Spoke 9: John 9, Acts 9, 1Samuel (9th book), Isaiah 9 and 53 (9+22+22)

Spoke 9: John 9, Acts 9, 1Samuel (9th book), Isaiah 9 and 53 (9+22+22)

Why did Jesus focus on the man born blind in John 9 (read the chapter below)?

The word of God comes by faith through hearing and not seeing.

The Pharisees were able to see physically but weren’t able to hear the word of God. But the man born blind was willing to believe even before he heard that Jesus who healed him was Christ/Messiah the Son of God. He believed even before he saw Jesus, which is very relevant to us today, who haven’t seen Jesus but do believe in him and his power.

The same way was Saul/Paul blinded to hear the Word of God rather than seeing in Acts 9 (read the chapter below).

The same way does the Bible reveal, specifically the 9th book 1Samuel that Hannah’s lips were moving and no voice was coming out because of her grief for not having any children, while she was praying in house of God and God heard her silent prayer and answered her whereas Eli the High Priest saw her with his own eyes and yet misunderstood her that she was drunk. As a result, when God answered her prayer she named her son Samuel, meaning “God has heard” her.

The theme of hearing versus seeing runs through the book of 1Samuel the 9th book.

Later on while the High Priest Eli was losing his sight (I believe to the intention that God would open his eyes of faith) called Samuel. Samuel, as God called him three times, ran to Eli, relying on his physical eyes. But then Eli realized that it was God calling him and he gave instruction to Samuel how he should respond to God (see text below).

Moving on from Eli’s dimness of the eyes, this thematic pattern runs through Isaiah 9 as well. Notice the mentioning of dimness and seeing a great light:

Isaiah 9:1-2 (KJV) 

1 Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as [was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

But this is only a part of the big picture running through the books and chapters and alphabetical passages and in-text mentioning of the number 9 and increments of 22 (9, 31, 53, 75 ...) Looking at Isaiah 53 we find:

Isaiah 53:1 (KJV) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

The arm of the LORD was revealed to the blind man in John 9 but not the Pharisees which physically saw Jesus. It was revealed to Saul/Paul who was blinded in Acts 9 but not while his vision was perfect. Because the LORD would rather have us hear him than see.

The same applies to the blind who came to Jesus to be healed in Matthew 9:

Matthew 9:28-31 (KJV) 

28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it]. 

31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

——-

Passages:

John 9:1-41 (KJV) 

1 And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth. 

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 

7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 

8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 

9 Some said, This is he: others [said], He is like him: [but] he said, I am [he]. 

10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 

11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 

12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 

13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 

14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 

15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 

16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 

17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 

18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 

19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 

20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 

21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 

22 These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 

23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 

24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 

25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner [or no], I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 

26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 

27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear [it] again? will ye also be his disciples? 

28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 

29 We know that God spake unto Moses: [as for] this [fellow], we know not from whence he is. 

30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes. 

31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 

32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 

33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 

34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 

36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 

37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 

38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 

39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

40 And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 

41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

——-

Notice the shining of light is written both in Isaiah 9 and Acts 9.

Acts 9:1-43 (KJV) 

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought [him] into Damascus. 

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. 

11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting [his] hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 

21 But all that heard [him] were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket. 

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 

30 [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all [quarters], he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid [her] in an upper chamber. 

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring [him] that he would not delay to come to them. 

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 

41 And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

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1 Samuel 1:1-28 (KJV) 

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 

2 And he had two wives; the name of the one [was] Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there. 

4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 

5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 

6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 

7 And [as] he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? [am] not I better to thee than ten sons? 

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 

10 And she [was] in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I [am] a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more [sad]. 

19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 

20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of the LORD. 

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, [I will not go up] until the child be weaned, and [then] I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child [was] young. 

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 

26 And she said, Oh my lord, [as] thy soul liveth, my lord, I [am] the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 

27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

——-

Notice that Isaiah 53’s arm of the LORD has been revealed to Samuel in 1Samuel 3.

Also notice the 53rd book 2Thessalonians mentioned of the restrainer? And God accused Eli for not restraining his sons from the evil they did against the LORD.

1 Samuel 3:1-21 (KJV) 

1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; [there was] no open vision. 

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see; 

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God [was], and Samuel was laid down [to sleep]; 

4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here [am] I. 

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 

6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 

8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 

11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all [things] which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 

14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 

15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here [am] I. 

17 And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide [it] not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 

18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It [is] the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 

19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD. 

21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.