Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Ezekiel 33

Introductory Note to Chapters 33-39

These chapters all belong, to the second period of the prophets’ ministry after the fall of Jerusalem (see Introduction and Analysis). The only mention of a date is 33:21, but the prophecies all presuppose that God’s judgment upon the guilty city and nation, long predicted, has come to pass.

Study 22 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 33

The prophet had known from the first that part of his commission was to be a watchman (cf. 3:16-21), but now the time had come to put it into practice: for in the new era that was dawning, only those who individually repented and returned to God would live.

1.     In what terms does Ezekiel express the need for repentance? What kind of behaviour is expected of the wicked man when he repents? Cf. Acts 26:20; Rev. 2:5.

2.     Compare the two current sayings quoted in verses 10 and 24. Observe where they were current, and how the one is despairing, the other confident. What is God’s answer in each case?

3.     Why did the prophet suddenly become more bold to speak, and the people more curious to hear his words? See verses 30-33. What, however, was lacking in their new interest? Cf. Mt. 7:26, 27.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 70 — Psalm 89: 38-52

Study 70 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 89: 38-52

With this study from the book of psalms we are taking a pause here and tomorrow we will go back once again to the book of Ezekiel.

1.     Notice the repeated ‘thou’ in verses 38-46. It is the same God of steadfast love, faithfulness and power, extolled in the earlier part of the psalm, who has brought about the downfall of the king and the desolation of the land. This constitutes the psalmist’s dilemma. What bold requests for God’s speedy action does he make (verse 46-51), and on what does he base them?

2.     What may we learn form the psalmist’s example when circumstances seem to call God’s character and promises into question? How does faith survive in such situations? Cf. Gn. 18:25; Rom 11:29, 33; Phil. 1:6.

Note. Verse 52 is a doxology to close Book III of the Psalms

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Search The Scriptures —Study 69 — Psalms 89: 1-37

Study 69 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 89: 1-37

This psalm vividly depicts the conflict of faith. In the first part (verses 1-37) the psalmist praises the Lord, who is reverenced in heaven and on earth, as the Victor over chaos, and the covenant God and Father of Israel’s king and people. In the second part (verses 38:-52) , however, it is clear that the king has suffered a serious military reverse.

1.     Verses 5-18 expand verses 1 and 2. What attributes of God are extolled? How is the blessedness of God’s people described?

2.     Verses 19-37 expand verses 3 and 4 concerning God’s covenant. Ponder the scope, the conditions and the generosity of God’s promises.

Notes

1.     Verse 3. The original occasion is described in 2 Sa. 7, recalled in 2 Sa. 23:5, and celebrated in Ps. 132: IIff.

2.     In verses 9:14 the pronouns ‘thou’ and ‘thine’ are emphatic.

3.     Verse 10. Rahab was originally used to refer to the forces of chaos subdued at creation (cf. Jb. 26:12). But here and in Is. 51:9 (cf. Ps. 74:12ff.) the imagery is used to refer to the exodus from Egypt, when God’s mighty power was shown in redemption.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 68 — Psalm 88

Study 68 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 88

In some respects, this psalm depicts the sufferings of the Jewish nation in exile. The Christian may find in it a picture of the sufferings of Christ. But, the language of the psalm is universal, and no one specific application exhausts it; hence its continuing relevance.

1.     Summarize the main features of the sufferers’s distress. The sufferer cleaves to God most passionately when God seems to have removed Himself most completely. How do you account for the persistence of his faith?  Cf. Is. 50:10; Hab. 3:17, 18.

2.     Verses 4-6, 10-12. With the psalmist’s view of death and its sequel, cf. Ps. 6:5; 30:9; Is. 38:18. Contrast it with that of the Christian and note whence light and hope come. See 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14, 15; 1 Cor. 15: 17, 18, 51-57.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 67 — Psalms 86 and 87

Study 67 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 86 and 87

1.     Ps. 86. List (a) the psalmist’s petitions, and (b) the reasons for his confidence that his prayer will be heard. Note especially in verses 8-13 the concentration of his thought on God in worship and thanksgiving. Can you pray verse 11, and mean it?

2.     Ps. 87 is a kind of prophetic expansion of Ps. 86:9. Zion is seen as the city of God’s special choice and sovereign purpose. Individuals from the nations that were Israel’s enemies are to become citizens of Zion. Are you one? What is the significance of the birth register, and being ‘born there’? Cf. Jn. 3:3, 5; Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 21:27.

Notes

1.     86:2. ‘I am godly’: the adjective speaks of devotion to God, and loyalty to His covenant.

2.     86:11. ‘Unite my heart to fear thy name’: cf. Dt. 6:4, 5; Je. 32:39. The psalmist desires in singleness of heart and harmony of purpose to be wholly and exclusively devoted to God’s worship and service.

3.     87:7. The city resounds with joy, each worshipper declaring that the one source of all his blessing is Zion and Zion’s Lord.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 66 — Psalms 85

Study 66 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 85

1.     Verses 1-7. To what does the psalmist make appeal in his prayer, and for what does he pray? Note that his prayers are not for himself, but for God’s people. Do you have any comparable conviction and concern?

2.     Verses 8-13. In His answer, what blessings does God promise, and to whom? What is the guarantee of fulfillment?

Notes

1.     Verse 8b. The mg. suggests that there is here an abrupt warning to God’s pious ones not to ‘turn back to folly’. For what is meant by ‘folly’, see Ps. 14:1; Rom. 1:21, 22.

2.     Verse 9b. The ‘glory’ is that of the revealed presence of God. Cf. Ex. 40: 34; Zc. 2:5.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 65 — Psalms 84

Study 65 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalm 84

1.     Verses 1-4. ‘Blessed are those who dwell in thy house. ‘Consider the significance of the language which the psalmist uses. Note particularly the names he gives to God. What was the object of his deepest delight?

2.     What characteristic of the pilgrim to Zion are mentioned in verses 5-9? Whence does he derive strength to continue his journey? What is the basis of his security? What self-discipline must be practice? What are his crowning rewards (verses 10-12)?

Notes

1.     Verses 5b. The meaning seems to be ‘those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage’ (i.e., to Zion).

2.     Verse 6. ‘The valley of Baca’: some dry and barren valley where balsam tree (baca) grow, which the travellers approach with dread only to find that the God-given rain has transformed it.

3.     Verse 7. Far from being wearied by their journey the pilgrims are also strengthened by the prospect of the vision of God in Zion.

4.     Verse 9. A reference to the king, the Lord’s anointed, i.e., the Messiah.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 64 — Psalms 81 - 83

Study 64 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 81- 83

1.     Ps. 81. What does God here demand of His people (verses 1-4)? Of what does He remind them (verses 5-7, 10-12), and with what promises and practical challenge does He confront them (verses 8, 9, 13-16)?

2.     Ps. 82 is a dramatic picture of the judgment and condemnation of divinely appointed judges who have failed to fulfill their office. What does God demand of such men (verses 2-4), and what is the effect upon society of their failure (verse 5)? In such circumstances, what hope is there of justice being done?

3.     Ps. 83. A strong coalition of enemy nations is plotting against Israel to destroy it. On what ground does the psalmist plead for God to act? What in particular does the ask of God, and to what end? Contrast with the prayer of Acts 4:29, 30. Is a prayer like the psalmist’s still legitimate?

Notes

1.     81:7. ‘The secret place of thunder’: i.e., from the midst of the thunder cloud. Cf. Ex. 14:10, 24.

2.     82:1, 6. From Jn. 10:34-35 it is clear that earthly judges are here referred to. They were called ‘gods’ and ‘sons of the Most High’ in virtue of their high office as dispersing the divine justice. Cf. Rom. 13:3, 4.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 63 — Psalms 79 and 80

Study 63 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 79 and 80

These two psalms are national prayers in times of national disaster. In Jewish synagogue worship Ps. 79 was prescribed for use in commemoration of the destruction of the Temple in 586 BC and in AD 70. Try to recapture the sense of desolation which pervaded the nation (79: 1-4, 7, 11; 80:12, 13), together with the feeling that exile brought dishonour to the Lord’s name (79:10; cf. Ezk. 36:20).

1.     Ps. 79. Note here the plea for vengeance, coupled with prayer for forgiveness and deliverance. Cf. Is. 35:4; 59:16-19; 63:3, 4. The new Testament is no less concerned for God’s glory, but its spirit is different Cf., e.g., Mk. 11:25; Rom. 12:19-21. How do you account for this difference?

2.     Ps. 80. What do the Israelites here confess concerning god’s attitude toward them and His treatment of them? Where does their only hope of salvation lie? What ought we to learn from this?

Notes

1.     79:3. ‘there was none to bury them’: a disgrace threatened in Dt. 28:26; and repeatedly predicted by Jeremiah (7:33; 8:2; 9:22).

2.     80:1, 2. The three tribes here mentioned camped west of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and immediately followed the ark when the people were on the march. See Nu. 2:17-24.

3.     80:17. This verse point forward to the Messiah.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 62 — Psalms 78: 40-72

Study 62 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 78: 40-72

1.     The detail of verse 43-51 sets the people’s disobedience (verses 40-42) in bold relief. What other purpose do you think the verses had? Cf. Ps. 103:2; 2 Pet. 1:9, 12, 13.

2.     What disasters did idolatry bring upon Israel? How did God in His grace come to their aid? Of what is such action of foreshadowing?

Notes

1.     Verse 61. A reference to the capture of the ark; see 1 Sa. 4:21.

2.     Verses 67-69. The tent at Shiloh, in the territory of Ephraim, was not rebuilt (for the reason given in verses 58-60), but Zion was chosen instead, in the territory of Judah, as the place for God’s sanctuary.

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