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Post by Keith on Nov 16, 2012 9:18:30 GMT -6
Good material, Bud, keep it coming!
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Post by Bud on Nov 23, 2012 7:39:47 GMT -6
Joshua: The leader that replaced Moses and lead the nation into the Promised land.
The book of Joshua seems to be in 3 movements. 1.Entering The Land--Chapts.1-5 Chapt.1--A charge to Joshua Chapt.2--Spying of Jericho Chapt.3--Crossing Jordan Chapt.4--Raising Memorials Chapt.5--Gilgal occupied 2.Possessing The Land--Chapts.6-12 Chapt.6--The fall of Jericho Chapt.7--The sin of Achan Chapt.8--Taking of Ai Chapt.9--Deception by the Gibeonites and a League Chapts.10-12--The possession of the remainder of the Land. 3.Occupying The Land--Chapts.13-24 Chapts.13-19--Dividing the land Chapt.20--The cities of refuge Chapt.21--The portion for the Levites Chapt.22--The alter of witness Chapts.23-24--The farewell of Joshua
The book of Joshua has been referred to as the Ephesians of the O.T. As Israel is promised earthly blessings in the Land and the Church is promised spiritual blessings in the Heavenlies,we can draw many types in Israel's Entering,Possessing,and Occupying the Land and their looking forward to the Kingdom when they will come into the full blessing of the Land future and our Entering,Possessing,and Occupying the abundant life we can experience now and our looking forward to being with Christ and experiencing the full blessing in the Heavenlies future. In Joshua we see Israel entering and possessing the Earthly Inheritance given in Abraham and experiencing a taste then while still under the curse of what it will be like in their Kingdom. In Ephesians we see the Church entering and possessing the Heavenly Inheritance given in Christ and experiencing a taste now while still under the curse of what it will be like in the Heavenlies with Christ.
Joshua: The Victory of Faith
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Post by Bud on Nov 30, 2012 7:09:34 GMT -6
Judges: After the death of Joshua and for a period of about 350 years,Israel was under a Theocracy (Governed by God).During this period God would occasionally raise up a judge to rescue Israel from oppression and to administer justice.These judges weren't kings or governors,just deliverers for a period of time.The last verse in the book pretty well sums up that period of time. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25
There is no mention of the Tabernacle or the Service of God in the book and that probably say's a lot for the time.
The book seems to be divided into 3 parts. 1.A Prologue (Chapts.1-2) 2.The main body,The Judges (Chapts.3-16) 3.An Epilogue (Chapts.17-21)
In the prologue we can see in Chapter 1 why the nation had their ups and downs in verses 19,21,27,29,30,31 and 33.They didn't drive out the inhabitants of the land and in Chapter 2:2 we see they made leagues with them.In chapter 2:11,13 we see they forsook the Lord and served the gods of the people that they didn't drive out and had made leagues with.God would deliver them into their hands and then they would appeal to the Lord and He would raise up judges to deliver them and when the judge would die the nation would corrupt themselves again.
In the main body of the book in chapters 3-16 we have the account of the 13 judges (12 if you count the judgeship of Deborah and Barak as one)that God raised up to deliver them.6 times in this main body it is stated that: "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord" and God delivers them unto their enemies,then they appeal to Him and He raises up a judge to deliver them (6 times). 1.3:7 He raises up Othniel. 2.3:12 He raises up Ethud (Then Shamgar judges) 3.4:1 He raises up Deborah & Barak 4.6:1 He raises up Gideon (Then Tola judges,then Jair) 5.10:6 He raises up Jepththah (Then Ibzan judges,then Elon,then Abdon) 6.13:1 He raises up Samson
In the Epilogue in chapters 17-21 we have illustrations of the conditions that came about as a result of the explanations for the nation's ups and downs in the prologue.They didn't do as God had instructed them and the way's of the nations they made leagues with "rubbed off" on them.
In Judges we see the failure of Israel and the Grace of the Lord.
Someone once said: "That which you permit to live of which God told you to destroy will probably lead to your destruction."
If not for the Grace of God we probably would self-destruct.
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Post by Bud on Dec 7, 2012 7:23:29 GMT -6
Ruth:
After seeing all the turmoil through the book of Judges,the ups and downs,the disobedience,judgements and deliverance's of a nation that just seemed they couldn't get it together,we get a "breath of fresh air"in this short story of a family that lived during that time.I won't go through the story,but I encourage you to read it.
The 4 chapters themselves seem to give us the basic outline of the book.
Chapter 1 Ruth makes the decision that transforms her life.
Chapter 2 Ruth serving as a result of the decision she had made.
Chapter 3 Ruth resting in her redeemer.
Chapter 4 Ruth rewarded as a result of her decision,her serving and her resting.Sounds like the Christian life.Deciding,Serving,Resting and Rewarded.
Ruth is one of 4 women that stand out in the Bible and all 4 are in the lineage of Christ.3 of the 4 were Gentiles.
1.Tamar who is mentioned in Ruth 4:12 who played the harlot with Judah because he hadn't lived up to his promise.(Genesis 38)Her son Pharez was the GGG grandfather of Salmon who married Rahab the father of Boaz.
2.Rahab who hid the spies that Joshua sent into Jericho,whom her and her family were spared and she marries Salmon the father of Boaz who marries Ruth.
(Joshua chapter 2)
3.Ruth The gentile woman who comes to Israel with Naomi the mother of her deceased husband.She marries Boaz the son of Rahab and Ruth becomes the great grandmother of David.(Book of Ruth)
4.Bathsheba the wife of Uriah who became David's wife and two of her sons by David,Solomon and Nathan are mentioned in the lineage of Christ.Joseph descended from Solomon and Mary from Nathan.(2 Samuel chapter 11,1 Chronicles 3:5)
Three of these women are mentioned by name and Bathsheba is referred to in the lineage of Christ presented by Matthew in Chapter 1 of his gospel.
There are also some beautiful types of Christ,Israel and the Church in the book of Ruth.
Typology
No doctrine or theory should ever be built upon a type or types independently of direct teaching elsewhere in Scripture.Types are meant to amplify and vivify doctrine,but not to originate it.They are illuminative but not foundational.Their purpose is to illustrate,not to formulate.Types are dependent and must not be used independently to authenticate doctrine.Types are not meant to be exact replicas of those things which they typify,but to enrich and illumine our understanding of the more essential features in the anti type.
Some Examples:
1.Adam- type of Christ
2.Abraham-type of the Father
3.Isaac-type of the Son
4.Isaac-type of Christ
5.Rebecca-type of Church
6.Joseph-type of Christ
7.Boaz-type of Christ
8.David -type of Christ
9.Jonah in whale-type of Christ
10.Day's of Noah-type of endtime
11.Enoch-type of church (rapture)
12.Noah's ark-type of redemption
13.Noah's ark-type of believers in The Tribulation Period
14.Themes of First 5 books of Bible-type of progression of the redeemed 1.Genesis-Ruin,Condemnation 2.Exodus-Redemption,justification 3.Leviticus-Set apart,sanctification 4.Numbers-guidance and direction 5.Deuteronomy-Destination
15.Theme of 5 Poetry books-type of progression of redeemed.1.Job-suffering if necessary 2.Psalms-praises and prayers to God.3.Proverbs-God teaches and grows us,wisdom and knowledge.4.Ecclesiastes-things of the world become less and less important (Vanity) and Christ becomes greater and desire to be with Him 5.Song of Solomon-Bride and Bridegroom together.
16.Reign of Solomon-type of the Reign of Christ in Kingdom.(we'll touch on this when we get to 1st Kings)
17.Hagar&Sarah type of Law and Grace
18.Ishmael&Isaac type of flesh and spirit.
19.The Lamb-type of Christ
20.Prophet,Priest and King-type's of Christ
These are just a few,there are hundreds.
Typology is a beautiful study and a very good teaching tool and was used quite extensively by Paul and the other apostles.But a person should familiarize themselves with the anti type before venturing into the types.Besides if you aren't familiar with the anti type,then the type wouldn't mean all that much anyway.
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Post by Bud on Dec 14, 2012 7:55:20 GMT -6
1st Samuel: In 1st Samuel we see a transition from a Theocracy (ruled by God)to a Monarchy (ruled by man).Israel was unique in their rule by a monarchy.God set it up where He was still ruling through their king with prophets raised up by God and the priesthood in a coordinate position with the king as they were dependent on God also.This was the big difference between Saul and David in their kingship.Saul didn't approve of God's way of rulership. I believe the book is divided up between 3 personalities,Samuel,Saul and David.Even though their lives overlap,it is obvious the book is centered on these 3 main personalities.
Samuel:Chapters 1-8 The last of the Judges. The birth and call of Samuel.Philistines take the ark,are cursed and return it.The nation rejects the rule of theocracy and desire a king.
Saul:Chapters 9-15 The first of the Kings. Saul chosen and anointed as king.Sauls disobedience and rejection as king.
David:Chapters 16-31 The greatest of the Kings. David chosen and anointed to be the next king.David battles and kills Goliath.David's flight from Saul and his wanderings and battles.The death of Samuel.The death of Saul.
We see 3 offices stand out in Israel.The prophet,the priest and the king.These are all types of Christ.When He was on earth in His first advent,He was in His office as Prophet. With His death,burial and resurrection and now seated at the right hand of the Father,He is in His office as Priest.He interceded for us by taking our sins upon Himself and became the once and for all sacrifice for sin,"the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world"and was raised from the dead for our justification and is now seated at the right hand of the Father ever living to intercede for us for any accusation brought on by the enemy. At His 2nd advent when He comes back to this earth,He will come to rule and reign as KING OF KINGS.
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Post by Bud on Dec 21, 2012 8:21:00 GMT -6
2ND SAMUEL: I believe this book could be called the book of David's reign,because it covers David's 40 year reign as king.The book is divided into 2 parts,David's Triumphs,(Chapters 1-12 and David's Troubles Chapters 13-24)
1.Davids Triumphs.Chapters 1-12 Chapts.1-4 We see Davids rulership over Judah only, from Hebron for 7 1/2 years. Chapts.5-12 We see David gain rulership over all Israel.At first the other tribes wanted to keep the royal dynasty in the family of Saul,but were soon convinced that David had been appointed by God to rule over all Israel.David then moved the seat of government to Jerusalem.It is then that God makes the Davidic Covenant with David and the nation of Israel.(Chapter 7:4-17) "Since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house.“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.I will be his Father, and he shall be My son.If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men, But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul,whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.Your throne shall be established forever."7:11-16 And confirmed in such passages as: 1.Psalm 89:3-4 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations." 2.Psalm 89:29 His seed also I will make to endure forever,And his throne as the days of heaven. 3.Psalm 89:36-37 His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me;It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky. 4.Isa.11:1 "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,And a Branch shall grow out of his roots." 5.Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6.Ezek.37:25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. 7.And of course when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary in Luke 1:31-33 And behold,you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son,and shall call His name Jesus.He will be great,and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then in chapter 11 David's sin and in chapter 12 his repentance.This was about the middle of his 40 year reign,then the 2nd half of his reign is all his troubles.
2.Davids Troubles.Chapters 13-24 Chapts.13-18 David's troubles within his family. Chapts.19-24 Davids troubles within the nation.
Triumphs turned to troubles through sin.Reaping and sowing.
A Thought: The Messianic Prophecies 1.Gen.3:15 The seed of woman.The race in general. 2.Gen.22:18 The seed of Abraham.A nation in the race. 3.Gen.49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah.One tribe in that nation. 4.2nd Samuel 7:16 Thy house and thy kingdom established forever.One family in that tribe. 5.Isa.7:14 Born of a virgin. A virgin within that family. Seed of Woman,Son of Abraham,Lion of Judah,Heir of David,Born of a Virgin.
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Post by Bud on Dec 28, 2012 7:24:53 GMT -6
1 Kings: 1st and 2nd Kings in the Hebrew Bible were 1 book along with 1st and 2nd Samuel (1 book) and 1st and 2nd Chronicles(1 book).In the Septuagint,(the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible translated in the 3rd century BC)they were divided up into 2 books each. 1st and 2nd Kings together cover a period of about 400 years.They open with the kingship of Solomon and close with the destruction of Jerusalem.At the beginning we see the temple built and at the end we see the temple burnt.In 1st Kings we see disruption (the kingdom is divided)and in 2nd Kings we see dispersion (the 2 kingdoms are dispersed from the land.
1st Kings is divided into 2 parts.The first 11 chapters deal with the 40 year reign of Solomon and the last 11 chapters cover about 80 years of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah.
Chapters 1-11:Solomons 40 year reign. Chapters 1-4 Solomon made king,the death of David and Solomon's early acts. Chapters 5-8 The building of the Temple and his palace. Chapters 9-10 Solomon's fame and glory. Chapter 11 Solomon's decline and death. Chapters 12-22:The divided kingdom. Chapter 12 Rehoboam,son of Solomon becomes king and the kingdom divides. Chapters 13-22 Judah's kings Rehoboam- Jehoshaphat Chapters 13-22 Israel's kings Jeroboam- Ahaziah. Chapters 17-22 The ministry of Elijah. Two memorable events happen in these 2 periods.In the first period the building of the Temple and in the second period the ministry of Elijah.In the first period the wisdom of Solomon stands out and in the second period the power of Elijah stands out. During the reign of Solomon we can see some types of how it will be in the Kingdom when Christ will rule. 1.Peace and Rest. 2.Wisdom and Knowledge. 3.Wealth and Glory. 4.Fame and Honour. 5.Joy and Safety. "And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.: 1st Kings 4;25
Peace and Rest,Wisdom and Knowledge. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.Isa.11:4-9
Wealth and Glory. "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it." Isa.2:2
Fame and Honour. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.Psalm 72:8-11
Joy and Safety He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. Thy Kingdom Come.
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Post by Keith on Dec 28, 2012 9:39:12 GMT -6
The Lord bless you, brother Bud.
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Post by Bud on Jan 4, 2013 5:42:10 GMT -6
2 Kings: In 1st Samuel we see a time of transition for Israel.The ruler ship changes from a theocracy to a monarchy. In 2nd Samuel we see the reign of David. In 1st Kings we see the reign of Solomon,then the kingdom divides into Judah and Israel. In 2nd Kings we see both kingdoms fall and dispersed. Israel the northern kingdom of 10 tribes carried off by Assyria.Then Judah the southern kingdom of 2 tribes carried off by Babylon some 135 years later.
2nd Kings begins with the translation of Elijah to Heaven and ends with the transporting of the Jews to Babylon.
2nd Kings is divided into 3 sections. Chapters 1-10 deal primarily with the northern kingdom of Israel with just very few mentions of the southern kingdom of Judah.In the first 10 chapters the ministry of Elisha to the northern kingdom is predominate. Chapters 11-17 alternates between the two kingdoms and in chapter 17 we see the northern kingdom of Israel carried off into Assyrian captivity.During this time was when Jonah,Amos and Hosea prophesied to Israel. Chapters 18-25 we see only the history of Judah since the northern kingdom of Israel has been carried off into captivity.This section ends with the Babylonian captivity of Judah.By this time Obadiah,Joel,Isaiah,Micah,Nahum,Habakkuk,Zephaniah and Jeremiah had prophesied in Judah.
There were 19 kings that ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel over a period of about 250 years and they were all evil as they were compared to the standard set by Jeroboam the first king of the northern kingdom. "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom." 2nd Kings 13:2
There were 20 kings that ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah over a period of about 390 years.They were all of the dynasty of David and he was the standard that their character was compared to. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did."2nd Kings 14:3 "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left."2nd Kings 22:2
"And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me."2nd Kings 2:9 Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit and he got it.Just read and look at the miracles that he performed and I don't believe that it is just a coincidence that his miracles are similar to our Lord's.There was even a dead person raised by his body being placed in Elisha's tomb and his body touching Elisha's bones.But yet with all the sign's,warning's and miracles performed by Elijah and Elisha and maybe even by Jonah would turn the tide of the nation's downward spiral and eventual fall and being carried off into captivity by Assyria. The greater God's signs,the bolder are man's sins.We are seeing this very thing today.All that have eyes to see can see if they will.
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Post by Bud on Jan 11, 2013 6:58:36 GMT -6
1st Chronicles
As with 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings,1st and 2nd Chronicles were 1 book in the Hebrew Bible and were divided up into two books in the Septuagint,(The Hebrew translation into Greek in the 3rd century B.C.)
There are 2 questions that seem to come up about these 2 books.
1.Are they just covering the same ground as 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings?
2.Why 9 chapters of just genealogies?
Yes they do cover some of the same ground as 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings but from a different standpoint with some additions and some omissions.I consider them similar to the 4 Gospels.When you put all of them together you get the complete story as God has designed.
There is much about David's preparation of material for the Temple.All the preparatory numbering and distributing of the Levites and Priests.His appointment and arrangement of singers,players and porters all in anticipation of the Temple.All this set up of Levites,Priests,singers,players and porters was important for Solomon and the completion of the temple and I'm sure it was important to the returning remnant from Babylon and will probably be used in the Tribulation Temple preparations and maybe even in the Millennial Temple.Through the Chronicles the Temple is emphasized as the vital center of the nation's true life.
As for the genealogies.As a result of the exile in Babylon,thousands of families had been uprooted,connections had been broken,family records had been destroyed or lost.These records or chronicles connect the pre-exile to the post-exile.
(Note Ezra 2:59) "And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel."
The Chronicles were probably compiled after the exile (note 1st Chron.6:15 and 9:1)and could have used records from several earlier documents (of course under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit)several are referred to in the Chronicles.
1.The book of the kings of Israel and Judah in 2nd Chron.24:27, 27:7
2.Samuel the Seer,book of Nathan,book of Gad in 1st.Chron.29:29
3.Book of Nathan,prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite,the visions of Iddo the seer.2nd Chron.9:29
4.The book of Shemaiah the prophet and Iddo the seer concerning genealogies. 2nd Chron. 12:15
5.Iddo again in 2nd Chron.13:22
6.Book of Jehu 2nd Chron.20:34
Even though these earlier documents weren't inspired or in the canon of O.T. Scripture,their records would have have been accurate and could be the reason they are referred to in Scripture.Just some thoughts.
Israel's Genealogy Chapters 1-9
Here we have the genealogies from Adam to the Post-exile resettlement from Babylon.
Chapter 1-Adam to Jacob and also Esau's line.
Chapter 2-Jacob to David and also Caleb's line.
chapter 3-David to Zedekiah and post-exile
Chapter 4-8-Tribe genealogies and allotments.
Chapter 9-Post-exile resettlement.
David's Reign at Jerusalem Chapters 10-29
Chapters 10-12-The anointed of the Lord-Saul and David.
Chapters 13-16-The Ark of the Lord.
Chapters 17-21-The Covenant of the Lord and David's Kingdom.
Chapters 22-29-The Temple of the Lord and the death of King David.
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Post by Bud on Jan 18, 2013 7:29:55 GMT -6
2nd Chronicles As mentioned in the lesson on 1st Chronicles,there is some repeat of or covering some of the same ground as 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings?The Temple seems to stand out more than the throne in Chronicles.That could be the reason why the northern kingdom of Israel isn't mentioned very much in Chronicles.The northern represented or was founded on apostasy.Whereas the southern kingdom of Judah having Jerusalem as it's capital and following the Davidic lineage to the throne and the Temple represented the true worship of the nation.The first 9 chapters concern the reign of Solomon and for the most part centers around the Temple.After the death of Solomon and his son Rehoboam takes the throne we see in chapter 10 the kingdom divided with Israel in the north and Judah in the south.From here on very little is mentioned of the northern kingdom.We find covered in this book the building of the Temple to it's destruction,to the request of king Cyrus of Persia for the people to return and rebuild the Temple. The Godly kings of Judah are given the prominence in the book because of the religious reforms and temple restorations that were associated with their reigns.These were Asa,Jehoshapat,Joash,Hezekiah and Josiah. From chapter 10 with the reign of Rehoboam and the disruption of the kingdom we go to the reign of Zedekiah and the dispersion in chapter36.
Chapters 1-9 Solomon's Reign
Chapter 1 Solomon Established as King Chapters 2-7 The Building of the Temple Chapters 8-9 Solomon in His Glory and His Death Chapters 10-36 Judah's History to the Exile
Chapter 10 The Disruption of the Kingdom Chapter's 11-36 Judah's 20 Kings Chapter 36:15-21 Deportation to Babylon Chapter 36:22-23 King Cyrus's Decree
As I mentioned before the 6 books,1st and 2nd Samuel,1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles are all important to get the true and complete history of Israel in her kingdom years as God has allowed us to have in His Word.Just like the 4 Gospels,they all are needed to get the complete picture as God would have us to see and understand.We can be assured that when God repeats something,it's for emphasis and it's important.
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Post by Bud on Jan 25, 2013 7:00:59 GMT -6
Ezra: We come now to the last 3 books of the 17 historical books of the Old Testament.These 3 books concern the post-exile period of Israel's history.Ezra and Nehemiah concern the returning remnant and Esther concerns those who chose to remain in the countries of their captivity.Also the last 3 prophetic books (Haggai,Zechariah and Malachi) which are the last 3 of the 17 prophetic books and also are the last 3 books in the Old Testament also concern this post-exile period. The events in Ezra begin about 536 BC.Some of the first carried off in captivity was in 606 BC and had been there 70 years. Jeremiah had prophesied that the children of Israel would be in captivity for 70 years.
"And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations."Jeremiah 25:11-12 "For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."Jeremiah 29:10-11
The empire of Babylon lasted 70 years and then fell to the Medes and Persian's in 536 BC.Then King Cyrus the Persian King in his first year of reign made the proclamation in Ezra 1:1-2 "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah." God had told Isaiah this 175 years earlier and had named Cyrus. "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me."Isaiah 44:28-45:1-4
The returning remnant was concerned with rebuilding the Temple,Jerusalem,the wall and the nation but not the throne.They would not be allowed to have a king because they were still under the Times of the Gentiles which begin with the captivity in Babylon and will end when Jesus comes back at the end of the 7 Tribulation period and set's up His Kingdom.
The first group of the returning remnant came under the leadership of Zerubbabel.(Ezra 2:2)He was a lineal descendent of the kings of Judah and was also in the lineage of Christ.(Matthew 1:12-13)Haggai referred to him as the Governor of Judah.(Haggai 1:1)There was about 50,000 people that came with him.The first 6 chapters of Ezra concerns this returning group. Then in 456 BC,80 years after the 1st group came in 536 BC,Ezra a priest of the tribe of Levi lead a group of 2000 or so and the rest of the book chapters 7-10 deal with that group and the ministry of Ezra when he arrives in Jerusalem.
So the book of Ezra is divided into two main sections.
Chapters 1-6:The Return Under Zerubbabel The decree of Cyrus Chapt. 1:1-4 The leader Zerubbabel Chapt. 2:2 Names and number of Remnant Chapt.2:3-65 Sacred vessels and gifts Chapt. 1:6-11,2:68-70 The coming to Jerusalem Chapt. 3:1
Chapters 7-10:The Return Under Ezra The decree of Artaxerxes Chap.7:1,11-26 The Leader Ezra chapt.7:1-10 Names and number of Remnant Chapt.8:1-20 Sacred vessels and gifts Chapts. 7:15-22,8:24-35 The coming to Jerusalem Chapt.8:32
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Post by Bud on Feb 1, 2013 7:09:41 GMT -6
Nehemiah: As we saw in the book of Ezra the first group of the returning remnant came under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 536BC.Then in 456 BC,80 years after the 1st group,Ezra a priest of the tribe of Levi lead a group of 2000 or so.Then about 11 years later Nehemiah comes to Jerusalem in 445BC.The restored remnant had been back for over 90 years and many had died and a new generation had emerged.The walls and gates of the city were still in ruins,there was famine and some of the more wealthy Jews were taking advantage of the poorer people.There had been laxity in worship. But Nehemiah main purpose was the rebuilding of the walls and gates.This is the main concern in the first part of the book,Chapters 1-6 and the second part of the book Chapters 7-13 concerns the re- instructing of the people.
Chapter 1-6 The Reconstructing of the Walls and Gates Chapter 1 Nehemiah's Intercession to God. Chapter 2 Nehemiah's Coming to Jerusalem from Persia and His Exhorting the People. Chapter 3 The Rebuilding of the walls and Gates. Chapter 4-6:14 The Opposition. Chapter 6:15-19 The Completion of the Rebuilding. "So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God." Nehemiah 6:15-16
Chapter 7-13 The Re- Instructing of the People Chapter 7 The Re-Registration of the Remnant. Chapter 8 The Reading and Explaining of the Law. Chapter 9,10 The Re-Consecration of the People. Chapter 11 The Re-Population of the City. Chapter 12 The Levites,the Priests,Dedication of the Walls and Temple Order. Chapter 13 The Abuses and Setting back in Order.
1Corinthians 16:9 seems best to describe the time for Nehemiah and of the rebuilding.
"For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."
Nehemiah's main purpose in coming to Jerusalem was to rebuild the walls and gates and the opposition was ready and waiting.We see that today in Israel.They have opposition from all directions,whether it's physical,political,the news media,religious,military,governments,etc. But Nehemiah just kept building until his purpose was completed.Israel today will keep moving along and will do what is necessary to survive and God will eventually fulfill all the promises He made to that nation and prophecies will be fulfilled.
Paul on his 2nd missionary journey attempted to go into Asia Minor and God closed the door.(Acts 16:6) Then on his 3rd journey he came to Ephesus in Asia Minor and stayed over 2 years.This is what he is referring to in this passage in 1 Corinthians 16:9.God had opened a door,but there was opposition,but God's purpose was completed. There are doors that God opens in our lives and purposes He has planned and He will complete them.
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."Philippians 1:6
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Post by Bud on Feb 8, 2013 7:28:50 GMT -6
Esther: Esther covers the time period from about 483BC to about 473BC.From what I can find out the feast of Purim was established in 473BC.It would have fallen between Zerubbabel's return to Jerusalem in about 536BC and Ezra's return in about 456BC.
We've seen in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah the Jewish remnant coming back to Judea and Jerusalem.In Esther we see those that decided to stay in the land of their captivity and the number is far greater than the remnant that returned.We see the same thing today.There are as many Jews that are scattered around the world,if not many more than there is in the land of Israel.
In Esther we see the providential care by God for the nation He has chosen and has made promises to and entered into covenants with that He will fulfill.He has preserved this race down through history over the past 2500 years or more,since the dispersion over 600 years before Christ.Even though for the most part they live in unbelief and only a remnant have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and are in the Church,they have as a race been preserved.True they missed their Messiah but a remnant will believe and a nation born in a day will go into the kingdom when Christ comes back to rule this earth,when they look upon Him whom they pierced.God has preserved them even though it is behind the scenes.I believe we see that by His name not being mentioned in the book of Esther,but His providence is clearly seen at work. Satan has tried in many ways to destroy the Jewish race,and is still trying and will continue to try,until Christ comes back to rule,but he will not succeed in any of his plans.He tries to destroy them in this book of Esther,but his plan backfires.We can also see Satan behind the scenes working in this book as we can see him working behind the scenes today in trying to destroy the Jew.
There are 5 main characters in the book.
1.Ahasuerus-the Persian king.
2.Vashti-the deposed queen.
3.Haman-the Jew-hater.
4.Mordecai-the Jewish leader.
5.Esther-the Jewish girl who became queen.
Esther is the crucial character in the book as everything hinges on her elevation to the throne and her influence as queen.The scene takes place in Persia (Iran today)in Susa the capital and covers a time period of about 12 years. The story begins when the king has a feast for all the chief men of his kingdom and while they are intoxicated he orders his queen Vashti,which means beautiful woman,to come and display her beauty,which would have been in an immodest way I'm sure.She refuses and is removed as queen and a new one is sought from the most beautiful young women of the kingdom.Esther a young Jewish girl is one of the ones selected and is eventually selected to be queen. Mordecai her cousin who raised her after the death of her parents was very concerned for her and did everything he could to protect her.He told her not to make it known that she was Jewish.Evidently Mordecai was employed by the royal court,because it say's that he sat at the Kings gate,which not just anyone could do.It is also mentioned that he was of the kings servants.He was also in a position where he heard a plot to kill the king and he notified Esther,who notified the king in Mordecai's name.This proved beneficial later. Haman next comes on the scene and he is the son of Hammedatha the Agagite who can be traced to Esau.The king promotes him to a seat over all the princes and all the kings servants are required to bow to him and Mordecai refuses to do so.Thus Haman devises a plan to kill all the Jews in the kingdom and convinces the king of his plan. There is a good comparison here of Mordecai and Daniel who are descendents of Jacob and how they behave when they are promoted to high positions of rulership in the nations of the Gentiles and how Haman a descendent of Esau behaves when he is promoted to a high place of rulership in the nations of the Gentiles.King Herod a descendent of Esau is also a good comparison.The descendents of Esau have such a hatred for the descendents of Jacob that they can't appreciate being lifted up to rulership and end up failures.I believe we see that same example being played out today. Mordecai learns of Haman's plot and tells Esther that she must go before the king and have this stopped.It is a beautiful story as to how Esther accomplishes this and the perfect timing in how she approaches the king with her petition. If you have never read the story maybe this will whit your appetite to do so.I highly encourage you to.
The book is divided into 2 parts.
Chapters 1-5 The Crisis Anticipated
Chapter 1 Queen Vashti Deposed.
Chapter 2 Esther Becomes Queen.
Chapter 3 Hamen's Plot.
Chapter 4 Mordecai's Plea.
Chapter 5 Esther Goes Before The King.
Then the tide begins to turn.When we leave chapter 5,Haman has built a gallows to hang Mordecai and as chapter 6 opens the king couldn't sleep and asks for the book of records to be brought to him.
Chapters 6-10 The Crisis Overruled
Chapter 6 Mordecai is Honored.
Chapter 7 Haman is Executed.
Chapter 8 The Jews are Avenged.
Chapter 9 Feast of Purim is Instituted.
Chapter 10 Mordecai Made Premier.
I believe the key verse in the book is 4:14:Mordecai speaking to Esther about going before the king about Haman's plot.
"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
YET WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
Is that not a great statement?
"He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"Psalm 121:4
We all should consider this also.God has us in this world at the time and place He chose.He has a purpose for each one of us in His plan.Think of the world we live in and remember He has raised us up for such a time as this. PRAISE HIM
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Post by Bud on Feb 15, 2013 7:35:16 GMT -6
Job:
Job is the first book in the group of 5 Poetic books.Poetic refers to the form they are written in.They are better understood when read with this in mind.I won't go back through the Hebrew poetic form of literature here,but I encourage you to read again the structure lesson on the poetic books.(Bible Structure Lesson 6)
We have just finished the 17 historical books group from Genesis to Esther,which cover the time period from the creation to the Jewish remnant returning to the land and God's preservation of the Jews that chose not to return.A time period of about 3600 years.
These next 5 books deal more with human experiences.Where as the first 17 books were more historical and more or less dealt with a nation,these 5 books deal more with the human heart.Thus in these 5 books we have a treasury of spiritual truth.
Job probably lived during the times of the patriarchs (Abraham,Isaac and Jacob).The land of Uz where Job lived is referred to by Jeremiah in Lamentations 4:21 as the land where Edom or Esau lived.
Job is referred to twice by Ezekiel in Chapter 14:14,21.James also refers to him in James 5:11.
I believe the book shows there is a divine purpose for suffering in a believers life even though that purpose might not be revealed in this life.It shows that suffering can be for correction and not punishment,discipline and not retribution,not penalizing but ministering.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
The book is naturally divided into 3 parts.
Chapters 1 and 2 The Prologue.
Chapters 3-42:6 The Dialogue.
Chapter 42:7-17 The Epilogue.
In the Prologue we are introduced to Job.He is a godly man and a rich man with 10 children,7 sons and 3 daughters.Evidently he is so well to do,that his children have very little to do,except party at the son's homes,one on each day of the week.Job figured they were up to no good and each morning he would offer burnt-offerings for them.
Then the scene changes to Heaven and we find that ever so often the sons of god,who are the angels that were present when God created the universe and shouted for joy(Job 38:7)assemble before God,evidently to give an account or just report in.Evidently they are delegated across God's creation.Satan comes also.Now whether he comes on his on or is compelled to come is a question.I like to think he has to come and give an account,then he takes the opportunity to accuse the believers.We also find out what Satan does in verses 1:7and 2:2
“From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
There is the question as to why God brought up Job to Satan,but look how God describes Job:
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
None like him on the earth,blameless,upright,fears God and shuns evil.
Then of course Satan accuses Job and notice he can do nothing to Job without God's permission.Then God gives him permission to touch all that Job has but he can't touch Job.Then you can read what Satan caused to happen to Job in chapter 1.
Then another day they all report to God and Satan comes and God say's to him:
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”Job 2:3
Then Satan accuses Job again and God gives him permission to touch Job but not his life.I believe Satan had been wanting to get his hands,so to speak on Job and of course God new that and that is why I believe God brought Job's name up.I believe he was questioning Satan."Have you been setting your thoughts against my servant Job?"
By God setting limits on what Satan could do to Job reminds me of 1Corinthians 10:13:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
I believe God set's a limit on what can be sent our way,because He knows what we can bear,just like He did with Job. Then we come to the Dialogue.Four of Jobs friends come to him.Three at first,Eliphaz,Bildad,Zophar and later Elihu,who is younger.We'll just touch on the character of each one and their verdict as to why Job is having all these problems. Eliphaz speaks 3 times,chapters 4 and 5,chapter 15 and chapter 22 and seems to base his argument from his experience.In verse 4:8 and 5:3 he say's "I have seen" and in 4:12-16 he talks about a secret vision he has had.He is pretty narrow-minded and ends up telling Job,that he is suffering because of sins. Bildad speaks 3 times,chapters 8,18 and 25.He is forthright and seems to base his argument on tradition,Chapter 8:8-10 and 18:5-20 which is wisdom proverbs which probably are drawn from the wisdom of the east,referred to in 1 Kings 4:30.His outlook is molded and limited by tradition.He pretty much ends up with the same verdict as Eliphaz,Job you are a hypocrite (8:13) by claiming you aren't being punished for sins. Zophar speaks 2 times in chapters 11 and 20.His argument is based on assumption.Job "you know"11:6 and 20:4 you've sinned and God is punishing you. All 3 come to comfort Job but end up judging and criticizing him and Job ends up telling them in 16:2 that they are miserable comforters.None are able to give Job a satisfying answer to his problems. Then we come to Elihu.He is younger and we don't know if he came with the other 3 or just arrived on his own,but it does appear that he had heard all their arguments.In 32:12 he states:
"I paid close attention to you;And surely not one of you convinced Job,or answered his words."
The last verse in chapter 31 states that "The words of Job have ended."The next time he speaks will be with God.Then the first verse in chapter 32 say's that the 3 friends "ceased to answer Job."This opens the door for Elihu to present his argument.Elihu seems to be a little full of himself but he does present an argument that is a little closer to the truth than the 3 other men do and God doesn't rebuke him as He does the other three.(42:7-9) It seems that Elihu's argument comes down to the point that God is dealing with Job to educate him.That God is trying to teach him something and the chastening is for a good purpose and that it is being prolonged because Job is resisting it by insisting that these problems aren't the result of his unrighteous living. Elihu states that God is righteous in all He does and would not do anything wicked or pervert judgement and would not lay on man anything that isn't right and that God is greater than man and doesn't have to answer to man and that Job is resisting that(chapter 33:12,13,34:12,23) Elihu's discourse covers chapter 32-37 and even though he is closer to the truth than the other 3 friends,he still doesn't understand Job's situation and sufferings. Job doesn't have the opportunity to answer Elihu because God begins to speak in chapter 38 and that goes to chapter 42:8.I believe this discourse by God is to bring Job and possibly his friends to the end of themselves,their own self-righteousness,self-vindication,self-wisdom and self-everything for that matter.This discourse really puts them all in their place and can succeed in doing the same for us.There are 2 short breaks when Job speaks in 40:3-5
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.
Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Then in again in 42:1-6
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”
Job had learned a lot and was broken,but was rewarded double what he had had before. Job is one of those books that we need to make really sure we are in the context when we apply scripture.Much of what Job and his friends state is based on human wisdom and is rebuked by God.But there are many verses that stand out and many questions asked by Job that are answered in Jesus.One of my favorite passages in the book is chapter 19:25-27.
" For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
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Post by Bud on Feb 22, 2013 8:07:30 GMT -6
Psalms: Over all one of the most favorite books and probably one of the most quoted in our Bible.The hearts it has touched in times of suffering with uplifting and assurance and comfort with loss of loved ones.It's more than just a book of poetry with praises and prayers.Some of them takes us right into the heart of God by way of the heart and pen of David,a man after God's own heart.They were used in the temple worship and have been sung by Christians for 2000 years.(Colossians 3:16,James 5:13) A couple of Hebrew titles for them are "Tehillim" which means "Praises."Another is "Tephiloth"which means "Prayers."The word "Psalm" comes from the Greek word "Psalmos" plural is"Psalmoi" which means a poem to be sung to a stringed instrument.Psalmoi was first given to this group of Hebrew poems in the Septuagint (Greek version of the O.T.)in the 3rd century B.C.and later on "Psalms" in the English versions. The Hebrew Bible (O.T.)was divided into three books,The Law,The Prophets and The Writings,or the Hebrew words The Torah,The Nebhiim and The Kethubhim.In Luke 24:44 The Writings are called the Psalms,but they included more than just the Psalms. The superscription in the Hebrew text ascribe 73 of the Psalms to David,12 to Asaph a singer appointed by David,11 to the sons of Korah,(12 if you include Psalm 43),1 to Heman the Ezrahite,1 to Ethan the Ezrahite and 1 to Moses.That is a total of 100.The other 50 are anonymous. The 150 Psalms are divided into 5 groups or books and each group ends with a doxology or a praise to God.A kind of Poetic Pentateuch and some even compare them to the Pentateuch (The 5 books of Moses- Genesis to Deuteronomy)which would be a study in itself.
Group 1:Psalms 1-41. Group 2:Psalms 42-72. Group 3:Psalms 73-89. Group 4:Psalms 90-106. Group 5:Psalms 107-150. Then there are subgroups like the "Songs of Degrees or Ascents" Psalms 120-134 and it is also a study by itself as to why they are called that. Then there are the Messianic Psalms,which are actually prophetic Psalms and even though they have a reference to the time they were written, their ultimate fulfillment are in Christ.The principal ones are Psalms 2,8,16,22,23,24,40,41,45,68,69,72,87,89,102,110 and 118.In these we have Christ's birth,betrayal,agony,death,resurrection,ascension,coming again,and His reign. Then there are the "Hallelujah"or Praise the Lord Psalms.There are 10 of them 106,111,112,113,135,146-150.They all begin with "Praise the Lord"(Hallelujah)and except for 111 and 112 they end in "Praise the Lord and that means the last phrase in the book of Psalms is "Praise the Lord." Then there are the Penitence Psalms,7 of them,6,32,38,39,51,102 and 143. Then there are groups like Psalms 22,23 and 24,that portray Christ as a "Suffering Servant and Prophet fulfilling plan of redemption"(Psalm 22)Interceding Priest or Shepherd (Psalm 23) and as Reigning Messiah or King (Psalm 24) Prophet,Priest and King. Then the Imprecatory or Justice or Vengeance Psalms 35,58,59,69,83,109 and 137.They don't reflect an individual desire for revenge but more towards God's constitutional moral justice being meted out. Then there are some like 119 and 139 that you can just envelope yourself into them and just soak up that inward presence of Christ. Words can't describe the joy,uplifting and comfort that these beautiful poems of praise,prayer and worship have brought the people of God down through hundreds and thousands of years.PRAISE THE LORD
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Post by Bud on Mar 1, 2013 7:28:26 GMT -6
Proverbs; Some of the definitions of a proverb that I have found are:A general truth,a fundamental principle,a rule of conduct and a wise saying or statement.One said: It is a brief saying instead of many words.This could go along with Proverbs 17:27:"He who has knowledge spares his words." A proverb has a shrewd way of presenting a truth that makes it easier to remember than to forget.I believe we have in the book of Proverbs practical laws from Heaven for life on earth. With the exception of the last two chapters ( 30,31)we have proverbs written by King Solomon as stated in three places in the book.( 1:1,10:1 and 25:1)This I believe also gives us three of the 4 divisions in the book,the last 2 chapters being the fourth. 1 Kings 4:32 tells us that Solomon spoke 3000 proverbs. "And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five." Here in this book we have written the ones God chose to have in His Word and what an inspiring collection they are.To me it seems that the spiritual food they provide are for digesting just a few at a time. As I mentioned above,it looks to me that the book is divided into four groups.
Chapters 1-9: 1:1 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel." This first group is devoted to "Wisdom"
Chapters 10-24: 10:1 "The proverbs of Solomon." In this group we have a series of general proverbs.
Chapters 25-29: 25:1 "These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." In this group we have more general proverbs of Solomon added years later during the reign of Hezekiah.
Chapters 30 and 31: Chapter 30 being "The word's of Agur" and chapter 31 being the "The words of King Lemuel"of whom we no nothing about other than what is said about them in 30:1 and 31:1.The words of Agur and King Lemuel were probably added during the time of Hezekiah when the other proverbs of Solomon were added.
Many of the proverbs have become favorites for their comfort,encouragement,instruction and some even with a tint of humor.Some examples:
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."3:5-6
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." 15:1
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." 16:3
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." 16:32
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." 16:18
"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." 17:1
"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit."17:27
"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." 18:13
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." 18:24
"It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." 21:9,19
"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." 25:21-22 (Paul quotes this passage in Romans 12:20)
"Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." 27:2
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." 27:6 (Think of Peter denying the Lord and Judas betraying Him)
"The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out."(sees through him) 28:11
Chapter 1:7 seems to be the key to the book: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" And in 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" In 15:33 "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom" The fear or reverence to the Lord is used about 16 times in the book and there is a result given with each one. 1:7,1:29,2:5,3:7,8:13,9:10,10:27,14:26,14:27,15:16,15:33,16:6,19:23,22:4,23:17,24:21.
Look what Paul say's about wisdom and knowledge in his prayers:
Ephesians 1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him"
Ephesians 3:19 " And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
Philippians 1:9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment"
Colossians 1:9-10 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God"
Knowledge,wisdom and understanding in our Savior is God's will for us and there is a result in that.Just read these prayers of Paul that are directed toward us and read the results.
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Post by Bud on Mar 7, 2013 7:21:03 GMT -6
Ecclesiastes: A most unusual book in our Bible and also a most gratifying book.One that is for sure written for the reader to approach and stay in the context.If not there can seem to be direct contradictions to other teachings in the Word and especially in the New Testament concerning the Church. To quote G.Campbell Morgan concerning the book of Ecclesiastes: " Ecclesiastes is an inspired confession of failure and pessimism,when God is excluded,when man lives under the sun,and forgets the larger part,which is always over the sun,the eternal and abiding things.If you want to know what a man of great privilege,and of great learning and great wisdom can come to,read this record of a man who has put God out of count in his actual life."
Ecclesiastes is a Latin form of the word that means "Preacher"The Hebrew word is "Koheleth" and means "Master of Assemblies"or "Teacher" I don't believe there is any doubt that Solomom is the "Preacher". To me it seems the question the preacher is asking is in verse 13 of chapter 1. "And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven."
Chapter 1 seem to be an introduction and it looks as if he is giving the results of his search by his statement in verse 2 and in verse 14 1:2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." 1:14 "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind."
In verse 16 it looks as if he is proving that he is the one qualified to make this search. 1:16 "I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”
Then in verses 17,18 it appears his search wasn't very gratifying for him. 1:17-18 "And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Then in chapter 2 he begins to prove what he has found out in his search.
In chapter 2 we see the preacher's quest by what he did himself,his own experiments and the result in 2:24. "Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God."
In chapter 3 we see the preacher give us the circle of life and then the result in 3:13. "And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God."
In chapter 4 and 5 the preachers observations and the result in 5:18. "Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage."
In chapters 6,7 and 8 the preacher considers morality and the result in 8:15. "So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun."
In chapters 9-12 a review and the preacher's conclusions and his final conclusion in 12:13-14.Note in 12:8 he makes the same statement as he does in chapter 1:2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.” I believe the lesson for us is to remember what Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2&3. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." And in 1John 2:15-17. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2013 7:27:12 GMT -6
Wonderful, Bud!
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Post by Bud on Mar 14, 2013 12:53:31 GMT -6
Song Of Solomon: Yes a song.A song of human affection.A song that is a story.Not really a biography or autobiography but it does have a historical basis and is a song of love between a bride and bridegroom and between husband and wife.The love that God intended between them. Not only is it an expression of pure marital love as was ordained of God in creation,it is a metaphor or an analogy or type that is used time and again in Scripture where a marriage relationship is used to describe God's relationship with Israel and the Church's relationship with Christ. If we look at it from a literal standpoint,we can see the glorification of wedded love. If we look at it from a dispensational standpoint,we can see the relationship between Jehovah and Israel. If we look at it from a redemption standpoint,we can see the wonderful relationship between Christ and the Church. If we look at it from a moral or spiritual standpoint,we can see the communion between a believer and the glorified risen Lord. When the story opens I believe we see the husband (Solomon)and the wife (The Shulamite)reminiscing about their first meeting,the wooing and winning by the man of her as his bride,their marriage and bringing her to the palace at Jerusalem and their marital relationship. My understanding of the story is that Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon and he had a family that were keepers of it for him.The Shulamite was a daughter of the family that kept the vineyard.She was very mistreated by her brothers and was made to work very hard and had no time to look after herself or to care for her own person.She was very tanned from working in the fields. She had a natural beauty about her and Solomon noticed this on one of his trips to the vineyard.Evidently they met,but she didn't realize who he was and he must have told her he would come back for her.He did return and wooed and won her and they were married. The story goes on to explain their life together in the palace in Jerusalem,the reaction and interaction between her and the daughters of Jerusalem,(the city girls) and her the country girl.The story speaks of dreams she has and a desire to visit her home in Baal-hamon and them going back there. There is much more to the story than what I have described and you can search and see as you read it, what I mean by it being a description of a pure marital love as was ordained by God.Someone once said that we should read this book when we are spiritually minded and not fleshly minded.
Since this is the last book of the 5 poetic book group,let's go back and in a review of the main themes of the 5 books see a spiritual progress in the life of a believer.
In Job we see a man brought to the end of himself.The self-life,self-goodness,self-reason and self-everything is laid bare.We hear Job proclaim "I abhor myself in dust and ashes."The death of the self-life.We can almost hear Paul proclaim "Oh wretched man that I am.Who shall deliver me from the body of this death."Romans 7:24
In Psalms we can see the new life in Christ expressing itself in praise and prayer in adoration and supplication and intercession.We can see faith,hope and love in fear,joy and song."Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
In Proverbs we are in God's school of wisdom,growing and learning. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."Colossians 1:9
In Ecclesiastes we are taught not to set our affection on anything under the sun. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."Colossians 3:2
In the Song of Solomon we see the rapture and communion with the Heavenly Bridegroom.The Bride and Bridegroom together."Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."1Thess.4:17
Dying to self and alive unto God,expressing our love,faith and hope in praise and prayer and song,growing in the grace and knowledge of our Savior,and seeing the vanity of this world system,and longing to be with our Savior.
How amazing this Word of God.
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