Hebrews – Page 3 – Old Testament Survey

Psalm 92

As you grow, what fruit do others see in you? How is this evidenced in church?

This is a psalm written specifically for the Sabbath, so says the inscription. As the psalm is read, we see that God is lifted high (1-4), God has judged the wicked (5-9), God gives mercy to those who follow Him (10-11), and mercy will continue throughout eternity (12-15). It anticipates the coming ultimate day of rest when the eternal Sabbath rest is ushered in (Hebrews 4.9-11).

Verses 1-4-A call to worship is given by this unknown author. He calls us to declare perpetually the greatness of God. It requires effort to do this, and it requires skill to do this. If we notice the worship given on the Sabbath Day requires us to do more than merely walk in, sit down, sing, give, and walk out. We are called to involve ourselves actively during this time (and all times).

Verses 5-9-God is contrasted with the creation in these verses. He is above all and He is eternal. Creation is simple and brief. Who is like Him? He knows the wicked and disciplines them (this is in contrast to those who follow Him in the next stanza).

Verses 10-11-In the present, God blesses us with His presence, which is the ultimate blessing.

Verses 12-15-In the days to come, He will continue steadfastly with those who pursue Him. In old age, there is new life, a flourishing life, a fruitful life, and a life that show others who He is. The palm tree represents long life and the cedar represents strength. In Song of Solomon 7.7-8 a palm tree describes a beautiful girl.

As you grow, what fruit do others see in you? How is this evidenced in church?

Later a study of the Sabbath for the Christian will be posted.

Psalm 19

Do you see God’s work in creation (1-6), through His Word (7-11), and in your life (12-14)? This is where He is at work. Take time today to notice His work in your world, in your heart.

Psalm 19

This is a creation Psalm. It speaks of God’s majesty in creation and how He created it to show His majesty and glory. Many have suggested that if there is a God who created all this, why did He create the Universe to be so huge for so puny a creation as man. Some have answered this question by saying that God created man an inquisitive creature and that God created this universe for man’s exploration. A better response would be that the universe is not created for man to explore, although he can, does, and should, but that it was created to display the majesty of God per this Psalm. This would explain why it is so huge and complex.

Verses 1-4-David is expressing how creation shouts the glory of God (cf. Romans 1.19-20 and 10.18). This is called general revelation. Here God makes known His ways to all mankind. Many have taken this verse and attempted to show how the stars proclaim God’s glory. If you were to look at the original constellations, it would go from the Virgin to the Lion (Virgo to Leo), which shows the first coming of Christ in the virgin birth all the way to the second coming of Christ in power to rule. How do you see it?

Verses 5-6-When all the world would say the earth was flat, these verses proclaim it was round (cf. Ecclesiastes 1.5)

Verses 7-10-The heart of this chapter comes to the front, not in creation but in the Word of God. This is special revelation where God makes His will known to those who submit to Him and His Word. Each stanza in this poem refers to the same concept: God’s Word is what we need to live this life that He created us to live. It is His Word that gives us direction, wisdom, understanding, guidance in righteousness, and it is to be desired above life itself.

Verses 11-13-David, as Paul would later state in Romans 6.12-14, tells us our reward is found in keeping God’s Word. In so doing we will be blameless in our walk. No one will be able to accuse of wrong doing and sin will not be our master. There are two types of sinning mentioned here. One is the sin of ignorance. Even though we don’t know it is sin, if we commit it, it is still sin. Second is the sin of willful defiance. This is where we know it is wrong and still choose to do it. There is a third, not mentioned here, and it is when we know what we should do but refuse to do it (James 4.17). Which of these is your greatest struggle?

Verse 14-The entire purpose for having this special revelation is for us to meditate on it day and night. Meditation means for us to study all day long. To chew the cud as a cow would. We read a portion of Scripture, contemplate it, later on reconsider it, and still later consider it. It becomes a daylong process. When our mind is on His Word all day, that word will dominate our thinking, our words, and our actions. Are you meditating on God’s Word or merely reading it? Think about 2 Timothy 2.15-26 in its entirety. When our focus is on His Word we escape the schemes of Satan.

Hebrews 1.1-4 provides a summary of this Psalm.

Do you see God’s work in creation (1-6), through His Word (7-11), and in your life (12-14)? This is where He is at work. Take time today to notice His work in your world, in your heart.

If you have time today, about 45 minutes, watch Indescribable by Louie Giglio.

Psalm 16

Where have you been trying to find meaning? Is it in a person, an object, an activity? If it is not God, then you will fail to find meaning, purpose, in this life.

Psalm 16

A Miktam is a Hebrew word meaning “writing” or “psalm” and could mean that it is an epigrammatic poem or atonement Psalm.

Verses 1-2-David begins where we should begin. He realized that apart from God, we have no goodness. As mentioned in Psalm 14, there is none good except God. When we realize this, we will come to Him more often out of need and desire.

Verse 3-David understands the way of godliness is found in the company we keep (1 Corinthians 15.33). We may believe that God is our Saviour and be in right relationship with Him. However, our daily fellowship with Him can be determined by whom we allow in our circle of friends. Consider your friends. Are they bringing you closer to God or are they undermining what God wants to do in your life? Your friends are either helping to purify you or pollute you. Only one is possible. Read 1 John 1.1-4 for insight into fellowship with God.

Verse 4-This verse furthers the concept found in verse three. Those involved in syncretism will not prosper (1 Timothy 6.10). Does David imply that we should not even pray for them? Psalm 106.37-38 sheds light on this verse and what these people were doing.

Verses 5-6-David is reflecting on the good that God has done for him, even in dire circumstances. He knows that it is only in God that we have meaning and purpose in this life.

Verses 7-10-David is writing of God’s blessings on him and how he can rest secure in the hands of the almighty God. God does not allow His people to go to Hell (Sheol). Peter ascribes these verses to Jesus (Acts 2.25-32). That is that God did not keep His Son in Hell but resurrected Him from the dead. Paul quotes this verse when preaching in Antioch as applying to Jesus (Acts 13.35). This is our hope and our peace (1 Peter 1.3 and Hebrews 13.20). This also makes this a Messianic Psalm. These verses are fulfilled in Mark 16.6-7 when Jesus was resurrected.

Verse 11-It is God alone who is good (verse 1) and from Him alone we find the path we are to walk on (Proverbs 3.5-6), or our purpose in life. It is only as we come before Him in prayer, Bible study, song, and fellowship (all of which are worship), that we find our greatest pleasures in life.

Where have you been trying to find meaning? Is it in a person, an object, an activity? If it is not God, then you will fail to find meaning, purpose, in this life.

Psalm 8

Consider your daily routine. Does it proclaim the greatness of God from beginning to end? If so, praise Him. If not, what can be done differently?

Psalm 8

The Introduction to the Psalms explains the Gittith.

Verse 1-The earth is a proclamation of the glory and majesty of God. When you see His creative process from an atom to a galaxy, what is your response?

Verse 2-Read Matthew 21.12-17 and 1 Corinthians 1.26-30 to enlighten this verse. When we praise God, we are using a defensive mechanism to thwart those who speak evil. How often are you praising God during the course of the day? The more we praise, the less we hear from the enemies of our faith.

Verses 3-4-This seems to be a quote from Job 7.17-18 and is quoted in Hebrews 2.6-8. The answer to this question is found throughout the Scriptures and summed up in the next few verses.

Verses 5-8-The translation of “elohim” ( ) in verse five has some controversy in it and can change the outlook of the psalm. David is saying either that God has made mankind a little lower than angels (KJV) or than Himself (NASB). See the footnote for both. If we reference Genesis 1.26-28, we can argue the NASB translation of “God.” Our dignity is found in being like Him. If there is no God, there is no basis for dignity in man. It is in being created lower than Him that we can fulfill the command of Genesis 1 and Psalm 8, which is being a plenipotentiary (one who rules in place of another as representing the other).

Another argument for the word being translated as the NASB presents is 1 Corinthians 6.3, which informs us that we will judge angels.

Verse 9-The psalm closes with the words it began. This sandwiching effect reminds us that all that is contained within these verses are to proclaim how great He is.

Consider your daily routine. Does it proclaim the greatness of God from beginning to end? If so, praise Him. If not, what can be done differently?

2 Samuel 2

David does what we should all do. He inquired of the Lord what he should do next. God informed him to go to Hebron and settle there.

2 Samuel 2

David does what we should all do. He inquired of the Lord what he should do next. God informed him to go to Hebron and settle there. He went with his wives (Ahinoam and Abigail) and his men (the 600). The people of Hebron anointed David king over the southern area of Israel, Judah. He would reign over southern Israel for seven-and-a-half years (verse 11) before he reigned over all Israel, which he did for another thirty-two-and-a-half years.

When David learned of the loyalty of Jabesh-gilead, he blessed them for what they did with Saul in burying him.

We are reintroduced to Abner in this chapter. We learn that he is interested in keeping the royal line in his family, the tribe of Benjamin, and not in the rightful tribe of Judah. He raises another son of Saul, Ishbaal or Ish-bosheth, as the new king. He was a puppet king at the hand of Abner. When Abner dies, all the Israelites were troubled in spirit because they knew Abner was the one who truly reigned.

David’s nephew Joab (and his brother, Asahel, but not Abishai) is also reintroduced (see not with Abner above). The devotion these men had to their cause is startling. They pursued with such intensity that they were unwilling to change their direction for fear of not catching their target. They may have lived or became richer had they turned aside, but they chose to remain true to that which they were called. Asahel knew that if Abner died, Ish-bosheth’s reign would also end.

The duel the two kings set up to determine who would be king is reminiscent of the battle David had earlier with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). It is interesting that after both of these duels, the armies fought anyway. Some commentators state it was because both David and Abner’s men died and no winner was declared. That still does not explain 1 Samuel 17.

How about you? Do you become entangled with what the world offers that you forget the prize that is set before you (Hebrews 12.1-3)?

Psalm 54

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Psalm 54 is related to both 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. The inscription gives us the account of Saul being informed by the Ziphites of David’s whereabouts. The inscription also informs us that it is a Maskil of David, which is a skilled instruction given at an annual celebration.

Verses 1-3-David pleas to God for protection from Saul and vindication of the actions of the Ziphites. He goes to the only one who can help; he turns to God who hears our prayers. Verse three gives us insight into David, Saul, and the Ziphites. David set his eyes on God, which implies the others were setting their eyes on worldly things. Saul’s focus was an earthly kingdom and power. The Ziphites may have had wealth, protection by Saul, or power as their focus. God wants us to always have Him as our focus. It is His desire to be preeminent in our lives (Colossians 1.18).

Selah. Where is your focus? Is it on what God has required, what you have desired, or what the world decides? The answer to that question can be found in to whom or what you “pray.” Can and do you go to God with the desires of your heart, with the pains that surround you, and with the joys you are given? Or, are you pleased with what you have, complain about your circumstances, and merely enjoy what comes your way? If the latter are true, your focus is on what you have desired or what the word decides. If you cannot go to God for the matters on your heart, it is due to sin. This sin is either that the activity or item in life is sinful or that your heart is placing you above Him.

Verses 4-5-David’s prayers are for his enemies to be destroyed. Read the comments on Psalm 140 for insight into our enemies. We either destroy that which stands against God or are destroyed by them. As an aside, when God changes the hearts of our enemies, He has destroyed them for now they are our friends.

Verses 6-7-Some view this as written after the fact that David received his answer and then offered the freewill offering as a sign of gratitude to God. It can be seen as faith where David knows that God delivers and will do so for him. In this knowledge David offers his sacrifice out of gratitude for whom God is not necessarily for what He has done or will do (Leviticus 22:21–23; 23:38).

Are you in the habit of thanking God for who He is rather than for what He has done or will do? David prayed to God to take control (He is sovereign), to protect (He is omnipotent), and to vindicate (He is Judge) because he knew that God hears our prayers (He is omniscient), God helps us (He is Good), and He can help us (He is sovereign). Our only response to all that He is to us is praise or thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5.12-24). As with David, God is our Helper (Hebrews 13.6) and our only response to that is to offer our freewill offering of praise to Him (Hebrews 13.15-16).

Psalm 34

Today we are provided a better look into the heart and mind of David when he faced difficult circumstances. David’s career is filled with passion. Seldom do you read of David being complacent about life. David gave his all to what he did. Sometimes that passion was for God and other times that passion was for himself. In the psalms we have been and will be studying based on his early life (7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140, 141, and 142), we see his passion for God.

Psalm 34 informs us, in the inscription, of the historical context of the Psalm. If you recall, the Hebrew version of the Psalms includes the inscriptions as a verse. Without the title as a verse, this psalm forms an acrostic. This Psalm is found played out in history in 1 Samuel 21.10-15 where David acted crazy in order to escape from king Abimelech who is called Achish in the passages in Samuel (1 Samuel 21.10-15 and 1 Samuel 27 and 29). If you read the psalm, it does not sound like it fits with the historical passage. However, David wrote it and ascribed the historical context to it. There are times when we wax poetic after we have encountered danger. It is more praise to God for the deliverance than an account of the deliverance. Such is the case with Psalm 34.

Verses 1-3-As the Psalm is read it is difficult not to look to God to praise Him. This is the purpose of the Psalm. David commands us to look to God to magnify Him. This doesn’t mean that we attempt to make God big but that we look to see Him as He is in reality. A telescope does not make the universe bigger. It helps us see how large it is in reality.

Verses 4-10-As Psalm 31 and 32 present to us the effects of sin on our bodies, these verses present to us the effect of God on our bodies. When we are in fellowship, much like Moses, are faces reflect Him, our bodies are refreshed, our minds are at ease, our fears are alleviated, and shame or disgrace in not our lot.

Verses 11-14-Second Timothy 2.22, Hebrews 12.14, and 1 Corinthians 15.33 both reflect the ideas presented in these verses. If we desire to live the life God created for us to live, we need to pursue God with a passion that is also found in those with whom we are friends.

Verses 15-18-David understands the mission of God in this world is to bring people back into right relationship and fellowship with Himself. Only the humble or the righteous will find Him. Those who are proud, who do what is right in their own eyes (Proverbs 14.12), He will oppose the proud. Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble Jesus mentions this as His mission in life in His first sermon (Luke 4.18.19).

Verses 19-22-These verses reflect the previous four verses. When verse 20 is read, we see a reference to the day Christ was crucified in John 19.33 and 36.

This passage offers hope to those who are in dire straits. What do you do when times are tough? Is your focus on the circumstances or on the God who is greater than all of them (1 John 4.4)?

1 Samuel 15

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally).

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally). However, God is punishing them for their sins. The book of Romans reminds us that there are none who are innocent and all deserve death based on rebellion against God. This would include “child and infant.” God is also judging them, specifically, for not befriending the Israelites on their journey. The latter occurred because of the former. The key in these verses (1-3) is for Saul, as God’s anointed, to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites. When we do not obey God to the letter of what He commands, we will set up ourselves for future sorrow. We will see this later in the chapter with Agag and have already seen it through Joshua and Judges.

The command God gave to Saul was to destroy all living creatures from among the Amalekites. Saul musters more than 200,000 men to battle, which shows the entirety of Israel was under his kingship by this time. He allows the Kenites to leave. They were not under God’s judgment. He allows Agag, the king, and all the animals that were healthy to survive. These were under God’s judgment. He partially follows what God commanded. This always leads to trouble.

The next verse shows God’s displeasure with Saul. Not only does Saul disobey God but he erects a monument to himself (verse 12). He then greets Samuel as if nothing wrong had happened. Samuel calls out Saul for his disobedience. Saul blames it on the soldiers then on God. He then proclaims that he followed God’s commands to the letter.

Samuel lays down God’s judgment before Saul. Saul attempts to justify himself by his actions (works do not save us). He thinks his actions are better than what God had planned. This is the basis for all our sins. We believe our plan is better than the God of the universe’s plan. Samuel provides God’s heart. Verse 22 should be committed to memory. God rejects Saul. He informs him that his sin was as bad as seeking out a witch for advice. He does this later in the book.

Saul repents. Even in his “repentance” he is blaming the people for his sins. The kingdom is now given to the unnamed rightful first king of Israel, which we will see in the next chapter. Samuel had nothing to do with Saul after that night. Samuel grieved over what happened with Saul. We should have the same heart. When in disciplining people in our sphere of influence, we should never delight in the discipline but grieve over what has happened and be in prayer for restoration. In this case, there is no restoration. When it states that God was sorry that He made Saul king, it means He also grieved over the life and work of Saul. It does not mean that He made a mistake and wanted to do it all over again.

Samuel finished the work Saul did not complete. He killed Agag. Saul must not have killed all the people of the Amalekites. A few hundred years later, in Esther 3, a descendant of Agag is mentioned whose name is Haman.

Our lack of obedience to God will come back to us in the form of discipline. Hebrews 12 reminds us that as God’s children we should expect discipline when we go against His commands. His discipline is always for restoration to fellowship with Him and His people. The consequences of our disobedience today may not come upon us quickly but may manifest themselves later in life or in our children’s life. We need to be careful, therefore, in how we live that God’s blessing rather than discipline may be found in our life and in the future for our children and for those people in our sphere of influence.

1 Samuel 3-4

After Eli is given the bad news of his children’s judgment and impending death, we again switch scenes to Samuel in the temple with Eli and God. Chapter three shows us how far gone the Israelites were. In verse one we are informed that Samuel was serving God under the training of Eli, the one who raised the children who just rebelled, and that God did not speak with people during those days. Prior to Judges, God spoke, it seems, daily to Moses and Joshua. Now, He rarely speaks. We know in these days God does not speak as He once did. This, however, is not in judgment against the world but because He finished speaking in His Son (Hebrews 1). He speaks to us daily through His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. His Word gives us direction and His Spirit convicts us of sin and gifts and strengthens us to carry out His work in this world. Our prayers are kind of like reporting back to the commander, talking with Dad, and pleading before our King.

However, in those days, until chapter three, there was little communication by God to His people. In this chapter and the following ones, God communicates with and through Samuel to bring hope, judgment, discipline, and a future to God’s people. God calls Samuel three times, which is significant. When God says something three times, what follows is of great importance. He calls Samuel the first two times and neither he nor the priest Eli understood what was happening. Finally, Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel. He instructs Samuel in what to do. When God calls, do we have the heart as Samuel does? “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” This third time that God called it was intimate. When God speaks a name twice it is as a father would speak to his son. He calls “Samuel, Samuel.”

God calls him to a difficult first job. He must inform his mentor of the quickly coming judgment. He obeys and Eli agrees with the judgment and relieves Samuel by telling him it is of the Lord. This is significant because of what we read in chapter four. When God judges us, are we more like Adam and Eve or Samuel and Eli? Do we blame the other or do we give the word and accept the discipline?

The end of chapter three and the beginning of chapter four stand in apposition to the opening of chapter three. God is now speaking to Israel on a regular basis, the whole of Israel knew that Samuel was God’s prophet, priest, and judge. In 1 Samuel 3.4-21 he is set aside as prophet. God called Samuel as he had called other prophets. Samuel would bring God’s word to Eli and to Israel. In 1 Samuel 3.1 he is consecrated as priest. Samuel ministered before the Lord in the temple at Shiloh. In 1 Samuel 7, we will see, he rules as “king” after the manner of the judges. Samuel did not serve as a king in Israel, but he did serve as a judge. He brought the people to God and victory over the Philistines. He was never crowned as king, but he, unlike the other judges, judged over all Israel. He also anointed Israel’s first two kings.
Chapter four the judgment comes in the defeat of the Israelites in battle, the deaths of Eli, the sons of Eli, the daughter-in-law of Eli, and the most significant loss was that of the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

In the first few verses God’s judgment comes against Israel, Hophni and Phinehas, and the priests (the Ark being taken). The people considered the Ark as an idol; as God not a representation of His presence. Much like Samson and his hair. The Philistines also believed this. They were disheartened but became victorious because God had allowed it to occur as His judgment/discipline of His people.

After Eli’s sons are killed, the same day in battle, he receives the news. He was quite old, ninety-eight years old, he could not see, could not hear to well, and he was quite overweight. He fell backward and died. He is considered a judge in that he ruled for forty years.

Eli s daughter-in-law dies in childbirth and names her child Ichabod meaning “no glory” or “the glory has departed,” for the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines.
In these four chapters there is quite an emotional rollercoaster ride. We have the lows and highs of Hannah, Eli, Israel, and Samuel. This is like our lives. We go through great times and hard times. What would our lives be like if we accepted direction like Samuel, plead our cause like Hannah, and accepted discipline like Eli? Would we change our way of living, our way of thinking?

Have a great day at the place God has placed you (Acts 17.26). And, remember, wherever you are the presence of the God who indwells you is there. This means the glory will never leave, although we can cover it with our sinfulness. How bright is God shining today?