Thoughts on the Old Testament
Verse nine is a call for all of us to serve God with all our heart and mind. It is also our call to know what God has called us to do and for us to live our lives and act on that calling (10).
The detailed plans given to Solomon by David were given by God (19). God has also given us detailed plans for our life. Have you been reading it? As David reminded Solomon that God has a purpose and a plan for his life (20), we are reminded that He has a plan and a purpose for our life (Ephesians 2.8-10).
Verse nine is a call for all of us to serve God with all our heart and mind. It is also our call to know what God has called us to do and for us to live our lives and act on that calling (10).
Again, are you serving where God has called you to serve?
David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23) are the leaders of the 288,000 men David had in his standing army. Each month, on a rotation, 24,000 men would serve at a time (1-15). The civil leaders are listed next (16-24). The royal administrators are listed (25-31), which are followed by personal counselors (32-34).
Again, are you serving where God has called you to serve?
In Christ, we have met the legal requirements to enter God’s presence. They are described as able men qualified for service. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1.5-15 declares the qualifications for men to minister, do you meet these requirements?
The gatekeepers job was to ensure that those who entered the Temple met the legal requirements to enter the Temple (2 Chronicles 23.19). In Christ, we have met the legal requirements to enter God’s presence. They are described as able men qualified for service. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1.5-15 declares the qualifications for men to minister, do you meet these requirements?
Some Levites were gatekeepers (1-19; described in 1 Chronicles 9.22-29), some were treasurers (20-28), and others were administrators (29-32). What is your gift and are you using it for God’s glory?
These were appointed in the last year of David’s reign (31).
This is the concept of holiness. We have been chosen by God for a particular service by a particular gifting. When we follow His purpose for our lives, we are living in accordance with His will and holiness. When we choose to go against His purpose, we are living unholy lives. This does not negate the fact though that we are still holy, set apart for Him.
This chapter opens with the concept of holiness. David called the chief leaders to set aside Asaph (Psalm 50, 73-83), Heman (Psalm 88), and Jeduthun (Psalm 39, 62, 77) for service. This is the concept of holiness. We have been chosen by God for a particular service by a particular gifting. When we follow His purpose for our lives, we are living in accordance with His will and holiness. When we choose to go against His purpose, we are living unholy lives. This does not negate the fact though that we are still holy, set apart for Him.
These men were set apart to prophesy with music. This can be seen as telling forth in God’s Word with a meter in such a way that God uses it to convict and convince those who hear. It does not necessarily mean speaking a new word from God, particularly in the church of today (Hebrews 1.1-4). The meaning of the term “prophesy” here seems to mean “to proclaim” or “to praise.” The term, therefore, would cover expressing what God’s will is to those who listen, not a new word, but an expression of the known will. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 14.3.
Some see verses 3-4 as stating that God speaks prophetically to His people, at times, without the human voice. I have not researched this enough to write on it now; however, it does intrigue me. If you desire more discussion on this, let me know.
This list reminds us that God uses those whom He has chosen. If you are a Christian, you have been chosen by God for a particular purpose, for a particular time, to accomplish His task. Some tasks are menial and some are great but both serve the purposes of a great God. Look at each day as an opportunity to accomplish the Great God’s grand purpose. What has He called you to accomplish today?
This chapter focuses on the division of the priests into twenty-four sections, sixteen from Eleazar and eight from Ithamar due to the clan size. The New Testament introduces Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, as a priest from the line of Abijah (10, cf. Luke 1.5-25). There were far too many priests for each priest to serve full-time in the Temple. At this point in history, a priest would serve seven days a year (2 Kings 11.9 and 2 Chronicles 23.8). By the time of Zechariah, the priests would serve once during their lifetime.
This list reminds us that God uses those whom He has chosen. If you are a Christian, you have been chosen by God for a particular purpose, for a particular time, to accomplish His task. Some tasks are menial and some are great but both serve the purposes of a great God. Look at each day as an opportunity to accomplish the Great God’s grand purpose. What has He called you to accomplish today?
Is our life such that we are attentive to the ministry God has called us to accomplish 24/7?
This chapter opens with a defense of the Solomonic reign. David appoints his younger son, Solomon, to be king over Adonijah as seen in the beginning chapters of 1 Kings.
David had a deep interest in the corporate worship of God, hence the psalter. This passion was so great that he is dubbed “The Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” His organization of the Levites, whom he assigned positions in the Temple to come and the Tabernacle at present, is the focus of the next four chapters of 1 Chronicles. Chapters 24-26 will be considered shortly, look for the studies to come.
This chapter is a list of those who were to serve in the Temple when Solomon built it. The need to transport, set-up and tear-down, and keep the articles belonging to the Tabernacle would no longer be necessary for the Temple would permanently house them.
In looking at the vast numbers belonging to the Levites, we surmise that corporate worship was intense. There were 38,000 Levites assigned to work in groups. There were twenty-four groups of one-thousand assigned for Temple service and 14,000 assigned for varied tasks, which included six thousand officers and judges, four thousand gatekeepers, and four thousand musicians.
Brief mention will be made of the number twenty-four. David uses this number frequently in the following chapters. It is also represented heavily in the book of Revelation to represent the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles. David has twenty-four
Could this be for 24/7 protection, worship, order, and ministry? Is our life such that we are attentive to the ministry God has called us to accomplish 24/7?
In the end, the question to be considered is this: If Jesus is who He says He is in quoting this psalm, what will you do with Him?
If Psalm 109 (see our study) is a picture of the events leading to and including the crucifixion of Christ, as some point out, then Psalm 110 is a picture of His resurrection and the events that follow it.
This short psalm is the most quoted and alluded to psalm in the New Testament. Mills presents at least 34 different references to this psalm by all authors of the New Testament except for James and Jude. His list includes: Matthew 22.43-45, 26.64; Mark 12.35-37, 14.62, 16.19; Luke 20.41-44, 22.69; John 14.2; Acts 2.34-35, 5.31, 7.55-56; Romans 8.34; 1 Corinthians 15.24-26; Ephesians 1.20, 22; Colossians 3.1; Hebrews 1.3, 13, 5.6, 10, 6.20, 7.11, 15, 17, 21, 28, 8.1, 10.12, 13, 12:2; 1 Peter 3.22; and Revelation 3.21, 6.15-17, 19.11.
These seven verses will take a lifetime to discuss and, even then, it would not be complete. In order to fully understand the meaning of this psalm, the usage of this psalm by Jesus will be briefly examined.
However, the context of history provides details for us as well. This psalm was used in the coronation services of the kings of Israel. It could have been written when David captured Jebus, which is Jerusalem. This explains the presence of Melchizedek (king of righteousness) who was the king and priest of Salem (Jebus). The two pronouncements given in this psalm call the king to rule as God’s representative and to be a priest to the people. Calling the king to be a priest was not out of order. The text specifically states a priest after the order of Melchizedek not Aaron. Melchizedek will be discussed in another post if requested.
The outline that would best serve this psalm would be seen under the offices of activities of the coming Messiah:
This brief look at a most fascinating psalm seems anemic in light of all that it contains. To grasp the breadth of the fifty-eight Hebrew words, read the New Testament use of them, then stand in wonder at the magnificence of God’s Word.
In the end, the question to be considered is this: If Jesus is who He says He is in quoting this psalm, what will you do with Him?
If God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8.31-34)? The answer: Only Jesus can condemn us but He died for us and intercedes for us. So, the only one worthy stands in our favor!
This psalm was written by David, so says the inscription and so says Peter as he uses this psalm to describe Judas in Acts 1.16-20. There is no single reference point to place this psalm historically. Some believe it to be against Saul, yet David’s attitude toward God’s anointed would forbid this. Some believe it to be his son, Absalom, but his love for him was overwhelming to the point of sin. Could it be levied against Doeg or Ahithophel?
The word “accuse” provides great insight into this psalm. David stands accused by his adversaries in verses 4, 6, 20, and 29. The Hebrew word for accuse is where we derive Satan. The originally meaning was accuser but became a proper name of our adversary, the devil. David stands accused of crimes that are false. If he is found guilty, he is open for the death penalty.
Verse eight is applied to Judas (Acts 1.20).
Psalm 108 (Cf. our study of Psalm 57 and Psalm 60)
God asks us to have an undivided heart, one that is upright and fixed on Him (1). He then promises us that we can do all things through Him (Philippians 4.13).
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This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.
This psalm states it was written by David for the dedication of the Temple. The content of the psalm also provides insight into the context. David was reeling from the judgement God sent him, he repents, and rejoices in God. This is the context of the time of 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21-22 (see our studies: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21, 22). Today it is used in celebration of the Feast of Chanukah, which is a dedication of the Temple after it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes.
David here speaks of being healed (2). Although he was never afflicted by the plague sent in 1 Chronicles 21, it affected him in the deepest way. It sends him into prayer and repentance. His prayer is expanded in verses 8-10.
David identified with those around him so much that when they hurt he hurt. How is this with you? Do you mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12.15)?
The discipline of the Lord for our sin produces the image of His Son in our lives, which is the goal of all Christians (Romans 8.29 and Philippians 3.12-14). This produces the joy that follows the mourning (Hebrews 12.5-11, James 1.2–4, and 1 Peter 1.6-9).
This psalm is ultimately a psalm of praise and joy amidst, despite, or through the difficult times God allows for us to go through. We must always remember, there is no circumstance given us save it first goes through God’s loving hands.
Have you dared to thank Him for your present circumstances?
“Don’t shake your head when you see a mom or dad with a Downs Syndrome child and say, No way could I face that. Most likely you couldn’t. Which is precisely why God hasn’t asked you to. Instead, take time to seriously consider how you will remain joyful within your own particular, unique, individual situation. Accept your circumstances as a gift from His hand. Dare to thank Him for them.” Joni Eareckson Tada, Glorious Intruder
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