Theme: The Vice of Slander
Text: “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” – 2 Timothy 2:17-19.
Comment: Whoever makes a false accusation against his fellow man in order to get him involved in trouble or to put him in a bad light before others is very uncharitable and wicked. The royal law according to the Scriptures demands that “as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise”. (Luke 6:31) At the time of Apostle Paul, some people spread the lie that he and his colleagues preached that the resurrection had already taken place. The apostle of Christ said such falsehoods corrupt one’s spiritual life and could lead to destruction. Compare Matthew 15:12-14; Isaiah 9:16.
Also in those days, some of the Jews stirred up the people by bringing up false witnesses to say that what Apostle Stephen was preaching amounted to changing the law of Moses. For these accusations he was dragged before the Sanhedrin, (the supreme council of the Jewish people) and from his defence they picked up other reasons to stone him to death.
Zacchaeus, the penitent tax collector openly told our Saviour he would restore fourfold whatever he took from people by false accusation.. (Luke 19:8) Those who pay heed to the stern warn warning to depart from iniquity for the fact that they are Christians will have life everlasting in that the Kingdom of God once established, stands for ever. – Isaiah 2:2; John 5:24; 6:47.
Theme: COMMENTARY ON HEBREWS 11:32 - 40
Text:“For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.” – Jeremiah 32:3.
Comment: Because the king and people of Judah had given themselves to the worship of the devil, God Almighty used Jeremiah the prophet to warn them, telling them that if they would not repent, He would make Jerusalem and the temple they took pride in to suffer the fate of Shiloh, where the name of God was in earlier times before it was destroyed and abandoned. (Joshua 18:1; 19:51; 1Kings 14:2.) For warning the people against sin the leaders determined that Jeremiah must die. (Jeremiah 26:1-10) However, some of the elders, together with Ahikam, an officer of the king, intervened to prevent them from their wicked plot.
Again, when the Chaldeans besieged Jerusalem, Jeremiah was instructed by God to tell them to submit to their rule to avoid death and destruction. This was seen as treason for which the leaders of the people convinced King Zedekiah to cast Jeremiah into.a well. But God also delivered him. When we stand up for the truth, even in the face of danger, God will give us victory in the end. St. Paul in his writings recalled God delivered them “from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10).. He added that God Almighty shall deliver him “from every evil work, and will preserve him unto his heavenly kingdom. – 2 Timothy 4:18