Author: Charlie Garrett

Acts 10:18

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Settler painting. Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. Acts 10:18

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The last verse had the men who were sent from Cornelius arriving at the gate of Simon’s house. With that, the next words are given. The NKJV doesn’t do a great job in its translation of the verbs in this verse. Therefore, the BLB will be used. Notice the difference –

And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. NKJV
And having called out, they were asking if Simon who is called Peter is lodged here. BLB

With that noted, the verse begins with, “And having called out.” Those who had arrived at the gate had called out. In their having called out, a response was obviously received, either from a window or from someone directly coming out to them. Either way, Luke has the reader involved in the action that is ongoing because he next notes, “they were asking.”

The verb is imperfect, giving the sense of continuance. In this case, it probably isn’t, “They asked and continued to ask,” as if the people inside didn’t understand the first time. Rather, it is probably, “They asked and were waiting for a response.” That sense of continuance is then explained in the coming verse where Peter will gather himself from his pondering about the vision. For now, the question they put forth was “if Simon who is called Peter is lodged here.”

Again, as in verse 10:5, both names are given. This is to ensure that the right Simon is summoned. The house belonged to Simon the tanner, and it would be normal for someone to come looking for him, maybe to get a hide tanned or to pick one up. And so, to avoid any confusion, the men were instructed to ask for Simon who is called Peter.

Along with this, the certainty that the correct Simon is summoned will also be confirmed by the Spirit speaking to Peter in the next verse. Everything about the account is precisely stated, and the verbs are carefully used by Luke to give us an intimate look into the events as they occur.

Life application: Why is Peter being summoned when it is Paul who is the apostle to the Gentiles? That doesn’t seem to make sense unless one takes in the whole account of what is going on. Like the Greek language, which is very precise, the overall narrative is also very precise.

There is a reason why Peter is called, and it is not to tell Cornelius that he has to wait for someone named Paul to show up and give him the Gentile gospel. It is because Peter’s gospel is the same gospel as Paul’s. Only the prime focus of Peter’s gospel is to the Jews. And yet, he wasn’t called only to the Jews. Likewise, Paul wasn’t called only to the Gentiles. Even the poorest of scholars can figure that out when taking things in the proper context.

Unfortunately, there are those who evaluate the word in an unscholarly manner. In this, they come to unfounded conclusions, ignoring the overall message and focusing on division rather than unity of thought. Despite this, the word must be rightly divided. It is a unified whole. Therefore, any division is for a logical analysis of Scripture, not to divide the overall message.

Be sure to keep things in context and be sure to avoid people who proclaim a false gospel, which is no gospel at all. Jews and Gentiles are saved in the exact same way – by faith in the finished work of Jesus and in nothing else.

Lord God how blessed we are to be saved in the simplest manner of all which is by faith in the finished work of Christ. Anything else would make it too complicated for most to understand. And even the simple gospel eludes so many. Help us to not add to or divide this precious offer of life, the gospel of our salvation. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 10:17

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Another painting under rotunda at the capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Tuesday, 13 September 2022

Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. Acts 10:17

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Peter’s vision ended in the previous verse with the object being taken up into heaven again. Luke next records, “Now while Peter wondered within himself.”

The word translated as “wondered” is stronger, meaning totally perplexed. This is the last of four times it is seen. Two of its other uses in Acts were in Acts 2:12 and Acts 5:24. HELPS Word Studies says it “refers to ‘one who goes through the whole list of possible ways, and finds no way out.’” In other words, Peter was perfectly perplexed as to “what this vision which he had seen meant.”

Because he is working it out in his mind, he may have thought it was just a delusion because he was overly hungry, or maybe he got too much sun on the roof, or maybe it really was a vison. If it was, then there must be some connection that he had not yet made.

The answer to his state of confusion was, literally, just about to knock on the door. The vision was real, and the Lord was going to tie it into the stream of events that were coming to pass at that moment. As it next says, “behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house.”

Here is a word found only this one time in Scripture, dierótaó, translated as “made inquiry.” It comes from dia (through) and erótaó (to ask). As such, one gets the sense of the men arriving at Joppa and then asking their way through the streets until they finally found the right house. Once that was ascertained, they came to it “and stood before the gate.”

The word “and” is not in the Greek. It simply shows the events as they took place –

“having made inquiry for the house of Simon, stood before the gate.”

Luke masterfully leaves the reader ready for the next action to take place, setting the actions of those sent from Cornelius to align perfectly with the ponderings of Peter. The timing of the events shows that God was in total control of the events that took place so that they would come to pass together at the same moment.

Life application: There are things that happen in life that we often call chance or coincidence. Or we may brush them off with the words, “What synchronicity!” But we often go no further. However, for those who know the Lord, such events can be looked at with a different view.

We can ascribe them to the working of God in our lives to bring about a good end in whatever matter we thought was, at first, total calamity. This doesn’t mean we should go looking for signs and ascribing goofy things like getting $7.77 change back at 7-11 to be a sign that the rapture will happen next Tuesday. There is a difference between seeing the Lord’s hand working out a good end for a certain matter and the type of thinking that is just plain goofy.

And more, the rapture is not dependent on events that occur in our lives, as if the Lord is using us as an instrument of His will to bring it about. That is a “me” centered theology and it is quite harmful.

On the other hand, if we have calamity today and suddenly something amazingly good replaces it, we can ascribe that to the Lord’s kind hand upon our affliction (think of Job 42), and praise Him for His tender care of us. That is a “Him” centered theology because it always ascribes events from the top down, not the bottom up.

Let us remember this. In such times, we have not erred by giving Him the glory, even if it was mere chance (if you believe in that). But in ascribing things in a bottom-up manner, when such events do not take place, you have erred. You have brought disgrace upon the name, and you have made yourself look foolish. In all things, and in all ways, glorify God, not yourself, for the events that take place in your life, whether good or bad. In the end, and because of Jesus Christ, good will ultimately come to pass.

Lord God, help us to not error in our thinking by making events that happen around us all about us. Rather, when we see the marvelous occur, may we rightly ascribe it to Your hand and be grateful for Your grace and mercy upon us. In all things, may we remember to glorify You above all else. Amen.

 

 

 

Acts 10:16

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Painting around rotunda. Capitol building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Monday, 12 September 2022

This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Acts 10:16

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse brought to Peter’s ears the voice from heaven, saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was in response to Peter’s balking at the voice concerning his dietary scruples. With that remembered, it now says, “This was done three times.”

The Greek includes a conjunction to begin the verse – “And this was done three times.” What was done is not specified, whether it was the presentation of the object like a sheet with all the animals, whether it was the command and Peter’s balking at it which was then followed by the Lord’s note of cleansing, or whether the entire process took place three times. The latter is probably the case, however.

If the entire process, including Peter’s balking at the Lord’s word, is what is referred to, the event is remarkably similar to Moses’ three protestations before the Lord in Exodus 3 and 4 –

The Lord’s directive: “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).

Moses’ protestations:

  • “Then Moses answered and said, ‘But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you’” (Exodus 4:1).
  • “Then Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue’” (Exodus 4:10).
  • But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send” (Exodus 4:13).

Moses was called to lead the people of Israel into the dispensation and observance of the law which included isolation from the Gentile world. Peter is being told he is to lead them out of the law observance and into fellowship with the Gentile world.

The three-fold repetition of the event is to ensure that Peter is fully aware that this has been decided and that it is the course that must be taken. The number three in Scripture “points us to what is real, essential, perfect, substantial, complete, and Divine” (Bullinger). This is a fitting description in all ways concerning what is now to occur. Peter is being pointed to God’s real, essential, perfect, substantial, complete, and Divine revelation concerning the grace of God in Christ. With this settled, it next says, “And the object was taken up into heaven again.”

The lesson has been taught, the message has been conveyed, and it has been given to Peter first to confirm a particular pattern that will be revealed before the chapter is complete. It is not to convey one gospel to the Jews and one to the Gentiles. Rather, it is to establish the matter that there is one gospel to both. Peter is the key to this particular revelation.

The Lord personally spoke to Peter in John 21, three times prompting him to tend to His sheep –

————————————

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:15-19

————————————

Now in Acts 10, Peter is beginning to find out that the sheep Jesus was referring to includes the Gentiles.

Life application: The matter of calling the supposedly unclean Gentiles to faith in the Lord is not merely speaking of the people. It is also referring to the ending of the dietary restrictions within the Law of Moses. How can we know this is absolutely the case? It is because anyone who had eaten something unclean under the law was considered defiled for a particular amount of time as defined by the law. But what will transpire in the coming verses will reveal that these “unclean Gentiles” are accepted by God without reference to the required timeframe set by the law.

As this is so, and the point will be explained again as Acts 10 continues, it demonstrates that the law was only a tutor for the people of Israel to understand their need for Jesus. Remember this as you interact with those who claim what is happening in Acts 10 only speaks of accepting the Gentiles, but it does not change adhering to the dietary laws set forth within the Law of Moses. In Christ’s New Covenant, there are no dietary restrictions. Nothing is unclean to those who understand the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. As Paul says of such things –

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Titus 1:15, 16

This is the lesson Peter is now learning. Don’t be like the Judaizers of the world! Understand that in Christ, the flesh counts for nothing. This is a temporary body that exists within a temporary system. God is not concerned about what goes into your stomach. He is watching our actions and reading our hearts as we live out our lives before Him.

Glorious God Almighty, You have set us free from the constraints of law so that we can worship You in Spirit and in truth. Help us to live out this freedom in holiness and in obedience to Your precious word. May we not fall back on a law that could save no one, but rather, help us to live for You according to the New Covenant set forth through the finished work of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joshua 6:1-16 (The Battle of Jericho, Part I)

Charlie Garrett Joshua (Written)

Amazing artwork by Doug Kallerson.

Joshua 6:1-16
The Battle of Jericho, Part I

While most of you were out having a fun day off on July the 4th of 2022, I got to sit in my chair in front of the computer and do my regular work – uninterrupted by vacation, sickness, or holiday. In fact, it’s certain I had more fun than all of you combined as I went through the verses.

People sped by on boats and jet skis, the smell of barbecue permeated the air, hanging heavily all-around Siesta Key, and Sergio attempted to entice me to join him at the north end of the island in a place he had rented for the day while he and Rhoda had visitors.

I blew him and all of the other temptations off, focused with laser concentration on the task set before me, and began typing about the coming destruction of Jericho. After an hour or so, I realized the parallel between the two events and sent a quick note to Sergio, saying, “I just realized. I am typing Joshua 6 and today is the 4th of July. They fit! Shout with a great shout at the victory of the Lord!”

America was established, undoubtedly and without question, by the victorious hand of the Lord. Our squandering of that blessing in no way negates the miraculous and divine intervention that was experienced by those who set out to make this an independent nation. After sending Sergio my message, I got something touching back from him that was penned by one of our great founding fathers –

“I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.” Samuel Adams

That hasn’t happened yet, but it probably isn’t far off…

Text Verse: “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:11-15

There is this theme that has been running through the Joshua sermons and which is based on what transpired at the end of Deuteronomy when Moses died. And, of course, that is based upon Israel’s transgression back in Numbers 14. Notice the progression of thought – circumcision, baptism, sins forgiven – it is all pictured so far in Joshua.

The law cannot bring anyone into the promise, except in Christ’s fulfillment of it. And because of His work, the promise is not only available, it will come to pass for all who come to God through Him. This truth continues to be seen in Joshua 6.

Although it is late afternoon on the 4th of July for me and I have not yet figured out what is going on in this chapter, things have become a bit clearer. I’ll keep talking to the Lord about it, and – hopefully – in a week or two the chapter will be finished, and it will all fit together.

For now, it is certain that we have a whole heap of verses to get through. For you, it’s sermon time. Joshua 6! Great things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. The Lord Speaks to Joshua (verses 1-5)

Chapter 5 ended with Joshua encountering the Commander of the Army of the Lord. As we noted then, that may not have been a chronological event, but simply a logical placement based on the surrounding text.

The text was clear that the events occurred “in Jericho.” If that is to be taken literally, then it would mean that it occurred after the attack began, while Joshua was in the midst of battle. Regardless of that, verse 1 of chapter 6 is now a statement of fact that sets the tone for what lies ahead.

Now Jericho was securely shut up

The words are emphatic: v’irikho sogereth u-m’sugereth – “And Jericho shutting up was closely shut up.” There is both the act of closing the city and then the continued closure of the city being detailed in the single thought.

With the spies having come into the city, and with the word that Joshua and the people of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground, it was a certain indication that a siege lay ahead for Jericho, the Place of Fragrance. As it says, the city was securely shut up…

1 (con’t) because of the children of Israel;

The word “because” is an explanatory paraphrase. Rather, it says: mip’ne bene Yisrael – “From faces sons Israel.” The people of Jericho were fully afraid of facing Israel, and so they shut themselves away and secured the gates with bars and bolts. They were in total siege mode, hiding from the faces of the sons of Israel. And…

1 (con’t) none went out, and none came in.

This signifies a state of siege. The crops would not be tended to, any flocks in the fields or herds would be abandoned, and anyone who had not entered before it was shut down would be told to travel on to another friendly city, but they would not be allowed in.

And more, those inside would be there for the duration. To lay siege to a city was often a lengthy, and thus costly, thing to carry out. As such, stores of food, a source of water, and time were the inhabitants’ best friends during a siege.

If the city inhabitants lasted until the invaders could no longer afford to stay and be slowly picked off, the city would survive. If not, exile, death, or total subordination was normally the result of being overrun. With this understood, the narrative now turns to Israel’s side of things…

2 And the Lord said to Joshua:

The Lord addresses Joshua. Because of this, it is deemed by pretty much every scholar that verse 6:1 is parenthetical and that the closing of chapter 5 and the opening of chapter 6 are referring to the same conversation –

“Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so. … (Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.) … And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.’”

I disagree. The two accounts are completely separate. Chapter 5’s conclusion was an encounter with the eternal Christ, Jesus, revealing Himself to Joshua at a certain point in the narrative which is not necessarily chronological (5:13-15).

Chapter 6 opens with a simple statement of fact concerning Jericho (6:1), and then it takes up the narrative concerning Israel after their circumcision (5:2), observance of the Passover, and the ending of the manna (5:12).

As such, the same formula is followed as has been seen repeatedly throughout the first five chapters. The Lord speaks to Joshua, Joshua repeats the command to the people, and then the command is carried out by the people under Joshua’s direction. The passage then ends with a statement of closure.

In this case, it will be verse 6:27, “So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.” But here, the Lord’s introductory words are…

2 (con’t) “See! I have given Jericho into your hand,

The aspect of the verb is perfect – “I have given.” It is a statement of surety and completion. Joshua only needs to enter into the process and the Lord will see it through to its end. With that, the Lord describes the scope of the grant…

2 (con’t) its king, and the mighty men of valor.

malkah gibore he’khayil – “king – mighties the valor.” It is a way of saying that the king and all of his most powerful men have already been defeated before the Lord. Again, Joshua simply needs to enter into the process, and it will come to pass. Next come the explicit instructions…

3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war;

v’sabotem eth ha’ir kol anshe ha’milkhamah – “And go around the city all men the war.” It would be an unusual and notable display for Jericho to behold. There is no hint of attacking, just men of war going around the city. That is further described as…

3 (con’t) you shall go all around the city once.

haqeph eth ha’ir paam ekhat – “circling the city stroke one.” The word I translate as “circling” is different than the previous clause. They are to go around, thus making a full circuit. The word paam signifies a stroke, as if on an anvil. It is thus something that marks out time. As unusual as this is, it is all the more unusual because that is all they were to do. Jericho would be mystified. And more…

3 (con’t) This you shall do six days.

Each day for six days, the exact same thing was to be done. Nothing is said of Sabbath observance. As such, it could be that the words are inclusive of a Sabbath, or the command ignores a Sabbath.

Jewish writers, who are generally not to be trusted, say the city fell on a Sabbath day. It seems highly unlikely that the Lord would have them purposefully break the Sabbath by carrying things, walking great distances, and engaging in battle.

In speculation, I would go with the idea that the words are inclusive of a Sabbath. Nothing says they are six consecutive days. They circled the city six times, but on the Sabbath, they observed the day and then resumed the circling the next day. It would be hard to imagine they simply ignored the Sabbath. Either way…

4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark.

v’shivah kohanim yisu shivah shofroth ha’yov’lim lipne ha’aron – “And seven priests shall bear seven shofars the Jubilees before the ark.” These are not the khatsotsroth keseph, or the silver trumpets, of Numbers 10 that were to be used for signaling during war.

Rather, these are shofars first seen at the giving of the Ten Commandments, and which were mandated to be blown at the time of the Jubilee in Leviticus 25. Psalm 81 shows that they are blown at the New Moon festivals and on the full moon during the solemn feast, meaning Passover and/or Tabernacles.

They are also blown at numerous other times throughout the Old Testament. The word comes from shafar, meaning comely or beautiful. One can think of the shape of a ram’s horn like that of a woman due to its curves.

These shofars are then described as ha’yov’lim, or “the Jubilees.” The word yovel comes from yaval, to conduct or bear along, and that will explain what these are picturing. Because the shofar is affixed to yovel, or “Jubilee,” it is telling us that this is a time of proclaiming liberty for the land. Those who possess it will be dispossessed. Jericho is the beginning of that event.

4 (con’t) But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times,

u-b’yom ha’sheviy tasovu eth ha’ir sheva peamim – “and in day the seven you shall go around the city seven strokes.” The meaning is obvious. Unlike the first six days, they are to walk around the city seven full times. All the while…

4 (con’t) and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

v’ha’kohanim yitqeu ba’shofaroth – “And the priests shall blow in the shofars.” With the change from the first six days, the inhabitants of Jericho would know, without any doubt, that the battle was imminent. But they will have no way of expecting what was coming…

5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn,

v’hayah bimsok b’qeren ha’yovel – “And it shall be in the prolongation in horn the Jubilee.” This is the signal for the events to really begin. There was to be a long blast. The word “horn” is singular even though the word “they” is plural. As such, it would be a terror to the people within, and it would be a sound of confirmation of the miracle of the Lord that was about to occur…

5 (con’t) and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout;

b’sham’akhem eth qol ha’shofar yariu kal ha’am t’ruah gedolah – “in hearing you (pl) voice the shofar shall shout all the people acclamation whopping!” The word t’ruah signifies a great clamor, an acclamation, a battle cry, rejoicing, etc. The idea is that of victory even before the battle has begun.

One could think of our use of “hurrah” (oohrah, hoo-rah, huzzah, booyah) in shouting out victory. It is an acknowledgment that the victory is secured, and without a doubt it is the victory of the Lord.

5 (con’t) then the wall of the city will fall down flat.

v’naphelah khomath ha’ir takhteha – “And shall fall wall the city under it.” No battering ram was needed. Rather, the description is very precise. The wall will simply collapse from below leaving the city entirely exposed.

It can be assumed that this was not the entire wall of the city. Rahab’s house was on the wall and yet they were unharmed. Further, unless Israel completely encircled the city, people could escape in the areas where it was not surrounded. As such, it seems certain that the walls came down where Israel was and in a manner that would allow them to pour in and utterly destroy all life within. With this in mind, it says…

5 (con’t) And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

v’alu ha’am ish negdo – “And will ascend the people man opposite him.” Wherever the soldiers were, the wall would be sufficiently razed to allow them to ascend directly opposite to where each was. Each could rush straight in.

As many soldiers of Jericho would certainly have been stationed along the wall, they would have been crushed along with the collapse and the soldiers would be able to rush in completely unopposed.

The city is under siege, and none go out or in
While we prepare for that great and awesome day
Soon our battle plan will begin
And then the enemy we shall slay

As we march forward, those armed go first according to the word
And then the priests set out as the shofars they blow
Following them are the priests and the ark of the Lord
Making a circuit around the doomed city of Jericho

With us is the Lord our God! We cannot fail
Nothing can stop our destruction of the city – Jericho
We shall attack and we shall assail
And on to victory over the enemy, we shall go

II. Joshua Speaks to the People (verses 6-11)

6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests

They are words of immediate compliance. The Lord spoke and now Joshua speaks: va’yiqra Yehoshua bin nun el ha’kohanim – “And called Joshua son Nun unto the priests.”

Joshua is mentioned eleven times in this chapter, and yet he is only called by his father’s name this once. The name Joshua means, “The Lord is Salvation,” and Nun signifies to propagate or increase. He now calls the priests…

6 (con’t) and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant,

va’yomer alehem seu eth aron ha’b’rith – “And said unto them, ‘Lift to you ark the covenant.” Notice that the designation is changed from “the ark” to “the ark of the covenant.” The priests are to lift it up…

6 (con’t) and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.”

v’shivah kohanim yisu shivah shofroth yov’lim liphne aron Yehovah – “and seven priests shall bear seven shofars Jubilees before ark Yehovah.” Now the designation is changed again to read “ark Yehovah.” When the Lord spoke, He simply called it the “ark.” Joshua is conveying the words of the Lord, but he is stating each thing in the manner in which the situation demands.

7 And he said to the people,

The written Hebrew says: va’yomeru el ha’am – “And they said unto the people.” Joshua gave direction to the priests, and then it can be assumed that the priests instructed the people to…

7 (con’t) “Proceed, and march around the city,

For consistency, I would say, “Pass on, and go around the city.” Assuming it is the priests bearing the ark that are giving this instruction, they are telling the people to pass on before them and begin the process which will last for seven days. They then say…

7 (con’t) and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.”

v’he’khaluts yaavor liph’ne aron Yehovah – “and the drawings off shall pass on before ark Yehovah.” The “drawings off” signifies those who have been drawn off for battle, and thus they are armed.

They are to pass on before the priests who are bearing the ark in the procession as it goes around the city. Now, from the command of the Lord to the command from Joshua comes the immediate compliance and fulfillment of the word…

8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people,

v’hi k’emor Yehoshua el ha’am – “And it was according to say Joshua unto the people.” Joshua spoke to the priests, the priests told the people to pass on before them, and now according to the words of Joshua unto the people…

8 (con’t) that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets,

v’shivah ha’kohanim nos’im shivah shofroth ha’yov’lim liph’ne Yehovah av’ru v’taq’u ba’shofaroth – “And seven the priests bearers seven shofars the Jubilees before Yehovah passed on and blew in the shofars.” Everything is occurring in a specific order. The armed passed on first. From there, the trumpet blowers pass on. Next…

8 (con’t) and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.

v’aron b’rith Yehovah holekh akharehem – “and ark covenant Yehovah went after them.” Everything is being done with military precision. One thing follows directly after another according to a set plan. And again, the order is next restated…

9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets,

The words essentially repeat the thought already expressed. Those who were drawn off, meaning who are armed, were first and they were then followed by the priests who blew the shofars. However, the next words are extremely complicated…

9 (con’t) and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.

v’hamaseph holekh akhare ha’aron halokh v’taqoa ba’shofaroth – “and the gathering went after the ark, going on and blowing in the trumpets.” It is unsure what “the gathering” is. It is a verb. Despite this, most translations turn it into a noun and say, “rear guard.”

The same general thought is found several more times, such as in 1 Samuel 29:2 –

“And the lords of the Philistines passed in review by hundreds and by thousands, but David and his men passed in review at the rear with Achish.”

It is also seen in Isaiah 52:12 where many translations again say, “rear guard.” Young’s goes with “gathering” –

“For not in haste do ye go out, Yea, with flight ye go not on, For going before you is Jehovah, And gathering you is the God of Israel!” (YLT)

Some speculate that this is, in fact, a rear guard. But that seems unlikely. It could be people that wanted to participate in the march but were not a part of the battle. It could be those who carried supplies of weapons, bandages, and other needed items for the soldiers who went into battle.

Again, the same thought is used in Isaiah 58:8 –

“Then broken up as the dawn is thy light, And thy health in haste springeth up, Gone before thee hath thy righteousness, The honour of Jehovah doth gather thee.” (YLT)

10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”

The translation is close enough and the meaning is obvious. Joshua has strictly forbidden any type of noise at all. This is to be a completely quiet procession with the exception of the blowing of the shofars by the priests.

Only when Joshua gives the command were the people to shout and then they were to really let go. But until then the only sound was to be the noise of acclamation proceeding from the shofars.

11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once.

The verb is not causative. Rather than “he had the ark,” it says: va’yashev aron Yehovah eth ha’ir haqeph paam ekhat – “And went around ark Yehovah the city, circling stroke one.” The words are very precise. Even though the people performed their duties as instructed, the attention is on the ark…

11 (con’t) Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

That was it for the day’s activity, exactly as the Lord has said to Joshua, and exactly as he then conveyed to the people. One thing to wonder about is whether Rahab’s family had all gathered together each day, anticipating the battle to begin. Depending on the number of them, could they all stay in her house? If not, all would have dispersed each day after the procession left, probably repeating this seven times.

Nothing is said, but it is something to be curious about. With the words of this verse complete, the next verses reexplain the process that occurred for the next day…

Listen to the sound of the shofar blow
It is telling us that the Lord is on our side
Here we are circling around Jericho
Ready to be an overflowing tide

Once a day, six times in all
We get up and circle around Jericho
Waiting for the day when down comes the wall
At the sound of the long shofar blow

One step at a time and around we go
Six days we do it and then back to the camp we head
But on the seventh day, we have a surprise for Jericho
On that day, we shall face the city and march straight ahead

III. Seven Days (verses 12-16)

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.

The note of rising early in the morning is probably anticipating the seventh day. Each day the same pattern would be followed, but because of what occurs on the seventh day, it was necessary to set the pattern as being early in the morning from the beginning.

As such, Joshua rose early, ensured everyone was awake and ready, and then the priests would bear the ark of the Lord. Once it was readied…

13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord

v’shivah ha’kohanim nos’im shivah shofroth ha’yov’lim liph’ne aron Yehovah – “And seven the priests bearers seven shofars the Jubilees before ark Yehovah.” The order is reversed in the details even though it is the same order as always. The ark follows the priests with the shofars who…

13 (con’t) went on continually and blew with the trumpets.

It is a sort of superlative concerning their blowing: hol’khim halokh v’taq’u ba’shofaroth – “goings going on and blew in the trumpets.” It gives the sense of nonstop blowing as they continue around the city. Despite the silence of the people, this was by no means a solemn silent procession.

It would have been a most disturbing sound to those within the city as the wails of the trumpets continually rose and fell with the breath of the priests…

13 (con’t) And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord,

More precisely, it reads, “And the drawn off went before them and the gathering went after ark Yehovah.” It is the same order as always despite having been referred to in reverse – 1) the armed men, 2) the seven priests with the shofars, 3) the priests bearing the ark, and 4) the gathering. And again, it notes…

13 (con’t) while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.

The words are very similar to those of verse 9. They give the sense of the entire procession simply moving forward and the sound of the trumpets unceasingly accompanying the movement: holekh v’taqoa ba’shofaroth – “going on and blowing in the trumpets.”

14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp.

v’yashovu eth ha’ir ba’yom ha’sheni paam akhat – “And went around the city in the day the second stroke one.” It is a confirmation that as the Lord had instructed, so the people did. And more…

14 (con’t) So they did six days.

koh asu shesheth yamim – “Thus they have done six days.” Exactly as instructed, so they did. Again, as noted earlier, nothing here indicates that they failed to observe a Sabbath. Several possibilities seem to exist. The first is that the days are not all joined together, and the Sabbath was observed at some point, such as: Day 1 march, day 2 march, Sabbath, Day 3 march, and so on.

Or, the Lord gave them a waiver to the Sabbath law, which I noted above seems unlikely. Or it could be that the distance walked was not considered a violation of the Sabbath and the priests bearing the ark as a priestly duty is not considered a violation according to both the law and Jesus’ note concerning it –

“Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?” Matthew 12:5

The problem is that the soldiers carrying their weapons would not be exempted without a waiver. I would go with the first option, but others argue different views.

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early,

The events of the seventh day are the reason for rising early each day. What will happen on the seventh day necessitates rising early in order to have enough sunlight to accomplish the tasks set before them. And so…

15 (con’t) about the dawning of the day,

ka’aloth ha’shakhar – “according to rising of the dawn.” It is very early, in fact…

15 (con’t) and marched around the city seven times in the same manner.

It says ka’mishpat ha’zeh – “according to the judgment, the this.” In other words, it was determined that they should go early each day, and that is because of the necessity on the seventh day. It was set forth as an ordinance by the Lord in verse 4 that on the seventh day, they were to go around the city seven times. The other days anticipated this seventh day ordinance by going early each day.

15 (con’t) On that day only they marched around the city seven times.

There is an emphasis in the words: raq ba’yom hahu shavevu eth ha’ir sheva peamim – “Only in the day the this they went around the city seven strokes.” The point is not that Israel marched around Jericho thirteen times. The point is that they marched around Jericho six times once and once seven times.

16 And the seventh time it happened,

v’hi ba’paam ha’shevit – “And it came to pass in the stroke the seventh.” Each circuit of the city was as if an anvil had been struck. On the striking of the seventh, events began to take place quickly. It was…

16 (con’t) when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people:

taq’u ha’kohanim ba’shofaroth va’yomer Yehoshua el ha’am – “blew the priests in the shofars and said Joshua unto the people.” This would have been the long blast mentioned in verse 5, and it probably would have scared the living daylights out of everyone in the city.

Not only had the city been circled seven times, telling them that today was the day, but now, instead of a continuous sounding of the shofars, there is a long and prolongated sounding of them. There would be no doubt that this was the moment they had dreaded.

Hearts would have seized in the old, terror would have seized the young, and horror would have seized anyone else with a modicum of sense in his head. But that sudden and ghastly sensation would be overcome by one even worse within mere moments. After the command of Joshua was obeyed…

*16 (fin) “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!

hariu ki nathan Yehovah lakhem eth ha’ir – “Shout! For has given Yehovah to you the city!” It is completely unknown how many people surrounded the city each day or on the seventh day, but even one-tenth of the capable fighting men would be sixty thousand.

And it could be well less than that, but supposing only twenty thousand were drawn off for the battle, the sound of the shout would have paralyzed every person in the city with abject fear.

And more than that came something that would have been so terrifying that there would not be a breath of hope left in anyone within the city except Rahab and those with her, as will be seen when we continue the passage next week.

For now, let us consider that Jericho was destroyed because it was a part of a nation of people that had completely departed from what God expects of His creatures. He did it on a global scale in Genesis 6, and He has continued to remove miscreant nations and peoples since then.

The Bible says that He will do it on a global scale again someday. That is probably not too far off. Isaiah says that He will make man more rare than fine gold (Isaiah 13:12). People who keep track of such things say that there will be eight billion people on earth in just a few months, probably in November.

Imagine the magnitude of the carnage if even a billion survive. The people of the US are just like the people of the rest of the world. We have left behind our Christian heritage, and we are actively fighting against it. Will there be another 4th of July celebration? Time will tell, but every year, we are a bit closer to the end.

The people of Canaan had their chance and blew it. The battle against Jericho is the first part of the destruction to come. But in the midst of it, there was salvation. And before the coming global catastrophe, there is salvation and escape from what lies ahead still available.

I hope you would make the right choice and consider the holiness of God. We cannot stand before such greatness on our own merit. But God has made a way for us to do so – on His merit. Come to Jesus Christ who makes this possible.

Closing Verse: “If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid?
If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?” Amos 3:6

Next Week: Joshua 6:17-27 The city has got to go; yes, it is true… (The Battle of Jericho, Part II) (12th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His people rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Battle of Jericho, Part I

Now Jericho was securely shut up
Because of the children of Israel
None went out, and none came in
That was pretty much it in a nutshell

And the LORD said to Joshua:
“See! I have given Jericho into your hand
Its king, and the mighty men of valor
None will be able to make a stand

“You shall march around the city
All you men of war
You shall go all around the city once
This you shall do six days, once and nothing more

“And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets
Of rams’ horns, before the ark they shall go
But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times
And the priests shall the trumpets blow

“It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast
——-with the ram’s horn
And when you hear the trumpet’s sound
That all the people shall shout with a great shout
Then the wall of the city will fall down flat all around

“And the people up they shall go
Every man straight before him, not running to and fro”

Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them
“Take up the ark of the covenant, according to my word
And let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns
Before the ark of the LORD”

And he said to the people
“Proceed, and march around the city, hear now my word
And let him who is armed advance
Before the ark of the LORD”

So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people
That the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of
———-rams’ horns before the LORD
Advanced and blew the trumpets
And the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them rearward

The armed men went before the priests
Who blew the trumpets as they were going
And the rear guard came after the ark
While the priests continued the trumpet blowing

Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying
“You shall not shout or make your voice ring out
Nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth
Until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout!”

So he had the ark of the LORD
Circle the city, going once around
Then they came into the camp and lodged
This was not the day for the battle sound

And Joshua rose early in the morning
And the priests took up the ark of the LORD, so they did do
Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns
Before the ark of the LORD went on continually
———-and with the trumpets blew

And the armed men went before them
But the rear guard came after the ark of the LORD
While the priests continued blowing the trumpets
All according to the spoken word

And the second day they marched around the city once
Such were their ways
And returned to the camp
So they did six days

But it came to pass on the seventh day
That they rose early, about the dawning of the day
———-surely with that yawning sound
And marched around the city seven times in the same manner
On that day only, the city they seven times marched around

And the seventh time it happened
When the priests blew the trumpets, as instructed to do
That Joshua said to the people
“Shout, for the LORD has given the city to you!”

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to You for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” 7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.”

8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. 9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” 11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!

 

 

Acts 10:15

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Another painting under the dome, capitol building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sunday, 11 September 2022

And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10:15

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Peter replied to the voice from heaven, saying, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” With that, it next says, “And a voice spoke to him again the second time.”

The translation is correct. There is no definite article before “voice.” But also, there is no verb and so the action must be supplied. It literally reads, “And a voice again for a second time to him.” It is not unlike the account of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 –

————————————–

And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9-13

————————————–

The Lord has a way of clearing the mind of biases, presuppositions, fears, anxieties, and so on by repeating Himself in order to make a point. In the case of Peter, he spoke out a directive, Peter balked at what was said, and now a voice from heaven comes forth a second time, saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

Peter will have to consider what is said, and he will. But what is being referred to is more than just the eating of meat, even if the eating of meat is a part of what is being conveyed. The object like a sheet descended from heaven. Hence, God has sent it. The animals are God’s creatures, and their disposition is up to Him. That was clearly revealed to Noah in Genesis 9 when Noah was told that every moving thing that lives shall be food for man.

Nothing is stated about impurity, and thus all animals were considered clean according to consumption. But something happened at the giving of the law. The Lord directed that certain animals were to be considered unclean. And so, the question must be asked, “What made the animals unclean?” If they were clean for consumption until the giving of the law, then it was the law itself that made them unclean.

This is true with sin. Until the law was given, sin could not be imputed. But when the law was given, Paul says, “sin revived and I died” (Romans 7:9). He says also, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). No person since Noah has ever been imputed sin for eating a particular animal except those of the nation of Israel. This is because only the nation of Israel was given the law.

Now, God has said to Peter that such animals are cleansed. The question then must be asked, “For who?” They were not cleansed for the Chinese. The Chinese had no law from God declaring them unclean. The same is true with all nations, except Israel. Therefore, it is for Israel that God has cleansed them through the fulfilling and annulling of the law. As such, Peter is told that he must not call them unclean. Of this, Vincent’s Word Studies clarifies the matter –

“The thought goes deeper than merely styling ‘common.’ Lit., do not thou defile. Do not profane it by regarding and calling it common. Rev., ‘make not thou common.’”

The point is, and it is obvious, that if the law made these unclean, and that they are not to be considered unclean any longer, then the law is no longer in effect for Peter. He has come to Christ, and in him (meaning Peter), the law no longer has the power to make the animals unclean. Therefore, what God has declared to him as acceptable, he is to no longer proclaim unclean.

This cannot be considered the case for those of Israel who have not come to Christ. They are bound to the Law of Moses until they come to Him. Therefore, the law is their standard and it is the gauge by which they will be judged. For Peter, he is no longer under the law, and therefore he cannot be judged by the precepts of the law. As this is so, he is not to then use the precepts of the law to make his own judgments concerning the matters contained in the law. In doing so, he then calls unclean things that are considered clean by God.

Life application: It is the law by which God declared foods unclean. In Christ’s fulfillment of the law, He has brought the law to an end for all who believe. Therefore, to call something unclean according to the standard of the law for something that is not unclean under the New Covenant is to then 1) call into question the efficacy of the work of Christ; 2) reintroduce the law as a means of personal justification; and 3) bring the curse of the law back upon oneself (for a Jew) or upon oneself (for a Gentile) when a precept of the law is violated.

Using circumcision as a benchmark for the entire law, Paul says –

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:1-4

The question for all people is, “Where do you want to hang your hat?” You can trust in the law and be judged by the law, meaning every single precept found in the law, or you can trust in Christ’s fulfillment of the law and be freed from the law. This was one purpose of the law. It was to show us what God expects in order to be right with Him. In seeing the enormity of the burden the law carries, it was to then lead us to Jesus.

Hence, to say that we will live according to the law’s standard is to claim a self-righteousness equal to God. It is self-deceiving and it can only lead to condemnation. To trust in Jesus is to trust in God’s provision, thus giving all glory to God, not to self. Be wise, be discerning, and be ready to both enjoy the foods God has given us and also to not judge those who eat something we may find unpalatable according to a standard that does not exist –

“Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.” Romans 14:20

Trust in Christ’s finished work and, please, pass the bacon.

Lord God, thank You for the freedom we possess because of Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us to never set an obstacle between ourselves and You by assuming we can be “holier” than Jesus by accomplishing deeds of the law. Instead, may we find our holiness and perfection before the law in His fulfillment of it. To Your glory. Amen.