Psalm 18:1-20; Amos 4:6-13; 2 Pet. 3:11-18; Matt. 21:33-46
The Lord has brought ruin and disaster on His people and they did not return to Him, the pestilences He brought on Egypt to prove Himself to the people at that time, and still they do not return. The implication would be that they were as hard of heart towards Him as the Egyptians. In all this recitation what we should keep in mind is the sovereignty of God over all creation and also His love for His people in trying to woo them to Him through these catastrophes. In order to avoid pouring out His wrath and judgment, He has gone to extravagant lengths to open the eyes and hearts of His people to seek after Him, and all this has failed.
The parable of the tenants is surely the most dramatic of all the parables of Jesus. There is no possibility of misinterpretation of who the characters are in this drama. Clearly the master is Yahweh, the tenants Israel, the servants represent the prophets, and finally, the son is Jesus Himself. He foretells His own demise, not only to the disciples but to all who hear. The people know what the master will do to those who have been hard-hearted and yet Jesus gives the interpretation to all as well. Jesus’ words are obviously prophetic concerning the nation and the leaders of the nation. The leaders know of whom He is speaking and they also know that His hold on the people is such that they have to do something to get them on their side in order to act against Him.
Peter asks the important question, “what sort of people ought you to be…” Our first two lessons tell us that the Lord does have great expectations concerning what sort of people we ought to be, that preparation to meet Him includes having lives oriented towards the kingdom now. Peter counsels to work for sanctification that we might be found without spot or blemish and at peace. We are to be people who know the Word and to be established in the truth so that we are not carried away by false doctrine. There is much out there in the way of false doctrine in our day and we need to be those who are knowledgeable about the Scriptures for ourselves, not dependent on the teaching of others only. Teaching is a good thing but it can never supplant our own study.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
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