LET YOUR HEART BE BROKEN

From the late years of the Roman Republic to the end of the Roman Empire, Roman statesman and philosophers lamented the rampant debauchery and moral degradation of the Roman people. Unlike other empires that preceded them, Rome did not fall so much through conquest by another group; it collapsed from within largely because of its own wickedness. Stated bluntly, the Romans to a great extent destroyed their own empire by their own unchecked depravity. The religious paganism of ancient Rome lent itself to the decadent behavior for which Romans are now so well known. But it should have been different in Israel and Judah. For centuries God sent prophets as His own representatives to rebuke His people for their sinfulness. One prophet after another called the people back to covenant faithfulness, but usually the prophets were ignored. Jeremiah rebuked Judah for some of the sins their pagan neighbors committed. Unlike the pagan people who later lived in the Roman Empire, Judah knew exactly what to do to break the cycle of sin and corruption- return to God. They had an obligation and a privilege to live the way God revealed in the Sinai covenant. This lesson considers God’s love for rebellious people and various responses people have when confronted with the truth of God’s word about how they live. So this is one of the real reasons we study the Old Testament and keep hearing how Israel keeps ignoring God. It should tell us today that God loves us and is patient with us, but He wants us to respond to Him and not keep ignoring Him.

Read Jeremiah 8:4-7 See the Problem

These focal passages are part of the larger section (7:1-10:25) that recounts the prophet’s temple sermon and other messages about God’s coming judgment on Judah. These verses leading up to 8:4 describe various sins Judah had committed and God’s account of those sins. Judah’s confidence and security were misguided, based on the temple being the Lord’s dwelling place. But God declared He would destroy the holy city and the temple, just as He had Shiloh where He first dwelled among them in the land of Canaan. Further, Judah had broken numerous commandments. This resulted in God’s command to Jeremiah not to pray for them. His judgment would fall on them without fail (7:1-20). Verse 4 begins the Lord’s message to Judah through Jeremiah that continues to the end of chapter 10. The people had fallen down spiritually but still were lying on the ground; they had moved away from the Lord but hadn’t returned. Then in verse 5 come two more questions. The first question speaks of the people in Jeremiah’s day; the second emphasizes that God’s people had made abandoning Him a habit. Jeremiah was not the first prophet God sent to His rebellious people, but Jeremiah was the last before the exile. Then God partially answers these two questions with the last part of verse 5- “They take hold of deceit; they refuse to return.” This is a reference that the Kings of Judah often were deceitful and many never repented

When people fall down or realize that they are headed in the wrong direction, it only makes sense for them to get up or change directions.  But as God watched the nation, he saw people living sinful lives by choice, deceiving themselves that there would be no consequences. They had lost perspective concerning God’s Will for their lives and were trying to minimize their sin. What are some of the social indicators we see today that indicate when people have fallen down or are heading in the wrong way?

Ironically, though the people would not listen to God, He had been listening to them: “I have paid careful attention”. God mentioned three things His people were doing that displeased Him. First, “They do not speak what is right”. Instead of listening to God, they listened to false prophets and their own ideas. Second, “No one regrets his evil, asking,, What have I done”. Insensitivity to God’s word inevitably brings insensitivity to sin. Third, “Everyone has stayed his course like a horse rushing into battle” with no concept of the dangers that lay ahead. Despite God’s warnings, the people of Judah continued in their wicked ways. They should have known better for they knew the Mosaic Law and He uses the reference to many different kinds of birds to say that even they were aware of the “seasons” and requirements.

Read Jeremiah 8:8-13 Avoid Superficial Responses

Humans have a tendency to find all manner of excuses for their sins. Verses 8-13 expose the lack of concern Judah’s people had for their sins. They had a false confidence in their relationship with God that had to be exposed before they could repent. This is still true today; we must realize we are sinners and seek forgiveness. Verses 8-9 are followed by a censure of the priests and the people for their false optimism and shallow view of morality, with an appropriate fate forecast for them in verses 10-12. These three verses are duplicated in 6:12-15 but they probably were inserted here to bring together the three religious groups responsible for much of the evil of the times. These Scriptures reaffirm the arrogant self-opinion of the professional groups and shows that the source of their authority for thinking they are wise stems from their vocation.

The fact of the matter is quite otherwise: You scribes are unwise and the law of Yahweh is not with you. The scribes were ancient lawyers and, as such, were interpreters of the law whether religious, civil, or criminal. Law is one thing, interpretation is quite another. Throughout recorded history the law courts have been tainted with perennial guilt. By an addition here and a deletion there they have perverted the law (religion/tradition) into a lie (the same kind of charge in Matt. 15-3 and Mark 7:8-13. In Romans 1:22, Paul phrases it “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed…”. Here the scribes rejected the law of Yahweh, which was ultimate wisdom, and they made up their own law from their foolishness.

Verse 13 illustrates the fragmentary nature of the writings of Jeremiah. It hardly agrees in subject with that which precedes or follows. It is an expression of the pathetic disappointment of Yahweh to have found no fruitage in His vineyard (compare Isa. 5:2, 4; Mark 11:12; Luke 13:6) or His fig tree, even worse, the leaves were withered and the investment diminished. Naturally it does have reference to Yahweh’s disappointment with the behavior of the Judeans. God would judge Judah harshly and this judgment would not be piecemeal or involve just a small group of people. It would be devastating and total destruction of the nation- not even plant life would be spared. It would even end in the destruction of the temple and the holy city.

Read Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Reflect God’s Broken Heartedness

The tone changes in verse 18. We see throughout the words and emotions of God’s prophet, Jeremiah, God’s own tender attitude toward His people whom He was force to punish because of their wickedness. The Lord who takes no pleasure in the death of people (Ezek. 18:32), also takes no pleasure in the devastation of Hid people and their land. In verses 18-19, Jeremiah is pleading with God to the people of Judah. However, before moving from verse 19, it should be noted that this verse speaks as if the people of Judah were already in Babylon: “Listen- the cry of my dear people from a faraway land…”. Upon arrival in Babylon (much later), the captive people of Judah lamented that their God must have forgotten them, wondering where their great King was. This may indicate that by his pleading, Jeremiah knew it was a forgone conclusion that God would permit the exile. Verse 20 continues this thought as it tells us what the people will face and they “have not been saved”. In verses 25:11-13; 29:10, Jeremiah also tells the people they would be exiled for 70 years– not just six months.

The words in verses 20-22, vividly portray Jeremiah’s emotion as he watched his people reject God. He responded with anguish to a world dying in sin. We watch the same world still dying in sin, still rejecting God. But how often is our heart broken for our lost friends and neighbors, our lost world? Only when we have Jeremiah’s kind of passionate concern will we be moved to help. We must begin by asking God to break our heart for the world He loves. Jeremiah asked a question about Gilead, a territory located east of Jordan famous for its healing medicine. Jeremiah often used medical terms to express religious ideas (15:18; 30:15), a deep insight into the psychosomatic nature of mankind. The positive side of medicine is employed with these affirmations: There is balm in Gilead with healing properties; there is a physician available to apply medicine to the wounds; the health (literally, proud flesh) should have been restored. Yahweh’s people had a serious wound. Jeremiah was saying the medical facilities and persons administering the medicine were there. So why weren’t the people healed? Like the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 2:4; Phil. 3:18), Jeremiah also lamented the unbelief of his people. They both remained faithful to declare God’s word. We should be broken-hearted over our own sin-sick country and the entire world that does not know God, and we should be faithful in doing everything we can to reach those who are still in unbelief.

IS EVERY LIFE SACRED?

Sometimes we don’t let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us that they won’t like. We may have even thought at some point in our past that God doesn’t know about some of our actions or thoughts. By now, we know that God knows everything about us (Matt. 10:30) and yet He still accepts and loves us. God is with us through every situation, in every trial- protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely because He values life and so should we. Psalm 139 is a very personal psalm. David wrote of God’s incomparable attributes- His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence- but he wrote of those attributes in the context of how God knew him and was personally involved in the details of his life. God places high value on each one of us and considers all of our lives to sacred and precious treasures.

Read Psalm 139:1-6

The theme of this beautiful psalm is the presence of God. David knew the Lord intimately. It is a powerful affirmation of faith. The psalm celebrates God’s knowledge, power and presence. We are not told the situation behind the scenes that prompted David to write this but it seems clear it is the result of his reflection on the greatness of God in his life. Of course this reflection likely came as a result of one of his many struggles he faced and David needed some quiet time and meaningful meditation. This psalm indicates David had been given a fresh awareness of God’s remarkable character. This psalm is most important and useful to God’s people as they worship the Lord who considered each of them sacred to Him. From these verses, how can we know that God values us? (David was telling that he felt God’s constant presence and sensed how much the Lord considered him to be a sacred treasure. These verses showed that the Lord knew David intimately and said that David was a man after His own heart.)

God knows us- everything we have ever thought or done- both good and bad.  He knows the intentions of our heart, our very motives, which may not even be known to us. David said that God had searched him, and knew him (v.1). God knew his posture as well as his thoughts (v.2). He was acquainted with all of his ways and with all he spoke- his deeds and his words (vv. 3-4).  God went before him and came behind him (5.). The poet concluded “such knowledge is too wonderful for me (V. 6 RBS). To make the most of life, we must include God’s plan in our plans. God alone knows what is best for us; He alone can fulfill His purpose for us.

Read Psalm 139:13-16

Our value to God is not based on our performance; it is rooted in the fact that we are created in His image. Think about it, He gave His only Son so that He could spend eternity with us. David showed us a distinct connection between how the Lord values us and His work in creating us. We can further see this connection because God has a plan for us. In verses 7-12 (not read), David seems overwhelmed by the Lord’s constant presence in his life. David was even more stunned by the fact that the Lord cared to bring him into the world as a baby. David knew his birth was no accident and his life had been no coincidence. His comment that “You knit me together” (v.13) is like a Hebrew skilled artisan weaving a lovely tapestry with exact precision- meaning that is what God did for David. That is exactly what God did for each of us. Does this mean we are predestined? (God always gives us freedom of choice but certainly wants all of us to be His “children”. He has planned our days. Once we make the decision to accept Jesus as our Savior we are “predestined” to do His Will- as much as humanly possible. For David and other pre-Jesus “saints”, it was like what we learned of Abraham in Romans 4:3 that it was their faith in God.)

God saw David as an embryo long before any person saw the evidence of his development inside his mother’s body. “The depth of the earth” was a way of talking about the creative work going on depth in his mother’s womb. God recorded David’s development day by day- a fascinating process we now know! The more we learn about the human body and the natural world, the more we should stand in awe and worship- just as David did. God’s character goes into the creation of every person. Thus no one is worthless as God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within each of us. We also must have as much respect for all human life. Abortion is wrong as life begins at conception. David gives us a great example to follow when he prayed with a dynamic awareness that the Lord treated him like a valuable treasure. The Lord had given us life, and He alone has the final word over us and He does have a plan for each of us.

Read Psalm 139:17-18

Now David continued to praise the Lord and felt he had no choice but to make a heartfelt confession. He was confessing he lived with a serious limitation in his relationship with the Lord. The limitation had to do with his finite mid that could not comprehend the infinite thoughts of God. The problem rested in the reality that God’s thought were extremely difficult for him to grasp and some even were impossible for David to understand. This is like when Isaiah was told by God to appeal to His people to return to Him (Isa. 55:9). God declared His thoughts were loftier than their thoughts and His ways higher than their ways. God’s declaration Isaiah confirmed the difficulty David faced when he tried to understand the thoughts of God. So David’s writings provided a clear contrast between his thoughts and God’s. David could not hide his thoughts form God. They were finite and limited but God’s thoughts were vast and well beyond David’s realm of understanding.

How can this study help us exhibit grace and understanding to someone who has not valued life? (David gives us a beginning to answer this question when he tried to count the thoughts of God and found them too numerous. The vastness of God’s mind is too great to understand but especially it shows His love and caring for every single person even those just conceived.)

As David wrote in verse 18, he gave the impression that in the effort to comprehend God’s mind it would so preoccupy him at night when he went to bed and when he woke up. After a night’s rest, he would awaken to discover his thoughts still centered upon the magnificent mind of the everlasting Lord. Recall that when David confessed that his finite mind could not grasp God’s infinite thoughts, David was talking directly to God. Also notice that the Lord was there with David. God never left David because He considered David’s life sacred. Psalm 139 tells us to affirm the importance of agreeing with God on the value of human life and all life is sacred. As a result, we can see ourselves and others as valuable because we share God’s perspective on the sacred value of life.

ADOPT THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

Meaning and purpose come in life as we deepen our walk with God and trust Him completely. Believers want to know that their lives count for something beyond just getting through the day. When we take the time to step back and see the big picture, we understand what really matters for time and eternity. Life can have meaning now, and we can make a difference in the world around us now. God gave Moses a song that would help Israel see the big picture. This song can teach the believer what matters for time and eternity.

Read Deuteronomy 32:1-4 God is Worthy

Moses had grown old (120 Years old), and knew God would not let him enter the Promised Land (Deut. 32:2). Moses also knew that when Israel crossed the Jordan, they would need some type of testimony to remind them of the covenant they had made with God at Sinai. So Moses wrote down the words of the law and entrusted them to the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant (31:9). He instructed them to read the law on a regular basis to all Israel so that they might learn to fear the Lord and follow Him (31:10-13). However, God Knew Israel was a rebellious and stubborn nation (31:16-18). He commanded Moses to do one more thing. God directed Moses to give Israel another witness, a song (31:19). The ancient Near East gives us evidence of songs of all kinds from 3000 BC onward.

Moses was not only a great prophet but also a song leader. He changed his form of his message from sermons to singing, which mad it easier to remember. All of us show were involved in Vacation Bible School in the past or other types of Bible training as kids remember the songs that were sung and the stories if these songs better than sermons or talks. This is a big reason that Veggie Tales are so popular (even Larry’s Silly Songs). God told Moses to write down the song and teach it to the people. This song gives a brief history of Israel. (Wish I knew the melody to go with the words.) Moses’ song reminds the people of their mistakes, warns them to avoid repetition of those mistakes, and offers the hope that comes only in trusting God. God intended for this song to testify against Israel because He knew they would worship other gods and break the covenant (32:20-21). Then by remembering the song, they would repent and seek forgiveness.

This poem (song) is one of the most beautiful and eloquent compositions in the Old Testament. The poem begins with Moses calling upon the heavens and earth to listen…to the words that he would speak. Two literary issues need to be pointed out here. First, the song follows the common practice of Hebrew poetry in repeating the basic meaning of one line in the following line or lines. This gives beauty and depth to the song. So Moses says “pay attention” to the heavens and “listen” to the earth. Second, the song uses simile to draw attention to the poem’s thought. For an example, the teaching of the song falls “like rain”, and the words “settle like dew”. “Like” signals a simile, a figure of speech where one thing is compared to another. This helps us understand why this poem/song is so well respected by so many. Then Moses calls God “The Rock”. What is the significance of this? (This represents the stability and permanence of God and is followed by a series of phrases which elaborates the attributes of God as the Rock of Israel. It also declares God’s Greatness.)

Read Deuteronomy 32:5-9 Humanity is Willful

Verse 5 picks up on the second great theme of the poem. In stark contrast to God’s faithfulness, Israel has acted like a “devious and crooked generation”. First, the song reminds God’s people that they have already “acted corruptly toward Him”. Second, the song also points prophetically to the future when Israel would turn their attention to pagan gods, breaking the covenant at Sinai and turning their back on the Lord. In doing so, they would not be acting like His children. The second line of verse 5 is difficult to translate. The Hebrew word “defect” in Holman, is “spot” in KJV, “blemish” in American Standard, or “shame in NIV. The “defect” and the term “perfect” (v.4) (or unblemished) are used to designate sacrificial animals that are either unacceptable or acceptable for worship (Lev. 22:21; Numbers 19:2). So unlike God’s deeds and actions, which are “perfect” (Deut. 32:4), Israel’s were defective and unacceptable. The moral blemish or “defect” was Israel’s willfulness: a desire to reject God as the Father and act as disobedient and willful children. IN Matthew 17:17, Jesus used the phrase like “a perverse and crooked generation” to describe an unbelieving generation and Paul (Philippians 2:15) talks about the dark world of mankind in rebellion against God.

Moses directly addressed Israel in verse 6 and continued the indictment in a series of rhetorical questions. These show that Israel failed to realize God’s requirements were not wearisome burdens but were the result of God’s covenant love. Moses urged them to “remember the days of old”. Then he uses the title “Most High”, which is Genesis 14 refers to Yahweh or God, to say that was who gave the nations their inheritance (Amos 9:7; Deut. 4:20). This was “dividing the human race” into separate nations. God wanted Israel to be “His own” special possession (Ex. 19:5; Deut. 7:6; 14:2). With such a lofty position and role, the betrayal and corruption of Israel starkly highlights their wickedness. What reaction do you have or what do these verses say to you? (God is God and we are not!)

Read Deuteronomy 32:36-39, 43 God’s Ways are Wonderful

The main purpose of these verses is to establish the truth of God’s grace: despite Israel’s arrogant rebellion, God still loved His people and would willingly have compassion on them. In contrast to Israel’s willful actions, “God’s Ways are Wonderful”. Verse 36 is the promise that the Lord will judge Israel as a nation, but that the nation is composed of both righteous and wicked. It seems to be saying that God helps the righteous (His servants) by destroying the wicked- a prediction of what is to come also. This verse also tells us what had to happen before Israel could experience God’s mercy. What was it? (When Israel’s “strength “to rebel was “gone”.) In the next two verses, Moses uses rhetorical questions again to say that trust in any other possible source of strength will prove useless. Then verse 39 contains a noble declaration of God’s nature. In contrast to the inability of idols, the God of Israel “alone” is “He”- the living God. “There is no God” but Yahweh- this makes the strong point that He alone is the Only One capable enough to offer help and protection. It spells out that God’s hand holds the power of “death” and “life”, and He alone can exercise the power to “wound” and “heal”. Then it says “No one” could be rescued “from” His “hand”- which exclaims that when a person is a true child of His no one can take them away. This is the forerunner of “once saved, always saved”.

The final verse (43) of the song boldly proclaims that the Lord will “avenge the blood of His servants” and execute “vengeance” on “His adversaries”. This is a reference to the second Coming and the last days for the wicked. In addition, He “will purify” both ”His land and His people”. The Hebrew verb translated “purify” actually means “to make atonement”. This indicates that hope exists for reconciliation between God and His people. This atonement would find its fulfillment and fullness in Christ Jesus (Ezekiel 16:60-63; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17) on the Cross (this is referenced in Psalms 79:9.) Verse 43 is quoted by Paul in Romans 15:10; as does the writer of Hebrews in 1:6. As an end result, all “nations” would be called on to “rejoice” with Israel for God’s wonderful ways.

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How are Old Testament people, prophets, and leaders saved?

The New Testament is filled with the details of the ONLY way to be saved and to be given eternal life. What is not real clear is how the people prior to the sacrifice on the cross by Jesus Christ could be given salvation. When the Bible tells the story of Adam and Eve there is no sin and all who lived would be given salvation. However, the sin was introduced by Satan in the form of a serpent. So all people were faced with the problem of how to be saved! Once the 10 Commandments were given to Moses by the Lord, it presented a method to be saved- but no human could ever keep all of these commandments. Even prior to the Commandments, there were many faithful followers of the Lord who would be saved and are in heaven at this time. So how did that happen?

The following is a list (in no particular order) of just 17 prominent, faithful servants of the Lord from the Old Testament and why God selected them, out of His mercy and grace, to be saved. Of course there are others that we could include, but this is given to share some of the situations to help us understand how and why they were “gifted” with salvation.

1. ISAIAH- Isaiah chapter 6 verses 6-7. Isaiah had a lofty view of God and the sense of His greatness. Isaiah saw some mighty seraphim (angels) who were calling out to each other. Isaiah then said he was a sinful man and had filthy lips. Then one of the seraphim flew to Isaiah with a burning coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips with the burning coal and said “Now your guilt is removed and your sins are forgiven”. Then in verses 8-9, God commissioned Isaiah and told him to go to be His spokesman.
2. EZEKIEL- Ezekiel chapter 2 verses 1-3. Ezekiel had experienced a great vision of God’s truth (Chapter 1) and was preparing Ezekiel to help the exiles in Babylon. This vision caused Ezekiel to fall to the ground. Ezekiel heard a voice that said “I want to speak to you”. It is written that the Spirit came to Ezekiel and made him stand up, and said “Son of man, I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation. Then in Chapter 3 verses 1-4 The Lord commissioned Ezekiel by having Ezekiel eat a scroll- the instructions from God. Then Ezekiel was sent by God to the people of Israel to give them the messages. He truly was one of God’s chosen.
3. JEREMIAH- Jeremiah chapter 1 verses 4-5. It says that the Lord gave Jeremiah the message that He knew Jeremiah before he was formed in his mother’s womb. “Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations”. Then in verse 9 it says “Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said: Look I have put my words in your mouth!” This is the same pattern that both Isaiah and Ezekiel had experienced.
4. JOB- Job chapter 1 verse 8. Before God permitted Satan to test Job- but not to harm him, God said “have you noticed by servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless- a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil” (NLT- other translations uses the word “upright”). Then is chapter 42, after Job prayed for “his friends” even though they were not kind to Job, the Lord restored Job’s fortunes. The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
5. NOAH- Genesis chapter 6 verses 8-9. The Lord said that Noah found favor with the Lord. “Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.” So God saved Noah and his family to begin populating the earth. In chapter 8 verse 21, God said “I would never again destroy all living things” (NLT).
6. ABRAHAM- Genesis 12 verses 1-3. Abraham is told to leave his native country. God said He would bless Abraham, make him famous, and be a blessing to others. Then God concluded verse 3 with: “All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:1- God spoke to Abraham in a vision and dais: “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great”. This is clearly a shield and salvation for Abram. Then in Genesis 17:1-8 the Lord completes His covenant with Abram and changes his name to Abraham.

7. ISAAC- Genesis 26 verses 2-5. God blesses Isaac and tells him that Abraham’s covenant will be passed through Isaac’s descendants. This was after the situation when Abraham was to present Isaac as a sacrifice. But at the last second an angel of the Lord appeared to stop Abraham and to provide a lamb for the sacrifice. Truly Isaac was blessed by God to be one to help fulfill God’s covenant.
8. JACOB- Genesis 32:24-28. Jacob wrestles with God and God changes is name to “Israel”. God blessed Jacob at that point in verse 29 and God’s covenant was passed on to Jacob.
9. JOSEPH- Genesis 37 Joseph’s first dream was given to him by God in verse 5-10 to indicate that God was preparing Joseph for God’s plans. Joseph was spared for a long journey and mission. Then in Chapter 39:2-3 “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” The Lord gave Joseph even more dreams to fulfill God’s purpose and plans to set the stage for Jacob’s move to Egypt that lead to Moses birth.
10. MOSES- Exodus 3:1-9. This tells us of Moses encounter with God at the burning bush. Verses 12-15 tell us that God gave Moses his mission. Verse 12: God answered,” I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you.” However, God choose Moses at birth and in Moses’ voyage on the Nile to where Pharaoh’s daughter found him and cared for Moses. Exodus 4:2-12 God gave Moses all the powers he needed to complete God’s mission and said that He would be with Moses.
11. ZECHARIAH- Zechariah chapter 1 verse 1-11. God calls Zechariah to repentance: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies say: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (verse 3). God was telling Zechariah not to be like his ancestors and was told not to be “Like Father, like son”- as the Lord had just said He was angry with Zechariah’s ancestors. Then God sent angels to patrol and to speak to Zechariah to help him to go God’s instructions.
12. JOSHUA- Joshua chapter 1:1-9. “My servant Moses is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you (Joshua) to lead these people, the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them” (verse 2). The Lord told Joshua many times, as had Moses, to be “strong and courageous”. So the Lord blessed Joshua, made him the leader for His people (Israelites) and protected Joshua so he could complete God’s plan.
13. DAVID- 1 Samuel 16:1. Samuel was told by the Lord to “find a man named Jesse who lives there (Bethlehem), for II have selected one of his sons to be My king.” Then in verse 12 The Lord says “This is the one; anoint him (David)”. Verse 13 states that “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” David had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and in the forgiving nature of God. David became “a man after God’s own heart”.
14. SOLOMON- 1 Kings 3:3-14. “Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David” (verse 3). Then in verse 5, we are told that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked what Solomon wanted and that the Lord would give it to Solomon. God gave Solomon what he asked for- wisdom. God also bestowed Solomon with fame, riches, and a long life. The Lord also blessed Solomon by allowing him to build the Lord’s Temple.
15. HEZEKIAH- 2 Chronicles 29:11. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that “The Lord has chosen you to stand in His presence to minister to Him and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to Him” (NASV). This was told to Hezekiah because of all he had done to reopen the Temple. Destroy the idols, restore the Passover celebration and restore the sacrifices on the altar of the Lord. Hezekiah was a direct descendant of Solomon’s. These sacrifices were God’s appointed way of approaching Him as the Lord and restoring a right relationship with Him- and to lead to salvation. Other than David, Hezekiah may have been the greatest king of Israel, even with his unwise sharing of temple contents with an enemy. Certainly, Solomon may have been the second greatest, behind his father David, but Solomon’s downfall was very substantial.

Al of these great servants of God led faithful lives but all “Slept with their fathers”.

There have been two whom were “raptured” to heaven and never experienced their normal earthly death.

16. ENOCH- Genesis 5:22-24. Enoch was the father of Methuselah. “Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years … (v. 22). “Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him” (vv.23-24). Genesis does not tell us much about Enoch but the writer(s) of Hebrews chapter 11:5-6 adds this: “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying- he disappeared, because Good took him. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” That certainly described Enoch!
17. ELIJAH- 1 Kings 17-19; 21 and 2 Kings 1. Elijah’s single-minded commitment to God shocks and challenges us. He was sent to confront- not comfort. And Elijah spoke God’s words to a king who often rejected his message just because he brought it. Elijah chose to carry out his ministry for God alone and paid for that decision by experiencing isolation from others who were also faithful to God. However, God worked an overwhelming miracle through Elijah in defeating the prophets of Baal, which reads like a true con situation. 2 Kings 2:11 tells us that a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire and drove between Elijah and Elisha, and carried Elijah in a whirlwind into heaven. This rapture appears to have a special meaning as the Bible records Elijah’s appearance twice after his going directly to heaven.

Matthew 17:3 indicated that Elijah appeared with Moses in the Transfiguration scene, both talking with Jesus. Then in Revelation 11:3-4, it tells of two prophets who were given by God power to be witnesses during the Tribulation to proclaim God message for 1,260 days. This seems to fulfill Malachi’s prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, which named Elijah to come “before the great and dreadful day of the Lord’s arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to these children, and the hearts of children to their fathers”. This is exactly what these two Revelation prophets (Moses seems to be the other) did.

Again this only describes the way these prophets and leaders were “saved”. It does not directly speak of the other Old Testament people and how they may have been saved. However, the key characteristics of these prophets and leaders are their faithfulness, commitment, willingness to serve the Lord, love for God, and love for others- and willingness to give their life for the Lord in His service

GOD’S WORD DELIGHTS

We experience joy as we follow God’s Word. The theme of Psalm 119 is to delight in the Word of God. So when we hear the word “delight”, what comes to mind? How about joy and happiness? We know that the pursuit of happiness is one of the three aspects of the Declaration of Independence. The other two are life and liberty. Many people want the liberty to pursue happiness their way without any thought of God. There is even a company whose slogan is: “Have it your way”. Yet God created us and knows what will bring us contentment and joy. God has revealed that through His Word, and when we follow His Word, we experience a joy far beyond any human pursuit of happiness. God’s Word is not an academic exercise. It is a matter of applying God’s Word to our life, living by His commandments. We are entering the happiest, joist time of the year and as we think about the real reason for the season, it should be the most “delightful” time of our lives.

Read Psalm 119:1-3

Each verse in this longest psalm is built around a different word which is a synonym for the word of God. The word “law” occurs 25 times; “word” appears 23 times; “statutes” and “commandments” are used 22 times each; “surety, appointment and faithfulness” are used once. The basic theme of the psalm is the law of God. The psalm rhymes in the original Hebrew, and it is an acrostic.

The poet sang the praise of the law under all kinds of circumstances: persecution, false accusation, temptation, and intellectual doubt. Psalm 19:7-10 is restated in Psalm 119. The author is listed as anonymous but some suggest Ezra, who was the priest and poet after the Temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:14-15). The Law is not a substitute for God, but a guide to doing His Will. It is not a burden to the psalmist but a joy. The Law enables the poet to live in communion with God. The “Statutes” represent the written Law of God. The “Word” is a dynamic communication of God’s Will for mankind. Sometimes the Law is also presented as “promise”. The point of the psalm is that obedience to God’s Law is the way to happiness. The poet asked divine help in understanding and keeping the Law (vv.1-8).

God’s blessing is achieved by a person’s lifestyle, which is described as blameless. Being “blameless” means to stand before God without having fault by living according to God’s instruction, as indicated in verse one!

Repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word. Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scripture to read as we do. So God’s people memorized His Word and passed it along orally. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization. Remember, God’s Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life.

So what do you believe is the purpose of the Law? (The Law gives us instructions on what is sin. The law does not save us, but tells us what sin is so we can ask for God’s forgiveness. Remember, Abraham was a child of God and he had neither the Law nor Jesus – yet.)

Read Psalm 119: 4-6

The psalmist moves from talking about God’s Word to speaking directly to God in verse 4-6. The psalmist addressed God Himself, the One who reveals His precepts, which He requires that all people diligently keep. The author’s words reflect God’s authority as the creator to direct and instruct His creation (us) in the way that is best, both in the sense of what is according to His perfect character and will, and what is best for us. Doing this, His intention is for us to reach our highest potential. To do this requires obedience that acknowledges God’s authority, keeping His precepts diligently and confessing our shortcomings. The word “precepts” is used 21 times in Psalm 119 and refers to particular rules governing thinking or acting. God gives precepts to help us learn how to think and live in ways that reflect His character and bring honor to Him. The psalmist passionately desired to obey God’s Word.

In reading verse 5 and 6, it is hard at times to distinguish where the psalmist’s testimony ends and prayer begins. In verse 5 the words “if only” imply a desire that is not completely fulfilled. The psalmist’s desire was for his commitment to God and His Word to be singular and unshakable. The prayer of the psalmist was that he might keep God’s statutes. The Hebrew word “chog”, translated “statutes” or “decree” means what was clearly established, appointed or enacted such as a law, commandment, or decree. In relation to God, the term denotes binding commands or laws that God requires His people to obey.

The psalmist emphasized all God’s command. So many people (Christians and non-Christians alike) seem to think that God’s Word is like a cafeteria line where they can pick and choose what they want to follow. In using the word “all”, the psalmist rejected any such line of faulty reasoning. Are we smarter than the Creator- God? This points to the personal application we must make if God is truly our God. We will have no cause for being ashamed.

Read Psalm 119: 7-8

A sincere heart has the meaning of being straight or level as opposed to being twisted or crooked. It aligns in meaning with God’s “righteous judgments”. It means that one’s thought or actions are in accordance with God’s standards. God’s Word reflects the character of God, especially righteousness. The psalmist praise was done with a sincere heart. The psalmist’s praise was from his learning God’s judgments or ordinances to give the security that people need. God is faithful (always consistent); so we can trust that His judgements always provide us with the right way to live. We need to have no fear when we live according to God’s ways. The first step is salvation- repentance and placing faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins.

The result of praising God for His righteous judgements for the psalmist- and for all people today who are wise- was a promise that he would keep God’s statutes and a plea that God would not abandon him. Verse 8, “I will keep your statutes” is a promise, a vow, or a goal. To the extent we lean on God’s presence, we’ll obey His commands. This is true today as it has always been. We must lean on God’s presence and power to obey His commands. We sometimes fall short- despite of our best intentions due to our sinful nature. We need to thank God for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins and through the power of His Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence we can live lives of obedience to His Word.