Week 27, Prisoner

July 2nd to 8th

Discussion Questions

Old Testament

How was it possible that Judah had become so far removed from God by the time of Josiah. Why was Josiah so determined to comply with God’s law? 2 Kings 23:21-25

New Testament

Why did Paul bring up the matter of the resurrection of the dead in Acts 23:6-10

Notes and Commentary

Old Testament

How was it possible that Judah had become so far removed from God by the time of Josiah. Why was Josiah so determined to comply with God’s law?
2 Kings 23:21-25 (WEBME). [21] The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” [22] Surely there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; [23] but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah was this Passover kept to the LORD in Jerusalem. [24] Moreover Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the LORD’s house. [25] Like him was there no king before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Torah of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
[Adam Clarke’s 1810/1825 commentary and critical notes on the Bible] Perhaps no one from the time of David; and, morally considered, including David himself, none ever sat on the Jewish throne, so truly exemplary in his own conduct, and so thoroughly zealous in the work of God. David was a greater but not a better man than Josiah.
[Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible] We hear no more of the repairing of the temple: no doubt that good work went on well; but the book of the law that was found in it occupies us now, and well it may. It is not laid up in the king’s cabinet as a piece of antiquity, a rarity to be admired, but it is read before the king. Those put the truest honour upon their Bibles that study them and converse with them daily, feed on that bread and walk by that light. Men of honour and business must look upon an acquaintance with God’s word to be their best business and honour. Now here we have, the impressions which the reading of the law made upon Josiah. He rent his clothes, as one ashamed of the sin of his people and afraid of the wrath of God; he had long thought the case of his kingdom bad, by reason of the idolatries and impieties that had been found among them, but he never thought it so bad as he perceived it to be by the book of the law now read to him. The rending of his clothes signified the rending of his heart for the dishonour done to God, and the ruin he saw coming upon his people.

New Testament

Why did Paul bring up the matter of the resurrection of the dead in Acts 23:6-10?
Acts 23:6-10 (WEB). [6] But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” [7] When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. [9] A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!” [10] When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
Paul was brought before the Jewish council to be judged. He mentioned a key difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees―their beliefs on the resurrection of the dead―to divide them. Their divisiveness on this issue prevented the Pharisees and Sadducees from uniting against Paul.
[Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible] In this matter of difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees Paul openly declared himself to be on the Pharisees’ side against the Sadducees (v. 6): He cried out, so as to be heard by all, "I am a Pharisee, was bred a Pharisee, nay, I was born one, in effect, for I was the son of a Pharisee, my father was one before me, and thus far I am still a Pharisee that I hope for the resurrection of the dead, and I may truly say that, if the matter were rightly understood, it would be found that this is it for which I am now called in question." When Christ was upon earth the Pharisees set themselves most against him, because he witnessed against their traditions and corrupt glosses upon the law; but, after his ascension, the Sadducees set themselves most against his apostles, because they preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

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© Tom Truex 2014, Davie, FL