Tag Archives: wisdom

Aug
22
2012

Where is history going? (Psalm 2)

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Progressing from Psalm 1 to Psalm 2 expands from the individual person to the nations as a whole. Originally, this psalm was likely used in coronation ceremonies. The Davidic king was the Lord’s “anointed”. Yet, Psalm 2 points beyond a human king to the ultimate Son of David, Jesus Christ. He will be our focus.

The world, represented by the kings and rulers, is hostile to the Lord and his Anointed (“messiah”). We see in Acts 4:23-31 that this hostility spills onto the Lord’s people. Dale Ralph Davis asks, “What are we to make of this?” We understand that a proper worldview starts with this understanding: the world hates God, detests his Messiah, and despises his people.

But is there any consolation for the Lord’s people? Yes, God is unimpressed by this world-wide rebellion – he laughs at them all! Our consolation is grounded is this truth: God’s kingdom cannot be destroyed. God has installed his own king on Zion to rule over the nations. It may start visibly small, but will grow until it fills the earth.

God’s decree determines who will rule. The nations and rules have plotted, but God has decided and acted. God has appointed the king, with world-wide sway, who will be established in overwhelming force. The view of where everything is headed will act as glue for God’s people.

God offers the rebellious mercy if they come and make peace. They can avoid danger and experience joy, but it requires total submission to the Son. God is in the business of saving rebels. God is in control, which comforts us during persecution and urges us to share God’s mercy – which we rebels have already received.

 

Apr
16
2012

Authority from Ray Ortlund’s blog

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“The Rabbis spoke from authority, Jesus with authority.  Those who heard Him ‘were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes’ (Mark 1:22.  C. H. Dodd renders ‘He taught them like a sovereign, and not like the Rabbis’).  W. Manson . . . cites the saying of Justin Martyr, ‘His word was power from God.’  ‘Thus says the Lord’ is typical of the Old Testament, but Jesus’ characteristic expression is ‘Truly, truly, I say to you.’  The difference is significant.  Jesus appealed to no other authority as He spoke to men of the deep things of God.”

Leon Morris, The Lord from Heaven (Downers Grove, 1974), pages 13-14.  Italics his.

via Authority – Ray Ortlund.

Feb
27
2012

The Rare Jewel of Wisdom

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From Don Carson:

People do not often understand just how rare real wisdom is. According to chapter 28, Job understands. The chapter is a poetic reflection on this very theme: “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:12). Job lists the places wisdom is not found and concludes, “It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumor of it has reached our ears’ ” (Job 28:21-22). Where then is wisdom found? “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” (Job 28:23-24). And what is God’s own summary? “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:28).

via Exodus 10; Luke 13; Job 28; 1 Corinthians 14 – For the Love of God.