Tues.3.10.15...Super Psalms- Ps.127- Ascent

What Made The Pilgrims So Incredibly Tough?

The Pilgrims who came to this country faced incredible hardships long before they ever made it to these shores, including persecution and imprisonment. Once here, nearly half of them died the first winter. They could have gone back in the spring, but none chose to do so! Why? They saw themselves as pilgrims- “people on a holy journey.” May we too have such tough stuff in our souls, for we are just passing through this land to our heavenly homeland. “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Heb.13:14. Thus, as pilgrims we are not to have a love affair with the deceitful lusts of this world.  “Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” 1 Pet.2:11 ERV. Instead we are to put to death, battle against such fleshly lusts. Let us WAR to live worthy lives focused on seeing our Savior. God blesses those who have set their hearts on their heavenly destiny- “Blessed are all those whose strength in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” Ps.84:4. Paul seems to pick up this pilgrim or ascent theme when he writes, “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Col.3:1.

This pilgrim theme of heading upward is very pronounced in the Psalms. As a matter of fact, 15 psalms in a row are all entitled Songs of Ascent (Ps.120-134). These psalms or songs were especially used by the pilgrim Israelites who went up (ascended) to Jerusalem for the required* three worship feasts each year (Ex.34:18-23). Thus, these songs of ascent were also known as pilgrim psalms. Let’s turn now to Psalm 127. Note who wrote it in the superscription. He also wrote Psalm 72. Before you read any farther, it will enrich your reading to pay attention to the style of Hebrew poetry used here and in many other psalms and proverbs. Fortunately, their poetry didn’t usually use rhyming. If it did, we would only get it if we knew how to read Hebrew. They’re style of poetry used a technique called parallelism. The first and second lines would often complement each other (note v.1 &3). At other times they would contrast each other. (The book of Proverbs uses that contrasting technique a lot.) This is a BIG Bible Interpretation Guideline- Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line. With that in mind, go ahead and read Ps.127.

As we’ve mentioned before, titling a passage helps you to think through what it’s about. We could title Psalm 127- Focus on the Family. It’s in two parts- v.1-2 and then v.3-5. Is it wrong to work long, hard hours? There's a time and place where this may need to be done. Paul worked hard and had sleepless nights. Again, Scripture balances Scripture. We need to be people of balance. Too much work void of faith in God as our Provider leads to a vain or empty existence. Did you notice the use of the word “quiver in v.5? This brings us to a BIG point we need to make. The context of a word determines its meaning. “Quiver” can mean to tremble. But in v.5, quiver means a container for arrows. The context easily revealed the meaning of that word. (By the way, our goal in M3 is to help you have a quiver full of spiritual sons in the faith who are like arrows- making an impact far beyond you.) 

Here’s a modern day example of how words need a context to be properly understood- If I said, “It’s by the trunk” you don’t know if I mean a car trunk, clothes trunk, tree trunk or even an elephant’s trunk, unless I say more to give you the context of the word. Context determines meaning. Now here's a NT example- Paul told Timothy, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Tim.4:16. Why would Paul say that? I thought Timothy was already saved! Maybe the world is right that you have to save yourself. No! The word "save" simply means "to rescue or deliver." From the context of the book, we know that Paul is writing to a man who already is saved eternally. So it's clear that Paul is not referring to being saved from eternal ruin. It's earthly ruin he will save himself from. If you pay careful attention to your life and doctrine, your behavior and beliefs, you'll save or spare yourself and your followers from a wasted life. We are seeking to spare men from wasting their lives pursuing comfort versus conquest for Christ. 

So read the context (the chapter or book) to help you understand the meaning of a word or verse (the text). A text without a context is a pretext (a cover-up). Similarly, if you just read certain verses out of Ecclesiastes, it sounds heretical. But if you read the entire book, you understand that Solomon was showing people how meaningless life is under the sun, from an earthly perspective, not a heavenly perspective. Thus, Ecclesiastes is a great pre-evangelism book. It shows people that their life is meaningless, unless they are rightly connected to their Creator, who gives meaning and enjoyment. We can show them that Christ is the bridge to life. 

Here’s another BIG point- Words also need to be understood in their historical context. Some might wrongly think that the end of the psalm is talking about a father not being defeated because he has many sons (arrows) to help him battle invading enemies at the gate of his home. But understanding the history of that era (the historical context) helps us know what the writer meant. (Commentaries can help us learn the historical context.) The town gate was where judicial disputes were discussed (Gen.23:10; Ruth 4:11). The godly, blessed man and his sons were pictured as the victors in court. 

One last point- If you come across a difficult verse to understand, then remember these BIG points- Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones. And keep an open mind to learn new insights to improve your view on things. Even great scholars have been known to change their view on things. No one is a "Know it all." 

1.-What's one thing that you gleaned from what we read today?

2.-Pick one verse from those quoted above or in Psalm 127 and write it on your MP3 card. (Then do the "Did it.)  

G. How many individuals or groups did you get to share and enrich from your MP3 card?

R?

E? Did you Encourage a teammate since yesterday?

A? Attacked in warfare prayer? O Lord give us Power HOUSE men to train and battle with us to forcefully advance your kingdom.

T? Feel free to also share outreach opportunities you had, or you can just put up numbers.

*Beware of "Have to" vs. "Get to" faith. The Israelites were required to travel up to Jerusalem three different times each year to worship the Lord (Ex.34:18-23). For some living far from Jerusalem, this would have been a 4 or 5 day pilgrimage. I'm sure some of them went grudgingly. "Do we have to go again?!" But many wanted to go and sang those songs of ascent (Ps.120-134). "We get to go again to meet with God and others!" The same thing can happen in our Christian lives if we let the enemy deceive us. "Do we have to go to church again?" Another song of ascents gives the alternate view- "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Ps.122:1. Fight against "obligation versus opportunity" faith and life. This can certainly occur with any good thing, including M3. Here's a great insight into human nature. When we balk at doing a good thing, it's usually the "thinking about doing it" that is the hardest (thinking about getting out of bed, thinking about going to work out, thinking about reading your Bible or blogging). Once you start it, you tend to enjoy it. The battlefield is the mind and Satan knows it. Fight the good fight of faith. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Focus on the opportunities of what is before you. That's what the pilgrims did. Don't you wish the foot draggers and complainers around you would do that?!

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1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	G MP3 sharing	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	T	Totals
	For Fri.3.6.15
Alpha Force
Fire Team 1
Jack Rogers U.3	1	6	1	5	1		14
Roger Vinlasaca U.3	1	1		1	1		4
Fire Team 2							0
Mike Pagan U.3	1				1		2
George Rabiela U.1	1	2	1	2	1	1	8
Fire Team 3							0
Sam Vargas U.3	1	1			1	4	7
Gary Remson U.3	1	2		3	1		7
Fire Team 4							0
Robert Roman U.2	1	3		4	1		9
Vince Diaz U.2	1	1		2	1		5
							0
Delta Force							0%
Fire Team 1							0
Alvin James U.2	1		2	1	1		5
Kentrayle Adams U.1	1		1		1		3
Fire Team 2							0
Dave Heidekruger U.3	1	1		1	1		4
Israel Fuentes U.3	1				1		2
Fire Team 3							0
Daniel Contreras U.2	1			2	1	1	5
Antonio Palomar	1	1		3	1		6
Fire Team 4							0
Eddie Morales U.3	1			3	1		5
Ismael Andrade U.2	1	2		1	1		5

Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-

Ask questions!

Give careful consideration to what you read.  

The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.

The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.

Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.

It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.

Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.

Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.

The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.

Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.

“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.

Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.

Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.

The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.

Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.

Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.

The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.

Words also need to be understood in their historical context.

Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.

And keep an open mind to learn new insights to improve your view on things. No one is a "Know it all."