Thursday, June 11, 2009

Old Testament survey (21): Ecclesiastes

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-14)

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11)

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Overview

[1] Ecclesiastes, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

In Ecclesiastes we learn that without Christ we cannot be satisfied—even if we possess the whole world and all the things that men consider necessary to make their hearts content. The world cannot satisfy the heart because the heart is too large for the object. In the Song of Solomon, we will learn that if we turn from the world and set our affections on Christ, we cannot fathom the infinite preciousness of His love; the Object is too large for the heart.

The key word is vanity, which occurs thirty–seven times. The key phrase is “under the sun,” which occurs twenty–nine times. Another phrase which recurs is “I said in mine heart.” In other words, this book contains the cogitations of man’s heart. These are conclusions which men have reached through their own intelligence, their own experiments. Although Solomon’s conclusions are not inspired, the Scripture that tells us about them is inspired. This is the reason for the explanatory: “I said in mine heart,” “under the sun,” and “vanity.” (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Ecclesiastes, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The first seven chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes describe all of the worldly things “under the sun” that the Preacher tries to find fulfillment in. He tries scientific discovery (1:10-11), wisdom and philosophy (1:13-18), mirth (2:1), alcohol (2:3), architecture (2:4), property (2:7-8), and luxury (2:8). The Preacher turned his mind towards different philosophies to find meaning, such as materialism (2:19-20), and even moral codes (including chapters 8-9). He found that everything was meaningless, a temporary diversion that, without God, had no purpose or longevity.

Chapters 8-12 of Ecclesiastes describe the Preacher’s suggestions and comments on how a life should be lived. He comes to the conclusion that without God, there is no truth or meaning to life. He has seen many evils and realized that even the best of man’s achievements are worth nothing in the long run. So he advises the reader to acknowledge God from youth (12:1) and to follow His will (12:13-14). (Read the complete article)
[3] Ecclesiastes, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
This is the book of man “under the sun,” reasoning about life; it is the best man can do, with the knowledge that there is a holy God, and that He will bring every-thing into judgment. The key phrases are “under the sun;” “I perceived”; “I said in my heart.” Inspiration sets down accurately what passes, but the conclusions and reasonings are, after all, man’s. That those conclusions are just in declaring it “vanity” in view of judgment, to devote life to earthly things, is surely true; but the “conclusion” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) is legal, the best that man apart from redemption can do, and does not anticipate the Gospel.

Ecclesiastes is in five parts:

1. Theme, Ecclesiastes 1:1-3.
2. Theme proved, Ecclesiastes 1:4-3:22.
3. Theme unfolded in the light of human sufferings, hypocrisies, uncertainties, poverty and riches, Ecclesiastes 4:1-10:20.
4. The best thing possible to the natural man apart from God, Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:12.
5. The best thing possible to man under the law, Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Chasing The Wind – A Life Of Futility, Commentary On Book Of Ecclesiastes, by Paul Apple and Douglas Smith

[2] The Good Life (Ecclesiastes Overview), by Keith Krell

[3] The Poetical Books, by J. Hampton Keathley, III

[4] Materials by David Malick
[5] The Theology of Ecclesiastes, by M. James Sawyer (download Word doc)

Sermons on Ecclesiastes (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Looking in the Wrong Places, by Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Center Point, Alabama

[2] Sermons from Central Baptist Church - Lowesville
[3] “Why?” is the Wrong Question to Ask, Ecclesiastes 8:16, from Palm Springs Baptist Church, CA

[4] Serving God With All Our Might, by Pastor Les Walthers, Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC

[5] The Urgent Duty of the Young, Part 1, by Pastor Dean Allen, Albany Baptist Church, Albany, New York

[6] A chapter in God's story, by Matt Watts

[7] Man’s Search for Happiness #2 - Where Happiness is Found, by Chris Hodges

[8] Sermons by Jim Barrett
[9] Session 1_Glimpse of Reality, by Rob Schweyer

[10] Out of Control pt 7, by Chad McCartney

[11] Sermons by Alan Macgregor
[12] Eccl 1_12-18, by Michael Walsh

[13] A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste, by David Madden

[14] The Great Experiment, by Andrew Evans

[15] Sermons by John Watkins
[16] Studies in the Book of Ecclesiastes, by John Stevenson
For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 2:19 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Old Testament survey (20): Proverbs

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:5, 7)

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. (Proverbs 4:5)

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. (Proverbs 8:13-14)

Overview

[1] Proverbs, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

Dr. A. C. Gaebelein has written this helpful analysis of the literary structure of Proverbs.

The literary form of these Proverbs is mostly in the form of couplets. The two clauses of the couplet are generally related to each other by what has been termed parallelism, according to Hebrew poetry. (Hebrew poetry does not have rhyme or meter as our poetry does. Hebrew poetry consists of parallelism of ideas.) Three kinds of parallelism have been pointed out:

1. Synonymous Parallelism. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. (It expresses the same thought in a different way.)

“Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools” (Prov. 19:29).

2. Antithetic (Contrast) Parallelism. Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrats with an opposite truth.

“The light of the righteous rejoiceth, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out” (Prov. 13:9).

(You can see that the second statement is stating the same truth but from the opposite point of view by way of contrast.)

3. Synthetic Parallelism. The second clause develops the thought of the first.

“The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life” (Prov. 20:2). Read the complete article
[2] Book of Proverbs, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The theme of wisdom and its necessity in our lives finds its fulfillment in Christ. We are continually exhorted in Proverbs to seek wisdom, get wisdom, and understand wisdom. Proverbs also tells us—and repeats it— that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10). Our fear of the Lord’s wrath and justice is what drives us to Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom as expressed in His glorious plan of redemption for mankind. In Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3), we find the answer to our search for wisdom, the remedy for our fear of God, and the “righteousness, holiness and redemption” that we so desperately need (1 Corinthians 1:30). The wisdom that is found only in Christ is in contrast to the foolishness of the world which encourages us to be wise in our own eyes. But Proverbs also tells us that the world’s way is not God’s way (Proverbs 3:7) and leads only to death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Read the complete article
[3] Proverbs, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
This collection of sententious sayings is divine wisdom applied to the earthly conditions of the people of God. That the Proverbs were Solomon's (Proverbs 1:1) implies no more than that he gathered into orderly arrangement sayings already current amongst the people, the wisdom of the Spirit, perhaps through many centuries (Ecclesiastes 12:9). Chapters 25-29 were current in Hezekiah's time (Ecclesiastes 25:1). Chapters 30 and 31 are by Agur and Lemuel.

The book is in six parts:

1. To sons, 1-7.
2. The praise of wisdom, 8-9.
3. The folly of sin, 10-19.
4. Warnings and instructions, 20-29.
5. The words of Agur, 30. The words of King Lemuel, 31.
Discussion

[1] Key verses: Proverbs 1:5, 7; 4:5; 8:13-14

[2] Book of Proverbs (from Eastons Bible Dictionary)
A collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades of human character so often overlooked by theologians, but so necessary to any true estimate of human life" (Stanley's Jewish Church).
[3] “Fear of the Lord” (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary) is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Deuteronomy 32:6; Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Genesis 31:42,53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 12:28-29).

[4] References to “fear of the Lord”
Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 23; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17
[5] References to “wisdom”
Proverbs 1:2-3, 7, 20; 2:2, 6-7, 10; 3:13, 19, 21; 4:5, 7, 11; 5:1; 7:4; 8:1, 5, 11-12, 14; 9:1, 10; 10:13, 21, 23, 31; 11:2, 12; 12:8; 13:10; 14:6, 8, 33; 15:21, 33; 16:16; 17:16, 24; 18:1, 4; 19:8; 21:30; 23:4, 9, 23; 24:3, 7, 14; 20:3, 15; 30:3; 31:26
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Practical Wisdom In The Book of Proverbs, by Paul G. Apple

[2] Materials by David Malick
[3] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M
[4] The Poetical Books, by J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M. (also available in Chinese)

[5] Proverbs of Solomon Family Discussion Guide, by Micki Maris

[6] Visual Scripture - Psalms, Proverbs & Wisdom

Sermons on Proverbs (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Benefit of Wisdom, by Johnnie R. Bailey, Norway Baptist Church

[2] Topical - Fear Of The Lord, by Ronnie Mitchell

[3] Lessons From The Richest Man Who Ever Lived - #7 – Choices, by Billy Taylor

[4] Pursuit of the Father, by Harry Swayne

[5] Wisdom - Chapters 1-2 - #3, by Andrew Brown

[6] Getting Life In Order, by William Delleman

[7] Living In God’s World, by George Toews

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 9:31 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Old Testament survey (19): Psalms

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. (Psalm 22:16-19)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 20:1-2)

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (Psalm 119:1-2)

Discussion

[1] Psalms, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), An X-Ray of the Cross (PDF), The "Only" Psalm (PDF), What is Worship? (PDF), What is This World Coming To? (PDF)

The title in the Hebrew means Praises or Book of Praises. The title in the Greek suggests the idea of an instrumental accompaniment. Our title comes from the Greek psalmos. It is the book of worship. It is the hymnbook of the temple.

Many writers contributed one or more psalms. David, “the sweet psalmist of Israel,” has seventy-three psalms assigned to him. (Psalm 2 is ascribed to him in Acts 4:25; Psalm 95 is ascribed to him in Hebrews 4:7.) Also he could be the author of some of the “Orphanic” psalms. He was peculiarly endowed to write these songs from experience as well as a special aptitude. He arranged those in existence in his day for temple use. The other writers are as follows: Moses, 1 (90th); Solomon, 2; Sons of Korah, 11; Asaph, 12; Heman, 1 (88th); Ethan, 1 (89th); Hezekiah, 10; “Orphanic,” 39 (David may be the writer of some of these). There are 150 psalms.

Christ (the Messiah) is prominent throughout. The King and the Kingdom are the theme songs of the Psalms. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Psalms, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
God’s provision of a Savior for His people is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Prophetic pictures of the Messiah are seen in numerous psalms. Psalm 2:1-12 portrays the Messiah’s triumph and kingdom. Psalm 16:8-11 foreshadows His death and resurrection. Psalm 22 shows us the suffering Savior on the cross and presents detailed prophecies of the crucifixion, all of which were fulfilled perfectly. The glories of the Messiah and His bride are on exhibit in Psalm 45:6-7, while Psalms 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7 and 132:12-18 present the glory and universality of His reign. (Read the complete article)
[3] Psalms, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
The simplest description of the five books of Psalms is that they were the inspired prayer- and-praise book of Israel. They are revelations of truth, not abstractly, but in the terms of human experience. The truth revealed is wrought into the emotions, desires, and sufferings of the people of God by the circumstances through which they pass. But those circumstances are such as to constitute an anticipation of analogous conditions through which Christ in His incarnation, and the Jewish remnant in the tribulation ( 10:21, refs), should pass; so then many Psalms are prophetic of the sufferings, the faith, and the victory of both. Psalms 22 and 50 are examples. The former--the holy of holies of the Bible-- reveals all that was in the mind of Christ when He uttered the desolate cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The latter is an anticipation of what will be in the heart of Israel when she shall turn to Jehovah again (Deuteronomy 30:1,2). Other Psalms are directly prophetic of "the sufferings of Christ, and the glories which should follow" (Luke 24:25-27,44). Psalm 2 is a notable instance, presenting Jehovah's Anointed as rejected and crucified (Psalms 2:1-3; Acts 4:24-28) but afterward set as King in Zion.

The great themes of the Psalms are, Christ, Jehovah, the Law, Creation, the future of Israel, and the exercises of the renewed heart in suffering, in joy, in perplexity. The promises of the Psalms are primarily Jewish, and suited to a people under the law, but are spiritually true in Christian experience also, in the sense that they disclose the mind of God, and the exercises of His heart toward those who are perplexed, afflicted, or cast down.

The imprecatory Psalms are the cry of the oppressed in Israel for justice--a cry appropriate and right in the earthly people of God, and based upon a distinct promise in the Abrahamic Covenant ((See Scofield "Genesis 15:18") ), but a cry unsuited to the church, a heavenly people who have taken their place with a rejected and crucified Christ. (Luke 9:52-55).

The Psalms are in five books, each ending in a doxology:

1. Psalms 1-41.
2. Psalms 42-72.
3. Psalms 73-89.
4. Psalms 90-106.
5. Psalms 107-150.
[4] Psalms Pt.1, Psalms Pt.2, and Psalms Pt.3 (with chart The Heartbeat of the Bible), from Uplook Ministries


Discussion

[1] Key verses: Psalms 19:1; 22:16-19; 23:1; 29:1-2; 51:10; 119:1-2; 150:1-6

[2] Messianic psalms (those chapters or verses which contain references to the Messiah and are applied to Christ in the New Testament). Three Messianic psalms, specifically, Psalm 24 (King of Glory), Psalm 72 (millennial reign of Christ) and Psalm 89 (fulfillment of Davidic covenant by Christ) however are not mentioned in the New Testament.
  • The Messiah will be the Son of God, Psalm 2:7, as fulfilled in Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22

  • The Messiah will be raised from the dead (resurrected), Psalm 16:10-11, as fulfilled in Matthew 28:5-9; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:4-7; John 20:11-16; Acts 1:3 and 2:32

  • The Messiah crucifixion experience, Psalm 22, as fulfilled in Matthew 27:34-50 and John 19:17-30

  • The Messiah will be sneered at and mocked, Psalm 22:7, as fulfilled in Luke 23:11, 35-39

  • The Messiah will be pierced through his hands and feet, Psalm 22:16, as fulfilled in Luke 23:33 and 24:36-39; John 19:18 and 20:19-20, 24-27

  • The Messiah’s bones will not be broken (a person’s legs were usually broken after being crucified to speed up death), Psalm 22:17 and 34:20, as fulfilled in John 19:31-33, 36

  • Men will gamble for the Messiah’s clothing, Psalm 22:18, as fulfilled in Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24

  • The Messiah will accused by false witnesses, Psalm 35:11, as fulfilled in Matthew 26:59-60 and Mark 14:56-57

  • The Messiah will be hated without a cause, Psalm 35:19 and 69:4, as fulfilled in John 15:23-25

  • The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9, as fulfilled in John 13:18, 21

  • The Messiah will ascend to heaven at the right hand of God, Psalm 68:18, as fulfilled in Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9; 2:33-35; 3:20-21; 5:31,32; 7:55-56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20,21; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2

  • The Messiah will be given vinegar and gall to drink, Psalm 69:21, as fulfilled in Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23; John 19:29-30

  • Great rulers will pay homage and tribute to the Messiah, Psalm 72:10-11, as fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-11

  • The Messiah is a “stone the builders rejected” but who will become the “head cornerstone” Psalm 118:22-23 and Isaiah 28:16, as fulfilled in Matthew 21:42,43; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-8

  • The Messiah will be a descendant of David, Psalm 132:11 and Jeremiah 23:5,6; 33:15-16, as fulfilled in Luke 1:32-33
[3] The “fear of the Lord” (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary) is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Deuteronomy 32:6; Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Genesis 31:42,53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 12:28-29).

References to “fear the Lord”
  • Psalm 19:9
  • Psalm 34:11
  • Psalm 111:10
References to “fear the Lord”
  • Psalm 15:4
  • Psalm 22:23
  • Psalm 33:8
  • Psalm 34:9
  • Psalm 115:11, 13
  • Psalm 118:4
  • Psalm134:20
[4] The Treasury of David, by Charles H. Spurgeon
The Treasury of David, from Crosswalk.com (This seven volume "magnum opus", by Charles H. Spurgeon, was first published in weekly installments over a twenty-year span in the London Metropolitan Tabernacle's periodical, The Sword and the Trowel. As each section was completed it was published as a volume until the seventh and final volume was released in 1885.)

The Treasury of David, from spurgeon.org

Treasury of David, from StudyLight.org

Treasury of David, from grace-for-today.com

Treasury of David Bible, from eword

Treasury of David / C. H. Spurgeon's Commentary on Psalms, from swordsearcher.com
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Heart Connections … connecting our heart to the heart of God, A Devotional Commentary on the Psalms, by Paul G. Apple,

[2] Studies in Psalms, various authors, from bible.org

[3] Materials by David Malick
[4] Psalms: Songs for the Soul (9 articles in series), by Gwynne Johnson , MABS

[5] A Psalm for All Seasons: Studies in the Book of Psalms, (15 articles in series), by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M

[6] Materials by Greg Herrick, Th.M., Ph.D.
Sermons on Psalm 51 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Revival, Who's Going to Experience It, by Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Center Point, Alabama

[2] Sermons by Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Southview Baptist Church
[3] God Does With Our Sins, by Robert Bennett

[4] When You've Messed Up! By Luke Harris

[5] Repentance, by Wynton Williams

[6] Rob Morgan: E = Evangelism, by Thom Bombard

[7] How To Come Back When You Are Down, by Earl Hardy

[8] Accepting the Call to Holiness, by Kenneth Morris

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 7:01 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 08, 2009

Old Testament survey (18): Job

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 38:1-2)

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5-6)

Overview

[1] Job, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), Job: A Man Stripped Bare (PDF)

This book is a great philosophical work. There are many problems that are raised and settled by this book:

1. The Book of Job raises the issue of why the righteous suffer. I really should say that it gives one of the reasons why the righteous suffer. I do not believe that this is the primary teaching of this book, although there are a great many Bible scholars who take that position.

2. Job was written to rebuke the slander of Satan against mankind.

3. Job was written to reveal Job to himself.

4. The Book of Job teaches patience. James says, “… Ye have heard of the patience of Job …” (James 5:11). Was Job patient? I’ll be honest with you, it is difficult to see how this man was patient. We’ll consider this when we get to the end of the book.

5. I think the primary purpose of the Book of Job is to teach repentance. If you want to disagree with this right now, just stay with us until we get to the end of the book, and then draw your own conclusions. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Job, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The book opens with a scene in heaven where Satan comes to accuse Job before God. He insists Job only serves God because God protects him and seeks God’s permission to test Job’s faith and loyalty. God grants His permission, only within certain boundaries. Why do the righteous suffer? This is the question raised after Job loses his family, his wealth, and his health. Job's three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, come to “comfort” him and to discuss his crushing series of tragedies. They insist his suffering is punishment for sin in his life. Job, though, remains devoted to God through all of this and contends that his life has not been one of sin. A fourth man, Elihu, tells Job he needs to humble himself and submit to God's use of trials to purify his life. Finally, Job questions God Himself and learns valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God and his need to totally trust in the Lord. Job is then restored to health, happiness and prosperity beyond his earlier state. (Read the complete article)
[3] Job, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
Job is in form a dramatic poem. It is probably the oldest of the Bible books, and was certainly written before the giving of the law. It would have been impossible, in a discussion covering the whole field of sin, of the providential government of God, and man's relation to Him, to avoid all reference to the law if the law had then been known. Job was a veritable personage (Ezekiel 14:20; James 5:11), and the events are historical. The book sheds a remarkable light on the philosophic breadth and intellectual culture of the patriarchal age. The problem is, Why do the godly suffer?

Job is in seven parts:

1. Prologue, 1:1-2:8.
2. Job and his wife, 2:9,10.
3. Job and his three friends, 2:11-31:40.
4. Job and Elihu, 32:1-37:24.
5. Jehovah and Job, 38:1-41:34.
6. Job's final answer, 42:1-6.
7. Epilogue, 42:7-17.

The events recorded in Job cover a period within 1 year.
[4] Job (with chart The Refiner’s Fire), from Uplook Ministries


Discussion

[1] Key verses: Job 1:1; 21; 38:1-2; 42:5-6

[2] Job is a historical character (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; James 5:11; compare 1 Corinthians 3:19 with Job 5:13).

[3] Job and Eliphaz
  • Job (chapter 3)
  • Eliphaz answers (chapters 4 and 5)
  • Job (chapters 6 and 7)
  • Eliphaz’s second discourse (chapter 15)
  • Job’s answer (chapters 16 and 17)
  • Eliphaz’s third discourse (chapter 22)
  • Job’s answer (chapters 23 and 24)
[4] Job and Bildad
  • Bildad’s first discourse (chapter 8)
  • Job (chapters 9 and 10)
  • Bildad’s second discourse (chapter 18)
  • Job’s answer (chapter 19)
  • Bildad’s third discourse (chapter 25)
  • Job’s answer (chapters 26 to 31)
[5] Job and Zohar
  • Zophar (chapter 11)
  • Job (chapters 12 and 13)
  • Chapter 20— Zophar’s second discourse (chapter 20)
  • Chapter 21 — Job’s answer (chapter 21)
[6] Elihu’s discourse (Job 32:2 — 37:24)

[7] God’s answer to Job (chapters 38 to 42)

[8] Job’s secret sin of pride or self-righteousness (the pronoun “I” appears fifty two times in Job 29)

[9] From the Articles of Faith
Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

Of the Devil or Satan

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
[10] Please review our lessons on God’s holiness and His righteousness and God’s holiness and His love.

[11] Please read Where Was God on Sept. 11? by Dr. Ray Bohlin (Probe Ministries).

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Materials by David Malick
[2] The Poetical Books, by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. (also available in Chinese)

[3] The Arrows of the Almighty, by Lehman Strauss, Litt.D., F.R.G.S. (also available in Indonesian)

Sermons on Job (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Living in Light of God's Providence, by Philip G Layton, Gold Country Baptist Church

[2] When All Hell Breaks Loose, by Michael Stark, New Beginnings Baptist Church

[3] Nightmare At The Olympics, by Matt Neace, Jr., First Baptist of Silver Grove, KY

[4] Job-Suffering and Sovereignty Part 1, by Keith Crosby

[5] Investing Talents, by Josh Kelley

[6] Job: Pain & Faith, by Noel Sterne

[7] Trust God anyway - sermon from Job, by David Harp

[8] Sermon illustrations, from bible.org

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 9:38 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Old Testament survey (09): 1 Samuel

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:6-7)

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee. (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

Overview

[1] 1 and 2 Samuel, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

There are three subjects that may be considered themes of the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Prayer is the first. First Samuel opens with prayer, and 2 Samuel closes with prayer. And there’s a great deal of prayer in between. A second theme is the rise of the kingdom. We have recorded in these books the change in the government of Israel from a theocracy to a kingdom. Of great significance is God’s covenant with David given to us in 2 Samuel 7. We will comment further on the kingdom in a moment. The third theme is the rise of the office of prophet. When Israel was a theocracy, God moved through the priesthood. However, when the priests failed and a king was anointed, God set the priests aside and raised up the prophets as His messengers. We will find that for the nation of Israel this resulted in deterioration rather than improvement.

The rise of the kingdom is of particular importance. First and Second Samuel record the origin of this kingdom, which continues as a very important subject throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The first message of the New Testament was the message of John the Baptist: “… Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). The kingdom of which he spoke is the kingdom of the Old Testament, the kingdom that begins in the Books of Samuel. This kingdom we find has a very historical basis, an earthly origin, and geographical borders. This kingdom has a king, and its subjects are real people. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of 1 Samuel, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
First Samuel records the history of Israel in the land of Canaan as they move from the rule of judges to being a unified nation under kings. Samuel emerges as the last judge, and he anoints the first two kings, Saul and David.

The prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 makes several prophetic references to Christ. She extols God as her Rock (v. 2), and we know from the gospel accounts that Jesus is the Rock upon whom we should build our spiritual houses. Paul refers to Jesus as the “rock of offense” to the Jews (Romans 9:33). Christ is called the “spiritual Rock” who provided spiritual drink to the Israelites in the wilderness just as He provides “living water” to our souls (1 Corinthians 10:4; John 4:10). Hannah’s prayer also makes reference to the Lord who will judge the ends of the earth (v. 2:10), while Matthew 25:31-32 refers to Jesus as the Son of Man who will come in glory to judge everyone. (Read the complete article)
[3] 1 Samuel, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
This book represents the personal history of Samuel, last of the Judges. It records the moral failure of the priesthood under Eli, and of the Judges in Samuel’ attempt to make the office hereditary (1 Samuel 8:1). In his prophetic office Samuel was faithful, and in him begins the line of writing prophets. Henceforth the prophet, not the priest, is conspicuous in Israel. In this book the theocracy, as exercised through judges, ends (1 Samuel 8:7), and the line of kings begins with Saul.

The book is in four parts:

1. The story of Samuel to the death of Eli, 1:1-4:22.
2. From the taking of the ark to the demand for a king, 5:1-8:22.
3. The reign of Saul to the call of David, 9:1-15:35.
4. From the call of David to the death of Saul, 16:1-31:13.

The events recorded in First Samuel cover a period of 115 years (Ussher).
[4] 1 Samuel (with chart The Tides of History), from Uplook Ministries


Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Rejecting God’s Design For Leadership, by Paul G. Apple

[2] Materials by David Malick
[3] A Study of 1 Samuel, by Bob Deffinbaugh (Thai translation; download Word doc)

Sermons on 1 Samuel (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermons by Dr. Jim McCullen, First Baptist Church, Mountain View MO
[2] 1 & 2 SAMUEL: Israel’s Greatest King, From judges to monarchy, from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee AR

[3] The Unwanted Tenant, by Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Southview Baptist Church

[4] 1 Samuel 15:10-35 - The Sins of Saul and His Failure to Obey God, by Ronnie Mitchell

[5] Sin is Serious, by Mark Barnes

[6] The Heart of Worship: Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth, by Michael C. Northrup

[7] Sermons by by Rusty Russell
[8] The Heart of Worship 03 - A Life of Worship, by Richard DeRuiter

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 9:57 PM 0 comments

Monday, June 01, 2009

Old Testament survey (08): Ruth

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1:16-17)

And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. (Ruth 3:9)

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:17)

Overview

[1] Ruth, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

The primary purpose of the Book of Ruth is the presentation of an important phase in the doctrine of redemption. Redemption is possible only through a Kinsman–Redeemer. God could not redeem apart from a Mediator. Since only God could redeem, it was necessary for Him to become that person. Boaz furnishes the only figure for the Kinsman–Redeemer aspect of redemption which is so essential for any proper theory of the Atonement. This little Book of Ruth comes down to our level and tells the commonplace story of a couple who love each other. They were ordinary folk, average folk, and their love story is a mirror in which we can see the divine love of a Savior for you and me. As we proceed into the Book of Ruth, we see this wonderful love story unfold before us. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Ruth, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The setting for the Book of Ruth begins in the heathen country of Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea, but then moves to Bethlehem. This true account takes place during the dismal days of failure and rebellion of the Israelites, called the period of the Judges. A famine forces Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, from their Israelite home to the country of Moab. Elimelech dies and Naomi is left with her 2 sons, who soon marry 2 Moabite girls, Orpah and Ruth. Later both of the sons die, and Naomi is left alone with Orpah and Ruth in a strange land. Orpah returns to her parents, but Ruth determines to stay with Naomi as they journey to Bethlehem. This story of love and devotion tells of Ruth's eventual marriage to a wealthy man named Boaz, by whom she bears a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus. Obedience brings Ruth into the privileged lineage of Christ. (Read the complete article)
[3] Ruth, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
This lovely story should be read in connection with the first half of Judges, as it presents a picture of life in Israel at that time.

Typically, the book may be taken as a foreview of the church (Ruth), as the Gentile bride of Christ, the Bethlehemite who is able to redeem. Ruth also gives a normal Christian experience:

1. Ruth deciding, 1
2. Ruth serving, 2.
3. Ruth resting, 3.
4. Ruth rewarded, 4.

The events recorded in Ruth cover a period of 10 years (Ussher)
[4] Judges and Ruth (with chart Fighting Without & Within), from Uplook Ministries


Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The House That Ruth Built, audio series by Susie Hawkins
[2] Week Five: Ruth - Walking in Loyal Love, by Susan Curry

[3] A Literary Analysis of the Book of Ruth, by Heather Goodman

[4] Materials by David Malick
[5] A Light in Dark Days, by Bob Deffinbaugh

[6] Two to Get Ready - The Story of Boaz and Ruth, by Richard L. Strauss

Sermons on Ruth (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Harvest Love, by David A. Green

[2] Trust - from the Book of Ruth, by Peter Benzie

[3] The Chains of Love, by D. Kent Modlin

[4] Sermons by Alan Macgregor
[5] Your God will be My God, by John Lawless

[6] Sermons by Daniel Starling
[7] Sermons by Robin Koshy
[8] Advent 2007 -3- God Makes a Way - Ruth: A Way Out of Abandonment, by Richard DeRuiter

[9] Ruth...A Lesson in Motivated Faith, by Richard Taylor

[10] Ruth: The Feast of Providence, Ruth 1:1–4:22, by Kevin Grant

[11] Ruth - Pursued by Grace - Complete Series, by John Caron

[12] Shattered Dreams & God’s Promise, Ruth 1, 4:13–17, by Gerry Heyboer

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Posted by Atty. Gerry T. Galacio at 5:37 PM 0 comments
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