Other comments on this day's readings can be found here.
Reading 1 - 1Ki 21:3
"Naboth replied, 'The LORD forbid that I should give you the
inheritance of my fathers' " (1Ki 21:3).
The Jews could not permanently sell their land, but only lease
it until the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:23). To sell land is to presume its
ownership, but the true Israelite knew that Yahweh was the only real "owner" of
the Land. Naboth only held the property in trust for Him.
Naboth's rationalizations might be imagined:
The Law is often ignored anyway;
Selling the land will bring me
material gain; and
I must protect my family.
Yet against all these arguments Naboth is steadfast to the Law
of God.
Likewise, we must learn to look at our SPIRITUAL inheritance
from the LORD; we must not "sell" it -- no matter the price offered, or any
other inducement to part with it, or any threat to us if we don't give it up! It
is absolutely priceless.
Reading 2 - Jer 48
"The prophet Jeremiah reviews the neighbouring nations to
Judah, and pronounces divine judgment. Jer 48 is against Moab, because they did
not wisely benefit from their long period of peace (v 11). They thought they
did, by fortifying their cities, establishing their worship, building up their
wealth. But these were the very grounds of complaint against the nation (v 7).
So the prophet declares that:
They will be invaded by Babylon: vv 1-5.
Therefore they were urged to
flee: vv 6-10.
Consequently Moab would become desolate: vv 11-25.
The
reasons for divine judgment are given: vv 26-30.
A lamentation for Moab is
expressed: vv 31-39.
The Babylonian invasion is pronounced: vv 40-46.
There is a restoration for Moab: v 47.
Moab and Ammon were closely related to Israel, being born of
the incestuous union between Lot and his two daughters (Gen 19:31-38). Moab
signifies 'from a father', and Ammon 'son of my people'. In his treatment of
Moab, Jeremiah reproduces some of the language of Isaiah 140 years earlier (cp
Isa 15;16), and applies them to the Babylonian invasion as Isaiah did to the
Assyrian. Though closely related to Israel, even in language, the Moabites
showed hostility to them on Israel's original approach to the Land, and refused
them hospitality, on account of which they were denied entrance into the
congregation of Yahweh to the tenth generation (Deu 23:4). They hired Balaam
against Israel, and used their women to entice Israel from their allegiance (Num
25:1). But a latter-day restoration of Moab is seen in the redemption of natural
Israel (Jer 48:47), who have acted as did Moab formerly" (GEM).
Reading 3 - 1Co 7:26,27
"Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for
you to remain as you are... Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife" (1Co
7:26,27).
Some historians say that it was a localized plague or epidemic
that was taking away many Corinthians at this time.
"It is a great mistake to think that Paul discountenanced
marriage because upon one occasion, by reason of certain distress, he gave
exceptional advice. To the Hebrews (Heb 13:4) he wrote of marriage being
honourable in all, and the word he used has been rendered 'had in reputation'
(Act 5:34); 'dear' (Act 20:24); 'precious' (1Co 3:12); 'most precious' (Rev
21:11); and similarly in fourteen texts. Besides, Paul expressly commanded the
young women to marry (1Ti 5:14). Who were they to marry? Surely not old brethren
-- or the medically unfit -- or the alien young men! No: marriage is honourable
in all. Brother Roberts was right in concluding as he did: 'I always felt that
marriage was something that lay in my path before I could enter upon the earnest
work of life. And, now I see how serviceable it has been in every way for the
work that has been done.' How many of us who have been Christadelphians
practically all our lives can say Amen to those conclusions?" (FG
Jannaway).