Passage 1: Genesis 38
(Gen 38:1) And at that time Iudah went downe from his brethren, and turned in to a man called Hirah an Adullamite.
(Notes Reference) And it came to pass at that time, that (a) Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name [was] Hirah.
(a) Moses describes the genealogy of Judah, because the Messiah should come from him.
(Gen 38:2) And Iudah sawe there the daughter of a man called Suah a Canaanite: and he tooke her to wife, and went in vnto her.
(Notes Reference) And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name [was] Shuah; (b) and he took her, and went in unto her.
(b) A relationship which nonetheless was condemned by God.
(Gen 38:3) So she conceiued and bare a sonne, and he called his name Er.
(Gen 38:4) And she conceiued againe, and bare a sonne, and she called his name Onan.
(Gen 38:5) Moreouer she bare yet a sonne, whome she called Shelah: and Iudah was at Chezib when she bare him.
(Gen 38:6) Then Iudah tooke a wife to Er his first borne sonne whose name was Tamar.
(Gen 38:7) Now Er the first borne of Iudah was wicked in the sight of the Lord: therefore the Lord slewe him.
(Gen 38:8) Then Iudah said to Onan, Goe in vnto thy brothers wife, and do the office of a kinsman vnto her, and raise vp seede vnto thy brother.
(Notes Reference) And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise (c) up seed to thy brother.
(c) This order was for the preservation of the stock, since the child begotten by the second brother would have the name and inheritance of the first: a practice which is abolished in the New Testament.
(Gen 38:9) And Onan knewe that the seede should not be his: therefore when he went in vnto his brothers wife, he spilled it on the grounde, least he should giue seede vnto his brother.
(Gen 38:10) And it was wicked in the eyes of the Lord, which he did: wherefore he slewe him also.
(Gen 38:11) Then said Iudah to Tamar his daughter in lawe, Remaine a widowe in thy fathers house, till Shelah my sonne growe vp (for he thought thus, Least he die as well as his brethren.) So Tamar went and dwelt in her fathers house.
(Notes Reference) Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, (d) Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren [did]. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
(d) For she could not marry in any other family so long as Judah would retain her in his.
(Gen 38:12) And in processe of time also the daughter of Shuah Iudahs wife dyed. Then Iudah, when he had left mourning, went vp to his sheepe sherers to Timnah, he, and his neighbour Hirah the Adullamite.
(Gen 38:13) And it was tolde Tamar, saying, beholde, thy father in lawe goeth vp to Timnah, to shere his sheepe.
(Gen 38:14) Then she put her widowes garments off from her, and couered her with a vaile, and wrapped her selfe, and sate downe in Pethah-enaim, which is by the way to Timnah, because she sawe that Shelah was growen, and she was not giuen vnto him to wife.
(Gen 38:15) When Iudah sawe her, he iudged her an whore: for she had couered her face.
(Gen 38:16) And he turned to the way towardes her, and saide, Come, I pray thee, let me lie with thee. (for he knewe not that she was his daughter in lawe) And she answered, What wilt thou giue me for to lie with me?
(Notes Reference) And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he (e) knew not that she [was] his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?
(e) God miraculously blinded him so that he could not know her by her voice.
(Gen 38:17) Then said he, I will sende thee a kid of the goates from the flocke. and she said, Well, if thou wilt giue me a pledge, till thou sende it.
(Gen 38:18) Then he saide, What is the pledge that I shall giue thee? And she answered, Thy signet, and thy cloke, and thy staffe that is in thine hande. So he gaue it her, and lay by her, and she was with childe by him.
(Gen 38:19) Then she rose, and went and put her vaile from her and put on her widowes raiment.
(Gen 38:20) Afterwarde Iudah sent a kid of the goates by the hande of his neighbour the Adullamite, for to receiue his pledge from the womans hand: but he found her not.
(Notes Reference) And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his (f) friend the Adullamite, to receive [his] pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.
(f) That his wickedness might not be known to others.
(Gen 38:21) Then asked he the men of that place, saying, Where is ye whore, that sate in Enaim by the way side? And they answered, There was no whore here.
(Gen 38:22) He came therefore to Iudah againe, and said, I can not finde her, and also the men of the place said, There was no whore there.
(Gen 38:23) Then Iudah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: beholde, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
(Notes Reference) And Judah said, Let her take [it] to her, lest we be (g) shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.
(g) He fears man more than God.
(Gen 38:24) Now after three moneths, one tolde Iudah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the whore, and lo, with playing the whore, she is great with childe. Then Iudah saide, Bring ye her foorth and let her be burnt.
(Notes Reference) And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she [is] with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be (h) burnt.
(h) We see that the Law, which was written in man's heart, taught them that adultery should be punished with death, even though no law had been given yet.
(Gen 38:25) When she was brought foorth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, vnto whom these things pertaine, am I with childe: and saide also, Looke, I pray thee, whose these are, the seale, and the cloke, and the staffe.
(Gen 38:26) Then Iudah knewe them, and said, She is more righteous then I: for she hath done it because I gaue her not to Shelah my sonne. So he lay with her no more.
(Notes Reference) And Judah acknowledged [them], and said, She hath been (i) more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again (k) no more.
(i) That is, she ought rather to accuse me than I her.
(k) for the horror of the sin condemned him.
(Gen 38:27) Now, when the time was come that she should be deliuered, beholde, there were twinnes in her wombe.
(Gen 38:28) And when she was in trauell, the one put out his hand: and the midwife tooke and bound a red threde about his hand, saying, This is come out first.
(Gen 38:29) But when he plucked his hand backe againe, loe, his brother came out, and the midwife said, How hast thou broken the breach vpon thee? and his name was called Pharez.
(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, as he (l) drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How (m) hast thou broken forth? [this] breach [be] upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
(l) Their heinous sin was signified by this monstrous birth.
(m) Or the separation between you and your brother.
(Gen 38:30) And afterward came out his brother that had the red threde about his hande, and his name was called Zarah.
Passage 2: Psalms 41-43
(Psa 41:1) To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid. Blessed is he that iudgeth wisely of the poore: the Lord shall deliuer him in ye time of trouble.
(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David." Blessed [is] he that (a) considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
(a) Not condemning him as accused whom God visits, knowing that there are various reasons why God lays his hand on us, yea and afterwards he restores us.
(Psa 41:2) The Lord will keepe him, and preserue him aliue: he shalbe blessed vpon the earth, and thou wilt not deliuer him vnto the will of his enemies.
(Psa 41:3) The Lord wil strengthen him vpon ye bed of sorow: thou hast turned al his bed in his sicknes.
(Notes Reference) The LORD will strengthen him upon the (b) bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his (c) bed in his sickness.
(b) When for sorrow and grief of mind he calls himself on his bed.
(c) You have restored him in his sick bed and sent him comfort.
(Psa 41:4) Therefore I saide, Lord haue mercie vpon me: heale my soule, for I haue sinned against thee.
(Psa 41:5) Mine enemies speake euill of me, saying, When shall he die, and his name perish?
(Notes Reference) Mine enemies (d) speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
(d) That is, curse me and cannot have their cruel hate quenched but with my shameful death.
(Psa 41:6) And if hee come to see mee, hee speaketh lies, but his heart heapeth iniquitie within him, and when he commeth foorth, he telleth it.
(Notes Reference) And if he come to see [me], he speaketh (e) vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; [when] he goeth abroad, he telleth [it].
(e) For pretending to comfort me, he conspires my death in his heart, and brags of it.
(Psa 41:7) All they that hate me, whisper together against me: euen against me do they imagine mine hurt.
(Psa 41:8) A mischiefe is light vpon him, and he that lyeth, shall no more rise.
(Notes Reference) (f) An evil disease, [say they], cleaveth fast unto him: and [now] that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
(f) The enemies thought by his sharp punishments that God had become his mortal enemy.
(Psa 41:9) Yea, my familiar friend, whom I trusted, which did eate of my bread, hath lifted vp the heele against me.
(Notes Reference) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, (g) hath lifted up [his] heel against me.
(g) As David felt this falsehood, and as it was chiefly accomplished in Christ, (Joh 13:18) so shall his members continually prove the same.
(Psa 41:10) Therefore, O Lord, haue mercy vpon mee, and raise me vp: so I shall reward them.
(Psa 41:11) By this I know that thou fauourest me, because mine enemie doth not triumph against me.
(Psa 41:12) And as for me, thou vpholdest me in mine integritie, and doest set me before thy face for euer.
(Notes Reference) And as for me, thou upholdest me (h) in mine integrity, and settest me before thy (i) face for ever.
(h) Meaning, either in prosperity of life or in the true fear of God against all temptation.
(i) Showing me evident signs of your fatherly providence.
(Psa 41:13) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel worlde without ende. So be it, euen so be it.
(Notes Reference) Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. (k) Amen, and Amen.
(k) By this repetition he stirs up the faithful to praise God.
(Psa 42:1) To him that excelleth. A Psalme to give instruction, committed to the sonnes of Korah. As the harte brayeth for the riuers of water, so panteth my soule after thee, O God.
(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician, Maschil, (a) for the sons of Korah." As the hart (b) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
(a) As a treasure to be kept by them, who were of the number of the Levites.
(b) By these comparisons of the thirst and panting, he shows his fervent desire to serve God in his temple.
(Psa 42:2) My soule thirsteth for God, euen for the liuing God: when shall I come and appeare before the presence of God?
(Psa 42:3) My teares haue bin my meate day and night, while they dayly say vnto me, Where is thy God?
(Notes Reference) (c) My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God?
(c) As others take pleasure in eating and drinking, so he was altogether given to weeping.
(Psa 42:4) When I remembred these things, I powred out my very heart, because I had gone with the multitude, and ledde them into the House of God with the voyce of singing, and prayse, as a multitude that keepeth a feast.
(Notes Reference) When I remember (d) these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
(d) That is, how I led the people to serve you in your tabernacle, and now seeing my contrary estate, I die for sorrow.
(Psa 42:5) Why art thou cast downe, my soule, and vnquiet within me? waite on God: for I will yet giue him thankes for the helpe of his presence.
(Notes Reference) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? (e) hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.
(e) Though he sustained grievous assaults of the flesh to cast him into despair, yet his faith grounded on God's accustomed mercies gets the victory.
(Psa 42:6) My God, my soule is cast downe within me, because I remember thee, from the land of Iorden, and Hermonim, and from the mount Mizar.
(Notes Reference) O my God, my soul is cast down within me: (f) therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
(f) That is, when I remember you in this land of my banishment among the mountains.
(Psa 42:7) One deepe calleth another deepe by the noyse of thy water spoutes: all thy waues and thy floods are gone ouer me.
(Notes Reference) (g) Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
(g) Afflictions came so thick upon me that I felt overwhelmed: by which he shows there is no end to our misery till God is pacified and sends help.
(Psa 42:8) The Lord will graunt his louing kindenesse in the day, and in the night shall I sing of him, euen a prayer vnto the God of my life.
(Notes Reference) [Yet] the LORD (h) will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.
(h) He assures himself of God's help in time to come.
(Psa 42:9) I wil say vnto God, which is my rocke, Why hast thou forgotten mee? why goe I mourning, when the enemie oppresseth me?
(Psa 42:10) My bones are cut asunder, while mine enemies reproch me, saying dayly vnto me, Where is thy God?
(Notes Reference) [As] with a sword in my (i) bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?
(i) That is, I am most grievously tormented.
(Psa 42:11) Why art thou cast downe, my soule? and why art thou disquieted within mee? waite on God: for I wil yet giue him thankes: he is my present helpe, and my God.
(Notes Reference) (k) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.
(k) This repetition declares that David did not overcome at once, to teach us to be constant, for as much as God will certainly deliver his.
(Psa 43:1) Judge me, O God, and defend my cause against the vnmercifull people: deliuer mee from the deceitfull and wicked man.
(Notes Reference) Judge (a) me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly (b) nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
(a) He desires God to undertake his cause against the enemies but chiefly that he would restore him to the tabernacle.
(b) That is, the cruel company of my enemies.
(Psa 43:2) For thou art the God of my strength: why hast thou put me away? why goe I so mourning, when the enemie oppresseth me?
(Psa 43:3) Sende thy light and thy trueth: let them leade mee: let them bring mee vnto thine holy Mountaine and to thy Tabernacles.
(Notes Reference) O send out thy (c) light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
(c) That is, your favour which appears by the performance of your promises.
(Psa 43:4) Then wil I go vnto the altar of God, euen vnto the God of my ioy and gladnes: and vpon the harpe wil I giue thanks vnto thee, O God, my God.
(Notes Reference) Then (d) will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
(d) He promises to offer a solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving in token of his great deliverance.
(Psa 43:5) Why art thou cast downe, my soule? and why art thou disquieted within mee? waite on God: for I will yet giue him thankes, he is my present helpe, and my God.
(Notes Reference) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? (e) hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.
(e) By which he admonishes the faithful not to relent but constantly to wait on the Lord, though their troubles are long and great.
Passage 3: Matthew 25
(Mat 25:1) Then the kingdome of heauen shalbe likened vnto tenne virgins, which tooke their lampes, and went foorth to meete the bridegrome.
(Notes Reference) Then (1) shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and (a) went forth to meet the bridegroom.
(1) We must desire strength from God's hand which may serve us as a torch while we walk through this darkness, to bring us to our desired end: otherwise, if we become slothful and negligent because we are weary of our pains and travail, we shall be kept from entering the doors.
(a) The pomp of weddings was usually preferred to be done at night, and that by young unmarried women.
(Mat 25:2) And fiue of them were wise, and fiue foolish.
(Mat 25:3) The foolish tooke their lampes, but tooke none oyle with them.
(Mat 25:4) But the wise tooke oyle in their vessels with their lampes.
(Mat 25:5) Nowe while the bridegrome taried long, all slumbred and slept.
(Notes Reference) While the bridegroom tarried, they all (b) slumbered and slept.
(b) Their eyes being heavy with sleep.
(Mat 25:6) And at midnight there was a crie made, Behold, the bridegrome commeth: goe out to meete him.
(Mat 25:7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lampes.
(Mat 25:8) And the foolish said to the wise, Giue vs of your oyle, for our lampes are out.
(Mat 25:9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there will not be ynough for vs and you: but goe ye rather to them that sell, and bye for your selues.
(Mat 25:10) And while they went to bye, the bridegrome came: and they that were readie, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut.
(Mat 25:11) Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to vs.
(Mat 25:12) But he answered, and said, Verely I say vnto you, I knowe you not.
(Mat 25:13) Watch therfore: for ye know neither the day, nor the houre, when the sonne of man will come.
(Mat 25:14) For the kingdome of heauen is as a man that going into a strange countrey, called his seruants, and deliuered to them his goods.
(Notes Reference) (2) For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
(2) Christ witnesses that there will be a long time between his departure to his Father and his coming again to us, but yet notwithstanding that, he will at that day take an account not only of the rebellious and obstinate, how they have made use of that which they received from him, but also of his household servants, who have because of slothfulness not employed those gifts which he bestowed upon them.
(Mat 25:15) And vnto one he gaue fiue talents, and to an other two, and to another one, to euery man after his own ability, and straightway went from home.
(Notes Reference) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several (c) ability; and straightway took his journey.
(c) According to the wisdom and skill in dealing which was given to them.
(Mat 25:16) Then he that had receiued the fiue talents, went and occupied with them, and gained other fiue talents.
(Mat 25:17) Likewise also, he that receiued two, he also gained other two.
(Mat 25:18) But he that receiued that one, went and digged it in the earth, and hid his masters money.
(Mat 25:19) But after a long season, the master of those seruants came, and reckoned with them.
(Mat 25:20) Then came he that had receiued fiue talents, and brought other fiue talents, saying, Master, thou deliueredst vnto me fiue talents: behold, I haue gained with them other fiue talents.
(Mat 25:21) Then his master saide vnto him, It is well done good seruant and faithfull, Thou hast bene faithfull in litle, I will make thee ruler ouer much: enter into thy masters ioy.
(Notes Reference) His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: (d) enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(d) Come and receive the fruit of my goodness: now the Lord's joy is doubled; see (Joh 15:11): that my joy may remain in you, and your joy be fulfilled.
(Mat 25:22) Also he that had receiued two talents, came, and said, Master, thou deliueredst vnto me two talents: behold, I haue gained two other talets more.
(Mat 25:23) His master saide vnto him, It is well done good seruant, and faithfull, Thou hast bene faithfull in litle, I will make thee ruler ouer much: enter into thy masters ioy.
(Mat 25:24) Then he which had receiued the one talent, came, and said, Master, I knewe that thou wast an hard man, which reapest where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou strawedst not:
(Mat 25:25) I was therefore afraide, and went, and hid thy talent in the earth: behold, thou hast thine owne.
(Mat 25:26) And his master answered, and said vnto him, Thou euill seruant, and slouthfull, thou knewest that I reape where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not.
(Mat 25:27) Thou oughtest therefore to haue put my money to ye exchangers, and then at my comming should I haue receiued mine owne with vantage.
(Notes Reference) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the (e) exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
(e) Bankers who have their shops or tables set up abroad, where they lend money at interest. Usury or loaning money at interest is strictly forbidden by the Bible, (Exo 22:25-27; Deu 23:19-20). Even a rate as low as one per cent interest was disallowed, (Neh 5:11). This servant had already told two lies. First he said the master was an austere or harsh man. This is a lie for the Lord is merciful and gracious. Next he called his master a thief because he reaped where he did not sow. Finally the master said to him sarcastically why did you not add insult to injury and loan the money out at interest so you could call your master a "usurer" too! If the servant had done this, his master would have been responsible for his servant's actions and guilty of usury.
(Mat 25:28) Take therefore the talent from him, and giue it vnto him which hath tenne talents.
(Mat 25:29) For vnto euery man that hath, it shall be giuen, and he shall haue abundance, and from him that hath not, euen that he hath, shalbe taken away.
(Mat 25:30) Cast therefore that vnprofitable seruant into vtter darkenes: there shalbe weeping and gnasshing of teeth.
(Mat 25:31) And when the Sonne of man commeth in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit vpon the throne of his glorie,
(Notes Reference) (3) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
(3) A graphic setting forth of the everlasting judgment which is to come.
(Mat 25:32) And before him shalbe gathered all nations, and he shall seperate them one from another, as a shepheard separateth the sheepe from ye goates.
(Mat 25:33) And he shall set the sheepe on his right hand, and the goates on the left.
(Mat 25:34) Then shall ye king say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my father: take the inheritance of the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
(Notes Reference) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye (f) blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
(f) Blessed and happy, upon whom my Father has most abundantly bestowed his benefits.
(Mat 25:35) For I was an hungred, and ye gaue me meate: I thirsted, and ye gaue me drinke: I was a stranger, and ye tooke me in vnto you.
(Mat 25:36) I was naked, and ye clothed me: I was sicke, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came vnto me.
(Mat 25:37) Then shall the righteous answere him, saying, Lord, when sawe we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or a thirst, and gaue thee drinke?
(Mat 25:38) And when sawe we thee a stranger, and tooke thee in vnto vs? or naked, and clothed thee?
(Mat 25:39) Or when sawe we thee sicke, or in prison, and came vnto thee?
(Mat 25:40) And the King shall answere, and say vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these my brethre, ye haue done it to me.
(Mat 25:41) Then shall he say vnto them on ye left hand, Depart from me ye cursed, into euerlasting fire, which is prepared for the deuill and his angels.
(Mat 25:42) For I was an hungred, and ye gaue me no meate: I thirsted, and ye gaue me no drinke:
(Mat 25:43) I was a stranger, and ye tooke me not in vnto you: I was naked, and ye clothed me not: sicke, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
(Mat 25:44) Then shall they also answere him, saying, Lord, when sawe we thee an hungred, or a thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sicke, or in prison, and did not minister vnto thee?
(Mat 25:45) Then shall he answere them, and say, Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
(Mat 25:46) And these shall goe into euerlasting paine, and the righteous into life eternall.