Calendar:June 16th to July 15th.

DAILY BIBLE BEADING:……..June 16th, Psalm 55; June 30th, Psalm 69; July 15th, Psalm 84.

GOOD READING:… ."The Minor Prophets," by H. A. I. Pages 213-247.

MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY CLASS:Colossians, ch. 1:14.

Our Daily Bible Reading

The 2nd book of Psalms concludes with Ps. 72, and our reading this month takes us almost through the 3rd book, of which Ps. 89 is the last. We have referred to the series closing with Ps. 55 as setting before us the "man of sin" and his company, from whom the faithful Jewish remnant of the last days will so greatly suffer. It seems fitting, in view of this, that we get now what strengthens faith, and so sustains the remnant in their trials. This occupies us in psalms 56-60. First, God is trusted in as the all-sufficient (Ps. 56:3, 4, 9,11). This lead to faith's exultant praise (Ps. 57), for in the shadow of God's wings is found a refuge amid the calamities of verses 4 and 6. Faith, being in the current of God's mind, looks forward to the complete overthrow of evil (Ps. 58). Faith can speak with assurance of God's judgment of evil, as did Enoch, Noah, and all the prophets. In Ps. 59 the work of judgment broadens out to the ungodly nations in these last days which are constantly before us in these psalms. In Ps. 60 the cycle returns to God as alone sufficient, though here looked at in ways of discipline.

In the concluding psalms of this 2nd book (61-72) Christ comes prominently before us. How beautiful this grouping together, as we come to the One who brings all evil to judgment, who answers faith's call, and gives the desired blessing, founded of course, as all must be, upon His cross, of which Ps. 69 treats. From Ps. 72 we see that the results are universal in character and affect all nations. Note the contrast in this to Ps. 59, which, however, is the necessary prelude to Messiah's kingdom and glory. This series ascends to the full triumph of God in Ps. 68, in and through Christ as the ascended and glorified Man. But immediately (Ps. 69) follows the depth of humiliation to which the blessed Lord descended. Compare Eph. 4:1-16. Suitably, there follows the judgment of those who proved themselves adversaries in connection with that humiliation; and the climax in peace and rest is found in Ps. 72, as already suggested.

The 3rd book of Psalms gives us the principles of holiness according to which God deals with Israel, and in fact with all the nations. His sure mercies abide forever under the true David (Ps. 89).

First, in Ps. 73, the understanding of things is found by entering the sanctuary; there the soul is instructed in the ways of God, and is delivered from a false appraisal of the ease and prosperity of the wicked. Then the defiled sanctuary is seen in Ps. 74, and the invading enemy is seen as God's enemy, as well as of the people, and deliverance is pleaded for. He who brings deliverance, when all other source of hope is prostrated, appears in Ps. 75. Then God is known in Judah and Israel, while all other power is laid low (76). The sanctuary again appears in Ps. 77, and the soul contemplates God's ways in mercy and faithfulness, known from of old. The questions raised in the early part of this psalm lead to a review of Israel's history in Ps. 78, which causes faith to count upon God's sovereignty and electing love for the realization of complete blessing. The defiled inheritance and holy temple again come into view with the realization that this must be due to God's anger with His people, but which, because of the reproach it brings from the enemy, becomes a plea "for the glory of God's great name," and at the same time purging away His people's sins for His name's sake. This develops in the next psalm to an enlarged plea for revival and restored glory, in connection with the Branch, the Man of God's right hand- Christ (80:15,17).

The trumpet call for Israel's awakening is next sounded, accompanied with the declaration of Israel's responsibility to hear; for, in not doing so, she had so grievously failed in the past. In all of this the judges of the people had failed, necessitating God's judgment; but this means too that He will judge the confederacy of nations who took the opportunity to destroy Israel because of God's anger against His failing people. In result it shall be His opportunity to make His Name known universally (83). All this finally leads to the blessed conclusions of Ps. 84, in which the preciousness of the sanctuary and God's ways are again celebrated.

Our Good Reading

The prophet Micah occupies us this month. He speaks concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. They stand as representatives of the ruling classes in both kingdoms; it is the gross misrule in both which he exposes. Then he sets before us the true and great Ruler who shall be the peace of the nation in the last days. Finally, the remnant is in view, to whom the Deliverer will come in those days.

The following structure of this book is suggested as a guide for our reading.

Div. 1. (chs. 1:1-3:12). The Lord, the Judge of all the earth, presents the indictment against His people and decrees the punishment.

1. (ch. 1). The holy and irresistible Judge calling the guilty to account:His testimony against, and announced judgment of Samaria and Judah.

(1)vers. 1-5. He who commences the work of judgment

(2) vers. 6, 7.The word against Samaria.

(3) vers. 8-16.The smiting of Judah.

2. (ch. 2.) The Judge's woe upon those who make evil use of power; His requital; His denunciation of the rejectors of prophecy, a spirit of error and folly shall come upon them, vainly promising complete deliverance to Judah after Israel's fall.

3. (ch. 3.) Evil uncovered in high places:the unholy use of divine place and privilege.

(1) vers. 1-4. The source of the evil among those who should judge and rule in righteousness:from them the righteous Lord will hide His face.

(2)vers. 5-7. Their supporting arm:false prophecy, leading into error, darkness and confusion.

(3) vers. 8-12.The Lord's true prophet:his message of denunciation and judgment.

Div. 2. (chs. 4, 5). The coming salvation and Saviour, with the judgment of all that offended, the dross purged away.

1.(ch. 4). The purposes of God.

(1) vers. 1,2. The Lord's house established:source and centre of blessing.

(2)vers. 3,4.Conflict ended:peace and plenty.

(3) vers. 5-8. Israel re-assembled and restored.

(4)vers. 9,10. Affliction, captivity, the needful experience, yet harbinger of deliverance.

(5) vers. 11-13. The Lord's subjugation of oppressing enemies.

2. (ch. 5.) Messiah and His work-the accomplisher of the divine purposes.

(1)vers. 1-4. The Person and His place.

(2) vers. 5, 6.The last great enemy subdued-peace.

(3)ver. 7. The remnant of Judah made the agency for earth's blessing.

(4) vers. 8, 9.Captivity ended; the remnant supreme.

(5) vers. 10-15.The Lord with His people, making complete purgation of evil.

Div. 3. (chs. 6,7). In the light of the sanctuary:all searched out that full blessing may be realized.

1. (ch. 6:1-8).The controversy of the righteous Lord.

(1) vers. 1-5. His appeal.

(2) vers. 6,7. How shall He be approached? What does He require?

(3)ver. 8. The right and good way.

2. (ch. 6:9-7:7.) The Lord's voice in accusation; the remnant's concurrent testimony.

(1) vers. 9-16. Barrenness:result of evil ways.

(2) vers. 1-6. What can the righteous do?"Cease ye from man."
(3) ver. 7. The true Refuge and Stay.

3. (ch. 7:8-20.) Restoration through the grace and mercy of God.

(1) vers.8-13. Jehovah the light and hope of His people.

(2) vers. 14-17.His saving power as of old.

(3) vers. 18-20.Who is like unto Him?

Our Monthly Bible Study Class

Our verse (Colos. 1:14) is, "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (New Tram.). It seems that "by His blood " should be omitted. The statement of course links with the Lord Jesus-into whose kingdom the believer is translated. In Him we have this twofold blessing which will engage our attention for a little.

Redemption is a large subject. It includes not only what is directly connected with the precious blood of Christ, but also what shall be effected by the exercise of His power, founded of course upon the ever-abiding merit of His perfect sacrifice. Perhaps the omission of "by his blood" in our verse was intended to suggest the larger view of the subject.

An illustration of our subject may be found in Israel's redemption by blood at the Passover; then by power at the Red Sea. The former was in relation to God as judge, requiring the full execution of judgment upon man because of sin. The latter asserts God's claim upon His redeemed people-they are to be under His guidance and control, no longer under Pharaoh's. This, as already suggested, is like what verse 13 speaks of. But as Israel's redemption involved the bringing them into the land, with purposes of blessing and glory, so also redemption for the believer embraces not only what the Passover and Red Sea typify, but also the redemption of our bodies, fulness of sonship, through the power of our Saviour when He comes from heaven (Phil. 3:21). This, too, is called salvation (Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 1:5; Rom. 13:11), which is different from the salvation of our souls, of which Peter speaks in his first chapter. This distinction is much like the one just before mentioned as to redemption.

We might epitomize our subject under the following heads:

(1) Redemption by blood from the stroke of divine judgment against sin.

(2) Redemption by power, freeing us forever from the dominion of our great enemy.

(3) Redemption from this present evil age, and therefore from the lawlessness which characterizes it. This is practically entered into now through the power of the Word operating in the heart and conscience of the believer.

This links with the cross, where Christ gave Himself to redeem us; the full result of which will be when we are translated out of this world-system when He comes for us. With this aspect of redemption we also link our sanctification by the Word of truth as now used by the Holy Spirit.

(4) Finally, the redemption of our bodies, by which all who are Christ's shall bear His heavenly image – our bodies then being in the likeness of the Lord's body of glory. The redeemed company will then be presented faultless in the presence of God's glory, holy and without blame.

In following up these suggestions consider these scriptures :Rom. 3:24; 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7,14; Gal. 1:4; 3:13; 4:5; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23; Heb. 9:12.

Let us turn now to the subject of forgiveness-"the forgiveness of sins." First, we may note that the Greek word for "remission" in the following passages, Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:22; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 10:43; Heb. 10:17, 18, is the same as rendered forgiveness in our verse, and in Acts 5:31; 13:38; Eph. 1:7; Mark 3:29. It is also rendered "deliverance" and "liberty" in Luke 4:18. If you consider the first group of passages above mentioned you will see that remission or forgiveness is linked with the blood of the new covenant; with the proclamation of Christ glorified; and the new covenant with Israel on the principle of grace, not law. But such sovereign mercy on God's part toward Israel opened the way for just such mercy to Gentiles, even before Israel comes into the good of it; for there is now one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, whose shed blood is the blood of the new covenant. In line with the thought of this grace which "carries with it salvation for all men" (Tit. 2:11, New Trans.) we have the apostle's argument as to mercy in Rom. 11:25-36.

Forgiveness then is what God grants in grace, the mercy He shows to the guilty on condition of repentance. The nature which produced the sins is not linked with the thought of forgiveness. Its fruits are forgiven, but the root is condemned; it was judged at the cross, for it is utterly corrupt, and God now sees it as consumed in the burning kindled by His holiness when judging His holy Son as a sacrifice for sin; thus He condemned sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3). But forgiveness is based upon the work of holy judgment at the cross, and faith can appropriate the language of Scripture and say, "He bore my sins in His own body on the tree," knowing that He was delivered for our offences; for Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and His blood cleanses from every sin (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 1:7, New Trans.). But as already mentioned, this blessed truth is linked with the fact of Christ glorified. He was raised again for our justification; if this were not so we would yet be in our sins. Our good conscience is "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ who is at the right hand of God," where He ever liveth to make intercession for us, and is able to save completely those who approach God by Him. He is our ever-prevailing Advocate, and because of Him God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:12-19; 1 Pet. 3:21, 22; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1; 1:9).

What themes wherewith to occupy us with careful study during this month!