SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR
5/6/2012 7:32:20 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
Praying for Israel
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Psalm
83:1-8
Message
of the verses: In today’s SD we will
begin to look at Psalm 83. This is the
tenth psalm in a row that is credited Asaph, as this was mentioned when we
looked at Psalm 73 that the next ten psalms would be written by Asaph. We will look at several different introductions
written by different Bible commentators to get a better idea what this psalm is
about and then we will begin to look at the psalm.
“Title: A
Psalm or Song of Asaph. This is the last
occasion upon which we shall meet with this eloquent writer. The patriotic poet sings again of wars and
dangers imminent, but it is no godless song of a thoughtless nation entering
upon war with a light heart. Asaph the seer is well aware of the serious
dangers arising from the powerful confederate nations, but his soul in faith
stays itself upon Jehovah, while as a poet preacher he excites his countrymen
to prayer by means of this sacred lyric.
The Asaph who penned this song was in all probability the person
referred to in #2Ch 20:14, for the internal evidence referring the subject of
the Psalm to the times of Jehoshaphat is overwhelming. The division in the camp of the confederate
peoples in the wilderness of Tekoa not only broke up their league, but led to a
mutual slaughter, which crippled the power of some of the nations for many
years after. They thought to destroy
Israel and destroyed each other.
“Division: An appeal to God in a general manner fills
#Ps 83:1-4; and then the psalmist enters into details of the league, #Ps
83:5-8. This leads to an earnest entreaty
for the overthrow of the enemy, #Ps 83:9-15, with an expression of desire that
God’s glory may be promoted thereby.”
(Charles H. Spurgeon)
“This
psalm, a national lament which includes prayer and imprecations, may be best
studied with a map since several individual national enemies of Israel are
noted. Second Chronicles 20:1-20 may
record the specific historical event prompting this psalm, though some Bible
students believe that the nations mentioned are only symbolic of all Israel’s
enemies. The psalmist begs God to rescue
Israel from its enemies as He had done so many times in the past.” (The John MacArthur Study Bible)
“This
is the last of the psalms identified with Asaph (50, 73-83). It describes a coalition of ten Gentile
nations that attempted to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Some students connect this psalm with
Jehoshaphat’s great victory over a smaller coalition (2Chron. 20), although
it’s possible that the historian did not list all the nations involved. Second Chronicles 20:11 parallels 83:12, and
20:29 parallels 83:16 and 18, but these similarities are not proof that the
psalmist wrote about the same event.
Israel has been the object of hatred and opposition since their years in
Egypt, but God has kept His promises and preserved them (Gen. 12:1-3). Pharaoh, Haman (The book of Ester), Hitler,
and every other would-be destroyer of the Jews has ultimately been humiliated
and defeated. This reminds us that the
church of Jesus Christ is likewise hated and attacked by the world (John
15:18-19; 17:14), and like the Jews in Asaph’s day, our defense is in prayer
and faith in God’s promises (Acts 4:23-31).
Commenting on this psalm, Alexander Maclaren wrote, ‘The world is up in
arms against God’s people, and what weapon has Israel? Nothing but
prayer.’ But is there any better
weapon? As he saw the enemy armies
surrounding Israel, Asaph lifted three heartfelt requests to the Lord.” (Warren Wiersbe)
Lord, See What Is
Happening!” (Vv. 1-8):
“1 A Song, a Psalm of Asaph: O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be
silent and, O God, do not be still. 2 For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves. 3 They make shrewd plans
against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones. 4 They have said, "Come, and
let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no
more." 5 For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant:
6 The tents of Edom
and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal and Ammon and
Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined
with them; They have become a help to the children of Lot. Selah.”
We
see from this psalm that there is a collation led by Moab and Ammon that would fight
against Israel. We must realize that
these nations were actually fighting against God for Israel is the apple of
God’s eye, and God’s chosen people. God
promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2 that He would bless those who blessed
Abraham and that He would curse those who cursed Abraham (Israel). There have been many people and nations who
have tried to wipe Israel off the map, but Israel has always stood at the
graves of those who has tried to do this.
Verses 6-8 tell who these nations that are involved in the collation
are. In verses 1—5 we see a wonderful
prayer prayed by the psalmist in which he names two names of God, Elohim and El
and in the end of the psalm he will mention two other names of God, Jehovah and
El Elyon (God Most High). This name reminds us of when Abraham was
fighting against the kings who had taken Lot and after the victory Abraham meet
with Melchizedek.
Spiritual meaning for my life
today: God will keep His promises is something that
I have been reminded of in this section of Scripture, for God will defeat all
the enemies of Israel even today as we see that just a couple of days ago that
Israel celebrated its 64 anniversary of being back in the Promised Land. Many believe that Israel going back to their
land was a fulfillment of Ezekiel chapter 36-37. In chapter 38-39 we see what will happen next
for Israel.
I
also see the importance of prayer from these verses, as Asaph prayed
wonderfully to the Lord in a great time of trouble, trusting that the Lord will
care for Israel.
My
Steps of Faith for Today: Trust in
the Lord with all of my heart and lean not upon my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will
direct my path.
5/6/2012
8:22:11 AM
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