Reformed Book Club

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXVII - 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 04:22:00 +0000

Required reading

Conclude Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here).

My summary

Today we read Edwards thoughts on verses from 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude and Revelation.

We hear about:

(i) holy living;

(ii) the second coming of Christ;

(iii) the glory of Christ;

(iv) antichrists;

(v) Moses as a type of Christ;

(vi) heaven;

(vii) the moon as a type of God's revelation.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed Edwards' comments on the transfigurations: 'This glory that appeared in the person of Christ, did exactly resemble that excellent glory that the apostle speaks of, out of which the voice came, ver. 17. For there was there in the mount an external glory, as a visible symbol of the presence of God the Father, and by which he was represented; as well as an external glory in God the Son, viz. that bright cloud that overshadowed them. There was a glory in that cloud that the apostle calls an excellent glory. When it is said in the evangelists that a bright cloud overshadowed them, it is not meant such a light or white cloud as shines by a cast of light upon it from some shining body, such as are some clouds by the bright reflection of the sun’s light; but a cloud bright by an internal light shining out of it, which light the apostle calls an excellent glory. It probably was an ineffably sweet, excellent sort of light, perfectly differing from and far exceeding the light of the sun. All light is sweet, but this seems to have been immensely more sweet than any other that ever they had; impressing some idea which we cannot conceive, having never seen it, as we can conceive of nothing of light more than we have seen; we could have conceived of no such light as the light of the sun, had not we seen it, nor of any colour, blue, red, green, purple, nor any other. God doubtless can excite other ideas of light in our minds besides any of those that we have had, and far exceeding them; a light affording sweetness and pleasure to the sight, far exceeding all pleasure of the grosser and inferior senses. Therefore, Peter the apostle, that writes this epistle, was exceedingly delighted with it in the time of it, which made him say, “It is good for us to be here;” and made him talk of building tabernacles, and thinking of spending the rest of his days there; and he still (though now old and near his end, verses 13, 14.) retains a lively sense of the exquisite gloriousness and pleasantness of that light, when he expresses himself as he does here, calling it the excellent glory. And there probably was an exact resemblance between the glory that the disciples saw in Christ’s face, and that which they saw in this cloud, which declared him to be the Son of God; for they saw him to be his express image.'

May the light of his sweet face shine upon us!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXVI - Hebrews, James, 1 Peter

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 04:59:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [140] 2 Peter i. 10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for he that doeth these things shall never fall.”

My summary

Today we read notes on Hebrews, James and 1 Peter.

Subjects include:

(i) God's rest;

(ii) true faith;

(iii) Christ as priest;

(iv) shadows and substance;

(v) the devils;

(vi) Christian hope;

(vii) Christ as a stone;

(viii) Christian living.

What grabbed me

I liked Edwards' comments on the difficult passage in Hebrews 6: '[299] Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6. If any think that the apostle here used expressions too high to denote any gifts of the Spirit common to good and bad men, though miraculous gifts, I answer, that the drift of the apostle, and his argument in those words, led him to set forth the greatness of the privilege that such persons had received, that he might the better show the exceeding aggravations of their apostacy, whence what the apostle says might be the more easily believed, viz. that it was impossible to renew them again to repentance. For it is certain that he intends the aggravatedness of their crime, as a reason of it, because he himself gives it as a reason of it, ver. 6. in those words, “Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”'

Some unbelievers are exceedingly privileged!

Next week's reading

Conclude Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here).

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXV - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians and 2 Timothy

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 05:34:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[339] Heb. iii. 6, 7, 8. to chap. iv. 11. “Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."'

My summary

Today we have Edwards' thoughts on passages from more of Paul's letters.

We hear of:

(i) the fulness of Christ;

(ii) the riches of Christ;

(iii) the power of Christ;

(iv) the body of Christ;

(v) the confession of Christ;

(vi) the circumcision of Christ;

(vii) the resurrection of Christ.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed this description of Christ's power:

'But then Christ in this affair is not to be considered by the apostle singly and personally; but all his church are considered as thus raised and exalted with him, and in him: he as the head, and they as partaking members. This power is manifested in raising them, in raising their dead souls from an infinite depth, infinitely lower than a state of nonentity, and from under as it were infinitely strong chains, to hold them in that state, and the most mighty opposition to their restoration; and also raising their bodies from the dead, and from a state of corruption, and exalting them with Christ, making their bodies like his glorious body, and their souls like his glorious soul; giving them a participation of his elevation of nature, his exalted knowledge, strength, holiness, beauty, glory, and joy, according to their capacity and station.

Herein, in this whole work of the restoration and exaltation of Christ mystical, is above all things manifested the power of God and the new creation.'

Christ's great power is at work in us and will continue to work in us.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXIV - 2 Corinthians and Galatians

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 05:38:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[235] Eph. i. 22, 23. “And gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”'

My summary

Today we have Edwards' notes on verses from 2 Corinthians and Galatians.

We learn about:

(i) the preaching of Christ;

(ii) beholding the glory of God ;

(iii) Christ's resurrection;

(iv) Abraham's seed;

(v) God's mediator;

(vi) man's relationship to the law of God and the Spirit.

What grabbed me

I liked this description of the ministers of God: 'We behold the glory of God as in a looking-glass in another respect, and that is as we behold it by the intermediation of the outward means of our illumination and knowledge of God, viz. Christ’s ministers, and the gospel which they preach, and his ordinances which they administer; which serve instead of a looking-glass, to reflect the glory of the Lord. When men read the Holy Scriptures, they there may see Christ’s glory, as men see images of things by looking in a glass, so we see Christ’s glory in ordinances. Ministers are burning and shining lights; but then they do not shine by their own light, but only reflect the light of Christ. They are called stars, that are held in the right hand of Christ, and shine by reflecting Christ’s light, as the stars shine by reflecting the light of the sun; and so they are as mirrors that bring the light of Christ’s glory to the view of the church. They are lights set up in golden candlesticks; by looking on these lights, they see light, they see the light of Christ reflected. It is evident the apostle is here speaking of the light of Christ’s glory as ministered and communicated by ministers of the gospel, and ministers of the Spirit, which is that light and glory, as we shall show presently.'

May all ministers shine brightly with Christ's light.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXIII - Romans and 1 Corinthians

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 06:53:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[67] 2 Cor. i. 24. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith,” &c.; this verse is to be joined to the 14th verse.'

My summary

Today we read Edwards' thoughts on passages from Romans and 1 Corinthians.

He speaks of:

(i) the righteousness of God;

(ii) judging others;

(iii) Abraham as our father;

(iv) perseverance;

(v) apostleship;

(vi) the power of God;

(vii) the teaching of the Spirit;

(viii) the preaching of the gospel;

(ix) head coverings;

(x) the gifts of the Spirit;

(xi) Christ as King.

What grabbed me

An interesting comment on the devil's knowledge, or lack of it in this case: 'It seems very probable that the devil, though he sees and hears a great deal more what men do and say than we, and has incomparably more experience, yet does not know who are converted, and who not. Thus he did not know that Peter was converted, and therefore hoped to overthrow him. So he did not know that Job was, as God told him, a perfect and an upright man; he questioned it, though he was so eminent a saint, he doubted whether he would not fail in the trial (unless we may suppose that the devil seeks to overthrow particular Christians, only as he seeks to overthrow the church of God, which he does what he can to destroy, though God has promised that it shall never be destroyed).'

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXII - John and Acts

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 06:02:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[318] Romans i. 16, 17, 18. Justification Christ’s righteousness. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” &c.'

My summary

Today we read comments on John's gospel and Acts.

Subjects included:

(i) grace in Christ;

(ii) John the Baptist and his knowledge of Jesus;

(iii) the marriage at Cana;

(iv) the temple of God;

(v) the covenant of grace and the law;

(vi) the Spirit of God;

(vii) men as 'gods';

(viii) sin, righteousness and judgement;

(ix) the Passover;

(x) books written about Christ;

(xi) the number twelve;

(xii) all things in common;

(xiii) the state of the world.

What grabbed me

I loved the comments on sin and righteousness:

'The greatest sin that is in the world, is sin against the gospel, contempt of, and opposition to, Jesus Christ; and the greatest evidence of the sin and wickedness of man, is the world’s ill treatment of Christ, and the gospel, and the followers of Christ. In this does most clearly appear the malignant nature of sin, and the true nature of it is fully manifest; and particularly that violent opposition that appears on occasion of the pouring out of the Spirit of God. As the coming of the Spirit is the occasion of this; so his coming eventually holds forth matter of conviction to the world of its wickedness. And those that are savingly taught by the Spirit, are in the first place convinced of sin, especially as appearing in their sinning against Christ, or against God, as revealing himself in the gospel.

...

The greatest and most glorious righteousness that ever was in the world, is the righteousness of Christ. Indeed it was infinitely the most excellent righteousness that ever was wrought out by any servant of God in heaven or earth. It was the only righteousness properly so called, (i. e. agreeable to that grand and eternal rule of righteousness, the law of God,) that ever was among mankind, and the only righteousness by which any of mankind are accepted as righteous. And the greatest, strongest, and most convincing evidence of the reality, excellency, sufficiency, and completeness of this righteousness, was Christ’s going to the Father, and his being seen here no more in such a state as he was in when the disciples saw him here. God’s raising Christ from the dead, was a great testimony of God to the sufficiency and completeness of Christ’s righteousness; but his bestowing upon him so glorious a reward in heaven; God’s exalting him at his own right hand, far above all principalities, &c. and there admitting this high priest into that holy of holies, with his own blood, not merely to bow down before the throne in humble posture as the high priests of old, but to sit down on the throne, at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and so to be a priest on the throne, was a far more striking evidence of it.'

Thankfully our greatest sin has been imputed to Christ and his greatest righteousness has been imputed to us!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XXI - Mark and Luke

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:03:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[446] John i. 31. “And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel,” &c.'

My summary

Today we have notes from Edwards on Mark and Luke, which include comments about:

(i) demons;

(ii) spiritual gifts;

(iii) Christ's miracles;

(iv) hardness of heart;

(v) fasting;

(vi) the inheritance of the saints;

(vii) election;

(viii) the virgin Mary and Martha and Mary;

(ix) the calling of the Gentiles;

(x) the destruction of Jerusalem;

(xi) the geography of Jericho;

(xii) Christ's prayers in the garden.

What grabbed me

I really enjoyed the comments on Christ's prayers: 'When Christ prayed to be delivered from death, it was not as a private person, but as a common Head. His deliverance from death is virtually the deliverance of all the elect. Thus this High Priest (for he is spoken of as such in that place in Hebrews, see verse foregoing) offered up prayers and supplications with his sacrifice, as the Jews were wont to do. He mixed strong cryings and tears with his blood that was shed out, and fell down to the ground in his agony, praying that the effect and end of that blood might be obtained. Such earnest agonizing prayers were offered with his blood, and his infinitely precious and meritorious blood was offered with his prayers. How effectual must such prayers be! And how sure may those be of salvation that have an interest in those supplications!'

Oh, we can never thank Christ enough for his prayers!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XX - Matthew concluded

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 05:32:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[76] Mark i. 24. “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”'

My summary

The largest note today is on Matthew Chapter 24. Edwards teaches that Christ's prophecy of the great tribulation is fulfilled in the literal Jerusalem but also in the church.

But we also hear from Matthew about:

(i) Judas' betrayal;

(ii) the tearing of the temple curtain;

(iii) Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb.

What grabbed me

I really enjoyed this comment: '[98] Matt. xxvii. 60. “And laid it in his own new tomb.” Christ was laid in a disciple’s grave; he suffered that death which belonged to us, and he was laid in our grave. He entered into the shade of death in our stead; he went down into that deep pit where we were to have gone. He had no sin of his own, so he had no death of his own: it was our sin, and our grave: it was a tomb hewed out of a rock. Our state of death and misery was such, that it would have been impossible for us to escape; for our prison that we are going to is strong as a solid rock.'

Yes, but death could not keep this prey, Jesus, my Saviour; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XIX - Matthew commenced

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 05:50:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Matt. i. 3. "And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.'

My summary

This week we start Edwards thoughts on verses from Matthew's gospel.

We hear about:

(i) the Gentiles in the church;

(ii) the trials Christians face;

(iii) the forgiveness of sins;

(iv) the resurrection of the dead;

(v) the glory of Christ;

(vi) the end of the world;

(vii) the ministers of the gospel;

(viii) the ascension of Christ;

(ix) the apostate church.

What grabbed me

I was struck by this comment on the constitution of the church: 'Matt. i. 3. “And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.” So it is remarked, in the 5th verse, that Salmon begat Booz of Rachab, and that Booz begat Obed of Ruth, and in the 6th verse, that David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah. All the mothers are not noted, but only those which were either harlots or Gentiles, except the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was a wife of a Gentile. These are taken notice of, because Christ’s descending from several harlots and Gentiles intimates unto us that all that are saved by Christ were sinners. That the church of Christ is made up wholly of such as were once sinners, that is, spiritual harlots, or adulterers and idolaters, thereby also typifying the calling of the Gentiles.'

That is what we once were, but now we are washed, sanctified and justified!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XVIII - Daniel and the Minor Prophets

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 08:01:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Matt. i. 3. "And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.'

My summary

This week we have Edwards thoughts on verses from Daniel, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Habbakuk, Zechariah and Malachi.

We hear about:

(i) the Son of Man;

(ii) the abomination of desolation;

(iii) God's judgements on the nations;

(iv) God's mercies;

(v) hell;

(vi) the birth of the Messiah;

(vii) the church's progress;

(viii) the coming of the Christ.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed these comments about the death of Christ: 'As the ship and company were saved by Jonah’s being cast into the waters, and his intended and supposed death, so was the church, which is several times typified by a ship saved by Christ, being cast into and overwhelmed by sorrows and troubles, which are represented by water, and by his death. Jonah being swallowed of a whale, or leviathan, represents Christ being as it were swallowed by him that hath the power of death, the devil, the spiritual leviathan; but however, it was but a means of Christ’s being under better advantages to come at his heart, and to give him the more mortal wound. The whale thought to have made a sweet feast of Jonah, but he found him a dreadful medicine, he was sick of him at the heart and vomited him up again. Vide Jer. li. 44. So the devil thought Christ was his food, but he proved not his meat, but his poison. The devil has deeply regretted putting Christ to death, since he has seen what the effect of it is. As Jonah was three days and three nights buried in the sea, so was Christ in his grave three days and three nights.'

God works all things for good, including Satan's schemes.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[292] Matt. xxiv. 21, 22, 23, 24,. &c. “For there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XVII - Jeremiah and Ezekiel

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 27 May 2022 06:51:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Dan. iii. 25. "And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."'

My summary

Today we read Edwards' comments on Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

We hear about:

(i) the elect;

(ii) the piety of the church;

(iii) the work of the Holy Spirit;

(iv) the testing of faith;

(v) the fear of God;

(vi) the wrath of God;

(vii) the church in gospel times;

(viii) the two covenants;

(ix) God's providence;

(x) the Trinity;

(xi) the last battle between the two kingdoms.

What grabbed me

I liked this application of the battle of Jericho: 'A further trial of the people’s faith was that all the men of war in going round the city were obliged to leave their camp and all their goods, and their wives and children, every day defenceless, as to any other guard but the divine protection.

This last observed is agreeable to God’s proceedings in the course of his providence, in the revolutions of the natural world, and in the revolutions of the world of mankind. Things only seem to go round and round, and return where they were before, as though no progress was made, until God’s time comes. But this is through the narrowness of our views. He that looks only on a wheel of a chariot, and sees nothing beyond it, will not see that it does any thing but go round, the same spoke rising and falling alternately to the same place. But he that looks beyond the wheel to the world around, may see the progress that is made continually to an appointed journey’s end.'

We may go round and round in life, but under God we are making progress.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Matt. i. 3. "And Judas begat Pharez and Zara of Thamar.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XVI - Isaiah

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 21 May 2022 08:28:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Jeremiah. i. 5, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee;'.

My summary

Today we read Edwards' comments on Isaiah.

We learn about God's:

(i) judgements;

(ii) salvation ;

(iii) church;

(iv) Christ;

(v) power;

(vi) kingdom.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed this description of Christ: 'And when Christ is said to be as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, the allusion is still to the deserts of Arabia. It is not said as the shadow of a tree, because in those vast deserts there are no trees; nothing for shade to protect travellers, but here and there a great rock. Christ is to the weary soul as the cool shadow of a great rock, or a steep rocky mountain, in the scorched deserts of Arabia.'

Amen!

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Rev. xvi. 18, 19, 20. It is said there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great; and the cities of the nations fell, and every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XV - Proverbs and Solomon's Song

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sun, 15 May 2022 20:44:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[242] Isa. vii. 17. “The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, even the king of Assyria.'

My summary

Today we read Edwards' comments on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Solomon's song.

We learn about:

(i) death;

(ii) burial;

(iii) Christ's marriage to the church.

What grabbed me

I liked how Edwards affirmed belief in the after-life in the Old Testament: '"There is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool.” Man’s reason naturally expects a future reward, and that all the good, that good and wise men have of their labour, should not be confined to this short life.'

A round about way of finding it, though.

Next week's reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Jeremiah. i. 5, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee;'.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XIV - Psalms

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Mon, 02 May 2022 09:08:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to 'Prov. iv. 23. “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” It is probable here is an allusion to the blood’s issuing from the heart.'

My summary

Today we read Edwards notes on the Psalms.

We hear about

(i) prophecy in the Psalms;

(ii) David's miracles;

(iii) the destroyer;

(iv) sacrifices;

(v) holiness of Christ;

(vi) the resurrection of Christ;

(vii) the thick cloud of Mount Sinai;

(viii) miracles in Egypt;

(ix) forty years in the wilderness;

(x) angels.

What grabbed me

I liked Edwards' comments on the work of angels: 'Psalm xci. 11. “He will give his angels charge concerning thee, and they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” As a father gives the elder children charge concerning the younger, to lead them and bear them up, and keep them from falling.'

God is most gracious.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XIII - 1 Samuel to Job

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 03:43:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [434] Concerning the Book of Psalms. That the penman of the Psalms did pretend to speak and write by the inspiration of the Spirit of God as much as the prophets when they wrote their prophecies, the following things do confirm...'

My summary

Today we read more of Edwards' notes, including those on:

(i) Hannah's song;

(ii) David's victories;

(iii) David's sin;

(iv) David's prophecies;

(v) David's census;

(vi) Solomon's marriages;

(vii) Solomon's buildings;

(viii) Elijah's miracles;

(ix) Ahaziah's reign;

(x) Amaziah's obedience;

(xi) Nehemiah and the Sabbath;

(xii) life of Esther;

(xiii) life of Job.

What grabbed me

I liked this analogy: '2 Kings vi. 6. “And he cut down a stick and cast it in thither, and the iron did swim.” The iron that sunk in the water represents the soul of man that is like iron, exceeding heavy with sin and guilt, and prone to sink down into destruction, and be overwhelmed with misery, which is often compared to deep waters. The stick of wood that was cast in, represents Christ, that was of a contrary nature, light, and tended not to sink, but to ascend in the water and swim; as Christ’s being of a divine and perfectly holy nature, though he might be plunged into affliction, and misery, and death, yet he naturally tended to ascend out of it, it was impossible he should be holden of it. Christ was plunged into woe and misery, and the death that we had deserved for ourselves, to bring us out of it. The stick when that rose brought up the iron with it; so Christ when he rose brings up believers with him; they are risen with Christ, that they may walk in newness of life. Christ is the first-fruits, afterwards they that are Christ’s; he rose again for our justification, and hath thereby begotten us again to a lively hope.'

The branch rose from the grave!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XII - Joshua, Judges, Ruth

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 08:26:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Joshua and Judges in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[92] 1 Sam. i. and ii. chapters. By Hannah’s song after the birth of Samuel, I am ready to think that Peninnah and Hannah were designed for types of the church of the Jews, and the church of the Gentiles.'

My summary

Today we read the notes on Joshua and Judges. We hear about:

(i) rebuilding of Jericho;

(ii) the sun and moon standing still;

(iii) Achan's sin;

(iv) Caleb's daughter;

(v) the battle with Sisera;

(vi) Gideon's fleece;

(vii) Jephthah's daughter;

(viii) Samson;

(ix) Ruth.

What grabbed me

I was interested to see that Edwards didn't believe Jephthah's daughter was sacrificed:

'And therefore when we have an account that after Jephthah’s daughter had been let alone two months, to go up and down the mountains with her companions to bewail her virginity, we are told that she returned to her father, who did to her according to his vow. That which Jephthah did was, that he took her up to the sanctuary before the Lord, and presented her before the priest, that he might estimate her, then paid according to her estimation. Thus the Jews that came out of the captivity vowed that they would offer the first-born of their sons. Neh. x. 35. Whereby she was redeemed from being made a burnt-sacrifice, according to the law; and by thus presenting her in the sanctuary, and offering up that which is accepted instead of her blood, she was actually separated according to the vow; her separation began from that time, and thenceforward she was to begin her strict abstinence from all legal impurities, and to spend her time in sacred offices; and it is probable that Jephthah thenceforward left her in the sanctuary, to dwell there as long as she lived, as Hannah did to her son Samuel, whom she had devoted to be a Nazarite. 1 Sam. i. 22. “I will not go up till the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever; and as the other Hannah, or Anna, did with herself after she had devoted herself to perpetual widowhood as a Nazarite, of whom we read, Luke ii. 37. “That she was a widow of fourscore years old, and departed not from the temple.” And there probably Jephthah’s daughter continued in supplications and prayers, night and day, for she was eminently disposed and prepared for such duties by that remarkable spirit of piety that appeared in her resignation, with respect to the vow her father had made concerning her, and what time she did not spend in duties of immediate devotion, she might spend in making of priests’ garments; Exod. xxxv. 25, 26. in other business subsequent to the work of the sanctuary, as there might be enough found that a woman might do.

II. The nature of the case will not allow us to suppose that that was done that was so horrid and so contrary to the mind and will of God, as putting of her to death, and offering her as a burnt-sacrifice.'

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - XI - Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 10:12:00 +0000

Required reading

Read Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [173] Josh. vi. 26. and 1 Kings xvi. 34. “And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho..."

My summary

Today we read the notes on Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. We hear about:

(i) pigeon sacrifices;

(ii) the feast of tabernacles;

(iii) new moon festivals;

(iv) Moses wanting to be killed;

(v) prophecy;

(vi) the red heifer sacrifice;

(vii) swearing by God's name;

(viii) hanging on trees;

(ix) death on mountain tops.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the comments about mountains: Deut. xxxii. 50. “And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people.” God ordered that Aaron and Moses should go up to the tops of mountains to die, to signify that the death of godly men is but an entrance into a heavenly state. It is evident that heaven is sometimes typified by the tops of the mount by Heb. viii. 5. compared with xii. 22. So Christ was transfigured in the mount, and appeared in glory with both Old-Testament and New-Testament saints, and the glory of God in a cloud, to be a type of the heavenly state. Vide Note on Exod. xxiv. 18. No. 71.'

Not to mention that he was crucified on Calvary!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - X - Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 05:54:00 +0000

Required reading

Conclude Exodus Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [88] Levit. xii. 6. “She shall bring a young pigeon or a turtle dove;” which typifies repentance as well as love.

My summary

Today we continue Edwards' notes on Exodus, including his comments about:

(i) the altar;

(ii) the angel of the Lord;

(iii) the ark of God;

(iv) the show bread;

(v) the golden candlestick;

(vi) the altar of incense;

(vii) God showing Moses his glory.

What grabbed me

I liked the comment on God covering Moses with his hand: 'God covered him with his hand while he passed by, not only that he might not see more of the glory of God than he could bear, but also that his deformity and pollution might not be discovered, to bring on him destruction from the presence of that infinitely pure and holy God, and from the glory of that power that passed by. So in Jesus, God covers our deformity and pollution, he beholds not iniquity in Jacob, nor sees pollution in Israel; he turns away his eye from beholding our transgression; therefore it is that we are not consumed in our intercourse with God.'

It is only in Christ that we can see God and live.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - IX - Exodus continued

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:30:00 +0000

Required reading

Continue Exodus in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[112] Exod. xxiv. 18. “And Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.'

My summary

Today we continue Edwards' notes on Exodus, including his comments about:

(i) Pharaoh's heart;

(ii) Moses' rod;

(iii) leaven;

(iv) plundering the Egyptians;

(v) the pillar of cloud and fire;

(vi) water in the wilderness;

(vii) manna;

(viii) Moses on top of the hill;

(ix) Moses' altars;

(x) the angel of the Lord.

What grabbed me

I was helped by this comment about hard hearts: 'After this, when God’s hand pressed Pharaoh, and he was exercised with fears of God’s future wrath, he entertained some thoughts of letting the people go, and promised he would do it; but from time to time he broke his promises when he saw there was respite. So sinners are often wont to do under convictions of conscience and fears of wrath; they have many thoughts of parting with their sins; but there is never a divorce actually made between them and their lusts; it is common for sinners when under affliction and threatening dispensations of providence, to make promises of amendment, as in times of sore sickness, and when in danger of death and damnation, but soon to forget them when God’s hand is removed, and future damnation more out of sight.'

Sadly worldly sorrow over sin is all too common.

Next week's reading

Conclude Exodus in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [88] Levit. xii. 6. “She shall bring a young pigeon or a turtle dove;” which typifies repentance as well as love.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - VIII - Genesis continued and Exodus commenced

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 08:30:00 +0000

Required reading

Continue Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to '[390] Exod. v. to xiv. inclusive. Concerning Pharaoh’s hardness of heart and obstinacy in refusing to let the children of Israel go, and the manner of God’s dealing with him.'

My summary

Today we read the last of Edwards' notes on Genesis and begin the notes on Exodus, including notes about:

(i) Ishmael and Isaac;

(ii) Jacob;

(iii) Joseph;

(iv) Moses' childhood and call.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed the comparison of Moses in the ark and the church: 'Moses in the ark upon the waters is a type of the church. The church of God is like a babe, in infirmity and weakness, in helplessness of itself, and dependence upon a superior help, and in that the members of it are all in a spiritual sense become as little children. And it is like a babe upon the waters floating through all manner of changes, dangers, and troubles, and yet upheld and preserved in Christ the ark. He was especially a type of the church of the Jews in their oppressed condition in Egypt. It was a wonder they were not swallowed up by their enemies, and drowned and lost in their afflictions, and the multitude of their adversaries. Moses in the water and not drowned, is much such another type as the bush all in a flame and not burnt. He was also herein a type of every elect soul, who is naturally all overwhelmed in sin, and misery, and danger, and is redeemed or delivered, as Moses was taken out of the water.'

In Christ, we are safe upon the waters.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - VII - Genesis continued

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 04:33:00 +0000

Required reading

Continue Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [361] Gen. xxi. 10,11. "Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bond-woman and her son..."

My summary

Today we hear Edwards' reflections from Genesis, including about:

(i) the sons of Noah;

(ii) the building of Babel and the confusion of languages;

(iii) Lot's settlement;

(iv) Abraham's battles;

(v) Ishmael;

(vi) circumcision;

(vii) Isaac;

(viii) Sodom and Gomorrah;

(ix) Lot's wife.

What grabbed me

I liked the parallel between Abraham and Christ: 'Abraham in thus conquering the great kings and princes of the earth, and their united hosts, is a type of Christ and of the church. God seems to have granted this great victory to Abraham, as some earnest of those great blessings he had promised to him; the belief of which promises was attended with so much difficulty. Here was given some specimen of what Abraham’s promised seed should do, which includes Christ and his church. Abraham might well represent Christ, for Christ is Abraham’s seed, and he might well represent the church, for he was the father of the church, the father of all that believe, as the apostle testifies. And besides, Abraham and his household was then as it were God’s visible church; God had separated Abraham from the rest of the world to that end that his church might be continued in his family. And though there were as yet some other true worshippers of God, who were not of his family, yet soon after the church was confined to his posterity. This victory of Abraham was doubtless intended as a sign and earnest of the victory that Christ and his church should obtain over their enemies, and over the nations of the world; because God himself makes use of it to this purpose in the 41st. chap. of Isaiah.: “Keep silence before me, O islands, and let the people renew their strength; let them come near, then let them speak; let us come near together in judgment: who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? He gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. He pursued them and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.” It is not probable that this victory of Abraham would be spoken of in such lofty language, and in expressions so much like those that are elsewhere made use of to represent Christ’s glorious victories over the powers of earth and hell, if the one were not a type of the other. This victory of Abraham is in this place mentioned to that end, that the church, the seed of Abraham, might take it as a sign and evidence that they should not be subdued, but should subdue and conquer the world, as appears from what follows, ver. 8. “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.” Ver. 10, 11. “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish.” Ver. 15. “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument, having teeth, thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.”'

Christ and his seed will be victorious!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - VI - Genesis continued

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:02:00 +0000

Required reading

Continue Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [415] Gen. x. 1. These things are evidences that all mankind are originally from one head or fountain, and of one blood'.

My summary

Today we continue reading Edwards' notes on Genesis.

The reading looks at the dispersion and first settlement of the nations through the descendants of Noah.

What grabbed me

Interesting: 'Hence we conclude that the ancient inhabitants of Britain were descended from Gomer, for it is not to be questioned but that the isle was first peopled from those countries of the European continent which lie next to it, and consequently from Germany or Gaul. The name by which the offspring of those ancient Britons, the Welch, call themselves to this very day, is Kumro, or Cimro, and Kumri, and in like manner they call a Welch woman Kumraes, and their language, Humeraeg; and since the Saxons and Angles were Germans, who, as was before observed, were descendants of Gomer, and were near neighbours to the people that were more especially called Cimbri, hence it follows that our ancestors, who succeeded the old Britons, were also descended from Gomer.'

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - V - Genesis continued

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:26:00 +0000

Required reading

Continue Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [323] Gen. x. and xi. The dispersion and first settlement of the nations.

My summary

Today we continue reading Edwards' notes on Genesis, including on:

(i) Noah's name;

(ii) the evil of the Noahic period;

(iii) Noah's ark;

(iv) the animals of the ark;

(v) the sacrifice Noah offered;

(vi) the rainbow.

What grabbed me

I liked the comment on the connection between the ark and the church: 'The company in Noah’s Ark was upon many accounts a type of the church of Christ. The ark did literally contain in it the church of God, for all flesh had corrupted their way before God, and true religion and piety seemed to be confined to Noah and his family. The ark was made for the salvation of the church, and for the saving the church from the destruction which the world was to undergo, and to which it was doomed, and of which all the rest of mankind were to be the subjects in an overflowing deluge of God’s wrath. So Christ, God-man, mediator, was made for the salvation of his church, to save it from that destruction and woe that is denounced against this wicked world, and that deluge of wrath that will overwhelm all others. The way in which persons were saved by the ark, was by taking warning from Noah the preacher of righteousness to fly from the wrath to come, and hearkening to the call, and flying for refuge to the ark, and getting into the ark. So the way by which we are saved by Christ, is by flying from the deluge of God’s wrath, and taking refuge in Christ, and being in him.'

Christ is our ark!

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - IV - Genesis commenced

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:49:00 +0000

Required reading

Commence Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [323] Gen v. 29.

My summary

Today we start reading Edwards' notes on Genesis, including on:

(i) creation;

(ii) the tree of life;

(iii) the fall and Satan's temptations;

(iv) naming of Eve;

(v) Cain and Abel.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the comment about the effect of sin on prayer '[“If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.”] Not at Cain’s door, but at God’s door. His wicked doings lay, as it were, at the door of God’s temple, to prevent his admittance and acceptance with God: they stood as a partition-wall between God and him. Wicked men’s sins are a cloud which their prayers cannot pass through, and which hinders their offerings from being brought into the holy place: they are a thick veil before the door of the holiest of all, to hinder their access to God. 1 John iii. 21, 22. “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God, and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”'

The Lord's ears are attentive to the prayer of the righteous - a sobering thought.

Next week's reading

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

Notes on the Bible - Edwards - III - Pentateuch concluded

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Radford) — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 03:16:00 +0000

Required reading

Conclude Pentateuch in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here).

My summary

This week Edwards shows that the Pentateuch along with its record of historical events was universally accepted among the Jews, before the Babylonian and after the Babylonian captivity. It was even accepted by the Samaritans.

Edwards also makes some comments on the very few parts of the Pentateuch not written by Moses.

What grabbed me

I liked this comment from Edwards: 'It was impossible that this vast number of events, with so many circumstances, with names of persons and places, and minute incidents, should be so particularly and exactly known, and the knowledge of them so fully, and distinctly, and without confusion or loss, kept up for so many ages, and be so often mentioned in so particular a manner, without error or inconsistency through so many ages, without a written record. How soon does an oral tradition committed to a multitude vary, and put on a thousand shapes, and mix, and jumble, and grow into confusion! Here appears in fact to have been an exact consistent knowledge and memory of things kept up, and that shows that there was in fact a standing record; and the comparing of the records of the Pentateuch with these innumerable citations and references, shows that this was in fact that identical record.'

The Pentateuch is a reliable source of history.

Next week's reading

Commence Genesis in Notes on the Bible in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to [323] Gen v. 29.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.