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Commentary on "Worship in the Psalms"
Day 6: Thursday, August 11, 2011 - Lest We Forget!
Overview
The lesson draws our attention to the admonition found in Psalm 78:1-8 which is the intended theme for today, that we should learn God’s ways by examining the history of the Hebrew people.
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. (Psalms 78:8 HCSB)
The Apostle Paul has this to say:
Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. (1 Cor. 10:6 HCSB)
We have to ask ourselves, what is the point of examining the failures of Israel? As Christians how do we overcome these temptations and sins that they did not overcome? Just how does a person live a righteous life in the sight of a holy God?
While it is important to know the history and failures of the Hebrew people by making a study of the many Psalms that sets forth the pitiful results of their lack of faith, we will be looking to the words of Paul for answers.
Observations
In 1 Corinthians chapter ten Paul uses the failure of the Hebrew people to point Christians to Jesus Christ. In the first five verses he points out that the Israelites had many spiritual advantages yet God was not pleased with them. In verse six we are admonished to examine their history so as to ‘not desire the evil things as they did’. Keeping mind that Paul also wrote to Roman Christians who knew the Mosaic Law and have been freed from it, we see that simply having a desire to be righteous is never enough because our own efforts will always end in failure, Rom. 7:7-25. As we continue our examination of this letter to the Corinthians, we will see that the answer to our dilemma is ‘through Jesus Christ our Lord’.
In verses 7 through 11 sins such as idolatry, sexual immorality, ‘putting Christ to the test’ and grumbling are listed with the obvious implication that these were key sins of the Israelites that Christians must avoid. Verse 12 warns us that if we, all Christians that is, think we can stand on our own strength we will fail. Right here is a warning that none of us will ever reach a so called ‘state of perfection’ where we can stand before a righteous holy God on even a portion of our own merits. At all times here in a sinful world our imputed righteousness is totally that of Jesus Christ.
At this point Paul introduces a life changing concept:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13 HCSB)
Temptations are not of themselves sin and God promises that he will always provide a way to bear them so as to not fall into sin.
Verses 14 through 30 begin with the word ‘therefore’ meaning that what follows is founded upon what has just been stated:
- Avoid idolatry.
- As people filled with wisdom judge for yourself what should be said.
- We participate in the ‘cup of blessing’ which is the blood of Christ.
- The ‘bread’ we eat is the body of Christ.
- Because there is only ‘one bread’ we are of one body who partake of this ‘bread’.
- Sacrifices offered to idols are of themselves nothing but we need to remember they were offered to demons and not to God.
- You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons nor can you share in the Lord’s Table along with that of demons.
- When you provoke the Lord to jealousy remember who is stronger.
- Even though all things are permissible in the New Covenant not all things are helpful or build up.
- Before seeking our own good we should consider the needs of others.
- Eat anything that is set before you without raising questions but refrain from eating if it is revealed to you that someone else’s conscience is troubled.
- When you do give thanks to the Lord for what you receive do not be overcome with the slander of others.
In summary, our escape from sin is totally a work of Jesus Christ. Something he has both performed and is performing in our lives. Our obedience to these admonitions is an outworking of our Savior and Lord. In faith we trust he will always do what we can never do.
Remember our faith and victory over sin is founded upon nothing more nor less than the blood and body of Jesus Christ.
In summery consider the final ‘therefore’ of this chapter:
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Cor. 10:31-33 HCSB)
Summary
- The lesson we learn from the history of the Israelites is that they were a stubborn and rebellious generation who had no faith in the promises of their God.
- The Apostle Paul warns us to not desire the evils portrayed in the history of the Israelites.
- Jesus Christ not only atones and pays the penalty for all our sins; he is our only source for victory over the desires of the flesh. It is the promise and work of our Savior to provide an escape from temptations we are not able to bear. This is the message supported by the doctrine found in Romans chapters 7 & 8.
- In Jesus Christ all things are lawful but not all things build up or are beneficial. Consider the good of others as your first priority.
- A seemingly secondary but important issue is the question of the so called Adventist teaching of the ‘right arm of the gospel’ message meaning the health doctrine preached from the pulpits of Adventist churches. It is in contradiction with what Paul is teaching all Christians through this letter to the Corinthian church.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised August 7, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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