Justin Houtz

Deut. 21, Psalms 108-109, Isaiah 48, Revelation 18

DateVersionReading Plan
@June 16, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Deut. 21

Deuteronomy 21:15–17 (ESV) 15 “If a man has two wives, the one loved and the other unloved, and both the loved and the unloved have borne him children, and if the firstborn son belongs to the unloved, 16 then on the day when he assigns his possessions as an inheritance to his sons, he may not treat the son of the loved as the firstborn in preference to the son of the unloved, who is the firstborn, 17 but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.

If a man had two wives, the firstborn of the two was to receive a double portion of all that he had regardless of whether he loved the woman who had borne the son. Matthew Henry defines this as a “law [that] restrains men from disinheriting their eldest sons without just cause. The principle in this case as to children, is still binding to parents; they must give children their right without partiality.” This speaks to the righteous treatment there was to be among the people and their progeny. Rights and privileges were to be justly administered in a similar way to how they were to have just balances, just weights, a just ephah and a just hin.

Psalms 108-109

Psalm 109:6–7 (ESV) 6 Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin!

David asks that the LORD appoint a wicked man against his adversary and that he comes forth guilty when he is tried. The following verses continue in David’s curse of his enemies, desiring that the LORD annihilate both them and their descendants. David’s aim for strong divine retribution is admittedly difficult to process, especially in light of how Jesus spoke of loving your enemies, doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you and praying for those who abuse you (Luke 6:27; Matt. 5:24). However, important to see here is how David’s posture always remains toward the LORD in full surrender, acknowledging that vengeance and recompense ultimately belong to Him.

Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48:11 (ESV) 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

The repetition of “for my own sake” gives strong emphasis that God alone receives the glory and deserving of all credit for the salvation He has planned. His name is not to profaned and He does not give His glory to another. From beginning to end, the narrative of creation, redemption, reconciliation and glorification is a work of God. All worship and ascription goes to Him because from Him, through Him and to Him are all things.

Revelation 18

Revelation 18:1–2 (ESV) 18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

Multiple creatures throughout this, both heavenly and earthly, proclaim the falling of Babylon. As the FSB Notes point out, “While the final verses of ch. 17 warn of Rome’s impending demise, ch. 18 details its destruction (see vv. 3, 24). Kings, merchants, and seafarers offer a dirge for the once-great city.” From its first mention in Gen. 11 as “Babel”, Babylon is always set in rebellion against God. The website, gotquestions.org, provides a helpful treatment of Babylon’s reference i in Revelation:

In the end times, the world’s rebellion against God will rise to a fever pitch. The Antichrist’s system will be characterized by rampant materialism, love of money, outrageous idolatry, religious sacrilege, and violence against Christians. But his time will be short. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus wins. Babylon the Great is destroyed, and the Antichrist is “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). Jesus alone is the almighty Lord of lords and King of kings.

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