The Revelation*

*from How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Images of Judgment and Hope

I. The Nature of The Revelation:

A. Apocalypse—a literary form
--1. Came out of persecution or oppression; looked to a violent, radical end. It was literature-not spoken like prophets
--2. Visions and dreams-very cryptic & symbolic
--3. Images are forms of fantasy-not natural
--4. Very stylized-numbers, sets, visions
--5. Not pseudonymous, however & not sealed

B. Prophecy---John wrote a prophetic word to the church. See 1:3, 22:21

C. Epistle---letter to the seven churches


II. The Necessity of Exegesis (again!)

--1. “The primary meaning of the Revelation is what John intended it to mean, which in turn must also have been something his readers could have understood it to mean.”

--2. The book is prophetic, so there is the possibility of a secondary unseen meaning, but exegesis (interpretation) is limited to what it meant to them. Application is the next step.

--3. We can’t presume that they knew Matthew or I & II Thess. Their frame of reference was primarily the book itself and other older sources (Daniel, Ezekiel…)

--4. Images:
-----a. images taken from other places don’t have to have the same meaning in Revelation. Mostly taken from OT, but also apocalyptic and mythology
-----b. Some images are standard, others not…
The beast at sea is a world empire 11:7, 13:1
The lion turns out to be a lamb Rev. 5:5-6
One woman is positive, another negative Ch.12 & 17
-----c. …Some are specific and some are not.
Specific:
seven lampstands=seven churches
Dragon=Satan
General:
4 horses=general human fallenness

-----d. John’s definitions must be firmly held to and be held as a starting point for other images:
Son of man=Christ 1:17, 18
Lampstands=churches 1:20
Seven stars=seven angels 1:20
Dragon=Satan 12:9
Seven heads=seven hills 17:9
Harlot=great city (Rome) 17:18

-----e. The visions are meant to be taken as a whole. Details cannot be pressed.
Black sun or falling figs not specific, 6:13
Locusts w/ long hair, human faces seem to resemble the barbarian horde. 9:7-11

--5. A detailed chronological account of the future was not what was in mind. The focus is on God being in control despite present circumstances. The church will suffer, but will triumph in Christ. Christ’s enemies will be judged.


III. The Historical Context

• -many were experiencing suffering because of their commitment to Jesus. (We today cannot expect to escape this.) The church was going to undergo even more suffering. Were they ready?

• -tribulation-the suffering that believers would go thru

• God is in control

• -wrath-the judgment of God on unbelievers. (not the same as tribulation)


IV. The Literary Context

Structure of the Book
– 1-3 main characters introduced (John, Christ, church)
– 4-5 continue to set the stage: God reigns in majesty
The Lamb saved us through suffering
– 6-7 drama unfolds

-------------------------
There are three sets of 7: 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls
4+2+2 interludes +1 (repeated in 8-11)

7 Seals
1.-4. 4 colored horses (one picture)
5. “How long?”
6. earthquake
a. 144,000
b. multitude in white robes
7. God’s wrath

7 trumpets
1.-4. Four angels bring natural disasters
5. Fifth angel opens the Abyss
6. Sixth angel releases four angels
a. angel and the little scroll
b. Two witnesses
7. World becomes God’s kingdom

7 Bowls of God’s Wrath
1. Sores
2. Blood in sea
3. Blood in rivers
4. Sun
5. Beasts throne afflicted
6. Euphrates dried up
a. 3 evil spirits gather kings
b. kings are gathered at Armageddon
7. Earthquake-splits the great city
------------------------

8-11 Content of God’s judgment-Natural disasters

12-22: Details of Judgment and Triumph
– 12 Satan attempts to destroy Christ, but is himself destroyed
– 13-14 Persecution by Rome (for the moment), but they will be defeated (15 & 16)
– 17-22 The city of earth is defeated, but God’s people dwell securely in the city of God


V. The Hermeneutical questions

1. Some things have happened, yet some have yet to happen.
2. It’s God’s word of comfort and encouragement to those undergoing trial and suffering. (We are not promised freedom from suffering, but triumph in it. God is in control.)
3. But chapter 18 seems to refer to the fall of Rome and is tied to the end times. How do we understand this? (This happens in the prophets too.)


Suggestions for understanding

1. These are pictures of the future, but not an exact representation-the calamities accompanying the trumpets may not take place exactly as stated.
2. Some pictures express the certainty of God’s judgment; time is short, but no definite time is given.
3. No ideas given about the end -- Red China not foretold. Don’t spend too much time matching current events to Revelation.
4. Yet to be fulfilled sections are impossible to pin down: Antichrist-It may be a specific person, as in Paul or Revelation, or a philosophy (1 Jn. 2:18)-we shouldn’t be dogmatic. We don’t have the key to open that lock.
5. The pictures of the end that we see are just pictures and the reality is something else. It is figurative.


Four Views of Revelation: see

http://fide-o.blogspot.com/2007/03/4-views-of-revelation.html

Wisdom Literature

Wisdom
-The ability to make godly choices in life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Abuse of Wisdom Literaure
1. Taken out of context: Eccl. 3:2 A time to be born and a time to die
---a)Does it mean that God has set out the length of our life?
---b)Or does it say life is full of futility?
2. People misunderstand wisdom terms
---a) Prov. 14:7 Stay away from a foolish man…
-------1)What does foolish mean? Unintelligent? Lacking in common sense? Self-indulgent and self-centered?
3. Don’t follow the argument
----a)Job 15:20 How is this to be understood?


Who is Wise?
Thinking and acting according to the truth
Not brains; Being rightly oriented to God
Not knowledge; application
Responsible, successful living

The place of wisdom in ancient Israel

Teachers of Wisdom-wise men

Wisdom in the home-Proverbs—doing God’s will is ultimate wisdom

Wisdom among colleagues-literature-Ecclesiastes & Job

Wisdom through Poetry-more memorable

The Limits of Wisdom-not theological; must be applied


Ecclesiastes: Cynical Wisdom

1:2; 1:14; 2:15;
3:19; 5:16; 8:14;
9:9-10; 11:8

Compare to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Most of the book is what life would be like
--if God were not involved in the world and
--if there were no life after death.

Don’t live life without God—it is meaningless


Wisdom in Job

A structured dialogue
Again, wrong views are argued
Ecclesiastes “God is involved in the world”
Job “God is not directly involved in every event” Suffering is not just punishment for sin.
Job is urged to repent by his “comforters”, but he’s done nothing wrong.
God’s ways are above our ways.


Wisdom in Proverbs

What are some modern day proverbs?
What are some that seem to contradict each other?
Haste makes waste; He who hesitates is lost.
Two heads are better than one; too many cooks spoil the broth.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder; Out of sight, out of mind.
It’s better to be safe than sorry; Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
What is the purpose of the proverb?

Prudential wisdom—practical attitudes
Choose wisdom and not folly.

Folly:
violence, careless pledging, laziness, malicious dishonesty, sexual impurity

Wisdom:
fear of the Lord, discipline, prudence, caring for the poor, respect for leaders, disciplining children, moderation with alcohol

Proverbs 3:7-8 Shun evil and you will be healthy
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Not meant to be detailed or comprehensive—these are proverbs, not promises

Hermeneutical Guidelines for Proverbs

1. Not legal guarantees from God
Prov. 15:25 Proud man’s house vs. the widow’s boundary line

2. Must be read as a collection. (15:25 above and 23:10-11).
15:22 and 16:3 Success
15:27 and 17:8, 17:23, 21:14, 29:4 Bribes
Materialism; obedience to father

3. Proverbs are memorable, not precise.
Proverbs 15: 19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 31 A wife of noble character—a diligent business woman

4. Translation required: king’s friend, corner of a roof

Hermeneutical Guidelines--Summary
1. Parabolic, figurative
2. Practical, not theological
3. Memorable, not precise
4. Not supportive of selfishness
5. Translation may be needed
6. Not guarantees, but poetic guidelines
7. Literary techniques—specific, exaggeration
8. Good advice, but not exhaustive
9. Not for a materialistic lifestyle;practical advice for daily living

What are the benefits of studying the Proverbs?


Song of Songs

Interpretations:
1. Allegory-God & Israel, Christ & the Church
--there is no actual historical event
2. Typology-Solomon takes a Gentile Bride
--This event is taken as an actual event, an actual marriage of Solomon and is likened to the relationship between Christ and the church
3. Drama-a maiden prefers a shepherd
4. Natural-a depiction of romantic love

Why is it not an allegory? See Hosea 2:11-23
1. Not part of a prophetic book
2. Not obviously allegorical
3. No references to Israel’s history
4. No national symbolism

Purpose:
It shows us how beautiful and pure love is within the boundaries God set for it. (Carr, The Song of Solomon, Tyndale OT Commentaries pp 35-36)

In brief,
1. Monogamous heterosexual marriage is what is expected.
2. What is referred to is love in marriage.
3. Song of Songs is suggesting godly choices rather than a set of rules.
4. There is often a suggestion of technique these days when it comes to sex. Valuing the other person and romantic love in marriage is more the focus in Song of Songs.--Stuart, How to Read the Bible…

Review Questions for Final Exam

Interpretation

1. Some claim that we should just read the Bible and its meaning will be obvious, that there is no special need for training, or interpretation and that training is just prejudiced anyway.

2. What is it about people and what is it about Scripture that shows that interpretation is necessary?

Exegesis

3. What is Exegesis?

4. What is one of the steps in exegesis that only scholars can do?

5. What are a couple of steps in exegesis that anyone can do?

Translations

6. What are two of the advantages of the New International Version (NIV) over the King James Version (KJV)?

7. What is the Textus Receptus?

8. What is the idea of dynamic equivalence, and what advantages does this method have over other methods?

Exegesis of Epistles

9. What are the important steps to take in analyzing (exegeting) a letter? (These are the steps that we took to look at 1 Corinthians, and that we have been taking to look at Philippians.)

Hermeneutics

10. What is hermeneutics?

11. What are some important principles that we should remember as we apply letters/epistles to our own situation? Give examples.

12. What are three difficulties that we face when we determine how to apply scripture to our lives today?

OT Narratives

1. What are the three levels of understanding that we should remember as we interpret the OT narratives? Explain each level.

2. What are a couple ways that we shouldn’t interpret OT narratives?

Acts

3. Luke has written Acts in six major sections.

a. What, in general, is the structure of Acts in these sections? (You don’t have to label all the sections, but do need to give the basic idea.)
b. How does this structure show one of the major interests of Luke in Acts?

4. Do events in Acts provide an example for how we should act today or how we should function as a church? Why or why not?

6. What does Luke see as the model church?

The Gospels

5. How would you explain the fact that there are four gospels? Why wasn’t one enough?

6. Why were Mark and John written?

7. What are some of the important things that we should remember about the gospels which would help us to interpret them?

8. What are the two historical contexts of the gospels? Give some basic information about the two contexts.

10. What does it mean to think horizontally when looking at the literary context? What is one example of how that can be a help in understanding?

The Psalms

8. How can we benefit from the Psalms?

9. What are some of the characteristics of the poetry in the Psalms?

Parables

1. In general, what factors are important in understanding and interpreting the parables of Jesus? Use the parable of the Good Samaritan to explain some of your points.

2. What general points did Dr. Kenneth Bailey bring out as important in understanding the Parables? How did his interpretation tend to differ from Fee’s point of view? (Give examples from the video series , e.g. The Woman in the House of Simon, The Lost Sheep, The Pharisee and the Tax-Collector, if you can.)

OT Law

20. What are four of the guidelines in understanding the OT Law? Give a brief explanation of each.

21. What sort of laws clearly do not apply to us any more?

22. What did Jesus have to say about the Law?

23. Is the OT law still the Word of God for us? To us? Explain.

24. How do laws like “do not reap the borders of your fields” function?

25. What do we learn about the laws about slavery?

26. How does the OT law compare to the laws of other countries at that time?

27. In what ways did the OT law benefit Israel?

28. What factors are important in understanding the OT Law and how to apply the OT Law to us today? Use at least three examples from the Law to explain your points.

Prophets

3. What is prophecy? When should we expect events that are foretold to take place?

4. What is the role of a prophet?


5. What is one of the main reasons that the prophets are often difficult to understand?

6. What is the general historical setting for the prophets?

34. Why did prophets say what they did?

35. Are the prophets a new stage in Israel’s relationship with God? Why or

why not?

7. How can we apply what the prophets said to Israel to us now?

Wisdom Literature

8. What are some guidelines in understanding Proverbs…what do we have to be careful about as we apply them?

42. What are some of the themes that are discussed in Proverbs?

9. What is the basic point of Ecclesiastes?

10. What is the main message in Job? Why does one need to be careful in quoting from Job?

11. What is the main point of The Song of Songs?

Revelation

1. What type of literature is Revelation, primarily? What things are typically found in this type of literature?

2. What are three of the main messages of Revelation? Give examples to support your thought.

3. What are the 4 major ways Revelation is interpreted? Define each view.

4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of one of the above views?

Prophets: Enforcing the Covenant*

*How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fee & Stuart


I. The Nature of Prophecy:

A. Foretelling is only one aspect of prophecy
Prophets are...
1. Less than 2% Messianic
2. Less than 5% New Covenant
3. Less than 1% still to come
4. Mostly predictions of immediate future

B. The Prophets are Spokespersons
a. They were to speak for God to the people
b. Many prophets are mentioned, but only 16 have their words written down (e. g. Elijah’s actions written down).
c. Often we don’t know the actions of these prophets.
d. Often the books are collections of spoken oracles, not always in order.

C. The Problem of History
1. We don’t know the history
2. We don’t know the culture
3. We don’t know the religious life of Israel


II. The Function of Prophecy

1. The prophets were “covenant enforcement mediators”
“Law enforcement officers”
--When the Law was given, there were blessings and curses included. See Lev. 26:1-13; Deut. 4:32-40; 28:1-14. Curses- Lev. 26:14-39, Deut. 4:15-28; 28:15-32:42

Blessings:
Life
Health
Prosperity
Agricultural abundance
Respect
Safety

Curses:
Death
Drought
Danger
Defeat
Destitution
Disease
Dearth
Destruction
Deportation
Disgrace

2. The prophets’ message was not their own, but God’s.
a. God raised them up-Isa. 6; Jer.1, Hos. 1:2…
b. “Thus says the Lord” --often first person
c. Hard things said: Jer. 27 & 28

3. The prophets’ message is unoriginal
a. Hosea 4:2
b. Messianic prophecies- Dt. 18:18


Understanding the Prophets

Five basic considerations

1. Primarily, prophets were God’s spokespersons

2. Secondarily, prophecy is about the future, and then it is usually about something to happen soon

3. The historical setting is often a problem

4. Prophets spoke judgment because the law had been broken.

5. The message is not original—just referring to the Law’s requirements.


The Exegetical Task

1. The need for outside help
Dictionaries-historical setting, outline
Commentaries-individual verses
Handbooks-combination

2. The historical context
What is the general historical setting for the prophets?

------the larger context-
The prophetical books 850-460 b.c.
These are times of turmoil:
Political, military, economic and social upheaval
Disobedience to God
Population movements, boundary changes

The North (Israel) was disobedient first
Amos & Hosea prophesied judgment
Assyria conquers them in 722 b.c.

Judah followed later
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah
Babylon conquers Judah in 587 b.c.

Restoration to come (return from Exile)
Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi

------the specific context-
Example: Hosea 5:8-10
War Oracle
Alarm, attack, defeat
Date-734 b.c.
Audience- N. Israel (Ephraim)
Situation-2 Kings 16:2-9 Israel will be attacked because they attacked Judah, but Judah will also be punished for attacking Israel.

3. The isolation of individual oracles
Just as we look at the NT letters in paragraphs, we need to look at the prophets in oracles.
Haggai and Zechariah- the oracles are dated
Amos 5 (which is more normal) they are not
1-3 Lament Oracle, announcing punishment.
4-17 Oracle of invitation and warning of punishment.
18-27 Oracle warning of punishment.

4. The forms of prophetic utterance
1. The lawsuit Isa 3:13-26 (Hos. 3:3-17)
2. The woe Habakkuk 2:6-8 (Micah 2:1-5)
3. The promise Amos 9:11-15 (Hos 2:16-20)

5. The prophets as poets
---a. Synonymous Parallelism Isa 44:22
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.

---b. Antithetical Parallelism
Hosea 7:14
They do not cry out to me from their hearts
but wail upon their beds.

---c. Synthetic parallelism
Obadiah 21
Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion
to govern the mountains of Esau.
And the kingdom will be the LORD'S.


Hermeneutical Suggestions

The prophets are telling the Israelites how they have broken the Mosaic law. How can what they said then apply to us now?

---Love God-no idolatry
What serves as our idols today?

---Love your neighbor as yourself-
How do people not show concern for their neighbor today?
How can we show love?

1. The prophet as foreteller of the future
---Sometimes the future is divided into two parts
Ezekiel 25-39 foretells the destruction of several nations, which happens within 100 years

Ezekiel 37:15-28 Blessings of the Messiah inserted

Zephaniah 3:8-9 speaks of a final judgment

2. Prophecy and 2nd meanings: Ex 17:1-7 and 1 Cor. 10:4

3. Dual emphasis on orthodoxy (correct belief) and orthopraxy (correct action)
James 1:27, 2:18, Eph. 2:8-10


Examples in Zephaniah
1. Primarily, prophets were God’s spokespersons
2. Secondarily, prophecy is about the future, and then it is usually about something to happen soon
3. The historical setting is often a problem
4. Prophets spoke judgment because the law had been broken.
5. The message is not original—just referring to the Law’s requirements.

-The need for outside help
-The historical context –specific & general
-The isolation of individual oracles
-The forms of prophetic utterance
-The prophets as poets
----Application

The Law: Conditions of the Covenant w/ Israel

Six Initial Guidelines
1. The OT Law is a Covenant
between an Overlord & vassal/servant
6 parts:
Preamble- “I am the Lord your God”
Prologue- “I brought you out of the land of Egypt…”
Stipulations- the laws
Witnesses- the Lord, heaven and earth
Sanctions- blessings and curses (Lev. 26)
Document clause- regular review of agreement

2. The OT is not our Testament
Rom. 6:14-15 …you are not under law, but under grace

3. Some stipulations of the OT Covenant have clearly not been renewed in the New Covenant.
Civil laws- apply to citizens of ancient Israel (punishments for stealing, murder...)
Ritual laws- how to worship

4. Part of the OT Covenant is renewed in the New Covenant.
Do not murder ….Jesus… Do not be angry with your brother
Do not commit adultery…Jesus… Do not think lustful thoughts
Divorce w/ certificate …Jesus… Do not divorce (ex. unfaithfulness)
Do not break your oath…Jesus…Do not make an oath.
Matthew 5:21 ff. Jesus has redefined the laws

5. All of the OT law is still the Word of God for us even though it is not still the command of God to us.

6. Only that which is explicitly renewed from the OT law can be considered part of the NT “law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2)
The only laws renewed in the NT:
Ten commandments
Loving God and our neighbor

The Role of the Law in Israel and in the Bible

Apodictic law -do or do not- Lev.19:9-14
Setting a standard by an example
Not detailed, but gives the spirit of the law
“The Law shows us how impossible it is to please God on our own.” There is no way that we can meet his standards.

Lev. 19:9 “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.

Case by case (Casuistic)
Conditional; more general
Deut. 15:12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free.

What can we learn from these laws?
1. Slavery not brutal
2. God loves slaves
3. Slaves could be better off than if free
4. The slave owner didn’t own the slaves completely

-We learn the background of redemption
-What OT slavery was like
-A perspective on God’s love

The OT Law and Other Ancient Law Codes
Compared to other law codes the OT is superior:
Laws of Eshnunna (Akkadia): (See p. 159)
Law Code of Hammurabi (Babylon)
OT Law-The OT treats all equally, it doesn't matter if you are from the nobility or a slave, your punishment was the same. In addition, you would not be punished for the sin of your father.

The OT Law as Benefit to Israel
Food laws:
Lev. 11:7 Pork prohibited
Reasons:
disease
uneconomical
pagan connections

1. General Health laws
Pagan prescriptions: lizard’s blood, swine’s teeth, putrid meat and dung. The OT advice is much healthier to say the least!
Examples:
Circumcision
Washing
Quarantine

2. Laws about the shedding of blood
Ex 29:10-12 “Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting… But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering.”

Ex 30:10 “Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.”

LEV 4:13, 14 “ ‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD'S commands …they are guilty…the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering.

These laws show that...
Sin deserves punishment
Substitution allowed
Precedent set for Christ’s sacrifice for us

3. Unusual Prohibitions
Deut. 14:21 Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. These often have to do with forbidding pagan practices.

4. Laws giving blessing to those who keep them
Dt. 14:28-29 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce … so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Summary of Major Points
1. OT law is God’s word for you but not his command to you.
2. It is the basis for the Old Covenant, but is not binding except where specifically renewed.
3. See God’s justice, and love shown in the law; also see that God is merciful.
4. The law is not comprehensive but gives examples of how we are to behave.
5. Although it will not be quoted in the prophets or the NT, the essence of it will be.
6. It is a gift to Israel and brings blessing when obeyed.

The Parables

The Parables: Do you Get the Point? (Fee & Stuart)

I. How were the Parables Interpreted in History?

Augustine’s interpretation of the Good Samaritan—the allegorical meaning.
It is supposed to have a hidden meaning, right?
Mark 4:10-12
Man ---Adam
Jerusalem--- heavenly city of peace
Jericho--- moon, mortality
Thieves--- devil and his angels
Stripped--- of immortality
Beat him--- by persuading him to sin
Priest and Levite--- priesthood of the OT
Samaritan--- Christ

So what is the mystery? His whole ministry was a riddle to them

II. What is the Nature of the Parables?

---What are the different kinds of “parables”?
Good Samaritan—true parable
also the Prodigal son, the Great Supper

What makes them a true parable vrs The Leaven in the Meal?
It’s a similitude
You are the salt of the earth—metaphors and similes

There is a story in a true parable, a beginning and an end
Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-11) may seem to be an allegory, but it doesn’t have the same function as an allegory

---How do the Parables Function?
Not used to illustrate teaching
They are a means of “calling forth a response”
Jokes call for a response, but if you have to explain them, you lose the impact that you intended
It’s the same with parables—how do we bring the same impact that they had?

III. The Exegesis the Parables-How does one determine the intent of the Parables?

---Find the Points of Reference
Luke 7:40-42
Moneylender=
Debtor 1=
Debtor 2=
Both Simon and the harlot hear the story and come away with different points
Why isn’t this an allegory? (like Pilgrim’s Progress, Animal Farm)
In an allegory each part of the story has a meaning which has nothing to do with the story itself. The 500 denarii and the 50 denarii would stand for something else.
In a parable, there are only basic points of reference
Secondly, the parable draws out a response

---Identifying the Audience
How do we interpret, or understand a parable? We need to know the audience.

---If the Audience is given:
1) read the parable several times
2) identify who is referred to in the parable
3) determine how the audience would have understood it
Understanding the cultural factors is very important.

---The Contextless Parables
Matthew 20:1-16
Determine the Points of Reference in the Parable
The Original Audience should make itself evident
Matthew 18:12-14 (compare to Luke)

---The Parables of the Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is like…not just a mustard seed, but is like the whole parable
The Sower: Mark 4:3-20
Addressed to potential disciples
Already/not yet aspect of the Kingdom: They are being urged to join the kingdom
Unjust steward Luke 16:1-8 "The urgency of the hour demands action"

The Psalms: Israel's Prayers and Ours

*(From Chapter 11; How to Read the Bible for all its Worth)

“How do words that are spoken to God [as well as about God] function as a Word from God to us?” p. 187

They help us
1)express ourselves to God
The Psalms can help us express our joys and sorrows, successes and failures, hopes and regrets.
2)consider his ways

--Some Psalms are fairly easy to follow, like Psa. 23: The Lord is our Shepherd, but others are not so easy to follow...

--What about psalms that dwell on the misery of the speaker? "Be merciful to me O God, for men hotly pursue me (Psa 56:1)"

--That speak of the glory of kings? Ps 21:1 O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!

--That speak of infants being dashed against rocks (137:8-9)?
PS 137:8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is he who repays you
for what you have done to us--
PS 137:9 he who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks.


I. General Points about Interpreting the Psalms

1.It’s poetry
a.Synonymous parallelism (Psa 19:1, 2, 4; 34:15,16 ); take it as a whole—Your turn 1,2,5, 6, 9, 10, 12 Psalm 33:Which verses are synonymous?
b.Musical poems--addressed to the heart:
A Mighty fortress is our God—he’s not a building
In sin did my mother conceive me (Psa 51:5) This is poetic, not literal.
c.vocabulary is metaphorical
mountains skip, PS 114:4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. enemies spit swords, God is a shepherd, fortress, shield and rock

2.The Psalms as Literature
a.Types-lament, thanksgiving…
b.Form (according to its type)
c.Function-you don't read something written for kings at a wedding. That doesn't relate.
d.Patterns-repetitions of words, acrostics (Psa. 119)
e.Literary unit-each verse fits into the whole. Don’t take things out of context.

II. The Types of Psalms

1.Laments-largest group, Individual (3*, 22, 31, 39, 42, 57, 71, 120, 139, 142) or corporate (12, 44, 80, 94, 137)
2.Thanksgiving- Community (65, 67, 75, 107, 124, 136), individual (18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 92, 116, 118, 138*)
3.Praise-Salvation History-78*, 105, 106, 135

Imprecatory Psalms
137:7-9 Jerusalem destroyed. Taken captive by Babylon aided and encouraged by Edomites. We tell God our angry words. He is the one that will judge. We have handed over judgment to Him. Hate (Psa 139:22) can also mean despise, unable to put up with, reject. (See Mal. 1:2 Esau have I hated)

Concluding Observations
How can we use these words of God that are words to God?
Opportunities for us also to speak to God.

Three benefits:
a.An guide to worship
b.Encouragement to honest expression to God
c.Demonstrate the importance of reflection and meditation.

Caution: We are not guaranteed a problem free existence. Psa 23:6; David had a very difficult life.