1 Kings 15-16; Psalm 119; John 8

July 2: Even in the Old Covenant, which more directly associates material prosperity, power and blessing with obedience, it’s not so simple as to immediately result from a shallow turning. Rehoboam was chastened, but never seems to have repented. Abijam rallied but overall was said to have walked in Rehoboam’s sins. David had a perfect heart but experienced all kinds of wars and troubles. The practical walk of a faithful believer in a morally tangled world is difficult in any era. It’s why the Psalmist continues to reaffirm his commitment to the laws, the statutes, the commandments of the Lord. It’s why Christ continues to tie any new revelation to the existing revelation of God, making His hearers responsible for careful reasoning on the Scriptures they had. We need both the Word and the Spirit in our day to be interpreters of both God’s revelation and the significance of our own times and their points of alienation from Him.

1 Kings 15-16: Almost immediately the contrast between the Northern Kingdom and Judah is apparent. Even though Rehoboam was foolish in many ways, he nevertheless forsook his plan to make war on Israel. (1 Kings 12:24) And although Abijam “walked in all the sins of his father,” (1 Kings 15:3), he still succeeded against Jeroboam because he depended upon the Lord (2 Chronicles 13:8-18). I wonder what had impacted Asa, that he was so determined to restore faithfulness? Perhaps it was even the victory over the Northern Kingdom in the name of the Lord. Certainly the prophecy of Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1-7) made a huge difference, but he was said to be making reforms right away after he began to reign (2 Chronicles 14:3-7)

Psalm 119:161-176: Who does the beginning and ending of this section of Scripture remind you of? “Princes have persecuted me without a cause” (v. 161) and “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant” (v. 176) Jesus was the One truly persecuted without a cause; and in the passage from John today, He makes that abundantly clear, as there was no convincing charge of sin from the Pharisees and He always did what pleases the Father. He also was the One seeking the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12). For all the Psalmist’s claims of doing God’s commandments, keeping His testimonies, delighting in His law, there remains the admission of straying, need of deliverance and help. The Psalmist hopes for Yeshua, v. 166, and longs for Him, (v. 174). Did he understand this to be a Person, and not just a rescue, at the time of writing? I don’t know, but Jesus was the One sent to “seek and save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10), so He is the “exceeding abundantly more than we could ever ask or think” answer to the Great Psalm.

John 8:28-59: What is the issue at question in the remainder of John 8? Jesus’ authority vs. that of the Pharisees. He was inviting those in the Temple to follow Him (John 8:12, 20), and they were confronting Him. What were they saying?

  1. Essentially that His doctrine was all-new, and He had none to witness for Him besides Himself. (v. 13) His answer: the Father also bears witness to its truth. (Matthew 3:17, 17:5)
  2. Is he going to kill Himself? (John 8:22) Jesus’ answer: they can’t go where He’s going because they are going to die in their sins because they do not believe Him when He calls Himself I AM. (v. 24)
  3. Who are you? (John 8:25) Jesus’ answer: the Son sent by the Father to speak to the world, Who always does what pleases the Father. (John 8:25-30)
  4. (In reaction to His promise to make those who follow Him free.) “We are Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man.” (John 8:33) A very strange claim from spiritual leaders of a nation that had been enslaved to the Egyptians, the Babylonians and were now under the control of the Romans. Jesus’ answer: you may be Abraham’s seed but it’s because my Word has no place in you that you seek to kill me. Abraham’s legitimate children would do the works of Abraham. Let me tell you who your true father is: the devil.
  5. We are not illegitimate children (like you are!); God is our Father. (John 8:41) Jesus’ response: if God were your Father, you would love me. You do not understand me because you can’t even hear me. (John 8:42-43)
  6. You are a Samaritan (probably a slur that He was a half-breed as the Samaritans had been mixed during the Assyrian captivity) and have a demon. (John 8:48) Jesus’ response: I honor the Father and seek not my own glory. Someone seeks and judges (John 8:50 - The Holy Spirit[?] seeks to glorify Christ? John 16:13-14)
  7. Saying your teachings bring eternal life is the equivalent to saying you are greater than Abraham. (John 8:52-53) “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58; Isaiah 43:13; Exodus 3:14) Their attempt to stone Him indicates they knew exactly what He meant by this.

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