Today's Memory Verse

Put on the whole armor of God - The whole description here is derived from the weapons of an ancient soldier. The various parts of those weapons - constituting the “whole panoply” - are specified in Ephesians 6:14-17. The word rendered “whole armor” πανοπλίαν panoplian“panoply”), means “complete armor,” offensive and defensive; see Luke 11:22; Romans 13:12 note; 2 Corinthians 6:7 note. “The armor of God” is not that which God wears, but that which he has provided for the Christian soldier. The meaning here is: (1) that we are not to provide in our warfare such weapons as people employ in their contests, but such as God provides; that we are to renounce the weapons which are carnal, and put on such as God has directed for the achievement of the victory. (2) we are to put on the “whole armor.” We are not to go armed partly with what God has appointed, and partly with such weapons as people use; nor are we to put on “a part” of the armor only, but the “whole” of it. A man needs “a...

Children of Issachar, … that had understanding of the times,...—Jewish writers say that the people of this tribe were eminent for their acquirements in astronomical and physical science; and the object of the remark was probably to show that the intelligent and learned classes were united with the military, and had declared for David. 1. Skill in the stars, and several seasons and changes of the air; which might be of good use in husbandry, to which this tribe was addicted Genesis 49:14 Deut 33:18. Or rather, 2. Political prudence to discern and embrace the fit seasons for all actions; as appears, from the following words, to know what , not only their own tribe, but all Israel ought to do.  2. By the great authority and command which they had over all their brethren upon this account, as it here follows. 3. Because this is so considerable a circumstance in all human, and especially in public, affairs, that the success or disappointment of them depends very much upon...

do not weep μὴ κλαῖε [mē klaie] , a present tense imperative indicating that John continued to weep. the Lion of the tribe of Judah God had revealed that the ruler would be like a lion, an offspring of Judah. Jesus was born in the line of Judah. Although Reuben was the firstborn, due to his sin and the sins of his brothers, the right of kingly rule fell to Judah: Actually Reuben had the right of the firstborn. Nevertheless the Messiah is not “Lion out of the tribe of Reuben.” For, on account of sin Reuben was deprived of his firstborn rights and the right concerning the Messiah. The next following brothers, Simeon and Levi, were also excluded on account of their bloody deed at Shechem. There upon Reuben’s rights as the firstborn were divided as follows: The double share of the material inheritance went to Joseph (in Ephraim and Manasseh); The priestly dignity went to Levi and The ruler’s dignity went to Judah, Jacob’s fourth son. Therefore is the Messiah the “Lion out of the tr...