Meditate

Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?—II CHR. 6:18.

Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.—I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.—Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.—Ye . . . are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Exo. 25:8, -Exo. 29:43,45.Psa. 68:18.II Cor. 6:16. -I Cor. 6:19. -Eph. 2:22.Ezek. 37:28.

“In my flesh shall I see God.”

Job 19:26

Mark the subject of Job’s devout anticipation “I shall see God.” He does not say, “I shall see the saints”—though doubtless that will be untold felicity—but, “I shall see God.” It is not—“I shall see the pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the crowns of gold,” but “I shall see God.” This is the sum and substance of heaven, this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their delight to see him now in the ordinances by faith. They love to behold him in communion and in prayer; but there in heaven they shall have an open and unclouded vision, and thus seeing “him as he is,” shall be made completely like him. Likeness to God—what can we wish for more? And a sight of God—what can we desire better? Some read the passage, “Yet, I shall see God in my flesh,” and find here an allusion to Christ, as the “Word made flesh,” and that glorious beholding of him which shall be the splendour of the latter days. Whether so or not it is certain that Christ shall be the object of our eternal vision; nor shall we ever want any joy beyond that of seeing him. Think not that this will be a narrow sphere for the mind to dwell in. It is but one source of delight, but that source is infinite. All his attributes shall be subjects for contemplation, and as he is infinite under each aspect, there is no fear of exhaustion. His works, his gifts, his love to us, and his glory in all his purposes, and in all his actions, these shall make a theme which will be ever new. The patriarch looked forward to this sight of God as a personal enjoyment. “Whom mine eye shall behold, and not another.” Take realizing views of heaven’s bliss; think what it will be to you. “Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty.” All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze upon it, but here is a brightness which can never dim, a glory which can never fade—“I shall see God.”

1 Chronicles 1

1. Historical Records

¹ Adam, Seth, Enosh, ² Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, ³ Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.

⁴ The sons of Noah: Septuagint; Hebrew does not have this line.
Shem, Ham and Japheth.

The Japhethites

⁵ The sons Sons may mean descendants or successors or nations; also in verses 6-9, 17 and 23. of Japheth:
Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.

⁶ The sons of Gomer:
Ashkenaz, Riphath Many Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate (see also Septuagint and Gen. 10:3); most Hebrew manuscripts Diphath and Togarmah.

⁷ The sons of Javan:
Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites.

The Hamites

⁸ The sons of Ham:
Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

⁹ The sons of Cush:
Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah and Sabteka.

The sons of Raamah:
Sheba and Dedan.

¹⁰ Cush was the father Father may mean ancestor or predecessor or founder; also in verses 11, 13, 18 and 20. of
Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on earth.

¹¹ Egypt was the father of
the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, ¹² Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came) and Caphtorites.

¹³ Canaan was the father of
Sidon his firstborn, Or of the Sidonians, the foremost and of the Hittites, ¹⁴ Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, ¹⁵ Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, ¹⁶ Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites.

The Semites

¹⁷ The sons of Shem:
Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.

The sons of Aram: One Hebrew manuscript and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 10:23); most Hebrew manuscripts do not have this line.
Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

¹⁸ Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,
and Shelah the father of Eber.

¹⁹ Two sons were born to Eber:
One was named Peleg, Peleg means division. because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

²⁰ Joktan was the father of
Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, ²¹ Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, ²² Obal, Some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Gen. 10:28); most Hebrew manuscripts Ebal Abimael, Sheba, ²³ Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.

    ²⁴ Shem, Arphaxad, Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts Arphaxad, Cainan (see also note at Gen. 11:10) Shelah,
    ²⁵ Eber, Peleg, Reu,
    ²⁶ Serug, Nahor, Terah
    ²⁷ and Abram (that is, Abraham).

The Family of Abraham

²⁸ The sons of Abraham:
Isaac and Ishmael.

Descendants of Hagar

²⁹ These were their descendants:
Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ³⁰ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, ³¹ Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

Descendants of Keturah

³² The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine:
Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.

The sons of Jokshan:
Sheba and Dedan.

³³ The sons of Midian:
Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah.

All these were descendants of Keturah.

Descendants of Sarah

³⁴ Abraham was the father of Isaac.

The sons of Isaac:
Esau and Israel.

Esau’s Sons

³⁵ The sons of Esau:
Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

    ³⁶ The sons of Eliphaz:
   Teman, Omar, Zepho, Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also Gen. 36:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Zephi Gatam and Kenaz;
   by Timna: Amalek. Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:12); Hebrew Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek

³⁷ The sons of Reuel:
Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.

The People of Seir in Edom

³⁸ The sons of Seir:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan.

³⁹ The sons of Lotan:
Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister.

⁴⁰ The sons of Shobal:
Alvan, Many Hebrew manuscripts and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:23); most Hebrew manuscripts Alian Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.

The sons of Zibeon:
Aiah and Anah.

⁴¹ The son of Anah:
Dishon.

The sons of Dishon:
Hemdan, Many Hebrew manuscripts and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:26); most Hebrew manuscripts Hamran Eshban, Ithran and Keran.

⁴² The sons of Ezer:
Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. Many Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts (see also Gen. 36:27); most Hebrew manuscripts Zaavan, Jaakan

The sons of Dishan See Gen. 36:28; Hebrew Dishon, a variant of Dishan:
Uz and Aran.

The Rulers of Edom

⁴³ These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:
Bela son of Beor, whose city was named Dinhabah.

⁴⁴ When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.

⁴⁵ When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.

⁴⁶ When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.

⁴⁷ When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.

⁴⁸ When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river Possibly the Euphrates succeeded him as king.

⁴⁹ When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king.

⁵⁰ When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Gen. 36:39); most Hebrew manuscripts Pai and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. ⁵¹ Hadad also died.

The chiefs of Edom were:
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, ⁵² Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, ⁵³ Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, ⁵⁴ Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

3. Overseers and Deacons

⁸ In the same way, deacons The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1. are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

Psalm 142

142. Psalm 142

¹ I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
² I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.

    ³ When my spirit grows faint within me,
   it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
   people have hidden a snare for me.
⁴ Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
   no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
   no one cares for my life.

    ⁵ I cry to you, LORD;
   I say, “You are my refuge,
   my portion in the land of the living.”

    ⁶ Listen to my cry,
   for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
   for they are too strong for me.
⁷ Set me free from my prison,
   that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
   because of your goodness to me.

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