July 2012 – Page 2 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 148

This marks the third of the five “Hallelujah Psalms” that close the book of Psalms. Each of these psalms begins and ends with “Hallelujah.”

Everything is made to praise Him. All creation is made to praise Him, not merely those with breath. The heavens are command to praise Him (1-6), the earth is commanded to praise Him (7-10), and we are called to praise Him (11-14). We are called to praise Him without regard to what others are doing. Praise Him.

Media

Let Everything That Has Breath – Phillips, Craig and Dean

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Teach for God Ministries.

Psalm 147

This marks the second of the five “Hallelujah Psalms” that close the book of Psalms. Each of these psalms begins and ends with “Hallelujah.”

What is the proper response to the majesty of creation? Praise to God. It’s not that He created all and left; He created all and sustains it for the express purpose of drawing our attention to Him (Colossians 1.16-18). Who alone can truly praise Him? Only those who call Him by Name.

I think we have confused praise with encouragement in our day. We are to praise the efforts of even those who do not do well. We should rephrase this to encourage those who have not done too well to continue toward excellence. We need to cease trivializing what true praise is. Again, is this demeaning of praise and attempt to take the glory from God that is due Him, to belittle what true praise is by praising that which is truly not praiseworthy?

What will God say to us, to you, to me, for what we have allowed to happen to praise? Those who know Him most should praise Him most. Declare your praise!

Media

Chris Tomlin – Indescribable

Psalm 146

This marks the beginning of the five “Hallelujah Psalms” that close the book of Psalms. Each of these psalms begins and ends with “Hallelujah.”

The claim here is to present ourselves to God and Him alone. There is no alternative to Him (Romans 12.1-2). What follows through the rest of this psalm, verses 3-10, are reasons for us to present ourselves to Him.

Since you are called to imitate God, based on this psalm, what would your life look like? If we are called to do this ministry, what part does government play in our life? Is government meant to be only the enforcer of laws (Romans 13)? If the church did her part, which means all individual Christians, then the social needs of mankind would be met. What happened?

Psalm 134

This is the shortest psalm. It is the last of the Pilgrim Psalms. It is a response of those in fellowship with God, who are giving Him the praise due His name. This praise is to be continual (1 Thessalonians 5.16-17). Praise God on purpose today despite your circumstances. Oh, and this Sunday, give an “Amen” to your pastor during his sermon.

Psalm 136

Psalm 136 (2 Chronicles 7.3, 6)

We can neatly divide this psalm in two parts. The first is proclaiming God’s goodness based on the story of Creation. The second is proclaiming God’s goodness based on how He delivered Israel from captivity. Taking these two parts, we can see this psalm praises God for all that is in the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy.

The psalm stands out among all the psalms for the repetition of “for His steadfast love endures forever.” We know this psalm as the “Great Hallel” psalm and it was associated with the Feast of Passover. Today, it is used more as a call to worship (Davidson, 1998).

Attempt to listen to this psalm the way they may have read it by using two choirs to sing the lines. The choir to the left sang the historical truth and the choir to the right sang the refrain of God’s never-ending mercy. Hallelujah!

The meaning of the repeated phrase must include God’s faithfulness to who He is and what He has promised to do. To translate this with that meaning of חסד included: “for His faithfulness to Himself will never end” or “His Word stands with surety.” So, considering the ever-changing economy, culture, and world we live in, isn’t it great to know that He will never change? His truth is always true, no matter the circumstances and no matter what others claim.

Do you readily proclaim God’s goodness to those around you by what you do and what you say? Do they hear the choirs that resound the marvel of God’s faithfulness in your gait?

This might be a good exercise for each of us to do today: write one thing that God has done for you or in your family and write the refrain after it. Now, do this each day for a month. Compile the list in chronological order and upload it here. Let others see God’s goodness in you.

Media

Psalm 136 – Forerunner
Chris Tomlin – Forever
His Love Endures Forever

©2012 Teach for God Ministries. Used by Permission.

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Teach for God Ministries.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By David R Williamson. ©2012 Teach for God Ministries. Website: www.teach4god.com

2 Chronicles 7.12-22

2 Chronicles 7.12-22 (1 Kings 9.1-9)

The most quoted portion of 2 Chronicles is found in these verses. It is also the most commonly misquoted portion of 2 Chronicles. 1 Kings does not contain verses 14-16 because it is looking forward and 2 Chronicles is looking back. The writer’s audience in 2 Chronicles is the post-exilic nation.

The gist of verses 12-18 is when sin happens, repentance must follow. It is also implicit that God is faithful to His Word, even when we are not faithful to follow. The promises of God are both conditional (blessings, etc) and unconditional (salvation, etc). Here God presents both promises. The success of Israel is based on their turning from sin and turning toward God. It is not enough to say that sin is wrong, they need to define it and turn from it and turn to God. The promise of the coming Messiah is unconditional.

What we can do with this passage is realize that God is calling us to do three things: humble ourselves, repent, and turn to Him. He, then, will do three things for us: hear our prayers, forgive our sins in restoring fellowship, and heal the land. The last one is debatable outside of Israel (see McGee, 1997). However, if God’s people today, the church, were to turn back to Him, the land would be healed. Not from pestilence, drought, etc. but from the socialism and other ungodly pursuits she has undertaken. This would be due to the character change of God’s people producing a change where the live. This truth is evident in James 4.7-10.

A good read on the evils of America is Dennis Prager’s Still the Best Hope.

2 Chronicles 5.1-7.11

2 Chronicles 5.1-7.11 (1 Kings 8)

I refer the reader to the comments on 1 Kings 8.

1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8 (Cf. 2 Chronicles 5.1-7.11)

1-13-The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple as are the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Verses 10-12 present the glory of God coming into the Temple. The glory of God has been with the Israelites since God called them in Exodus. He went before them in the Wilderness, visited them at Sinai, and would dwell with them until Ezekiel 10.18-19. He will pay a brief visit in the flesh (John 1.14), dwell within man (John 14.16-17), and will come again in the Kingdom (Revelation 21.2-3).

14-21-Solomon reminds the people of God’s faithfulness to His promise, covenant, with David and with all Israel.

22-53-Solomon constantly reminds Israel through this prayer that God dwells in Heaven, though He dwells in the Temple. He is also reminding Israel that all they have is still God’s and they are merely stewards or managers of what He has given. These two principles are necessary for our understanding of accomplishing God’s task. God is greater than we can imagine (Ephesians 3.20-21, cf. with verse 56). Although He indwells us through the Holy Spirit, we should never make Him commonplace as much of the current theology attempts to do when they describe Him as a friend who is hugging and kissing us. If you would like further discussion on this topic, please respond to this post. We are the managers of what God has given us. He owns it all, we are to take care of it and do as He would with it. When we get this mentality, our perspective on giving and life changes dramatically.

Verse 46 is a great reminder that we all sin and that we all need God to help us overcome our sin. What is your sin that causes you to stumble and fall (Galatians 6.1-3 and Hebrews 12.1-2)?

54-61-Solomon then blesses Israel with a reminder that God is with them.

62-66-The dedication ends with a joyful celebration; dare I say party?

When you read this long chapter, do you see elements of this in your personal daily worship and weekly corporate worship? If so, celebrate; if not, try to incorporate aspects of it this week.

A thought to ponder: though Solomon’s Temple was magnificent and beautiful, it was merely another building until God came. Our lives are just another life, our churches are just another church, until God comes in. It is at this point when these ordinary things become super-ordinary not because of what they are but because of Who chose them.

Another thought: Trace “heart” through this chapter and you will notice that we know what is in our heart (38), though we attempt to conceal it from others. God knows our heart (39), we cannot conceal anything from Him. In order to come to Him, it must be with all our heart (48). When we do, God gives us the ability to obey His Word (58). All this because this is a goal of God for our lives (61).

An example of prayer from Solomon

Praise and worship (22-25)
Revelation of self in God’s presence (26-30)
Requests for forgiveness sins (31-40)
Requests for the Lord to be merciful to those who seek Him (41-43)
Prays for victory (44-45)
Restoration when they sin (46-53)

2 Chronicles 4

2 Chronicles 4 (Cf. 1 Kings 6 and 1 Kings 7)

This chapter is similar to 1 Kings 6 and 7. However, verse one introduces an altar of bronze. It is huge (see photo). The increased size was due to the increased sacrifices being offered.

This passage and the one in 1 Kings 7.23 both describe π quite precisely. Chuck Missler, among others, have commented on this passage. I refer the reader to his article “The Value of Pi.”

1 Kings 7

The dimensions of the compound Solomon built (7.2) is comparable to that of the Temple (1 Kings 6) although a bit larger. It was not merely his house but included the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Hall fo the Throne, the Hall of Judgment, his own house, and the house for Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3.1). The remainder of the chapter, 7.13-51, is a description of what Hiram contributed to the effort from the largest detail to the smallest, in order of size.

A point of interest is the naming of the two pillars in 7.21. Jachin means “God will establish” and Boaz means “in it is strength.” Placing these in the Temple presents us with the truth that what God establishes will not fail. Apply this to your salvation. It is established in Christ and He will not fail.