Month: Apr 2024

Posted in General

MARY OF BETHANY

Posted on by writtenexposition

INTRODUCTION

As we read through the New Testament it soon becomes obvious that ‘Mary’ was a common name in first century Palestine. The name Mary (which is the Greek form of the Hebrew Miriam) is mentioned by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the apostle Paul. It can be quite easy to confuse the Marys since the name occurs fifty-four times, in about twenty-nine different passages/settings, so do not be too annoyed with yourself if at times you are not exactly sure which one you are reading about. Even biblical scholars disagree on exactly how many Marys are mentioned in the New Testament. Some think that there are six, some that there are seven and others that there are eight. I am satisfied that there are seven, but will not fall out with anyone who thinks otherwise. So, who are the seven New Testament Marys? Here they are, in no particular order of preference, although the one that would immediately spring to mind is Mary, the Lord’s mother.

1. MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS

2. MARY MAGDALENE

3. MARY THE MOTHER OF JAMES AND JOSES – Mt 27:56 (also called THE OTHER MARY Mt 27:61)

4. MARY [WIFE] OF CLEOPHAS – Jn 19:25

5. MARY THE MOTHER OF JOHN MARK – Acts 12:12

6. MARY OF ROME – Rom 16:6

7. MARY OF BETHANY

Three New Testament passages mention Mary of Bethany and in each account we find her at Jesus’ feet. 

In Luke 10:38-42 we see Mary at his feet – worshipping.

In John 11:28-35 we see Mary at his feet – weeping.

In John 12:1-7 we see Mary at his feet – washing.

Luke 10:38-42 MARY AT HIS FEET – WORSHIPPING

There was great activity in one particular household in Bethany that day; Jesus was coming to visit. We gather from the above passages that Jesus was a close, personal friend of Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus. Jn 11:5 tells us: ‘Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.’ Their home was always open to him, he was like one of the family. How wonderful it must have been for the Lord Jesus to be received into and entertained in a home where he was welcome! In that home he could unwind and feel at ease, for he was cherished and respected as an esteemed guest. At that home he could be sure of a good meal and a bed to lie on; which was not the norm during his public ministry. As a wandering rabbi and prophet he would have spent many nights sleeping under the stars in the open air. In Matthew 8:20 he spoke to one of the scribes saying:  ‘The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’

Martha, anxiously checking that everything was in order and fussing over preparations for his comfort, complained irritably to Jesus that her sister Mary was not helping her. Sensing Martha’s frustration, Jesus gently admonished her: “Martha, Martha”, then added “Mary hath chosen that good part.” What was that good part? We have it in verse 39: ‘Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.’ As Mary sat at his feet and listened to him speak she hung on his every word, not wanting to miss a thing he said. All her attention was focused on him. In contrast to Martha, it seems that Mary understood that what Jesus wanted was fellowship and not food, that as his death was imminent he wanted was someone to talk to, not a feast.

Perhaps you and I tend to be more like Martha, anxious to keep busy in our service for God. What Jesus said about Martha might be true of us too: ‘cumbered about much serving’ and ‘careful and troubled about many things.’ It is all too easy to be caught up in legitimate pursuits – such as church organisation, committee meetings, youth work, gospel outreach in various forms, mission support or even the social aspects of assembly life – so much so that we become too exhausted to pray or read and study the Bible. So often we deprive ourselves of just a few moments’ pause to listen to the Saviour’s voice? In spite of the fact that, due to family and other commitments, your life may be extremely busy, wouldn’t it be good if you could make a conscious effort to regularly set aside just a few minutes each day to meet with Jesus and sit at His feet – the place of discipleship – to learn from Him?

Mary realised that what Jesus would appreciate most was her worship and so she ‘chose’ to take her place as a devoted learner at his feet. That was an act of the will. Mary made that deliberate choice, to spend time with the Lord, and Jesus commended her for that: ‘Mary has chosen the good portion.’ That poses a challenge to you and to me. What shall our choice be? Like Mary, may we choose wisely and well!

John 11:28-35 MARY AT HIS FEET – WEEPING

We have already noticed that Mary of Bethany was a devoted disciple of Jesus. In this chapter we learn that this did not insulate or preserve her from the usual worries and sorrows of life. We began our reading in John 11 at the point where Jesus arrived in Bethany after Lazarus’ death and met Martha, who greeted him (v.21) with ‘Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died’. Jesus spoke words of hope to Martha: ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ She then went and found her sister Mary, telling her: ‘the Master is come and calleth for thee.’ Once Mary heard that she got up quickly and went automatically to the place where she had previously found blessing – the feet of Jesus. Verse 32 says: ‘she fell down at his feet saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been her my brother had not died’ (exactly what her sister Martha had already said). Mary prostrated herself at the feet of Jesus because she understood that the one who had taught her was also the one who could comfort her. When Jesus saw Mary weeping inconsolably, it stirred strong emotions within himself too.

‘When Jesus saw her weeping…he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled…Jesus wept’ (John 11:33,35)

There is a difference between crying and weeping. Many people cry when peeling an onion, but weeping is something much deeper. Jesus was not weeping because he was unable to help, for he was about to display his power.  He was weeping because his friends were hurting. Are you hurting this evening? I am sure that all of us, at one time or another, have missed a loved one, been heartbroken, had our plans dashed, been in great distress. No-one really seemed to care or understand. Maybe from the depth of a sorrowful heart we have cried out in despair ‘Where is Jesus? If only he were here!’ To those who feel that way tonight, the summons still rings out: “The Master is come and calleth for thee!” Jesus comprehends our sorrows and disappointments; and is ready to offer sympathy and comfort.

Jesus saw Mary at his feet weeping and he understood. He knew that her heart was broken so he wept with her. At his feet she was in a place of shelter and comfort, the place to flee to in time of sorrow.

John 12:1-7 MARY AT HIS FEET – WASHING

Once again we are at a scene in Bethany. Only six days to the Passover, and to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Lazarus had recently been raised from the dead and so there was a dinner, probably to celebrate. Lazarus was reclining at the table with Jesus and, true to form, Martha was serving. The chitter-chatter stopped as into the room came Mary, carrying her most valuable possession –  a one pound vial of very expensive spikenard ointment – with which she anointed the feet of Jesus and, as the fragrance filled the house, she dried his feet with her hair.

Once again Mary was misunderstood. Those around her thought that this display of devotion was huge waste of money, and their objections were articulated by Judas Iscariot. Once more Jesus defended her and expressed his appreciation of her service, explaining that her actions constituted a symbolic anointing of his body in preparation for burial.

Mary’s sacrifice was not a waste. It was significant because it was offered out of true devotion to him. Let us ask ourselves: ‘Is there anything that we consider too extravagant or too costly to give to to the one who loved us, to the extent that he was willing to die of the cross to save us?’ If we love him, doesn’t he deserve our all? Mary washed his feet with her ointment and dried them with her hair. At his feet was for her a place of devotion, of consecration and sacrificial giving.

SUMMATION

Mary worshipped and listened to the words of Jesus at His feet. Mary wept at the feet of Jesus and received comfort. At his feet Mary seized an opportunity to do something for Jesus. That was her thanksgiving to the Lord, and it was a timely offering for he was crucified within a week. What about you? What about me?

Have we been at his feet worshipping? Do we take time to listen to what he says?

Have we been at his feet weeping?  

Have we washed his feet with a precious offering that honours him? 

These Gospel passages are wonderful testimonies to a woman who really loved the Lord. If we love him, let us be found at his feet too.

Posted in Exposition

AN ORACLE ADDRESSED TO THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL – EZEKIEL 6:1-14

Posted on by writtenexposition

Ezekiel Chapter 6:

The chapter may be simply divided as follows:

1-4 PREDICTION

5-7 DESOLATION

8-10 PRESERVATION

11-14 LAMENTATION

INTRODUCTION

Ezekiel chapter six, like chapters four, five and seven, predicts severe judgements on the people and land of Judah. The structure of this chapter is similar to that of chapters thirty-five and thirty-six, which are also addressed to mountains. Chapter thirty-five is addressed to Mount Seir and the mountains of Edom and chapter thirty-six to the mountains of Israel. All three chapters (6, 35 and 36) have the same basic structure:

  • The word of YHWH comes to the prophet.
  • A prophecy is addressed to the mountain(s).
  • Bloodshed, death and destruction are predicted.
  • The power of the Lord is recognized.

1-4 PREDICTION

In v.1 the word of YHWH comes to the prophet with an instruction (v.2) to ‘set thy face towards the mountains of Israel’ and address the oracle to them. The expression ‘set thy face’ most likely implies taking up an attitude of opposition. It might also mean that Ezekiel is not to be afraid when delivering the message or even that he is literally to face westwards while speaking (see also 13:17; 21:2; 25:2; 28:21; 38:2).

With the exception of Josh 11:21 the phrase ‘mountains of Israel’ is found only in Ezekiel. It stands for the land of Israel (Deut 11:11 ‘a land of hills and valleys’) and indicates that YHWH will not only judge Jerusalem but also the whole land.

Where there are hills or mountains one also finds valleys, ravines and watercourses and these are all addressed in v.3. Ezekiel, of course, was not asked to literally speak to geographic features. Rather, here we have a technique known as personification – attributing human qualities or characteristics to something that is not human. To the personified locations YHWH issues a threat of invasion (‘a sword upon you’). The purpose of this punishment is that the ‘high places,’ which have been associated with idolatrous worship, might be utterly destroyed.

The cultic practices at the high places were syncretic in that the people worshipped YHWH there but combined this with rituals associated with other deities, such as Baal, Asherah and the planets (2 Kgs 23:4; Ezek 8:16). In connection with this v.4 mentions altars, images and idols.

Altar (mizbēaḥ) – this word is derived from a verb meaning to slaughter and refers to a raised location where sacrifices are offered.

Image (ḥammān) – solar pillar (Isa17:8; 2 Chron 34;4,7) or incense altar.

Idols (gillûlim) – Always occurring in the plural, this is Ezekiel’s favourite word for the false deities worshipped by Israel and Judah. It is thought to have derived from the Hebrew for ‘dung’ and is therefore derogatory and contemptuous. Ezekiel refers to deities other than YHWH as ‘dung-gods.’ YHWH will cast down the slain before the idols.

5-7 DESOLATION

The first half of v.5 repeats the end of v.4 that dead Israelite bodies will lie before their idols. V.5b adds that their bones will be scattered round about the altars. This emphasizes the futility of idolatry. The people would be slain as they sought help from their idols and their corpses would be lying uninterred on the ground as if offered as human sacrifices to those idols. Ironically, the Babylonians would show no mercy to the Israelite idol worshippers, even though they were idolaters too.

Verses 6-7 predict total desolation. Their towns will be waste and the high places ruined. The altars and idols will be cut down and their works wiped out. ‘Your altars,’ ‘your idols’ and ‘your works’ stress that not only did the useless idols belong to the people of Judah but also that they had manufactured these images themselves. Everything relating to the idol worship would be obliterated. That these should be destroyed is the stated purpose for total destruction.

‘high places’ Before the construction of Solomon’s temple as the central shrine for the worship of YHWH rites and sacrifices were conducted at local shrines called high places (e.g. 1 Sam 9:13, 19, 25; 10:5; 1 Kgs 3:2). We read of them first in Lev 26:30 and especially in the Kings, Chronicles and the Prophets. According to Deut 12:2-3 these locations ought to have been destroyed once the Israelites entered the Promised Land but the Israelites, whose God had appeared to Moses at Mount Sinai, easily adopted the Canaanite custom of conducting religious rites on hills and worshipped YHWH in such locations. Unfortunately, they adopted heathen practices as well, especially those associated with the fertility cults, such as male and female sacred prostitution.

The Old Testament uses the following words in this connection:

qāḏēš / qeḏēšāh Deut 23:17-18; 1 Kgs 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kgs 23:7; Hos 4:4

zōnāh Gen 38:15; Lev 21:7; Deut 23:18; Prov 7:10; Jer 2:20; Ezek 23:44; Hos 2:5

possibly also ‘ministering women’ Ex 38:8; 1 Sam 2:22

Three of Judah’s kings – Asa (1Kgs 15:12-14), Hezekiah (2 Chron 32:12) and Josiah (2 Kgs 23:4-20) – attempted to quash idolatry, with varying degrees of success.

V.7. Still addressing the personified mountains of Israel YHWH says to them that when they see the fallen corpses ‘ye shall know that I am the Lord.’ This expression is repeated in vv. 7, 10, 13, 14.

8-10 PRESERVATION

YHWH via Ezekiel prophesies that a remnant will survive the siege of Jerusalem and will eventually remember him (cf. Zech 10:9)and repent of their evil ways (see also 12:16;14:22). This idea of a remnant featured in the symbolic act of 5:3-4. Although the message is mainly one of desolation a glimmer of hope lies in the fact that the nation will not be totally wiped out. That God will preserve some is an indication of grace.

Many commentators take the verb in v.9 as passive and translate as ‘I am broken.’ YHWH, like a husband whose wife has been unfaithful, is grief-stricken and broken-hearted by their ‘whorish heart’ and by the severity of the punishment that he must inflict upon them. The use of ‘whorish’ and ‘whoring’ may reference the link between idolatry and impure sexual practices.

Others take the verb as reflexive and translate as ‘ when I will break’ or ‘when I shall have broken for myself’ (i.e. for my own glory or reputation) – ‘their whorish heart and their eyes’. ‘Break their eyes’ is an unusual expression that might mean ‘destroy their pride’ (cf. Lev 26:19). This would cause them to realise that their idolatrous practices provoked YHWH and cause them to ‘loathe themselves’ and repent (36:31-32). V.9 emphasizes the emotions that will be felt by both YHWH and the people.

V.10 repeats the expression ‘they shall know that I am the the Lord.’ This will be because he will keep his word and carry out the punishment. This prophecy is not an idle threat.

11-14 LAMENTATION

Ezekiel is instructed to clap his hands, stamp his feet and wail ‘Alas!’ over the fate of the house of Israel. These extravagant gestures express deep emotion at the draconian punishment to come upon Jerusalem. It is unlikely that the emotion is joy (as in 25:6 where clapping and stamping are linked as well) at the prospect of God’s righteous judgement upon idolators but is more likely to be grief or regret at what the people will have to suffer (21:12-14). Jeremiah also wept over the fate of the people (Jer 9:1).

Verse 11 ends with a further prediction of the three main causes of death that will come upon the people: sword, famine and pestilence. These correspond to the portions into which Ezekiel’s shaved hair was symbolically divided (5:2, 12). Sword equals war, famine equals hunger and pestilence equals disease. Verse 12 explains that these disasters will prevail in different places and in different circumstances: those afar off will die by plague, those near will be killed by the sword and those that remain will die of starvation in the siege. The use of ‘far off, ‘near’ and ‘remains’ makes the point that everyone will be affected. God’s wrath will come upon them wherever they are. Although he was physically located in Babylon Ezekiel in v.12 seems to be speaking as if he were at Jerusalem, since the location of those that will remain and undergo siege is Jerusalem. It is interesting that plague, war and famine are the same penalties which were specified in Lev 26:25-26 for violation of the covenant. ‘Fury’ at the end of v.12 reiterates YHWH’s anger at idolatry. He will certainly carry out these threats.

Verse 13 repeats the picture in v.5 of dead bodies strewn about in front of the idols at their idolatrous shrines and again repeats ‘then shall they know that I am the Lord.’ The verse lists types of location at which altars to idols were typically situated – hills, mountains, trees – and mentions the oak tree in particular. Hosea 4:13 adds poplar and elm.

‘upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree‘

This phrase upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree is drawn upon by various Old Testament authors when describing the high places and groves at which idolatrous worship in Israel took place. Some include all three locations (mountain, hill, tree), others just one or two. I have found the following examples, perhaps there are more.

MOUNTAIN, HILL, TREE

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: Deuteronomy Ezekiel 12:2

Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols. Ezekiel 6:13

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery. Hosea 4:13

HILL and TREE

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. 1 Kings 14:23

And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: 2 Kings 17:10

And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 2 Kings 16:4

He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 2 Chronicles 28:4

For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Jeremiah 2:20

Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. Jeremiah 17:2

For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings. Ezekiel 20:28

MOUNTAIN and TREE

Inflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks? Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these? Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. Isaiah 57:5-7

The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. Jeremiah 3:6

MOUNTAIN AND HILL

And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Isaiah 30:25

Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. Isaiah 65:7

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Ezekiel 34:6

TREE

Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 3:13

MOUNTAIN

And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, Ezekiel 18:6

And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife, Ezekiel 18:11

That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife, Ezekiel 18:15

Verse 14 promises that the Lord will ‘stretch out his hand’ in judgement. The result will be desolation and waste wherever they live. The desolation will be worse than that of ‘the wilderness toward Diblath.’ This most likely refers to the Arabian desert which lies to the east and south of the Dead Sea.

The location of Diblath is not known. Various unlikely suggestions have been put forward including;

Almon Diblathaim / Beth Diblathaim – in Moab, east of the Red Sea – Num 33:46-47; Jer 48:22

Riblah – on the Orontes river – 2 Kgs 25:6-7, 18-21; Jer 39:5-6; 52:9-11, 24-27

The oracle concludes with a further repetition of the recognition formula ‘they shall know that I am the LORD’ (vv. 7, 10, 13, 14).

SUMMATION

In this chapter the prophet Ezekiel receives a message from YHWH. He is to address this to the mountains of Israel and inform them that YHWH will bring devastation upon the high places, altars, and sacred pillars where the people have practised idolatry and worshipped false gods. The oracular speech describes how the people of Judah will be slain, their idols destroyed, and their land left desolate as punishment for their disobedience and rebellion against God. Despite this severe judgement, the Lord will leave a remnant who will remember him and acknowledge his sovereignty.