DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
GOD
A. BACKGROUND
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If the 150 Psalms are “songs of praise” to about God, then it stands to question: WHO, or WHAT is God? Psalm 23 gets at a major part of what God does. Psalm 150 tells us to praise God wholeheartedly. Psalms 24 and others talk with great joy about how wonderful it is to be in God’s presence.
C. SUMMARY.
Ancient Israel acknowledged God as the true ruler of Israel. Earthly, human Kings come and go, poor stand-ins for God. Psalms 96 and 97 suggest a national day of “enthronement” when the whole nation united behind the idea that their God is the real ruler over Israel. Scholars tell us that these Psalms describe certain steps in the process. Worshippers are called together, representing the whole world of people. The gigantic procession toward the Temple includes generous offerings of every type. As the priests and the Psalms shout the specific reasons for praising God, the people prostrate themselves in a sign of humility and respect. The overall message and image is that God is ruler over all God created: Israel, yes; but also creation and life and the universe.
D. KEY POINTS
1.
BUT... we live in modern times, and in a secular democracy, founded in part on separation of church and state!! How can we fulfill such a lofty sense of God as the true ruler? Read these verses: “The Lord reigns... his lightning lights up the world... the heavens proclaim his righteousness... declare his glory among the nations... o family of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory... say among the nations, the Lord reigns”. How can we honor God that way in these times? First and foremost, by the power of our example. You are solely responsible for how much of a priority God is in your life. God’s teaching, wisdom, and will ranks where in your life? Second, the beauty of democracy and free will and separation of church and state is that we are free to advocate for God as surely as others are free to ignore God. Young people use a phrase, “representing”. Ok. Represent God.
2.
ESCHATOLOGY. Been wanting to use that word for years. Eschatology is the study of the “end times”, the end of the world, the future. When God has reclaimed supremacy. The Bible’s best hopes for humanity may ultimately be fulfilled only in the perfection of heaven and/or the return of God to formally take charge of the earth. The Bible refers to “the Day of the Lord” when all the nations will go to “the mountain of the Lord”, and we shall “study war no more”, and achieve Jesus’ demand to “be ye perfect”. At that point God truly reigns, with the agreement of all. Until then, we give it (and God) our best. In our lives, God reigns if we choose.
3.
What does it mean for God to reign? Living in America we’re not used to royalty, and generally have a negative view. But once upon a time, monarchs ruled by “divine right”, and everything was accredited to them. Even in modern England many products and places and services are HM (Her Majesty’s). In Psalms 96 and 97, everything is God’s, HM, HIS Majesty’s. All nations, the heavens, mountains, villages, clouds, fire, fields, and seas. As the author and creator, all that God has authored and created glorify God. We are welcome to join in on the chorus.
