Page 968 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_09_MacArthur_Bible_Sept.qxd 8/8/03 16:45 Page 949

SEPTEMBER 22
13
signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same
what is it in which you were inferior to other spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
churches, except that I myself was not bur- 19 Again, do you think that we excuse our-
densome to you? Forgive me this wrong! selves to you? We speak before God in Christ.
14 Now for the third time I am ready to come But we do all things, beloved, for your edifica-
20
to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for tion. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not
I do not seek yours, but you. For the children find you such as I wish, and that I shall be
ought not to lay up for the parents, but the par- found by you such as you do not wish; lest
ents for the children. And I will very gladly there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of
15
spend and be spent for your souls; though the wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisper-
21
more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. ings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. again, my God will humble me among you,
Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by and I shall mourn for many who have sinned
cunning! Did I take advantage of you by any before and have not repented of the unclean-
17
of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, ness, fornication, and lewdness which they
18
and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take have practiced.
DAY 21:To what was Paul referring by the term “thorn in the flesh”?
Paul began his account about the “thorn in the flesh”by indicating the reason it was given to
him—“lest I should be exalted above measure.”The assault was painful,but purposeful.As with Job,
Satan was the immediate cause, but God was the ultimate cause. God was allowing Satan to bring
this severe trouble in the church for the purpose of humbling Paul who, having had so many reve-
lations, including a trip to heaven and back, would have been proud.
Paul’s use of the word “messenger” (Greek, angellos, or angel) from Satan suggests the “thorn
in the flesh” (literally,“a stake for the flesh”) was a demon, not a physical illness. Of the 188 uses of
the Greek word angellos in the New Testament,at least 180 are in reference to angels.This angel was
from Satan, a demon afflicting Paul.
Possibly,the best explanation for this demon was that he was indwelling the ring leader of the
Corinthian conspiracy, the leader of the false apostles. Through them he was tearing up Paul’s
beloved church and thus driving a painful stake through Paul. Further support for this view comes
from the context of chapters 10–13, which is one of fighting adversaries (the false prophets). The
verb translated “buffet” always refers to ill treatment from other people (Matt. 26:67; Mark 14:65;
1Cor. 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:20). Finally, the Old Testament describes Israel’s personal opponents as thorns
(Num. 33:55; Josh. 23:13; Judg. 2:3; Ezek. 28:24).

With the recompense of God;
September 22 He will come and save you.”
5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be
opened,
Isaiah 35:1–36:22
And the ears of the deaf shall be
unstopped.
35 The wilderness and the wasteland 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
shall be glad for them,
And the desert shall rejoice and And the tongue of the dumb sing.
blossom as the rose; For waters shall burst forth in the
2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, wilderness,
Even with joy and singing. And streams in the desert.
7 The parched ground shall become a pool,
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. And the thirsty land springs of water;
They shall see the glory of the LORD,
The excellency of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, 35:6 lame…sing. God’s restoration in the mil-
3
And make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, lennial age is to include physical restoration to
the afflicted. Jesus’ First Coming gave a fore-
“Be strong, do not fear! taste of that future day (Matt.11:5;12:22;Mark
Behold, your God will come with 7:37; Luke 7:21; Acts 3:8).
vengeance,

949