Search The Scriptures —Study 119 — Psalms 148 and 150

Study 119 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 148 and 150

With this lesson, we end the book of Psalms. Tomorrow, we will start the book of REVELATION

These psalms again find their best setting in the gathering of Israel in the Temple, celebrating God’s greatness particularly in terms of His works in creation and history.

1-     Summarize as expressed here the psalmist’s view of God in His cosmic magnificence and creative omnipotence. To what one end should everything be used, and all creation united?

2-     How is God’s special relation with His people shown, and of what things do they feel they can assured as they dwell on what He is known to be?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 118 — Psalm 147

Study 118 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 147

1-     In each of the three sections of this psalm (verses 1-6, 7-11,12-30) one attitude or attribute of God is being highlighted. Discover each of these. What are, then, the point and logic of the references in each section to God’s control of the natural universe and of created things?

2-     Faith and praise are here supported by concrete reasons. What do we thus learn to be greatest reasons for trusting and praising God? 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 117 — Psalm 146

Study 117 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 146

       1-     In verses 3 and 4 the psalmist is warning Israel against trusting God. Cf. Is 30:1-5; 31:1. Why is trusting in man such a mistake? Cf. Is. 2:20-22; Je. 17:5.

       2-     It was always important to Israel to be a remembering people.  See how God’s acts in their experience long before illustrating the statements about God in verses 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c. Look up Jos. 23:14-16; Ex. 3:7, 8; 16:2-4; Ps. 126:1, 2.

3-     Jesus takes up these themes making them the programme of His whole ministry (see Lk. :16-21), and explaining His miracles in these terms (see Mt. 11:2-5, echoing Is. 29:18, 19; 35:5, 6). What does He mean to teach about Himself in this way?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 116 — Psalm 145

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Study 116 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 145

      1-     How many different aspects of the character of God are mentioned in this psalm, and what kind of appreciation and response should such contemplation of His character call forth?

     2-     How is the kindness of God shown to all, and how more specifically to those who fulfil certain conditions? Cf. and contrast Mt. 5:4, 5; Rom 3:22; 8:28. 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 115 — Psalm 144

Study 115 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 144

      1-     What does David confess (a) that he is in God’s sight; and (b) that God can be to him and do for him? Have you similar cause to ‘sing a new song’ (verse 9)?

      2-     What special lessons for spiritual leaders of others can be learnt from this psalm? In particular, how do David’s prayers express the special needs of a person with responsibility?

Note. Verses 8, 11. The meaning is that when they raised their right hand in solemn oath, they lied.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 114 — Psalms 142 and 143

Study 114 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 142 and 143 

      1-     Ps. 142 shows how God’s servant is not immune from the depth of distress and despair. How does he describe how he feels? And then, what does he doe? What does he believe? And what does he expect?  CF. Ps. 138:7, 8; Jb 23:10; 2 Cor. 1:8-11.

      2-     Ps. 143 consists of an invocation (verses 1, 2), a lament (verses 3, 4), a retrospect (verses 5, 6) and a petition (verses 7-12). Study how one important fact comes to mind in each of these first three sections. Note what reaction is caused each time in him. The petition itself falls into a pattern like this too. What solution does he now pray for in each aspect of his need? Note particularly his morning prayer in verse 8. Learn from such an example how to be more pointed in your praying.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 113 — Psalms 140 and 141

Study 113 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 140 and 141

       1-     In Ps. 140 note carefully the psalmist’s description of his enemies: their character, their methods, their purpose. In these circumstances of intense danger, what does the psalmist do, what does he pray for, and how is his faith sustained?

      2-     Ps. 141 deals with some of the more insidious temptations which threaten to involve God’s servant in evil. Note in detail what they are.  Note also the kinds of help for which he prays. How does the influence of other people work here?

3-     Both psalms mention the far-reaching significance of speech. Study how the things men say can do evil. How can greater control be gained over the tongue?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 112 — Psalm 139 (My Favorite Psalm)

Study 112 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 139

      1-     Verses 1-18 describe in three sections the psalmist’s consciousness of God’s scrutiny of his life.  What departments of life are singled out as known by God in verses 1-6? What truths about God are emphasized in verses 7-12, and in verses 13-18?

      2-     Why is it that the psalmist can pray as he does in verses 23, 24’ especially in the light of what he confesses in verses 1-4? Do you regularly pray this kind of prayer? 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Daniel 11:21 – 12:13

Study 14 From the Book of Daniel is:  Daniel 11:21 – 12:13

With this study we will end the book of Daniel. Tomorrow we will go back the last time to the book of Psalms

At chapter 11:21 the predicted course of events as told in the vision reaches the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the historical fulfilment can be traced with accuracy up to verse 35. The career of Antiochus is revealed in four main features: (a) the craft by which he obtained the throne and won his way to power (verses 21-23);  (b) his love of munificent and lavish giving (verse 24a); (c) his plans for war (verse 24b), and especially his wars against Egypt (verse 25-30); and (d) his acts of sacrilege against the Temple in Jerusalem’ and persecution of the Jews (verse 31-35).

            The remainder of the passage (11:36-12:4) seems at first sight to be a continuation of the career of Antiochus, but on closer examination is seen to go beyond it, alike in its description of the king (verse 36; cf. 2 Thes. 2:4), in the events which it records (e.g., 12:1, 2), and in the emphasis laid upon its being ‘the time of the end’ (11:35, 40; 12:4). The figure of Antiochus seems here to merge into the more sinister figure of the antichrist. With 12:2, 7, cf. 7:25; 9:27.

1-     Gather out the evidence given here on the one hand of man’s sinfulness and lust for power, and on the other of God’s overruling control and purpose. Cf. Je. 17:5-14.

2-     What are the characteristics of those who will be glorified and of those who will be put to shame at the last?

Notes

1-     11:21. I. e., he was not the recognized heir to the throne.

2-     11:22-24. ‘The prince of the covenant is probably Antiochus, the infant son and heir of Seleucus IV. ‘The strongholds’ are those of Egypt.

3-     11:27. Antiochus actually captured the king of Egypt, but they pretended to be friendly.

4-     11:30. ‘Ships of Kittim’: i.e., Roman ships, which refused Antiochus liberty to proceed. He vented his anger, therefore, upon Palestine.

5-     11:31. ‘The abomination that makes desolate’: a small altar was placed upon the altar of burnt offering and sacrifices were offered to idols.

6-     11:37. ‘The one beloved by women’ refers to the god Tammuz. See Ezk. 8:14.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Daniel 11:2-20

Study 13 From the Book of Daniel is: Daniel 11:2-20

This passage is a forecast of history, not continuous, but selective. The period is one of nearly 400 years, from the time of Daniel’s vision to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. Verses 2-4 are introductory, having reference (a) to the rulers of Persia, up to Xerxes (verse 2), and (b) to the rise of Alexander the Great nearly 150 years later, and to the division of his kingdom into four (verses 3, 4). From this point the prophecy confines itself to two of these four kingdoms: Egypt, whose ruler is called ‘king of the south’, and Syria, whose ruler is called ‘king of the north’. The successive rulers of these kingdoms in historical succession were (a) Egypt: Ptolemy I (304-285 BC); Ptolemy II (285-246 BC) Ptolemy III (226-221 BC) Ptolemy VI (221-205 BC.) Ptolemy V (205-180 BC); Ptolemy VI (180-145 BC); (b) Syria: Seleucus I (312-280 BC); Antiochus I (280-261); Antiochus II (261-246 BC); Seleucus II (246-226 BC); Seleucus II (246-226 BC); Seleucus III (226-223 BC); Antiochus III, called the Great (223-187 BC); Seleucus IV (187-175 BC); Antiochus IV, called Epiphanes (175-163 BC).

           

Verse 5a of our chapter refers to Ptolemy I, and verse 5b to Seleucus I, who for a time was one of Ptolemy’s general, but be came ruler of a wider empire then Ptolemy’s. Verse 6 refers to Ptolemy II, who gave his daughter Berenice to Antiochus II in marriage upon certain conditions. The conditions were, however, broken and Bernice lost her life. Verses 7 and 8 refer to Ptolemy III, brother of Berenice, who successfully attacked the kingdom of Syria under Seleucus II and returned with great spoil. Seleucus II later invaded Egypt, but without success (verse 9). Verses 10-19 predict continued wars between the kings of Syria and Egypt in the reigns of Antiochus III, Ptolemy IV and Ptolemy V. The victory turned now to the north (verse 10), and now to the south (verses 11, 12).  Then Antiochus brought Egypt low (verses 13-17), but, wishing to press westwards (verse 18), made an alliance with Egypt by giving Ptolemy V his daughter Cleopatra in marriage (verse 17). The plans for a conquest westward were, however, defeated by a Roman commander (verse 18), and Antiochus had to retire to his own kingdom, where he died verse 19. Verse 20 refers to Seleucus IV, who imposed heavy taxes upon Palestine to build up his kingdom’s finances. In all this time Palestine, named ‘the glorious land’ (verse 16) and ‘the glory of the kingdom’ (verse 20), was the pathway of marching armies, and a bone of contention between the warring nations. But it had not yet suffered what it was soon to suffer under Antiochus IV.

1-     What was the purpose of this detailed prediction? In what way would it help the remnant during the persecution which was to come?

2-     Ponder the words in verses 3 and 16 ‘shall do according to his own will’. See also verse 36, and contrast Jn. 4:34; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Jn. 2:17. Are you learning to say with Christ Mt. 26:42 and Heb. 10:7?

Note. Verse 14. A party among the Jews will rise up, thinking by violence to bring to pass the fulfilment of prophecy.

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