows.

http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps083.htm

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Used by permission www.onlinebible.us

אל־תחרש "ne obsurdescas," Vatablus; "ne surdum agas," Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ne quasi surdus et mutus sis," Michaelis.

אל תשקט "ne quiescas," Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; "neque quietus sis," Michaelis.

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A Lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem, and Prayer for Help 1

79 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
as food to the birds of the air,
the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

Psa 79:1
They have defiled your holy temple—This was not only the highest degree of the enemy's inhumanity and barbarity, . . . but also a calamity to the people of God never to be sufficiently deplored. For by the overthrow of the temple the true worship of God, which had been instituted at that temple alone, appeared to be extinguished, and the knowledge of God to vanish from among mankind. No pious heart could ponder this without the greatest grief.—Mollerus.

Psa 79:1-5
God is complained to: whither should children go but to a Father able and willing to help them? See what a change sin made in the holy city, when the nations were suffered to pour in upon them. God's own people defiled it by their sins, therefore he suffered their enemies to defile it by their insolence. They desired that God would be reconciled. Those who desire God's favour as better than life, cannot but dread his wrath as worse than death. In every affliction we should first beseech the Lord to cleanse away the guilt of our sins; then he will visit us with his tender mercies.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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Treasury of David

Lamps Are Placed on the Lampstand 2

2 "Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.'"


Num 8:2
When you set up the . . . lamps—The priests lighted the middle lamp from the fire of the altar; and the rest one from another; signifying that all light and knowledge comes from Christ, who has the seven spirits of God, figured by the seven lamps of fire.

The area in front of the lampstand—On that part which is before the lampstand, Heb. the area in front of the
lampstand—That is, in that place towards which the lampstand looked, or where the lampstand stood in full view, that is, upon the north-side, where the table of shew-bread stood, as appears from hence, because the lampstand stood close to the boards of the sanctuary on the south-side, Exo 26:35. And thus the lights were on both sides of the sanctuary, which was necessary, because it was dark in itself, and had no window.

http://www.bullartistry.com.au/wp/tag/creation-week/

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Wesley, John. "Commentary on Numbers 8." "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible." . 1765.

Lamps Are Placed on the Lampstand 1

8 The Lord said to Moses,









Num 8:1-4
Aaron himself set up the lamps,thus representing his Divine Master. The Scripture is a light shining in a dark place, 2Pe 1:19. A dark place even the church would be without it; as the tabernacle, which had no window, would have been without the lamps. The
work of ministers is to light these lamps, by expounding and applying the word of God. Jesus Christ is the only Light of our dark, sinful world; and by his atonement, by his word and the Holy Spirit, he diffuses light around.

Henry, Matthew. "Concise Commentary on Numbers 8." "Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible." .

http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/25-aaron-with-lampstand.jpg

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

The Reign of the Righteous King 1

72 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.



Psa 72:1
This psalm belongs to Solomon in part, but to Christ more fully and clearly. Solomon was both the king and the royal son, and his pious father desired that the wisdom of God might be in him, that his reign might be a remembrance of the kingdom of the Messiah. It is the prayer of a father for his child; a dying blessing. The best we can ask of God for our children is, that God would give them wisdom and grace to know and to do their duty.

The royal son with your righteousness—Solomon was both king and royal son; so also is our Lord. He has power and authority in himself, and also royal dignity given of his Father. He is the righteous king; in a word, he is "the Lord our righteousness." We are waiting till he shall be manifested among men as the ever righteous Judge. May the Lord hasten on his own time the long looked for day. Now wars and fightings are even in Israel itself, but soon the dispensation will change, and David, the type of Jesus warring with our enemies, shall be displaced by Solomon the prince of peace.

Henry, Matthew. "Concise Commentary on Psalm 72." "Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible." .

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

“NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

Treasury of David