BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 12:15

Saturday, 2 August 2025
 
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matthew 12:15
 
“And Jesus, having known, He withdrew thence. And they followed Him, great crowds. And He cured them all” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the Pharisees, not happy with Jesus having healed on the Sabbath, went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Matthew next records, “And Jesus, having known, He withdrew thence.”
 
Of His withdrawal, Mark adds in the words –
 
“But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea.” Mark 3:7Matthew 3:7
 
Staying where these Pharisees were would only be like rubbing salt on an open wound. There was no reason to stay and have them further challenge Him at this point. He knew His time had not yet arrived, and so He put distance between Himself and them, going to a location where He could still openly speak to the people.
 
This is perfectly in accord with His words to the disciples from Matthew 10:23, which say, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another.” Understanding this, it next says, “And they followed Him, great crowds.”
 
Mark explains the crowds, saying, “And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.” Mark 3:7, 8
 
Therefore, His withdrawal was not in hiding. Rather, it was just to get away from the annoying Pharisees who plotted against Him. With crowds following Him, they would not dare do something to harm Him lest the crowds turn on them. Matthew’s next words say, “And He cured them all.”
 
Matthew returns immediately to the thought of Jesus’ healing of others. This is what got the Pharisees in a huff. Their analysis of the law did not allow them to see the logic of Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath.
 
Jesus, however, knew that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, His works were not opposed to Sabbath observance. Rather, they were in accord with it, just as when the priests profaned the Sabbath and yet were guiltless.
 
Life application: One of the beautiful aspects of being in Christ is what it says in Paul’s epistles. First, he writes –
 
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14
 
Because of this state of grace, Paul further says –
 
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19
 
When we, as saved believers, do wrong, God does not impute our sin to us. If He did, we would lose our salvation. As we all do wrong quite often in one way or another, no person would remain saved. But God has placed us under a state of grace where we are free from condemnation.
 
This is the doctrine of grace. When a person is saved, he is saved forever. His state will never revert to being unsaved. A vast swath of Christianity, however, cannot stomach this truth. They fail to understand what the word grace means. Therefore, they incorrectly teach that one can, in fact, lose his salvation.
 
That is not grace. That is a continuing state of works. However, these same people, not accepting that they are wrong in their theology, will then accuse those who rightly understand that salvation is eternal, of teaching that it is ok to sin. To them, this must be the case because anyone who would teach eternal salvation must, by default, think it is ok to sin.
 
This isn’t even close to reality. Paul, who teaches the doctrine of eternal salvation, continues in his very next words after Romans 6:14, saying –
 
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” Romans 6:15
 
No reasonable thinking Christian would ever assume that being saved means we can willingly sin. If he understands a thing about the judgment seat of Christ, he knows that his eternal rewards are based on NOT SINNING as well as living out lives of faith, because people of faith will do their best to not sin but instead be pleasing to God.
 
This in no way diminishes the doctrine of eternal salvation. Rather, it exalts God, whose word instructs this doctrine. He has done everything necessary for the believer to be saved and to remain saved forever, despite himself. Such people understand what grace means and are eternally grateful for it.
 
Lord God, Your grace is seen in how You have saved Your people and then how You have continued to save them, despite themselves. Each of us is living in a body of sin, knowing we were and remain unworthy before You, but You give more grace. Thank You for Your tender, loving care of Your people. Amen.

Matthew 12:14

Friday, 1 August 2025
 
Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Matthew 12:14
 
“And the Pharisees, they took counsel against Him, having gone out, how they might kill Him” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the man with the withered hand to stretch it out. When he did, it was completely restored. With that complete, it next says, “And the Pharisees, they took counsel against Him.”
 
There is a new word, sumboulion. It is derived from sumboulos, a counselor or advisor. Thus, it signifies advisement, especially that derived from a deliberative body. They were miffed at Jesus for having healed on the Sabbath, and they were certainly still stinging from not being able to accuse Him for the conduct of His disciples as they walked in the grainfields. They had no valid excuse to condemn Him.
 
His handling of the word was appropriate, and His logic concerning the circumstances in relation to it was impeccable. Despite this, they had presuppositions and biases running through their minds. They couldn’t let go of their thoughts about Jesus and His actions on the Sabbath. Therefore, they took counsel against Him, “having gone out, how they might kill Him.”
 
This cannot be based on a precept from the law. If it were, they would have presented charges against Him and let the determining counsel decide His fate. But it was apparent that His response to their accusations adequately defended Him. As such, and because they didn’t like how things were going, their counsel was more of a plot to kill than a legal means of pursuing execution.
 
If they can trap Him in His words or manipulate the circumstances to have Him done away with, this is what they will do.
 
Life application: The Pharisees were so blinded by their own presuppositions about things that they could not see logic or reason, and they could not accept a different interpretation of the word, even if it was in accord with God’s intent.
 
In a review of the New Testament epistles, it becomes perfectly apparent that Sabbath observance is no longer required for those in the church. It is stated directly in several ways, and it is implied in many more.
 
Despite this, when a clear presentation of what these epistles say is shown to a Sabbatarian, he may deny that the words say what they say. This condition, known as cognitive dissonance, can be almost impossible to overcome.
 
In fact, when a challenge is presented to someone’s beliefs about a matter, even when it is correct, a state of enmity arises in the mind of the person who is being challenged. He may stomp away in a huff, say vile things to the person who has challenged his belief system, or he may even become violent, even to the point of death, over the matter.
 
This is where the Pharisees mentioned in Matthew were in their minds. Jesus gave examples directly from Scripture concerning the matter in the grainfield. He gave impeccable logic to those in the synagogue concerning the healing of the man’s withered hand.
 
But more, Jesus simply spoke the words, “Stretch out your hand,” and the hand was healed. There is nothing to be found in Scripture about speaking on the Sabbath Day. The Pharisees could not bring accusations against Him for that! Because of this, they determined that having Jesus killed was preferable to a proper interpretation of Scripture.
 
When we think we know it all, we will normally find out that we are wrong. This is especially true with proper biblical interpretation. No matter how well we know a particular doctrine, there are almost always things we have not considered in relation to it.
 
It is always good to put aside presuppositions and acknowledge that our understanding of a matter is probably imperfect. Having humility in our exchanges with others is, therefore, something we should display. Let us be reasonable as we discuss theology with others. Even if we are correct in our interpretation, we can present our side with respect and courtesy.
 
Lord God, give us patience with others as we consider Your word and debate what the intent in it is concerning its various doctrines. Help us to be open to understanding why others believe as they do. Even if we are right in our thoughts, may we be willing to patiently and kindly instruct others. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Matthew 12:13

Thursday, 31 July 2025
 
Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Matthew 12:13
 
“Then He says to the man, ‘You outstretch your hand.’ And he outstretched it, and it reconstituted, healthy as the other” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Therefore, how much man – he excels a sheep! So too, it permits – the Sabbaths – to do good.” Having said this, He now turns His attention to the man with the withered hand. Matthew notes, “Then He says to the man, ‘You outstretch your hand.’”
 
The account says nothing of healing prior to the command. One might think He would say, “Give Me your hand and let Me help you,” or something similar. Instead, right in front of the Pharisees who had questioned Him about the appropriateness of healing on the Sabbath, He spoke the word of authority.
 
In His speaking, He expected that the man would comply. From there, the man could have said, “I can’t, the hand hasn’t worked for twenty-five years.” Instead, however, Matthew next records, “And he outstretched it.”
 
At this point, one might expect him to have extended his arm with the hand withered and useless, saying, “Well, if You want me to, here You go. If You can do something, please do it.” Instead, Matthew immediately records, “and it reconstituted.”
 
It is a new word, apokathistémi. It is derived from apo, from, and kathistémi, to place down, such as putting someone in charge of something. As such, it would be a restoration back to the original standing of something. There is a separation from the previous, negative state to what lies ahead, meaning the restoration.
 
In this case, the man’s hand was once lively and active. For whatever reason, it became atrophied, desiccated, and useless. But with the mere spoken word from Jesus, the vitality it once had was restored, and the hand was reconstituted, just as “healthy as the other.”
 
Hooray for Jesus! The man must have been astonished at the feeling of life, power, and ability in a hand that was thought to be forever useless. With nothing more than a spoken command, he could go back to a life of tending to chores, holding his wife’s hand, and raising his arms in thanks to the God of Israel for His tender care of His people.
 
Life application: Imagine having an arm that is like a dried-up piece of wood or legs that hang down, dead and unusable. There would never be a day when you would say, “I can’t wait to do such,” and so because you would know that it wasn’t within the realm of possibility to do it.
 
You would simply accept your limitations and remember what it was like when you could do the things you can no longer do. Eventually, you will die, and that will be the end of it.
 
Now consider that because of Jesus, whatever is afflicting you will someday no longer exist. Think of what it says in Revelation 21:4 –
 
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
 
The man’s withered hand was suddenly completely whole. Assuming this lasted until his death, he would remember the event with a sense of joyful amazement all his days. Someday, we will enter into a new phase of existence that we cannot even imagine now.
 
This is the marvel of what God in Christ has done. What was lost at the beginning was tragic, but what has been gained on the way to glory actually makes all of the tragedy of this life worth it. This is because we will have something that we otherwise never would have known or been able to grasp.
 
We now have Jesus. Someday, we will have the results of what Jesus did for us in their fullness. We will remember this life, consider the change, and be able to forever appreciate the difference. This man’s restored hand is only a small taste of what lies ahead. And all God asks us to do to receive it is to believe the good news of Jesus Christ.
 
Let us thank God. Through faithful obedience to the word, a lifeless hand was restored. Through faithful obedience to the gospel, the dead shall rise, and together with them, those who are His at the Lord’s coming will be reunited with their Creator forever. Faith. Have faith in God’s word.
 
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Romans 10:8-13
 
Lord God, we have heard the word and we believe it. Thank You for the good news that has been presented to us. We are saved by the precious blood of Christ, not by anything we have done. What a wonderful thing to consider. Praise to You, O God, forever and ever. Amen.
 

Matthew 12:12

Wednesday, 30 July 2025
 
Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:12
 
“Therefore, how much man – he excels a sheep! So too, it permits – the Sabbaths – to do good” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus asked the Pharisees what a man would do if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on a Sabbath. Wouldn’t he lay hold of it and draw it out? The question demanded a positive answer. As such, He continues with, “Therefore, how much man – he excels a sheep!”
 
Certainly coming at this from both angles, Jesus notes the intrinsic value of a man over a sheep. The sheep could be rescued on a Sabbath, and so how much more should a man be rescued?
 
At the same time, a man would profane the Sabbath to rescue a sheep on the Sabbath, meaning he had the inherent right to do this good deed on the Sabbath by rescuing it, but the man with the withered hand was denied this ability to rescue his one lamb (supposing he had one that fell into a pit).
 
As this was a right man should be able to exercise, then it is fitting that he should be healed so that he, too, could follow through with such a necessity. Either way, the answer to healing on a Sabbath, according to Jesus’ logic, is, “So too, it permits – the Sabbaths – to do good.”
 
Jesus calls this good. In other words, His example is clearly one of someone doing something that others could consider work. Going down into a pit and pulling out a lamb is a physically demanding proposition. Despite this, there is a benefit that results from it, for the lamb as well as for the owner of the lamb.
 
But this is only a proposition that may be played out in innumerable ways. The man has a withered hand, and he may need it for any imaginable thing that could arise on the Sabbath.
 
Likewise, he had a withered hand that needed rescue, simply out of human compassion. Therefore, the action of healing him, from both angles, serves a good purpose, despite the day of the week. As such, doing good on the Sabbath, including the healing of another, is an acceptable allowance for profaning the day.
 
Life application: In John 5, it says –
 
“For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.’” John 5:16, 17
 
There is no potential in God. He doesn’t change in any way. He is not bound by time or space. However, creation came from Him. When Jesus says that the Father has been working until now, it is because God is outside of time. In His creative effort, a creation which has existed and continues to exist, there must be something sustaining that creation.
 
This is God. It is explained in Colossians 1:17 where it says of the Son, “...in Him all things consist.” Again, in Hebrews 1:3, also referring to the Son, that He is “upholding all things by the word of His power.” These things can be said of the Son because He is a member of the Godhead. He is the One through whom these things come about.
 
For God to create, it signifies an eternal act. This doesn’t mean creation is eternal, but because what God does is from the eternal realm, as long as the creation exists, it is only so because God continues to sustain it.
 
The Sabbath was given based on creation –
 
“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11
 
Later, it notes the Sabbath was given based on redemption –
 
“And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15
 
However, the Sabbath observance was mandated after both of these things. Thus, the Sabbath was given as a commemorative act. As the creation fell and had to be restored through the work of Jesus, and as the redemption of Israel from Egypt only anticipated the greater work of redemption of man through the work of Jesus, then the Sabbath was also anticipatory of these works of Christ. Thus, it both commemorated and anticipated.
 
In His coming, we now have the substance rather than the shadow. Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer, and He is our Sabbath rest. Let us remember this and find our peace with God through what Jesus has done.
 
Because Jesus is God, what He has done is eternal in nature. God the Father is working through Him to this day, forever sustaining us and leading us back to Himself. In time, everything anticipated in Scripture will come to its fulfillment. Until then, let us rest in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Lord God, may we not fret about the future. The book is written, and for those who have come to You through Jesus, we have the certainty that everything will come out as it should. As this is so, may we find our rest in Jesus now, content that what is coming will come in its due time. Amen.
 

Matthew 12:11

Tuesday, 29 July 2025
 
Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Matthew 12:11
 
“And He said to them, ‘What man, he will be from you, who he will have one sheep, and if this, it should fall into a pit on the Sabbaths, not he will seize it and he will raise it?’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Matthew noted a man with a withered hand in the synagogue and that the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He now records, “And He said to them, ‘What man, he will be from you, who he will have one sheep.’”
 
In the original, the word sheep is singular, followed by the definitive word “one.” The meaning is clear. The man possesses a single sheep, not a few or many. As such, it is more precious to him than if he had a whole flock where one could be overlooked. In such a case, it may be that this sheep was specifically kept for the Passover.
 
Because of the nature of the situation, the sheep would be carefully tended to. However, things happen, even to well-tended sheep. Therefore, Jesus continues, saying, “and if this, it should fall into a pit.”
 
The word empiptó, to fall in, is introduced. Thus, it signifies being entrapped or overwhelmed with. The idea is that the sheep has fallen into a bothunos, a hole. It is another new word, signifying a hole in the ground.
 
The word is connected to the verb bathunó, to be deep, and the adjective bathus, deep. As such, this isn’t just a shallow hole, but a pit or cistern. It is a hole that has overwhelmed the sheep so that it cannot get out of it. With that understood, Jesus adds to the dilemma, saying it was “on the Sabbaths.”
 
The subject of the conversation is that of healing on the Sabbaths. There is a man right there among the Pharisees and Jesus who has a withered hand. Jesus is making a direct connection between the two.
 
It is true that the man has only one sheep, but the value of a sheep cannot be compared to a usable hand. And more, without a usable hand, the man probably could not lift the sheep out of the pit. Thus, there is a double dilemma, at least for him.
 
However, for anyone else, there is still the question concerning the sheep. What will the man do? Jesus says, “not he will seize it and he will raise it?”
 
The answer begs a positive response. Regardless of what is later recorded in the Talmud, and which very well may have been because of Jesus’ words here concerning this matter, His very wording indicates that the answer would be positive. Yes, they would seize it and raise it.
 
As this is true, Jesus will make a point concerning the man that will fully answer their question.
 
Life application: The comparison of Jesus’ words to Himself should not be overlooked. Jesus is called the Amnos tou Theou, the Lamb of God, in John 1:29. The word signifies a young sheep. Jesus was tried and crucified on a Friday, dying in the afternoon. The Bible specifically speaks of Him being interred quickly, before the Sabbath (such as in John 19:31).
 
Thus, He was essentially in a pit on the Sabbath. The common thinking at the time of Jesus was that someone with a sheep in a pit on the Sabbath would take hold of it and retrieve it, particularly if it was his one sheep. How much more if he needed it for the annual Passover!
 
This man, however, had a hand that would have precluded him from helping his sheep. Jesus, therefore, stands as a Substitute for man who cannot retrieve the sacrificial lamb. God the Father did not raise Jesus on the Sabbath. Instead, it says in Mark 16:9, “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week.”
 
All four gospels indicate this. The healing of the human condition, being lost in sin, was being dealt with by God through Jesus’ interment over the Sabbath, He being our Passover Lamb. The irony of Jesus’ words in Matthew concerning the raising of a lamb and its being connected to the healing of a man would be handled by God in the most magnificent way.
 
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11
 
Lord God, You gave Your only begotten Son for us. When we could not save ourselves, You sent Him to save us, not sparing Him who is of the greatest value of all. Thank You for Your goodness to us in the giving of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Matthew 12:10

Monday, 28 July 2025
 
And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him. Matthew 12:10
 
“And, you behold! Man, he is, having a withered hand. And they queried Him, saying, ‘If it permits, the Sabbaths, to cure?’ That they should accuse Him” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus was said to have gone into the synagogue where the Pharisees met. Now, while there, it says, “And, you behold! Man, he is, having a withered hand.”
 
Here is a new word, xéros. It is an adjective signifying arid. Thus, it can extend to earth, as opposed to water, dry land, a state of being withered, etc. In this case, the man’s hand was withered from some malady like muscle atrophy, nerve damage, or various genetic conditions or diseases. With his hand in this withered state, Matthew notes, “And they queried Him.”
 
Another new word is introduced, eperótaó, to inquire, seek after in questions, demand, desire (to know), etc. They are looking for an opportunity to determine His doctrine, probably having heard about His healings elsewhere. Therefore, they propose to Him a question, “saying, ‘If it permits, the Sabbaths, to cure?’”
 
The question is a general one that was probably brought up from time to time. Someone might get hurt, have an affliction or a disease that is flaring up, catch a cold, etc. The natural question might be, “Can we go to the doctor today?” or “Can we ask the neighbor for a bottle of Robitussin?”
 
That may seem silly to us, but there was always the constant fear of doing something that might violate the law or even violate someone’s interpretation of the law who had the authority to act against you. As in Islam today, one can see the “religious police” out looking for offenders of any supposed infraction.
 
Saying “Sabbaths” in the plural is a way of saying “on any Sabbath.” There were the weekly Sabbaths, but there were also other times when partial or total rest was expected of the people. They were to be aware of these things and act properly according to the set standards of law and culture. Understanding this, Matthew next notes, “That they should accuse Him.”
 
Another new word, katégoreó, is seen here. It signifies “to be a plaintiff.” As such, it would signify to charge some offense, accuse, object, etc. He had already silenced them on the matter of plucking grains and removing the kernel for eating.
 
This would have embarrassed them, and they are obviously looking for some other way to make an accusation against Him.
 
Life application: There are various groups of people who mandate Sabbath observance. This includes the Jews, Seventh Day Adventists, Hebrew Roots adherents, and others. Some base this on it being a point in the Law of Moses, and so it is a requirement for people today.
 
This is nonsense. The Law of Moses was only given to Israel. No other group of people was ever obligated to it. But even then, Jesus’ ministry included His fulfilling the Law of Moses. It is now obsolete (say it with me ob-so-lete). It is no longer binding on anyone who comes to Christ. They have entered into the New Covenant.
 
One of the claims by some is that the seventh day Sabbath is an eternal requirement, mandated by God at the beginning, and must always be required.
 
This is nonsense as well. There is no such prescription found in Scripture. All it says is –
 
“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3.
 
That is a statement of fact, but it prescribes nothing. If one reviews the wording of Exodus 16 as given in the Hebrew, it is apparent that before the law was given, the Sabbath was not observed. Only after the exodus from Egypt did it become a prescription for the people of Israel.
 
There is not a single word to indicate that anyone, from the time of Adam until after the exodus, ever observed a Sabbath. If it was something required for the people, that would be (and is) a glaring omission that should have been included for our understanding.
 
There is nothing to even suggest that the Sabbath applies to believers today. In fact, exactly the opposite is the case. The book of Hebrews speaks in detail about the Sabbath. It sums up the matter in Hebrews 4:3, saying, “For we who have believed do enter that rest.”
 
In other words, what the Sabbath day only anticipated is realized in Jesus Christ. When one believes in His completed work, he enters into what the Sabbath only pictured. This is made clear in Colossians 2:16, 17 –
 
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
 
All of these things, and so many more, were merely types and shadows of what Christ would come and do for us. Let us not get caught up in fanciful legalism that has no basis in reality. Rather, come to Christ, rest in Christ, and find your blessed state of contentment in Him alone.
 
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.” Romans 14:5, 6
 
Lord God, how grateful we are to You that we don’t have to worry about the religious police telling us our salvation is in question because we didn’t do this or that. What we did, meaning trusting in Jesus’ completed work, is sufficient to reconcile us to You, once and forever. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 12:9

Sunday, 27 July 2025
 
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. Matthew 12:9
 
“And having departed thence, He went into their synagogue” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told the Pharisees that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. Next, it says, “And having departed thence.”
 
There is no indication of time here. Jesus is in the fields with His disciples, and some Pharisees accosted Him over the supposed profaning of the Sabbath by the disciples. Jesus corrected their thinking, and now it says, using an aorist participle, that He departed thence, meaning from the grainfield. Without regard to time, it next says, “He went into their synagogue.”
 
The immediate assumption might be that He went into the synagogue of the Pharisees right after leaving the field. That is how both Matthew and Mark seem to present it. Mark says, “And again He entered into the synagogue...” Mark 3:1.
 
However, Mark doesn’t say He was in the synagogue earlier. So “again” could mean at any point without regard to time. Likewise, Matthew merely makes the point that He departed that area and, at some point, He entered their synagogue.
 
The reason for the analysis is that Luke says after the account in the grainfield, “Now it happened on another Sabbath...” when dealing with the same account to be addressed now.
 
Liberal scholars have a field day over this as if it is a contradiction. But neither Matthew nor Mark says it was the same day. That has to be assumed by the reader. For all we know, the Pharisees were from the next town north or from Jerusalem.
 
They watched Jesus, noted the disciples supposedly profaning the Sabbath, had their back and forth with Jesus, and left. Jesus then left. On another Sabbath, Jesus, wanting to continue to highlight their incorrect thinking, decided to go to their synagogue, knowing He would have an opportunity to interact with them.
 
Just because someone claims there is a contradiction in the narrative, it doesn’t mean there is.
 
Life application: The gospels are written at times in a topical fashion. At other times, there are chronological indicators that tell what happened in a particular sequence. This is common to innumerable accounts that have been recorded in human history.
 
And yet, quite often, people who claim to be Christian will spend an inordinate amount of time trying to prove the Bible is inaccurate or contradictory. If they would spend as much time trying to think through why things are the way they are instead of picking apart what is recorded, they would look a lot less foolish on the day they stand before the Lord.
 
It’s a lesson for all of us. Not understanding something doesn’t mean it is wrong. A bit more humility and a lot less arrogance is always a good thing as we live our lives before God. Let each of us endeavor to exalt the word, speak of its power and ability to convert the soul, and share its good news with others.
 
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
 
Lord God, what a precious word You have given us. Give us wisdom in understanding its contents, and give us the desire and ability to share what it says with others. Help us to exalt Your word because it is from You. May we never treat it with anything but the highest esteem. Thank You for Your word, which reveals Your heart to us. Amen.

Matthew 12:8

Saturday, 26 July 2025
 
For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:8
 
“For Lord, He is – even of the Sabbath – the Son of Man” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus cited Hosea 6:6 to support His stand against the Pharisees. That verse said, “For mercy I inclined, and not sacrifice” (CG). With that in mind, He next says, “For Lord, He is.”
 
The reference is not yet stated, but the intent of the words is that the One spoken of is in a position of authority. As such, what He determines concerning the scope of His lordship is acceptable because it is at His disposal. In this case, the lordship extends to “even of the Sabbath.”
 
Some source texts omit the word kai, even. But based on His words of a previous verse, it seems the word is appropriate. This is because Jesus is referring to Himself. That is seen in the final words of the verse where He identifies the referent, saying, “the Son of Man.”
 
Some interpret this to mean man in general. Ezekiel was called the son of man numerous times in his book. If this were the case, it would make the Sabbath, one of the Ten Commandments, subservient to all men for any reason. If this were so, and because it is a part of the Decalogue, that authority would, by default, extend to all of the Ten Commandments.
 
Rather, Jesus repeatedly uses the term Son of Man when referring to Himself. It would be an outlier for Him to use it in a different manner here. Instead, He is referring to Himself and stating an a fortiori argument.
 
The showbread was reserved for the priests, but David’s needs stood above the reserved use for the bread, demonstrating that the needs of the man prevailed. Likewise, the Sabbath was proclaimed as seemingly inviolable for the people, and yet some of the people profaned it and were not held guilty. Thus, the needs of the temple were greater than the prescription for the Sabbath.
 
But Jesus said in verse 12:6, “And I say to you that the temple – greater, it is here.” Therefore, if the needs of the temple were greater than the prescription set forth in the Sabbath, and Jesus’ body was greater than the temple, then His needs, by default, were greater than the Sabbath, because He is Lord even of the Sabbath.
 
It is once again a claim to deity. The temple was set forth to serve the Lord. The priests were there to minister to the Lord. If Jesus is the Lord even of the Sabbath because He is greater than the temple, He must be God incarnate.
 
This is especially certain because of His citation of Hosea 6:6, “For mercy I inclined, and not sacrifice.” The words refer to interaction with the Lord, not with others. The word mercy refers to a state of “loyalty to God’s covenant” (HELPS Word Studies).
 
Jesus placed Himself in the position of receiving this loyalty to the covenant. His Father was working (John 5:17) to maintain the covenant. Jesus, the Son of Man, is the instrument through whom this was being worked out. Israel should have seen this and responded with the covenant loyalty toward Him that He deserved. This extended to the fact that He is Lord, even of the Sabbath.
 
Jesus’ claim to deity is on full display as He continues His ministry to Israel, fulfilling the covenant set forth by God and accepted by the people at the foot of Mount Sinai.
 
Life application: The Sabbath was a set standard of the Law of Moses. It was mandated for the people of Israel to observe as part of the covenant law. This covenant was cut with Israel alone. No other group of people was ever required to observe a Sabbath.
 
In Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, the prescription no longer applies because the law is fulfilled and annulled. Hebrews 4:3 says to the people, “For we who have believed do enter that rest.” The state of rest that the Sabbath only anticipated is realized through belief in Christ.
 
To mandate a Sabbath day as a supposed requirement for salvation or continued salvation is thus heretical. Such a teaching anathematizes the Seventh Day Adventists, the Hebrew Roots adherents, and other sects and cults who hold to this view.
 
They have set aside grace. They are attempting to earn what God has already granted through the giving of His Son. Paul clearly defines this heretical thinking in Romans and Colossians –
 
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.” Romans 14:5, 6
 
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Colossians 2:16, 17
 
If you want to observe a particular day to the Lord, that is up to you. If you are doing it because someone has told you your salvation is dependent on your observance of it, you have fallen from grace because you are trusting in your own merits for salvation. Think! Be wise and don’t be pulled into the trap of legalism and supposed self-merit for salvation.
 
Lord God, thank You for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have done it all through Him. We are the recipients of His wonderful workings. May we never set aside this blessing of grace. Rather, may we rest in it and be joyful for it all our days. Amen.

Matthew 12:7

Friday, 25 July 2025
 
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. Matthew 12:7
 
“And if you had known what it is, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ not you condemned the guiltless” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that a greater than the temple was there. Based on that, He next says to the Pharisees, “And if you had known what it is.”
 
The Pharisees had spoken a word of implied condemnation toward Jesus because His disciples were eating. They brought in the precept of Sabbath observance to support their view. Jesus returned words from the same law, showing that there was a valid precedent both for the allowance for food, even if it was otherwise inappropriate to procure, and the allowance for some to profane the Sabbath and not be held guiltless.
 
Having stated these things, He prepares to now demonstrate that not only had they missed these points in their interpretation of the situation, but that they had overlooked the basis for such allowances in relation to what His disciples were doing. He does this with the words, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
 
Here, He cites Hosea 6:6, “For mercy I inclined, and not sacrifice” (CG). In using the word khaphets, to incline, it is as if the Lord leans in favor of something, as if He is inclining in that direction. As such, it signifies He desires that in favor of something else.
 
Therefore, the Lord looks more favorably upon mercy than mere rote sacrifice. Even if the law demanded a sacrifice to be made, the action spoke nothing concerning the state of the heart. A person could go to the temple, perform the mandatory sacrifice, and walk away completely uncaring about the sin which the sacrifice was intended to cover. It is exactly this attitude that brought the Lord to say to the people –
 
“Hear the word of the Lord,You rulers of Sodom;Give ear to the law of our God,You people of Gomorrah:11 ‘To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?’Says the Lord.‘I have had enough of burnt offerings of ramsAnd the fat of fed cattle.I do not delight in the blood of bulls,Or of lambs or goats.12 “When you come to appear before Me,Who has required this from your hand,To trample My courts?13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;Incense is an abomination to Me.The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.14 Your New Moons and your appointed feastsMy soul hates;They are a trouble to Me,I am weary of bearing them.15 When you spread out your hands,I will hide My eyes from you;Even though you make many prayers,I will not hear.Your hands are full of blood.”’” Isaiah 1:10-15
 
The people came to the Lord, doing the things required by the law, but they had no heart for the Lord or for doing what was morally right. It is this same attitude that these Pharisees were presenting toward Jesus and His disciples. Jesus, however, says that if they understood the words of the Lord through Hosea, then “not you condemned the guiltless.”
 
In verse 12:5, the word anaitios, guiltless, was introduced. This is now the second and last use of it in Scripture. It signifies one who is not causing guilt. The reason for this is that even if the law set forth a particular command, it had to be considered in the greater scope of the intent of the law.
 
In Isaiah, the people of Israel performed the things of the law in their sacrifices, offerings, and observances, but they failed to have a heart for what those things signified. Therefore, they were not at all in compliance with the law. Jesus and His disciples had needs. They met those needs in accordance with the implied allowances of the law. The Pharisees had not done so.
 
Life application: The problem with people who still demand law observance is the exact problem that Jesus addresses in this verse. They are sticklers about external conduct while not caring about the Lord who came and fulfilled the law for them. This is obviously so because they continue to demand that people do things that are no longer required.
 
In Israel, the people demanded that external observances be conducted, but they never took the time to consider why those things were to be conducted in the first place. With each passing funeral, they never stopped to consider the words of the law that say –
 
“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:5
 
They might stand around the grave and say, “We will miss Schlimy. He was truly a righteous man.” But this would be untrue. If Schlimy were truly righteous before the law, he would not be plopped into the grave. He would still be alive. The people never considered why Schlimy was dead.
 
They saw him making sacrifices and doing all the supposedly pious things that the law demanded. And yet, here they were at his graveside complimenting him for his righteously lived life, which was insufficient to keep him from dying.
 
When Jesus came, He did fulfill the things of the law. He was crucified for the sins of others, and He rose again in a demonstration that He was, in fact, righteous before the law. And yet, the people of Israel collectively rejected this and continued down the same path they had followed since their first national transgression at the foot of Mount Sinai.
 
Every person, Jew or Gentile, who demands that precepts of the law be fulfilled by us today is following in that same unrighteous path. They are placing shadow over substance while rejecting the work of Jesus, which culminated in the resurrection, the very proof that He is righteous because He is God.
 
Pay heed. Don’t be like Schlimy and others who trust in deeds of the law to make God happy. Instead, trust in the merits of Jesus Christ. Only what He has done can deliver you safely into the wonderful promise of total restoration with God. Through Jesus, we have peace with Him once again.
 
Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have total restoration with You. Great are You, O God. Amen.

Matthew 12:6

Thursday, 24 July 2025
 
Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. Matthew 12:6
 
“And I say to you that the temple – greater, it is here” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus provided the Pharisees with an example from the law concerning the priests profaning the Sabbath. Despite this, they were considered blameless. Now, based on His two examples of David and the priests, He says, “And I say to you that the temple – greater, it is here.
 
The adjective is neuter. Because of this, it is debated if Christ is speaking of His body as being greater than the temple in Jerusalem or the labors of His disciples as being more important than the labors of the priests at the temple. He referred to His body as a temple in John 2 –
 
“So the Jews answered and said to Him, ‘What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?’19 Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’20 Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.” John 2:18-22
 
The same neuter adjective is used in verses 41 & 42 in comparison to Jonah (based on his proclamation) and Solomon (based on his wisdom).
 
As for the truth Jesus conveys, in His first example to the Pharisees, David’s needs were greater than the rules for the temple. In the second example, the requirement to serve the Lord on the Sabbath was greater than the mandate to observe the Sabbath.
 
Jesus, claiming that His body is greater than the temple, thus allows the disciples to serve Him on the Sabbath. Further, in serving Him, their needs, like the priests at the temple, also need to be met.
 
Therefore, if His claim is true, then there has been no infraction. The precedent for the lesser has already been set in Scripture itself. Therefore, the allowance for the greater must be granted.
 
Life application: In the case of the temple, the superiority of Jesus’ body then determines the superiority of the disciples’ rights. In the case of Jonah, the superiority of who Jesus is determines that His proclamation is greater. In the case of Solomon, the superiority of Jesus’ person determines that His wisdom is greater.
 
The greatness of Jesus means that what He does and says is greater than each of those things done or said by those He is contrasted with. The temple is the place for serving the Lord. Jonah’s proclamation is a transmission of the word of the Lord. Solomon’s wisdom was bestowed by the Lord (1 Kings 3:12).
 
Claiming to be greater than these things is thus an implicit claim to being the Lord. This is an undeniable point. There is no intermediate point between the Lord and any of these things. Therefore, it must be that Jesus is proclaiming He is the Lord from whom those things issue.
 
There are sects and cults that deny that Jesus is God. A proper evaluation of what Jesus claims and what is stated about Him, however, demonstrates that this view is not in accord with Scripture. In fact, Jesus’ words concerning Himself would be the epitome of blasphemy if He were not the Lord.
 
Even if we don’t fully grasp the deity of Jesus, we should accept that it is what the Bible proclaims. Be on the lookout for those who deny it. Jesus’ dual nature is the key point upon which Scripture rests. God Himself united with human flesh. If this is not the case, there is no hope for humanity. Trust this fundamental point, believing that it is so.
 
O God, help us in our times of weakness or misunderstanding concerning the doctrines set forth in Scripture. May we be careful to accept them, even if we do not fully understand them. In time and through study, we can solidify our thinking in them. Until that happens, help us to trust, by faith, the things the Bible clearly proclaims. Amen.

Matthew 12:5

Wednesday, 23 July 2025
 
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
 
“Or not you read in the law that, the Sabbaths, the priests in the temple the Sabbath profane, and they are guiltless?” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the showbread being given to David though it was intended only for the priests. He now continues with the same general idea as He refutes the claims of the Pharisees, saying, “Or not you read.”
 
This contains a new word, anaginóskó, to read. It signifies “to know again.” In other words, when one reads, he is reminded of something that he may have forgotten. Thus, in reading, one refreshes his mind concerning what is written down.
 
In this case, it is something read, “in the law.” The Pharisees claimed Jesus did something unlawful in regard to eating on the Sabbath. He first addressed David’s need to eat and how it had a priority that even transcended the intent of the law concerning the showbread.
 
He now returns to the law to specifically address the Pharisees’ main issue with what the disciples (and thus by extension, He as well) were doing. In order to make His case complete, He continues, saying, “that, the Sabbaths.”
 
The plural is used to refer to the repetitive nature of the appointment, coming each week on the seventh day. On any and all Sabbaths, this point will hold true. His point is that “the priests in the temple the Sabbath profane.”
 
The profaning of the Sabbath by the priests is found on several occasions in the law. For example, sacrifices were to be presented every day of the week, one of several examples says –
 
“And on the Sabbath day two lambs in their first year, without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, with its drink offering— 10 this is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering.” Numbers 28:9, 10
 
The consecration of Aaron and his sons was held over at least one Sabbath as well –
 
“Thus you shall do to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Seven days you shall consecrate them.” Exodus 29:35
 
Despite these things, Jesus says, “and they are guiltless?”
 
This is a second new word, anaitios. It is derived from the negative particle a (not) and aitios, an adjective signifying “causative.” As such, it signifies one who is not causing guilt. What can be inferred is that if a priest were not on duty, he would be required to observe the Sabbath, but if he was on duty, he would not be so required.
 
Further, if called to duty on the Sabbath, they would be held guiltless. This is seen in the record of the ill-fated end of the wicked queen Athaliah -
 
“‘This is what you shall do: One-third of you entering on the Sabbath, of the priests and the Levites, shall be keeping watch over the doors; 5 one-third shall be at the king’s house; and one-third at the Gate of the Foundation. All the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord. 6 But let no one come into the house of the Lord except the priests and those of the Levites who serve. They may go in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord. 7 And the Levites shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.’8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each man took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going off duty on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed the divisions.” 2 Chronicles 23:4-8
 
The law says, “Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 31:15). Despite this, profaning of the Sabbath by the priests in the course of their duties does not apply. As this is true, like the account with David and the bread, there is a greater standard that takes precedence over mandates of the law.
 
Life application: The word anaginóskó signifies “to know again.” Why do you suppose the Greek language uses such a word to describe the process of reading? The main reason is obvious. When we see, hear, or experience something, even when reading about it, we will eventually have the matter fade from our minds.
 
It may be that what we read will get confused with other things we have read, thus incorrect cross connections will result. Considering that the Bible is comprised of sixty-six books that are formed out of one thousand one hundred and eighty-nine chapters, it is a given that we will not be able to remember everything we have read.
 
But even if one is a savant who could somehow remember everything he read, there is no way he could make all of the necessary connections within the book that exist when attempting to understand how things fit together.
 
With our fading memories and with our inability to make all the connections we should on the first, fifth, tenth, or fiftieth time through, it becomes obvious why we need to constantly read the Bible. If we want to more fully understand what God is telling us and why, we must read and reread His word.
 
And because almost nobody is a savant who can remember everything he has ever read, it is a given that our memories will quickly fade concerning the content of the word. By the time we reach Revelation, we have jumbled up or forgotten the vast majority of what the previous sixty-five books have said.
 
If you want to have a right knowledge and clear remembrance of the word, you must continue to read it, all the days of your life. Please do this.
 
O God, help us to be responsible as we read Your word, reminding ourselves daily of what it records as we pick it up and read it. If we don’t do this, the memory of its contents will fade, and our close connection to You will also begin to fade. May this never be so! May our hearts be constantly geared towards You as we enter into the pages of Your precious word. Amen.

Matthew 12:4

Tuesday, 22 July 2025
 
how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Matthew 12:4
 
“How he entered into the house of God and the bread ‘the before-setting’ they ate, which not it is being permitted him to eat, nor those with him, if not the priests only?” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus questioned the Pharisees as to whether they remembered what Scripture said in regard to David. He continues with that now with the words, “How he entered into the house of God.”
 
This account was cited in the previous verse commentary. The tabernacle was located at Nob, where Ahimelek the priest was. David went into an area designated for the priests only. Also, the words of Jesus continue with, “and the bread ‘the before-setting’ they ate.”
 
The word prothesis, before-setting, is introduced. It is used at this time when referring to the consecrated bread set before the Lord in the tabernacle (and later the temple). However, the word is not limited to this. It is a word that can speak of a set purpose, such as that used in Romans 8:28 –
 
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose [prothesis].”
 
In Matthew, the “before-setting” refers to the showbread set before the Lord. The Hebrew literally reads “bread, faces,” which signifies the bread of the Presence first mentioned in Exodus 25:30. Of this bread, Jesus continues with, “which not it is being permitted him to eat.”
 
This is stated explicitly in Leviticus 24 –
 
“Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. 6 Arrange them in two stacks, six in each stack, on the table of pure gold before the Lord. 7 By each stack put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the Lord. 8 This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. 9 It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the Lord.” Leviticus 24:5-9
 
The law says that the bread belonged to Aaron and his sons. It further defines where it could be eaten. There is no legal provision to allow the priest to give this bread to David, “nor those with him, if not the priests only?”
 
Understanding this, the Pharisees, who had used a precept from the law, had an account from Israel’s history presented to them which refers to violations of the law. And yet, the Bible remains silent on the event other than noting that it occurred.
 
In other words, there is a positive command in the ceremonial laws for the priests to eat the bread in the sanctuary, just as there is a positive command concerning the Pharisees’ accusation concerning the Sabbath. Despite these, there is an underlying allowance on display in the account of David when the needs of man must be met.
 
To condemn Jesus means that these men would have to, in turn, condemn David, the hero of God and a man after the Lord’s own heart. But how could they? The word concerning David contained no word of condemnation.
 
The two accounts, that of what David and his men did, and the example of Jesus with his disciples, are on a one-to-one footing. The Pharisees, therefore, no longer have a valid accusation to raise against Jesus.
 
Life application: There are times when things in our stream of existence will come into conflict with what is written. An example may be the establishment of a church in an area previously unevangelized. Suppose there are two people in the area who could be chosen to lead the church.
 
The first is a lady who heard the good news while away. She not only heard the gospel, but she also was there long enough to obtain sound biblical doctrine. She then returned to tell the people in her village about Jesus.
 
The second is a man who just learns about Jesus but who is willing to lead the people in their newly accepted faith. Wouldn’t the woman be a better candidate? Scripture provides thoughts on both –
 
“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” 1 Timothy 2:11-13
 
“A bishop then must be ... not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:2 & 6, 7
 
Which would be the appropriate person to lead the church? It is a conundrum that must be thought through as both are technically biblically excluded from the role. However, if one must be chosen, the substance behind the matter and the intent behind the precepts need to be considered.
 
There is a need for the people to have proper leadership. At times, there will be instances, like this example, where decisions must be made that have to consider the spirit and intent of the word, even if there is a conflict with a precept stated in the word.
 
Glorious God, help us to always carefully consider Your word. May we be cautious to uphold it for what it is and then apply it to our walk before You. You have set forth guidelines for us to consider. May we carefully and cautiously do so at all times. Amen.