1 Kings 17-18; Psalm 119; Jude
With the prophet Elijah, a new era begins in the history of Israel. God establishes the institution of prophets in addition to the institutions of kings and priests. Due to Israel's departure from God and His law, God chooses special people to speak on His behalf, calling Israel to repentance.
The main goal of Elijah's ministry, as well as that of all prophets, is "so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again" (1 King 18:37).
Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, positioned in the very center of the biblical text. It is written as an acrostic, with each set of eight verses starting with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, from beginning to end. Therefore, the psalm has 176 verses, eight for each of the 22 alphabet letters. The psalm is entirely dedicated to the important role of Scripture in the life of a believer. Here are several themes presented in it related to Scripture:
- Dependence on God for understanding Scripture: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain" (Psalm 119:36).
- Scripture as a source of joy and peace in the heart: "I delight in your commands because I love them" (Psalm 119:47). "May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word" (Psalm 119:41-42).
- Scripture as a source of wisdom: "Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies" (Psalm 119:98). "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes" (Psalm 119:99).
- God's word sustains the universe: "Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you" (Psalm 119:90-91).
- Scripture illuminates practical life questions: "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word" (Psalm 119:9). "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105).
- Scripture can be desired and loved from the heart: "I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold" (Psalm 119:127). "Your word is very pure; therefore, your servant loves it" (Psalm 119:140).
Jude
The Epistle of Jude is dedicated to combating false teachers who infiltrated the church early on. In this respect, it is similar to 2 Peter. Jude, one of the apostles (not Iscariot), urges believers: "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" (Jude 1:3).
Explaining the deceitfulness of false teachers, Jude details their problems: "dreamers who defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries" (Jude 1:8), "speak abusively against whatever they do not understand" (Jude 1:10), "rush for profit into Balaam's error" (Jude 1:11), "shepherds who feed only themselves" (Jude 1:12), "grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their advantage" (Jude 1:16).
The response to this is: "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life" (Jude 1:20-21).
The main goal of Elijah's ministry, as well as that of all prophets, is "so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again" (1 King 18:37).
Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, positioned in the very center of the biblical text. It is written as an acrostic, with each set of eight verses starting with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, from beginning to end. Therefore, the psalm has 176 verses, eight for each of the 22 alphabet letters. The psalm is entirely dedicated to the important role of Scripture in the life of a believer. Here are several themes presented in it related to Scripture:
- Dependence on God for understanding Scripture: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain" (Psalm 119:36).
- Scripture as a source of joy and peace in the heart: "I delight in your commands because I love them" (Psalm 119:47). "May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word" (Psalm 119:41-42).
- Scripture as a source of wisdom: "Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies" (Psalm 119:98). "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes" (Psalm 119:99).
- God's word sustains the universe: "Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you" (Psalm 119:90-91).
- Scripture illuminates practical life questions: "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word" (Psalm 119:9). "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105).
- Scripture can be desired and loved from the heart: "I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold" (Psalm 119:127). "Your word is very pure; therefore, your servant loves it" (Psalm 119:140).
Jude
The Epistle of Jude is dedicated to combating false teachers who infiltrated the church early on. In this respect, it is similar to 2 Peter. Jude, one of the apostles (not Iscariot), urges believers: "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" (Jude 1:3).
Explaining the deceitfulness of false teachers, Jude details their problems: "dreamers who defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries" (Jude 1:8), "speak abusively against whatever they do not understand" (Jude 1:10), "rush for profit into Balaam's error" (Jude 1:11), "shepherds who feed only themselves" (Jude 1:12), "grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their advantage" (Jude 1:16).
The response to this is: "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life" (Jude 1:20-21).
Posted in Reading Bible Together