I Corinthians 10

Here is a great passage for today, followed by Wesley’s notes:

I Corinthians 10

1	Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2	And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3	And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4	And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5	But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6	Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7	Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8	Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9	Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10	Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11	Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12	Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13	There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14	Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15	I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16	The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17	For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18	Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19	What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20	But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21	Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
22	Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23	All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24	Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
25	Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26	For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27	If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28	But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
29	Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
30	For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31	Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32	Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33	Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

 

1. Now – That ye may not become reprobates, consider how highly favoured your fathers were, who were God’s elect and peculiar people, and nevertheless were rejected by him. They were all under the cloud – That eminent token of God’s gracious presence, which screened them from the heat of the sun by day, and gave them light by night. And all passed through the sea – God opening a way through the midst of the waters. Exod. xiii, 21 Exod. xiv, 22

2. And were all, as it were, baptized unto Moses – initiated into the religion which he taught them. In the cloud and in the sea – Perhaps sprinkled here and there with drops of water from the sea or the cloud, by which baptism might be the more evidently signified.

3. And all ate the same manna, termed spiritual meat, as it was typical,

1. Of Christ and his spiritual benefits:

2. Of the sacred bread which we eat at his table. Exod. xvi, 15.

4. And all drank the same spiritual drink – Typical of Christ, and of that cup which we drink. For they drank out of the spiritual or mysterious rock, the wonderful streams of which followed them in their several journeyings, for many years, through the wilderness. And that rock was a manifest type of Christ – The Rock of Eternity, from whom his people derive those streams of blessings which follow them through all this wilderness. Exod. xvii, 6.

5. Yet – Although they had so many tokens of the divine presence. They were overthrown – With the most terrible marks of his displeasure.

6. Now these things were our examples – Showing what we are to expect if, enjoying the like benefits, we commit the like sins. The benefits are set down in the same order as by Moses in Exodus; the sins and punishments in a different order; evil desire first, as being the foundation of all; next, idolatry, ver. 7, 14; then fornication, which usually accompanied it, ver. 8; the tempting and murmuring against God, in the following verses. As they desired – Flesh, in contempt of manna. Num. xi, 4

7. Neither be ye idolaters – And so, “neither murmur ye,” ver. 10. The other cautions are given in the first person; but these in the second. And with what exquisite propriety does he vary the person! It would have been improper to say, Neither let us be idolaters; for he was himself in no danger of idolatry; nor probably of murmuring against Christ, or the divine providence. To play – That is, to dance, in honour of their idol. Exod. xxxii, 6.

8. And fell in one day three and twenty thousand – Beside the princes who were afterwards hanged, and those whom the Judges slew so that there died in all four and twenty thousand. Num. xxv, 1, 9.

9. Neither let us tempt Christ – By our unbelief. St. Paul enumerates five benefits, ver. 1-4; of which the fourth and fifth were closely connected together; and five sins, the fourth and fifth of which were likewise closely connected. In speaking of the fifth benefit, he expressly mentions Christ; and in speaking of the fourth sin, he shows it was committed against Christ. As some of them tempted him – This sin of the people was peculiarly against Christ; for when they had so long drank of that rock, yet they murmured for want of water. Num. xxi, 4, &c.

10. The destroyer – The destroying angel. Num. xiv, 1, 36

11. On whom the ends of the ages are come – The expression has great force. All things meet together, and come to a crisis, under the last, the gospel, dispensation; both benefits and dangers, punishments and rewards. It remains, that Christ come as an avenger and judge. And even these ends include various periods, succeeding each other.

12. The common translation runs, Let him that thinketh he standeth; but the word translated thinketh, most certainly strengthens, rather than weakens, the sense.

13. Common to man – Or, as the Greek word imports, proportioned to human strength. God is faithful – In giving the help which he hath promised. And he will with the temptation – Provide for your deliverance.

14. Flee from idolatry – And from all approaches to it.

16. The cup which we bless – By setting it apart to a sacred use, and solemnly invoking the blessing of God upon it. Is it not the communion of the blood of Christ – The means of our partaking of those invaluable benefits, which are the purchase of the blood of Christ. The communion of the body of Christ – The means of our partaking of those benefits which were purchased by the body of Christ – offered for us.

17. For it is this communion which makes us all one. We being many are yet, as it were, but different parts of one and the same broken bread, which we receive to unite us in one body.

18. Consider Israel after the flesh – Christians are the spiritual “Israel of God.” Are not they who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar – Is not this an act of communion with that God to whom they are offered? And is not the case the same with those who eat of the sacrifices which have been offered to idols?

19. What say I then – Do I in saying this allow that an idol is anything divine? I aver, on the contrary, that what the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils. Such in reality are the gods of the heathens; and with such only can you hold communion in those sacrifices.

21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils – You cannot have communion with both.

22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy – By thus caressing his rivals? Are we stronger than he – Are we able to resist, or to bear his wrath?

23. Supposing this were lawful in itself, yet it is not expedient, it is not edifying to my neighbour.

24. His own only, but another’s welfare also.

25. The apostle now applies this principle to the point in question. Asking no questions – Whether it has been sacrificed or not.

26. For God, who is the Creator, Proprietor, and Disposer of the earth and all that is therein, hath given the produce of it to the children of men, to be used without scruple. Psalm xxiv, 1

28. For his sake that showed thee, and for conscience’ sake – That is, for the sake of his weak conscience, lest it should be wounded.

29. Conscience I say, not thy own – I speak of his conscience, not thine. For why is my liberty judged by another’s conscience – Another’s conscience is not the standard of mine, nor is another’s persuasion the measure of my liberty.

30. If I by grace am a partaker – If I thankfully use the common blessings of God.

31. Therefore – To close the present point with a general rule, applicable not only in this, but in all cases, Whatsoever ye do – In all things whatsoever, whether of a religious or civil nature, in all the common, as well as sacred, actions of life, keep the glory of God in view, and steadily pursue in all this one end of your being, the planting or advancing the vital knowledge and love of God, first in your own soul, then in all mankind.

32. Give no offense – If, and as far as, it is possible.

33. Even as I, as much as lieth in me, please all men.

Isaiah 52

Isaiah 52     This great chapter of scripture is introduced by John Wesley, followed by the King James text, followed by Wesley’s Notes. 

The church redeemed and called upon to rejoice therein, ver. 1-6. The universal preaching of the gospel glorious, ver. 7-10. A call to free ourselves from bondage, ver. 11, 12. Christ’s kingdom shall be exalted, ver. 13-15.

 

 

1	Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2	Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
3	For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
4	For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5	Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
6	Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
7	How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
8	Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
9	Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
10	The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
11	Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
12	For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
13	Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14	As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
15	So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

1. Awake – This is a prediction and promise what she should do, that she should awake or arise out of her low estate, and be strong and courageous. Beautiful garments – Thy sorrows shall be ended, and thou shalt be advanced into a glorious condition. O Zion – O my church. Come – Either to molest thee, or defile thee. The uncircumcised – Heathens or infidels. Unclean – Nor any others, who are unholy.

2. The dust – In which thou hast sat as a mourner. The bands – The yoke of thy captivity shall be taken off from thee.

3. Sold yourselves – By your sins, without any valuable consideration paid by them either to you, or to your Lord and owner. Without money – Without paying any ransom.

4. Egypt – Where they had protection and sustenance, and therefore owed subjection to the king of Egypt. And yet when he oppressed them, I punished him severely, and delivered them out of his hands. The Assyrian – The king of Babylon, who is called the king of Assyria, 2 Kings xxiii, 29, as also the Persian emperor is called, Ezra vi, 22, because it was one and the same empire which was possessed, first by the Assyrians, then by the Babylonians, and afterwards by the Persians. Without cause – Without any such ground or colour, by mere force invading their land, and carrying them away into captivity.

5. What have I – Why do I sit still here, and not go to Babylon to punish the Babylonians, and to deliver my people? For nought – Without any provocation, or pretense of right. Howl – By their unmerciful usage. Blasphemed – The Babylonians blasphemed me as if I wanted either power or good will to save my people out of their hands.

6. Shall know – They shall experience my power and goodness in fighting for them. In that day – When I shall redeem my people: which work was begun by the return of the Jews from Babylon, and perfected by the coming of the Messiah. Behold – That all these promises are the words of the omnipotent, unchangeable God.

7. The mountains – Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought, and from which they were spread abroad into other countries. Of him – Or, of them; the singular number being put for the plural. Returneth – In the days of the Messiah, God did discover and exercise his dominion over the world far more eminently than ever he had done from the beginning of the world until that time.

8. Thy watchmen – Thy ministers, who descry the approach of this heavenly king. Lift up thy voice – To give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day. Eye – Distinctly and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of this king of glory. They shall be eye and ear-witnesses of the words and works of Christ, and therefore their testimony shall be more certain and valuable. Bring again – When God shall complete the work of bringing his church out of captivity.

11. Depart – Out of Babylon. Touch – Carry not along with you any of their superstitions or idolatries. Ye – And especially your priests and Levites, who minister in holy things, and carry the holy vessels of the temple, keep yourselves from all pollution.

12. Not by flight – But securely, and in triumph, being conducted by your great captain the Lord of hosts. Rereward – So that none shall be able either to oppose you in your march, or to fall upon you in the rear.

13. Behold – This is the beginning of a new prophecy, which is continued from hence to the end of the next chapter. My servant – That it is Christ who is here spoken of, is so evident, that the Chaldee paraphrast, and other ancient, and some later Hebrew doctors, understand it directly of him, and that divers Jews have been convinced and converted to the Christian faith, by the evidence of this prophecy. Prosper – This is fitly put in the first place to prevent those scandals which otherwise might arise from the succeeding passages, which describe his state of humiliation. Very high – Here are three words signifying the same thing to express the height and glory of his exaltation.

14. Astonished – At his humiliation. Thee – At thee, O my servant. His form – Christ, in respect of his birth, breeding, and manner of life, was most obscure and contemptible. His countenance also was so marred with frequent watchings, and fastings, and troubles, that he was thought to be near fifty years old when he was but about thirty, John viii, 57, and was farther spoiled with buffetings, and crowning with thorns, and other cruel and despiteful usages.

15. So – His exaltation shall be answerable to his humiliation. Sprinkle – With his word or doctrine; which being often compared to rain or water, may be said to be sprinkled, as it is said to be dropped, Deut. xxxii, 2 Ezek xx, 46. Kings – Shall be silent before him out of profound humility, reverence, and admiration of his wisdom. For – They shall hear from his mouth many excellent doctrines, which will be new and strange to them. And particularly that comfortable doctrine of the salvation of the Gentiles, which was not only new to them, but strange and incredible to the Jews themselves.

Acts 5

Acts 5 

Read this chapter in your Bible, and then consider these helpful notes by John Wesley which reflect his understanding of the early church and these events.

1. But a certain man named Ananias – It is certain, not a believer, for all that believed were of one heart and of one soul: probably not baptized; but intending now to offer himself for baptism.

2. And bringing a certain part – As if it had been the whole: perhaps saying it was so.

3. To lie to the Holy Ghost – Who is in us. And to keep back – Here was the first instance of it. This was the first attempt to bring propriety of goods into the Christian Church.

4. While it remained, did it not remain thine? – It is true, whosoever among the Christians (not one excepted) had houses or lands, sold them, and laid the price at the feet of the apostles. But it was in his own choice to be a Christian or not: and consequently either to sell his land, or keep it. And when it was sold, was it not in thy power? – For it does not appear that he professed himself a Christian when he sold it. Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? – So profanely to dissemble on so solemn an occasion? Thou hast not lied to men only, but to God also. Hence the Godhead of the Holy Ghost evidently appears: since lying to him, ver. 3, is lying to God.

5. And Ananias fell down and expired – And this severity was not only just, considering that complication of vain glory, covetousness, fraud, and impiety, which this action contained: but it was also wise and gracious, as it would effectually deter any others from following his example. It was likewise a convincing proof of the upright conduct of the apostles, in managing the sums with which they were intrusted; and in general of their Divine mission. For none can imagine that Peter would have had the assurance to pronounce, and much less the power to execute such a sentence, if he had been guilty himself of a fraud of the same kind; or had been belying the Holy Ghost in the whole of his pretensions to be under his immediate direction.

7. About the space of three hours – How precious a space! The woman had a longer time for repentance.

8. If ye sold the land for so much – Naming the sum.

10. The Church – This is the first time it is mentioned: and here is a native specimen of a New Testament Church; which is a company of men, called by the Gospel, grafted into Christ by baptism, animated by love, united by all kind of fellowship, and disciplined by the death of Ananias and Sapphira.

12. And they were all – All the believers.

13. None of the rest – No formalists or hypocrites, durst join themselves – In an outward show only, like Ananias and Sapphira.

14. But so much the more were true believers added, because unbelievers kept at a distance.

17. The high priest – and the sect of the Sadducees – A goodly company for the priest! He, and these deniers of any angel or resurrection, were filled with zeal – Angry, bitter, persecuting zeal.

20. The words of this – That is, these words of life: words which show the way to life everlasting.

23. We found the prison shut – The angel probably had shut the doors again.

24. They doubted what this should be – They were even at their wits’ end. The world, in persecuting the children of God, entangle themselves in numberless difficulties.

28. Did not we strictly command you, not to teach? – See the poor cunning of the enemies of the Gospel. They make laws and interdicts at their pleasure, which those who obey God cannot but break; and then take occasion thereby to censure and punish the innocent, as guilty. Ye would bring the blood of this man upon us – An artful and invidious word. The apostles did not desire to accuse any man. They simply declared the naked truth.

29. Then Peter – In the name of all the apostles, said – He does not now give them the titles of honour, which he did before, chap. iv, 8; but enters directly upon the subject, and justifies what he had done. This is, as it were, a continuation of that discourse, but with an increase of severity.

30. Hath raised up Jesus – Of the seed of David, according to the promises made to our fathers.

31. Him hath God exalted – From the grave to heaven; to give repentance – Whereby Jesus is received as a Prince; and forgiveness of sins – Whereby he is received as a saviour. Hence some infer, that repentance and faith are as mere gifts as remission of sins. Not so: for man co-operates in the former, but not in the latter. God alone forgives sins.

32. And also the Holy Ghost – A much greater witness.

34. But a certain Pharisee – And as such believing the resurrection of the dead; a doctor, or teacher of the law – That is, a scribe, and indeed one of the highest rank; had in honour by all the people – Except the Sadducees; rising up in the council – So God can raise defenders of his servants, whensoever and wheresoever he pleases.

36. Before these days – He prudently mentions the facts first, and then makes the inference.

38. Let them alone – In a cause which is manifestly good, we should immediately join. In a cause, on the other hand, which is manifestly evil, we should immediately oppose. But in a sudden, new, doubtful occurrence, this advice is eminently useful. If this counsel or this work – He seems to correct himself, as if it were some sudden work, rather than a counsel or design. And so it was. For the apostles had no counsel, plan, or design of their own; but were mere instruments in the hand of God, working just as he led them from day to day.

41. Rejoicing – to suffer shame – This is a sure mark of the truth, joy in affliction, such is true, deep, pure.

John 7

Read the seventh chapter of John’s gospel and then consider the following notes by John Wesley:

1. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee – That is, continued there, for some months after the second passover. For he would not walk – Continue in Judea; because the Jews – Those of them who did not believe; and in particular the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, sought an opportunity to kill him.

2. The feast of tabernacles – The time, manner, and reason of this feast may be seen, Lev. xxiii, 34, &c.

3. His brethren – So called according to the Jewish way of speaking. They were his cousins, the sons of his mother’s sister. Depart hence – From this obscure place.

4. For no man doth any thing – Of this kind, in secret; but rather desireth to be of public use. If thou really dost these things -These miracles which are reported; show thyself to the world – To all men.

6. Jesus saith, Your time is always ready – This or any time will suit you.

7. The world cannot hate you – Because ye are of the world. But me it hateth – And all that bear the same testimony.

10. He also went up to the feast – This was his last journey but one to Jerusalem. The next time he went up he suffered.

11. The Jews – The men of Judea, particularly of Jerusalem.

12. There was much murmuring among the multitude – Much whispering; many private debates with each other, among those who were come from distant parts.

13. However no man spake openly of him – Not in favour of him: for fear of the Jews – Those that were in authority.

14. Now at the middle of the feast – Which lasted eight days. It is probable this was on the Sabbath day. Jesus went up into the temple – Directly, without stopping any where else.

15. How does this man know letters, having never learned? – How comes he to be so well acquainted with sacred literature as to be able thus to expound the Scripture, with such propriety and gracefulness, seeing he has never learned this, at any place of education?

16. My doctrine is not mine – Acquired by any labour of learning; but his that sent me – Immediately infused by him.

17. If any man be willing to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God – This is a universal rule, with regard to all persons and doctrines. He that is thoroughly willing to do it, shall certainly know what the will of God is.

18. There is no unrighteousness in him – No deceit or falsehood.

19. But ye are unrighteous; for ye violate the very law which ye profess so much zeal for.

20. The people answered, Thou hast a devil – A lying spirit. Who seeketh to kill thee? – These, coming from distant parts, probably did not know the design of the priests and rulers.

21. I did – At the pool of Bethesda: one work – Out of many: and ye all marvelled at it – Are amazed, because I did it on the Sabbath day.

22. Moses gave you circumcision – The sense is, because Moses enjoined you circumcision (though indeed it was far more ancient than him) you think it no harm to circumcise a man on the Sabbath: and are ye angry at me (which anger had now continued sixteen months) for doing so much greater a good, for healing a man, body and soul, on the Sabbath?

27. When Christ cometh, none knoweth whence he is – This Jewish tradition was true, with regard to his Divine nature: in that respect none could declare his generation. But it was not true with regard to his human nature, for both his family and the place of his birth were plainly foretold.

28. Then cried Jesus – With a loud and earnest voice. Do ye both know me, and know whence I am? – Ye do indeed know whence I am as a man. But ye know not my Divine nature, nor that I am sent from God.

29. l am from him – By eternal generation: and he hath sent me – His mission follows from his generation. These two points answer those: Do ye know me? Do ye know whence I am?

30. His hour – The time of his suffering.

33. Then said Jesus – Continuing his discourse (from ver. 29) which they had interrupted.

34. Ye shall seek me – Whom ye now despise. These words are, as it were, the text which is commented upon in this and the following chapter. Where I am – Christ’s so frequently saying while on earth, where I am, when he spake of his being in heaven, intimates his perpetual presence there in his Divine nature: though his going thither was a future thing, with regard to his human nature.

35. Will he go to the dispersed among the Greeks – The Jews scattered abroad in heathen nations, Greece particularly. Or, Will he teach the Greeks? – The heathens themselves.

37. On the last, the great day of the feast – On this day there was the greatest concourse of people, and they were then wont to fetch water from the fountain of Siloam, which the priests poured out on the great altar, singing one to an other, With joy shall ye draw water from the wells of salvation. On this day likewise they commemorated God’s miraculously giving water out of the rock, and offered up solemn prayers for seasonable rains.

38. He that believeth – This answers to let him come to me. And whosoever doth come to him by faith, his inmost soul shall be filled with living water, with abundance of peace, joy, and love, which shall likewise flow from him to others. As the Scripture hath said – Not expressly in any one particular place. But here is a general reference to all those scriptures which speak of the effusion of the Spirit by the Messiah, under the similitude of pouring out water. Zech. xiv, 8.

39. The Holy Ghost was not yet given – That is, those fruits of the Spirit were not yet given even to true believers, in that full measure.

40. The prophet – Whom we expect to be the forerunner of the Messiah.

42. From Bethlehem – And how could they forget that Jesus was born there? Had not Herod given them terrible reason to remember it? Micah v, 2.

48. Hath any of the rulers – Men of rank or eminence, or of the Pharisees – Men of learning or religion, believed on him?

49. But this populace, who know not the law – This ignorant rabble; are accursed – Are by that ignorance exposed to the curse of being thus seduced.

50. Nicodemus, he that came to him by night – Having now a little more courage, being one of them – Being present as a member of the great council, saith to them – Do not we ourselves act as if we knew not the law, if we pass sentence on a man before we hear him?

52. They answered – By personal reflection; the argument they could not answer, and therefore did not attempt it. Art thou also a Galilean? – One of his party? Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet – They could not but know the contrary. They knew Jonah arose out of Gethhepher; and Nahum from another village in Galilee. Yea, and Thisbe, the town of Elijah, the Tishbite, was in Galilee also. They might likewise have known that Jesus was not born in Galilee, but at Bethlehem, even from the public register there, and from the genealogies of the family of David. They were conscious this poor answer would not bear examination, and so took care to prevent a reply.

53. And every man went to his own house – So that short plain question of Nicodemus spoiled all their measures, and broke up the council! A word spoken in season, how good it is! Especially when God gives it his blessing.

Joshua 2

Joshua sends spies to Jericho, ver. 1. Rahab receives and conceals them, ver. 2-7. Her agreement with them for the safety of herself and family, ver. 8-21. The return of the spies, and the account given by them, ver. 22-24.

 

1	And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
2	And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
3	And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
4	And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
5	And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6	But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
7	And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
8	And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9	And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10	For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11	And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
12	Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
13	And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
14	And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15	Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
16	And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17	And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
18	Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
19	And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20	And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
21	And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
22	And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
23	So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
24	And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

 

1. Sent – Or, had sent. Two men – Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it. To spy – That is, to learn the state of the land and people. It is evident Joshua did not this out of distrust; it is probable, he had God’s command and direction in it for the encouragement of himself and his army. Secretly – With reference not to his enemies, that being the practice of all spies, but to the Israelites; a good caution to prevent the inconveniency which possibly might have arisen, if their report had been discouraging. Jericho – That is, the land about Jericho, together with the city. Hebrew. The land and Jericho, that is, especially Jericho. Harlot’s – So the Hebrew word is used, Judg. xi, 1, and so it is rendered by two apostles, Heb. xi, 31 James ii, 25, such she either now was, or rather, had been formerly. Lodged – Or, lay down; as the same word is rendered, ver. 8, composed themselves to rest; but they were hindered from that intention.

2. To night – This evening.

3. Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho: and God directed them to her! Thus what seems to be most accidental, is often over-ruled, to serve the great ends of providence. And those that acknowledge God in their ways, he will guide them with his eye.

4. And the woman – Or, But the woman had taken – and had hid them, before the messengers came from the king; as soon as she understood from her neighbours, that there was a suspicion of the matter, and guessed that search would be made. And this is justly mentioned as a great and generous act of faith, Heb. xi, 31, for she apparently ventured her life upon a steadfast persuasion of the truth of God’s word and promise given to the Israelites. Whence they were – Her answer contained in these and the following words, was false, and therefore unquestionably sinful; tho’ her intention was good therein. But it is very probable, she being an Heathen, might think, that an officious lie is not unlawful.

6. Roof – Which was flat after their manner. Upon the roof – That they might be dried by the heat of the sun.

7. Fords – Or passages, that is, the places where people used to pass over Jordan, whether by boats or bridges. The gate – Of the city, to prevent the escape of the spies, if peradventure Rahab was mistaken, and they yet lurked therein.

8. Laid down – To sleep as they intended.

9. Your terror – That is, the dread of you.

11. Melted – That is, were dissolved, lost all courage.

12. By the Lord – By your God who is the only true God: so she owns his worship, one eminent act whereof is swearing by his name. My father’s house – My near kindred, which she particularly names, ver. 13, husband and children it seems she had none. And for herself, it was needless to speak, it being a plain and undeniable duty to save their preserver. True token – Either an assurance that you will preserve me and mine from the common ruin: or a token which I may produce as a witness of this agreement, and a means of my security. This is all that she asks. But God did for her more than she could ask or think. She was afterwards advanced to be a princess in Israel, the wife of Salmon and one of the ancestors of Christ.

13. All that they have – That is, their children, as appears from chap. vi, 23.

14. For yours – We will venture our lives for the security of yours. Our business – That is, this agreement of ours, and the condition of it, lest others under this pretense, should secure themselves. By which they shew both their piety and prudence in managing their oath with so much circumspection, that neither their own consciences might be ensnared, nor the publick justice obstructed.

15. Town-wall – Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing them when the gates were shut. Upon the wall – Her particular dwelling was there: which may possibly be added, because the other part of her house was reserved for the entertainment of strangers.

16. The mountain – That is, to some of the mountains wherewith Jericho was encompassed, in which also there were many caves where they might lurk. Three days – Not three whole days, but one whole day, and part of two days.

17. Said – Or, had said; namely, before she let them down; it being very improbable, either that she would dismiss them before the condition was agreed on; or that she would discourse with them, or they with her, about such secret and weighty things after they were let down, when others might overhear them. Blameless – That is, free from guilt or reproach if it be violated, namely, if the following condition be not observed.

18. Into the land – That is, over Jordan, and near the city. This line of scarlet – Probably the same with which she was about to let them down. Window – That it may be easily discerned by our soldiers.

19. Upon his head – The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon himself, as being occasioned by his own neglect of the means of safety. Our head – We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and punishment of it. Be upon him – So as to kill him.

21. In the window – Forthwith, partly that the spies might see it hung out before their departure, and so the better know it at some distance; partly lest some accident might occasion a neglect about it.

22. Three days – Supporting themselves there with the provisions, which Rahab had furnished them with. The ways – That is, in the road to Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains.

23. Passed over – Jordan unto Joshua.

John 6

Read the 6th chapter of John and then consider these comments by John Wesley:

1. After these things – The history of between ten and eleven months is to be supplied here from the other evangelists. Matt. xiv, 13; Mark vi, 32; Luke ix, 10.

3. Jesus went up – Before the people overtook him.

5. Jesus saith to Philip – Perhaps he had the care of providing victuals for the family of the apostles.

15. He retired to the mountain alone – Having ordered his disciples to cross over the lake.

16. Matt. xiv, 22; Mark vi, 45.

22. Who had stood on the other side – They were forced to stay a while, because there were then no other vessels; and they stayed the less unwillingly, because they saw that Jesus was not embarked.

26. Our Lord does not satisfy their curiosity, but corrects the wrong motive they had in seeking him: because ye did eat – Merely for temporal advantage. Hitherto Christ had been gathering hearers: he now begins to try their sincerity, by a figurative discourse concerning his passion, and the fruit of it, to be received by faith.

27. labour not for the meat which perisheth – For bodily food: not for that only not chiefly: not at all, but in subordination to grace, faith, love, the meat which endureth to everlasting life. labour, work for this; for everlasting life. So our Lord expressly commands, work for life, as well as from life: from a principle of faith and love. Him hath the Father sealed – By this very miracle, as well as by his whole testimony concerning him. See chap. iii, 33. Sealing is a mark of the authenticity of a writing.

28. The works of God – Works pleasing to God.

29. This is the work of God – The work most pleasing to God, and the foundation of all others: that ye believe – He expresses it first properly, afterward figuratively.

30. What sign dost thou? – Amazing, after what they had just seen!

31. Our fathers ate manna – This sign Moses gave them. He gave them bread from heaven – From the lower sublunary heaven; to which Jesus opposes the highest heaven: in which sense he says seven times, ver. 32, 33, 38, 50, 58, 62, that he himself came down from heaven.

32. Moses gave you not bread from heaven – It was not Moses who gave the manna to your fathers; but my Father who now giveth the true bread from heaven. Psalm lxxviii, 24.

33. He that – giveth life to the world – Not (like the manna) to one people only: and that from generation to generation. Our Lord does not yet say, I am that bread; else the Jews would not have given him so respectful an answer, ver. 34.

34. Give us this bread – Meaning it still, in a literal sense: yet they seem now to be not far from believing.

35. I am the bread of life – Having and giving life: he that cometh -he that believeth – Equivalent expressions: shall never hunger, thirst – Shall be satisfied, happy, for ever.

36. I have told you – Namely, ver. 26.

37. All that the Father giveth me – All that feel themselves lost, and follow the drawings of the Father, he in a peculiar manner giveth to the Son: will come to me – By faith. And him that thus cometh to me, I will in nowise cast out – I will give him pardon, holiness, and heaven, if he endure to the end – to rejoice in his light.

39. Of all which he hath already given me – See chap. xvii, 6, 12. If they endure to the end. But Judas did not.

40. Here is the sum of the three foregoing verses. This is the will of him that sent me – This is the whole of what I have said: this is the eternal, unchangeable will of God. Every one who truly believeth, shall have everlasting life. Every one that seeth and believeth – The Jews saw, and yet believed not. And I will raise him up – As this is the will of him that sent me, I will perform it effectually.

44. Christ having checked their murmuring, continues what he was saying, ver. 40. No man comes to me, unless my Father draw him – No man can believe in Christ, unless God give him power: he draws us first, by good desires. Not by compulsion, not by laying the will under any necessity; but by the strong and sweet, yet still resistible, motions of his heavenly grace.

45. Every man that hath heard – The secret voice of God, he, and he only believeth. Isaiah liv, 13.

46. Not that any one – Must expect him to appear in a visible shape. He who is from or with God – In a more eminent manner than any creature.

50. Not die – Not spiritually; not eternally.

51. If any eat of this bread – That is, believe in me: he shall live for ever – In other words, he that believeth to the end shall be saved. My flesh which I will give you – This whole discourse concerning his flesh and blood refers directly to his passion, and but remotely, if at all, to the Lord’s Supper.

52. Observe the degrees: the Jews are tried here; the disciples, ver. 60-66, the apostles, ver. 67.

53. Unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man – Spiritually: unless ye draw continual virtue from him by faith. Eating his flesh is only another expression for believing.

55. Meat – drink indeed – With which the soul of a believer is as truly fed, as his body with meat and drink.

57. I live by the Father – Being one with him. He shall live by me -Being one with me. Amazing union!

58. This is – That is, I am the bread – Which is not like the manna your fathers ate, who died notwithstanding.

60. This is a hard saying – Hard to the children of the world, but sweet to the children of God. Scarce ever did our Lord speak more sublimely, even to the apostles in private. Who can hear – Endure it?

62. What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend where he was before? – How much more incredible will it then appear to you, that he should give you his flesh to eat?

63. It is the Spirit – The spiritual meaning of these words, by which God giveth life. The flesh – The bare, carnal, literal meaning, profiteth nothing. The words which I have spoken, they are spirit – Are to be taken in a spiritual sense and, when they are so understood, they are life – That is, a means of spiritual life to the hearers.

64. But there are some of you who believe not – And so receive no life by them, because you take them in a gross literal sense. For Jesus knew from the beginning – Of his ministry: who would betray him – Therefore it is plain, God does foresee future contingencies:- “But his foreknowledge causes not the fault, Which had no less proved certain unforeknown.”

65. Unless it be given – And it is given to those only who will receive it on God’s own terms.

66. From this time many of his disciples went back – So our Lord now began to purge his floor: the proud and careless were driven away, and those remained who were meet for the Master’s use.

68. Thou hast the words of eternal life – Thou, and thou alone, speakest the words which show the way to life everlasting.

69. And we – Who have been with thee from the beginning, whatever others do, have known – Are absolutely assured, that thou art the Christ.

70. Jesus answered the – And yet even ye have not all acted suitable to this knowledge. Have I not chosen or elected you twelve? – But they might fall even from that election. Yet one of you – On this gracious warning, Judas ought to have repented; is a devil – Is now influenced by one.

Psalm 105

Read this Psalm in your favorite version, and then consider the following insights from John Wesley:

3. Glory – Glory in the God whom you serve, as the only true God.

4. Seek – The Lord in his strength, in his sanctuary, or before the ark, which is called God’s strength. Face – His gracious presence.

5. Judgments – The punishments which he brought upon Egypt by his mere word.

6. Of Jacob – The only branch of Abraham’s seed to whom the following blessings belong.

7. Judgments – God executes his judgments upon all nations and people.

8. Remembered – So as to perform it. The word – The promise. Commanded – Established. Thousand generations – To all generations.

9. Oath – Wherewith he ratified the covenant with Isaac, Gen. xxvi, 3.

10. A law – That it might be as firm and irrevocable as a law.

11. Lot – The portion assigned to you by lot.

13. They went – Both in Canaan, where there were seven nations, and in Egypt.

15. Anointed – My prophets, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; who are called God’s anointed, because they were consecrated to be his peculiar people, and to be kings and princes in their families. And they are called prophets, because God familiarly conversed with them and revealed his will to them, and by them to others.

16. Staff of bread – Bread, which is the staff or support of our lives.

19. His word – That word or Revelation which came first to Pharaoh in a dream, and then to Joseph concerning the interpretation of it. Purged – From those calamities which were cast upon him, and so prepared the way for his release.

23. Ham – Ham was the father of Mizraim, or the Egyptians, Gen. x, 6.

25. Turned – That is, suffered them, to be turned.

28. They – Moses and Aaron, who inflicted that plague after Pharaoh had threatened them.

30. Land – Their country. In chambers – Which entered into the chambers. Kings – Of Pharaoh and his sons, and his chief nobles and governors.

31. Coasts – In all their land, even to the utmost borders of it.

37. Feeble – Diseased or unable for his journey: which in so vast a body, and in a people who had been so dreadfully oppressed, was wonderful.

39. Covering – To protect them from the heat of the sun.

40. Quails – He speaks of the first giving of quails, Exod. xvi, 13, which God gave them as a refreshment, notwithstanding their sin in desiring them, which he graciously pardoned. Bread – With manna which came out of the air, commonly called heaven.

41. River – They flowed in channels which God provided for them, and followed the Israelites in their march.

44. labour – The fruits of their labour; their cities, vineyards, olive-yards.

Judges 6

Read in your Bible this sixth chapter of Judges, and then allow the reflections in these notes by John Wesley to inform your mind and heart:

1. Of Midian – For although the generality of the Midianites had been cut off by Moses about two hundred years ago, yet many of them doubtless fled into the neighbouring countries, whence afterwards they returned into their own land, and in that time might easily grow to be a very great number; especially, when God furthered their increase, that they might be a scourge for Israel when they transgressed. Let all that sin, expect to suffer: let all that turn to folly, expect to return to misery.

3. Children of the east – That is, the Arabians, who are commonly called the children of the east. Not all the Arabians; but the eastern part of them.

4. Unto Gaza – That is, from the east, on which side they entered, to the well, where Gaza was, near the sea: so they destroyed the whole land.

5. Without number – That is, so many that it was not easy to number them. And not in a regular army to engage, but in a confused swarm, to plunder the country. Yet Israel, being forsaken of God, had not spirit to make head against them; God fighting against them with those very terrors, with which otherwise he would have fought for them.

8. A prophet – We have reason to hope, God is designing mercy for us, if we find he is by his grace preparing us for it.

10. Not obeyed my voice – He intends to bring them to repentance. And our repentance is then genuine, when he sinfulness of sin, as disobedience to God, is that in it which we chiefly lament.

11. In Ophrah – In Manasseh: there was another Ophrah in Benjamin, Josh. xviii, 23. The Abi-ezrite – Of the posterity of Abiezer. Threshed – Not with oxen, as the manner was, Deut. xxv, 4, but with a staff to prevent discovery. Wine-press – In the place where the wine-press stood, not in the common floor.

12. Is with thee – That is, will assist thee against thine enemies. Man of valour – To whom I have given strength and courage for this end.

13. With us – The angel had said, Peace be with Thee: but he expostulates for All: herding himself with all Israel, and admitting no comfort, but what they might be sharers in.

14. Looked – With a settled and pleasant countenance, as a testimony of his favour, and readiness to help him. Go – Or, go now, in thy might: in the strength which thou hast already received, and dost now farther receive from me. Have not I sent thee – I do hereby give thee command and commission for this work. God’s fitting men for his work, is a sure evidence of his calling them to it.

15. My family – Hebrew. my thousand: for the tribes were distributed into several thousands, whereof each thousand had his peculiar governor. Is poor – That is, weak and contemptible. The least – Either for age, or fitness for so great a work.

16. As one man – As easily, as if they were all but one man.

17. That thou – That it is thou, an angel or messenger sent from God, that appears to me, and discourseth with me. Or, a sign of that which thou talkest with me; that is, that thou wilt by me smite the Midianites.

18. My present – A repast for the angel, whom he thought to be a man. Set it – That thou mayest eat and refresh thyself.

19. An ephah – The choicest part of a whole ephah; as also he brought to him the best part of a kid dressed; for a whole ephah, and a whole kid had been superfluous, and improper to provide for one man.

21. Consumed the flesh – By which, he shewed himself to be no man that needed such provisions, but the Son of God; and by this instance of his omnipotency, gave him assurance, that he both could, and would consume the Midianites.

22. Alas – I am an undone man: I must die, and that speedily; for that he feared, ver. 23, according to the common opinion in that case.

23. Said unto him – Perhaps by an audible voice. Peace be to thee – Thou shalt receive no hurt by this vision; but only peace, that is, all the blessings needful for thy own happiness, and for the present work.

24. There – On the top of the rock, as is evident from ver. 26, where that which is here expressed only in general, is more particularly described. Jehovah-shalom – That is, the Lord’s peace; the sign or witness of God’s speaking peace to me, and to his people: or the place where he spake peace to me, when I expected nothing but destruction.

25. The second bullock – He was to offer one for himself, the other for the sins of the people, whom he was to deliver. ‘Till sin be pardoned thro’ the great sacrifice, no good is to be expected. Thy father hath – Which thy father built in his own ground, tho’ for the common use of the city. The grove – Planted by the altar for idolatrous uses, as the manner of idolaters was. This action might seem injurious to his father’s authority; but God’s command was a sufficient warrant, and Gideon was now called to be the supreme magistrate, whereby he was made his father’s superior, and was authorized to root out all idolatry, and the instruments thereof.

26. Of this rock – Hebrew. of this strong hold: for in that calamitous time the Israelites retreated to such rocks, and hid and fortified themselves in them. Ordered place – That is, in a plain and smooth part of the rock, where an altar may be conveniently built. And offer – Gideon was no priest, nor was this the appointed place of sacrifice; but God can dispense with his own institutions, though we may not; and his call gave Gideon sufficient authority.

27. Ten men – Whom doubtless he had acquainted with his design, and the assurance of success in it, whereby they were easily induced to assist him. He feared – Not so much, lest he should suffer for it, as lest he should be prevented from doing it.

28. Was offered – Not upon Baal’s altar, for which it was designed; but upon an altar erected in contempt of Baal.

30. They said – Probably some of the persons employed in it.

31. Will ye plead – Why are you so zealous in pleading for that Baal, for the worship whereof you suffer such grievous calamities at this day? It is plain, that Joash had been a worshipper of Baal: but probably he was now convinced by Gideon. He that will plead – He that shall farther plead for such a God as this, deserves to die for his folly and impiety. It is not probable, that this was all which he said for his son: but it is usual in scripture to give only short hints of things which were more largely discoursed. While it is morning – That is, instantly, without delay. Let him plead – As the God of Israel hath often done when any indignity or injury hath been done him. But Baal hath now shewed, that he is neither able to help you, nor himself; and therefore is not worthy to be served any longer. This resolute answer was necessary to stop the torrent of the peoples fury; and it was drawn from him, by the sense of his son’s extreme danger; and by the confidence he had, that God would plead his son’s cause, and use him for the rescue of his people.

32. He called – Joash called Gideon so, chap. viii, 29, in remembrance of this noble exploit, and to put a brand upon Baal. Jerub-baal – That is, Let Baal plead. It is a probable conjecture, that that Jerombalus, whom Sanchoniathon, (one of the most ancient of all the Heathen writers) speaks of as a priest of Jao, (a corruption of Jehovah) and to whom he was indebted for a great deal of knowledge, was this Jerub-baal.

33. Of Jezreel – Not Jezreel in Judah, but another in the borders of Manasseh and Issachar, which was not far distant from Ophrah, where Gideon dwelt.

34. The spirit came – Inspiring him with extraordinary wisdom, and courage, and zeal to vindicate God’s honour, and his country’s liberty. The Hebrew is, The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon; clothed him as a robe, to put honour upon him; clothed him as a coat of mail to put a defense upon him. Those are well clad that are thus clothed. Abiezer – That is, the Abiezrites, his kindred, and their servants, and others; who finding no harm coming to him for destroying Baal, but rather a blessing from God, in giving him strength and courage for so great an attempt, changed their minds, and followed him as the person by whose hands God would deliver them.

35. All Manasseh – On Both sides of Jordan. Unto Asher, &c. – Because these tribes were nearest, and so could soonest join with him; and were nearest the enemy also, ver. 33, and therefore were most sensible of the calamity, and would in all reason be most forward to rescue themselves from it.

36. Gideon said – In a way of humble supplication, for the strengthening his own faith, and for the greater encouragement of his soldiers in this great attempt.

37. On all the earth – That is, upon all that spot of ground which encompasses the fleece.

39. On the ground – Which was more preternatural than the former instance, because if there be any moisture, such bodies as fleeces of wool are likely to drink it up.

40. And God did so – See how tender God is, even of the weak; and how ready to condescend to their infirmities! These signs were very expressive. They are going to engage the Midianites. Could God distinguish between a small fleece of Israel, and the vast floor of Midian? Yes, by this token it appears that he can. Is Gideon desirous, that the dew of divine grace might descend on himself in particular? He sees the fleece wet with dew, to assure him of it. Does he desire, that God will be as the dew to all Israel? Behold all the ground is wet!

King James Version of Judges 6:

1	And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2	And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3	And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4	And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5	For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6	And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
7	And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,
8	That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9	And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10	And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11	And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12	And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13	And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14	And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15	And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
16	And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
17	And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me.
18	Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
19	And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
20	And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21	Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
22	And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
23	And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24	Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25	And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
26	And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
27	Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28	And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29	And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30	Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
31	And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
32	Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
33	Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
34	But the spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
35	And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
36	And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,
37	Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
38	And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39	And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
40	And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

 

Philippians 4

This fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians contains nuggets of spiritual gold. Read it in your favorite translation and then consider these notes by John Wesley:

1. So stand – As ye have done hitherto.

2. I beseech – He repeats this twice, as if speaking to each face to face, and that with the utmost tenderness.

3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow – St. Paul had many fellowlabourers, but not many yokefellows. In this number was Barnabas first, and then Silas, whom he probably addresses here; for Silas had been his yokefellow at the very place, Acts xvi, 19. Help those women who laboured together with me – Literally, who wrestled. The Greek word doth not imply preaching, or anything of that kind; but danger and toil endured for the sake of the gospel, which was also endured at the same time, probably at Philippi, by Clement and my other fellowlabourers – This is a different word from the former, and does properly imply fellowpreachers. Whose names, although not set down here, are in the book of life – As are those of all believers. An allusion to the wrestlers in the Olympic games, whose names were all enrolled in a book. Reader, is thy name there? Then walk circumspectly, lest the Lord blot thee out of his book!

5. Let your gentleness – Yieldingness, sweetness of temper, the result of joy in the Lord. Be known – By your whole behaviour. To all men – Good and bad, gentle and froward. Those of the roughest tempers are good natured to some, from natural sympathy and various motives; a Christian, to all. The Lord – The judge, the rewarder, the avenger. Is at hand – Standeth at the door.

6. Be anxiously careful for nothing – If men are not gentle towards you, yet neither on this, nor any other account, be careful, but pray. Carefulness and prayer cannot stand together. In every thing – Great and small. Let your requests be made known – They who by a preposterous shame or distrustful modesty, cover, stifle, or keep in their desires, as if they were either too small or too great, must be racked with care; from which they are entirely delivered, who pour them out with a free and filial confidence. To God – It is not always proper to disclose them to men. By supplication – Which is the enlarging upon and pressing our petition. With thanksgiving – The surest mark of a soul free from care, and of prayer joined with true resignation. This is always followed by peace. Peace and thanksgiving are both coupled together, Colossians iii, 15.

7. And the peace of God – That calm, heavenly repose, that tranquility of spirit, which God only can give. Which surpasseth all understanding – Which none can comprehend, save he that receiveth it. Shall keep – Shall guard, as a garrison does a city. Your hearts – Your affections. Your minds – Your understandings, and all the various workings of them; through the Spirit and power of Christ Jesus, in the knowledge and love of God. Without a guard set on these likewise, the purity and vigour of our affections cannot long be preserved.

8. Finally – To sum up all. Whatsoever things are true – Here are eight particulars placed in two fourfold rows; the former containing their duty; the latter, the commendation of it. The first word in the former row answers the first in the latter; the second word, the second and so on. True – In speech. Honest – In action. Just – With regard to others. Pure – With regard to yourselves. Lovely – And what more lovely than truth? Of good report – As is honesty, even where it is not practiced. If there be any virtue – And all virtues are contained in justice. If there be any praise – In those things which relate rather to ourselves than to our neighbour. Think on these things – That ye may both practice them yourselves, and recommend them to others.

9. The things which ye have learned – As catechumens. And received – By continual instructions. And heard and seen – In my life and conversation. These do, and the God of peace shall be with you – Not only the peace of God, but God himself, the fountain of peace.

10. I rejoiced greatly – St. Paul was no Stoic: he had strong passions, but all devoted to God. That your care of me hath flourished again – As a tree blossoms after the winter. Ye wanted opportunity – Either ye had not plenty yourselves, or you wanted a proper messenger.

11. I have learned – From God. He only can teach this. In everything, therewith to be content – Joyfully and thankfully patient. Nothing less is Christian content. We may observe a beautiful gradation in the expressions, I have learned; I know; I am instructed; I can.

12. I know how to be abased – Having scarce what is needful for my body. And to abound – Having wherewith to relieve others also. Presently after, the order of the words is inverted, to intimate his frequent transition from scarcity to plenty, and from plenty to scarcity. I am instructed – Literally, I am initiated in that mystery, unknown to all but Christians. Both to be full and to be hungry – For one day. Both to abound and to want – For a longer season.

13. I can do all things – Even fulfil all the will of God.

15. In the beginning of the gospel – When it was first preached at Philippi. In respect of giving – On your part. And receiving – On mine.

17. Not that I desire – For my own sake, the very gift which I receive of you.

18. An odour of a sweet smell – More pleasing to God than the sweetest perfumes to men.

19. All your need – As ye have mine. According to his riches in glory – In his abundant, eternal glory.

Philippians 3

Philippians 3 is a great chapter for the 21st century follower of Christ. The apostle Paul shares from his experiences, and in the following commentary John Wesley adds his 18th century insights. May the Holy Spirit bless your application of this scripture today.

1. The same things – Which you have heard before.

2. Beware of dogs – Unclean, unholy, rapacious men. The title which the Jews usually gave the gentiles, he returns upon themselves. The concision – Circumcision being now ceased, the apostle will not call them the circumcision, but coins a term on purpose, taken from a Greek word used by the LXX, Lev. xxi, 5, for such a cutting as God had forbidden.

3. For we – Christians. Are the only true circumcision – The people now in covenant with God. Who worship God in spirit – Not barely in the letter, but with the spiritual worship of inward holiness. And glory in Christ Jesus – As the only cause of all our blessings. And have no confidence in the flesh – In any outward advantage or prerogative.

4. Though I – He subjoins this in the singular number, because the Philippians could not say thus.

5. Circumcised the eighth day – Not at ripe age, as a proselyte. Of the tribe of Benjamin – Sprung from the wife, not the handmaid. An Hebrew of Hebrews – By both my parents; in everything, nation, religion, language. Touching the law, a pharisee – One of that sect who most accurately observe it.

6. Having such a zeal for it as to persecute to the death those who did not observe it. Touching the righteousness which is described and enjoined by the Law – That is, external observances, blameless.

7. But all these things, which I then accounted gain, which were once my confidence, my glory, and joy, those, ever since I have believed, I have accounted loss, nothing worth in comparison of Christ.

8. Yea, I still account both all these and all things else to be mere loss, compared to the inward, experimental knowledge of Christ, as my Lord, as my prophet, priest, and king, as teaching me wisdom, atoning for my sins, and reigning in my heart. To refer this to justification only, is miserably to pervert the whole scope of the words. They manifestly relate to sanctification also; yea, to that chiefly. For whom I have actually suffered the loss of all things – Which the world loves, esteems, or admires; of which I am so far from repenting, that I still account them but dung – The discourse rises. Loss is sustained with patience, but dung is cast away with abhorrence. The Greek word signifies any, the vilest refuse of things, the dross of metals, the dregs of liquors, the excrements of animals, the most worthless scraps of meat, the basest offals, fit only for dogs. That I may gain Christ – He that loses all things, not excepting himself, gains Christ, and is gained by Christ. And still there is more; which even St. Paul speaks of his having not yet gained.

9. And be found by God ingrafted in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law – That merely outward righteousness prescribed by the law, and performed by my own strength. But that inward righteousness which is through faith – Which can flow from no other fountain. The righteousness which is from God – From his almighty Spirit, not by my own strength, but by faith alone. Here also the apostle is far from speaking of justification only.

10. The knowledge of Christ, mentioned in the eighth verse, is here more largely explained. That I may know him – As my complete saviour. And the power of his resurrection – Raising me from the death of sin, into all the life of love. And the fellowship of his sufferings – Being crucified with him. And made conformable to his death – So as to be dead to all things here below.

11. The resurrection of the dead – That is, the resurrection to glory.

12. Not that I have already attained – The prize. He here enters on a new set of metaphors, taken from a race. But observe how, in the utmost fervour, he retains his sobriety of spirit. Or am already perfected – There is a difference between one that is perfect, and one that is perfected. The one is fitted for the race, ver. 15; the other, ready to receive the prize. But I pursue, if I may apprehend that – Perfect holiness, preparatory to glory. For, in order to which I was apprehended by Christ Jesus – Appearing to me in the way, Acts xxvi, 14. The speaking conditionally both here and in the preceding verse, implies no uncertainty, but only the difficulty of attaining.

13. I do not account myself to have apprehended this already; to be already possessed of perfect holiness.

14. Forgetting the things that are behind – Even that part of the race which is already run. And reaching forth unto – Literally, stretched out over the things that are before – Pursuing with the whole bent and vigour of my soul, perfect holiness and eternal glory. In Christ Jesus – The author and finisher of every good thing.

15. Let us, as many as are perfect – Fit for the race, strong in faith; so it means here. Be thus minded – Apply wholly to this one thing. And if in anything ye – Who are not perfect, who are weak in faith. Be otherwise minded – Pursuing other things. God, if ye desire it, shall reveal even this unto you – Will convince you of it.

16. But let us take care not to lose the ground we have already gained. Let us walk by the same rule we have done hitherto.

17. Mark them – For your imitation.

18. Weeping – As he wrote. Enemies of the cross of Christ – Such are all cowardly, all shamefaced, all delicate Christians.

19. Whose end is destruction – This is placed in the front, that what follows may be read with the greater horror. Whose God is their belly – Whose supreme happiness lies in gratifying their sensual appetites. Who mind – Relish, desire, seek, earthly things.

20. Our conversation – The Greek word is of a very extenslve meaning: our citizenship, our thoughts, our affections, are already in heaven.

21. Who will transform our vile body – Into the most perfect state, and the most beauteous form. It will then be purer than the unspotted firmament, brighter than the lustre of the stars and, which exceeds all parallel, which comprehends all perfection, like unto his glorious body – Like that wonderfully glorious body which he wears in his heavenly kingdom, and on his triumphant throne.