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Revelation 21:17--12e |
Revelation 21, Page 22e-12e | ||
Significant Words and Comments: Commentary on Revelation 21:17 expansion (18 August 2008): Commandment or Structure #12: “Thou shalt not covet . . . anything that is thy neighbor’s.” Detail #12:8: Covetousness motivates corrupt use of power positions. Ahab, like David and many others is position of authority and power, allowed covetousness to pervert his judgment: “It came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, Yehuveh forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” Jezebel, responding to Ahab’s spoiled-child-behavior, suggested falsely accusing and condemning Naboth so as to acquire the coveted vineyard. Like David in his affair with Bathsheba, Ahab used his position to destroy an innocent life. Had he obeyed this command not to covet what belonged to another, no such crime would mark his life-record. Such abuse of power has marred most kingdoms. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam, coveting the power his father had wielded, arrogantly refused to lighten the conscripted-labor-load on the backs of his countrymen, and by this act effectively split the nation! 1 Kings 21:1-4; 12:1-24. Also: 1 Kings 3:14; 9:4; 11:4-8; 15:8; 2 Kings 14:3; 15:3, 34; 16:2; 18:3; 22:2; 2 Chronicles 17:3; 29:2; 34:2, 3. Detail #12:9: Covetousness is the primary motive behind oppression. “Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.” “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” Almost all oppression is driven by greed and covetousness, whether the driving desire is for wealth, power, or position. Yehuveh calls us to uphold a standard just the opposite: “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy Elohim for I am Yehuveh your Elohim.” “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Yehuveh’s people will enjoy a righteous prosperity which will never have need to oppress others in any manner. They have confidence of always have their needs provided! “Thus saith Yehuveh Elohim, Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.” Micah 2:1-2; Proverbs 22:16; Leviticus 25:17; Isaiah 33:15-16; Isaiah 65:13-14. Also: Exodus 22:21-24; 23:6-9; Numbers 16:15; Deuteronomy 16:19; 1 Samuel 12:3-4; 1 Kings 21:2-19; 2 Kings 9:26; Nehemiah 5:1-5; Job 20:19-29; 24:2-12; 31:38; Psalms 9:9; 10:18; 12:5; 17:9; 42:9; 43:2; 44:24; 54:3; 55:3; 56:1; 62:1; 72:4; 73:8; 74:21; 103:6; 106:42; 107:39; 119:121, 122, 134; 146:7; Proverbs 3:31; 14:31; 22:22, 23; 28:3, 16; Ecclesiastes 4:1; 5:8; 7:7; Isaiah 1:17; 5:8; Jeremiah 5:26-28; Ezekiel 18:12; 22:12; Hosea 12:7; Amos 3:9; 4:1; 8:4; Micah 2:3; 3:9; 7:3, 4; Habakkuk 2:5-9; Zephaniah 3:1; Zechariah 7:9-14; 9:8; 10:4; Malachi 3:5. Gael Bataman Originally Written: 18 August 2008 Latest Update: 18 August 2008 Return to Zadok Home Page Continue . . . Return One Page Go to Revelation Intro |