Explore the Bible Lesson Preview June 11, 2017 The Past Background: Psalm 78 Lesson: Psalm 78: 5-8, 32-39 Motivation: This epic Psalm details the sins of Israel s past and the lessons to be learned from them. While learning from one s own mistakes may be effective, it is a hard way to learn. It makes for a less hurtful and more effective life to learn from the mistakes of others. Examination: I. A Call to Pay Attention (1-4) A. Instruction (1) In context these instructions pertain to God s law. B. Wise Sayings (2) Proverbs is a collection of these. C. Mysteries from the Past (2-3) HCSB: p. 956: 78:2 The psalmist couched the epic psalm in terms o fa riddle or paradox, describing Israel s inability to trust God despite God s repeated acts of faithfulness. The Hebrew word chiydoth means mysteries or parables (Nm 12:8; Jdg 14:12-19; Pr 1:6; cp. Mt 13:35). D. Wonderful Works (4) This verse becomes the purpose statement of the entire Psalm, telling a future generation the praises of the Lord 1 / 8
II. Teach for the Future (5-8) He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children 6 so that a future generation children yet to be born might know. They were to rise and tell their children 7 so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God s works, but keep His commands. 8 Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (5-8) A. The Standard a testimony a law Clearly, the Israelites had a clear understanding of God s requirements for them. B. The Practice to teach their children The children were to be taught in such a way as to make the principles transferrable to a future generation. The concepts would not be just theoretical but also practical so that children yet to be born would keep His commands. HCSB: p. 956: 78:6-7 Reciting Israel s early history to future generation assures the perpetuation of the account. This would connect generations far removed from the original event to the promises and instruction governing Israel s relationship to God. C. The Caution Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation HCSB: p. 956: 78:8 The goal was to educate the children so they did not become another 2 / 8
stubborn and rebellious generation (66:7; Ex 17:1-7; Is 1:23; 30:1; 65:2). Israel continued to be disloyal to the Lord throughout the ages, despite His covenant loyalty and mercy. III. Lessons in the Wilderness (9-31) A. Parting of the Red Sea (11-13) B. Divine Direction (14) The pillars of cloud and fire are referenced in Exodus 14:19-20, 40:36-38. C. Water in the Desert (15-16) D. Rebellion but they continued to sin against Him, rebelling (17) HCSB: p. 956: 7 8:17 Compare verses 17-20 with verses 56-58. The Israelites continued to be rebellious (lit bitter, strive ) against Moses and the Lord. Compare the reversal of drought in Isaiah as a metaphor for the restoration of fertility in Israel following the exile (107:35; Is 53:2; Jr 2:6; 50:12; 51:43). E. Demands is God able to provide food? (19, cf 18-25) F. Judgment God s anger flared up against them (31) HCSB: p. 957: 78:26-31 When Israel murmured against God and desired meat, the Lord sent quail ( winged birds ; Nm 11:18-20, 31-35). Then God became angry that they had complained about their hardship (Nm 11:1) and punished them with a plague. IV. Remember the Past (32-37) 3 / 8
Despite all this, they kept sinning and did not believe His wonderful works. 33 He made their days end in futility, their years in sudden disaster. 34 When He killed some of them, the rest began to seek Him; they repented and searched for God. 35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their Redeemer. 36 But they deceived Him with their mouths, they lied to Him with their tongues, 37 their hearts were insincere toward Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant. (32-37) A. Failure to Learn, Doomed to Repeat Despite all this, they kept on sinning and did not believe (32) God revealed Himself through miraculous works, yet the people chose not to believe. It s been said that God sends no one to hell; in fact those that end up there have to do so over His dead body on the cross. B. Wages of Sin He made their days end in futility and their years in sudden disaster. (33) HCSB: p. 957: 78:33 Israel s history was filled with conflict and oppression, and she spent her years in contention with foreign nations (2:5; 48:6; 83:16; 104:29; Ex 15:15; Is 13:;8). The people s lives were short and marked by fear. C. Salvation is Available they repented and searched for God (34b) HCSB: p. 957: 7 8:34-35 Following divine discipline, Israel sought God (Is 26:9; Hs 5:15). Rock and Redeemer refer to the power and salvation of the Lord (18:31; 19:14; Gn 49:24; Dt. 32:4, 15). D. Faith must be Sincere their hearts were insincere toward Him (37) HCSB: p. 957: 78:36-39 4 / 8
Israel s worship of the Lord was insincere and hypocritical. Their actions did not reflect their words (Ac 8:21). God consistently forgave Israel s sin and restrained His anger because of humanity s weakness and transitory nature (Ps 78:35, 39, 41). V. Compassion in the Present (38-39) Yet He was compassionate; He atoned for their guilt and did not destroy them. He often turned His anger aside and did not unleash all His wrath. 39 He remembered that they were only flesh, a wind that passes and does not return. (38-39) A. Compassion- God s love demonstrates in His tender-hearted approach. B. Atonement- In the Old Testament, God covered over the guilt and sin of His people through atonement. However, this was a foreshadowing of the New Testament revelation of grace in which the Lamb of God took away the guilt and sin of the redeemed (John 1:29). C. Mercy He turned anger aside D. Perspective- they were only flesh Our modern culture seeks to elevate humanity and diminish God. However, true worship and relationship can only occur when we restore God to His rightful place in our perspective. VI. From Egypt to Jerusalem (40-72) A. Plagues (40-51) God s mighty hand was demonstrated against the world s most powerful kingdom. 5 / 8
B. Exodus (52-53) C. Promised Land (54-55) D. Rebellion and Judgment (56-64) E. Restoration and Promise (65-72) 1. Foes defeated (65-66) 2. Judah Chosen (67-69) HCSB: p. 958: 78:67-68 The elevation of Judah over Ephraim as the location of the Lord s temple and the center of the Davidic monarchy resulted in part from Ephraim s failure to protect the ark when it was in Shiloh. The text reinforces the Lord s choice of Zion as His dwelling place. 3. David s Line established (70-72) From lowly beginnings (tending ewes), David was exalted as the greatest of Israel s kings and the ancestor of the Messiah. May every leader aspire to the standard of David He shepherded them with a pure heart and guided them with his skillful hands. (72) Application 1. Learn from the mistakes of others. 2. Seek to pass along God s truths to the next generation. 6 / 8
3. Lead in such a way as to demonstrate heart and skill. Leader Pack Item 7: Chart: Messianic Psalms; Item 8: Poster: God in the Psalms No Illustrator Article Notes: **You may now access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestud y.org ; also, the Highpoint Bible Study (Downtown) is available on MP3 at the HFBC site under the Highpoint link/downloads. Dates: 6/7 Beautiful Inheritance Women s Ministry; 6/11-14 Camp Intersect; 6/14 - Beautiful Inheritance Women s Ministry; 6/18 SPF Father s Day; 6/21 Camp Reflections; 6/24 Men:Serve; 6/25 Timothy Ateek @ Loop; 6/26-29 VBS (children) & VBX (students); 7/2 David Self @ the Loop; 7/4 Independence Day office closed; 7/9 Dr. Kevin Ezell @ the Loop; 7/9-13 Houston 1:8; 7/15 Oasis Single Mom s Conf.; 7/16 Ben Stuart @ the Loop; 7/17 7 / 8
RUSHWEEK Rally; 7/21-27 RUSHWEEK 2017; 7/23 - SPF Birthday Bash; 8/2 RUSH Celebration; 8/20 Back to School Sunday; 8/23 Midlink/Milestones Preview Night; 8/27 SPF Birthday Bash; 8/30 11/15 Midlink on Wednesdays; 9/4 Labor Day Church offices closed; 9/8 - Marriage Matters. 8 / 8