We, working through the verses of Psalm 78, have traced Israel’s national history. From the time of the Exodus, her miraculous deliverance out of slavery in Egypt … until the beginning of her brightest days (so far), the reign of King David, son of Jesse.

Today we notice verses 70-71, part of the Psalm’s last paragraph. “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.”

The “He” of our Text is none other then the Lord Himself. He selected David to be King. First Samuel chapter 16 shares the story of David’s initial anointing.

The name “David” means “beloved.” One who “loves” … in the end hungering for God with all his heart. The word for love incorporated into his name suggest “fervent, boiling, eager love,” not some lukewarm substitute.

The noun “servant” is “ebed,” a common “slave,” really! Once we have been saved, redeemed, we are all “servants” of Jesus Christ! So says Paul in the New Testament.

Note that God “took” David (spelled “laqach” in Hebrew, a strong verb meaning “lay hold of, seize, fetch,” once even “to marry”) from the “sheepfolds.” The young man obviously was a shepherd, watching his family’s flock. So was our Lord such a shepherd! He called Himself from time to time “the good shepherd,” and later the New Testament labels Him “the great shepherd,” and “the chief shepherd.”

The Old Testament often calls Israel’s leaders (particularly her kings) “shepherds.” Some were good and others bad, of course.

Clearly, shepherding here is emphasized as requiring “tender care” of the ewes, even those who are “with young,” expecting to give birth to little lambs!

And when David becomes King, he is just to “transfer” his job description from caring for a flock of sheep to leading a flock of God’s people! (The very “word picture” the Lord uses for a “Pastor” in today’s New Testament Church format!)

A King, charged with “feeding” his people! “The Lord chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him TO FEED Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.”

This verb “feed” translates “raah,” a key Old Testament action word meaning “to see, to oversee, to care for, to keep a careful eye” on one’s charge!

What a concept!

A national leader … caring for his citizenry with concern, pathos, and a mind to their spiritual wellbeing!

What a prophetic picture of Jesus, our Lord!

Listen to Him: “I am the GOOD SHEPHERD: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11, His Death here being emphasized.

And about Him: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21, now His Resurrection is in view.

And also: “And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” First Peter 5:4, finally His Second Coming is highlighted!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

God loves His “House,” His Dwelling Place on earth.

All the way through Psalm 78 the Tabernacle is seen. And Psalm 78 is a divinely inspired history of Israel … from her leaving Egypt to the time of David’s reign.

Today our focus verse addresses this theme. “And he  (the Lord God) built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.” Psalm 78:69

Note that, first of all, GOD built His Own Sanctuary. Not Moses, not a crew of able workers. God did it himself! All the way from the original plans to the finished product … ordained of God. (This is the Same God Who built the world!) Psalm 139 suggests He also builds every baby in his or her Mother’s womb. Jehovah is a BUILDING God. I love this particular emphasis on God’s Character, His Activity.

The Tent (what the Tabernacle actually is in reality) is called a “Sanctuary” in our text today. The noun is “miqdash,” meaning “Holy Place,” a sanctified, consecrated, dedicated building.

The “high palaces” of our verse translates “rum,” a major Hebrew verb meaning “lifted up.” God has “exalted” His House. Elevated, especially true of the Temple (a later, more permanent manifestation of the Tabernacle), which was built on a “mount.” Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Also the idea here (poetically) is that of importance! High and Significant in God’s Eyes!

Furthermore, God’s “Building” is “established,” like the earth. (Even the Hebrew noun for “earth” derives from a verb root meaning “to be firm!”) But “established” is “yasad,” simply meaning “fixed, set, sure,” only used 42 times in Scripture.

God’s House is elevated.

God’s House is stable.

Now let’s segue a moment from the literal Tabernacle/Temple to its New Testament “type,” the CHURCH of the living God. Is the Church elevated, high and honored by the Lord? Is she also established, firm and enduring?

Jesus personally tells us. “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18, sounds quite honored to me, enduring as well!

This is being written on Saturday, January 23 of 2016. Tomorrow is Sunday, “the Lord’s Day.” Which means … we are to go to Church! Is such activity important? Hebrews 10:25 answers: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.” We tomorrow have the privilege of beginning a Revival in a local, New Testament CHURCH! (In the city of LaGrange, Georgia.) Welcome Baptist Church (pretty good name) … a visible, corporal fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ.

A Church which, in God’s eyes, is BUILT … ELEVATED … and ESTABLISHED!

Amen.

Do you love your Church?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Can a people “sin” so against God, against their Heavenly Father, that He “disqualifies” them from service? Can a group be so “far” from God, so very consistently “rebellious,” that the Lord puts them “on the shelf?” I think Paul’s word for this might be “castaway!”

Well, YES!

And today’s Bible Study Lesson provides us an example, a good one.

“Moreover he (the Lord) refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but (instead) chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.” Psalm 78:67-68

“Joseph” here is used as a name for the whole Tribe, immediately in our Text renamed “Ephraim.” Actually these terms refer to the division of Israel later known as the “Ten Tribes,” the “Northern Kingdom.”

Joshua 14:4 succinctly teaches us: “For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim.”

God “refused” these people, who never seemed to love Him with all their hearts. The verb “refused” is “maas” in Hebrew. It means “to reject, to despise,” almost “to make God sick.” As in “loathsomeness.” This same verb is used earlier in the Psalm, at verse 59. “When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred (“maas”)Israel.”

He “chose” them not. Not to continue as the “standard bearer” of the Jewish people! And “chose” (spelled “bachar”) means, among other things, “to accept, to consider excellent!” These people have been devalued, at least in terms of leadership, service.

Sins … do have consequences!

But one Tribe’s loss is another Tribe’s gain!

Our Passage again: “Moreover he (the Lord) refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: BUT CHOSE THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, the mount Zion which he loved.”

Judah, the Tribe that later produced our dear Lord! Hebrews 7:14 reminds us: “It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.”

This “switch” may have been prophesied by Jacob, long ago. These are among his last words spoken on earth, as he lay dying. “JUDAH, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? THE SCEPTRE SHALL NOT DEPART FROM JUDAH, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Genesis 49:8-10, “Shiloh” being a foreshadowing of Jesus, we believe.

Most of Israel … OUT!

The least of Israel … IN!

And Judah, our text concludes, will possess the land (as her specific allotment) containing the Mount which God especially loved, Mount Zion, ultimately the City of Jerusalem!

God, dwelling with his people, His (hopefully) obedient people.

I have seen this principle at work, I think.

God laying aside one … to use another!

He IS the Potter.

We are the clay.

If we refuse to be pliable in His Hands … He can find other clay. After all, He owns the world! And all the clay therein!

What a sobering lesson today.

Paul again, whom I referenced earlier. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY.” First Corinthians 9:27, referring not to loss of salvation (an impossibility), but to loss of opportunity, loss of the honor of serving the Lord.

Maybe this whole concept (Christian friend) is a part of our “fearing the Lord.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell 

 

 

For several days we have been studying God’s Hand of discipline on His people, on Israel. Because of her rebellion and disobedience! Now today … unexpectedly according to the Psalmist … God “reverses” Himself and attacks Israel’s ENEMIES!

Herein God is responding exactly as He had promised! Read Jeremiah 46:28 and worship! “Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.” Wow, ten times! He corrects the Jews “in measure!” But He will never fully destroy Israel!

So Psalm 78:65-66, today’s Bible text reveals: “Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.”

The foes of Israel has apparently been “beating the daylights” our of her! She had, to some degree, been given into the hands of the wicked!

BUT GOD AWOKE!

That’s what our Text says! The verb also means “to become active!”

And God exhibited His “Might!” Like “a mighty Man,” attacked the enemies! The Hebrew noun is “gibbor,” God as a Champion! Or Chief or Giant! Our great Saviour!

God shouts loudly, says the Poet. And, bold as it is, the Lord is compared to a man who is on “wine!” Intoxicated with Revenge, against those who have sought to harm His people! Listen to God in Isaiah 63:4. “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” Paul repeats this in Romans 12:19. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Amazing!

Today’s two verses again, a “couplet” of true beauty:  “Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.”

To smite someone in their “hinder parts?”

Like when you “whip” an erring child, on his “bottom!”

But He (God) did afflict the Philistines (long time haters of Israel) with “emerods,” in Hebrew “techor,” meaning “tumors” or “hemorrhoids.” So now we know what “hinder parts” means, as an anatomical term.

But more than just physical, God’s anger included “reproach” as well. The word means “scorn, shame, disgrace,” just one more form God’s rebuke can take! And “perpetual” reproach means “everlasting.” By the way, I think the Philistines are still held in contempt by most Bible students!

Today’s Text, GOD DEFENDING HIS CHILDREN!

After He had whipped them pretty severely, in fact.

Reminds me of Isaiah 54:17, one of my favorite verses in Scripture. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Amen!

And yes, there is ample evidence that our faithful LORD is still taking care of each of us as well! Like Jesus’ astounding Words in John 10:27-30. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”

Oh, yes!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Does God really “whip” His disobedient children?

Even in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 3:11-12 for example, God says exactly that! He WILL discipline, chasten, even shorten the lives of rebellious believers! Here are Solomon’s precise words: “My son, despise not the CHASTENING of the Lord; neither be weary of his CORRECTION: for whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Later quoted in Hebrews 12, as we shall see.

And in our Text today, Psalm 78:63-64, this “chastening” of our Lord … becomes quite “severe.” After repeated warnings to do better, I might add.

Asaph wrote, historically: “The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.” Israel’s young men and maidens, her priests too, and widows!

God is a jealous God!

He wants us all unto Himself … for our own good!

If we, once having trusted Him … then later spurn Him, reject Him, become unfaithful to Him, worshipping other gods and goddesses … He will whip us!

Not only will … but already has! In the past, done all these things to Israel! “The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.” Again, Psalm 78:63-64

When, the fire?

Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, went into the Tabernacle before God … with “strange fire” in their censers (shallow bowls) … to worship. Yet clearly disobeying God’s instructions! This holy “fire” was to be taken from the proper (brass) altar, not some “strange” source!  And so … “There WENT OUT FIRE from the Lord, and DEVOURED them, and THEY DIED before the Lord.” Leviticus 10:2, word for word, King James Version.

Next, the “maidens” of Israel not being given to marriage simply means there were not enough young men to become their husbands! They had, too many of them, been killed in war, by the enemy! As high as a 7 to 1 ratio, women to men! “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1, amazing!

Dead priests?

Eli’s two sons come to  mind, wicked to the core, never having known the Lord … “And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, (Priests) Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.” First Samuel 4:11, both killed at once by an advancing Philistine (enemy) army!

The last clause of our text is the most opaque. “And their widows made no lamentation.” I think we are here being told that older married women were so “stunned, so shocked” that their emotions had died! They had become lethargic, due to all the trauma their little Nation had experienced. Children dead, grandchildren never even born! Parents gone as well, many taken into slavery, captivity. Now husbands too … tortured, murdered, gone … no tears are left to be shed on their behalf! “No lamentation!” Quiet funerals, if any at all!

This is an accurate two-verse description about the “wages of sin” for errant followers of God! “The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.”

And to us today, anything to learn here?

YES.

Hebrews 12:5-11, New Testament! “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children: My son, despise not thou the CHASTENING of the Lord, nor faint when thou art REBUKED OF HIM: for whom the Lord loveth he CHASTENETH, and SCOURGETH every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure CHASTENING, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father CHASTENETH not? But if ye be without CHASTISEMENT, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no CHASTENING for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

What warnings!

Chastening … from our Father above.