PROVERBS 30
Author introduced verse 1
The words of Agur – the son of Jakeh – even the prophecy
the man spoke unto Ithiel – even unto Ithiel and Ucall
Questions that need answering verse 2- 4
Surely I am more brutish than any man
AND have not the understanding of a man
I neither learned wisdom
nor have the knowledge of the holy
Who has ascended up into heaven or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name and what is his son’s name – if you can tell?
Special requests of the author verse 5- 9
Every word of God is pure
HE is a shield unto them that put their TRUST in HIM
add you not unto HIS words
lest HE reprove you
AND you be found a LIAR
Two things are required of YOU – deny me them not before I die
remove far from me vanity and lies
give me neither poverty or riches
feed me with food convenient for me
lest I be full and deny YOU – AND say
Who is the LORD? OR lest I be poor – and steal
and take the name of my God in vain
Description of a new generation that is evil verse 10- 14
Accuse not a servant unto his master
lest he curse you – and you be found guilty
There is a generation that curses their father
AND does not bless their mother
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes
AND yet is not washed from their FILTHINESS
There is a generation – O how lofty are their eyes?
AND their eyelids are lifted up
There is a generation – whose teeth are as swords
AND their jaw teeth as knives
to devour the poor from off the earth
AND the needy from among men
Things that are never satisfied verse 15- 17
The horseleech hath two daughters – crying – Give – Give
there are three things that are never satisfied
yea four things say not, IT IS ENOUGH
the grave – the barren womb
the earth that is not filled with water
the fire that says not
IT IS ENOUGH
The eye that mocks at his father and despises to obey his mother
the ravens of the valley shall pick it out
and the young eagles shall eat it
Good and evil found in this world verse 18- 33
There be three things which are too wonderful for me
yea – four which I know not
the way of an eagle in the air
the way of a serpent upon a rock
the way of a ship in the midst of the sea
the way of a man with a maid
Such is the way of an ADULTEROUS woman
she eats – and wipes her mouth – and says
I have done no WICKEDNESS
For three things the earth is disquieted -and for four which it cannot bear
for a servant when he reigns
and a fool when he is filled with meat
for an odious woman when she is married
and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress
There be four things which are little upon the earth
BUT they are exceeding wise
the ants are a people not strong
YET they prepare their meat in the summer
the conies are but a feeble folk
YET they make their houses in the rocks
the locusts have not king
YET they go forth all of them by bands
the spider takes hold with her hands
and is in kings’ palaces
There are three things which go well
yea FOUR are comely in going
a lion which is strongest among beasts
and turns not away for any
a greyhound – an he goat
a king – against whom there is no rising up
If you have done FOOLISHLY in lifting up yourself
or if you have thought EVIL – lay your hand upon your mouth
Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter
AND the wringing of the nose brings forth blood
SO the forcing of wrath brings forth strife
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (6884 “pure” [tsaraph] means flawless, perfect, refine, purge away, try, or test)
DEVOTION: Here is a man besides Solomon who gives us some saying in this book of Proverbs. We know little about Agur. However, he does state some truths we need to be aware of in our journey through life.
This verse makes a statement regarding the nature of God. He states that God is flawless. He states that God is perfect. When we think about God, do we think those thoughts all the time?
Along with the thought that God is flawless is the thought that God protects HIS followers. There are times that, we don’t think that is true because we have trials that come our way. However, if we put our trust in HIM, he will carry us through each trial. After the trial we will be the better follower of HIM. That is, if we learn the lesson that HE is teaching us.
Remember that HE wants us to be more like HIS Son each day. Sometimes HE puts us through the same trials because we are slow learners. Once we have learned the lesson, we can help others as they face their trials. We are to be encouragers to others.
It is always time to trust in God because HE is perfect. Not only is HE perfect but also HE has given us a perfect WORD from HIM called the BIBLE. We can trust it to lead us in the right path for our entire life. There is one thing necessary for this to happen: we have to meditate on it DAILY. Not just read it but MEMORIZE IT. Once it is part of us we have the Holy Spirit to remind us of what we have learned. That can really help during each trial!!!!
CHALLENGE: We have a shield. Allow the LORD to guide our every move. Trust in the LORD with all your heart)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. (6675 “filthiness” [tsow’ah] means drunkard’s vomit, human excrement, filth of sin, dung, feces, or soiled)
DEVOTION: Agur, gives a prophecy regarding what is going to happen in the future. It was also happening in his lifetime. He was dealing with his generation and the shortcomings of those who were living during his time period.
He describes a generation that curses their father and mother. A generation that doesn’t take care of their parents. Jesus told of the Pharisees that they were guilty of claiming that all their money was dedicated to the LORD and so they had none to help their parents.
He describes a generation with lofty eyes. They think that they are better than any previous generation. They know better than their parents and all the leaders from the previous generation. They have nothing to learn from the previous generation. Even in theology there are individuals who think that we should scrap all the old beliefs and start from scratch. Old beliefs are wrong. False doctrine is being taught and believed by many who claim to know Christ. It is sad.
He describes a generation that takes advantage of the poor. Their goal is to make themselves rich while they make everyone else poor. There is a group of elite individuals that make the laws to hurt those who are electing them to office. They put themselves above the law or create a law that only helps them and makes others poor. They are devouring the poor without taking a second thought about it.
Now this verse describes a group that think that they are pure. In their eyes they are doing nothing wrong. All that is stated above is being practiced by this group that thinks they are doing nothing wrong. They look right past what they are doing and celebrating all their own knowledge and wealth. The problem is that they are covered in drunkard’s vomit. They are covered in human excrement. There were people in the author’s generation that were guilty of these crimes. There are people in our generation who are guilty of the same crimes.
As Solomon states: there is nothing new under the sun.” Each generation is guilty of these crimes. Our generation is no exception. It is a warning of judgment to come.
CHALLENGE: Watch that our actions are not the same of these who are practicing sin. Our responsibility is to help the poor, honor our parents, make sure laws are not passed to hurt the poor and check out those who are teaching false doctrine.)
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 32 If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth. (4984 “lifting up” [mithnasse] means exalted, to raise in rank, character, or status, show boldness, independence, exalt, or be arrogant.)
DEVOTION: In our present society we find that there are many men who want to exalt themselves in front of others. We are in a time period before the election of a new president of the United States. We have many men who want to be president. They are doing all in their power to try to get those in the public to think highly of them.
This doesn’t just happen in our society during election time there are times when there are people who would like to be exalted in the work place. They want to try to get everyone to look on them with favor. They make statements or promises that they don’t intend to keep but want to see if they can be promoted or given a position in the work place that others really want.
There is a group of people that don’t care if they are exalted but they want to make sure that those they don’t like are not exalted. They will do everything in their power to make false statements to cause that person to not receive the honor or financial raise because they don’t want anyone to be above them even if they are gifted in that area.
We need to make sure that we are not trying to exalt ourselves at any time. We need to wait on the LORD to exalt us when HE feels the time is right. We need to spend time in prayer to make sure that we are not doing things that are evil to get ahead in this world.
Remember our responsibility is to bring glory to God.
CHALLENGE: We need to make sure that whatever comes out of our mouth brings glory to God and not to self!!!
______________________________________________________________
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
______________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Prophecy verse 1
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 5, 9
Word of God is pure verse 5
HE is a shield to them that put their trust in him verse 5
Reprove those who add to HIS words verse 6
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 9
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Agur the son of Jakeh verse 1
Man verse 1, 2, 14, 19
Ithiel verse 1
Ucal verse 1
Son verse 4
Servant verse 10, 22
Master verse 10
Father verse 11
Mother verse 11
Poor verse 14
Needy verse 14
Maid verse 19, 23
Mistress verse 23
King verse 27, 28, 31
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Brutish verse 2
Add words to Bible verse 6
Liar verse 6, 8
Vanity verse 8
Deny the LORD verse 9
Steal verse 9
Take God’s name in vain verse 9
False accusation verse 10
Curse verse 10
Curse mother and father verse 11
Pure in your own eyes verse 12
Filthiness verse 12
Lofty eyes verse 13
Eyelids lifted up verse 13
Teeth like swords verse 14
Devour the poor & needy verse 14
Never satisfied verse 15
Mock father verse 17
Despises mother verse 17
Adultery verse 20
Wickedness verse 20
Fool verse 22, 32
Odious verse 23
Lift up self verse 32
Thinking evil verse 32
Wrath verse 33
Strife verse 33
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Learned wisdom verse 3
Knowledge of the holy verse 3
Word of God is pure verse 5
Shield verse 5
Trust verse 5
Satisfied verse 15
Wise verse 24
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Agur – son of Jakeh verse 1- 33
Prophecy to Ithiel and Ucal
Neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the holy
Neither learned wisdom
Nor knowledge of holy
Not add to HIS words
Accuse not a servant
Wonderful things
Way of an eagle in the air
Way of a serpent on a rock
Way of a ship in the midst of the sea
Way of a man with a maid
Four things the earth cannot bear
Servant when he reigns
Fool when he is filled with meat
Odious woman when she is married
Handmaid that is heir to her mistress
Four things that are little on the earth
but are exceeding wise
1. <![endif]>Ants are a people not strong
yet they prepare their meat
in the summer
2. <![endif]>Conies are but a feeble folk
but make houses in rocks
3. <![endif]>Locusts have no king
yet go they forth all of them by bands
4. <![endif]>Spider takes hold with her hands
and is in kings’ palaces
Three things which go well yea four
Lion which strongest among beasts
Greyhound
He goat
King against whom there is no rising up
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Grave verse 16
_______________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.
____________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
30:32–33 Those who make trouble get into trouble. In v. 33 the author uses a neat device to get this point across. On the surface we have two similes for inevitability—churning milk makes butter, and twisting the nose produces blood. Hidden in the second simile, however, is the warning that those who make trouble are liable to get punched in the nose! Also the “strife” that follows troublemaking may not just be discord but also lawsuits. (Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 243). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
_____________________________________________________
30:32, 33. A concluding call to humility. Humility, the undercurrent of this chapter, which has already commended itself (directly or by contrast) as reverence (1–9), restraint (10–17) and wonder (18–31), is finally manifested as peaceable behaviour (32, 33).
33. Churning … wringing … forcing (av, rv) all translate one recurring word, pressing (rsv) or squeezing. W. M. Thomson1 describes Arab women in Palestine vigorously wringing a large skin-bottle suspended from a tripod and full of milk, to produce a form of butter. The saying gains force from the close connection in Heb. between the words nose (’ap) and anger (’appayim). (Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 175). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
______________________________________________________
32–33 The sage advises those who have “exalted” (behiṯnaśśēʾ) themselves and “played the fool” (nāḇaltā) and those who have “planned deception” (zammôṯā) to cease their efforts and control what they say; viz., “clap your hand over our mouth!” (yāḏ lep̱eh; cf. Job 40:4–5). The explanation for this warning is that it only causes strife. Two similes are used in the last verse, churning the milk and twisting the nose—both involve a pressing, the first producing butter from milk and the second drawing blood from the nose. In the same way stirring up anger (through pride and evil planning) produces “strife” (rîḇ). There is also a subtle wordplay here, for “nose” (ʾap̱) is related to “anger” (ʾappayim). So the intent of this concluding advice is to strive for peace and harmony through humility and righteousness. (Ross, A. P. (1991). Proverbs. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 1126). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
______________________________________________________
Having depicted in parable the dignity of the saint, and the behavior that becomes him, Agur’s last word is an exhortation to self-judgment, in case any have so far forgotten their holy calling as to foolishly exalt themselves, or have spoken or acted with evil intent. If the thoughts be not pure, speech is exceedingly dangerous; it is better far to lay the hand upon the mouth than to persist in what is unrighteous.
It is so easy to force wrath; that is, to provoke another to anger. To do so betrays a soul out of communion with God, and a spirit insubject to His Word. As butter is produced by churning, and blood by pressing the nose, so strife results from unnecessary provocation. “The servant of the Lord must not strive.” He is exhorted to meekness and that fine courtesy which marked all that Jesus said and did. Coarse, ungenerous words and ways are very unbecoming in one who is a subject of divine clemency, and who is therefore expected to manifest towards even his enemies the compassions of Christ. (Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs (pp. 464–465). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.)
____________________________________________________________
30:32–33. In contrast with creatures who strut in pride (vv. 29–31) is a person who has played the fool (the verb nāḇal, “to be spiritually imperceptive and insensitive”; cf. the noun nāḇāl in v. 22; 17:7, 21). By exalting himself and planning evil (cf. 6:14) he causes trouble. To clap one’s hand over his mouth (cf. Job 21:5; 40:4) was a way of saying he should stop being proud and making trouble. As sure as churning … milk makes butter and the twisting of a nose brings blood, so the agitation and stirring up of anger produces trouble. Churning, twisting, and stirring up translate the same Hebrew word mîṣ, “squeezing or wringing,” which occurs only here in the Old Testament. In an interesting wordplay “nose” (’ap̱) and “anger” (’appayim) are similar Hebrew words. Pride and anger work against humility, which is commended and promoted in Proverbs 30. (Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 971). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
_________________________________________________________
Ver. 32. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, &c.] Against a king, against whom there is no rising up; by speaking evil of him, or rebelling against him; which is acting a foolish part, since it brings a man into troubles and difficulties inextricable; or by self-commendation, which is the height of folly, and the fruit of pride; or carried it in such a haughty and overbearing manner to others, as to provoke to wrath and anger. Or if thou hast thought evil; purposed and designed it, and contrived the scheme of doing it, though not yet put in execution; though folly is not actually committed, yet since the thought of it is sin, care should be taken to prevent it. Lay thine hand upon thy mouth: think again before the thing resolved on is done; as studious and thoughtful men put their hand to their mouth, when they are deeply considering any affair before them: or put a stop to the design, let it go no further; what has been thought of in the mind, let it never come out of the mouth, nor be carried into execution; stifle it in the first motion: or if this respects a foolish action done, as it also may, since it stands connected with both clauses, then the sense is, be silent; do not pretend to deny the action, nor to excuse it; nor to say one word in the defence of it; nor to lay the blame upon others; and much less to calumniate and reproach such who faithfully reprove for it; take shame to thyself in silence, and repent of the iniquity done. Aben Ezra thinks these words are said to Ithiel and Ucal; but rather, to any and every one, to all that should hear and read these proverbs. The Targum is, “do not lift up thyself, lest thou be foolish; and do not stretch out thine hand to thy mouth.”
Ver. 33. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, &c.] Or the pressing of it. This is a thing well known and certain, that of milk, when pressed out of the udder, and put into a churn, and there is shook together, by a constant violent agitation or motion, called churning, butter is produced; and cheese is sometimes called pressed milk, and is pressed with the runnet, and by the hand alsoz. And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; a too violent compression of it, or forcible blowing of it, in order to purge it from any impurity in it; instead of doing which it may break the tender skin, and bring forth blood, which may be of bad consequence. So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife; irritating the passions of men, and provoking them by scurrilous and reproachful words to wrath and anger, produce contentions, feuds, and lawsuits, which are not soon and easily ended; and therefore such a conduct should be carefully avoided. The same word is used in the three clauses, and signifies pressing, squeezing, forcing. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 540). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
_____________________________________________________________
32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
In lifting up thyself; either, 1. By rebellion or sedition against the king last mentioned. Or, 2. By anger or wrath, of which he speaks in the next verse. But this verse hath no necessary dependence either upon the foregoing or following verse. Or, 3. Through thy pride, which makes men carry themselves very foolishly, and scornfully, and injuriously, and is the root of contention, as was observed, Prov. 13:10. Thought evil, i.e. designed any mischief or injury against thy neighbour. Lay thine hand upon thy mouth, to wit, to shut it. Be silent, as this phrase is used, Job 21:5; 29:9. Restrain thyself, do not speak one word, much less do any thing tending to the accomplishment of it; do not open thy mouth to justify or excuse it, but silently and seriously consider the evil of it, and repent of it, and do so no more.
33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
The forcing of wrath; the stirring up of wrath, either, 1. In a man’s self towards others, by giving way to passion, or by fixing his thoughts upon those things which may inflame it. Or, 2. In others by reproaches, injuries, or any other provocations. Bringeth forth strife; is the cause of many quarrels, and much mischief among men. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 2, pp. 275–276). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
___________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
____________________________________________________________
If you think you’ve blown God’s plan for your life, rest in this. You,
My friend are not that Powerful. (Thanks Kasper)
___________________________________________________________
THE OFFENSE OF CHRIST’S TEACHING
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
What has offended mankind above everything else is the simplicity of our Lord’s way of salvation. There is nothing that annoys people so much as the true doctrine of the cross, the doctrine of the blood of Christ and of the rebirth. Look at those people whom we read about in John 6. There they are; our Lord has said to them in essence, “I am the living bread. I am the bread of life. I have come down from heaven to give you new life that is life indeed.” And it was that which made them go from Him and decide never to listen to Him again.
Let me put it again like this. If Christ had come and told us that the way of salvation was to consider a great, noble, and wonderful teaching and then to resolve to set out and do it, why, we would have liked it. Christ said in effect, “If man could save himself, I would never have come into this world. God gave the people in past ages an opportunity of doing this. He gave them a law and told them when He gave it to them, ‘Do that and it will save you; live that life and you will be righteous in My sight.’”
If man could have saved himself, there would have been no need for the Son of God to come to earth. Indeed, His coming is proof that people cannot save themselves. Our Lord constantly said that, and that is what annoyed people so much. He said, “I have come to give My life as a ransom for many, for nothing but that could ever save those souls of yours and reconcile you to God. And,” He said, “it is as simple as this: I have purchased your salvation—I offer it to you as a free gift.”
A Thought to Ponder
If man could have saved himself, there would have been no need for the Son of God to come to earth.
(From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 63-64, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
____________________________________________________________________
How Great Is Our God!
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2
Fingerprints have long been used to identify people, but they can be faked by creating copies. Similarly, the pattern of the iris in the human eye is a reliable source for ID—until someone alters the pattern with a contact lens to skew the results. The use of biometrics to identify individuals can be defeated. So, what qualifies as a unique identifying characteristic? It turns out that everyone’s blood-vessel patterns are unique and virtually impossible to counterfeit. Your own personal “vein map” is a one-of-a-kind identifier, setting you apart from everyone else on the planet.
Pondering such complexities of human beings should prompt a sense of worship and wonder for the Creator who made us. David reminded us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and that is certainly worth celebrating. In fact, Psalm 111:2 reminds us, “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”
Even more worthy of our attention is the divine Maker Himself. While celebrating God’s great deeds, we also must celebrate Him! His deeds are great, but He’s even greater, prompting the psalmist to pray, “For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God” (86:10).
Today, as we consider the greatness of what God does, may we also marvel at the greatness of who He is. (By Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread)
______________________________________________________________
Hebrews 11
A parade of heroic figures from the Old Testament depicts what it means to live by faith.
INSIGHT
Faith is the operative ingredient in the Christian life. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (v. 6). Faith is important because without it we cannot even begin to approach God. Simply put, faith is believing God and acting accordingly. All that is accomplished in the world to further the work of God is accomplished by faith. This list of exemplary faithful people shows that when God spoke, His people listened, believed, and acted accordingly. The words of an old hymn sum it all up: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” (Quiet Walk)
_______________________________________________________
The Second Remnant
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.” (Isaiah 11:11)
The great prophet Isaiah lived during the time when the 10 tribes of Israel were being carried into captivity by the Assyrians, and about a hundred years before his own nation of Judah would be carried into exile by the Babylonians. Yet, in one of the most remarkable prophecies of the Bible (Isaiah 44:28–45:6), Isaiah promised that his people would someday return and build Jerusalem and its temple again. Furthermore, he even named the future emperor of Persia (the nation that would succeed Assyria and Babylonia as the dominant world power), calling him Cyrus. This great king fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about 175 years after it was given (note Ezra 1:1-4).
But Isaiah not only prophesied this first return from exile, as noted in the key verse above; he foresaw that, in the distant future, God would also “set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.” The context of this passage is nothing less than the glorious future time of Messiah’s reign over all the earth (Isaiah 11:9-10). The outcasts of Israel and Judah would return home, not only from the nations of the Middle East, which will evidently be active enemies of Israel again in that future day (note that Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, and Hamath were the ancient names of the nations now identified as Upper Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, respectively), but even from “the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12). Isaiah thus predicted an even greater exile and worldwide homecoming long beyond that of the Babylonian captivity. Such information could have come only from God Himself. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
___________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.