John 7:47-52 - Have you also been deceived

7:47,48

The Pharisees were none too pleased by this response accusing them of being deceived. In truth, it was the Pharisees who were blinded, blinded by their own pride and self-righteousness. They then stated that none of the religious authorities believed Jesus. The argument went along the lines of the religious leaders knew what they were talking about, they did not believe so neither should you. This wasn’t strictly true as some Pharisees did believe, at least to some degree. 

7:49-52

They then disparaged the crowd, the common people, saying that the people did not know the Law (unlike the Pharisees). The people were accused in the eyes of the Pharisees. The religious leaders held the people in contempt. This is very different to the attitude that Jesus has. Jesus was both fully aware of the sinfulness of the people and cared deeply for them. Nicodemus spoke up, not directly defending Jesus, but citing a point of law. Surely they should let Jesus a chance to explain Himself. Nicodemus’ intervention is treated with contempt.

Genesis 21:3-8 - In great fear and distress

32:3-5

Jacob sends messengers on ahead of him. “Seir” means “hairy”, and “Edom” sounds like the Hebrew word for red. Esau is probably already becoming a nation, Edom is the nation that arose out of Esau. The messengers are to give Esau a brief summary of the past twenty years. The mention of his wealth implies that Jacob is prepared to offer gifts, though that is not stated explicitly here. The messengers are sent in order to get an initial sounding out of Esau.

32:6-8

The messengers return with the news that Esau is coming to meet Jacob. There is no indication of what Esau’s attitude is, whether he is coming to meet him in friendship or confrontation. Jacob thinks the worst, again a reaction most of us have had. So he splits his people and wealth into two camps, thinking that if one camp is attacked at least the other one will survive. There are some who see this as a lack of faith. Maybe it is, but Jacob’s trust was ultimately not in his strategies, but in the Lord. He looks to the Lord above all else. Even when we are walking in faith we will do many things that are not really necessary, and ultimately do not do any good. We never walk in perfect faith or obedience, but if the bottom line is that our trust is in the Lord that is the main thing.

John 7:40-46 - No one ever spoke like this man

7:40-42

As usual, instead of focusing on what Jesus said and trying to learn from it, some of the people started arguing about who Jesus was. Questions and arguments can be genuine, but can also be an excuse to avoid the real issue. The distinction between the Prophet and the Messiah might seem odd to us, but to much Jewsih thought at the time “the Prophet” is the one spoken of by Moses in Deut 18:15, whereas the Messiah was the one like David. It is in Christianity that the two are identified with each other. The Galilee question arose again. The Davidic king would be born in Bethlehem. 

7:43,44

There was division among the people. Division over Jesus is normal! Some of them wanted to arrest Jesus, presumably the religious leaders, who had sent officers to arrest Him. However, no one laid hands on Him. Men were not in control of events.

7:45,46

The chief priests were angry with the temple officers because they had failed to arrest Jesus, and they wanted to know why they had not done so. The temple officers were usually Levites, i.e. they were not hired thugs who would do anything along as they were paid. They had a little more about them. So the officials answered that they had been amazed at Jesus’ teaching, and could not see how someone like this should be arrested.

Genesis 32:1,2 - This is the camp of God

32:1a

Jacob originally went down to Laban to escape his brother’s ire. He has now been away for some twenty years. During that time he has been occupied with many other difficulties! However, the problem of Esau still remains. He has had no contact with Esau and has no idea how Esau now views him. If Esau is still as angry as he was twenty years ago, is he still after his blood? The only guide he has had is the imaginations of his own mind, and this is a most unreliable guide! We all know that our minds are very good at producing all sorts of disastrous scenarios, most or all of which are just so much nonsense.

32:1b,2

While on his way, the “angels of God” meet Jacob. This must have been an encouragement to him, but the issue he has to face still remains. However, Jacob is encouraged, at least to some degree, and he calls the place Mahanaim, which means “two camps”. He is travelling, God is travelling with him. Note that we are not told what, if anything, the angels said to him. It was the presence of God that mattered.

John 7:38,39 - Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water

7:38

When we drink the living water that Jesus gives we do not remain the same. Jesus has already spoken of our being born again. If we believe in Jesus then out of our hearts flow rivers of living water. Jesus has said that the Father has given Him the right to give life. So when we believe in Christ He gives life to us. Life starts flowing from us. We are not the source of that life, but rather the channel of that life. It is the life of God flowing through us. The end of Ezekiel has the river flowing from the temple, and in Christ we are temples of the Holy Spirit. Life is meant to flow in us and from us, not death.

7:39

John makes it clear to his readers that Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit, and that believers would receive the Holy Spirit. But this has not happened at this point. The Holy Spirit would only be given after Jesus had been glorified. I.e. after He had gone to the cross, risen from the dead and ascended to heaven to be with the Father. It is God’s intention that His people receive the Holy Spirit. More will be said about this in the latter part of John’s gospel.

Genesis 31:43-55 - God is witness between you and me

31:43-50

Laban seems taken aback by Jacob’s change in approach. Laban still claims that everything is his, but seeks to make a covenant with Jacob. He probably recognises that he is beaten and wants to make the best of it. Jacob agrees to this. They set up two stones as witnesses, Jacob set up a single stone, Laban a pile of stones. Jacob declares that God will watch over them, and if Laban tries any funny business the Lord will know and will take action.

31:51-55

Laban then says that the pillar (Jacob’s single stone) and the heap mark out a place of separation. It may be that the single stone represents the one true God of Jacob, while the pile represents Laban’s many idols. Jacob also makes a sacrifice to the Lord. Laban blesses his children and grandchildren and they finally separate.

John 7:35-37 - Where I am you cannot come

7:35,36

As usual the crowds did not understand what Jesus was saying. This is actually quite understandable. The disciples did not understand Jesus a lot of the time. They interpreted His words in purely human terms, thinking He was going to go and preach to the diaspora Jews (those dispersed among the nations). They had no idea what He meant by saying they would seek Him but not be able to find Him.

7:37

Having dealt with arguments about who Jesus is, we now move to a more positive declaration from Jesus. The water metaphor is used in Jesus’ teaching here. The Feast of Tabernacles involved a water pouring rite, so this was a natural metaphor for Jesus to use. The Feast was also associated with looking forward to the pouring out of the Spirit. Jesus is claiming to be the source of living water, and invites us to come to Him and drink. There are echoes here of Isaiah 55:1. So this is another audacious claim from Jesus.