Menu•SiteMap | Studies









Notes on Scripture

 
Introduction
The Fasts of the Captivity
Ezekiel's "Thirtieth Year"
Jesus – His Personal Name
Women in the Genealogy
Gathered to His Name
Galatians: To Whom and When?
The Dominical Supper
Mark: Biographical Sketch
Timothy: Biographical Sketch
 



INTRODUCTION

Notes on Scripture are on various points of interest, some perhaps touched on elsewhere, which have come to light in searching the Scriptures. Certain of the details are owed to the labours of others:

While some of the notes present more matured thoughts, others are merely tables or outlines which may suggest or open up lines of enquiry.

It is hoped that the brethren will find the notes of use in their own searching of the Scriptures.

The following is a list of all the notes in the booklet, but those items marked * are not included here.

Old Testament:

The Seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob *
The Priests – Genealogy and Succession *
The Levitical Cities *
Josiah's Successors *
The Captivity of Judah *
A Chronology of the Postcaptivity Books *
The Fasts of the Captivity
Ezekiel's Thirtieth Year
Malachi *

New Testament:

Jesus – His Personal Name
Women in the Genealogy of Jesus
Gathered to His Name
Parallelisms in John's Ministry *
Time in John's Gospel *
The Trial of Jesus *
The Seven Cries from the Cross *
Galatians – To Whom was it Written, and When?
The Dominical Supper
Paul's Imprisonments *
Mark and Timothy
The Spread of the Gospel *

Page Top

THE  FASTS  OF  THE  CAPTIVITY

The inquiry as to the need to continue the fasts of the captivity after the return from Babylon is of great interest and importance in our own days of recovery.

"And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chislev, when Bethel had sent Sherezer and Regem-Melech, and his men, to supplicate Jehovah, and to speak unto the priests that were in the house of Jehovah of hosts, and to the prophets, saying,

"And the word of Jehovah of hosts came unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying,

"And the word of Jehovah of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts:

A Chronological Summary of the Great Disasters

10th month – Jerusalem Besieged
2 Kings 25: 1-2; Jeremiah 39: 1
Jeremiah 52: 4-5; Ezekiel 24: 1-2

In the 10th month, on the 10th of the month – in the 9th year of the reign of Zedekiah – Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem. The siege lasted 19 months.

4th month – Jerusalem Taken And Destroyed
2 Kings 25: 3-7; Jeremiah 39: 2-10; Jeremiah 52: 6-11

In the 4th month, on the 9th of the month – in the 11th year of the reign of Zedekiah – the famine prevailed. The city was broken into, Zedekiah's army was scattered from him.

Zedekiah was taken captive to Babylon. There his sons were slaughtered in front of him before his eyes were put out.

5th month – The House Of Jehovah Burned
2 Kings 25: 8-21; Jeremiah 52: 12-28

In the 5th month, on the 7th of the month – in the 19th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar – the house of Jehovah was burned.

The vessels of the house and the people of Judah were take captive to Babylon; only the poor were left to take care of the land.

7th month – Gedaliah Assassinated
2 Kings 25: 24-26; Jeremiah 41: 1-3, 16-18

In the 7th month Gedaliah, who had been appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, was assassinated.

Elishama, who was of the royal seed, also murdered the Jews and Chaldeans who were with Gedaliah. The people fled to Egypt despite Jeremiah's warning.


The Origin Of The Four Fasts

The siege and fall of Jerusalem, the burning and pillaging of the house of Jehovah, and the carrying away of the people to Babylon were traumatic experiences.

These four great national disasters were commemorated by annual fasts.

The passage of time and the fading of memories, the rising up of new generations and the inevitable decline in commitment,

The Lesson for Today

We, who can look back at the disastrous divisions among those who professed to hold to the unity of the Spirit, should take the experience of the exiles to heart.

The observance of the fasts had continued after the return to the land at the end of the seventy years of captivity.

The inquiry provided an occasion for Jehovah to reveal His purpose to do good to Judah and Jerusalem, and to proclaim

Page Top


EZEKIEL'S  "THIRTIETH  YEAR"


"Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year … it was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity", Ezekiel 1: 1-2.

There have been many speculations as to "the thirtieth year", but the explanation is simple, as the following table shows.

EZEKIEL'S  "THIRTIETH  YEAR"
Scriptures
2 Chronicles 34: 1
2 Chronicles 35: 18-19


2 Chronicles 36: 2
2 Chronicles 36: 5
2 Chronicles 36: 9
Ezekiel 1: 2

Ezekiel 1: 1
Events
Josiah reigned 31 years;
Great Passover in his 18th year

Years to the end of Josiah's reign =
Jehoahaz reigned 3 months
Jehoiakim reigned 11 years
Jehoiachin reigned 3 mos., 11 days
5th year of Jehoiachin's captivity

"the thirtieth year" =
Years
31.00
-17.50
13.50
.25
11.00
.25
5.00
30.00

Page Top


JESUS  –  HIS  PERSONAL  NAME


The Lord Jesus has many names or titles which cover both His personal and official glories – both divine and human (i.e., in His Manhood). But as Man He only has one personal name – Jesus!

This personal name is used many times in the gospels and elsewhere to refer to the Lord, but there are three distinct and special uses of it – at the beginning, middle and end of the New Testament.

The name of Jesus is used in each of these instances to identify the Lord personally, in some unique way, with the peculiar circumstances of His people.

  1. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins", Matthew 1: 21.

    The name is divinely assigned to Him in connection with the deep need of His people.

    The name Jesus (the Greek form of Joshua, i.e., Jah the Saviour – see Hebrews 4: 8) defines who He is and how deeply He will involve Himself to save His people from their sins.

  2. "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest", Acts 9: 5.

    This goes further. The people whom He has saved to be His own are, in their faithfulness to Him, being viciously persecuted.

    He intervenes on their behalf, stopping the persecutor, Saul, and converting him as well. He thus closely and intimately identifies Himself with His suffering people. To persecute the people of Jesus is to persecute Jesus Himself!

  3. "I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify these things to you in the assemblies", Revelation 22: 16.

    He again, and finally, identifies Himself as Jesus. John has been shown many terrible things to come and also the final triumph – but what about the saints? Will they be left to go through those dreadful times predicted? No, indeed!

    Jesus shows again how closely He identifies Himself with His people. He sends a message – a message of hope. He says He is "the bright and morning star" (v. 16) and "Yea, I come quickly" (v. 20).

    He is coming for His own and coming soon! He isn't sending anyone else for us. He is coming Himself ! Jesus is coming!

What assurances of His own personal and intimate interest in us in all our circumstances! "I Jesus".

Page Top


WOMEN
IN  THE  GENEALOGY  OF  JESUS


Compared with the features to be pursued in days of breakdown

Thamar – Righteousness

"and Juda begat Phares and Zara of Thamar", Matthew 1: 3.

"And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She is more righteous than I, because I have not given her to Shelah my son", Genesis 38: 26

Rachab – Faith

"and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab", Matthew 1: 5.

"By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with the unbelieving, having received the spies in peace", Hebrews 11: 31.

Ruth – Love

"and Booz begat Obed of Ruth", Matthew 1: 5.

"… but Ruth clave to her … And Ruth said, Do not intreat me to leave thee, to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried. Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee!",
Ruth 1: 14-17.

Her of Urias – Peace

"And David begat Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias", Matthew 1: 6.

"and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon;" i.e., peaceful "and Jehovah loved him", 2 Samuel 12: 24.

Page Top


GATHERED  TO  HIS  NAME


"For where two or three are gathered together unto My name, there am I in the midst of them", Matthew 18: 20.

There are those who take up this verse, some even putting it on their notice boards, in a futile attempt to distinguish themselves from the sects with their various denominational names.

Matthew introduces Him as "Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham", Matthew 1: 1 – Jehovah's Anointed, in whom the promises will be fulfilled that to Him were made.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins … Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, ' God with us ' … and he called His name Jesus", Matthew 1: 21-25.

"Behold My servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew forth judgment to the nations … and on His name shall the nations hope", Matthew 12: 18-21.

"And Jesus coming up spoke to them, saying, All power has been given Me in heaven and upon earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have enjoined you. And behold, I am with you all the days, until the completion of the age", Matthew 28: 18-20.

Page Top


GALATIANS
TO  WHOM  WAS  IT  WRITTEN  AND  WHEN?


Scholars are divided on the identification of "the assemblies of Galatia" and consequently on the time when Paul wrote the epistle.

The internal evidence all favours the South Galatian theory.

Taking all the internal indications into account, it seems clear that Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians from Antioch in the long interval – "no little time", Acts 14: 28 – between his return, with Barnabas, from his first journey and their trip to Jerusalem in Acts 15.

Luke's purpose in writing Acts was not to blame or expose. Luke 1: 1-3; Acts 1: 1.

Peter's dissimulation in Galatians 2: 11-12 is likewise not mentioned by Luke.

It is unlikely that Paul would have mentioned either Peter or James unless it had been necessary in order to emphasize the seriousness of the whole matter to the Galatians.

Page Top


THE  DOMINICAL  SUPPER


In English, 'the Lord's Supper' is equivalent to 'Supper of the Lord' which is not the thought.

The English word 'lordly', however, usually refers to the personal manner – not the character – and ordinarily carries an uncomplimentary connotation. The other English adjective for lord is 'noble' but this is hardly suitable either.

To paraphrase – it would be more in keeping to call it the 'regal' or 'imperial' supper – but these adjectives are derived from the words for 'king' and 'emperor', not 'lord' – so there is still some difficulty, although Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords".

Although not the institution of the Lord's Supper, the best illustration is: "There therefore they made Him a supper", John 12: 2.

The other Scriptural term, "breaking of bread", is connected with "remembrance".

Page Top


MARK  and  TIMOTHY
THE  MORAL  SUCCESSORS  TO  PAUL


The following biographical sketches set out what can be gleaned from the Scriptures as to these two young men in their historical setting – and especially in relation to Paul.

There is a great need of committed young men to day to carry on what has been opened up in the ministries of the revival and the recovery of the truth.


MARK


The many references to Mark show his importance as a warning to all, and especially younger brethren, of the consequences of lack of commitment to the Lord's interests, and as an encouragement that there is ample grace to recover and restore to serviceability.

It is probable that Mark made a veiled reference to himself and his failure when he said,

While Barnabas and Saul were first in Antioch, prophets came down from Jerusalem. One of them, Agabus, prophesied that a severe famine was coming.

During the time they were in Jerusalem – Acts 12: 1-24 – several notable events took place:

  1. Herod slew James, the brother of John,

  2. Then he put Peter in prison, during the days of unleavened bread, purposing to deliver him to the Jews after the passover,

  3. An angel of the Lord released Peter from prison,

  4. The Lord smote Herod.

When Peter was released from prison, and had "become clearly conscious in himself, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying", Acts 12: 12-17.

Certain inferences may be made:

  1. Mary – one of the six in New Testament – was a godly sister, qualified to have the brethren in her home for meetings – compare Lydia, Acts 16: 15,

  2. She was a woman of means, having a house large enough for many to gather in, and at least one maid – named Rhoda,

  3. She was a widow, her husband not being named,

  4. The Lord may have held the last passover and instituted the Supper in this house while her husband was still alive – Mark 14: 12-16,

  5. This would account for Peter's familiarity, going there first, for he and John had been sent there to make preparations – Luke 22: 7-13,

  6. Peter may have often been in Mary's house as his voice was easily recognized by Rhoda, the maid,

  7. Mark's father being dead, Peter undoubtedly took a special interest in him, for he calls him "my son", 1 Peter 5: 13.

After the events of Acts 12, "Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service entrusted to them, taking also with them John, surnamed Mark", Acts 12: 25.

Barnabas and Saul were sent out from Antioch for a special work and, perhaps at the suggestion of Barnabas, "they had John also as their attendant", Acts 13: 1-5.

After some long time, they returned to Jerusalem again to see the apostles and elders because of the effect of Judaizing teachers who had come to Antioch.

Peter may been instrumental in Mark's subsequent recovery, for he says,

Mark was also reconciled with Paul for, in writing from Rome during his first imprisonment – Acts 28: 30-31 – Paul says,

In his final imprisonment and facing death, writing to Timothy, Paul says,

Page Top


TIMOTHY


On Paul's first journey, with Barnabas, many disciples had been made in Derbe, Timothy's home town – if not his birthplace. Acts 14: 20-21; 20: 4.

On his second journey, with Silas, Paul "came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, by name Timotheus, son of a Jewish believing woman, but the father a Greek, who had a good testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium.

Timothy was evidently somewhat timid but, nevertheless he was divinely furnished for his service under Paul.

Timothy, though not mentioned by name, was with Paul at Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. When the Jews from Thessalonica came to stir up the crowds in Berea

After Silas and Timothy arrived in Athens – not recorded by Luke – Paul was so concerned about the Thessalonians that he sent Timothy back there to confirm and encourage them in their faith.

After more than 18 months in Corinth, Paul left via Cenchrea stopping briefly at Ephesus, where he left Aquila and Priscilla – and went on to Caesarea and to Jerusalem for the feast – Pentecost ?.

It is likely that Paul wrote to the Corinthians at this time – 1 Corinthians 16: 5-8 – perhaps even sending the letter with Timothy –

Paul left Ephesus for Macedonia (where he would be rejoined by Timothy) and travelled south to Greece, spending three months there, doubtless visiting Corinth.

He intended to sail to Syria but, because of a plot of the Jews, decided to go back through Macedonia – from which he probably wrote the second letter to Corinth,

Paul made his final journey to Jerusalem from Troas.

Timothy's whereabouts in this period are not clear.

When Paul is finally sent to Rome, Luke comments only on "Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us", Acts 27: 2.

But, clearly, Timothy is with Paul in Rome during that first imprisonment for in three of his letters during that time, Paul joins Timothy with him in his salutations.

  1. "Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, Timotheus the brother", Colossians 1: 1.

  2. "Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ", Philippians 1: 1.

  3. "Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother", Philemon 1: 1.

That Timothy was also imprisoned for a time is confirmed by "Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty; with whom, if he should come soon, I will see you", Hebrews 13: 23.

Paul's valuation of Timothy to the Philippians, who knew him personally and could appreciate it, is outstanding:

Subsequently, after they had both been released, they appear to have travelled together again for some time.

When imprisoned again, and facing imminent death, Paul writes one last letter to "Timotheus, my beloved child", 2 Timothy 1: 1.

He exhorts Timothy, who seems to have been declining, "to rekindle the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands", 2 Timothy 1: 6.

Page Top