Where Does the Idea of a Scapegoat Come From?

Remember yesterday we looked at the Passover lamb and its representation of Christ? Well, I don’t know about you, but something in the story has always puzzled me. Read this: Ex. 12:5-7  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  (6)  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  (7)  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it….

If Jesus was the Passover lamb, why was a goat perfectly acceptable for the occasion? Now I think I have the answer.

Jesus was not only the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, he was the goat and scapegoat described in Lev. 16, which we will look at below. One goat died to make atonement, as did Christ, while the other was released and was used for intercession. Very interesting.

In earthly confines, one goat could not be killed and later made alive. So two goats were used. One died, the other was free from death—just as Christ died, but was later freed from death, the firstborn from among the dead. (And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18) Look at the story below in the left column very carefully. You may never have looked at the way we are going to look at it.

Old Testament

Notes

Lev 16:5-10  And he [ Aaron ] shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.  (6)  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.  (7)  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  (8)  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.  (9)  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.  (10)  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. Lev 16:15-16  Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:  (16)  And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. Lev 16:20-22  And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:  (21)  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:  (22)  And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

The two goats in this offering by Aaron represent Christ, one sacrificed in death as a sin offering, the other presented alive as the interceding risen Christ. The learning is that our atonement was not perfected only by the death of Christ, but also by his resurrection. The resurrection is a key part of the gospel 1Co 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: The blood of the goat that was killed as a sin offering was brought within the vail, that is, into the Holy of Holies, which represents heaven.  Heb 10:19-20  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  It was the blood that reconciled: Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. The goat that lived, the scapegoat, was used by Aaron, the priest, to make intercession for the people. Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Nothing is More Important Than the Passover Lamb

I know I mentioned that Abraham offering Isaac is one of the two best pictures of salvation in the Old Testament. I had another story in mind as the second best picture, but now I think today’s story is the best. We are looking at presentations of the gospel by “type” in the Old Testament. We are delving into territory many Bible teachers don’t go. But I’ve seen a minimum of 24 stories representing types in the Old Testament that picture Christ and salvation. Here we go with the Passover lamb.

The Israelites were slaves in Egypt under the wicked Pharaoh. But deliverance was on the horizon. All families in Egypt were about to experience the wrath and judgment of God, but not the Israelites, if they followed God’s prescribed plan.

God’s deliverance plan for the Jews involved the sacrifice of a lamb for each family. It was called the Passover lamb. This was a type of the deliverance he planned for all mankind held in the bondage of sin. Jesus was the Passover lamb slain for all, but only those who believe experience deliverance.

This deliverance from the bondage of Egypt was so significant that God required them to establish a ceremony around it each year, so they would never forget and would be able to pass on the story to their children and their children’s children. We are still passing it on today.

Exo 11:4-7  And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:  (5)  And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.  (6)  And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.  (7)  But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel…. Exo 12:3-7  Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:  (4)  And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.  (5)  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  (6)  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  (7)  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it…. Exo 12:12-15  For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  (13)  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.  (14)  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.  (15)  Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel…. Exo 12:21-27  Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.  (22)  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.  (23)  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.  (24)  And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.  (25)  And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.  (26)  And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?  (27)  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

Judgment is planned for the world at large (Egypt is a type of the world), but not for the people of God. Who are the people of God? Those who have the lamb’s blood applied to them. In our case, we are in bondage to sin, and the only way to be released is through the shedding of blood, because we know that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sins (Heb. 9:22). There was a reason the lamb had to be without blemish. God was working on his picture that applies to us today. 1Pe 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: This verse puts to rest any question about Christ’s identity as the lamb of God. But if there is any further doubt… Joh 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. As part of the requirement for deliverance, the Jews killed the lamb and ate it. Thus began a yearly Passover feast to memorialize their deliverance. Then came Christ, who during the Passover at the end of his life, instituted a new practice or memorial, where his body and blood, as the lamb of God, were at the center. Mat 26:26-28  And as they were eating [ the Passover ], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  (27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  (28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Heb 10:12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; This was the completion of our salvation. God’s sacrificial lamb died and rose again. We remember him during our prescribed ceremony, communion.

How to Have a Healthy Mind

Years ago, a friend and I went through the book “Do You Hear What You’re Thinking?: The art of talking to yourself” by Jerry Schmidt. The theme of the book is that we should not let our minds and thoughts go whatever direction they want to, but rather take them in hand and guide them. Rather than listen to ourselves, we should talk to ourselves.

I thought of that this morning as I went through the next four verses in Ps. 119. First, we need to get our hearts right overall, then when we face issues, often people problems, we will be inclined to do something other than deflate and complain. Because when we let ourselves go like that, we usually take those around us down with us. Notice in the verses below how David rose above it all. There are lessons to learn.

Ps. 119:77-80  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.	David is the king of praying for God’s tender mercies for himself. He learned that’s what God is like. And it’s only through God’s tender mercies we will live. He/we can only feel confident praying for that when we know in our hearts that we delight in God’s laws. A tender, obedient, submissive heart, God our father loves to reward with tender mercies.
(78)  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.	How do I deal with people problems? If someone around me doesn’t like me and poisons others’ perceptions of me, what’s the best way to handle it? It’s not to take vengeance. I know that. David chose not to dwell on it, but rather to turn his mind to God’s precepts, which are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. It takes a strong Christian to cast down imaginations and take into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ like that. (2 Cor. 10:5)
(79)  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.	Another way to handle people problems is to pray for new people to surround you. David went ahead and dreamed of what kind of friends he’d like to have… those who fear God and that have known (probably from experience) God’s testimonies or stories of how he operates. That’s a great idea and example.
(80)  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.	Rather than let his mind run wild with defeating thoughts, David talked to himself… literally. He talked his heart into being sound (or healthy) by focusing on God’s statutes or prescribed tasks. That’s another great idea and example. He didn’t listen to himself. He talked to himself, and he reminded himself of God.

Grasp God's Mercy and Kindness

We have some spiritually delicious thoughts today from Ps. 119:73-76. God made us for a purpose, and if we follow it, we will be an encouragement to others. But sometimes God has to discipline us. It’s best if we take it as God’s faithfulness and surrender to whatever he is teaching us. Still, discipline hurts. We know that. So does David. And in that case, we ask for God’s merciful kindness, which we can do, because it’s God’s character to be merciful and kind.

The best word/concept studies I have done are God’s mercy and lovingkindness. I have run miles on them, and I encourage anyone to take out their Strong’s concordance and study these two words. It will change you forever. It changed David forever. (For a faster study, just look up all forms of the words mercy and lovingkindness in the Psalms.) But for today, enjoy Ps. 119:73-76.

Psa 119:73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.	When I, like David, fully grasp that God made me unique (as he amplifies in Ps. 139), It will unlock a desire to understand the specific purpose for which he made me, the very least of which is to do what he asked in his word. Lord, give me understanding that I might learn your desire for me. It starts with today. Show me anything you desire of me today.
(74)  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.	This reminds me of Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. I’ve always applied that to the idea of having sharp friends, not being a sharp friend. True spiritual leaders like David look at their lives as a ministry and an example for others to follow… a discipler. A discipler who hopes in God’s word is a radiant spiritual model, and those who fear God are glad when he/she shows up.
(75)  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.	May I align myself with God like this when I go through any kind of pain or turmoil. “God, you are right, and I am not. I surrender. You are faithful. Yes Lord.”
(76)  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.	But, affliction, no matter the cause, still hurts. David appealed to God for comfort based on His merciful kindness that he showed David in his word. He showed it to me, too, in Exodus. Let’s all bask in this and pray it back to God like David did: Exo 34:6-7a  And the LORD passed by before him [ Moses ], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

The Ultimate Faith That Refreshes

Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice is one of the two most obvious stories in the Old Testament picturing salvation through Christ. We'll look at it today, and actually, there are three salvation truths in this story:

• Abraham offered his only son, the son of God’s promise, as a sacrifice, picturing God offering his son, Jesus Christ.
• God ultimately provided himself the lamb for the sacrifice, picturing God coming down in flesh via Jesus Christ and becoming the sacrifice for our sin.
• Abraham believed God would fulfill his promises, and it was counted as righteousness. This made him the father of the Christian faith.

Read the whole story in 18 verses below in the left column. Right next to the pertinent parts are related notes in the right column, including the New Testament verses that amplify the Old Testament account. When you look at them both together, you’ll be amazed at the truth God is trying to teach us.

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 22:1-18  And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.  (2)  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.  (3)  And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.  (4)  Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.  (5)  And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.  (6)  And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.  (7)  And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?  (8)  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.  (9)  And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.  (10)  And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.  (11)  And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.  (12)  And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.  (13)  And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.  (14)  And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.  (15)  And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,  (16)  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:  (17)  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;  (18)  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

First: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11:17-19)  Abraham was offering up his only begotten son, expecting him to die, just as God offered up his only begotten son to die for us. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Second: Abraham spoke prophetically to Isaac when his son asked him where the lamb was for the offering. He said God would provide himself a lamb, which lamb Jesus was. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Third: Abraham obeyed God, and set forth to offer his son. God stopped him when it was evident that Abraham truly believed God’s promises. Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness. This is the supreme example of being justified –or declared righteous—by faith. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:21-23)

Obedience Begets Blessing

Truly, the Old Testament is living and vibrant and tied with beautiful ribbons to the New Testament. The gospel is wondrously pictured in the Old Testament and magnified through the lens of the New Testament. In today’s study, we see the third dimension of scriptures, showing that only a master designer could have put it all together.

We’re looking at God’s promise or covenant with Abraham today. At first, his name was Abram, which means exalted father. Over time, it was changed to Abraham, which means father of a multitude. In a matter of seconds, we’re going to see the progression of Abraham’s life. You’ll get the best results if you do a zigzag with your eyes. Read a scripture section in the left column, then noticed what’s right next to it in the right column.

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 12:1-3  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  (2)  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  (3)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  Gen 13:14-16  And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:  (15)  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.  (16)  And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Gen 15:5-6  And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.  (6)  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Gen 22:15-18  And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,  (16)  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:  (17)  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;  (18)  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

The promise to Abraham was progressive. First, he had to leave his country and family. If he did and trusted God that way, God would make him a great nation…  Gal 3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Abraham mostly obeyed God, except he took his nephew Lot with him. God did not expand his promise to Abraham until he and Lot separated. Then God promised a vast amount of land and innumerable descendents to Abraham’s seed. That seed wasn’t his son, but Christ, as we see explained in the New Testament: Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Abraham only had to believe God’s promise about the seed (Christ), which he did, and God put that faith to Abraham’s credit, making him the model of faith throughout the ages. Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. God tested Abraham’s faith concerning that seed, for he only had one son/seed by Sarah, by whom the promise would be fulfilled, and God asked him to sacrifice that son. He obeyed. Abraham had faith and the works of obedience to back it up. It was pure faith, and the promise of his seed was amplified. All nations of the earth would be blessed.  Gal 3:28-29  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Old Testament is a Picture Book

There are a minimum of 24 arrows pointing to Christ in the Old Testament. I know because I found them. Most of them are pictures, not just of Christ’s person, but his position and purpose. I graduated from Bible college and didn’t once hear the word “type” or “picture.” For some reason, it’s not commonly taught. I hate to think that means the majority of Christians have just a historical view of the Old Testament. No wonder people have such a hard time reading it.

Today we’re looking at Melchizedek in Genesis 14. He is not only a type of Christ, he likely was the preincarnate Christ, setting up his role as the ultimate High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” By the way, this phrase is found seven times in the Bible: Ps. 110:4; Heb 5:6; 5:10; 6:20; 7:11; 7:17; 7:21. Numbers are also significant in the Bible, but that’s a study for another time.

The book of Hebrews, which is written to the Jews, will become important in end times, especially during the tribulation and millennium, when the Jews come to realize they were wrong all along about Jesus. The author of Hebrews, thought to be Paul, thoroughly explained who Melchizedek was in connection with Christ—something the Jews will come to understand.

The key verse below (Gen 14:18) is the first time the word priest is used in the Bible, and it’s in connection with a type of Christ, spoken of before the Levitical law was given. Study with me:

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 14:14-20  And when Abram heard that his brother [ Lot ] was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.  (15)  And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.  (16)  And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.  (17)  And the king of Sodom went out to meet him [ Abram ] after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.  (18)  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  (19)  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  (20)  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he [Abram] gave him [Melchizedek] tithes of all.

Heb 7:1-8  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;  (2)  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;  (3)  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.  (4)  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.[ Gen 14:20 is the first mention of tithes in the Bible ]  (5)  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:  (6)  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.  (7)  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.  (8)  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.  Jesus also brought forth bread and wine, representing himself and his work on the cross 1Co 11:24-26  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (25)  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  (26)  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Many things can be said about Christ as our High Priest, to whom we pay tithes, but here are a few: Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  Heb 4:14-15  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

God Addresses People Problems

We want everyone to like us, but it doesn’t always happen. Not everyone is nice, either. Sometimes those who don’t like us whisper about us and stir others up against us. They make things up about us and rally others around them.

No one understood that better than David. He always had enemies. Much of the time, he was on the run from them. But somehow, he found mental and emotional victory in the middle of it. The four verses in Ps. 119 for today show exactly how he did that. It’s a pattern we can learn from.

Ps 119:69  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.	It would take quite a resolve to commit to keeping God’s precepts with my whole heart when those around me lie about me and slander me. Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. It requires a heart that stands above it all in order to let others’ responses and opinions of me just slide off. David was able to do that. This verse shows that. It’s what made him a great leader. You can’t always buckle under the load of public opinion. Here’s another David example: 1Sa 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. I’d like to meet him in heaven and ask him exactly how he did that. I think it will be about meditating on God’s word.
(70)  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.	David is referring to the proud who forged a lie against him. Fat as grease means they are insensitive. It’s not sin to recognize and acknowledge what kinds of people oppose me. “Consider the source” might be one way to look at it. But on the contrary, decide to think on and delight in God’s law. Which law? I don’t know about David, but here’s one I could sure work on: Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
(71)  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.	Carrying on with the same idea of surviving the onslaught of those who opposed David—the proud who forged a lie against him, I now see his perspective. He didn’t learn God’s statutes until he was afflicted like that. Trials make us bitter or better. Natural reasoning leads to bitter. Getting God’s comfort from his word leads to better. Statutes means prescribed actions. That’s appropriate. What actions does God prescribe in a time of trial and affliction? Here’s an example David could have learned from Job 13:15:  Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
(72)  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.	After meditating on God’s word in the midst of his “people trials” and getting the right perspective to meet the challenge, David could say The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.  Really, in times of emotional upheaval, gold and silver are worthless. The law of God’s mouth is most necessary. Law means instruction or direction. David looked to God and his word until his agitated heart could be resolved. Psa 123:2  Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. David wrote that. God gives so much wisdom and insight through the testimony of David’s life.

There are Great Rewards for Those With Passion

I don’t just want to bumble through this day. I think I bumble by default. I want to be smart about how I handle the people and situations around me. I get this idea from the four verses below. They are my Monday Ps. 119 verses. I’m examining an eight-verse stanza a week. There is so much in the first four verses of Ps. 119:65-72 that I’m finishing up tomorrow.

I recoil at the word intentional because it’s so new-age Christian. Maybe passionate is a better word to describe how I should approach my life with God’s word top of mind today. I learn so much from David’s attitude. The stand-out verse for today is 66. I’ll be giving the devotional to the girls at the juvenile detention center tonight, and I’m going to trust God to give me good judgment and knowledge both before and during my dealings with them. They need to know God and Jesus, they just don’t realize it yet.

Psa 119:65-72  Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.	It’s reassuring for a child to see that what a mother or father says, they mean. Rewards promised for compliance are kept. A smart child learns and benefits from that. In the same way, it seems to me (and to David) that the most satisfying life is one that figures out what God said, and complies. Mat 7:24-25  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.	I can see where David would ask for good judgment and knowledge. As king, a lot of people looked to him for a lot of things. He expected God to answer that prayer because he believed God’s commandments. Truly, a believer has a better chance than a nonbeliever of responding to situations and people with good judgment and knowledge because of that foundational belief in God’s word. This verse shows the path to successful leadership. Bible-believing Christians should make the best leaders because they know the source.
(67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.	Pro 3:12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Heb 12:9  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? It’s a fact. God corrects us so we will humble ourselves and correct our attitudes and our ways. We learn to turn.
(68)  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.	This verse is the balance. God doesn’t always get our attention just by disciplining us. If we’re attuned to him, he can just as easily get our hearts by being good to us. Psa 103:17-18  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;  (18)  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

The First Sacrifice Pictured Christ

Did you ever think the Old Testament isn’t relevant for today? Other than Psalms and Proverbs, it’s easy to shy away from the Old Testament and favor the New Testament. But there’s so much richness you’re missing out on if you do that.

We are looking at 24 pictures, types and examples of Christ and salvation from the Old Testament. We feel free to do that, because Jesus did that on the road to Emmaus when he explained who he was from the first five books of the Bible and from the prophets.

Salvation by the blood of the lamb is first seen in the first couple’s children. Why did Cain and Abel have to make offerings to God in the first place? Because they were sinners. The sacrifice that was pleasing to God was the blood of the lamb, looking forward to the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God.

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 4:1-8  And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.  (2)  And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  (3)  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.  (4)  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:  (5)  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  (6)  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  (7)  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.  (8)  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

(Hebrews 11:4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 9:22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Cain brought the fruit of his labor, an unacceptable sacrifice.  (Hebrews 9:14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Adam and Jesus: Sons of God

When Jesus was born, he wasn’t the first son of God. Adam was. In the Gospel of Luke’s genealogy, we read: Luk 3:38  …which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

That first son of God was a type or figure of Jesus, the eternal Son of God. We don’t have to look hard to see that. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Rom 5:14)

We are looking at 24 types of Christ found in the Old Testament. Here’s a closer look at Adam as the son of God. 

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen 1:27-28  (27)  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  (28)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Adam was created in the image of God. Christ also was the image of God. Heb 1:2-3  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; The first Adam was earthy and sinned. The second Adam, Christ, was spiritual and took care of our sin, clearly explained as follows: 1Co 15:42-48  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption [Adam]; it is raised in incorruption [Christ]:  (43)  It is sown in dishonor [Adam]; it is raised in glory [Christ]: it is sown in weakness [Adam]; it is raised in power [Christ]:  (44)  It is sown a natural body [Adam]; it is raised a spiritual body[Christ]. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  (45)  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual [Christ], but that which is natural [Adam]; and afterward that which is spiritual.  (47)  The first man is of the earth [Adam], earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.    Now we, who have trusted Christ, are the sons of God, and we are spiritual. We are to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, making more sons of God. Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

The Sun Pictures the Son

We are starting an exciting new study today. Many of the events recorded in the Old Testament point to Christ and serve as a picture of the Gospel of Christ. We know that to be a fact, because Jesus said so himself.

After his death and resurrection, two men walked along the road to Emmaus discussing what had just happened. Jesus came up to them and walked along with them and asked what they were talking about and why they were so sad. They didn’t recognize that it was Christ, and they were surprised that this man didn’t know what had just happened in the past few days. This man apparently hadn’t been keeping up with the news.

The men explained Christ’s death, burial and disappearance. They missed the key to what had just happened. They gave their ignorance away when they said, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel…” (Luke 24:21a)

After hearing the whole story, and gathering their perspective, Jesus said, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  (26)  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  (27)  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

Later, he met with his disciples: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:” Luke 24:44-46 

Christ is found all over the Old Testament. He is seen in creation, people, ceremonies/feasts, objects, locations/movement and in the prophets. It’s important for us to see these, and explain him to others. The Old Testament stories are far more than stories. They point to Christ as savior. We are going to examine 24 examples from the Old Testament. It begins with the creation of light in Genesis 1.

The sun is thought to have been created on the fourth day “to give light upon the earth.” It is easy to see that the sun pictures Jesus. There’s even one place in the Bible where Jesus is referred to as the “Sun of righteousness” Mal 4:2a  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.

What’s of particular interest in Genesis 1 is that it only uses the word light in the creation account. It is careful not to use the word sun.  It doesn’t talk about the sun being created… only the light. Maybe because, as a picture of Christ, the son was always there. Christ is an eternal part of the Godhead. He was not created. However, the son’s/sun’s  application to the earth as light was created on the fourth day. Nevertheless, the sun and its light are powerful pictures of Christ. Below is a closer look, and keep reading. We will see the first mention of the word sun and how that represents Christ also. Remember this series will be heavy on types and pictures—a view Jesus taught his disciples to adopt.

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 1:14-19  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:  (15)  And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  (16)  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  (17)  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,  (18)  And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.  (19)  And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. First mention of the sun Gen 15:12-18  And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.  (13)  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  (14)  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.  (15)  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.  (16)  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.  (17)  And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.  (18)  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.    The light/Jesus divides light from darkness. Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Not everyone comes to the light. And this passage also reveals that “the Light” made the world, thus, the sun/son is not mentioned as created in Gen. 1. Joh 1:6-11  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. The first mention of the sun, it was “going down.” And in the same passage, it “went down.” It is in the context of God giving Abraham a covenant about his seed and God’s future dealings with them. And when the sun went down, God sent a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between the pieces of his offering (Gen 15:9-10a  And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.  (10a)  And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another). All in the same day, we have the covenant regarding Abraham’s seed (Christ is his ultimate seed), we have God dividing the offering with fire, and we have the first mention of the sun, which goes down. This is so similar to what happened the day Jesus died—when the Son went down.  Mar 15:33-34; 37-38  And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  (34)  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?... (37)And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  (38)  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

God Feeds Birds French Fries

That’s just one of the great things we know about God. In the four verses we are looking at today from Ps. 119, we see he identifies with us in our trials, but doesn’t give us a pass to feel wimpy. Instead, he provides himself an example of how to handle it.

We also see that God’s judgments are righteous, and they are not always the way we would judge. Praise God for that, or none of us would be here today.

Finally, the friends we should be the closest to are the ones who walk closest with him. David himself demonstrates that. There’s plenty to think on today.

Ps. 119:61  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.	I’ve never been robbed, but I’ve been treated unjustly. In that, God taught me a lesson that I have not forgotten (mentioned in a previous blog). 1Pe 2:19-23  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  (20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  (21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. This applies to so many situations. It’s worth memorizing.
(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.	His judgments are the way he handles a case. We see many examples in scripture. The written accounts of how God handled “situations” moved David to get up in the middle of the night to thank God. The building of the tower of Babel is one David could have pondered: Gen 11:4  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. This was not pleasing to God. Notice that his judgments don’t always end with the offenders wiped off the face of the earth. Here’s God’s righteous judgment in this case. He said in Gen 11:7-9  Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.  (8)  So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.  (9)  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. God didn’t wipe them off the earth, he scattered them throughout the earth. I want to meditate on the awesomeness of that righteous judgment.
(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.	David said he was united or knit together with all them that fear God and of those who keep God’s precepts. That knitting happens naturally when we find like-minded believers. Jonathan was the one David’s heart was knit to the closest. And why was that? Because Jonathan feared God and kept his precepts. They thought and acted alike. Before David ever laid eyes on Goliath, Jonathan had whipped his own group of Philistines. Unbeknownst to anyone, Jonathan took his armor bearer to the military post of the Philistines.1Sa 14:6  And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. Read what happened. It’s amazing. So then David killed Goliath. Before he did, he told the giant, 1Sa 17:47  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. After the deed was done, Jonathan overheard David answer his father Saul’s questions about killing Goliath. 1Sa 18:1  And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. May our best friends be those who fear the Lord and keep his precepts.
(64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.	David is thinking beyond the mercy he sees in his own life. He’s talking about the earth—creation—being full of mercy. We know God feeds birds. Mat 6:26a  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Sometimes it’s seeds, sometimes worms, sometimes french fries. Truly, Richmond and I have marveled how God provides birds with french fries as we wait in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s and watch birds pluck fries from the parking lot and dumpster. Birds are only one example. David says the earth is full of his mercy. It’s something to watch for. And so, David asks God to teach him his statutes or prescribed actions. Maybe his thought is, “God, you do so much good. Show me from your word what I’m supposed to do.”

Use Your Solitary Time Well

What’s the best way to react with God’s word after I finish my quiet time and close my Bible? David is a great example of someone who obviously hid God’s word in his heart and thought about it and applied it throughout the day.

That says something positive about his solitary profession. He was a shepherd. He had time to reflect—out there with the sheep. He took an instrument with him and made up songs. He handled his solitary time well. He came up with the most excellent reflections on God. In fact, God inspired him. David is one of the writers of the Scriptures.

Today, there are some excellent level-setting verses in our Monday look at the next set of eight verses in Ps. 119. We are on verses 57-64. Today, I just had time to look at the first four, and they are so rich. Have a look with me.

Ps. 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.	Portion means inheritance or possession.  This will seem crude and ungodly, but this verse reminds me of when I got my iPhone. It came with a pamphlet explaining what all I could do with the phone, and I devoured the manual. In the same way, I have Jesus, and I have the book that explains not only him, but the spiritual realm he is over and the God who he is and how he thinks and how he has worked from creation and his plans for my life and the world. He is my portion and I have his words. I want to commit myself afresh to keeping his words, not just reading them. I want a greater passion for applying God’s word than my initial passion for my iPhone manual.
(58)  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.	Very interesting, because intreated means sick or weak. Favour means face or presense. David is saying “I was sick and weak for your presense with my whole heart.” I wish I was that way all the time, but it often takes trials to produce that passion. His resulting prayer was “be merciful unto me according to thy word.” He appealed to God based on his word, and God’s word says God is merciful. In fact, that is part of God’s own description of himself in Ex. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. David knew this verse. I know it too, and I have readily prayed for God’s mercy and goodness through the years. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of the Bible. We can ask for and expect mercy. I learned it from David.
(59)  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.	Self-reflection is a good idea and a lost art. This is a good reminder for me. Since I walk 3 miles each morning, I should use that time to think on my ways compared to God’s word and turn my feet to his testimonies. Psa 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. May I reckon it so.
(60)  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.	This is a great attitude. Any parent loves it when their children immediately do what they were asked. God is a parent, and he is the same. He certainly noticed David’s obedient heart. Look: Act 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. David made haste and delayed not to keep God’s commandments.

There’s a Prize at the End For Keeping God’s Testimonies

I remember a time when I was stuck spiritually. I was stale and starting to faint. I confessed to my pastor that I was only reading the New Testament and had no desire to read the Old Testament. I just couldn’t bring myself to read what I thought was boring history that had nothing to do with my life.

We prayed that day that I would have a desire to read the Old Testament, and then I started dutifully reading through it. A whole new world opened to me. There were so many stories of how God works that presented principles I could live by. The Old Testament was exactly what I needed, and still need. It’s there I find so many testimonies. I see mistakes I should avoid (and why I should avoid them!). I see faith I should emulate. I see God’s love and forbearance with his people I should remember and appreciate. I see the faithfulness of God and some of his choice servants. That’s why testimonies is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119.

We’re on our last three of the verses today. I’m sad to see it end, because this study has refreshed my soul with some of the great Old Testament stories and principles. David wrote Ps. 119, and he clearly loved the Old Testament stories he had available to him. Little did he know that his life would provide me with additional testimonies to know, love and apply.

Psalms 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	David surely had persecutors and enemies. Among the testimonies he had available to him was Joseph’s life: Gen 50:18-20  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.  (19)  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  (20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. David could see from this that God has his unseen-at-the-time purposes. He refused to push those testimonies aside. To me, Joseph and David are testimonies of Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I also love God’s testimonies. Does my soul keep them? As long as I can remember them, I try to keep them. One of them is how to be a good wife. 1Pe 3:4-6  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  (5)  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  (6)  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. That’s a hard testimony to keep, except in combination with another testimony. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	Why did David (and so why should I) keep his precepts and his testimonies? Because my ways are before him. Heb 12:6-7  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? I want a testimony like the Apostle Paul’s, Php 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God Repeats His Ways

Whatever God did once in the Bible, we can count on him to do it again, because it’s his testimony. God is not wishy-washy. He is faithful. We get principles to live by from his testimonies.

I have always marveled at the way God handled the Israelites in the wilderness. They acted obnoxiously; God sent trials; they were sorry, repented and cried out to God; and he delivered them—every time. For years I read those stories, and my predominant thought was, “Wow, were they stupid. If I was God, I would have wiped them off the face of the earth. Good thing I’m not God.”

But eventually, my thinking changed. Now I read those stories, and I’m so thankful for them. I marvel at the forbearance, mercy and love of God. Those stories are a testimony of God’s character and God’s ways. What he did for them, he’ll do for me. I find comfort in that.

Below are more lessons to learn about God’s testimonies as we are close to wrapping up our study of the word testimonies in Ps. 119.

Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.	If God doesn’t give me understanding into his righteous testimonies, I won’t live. I’ll faint. Who better to recognize that than David. Unless God came through for him as he ran from Saul and from his own son Absalom, He would have died. Here’s his testimony, demonstrating that he had understanding of God’s testimonies: Psa 27:12-14  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.  (13)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  (14)  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.	David talks about keeping God’s testimonies. How? I can see learning from them, but keeping them? It must mean keeping what I learn from his testimonies. In this verse, David cried to God to save him, with the promise he would keep God’s testimonies. He would keep what he learned from how God saved him. That reminds me of Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Salvation won’t come by my efforts, but God’s. David seemed to know that, evidenced by the time he had the chance to kill Saul in the cave, and instead he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe (and felt guilty for it). God eventually was the one who saved David. David knew not to take matters into his own hands.
Psalms 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.	God’s testimonies are forever. Wow. What God did before, he’ll do again and forever. That’s why it is so important to learn from the stories/examples of the Bible. Because those principles last forever. Thank you God. When he turned the heart of the king (in Exodus,  in Esther, in Nehemiah, in Daniel…), it was because that’s what God does. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. David knew things like that from when he was a kid. And he must have taught that to his son Solomon, who became a king and wrote those words. That lesson applies, I’m sure, not just to kings, but bosses and spouses and co-workers.

God Raises Us to be Dependent

I was so young the first time I heard my parents tell me they were kicking me out of the house at age 21 that I had nightmares of my 21st birthday. I fully expected that they would usher me to the front door, toss me in the air like a bouncy ball, and literally kick me out into the front yard.

Of course, now I know what that was all about. They started me young on the idea that they were raising me to be independent. They didn’t want me to think for a second that they were taking care of me for the rest of my life.

The way God raises us spiritually is completely opposite of that. He doesn’t, for a second, want us to depend on ourselves, but on him. Think of those verses in Proverbs that astound us each time we read them: Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

That is his testimony throughout the Bible. We are studying the word and concept of testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in that chapter. The two testimonies verses for today made me think of examples of dependence on God and not on self ability.  

Psalms 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

The testimonies of Christ are especially wonderful. More than 25 years ago, I soaked up how he handled unfair treatment, as I mentioned yesterday. To this day, I use Christ’s testimony as a guide to handling tough situations. Here it is again: 1Pe 2:22-23  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. That testimony is amazing. Can I remember to commit myself to him rather than fight for myself.

Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Sometimes his testimonies involve a commandment. Here’s one. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking in 2 Chron. 20:15&17  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's…. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. So, they believed the testimony that God commanded, and they began to sing and praise God. And here’s the rest of the story: 2Ch 20:22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. God’s testimonies that he commanded here were righteous and very faithful. I learn from them. God raises me, not to be independent, but dependent on him. He wants to come through for me, not me for myself.

How to be a Silent Sufferer

Difficult times come, and often they start with the mouth of those who don’t appreciate us. We can spout back, or we can take it.

What? Absorb criticism? It’s a lesson I learned years ago from a testimony in the Bible. We are looking at testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in there. Testimonies are the stories we learn from.

To this day, if I can’t take suffering, then I didn’t really learn the most important testimony I can think of from the Bible.

Curious?

Psalms 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.	One testimony that comes to mind that I took as a heritage or possession more than 25 years ago is 1Pe 2:20-23  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  (21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: A boss treated me unjustly, and Christ’s testimony came to my rescue. Even to today, I commit myself to him that judgeth righteously, and it helps me to be a “silent sufferer.”
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.	One of God’s testimonies is that he does put away the wicked like dross. He removes them. Think of the Egyptian army that drowned in the parted Red Sea, or in Esther’s day, think of the wicked Haman. The verse says God puts away all the wicked of the earth. There will come a day when all the wicked are put away like dross or scum formed on the surface of molten metal. That thought made David love God’s testimonies. God has put the wicked away before, he’ll do it again. Some day there will be no more sin.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.	What an awesome verse. I can read, enjoy, remember and recount the stories of the Bible. But what I need is to understand, recognize, perceive, discern or distinguish how the lessons of those stories apply.  When I know that, I will know God. I’ll recognize how he works and how he responds. His testimonies teach me those things.

How to Handle People Trials

It’s Monday morning and time for a new stanza of Ps. 119. We’re on 49-55. After reading through it several times, two things stand out. These eight verses are easiest to comprehend when looking at them in two-verse increments. And second, David presents his case for comfort. He was going through significant trials, and he encouraged himself in God by thinking on God’s word.

This group of eight verses provides an excellent example of how to make it through affliction, and particularly, people trials.

Also, in the last two verses, I see a hint of David wearing the armor of God. It might be a great study to go through the armor of God in Eph. 6 and look at David as an example of wearing and using each piece.

Ps 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  (50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.	I love that here David reminds God of the secret verse that came to his rescue when he needed it. I don’t know what David’s verse is, but I have a few secret verses, depending on the circumstances at the time, and I get hope. And those verses are my comfort in my affliction. Those secret verses raise my heart. Circumstances might be distressing, but those verses come to my emotional and spiritual rescue.
(51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  (52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.	No doubt, Saul was the proud person that had David greatly in derision (scorning him). But David kept God’s law. And how did he handle it emotionally? He remembered God’s judgments in other cases—the way God handled other adversaries of the cause. In that, he found comfort. May I gather strength like that from the lessons the Bible teaches me.
(53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.  (54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.	I can picture David hiding in the cave as Saul pursues him to kill him. David feels horror. But, he’s a master at encouraging himself in God by turning to God’s word, in this case, God’s statutes or prescribed actions. He turns them into songs, which he takes with him on his journey.
(55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.  (56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.	When David goes to sleep, what’s on his mind? The terror of his enemy? He remembers God’s name, and the fact that he hasn’t failed God’s law or his precepts. David is very conscientious in his obedience to the Lord. He’s a particularly good example of what a life looks like that wears the armor of God, and especially the breastplate of righteousness here.

Don't Let the Unfolding News Today Capture You

I flipped on the TV while I was on the treadmill this morning and heard the news about the Boston bombers—one being killed, the other still to be found. It made me wonder if there are others like them all over the place that no one suspects. It’s not the same country I grew up in. (I could get carried away with that.)

After I finished walking my 3 miles, I took out my Bible to continue down the Ps. 119 path looking at all the verses that mention testimonies. The next three were so good. They provide the perspective I need during times like this.

The news coverage will continue throughout the day as more suspects are found and caught. It will be gripping. But I have richer things to think about. Join me in looking at three testimony verses, and let’s get our minds off of the events of the day for a few minutes.

Psalms 119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.	If testimony is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119, lovingkindness is my favorite characteristic of God. This is a great prayer. Lord, enliven me with your lovingkindnesses that you so amply provide, then I’ll apply what I know of your testimonies. Bottom line, I just need God’s help to keep his testimonies. I need God to come through for me and encourage and embolden me.
Psalms 119:95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.	If there ever was a time to become distraught over the wickedness surrounding us, this is it. The wicked, including Satan, is a destroyer. The message of this verse is one of focus. Yes, the wicked want to destroy us and our families, but rather than get carried away, consider his testimonies. Didn’t Saul want to destroy David? Look who won. God was with David because he was a man after God’s own heart. He was chosen by God. I’m chosen by God. Those who trust in God are winners. Destroyers are losers. The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)
Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.	Understanding is applied knowledge. Teachers may have knowledge, but I know how to apply knowledge when I meditate on God’s testimonies. Esther knew God’s greatness, but it wasn’t until she applied her faith and stood up for her people before the king, who had the power to destroy her, that she really meant anything to her people and accomplished God’s plan for her. I meditate on that, and it makes me want to trust God to find out and stand up for what I need to. The writer of Hebrews (13:6 above) got fuel for his faith from this O.T. testimony of David's: In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (Psalms 56:11)