Sunday, December 11, 2011 pm
PSALM 81
Hear O Israel, if You Will Listen to Me
This particular psalm has a very practical lesson for us.
The author begins by reminding the people at feast time of God’s
blessings and prosperity upon them (which was the purpose of such
feasts). Yet it seems that
they were headed toward apostasy so the author seeks to turn them back
to God before it is too late.
a.
A call to praise God in song and music
(1-3).
i.
In these verses we find
a call to praise God with voice and at least four instruments are
mentioned (timbrel, harp, lute and trumpet).
ii.
There is debate as to
whether or not God authorized the various instruments used at times in
temple worship OR whether He simply tolerated it.
Most of the special days and feasts mention NOTHING about
instrumental music, with the possible exception of Leviticus 23:24 where
we read of the feast of trumpets in which there was “a Sabbath rest, a
memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.”
It is believed that instruments were introduced into their feasts
by David
iii.
But the point of these
verses is a call to praise God at a time He has designated for His
people to do so. Under the
Old Law, there were several annual feasts, holy days and Sabbaths
(including the weekly Sabbath) where the people were give specific
instructions. The intent was
for them to consider God and all He had done for them.
When observed properly, these feasts would humble the people and
renew their determination to serve God.
iv.
What a lesson for us.
Let us consider these things we find instructions concerning our
worship to God. Our command
to assemble (Heb. 10:25) and the various acts of worship recorded in the
New Testament are all designed to bring to our remembrance what God has
done for us. That is why
abuses in worship were of such great concern (cf. 1 Cor. 11).
The way they worshipped God according to their own standards
magnified their own desires rather than glorifying and praising God.
b.
Commanded of God
(4) –
i.
What they were to do was
“a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.”
ii.
These feasts were
commanded and specific instructions were to be followed.
While we are not certain as to which feast the author had in mind
(arguments could be made for all three and perhaps others), we know that
they were instructed to observe them.
It was not an option.
IN fact, so important was the Passover that provisions were made for
those unable to participate on the appointed day.
iii.
We need to consider this
in our worship to God.
Whatever instructions He has given us, let us ensure that we follow them
both in word and in deed.
Let us also ensure that our heart is right in the doing of these things.
John 4:24 calls for us to worship God “in Spirit and in truth.”
1 Cor. 11:28-29 speaks of partaking of the Lord’s Supper “in an unworthy
manner, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
Jas 4:3 speaks of praying amiss and not receiving because of it.
iv.
NOTE:
Some might use these verses to justify the use of instrumental
music today. They might
reason that while we do not have specific command to use them, they were
used in Israel and thus acceptable.
BUT notice in this verse WHO these statutes were directed toward
– Israel and Judah. Even if
they were authorized by God, we CANNOT use this text to justify our
conduct today because we are not under the Old Law.
c.
A reminder of God’s deliverance (5-7)
i.
Throughout the psalms
and prophets we find continual reminders of God’s past dealings with
Israel. There are constant
references to Egypt’s bondage and the exodus.
Such is the case here, though it is presented in an interesting
way.
1.
Joseph is mentioned
though by the time of Moses he was dead.
Nevertheless, the promises fulfilled were made possible because
of Joseph in Egypt.
2.
Going throughout the
land of Egypt is best explained as the plagues which led to their
deliverance.
3.
“When I heard a language
I did not understand” is the most difficult statement in this psalm.
Does it speak of God or the psalmist?
To me the psalmist is the best understanding because there is no
language God doesn’t understand (He is all powerful and all-knowing).
The point of the psalmist is that they were in a foreign land and
strangers.
4.
Vs. 6 describes their
deliverance from slavery
5.
Vs. 7 – they called out
to Him and He delivered them (Ex. 2:23, 14:10, etc.)
6.
The “secret place of
thunder” could be God’s wrath against Israel’s enemies (cf. Ex. 14:24),
or more likely – His thunderous voice at Mt. Sinai where He did answer
them. It was “secret” in
that they did not see His face, but heard His voice in the clouds (Ex.
20:18-20)
7.
“I tested you at the
waters of Meribah” – Ex. 17:6-7 records Israel on their way to Mt. Sinai
and thirsting. God provides
water from a rock.
ii.
Lesson: As we consider
our worship to God, let us recall the wonderful things He has done for
us in times past. Does our
worship prompt us to be grateful to Him for all His blessings?
iii.
Thought: While Israel
DID have specified “holidays” they were to observe, we have no such
holidays commanded in scripture, save our weekly observance of the
Lord’s Supper. It is not the
business of the Lord’s church to engage in nor support man made
holidays, even if they commemorate commendable events (such as the birth
of Christ or His resurrection, etc.)
a.
In this portion of our
text, Israel is rebuked for their failure to fully realize the reason
for the occasion of their feasts. Rather than these feasts drawing them
toward God, they were being carried out as mere ritual.
Their hearts were far from Him as the psalmist identifies the
idolatry that they are carried away with.
b.
Hear, O Israel, and I
will admonish you –
a call to pay attention. The KJV says, “I will testify unto thee.”
Even if the ungodly and hypocritical are present, there is a need
to provoke. Sometimes in
worship, as the message of God is delivered our hearts are pricked.
c.
God’s law – no foreign gods or idols (9)
i.
This was the first
commandment (Ex. 20:3, Deut. 6:13-15) for Israel.
ii.
It has ALWAYS been true
of God that HE demands one worship Him only.
iii.
Can we be carried away
into idolatry? There are
many world religions based upon idolatry, even today.
In the New Testament we are commanded to “flee from idolatry” – 1
Cor. 10:14. 1 John 5:21
says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
What is perhaps most revealing about this is Col. 3:5 which describes
covetousness as idolatry.
The point of idolatry is the putting of someone or something ahead of
Jehovah God. When God is not
first in our lives, we are serving other things (e.g. mammon – Matt.
6:24). They WILL distract us
from proper worship much in the same way the psalmist expressed concerns
about Israel and their feasts.
d.
Serve ONLY the God who
saves (10).
i.
After condemning foreign
gods we read, “I am the Lord your God”.
It is a declaration that He is the ONLY hope they have of
deliverance and salvation
ii.
This is the typical
challenge to put God first.
Seek Him and you will find Him.
Seek His kingdom and He will take care of You (Matt. 6:33)
e.
Israel rejected God
(11-12)
i.
Over and over they
rejected God so He gave them over to their own stubborn heart.
This was true of Israel’s history throughout.
So God let them do it – and face the consequences!
ii.
Let us learn that God
will NOT force us into submission.
He never has and He never will.
TRUE Calvinism teaches that God chooses you (or He doesn’t) and
you have no choice in the matter.
But we are freewill agents and accountable for our own actions –
Rom. 1:24-25 describes this about idolaters.
iii.
Friends, God wants you
and your heart, but He is NOT going to force you, ever, into submission.
But know that whatever choice you make, it comes with
consequences.
a.
God’s desire is that
people listen to Him (13) –
i.
This is what God desires
– He doesn’t want men to perish – 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4, etc.
ii.
Listening is not just
hear the words, but respond in obedience.
b.
Promise of deliverance
(14)
i.
He can and is able to
save us – 2 Pet. 2:9
ii.
He will bring vengeance
against HIS enemies – 2 Thess. 1:6-9
iii.
The question is – WHOSE
SIDE ARE YOU ON? Not merely
in word, but in deed? Are
you His enemy? Matthew 12:30 says if you are not with Him you are
against Him.
c.
The haters of the Lord would pretend submission but their fate is sealed
(15) –
i.
The KJV reads thus, “The
haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto Him.”
ii.
The idea is that His
enemies would have been subdued (Had they been faithful), not
necessarily that their enemies would submit to God willingly and wholly.
But they would have never gained prominence against Israel.
iii.
When we stand for what
is right, often times we silence our enemies.
They may not agree with us but they cannot ultimately stand
against the truth.
Can we with reasoning “put to shame the wise”? (1 Cor. 1:27)
Does our conduct defend us? 1 Peter 2:15 speaks of putting to silence
the ignorance of foolish me by doing good.
1 Pet. 2:12 says that by honorable conduct among the Gentiles
that their evil accusations will
not stand.
iv.
We live in a nation
where the ungodly are having their way.
One reason I fear this to be true is because we, as believers
in God, do not stand up for Him as we ought to.
For the time being this is still a so-called “Christian nation”
but its erosion from that state is happening rapidly and I cannot help
but ask if we are part to blame in it?
Imagine if everyone who believed in Jesus and the truths of
scripture WOULD stand up for them.
Atheism and evolution would be driven out of our schools.
There would be reminders of a higher power to whom we must give
account in our courts. Laws
would pass respecting the moral principles that the majority wants (such
as the defensive marriage act) and we would at least DELAY our downfall.
But again, are we part of the problem with our failure to wholly
defend our Lord and His principles of integrity?
v.
As we bring this lesson
to its conclusion we make this final observation - in this expression I
see the need for TRUE obedience from the heart.
God despises the pretender (i.e. the hypocrite)
d.
God can and will bless
those who remain faithful to Him (16)
i.
Here is the final
promise.
ii.
The psalmist wishes for
perfection among the people of God.
He wants their loyalty and reminds them of the good they would
enjoy if they were faithful.