Sep 18 2013

Psalm 125, 129, 130 – The Lord Surrounds His People

Today we look at three of the fifteen “Songs of Ascents” at once (see this previous post for more information on those fifteen psalms). These three are all very short psalms (as most of the “ascent” psalms are), totaling only 21 verses between them. These 15 psalms are called by some the songbook of the Jewish pilgrim, as they were often sung on the way “up” to Jerusalem during a time of feast.

English: Village of below Mount Zion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Psalm 125 uses the geographical metaphor of Jerusalem being surrounded by mountains with the assurance that God surrounds His people. There are seven mountains that surround Jerusalem. The area around Moriah is where the first and second temples were built, and is synonymous with Mount Zion in the Bible. But Mount Zion is referred to as the whole range, as well as a specific portion of it, which was the Jebusite stronghold that David conquered. Then there are Bethsaida, Mount Scopus, the Mount of Olives, Ghareb (sometimes called Calvary), and Mount Opel.

Psalm 129 may not appear so as it begins, but it is a song of hope and assurance. The psalm begins with a short lament over the ways that God’s people have been oppressed and have struggled for so long amid ungodly foes. But as the singer gazes into the distance at Zion, he sees visible evidence of God’s mercy and faithfulness to His promises. Verse 4 gives the hearer the message: “The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.”

Psalm 130 is a song of pleas for mercy and forgiveness – not corporate forgiveness for Israel itself, but for the individual. The singer recognizes that if the Lord should “mark iniquities,” nobody could stand. But he trusts in the Lord and His saving grace; and he will wait and put his faith and hope in God’s word.

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.

Sep 17 2013

Proverbs 19 – A Man of Great Wrath

When reading the Book of Proverbs, it is good to remember two useful facts. One of those is that some of the proverbs are often about the way things are – not the way that they should be. Another is that some of them should be considered a general truth, and that there can be exceptions from time to time. Could Proverbs 19:19 be an example of the latter?

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again

The prison, Reading Built in 1844 and immortlised by Oscar Wilde in his Ballad of Reading Gaol. He wrote De Profundis whilst incarcerated here from 1895 to 1897. Today it houses young offenders. For more information see the Wikipedia article Reading (HM Prison). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Possibly. Anyone can change. And there is no such thing as impossible where the Lord is concerned. If God is at work in the life of any man (or woman), any sort of turnaround is not only believable, but historically proven. But violent crime often results from anger that becomes outright rage; and very often, those who cannot (or will not) control themselves in one such situation are very likely to not be able to control themselves when they find themselves in that state again.

In an article for “The Telegraph” in the UK, it was reported that more than half a million crimes were committed by repeat offenders in the previous year. Separate figures showed 134 dangerous criminals were suspected of carrying out serious further offences such as murder, rape and other violence despite being monitored by the authorities (Tom Whitehead, 27 Oct 2011, Telegraph Media Group Limited). In a story reported by Samantha Donavan and Simon Lauder for ABC News “The World Today,” an expert is quoted as saying that parole is not appropriate for dangerous repeat offenders (http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3784879.htm).

Whether it is considered to be for the protection of innocent people in the future and/or for the good of the offender himself, we would do well to note that the proverb does warn us that saving someone from paying the penalty for
such rage does invite a disregard for future consequences.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 16 2013

Psalm 128, 131 – Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

IMG_7320 (Photo credit: six steps )

Psalms 128 and 131 are two more of those known as “Songs of Ascents” (see this previous post for more information).

Psalm 128 begins the hymn by proclaiming some of the ways that the individual who fears the Lord (is obedient and serves with awe and reverence) is blessed. It finishes by calling for corporate service and fear of the Lord, and beseeches the blessings of God for all.

Psalm 131 is a song of hope and trust in God. This very short psalm is an humble proclamation to The Lord that acknowledges that there are great and marvelous things that only God Himself controls. Instead of worrying about those things, the psalmist says, he has quieted his soul with that very knowledge – that God is in control. He calls for the corporate hope and trust in the Lord with that same calmness – like that of a weaned child (verse 2).

Both psalms offer the assurance that comes with trusting in God and keeping His commandments. We seek always to do the right thing, to labor admirably in His vineyard. We then can rest assured that, come what may, God is in control, and His will is going to be done.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 15 2013

Major Prophets (part 2) Book of Isaiah

In chapter 6, Isaiah recalls the time of his call to be a prophet. We know from verse one that this was about 740-739 B.C., as that was most likely the year that King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26) died. Isaiah lived long enough to write of the death of Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:37-38), the Assyrian king who reigned until 681 B.C.

English: Isaiah; illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Traditional secular Jewish and Christian writings state that Jeremiah and Isaiah were the two prophets referred to by the Hebrew writer as having been “sawn in two” (Hebrews 11:37). These writings refer to the persecution under Manasseh, the king of Judah from 687-642 B.C. Other writings in the Book of Isaiah can be dated as well. Chapter 7 was written about 735 B.C. Chapters 36-38 can be dated about 701, which is the time of the Assyrian invasion.

The book opens with an indictment of the people of Israel, and the declaration that Israel has no excuse for its apostasy (Isaiah 1:1-10). It lists God’s requirements of the people of Israel in order to avert the coming judgment (Isaiah 1:16-20), It also contains the lament over Jerusalem and its coming fate (Isaiah 1:21-23), and a declaration of God’s coming judgment upon the people (Isaiah 1:24-31).

Isaiah is considered to be the most prophetic book of the Bible, and is quoted in the New Testament over 400 times. The most well-known of his Messianic prophecies are in what is known as the “Suffering Servant” songs. The most beautiful and best understood prophecies that are a source of understanding of the Savior’s purpose as the Messiah are contained in Chapter 53.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 13 2013

Psalm 116 – I Love the Lord

On the first Passover, the Israelites who painted their doorways with blood were passed over when the angel of death came through the land of Egypt (Exodus 11).

Psalm 116 is the fourth psalm in what is known as the Paschal Hallel (Psalms 113-118), and is often viewed in connection with the deliverance out of Egypt. It was often sang in connection with the slaying of the lambs at Passover, which causes many to believe that it was one if the songs Jesus and the disciples sang on the might before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:30).
As one of these songs of praise, it shines with poetic beauty and thankfulness to the Ancient of Days. It begins with “I love The Lord,” and then tells of the great mercy and generosity He has shown to the psalmist. As such, the words of the psalm have been timeless, and will continue to be so.

Verses 12-14 contain some beautiful thoughts and an attitude all Christians today should have:
What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

We find this final verse recurring throughout the psalm, which is the light we are to let shine (Matthew 5:14-16). We must let our commitment to Christ permeate our lives for all to see – not for our own glory, but for encouragement to others and to further His kingdom.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 12 2013

Job 31 – Job’s Final Appeal

English: Job’s Sons and Daughters Overwhelmed by Satan, by William Blake. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This chapter is the last part of the trilogy of Job’s last speech that was started in chapter 29. He begins in verses 1-4 with testimony that he has not been guilty of lust. He follows that by further referring to his truthfulness, and the fact that he has not committed adultery (verses 4-12). He attests to his good treatment of his servants, generosity with sojourners, and compassion for the poor and needy. In verses 35-37, he again states his wish that his offenses would be numbered, so that he could make a full accounting of his actions – in order to refute the charges, of course.

All of this does indeed serve to show that Job has always behaved in a manner than reflects high moral and ethical standards. And he is very believable, if for no other reason than the fact that he calls for more curses upon himself if it can be shown that he has not done so. People of those times would never make such brash statements if they were indeed guilty. And to Job’s credit, he gives godly reason for his own godly behavior – “What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high?”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 11 2013

Psalm 109 – Help Me, O Lord My God

Ziklag area, a Philistine city where David hid from Saul.

Psalm 109 is another of what are considered “imprecatory” psalms, which bible critics and skeptics love to denigrate. They are psalms that call for God’s righteous judgment on the enemies of the psalmist, who have done, or intend to do harm wrongfully to the psalmist and others (please see this previous post for our comments on the subject). One must always keep in mind that this is the word of God when reading some of these commentaries; and the Holy Spirit does have a reason for its inclusion.

For one thing, it should be noted that the psalmist (likely David, as the superscription says) is speaking not only of someone who has done, and intends to continue to do, great undeserved evil to him. This is someone who is leading others to do the same to the helpless, poor, and needy (i.e. verse 16 – “but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death”). The psalmist is asking for God’s righteous judgment upon incredibly evil men. Furthermore, the pleas for help come from a faithful servant that has already told us in the psalm of his attempts to show love and kindness to these evil ones. One must be very careful about criticizing the pleas for justice contained in these psalms. God does not expect those in the psalmist’s position to have no emotion about such evil.

Finally, the connection of at least part of this psalm to prophecy, especially where Judas is concerned, cannot be ignored. Note verse 8 and its connection to Acts 1:17-20.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 10 2013

Proverbs 18 – A High Wall

English: The photograph image of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) at age 34. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nikola Tesla was born to Serbian parents in what is now modern-day Croatia. Undoubtedly a genius of a man, he was educated in such places as the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, Austria, earning top grades. He had an eidetic memory, and spoke 8 languages. But along the way, his heart became ensnared in gambling to such a degree that he lost vast sums, putting himself in financial ruin. Nevertheless, Tesla did finally make it to France, where he began in 1882 working for the Continental Edison Company, transferring to New York City in 1884 to work for Edison himself.

After a falling out with Edison over an alleged broken promise of a $50,000 reward for his improvements to Edison’s motors and generators (Edison reportedly gave him an insulting $10 raise instead), he left to form his own companies, one of which was the Tesla Electric Company – formed with the backing of an attorney and a director of Western Union. Tesla’s inventions, patents, experiments, etc. gained him much wealth, and included such things as pioneering the use of AC current practically, X-ray experimentation, and radio technology (he lost a patent battle with Marconi in 1904). He made many other scientific contributions, and many more are rumored – though some have not yet been substantiated.

One of the oldest X-Ray photographs known – an X-Ray of Tesla’s hand

During his glory years, he lived in lavish hotels and celebrated his birthdays by throwing lavish parties to which he invited the press to announce his inventions and experiments – often making what some considered to be wild claims. Tesla had some disturbing views on what he termed “human pity” working against the “ruthless workings of nature,” which compelled him to support “selected breeding” and eugenics. But puzzlingly, some historians have described him as a “humanist!” But the genius innovator-turned-high-roller (who had sold his AC patents) died impoverished at age 84 in his hotel room.

Tesla was wealthy, but his vast intellect was just as much a part of his wealth (and indeed, probably more important to his own mind). But he died alone, broke, and no better off for any of it. Proverbs 18:11-12 read as follows:

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor

The “high wall” of Tesla’s wealth and intelligence provided him no advantage in the end, nor did his pride. He had tried in vain to lay up his treasures on earth. It reminds us, of course, of the parable Jesus told of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 (part of which follows below) that tells of a man intent on accumulating wealth and making plans for using it, in which God tells the man:

“Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 9 2013

Psalm 126-127 – Unless the Lord Builds the House…

Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These two psalms are two of the 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134) that are known as the Songs of Ascents (see this previous post for more information). Psalm 126 is a community lament that many ascribe to the people returning from captivity, but there is nothing in it that really affirms or denies that. Charles Spurgeon described it as “a narrative” (verses 1-2), “a song” (verse 3), ” a prayer” (verse 4), and “a promise” (verses 5-6). The promise is still true today – those who do the work of the kingdom (though they may suffer while doing it) will reap the rewards of their toil.

The next song of Ascents is 127, for which the superscription notes that Solomon is the author. Again, these superscriptions are not inspired, but those particularly of the Psalms are quite old and generally reliable. James Burton Coffman (citing George Rawlinson, Franz Delitzsch, and Derek Kidner) lists 4 reasons that seem to confirm Solomon’s authorship (Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on Psalms 127”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament”):

1) “In the Hebrew text, there is found in Psalms 127:2 here an allusion to the name Jedidiah, which Solomon received from Nathan (2 Samuel 12:25). That reference is in the English words ‘his beloved’; and Kidner referred to this as perhaps Solomon’s ‘concealed signature.'”

2) “The second reason cited by Delitzsch is that the giving of his beloved ‘sleep’ may be construed as a reference to the great wisdom which God gave to Solomon in that dream (while he slept) ‘At Gibeon (1 Kings 3:5-9).'”

3) “The third reason is ‘The Proverbs-like form of the psalm.'”

4) “Rawlinson states that the words `[~’etseb],’ `[~ne’urim],’ and `[~yedidow]’ found in the text are Solomonic words; also, this psalm agrees with the sentiment of Proverbs 10:22.”

The tie to Proverbs 10:22 that Rawlinson spoke of is indeed in line with verses 5-6. But it is the first two verses that caught our eye as we digested the comforting poetic words of God. Coffman noted that it was verse one upon which he witnessed Dwight David Eisenhower being sworn into office as President of the United States:

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.“

It is a reminder that despite all appearances to mortal man, nothing gets done without God’s blessing, and so verse 2:

It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved asleep.

Even Jesus took time for proper rest. Would the Lord have you toil day after day without doing likewise? We are to do our work each day to the best of our ability, with reverence and thanksgiving to the Lord. And then we are to take our rest – because the Lord has given that to us. Our work is in good hands.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Sep 8 2013

Book of Nehemiah – Putting Up a Wall

English: Building the Wall of Jerusalem; as in Nehemiah; illustration from Sunrays quarterly (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There has been much speculation about the author of the Book of Nehemiah. Many believe that the same person that wrote it also wrote the Book of Ezra, but the fact is that we just do not know that; and this writer strongly disagrees. Also, the insistence by many that part of Nehemiah was written by someone other than the prophet himself seems very misguided. For one thing, the opening sentence declares the scripture as “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.”

Secondly, although there are a very few select references to “Nehemiah, the governor,” practically the entire book is written in the first person voice. As we have mentioned before, it hardly matters, but there are often good reasons for a lapse into third person narrative mode, particularly when recounting detailed historical events. And it should be noted that the prophet is still writing in the first person throughout the final chapter.

Thanks to Verse one of the first chapter, we do know to the month and year when the news of the destruction of Jerusalem’s wall was brought to Nehemiah. The month of “Chislev” was the ninth month (November/December). “The twentieth year” refers to the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, which would make it 445 B. C. The reference to Hanani as Nehemiah’s brother in verse 2 is repeated in Nehemiah 7:2, and it seems to mean the relationship was in the literal sense of the word.

Why was the news of the wall’s destruction so devastating to Nehemiah? A city’s walls were much more than a defensive structure. It had tremendous symbolic value, and was a large part of what made a city a real and recognizable city. Without it, civil and sociological progress and status would all be hindered. Jerusalem would be no more significant than a large encampment. Without a wall, there could not even be a single city gate! Beyond their functional use, the gates themselves were significant as gathering places and for conducting business in an important city. Now, they too were gone.

The Persian Empire had reached its height under Cyrus the Great, having added to its borders by swallowing up the Babylonian Empire, including Elam, and its capital, Susa in 540 B.C. It was there that Nehemiah resided as the book opens, serving as the cupbearer to king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:1, Nehemiah 1:11). The Persians had added Israel and Judah to their holdings, and they were known as “Beyond the River” (Nehemiah 2:7). Having released the people of Judah, who had become known as Jews, per the decree of Cyrus, the former captives had begun returning in waves. Following the news from Hanani and the others, Nehemiah obtained the king’s permission to go to Jerusalem, and set out on his journey (Nehemiah 2:7-8).

Nehemiah worked in Susa as a personal assistant for the king of the vast Medo-Persian Empire. When he heard that the rebuilding projects in Jerusalem were progressing slowly, he asked the king if he could go there to help his people complete the task of rebuilding their citys walls. The king agreed to let him go; so he left as soon as possible, traveling along much the same route Ezra had taken.

Chapters 8-10 hold very important significance. The passage includes what is known as the Great Water Gate Revival (a gathering in the square before the Water Gate) and the covenant renewal. A key part of this was the reading of the Law. For many of them, this would be the first time they had ever heard the entire Law of Moses read to them; and it was a very emotional and profound experience.

The Book of Nehemiah is a passionate story of a man’s determination to get something very important done. But it must be remembered that it was the execution of God’s will. God was determined to get the people back entrenched in the work of serving Him as God’s people in their own land after the exile. And when God wants something done, it gets done. Fairly short work was made of what seemed at the outset to many to be a monumental task that could easily take years. The wall was finished in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15)! But the Book is full of historical detail and makes more complete the renewal of reinstating Mosaic Law that Ezra had begun in the previous chapter.