Psalm 100: A Song of Praise to Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 100 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. This is the last psalm in this section (93–100) of Enthronement Psalms. It serves like a concluding hymn on this section focused on God’s sovereign rule over all things.

  I. A call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

     A. The KJV translation jokes made at church services help us misunderstand this text. It is not a          joyful noise made by the tone deaf. It is a loud, celebrative, joyful shout!

     B. See 1 Kgs 1:32–48 

     C. Long Live Melech Yeshua!

     D. Who is surrender to King Jesus? All the earth. Every ethnic group.

And the foreigners who convert to the LORD, minister to Him, love the Yahweh's name, and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant–I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isa 56:6-7 HCSB)

     E. All nations must recognize that Yahweh alone is God

     F. Yahweh’s people exist by His grace and blessing. They trust in Him

     G. The nations are invited to sing hymns to Yahweh and to worship Him

     H. Submission to King Jesus’ rule is a joyous and grateful act in loving response to His            covenant promises

      I. The Bible is about the Promise/plan of God; Promises concerning

          1. Redemption 2. Messiah

          3. Kingdom         4. Revelation (of who God is)

          5. Rescue         6. Salvation, deliverance from sin

      J. “Gladness” is a result of serving, trusting, and obeying the Creator, Redeemer, and King

Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Heb 13:15 ESV)     

      K. Worship is service, and it is work, and requires effort. But you don’t have to beg a real             believer to worship the God of the Bible. He/she wants too!

      L. See Ps 95:6, 96:8

 II. A call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 3)        

     A. We are commanded to know something, actually to confess it

     B. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our covenantal master

     C. We are to know and confess that Yahweh alone is the true God of the universe

     D. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our God, we are accountable to Him

     E. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our creator, not man or chance

     F. We are to know and confess our privileged position as believers: God is our Father, we 

         belong to Him, we relate to Him with the same closeness a sheep has to its shepherd.

    H. What does a shepherd do for his sheep? Psalm 23; Luke 15:3–6; John 10:1–18 

III. A second call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 4)

     A. Come to public worship, you must go through the gate to enter the Temple court

     B. The court of the Gentiles, Women, Israel, Priests, Holy of Hollies

     C. It is assumed a real believer will come to public worship with praise and thanksgiving

a sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride, and the voice of those saying, Praise the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His faithful love endures forever as they bring thank offerings to the temple of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as in former times, says the LORD. (Jer 33:11 HCSB)

    D. A thank offering was voluntary, set by the individual worshiper

    E. How far into the courts can we go, since Yeshua has come and died?

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Heb 10:18–26 NASB)

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Eph 2:14 ESV)

      H. Thanksgiving focuses on what He has done for us in prayer (actions), Praise for who He is             (attributes)

IV. A second call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 5)

      A. Yahweh alone is good, not any man

      B. Yahweh has (hesed) covenant love for His people that never ends

      C. Yahweh keeps his promises faithfully to every generation of His elect

Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: Yahweh--Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. (Exod 34:6–7 HCSB)

       D. Jesus does not lose one of His sheep. Jesus is the good Shepherd

       E. Like His Father, He keeps all His promises (I will never leave or forsake you)

Lessons to live by:

• Grateful statements and praiseful statements go together in our prayers to the God of the Bible. We remember what He has done, and who He is.

• Corporate worship is not optional for a real believer. Those who are not providentially hindered know the importance of corporate worship. Make-believers and Holy day Christians have no idea what a covenant relationship with God looks like.

• The promises are very important in the Bible. They are what we grab a hold of with our faith without seeing the final end.

• We have much to be grateful for and many things for which to praise God

• Long Live King Jesus!

Psalm 99: Yahweh’s Righteous Reign on the Earth

 

Holy is He!

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 99 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. Like other psalms in this section (93–100) this one addresses the reign of Jesus, the God-Man from Jerusalem that immediately follows His second coming. So, this psalm is future for us as well. It is at this time that some of the dormant Mosaic covenant promises will be fulfilled. For example, “I will place My residence among you, and I will not reject you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people. (Lev 26:11–12 HCSB) Yahweh is the covenant name for God in the Old Testament. We learn in the N.T. that Jesus (Yeshua) is the person of the trinity that will actually reign from Jerusalem. Because Yeshua is God, the second person of the triune godhead, and He is also fully human (though in a glorified body), He is uniquely suited for this 1000-year reign. Verses 1, 2, and 8 begin with the term Yahweh in the original text. And three times this chapter declares that Yahweh is holy—Holy is He (3, 5, 9). This psalm will be fitting to be sung on the first and every day of Jesus’ 1000-year reign on the earth from Jerusalem. The central principle of Jesus’ earthly government will be holiness.

  I. The worship of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 1–3)

     A. Yahweh dwells on a living throne between the angels

     B. The Gentiles need and the earth need to shake in fear

     C. Yahweh’s greatness is recognized in Jerusalem (Zion) on earth

     D. Yahweh’s name is great and awesome

     E. Yahweh is holy, Holy is He!

     F. Yahweh is totally morally pure and righteous

     G. Yahweh is far above time bound, temporary, and imperfect humans

     H. Yahweh’s throne is an amazing site (Ps 18:6–19; Ezek 1:4–14)

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord (adonai) seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. Burning ones (Seraphim) were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh of armies; His glory fills the whole earth. The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said: Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of armies. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, and your sin is atoned for. (Isa 6:1–7)

      I. In this psalm His throne is on the earth, on Mount Zion in Israel

      J. All the nations must worship Jesus during this time

 II. The rule and worship of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 4–5)        

     A. Jesus as a mighty warrior is also One who loves justice

     B. He not only won the victory at the cross, but in the battle at His second coming, this great                 and terrible Day of Yahweh

     C. Jesus’ court will be run with uprightness, accuracy and precise judgment

     D. Jacob or Ya’akov is the former name of Israel before he was renamed. Yahweh will                             personally reign in Israel through the person of Jesus the Messiah

     E. Worship Jesus at His footstool. Where will you be? Right, on the ground

     F. The “footstool” is symbolic for the ark of the covenant, the temple, and Jerusalem

III. The revelation of the enthroned King Yahweh to Israel (vs. 6–7)

      A. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel interceded in prayer for Israel

      B. What does they called on His name mean? Selection and submission

      C. Yahweh answered these men’s prayers for His people

      D. Moses and Samuel were Scripture writers, Aaron the High priest

      E. These three followed the testimonies (Ten Commandments) and the worship regulations                 and ordinances. This couplet of Moral and Ceremonial law stands for the entire law                                 including the Civil laws of Israel.

IV. The exaltation of the enthroned King Yahweh in Israel (vs. 8–9)

      A. Yahweh answered Moses, Aaron, and Samuel’s prayers. They were men like us.

      B. Yahweh granted forgiveness to these men for their sins

      C. Yahweh chastised these men for their sins and some had lingering consequences

           1. Moses striking the rock in disobedience, dishonoring the type

           2. He had to wait almost 1,500 years to enter the land of Palestine

           3. Aaron was healed from his leprosy, but died on the way to Palestine

           4. Samuel’s mistakes as father outlived him

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. (Heb 12:5–6 ESV)

      D. We are commanded to praise Yahweh

            1. He alone is God (holy, supreme, eternal, all powerful)

            2. He is our God (by covenant relationship)

            3. Worship is to be exclusive for the God of the Bible

            4. When Jesus comes back to earth, we are to worship Him, because He is God, God the                         Father is God, God the Holy Spirit is God, three persons yet one in substance and being

       E. The third time the author states it more fully, Holy is Yahweh our God

Lessons to live by:

• If we come to Jesus on His terms, we can say in truth He is our God, just like we can say this of the Father and of the Holy Spirit.

• If the Bible makes such a big deal about God’s holiness, why is it that we ignore it?

• There will be no righteous government until Jesus returns.

• We can go to God in prayer and intercede for His people as we come to the Father in the name of the Son by the power and aid of the Holy Spirit.

• God is not done with the land of Israel yet, all His promises to them will be fulfilled just as all His promises to us will be fulfilled.

Psalm 98: Yeshua (salvation) [Yahweh] is coming to Judge all Humans

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 98 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. However, this Psalm includes more information about the Messiah’s comings, which we learn in the New Testament are two separate comings. First Jesus comes to save sinners by living a holy life in their place and dying in their place. His second coming will involve His judgment of sinners who will not repent, believe, and surrender to His Lordship. This will involve two battles, one before the 1000-year reign and at the end of this reign. It will include also at least one judgement of humans. What do the people of God do before and during Jesus’ first and second comings? They rejoice and sing with multiple instruments the praises of our sovereign saving king who is victorious in His first coming and in the two battles He leads the angels and elect humans to fight against the wicked. Tremper Longman believes this Psalm is “a Divine Warrior victory song celebrating the return of Yahweh the commander of the heavenly hosts who is leading the Israelite army back home after waging victorious holy war.” In the biblical version of this song, it is one that points to the future, and it focuses on Jesus who will overcome the kings and their armies (Rev 19:11–21, 20:9), redeem His people (Rev 14:4), and judge all humans (Matt 25:31–46). Notice how often “a new song” and “redemption” show up together in the Bible.

  I. Praising Yahweh for His previous deliverances (vs. 1–3)

     A. The new song praises God for His victory 

     B. The mighty works God has done by Himself—singlehanded miracles

          1. Exodus

          2. Return from captivity

          3. Sending of the Messiah, Jesus

    C. Jesus’ Hebrew name, Yeshua is used in vs. 2 and 3

    D. Yahweh has revealed His Salvation and His Righteousness

    E. The Gentile nations witness the righteous deliverance of Israel

    F. Yahweh’s covenant love and awesome faithfulness to Israel is displayed

    G. All mankind has seen the victory of the LORD

 II. Worshiping Yahweh the great deliverer of His people with music (vs. 4–6)

      A. All peoples are to praise God for His salvation

      B. They are to use multiple instruments with their songs of praise

      C. Those who are delivered burst out in joyful praise 

III. Creation rejoices at Yahweh’s coming to the earth (vs. 7–9)

      A. Jesus was the agent of the Trinity that made the universe

      B. When He comes back, all of creation will make noise

     C. These sounds are not the expressive truths offered by free moral agents

     D. All of creation is waiting for His return (Rom 8:19–24)

     E. Jesus came the first time to save, He is coming back to fight, rule, and judge

     F. The victory of King Jesus is a sure thing

Lessons to live by:

• The joy of salvation should fill our songs of praise

• Our joy is made full by God’s righteous deliverance

• We need to make sure we are on the right side when Jesus comes back to battle His enemies. They will lose at His return and at the end of His 1000-year reign

• The LORD’s judgment will be righteous and with exact correctness. Everything secret will be revealed. Every word, thought, and deed will be considered in the verdict

Psalm 97: Yahweh’s Reign Brings Joy to His People

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 97 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. These ancient songs teach that Yahweh (the LORD) is sovereign over all the earth. He rules the world. He delivers His people simultaneous with punishing the pagan nations who are mistreating His people. His visitation provides them immediate relief from suffering. All these psalms refer to the king of heaven in His role as judge of mankind. The N.T. reveals that this task is assigned to Jesus the Messiah (John 5:22). These psalms also note the Messiah’s return will involve a judgment on the nations, probably a very direct judgment during the large battle of the nation's coming against Israel. 

  I. Yahweh’s glorious reign on earth and fiery presence at His appearing (vs. 1–6)

     A. When Jesus has dealt with His enemies in the Jezreel valley and comes to Jerusalem, He                 will arrive to institute His direct reign over the earth

     B. The righteous reign of Jesus during the Millennium will cause many peoples throughout                 the earth to rejoice. Government corruption will cease (Rev 20:6)

     C. The Islands, the remotest outposts of human habitations will join in the celebration that                  takes place on the larger continents (See Isa 24:15, 40:15, 41:5, 42:4)

     D. The righteous, just, and faithful rule of Yahweh will bring order to the earth

 “Isaiah said these things because he saw His [Jesus’] glory and spoke about Him. (John 12:41 HCSB) 

          Yahweh is God, Yeshua, Jesus is God, in some passages Yahweh is Yeshua, God the Son                          (Isa 6:1–5), in other texts God the Father is Yahweh (Ps 110:1)

     E. There will be worldwide liberation from oppressive, selfish, and evil rulers

     F. The figures here show a supernatural manifestation of the presence of God

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (Exod 19:16 ESV)

 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. (Exod 19:18 HCSB)

 . . . for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:29 ESV)

     G. Clouds and thick darkness, lightening, God is here, a theophany, a Day of Yahweh (Joel 2:2)

     H. He is here to judge. His throne, His judgeship is based on His true righteousness and His                true justice (Zeph 1:15; Rev 11:5)

which God will bring about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom none of mankind has seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal might. Amen. (1Ti 6:15–16 HCSB)

     I. His holy fire is a judgment on the wicked

His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out. (Mat 3:12 HCSB)

     J. The majestic mountains are flattened and melt like candle wax from God’s fire

     K. Yahweh (the LORD) is the Master [adonai] (Lord) of the earth He is judging

     L. All nature and men see Jesus’ glory at the second coming (Psa 19:1; Isa 40:5; Rev 1:7)

 II. The command for all beings to worship Yahweh exclusively (vs. 7)

      A. Is it a shameful thing to worship anything other that the invisible God of the Bible

      B. When Yahweh shows up to judge His enemies, your idols cannot protect you

      C. All supernatural beings are commanded to worship only Yahweh

III. Zion’s worship and exaltation of Yahweh, the Most High God (vs. 8–9)

      A. The people of God rejoice in the rule of Yahweh, Adonai, el elyon, Jesus

      B. Jerusalem and Judah will rejoice when David’s son, the Lord is ruling and because they                  have been delivered from those marching to destroy them (Ps 48:11)

      C. The Most High God, Melchizedek used this title for God (Gen 14:18) 

      D. The second coming of Jesus brings immediate relief to those suffering persecution

Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches--about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the Lord's presence and from His glorious strength,1in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thess 1:4–10 HCSB)

IV. Yahweh’s true servants are full of joy and of praise for Him (vs. 10–12)

      A. Those who are lovers of Yahweh are commanded to hate evil

      B. There is a price to pay when you stand against evil in this world

      C. Yahweh brings relief of His persecuted people

But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor 2:9 HCSB)  

      D. He preserves, guards, watches over their lives—He must allow their home going

      E. He delivers them out of the hands of the wicked (Dan 3:17)

      F. His radiance provides the righteous ones light, the light “dawns” on them (morning joy)

 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Ps 30:5 ESV)

      G. His relationship with them provides them great joy

      H. Believers are to find their joy in God

       I. Believers are to praise God’s holy name, Yahweh, and thank Him for His wonderful                       deliverance, preservation, salvation

Lessons to live by:

• No man can serve two masters; he will hate one and serve the other

• Joy and the removal of guilt are both blessing of genuine salvation. If you really belong to Jesus, He will be your greatest treasure and your greatest joy. If Jesus was not in heaven, it would be hell to you, because you love Him and hate sin.

• Since all the un-fallen and unredeemed creatures in heaven worship God, how much more, should we, who have been bought with the blood of Jesus, redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the lamb!

• We are to exalt, adore, love, and praise the God of the Bible

• When we long for relief from persecution while patiently enduring it and praying for our enemies we display the patience of God. When He judges the enemies of Israel and of the Church on earth, we will experience a great liberation from wicked men

Psalm 96: Yahweh is King of the World

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 96 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. Ancient kings operated as lawmakers, commanders-in-chief, and the supreme court. Judgment is mentioned in most of these Enthronement Hymns. This psalm moves beyond God’s authority and rule over Israel to all nations. The Gentiles show up in the Israeli Hymn book!

  I. King Yahweh’s glory must be proclaimed (vs. 1–3)

     A. Sing to Yahweh is commanded three times.

     B. This is balanced with three commands: Praise (bless), Proclaim, Declare (tell)

     C. What is to be sung? A new song honoring His deliverance

     D. Who is to sing this song? All the earth, all gentile nations, all peoples (families Gen 10:32)

     E. Why is Yahweh to be praised? For His great salvation (deliverance)

     F. What is to be proclaimed? The good news of Yahweh’s salvation, His glory, His amazing     actions on earth

         1. When? Every day

         2. To whom? All the nations

    G. Are new songs bad? Not if they have biblical content, solid doctrine, good theology

    H. Before you can sing a new song you have to write it

     I. Is there anything in the Old Testament that showed God desired the Gentiles to worship                 Him as well as Israel? Yes, two examples: Genesis 12 and Psalm 96

     J. What are God’s wonderful deeds? Creation and Redemption

 II. King Yahweh’s majesty and uniqueness (vs. 4–6)

      A. God is great and worthy of praise

      B. Yahweh alone is to be feared, reverenced, worshiped, adored

      C. All other gods are fakes, nothings, rocks with demons, worthless idols

      D. Because Yahweh is the Creator, He alone rules and sustains the universe

      E. The pagan claims about the power of their fake gods are all false

      F. The Creator - King has given evidence in creation

          1. He is more majestic than the mountains

          2. His splendor is beyond the most beautiful sunset on the beach

          3. He is stronger than an elephant (kingly court)

          4. He is more beautiful than a snow-covered mountain or a delicate flower

III. King Yahweh’s praise, worship, service (vs. 7–9)

      A. Ascribe to Yahweh is commanded three times. (Give, verbally declare, recognize)

      B. Who is to do this? All the families of the earth. A surprising statement for a Jew, the                         original audience

      C. What are we to state in verbal praise about Yahweh?

           1. He is glorious and strong, glorify the Creator King

           2. His name and person are glorious

           3. Verbal praise is followed by acts of submission to the only true God

           4. We are to bring an allowed offering to this great king

           5. We are to enter the court of the Gentiles at Yahweh’s temple in Jerusalem

           6. We are to acknowledge and act according to God’s majestic splendor and awesome                        holiness

          7. All humans are to praise Yahweh for His sovereign rule, and His majesty displayed in                    His mighty supernatural works and in His people    

          8. Yahweh requires reverence, awe, holiness, submission, amazement over majesty and                      holy presence

          9. All the Gentiles are to tremble before this awesome Creator-King

      D. When we fear God, we reverence, honor, respect, acknowledge His power and authority to              judge sin and His hatred of it, along with His supreme authority to rule. So, our love and                 respect are not to be flippant or causal, it is serious business

IV. King Yahweh’s coming to Judge the earth (vs. 10–13)

      A. Tell the pagan nations, Yahweh reigns. He alone is the sovereign God

           1. God has established His right to rule by His work as Creator. It is His world, He made it

           2. God will judge all men with uprightness and the same standard, the moral law written                     on their hearts

      B. All creation rejoices when the Judge arrives to deal with sin and remove the curse

The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:19–21 TNIV)

      C. All creation is called upon to rejoice in the Judges coming—heaven, earth, sea, sea                        creatures, fields and wild animals

      D. Yahweh is coming, this is a Day of Yahweh

      E. Yahweh is coming to judge every human being

           1. His judgment will be righteous

           2. His judgment will be in accordance with His faithfulness

      F. He will establish righteousness and truth on the earth

          1. He will punish the ungodly ones

          2. He will deliver the godly ones

          3. Only those who have Jesus’ righteousness legally placed on their account will be                            delivered from everlasting punishment

          4. One day God’s order and personal rule will be brought to the earth. The God’s rule will                  be fully established and be permanent 

Lessons to live by:

• Notice the joy displayed by those who belong to God. They are singing, they are praising Him, and they are satisfied and full of joy. The worlds lie that only sin brings happiness is shown for how foolish it is.

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Use this psalm and others like it in your personal worship of God for Who He is and what He has done.

• If you belong to God, the day of Yahweh when the curse is removed and all sin is dealt with is a day for which you desire greatly. Come Lord Jesus, Come! 

Psalm 95: Worshiping and Believing Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 95 is a Hymn in a section of Enthronement Psalms. After a brief section of corporate instruction on a proper way to approach Yahweh in worship, the author refers to the incident in Exod 17:1–7. This Psalm is then explained in Hebrews 3:7–4:16. The author begins by instructing us to Rejoice in our Creator-Redeemer, Yahweh, then to Reverence our Creator-Redeemer, then to Respond to the word of our Creator-Redeemer with trust, obedience, and faith.

  I. A corporate call to worship Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

    A. The summons is the celebrate and rejoice

    B. The person designated for Adoration and celebration is Yahweh

    C. This is in response to a divine deliverance of His people

    D. The divine warrior delivers and defends His people

    E. Because of God’s mighty acts of deliverance, the people respond with praise and                   thanksgiving. An attitude of gratitude

   F. The worship includes the joyous and celebrative use of music and song

   G. It includes a corporate gathering at a designated place of worship

   H. The people gratefully praise the LORD, their redeemer

 II. A hymn to sing to the Creator-King, Yahweh (vs. 3–5)

     A. God is the greatest of kings that rules over His creation

     B. False gods have territories of mountains, valleys, and seas

     C. The true God of the Bible created and rules over all of creation

III. A reverential call to worship Yahweh (vs. 6)

      A. The summons for joyous songs is followed by a call to prostrate yourself before this                  sovereign king

     B. Jesus is seated on the throne to rule Acts 2:29–36                                                                            He holds the universe together by His powerful word

     C. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lord’s, His universal kingship is the subject                            of our praise

IV. A hymn to the Covenant God, Yahweh (vs. 7a–c)

      A. The covenant God made all humans

      B. The covenant God is the shepherd of Israel

      C. He takes care of His own

      D. The essential promise of most of the biblical covenants, “I will be your God, you will be             my people.” A close covenantal relationship like marriage

      E. God’s own power brought about our creation and our redemption

V. A warning against Covenant unfaithfulness (vs. 7d–11)

     A. The sin of unbelief, Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:1–13, 27:14; Deut 6:16, 9:22, 32:51; Ps 81:7

     B. Miracles do not produce faith, they are evidence to those already believing 

     C. When you read or hear God’s word read, as soon as you understand it you should believe it             and obey it, making it your own, replacing the errors in your thinking with God’s true truth      

     D. The practices of apathy, ignorance, and intentional disobedience strain the relationship                     between God and His people

     E. Today is the moment of Grace; there may be no other offers

     F. How can you harden a stone heart? A corrupt and depraved inner man? Figure - not let the            Word of God penetrate your mind, direct your will, or channel your emotions

    G. They did not know God, or His ways, nor did they love God, listen to or obey Him

    H. Yahweh was thoroughly disgusted with that whole generation (slave-mentality)

     I.  To violate the covenant with unfaithfulness, rebellion, and unbelief is a serious sin against                 the covenant relationship. It forfeits the promises and institutes the covenantal curses.

     J. Interpretation of key terms for the Christian from Hebrews 3-4

        1. Today

        2. Rest

    K. The promised land was a type for heaven itself, especially during the millennium. The                       ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual promises is heaven, and Hebrew says that is for                                  Christians, those who follow Abraham in the faith-line, regardless of their race

Lessons to live by:

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Since God has created all matter and elements, no one has the right to take a piece of His work and worship it.

• Evolution is an attack on the very nature and power of God

• Worship of God is important. We worship with song, with prayer, with offerings, with the Word—when we listen, understand, and obey it

• Unbelief in God’s Word is still a good way to miss heaven

Book Review: A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict

 

A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict Kindle Edition by Ted D. Manby 

 

 

First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church

 

Having been a lay church elder, I know of very few pastors who live through what Ted Manby highlights as targeted attacks on pastors within the church by “antagonists” and share their all too often-painful experiences and grieving. Even fewer do the in-depth research of what happened to them and why. Ted Manby takes the challenge further to extrapolate the biblical and practical principles for how to prepare for and handle such attacks.

As an executive change and conflict management consultant for over 50 years, I agree with Ted Manby as he hones in on the key here, which is too often missed. First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church. Specifically, does the church conflict come from unhealthy “antagonists” or members with reasonable concerns or external challengers just trying to help. The biblical and practical responses to such church conflicts are quite different!

Ted Manby first defines and explains the relevant terms, like “antagonists,” shares his and others painful experiences, and notes relevant contemporary frameworks. He then analyzes the dramatic impacts and implications for both pastors and the local church. The heart of this book are extensive and powerful Biblical examples, imperatives, along with the positive perspective and courage needed to cope with and handle the requisite personal and corporate fear and discouragement. Finally, in the final chapters, the principles and advice for all those involved meaningfully tie this book together.

Reviewed by Dr. R. Kraft Bell, MBA, PhD

A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict - Kindle edition by Manby, Ted D.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Understanding-Overcoming-Church-Conflict-ebook/dp/B0CLHZHJDK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0