In 1 Chronicles 16 we have the ark finally arriving at Zion after the disastrous first attempt. It was placed in the tent David had pitched for it. And after the spirit of the Melchizedek king priest, David as a great sign of fellowship offers to all the people bread (meat) and wine (in the form of clusters of raisins). Burnt offerings and thanksgiving offerings accompany these actions and all the people receive portions of these offerings. Verses 8 to 35 record David's Psalm of thanksgiving,...
In 1 Chronicles 16 we have the ark finally arriving at Zion after the disastrous first attempt. It was placed in the tent David had pitched for it. And after the spirit of the Melchizedek king priest, David as a great sign of fellowship offers to all the people bread (meat) and wine (in the form of clusters of raisins). Burnt offerings and thanksgiving offerings accompany these actions and all the people receive portions of these offerings. Verses 8 to 35 record David's Psalm of thanksgiving, which was sung by the 24 orders of priests (previously organised by Samuel and David). The people enthusiastically respond in verse 36, "AMEN". The praise for Yahweh's 'chesed' - "loving kindness" continues. Psalm 132 was composed to commemorate the bringing of the ark to Zion - read it and marvel as it speaks of the righteousness and
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salvation, that will be ushered in when the glorious Kingdom of the Son of God comes. The Psalm needs to be read in conjunction with 1 Chronicles 17. In Ezekiel 28 we have a parabolic taunt against Tyre. In the days of Solomon, they shared in the brotherly covenant and cooperated in all things. Deterioration came between the kingdoms, as evil kings came to reign. The language is picturesque, but when read carefully, totally understandable. Verse 2 addresses the prince of Tyre - a man. Commercial and maritime wisdom abounded in this city state. They were not supernatural for the account says that they were slain by the sword. From verses 12-19 the Tyrians were in Eden - a geographic region described in Genesis 2. Then the chapter tells us of judgments on Sidon, Tyre's sister city. When Yahweh brought these judgments Israel would be regathered and restored. In Galatians we have one of the earliest books of the New Testament to be written- perhaps as early as AD42 depending upon the theory which adopted. The book must have been written after the Jerusalem' Conference, which was about the date mentioned previously. Galatians is the second of three treatises on the Atonement i.e. how sinners can be made right with God - the others being Romans and Hebrews. All three books are based on Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by faith". The emphasis in Romans is the JUST...; in Galatians it is ... LIVE by faith; and in Hebrews.. live by FAITH. The problem of Judaism is addressed in this book. The Judaizers, Paul's constant foes, taught salvation was by works of the Law, and not by faith. They preached that Christ and belief in him were insufficient to save - that the keeping of the Law was also necessary in order to be saved. In Galatians 1 Paul establishes his credentials and says how he was called to the gospel. Paul also indicates that a curse would rest on anyone preaching a variant of the only true gospel. The Apostle explains that the gospel message was given him in Arabia by direct revelation i.e. personally taught it by Jesus Christ - none of the other Apostles were in any way connected with his instruction. Chapter 2 teaches us of the firm stance that Paul took on not circumcising Titus. The chapter also spoke of Peter's equivocation and hypocrisy, when confronted by false brethren called Judaizers. Read verses 15-21 aloud. Pause and ponder. Let each of us determine to live our life in Christ Jesus as the great Apostle did.
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