Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

^{Yesterday’s devotion was Matthew 12:28-29.  I came back to these verses, thinking that I should write about them.} 

^“28  “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

 ²⁹  “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?  And then he will plunder his house.”

Here are some quotes (not contiguous) from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“Christ is pursuing the subject, on which he had lately touched, about the kingdom of God, and declares it to be necessary that Satan be violently driven out, in order that God may establish his kingdom among men.

He maintains that a strong and powerful tyrant cannot be deprived of his dominion, till he is stripped of his armor;  for if he is not met by a force superior to his own, he will never yield of his own accord.

First, we know that the devil is everywhere called the prince of the world.  Now the tyranny which he exercises is defended on every side by strong ramparts. His snares for entrapping men are beyond all calculation; nay, men are already his slaves, and so firmly bound by a variety of fetters, that they rather cherish the slavery, to which they are devoted, than make any aspirations after freedom. There are also innumerable evils which he inflicts upon them, by which he holds them in wretched oppression under his feet. In short, there is nothing to prevent him from tyrannizing over the world without control.

men are subjected to his tyranny, yet he remains in quiet possession of his kingdom, and may insult us at his pleasure, till a stronger than he shall rise up against him.  But this stronger person is not to be found on earth, for men have not sufficient power to relieve themselves; and therefor it was promised that a Redeemer would come from heaven.  Now this kind of redemption Christ shows to be necessary, in order to wrench from the devil, by main force, what he will never quit till he is compelled.  By these words he informs us, that it is in vain for men to expect deliverance, till Satan has been subdued by a violent struggle.

he rescues us, by the powerful and victorious arm of Christ, from that wretched and accursed bondage.”

Bill’s Comments:

These verses and Commentary remind me of Isaiah 59:16-20:

¹⁶  And He saw that there was no man,
         And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
         Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
         And His righteousness upheld Him.
    ¹⁷  He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
         And a helmet of salvation on His head;
         And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
         And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
    ¹⁸  According to their deeds, so He will repay,
         Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
         To the coastlands He will make recompense.
    ¹⁹  So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west
         And His glory from the rising of the sun,
         For He will come like a rushing stream
         Which the wind of the LORD drives.
    ²⁰  “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
         And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 59:16-20. 

In conclusion, and to put it in a nutshell and in a song of praise, “O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.”  Psalm 98:1