The Long-Term

Psalms 89:4 (KJV) Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

This is a prophecy.  It is a prophecy which was not understood by the people of that day although they thought they had the idea.  God is speaking to David, or about David.  He is promising something for all generations.  The problem is that history does not see this working out the way the Jews thought it would.

I’m not sure when this was written.  Obviously it was after David’s reign.  How far in the future, I don’t know.  What I do know is that David’s throne was destroyed after the fall of Jerusalem and the people of Israel being moved to captivity in Babylon.  Since we believe that God is sovereign, and we believe His word that means that the original understanding of this prophecy was incomplete.

When you stop to think about the fact that Jesus is considered to be the seed of David, it falls into perspective.  When Jesus returns, He will reign.  I would assume that means that His throne or throne of David would be established for all ages.

So?  Don’t be too quick to interpret.  Don’t be too quick to think you have the answers.  God may have some quirks that you don’t know about.  

That Is Us

Psalm 102:18 (KJV) This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

I have a friend who claims that Jesus only came for the Jews, and only died for the Jews.  He would probably say that the church was never found in the Old Testament.  I’m willing to guess that he either never read this verse, or he read it with blinders on.

This is a promise found back in the days of ancient Israel.  God is saying that He is going to create a new people.  That would be the church, the body of Christ, the believers of today.

So?  Are you part of that new nation?  Are you a part of those which are going to be made and which have already been made?  If not, you are welcome to become apart.

Heads Up

Proverbs 23:18 (KJV) For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

I first read this today in the NASB.  It said that there would surely be a “future".  When I looked at it a little deeper, it seemed that the word used meant latter days.  OK.  You can go with that.  And it’s still a two edge sword.

The literal concept is that eternity is taken care of.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know Whom I have believed in.  I know He is able.  I’m also aware that Proverbs was not specifically talking about Jesus, so relax.

Also involved in that is the fact that I can expect tomorrow to be immersed in the broth of hope.  There is a future.  I don’t know what that future is.  As I look at what’s happening politically I wonder how it will work out.  I wonder if I will be one of those who will go through persecution or will I be spared?  But either way I know that there is a future.

So?  Lift up your head look to the future know that it is in God’s hands.  Live in hope.  

When Does Forever Start?

Psalm 48:8 (KJV) As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

I don’t generally expect to find prophecy in the book of Psalms.  Yet here it is.  Prophecy is about the only way you can understand this verse.  Notice what it says.  Jerusalem will be established “forever”.  Make note that this was written before the destruction of the temple and the deportation to Babylon.  It was written before the Romans leveled the city.  And yet it’s stated that the city will last forever.

This has to be eschatology.  This must be a prophecy of the end times.  We say that because it has not been fulfilled yet, at least to our knowledge.  It’s possible that the current city of Jerusalem will last forever.  With the tension going on in the Middle East and the existence of nuclear weapons. I am not so sure that this incarnation will last.  But the Bible says some incarnation will last, and it will last forever.

So?  Interpret the Bible based on what you know and what it says.  If something seems inconsistent with your understanding, then it’s possible that the answer is to dig a little bit deeper and other times see what others say.  But keep in mind that the Bible speaks truth.  All of that truth is not useful all of the time, but it is still truth. 

Semi-Prophecy

Psalm 31:5 (KJV) Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

(Proverbs 31 also read)

I don’t think that David was imagining this verse being applied to the Messiah.  I think he was simply expressing his trust in his God.  Yet we have Jesus himself repeating these words on the cross.

Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

This is a good reminder to us that prophecy is not always a matter of clarity, in fact, I would say that prophecy is generally more confusing than it is clarifying.

So of what value is prophecy?  That’s a good question.  It’s one that I often ask.  To those who have it all figured out, it’s a great source of doctrine.  To the rest of us who, shall we say, see more clearly, not so much.  Was Jesus quoting David?  I would say there’s a good chance of that, however, I don’t know that He was in a position to be thinking up pithy quotations.

So?  Read with discernment.  Listen with compassion.  Interpret with humility.  Every verse is not meant to be understood in every aspect.  Learn to deal with that. 

Prophecy Is Where You Find It

Psalm 16:10 (KJV) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Proverbs 7 also read)

When prophecy comes up in a discussion, my eyes start to glaze over and my mind starts looking for neutral, if not reverse.  Prophecy is one of those things that I classify as a dessert, or a sweet, or empty calories.  I know some people get really excited and feel it is a vital topic, but when you don’t know what something means until after it is fulfilled, it gets kind of pointless.

Here is the verse that has messianic prophecy in it.  One thing that makes it clear it is a messianic prophecy is that it is totally out of context and impossible in the place you find it.  The first part of the verse deals with David and his relationship with God.  The second part of the verse obviously doesn’t refer to David because David did see corruption.  That’s an indication that we’re talking about genuine prophecy.

So?  God speaks in interesting ways, and sometimes it is the awkwardness that reveals what his intent is, and gets our attention. 

Clarify with Cross References

Psalm 8:4 (KJV) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

(Proverbs 17 also read)

It is easy to take this verse and wonder just who this “son of man” is.  As you continue reading, it gets even more confusing,

Psalm 8:5 (KJV) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

At this point, you could use your study tools, and you would find that the word “angels” is very interesting, but let’s assume you don’t know how to do that.  Look at the cross references that are probably listed in your side columns.  You’ll find a reference in the book of Hebrews,

(Heb 2:9 KJV)  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

This comes after a direct quote of Psalms, and it clarifies that David is talking about the coming Messiah.

So?  When you see things that don’t make sense or don’t seem to make sense then do a little digging.  Sometimes you have to dig deeper.  Sometimes you have to ask questions of others.  Sometimes you have to wait for the Holy Spirit to clarify.  But there are answers. 

Messianic or Mystery

(Psa 22:16 KJV)  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

(Proverbs 7 also read)

The first verse of this Psalm brings to mind the words Jesus on the cross.  That helps to get us in a frame of mind to sit up and take notice of this verse.  To us this seems to refer to nailing Jesus to the cross.  I wonder what the ancient Jews thought of it.  I don’t see any way it could apply to David himself.  Did they see it as Messianic or was it just a mystery.

So?  There are many little statements in the Old Testament that point to Jesus.  Keep your eyes open as you read and be filled with wonder. 

Prophecy To Come

(Isa 9:7 KJV)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

One of the elements of prophecy that people who have charts and graphs like to forget is that the same prophecy can relate to multiple events.  When the Hebrews heard this I am sure they were thinking of the next generation of kings.  The previous verse speaks about a son being given, which brings to mind Christmas.  Now we have predictions of what is still future to us.

This is an indication that the linage from David is still a thing to be reckoned with.  This verse is in support of the return of the Kingdom of David and an indication of the importance of Israel.  Don’t join the masses of people that are basking in Jew hatred.  Jesus was a Jew.  The apostles were Jews.  I don’t understand it but the day of Israel will come again.

So?  Celebrate knowing that there is more to come. 

Pointing to the Cross

(Psa 31:5 KJV)  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

(Proverbs 18, also read)

I know how glorious this message is to those of us who have the benefit of the cross.  We have been “ransomed” (6299) (NASB) or as the KJV says, “redeemed”.  Our benefit is having the full picture of the incarnation and the price paid by Jesus to pay for our sins.  We know how and when.  In the days of David they also had the assurance of deliverance but they tended to get distracted by the sacrificial system.  Most probably thought the ritual had some mystical property.  They often missed the teaching that it was their faith in the Creator and His grace that brought about the salvation.  

So?  Rejoice that we live in a day and age where the Old Testament became clear and fulfilled in the New Testament.  What a time to be alive. 

Unseen Connections

(Psa 118:22 KJV)  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

and

(Psa 118:24 KJV)  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

This verse is very familiar to everyone.  We sing a chorus that is straight out of the KJV.  People love the song, even if they don’t realize it is from Psalms.

What I noticed today for the first time was how close it is to verse 22, a well known prophecy about Jesus.  How many times have I read this Psalm without noticing?  It is amazing how our brains don’t seem to engage at times.  Maybe it is only my brain but I have the feeling I am not alone in this.

Jesus is the cornerstone!  He was rejected.  Let us rejoice in that because it was part of the process of making us part of the Body of Christ.  It gives us unending reason to “rejoice” (1523).

So?  Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?  He is the cornerstone of our faith.  As I contemplate a world where everything seems to be falling apart and I can’t believe anything I read, this gives me a reason to rejoice in the day. 

You, the Prophet

(Proverbs 31:1 KJV)  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

How is it possible to teach a “prophecy” (oracle NASB) (4853b)?  We tend to think of this as prophecy which involves predictions about the future.  We also tend to think of it as a gift that is given by the Holy Spirit.  In reality the major part of an oracle or prophecy is what we would consider every day preaching.  It is taking the recorded truth of Almighty God and applying it to the everyday lives of ordinary people.  Just about anyone can be taught to do this.  Some will be better than others but most can learn.

This is a specific job of parents.  Here the mother (517) is mentioned.  It could apply to any relative and to friends.  Obviously it involves preachers and teachers.

So?  You prepare people to understand how to live their lives.  We do it by example at all times but there are also times we can expect to talk about it.  Prepare.  Be ready. 

Beast or Food?

(Proverbs 9:2 KJV)  She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

(Proverbs 9:2 NASB)  She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table;

Today I read through the entire chapter and nothing jumped out at me.  So I went back and began looking at each verse.  As I was looking at another point I noticed a difference between the KJV and NASB in this verse.  It would be good to check the KJV here.  The NASB seems to be inaccurate.  It seems the translators are trying to spare our sensitive natures.  “Prepared” (2873) means to “slaughter.”  “Food” (2874) means “slaughtered.” 

At this point something did jump out at me:  a slaughtered body, wine and a table.  As you read further you see that people are invited to come and partake.  At first I thought I was stretching at a gnat so I actually checked the commentaries in my software (e-sword, Described on the page above) and found that a couple mentioned what I was seeing.  This has all the elements of the communion meal.  We are looking at a prediction of the Last Supper.  In Proverbs we are being invited to the table of the Lord.

Maybe you saw this the first time.  Maybe the commentators were stretching.  I find it awesome the way the different parts of the Bible work together.  I like to think that different parts of my life can work together too.  Why does God put certain difficulties in my path?  Why does He sometimes wait so long to answer prayer?  Why is the answer sometimes, “No.”  Someday I will be sitting in the New Jerusalem Starbuck’s and will have an insight that will answer one of my “Big Questions.”

So?  Someday it will all fit together.  That is not just happy talk.  I recently finished a biography of Albert Eintstein.  In it the author went to great lengths to explain Einstein’s theories.  He seemed to have a grasp of them.  Okay.  I’ll have to wait for the resurrection on that.  Someday the pain and the joy will make sense.  Until then let Wisdom continue to teach us, day by day.

Would Jesus Write a Blog?

(John 14:12 KJV)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

We are all familiar with the phrase WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) which has a line of bracelets and such.  Often it is an interesting concept.  We know that Jesus came at the best time:

(Galatians 4:4 KJV)  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

But what if He came today.  How would He communicate?  Would He have a TV ministry?  Would He use voice mail?  Would He write a blog?  I think the answer is “None of the above.”  The Roman world had ways to communicate.   They were crude by our standards but worked when the fastest mode of transportation was a horse.  Jesus used none of them.  Instead He used the time tested method of teaching and preaching.  He trained a few men, promised them the Holy Spirit and left them to do their job.  I think He works the same way today.

But “all of the above” are being used to proclaim Jesus.  Which makes me wonder if that is part of what Jesus was talking about in this verse.  I have heard that it refers to the Holy Spirit and how spirit filled followers can be in more places than the physical Jesus.  But what if this was prophecy that included the printing press, radio, and the internet.  Sin is often the corrupt and selfish perversion of something God designed for good.  The internet certainly has its share of perversion.  But by using it for His glory, we can sanctify it or allow Him to sanctify it through our righteous use.

Would Jesus write a blog?  I don’t think so, but maybe He wants you to do so.