Nothing to say about this verse, except that I find it remarkable that such a description is recorded in the Bible. I love the soil too.
And [Uzziah] built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. - II Chron. 26:10
Last week I made this post, in which I suggested how Psalm 127 could provide an outline of I and II Chronicles. At the bottom I asked this question:
Chronicles is clearly linked to the Restoration, and the Songs of Ascents possibly so. What other connections between Chronicles and the Songs exist? Psalm 132 is an easy one.
If Psalm 127:1-2 provides the outline for I Chronicles, it also provides the outline for Ezra-Nehemiah. I Chronicles is all about 1) organizing the people and material for Temple-building (Except Yahweh build the house...) and 2) organizing the people for Temple-guarding (Except Yahweh keep the city...).
I don't know why I didn't immediately make the next connection. Ezra is about Temple building, and Nehemiah is about wall building. The only thing missing in Ezra-Nehemiah is Sons.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David... - Matthew 1:1
While reading through the Chronicles, it has occurred to me that Psalm 127 is a neat summary of the books, both in content and organization. Psalm 127 divides into two sections: vv 1-2 which deal with Yahweh's blessing on building and guarding the "house", and vv 3-4 which deal with the blessing of children. I want to suggest a very basic outline of Chronicles that shows how it is structured in the same way.
The two actions that Yahweh does for His people and their "house" in Psalm 127 are to build it and to guard it. I Chronicles can be divided into three main sections, each of which describe how God has done these things for Israel. Each section focuses first on the organization of people into the "house", then as the organization of people into a "wall". Chapters 1-10 concentrate on the genealogies of Israel. 11 and 12 then deal with numbering David's army.
In the second section, 13-17 talk about David's temple building, first bringing the Ark into its tent, then his plan to build God's "house". I keep putting "house" in quotation marks, because in this passage we learn that the "house" God is building is a house of kingly sons. 18-20 then deal with God's guarding of David's house by putting down his enemies in battle.
After David's sin in 21, the third section begins with David's purchase of the threshing floor of Ornan, which will become the site of the actual Temple. 22-25 deal with David's organization of the people for Temple worship (especially the Levites), then 26-27 once again deal with his gatekeepers and armies to protect the house. So perhaps you can see the connection there- God lines up the people, seats a King, and sets up worship. Corresponding to that, He gives armies, gatekeepers, and victories in battle to guard the House.
I Chronicles 28 through II Chronicles 7 are the center of the book, featuring David's final preparations to build the house, and culminating in his anointing of Solomon who actually builds and dedicates it. Solomon is the hero who brings to pass what David had prepared for. I will only point out two connections between Solomon and Psalm 127. First, Psalm 127 is ascribed "For Solomon", the only one of the Songs of Ascents to do so. (Not coincidentally, Psalm 127 is the central Psalm in the Songs). Second, "His beloved" in verse 2 is actually Solomon's second name, as II Sam 12:25 tells us.
Moving to the second half of Psalm 127, II Chronicles is concerned with "sons", describing the reign of fifteen sons of David, starting with Solomon and ending with Josiah. (It actually describes several more in chapter 36, but just fleetingly). In the detailed stories of the fifteen, it is remarkable to notice how the Chronicler points out their faithfulness in defending Judah by trusting in the Lord, and fighting against religious corruption through reform. Some highlights include: Jehoshaphat standing against the Moabites and Ammonites through prayer in 20, Joash and Jehoiada defeating wicked Athaliah in 24, Hezekiah turning back Sennacherib through faith in 32, and the great purge of the land by Josiah in 34. Even kings who are described as very wicked in I and II Kings (like Manasseh) are commended for how they build (33:16) and guard God's house (33:14).
So to summarize, Psalm 127 has two sections that line up very neatly with I and II Chronicles. It concentrates first on how Yahweh organizes the building and guarding, then shows how the Sons of David carry that plan out. I have many more thoughts about this, but for future consideration:
Psalm 1 is the preface to the Book of Psalms, and describes how the collection as a whole. Here are some thoughts on how that works, with a few selected references (not exhaustive by any means) for each:
This is my outline from this week's Sunday School class.
"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him..." - Romans 14:1-15:7
Introduction
We are rightly trying to build a church with an emphasis on sound doctrine. This is a difficult task, as errors are prevalent today. But the task is more complicated than being able to identify error: we must be able to respond in a biblical manner as well. And Paul wants us to learn that there is a deeper right than being right.
Vegetables Only?
Paul takes the Roman Christians aside to discuss a hot topic in the first century- abstaining from certain foods for spiritual reasons. Regardless of the reason for the prohibition, Paul identifies this as the doctrine of demons (I Tim 4:1-3), and says that those who are caught up in it have a weak faith (v. 2). A good minister has the responsibility to stand against it (I Tim 4:6), because it has the power to steer Christians into destruction (I Tim 4:16). This is not a mild academic discussion- souls are in the balance.
Salvation is from God
Calvinists are always subject to the temptation to forget that Calvinism is true. We are not saved by our works, or by our understanding, or anything else we do, say or think. God is in charge of our salvation, and His work is not up for peer review (v4). Being critical of a brethren’s spiritual state is to be critical of God’s work, for He is our master. And He is no perfectionist.
Judging Motives
When we’ve studied a matter out of sincere love for God and come to a conclusion, it’s easy to question the motives of others who come to a different conclusion. Make up your mind, Paul says (v5), but consider other’s motives charitably (v6). We belong to God, and He accepts our sincere works because Christ died (v9). So remember that man judges the outside, but God (alone) judges the heart. And He will judge you (v10).
Where is the Sin?
Ancient Gnostics believed that sin was resident itself in material things; food, wine, sex, etc. Judaizers held the same belief, remembering (wrongly) the Old Testament law.
But we know better- God has made all things for us, and all of them are good (v14). The sin is in our hearts, and comes out in how we use the world. Are you using the world to gratify your fleshly desires for sensual pleasure? How about your desires for the pleasure of quarreling with the brethren? Put it away (v16), and put on love.
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is not about right opinions, but about peace with God, man, and one’s self (v17). God loves the man who learns to live this way, and so do other people (v18). Pursue it hard, Paul says (v19). Do these three types of peace characterize you? Or are you constantly at war with everyone and everything?
Revolution and Reform
There are two basic ways to react to problems in the world. The first is the way of the revolutionary, who just wants to know who is black and who is white. This has the benefit of instant results, but fighting sin with sin only multiplies sin. The way of the Gospel is reformation, which is patient, longsuffering, and trusting in the Holy Spirit. God is doing a good work in us, but our rashness can destroy it (v20). So mind your own business (v22), and keep your conscience clean (v23). You have an obligation to bear with those who are weak or confused (15:1), just like Christ did (v3). Of course, this takes great patience and endurance, which God will give, especially through the Scriptures (v4,5).
As Christ Has Welcomed You
Paul doesn’t mind repeating himself, and so he urges you again to accept one another as Christ has accepted you (v7). Understanding that Christ has accepted you is the only way carnal man can accept someone else. So has God called you to Himself in peace this morning? Yes He has- so be at peace with each other, and all those God has called. Does God invite you to His table to eat with Him in peace? Yes He does- so be at peace with the others who eat. Does God forgive your sins generously and willingly? Yes He does- so forgive one another.
I got to teach Sunday School this morning at church, and this is my outline.
Psalm 37
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like grass, and wither as the green herb..." Psalm 37:1-40
Introduction
Two persistent temptations plague the righteous. The first is the temptation to envy the wicked for their apparent success. The second is like it, and is the temptation to shrink back from God's promises because of the trials we see the righteous going through. Not surprisingly, these two temptations are both the result of the same spiritual short-sightedness- the failure to consider the way of the righteous and the wicked in their entireties. To put it another way, these temptations come when we fail to see and understand the story that God is writing.
The Temptation to Envy
One of the strongest temptations the righteous can have is to see the apparent success of the wicked and envy. All around us, the wicked prosper and succeed in evil schemes. So you might be tempted to ask yourself, "Why bother with the difficulties of righteousness? What good is my righteousness doing me?" But when we learn to step back and take the long view of things, it all comes into perspective. Evildoers will be cut off and will be no more. God fattens them up, then cuts them down.
And this can all be understood if you think of it as story. In good stories, the bad guys are strong. Weak bad guys are no fun. In good stories, you have to keep reading to find out how it's going to end up. One chapter stories are no fun. In good stories, things look bleak and hopeless at times for the good guys. Easy stories are no fun. And in good stories, the good guys win. Postmodern stories are no fun, unless you’re on the wrong side.
The Temptation to Shrink Back
The second temptation addressed here is just as much a snare for us. This is the temptation to shrink back from God’s promises. The devil whispers to us "Did God really say that He would give you a glorious ending to your story?" And you ought to remember that line from another story. So answer him this way: those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth. In a similar way, God promises you the desires of your heart, establishment and peace, public vindication, abundant prosperity, and deliverance from all your trials. And in case you missed it, He will exalt you to inherit the earth.
Now of course these are not automatic promises- they’re for the meek. So what is meekness? Meekness is characterized by a refusal to worry, envy, and get angry. It is characterized by a joyful patience, rejoicing, by good works and generosity, graciousness, peacefulness and justice. And most importantly, it is characterized by a deep and abiding trust that God will deliver His people. The meek man refuses to listen to the devil, and trusts that God has a good ending for his story.
A Word on Authorship
I've tried to show you to this point how we're in a story, and it goes without saying that a story (at least a good story) has to have an Author. And accepting this means nothing less that full-fledged Calvinism. Don't get caught on the word if it's a problem, but remember that if you don't have an Author who's putting together all the details, then you’re stuck in a "tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Or so said some fictional character.
So keep this in mind when your trials and struggles come. God sends you trials because He wants you to learn how stories work. And that means accepting the plot twists He gives you now in thankfulness. It means putting aside anger towards Him and His story. It means quitting your worrying and frantic working to try to fix things. It means joyfulness and resting, even in the dark times. And all these things are possible only if you remember that wherever your at now, its not the end of the story.
Plot Devices
God stories also have a number of recurring themes that He loves to use. We call these plot devices. A plot device is a person or object introduced into the story by the author to keep you interested in the story until the climax. And God has a few favorites. He loves rags-to-riches stories (v. 16). Or as Jesus put it, blessed are the poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. He loves happy endings (v. 4-5). Stories with happy endings are traditional stories, and they are also godly stories. God loves to catch the wicked in the trap that they have laid for the righteous (v. 15). This was the downfall of wicked Haman, and Satan himself. And in every story God tells, things look bad until He shows up at the end to work the miraculous deliverance (v. 40). You've heard that God wants to get all the glory; this is how He does it- by saving you.
Knowing Your Place in the Story
By default, we all see ourselves as protagonists in our own stories. You can always arrange the facts of the story you're in to suit your own conclusions. But part of the Spirit's work in our lives is learning how to see ourselves in relation to the story God is writing. So use this Psalm as a diagnostic tool for your lives- are you the kind of character that readers rejoice to see saved at the end of the story? Are you the kind of character that makes the reader slap his forehead in consternation? Or are you the kind of character that the protagonist is rescued from in the conclusion?
There is a great deal of death and resurrection imagery (evoking the Passion of Christ) in Acts 12. If you're not familiar, this is the story of Peter's imprisonment under Herod and subsequent angelic escape. Here's some of the images I noticed. Some are tenuous, and some are very clear. In chronological order:
So I think there's connections enough to make me think that Luke is trying to evoke Jesus' Passion in describing this episode. Why? Here are some thoughts/applications:
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-26
How is it that the disciples have little faith, when they cry to Jesus to save them? The disciples in question probably would have counted among their number at least three professional fisherman (and boat-handlers), and Jesus' trade as carpenter and preacher probably didn't offer much at the moment. Yet they clearly have some faith that he can save them. Is it faithless to ask Jesus for help?
Now compare a passage just prior:
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:26-27
When the winds came and beat upon them, and the rain descended and the floods came, the disciples were afraid, ignoring what Jesus had said about His own teaching. How good would it be for others if His house would fall when the winds came? And so we see how the disciples do not yet believe, for they do not take Jesus at His word.
There seems to be quite an industry going around the inspirational attitude of making the most of every day, living in the moment, etc. Most people seem to be quite enamored of the idea, but very few people seem to understand how. Yet the question and answer are as old as the earth.
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? For to a person who is good in His sight He has given knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight. This too is vanity and stiving after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
Here's some food for thought courtesy of Doug Wilson. He commented on these two passages in a recent sermon. First, famous stuff from II Cor 10:3-4:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
Most interpret this passage to say that Christians don't fight with guns or swords, but with "spiritual" weapons like prayer and singing. Very good. Now consider Hebrews 11:32-34:
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Notice the contradiction between the interpretation of the first passage and the second. Did Samson fight by faith? Yes. Did Samson fight in the Spirit? Yes. (Here's a good word study- count how many times the Holy Spirit is associated with Samson in Judges. Then count all the times it's associated with anybody else in the OT). Did Samson fight with real, physical weapons? Yes. Many of them, including his bare hands. So did all the rest of the faith heroes listed here.
We have been conditioned to think of the "spiritual" as the invisible and immaterial, but that is not true. The spiritual is the material powered by faith.
