Psalm 48

God is exalted by His faithfulness to the nation of Israel in Psalm 47.  In Psalm 48 He is exalted by His choice of and faithfulness to Jerusalem.  

God had promises to choose a city where He would put His name (Deut. 12, esp. v5).  For the first several hundred years Israel was in the land the tabernacle was at Shiloh in the tribal area of Ephraim.  But God eventually rejected Shiloh and Ephraim and instead chose David of Judah and Jerusalem (Psalm 78, esp. vs59-60,67-72).  God’s choice brought together Israel’s King (David) and Israel’s High Priest (Aaron but with ultimate fulfillment in the One who was of the line of Melchizedek as well as the Davidic King, Psalm 110).

As the sons of Korah exclaim, Jerusalem is an amazing city (Psalm 48:1-3).  At 2474’ elevation it defies the stereotype of the Middle East as a hot and dusty place.  As we are currently in a pattern of spending 2-3 months a year in Jerusalem we can attest to the fact that it is quite pleasant, even when the rest of the nation is sweltering.  The Old City today is certainly nothing like what it was in the days of David and Solomon; yet it is a joyful place to be.

But what is important in v1-3 of our Psalm is the connection between Jerusalem and her God.  It is His city, His holy mountain.  The Davidic King was the head of a theocracy, a nation ruled through the King by God.  Thus it was the city of the great King, meaning the city of God.  Verse 3 notes this connection: God was in her palaces.  And not only that, God was her refuge.  This is an amazing statement given the fact that Jerusalem itself was a strong, natural refuge.  The song writers seem to say that Jerusalem by its very location is a picture or reminder of God Himself.

The second stanza (v4-7) says that the kings of the earth understood how special this city of God was.  And Israel trusted in God’s faithfulness that this city would forever be established as the city of our God (v8).

Now we come to the call to worship in this Song.  First, the locals are called to rejoice in God and His judgments.  When they think of Jerusalem they are reminded of God’s lovingkindness (often translated mercy;  Heb checed).  This is the prime attribute of God in His own expression of His Name in Exodus 34:6-7.  God’s mercy or grace or lovingkindness is evident in His choice of Jerusalem to be the location of His dwelling place, the mercy seat in the holy of holies in His temple.  The people of Jerusalem should rejoice, not simply that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel but because it is the City of God!

Perhaps the call to “walk about Zion” goes beyond the locals to any who would come to this city.  Again, I know the city today is not as glorious as it was in days gone by or as it will be in the future.  But a walk around the outside of the Old City today still provides an amazing view.  One still sees the natural refuge, the mighty rock foundation for the wall on the northern side, the glorious Damascus and Jaffa gates and the temple mount where stood and where will stand the House of God.  But the closing verse is very clear: the glory of the city and its location points to the glory of her God.  “FOR THIS IS GOD, OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER.”

I am not shy about encouraging people to come to Israel and to spend a few days in Jerusalem just to get the picture of what the Scriptures speak of concerning this amazing city.  You don’t have to in order to trust the Scriptures but it sure opens the eyes of most people.  But keep in mind: Jerusalem is meant to remind on-lookers of the simple truth of verse 1: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised!  Perhaps in lieu of being in Jerusalem today you might think on the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ in Titus 2:13, Heb. 4:14 and 13:20.

2 Cor. 12:21, 2 Sam. 12:1-15; Examine Yourselves for Sexual Immorality (2)

2.     Responding to the problematical circumstance.

The proper response in these situations revolves around three prominent ideas in the Scriptures.  First, as in every situation, we must cast ourselves upon God.  We yield ourselves to Christ (Rom. 12:1), submitting ourselves to Him.  This needs to be the normal life we live because the temptations to sexual immorality often seem to come upon us with surprising suddenness.

Second, the primary action we are called to take is to flee.  This is what Paul told Timothy (2 Tim. 2:22) and it is what Joseph did (Gen.39:12).  It is worth noting that Paul also told us to flee idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14).  When Phinehas quickly ran and killed the two fornicators he was actually dealing with idolatry as the two, idolatry and sexual immorality, had become one in the same (Num. 25).

Third, the Proverbs especially places an emphasis on renewing and enjoying the marriage relationship as a means of preventing sexual sin (see Prov. 5).  

In order to consider the wrong response to the problematical situations that present a temptation to sin let us define the three terms Paul uses.

·        Uncleanness: (akatharsia) 1 uncleanness. 1a physical. 1b in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living. 1b1 of impure motives.

This is a sin that goes beyond mere sexual sin, though it is generally used in conjunction with sexual immorality as is the case in 2 Cor. 12:21.  It tells us that weakness in one area is related to a general life that is unrestrained or lustful.

·        Fornication: (porneia) 1 illicit sexual intercourse. 1a adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18. 1c sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12. 2 metaph. the worship of idols. 2a of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols.

The law (Lev. 18 esp.) notes many relationships that involve this sin.  In the end we can say that fornication is any sexual relationship outside of marriage.

·        Lewdness: (aselgeia) 1 unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.

You may see a progression, or we should say a regression in Paul’s choice of terms.  First there is a life and thought-life that is unclean, not disciplined.  It leads to involvement in relationships that are immoral.  If there is no repentance (as David did) the continuing lusts lead to more and more involvement in trying to satisfy these lusts in ways that will never satisfy.  

Today’s reading from 2 Samuel helps us turn to the matter of God’s cure for this sin.  Many would want to point out the need for accountability relationships such as the one David had with Nathan the prophet.  But I believe it’s more important to note that God sent Nathan to David.  The need is for God’s servants who teach and preach to be clear about sin and to live exemplary lives.  The need is for preachers today who will be as clear as John the Baptist who pointed out the sexual immorality of Herod (Matt. 14:1-5). 

2 Cor. 12:21, Num. 25; Examine Yourself for Sexual Immorality (1)

Why was this an issue in a church, worthy of special mention by the Apostle?  The answer was that the Corinthian believers had participated in uncleanness, fornication and lewdness before they had come to Christ.  It was generally accepted as permissible (as it tends to be in western society these days).  Likely it was one of the areas they struggled with in terms of putting off the old man.

1.     We encounter a “problematical situation.”

There is no shortage of temptations (seductive situations) these days.  Every media outlet seems to glorify sex or parade women (and men) in seductive clothing or situations.  Business knows that sex sells as is evident from its prominence in advertising.  The same is true of movie, music, sports and tourism.  We should, however, note that this is not new.  We can find these situations in the Scriptures and the outcome was not always God-honoring.

a.     Gen. 38: Judah, the son of Jacob, and the tribal ancestor of Jesus engaged in sexual immorality.  He had a relationship with a prostitute after his wife had died.  Likely he was lonely; he may have felt justified, though in the end he didn’t (38:26)..  He did this even though he knew it was not acceptable behavior, even among the Canaanites with whom he lived (Gen. 38:23, lest we be shamed).

b.     Gen. 39: Joseph, another of Jacob’s sons, encountered a problematical situation when his boss’s wife tried to get him to have a sexual relationship with her.  In his case, he resisted and in such a way that we can see many good principles in his resistance to sin.

c.      Num. 25: Phinehas the grandson of Aaron the priest also stood strong for righteousness when confronted with fornication.  A lot of people were doing it.  The women were beautiful.  And the two participants were from important families in their respective nations.  But Phinehas took a stand and God rewarded him.

d.     2 Sam. 11:1-5: David didn’t go to war with the rest of the army; he stayed behind with all the lonely wives.  He was king after all.  Today we would call this abuse of power although there doesn’t seem to be any resistance from the “victim.”  It is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life all rolled up together.  And his life was never the same, in the worst way imaginable.

e.      2 Sam. 13:1-18: David’s son Amnon followed in his footsteps.  He loved his sister, raped her, and then hated her.  He confused love and lust, a common error in the world where feelings rule.  He could rape her because he was stronger than she was.  And he was, after all, the king’s son.

Again, we should think about these situations?  And then about our situations?  What kinds of situations have you found to be a real trial in this area?

2 Cor. 12:20; James 3:13-18, Examine Yourselves for Contentions (3)

Let us consider truth from God’s word about contentions so that our minds can be renewed; we need to think correctly about how to live righteously in a world full of contentious situations.

a.     Put off!

We should know that contentiousness is the product of our enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil.  According to Rom. 1:28-32, in the list of sins that characterize the sinful, God-denying world where we live, we find contentions.  In Gal. 5:20 in the list of the works of the flesh we find contentions.  And in James 3:13-16 we see that contentions are demonic!  This is never God’s idea.

Further the Bible tells us that using contentions to solve our differences is an approach that simply does not work.  Titus 3:9 says contentions … are unprofitable and useless.  And listen to James 1:19-20: the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

b.     Put on!

Consider truth from Scripture about a better approach in these opportunities.  How much better if we are filled with the Spirit, enjoying our relationship with Christ, filled with His word and praying fervently.  Look at what this produces in Gal. 5:22-23 and consider each of these in the context of our relationships with both the people of God and the people of the world: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Again, in place of the earthly, sensual and demonic wisdom, consider the wisdom from above which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18).  This says that while contentions do not produce the righteousness of God the peaceable wisdom from above does produce the fruit of righteousness.

Another great passage to help us in this area is the one found in Rom. 12:16-21.  Here are 6 amazing truths to meditate on.

·        12:16: Have the mind of Christ (e.g. Phil. 2:5-11).

·        12:17: Evil is never a reason for evil (i.e. no revenge).

·        12:18: Go to the greatest lengths possible for peace.

·        12:19: Let God be the judge.

·        12:20: Love your enemy.

·        12:21: Practice kindness towards those with whom you are tempted to be contentious.

Remember!  The command is not to do the best you can.  The command is, be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).  Immersion in the word of God (Rom. 8:5) and yieldedness to Christ (Rom. 12:1; Col. 3:16) are keys to the mind of Christ.

2 Cor. 12:20, Eph. 4:17-24; Examine Yourselves for Contentions (2)

Paul told the Corinthians to examine themselves.  One of the issues he was concerned about was their contentious relationships.  When a situation (opportunity) arises that requires people to work out their differences we can respond properly or sinfully.

 I I.            Responding to the opportunity.

Contention has several manifestations; Paul gives eight in 2 Cor. 12:20.

·        Contentions: debates, verbal sparring.  It is often connected with envy (Phil. 1:15; 1 Tim. 6:4) or jealousy (1 Cor. 3:3).

·        Jealousies: the desire to have what another has.  Paul does not use the envy but we might note the difference between these two terms: envy is the desire to deprive another of what he has.

·        Outbursts of wrath: passion, heated anger, boiling up.  The word wrath is associated with wine which drives a person mad or kills him by its strength.

·        Selfish ambition: electioneering, putting oneself forward.  It is the opposite of the mind or attitude of Christ in Phil. 2:3,5.

·        Backbiting: defamation, evil speaking of others.

·        Whisperings: secret slandering.

·        Conceits: puffing up of the soul, loftiness, pride.

·        Tumults: instability, a state of disorder, confusion.  This approach to problem solving is also associated with envy (James 3:16).  God is not the author of tumult (1 Cor. 14:33). 

These terms help us to understand our own behavior which we may justify when we are in the midst of a contentious situation.  In the Body of Christ often the discussion of theological issues can become contentious.  This list can help us understand when our convictions have given way to sin.

III.            Learning from the opportunity.

Learning from these situations, by which we mean being transformed into the likeness of Christ, requires that we confess sin (agree with God about it) and seek and grant forgiveness.  The road of repentance and renewal begins here.

We also want to point out the basic pattern for spiritual growth.  It is the put off – be renewed – put on pattern found in Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:5-17 and Rom. 13:14.  It is connected to the foundation of righteousness found in Rom. 6:1-14 where we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to righteousness.  Having died with Christ we realize we are no longer bound to sin and thus, in our daily lives, repent as we put off the old man.  Having been raised to newness of life we recognize that our aim is to put on the new man, the one who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (i.e. Jesus Christ, the true image of God and our Creator; Col. 3:10).

Tomorrow we will consider specific principles concerning contentiousness.

2 Cor. 12:20, Gen. 37:1-11; Examine Yourselves for: Contentions (1)

One of the areas of sin Paul was concerned he would find in Corinth comes under the category of contentions.  Let us apply the outline developed in the last two posts to this problem.

  I.            God provides an opportunity.

World history is filled with contention.  Biblical history is filled with contention.  It would be helpful to consider a few of those situations so we have some understand what kinds of opportunities God provides.

·        Gen. 27: In the story of Jacob and Esau Jacob’s contentious attitude towards Esau came at a time when it seem God’s promise was being delayed or perhaps forfeited, as far as Jacob could see.

·        Gen. 37: Joseph’s brothers became contentious against him because they did not like God’s promise.  Think about that.  They envied Joseph.

·        2 Samuel 14: Absalom’s treachery was certainly tied to David’s sin.  But for Absalom his actions were fueled by pride and envy.  He was able to create contention in the nation by appealing to people’s dissatisfaction.

·        1 Kings 12: The division of Israel into two kingdoms was God’s doing, the result of idolatry.  But the human issue at the time, concerning Rehoboam’s refusal to accept the advice of the elders, involved pride and perhaps greed.  In the end we must say the King tried to go against God’s plan.

·        Mark 10:35-45: The disciples’ argument about who was the greatest was occasioned by pride and jealousy aimed at James and John who sought a higher position with Jesus.

·        Acts 6: The growth of Christ’s church resulted in the issue of feeding the widows.  It appears the contention was fueled by prejudices (Hebrew against Greek or Dispersion Jews).

·        1 Cor. 1-4: The division at Corinth was the result of the blessing of Christ.  He had provided them with wonderful teachers (Peter, Paul, Apollos).  But these blessings became the basis for competition among the people.

There are many more of these kinds of situations.  But notice how often contention rises among God’s people out of God’s the experience of God’s blessing or out of resistance to God’s plan.  And notice also the common thread of envy or jealousy.  Think about the subjects of your contentions, perhaps in your family or work or church.  Do you recognize these same commonalities?

2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Chr. 20:1-13; Examine Yourselves (3)

v Stage 3: Learning from the test.

·        Remedy for the sinner.  If, like David, we have chosen the wrong path, even a terribly wrong path, we must seek God’s remedy.

o   Confession (I John 1:9; Psalm 51).  We must come to terms with the  truth about our action, agreeing with God that it is sin.

o   Forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2).  Then we must accept God’s forgiveness.  We do have an Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.  It is not godly to continue to wallow in guilt as if it makes us better Christians.

o   Repentance (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:5-9).  We must put off the old way of life.  And we must be serious about it, putting to death the very way of thinking and acting that led us to disobey our Lord.

o   Restitution and reconciliation (Mt. 5:23-24).  As much as possible, we must do the tangible things that will restore relationships.

·        Preventative techniques.  However we handled our trial there is a question that should be front and center: how can we prevent sin?

o   Keep the control center (the mind) occupied (Psa. 119:11; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5).  Jesus’ mind was filled with Scripture; with every temptation He answered from the Word.  He did what we are to do: hide God’s word in our heart so we do not sin against God.  And He had brought every thought into captivity to the obedience of His Father.

o   Send an SOS in prayer (Matt. 26:41; 1 Thess. 5:17).  Prayer in the closet should be a regular part of our lives.  But we also must condition ourselves (ask God to remind you by His Spirit; He will do it) to turn to the Lord when the trial or temptation first arises.

o   Flee testing situations (1 Cor. 10:14; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Tim. 6:11).  In examining ourselves we are not to put ourselves in a situation where we know there will be temptation to immorality or covetousness or pride.  We should pray as Jesus taught: lead us not into temptation/trial.

o   Discipline yourself (1 Cor. 9:27).  On the other hand, there will be these trials and temptations.  We must have a discipline with what we may call small or easy situations, not giving in to anything sinful, lest we allow Satan a foothold in our minds and hearts.

o   Remove encouragement to sin (Rom. 13:14).  The key is not to focus on the sin we want to avoid but to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and in that way make no provision for the flesh.

In the following posts we want to return to 2 Corinthians and apply this procedure to sins faced by that fellowship of believers.