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Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 1
Henry - God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. He who walks blamelessly will be delivered (Hebrew = yasha' = saved, helped), But he who is crooked will fall all at once.(Proverbs 28:18) Matthew Henry - Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe. For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:10-11-note) THOUGHT - While Bible truth is important, more important is what we do with that truth and how we respond to it, for only those who abide in it and walk by that truth in the power of the Spirit will be blessed (cf this principle in 1 Ki 2:4). John warned "If we say that we have fellowship with Him (GOD) and yet walk (habitually, continually - present tense) in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;" (1 Jn 1:6+) James commanded his readers "prove (present imperative - obey as your habitual practice only possible by relying on the Holy Spirit) yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22+) for the "one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:24+) Faith alone saves but the faith that truly saves is not alone! Zacharias and Elizabeth believed and looked intently at the perfect law but they were also doers of the Word and not merely hearers only! And by God's grace and His Spirit's enabling power may all who read these notes be imitators of Zacharias and Elizabeth (cf Heb 6:12+) for the glory of God (Mt 5:16+). Note that Zacharias and Elizabeth's walking was present tense which has a dual significance (1) this tense speaks of their progressive sanctification -- see Three Tenses of Salvation and (2) this tense indicates that their holy walk was their daily practice, the habit of their lives. As alluded to earlier, it is important to emphasize that their walk was not perfect, for no human other than Jesus could ever walk perfectly. What we need to understand is that their walk was more about the direction than perfection. Present tense speaks of the general direction of their walk, not the perfection of their walk. I cannot completely explain their blameless walk living as they lived prior to the giving of the indwelling Spirit Who furnishes the desire and power (Php 2:13NLT-note) to believers today enabling us to walk blamelessly. In some way they were supernaturally enabled to walk blamelessly! And as an aside, oh, how much easier it is to walk blamelessly when both spouses are on the same "spiritual wavelength," as these two clearly were. Solomon wrote "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. ." (Eccl 4:9-12) Amos asks "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3KJV) They were blameless yet barren (Lk 1:7) which does not sound like being blessed! But as the famous radio personality Paul Harvey used to say "And now for the rest of the story!" (Lk 1:11ff) THOUGHT - And beloved that same thing can be said over your life. You have been faithful to God, but you fail to see the fruitfulness for God. Do not despair. Your story is still being played out and you have not yet seen the end of it. And ultimately we will not see the eternal fruit of a faithful life until we are in Heaven. May God open the ears of our heart to hear the consoling words of James "Therefore be patient (aorist imperative - "Just do it" like the Nike commercial says! But not in your power but in the power of the Holy Spirit), brethren, until the coming (parousia) of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient (aorist imperative) strengthen (aorist imperative) your hearts, for (JAMES EXPLAINS WHY WE SHOULD OBEY AND WHAT SHOULD MOTIVATE US) the coming (parousia) of the Lord is near (imminent!)." (James 5:7-8+) Lord, please show me every day As you’re teaching me your way That you’ll do just what you say In your time. (Play In His Time) ILLUSTRATION - Many years ago I heard a true story about Shepherd’s Home for children with developmental disabilities where they taught that Jesus would save them and one day heal them of all disabilities. The director said that his biggest problem was dirty windows because the disabled children would press their hands, noses and lips against the windows always looking to see if today might be the day that Jesus would return for them and take them home where they will be healed of all their disabilities. Talk about having your priorities in the right place! Oh, to have the heart attitude of these precious little children! Amen! In the sight of God (before God - KJV) -
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Henry – “Prayers are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten though the thing prayed for is not presently given us. The time as well as the thing is the answer; and God’s gift always transcends the measure of the promise.” This prayer will be answered but in a richer sense than Zacharias and Elizabeth ever dreamed! THE PROPHECY OF JOHN'S BIRTH And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John - The angel promises Zacharias a son and tells him (the future tense here functioning like a command in context) to give him the Name John, which means "Jehovah has shown grace" or "Yahweh is gracious." How appropriate for the forerunner's name, for his life would also usher in what is known as the age of grace through the ministry of Jesus Christ who would give grace upon grace! (John 1:16-17+) See story behind name John at "Behind the Name" Zacharias and Elizabeth had surely suffered some degree of disgrace (Lk 1:25+) from other Jewish parents who had children and saw the failure to bear children as a sign of God withholding His blessing. The Jewish Rabbis said that seven people were excommunicated from God and the list began, "A Jew who has no wife, or a Jew who has a wife and who has no child." And yet here the angel says name your son will be "Jehovah has shown grace" which counters their suffering disgrace. God is a God of grace and Peter's words would have been apropos to Zacharias and Elizabeth After you (Zacharias and Elizabeth or dear suffering saint put your name here ____________) have suffered for a little while , the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11+)
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Henry adds that “We must depend upon the performance of the promise, when all the ways leading up to it are shut up. ‘For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him Amen (so be it), unto the glory of God by us.” (2Co 1:20+)
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Henry has a short story about a lad who was brought up in a village. In school he used to sit beside a girl and they were fond of each other. He went to the city and fell into evil ways. He became a pickpocket and a petty thief. One day he snatched an old lady’s purse. It was clever work and he was pleased. And then he saw coming down the street the girl whom he used to know, still sweet with the radiance of innocence. Suddenly he saw himself for the cheap, vile thing he was. Burning with shame, he leaned his head against the cool iron of a lamp standard. “God,” he said, “I wish I could die.” He saw himself. Christ enables a man to see himself. It is the deathblow to pride. The moral revolution has begun. (ii) He casts down the mighty—he exalts the humble. That is a social revolution. Christianity puts an end to the world’s labels and prestige. Muretus was a wandering scholar of the middle ages. He was poor. In an Italian town he took ill and was taken to a hospital for waifs and strays. The doctors were discussing his case in Latin, never dreaming he could understand. They suggested that since he was such a worthless wanderer they might use him for medical experiments. He looked up and answered them in their own learned tongue, “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died.” When we have realized what Christ did for all men, it is no longer possible to speak about a common man. The social grades are gone. (iii) He has filled those who are hungry … those who are rich he has sent empty away. That is an economic revolution. A non-Christian society is an acquisitive society where each man is out to amass as much as he can get. A Christian society is a society where no man dares to have too much while others have too little, where every man must get only to give away. There is loveliness in the Magnificat but in that loveliness there is dynamite. Christianity begets a revolution in each man and revolution in the world. (Daily Study Bible - Luke) The Song Of Mary Read: Luke 1:39-56 | Bible in a Year: Micah 4-5; Revelation 12 Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord.. —Luke 1:46 Mary was troubled. She had just heard the words, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28). Comforting words, it would seem, but startling because they were spoken by an angel. Mary was about to be presented with the most magnificent news ever, yet she was fearful. And when the angel told her she would have a baby, she exclaimed, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (v.34). Those two facts about Mary—that she was troubled and that she questioned the angel—tell us she was a person like us, with normal concerns. Yet, after listening to the angel, Mary called herself “the maidservant of the Lord,” and she said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38). She was a humble, godly servant, with a willingness to do God’s will. We see more of Mary’s heart in her eloquent prayer, known as the Magnificat, the Song of Mary (vv.46-55). Here she rejoiced in God’s holiness (v.49), His mercy (v.50), His strength (vv.51-52), His care for the hungry (v.53), and His goodness to His people (vv.54-55). We can learn from Mary to trust God despite our concerns and fears, and to praise Him for His greatness. That’s what the song of Mary is all about. God's unsearchable ways deserve our unbounded praise. "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" Luke 1:46, 47 A Baltimore congregation found the answer to its financial troubles on a church wall. And it had been "hiding" there for more than twenty-five years! Someone finally recognized a piece of art hanging in the chapel as a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht DDrer, dated 1493. The work shows the angel telling Mary she would give birth to God's Son. Some members just couldn't believe they had underestimated the value of the old masterpiece, saying in effect, "If it were real, why would it he here?" What about us? Are we underestimating the value of the event depicted on that woodblock print? Jesus isn't hiding. The truth that God came to earth in human form is plainly announced in His Word. It is reflected in our art and in our hymnbooks. But the significance of Christ's birth is still neglected. Let's not get so wrapped up in activities and pro-grams that we miss the immeasurable worth of knowing who that Baby was. M. R. D. II CHRIST'S BIRTH BROUGHT THE INFINITE GOD TO FINITE MAN. James Smith - VISITED AND REDEEMED. Luke 1:46. A PROPHETIC SONG. I. The Visitor. The Lord God. (1) The need of a Visitor. —Man's lost and helpless condition. (2) The Promise. —"I will surely visit you" (Exod. 3:16). (3) The Wonder. —"What is man that Thou visitest him. ?" (Psa. 8:4). (4) The manner. —"God was in Christ reconciling the world" (2 Cor. 5:19). II. The Visited. His People. (1) They knew Him not (John 1:11). (2) They knew not their time of visitation (Luke 19:44). (3) They rejected Him (John 19:14). III. The Purpose. To Redeem. (1) Who? Thy Maker is thy Redeemer (Isa. 54:5). (2) How? By giving Himself a ransom (Matt. 20:28). (3) What from? (Titus 2:14). (4) What to? To God, to holiness, and to service (Luke 1:74-75). QUESTION - What is the Magnificat? ANSWER - The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer/poem/hymn of praise found in Luke 1:46–55. Luke 1 records many of the events preliminary to the birth of Jesus, leading up to the famous passage in Luke 2. The Magnificat is part of this introductory section of Luke. Luke 1:5–24 foretells the coming of John the Baptist, who is to prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel appears to the priest Zechariah while he is performing his duties in the temple and tells him that he will have a son whom he is to name John. This is shocking news, since Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are childless. Elizabeth had been barren and is well past child-bearing years. Elizabeth also happens to be the cousin of Mary. In Luke 1:26–38 an angel appears to Mary and explains that, even though she is a virgin, she is to give birth to the Messiah. While Mary expresses great faith, no doubt she also had a lot of questions and some uncertainty, as this was something completely different from anything that had ever happened to any other human being. Perhaps she wondered how her parents and Joseph, her fiancé, would respond. (We know from Matthew 1 that this was an issue!) So, perhaps wanting to talk to someone outside of her immediate family circle, Mary decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country. Luke 1:39–45 records the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who is about 6 months pregnant at this time, is filled with the Holy Spirit and reports that, the moment she heard Mary’s voice, her unborn baby (John) leaped in her womb. Elizabeth then goes on to bless Mary. In Luke 1:46–55 Mary responds to Elizabeth’s blessing with what is now commonly called the Magnificat. Some Bibles will label this passage the “Song of Mary,” although the Bible does not report that she sang it. (The Magnificat is poetic and is now sung at various services during the Advent/Christmas season, especially in churches with a liturgical tradition.) The first line of Mary’s response is translated variously: • NASB: My soul exalts the Lord • NIV: My soul glorifies the Lord • KJV: My soul doth magnify the Lord • ESV: My soul magnifies the Lord The Latin translation of Mary’s response begins with the word magnificat, which simply means “magnify” (or “exalt,” “glorify,” etc.). The Magnificat is a poem of praise to God, praising Him for His blessing to Mary and His faithfulness to Israel. The Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted—not the least being a poor young girl who will be the mother of the Messiah. Here is the text of the Magnificat, as found in the English Standard Version: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. Commentators have pointed out that the Magnificat is full of quotations of and allusions to passages in the Old Testament. Many of the truths Mary expresses find a counterpart in Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. The Magnificat also foreshadows many themes that are addressed later in the book of Luke and in the ministry of Jesus.GotQuestions.org James Smith - HOLY JOY Luke 1:46–55 “Bethlehem and Calvary— A human child that God might die; This the stupendous mystery. Bethlehem and Calvary— Sweet picture of humility, And earth and Hell’s hostility.” Bethlehem and Calvary are the two poles of Divine grace and human guilt. In the one we see the evidence of God’s love to man, in the other the proof of man’s hatred to God. In this chapter we have three holy songs: 1. The song of Elizabeth (vs. 41, 42). 2. The song of Mary (v. 46). 3. The song of Zacharias (v. 67). It is with the song of Mary that we have now specially to do. It is pleasant to think of Mary as a singer. Did ever mortal voice sing a sweeter song than this? Her joy was holy, deep, Divine. It was— 1. Spiritual joy. “My spirit hath rejoiced” (v. 47). The tidings of the grace of God, in the gift of His Son, filled her soul with joy and made her spirit sing. The Gospel of God is intended to reach the very spirit of man, to touch and revive the innermost spring of His being. The lip songs of the hypocrite and the sentimental songs of the world never penetrate to the needy spirit in man. 2. Joy in God. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God” (v. 47). God revealed Himself, and He was known to Mary in the gift of His Son, and so known and believed that her spirit rejoiced in God. It cannot be said of us that we know God if in our spirits we do not rejoice in Him. We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:11). The joy that is in God is pure and blameless, and may be changeless and eternal. 3. Joy of salvation. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (v. 47). How near the heart of the virgin mother comes to her God in these words, “MY SAVIOUR” Mary needed a Saviour, and she found Him in the Son of the Highest, begotten in her by the power of the Holy Ghost. Where and how else can we find Him? My Lord and my God. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. 4. Praiseful joy. “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (v. 46). Even the joy of salvation may be a selfish joy, but the joy of adoration is God-glorifying. Hannah also knew this double joy. Joy in the salvation of the Lord, and joy in the Lord Himself (1 Sam. 2:1). O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together (Psa. 34:3). 5. Grateful joy. “For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden” (v. 48). She is deeply conscious that she could never merit the exceptional honour conferred upon her. No more can ye. Every one who knows God and lives in the light of His presence cannot but be conscious of his or her utter unworthiness of such love and favour. It is when, like Mary, we are in the low estate that the Lord will lift us up. Humble thyself and He will honour thee (Psa. 138:6). 6. Hopeful joy. “Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (v. 48). She was blessed indeed, and blessed down through the generations, all because of her very close relationship to both her Lord and ours. May we not learn from this that it is our nearness to Christ that is to tell on our children and the generations yet to come? The memory of the wicked shall rot, rot like a rootless, lifeless tree, but those planted by the river shall never wither (Psa. 1:3). 7. Reasonable joy. “For He that is mighty hath done to me great things” (v. 49). When we are so really conscious that the Lord hath done great things for us and in us, by the mighty operation of His Holy Spirit, the joy becomes, as it were, natural. The fruit of the Spirit is joy. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad (Psa. 126:3). Think on these things. He that is mighty is still able to do for us great things (Eph. 3:20). 8. Joy that constrained to testimony. In the following verses (50–55) Mary testifies to— 1. THE POWER OF GOD. “He scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, He hath sent the rich empty away. The arm that is strong to save is also strong to smite down everything that exalts itself against God. Those who know the joy of the Lord know this also. 2. THE GRACE OF GOD. “His mercy is on them that fear Him.” “He hath exalted them of low degree.” “He hath filled the hungry with good things.” “By grace are ye saved, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Luke 18:14). It is the hungry and thirsty that are filled (Matt. 5:6). Our testimony will be blessed if it is given as Mary gave hers. Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. God my Savior . Luke 2:11. Is. 12:2, 3; 45:21, 22. Zep. 3:14–17. Zec. 9:9. 1 Ti. 1:1. Titus 2:10, 13; 3:4–6. Verse-by-Verse - Multiple Commentaries - Luke 1:47 Commentaries Luke 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries REJOICING IN GOD MY SAVIOR In Luke 1:46 her soul exalts in the Lord and here it is her spirit that rejoiced. Mary's entire being was affected by the presence of Jesus in her womb. Imagine the effect He will have on us when we see Him in glory! I can only imagine! And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (soter) - As alluded to in comments on the previous passage Mary does not seem to make a major theological distinction between soul (v46) and spirit (v47). As Leon Morris said "We should not make a difference between soul and spirit, the change being nothing more than poetic parallelism." (TNTC) Rejoiced is the picture of her spirit jumping for joy. The source of her great joy is God my Savior. She says "MY" Savior indicating her personal possession of God as HER Savior. He is not God THE Savior but is God HER Savior (contrast the prevalent reaction by other Jews in Jn 1:11+). Mary was an Old Testament believer, one looking forward to Messiah's coming, while New Testament believers look back to His first coming, and anticipate eagerly His Second Coming (cf Titus 2:13+). Mary knew her need! Mary was not sinless, but like every human being born in the line of Adam (Ro 5:12+, cf 1 Cor 15:22) was in desperate need for a Savior to save her from the wages of sin which are eternal death (Ro 6:23+) and eternal separation from God and His glorious Kingdom (2 Th 1:9). Spurgeon agrees writing that Mary "needed a Saviour, you see. Though about to become the mother of Jesus, Mary did not think herself without sin. Her eyes still looked to Him Who should be her Saviour from guilt and condemnation." (Luke 1) A T