Calendar:July 16th to Aug. 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING ………July 16th, Psalm 85; July 31st, Psalm 100; August 15th, Psalm 115.
GOOD BEADING…."The Minor Prophets," by H. A. I Pages 248-291.
MONTHLY BIBLE CLASS:. . .Colossians, chap. 1:14-17.
Our Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 84-89 form the last section of the 3rd book of Psalms. The 4th book consists of psalms 90-106, and the remaining psalms (107-150) make the 5th and last book. Thus in the latter part of this month's reading, we get a good start in the 5th, or last, division of this book of praise and experience.
In Psalm, 85 we see the remnant in the land considering their restoration to it as a manifest token of God's favor, but earnestly looking for the full blessing of Messiah's kingdom. Psalm 86 gives expression to the individual confidence and assurance of the godly, while waiting for this coming blessing. Next, Zion representing God's faithful ones, forms the subject of song (87), while Ps. 88 declares the deep exercise, affliction, and trouble of the remnant to whom it seems as though hope itself was extinguished. The closing psalm (89) gives the answer, presenting, by way of contrast to the sad lament of Ps. 88, the sure mercies of David which God will accomplish perfectly through Christ, David's true heir. This closes the 3rd book, which especially presents the ways of God in holiness and truth. It is blessed to see that the conclusion of all, in final accomplishment, centers in our blessed Lord, the true Ruler. Following what has just occupied us, the 4th book of psalms fittingly develops how universal blessing will be realized under the administration of the Son of Man, the rightful Heir of all things. First, however, Ps. 90 gives a picture of the first man under God's government, and the next psalm His delight in the dependent Second Man. With Him before the soul no wonder that the next two psalms (92,93) celebrate the establishment of Jehovah's reign in glory, in result of which His supremacy is manifested in holiness and peace.
The next seven psalms (94-100) are linked together. They commence with the appeal of righteousness that power be exercised in judgment upon all that dishonors God. This is not simply the work of retribution, but for salvation (95) whereby Jehovah will be fully manifested, and all the earth called to sing a new song (96). This finds its answer in the subjection of all the earth (97), with the blessed result that God is then in fellowship with man (98), full victory over evil having been attained (99). Ps. 100 gives the resultant praise.
The next six psalms (101-106) conclude this 4th book. First, what will characterize the righteous rule of the true King is set forth (101); then we have the suffering and rejection of Christ; but mercy for Zion (the godly) is in view, through whom the Lord's name will be declared, and the nations be brought to fear Him (102). The suffering and rejected One here is none other than the Eternal One (compare Hebrews 1). Psalm 103 gives the blessed results flowing from the restoration of the people. The close of Psalm 102 has already introduced the Creator, though He be also the Sufferer of that psalm; and now Psalm 104 celebrates His glory, power and work, by whom and for whom all things were created. Psalm 105 recounts Jehovah's faithful ways with Israel, then in 106 we hear the voice of confession recounting Israel's failures and her judgment which, however, was tempered with mercy. Thus the remembrance of the past and its many lessons, whether of failure and judgment, or of God's grace according to promise, all contributes its own peculiar note to the praise rendered to God when the perfect Second Man (Ps. 91) is king in Zion.
With Ps. 107 we commence the last book of the Psalms. It sums up and gives the conclusion reached in the ways of God.
The theme opens with Israel redeemed and gathered from all quarters, giving her testimony to God's goodness and unfailing mercy. Ps. 108 expresses joy over Israel's possession of her inheritance. The next two psalms are linked together as giving, first, Christ's rejection at the hands of the wicked against whom judgment arises because they so treated the "poor and needy;" then Christ's glorious exaltation and final smiting of all opposition. Three Hallelujah psalms (111-113) follow, in which praise is given to Jehovah for His works and wonders. Ps. 114, 115 continue to celebrate the glory of Jehovah as in the midst of His people, bringing out what He is in contrast to idols.
Our Good Reading
Our portion for this month is the prophecies of Nahum and Habakkuk. The former deals with judgment upon the Assyrian and the fall of Nineveh. In the latter the Chaldeans receive special notice, warning being given of their rise to power and invasion of the land. In a special way Habakkuk appears as the personification of the faithful and sorely tried remnant of God's ancient people, who will be called to pass through this yet future time of Jacob's trouble. For them this prophet reveals the mind of God, disclosing His ways, and giving precious assurance that His purposes cannot fail of complete accomplishment.
The following structure is suggested for these two prophetical books.
Nahum
Div. 1 (ch. 1). Jehovah, supreme in power and glory, irresistible judge of the oppressor, sole hope and confidence of His people.
1. (vers. 1-8). The universal Lord, omnipotent and omniscient.
2. (vers. 9-11). His derision of the enemy.
3. (vers. 12-15). His manifestation for His people.
Div. 2. (ch. 2:1-10). The fall of the mighty rebel. This is prophetically presented. The description is given with all the vividness of a scene of siege and desolation actually present to the prophet's eye.
1.(vers. 1-3).The besieging army.
2. (vers. 4, 5). The confusion of the city in its efforts at defense.
3. (vers. 6-8).The in breaking flood.
4. (vers. 9,10). Complete prostration.
Div. 3. (ch. 2:11-3:19). Jehovah of hosts:He it is who will thus execute the ban upon the merciless city of blood, the seat of ruthless might and abominable wickedness.
1.(2:11-13).Where? for the Lord is the destroyer.
2. (3:1-7).Exposed, dishonored, a spectacle of terror!
3. (vers. 8-13). The decreed fate. Look at desolate No (Thebes in Egypt), an example of Assyria's own handiwork; such too would be Nineveh's end.
4. (vers. 14-17). The Almighty's derision. Prepare! But what shall it avail? Can man fight against God?
5. (vers. 18-20). The Divine retribution from which there is no escape.
Habakkuk
Div. 1. (ch. 1:1-11). Jehovah's action in taking vengeance upon the oppression and violence of the wicked nation.
1. (vers. 1-4). The prophet's cry:the cause declared which demands judgment.
2. (vers. 5-11). Jehovah's answer:He has already prepared the instrument of judgment.
Div. 2. (chs. 1:12-2:20). The prophet's expostulation, to which Jehovah answers by announcing judgment of all who are ungodly, rapacious, and idolatrous.
1. (1:12-2:1). The distress of faith over the dreadful and ruthless power of the enemy who is being brought up by Jehovah. Shall sin by which sin is punished escape retribution?
2. (2:2-20).Jehovah's answer:fivefold woe.
(1). vers. 2, 3.The divine certainty of the vision.
(2). vers. 4-19.The divine threatenings extending to universal application.
(a) 4-8. Rapacity brings self-destruction in its train. (6) 9-11.Self-preservation of no avail. (c) 12-14. To build upon violence is to build for doom:human glory is turned to vanity that the divine glory may fill the earth.
(d) 15-17.Debasement in utter shame:humbled and stripped of all glory.
(e)18,19. The folly of idolatry; can a dumb and powerless god be weak man's refuge and resource? (3). ver. 20.The divine source of all power and glory:Jehovah in His holy temple.
Div. 3. (ch. 3). In the secret place of the Most High, and under the shadow of the Almighty.
1. (vers. 1,2.) Jehovah, the One in whom all hope centers.
2. (vers. 3-15). His coming forth to accomplish salvation through judgment.
(1). 3-6. Eloah (God), the Holy One, in His majesty and power, supreme over all things.
(2).7-15.His might in judgment before which no enemy can stand.
3. (vers. 16-19). The place of refuge and strength in which fear passes into confidence and joyful exultation.
Our Monthly Bible Study Class (Colos. 1:14-17.)
The apostle now presents the glories of that blessed Person in whom we have redemption, and into whose kingdom we have been translated.
The Colossians were in danger of being led astray by vain philosophy and reasonings of men. To correct and guard them, the Spirit sets forth the full glory of our Lord, in whom are treasured all our blessings. This is a theme of the greatest importance, never more needed than at this time when so much is taught derogatory to Him.
Verses 14-17 give us seven aspects of His glory connected with Him in incarnation, and clearly confirming His absolute and unchanged Deity in union with that creaturehood in which He, the Creator, took part as born of the Virgin, conceived in her by the overshadowing power of the Highest (Luke 1:30-35). Hence, the truth concerning Christ is that He is both God and true man in one Person. In other words, the Eternal Son, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, at incarnation took up creaturehood into ever-abiding union; so that now in the unity of His Person all that characterizes His sinless human spirit is perfectly blended with all that characterizes Him as the Eternal Son.
This holy mystery is beyond the grasp of human reason. No man can attempt to dissect or separate without transgressing. Yet the fact of it-God and man in one Person, one Christ-is indelibly imprinted upon the pages of Holy Writ, and before the mystery of it we are called to bow in worship. Only in the light of this great fact can we, in our measure, understand the seven aspects of glory presented in these verses. I can do little more than mention them.
(1).-Redeemer. We have redemption in Him. For this great work He, God the Son, was made a little lower than the angels, became man, that He might suffer death. Through the offering of His body in sacrifice we are perfected forever (Heb. 10:10). Isa. 53:10 says, "When His soul shall have made an offering for sin" (New Trans.). His troubled spirit faced the hour of His betrayal (John 13:21), and fully submitted to the Father's will in taking the cup as He prayed in the garden; and that spirit, which passed through all the agony of the Cross, He commends to that Father. Thus He laid down His life. Thus, too, every part of His humanity-body, soul, spirit-are spoken of in relation to the work of redemption.
(2).-Revealer. He is the image of the invisible God- "the Word became flesh." As the One in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily-God manifest in flesh-He, the Man Christ Jesus, perfectly represents, and presents, God to all created intelligences. It is not that He became the Word when He became flesh, for "In the beginning was the Word," etc., but as in His bodily form the term "image" suitably applies to Him, He also could say, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."
(3).-Firstborn. It is not a question of generation, as though He were the first in time, but in position among created beings. He passed by all ranks of angelic intelligences and took up manhood, real humanity, entirely apart from that state of sin in which humanity was found. The fact here stated is that, though taking up a lower order of created being in becoming man, He nevertheless has the place of "Firstborn of all creation," to whom as such all the rights of inheritance belong-He is .the appointed Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2). Why is this? Because He is:
(4).-The Creator (ver. 16). He not only brought all into being (no matter what rank or order of creation you may think of, John 1:3), but He is the end in view, the One for whom all were created. Thus He is:
(5).-The Alpha-He is "before all things" (ver. 17), and,
(6).-The Omega-for whom are all things, (Rev. 22:13; compare ch. 1:8,17, 18). Finally, He is:
(7).-The Sustainer, "for all things subsist (or hold together) by Him" (New Trans.). He upholds all by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3). This He ever did, not less when man than when subsisting in the form of God.
When we consider these essential glories of our Saviour, we find that each presents a holy mystery which baffles human reason, but faith accepts every one of them, constantly finding fresh cause for worship and praise. –JOHN BLOORE.