Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
William MacDonald observed, “Paul’s frank judgment is that a widow is happier if she remains unmarried. This does not contradict 1 Timothy 5:14 where Paul expresses his judgment that younger widows should marry. Here he is stating his general idea—in 1 Timothy a specific exception. Then he adds, “I think I also have the Spirit of God.”
Hymns: 328 How Firm a Foundation, 521 God Is Always Near Me, 430 Just As I Am
Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes
(Remember Now Thy Creator)
Wisdom for Nation Building
Ecclesiastes 10:16-20
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Moses (1) Exodus 2:1-15 1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wifea daughter of Levi. 2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was agoodly child, she hid him three months. 3 And …
The marriage covenant is binding and effectual as long as the husband and wife is alive. This is reflected in the sacred oath made by the couple on the day of their marriage.
A comparison is made between the unmarried who decides to marry and the one who decides not to marry for the sake of devoting undistracted attention to the service of the Lord. The Apostle Paul says that this second person is doing better for the devotion given to serve the Lord.
MacArthur observed well, “As with the single themselves (v. 28), the choice is not between right and wrong but between good (well) and better.”
A man may choose to remain single and not marry. He is steadfast in his conviction to remain single and has the strength in his heart to live the life of single hood, “that he will keep his virgin”, is commended. This commendation is given, reading our context, for his willingness to be in the service of the Lord undistracted by the familial duties of life.
Acts 13:1-42 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Knowing Your Privilege in Christ “The Character of the Church” (Ephesians 2:1-10) 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, …
The Believer’s Privilege
(Psalm 99)
This psalm speaks of the covenantal relationship that God’s people have with their LORD and thus the privilege that comes with that relationship. This relationship is built upon God’s holiness (v3, 5, 9) and His sovereign rule over His people (v1). God is holy and has made us accepted through His Son. What privilege!
(1) Fear Him (v1-2)
1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
Filial fear is the rightful response of His children before the thrice holy God. No man could stand His wrath. He sits between the two cherubims or angels. It is called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22). There, our prayers are heard and our salvation is granted. Zion was the holy mount of God where He ruled ancient Israel. It is symbolic of God’s rule from His throne. He is high above His people. Who can deliver us if God does not make a way for us?
William MacDonald observed well, “The common explanation is this: In Paul’s day a man exercised rigid control over his home. It was up to him whether his daughters married or not. They could not do so without his permission. Thus these verses are taken to mean that if a man refuses to allow his daughters to marry, that is a good thing, but if he allows them to marry, then he is not sinning. Such an interpretation seems almost meaningless as far as instruction for the people of God in this day is concerned. The interpretation does not fit in with the context of the rest of the chapter, and seems hopelessly confusing.”