Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Ten Commandments-Exodus 19:7-11

Today we continue our look at some of the verses that precede God's actual speaking of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.   Today's verse are :  Ex 19:7-11

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE


And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

And as aside I am still working on the Ref-Tagger links as I want people to be able to hover over a Bible verse and see it immediately while reading the post.  Thank you for your patience!


Exodus 19:7-11 (NASB)  
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
9 The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10 The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Grammatical and other Considerations:
  • So Moses came and called the elders... Moses did what the Lord Commanded!
  • The people unanimously agreed to do ALL that the Lord had spoken. (how often we are eager at first!)
  • "...so that the people.." God wants the people to hear Him speak so that the will believe in Moses. It seems He does not want any of them to doubt that Moses is God's chosen intermediary!
  • third day! God spoke directly to the people on the third day! His son Jesus would rise on the third day. For all of us.
  • "...be ready..." God wants the people to be ready for Him. Clean! Consecrated!
My Questions:
  • I am still curious as to why God wanted to speak to the Israelites directly, at THIS time.
  • Why were the Israelites (and lets be honest...this applies to ALL of us) so eager to obey and yet so quick to forget what God had done for them? Why do we forget so quickly and start to doubt and/or disobey? What can we do so as to stay focused on God? And to consequently stay obedient? (this is big for me, I know!!)
Verse Cross References:
Important Terms:

commanded:
thick cloud:
believe:
  • WORDSearch concordance search -- Ex 4:1 Ex 4:5 Nu 14:11 Luke 8:13 acts 15:7
  • Thoughts -- God did all He could to help the Israelites believe! (even though they had witnessed so many of his miracles already!) They (like most of us) were very stubborn.
  • Definition -- The Hebrew word means too build up, support, or to establish. The primary meaning is that of providing stability and confidence like a baby would find in the arms of a parent.
  • Thoughts -- Interesting! This makes this even clearer. God is going to come down and speak directly to the Israelites so as to support Moses (and them) and give them confidence. They (and we) ARE God's children!
Consecrate:
  • WORDSearch concordance search -- ex 19:22 ex 19:23 ex 28:3 lev 11:44 Lev 20:7 Lev 21:8 nu 11:18 Jos 3:5 Jos 7:13
  • Thoughts -- A word I thought I would find used more. (there are more instances than listed above) The word consecrate seems to be used when God is coming down to speak or when someone is going to be presented to God. OR as in the case of Joshua when God was about to do something major!!
  • Definition -- to be set apart,, to be holy, to show oneself holy. to treat as holy. Moses had to consecrate the people. (Help them be set apart as holy so as to be prepared for hearing the Lord) I need to check this out more as a topic reference search as well! The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary furthers this definition by saying that something consecrated is something set apart to God or belonging to God. To be set apart for the service of God. This would explain why the word is used relatively few times in the Bible. To be consecrated is something special!
Garments:
  • WORDSearch concordance search -- ge 3:21 ex 28:2 Ex 28:3 ex 29:5 ex 29:29 zec 3:3-4 mt 17:2 mt 27:35 mk 5:28 James 5:2 rev 3:4 rev 3:5 rev 3:18
  • Thoughts -- clean garments are often used as a metaphor for a person being considered as clean before the Lord. Of course as demonstrated in Zec 3:3-4 we can't clean ourselves, we must be cleansed by Jesus Christ! By accepting Him as our Savior and Lord! Jesus sacrificed His life for us! And arose on from the dead so that we may be forgiven. He also had His garments taken from Him. He gave so that we could have!!
Third day:
come down or came down:
  • WORDSearch concordance search -- Ge 11:5 ex 19:20 nu 11:25
  • Definition -- A verb meaning to go down or to descend. Used both figuratively and literally.
Other information from Study Helps:
Answering My Questions:
  • I am still curious as to why God wanted to speak to the Israelites directly, at THIS time? -I answered this after looking at Ex 19:3-6 but God wants His children, His chosen people, the Israelites to believe! To have confidence and feel supported. He wants them to believe that Moses is acting as God's intermediary. Even after all the things God had done up to this point for the Israelites, He knew they still needed more reassurance AND in His infinite love He gave it to them!
  • Why were the Israelites (and lets be honest...this applies to ALL of us) so eager to obey and yet so quick to forget what God had done for them? Why do we forget so quickly and start to doubt and/or disobey? What can we do so as to stay focused on God? And to consequently stay obedient? (this is big for me, I know!!) -- I don't know why we are so quick to forget but we are. Just look at the Israelites in any of these verses: Ex 16:2-3 Ex 16:19-20 Ex 32 etc. etc. Even after God brought them out of slavery and provided them with food and saved them from the Egyptians at the Red Sea...the Israelites were quick to forget and lose faith! Why do we all do that? That is what happens! Could it have something to do with Jesus' parable of the seed mt 13:19-23 The Israelites as a nation seemed to be like the one who heard the Word and received it with joy yet as soon as affliction or persecution comes from following the Word (in this case actually following God out of Egypt and to the land He promised them) that person falls away looking for some thing else to save them (there is nothing else). This is a lesson for all of us to learn! All of us. God is there and always will be! His Son died on the cross for us and rose again on the third day for us. I really hope and pray that I don't lose sight of that...ever!
Summarizing:
  • God wants Moses to have the people prepare themselves for God's appearance. They are to set themselves apart because God has set them apart. He is going to give them a covenant and do it "in person" so that they would finally believe and not fall into doubt anymore (unfortunately they still fell into doubt---this is again, a lesson for ALL of us!)
  • It is significant to know that God came down to them! Jesus came down to us! That is how much God loves us and how much He loves His chosen people, the Israelites!
Topics for further study:
  • Disobedience OR backsliding?
  • Seeing God or rather not being able to look at God directly. after the fall mankind was now afraid of God because of our shame. (this is why the Israelites become afraid)
  • Washing of garments, presenting ourselves clean before God.
  • Commandment
  • commands of God
  • consecrate
 
Bibliography
 
 
  • Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Nave, Orville. Nave's Topical Bible: A Digest of The Holy Sciptures. New York: Topical Bible Publishing Co., 1896. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
 



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Sunday, April 8, 2012

The Ten Commandments: Exodus 19

We continue or exploration of the Ten Commandments by looking at a few of the preceding verses for context.  The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

 We will look a little deeper into Exodus 19:3-6.

Exodus 19:3-6 (NASB)
3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 ~'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."



Grammatical and Other Considerations and Observations:
  • The Lord called to Moses once again to be an intermediary.
  • This was Moses first ascension up to the Mountain! (check on this)
  • God states as fact that the Israelites have seen how He saved them and brought them to Himself.
  • Now Then! God is about set forth conditions!
  • if you will indeed: this is the condition or the Israelites part of the covenant: to obey God's voice and keep His covenant.
  • obey My voice: important in that what the Israelites are about to hear is God's actual voice. This will not be Moses speaking the words God told him to speak. The Ten Commandments were spoken to the Israelites directly by God!
  • then you shall: statement of God's part of the covenant
  • My own possession: This is an honor for the Israelites! God wants them to be His people.
  • all the earth is Mine: A true and powerful statement. God is letting there be no doubt that He is the one true God!
  • These are the words: God wants Moses to speak these very words to the Israelites!
My Questions:
  • Why did God NOT speak to the Israelites directly before this?
  • Why did God stress that He brought the Israelites to Himself?
  • Why did God NOW want to speak the Israelites directly?
Verse Cross References:

Important terms:

called:
  • WORDsearch concordance search -- Ge 3:9 Ge 21:17 Ge 22:11 Ge 31:11 ex 3:4 Ex 19:20 Lev 1:1 1Sa 3:4 Mt 15:10 Mt 15:32 Mt 20:25 Mark 8:1 Luke 18:16
  • Thoughts -- To be called by God is something special! God only spoke directly to a few people in the Old Testament! Jesus, who IS God, spoke directly to more people. Crowds even. And instead of having just one person (Abraham, Noah, Moses etc.) as His messenger, Jesus now used many! It is as the Scriptures say: Isa 56:3-8 Jer 31:34 Isa 60:3 God had planned all along to bring many people into His kingdom! But the fact that God is now communicating with more people through His son Jesus Christ and through the generous availability of His Word does not in anyway shape or form lessen what an honor is to be called by the Lord!
  • Definition -- to call, or summon, or even invite!
saying:
  • WORDsearch concordance search -- Ge 2:16 Ge 8:15 Ge 17:3 Ex 20:1
  • Thoughts -- God calls and then he speaks!!
  • Definition -- to say, almost always followed by a quotation
bore:
  • It is interesting that this word is usually used in relation to giving birth. The Greek word (as will be seen below) has a lot of meanings but it is an interesting use of the word bore. Some translations say carry! (which is what is alluded to here with the imagery of the eagle's wings) (also interesting is that this is the same Hebrew word translated as take in ex 20:7 )
  • Definition -- to lift, to carry or take away. can also mean the substitionary bearing of someone else's guilt! Probably not here but it is interesting.
Obey:
  • will be considered under the topic of obedience.
  • Definition --to hear, to obey, to listen
My voice:
  • WORDsearc concordance search -- Nu 14:22 Jos 22:2 Jdg 2:20 Jer 22:21 John 10:16 John 10:27 John 18:37 Rev 3:20
  • Thoughts -- in the above cross references it seems that God uses the term "My voice" when He wants us to heed His voice or in reference to people heeding or NOT heeding His voice. ie: His commands.
  • Definition -- voice or sound. Also refers to the content; what is actually conveyed. Can also in special cases mean a divine sign and this might be true hear since God was speaking directly to the Israelites for a reason!
possession:
  • Definition -- a fairly uncommon word used to describe a unique possession. Treasured possession. Is only used about 7 times in the Old Testament

Factual information from study helps:
  • The Holman Bible Dictionary states that the disciples need the reassurance of the transfiguration as they contemplated Jesus' death (and resurrection) and their future sufferings. I think this concept of reassurance is a big part of why God spoke to Israelites at this time! Even though they really couldn't handle it ( ex 20:18-21 ) they still needed it. God knew this! Just as the disciples couldn't completely handle the transfiguration and the presence of God in the cloud but they needed it!

Answering My Questions:
  • Why did God NOT speak to the Israelites directly before this? -- Because He knew they really couldn't handle it (even Moses never looked at God directly!) and He also wanted to prepare them and to give them time to prepare themselves ( ex 19:10-11 ) (This question will be answered in even more detail as we continue to explore the Ten Commandments)
  • Why did God stress that He brought the Israelites to Himself? -- Because He is about to make a covenant with them (?) He wants them to know that they are a people set apart! They are a special unique possession of God. That is huge!
  • Why did God NOW want to speak the Israelites directly? -- To let them know that Moses was indeed God's chosen intermediary. And to reassure them that He was indeed still with them. He had NOT led them out of Egypt and then abandoned them! No! He was still there and was about to enter into a covenant with them.
Summarizing:
  • God is telling Moses what to tell the Israelites in preparations for God speaking directly to them! God wants them to remember that He and He alone rescued them from Egypt! He is going to offer them a covenant. And if they obey, they will be a holy nation, His own possession, chosen from among all the peoples!

Topics for further study:

In the next post I will look at Ex 19:7-11.

Bibliography

  • Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Nave, Orville. Nave's Topical Bible: A Digest of The Holy Scriptures. New York: Topical Bible Publishing Co., 1896. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
  • Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

HAPPY EASTER!!








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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Ten Commandments

Our next Bible study will focus on what are commonly called the Ten Commandments.  They are also called the Decalogue.  I am not however going to look just at the Ten Commandments.  I am also going to look at some of the Scriptures that precede and follow the Ten Commandments.  Why?  Because it helps to understand them in context.  (I know it has helped me as I have undertaken this study)

The sections of Scripture will be as follows:
  • Ex 19:3-11
  • Ex 20:1-17
  • Ex 20:18-22
We will focus on each section listed above as its own entity before tying them together.

Before I begin to study I want to mention a few things.  In the interest of making these Bible studies more educational for the readers of this blog (AND for myself!)  I have reorganized them just a bit.  There is even more focus on cross references.  AND I have enable ref-tagger in my blog which allows any reader to hover their pointer over a Bible verse so that they can read it in the blog!!

I have also switched software from ESword to WORDsearch.  ESword is great...really great!  But I felt compelled to get WORDsearch and I am glad I did.  I purchased the cheaper Thompson bundle and got a LOT of resources in the bundle and then purchased two good word study helps.  (Vine's Dictionary and the oft mentioned AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary)

But I had many of the resources in ESword word!  What compelled me to switch was the desire to dive further into the cross references.  ESword didn't do that very well.  WORDsearch does!  It is SO easy to search for cross references by verse, topic, person, and words.  And it is organized in an easy to follow window so I can really check out ALL of the cross references.  And the main thing when doing Bible study is to allow Scripture to interpret (or teach) Scripture!  I have already noticed an improvement (and increased "fun level") in this study compared to my previous studies.  I hope you do as well.

And now:


Exodus 19:3-11 (NASB)
3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 ~'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
9 The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10 The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.


Essential Information of the Book of Exodus






Author: Moses
Date written: 1447 BC-1410 BC
Purpose: To tell how how God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt. Also begins the covenant and the law.
Written: For each new generation of Israel (and the gentiles)
Important places: Egypt, the Wilderness, and in these particular verses it is Mount Sinai
Main characters: God, Moses and the Nation of Israel
Main theme of these verses: God is telling Moses to the tell the Israelites that they should prepare to be spoken to directly by the living God.

First Observations of Ex 19:3-11

Things emphasized:
  • That God rescued the Israelites and brought them to Himself
  • they will hear God's voice
  • God would come down to the mountain to appear to them on the third day from which He was giving Moses these instructions.
  • If they obey God's voice and keep His commands they will be a holy nation to God
  • The Israelites claim that they will do all that God has spoken.
  • The Israelites must consecrate themselves and be clean before God appears to them.
Thing Repeated:
  • They will hear God's voice
  • God would come to them on the third day.
Cause and Effect:
  • If the Israelites obey God's voice and keep His commands they will be a holy nation to Him.
  • The Israelites will hear God's voice and will then believe that Moses is indeed speaking what God has told him.
Textual Context:
  • In just a few verses there followed the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17 ) with God speaking those words directly to the Israelites as He had promised He would.
  • Also see the verse Ex 20:18-22 which DIRECTLY follow the speaking of the Ten Commandments
     
     
    In my next post I will begin to look at the individual verses, Ex 19:3-11 
     
    Bibliography
     
    • Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
    • Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
    • Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
    • Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
     




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Friday, March 16, 2012

Psalm 1: Final thoughts and application

Today we conclude our look at Psalm 1 with some final thoughts and applications.

You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2  Psa 1:3   Psa 1:4    and Psa 1:5-6

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!


 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  (2)  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  (3)  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.  (4)  The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.  (5)  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;  (6)  for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
(Psalms 1:1-6 ESV)




Biblical principles

  • Given the original context, what does the text mean? --  In this case the text means simply what it says.  Blessed is the man who focuses (meditates) on God's law and delights in that law.  The blessed man will not and does not keep the ways of the wicked.  And the wicked shall be separated from the righteous at the judgment and shall perish.
  • What fundamental Universal truths are presented in this passage? -- See above.
  • What issues in our own culture and my own situation does this truth address? -- It is often very difficult in todays' world to keep our focus on God and His word.  We become distracted by work, play, worries of our lives ( Mat_6:25-34  ) and keeping up with the Joneses!!
  • What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me? --  See above.  I need to try harder to stay focused on what is most important:  God and His word!!  
  • What changes does it require? -- Maybe not too many changes as I am doing all right at the moment. (or so I thought when I originally wrote this!) But it does require diligence (and here is where I slipped a bit!!) and prayer to continue on the correct path and to continue to improve!
  • What values does it reinforce?   What difference does it make?  -- It makes all the difference.  The psalms open up with a direct plan on how to be close to God!  (Psa 2:1-12 contains what seems like an obvious reference to Jesus!!  Thus making the first two Psalm exceedingly important, as faith in Jesus is the most important thing to a right relationship with God!  A person who meditates on God's word will know that.  Interesting!!)


Application


  • Is there an example to follow?  -- Yes!  Follow the example of the blessed man!  Delight in the law of the Lord!  Meditate on it day and night.
  • Is there a sin to avoid? -- Yes!  Avoid the ways and paths of the sinners and the wicked.
  • Is there a promise to Claim? -- Yes!  If we do as directed in Psa 1:2  we will prosper and yield fruit.  and the Lord will know (watch over) our way!
  • Is there a command to obey? -- Yes!  Meditate on God's law.  Avoid the ways of the wicked.
  • Is there a condition to meet? -- I would say yes.  Same as the command.
  • Is there a verse to memorize? -- Psa 1:1-2
  • Is there an error to mark? -- Yes!  The error would be to congregate with the wicked.
  • Is there a challenge to face? -- Yes!  It is often difficult to stay focused on God's word and make it a part of our daily life. (as I have found out for myself this past week!)
Application Summary
  • To continue to study God's word.  To read God's word.  To live as directed by God's word.  To PRAY to God for direction and forgiveness!  To desire to know God and His will for me and His ways!
Commentaries
  • Believer's Bible Commentary:   Mentions that we will be in contact with the sinners through the cycle of daily life.  We are even to be a friend to them but NOT to partner with them or to follow their ways.
  • Matthew Henry:  Henry disagrees with above sentiment from the Believer's Bible Commentary.  Henry seems to think that no real association with the sinners is to take place,
  • My thoughts on the slight disagreement in commentaries:  I get what Henry is saying to an extent!  BUT I also know that in my life God has placed people who have been a help, been loving, and helped me heal who are not followers of Jesus.  If I had not been friends with these people I don't know where I might be.  Again I think it is up to us to trust God's plan and will, and to use prayer as our discernment on who we are friends with.




Final Thoughts

  • This does bring up a weakness of mine!  Although I am getting SO MUCH better at meditating on and delighting in God's Word and am getting SO MUCH better at following God's command and living cleaner (with ALL thanks to God for that!) I still have not picked a Church.  I have no one to congregate with.  I need to think on this.  This may be an application that God wants me to make!  (I am sure of it)  It is time for me to find a congregation.  Being in a congregation of people who also follow Jesus Christ and are all focused on God will give me strength, will make me accountable, will help bring me closer to God because I will be doing more of what He wants me to do!!

My next study will be on the Ten Commandments, with some surrounding context as well.






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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Psalm 1, Today's verses are Psalm 1:5-6

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:5-6  You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2  Psa 1:3  and Psa 1:4 


For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!
 
 
Psalms  1:5-6


Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
(Psalms 1:5-6 ESV)


Observations
  • Psa_1:5-6  are a conclusion.  (THEREFORE!)  The Psalm concludes with two more contrasts of the wicked and the blessed man, called righteous in these two verses.  The main characters are the sinners, the righteous and God Himself.  The wicked will not STAND in the judgment or in the congregation of the righteous.   God knows the righteous!  The wicked will perish.  (an expression of time--there IS no expression of time applied to the righteous in this verse.  This relates to the comparison of the never withering leaf in Psa 1:3)  (grammatical considerations are dealt with in the preceding paragraph)


My Questions: 
 
  • Is stand a further continuation of the tree comparison? (NO not really) What exactly does the psalmist mean by "the Lord knows the way of the righteous?"   Or is the ESV translation of knows not as accurate as some other translations? How does this compare exactly to the wicked perishing?



Things emphasized:  
  • In no uncertain terms will the wicked be allowed to stand with the righteous.  God will not allow it.  An interesting contrast is that the Blessed man chooses to follow God and chooses not to follow the sinners, while at the judgment the sinners are no longer given a choice because they have already made their choice.  Or so it would seem...     Or am I being too judgmental with that comment??

Important terms

Wicked:


stand:

  • E Sword concordance search----  Num 30:4-12  Jos 7:12-13   Job 19:25   Psa 24:3  Psa 89:43  Psa 94:16  Pro 19:21  Isa 7:7  Isa 8:10  Isa 14:24  Isa 28:18  Jer 44:28  Jer 44:29 
  • Definition--- (differs from Hebrew word found in Psa 1:1  )  to arise to stand up!  The physical action of rising up or the resultant end of that action.    Mounce states that this Hebrew word is often used with reference to military battle and in this verse it is used to signify "to survive or continue". (see cross references  above)  I have also noticed that when used as "to survive or continue", it most often refers to God allowing something to continue or not.

The judgement:

  • E Sword concordance search-----  Exo 28:15  Exo 28:29  Exo 28:30  Lev 19:15  Jos 20:6  Psa 7:6  Psa 9:7  Psa 9:16  Psa 76:9  Psa 94:15  Isa 5:16  Isa 54:17  Isa 66:16  Jer 25:31  Dan 7:26         Mat 10:15  Joh 5:22  Joh 5:30  Joh 8:16  Rom 2:2  Rom 2:3  2Co 5:10 Heb 6:2  Heb 10:27         1Pe 4:17  2Pe 2:9  1Jn 4:17  Jud 1:15 
  • Definition---- a judgment or legal decision. 

Sinners:


Righteous:

  • E Sword concordance search-----  Gen 6:9  Gen 7:1  Gen 18:23-28  Deu 4:8  Psa 5:12  Psa 7:11  Psa 34:15  Psa 34:19  Psa 37:29  Pro 12:26  Isa 3:10  Jer 33:15  Mat 13:43  Mat 13:49  Gal 3:11  Jas 5:16  1Jn 3:7 
  • Defininition-----  an adjective meaning just.  Someone is considered to be righteous because of conformity to a given standard.  In this verse (and often in the Bible) the righteous one is the one who is conforming to God's standard. 

the way:



Other cross references

  • Ecc 3:17  Psa 146:8  Psa 37:3-5  Mat 7:14   Dan 12:13  Job 23:10  Nah 1:7  Joh 10:14  Joh 10:27  Rev 2:2  Rom 8:29  Isa 26:7  Psa 145:20



Answers to my questions above.:

  • The Lord knowing the way of the righteous (most likely) means that since the blessed man meditates on God's law day and night  (and that means having accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our  Savior!) then God acknowledges that person.   The wicked perish because they have not acknowledged God's will so He does not acknowledge them and they are then separated at the judgment.  I am interpreting a bit based on prior study. 
 
 
Summary
  • These two verses conclude the poem.  The wicked will not stand nor will they be allowed to congregate with the righteous.  (remember from Psa 1:4   that the wicked have been driven away like chaff!)  The Lord knows (watches over) the way (path) of the righteous (those who conform to His will which as described here is to meditate on His law day and night--this is a large subject).  The wicked will perish, the poem makes no mention of the righteous ending!  For they (the blessed or righteous) will prosper.  ( Psa 1:3 )
 
 
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Friday, March 2, 2012

Psalms 1, Today's Verse is Psalms 1:4

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:4  You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2 and Psa 1:3 



For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!
 
Psalm 1:4

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 
 (Psalms 1:4 ESV)



Observations

  • Psa 1:4 is a description of the negatives that the wicked are likely to encounter.  The main character is the wicked man. (although the Hebrew word for wind used in the text also insinuates that God is a main character in this text!)  It is also continues the comparison to  the blessed man by contrasting the wicked to the description of the blessed man in Psa_1:3       The wicked are not permanent as they are eventually blown away. (an abstract expression of time)  It continues the contrast of the wicked and righteous (blessed man).


My Questions:  
 
  • None really as this is fairly cut and dry.  The blessed man is the tree with roots who stands firm while the wicked have no roots and are easily blown away and discarded.  Is wind a metaphor for spirit?? (YES)  Related to the parable of the planting seeds??  (YES)  Or the building of the houses? (YES)

Thing emphasized:  
 
  • The sinners have no staying power.  They are separated (by the wind)

Things alike:  
  • The wicked are LIKE the chaff that is driven away.

Grammatical considerations:  
  • ARE.  The wicked are!  Meaning this is what will happen to them.

Important Terms
All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or
Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Wicked:  


Chaff:

  • E Sword concordance search----  Exo 15:7  Job 13:25  Job 21:18  Psa 83:13  Psa 35:5  Isa 17:13  Isa 29:5  Mat 3:12  Luk 3:17 
  • Definition----  the fine pieces of grain given to animal as fodder, figuratively indicating what is useless or worthless.  Another thought here is that the wicked are left unprotected from the wind.  Either way chaff indicates something that is very much expendable.


wind:

  • E Sword concordance search-----   Gen 8:1  Exo 10:13   Exo 14:21  Exo 15:10  Num 11:31       2Sa 22:11  Job 1:19  Psa 18:10  Psa 35:5  Isa 27:8  Isa 32:2  Isa 41:16  Eze 17:10 
  • Definition----  spirit, wind, breath.  The word is often used to refer to the Spirit of God.  (or sometimes God's actions such as in Exo 10:13 or  Gen 8:1  )

drives away:

  • E Sword  concordance search----  Psa 68:2  Pro 14:32  Isa 19:7  Hos 13:3 
  • definition-----  to drive away or to be driven about.  Blow something away etc.


Other relevant cross references:
  • Chaff:  Jer 23:28  Dan 2:35   
  • Wind:   Joh 3:8  Eph 4:14   Amo 4:13  Act 2:2 


Summary

  • This verse continues contrasting the blessed man and the wicked.  (a main theme of the entire Psalm!)  In Psa_1:3  the blessed man is called a tree planted by water who will yield fruit and prosper.  Now in Psa_1:4  we are told the wicked are not like the blessed man in this respect.  The wicked are like chaff (unneeded, expendable) and are driven away (scattered, discarded) by the wind.  And the particular Hebrew word for wind that was used in the Psalm is used to refer to the Spirit of God!  God Himself will discard the wicked and drive them away.  This is a direct consequence of the wicked NOT delighting in the law (instructions) of the Lord and for NOT meditating on it day and night!  
 
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
 
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