Read Scripture In A Year: May 18

Passage 1: Joshua 2

(Jos 2:1) Then Ioshua the sonne of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spie secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and also Iericho: and they went, and came into an harlots house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of (a) Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

(a) Which was in the plain of Moab near Jordan.

(Jos 2:2) Then report was made to the King of Iericho, saying, Beholde, there came men hither to night, of the children of Israel, to spie out the countrey.

(Jos 2:3) And the King of Iericho sent vnto Rahab, saying, Bring foorth the men that are come to thee, and which are entred into thine house: for they be come to search out all the land.

(Notes Reference) And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, (b) Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

(b) Though the wicked see the hand of God on them, they do not repent, but seek how they may by their power and policy resist his working.

(Jos 2:4) (But ye woman had taken the two men, and hid them) Therefore saide she thus, There came men vnto me, but I wist not whence they were.

(Jos 2:5) And when they shut the gate in the darke, the men went out, whither the men went I wote not: follow ye after them quickly, for ye shall ouertake them.

(Jos 2:6) (But she had brought them vp to the roofe of the house, and hidde them with the stalkes of flaxe, which she had spread abroad vpon the roofe)

(Notes Reference) But she had brought them up to the (c) roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

(Jos 2:7) And certaine men pursued after them, the way to Iorden, vnto the foordes, and as soone as they which pursued after them, were gone out, they shut the gate.

(Jos 2:8) And before they were a sleepe, she came vp vnto them vpon the roofe,

(Jos 2:9) And saide vnto the men, I knowe that the Lord hath giuen you the land, and that the feare of you is fallen vpon vs, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

(Notes Reference) And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your (d) terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

(d) For so God promised, (Deu 28:7; Jos 5:1).

(Jos 2:10) For we haue heard, howe the Lord dried vp the water of the redde Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt, and what you did vnto the two Kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Iorden, vnto Sihon and to Og, whom ye vtterly destroyed:

(Jos 2:11) And when wee heard it, our heartes did faint, and there remained no more courage in any because of you: for the Lord your God, he is the God in heauen aboue, and in earth beneath.

(Notes Reference) And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for (e) the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

(e) In this the great mercy of God appears, that in this common destruction he would draw a most miserable sinner to repent, and confess his Name.

(Jos 2:12) Now therefore, I pray you, sweare vnto me by the Lord; that as I haue shewed you mercie, ye will also shewe mercie vnto my fathers house, and giue me a true token,

(Jos 2:13) And that yee will saue aliue my father and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they haue: and that yee will deliuer our soules from death.

(Jos 2:14) And the men answered her, Our life for you to die, if ye vtter not this our businesse: and when the Lord hath giuen vs the lande, we will deale mercifully and truely with thee.

(Notes Reference) And the men answered her, (f) Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

(f) We warrant you on pain of our lives.

(Jos 2:15) Then she let them downe by a corde thorowe the windowe: for her house was vpon the towne wall, and she dwelt vpon the wall.

(Jos 2:16) And she said vnto them, Goe you into the mountaine, least the pursuers meete with you, and hide your selues there three dayes, vntill the pursuers be returned: then afterwarde may yee goe your way.

(Notes Reference) And she said unto them, Get you to the (g) mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

(g) which was near to the city.

(Jos 2:17) And the men said vnto her, We will be blamelesse of this thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.

(Notes Reference) And the men said unto her, (h) We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

(h) We will be released from our oath if you perform this condition that follows for so shall you and yours be delivered.

(Jos 2:18) Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this cord of red threde in the window, whereby thou lettest vs downe, and thou shalt bring thy father and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy fathers houshold home to thee.

(Jos 2:19) And whosoeuer then doeth goe out at the doores of thine house into the streete, his blood shalbe vpon his head, and we will be giltlesse: but whosoeuer shall be with thee in the house, his blood shalbe on our head, if any hande touch him:

(Notes Reference) And it shall be, [that] whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, (i) his blood [shall be] upon his head, and we [will be] guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood [shall be] on our head, if [any] hand be upon him.

(i) He shall be guilty of his own death.

(Jos 2:20) And if thou vtter this our matter, we will be quite of thine othe, which thou hast made vs sweare.

(Notes Reference) And if thou utter this our (k) business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

(k) So that others should think to escape by the same means.

(Jos 2:21) And she answered, According vnto your wordes, so be it: then she sent them away, and they departed, and she bound the red cord in ye window.

(Jos 2:22) And they departed, and came into the mountaine, and there abode three dayes, vntil the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but founde them not.

(Jos 2:23) So the two men returned, and descended from the mountaine, and passed ouer, and came to Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and tolde him all things that came vnto them.

(Jos 2:24) Also they saide vnto Ioshua, Surely the Lord hath deliuered into our handes all the lande: for euen all the inhabitants of the countrey faint because of vs.

Passage 2: Isaiah 8

(Isa 8:1) Moreover, the Lord sayd vnto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a mans penne, Make speede to the spoyle: haste to the praye.

(Notes Reference) Moreover the LORD said to me, Take thee a (a) great roll, and write in it (b) with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

(a) That you may write in great letters to the intent that it may be more easily read.

(b) Meaning, after the common fashion, because all men might read it.

(Isa 8:2) Then I tooke vnto me faithfull witnesses to recorde, Vriah the Priest, and Zechariah the sonne of Ieberechiah.

(Notes Reference) And I took to me (c) faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

(c) Because the thing was of great importance, he took these two witnesses, who were of credit with the people, when he set this up upon the door of the temple, even though Uriah was a flattering hypocrite, (2Ki 16:11).

(Isa 8:3) After, I came vnto the Prophetesse, which conceiued, and bare a sonne. Then sayd the Lord to me, Call his name, Mahershalalhash-baz.

(Notes Reference) And I went to the (d) prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

(d) Meaning, to his wife and this was done in a vision.

(Isa 8:4) For before the childe shall haue knowledge to crye, My father, and my mother, he shall take away the riches of Damascus and the spoyle of Samaria, before the King of Asshur.

(Notes Reference) For before the (e) child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the (f) king of Assyria.

(e) Before any child is able to speak.

(f) That is, the army of Assyria.

(Isa 8:5) And the Lord spake yet againe vnto me, saying,

(Isa 8:6) Because this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that runne softly, and reioyce with Rezin, and the sonne of Remaliah,

(Notes Reference) Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of (g) Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

(g) Which was a fountain at the foot of mount Zion, out of which ran a small river through the city: meaning, that they of Judah distrusting their own power which was small desired such power and riches as they saw in Syria and Israel.

(Isa 8:7) Nowe therefore, beholde, the Lord bringeth vp vpon them the waters of the Riuer mightie and great, euen the King of Asshur with all his glory, and he shall come vp vpon all their riuers, and goe ouer all their banks,

(Notes Reference) Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of (h) the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks:

(h) That is, the Assyrians who dwell beyond Euphrates.

(Isa 8:8) And shall breake into Iudah, and shall ouerflowe and passe through, and shall come vp to the necke, and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanu-el.

(Notes Reference) And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the (i) neck; and the spread of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O (k) Immanuel.

(i) It will be ready to drown them.

(k) He speaks this to Messiah, or Christ, in whom the faithful were comforted and who would not suffer his Church to be destroyed utterly.

(Isa 8:9) Gather together on heapes, O ye people, and ye shalbe broken in pieces, and hearken all ye of farre countreys: gird your selues, and you shalbe broken in pieces: gird your selues, and you shalbe broken in pieces.

(Notes Reference) Associate yourselves, O ye (l) people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

(l) That is, you who are enemies to the Church, as the Assyrians, Egyptians, Syrians etc.

(Isa 8:10) Take counsell together, yet it shall be brought to nought: pronounce a decree, yet shall it not stand: for God is with vs.

(Isa 8:11) For the Lord spake thus to me in taking of mine hand, and taught me, that I should not walke in the way of this people, saying,

(Notes Reference) For the LORD spoke thus to me (m) with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

(m) To encourage me that I should not shrink for the infidelity of this people, and so neglect my office.

(Isa 8:12) Say ye not, A confederacie to all them, to whome this people sayth a confederacie, neither feare you their feare, nor be afrayd of them.

(Notes Reference) Say ye not, A (n) confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye (o) their fear, nor be afraid.

(n) Consent not you who are godly to the league and friendship that this people seek with strangers and idolaters.

(o) Meaning, that they should not fear the thing that they who have no hope in God feared.

(Isa 8:13) Sanctifie the Lord of hostes, and let him be your feare, and let him be your dread,

(Notes Reference) (p) Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.

(p) In putting your trust only in him, in calling on him in adversity, patiently looking for his help, and fearing to do anything contrary to his will.

(Isa 8:14) And he shalbe as a Sanctuarie: but as a stumbling stone, and as a rocke to fall vpon, to both the houses of Israel, and as a snare and as a net to the inhabitants of Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And he shall be for a (q) sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

(q) He will defend you who are his elect, and reject all the rest, meaning Christ against whom the Jews would stumble and fall, (Luk 2:23; Rom 9:33; 1Pe 2:7,8).

(Isa 8:15) And many among them shall stumble, and shall fall and shalbe broken and shalbe snared and shalbe taken.

(Isa 8:16) Binde vp the testimonie: seale vp the Law among my disciples.

(Notes Reference) (r) Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

(r) Though all forsake me, yet you who are mine keep my word sure sealed in your hearts.

(Isa 8:17) Therefore I will waite vpon the Lord that hath hid his face from the house of Iaakob, and I wil looke for him.

(Isa 8:18) Beholde, I and the children whome the Lord hath giuen me, are as signes and as wonders in Israel, by the Lord of hostes, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

(Notes Reference) Behold, I and the (s) children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel (t) from the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion.

(s) Meaning, them who were willing to hear and obey the word of God whom the world hated, as though they were monsters and not worthy to live.

(t) This was a consolation in their troubles, knowing that nothing could come to them, but by the will of the Lord.

(Isa 8:19) And when they shall say vnto you, Enquire at them that haue a spirit of diuination, and at the soothsayers, which whisper and murmure, Should not a people enquire at their God? from the liuing to the dead?

(Notes Reference) And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that are mediums, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: (u) should not a people seek to their God? for the (x) living to the dead?

(u) Answer the wicked thus, should not God's people seek comfort only from him?

(x) That is, will they refuse to be taught by the prophet, who is the mouth of God, and seek help from the dead, which is the illusion of Satan?

(Isa 8:20) To the Law, and to the testimonie, if they speake not according to this worde: it is because there is no light in them.

(Notes Reference) To the (y) law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no (z) light in them.

(y) Seek remedy in the word of God, where his will is declared.

(z) They have no knowledge but are blind leaders of the blind.

(Isa 8:21) Then he that is afflicted and famished, shall go to and from in it: and when he shalbe hungry, he shall euen freat himselfe, and curse his King and his gods, and shall looke vpward.

(Notes Reference) And they shall pass through it, distressed and hungry: and it shall come to (a) pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, (b) and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

(a) That is, in Judah, where they would have had rest, if they had not thus grievously offended God.

(b) In whom before they put their trust.

(Isa 8:22) And when he shall looke to the earth, beholde trouble, and darkenes, vexation and anguish, and he is driuen to darkenes.

(Notes Reference) And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and (c) darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.

Passage 3: 1 Thessalonians 3-4

(1Th 3:1) Wherefore since we could no longer forbare, wee thought it good to remaine at Athens alone,

(1Th 3:2) And haue sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our labour felow in the Gospel of Christ, to stablish you, and to comfort you touching your faith,

(1Th 3:3) That no man should be moued with these afflictions: for ye your selues knowe, that we are appointed thereunto.

(Notes Reference) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: (1) for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

(1) The will of God, who calls his own on this condition, to bring them to glory by affliction, is a most sure remedy against all afflictions.

(1Th 3:4) For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulations, euen as it came to passe, and ye knowe it.

(1Th 3:5) Euen for this cause, when I could no longer forbeare, I sent him that I might knowe of your faith, lest the tempter had tempted you in any sort, and that our labour had bene in vaine.

(1Th 3:6) But now lately when Timotheus came from you vnto vs, and brought vs good tidings of your faith and loue, and that ye haue good remembrance of vs alwayes, desiring to see vs, as we also do you,

(Notes Reference) (2) But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also [to see] you:

(2) Because they have to this point gone so well forward, he exhorts them again to make an end of the rest of the journey, seeing that in doing so they will do him their apostle a great pleasure.

(1Th 3:7) Therefore, brethren, we had consolation in you, in all our affliction and necessitie through your faith.

(1Th 3:8) For nowe are wee aliue, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

(Notes Reference) For now we (a) live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

(a) For now you cannot otherwise think of me as at rest and in a good state of being, unless you go forward in religion and faith.

(1Th 3:9) For what thankes can wee recompense to God againe for you, for all the ioy wherewith we reioyce for your sakes before our God,

(1Th 3:10) Night and day, praying exceedingly that wee might see your face, and might accomplish that which is lacking in your faith?

(Notes Reference) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might (b) perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

(b) Paul was forced through the pressing dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had just begun: and for that reason he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again immediately. So that he desires to see the Thessalonians, that he may thoroughly perfect their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect.

(1Th 3:11) Nowe God himselfe, euen our Father, and our Lord Iesus Christ, guide our iourney vnto you,

(1Th 3:12) And the Lord increase you, and make you abound in loue one toward another, and towarde all men, euen as we doe toward you:

(Notes Reference) (3) And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

(3) Another part of the epistle, in which he speaks of the duties of a Christian life. And he shows that the perfection of a Christian life consists in two things, that is, in charity toward all men, and inward purity of the heart. And the accomplishment of these things is nonetheless deferred to the next coming of Christ, who will then perfect his work by the same grace with which he began it in us.

(1Th 3:13) To make your hearts stable and vnblameable in holines before God euen our Father, at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Saints.

(1Th 4:1) And furthermore we beseeche you, brethren, and exhort you in the Lord Iesus, that ye increase more and more, as ye haue receiued of vs, how ye ought to walke, and to please God.

(Notes Reference) Furthermore (1) then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would (a) abound more and more.

(1) Various exhortations, the foundation of which is this, to be mindful of those things which they have heard from the apostle.

(a) That you labour to excel more and more, and daily surpass yourselves.

(1Th 4:2) For ye knowe what commandements we gaue you by the Lord Iesus.

(1Th 4:3) For this is the will of God euen your sanctification, and that ye should abstaine from fornication,

(Notes Reference) (2) For this is the will of God, [even] your (b) sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

(2) This is the sum of those things which he delivered to them, to dedicate themselves wholly to God. And he plainly condemns all filthiness through lust, because it is altogether contrary to the will of God.

(b) See (Joh 17:17).

(1Th 4:4) That euery one of you should know, how to possesse his vessell in holines and honour,

(Notes Reference) (3) That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

(3) Another reason, because it defiles the body.

(1Th 4:5) And not in the lust of concupiscence, euen as the Gentiles which know not God:

(Notes Reference) (4) Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

(4) The third, because the saints are distinguished by honesty and purity from those who do not know God.

(1Th 4:6) That no man oppresse or defraude his brother in any matter: for the Lord is auenger of all such thinges, as we also haue tolde you before time, and testified.

(Notes Reference) (5) That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

(5) Secondly, he reprehends all violent oppression, and immoderate desire, and shows most severely as the Prophet of God, that God will avenge such wickedness.

(1Th 4:7) For God hath not called vs vnto vncleannesse, but vnto holinesse.

(1Th 4:8) Hee therefore that despiseth these thinges, despiseth not man, but God who hath euen giuen you his holy Spirit.

(Notes Reference) He therefore that (c) despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

(1Th 4:9) But as touching brotherly loue, ye neede not that I write vnto you: for ye are taught of God to loue one another.

(Notes Reference) (6) But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

(6) Thirdly, he requires a ready mind to every manner of lovingkindness, and exhorts them to profit more and more in that virtue.

(1Th 4:10) Yea, and that thing verily yee doe vnto all the brethren, which are throughout all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more,

(1Th 4:11) And that ye studie to be quiet, and to meddle with your owne busines, and to worke with your owne handes, as we commanded you,

(Notes Reference) (7) And that ye study to be quiet, (8) and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

(7) He condemns unsettled minds, and such as are curious in matters which do not concern them. (8) He rebukes idleness and slothfulness: and whoever is given to these vices, fall into other wickedness, to the great offence of the Church.

(1Th 4:12) That yee may behaue your selues honestly towarde them that are without, and that nothing be lacking vnto you.

(1Th 4:13) I would not, brethren, haue you ignorant concerning them which are a sleepe, that ye sorow not euen as other which haue no hope.

(Notes Reference) (9) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, (10) concerning them (11) which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

(9) The third part of the epistle, which is mixed in among the former exhortations (which he returns to afterwards), in which he speaks of mourning for the dead, and the manner of the resurrection, and of the latter day.

(10) We must take heed that we do not immoderately mourn for the dead, that is, as those do who think that the dead are utterly perished.

(11) A confirmation: for death is but a sleep of the body (for he speaks of the faithful) until the Lord comes.

(1Th 4:14) For if we beleeue that Iesus is dead, and is risen, euen so them which sleepe in Iesus, will God bring with him.

(Notes Reference) (12) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in (d) Jesus will God (e) bring with him.

(12) A reason for the confirmation, for seeing that the head is risen, the members also will rise, and that by the power of God.

(d) The dead in Christ, who continue in faith by which they are ingrafted into Christ, even to the last breath.

(e) Will call their bodies out of their graves, and join their souls to them again.

(1Th 4:15) For this say we vnto you by the worde of the Lord, that we which liue, and are remayning in the comming of the Lord, shall not preuent them which sleepe.

(Notes Reference) (13) For this we say unto you by the (f) word of the Lord, that (g) we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

(13) The manner of the resurrection will be in this way: the bodies of the dead will be as it were raised out of sleep at the sound of the trumpet of God. Christ himself will descend from heaven. The saints (for he is referring to them) who will then be found alive, together with the dead who will rise, will be taken up into the clouds to meet the Lord, and will be in perpetual glory with him.

(f) In the name of the Lord, as though he himself spoke to you.

(g) He speaks of these things, as though he should be one of those whom the Lord will find alive at his coming, because the time of his coming is uncertain: and therefore every one of us ought to be in such a readiness, as if the Lord were coming at any moment.

(1Th 4:16) For the Lord himselfe shall descende from heauen with a shoute, and with the voyce of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(Notes Reference) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a (h) shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(h) The word which the apostle uses here, properly signifies that encouragement which mariners give to one another, when they altogether with one shout put forth their oars and row together.

(1Th 4:17) Then shall we which liue and remaine, be caught vp with them also in the clouds, to meete the Lord in the ayre: and so shall we euer be with the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be (i) caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(i) Suddenly and in the twinkling of an eye.

(1Th 4:18) Wherefore, comfort your selues one another with these wordes.