Judges 6, Acts 10, Jeremiah 19, Mark 5

DateVersionReading Plan
@July 23, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Judges 6

Judges 6:34–35 (ESV) 34 But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.

The Holy Spirit clothed Gideon, empowering him for the task of delivering God’s people. The Holy Spirit readying an individual in such a way is repeated several times throughout the OT. Some examples are that the Holy Spirit “came upon him” (Num. 24:2), “was upon” (Judges 11:29), “rushed upon him” (Judges 14:6) and others. However, describing that the Spirit “clothed” someone elicits a deep sense of His intimate presence and divine protection. Being enveloped by the Spirit illuminates how close and personal God is with His children, dwelling within us and wrapping around us.

Acts 10

Acts 10:44–45 (ESV) 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

The Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles after hearing the good news of Jesus spoken by Peter. A couple things to note here. First is the order of the events themselves. The word was preached and then the Spirit fell on those who heard. As ambassadors of Christ, we have a role to play in winning souls to the kingdom of God through the sharing of the gospel. God has entrusted to us the “message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19b) and we are commanded to share this message. Second is the amazement among the circumcised (Jews) that the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. As Thomas Constable says, “This amazed Peter’s Jewish companions, because it proved that God was not making a distinction between Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus regarding His acceptance of them.” It demonstrates how salvation and new birth by the Spirit is available to all who place their faith in Jesus and turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Jeremiah 19

Jeremiah 19:10–11 (ESV) 10 “Then you shall break the flask in the sight of the men who go with you, 11 and shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: So will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, so that it can never be mended. Men shall bury in Topheth because there will be no place else to bury.

The LORD instructed Jeremiah to break the earthenware flask in the sight of the men to represent the LORD’s breaking of the city. As the CSB Notes states, “This was a symbolic act of warning to Judah. So many corpses would be gathered that there would be no place left to bury the dead but Topheth.” Topheth was located within the Valley of Hinnom outside of Jerusalem where human sacrifices were offered the pagan god, Molech. Matthew Henry provides a sobering exposition of what this means: “As they filled Tophet with the slain sacrificed to their idols, so will God fill the whole city with the slain that shall fall as sacrifices to his justice.”

Mark 5

Mark 5:41–42 (ESV) 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

In the healing of Jairus’ daughter, the Gospel writer adds the specific detail that the girl was “twelve years of age”. None of the commentaries at my current disposal provide any insights as to why her age is mentioned in this way, but it seems attributed to her walking. Perhaps including how she was old enough to walk was a means of bolstering the profundity of the event, that not only was she healed but she even began walking. Whatever the reason may be, it showcases the completely dominion of our Lord over sickness and death.

Resources