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The psalmist begins his poetic narrative (Psalm 118:5-27) by recalling a time when he called out to the LORD in his distress. The LORD answered and exalted him. The psalmist does not fear because the LORD is with Him and wonders aloud—what can man do to me? He concludes that he can trust the LORD, and rest content to not pay back the evil they have done him because the LORD is among those who help him and the LORD will save and vindicate him.

The psalmist concludes his introductory chorus by emphatically reinforcing the truth that the LORD’s lovingkindness is everlasting. He does this by repeating three times what he said in verse 1. He calls upon Israel, the Levites, and those who fear the LORD to speak this bedrock truth with their own mouths

Psalm 118:1 meaning

July 14, 2023

Psalm 118 begins with a common exhortation to "Give thanks to the LORD." The reason he provides for us to give thanks is: "for He is good." The psalmist’s proof that the LORD is good is: "For His lovingkindness is everlasting." The psalmist’s gratitude for God’s lovingkindness is established up front and it permeates the entirety of Psalm 118. Psalm 118 is the climactic finale of group of five consecutive praise psalms called "the Hallel."

Isaiah ends the third Servant Song describing two types of men who walk in darkness. The first type fears the LORD but has no light of his own. Isaiah encourages this man to trust in the Messiah. The second man also walks in darkness, but he tries to get along by the dim light of his own fire. Isaiah warns him that this trust is misplaced and will result in his torment.

The Servant is able to trust and obey God through hardships, because the Lord is near Him and the Lord will vindicate Him. The Servant challenges anyone who does not believe His true identity to stand up to argue against Him in court with God as the judge. God will decide in the Servant’s favor and the arguments of the unbelievers will wear out like a moth-eaten garment that is riddled with holes.

Isaiah continues his third Servant Song prophesying about the Messiah. It is in the voice of the Servant, who declares that the LORD God helps Him, therefore He will not be disgraced. Because of this, the Servant is resolved like flint to obey the LORD’s will.

Isaiah begins his third Servant Song prophesying about the Messiah. It is in the voice of the Servant, who reveals that He is a disciple and follower of the LORD God. It is from the LORD that the Servant learns of GOD’s will and the Servant listens to Him so that He will faithfully obey. The Servant does not turn back from doing the LORD’s will, even when He is whipped, spit upon, and has His beard plucked by His enemies.

In this preface to Isaiah’s third "Servant Song" the LORD chastises one generation of Israel from following the same adulterous and idolatrous sins of her mother (a previous generation of Israel). The LORD reminds the Israelites that He has the power to save them, even in the depths of their iniquities, and He also has the power to judge them.

Humans have an amazing opportunity to align with the beauty, value, and worth of wisdom.

Lady Wisdom turns her speech toward the origins of wisdom and its intimate connection to Eternity.

Lady Wisdom continues her speech, declaring her value to all mankind.

As Solomon continues Lady Wisdom’s speech, he moves from the introductory proclamations about the essence of wisdom into the realities of wisdom’s benefit.

Lady Wisdom shares her credentials. She is the path to truth, righteousness, and prudence for all mankind.

Wisdom makes herself known, beckoning from prominent places of visibility.

The second Servant Song of Isaiah continues as the LORD’s Servant reveals a dialogue between Himself and the LORD where the Servant seems to lament that He failed to achieve His mission. The LORD consoles Him that He has not failed, and that it was too small a thing for Him to only redeem Israel—the Messiah’s known mission—but that He will also redeem the nations unto the end of the earth.

The second Servant Song of Isaiah begins with the LORD’s Servant calling for the Gentiles and peoples from afar to listen and pay careful attention. He declares that He was given a mysterious mission by the LORD from before He was born.

Matthew reports what the priest’s did with the bribe money that Judas left in the temple. Because it was unlawful for the priests to put Judas’s returned blood money into the Temple treasury, they used it to buy the Potter’s Field, which becomes a burial place for strangers. Matthew explains how the priest’s purchase of "the Potter’s Field" with the returned blood money originally paid to Judas for betraying Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills four prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. 

Judas’s Remorse: After Jesus was condemned, Judas regrets his betrayal, and he tries to return the thirty pieces of silver. The chief priests refuse to accept it. Judas throws it at their feet and runs away before killing himself.

After John’s fiery warnings, the crowds come to John asking what they should do in order to receive forgiveness and avoid the wrath to come. John tells them to put God’s commandment to love your neighbor as yourself into practice by being generous with your possessions. When reviled tax collectors and hated soldiers come and ask John the same question as it applies to them, he gives them a similar answer.

Hosea 14:9 meaning

June 29, 2023

Hosea urges anyone reading his prophecy to live wisely by obeying God’s precepts because they are completely true, and will lead those who follow His ways to be “righteous.” The way of righteousness is the path to our greatest possible fulfillment.

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