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Scott's Reference Library
| Date: | Sunday, July 16, 2000 |
| Time: | 10:00 AM |
| Service: | Pentecost 5, Proper 10, B |
| Liturgy: | Holy Communion, LBW Setting II |
Amos 7:7-15
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to
plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, "What do you see,
Amos?"
"A plumb line," I replied.
Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will
spare them no longer.
[9] "The high places of Isaac will be destroyed
and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined;
with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam."
[10] Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel:
"Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land
cannot bear all his words. [11] For this is what Amos is saying:
" 'Jeroboam will die by the sword,
and Israel will surely go into exile,
away from their native land.' "
[12] Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah.
Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. [13] Don't prophesy anymore at
Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."
[14] Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a
shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. [15] But the Lord took me from
tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
Amos 7:1-9 (Visions of judgments to come upon Israel)
God bears long, but he will not bear always with a provoking people. The remembrance of the mercies we formerly received, like the produce of the earth of the former growth, should make us submissive to the will of God, when we meet with disappointments in the latter growth. The Lord has many ways of humbling a sinful nation. Whatever trouble we are under, we should be most earnest with God for the forgiveness of sin. Sin will soon make a great people small. What will become of Israel, if the hand that should raise him be stretched out against him? See the power of prayer. See what a blessing praying people are to a land. See how ready, how swift God is to show mercy; how he waits to be gracious. Israel was a wall, a strong wall, which God himself reared as a defence to his sanctuary. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. Thus God would bring the people of Israel to the trial, would discover their wickedness; and the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. But the Lord still calls Israel his people. The repeated prayer and success of the prophet should lead us to seek the Saviour.
Amos 7:10-17 (Amaziah threatens Amos)
It is no new thing for the accusers of the brethren, to misrepresent them as enemies to the king and kingdom, as traitors to their prince, and troublers of the land, when they are the best friends to both. Those who make gain their godliness, and are governed by the hopes of wealth and preferment, are ready to think these the most powerful motives with others also. But those who have a warrant from God, like Amos, ought not to fear the face of man. If God, that sent him, had not strengthened him, he could not thus have set his face as a flint. The Lord often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. But no fervent prayers, or self-denying labours, can bring proud sinners to bear faithful reproofs and warnings. And all who oppose or despise the Divine word, must expect fatal effects to their souls, unless they repent.
Psalm 85:8-13
I will listen to what God the Lord will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints--
but let them not return to folly.
[9] Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
[10] Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
[11] Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
[12] The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
[13] Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Psalm 85:8-13 (Trust in God’s goodness)
Sooner or later, God will speak peace to his people. If he do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace; speaking to their hearts by his Spirit. Peace is spoken only to those who turn from sin. All sin is folly, especially backsliding; it is the greatest folly to return to sin. Surely God’s salvation is nigh, whatever our difficulties and distresses are. Also, his honour is secured, that glory may dwell in our land. And the truth of the promises is shown by the Divine mercy in sending the Redeemer. The Divine justice is now satisfied by the great atonement. Christ, the way, truth, and life, sprang out of the earth when he took our nature upon him, and Divine justice looked upon him well pleased and satisfied. For his sake all good things, especially his Holy Spirit, are given to those who ask him. Through Christ, the pardoned sinner becomes fruitful in good works, and by looking to and trusting in the Saviour’s righteousness, finds his feet set in the way of his steps. Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting God, and in following him
Ephes. 1:3-14
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before
the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he
predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his
pleasure and will-- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us
in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us with all
wisdom and understanding. [9] And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to
his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times
will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together
under one head, even Christ.
[11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we,
who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you
also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
[14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are
God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
Ephes. 1:3-8 (A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in God’s eternal election, as purchased by Christ’s blood)
Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation to himself. The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all its hatefulness, and how it deserves vengeance. The believer’s actions, as well as his words, declare the praises of Divine mercy.
Ephes. 1:9-14 (And as conveyed in effectual calling: this is applied to the believing Jews, and to the believing Gentiles)
Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord’s showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying,
"John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers
are at work in him."
[15] Others said, "He is Elijah."
And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long
ago."
[16] But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised
from the dead!"
[17] For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and
put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had
married. [18] For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have
your brother's wife." [19] So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to
kill him. But she was not able to, [20] because Herod feared John and protected him,
knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled;
yet he liked to listen to him.
[21] Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high
officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. [22] When the daughter
of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to
you." [23] And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you,
up to half my kingdom."
[24] She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the Baptist," she answered.
[25] At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me
right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
[26] The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he
did not want to refuse her. [27] So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to
bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, [28] and brought back his
head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. [29] On
hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Mark 6:14-29 (John the Baptist put to death)
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.
All lessons NIV, all commentaries from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
kw: pentecost 5b, proper 10b
Other Notes: